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Tag: Oyo

  • Ajimobi expresses satisfaction with peaceful conduct in Oyo

    •Party preaches sustained peace

    OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi is satisfied with the peaceful conduct of the rescheduled ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held across the state yesterday.

    A statement by the Special Adviser, Communication and Strategy to the Governor, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, quoted the governor as saying that feelers from the state’s five zones suggested that the exercise went without hitches.

    Ajimobi described Saturday’s disturbances at the APC state secretariat, which forced the postponement of the congress till yesterday, as one of those things expected in a political gathering of highly placed political leaders with vested interests.

    According to him, followers and supporters of such leaders have been known to instigate crisis in their bid to outdo one another and to impress their principals, who often time were never in support of such violent conducts.

    The governor said: “The reports I have heard so far across the state indicate that the congress went peacefully without any form of acrimony or rancour. That is what we have been preaching and I’m happy that the players have embraced peace.

    “As the leader of the APC in the state, I’m also father to all and that informed my conciliatory moves. No good father will stand aloof while his children are at loggerheads. Thank God all have been settled now and we have had a peaceful outing today (yesterday).”

    The governor debunked some newspapers report, which claimed that the incident at the APC secretariat was a ‘bloody violence,’ describing it as exaggeration.

    The state APC also hailed the Ward Congress Committee led by Alhaji Musa Halilu Ahmed for the professional way it conducted its task.

    In a statement issued by the party secretary, Mojeed Olaoya, members across the 351 wards of the state were also lauded for their orderliness in the discharge of their onerous responsibility to elect new executives that would pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years.

    “It gladdens our heart that the congress went smoothly and was very successful across all the 351 Wards without any skirmishes or violence against the wish of the so called Unity forum.

    Olaoya said the 351 Wards Congresses were monitored by INEC officials and the security agents to authenticate the exercise.

    The party secretary advised members of the Unity Forum to always embark on moves that would promote the party’s unity instead of being divisive.

    “The claim is spurious and unfounded. They are calling the integrity of top APC members deployed in Oyo for the exercise to question. This is not good for the image of our party in Oyo State.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Speaker buried amidst tributes, tears

    The remains of Mr Michael Adeyemo, the late Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly has been buried at his Lanlate home in Ibarapa East Local Government area of the state amidst tributes and tears.

    Reports have it that the interment on Thursday followed a funeral service held for Adeyemo (47), who died on April 27.

    Our reporter reports that it was a glorious home call for Adeyemo as residents thronged the streets in their hundreds to receive the remains of the late speaker who they described as a worthy representative.

    There was, however, a gloomy atmosphere amidst tears and bitter exclamations in the air on arrival at Lanlate.

    The remains had left Ibadan for Lanlate on Thursday morning after a special session and lying-in-state ceremony held in his honour by the State House of Assembly.

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state had at the special session in Ibadan lamented the death of Adeyemo, describing the deceased as a confidant and patriotic partner in progress.

    Ajimobi said that the late speaker contributed immensely to the success of the current administration in the state.

    Mr Edward Ubosi, the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, also described the late Adeyemo as not just a speaker but also a speaking speaker.

    Ubosi, who spoke on behalf of Nigerian Conference of Speakers, noted several contributions of late Adeyemo to the conference and Nigeria.

    Earlier, Messrs Olusegun Ajanaku and Gbenga Oyekola, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers, could not hold back tears while reading their tributes to the deceased, describing the death of Adeyemo as unfortunate and premature.

    They said Adeyemo died at a time his full potential had not been fully tapped.

    Rev. Stephen Adekunle, President, Ibadan Baptist Conference at the funeral service gave a sermon entitled ‘When your life becomes history’.

    Adekunle stressed the need for the living to always prepare to leave” an impactful history”, in view of the inevitability of death.

    Among those who attended the funeral service are the deceased’s wife, Oyeronke, Ajimobi and his wife, former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala, Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor of the state and wife.

    Others were members of State Executive Council, members of National Assembly, members of the State Assembly, prominent political leaders and associates as well as Ibarapa people.

    Speakers of Akwa-Ibom, Lagos, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Niger, Kwara, Ondo, Ogun, Delta, Osun and Ekiti states represented the delegation of Nigeria Conference of Speakers at the lying-in-state for the deceased.

    NAN

  • Lai Mohammed mourns Oyo speaker, Tambuwal’s aide

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described as untimely and shocking the death of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo.

    Mohammed also expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of Mr Imam Imam, the Special Adviser on Media to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the minister said  death had cut short the rising profile of Adeyemo in the nation’s political scene.

    While expressing his condolences to the people and government of Oyo State, he prayed that God will grant repose to the soul of the departed and comfort the late Speaker’s family.

    Mohammed also  paid tribute to Imam, whom he said he had cause to interact with many times in his lifetime, describing him as “a quintessential journalist and a valuable aide of his principal.’’

    He expressed his condolences to Tambuwal whom  he said  had suffered a personal loss with the demise of his long-time aide.

    The minister prayed that God will take Imam to his bosom and also give his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    NAN

  • Breaking: Oyo Speaker dies at 47

    The Oyo State House of Assembly and the  state secretariat were thrown into mourning mood with the news of the death of the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo, Friday morning.

    Adeyemo reportedly died on Friday. Details of his death were still scanty as at press time.

    Adeyemo, a lawyer, was elected on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to represent Ibarapa East in the state assembly in 2011. Until then, he was an associate at the law chambers of Olijinmi & Akeredolu & Co., Ring Road, Ibadan.

    He was re-elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 after which he was elected the speaker of the Assembly due to rotational consideration among the five zones in the state. He hails from Lanlate, Ibarapa Zone of Oyo State.

    The deceased was born to the Adeyemo family of Alaarun Compound, Lanlate, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State and he was the first child of the family.

    He attended IMG School, Oke Ado, Ibadan for his primary school education and Celestial Church High School, Oke Ado, Ibadan for his secondary school education.

    Adeyemo bagged his first degree in Educational Management from  the University of Port Harcourt and LLB  from the University of Ibadan in 2004.

    In his first term as lawmaker, he was the Deputy Chief Whip and a member of committees of Fund Allocation, Works and Transport, Agriculture, Trade and Investment as well as Appropriation and Public Finance.

    He was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and International Bar Association (IBA) and served in the Executive Committee as an auditor and Assistant Secretary of NBA, Ibadan branch.

    Until his death, Adeyemo was a Master’s student at the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan.

  • Oyo okays beaded crowns for Ibadan obas

    Oyo State government has approved beaded crowns and coronets for 48 monarchs.

    The beneficiaries are the crowned 21 Ibadan obas, and traditional rulers and chiefs elsewhere.

    The new law provides an alternative legal validation and cover for the controversial elevation of the 21 Ibadan obas.

    A state High Court nullified their coronation, based on recommendation of a judicial panel last August.

    Information, Culture and Tourism Commissioner Toye Arulogun said the decision was taken after consultation with the Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    He said the approval was in line with powers conferred on the governor by Section 28(1) of the Chiefs Law Cap 28, Vol. 1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria.

    The commissioner stressing that the approval had been gazetted by Oyo State Notice No. 20-67 of Oyo State of Nigeria Gazette No. 3, Vol. 43, published on March 29 and endorsed by Secretary to the State Government Ishmael Olalekan Alli.

    Arulogun said 26 monarchs would wear beaded crown based on the approval, while 22 would wear coronets.

    He said over 100 applications were received for beaded crowns.

    The commissioner said the consultative meeting was attended by 23 monarchs and chiefs, led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, adding that three of the rulers could not attend due to old age.

    He said the other three did not attend for different reasons.

    The spokesman said the meeting stepped down approval for six chiefs, promising further approvals later.

    Arulogun said beaded crowns were approved for the Alajaawa of Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government, the Aale of Oke’Lerin in Ogbomoso North Local Government, the Onijabata of Jabata in Surulere Local Government, the Onigbeti of Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government, the Ajoriiwin of Irawo in Atisbo Local Government, the Asawo of Ayete in Ibarapa North Local Government, the Obalufon of Sepeteri in Saki East Local Government and the trio of the Oluigbo of Igbojaye, the Olokaka of Okaka and the Eleyinpo of Ipapo in Itesiwaju Local Government.

    Others are the Oloje of Oje-Owode in Saki East Local Government, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland in Ibadan South East Local Government, the Balogun of Ibadanland in Ibadan North East Local Government, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland in Ibadan South West Local Government, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland in Ona-Ara Local Government, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland in Ibadan North Local Government, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland in Ibadan North West Local Government, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland in Akinyele Local Government, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oluyole Local Government, the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland in Ido Local Government, the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland in Egbeda Local Government, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanlan in Lagelu Local Government, the Elempe of Tapa in Ibarapa North Local Government and the trio of Oniware of Iware, Oni Fiditi of Fiditi and Onimini of Imini in Afijio Local Government.

    The commissioner said the coronet-wearing obas include Onijaiye of Ijaiye, Oniroko of Iroko and Onikereku of Ikereku in Akinyele Local Government; Ololodo of Olodo, Elerunmu of Erunmu and Elegbeda of Egbeda in Egbeda Local Government; Onido from Ido, Alakufo of Akufo, Oloke of Okelade-Okin, the Olomi of Omi-Adio and Alawotan of Awotan in Ido Local Government; Olofa-Igbo of Ofa Igbo, Onilagun of Lagun, Onilalupon of Lalupon, Onilegbon of Ile-Igbon, Ologburo of Ogburo and Elejioku of Ejioku in Lagelu Local Government.

    Others are Alaba of Aba-Nla, Onidiayunre of Idi-Ayunre and Onilatunde of Olatunde in Oluyole Local Government; Alakaran of Akanran and Alajia of Ajia in Ona-Ara Local Government.

  • ‘Oyo records 147% growth in tourism’

    Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, has said the tourism sector has grown by 147 per cent in the last seven years.

    He spoke in Ibadan at the inauguration of a top-class hotel, Euro Lounge and Suites.

    The commissioner said a new dawn had begun, adding that the state was recording foreign direct investments and massive growth, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sector, among others.

  • Oyo Govt. expresses commitment to security of NYSC members

    The Oyo State Government on Monday expressed its commitment to ensuring adequate welfare and security of members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) deployed to the state.

    Abiola Ajimobi, represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, said this at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2018 batch “A” corps members deployed to the state, at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iseyin.

    He assured the corps members of the warm reception awaiting them in their places of primary assignments.

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    “I assure you that you will enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the entire people of the state throughout the period of your one-year national service,” he said.

    The governor noted that NYSC remained the unifying chord that held the country together.

    He said that the scheme provided youths, who prior to its establishment, were strangers to the diverse culture of other parts of Nigeria.

    Ajimobi remarked that the orientation programme was designed to inculcate discipline in youths and instill in them a tradition of hard work, integrity and patriotism to Nigeria wherever they were posted.

    “To curb the alarming rate of unemployment, you are enjoined to acquire more knowledge through personal development skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development training during the period of orientation course,” he said.

    Earlier, the state NYSC’s Coordinator, Mrs Ifeoma Anidobi, said  2,412 corps members were registered, comprising 1143 males and 1269 females.

    Anidobi urged the corps members to contribute their quota to the unity, integration and advancement of Oyo state in particular and Nigeria at large.

    She advised them to make optimal use of the opportunity provided by NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme.

    The coordinator remarked that the posting policy of corps members to places of primary assignment was tailored towards meeting the felt needs of the state, particularly in agriculture, education, health and rural infrastructure.

    “Several activities have been lined up to make the course an exciting one; so take every camp activity seriously, from early morning meditation to lectures, drills and social events.

    “You will also have opportunity to showcase your talents during the inter-platoon dance, drama, sporting and skills competitions,” she said.

    Anidobi, however, appreciated the Oyo state government and the people of the state for their unflinching support to the NYSC scheme always.

    The 2,412 corps members were sworn in by Justice Eni Esan, who represented the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Muktar Abimbola.

    NAN

  • Oyo rehabilitates Eleyele dam to curb flooding, enhance water supply

    The proposed rehabilitation of the Eleyele Dam, in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, will substantially enhance residents’ access to potable water, as well as save the city from frightening flood incidents.

    The governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, stated this at a ceremony to flag off the rehabilitation project, held at the premises of the dam, in Eleyele, Ido Local Government Area, Ibadan, on Friday.

    Ajimobi, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Isola, said the rehabilitation project was one of the befitting legacies he wished to be remembered for.

    He said that the contractor handling the overhaul of the dam, Messrs CGC-CHWE Joint Venture, and other partners, had been given a maximum of 24 months to complete the project.

    Ajimobi said, “One of the major challenges that first confronted this administration upon our assumption of office in 2011 was the devastating flood of August 26, 2011; an unfortunate incident that ravaged many parts of Ibadan.

    “This Eleyele Dam, which was approaching its 70th anniversary then, was badly hit, leading to an overflow of the dam and degradation of the appurtenant structures.

    “The implication of this was that one of the two fictional values of the Eleyele Dam, which was to help flood control during high flow periods through its reservoir holding capacity, had been compromised!

  • Oyo to tackle flooding

    Oyo State government has said machinery has been put in place to mitigate flood disaster in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Many areas of the city witnessed flood last Friday and on Monday during a downpour.

    Although nobody died, buildings, including schools, were submerged.

    Some of the affected areas include University of Ibadan, Omi Adio, Gbekuba and Apata.

    The government, through the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), with support from the World Bank, said it was on top of the situation.

    The commissioners for Information and Culture, as well as Finance and Budget, Messrs. Toye Arulogun and Abimbola Adekanmbi, who were at a three-day workshop on the role of the media in mitigating flood risk in Ibadan, organised by IUFMP, held yesterday at the Plaza De Haruna, Oyo called on residents not to panic, as measures were being taken to prevent disaster.

    In his paper on the role of the media in mitigating flood risks, delivered at the three- day workshop, Arulogun sought synergy between the government and media in mitigating flood risks.

    He cited groundbreaking work on the City Masterplan, Flood Risk Management and Drainage Master Plan, and the Solid Waste Management Master plan as part of the government’s strategies to mitigate flood in the city.

    Adekanmbi identified flood as a universal disaster, saying the city has had its share of flood disasters since 1951.

    The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Musa Olawoye, said successive governments had offered palliatives without solving the flood menace.

    Other resource persons at the workshop, which began on Monday, included Dr. Adeyinka Lanihun and Mr Bolaji Oladepo, who advocated a synergy between the media and IUFMP to assist in mitigating flood in Ibadan.

  • Oyo engages 5,652 in school infrastructural renewal

    Oyo State government said yesterday 5,652 people participated in its school infrastructural renewal, to improve the school system.

    Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela spoke at a three-day expanded stakeholders’ meeting on Implementation of 2018 State Engagement Plan (SEP).

    It was organised by the ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    The event was held at the Emmanuel Alayande Resource Centre, Samonda, Ibadan.

    The commissioner said people were engaged through the School Governing Boards (SGBs), which reduced decay in schools.

    He said over N2 billion was spent by the boards, philanthropists and old students’ associations on buildings, renovation, laboratories, ICT centres, chairs, desks, boreholes, among others.

    For the 628 secondary schools, Olowofela said those engaged by the government for the participatory service (SGBs) were 5,652.

    According to him, the SGB, which is a participatory schools’ management model, the first in the country introduced by Governor Abiola Ajimobi two years ago, is executing infrastructural programmes in schools.

    “Of the N2 billion, the SGBs have spent N1.269 billion realised from the N3,000 session fee paid by each pupil, while the projects embarked on by old students, philanthropists and corporate organisations stand at about N0.8billion.”

    An SGB comprises nine members on voluntary services, except statutory members, who are civil servants, including headteachers, who are secretaries of the boards, nominees of council chairmen and Local Inspectors of Education (L.I.Es).

    The commissioner said the introduction of the SGB was a masterstroke to change the fortune of education.

    He said: “The SGB has led to renewed rivalry among old students’ associations, as they are trying to outdo one another in providing infrastructure for their schools. During the launch of Education Trust Fund (ETF) last November, the SGB of Government College, Ibadan was honoured as the best SGB and this has propelled other SGBs to act.

    “Recently, the SGB of Lagelu Grammar School injected about N250 million into the renovation of schools. There are many SGBs working on renovations of their schools and this is evident in the present state on improved infrastructures, as the government also observed that some of the buildings earlier earmarked for rehabilitation have already being renovated by SGBs or old students.

    “Our SGB intervention for schools is a success story and we need to hail old students’ associations for being part of this laudable achievement to renovate existing buildings, construct new ones, laboratories, ICT centres as well as provision of laboratories equipment, chairs, desks and boreholes.”

    Olowofela praised the Ajimobi administration for its initiative in the sector.

    He hailed the collaborators, stressing that the benefits of UNICEF and State Planning Commission’s conduct of Annual School Census and others is worthwhile.

    The UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr. Muritala Muhammed, said the training would develop a better understanding of the use of SEP as a tool for education planning, to update knowledge on the developed SEP and proffer solutions for maximum outcome in education service delivery, among others.