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Tag: Oyo

  • Oyo Governor’s aide charges workers on efficiency, productivity

    Oyo Governor’s aide charges workers on efficiency, productivity

    Dr Gbade Ojo, the Chief of Staff to Oyo State Governor, has called on civil servants in the state to redouble their efforts for higher productivity in 2018.

    Ojo said this in Ibadan on Tuesday while speaking on expectations from civil servants as they resumed from the New Year holiday.

    He implored the workers to treat clients and callers at their offices as kings to achieve successful implementation of government’s programmes.

    Dr (Mrs) E. F. Fasona, the Director, Administration and Supplies, Ministry Information, Culture and Tourism also advised workers to embrace positive attitude to work.

    ‘‘As workers, we must be productive and efficient. We must embrace effective ways of discharging our duties as well as remain loyal to the organisation,’’ she said.

    Read also: Workers resume in Anambra after holidays

    Fasona said that majority of the workers celebrated the New Year indoors as a result of the fuel scarcity experienced across the country.

    She commended government’s efforts at addressing the situation, noting that normalcy had returned to the filling stations and the products were being sold at affordable rates.

    Fasona called on the Federal Government to put in place proactive measures that would forestall future occurrence.

    Reports say that some workers were found conducting prayer sessions for peace and stability of the country.

    The workers, who displayed a high level of enthusiasm to work, called on the government to prioritise their welfare in the 2018 budget.

    NAN

  • Akintola hails Ajimobi on Oyo board appointees

    Akintola hails Ajimobi on Oyo board appointees

    Lawyer and aspirant for Oyo State governorship ticket Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN) has congratulated Governor Abiola Ajimobi for appointing indigenes and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into boards of federal agencies.

    Among those appointed into boards in the state are: former Deputy Governor Iyiola Oladokun (National Environment Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency); Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle (National Lottery Regulatory Commission); Prof Adeolu Akande (Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency) and former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, (CCII), Chief Bayo Oyero (Federal College of Agriculture, Akure).

    In a statement yesterday, the APC chieftain lauded the initiative of Governor Ajimobi for rewarding men and women of impeccable integrity from the state.

    He said the appointments “reflect the governor’s character as a man of principle, non-vengeance-seeking fellow who believes in fairness, merit and appreciation of the political and geographical arithmetic of our most noble and largest state in the South of Nigeria”.

  • Police recover six Chinese firm’s stolen trucks in Oyo

    Police recover six Chinese firm’s stolen trucks in Oyo

    • 16 suspected robbers, cultists paraded

    The Oyo State Police Command has recovered six trucks, estimated at N60 million, said to have been stolen from a Chinese construction firm in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Three suspects, who were said to be behind the theft – Olaronbi Saheed (27), Abdulkareem Yusuf (35), and Ibrahim Babankuku (48) and allegedly confessed to the crime – were arrested in Kaduna by the men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Others paraded with them included a fake policewoman (an Inspector), 40-year-old mother of three, Alimat Kemi Mustapha and three other robbery suspects – Olorunkemi Abiodun (27), Abimbola Segun (22) and Taye Shittu (23).

    The police paraded them at the weekend at their Eleyele headquarters in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Addressing reporters, Police Commissioner Abiodun Odude expressed delight about the prevailing peace across in the state.

    The police chief pledged to continue to fight criminals to rid the state of evils.

    On the recovered trucks, he said: “The Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the command recently arrested an employee of George Investment Company in Ibadan for stealing six SINO trucks and a Toyota Camry car belonging to the company that were entrusted in his care. Following a petition by the Chief Executive Officer of the company on 27 November, 2017, the SARS of the command was mandated to carry out discreet investigation with a view to arresting the suspects and recovering the exhibits.

    “With this mandate, operatives of the squad began an intensive investigation, which eventually led to the arrest of the suspect and one other person in Edo State and Abuja. The six trucks were sold to a criminal receiver in Kaduna at the rate of N20 million, while the Toyota Camry was given to a yet-to-be-identified pastor in Abuja.

    “As a result of diligent investigation by the SARS, all the trucks and two other cars were recovered.”

    The leader of the gang, who allegedly stole the six trucks, Saheed Olaronbi, confessed to the crime.

    He said he was a mechanic and manager at the Chinese construction firm before he stole the trucks and sold each for N4 million.

    According to him, only N10 million was given to him as his share of the proceeds from the sale of the six trucks.

    Olaronbi pleaded for mercy, blaming the devil for his action.

    Odude thanked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Idris, and Governor Abiola Ajimobi for proving the tools to combat crime.

    He said  the suspects would soon be charged to court after further investigation.

  • Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    Police arrest soldier for hijacking fuel-laden truck in Oyo

    The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested a soldier serving at 81 Battalion, Makola, Ibadan, for allegedly hijacking a fuel-laden truck along  Akobo,Iwo road.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abiodun Odunde, made the disclosure in Ibadan while presenting the suspects to newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan on Friday.

    Odunde said that the soldier and three others were arrested on November 11 along Akobo, Iwo road, Ibadan.

    The commissioner said that investigation revealed that the gang was responsible for waylaying and subsequently hijacking trucks along the expressway.

    “The gang led by the soldier hijacked a 40,000 litre truck with registration number ABJ 132XA at about 9:30 p.m. and abducted the driver and the conductor.

    “They later took them to Omi-Adio after robbing them of their money and valuables and thereafter drove the truck to Akure/Ilesa road.

    Read also: Police arrest suspected killers of oil firm manager in Rivers

    “The alarm raised by the victim attracted some members of the community who alerted the police that led to their arrest and also recovered the truck,’’ Odude said.

    The police also presenteed 17 other suspects including an employee of George Investment Company, Ibadan, who stole six Sino trucks and a Toyota Camry car belonging to the company.

    Odude said that investigation conducted by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad led to the arrest of the suspect and one other in Edo and Abuja.

    The CP said that the six trucks were sold in Kaduna at the rate of N20 million while the Camry car was given to a yet-to-be identified pastor in Abuja.

    “As a result of diligent investigation by the SARS, all the trucks and two other cars were recovered and the criminal receiver also arrested.”

    10 other suspects were arrested for alleged stealing, cultism, armed robbery, unlawful possession of counterfeit currency and impersonation.

    Items recovered are two cut-to-size single barrel guns, two Laptop computers, eight mobile phones, a mask and charms.

    NAN

  • Pharmacists endorse N50b Oyo Health Fund

    Pharmacists endorse N50b Oyo Health Fund

    The Oyo State chapter of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has expressed support for the establishment of Oyo State N50 billion Health Endowment Fund.

    The state’s PSN Chairman, Abiodun Ajibade, expressed the council’s support for the fund while handing over drugs estimated at N344,000 to the state at the weekend.

    Ajibade said the council provided the drugs for use in state’s and local governments’ hospitals as well as health centres across the state.

    The PCN urged the state government to recruit more pharmacists for hospitals to boost healthcare delivery.

    Ajibade, who handed the drugs to the Commissioner for Health, Dr Azeez Adeduntan, said the gesture was aimed at reducing the money the state government spent on providing drugs to its hospitals and primary health centres.

    He said: “I will like to reiterate the need to employ more pharmacists to man many of the health facilities in the state. There is also the need for refurbishing and face-lifting many of the pharmacies in the hospitals. Our donation of drugs worth N344,000 today is to make a statement that the PSN in Oyo State is solidly behind the N50 billion state’s Health Endowment Fund that was launched recently.”

    The donated drugs comprise antacids to cough syrups, analgesics, vitamins, antibiotics and bottles of blood tonic.

    The PCN chairman urged the state government to give more attention to the refurbishing of many pharmacies in hospitals across the state.

    Adeduntan said primary health centres, particularly those in rural local government areas and local council development areas, would benefit from the distribution of the drugs.

  • Oyo goes tough on illegal sticker, toll collectors

    Oyo goes tough on illegal sticker, toll collectors

    The Oyo State Signage and Advertising Agency (OYSAA) has warned private individuals producing fake mobile advert stickers and selling them to end users at ridiculous prices to desist from such practice or face the music.

    Its Director-General, Pastor Yinka Adepoju also warned local government officials and their agents to stop blocking roads and forcing branded vehicle owners to procure their locally-made mobile stickers.

    This, he said, is contrary to the extant laws establishing the agency.

    The agency issued the warning yesterday while unveiling the 2018 mobile advert stickers and certificates at the Film Theatre, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

    According to him, the mobile advert stickers were for branded vehicles for private individuals, corporate organisations, religious organisations, non-governmental agencies, among others.

    He gave the rate at N3,000 for cars, buses, motorcycles, tricycles and N5,000 for lorries, trailers and other articulated vehicles.

    Adepoju said the launching was in line with practices globally to generate revenue for government.

    He said the agency would not allow any individual import fake stickers.

    Any private or corporate organisation caught with such, he said, would be dealt with.

    He said: “We will ensure all leakages in revenue generation is blocked.  We will not relent in our effort at stopping indiscriminate posting of posters and erection of billboards in the state because we aware of some private individuals who are in the habit of producing fake Oyo State Mobile Advert Stickers and selling them to end users at ridiculous prices. Such individuals or corporate organisations should desist from such activities as anyone caught indulging in such act will not be sparred but immediately handed over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution.”

  • 2019: Politics of defection in Oyo

    2019: Politics of defection in Oyo

    An unprecedented defection rally was held at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan last week to welcome former Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin and other notable politicians from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). BISI OLADELE examines the implications of the defections for the 2019 elections in the state.

    The last time the historic Mapo Hall witnessed such a huge crowd was in 2015 during the preparations for the general elections. Without any election coming soon, the All Progressives Congress (APC) pulled a surprise, not only on other political parties, but on observers and residents across Oyo State.

    The event was to celebrate the 68th birthday of the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. But, the celebrator and the party leadership used the occasion to make a point. The rally shook Ibadan and the entire state.

    Astute politician and APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu led top leaders in the state and some national officers to a rousing welcome at Mapo that afternoon. He is a man party faithful and ordinary folks love to see and hear at such rallies. His presence and that of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola accentuated the pull.

    The defectors, who are notable politicians in the state, also pulled crowds of supporters from across the state.

    Coming at a time the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) just succeeded in regaining its feet in Oyo State, the December 16 rally has forced it and other parties back to the drawing board.

    Those who left PDP, Labour Party (LP) and Accord include Adebayo Alao-Akala, Senator Teslim Folarin, Alao-Akala’s deputy while in office, Taofeek Arapaja, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member of the House of Representatives from the state, Hon. Dokun Odebunmi, former Secretary to Government, Ayodele Adigun, the immediate past PDP Chairman, Yinka Taiwo, and Accord party members in the House of Assembly.

    Others are former permanent secretary, Rauf Olaniyan; former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ashimiyu Alarape; a former member of the House of Representatives, Kamil Akinlabi; a former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Kehinde Olaosebikan; Senator Brimo Yussuf; former PDP woman leader Mrs. Olanrewaju Otiti, Folake Olunloyo, Lukeman Oorelope and Kemi Jaiyeoba-Olorunsogo.

    Addressing the crowd of party supporters and others who  defied the scorching sun to catch the fun of the event, Tinubu assured them that the party has all it takes to accommodate all the poltical heavyweights joining its fold.

    With the calibre of new members, Tinubu and Ajimobi said the opposition was dead in the state.

    Tinubu said the APC has “a stainless kitchen” that is large enough to accommodate as many cooks as possible.

    Allaying fears on how to manage the political differences of the heavyweights joining the party, Tinubu noted that the APC has a variety of menu in the political kitchen for the future of the country.

    He said: “We have a stainless kitchen and we can accommodate as many cooks as possible and because we have a variety of menu in the political kitchen of planning this future, we love those bigwigs and we can accommodate them all. It is in the same forest that you find a hippo that you find an elephant and you will find a rabbit. In political platforms, you must look for the addition not the minus.

    “You can see that the opposition is dead in Oyo State.  Today is important for us because it is the birthday of the Governor Ajimobi and things that have never happened in the history of Oyo State have started happening. Thank God for my friend Alao-Akala and the others for seeing the light. All of you that joined will also join in building the party. The APC house is great for all of us. We are proud of you for joining us. APC is the only progressive party in NIgeria and Africa.”

    He pointed out that it has become very clear that APC would win in 2019.

    The rally was attended by Aregbesola and his Ondo State counterpart, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure and his Northeast counterpart. Also in attendance was the Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni.

     

    How the defection will change the game

    In the 2011 and 2015 elections, the three key players in the governorship race in Oyo State were Ajimobi, Alao-Akala and a former governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja. The three candidates garnered about 80 per cent of the total votes cast in the two elections. The situation has not changed with regard to their support base.

    While Ajimobi and Alao-Akala now cohabit in the APC, Ladoja, who ran on the platform of Accord in the last two elections, has returned to his former party, PDP, as the leader.

    But, the defection has altered their support base and influence.

     

    Ajimobi

    With Alao-Akala in the APC, Ajimobi is now further confirmed as the most significant politician in Oyo State today. He won the last two elections convincingly, defeating both Alao-Akala and Ladoja. Now that Alao-Akala has come into the APC with his followers, Ogbomoso zone is now added to the kitty for the leading party. In the 2011 election, Ajimobi won in Ibadan, Oyo and Ibarapa zones while Alao-Akala won in Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun zones.

    In the 2015 election, the governor had added Oke-Ogun Zone by reasons of his performance.

    Now that Akala cohabits with him along with his supporters in the APC, the party clearly has stronger support base across the state.

    Though Ladoja had his best outings only in Ibadan in the last two elections, Ajimobi defeated him in the  city.

    Aside building political profile for himself, the defection has put the APC in a more comfortable position for the 2019 elections.

     

    Alao-Akala

    After losing twice, Akala’s defection to the APC will strengthen his relevance in Oyo politics. His lieutenants will gain patronage while he will remain highly influential, both in Oyo and national politics.

    He will retain his hold on Ogbomoso and parts of Oke-Ogun while wining and dining with national political figures. For him, the defection will mark the beginning of the revival of his political relevance.

     

    Ladoja

    Although Ladoja is now the leader of the PDP in Oyo State, the fortunes of the party had plummeted since 2011 due to implosion. The top party leaders in Ibadan moved against Alao-Akala, who was then the governor. Some of them worked against his candidature in the 2011 election without leaving the party. Since then, the PDP has been unable to regain its strength in Oyo State. The same crisis made Ladoja abandoned the PDP for Accord.

    But the party’s dissenting voices recently come together on the calculation that their coalescence would produce a majority over the APC. They argued that Ajimobi won the last election by scoring only 35 per cent of the total votes. Their thinking was that combining forces together would help send the APC packing in 2019.

    But with Alao-Akala and Folarin out of the PDP, the permutation of the leaders may have been punctured from the start. Several followers of Ladoja who also refused to join PDP are also in the APC now. Some members of the House of Assembly as well as Mr Ademola Ojo, who was a staunch Ladoja’s supporter in Ibarapa, are now in the APC.

    With the defections and the APC at the federal level, Ladoja and PDP will struggle hard to wrest power from the APC in 2019. They will need several policy somersaults by Ajimobi and the rejection for the APC at the national level to spring a surprise.

    Although Ibadan may remain highly divided as experienced in 2015, the APC will most likely coast into victory in other zones to defeat other parties. The APC will require divine wisdom to manage the various interests in the enlarged party to prevent what has afflicted the PDP since 2007.

  • FG issues provisional licences to six new private universities

    FG issues provisional licences to six new private universities

    The Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday issued provisional licences to the six newly established private universities.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave the provisional licences to the institutions in Abuja.

    The institutions are Admiralty University Ibusa in Delta, Spiritan University Neochi, Abia, Precious Cornerstone University in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Pamo University of Medica Sciences, Port Harcourt.

    Others are Atiba University in Oyo, Oyo State and Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ijaniki, Lagos State.

    Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Sonny Echono said the Federal Executive Council approved the take-off of the universities on December 6.

    He said that the approvals were given to the universities to provide quality education in Nigeria.

    He said the approval had increased the number of private universities in the country to 74.

    “The problems of access to quality education in Nigeria has poised serious challenges and therefore required serious efforts to address them.

    “The approval of the universities tends to address the issue of access to university education.

    Read also: FEC approves six private universities

    “Private universities in Nigeria have contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of education in the country.

    “The competition of private universities has contributed to healthy delivery within the system.

    He called on the institutions’ administrators to ensure highest standard of best practices to achieve academic excellence in their programmes.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission ( NUC ), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said quality control must be strictly adhered to.

    “ With about two million candidates applying for admission into universities annually, the university system is only able to accommodate about 500,000 students yearly.

    “ And so, there is need to licence more universities to help deal with the challenge of access to education.’’

    Also, Former head of state, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar called on Nigerians to maintain peace in the country to ensure educational development.

    Abubakar also urged universities to maintain and ensure quality education for the betterment of all Nigerians.

    He said with a total of 160 universities in Nigeria out of which 74 are private universities, 46 states and 40 federal universities, there was need to ensure peace to achieve educational development.

    He called for the engagement of the youths educationally, adding that the universities should be adequately equipped for meaningful development.

    NAN

  • Ajimobi’s deputy declared interest in governorship seat

    Ajimobi’s deputy declared interest in governorship seat

    What started as an open joke between Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, at a public function recently is seeming to become a worthwhile dream, as the deputy governor has indicated his intention to occupy the Agodi Government House, come 2019.

    The Governor, at a public function, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, while commending the deputy for his loyalty had jokingly asked if he would want to be the next governor, to which the deputy governor gladly replied in the affirmative.

    But while making his intention known to the All Progressive Congress party leaders at the state party secretariat, the deputy governor said he decided to join the governorship race in view of his experience in governance, especially as a deputy governor in the last six years.

    According to him, Oyo state needs experience, god-fearing and quality leadership which Governor Ajimobi represents.

    Meanwhile, there has been agitations from some quarters that the governorship seat be zoned to the Oke Ogun axis of the state, an odd which is also in favour of Adeyemo.

    He said, “The governor has performed very well and there is need to continue his good and quality work. As a loyal party man who has been in the progressive fold all my life, from the days of the Action Group (AG), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and now the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    “ I have equally served the Progressive Parties in various capacities including Caretaker Chairman, Saki East local government, the State Treasurer and Financial Secretary respectively and now a two-term Deputy Governor.

    “I believe I am the most suitable candidate to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi (Mr. Quality) as the next governor of the State.”

    Adeyemo who however promised to abide by all rules and regulations of the party stressed the need to sustain the good legacy of Governor Ajimobi, particularly, the current peaceful atmosphere which he said has enabled the governor to record landmark achievements in the state.

    While receiving the guest in company of other party executives, the state party chairman, Chief Akin Oke lauded the deputy governor for joining the gubernatorial aspirants under the platform of the party, saying the party would decide whoever will become its flagbearer at the appropriate time.

    Assuring a level playing ground to all the aspirants, the party Chairman said aspirations was open to all eligible members of the party but that many who are being touted to be interested in the plum job have yet to show up at the party secretariat to indicate their interest.

  • Oyo to generate 2,000MW through IPP

    The Oyo State government has said arrangements are in place to generate electricity through the Independent Power Project (IPP).

    The government said it had sought approval of the National Energy Regulation Commission (NERC) to generate 2,000 megawatts (MW).

    Commissioner for Works and Transport Mr. Wasiu Dauda spoke at the weekend at a meeting with the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) at the company’s headquarters in Ibadan, the capital.

    Dauda said the government would proffer a lasting solution to power generation shortfall in the state to improve the social and economic growth of individuals, corporate organisations, residents and the nation.

    The commissioner said the analysis of the state’s energy needs showed that it requires about 1,265 MW, adding that the government requested approval of NERC to generate 2,000MW.

    He said the government had fruitful discussions with Messrs Diversified Global Eco-Energy (DGE), adding that efforts are in top gear to kick-start the project through Ibadan North and South West local governments as a pilot scheme with 100 MW.

    Dauda said Ibadan North  was chosen to represent the residential client template of the scheme while Ibadan South West  would represent the industrial client template.

    The commissioner noted that 50 MW was intended to be provided for each of the chosen local government as a pilot scheme.

    He added: “DGE has agreed to finance the cost of the equipment. However, the company requires a sovereign guarantee of the state government. To consummate the actualisation of this noble project, a special Project Entity (SPE), consisting of DGE, Oyo State government and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) will have to be formed.”