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Tag: Oyo

  • Oyo urges landowners to release lands for farming

    Oyo urges landowners to release lands for farming

    The Oyo State Government has called on landowners to release their idle lands to investors for cultivation so as to boost the state’s agricultural development.

    Prince Oyewole Oyewunmi, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, made the call a news conference in Ibadan on Wednesday.

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has repeatedly claimed that the major thrust of his administration’s economic policy was the exploitation of the potential of the agriculture sector to boost the state’s economy.

    “The state government places a high premium on agriculture, which has now become a national issue nowadays as a result of the fall in the price of crude oil.

    “As a result of the intensive engagement of our communities, we have realised that agriculture is the bedrock and foundation of the state’s economy,’’ he once said.

    Oyewunmi said that the state had over 2.5 million hectares of arable land that were suitable for agriculture, adding the state also grew a variety of crops that could be cultivated in all vegetational belts within the tropics.

    He, however, said that the state had been having some difficulties in making land available for farmers, entrepreneurs and investors who were willing to invest in agriculture on a commercial basis.

    The commissioner said that the government has launched an agenda tagged “Zero Tolerance for Idle Agricultural Land’’, having discovered that there were lots of idle lands in the rural areas across the state.

    “The state government is not interested in taking over the idle lands across the state but wishes to encourage landowners in the state to willingly release such lands to investors.

    “Releasing idle lands to investors who are ready to invest in mechanised agriculture on a large-scale basis would help boost the state’s economy.

    “We are not saying that the landowners should release their lands for free, they should release the lands on agreed terms, while government will serve as the facilitator,’’ he said.

    Oyewunmi proposed that the landowners could release the lands on partnership agreements with the potential investors, adding that they could let, lease and collect royalties on the lands or opt for outright sales.

    He reiterated that increased investments in agriculture would boost the state’s economy and create employment for its citizens.

    He urged the landowners to engage in outgrower schemes, adding that they could do this via partnership agreements with farmers and off-takers.

    Oyewunmi said that the farmers would be able to produce crops that would be bought by off-takers at prevailing market prices.

    He, however, said that the proposals were some of the recommendations made in the report of a committee set up by governor to look into the issue.

    NAN

  • A word for Oyo opposition parties

    SIR: A hundred men will only make an encampment; it takes a woman to make a home. Politicians in Nigeria are a funny lot; they have started the race for 2019 general elections. It is fine! However, it is difficult to ascertain the sincerity of their action on the electorate. We have had enough of chicaneries in the land. Unfulfilled promises and outright lies have continued to abate for many years. Hopes have been dashed; bridges have been built across the desserts.

    Electricity supply has been extended to the bottom of our rivers. Fake boreholes are all over the place. But the reality is that Nigerians lot is getting worse by the day – like abundance promised us is utopian.

    It is on the heels of all these that the coalition of opposition parties in Oyo State has been meeting and planning how to wrestle power from the ruling APC in 2019. History teaches man but man has ever failed to learn from it. In 2015 and before, there was a similar situation but things fell apart in the PDP camp. It broke into many factions with many if not all forming or aligning with other political parties thereby rendering PDP and its candidates naked. They had lost the election before the election day.

    We do not need a political scientist to tell us that Accord, SDP and Labour parties were children of PDP in Oyo State. It was alleged that Satan, the invisible foe of man was the agent sent by the unknown forces to dismantle them.

    Now, what can the opposition parties do in order not to let history repeat itself?

    If a spell of dying in the forest is cast on a man, he should not go on a hunting expedition to avert it. Leaders of these opposition parties need to pocket their ambition if they truly want to occupy Government House, Agodi come 2019. If any of them takes a hard line posture, it is a failure “ab initio”. They should pray against the evil force that makes a man act contrary to the established norms. Truth never hurts its teller.

     

    • Olatunde Alao,

        Akata – Ogbomoso.

  • Oyo shuts zoo as lion kills attendant

    Oyo shuts zoo as lion kills attendant

    An attendant at the Agodi zoo, Ibadan, Oyo state, Hamzat  Oyekunle, popularly known as Baba Olorunwa has been killed by one of the lions in the facility.

    The development forced the Oyo State Government to shut down the facility yesterday.

    It also ordered immediate evacuation of the lions pending further investigations.

    In a statement at the weekend by the Executive Secretary, Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), Mr. Yinka Fatoki, the state expressed shock over the unfortunate incident.

    It said the closure of the facility followed reports from the company managing the zoo, AM & C, on the incident.

    Fatoki, in a statement by Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun, expressed shock over the incident because Oyekunle had fed the lion for over five years.

    The statement added the deceased was known to have had a very good relationship with all animals in the zoo.

    The government also claimed to have visited the deceased’s family.

     

  • BREAKING: LAUTECH Reopens September 15

    BREAKING: LAUTECH Reopens September 15

    The Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has approved resumption of activities on the Institution’s Campuses with effect from Friday September 15, 2017.

    In a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Jacob A. Agboola, students of the University are expected to return to school on Monday September 25, 2017, while full academic activities, the details of which Senate will announce, shall commence immediately after the Independence anniversary holiday.

    Council thanked the Governors of Oyo and Osun States, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi and Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola respectively, for agreeing to support the University with necessary funds to enable the University to return to its normal work schedule and reinvigorate its latent capacities for accelerated and sustainable growth and development. Council also appreciated all stakeholders for their understanding and support.

    Council further appealed to students, staff, parents as well as the general public to demonstrate greater faith and dedication to the wellbeing of the institution, as better days lie ahead of it. Concerted efforts should, therefore, be geared towards ensuring that nothing is allowed to disrupt the normal work of the

  • Oyo records best WASSC exam results in 18 years

    The Oyo State government has said the state recorded its best result in the West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) examinations in 18 years.

    The government said its 54.18 per cent pass for pupils with a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English, was encouraging when compared to the national average of 59 per cent.

    It said 29,174 candidates, representing 54.14 per cent, had a minimum of five credits of the 53,850, who sat for the examination.

    The government said the 29,174 candidates consisted of 13,884 boys and 15,290 girls.

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, gave the figures yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital.

    He said this year’s average results had an improvement ratio of above 100 per cent over last year’s, which was 22.12 per cent.

    The commissioner noted that the improvement followed government’s renewed commitment to reverse the downward trend in the performance of pupils in WAEC and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

    He said the state also came second in last year’s NECO result ranking.

    Arulogun said the government was awaiting the statistics on states’ performances from WAEC, adding that this was concluded on September 5 and will be sent to each state, according to WAEC’s Head of National Office, Mr. Olu Adenipekun.

    Oyo State recorded 4.40 per cent in 1999, 3.59 per cent in 2000, 8.7 per cent in 2001, 6.93 per cent in 2002, 6.13 per cent in 2003, 9.17 per cent in 2004, 7.89 per cent in 2005, 10.40 per cent in 2006 and 6.16 per cent in 2007.

    The commissioner said the state recorded 9.14 per cent in 2008, 11.92 per cent in 2009, 13.40 per cent in 2010, 16.97 per cent in 2011, 21.35 per in 2012, 21.79 in 2013, 19.19 per cent in 2014 and 21.61 per cent in 2015.

    Arulogun said the improved performance followed several policies to reform the Education sector for improved performances in internal and external examinations.

    He said Iseyin Local Government Area recorded 67.64 per cent, followed by Ibadan South West, with 67.53 per cent.

    Others, he said, are: Irepo, 66.18 per cent; Oyo West, 63.95 per cent and Ido, 63.62 per cent.

    Arulogun noted that these were the top five councils with good results in this year’s examinations.

    According to him, Ibarapa North Local Government Area recorded 34.89 per cent; Surulere, 29.11 per cent; Ogbomoso South, 27.95 per cent; Itesiwaju, 21.01 per cent and Iwajowa, 10.28.

    Arulogun said the listed councils had the least of candidates with a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English.

    He said: “This is below our target as we are competing both within ourselves and at the national level. We want to reclaim our status as the Pace Setter. So, many policies have been introduced to ensure that our aspirations on quality education for the people of the state are achieved.

    “We have cancelled automatic promotion in schools and introduced the School Government Board (SGB) OYOMESI, Education Trust Fund (ETF), WAEC Boot Camp, extra-mural classes, workers’ review for optimisation of work force.

    “These and many other state government’s initiatives are yielding results.”

  • Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees — Ajimobi

    Government to review LAUTECH tuition fees — Ajimobi

    In a bid to make Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, self-sustaining, government will review tuition fees being paid in the institution, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, has announced.

    The governor made the announcement  on Saturday in Ibadan, while featuring on a programme tagged “Saturday Special’ aired on the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LAUTECH is co-owned by both Oyo and Osun state governments.

    The institution had in recent times been enmeshed in crisis over the default of the owners to pay subvention and staff salaries.

    Ajimobi said his administration had since assumption of office in 2011, paid N22 billion to the institution.

    He described the amount being paid as tuition fees in LAUTECH as `abysmal,’ adding that it would be reviewed for the institution to be self-sustaining.

    “The default in the payment of subvention and salaries was as a result of economic downturn. When we came on board, we reduced the tuition fees to N65, 000.

    “There are secondary schools that charges from N150,000 to N200,000, while some universities charge from N500,000 to two million naira.

    “Till date, we have subsidized LAUTECH heavily and we are still giving them.

    “Imagine, the institution has 99 accounts and some could not be traced,’’ he said.

    The governor said that government had taken steps to resolve the crisis in the university, among which was the auditing of its account to determine its viability to be self-sustaining like other institutions.

    He said that staff of the institution had initially refused the auditing firm access but had promised to allow them recently.

    Ajimobi said that government had constituted the institution’s governing council which was expected to submit its report after the current holiday.

    He promised that the crisis in the university would soon be over and the institution would be given take-off grant for three months.

    Commenting on Oyo State Technical University, Ajimobi said that the institution, which would take-off in October, was a specialized institution, adding it was not a university for all.

    He said that his administration had evolved several initiatives to reform education in the state, particularly public schools.

    He added that the efforts had started to yield the desired fruits.

  • Fed, Oyo govts to build 70 rural roads

    The Oyo State government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, will build 70 rural roads across the state.

    The state government said the roads will open up the rural areas and make life more meaningful as well as enhance transportation of farm produce to cities.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi, broke the news at a stakeholders’ meeting on prioritisation of rural roads at Saki, Atiba and Ido local government areas.

    Oyewole, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola, said the roads, with over 700 kilometres, would be built in 28 agrarian local government areas based on priority and recommendation of community leaders under the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP III).

    The commissioner said the roads would further promote agricultural practices in the identified areas and other parts of the state.

    He urged residents of the beneficiary communities to support the contractor to do a good job.

    The National Project Coordinator of Rural Access and Mobility Project, Ubaldoma Ularamu, said $60 million would be given to Oyo State for its rural roads and river crossing the beneficiary communities.

    He said the government would pay compensation to families or individuals who may suffer damage or loss in the course of building the roads.

    The State Project Coordinator of RAMP III, Dr Yode Ayanlowo said the project was designed to ensure that farmers in rural areas have access to good roads to convey their farm produce to the markets with ease.

  • Oyo: Ladoja hasn’t told us he rejected his crown

    Oyo: Ladoja hasn’t told us he rejected his crown

    The Oyo State government has said former Governor and Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has not communicated his rejection of the obaship conferred on him by the state.

    Th government spoke yesterday through the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Bimbo Kolade.

    Ladoja was recently conferred with the title of the Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, effective August 25, with eight members of the Olubadan-in-Council.

    Kolade spoke at an inter-ministerial media briefing at the Film Theatre of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism at Agodi secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Addressing reporters in company of his counterpart from the Ministry of Information, Mr. Toye Arulogun, Kolade said Ladoja only said he would not be available to receive the crown at the event.

    The commissioner said because of this, his beaded-crown would be kept till he would be available to receive it.

    In a statement on Tuesday by his media aide, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo (Lambash), the former governor said he would not accept the crown because he won’t be a king without domain.

    He said the review of Olubadan chieftaincy law was targeted at him.

    But Kolade said each of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council, including Ladoja, presides over the traditional councils in each of the 11 local government areas of Ibadan before the coronation with beaded crowns.

    The commissioner said the installation of 21 kings in Ibadan on August 27 would not increase the expenditure of government because each member of the Olubadan-in-Council would continue to draw his salaries from the local government he presides over, as they have been doing when they were “high chiefs”.

    He said: “Honestly, I wonder where anybody saw that the Osi Olubadan has said he has rejected the crown. I have not seen him rejecting the crown. To us in the ministry, there is not a single letter with us in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, where the Osi Olubadan has written to say he has rejected the crown.

    “He has only said he was not available. We are still expecting and waiting for his availability to pick up his crown. Whenever he’s available, he will pick up his crown.”

    Kolade dismissed speculations the review of 1957 Olubadan of Ibadanland Chieftaincy Declaration by the government placed the baales (village heads) above the mogajis (family heads).

    He said: “Mogajis still remain the mogajis. They still remain the heads of their families in the city. They still retain and perform all their rites. But all the baales, who have become obas, don’t have mogaji in the city. If anyone is in doubt, the person should show me the mogaji, who covers Ijaiye or the mogaji, who covers Awotan, and so on. Once you are entitled to mogaji in the city, you don’t need to wear a crown in the village.”

    Also, the new obas in Ibadan yesterday took a swipe at Senator Ladoja’s statement that the new monarchs do not have domains.

    At the end of their first meeting, the monarchs, led by the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, described Ladoja as a lone ranger and a dissident.

    Other monarchs at the meeting include Osi Balogun of Ibadanlan, Oba Tajudeen Ajibola; Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Eddy Oyewole; Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe; Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Kolawole Adegbola and Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Amidu Ajibade.

    The Balogun of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, told reporters members of the Obas-in-Council, formerly Olubadan-in-Council jointly and collectively hold Ibadan land as their domain.

    Olakulehin said each member of the council presides over one of the 11 local government areas in Ibadan.

    He said the new monarchs report back to the Olubadan on affairs in their local governments.

    Calling on Ladoja to stop playing politics with what they called Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s good intention, the monarchs maintained that Ibadan residents supported the governor’s review because it would further develop Ibadan land.

    Accusing the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, of allowing Ladoja to manipulate him, the monarchs noted that his staging a roadshow belittled the traditional institution in Ibadan.

    They added that such a thing had happened in the history of the ancient city.

    The new monarchs said the statements from the paramount ruler’s palace were written by Mr Adeola Oloko in connivance with Ladoja under who they said he served as the chief press secretary when Ladoja was governor.

    According to them, rather than disagree with Ajimobi, the Olubadan should praise the governor because it was his intervention and that of other elders that reconciled them with the Olubadan when they boycotted his palace for over two months because of what they called an attitude unbecoming of a royal father of his status.

    Olakulehin said: “It is a wrong impression by Ladoja that the obas do not have domains. The Olubadan and members of Obas-in-Council jointly rule Ibadan land as Oba Adetunji cannot rule without us.

    “Ladoja himself, who said he cannot be an oba without a domain, is chairman of Ibadan South West Traditional Council. Apart from collecting stipends from government, all of us report back to the Olubadan.

    “The coming together of Oba Adetunji and Ladoja is nothing but politics borne out of selfish motives. Oba Adetunji is always dancing to the tune of Ladoja, who refused to support the Olubadan chieftaincy review because he was unable to implement it when he was governor of Oyo State.”

  • How I ‘ll develop Oyo, by governorship aspirant

    How I ‘ll develop Oyo, by governorship aspirant

    A Governorship  aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Professor Adeolu Akande, has promised to transform the state through the development of agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.

    He said a strategic engagement of the three sectors could expand the economy of the state and remove  it from the list of states that could not pay workers’ salaries, owing to the  dwindling allocation from the Federation Account.

    Akande, who is a Visitng Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Presidential Studies at the Igbinedion  University, Okada, Edo State, said the state could exploit its comparative advantage, which is agriculture, and its locational advantage, which is its proximity to Lagos, one of the fastest growing economies in Africa.

    The aspitant, who spoke in Ibadan, the state capital, added: “Oyo State is blessed with 28,454 square kilometres of arable land, which could be exploited for agriculture.

    “Our  comparative advantage in agriculture is cassava, poultry and fishing. We produce about 20 per cent of the 54 million tonnes of cassava produced in Nigeria. The fact that Nigeria exports less than one per cent of this product but imports cassava products worth more than one trillion  naira every year means there is a huge market to exploit both locally and internationally. Can’t  we double or triple our production?”

    Akande said job creation is possible through agricultural development.

    The aspirant, who noted that the Ajimobi administra!on has been addressing some of the problems confron!ng agriculture, said that a paradigm ship in the nation’s crude-oil driven-economy has made imperative to look inwards for revenue to run government.

  • Olubadan denies endorsing High Chiefs coronation

    Olubadan denies endorsing High Chiefs coronation

    The Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, says he has no hand whatsoever in the proposed coronation of High Chiefs slated for Sunday at Mapo Hall by Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

    Ajimobi had on Friday presented letters of conferment of Obaship titles to 30 out of the 32 obas recommended by the Justice Akintunde Boade (rtd) led Judicial Panel of Enquiry on the review of 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

    The Boade-led panel had on Aug. 18 submitted its report recommending 11 Olubadan High Chiefs and 21 Baales to wear beaded crown in Ibadan.

    Olubadan had kicked against the review, saying he was not in support of it.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by Mr Adeola Oloko, Director, Media and Public Affairs to Olubadan, Oba Adetunji said his name being bandied around in some quarters as the father of the day at the occasion does not enjoy his blessing.

    ” I have said it for the umpteenth time that I am opposed to the chieftaincy review and its recommendations as the process for such exercise has not been followed.

    “Therefore, as being advertised in some media houses, l cannot see how, I could possibly play a fatherly role in an exercise that I have not endorsed

    “Besides, as the father of Ibadan indigenes irrespective of political and ideological persuasion, I cannot attend an occasion where local government executives of one political party have been sending text messages to the party members in Ibadan land to mobilise for the event as if it is a political rally,” Adetunji said.

    The monarch said he considered any conferment of crowns on anybody as an exercise in futility until otherwise reversed.

    Adetunji said that it was going to be contemptuous for anybody to attend that programme as there are two suits that are yet to be determined before the court.

    “”Where is the humanity of the organisers of the programme when Ibadan land is still mourning the passage of the Otun Balogun, High Chief Femi Olaifa, who was one of them until Aug.24,” he said.(NAN)