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Tag: Oyo

  • Carnival: Two killed, shops looted in clash

    Two unidentified youths were on Saturday killed at Agbeni/Agbaje area of Ibadan, in Ibadan South West Local Government of Oyo State, when some youths clashed during a carnival.

    When The Nation visited the scene of the incident on Saturday, over 20 shops were vandalised while their goods were looted by the hoodlums.

    It was also learnt that over three other streets were affected by the violence which lasted over an hour.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said ‎:” The carnival started peacefully till around 11pm, when the gun-wielding youths shot sporadically into the air, making everybody to scamper to safety. There was another rival group that came to confront the youths at the carnival and that was how all this problem started”

    A resident, who identified himself as Demola said the violence was as a result of a misunderstanding between the two youths groups that were supporting different political parties.

    Narrating the incident, he said, “Some weeks ago, a politician in the area organised a political rally and the youths from Foko who are mostly from another party came to the rally and were attacked by the politicians boys.

    ‎”Three boys sustained injury, and with what happened over night today, I believe this is a retaliation. Two boys were killed, while some were also injured and they have been taking to an undisclosed hospital by the police”
    A landlord, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said the area was no longer safe.
    He urged the police authorities to station an armoured tank in the area.
    He said, “Violence has become common in Agbaje area whenever election is fast approaching and these hoodlums are known by all but they seem to be above the law‎.

  • ‘Oyo PDP chieftain calls for caution’

    ‘Oyo PDP chieftain calls for caution’

    A Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Oyo State, Alh. Adebisi Olopoenia has cautioned the leader of the party in Eruwa, Chief Moses Fagbohun who recently stated in an interview that  Seyi Makinde was the best governorship aspirant in the party.

    Olopoenia is a stakeholder in Ibadan North East Local Government where Makinde hails from.

    He told reporters in Ibadan, the state capital, that Fagbohun should not have uttered such statement because it is capable of causing disunity among the governorship aspirants in the party.

    “As an elder, he should not have said one governorship aspirant is better than the other because it could cause crisis and bring about disunity within the party. If any of the aspirants are giving him anything to solicit for his support, he should have keet his view to himself and wait for the party’s primaries coming up on December 8. I wonder why he was comparing Makinde with other aspirants, insisting one has better electoral value than the other.

    “We have several governorship aspirants in the race. Why should he be condemning the others; it doesn’t justify Chief Fagbohun as a good leader of the party. He was at the declaration rally of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and he saw the large crowd that turned out to support him, whereas he wasn’t at Makinde’s to know his electoral value,” he said

    Olopoenia noted that Chief Fagbohun is not a mainstream member of the party because he travels abroad most times.

    He added: ”He stays in Eruwa for two weeks and travels abroad for four months. So, I wonder how such person will know the best governorship aspirants in Ibadan?”

  • Oyo: It is coronation for Ajimobi

    Oyo: It is coronation for Ajimobi

    In Oyo State, the governorship race is no more a matter of conjecture. Unlike Amosun,  his Ogun State counterpart, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has  rivals at the primaries. But, the aspirants, Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer, former lawmaker and Commissioner for Justice, and Dr. Ayo Adesina, are not perceived as a formidable challenger. His support base, according to watchers, is thin. His structure is also weak. Besides, Shittu lacks a formidable financial muscle. Many party stalwarts have described him as a loyal  paper weight politician. A source said that he entered the race, following the sentiment against the governor in some quarters that he has not done well. Reflecting on this perception, a zonal officer of the party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Bayo Shittu is like a spoiler in the race. I tell you that he will not get up to 10 votes at the primaries.” However, Shittu, in a chat with reporters in Lagos, said that “Oyo APC needs a fresh blood to win.” He explained that, despite the control of “party power” by the governor, many indigenes have an axe to grind with him over his alleged politics of exclusion.

    Ajimobi has been endorsed by individuals, groups and associations. APC chieftain and former deputy governor Iyiola Oyedokun, who noted that the governor has the right to seek re-nomination, said that “he has tried his best.” He alluded to the urban renewal programme, which has given Ibadan, the state capital, a face lift, and the construction and rehabilitation of roads. “Every government has its own focus. Anybody that goes into government must have a focus. Ajimobi has focused on some areas,” he added.

    Ajimobi will emerge as the flag bearer because he wields enormous influence in the chapter. But, the political family is under stress. This has implications for the general election. Few months ago, Senators Olufemi Lanlehin and Ayo Adeseun left the ruling party. Lanlehin is joining forces with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja’s Accord Party (AP). Adeseun is teaming up with the PDP. Therefore, while it will be easy for the governor to get the ticket, he has a major battle to fight at the general election.

    Many stakeholders have said that the two challengers-Dr Adesina,son of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, and Shittu, are courageous politicians.

    Adesina is based in the United Kingdom. He is unknown in Oyo State politics, unlike his late father. He does not have a formidable structure.

    Shittu has been a politician since the Second Republic. He was a member of the old Oyo State House of Assembly, representing Saki, his home town. He was also a commissioner in the Ladoja Administration between 2003 and 2007.He contested the governorship election on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 and lost to Ajimobi. The performance was woeful. He joined the APC at its inception.

    The odds against Shittu are many.

    He hails from Oke-Ogun and his political structure is not look strong enough to win the ticket. Major political parties are interested in fielding Ibadan indigenes. To them, Ibadan has a high voting population.

    The odds favour Ajimobi, owing to his experience and political standing. He became a senator under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003. He was the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007. Many believed that he won the 2007 poll. Ajimobi wields the power of incumbency. he is also a performing governor. Despite the fact that some party chieftains have issues with him in some areas, Ajimobi will pick the ticket.

  • Jobs of the day

    HOSPITAL VACANCY

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    Magodo GRA, LAGOS

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    2. Experienced Nurse with combined General Nursing and Midwifery qualification

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    6. Experienced Sonographer/Radiographer.

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    8. Drivers

     

    Interested applicant should send their applications by mail to magodospecialist@yahoo.co.uk, with their curriculum vitae (CV) attached.

     

     

    Media Vacancy

    Have you been looking for a job at a newspaper company? Grab your chance to join a newspaper publishing company with headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo state by applying for any of the following vacancy:

     

    1. Editor
    2. Reporter
    3. Page layout designers and web publishers
    4. Marketing and adverts
    5. Accountant

    QUALIFICATIONS

    Minimum of relevant HND/BSC degree, or its equivalent as well as relevant professional qualification.

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    Applicant for any of the vacancies should normally not be older than 35 years and must:

    1. Posses verifiable, relevant and adequate experience
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    4. Be creative, innovative, enterprising, problem solving,flexible and able to combine multiple roles.

    HOW TO APPLY

    Applicant should send their CV (scanned copies of certificate and a cover letter, indicating the position applied for and containing a clear justification of the applicant suitability to debbgoseanhd@gmail.com, not later than December 12, 2014.

     

  • Oyo community launches N250m development fund

    A hose indigenous to Oke-Ogun of Oyo State, in their thousands stormed Okeho for the 5th Oke-Ogun National Day celebration to launch N250 million development fund and to canvass for state creation.

    Oke-Ogun community is made up of 10 local government areas. They include Irepo, Olorunsogo, Oorelope, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Itesiwaju, Iwajowa, Kajola and Iseyin.

    The Oke-Ogun National Day was organised by Oke-Ogun Development Council (ODC).

    Among the many dignitaries that attended the programme was former Minister of Agriculture,  Chief Bamidele Dada, ýwho said the zone has been marginalised by past administrations in the state, stressing that they will not give up until their demands are met.

    Dadaý, who chaired the event, urged the people not to give up their demand on state creation and the establishment of a university in the area.

    “Some people are mocking us and marginalising us, saying that we are nothing. We are viable economically, socially and culturally. We are endowed with arable lands, cash crops, cultural heritage and man power.

    “Our population is about 1.5 million and it’s more than many states in the country. Creation of Oke-Ogun State is long overdue. I know our hope will be realised only if we do not give up in the pursuit of this course,” he said.

    Also in his remarks, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerindeý noted that to actualise their dreamed state, all hands much be on deck and there must not be an adversary, as have been noticed in some areas.

    The Asiwaju of Oke-Ogun land said they must be committed in the fight for the creation of their own state, which he said will ensure the development of their zone.

    Commenting on the proposed Oke-Ogun University, he said: “We need over N250 million as a deposit to enable us to start a university. This can only be achieved if we come together and contribute towards its kick off. We must work together and speak as one entity. That is the only way government and the National Assembly can consider our request. We are happy with the fully-fledged polytechnic given to us by the present administration, but we want it to be funded and not just abandoned.”

    Similarly, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Nationalý Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Seyi Ige who delivered a keynote address, urged the people to be united in their demand. He spoke on “Oke-Ogun: Journey towards Relevance in the 21st Century.”

    According toý him, Oke-Ogun region is the most populous in Oyo State and blessed with arable land, even as he said the area is the food basket with a prolific capacity to produce diverse agricultural products.

    Ige listed some key factors which he said must be addressed holistically in order to achieve the region’s aims and objectives. They are social order, peace and security, strategic economic emancipation and education.

    “Any aspiration of Oke-Ogun that is predicated on a divided people is dead on arrival. Divisions are manmade and can be overcome. Where there is division, investment does not flow.

    “We must break the walls of division if we want to overcome poverty and ensure a credible and sustainable region. We must figure out how best to leverage every possible tool at our disposal to transform our agriculture into wealth. Once our economy begins to boom at a global level, the world will be forced to reckon with us.

    “While university education is vital, the success of Oke-Ogun University will be as good as the intakes into the university. We must address primary and secondary education. Focus on critical subjects such as Mathematics, Science and English.

    “If we create social order, transform our economy a step at a time anchored on world-class scale and reach, if we establish our region to attain a world scale and reach, if we establish our region to attain above national average educational standard, there is no doubt that the aspirations of several decades for a sustainable, economically viable and political relevant Oke-Ogun will be achieved,” Ige said.

    Earlier in his opening address, the President of ODC, Prof. Jide Adeniyi, who was represented by Chief Oladoja Oladele, said there was need to actualise the Oke-Ogun agenda if the region wants to attain economic and social development.

    Among those honoured with award at the event were Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Moses Alkae Adeyemo, Okere of Saki, Oba Abimbola Oyedokun, ýthe late Sabiganna of Iganna who was honoured posthumously, Oba Atoyebi Folawuyo Alokolodo, Hon Sheik Mudachir Sekoni and all the Caretaker Chairmen of the 10 local government areas in Oke-Ogun zone.

    Other dignitaries present at the event included former Managing Director of First Bank, Mr Moyo Ajekigbe, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice M.O Abimbola, Commissioner for Land and Housing, Mr Isaac Omodewu, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Olaniyonu and Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Bonuola Azeez.

     

  • Free internet: Oyo praises Smile Communications

    The Oyo State government has praised the efforts of Smile Communications Limited for donating free internet services to schools, designed to boost students and teachers’ performances.

    The Commissioner for Education of the state, Prof Solomon Olaniran, gave the commendation in Ibadan, while welcoming Smile to Wesley College of Science, Elekuro in Ibadan, where Smile donated the items.

    The internet connectivity, brings to 25, the number of schools connected with internet data access by Smile Communication, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

    According to the commissioner, the initiative would further equip the students with educational tool for qualitative education that would engender all round development.

    He said the state had concluded arrangement to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Chinese company to install e-learning facilities in selected schools of the state and also drive the process of e-learning in the schools, adding that the donation of free internet data services to schools in the state, will further boost the e-leaning initiative of the state government.

    Addressing the issue of supply of laptop and desktop computers as hardware that will enable the students efficiently use the free internet data services that Smile is offering schools in Ibadan, Olaniran said, “the state government has plans to supply schools in the state with computers that will enhance teaching and learning process.”

  • Free eye treatment for Oyo community

    Free eye treatment for Oyo community

    One of the objectives of establishing the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in 1973 was to help in the accelerated growth of the nation’s economy.

    In order to make this objective workable, corps members were made to belong to various Community Development Service (CDS) groups through which they would reach their host communities in terms of rendering services that would impact positively on their lives.

    In the course of carrying out this aspect of the assignment, one of the youth corps members who studied medicine has been applying the cognitive skills and training for the benefit of Oyo town, her host community and its environs.

    A batch “C’’ Corps member, Dr. Esther Irabor Agbator’s state code is OY/2013C/2345 and NYSC/BEN/242612. She is serving at Oyo-East Local

    Government Area and her primary assignment is at the state hospital Oyo.

    She is carrying out personal community development project which aims at enhancing the well-being of the people and further the objectives of the NYSC.

    The project which being carried out in three phases include equipping and reviving the moribund eye clinic in the hospital, providing  eye test and distribution of frames and lenses to residents who are suffering from eye problems.

    Until recently, residents who have eye problems had no access to health care services due to lack of facilities and qualified personnel.

    As a result, those in dire need of health care services travel to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, the Bowen Teaching Hospital both in Ogbomoso, or the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

    However, Dr. Agbator resuscitated the eye clinic by procuring needed equipment, after which she organised an awareness campaign programme for the residents. This singular action went a long way in saving the lives of people who have eye problems from endangering their lives along the deadly Oyo/Ogbomoso Road.

    The humble, caring, dedicated and dutiful Optometrist, who hails from

    Ekpoma in Edo State, resumes work on or before 8:00 a.m. waiting for the patients to come for either eye test or treatment.

    To the surprise of patients, Dr. Agbator consults and provides eye tests free of charge.

    Frames and lenses were also distributed free for hundreds of indigent residents. Her fellow corps members were also not left out.

    The youth corps member is also an ardent crusader of Educating a Rural Child (ERC), a pet project of the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Ajimobi.

    Two of the patients, Mr. Nuru Ola-Oluwa and Mrs Lydia Ojoayo shed tears of joy after their eyes were tested and provided with eye lenses and frames free.

    Both women in their middle-age explained that they had spent a lot of money so much so that they are indebted to some hospitals where they visited for eye treatment.

    In a chat with our correspondent, Dr. Agbator said the personal effort provides her opportunity to contribute positively to the development of the ancient town and its environs, even as it enables her to appreciate other Nigerians.

    “You can do your CDS either individually or in groups. It is all-year-round, just like the primary assignment.  Individual corps members also carry out personal projects as a means of extending their love to their host communities and state of deployment at large.

    “I observed that a lot of people are really suffering from abject poverty and cannot afford the cost of their health care. We can’t watch them dying with the ailment but to show concern and assist even where government is seen to be lacking,” she said.

  • 2015 governorship ticket: Confusion in South-West

    2015 governorship ticket: Confusion in South-West

    In the South-West states of Oyo, Ogun and Lagos, there is confusion over governorship tickets, reports Dare Odufowokan 

    Oyo Governorship aspirants sit on edge

    The Oyo State chapter of the PDP is obviously going into the 2015 general election in shreds. Since it lost the governorship position to the APC in 2011, chieftains and leaders of the party have been at loggerheads with one another, resulting in the party losing many of its foot-soldiers and mobilisers across the state to the ruling party.

    First was a battle for the control of the party that saw chieftains holding two parallel congresses that produced two executive committees for the party in the state. What followed was an array of unending litigations, some of which are still ongoing.

    A recent intervention by the national leadership brought some respite in the leadership tussle as all factions were charged with working to ensure the victory of the party in the forthcoming election after which the issues of party leadership will be addressed appropriately.

    In line with the resolution, the party has been holding series of meetings with all its members, both the aggrieved and the perceived ‘aggressors’, especially on the issue of picking the right candidate enough to confront Governor Isiaka Ajimobi who is definitely coming out to seek re-election in 2015 on the platform of the APC.

    But the quest of many of the chieftains to pick the governorship ticket of the party merely heightened the tension in the party. This is because while some of the chieftains are angling for the party to choose its flag-bearer through consensus, others want all the aspirants to be allowed to slug it out at a party primary.

    As of the last count, the number of the aspirants interested in flying the flag of the party in 2015 was said to be nine, namely immediate past governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Professor Soji Adejumo, Mr. Femi Babalola, Mr. Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Azeem Gbolarumi, Mr. Isaac Owolabi, and Dr. Gbolarumi Adetunji.

    But at the time of filing this report, only about five of them are said to have purchased the nomination form to vie for the ticket. Akala, Makinde, Adedoja and Folarin are said to be amongst those who picked their forms before the expiration of the deadline last Thursday.

    But trouble is far from over within the party even with the reduction in the number of those vying for its ticket. This is because the remaining aspirants and some leaders of the party are currently up in arms against an alleged attempt by the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, to foist former governor of the state, Rashidi Ladoja, on the party as its candidate.

    Mrs. Jonathan was said to have dropped the hint of her intention during a recent parley with the Oyo PDP stakeholders when she made a request that Ladoja should be accommodated in the party ahead of the 2015 governorship election.

    Ladoja, a former member of the PDP and now the national leader of the Accord Party, who is nursing a governorship ambition, was present at the villa meeting where Patience made the request. Notable PDP leaders at the meeting, according to sources, were Alao-Akala, Akinjide, Folarin, and Chief Yekini Adeojo.

    Speaking on the development, Alao-Akala said it was true that the meeting with the First Lady was held, but he said nobody was asked to step down for Ladoja. The former governor said the First Lady merely asked them to “accommodate” Ladoja in the PDP.

    “Yes, it is true that the First Lady met us. But she didn’t ask me to step down. She said we should accommodate Ladoja in our party and we said it would be difficult to do so because he is not a member of the PDP. That was what happened,” Akala said.

    As the aspirants await the next line of action from the leadership of their party in the days to come, the fear that somebody may be imposed on them is very uppermost in their thoughts.

    This, sources claim, has led to a serious reduction in the political activities of nearly all the camps of the various aspirants. “We hear that Ladoja is still discussing with people in the presidency. Some people are selling him to the leadership of the party as the only man that can defeat APC. This is worrisome to us as members of the PDP.”

    And within the ruling APC, sources say all is also not rosy. While nobody has come out to pick the party’s nomination form to challenge Governor Ajimobi, talks about a case before an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, are rife as the party prepare for the 2015 governorship election.

    The matter which was commenced on February 25th this year is a motion to stop the All Progressives Congress, APC, from conducting its membership registration in the state.

    The motion ex-parte was brought to the court by Adebayo Shittu, a governorship candidate of the defunct CPC in the 2011 election.

    Mr. Shittu alleged that the APC had contravened its constitution and guidelines by engaging in activities that could jeopardise his aspiration and that of other members of the party. He told the court that he was interested in contesting the 2015 governorship election on the platform of the APC in Oyo State. Mr. Shittu said his interest would not be adequately protected unless he was represented and involved in the entire process as a member of the State Harmonising Committee.

    The respondents in the suit include Governor Ajimobi, Akin Oke, Interim Chairman of APC in the state and Razak Folorunsho, the former Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, in Oyo State. Also joined was the Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Suleiman Oyaremi, in the state.

    Although the registration was successfully done, followed by a state congress, observers of the politics of the state say the fact that the case is yet to be expended with remains a source of worry to Ajimobi’s men.

    As serious politicians, they don’t want to leave anything to chance. I think it would be safe to ensure such loose ends are taken care of before the election day,” a national officer of the party said.

    Ogun: Leading parties battle crises

    The rank of governorship aspirants in Ogun State on the platform of the PDP increased as former deputy governor to Chief Olusegun Osoba in the aborted Third Republic, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye, picked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nomination form in Abuja. Ogunleye joined Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, Mr. Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka and Hon. Dimeji Bankole who had earlier picked the PDP nomination form.

    But this was just as a new wave of crisis broke out in the troubled party as a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, granted permission to its state executives to serve contempt proceedings against Bankole, a former House of Representatives Speaker.

    Apart from Bankole, others mentioned as alleged contemnors in the committal proceedings filed last week are the PDP, former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, and a former member of the House of Representatives from the state, Dave Salako.

    The contempt suit was filed by the Adebayo Dayo-led executive of the PDP in Ogun State. In the committal proceedings, it was alleged that the contemnors (Bankole, Daniel and Salako) have been indulging in series of activities to remove the Dayo-led executive, despite two separate judgments of the Federal High Court affirming the legality of the executive.

    Trouble started again in the party, following allegations by the state Chairman, Bayo Dayo, that just as Ondo State PDP executive was recently dissolved, the alleged Bankole and Daniel have also been making frantic moves to ensure that the Ogun PDP executive is equally dissolved, with the aim of handling the party structure in the state to their surrogates.

    He alleged that because Bankole was nursing the ambition to become Ogun State governor, he is not comfortable with the present PDP executives in the state, and had been attempting to ensure that the present executives are sacked by the National Integration Committee of the PDP.

    The applicants further alleged that Daniel and Salako were also not comfortable with the current executive of the party in the state as the Dayo-led executive was perceived to be working against their political interest.

    The development, coming barely two weeks after the Ogun PDP held a unity rally meant to announce to the whole world that peace has finally returned to the embattled party, has left many in doubt of the seriousness and readiness of the PDP to win the 2015 governorship election.

    Lagos: Uncertainty reigns supreme

    Contrary to expectation that the PDP gubernatorial primaries will be a crowded race in Lagos State, about five aspirants have so far shown seriousness in the race for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state by picking their nomination forms.

    Information gathered at the state secretariat of the party revealed that Adegbola Dominic, a medical practitioner, Jimi Agbaje, a renowned pharmacist, and former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, are three of the aspirants still in the race.

    But the age-long crisis rocking the party has worsened, following the severe rift between its two main gubernatorial contenders. The development has once again seen chieftains and members breaking into two factions behind either of the two contestants.

    Things got out of control after one of the aspirants, Obanikoro, described another strong contender, Agbaje, as a mole of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Oyo college hosts agric seminar

    Barring last minute hitch, the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology in Igboora (OYSCAI) will host academics from several schools in agricultural symposium.

    The 2014 edition of the event is being organised by the college in collaboration with Livelihoods Support and Development Centre. The event with the theme: Sustaining agricultural development: Whither Nigeria is to hold between November 10 and 14.

    The Deputy Provost and the chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chief Isiaka Adekunle, said the programme was expected to draw farmers, agricultural experts and scholars from different parts of the country, especially from higher institutions to the campus.

    Some of the lead authors expected at the event include Prof A.B. Ayanwale from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof G.O. Adeoye of Agronomy Department of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof J.O. Okunlola from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof O.A. Babalola from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUUNAB), and Dr S.A. Yusuf of Agricultural Economics Department, UI, among others.

    The symposium, according to the organisers, will chat a way forward on how to sustain agricultural development in the country. It will, among others things, consider topics in soils, farming systems and environmental sustainability, farm management and sustainable agricultural finance as well as organic and low external sustainable agriculture.

    Other sub-themes to be examined include challenges of climate change and responsiveness, intervention projects in sustainable agricultural development, livestock, fisheries and wildlife management. The opening ceremony will hold on November 11. Other events to be done include exhibition of agricultural products, annual general meeting and excursion.

  • Oyo’s recruitment of 5,300 teachers excites NUT, NPTA

    Oyo’s recruitment of 5,300 teachers excites NUT, NPTA

    The recent recruitment of no fewer than 5,300 teachers into public schools in Oyo State has continued to elicit commendation from the general public for Governor Abiola Ajimobi. TAYO JOHNSON reports

    Following the recruitment of 5,300 teaching and non-teaching staff into public primary and secondary schools in all the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the National Parents Teachers Association (NPTA) and other stakeholders in the education sector have lauded Governor Abiola Ajimobi for the initiative.

    Governor Ajimobi recently distributed employment letters to the new teachers charging them to be diligent.

    At a ceremony witnessed by a large crowd of party faithful, professional bodies and members of the public at the popular Mapo Hall, Ibadan, letters of appointment were distributed to those employed from all the 11 local government areas in Ibadanland.

    The remaining letters are scheduled for distribution in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa at later dates.

    Speaking at the occasion, Governor Ajimobi said that the recruitment of 5,300 teachers in one fell swoop by his administration was unprecedented in the history of the state.

    According to him, the exercise was part of government’s efforts to improve the standard of education in the state aside providing job for the teeming unemployed youths.

    The governor, who said that his administration had been doing everything possible to improve the quality of education in the state, stressed that over 31,000 teachers had been sent on various trainings, both locally and internationally, in order to improve their productivity, while a total of 24,000 teachers had been promoted.

    Ajimobi stated that: “Let me specifically congratulate our teachers in Oyo State. I can say it authoritatively that our teachers have never had it so good. They have continued to enjoy salary elongation, while their appointments have been gazetted”

    He also noted that so many schools had been rehabilitated, while six models schools spread across the state were currently under construction.

    Ajimobi commended the cordial relationship between his administration and the teachers, saying that they (teachers) and indeed the entire civil service had not had any cause to go on strike since the inception of his administration.

    In their separate remarks, the Chairmen of SUBEB and TESCOM, Dr. Busari Adebisi and Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi said that the recruitment of the teachers would contribute significantly to the development of education as well as bring joy to the families of the beneficiaries.

    Two of the newly employed teachers, Messrs Tirimisiyu Damilare and Akorede Balkit expressed delight at their appointment, pledging that they would contribute their quota towards attaining the necessary educational standard in the state.

    In his reaction, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in the state, Comrade Kayode Kolawole described the gesture as a welcome idea from the state government, adding that it’s over eight years now that teachers were last employed in the state.

    He said the employment would go a long way to boost the success of the free and compulsory education policy of the State government.

    “So for Governor Ajimobi to employ 5,300 teachers it will improve the standard of education in this state. We have been agitating for additional teachers to be employed, but his predecessors didn’t not do it, but Governor Ajimobi been a listening leader yielded to our plea. Many teachers have retired and their spaces needed to be filled, which is part of what largely affected the education sector in the state, because you will see a teacher handling four or five subjects in a school, but now there will be division of labour in our schools and we are very happy and grateful to the governor on this.” Kolawole explained

    Although Kolawole stated that during the recruitment exercise the union leaders were out of the state for their national delegates conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, he expressed confidence that the new teacher are capable and qualified hands.

    He added that the interview was conducted by Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    Commending the governor further, the NUT boss listed some of the numerous achievements that the present administration has recorded in the area of teachers’ welfare which includes: prompt payment of teachers’ salary, enhanced salary structure, lifting of the ban of primary school teachers from level 14 to 16, and “our appointment has been gazette”.

    He appealed to the government to further upgrade the physical infrastructures in schoolsý for a conducive learning environment.

    Kolawole further stressed that parents should be allowed to contribute financially to the development of the school, adding that it would assist the government to improve standard of education.

    In a similar view, the Chairman of National Parents Teachers Association (NPTA), Oyo State chapter, Alhaji Abiodun Jimoh ýsaid the recruitment of the new teachers will address the deficit of teachers in the schools and improve learning and teaching of their children.

    “On behalf of our association we appreciate the effort of Governor Ajimobi because he has been performing excellently well in the education sector. It is not easy to revamp this sector that the previous administration in the state had bastardised but we are confident that this present administration will give our children the high quality of education required”, he said

    The NPTA chairman ýurged the government to further equip and upgrade infrastructure in the schools and encourage the teachers with additional remunerations.

    A student of Ikolaba Grammar School, Abass Akinola, who spoke with The Nation, thanked the state governor for increasing the number of their teachers, adding that it will further reduce the workload on their teachers and give them conducive studying style.