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Tag: Oyo

  • Oyo Senator empowers constituents with N200m

    Oyo Senator empowers constituents with N200m

    The agrarian communities in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State stood still for three days as the Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Hosea Agboola stormed the 12 local government areas he represents to empower his people and commission no fewer than 60 projects.

    Agboola who kicked off his trip with the commissioning of projects on the 13thý of August ended it with the empowerment of over 10,000 people on the 15th of August, in his home town, Igbojaye in Itesiwaju Local Government.

    The local governments he represents in the upper chambers of the National Assembly includes; Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Orire, Olorunsogo, Orelope, Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo, Iseyin, Kajola, Iwajowa, and Itesiwajuý.

    At the empowerment program, several items includeing150 grinding machines, 150 motorcycles, 500 sprayers, 150 sewing machines, 150 deep freezers, 100 clippers, 150 hair dryers, 150 air conditioners, 150 clippers, mechanical tools, vehicles, among others were presented to the people.

    Also, bursary award worth N15 million was distributed to 1,334 students from Oyo North senatorial district.

    Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Agboola, the only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator from the south west, said poverty alleviation programmes must be a constant event in the grassroots, as they served as a way of reaching out to the people who are mostly in need of empowerment.

    He told the gathering that he has spent about N200 million on empowerment scheme and bursary award for students in his constituency.

    The lawmaker said most of the beneficiaries were selected by the hierarchy of the PDP in the senatorial district, adding that the rest were from various groups and other political stakeholders in the area.

    Some of the political heavyweights present at the event include a one-time Senate leader, Teslim Folarin, PDP leader in Oyo State, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, former minister for Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, former deputy governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarunmi, Oyo PDP Chairman, Mr Yinka Taiwo, Mr Femi Babalola among others.

    Speaking at the event, the Oyo State PDP chairman, Mr Yinka Taiwo appealed to all elected or appointed office holders to let the people at the grassroots feel their impact, adding that politicians who distance themselves from the people cannot win election.

    Taiwo noted that the political structure of the state will be in the hands of PDP in 2015, saying that the people of the state are now politically awake and it would be difficult for any party to defeat the PDP.

    The party chairman called on political office holders in the state to redouble their empowerment and mass mobilization drives to ensure the victory of the party in the next year’s general electioýn.

    Lauding the initiative, Oluigbo of Igbojaye, Oba Zacheus Oladimeji said:”Senator Agboola is a gift to this generation and to the people of Igbojaye community as the legislator representing our constituency,  he has performed creditably well within the period he has spent in the Senate and we are proud of him”

    Also, the leader of PDP in Oyo State, Seriki Adeojo also described Sen Agboola as:”  a humble man who is full of accomplishments. He contributes very well in the National Assembly. He consults constantly with his constituency and makes contributions that reflect the opinion and aspirations of his constituency. I think we are lucky and happy to have him as one of our strong party members.

    “He executed many projects in the 12 local councils he represents, and projects like drilling of boreholes, solar lights, supply of transformers and building of classrooms with toilets, ICT centres have been done. He makes promises and fulfils them. This man has been supportive of the youth. He is taking care of the needy and we the traditional rulers are also well taken care of from his personal resources,”

    Earlier before the empowerment program kicked off, no fewer than 60 projects financed by the lawmaker were commissioned. These include a block of three classrooms and toilets each within 13 council areas, 10 ICT centres, 15 primary health centres, community museum, ýsolar light, bore holes among others.

    Lauding one the projects, the Principal of Gboro Muslim College, Saki, Mallam Alimi Hamzat said:”I want to appreciate your kind gesture. You have in a long way contributed to the development of education in this area, because what you are giving us is not just a block of three classrooms, but an executive block which is made up of modern toilets, furniture, electricity, slide windows among others.”

    Senator Agboola who was quick to remember his Alma Mata, Baptist High School, Saki, constructed a modern ICT centre fully equipped with computers and same was replicated at Baptist Secondary Grammar School, Ago-Are and Igbojaye Community High School.

    The schools commissioned include, the Apostolic Church Basic School III, Olopemarun in Ogbomosho South. Ori-Oke Community Senior High School, Ogbomoso North, UMCA Grammar School, Olorunsogo, Nybrosis Primary School, Oke-Suna Tege, Kisi in Orelope Local Government, Gboro Community Secondary School, Saki in Saki West Local Government, IDGS Secondary School, Iseyin Local Government, Nawarudeen Primary School, Okaka among others.

    Explaining how the projects would be sustained, Agboola said the schools will be maintained by the state government and the community, while the health centres will be handed over to the National Agency for Primary Health Centre.

    The Iba of Kisi, Oba Masoud Oyekola Arowoduye, Ounjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Adeitan II , and  Oolokaka of Okaka, Ayoola Azeez Olatunji, all commended the lawmaker and endorsed the him for second term when he visited them in their palaces.

    At Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Saki station, Agboola donated N55 million towards the upgrading of their equipment. And justifying the reason for the kind gesture the lawmaker said:” I have been assisting NTA since I was a commissioner and I always influence people to assist them. I will also do more because this is one of the means my people can have a view of what is happening all over Nigeria”

    In his appreciation address, the General Manager of the station, Alh Fatai Adiyeloja said:” Agboola has fulfilled his promises to his constituency with laudable projects, and a whooping sun of N55 million was lavished on our station for the rehabilitation of all our equipments, which is epoch in the history of this station and it’s the first time a lawmaker in Nigeria will be doing this for any television station in Nigeria. We now transmit regularly and we now have a wide coverage. We have refurbished two vehicles and our studio has been rehabilitated among others”

  • Oyo panel on demolition to begin sitting Aug. 28

    Oyo panel on demolition to begin sitting Aug. 28

    Oyo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on complaints arising from demolition of buildings over Environmental and Town Planning Regulations’ contraventions between May 29, 2011 till date, will begin sittings on August 28.

    The commission, which was set up by Governor Abiola Ajimobi, will be sitting at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan at 10a.m each day.

    It has requested for the submission of written memoranda by individuals, groups or organisations affected by the demolition.

    A statement by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Waheed Ajuwon, in Ibadan yesterday, said anybody wishing to submit memorandum should produce 12 copies.

    It said this should be address to the office of the Commission’s Secretary, Room 64, Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Ibadan between 9a.m. and 4p.m.

    The statement added that all memoranda should be ready within the next seven days.

    It indicated that such memoranda should be accompanied by relevant documents, including approved building plan, photograph(s) of such buildings(s), and proof of ownership of the affected property.

    It also stated that any other person wishing to give oral evidence could also appear personally at the public sittings.

    The panel, to be chaired by Justice Okanola Akintunde Boade (rtd), was constituted on Monday, August 11.

    It was charged with the responsibility of receiving complaints of irregular demolition of properties on the grounds of Environmental and Town Planning Regulations contraventions and determining the genuineness or otherwise of such claims among others.

  • Frustration mars PVCs’ collection in Oyo

    Frustration mars PVCs’ collection in Oyo

    •APC leaders seek extension

    Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders have urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) exercise.

    The call came following failure of many registered voters in the state to collect their PVCs due to inability of the INEC to conduct a smooth exercise.

    Registered voters expressed anger, frustration and complaints in Ibadan and other parts of the state as the three-day exercise ended yesterday.

    Chairman, Public Account, Finance and Appropriation of the state House of Assembly Olusegun Olaleye, in an interview with The Nation, said the only way out of the logjam was for INEC to extend the exercise by another three days to avoid dire consequences.

    The lawmaker, who blamed INEC for lack of adequate preparation for the exercise, said: “I believe INEC has not done so well in view of what I saw in my constituency and local government.”

    He said materials were not available in four wards – Wards 11, 10, three and five, where he said the exercise didn’t take place.

    “The corps members and the officials were ready, but all the materials are still in Abuja and they keep assuring us they will come and people trooped out. But nothing has happened since the inception of the exercise. This calls for concern.

    “Few people were attended to in 11 units out of 34.

    “In Ward eight, which is in my constituency in Ibadan North Local Government, people turned out, spent money and energy to go to their centres and the government also declared a whole day as a public holiday. What do you say about those efforts? So, to me, that is a total failure on the part of INEC.”

    The Chairman, Ibadan South East Local Government Area, Alhaji Abass Najimudeen, reassured registered voters in the council that the shortcoming discovered in some wards would be addressed.

    He said areas affected were Wards three, four and 11, while 32 polling units were not available in Ward 10 and 10 polling units missing in Ward eight.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Parastatals, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, who spoke in a telephone chat yesterday, frowned at the shoddy manner the exercise was conducted by INEC in Ibarapa Zone.

    He said over 80 per cent of registered voters were denied their PVCs in the four local government areas that made up the zone whereas all the affected voters participated and voted in 2011 election.

    He called for an extension of the exercise to allow the registered voters collect their PVCs.

    Commissioner for Applied Science and Technology Dapo Adesina described the exercise as unacceptable and argued that registered voters would be disenfranchised by the exercise.

    He said: “It’s been a kind of mixed reactions. Our people turned out in large number, but were disappointed. I think INEC still have a lot to do. I have been to where I registered today. Even though they saw my PVC, they didn’t find my name on the list. I learnt that this happened to many people.”

    The commissioner also called for extension of the exercise to avoid chaos and anarchy.

  • Parents seek intervention in Oyo schools

    T HE Oyo State chapter of the National Parent-Teacher Association (NAPTAN) has urged the state government to address challenges facing education in the state.

    These were discussed at a forum organised by NAPTAN in Ibadan after which the group visited Governor Ajimobi to register their concerns.

    They complained about poor quality education which manifests through inability of the learners to express themselves orally or in writing.  They also demanded for improved security in the schools; adequate teachers, buses for inspection, and the reconstruction of dilapidated classrooms and school fences before a new session starts next month.

    One of the NAPTAN representatives, Mr Folorunsho Adetuyi, a teacher from Ibadan North local government, told The Nation of the urgent need for furniture in schools.

    “The schools need chairs and tables.  The pupils come to school and sit on the floor. The PTA is trying, but the government needs to come to our rescue,” he said.

    A parent from the council, Alhaji Akeusola Badmus, noted that the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings and fences is “highly” important before September.

    In his response, Ajimobi assured them that resuscitating the education sector is a priority for his administration.

    He promised them that the state would provide 10 buses to ease transportation of 2,500 newly-recruited teachers, who will resume in September. He also said that dilapidated classrooms are being reconstructed by a Chinese expert, adding that the contract for model schools to be constructed in the three senatorial districts of the state has been awarded.

    “The general free uniform initiative will commence with these schools, afterwards it will be extended to other government primary and secondary schools.   Education should be one of the strong points of a progressive government,” he said.

    Meanwhile, there will be free lunch for Primary One pupils from September, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has promised.

    He hoped he would encourage lazy pupils to school and also enhance learning.

  • Oyo Police parade suspects with cartridges

    The Oyo State Joint Security Patrol, code named ‘Operation Burst’ has paraded two suspects with 10 packs of live cartridges.They deal in buying and selling of ammunition.

    The suspects are Mohammed Alayo and Idowu Fasasi.

    Parading the suspects on Monday at Operation Burst office in Agodi, Ibadan, the deputy commandant of the outfit, DSP Elijah Bawa said the patrol team in Kishi town during on surveillance on the August accosted a pegeout   504 wagon with registration number JJJ 206 XK.

    “The driver was intercepted  and search was conducted, then a sack containing 247 cartridges was discovered and on interrogation, he the consignment is for one Mohammed Alayo. Alayo too was arrested at Sango-Ota, “Bawa said.

    The key suspect, Mohammed Alayo (32yrs), who confessed to the crime, noted that he was influenced by one Abass  to join the shady business.

    He said: “Abass stays in Saki and I sent money to him  to send 10 packs of the cartridges to Sango-Ota where I was working as a surveyor. I bought each packs for N3,400 and this is my first time in the business. I did not intend to rob or sell to armed robbers. I wanted to sell them to vigilante people”

    Idowu Fasasi (28) who was transporting the cartridges from Saki, said he did not know the content of the sack that was handed over to him at the park by Abass.

    Operation Burst also paraded two suspects who specialised in stealing motorcycles in Saki.

    The suspects as Tajudeen Olajumoke and Tajudeen Jimoh.

  • Oyo begins 24-hour surveillance

    Oyo begins 24-hour surveillance

    •Union urges govt to establish emergency unit

    Oyo State Health Commissioner Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin has said the Abiola Ajimobi administration has begun a 24-hour monitoring and tracking of the 33 local government areas to prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    In a statement yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, Gbadegesin said the government was placing emphasis on the boundaries in Saki West, Iwajowa, Atisbo and Itesiwaju local government areas to ensure the virus does not enter the state through the boundaries.

    The commissioner said the tracking of foreigners coming into and leaving the state was also ongoing.

    He said: “There is also a strong collaboration with officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, other Southwest ministries of Health, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan on surveillance, tracking and case management of suspected, probable or confirmed cases.”

    Gbadegesin urged the public to maintain proper personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing with soap and water.

    The comissioner urged the people to report anyone having fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, rashes and bleeding or anybody who might have died due to cause(s) not known, to the nearest health facility.

    Also, the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has urged the state government to establish an emergency preparedness centre to curtail the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Its Chairman Dr Muideen Olatunji addressed reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on the Health sector.

  • Oyo residents, Anambra APC celebrate

    Oyo residents, Anambra APC celebrate

    News of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s re-election was greeted with jubilation yesterday by All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters in Oyo and Anambra states.

    Aregbesola’s victory was the topic of discussion in many churches in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Mr Muyiwa Alaba, a teacher, said Aregbesola’s re-election represents victory for the masses.

    Oyo APC, in a statement by its Publicity Director, Olawale Sadare, said: “The world has seen champions of liberty in Osun people, who dared the odds of intimidation, harassment and inducement to exercise their rights to choose their leader. They have recorded a victory against the forces of oppression made up of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government and its agents in Yorubaland.

    “We urge the electorate to replicate this in Oyo and others states where the APC has delivered good governance.”

    Anambra APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Okelo Madukaife, said: “There is something to take away from Osun by the rest of Nigeria, particularly in elections yet to come, about how the voting populace can  frame their view, nurture it, guard it and find courage to protect it against state-sponsored derailment before mid-wifing same to success.”

  • Oyo College adopts e-voting

    In what appeared to be an innovation in state-owned institutions in Oyo State, the college has organised the first e-voting for aspirants in the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

    The election, which started at 9.00am at the college’s ICT Centre, had members of  past management team in attendance, including 22 observers, electoral committee members, election monitoring team, men of the State Security Services (SSS), security operatives and polling agents of the candidates.

    The observers, monitoring team and electoral committee who were drawn from students, lecturers and administrative staff lauded the initiative of the school management on the adoption of electronic voting system. Some of the students after casting their votes also praised the Provost, Prof. Gbemiga Adewale for the introduction of electronic system of voting in the college.

    Joseph Oluyemi Deborah, a student of Animal Health and Production Technology Department, described Prof Gbemiga Adewale as a man of vision who was committed to students’ welfare.

    Another student, Sukurat Aminu Titilope, described the electronic system of voting as a fast, efficient and 21st century-compliant.

    An electoral observer,  Mr Gbolahan Oyelere, Ag. Head of Agricultural Extension Programme, said the voting system was peaceful, free and fair, void of rancour and hooliganism which was evident in the orderly conduct of the election.

    At the end of the election, Hassan Are Opeyemi of Animal Health Technology, HND II, emerged president, after polling 364 votes to defeat Olaide Oladipupo Lateef who had 331 votes.

    Adewale praised the efforts of the officials for the success of the election, urging students to support their leaders.

    Other winners included Mary Awoyemi, Vice president; Ridwan Ogunsola Olalekan, Financial Secretary; Ololade Adeagbo, General Secretary; Biliamin Mustapha, Assistant General Secretary; Mujeeb Adegbenro, Sports Director I; Oluwaseun Aderonke, Social Director I, Temitope Bennett, Social director II, Issac Emmanuel, Public Relations Officer; Atinuke Kayode, Treasurer; Joseph Adeyemi, Auditor.

  • Bond Issue: Oyo, Kaduna appoint Sterling as receiving bank

    Bond Issue: Oyo, Kaduna appoint Sterling as receiving bank

    The governments of Oyo and Kaduna states have appointed Sterling Bank Plc as receiving bank for their bond issuance programme.

    Oyo State is raising N5 billion, while Kaduna State is raising N15 billion. The bonds are being raised  to generate funds for development projects.

    Sterling Bank’s Head of Structured Finance, Mr. Lanre Olalusi who made this known in Lagos at the weekend said the choice of the bank may have been influenced by its track record in collections.

    For instance, he said Sterling Bank collects Visa fees for the British High Commission, French Embassy, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    Similarly, he said the bank collects school fees in conjunction with Interswitch using the Paydirect platform.

    Olalusi also noted that the bank’s adherence to rules as specified by the regulatory authorities based on antecedents, transparency and professional service delivery in a timely manner also stood it out as a financial institution of choice for the programme.

    His words: “The antecedents of Sterling Bank in this business are unparalleled. This business is all about experience, deep understanding of the terrain, sincerity and trust.

    “Sterling Bank has demonstrated all these qualities in similar transactions. The issuing houses also look out for banks with rich experience in the business and they are comfortable with Sterling Bank based on our past experience. For instance, Sterling Bank handled a similar responsibility for Wema Bank during its capital raising exercise and it was a huge success”.

    While assuring that the bank would provide the necessary support to the issuing house, Olalusi said  the bank would continue to offer top notch service and robust platforms to ensure the success of the exercise.

    He commended states for approaching the capital market to raise funds, adding that this would help to bridge the country’s infrastructural deficit and uplift the living standard of the populace.

    “Such medium to long term financing are typically channeled towards infrastructure and developmental projects like construction of roads, rural electrification, and the execution of housing and water supply schemes which have direct impact on living standard of the people,” he said.

     

  • We’ll prevent Ebola outbreak in Oyo – Govt

    We’ll prevent Ebola outbreak in Oyo – Govt

    The Oyo State Government has assured the people of the state that it has taken some steps to ensure the prevention of an Ebola disease outbreak in the state.

    A statement issued in Ibadan on Friday by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbedegesin said that the state government was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministries of Health of the neighbouring states to prevent the outbreak of the disease.

    “All the disease surveillance and notification officers in all the local government areas have been alerted and sensitized to promptly respond to the outbreak,’’ it said, adding that a sensitization programme had been also been organized for a similar purpose.

    The statement also said that public enlightenment highlighting how to prevent Ebola Virus disease, its causes, mode of transmissions and steps to be taken in case of outbreak had already commenced in form of sensitization of traditional healers, religious and community members, as well as through airing of jingles and distribution of posters.

    It highlighted the signs and symptoms of the disease to include onset of fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, conjunctivitis, hiccups, dysphasia followed by vomiting, diarrhea and rash.

    While assuring the people of the state of effective monitoring of the situation, the state government, however, urged them to take any suspected case to the nearby public health facility for adequate care.