The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyo

  • Ajimobi summons peace parley on Oyo NURTW crisis

    Ajimobi summons peace parley on Oyo NURTW crisis

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has summoned a peace meeting  for today over a new crisis in the state National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) chapter.

    A serving NURTW Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abideen Olajide and Auditor, Alhaji Kasali Lawal, had alleged threat to their lives following the crisis.

    Ajimobi, who got wind of the sistuation as well as the agitation by union leaders for the removal of their chairman, Taofeek Oyerinde (a.k.a. Fele), asked for the parley.

    There was tension in Ibadan yesterday as some union members were spreading rumour of Fele’s removal through impeachment.

    But investigation at the chapter’s Olomi state secretariat indicated that “Fele was still calling the shots.”

    A letter from Adebayo Adegbite & Co Legal practitioners, dated July 30th, 2014 and signed by S.I. Koshoedo Esq and copied to the governor, the state Commissioner of Police, Director of Department of State Security (DSS) and National President of the union, Alhaji Najeem Yasin, alleged that there were threats to the lives of the two union leaders.

    The letter, copies of which wwere made available to reporters yesterday, was titled: “Threat to lives of the two NURTW chieftains”.

    Olajide and Lawal confirmed the threats to reporters.

    They hinted yesterday that they were on their way to see the Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Ndabawa, to brief him on the need to investigate their claims.

    Reacting, Fele said he was not after the lives of the duo, adding: “They are the ones with insatiable greed, especially my deputy who wants to unseat me at all cost. I am a peace-loving chairman and my reign has been very peaceful. Check the records. The governor will meet us tomorrow after Jumat service.”

  • Oyo inaugurates 33 patrol vans

    Oyo inaugurates 33 patrol vans

    Oyo State has assured that all necessary precautionary measures has been put in place to ensure that the peace currently being enjoyed in the state is not truncated.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi gave the assurance while speaking at the presentation of 33 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state.

    The patrol vehicles were distributed among the state security outfit, Operation Burst, the Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Prison Service.

    Ajimobi said no stone would be left unturned to ensure peaceful and violent-free elections next year.

    “You know that when elections draw near like this, some people may tend to be violent. But in Oyo State, we have been able to keep peace and tranquility, and I want to assure the people of the state that this trend will continue.

    “We have bought these vehicles to augment the several vehicles we had earlier procured. We have also purchased other auxiliary items in order to maintain peace in Oyo State. We are fully prepared and the people of the state are also prepared,’’ he said.

  • Oyo APC to Akala, Ladoja: no crocodile tears

    Oyo APC to Akala, Ladoja: no crocodile tears

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, has urged former governors Adebayo Alao-Akala and Rashidi Ladoja, to stop shedding what it termed “crocodile tears” over the rumoured plan to impeach Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    The party, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Akin Oke, said the two former governors did not have the moral right to advise any government on peace.

    Oke said: “Isn’t it an irony that Akala and Ladoja would tell us how peaceful our state would be with a House of Assembly that is devoid of rancour? Both of them ran governments whose Houses of Assembly were like Israel and Palestine and the Governor’s Office like Gaza, even when members were of the same Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It came to a head when touts stormed the Assembly, beat members to pulp and a chief thug declared the governor impeached. Hundreds of our people were felled in the violence and bloodshed that the two of them abetted. Both of them have the blood of our people on their hands.”

  • Let’s avoid pedestrian politics, Ajimobi tells residents

    Let’s avoid pedestrian politics, Ajimobi tells residents

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged politicians in the state to embrace politics of intellectualism, development and poverty alleviation instead of brigandage, character assassination and name-calling.

    The governor spoke yesterday after the Eid-el-Fitri prayer at the Agodi Prayer Ground, Ibadan, the state capital.

    He noted that the state had risen above the pedestrian politics of violence, brigandage, character assassination and name calling used to hold sway.

    Ajimobi said: “All we are doing in Oyo State now is politics of intellectualism, development and poverty alleviation. All of us in positions of authority and leadership should be ready to develop Oyo State and help it to grow.”

    The governor said the residents should continue to live in harmony and support the present administration in its transformation policies.

    He stressed the need for the people to always live in unity and peace, adding that without peace, it would be difficult for anyone to achieve meaningful development.

    The governor advised the residents to accommodate one another, irrespective of their religious, political or ethnic differences.

    He canvassed godliness among the people, adding that it is the duty of the godly and the virtuous to always preach to the troublesome so that insurgency, armed robbery and political violence would become history in Nigeria.

    The Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Suara Busari Haruna, urged Muslims to always pray for the country to overcome its security challenges and for the success of the 2015 general elections.

     

  • Oyo APC urges prayers for peace

    Oyo APC urges prayers for peace

    The Oyo State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Muslims to pray for lasting peace ahead of next year’s general elections.

    The party, in a message yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, by its Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, felicitated with Muslims for successfully fulfilling one of their religious obligations, as stipulated in the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

    APC said: “It is very important for a party like ours, which respects the rights of individuals to religious practice, to identify with our Muslim brothers and sisters on this year’s occasion of Eid-el Fitri.”

    It urged Muslims to always exhibit the virtues of sacrifice, humility, love and service to God and humanity beyond the holy month.

    APC called for prayers to make peace reign in Nigeria, especially as insurgents have held the nation by the throat for years.

    “Our dear pacesetter state equally deserves special prayers, even as we urge residents to be vigilant and not succumb to the antics of retroactive elements who are bent on returning Oyo State to the era of impunity, recklessness and bad governance,” it said.

     

  • Customs intercept 23 vehicles in Oyo

    Customs intercept 23 vehicles in Oyo

    The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS)  has intercepted 23 fairly-used vehicles loaded with 2,446 imported bags of rice estimated at over N30 million.

    Area Controller of the command, Richard 0teri, told reporters in Ibadan yesterday that 21 of the vehicles were intercepted in a convoy driven by smugglers.

    Many residents of the city and other law enforcement agents were attracted by the big haul as they gathered at the Command’s Bodija Headquarters Ibadan.

    Oteri said the command’s anti-smuggling operatives impounded the rice and vehicles at Ilero-0tu Road, off Saki-Iseyin Road in Kajola Local Government and Alaraba village in Atiba Local Government Area.

    “The seizures represent a huge loss on the part of these elements despite the fact of a jail term that awaits any of them who will be arrested as a result of our long drawn investigative net,” he added.

  • Oyo Speaker: no plan to impeach governor

    Oyo Speaker: no plan to impeach governor

    Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu has denied reports that some members of the Assembly planned to impeach Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Sunmonu, who spoke with our correspondent on telephone yesterday, said rather than promoting unfounded “anti-progress” reports, Nigerians should be praying for the Assembly for working hard to achieve peace and prosperity of the state in the last three years.

    The Speaker said at no time did members of the Assembly meet to discuss the alleged impeachment.

    “Instead of believing these lies, the good people of Nigeria should be praying for us to continue to work for the peace and progress of Oyo State. We have been discharging our duties by the grace of God and we believe God to help us till the end,” she said.

  • Ajimobi to establish community radio in Oyo

    Ajimobi to establish community radio in Oyo

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has said his administration will establish a radio station in Oyo town.

    Ajimobi spoke at the weekend during his visit to the town.

    The governor was received by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

    The governor and the Alaafin later proceeded to the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque for the Jumat prayer.

    In his sermon, the Chief Imam, Alhaji Mukail Mobolaji, eulogised the governor for his transformation agenda.

    Ajimobi said:  ’’Alaafin remains not only pillar of my success, the paramount ruler’s un-relentless, sincere and rare support for me and my administration has been a source of inspiration and stimulant in governance.’’

    He said his administration would establish Atiba radio station and rehabilitate the Erelu Water Works.

    The Alaafin described Ajimobi as ‘’a visionary, listening, God-fearing and humane governor who meant well for the people of the state.’’

  • Oyo council chief to would-be voters: protect your cards

    •‘PDP, others jittery over APC’

    The Caretaker Chairman of Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State, Ope Salami, has urged the people to protect their voter’s cards.

    He was at the weekend  addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) members at Arulogun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Salami said:” We have received news that some opposition parties in this state have gone to bring money from Abuja to buy your voter’s card from you by pretending they want to give you loan. Please reject them and ensure that your exercise your right by voting.”

    Salami, who pledged the support of his local government for Ajimobi’s re-election, said: “Don’t sell your voter’s cards to anybody because the oppositions are very desperate to buy your voter’s cards to rig the election in 2015. Don’t use your voter’s cards to borrow money or take a loan from any politician. If you do, your are selling out your future to the termites that are bent on eating up the future of your children.

    “When INEC begins the voter’s registration soonest, please all of you must ensure that you register to exercise your franchise. The card must be kept safely until the day of the election.

    “The peace we are experiencing in this state during Senator Abiola Ajimobi’s regime is unique in the history of this state. Over the last three years in office, he has laid a solid foundation and for continuity purpose, we all need to support him to complete all this projects.”

    Also at the weekend, the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr.Ladi Oluokun said the opposition parties in the Southwest have become jittery about the APC’s rising profile.

    Oluokun spoke with reporters in Ibadan shortly after a meeting with his party leaders in the local government.

    He attributed the defeat of Dr Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti State to militarization.

    Oluokun said Ajimobi’s achievements were enough to guarantee his re-election.

    The council chief said: “This man (Ajimobi), on assumption of office, put an end to brigandage and violence from members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) who held the state to ransom for years and massacred many innocent people. Residents can now sleep with their two eyes closed unlike the period when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government took sides with a faction of NURTW. May we not experience violence again in this state.”

  • 13 lives lost on Oyo/Ogbomoso road in one week

    No fewer than 13 people have lost their lives along Oyo to Ogbomoso highway in the last one week, investigation by The Nation has revealed.

    Motorists and commuters plying the federal highway have, in the last few weeks,  had sad tales to tell as a result of their nightmarish experience while transiting from the South West zone of the country to the northern axis.

    Just recently at the Araromi junction behind St. Bernadines Girls Grammar School, Oyo, a student was reportedly crushed to death by a lorry, just as a manager of a filling station reportedly lost his life on a commercial motorcycle in front of Labamba Hotel.

    Also at Elekara Market, a north-bound lorry rammed into a trailer parked beside the road, killing five persons on the spot.

    Same day, another auto crash occurred opposite the Olivet High School where two persons died instantly, while three others sustained injuries.

    Also a few days ago, the driver of a red golf car allegedly ran into a parked taxi cab at the popular Owode area killing three persons in the process.

    Findings revealed that the major cause of these accidents is largely due to the deplorable condition of the road over many years.

    Within the Oyo axis of the highway, motorists suffer untold hardships as a greater portion of the road network is in bad shape, while the Ogbomoso axis is ridden with potholes and gullies.

    On this road, our correspondent counted over 100 potholes and deep gullies, while the breakdown of trailers and other heavy duty truck is also a common sight with these broken down vehicles left unattended to for many days.