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Tag: Oyo

  • Ajimobi in Oyo, promises to complete road dualization October

    Ajimobi in Oyo, promises to complete road dualization October

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has assured that the Iseyin-Owode-Palace Road currently being dualized will be completed by October, even as he promised to construct a befitting palace for the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.

    The governor gave the assurance while addressing the people of the state at the arcade of the Alaafin  in Oyo town yesterday.

    Governor Ajimobi had earlier joined Oba Adeyemi, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, members of the State Executive Council and other dignitaries to observe the Jumat Service at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Central Mosque in the town where he admonished  the worshippers to continue to support  and pray for the success of his administration.

    He told the mammoth crowd who had thronged the palace to welcome him to the ancient town that work on the dualization of the Oyo township road was a bit delayed due to variations in the projects and some other logistics.

    Although he said the road project was initially billed to be completed by August, he, however, assured that it would be completed latest by October.

    The governor also disclosed that the contract for the radio station being proposed for  Oyo town named Atiba FM would be formally awarded next week, adding that government had concluded negotiations with some Chinese partners that would handle the project.

    He promised that the radio station, when it eventually comes on stream, would have the latest broadcasting equipment that would make it a reference point in broadcasting in Nigeria.

    Governor Ajimobi also promised that the popular Atiba Hall, rehabilitated by the immediate past administration, but which is currently in a state of disrepair, would be rehabilitated and made befitting, while rehabilitation work had already reached an advanced state at the Durbar Stadium.

    He said the two waterworks in Oyo town were currently being expanded, adding that when completed, they would be working at 95 per cent capacity and that the whole of the town would have regular water supply.

  • Ekiti robbery impossible in Osun, says Olunloyo

    Former Governor of old Oyo State Dr. Omololu Olunloyo has said it will be impossible for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to repeat what happened at the Ekiti State governorship election in Osun State on August 9.

    Olunloyo, who spoke in Ede at the campaign rally for the re election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, said he did not care if his endorsement of Aregbesola would anger Abuja.

    He said he had studied Aregbesola’s style of governance and adjudged it to be the best.

    “The last two weeks, they robbed the APC in Ekiti.  God will never allow that to happen again. Secondly, of all the governors, Ogbeni Omoluabi Rauf Aregbesola knows the grassroots politics best.”

    Olunloyo described Aregbesola as a true politician who loved his people.

    He said the works of late Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former Governor of old Ondo State, Chief Adekunle Ajasin and others, which had been stagnated, have received a boost from Aregbesola.

    The elder statesman said the governor understands the game of politics more than all the governors in the Southwest.

    Advising other governors to learn from Aregbesola’s governance model, he said many today drop the name of Chief Awolowo to reap political benefits.

    The former Oyo governor said his first discussion with Aregbesola was on the improvement of education.

    “Anyone who feeds school children is taking care of education,” he added.

    Olunloyo said if care is not taken, the problems of social and economic tension could consume Nigeria. “There is Boko Haram in the North and there is kidnapping in the South.  May the two evils never meet,” he said.

    He added that those who incite against Aregbesola used religious sentiments and noted that if the governor had been against Christians, his government would not have given such a colourful burial to the late Prophet Obadare.

    He said Osun has always been different, reminding the huge crowd of the PDP loss in the last presidential election in Osun in the 2011 election when all other states voted for the PDP candidate.

    Olunloyo said he was joyous of Aregbesola’s achievements as an alumnus of the Polytechnic of Ibadan.

     

     

  • Ladoja, Akala left decaying infrastructure, says Oyo APC

    Ladoja, Akala left decaying infrastructure, says Oyo APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter, has said the bridges which collapsed in Ibadan during the 2011 floods were products of the decay left behind by the administrations of former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    The party was reacting to a statement by an aide to Ladoja, who spoke on the state of bridges in the state capital.

    The APC said: “Politicians, who always seek to reap from where they did not sow, have made Apete their new Mecca. One Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship pretender promised to give the people electricity, which is a Federal Government’s responsibility. Even Ladoja, whose government was known to be drab, inactive and laid-back, has been promising Apete people heaven and earth. The people know who has buttered their breads between our government and these emergency friends of Apete people.

    “I urge the people to notice a life sworn to lie-telling that has become the pastime of the Accord. First, he said 60 people died at Apete. Any passably intelligent person knows that this is a terrible lie. Second, he said Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accused him of mismanaging the N100 billion monthly budgetary allocation for Oyo State. We are aware that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is too intelligent to make this statement and indeed never uttered this Accord fraudulent lie. Even the Federal Government knows that its monthly allocations to Oyo can’t pay workers’ salary alone.”

  • Oyo to launch community insurance scheme

    The Oyo State government is to launch a community-based health insurance scheme.

    Commissioner for Health Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin disclosed this at the weekend while monitoring the examination into the State College of Nursing and Midwifery, held at University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.

    According to him, the health insurance scheme would start in 12 local government areas by the end of this month.

    “This insurance scheme will begin with 10,000 individuals in each of the council areas, and it’s basically for artisans and people from the informal sector and they will be entitled to any healthcare including surgery once they have registered. According to WHO, our people are spending 70 per cent of their income on healthcare which is out of pocket expenses,” Gbadegesin said.

    He said it would cost the people N200 a month after the government’s subsidy of N400.

  • Council begins dredging of rivers

    THE Akinyele Local Government area of Oyo State has commenced the dredging of major rivers within the council area to aid free flow and avoid flooding.

    The council boss, Hon. Opeyemi Salami, stated this during the supervision of the dredging of the rivers.

    The rivers include Ajibode, NISER and Moniya.

    Salami assured the people that the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration would continue to take proactive steps in addressing the perennial urban flooding in the state.

    He lamented that most of the disasters referred to as natural were indeed man-made.

    According to him: “If drainages were clean, structures removed from waterways and river courses and residents observe the laid down rules and regulations on town planning particularly, the observance of the ‘set back’ rules, the occurrence of flooding in the state would be reduced to the barest minimum.”

    Salami noted that the state had faced the threat of flooding almost on a yearly basis since 2011.

     

     

     

     

     

    He added that since his assumption of office, Ajimobi has taken special interest in issues affecting the environment and had put in place measures that would check the menace.

     

  • Reward for hard work, loyalty, as traders get car gift

    Those who toil often have cause to smile when they reap the fruits of their labour. Two traders in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, have been given two new cars for their perseverance and loyalty. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU writes.

    Hundreds of traders at Bodija and Gbagi International markets in Ibadan, Oyo State, abandoned their shops just to witness what many had thought was impossible.

    Curious motorists and passersby even pulled aside by the road to have a glimpse of the presentation of the brand new cars to the winners of this year’s customers bonanza organised by Unilever Nigeria PLC.

    They all defied the scorching sun to watch the handing over of the keys to the winners.

    At Bodija Market where the event took place, it was a huge gathering of foodstuff traders and other onlookers, anxiously waiting to see the reality of the event.

    Some had expressed doubt that the ceremony could turn out to be a mere showy display, and cast doubt on the sincerity of the organisers.

    On a wooden platform stood the brand new “tear rubber” metallic green Hyundai car which was the attraction of many eyes .

    Friends, relatives and well wishers of the winners were jubilating, while others were thrilled by the car award to a petty trader.

    The foodstuff section of the Bodija Market was almost empty on the fateful day as only few were left in their shops.

    When it was time for the officials of Unilever Nigeria Plc to formally present the brand new Hyundai cars to each of the two ‘Bestsellers’ in the state that emerged winners, many raised their voices shouting praises to God .

    They described the award as a sign to all that nothing is too great for God to accomplish in the lives of men.

    The lucky winners, Alhaja Oyindamola Salam from Bodija Market and Mrs. Shola Akinyele from Gbagi Market were filled with disbelief as the keys of the cars were handed over to them.

    The two traders who were acclaimed by Unilever as “long-standing reliable customers” could not believe their eyes as they were formally presented the keys of their respective car in the presence of hundreds of other traders who had stormed the presentation ceremony which was jointly coordinated by the company’s Field Sales Manager (Foods), Mr. Taofiq Ositade and the Assistant Customer Marketing Manager (Foods), Mrs. Adeola Bodunrin.

    Alhaja Oyindamola Salam, who has been selling food condiments and provisions for over two decades, expressed gratitude to God for deeming it fit to uplift her and thanked the company for the award.

    When asked what she would do with the car, Alhaja Salam said” ah! I will not think of selling it because there is a purpose why God gave me this car at this point of my life. I will be using this car as a personal ride to my shop and attend occasions.”

    While explaining that the car was her first, the 62 year old trader expressed her commitment to her trade, adding that it pays to be committed to whatever one is doing in life.

    Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ositade disclosed that Unilever presented a total of 13 cars to lucky winners across the country in 2013 adding that loyal customers are similarly being rewarded this year as part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility.  This he said was with a view to appreciating their contribution to the growth of the Unilever group.

    While congratulating the two winners from Oyo State, he noted with delight that Ibadan has remained a vibrant market for the assorted products from the Unilever group.

    Ositade remarked that Unilever will continue to produce foodstuffs and culinary that would make people feel and enjoy good lives.

    Responding, the beneficiaries commended Unilever for the good gesture promising to continue to be good ambassadors of the company.

  • Oyo residents urge govt to fix bridge

    Residents have urged the government to fix the collapsed bridge on the Sanga/Iseke road in Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State.

    They lamented the neglect of the bridge, which collapsed in 2012, saying it had caused many accidents and deaths.

    There is no sign on the road to warn motorists of the danger ahead.

    The residents urged the Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Soji Ojoawo, to fix the bridge, which is opposite his family house.

    A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “We are facing a lot of hardship as a result of the collapsed bridge. What is more disturbing is the inability of our local government council to do preliminary work on the bridge, let alone rehabilitation, considering the number of people that have died there. We urge our God-fearing and sincere governor to come to our aid.”

    Ojoawo did not respond to calls made to his mobile phone.

    Motorists on the Oyo/Ogbomoso road have urged the State Traffic Management Authority to check the frequent abandonment of heavy duty vehicles on the highway.

    They complained that faulty trucks are often abandoned in the middle of the road for weeks without consideration for other road users.

    The motorists called for a patrol by towing vehicle drivers.

    They urged the government to erect traffic lights at T-junctions in Owode, Olokomeje, Hospital Road, Durbar, Awe and Bode-Ogbomoso.

     

     

  • Oyo lawmaker empowers 280 students

    The member representing Irepo/Olorunsogo/Orelope Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Jimoh Adelowo Afees, has given out scholarship and bursary awards to the tune of about N6 million to 280 students of the constituency in secondary and tertiary institutions.

    Afees, speaking at the bursary award programme held at Kisi town hall at the weekend, noted that his action was aimed at encouraging youths to take education importantly.

    At the programme, which was attended by politicians and students from Igboho, Kisi and Igbeti communities, two of the best pupils from each of the 38 secondary schools in the constituency were given certificates of merit and cash awards while 200 final year students of universities and polytechnics across the country also received bursary awards to aid their studies.

    Some of the recipients who responded at the event praised Afees for his insight.

    Speaking on the theme: Education and Politics: Tools for Community Development, the guest speaker at the programme, Mr Adedayo Adediji, a lawyer, called on stakeholders and governments at all levels to ensure that more attention is paid to education development.

    Chairman of the occasion, Chief Jacob Adetoro, also praised the donor, encouraging him him not to relent.

    The Iba of Kisi, Oba Moshood Oyekola Aweda, was represented by some of his chiefs led by the Ajana of Kisi. Others include the National President of the Kisi Progressive Union, Chief Bayo Adesope; Chief Adetoro; a former member of the House of Representatives in the constituency, Chief Michael Ojo; Alhaji Ayinde Ogede, Alhaji Yusuf Sarafadeen and Mr Lukman Balogun.

  • Woman allegedly sells son in Oyo

    A middle-aged woman has been handed over to the police in Oyo, Oyo State, for allegedly selling her baby to ritualists.

    It was gathered that a commercial motorcyclist, who took her to a storey building where the baby was sold, was suspicious of the woman and hid somewhere to find out what she was up to.

    Sources said about an hour later, the woman came out of the house without the baby, carrying a bag, and boarded another commercial motorcycle home.

    On getting home, it was learnt that the woman raised the alarm that her baby was missing and her neighbours gathered to help her.

    Sources said the motorcyclist that took her to where the baby was allegedly sold came to the house and told her neighbours where she took the baby.

    The motorcyclist led the people to the two-storey building but no one was found in the building. It was learnt that blood stains were found in the house.

    The woman’s neighbours returned home to search her room and found a bag containing an unspecified amount of money there.

    The woman was taken to Durbar Police Station for interrogation.

  • Alaafin’s son battles incumbent for Oyo Reps seat

    Alaafin’s son battles incumbent for Oyo Reps seat

    Barely seven months to the National Assembly elections, the battle of who picks the ticket to represent Oyo Federal Constituency in the lower chamber in the All Progressives Congress (APC)  is getting hotter, with a son of the Alaafin of Oyo gaining the upper hand.

    Oyo Federal Constituency consists of four local governments namely, Afijio, Atiba, Oyo-East and Oyo-West.

    The contest is between the incumbent Honourable Kamil Akinlabi, who is serving his second term in office and Prince  Hakeem Adeniyi Adeyemi, who is the current caretaker  chairman, Atiba Local Government.

    Within the constituency chapter  of the party and even the oppositions, Prince Adeyemi is daily turning into a formidable force ahead of the race not because of his link to the palace and the rumour that his father could swing the votes in his favour but his passion for the grassroots which cuts across all the four council areas.

    Besides, there is no ward in the constituency that has not benefitted from the unprecedented gestures of the monarch’s son, in terms of assistance to indigent pupils, provision of non-refundable funds to farmers, provision of potable water supply, development of young talents in soccer and empowerment of over 7,000 in vocational skills.

    Chances of the monarch’s son to make a reasonable impact in the lower chamber in Abuja got a boost at the just concluded wards and local governments’ congresses of the party respectively.

    At the congresses witnessed by APC National Monitoring Team leader, who is also former commissioner in Lagos State, Honourable Lanre Balogun, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission as observers, candidates loyal to Prince Adeyemi faction cleared majority of the seats, including the delegates.

    At both Wards 8 and 9 in the Atiba council area where there was chaos, the monarch’s son floored his closest rival, Kamil, who is from ward 8. Prince Adeyemi is from ward 3.

    There were allegations of rigging levied against Prince Adeyemi’s faction, but these were dismissed by both national and state monitoring teams, security agencies  as well as INEC officials who  unanimously affirmed the successful conduct of elections in eight of the ten wards in Atiba.

    In Oyo-East, having agreed to settle for harmonisation, faction sympathetic to Prince Adeyemi, led by the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu had over seventy-percent  of wards and local party executives.

    Commenting on the outcome of the congresses, Balogun expressed satisfaction on the impressive turn-out of party members and orderly conduct of the congresses.