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Tag: Tayo Johnson

  • ‘500,000 teachers recruitment must involve TRCN’

    ‘500,000 teachers recruitment must involve TRCN’

    The Registrar/Chief Executive of Teachers Research Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof  Olusegun Ajiboye has said that the council must be fully involved in the 500, 000 recruitment of teachers being planned by the Federal Government.
    Ajiboye, who stated this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, lauded the idea of the federal government to recruit more teachers, but noted that the TRCN must be included in all the processes of the recruitment for quality assurance.
    He also vowed to flush out quackery in the teaching profession while promising to have a comprehensive data on the number of registered and qualified teachers in Nigeria.
    According to him, the quality of education of a nation is strongly influenced by the quality of its teachers.
    “We must be fully involved in the entire recruitment process so that the quality of persons to be recruited through the scheme as teachers is ascertained,” he said.
    The University Don, who was recently inaugurated alongside 16 other Chief Executives of Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education, by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu affirmed the need to put more efforts in individual capacities towards achieving more of the mandates of the Council.
    The TRCN Boss enjoined State Coordinators to embark on massive recruitment of teachers to Register with TRCN, adding that, the Council will not relent in her efforts towards ensuring that every qualified teacher in the country is duly registered, certified and licensed by TRCN.
    Ajiboye stated that the Council would do a State by State analysis of the number of teachers already registered, certified and licensed across the country.
    The Ogbomoso born Professor of Social Studies & Environmental Education, from the University of Ibadan, said this would help in the production of reliable statistical data of teachers in the country within the shortest possible time.
    He therefore assured the Council’s staff that a reward mechanism would be put in place to appreciate exceptional performances in all areas of the Council’s activities. “We shall prioritize the Mandatory Professional Development Programme for teachers across the Country. We shall also flush out quacks from the teaching profession.” he stressed, adding that the mandates of the Council must be the guide in repositioning TRCN.
    The Registrar, therefore called for the full support of the management team of the Council in his quest to foster the needed development in line with the change mantra of the present administration.
    Ajiboye, who said he had carried out a familiarization tour of the TRCN Headquarters, Abuja, identifying their challenges and work conditions through one-on-one interactions with staff commended the immediate past Registrar/CEO for his efforts at restoring the lost glory of the Nigerian teachers.

  • Oyo Workers suspend strike

    The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered the suspension of seven weeks indefinite strike over the non-payment of workers’ salary and allowances in the state.

    It will be recalled that the state government based on the agreement with the national leaders of the union, set up a 14 man committee two weeks ago from both the government and labour sides to deliberate on how to resolve the industrial impasse.

    The strike was called off after a joint Memorandum of Understanding signed by the 14 man committee which includes: the Secretary to the State Government, Ishmael Alli, Chairman of NLC in the State, Waheed Olojede, Head of Service, Soji Eniade, and Commissioner for Finance, Abimbola Adekanmbi.

    The National Vice-President of NLC (Southwest), Comrade Solomon Adelegan declared the strike off late on Monday, as the Chairman of NLC in the state, Comrade Waheed Olojede confirmed the suspension of the strike saying it was based on the agreement among the parties.

    He disclosed that the leadership of the union agreed to suspend the strike based on the fact that the state government has decided to pay two months salary arrears of workers, plead with the banks to exclude workers who are owing them from deduction of their debt from the two months salary to be paid as well as the release outstanding promotion letters to workers.

    Olojede said both parties have agreed to continue with the negotiation on all the outstanding issue, adding that the suspension of the strike was considered in the interest of members of the union.

    Also confirming the suspension, the Secretary of the union in the state, Kofo Ogundeji said the national leaders of the congress have ordered the suspension of the strike based on the above agreement.

    The MOU reads in part:” That the total amount received from the federal Account for the month of June, 2016 was N2.1 billion and that an additional sum of N1.39 billion, being the first tranche of the budget support facility, was equally received from the Federal Government, bring the total available sum to N3.495 billion in the government coffers that could immediately be utilized for payment of salary, wages and pensions of the state workforce.

    “That the total sum of N3.495 billion, which is readily available will be immediately disbursed to honour the State’s obligations on salaries, wages and pensions for the month of January 2016. That an appeal be made by the State Government to banks to grant concerned workers a moratorium of two months on their January and February 2016 salaries and pensions on their debt service obligation.

    “That a a letter of apology be tendered to government by principals, teachers and pupils of schools engaged in the breach of the peace and destruction of government properties. That the government withdraws all outstanding litigation against labour. That no worker would be victimised as a result of participation in the industrial action. That the industrial action be suspended forthwith.”

    Similarly, the Chairman of the government/labour committee, Ishmael Alli, while briefing journalist on Tuesday accompanied of the Head of Service, Soji Eniade and Commissioner for Information, Toye Arulogun, Alli said deliberation will still continue among the members of the committee to forestall a future reocurrence of industrial impasse.

    He promised that the state government would pay the workers two months salary within the next two weeks.

    “The state government appreciates the citizens of the state for their support during the strike action. We urged you to continue to support the Abiola Ajimobi led administration which strives to elevate the standards, promote ethical values and good governance in the state” he said.

    Since the strike commenced, most of the workers have continued to decry their living conditions based on the non-payment of their salaries.

    However, most members of the workers in the state are unaware of the suspension and they have kicked against collecting two months’ salary out of the seven months the government owes them.

    They stated that their leaders should address them at the same place where the strike was declared, stressing that it was wrong for the seven months old strike to be suspended on the media.

  • Anyaoku decries wastage of Nigeria’s budget

     

    Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku, on Tuesday disclosed that the government spent more than half of its budget on non-productive sector of the economy.

     

    He spoke at the presentation of Amb. Olusola Sanu’s memoir, entitled ‘Audacity on the bound: A diplomatic odyssey’, held at the Kakanfo Inn Ibadan.

     

    Anyaoku said the parliamentary system that Nigeria’s nationalists designed gave little room for massive corruption.

     

    He stressed that the new generation of politicians were exploiting the gaps in the presidential system to defraud the nation.

     

    “The new generation of politicians have exploited the presidential system to operate a system that is a drain pipe on the treasury. It is hard to believe that we now operate a system where we now have more than 3000 advisers at the federal, state and local government levels.

     

    “States that have no internally generated revenue have more than 30 advisers, senior special assistants and their assistants. The shame of Nigeria is imminent that even the chairman of a local government operates the presidential system as entitlement. They have chief of staff, chief protocol officer, press officer and so on.

     

    “The result is that 30 to 40 per cent of our annual budget is spent on the officers. By the time you add other spending on transportation and travelling to it, more than half of the budget is spent on non-productive sector of the economy.” he said

     

    Anyaoku  has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to maintain his anti-devaluation of Naira posture for socio-economic development of Nigeria.

     

    Anyaoku equally decried the proliferation of political office in Nigeria, saying such appointment remain a drain pipe for resources in Nigeria.

     

    Speaking on the state of Nigeria economy, former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, disclosed that he was not yet convinced that the devaluation of Naira, as being canvassed by some individuals and groups, will serve the national interest of Nigerians.

     

    He admitted that the situation in the country required drastic measures, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to stick to his anti-devaluation posture.

     

    “What the president needs to do is to constitute team of economic experts who will advise him on  how best to address the situation” he said

     

    On the proliferation of political appointee, Anyaoku decried a situation where state and local government officials have a long list of special advisers.

     

    He said:” This has become an avenue for wasting of resources of Nigeria which could have been use for developmental projects that will benefit mankind.”

     

    Anyaoku said the anomaly must be reversed in order for the country to enjoy dividends of democracy.

     

    He called for restructuring of Nigeria from the present 36 states to 12 federal structures of six regions.

     

    The former Commonwealth Secretary-General, described Amb. Sanu as a brilliant diplomat with impeccable record.

     

    “His brilliance was not unexpected because he had educational background in two of the world’s best institutions. His intellectual background was certainly one of the reasons for the outstanding success of his diplomatic policies.” he said

     

    Dignitaries in attendance includes; the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Alani of Ido-Ani, Oba Olufemi Olutoye, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, was represented by Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed.

     

  • Ibadan husband killer’s case suffers another setback

    Ibadan husband killer’s case suffers another setback

    The case of an Ibadan-based lawyer, Yewande Oyediran, who allegedly stabbed her husband, Lowo Oyediran, to death in the Akobo area of Ibadan has been adjourned on Tuesday again by Justice Muktar Abimbola of an Oyo State High Court.
    The case was adjourned till April 18, 2016, for a decision on the application for private counsel to prosecute the suspect.
    It will be recalled that Lowo, who hails from Gbongan in Osun State and was based in France, was purportedly stabbed in the neck by his wife at about 6:10a.m on February 2, this year, and he died a few minutes later. His remains have been buried in Gbongan.
    At the proceedings on Tuesday, counsel to the complainant – Lowo’s family, Chief Yomi Aliu, told the court that the family had applied to the DPP for a fiat to employ the services of a private legal practitioner to prosecute Yewande.
    Justice Abimbola, who is the Chief Judge of the state, asked the counsel to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Oyo State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Tajudeen Abdul-Ganiyu, to the tell the court the current status of the application for the fiat.
    Abdul-Ganiyu, who acknowledged the receipt of the application by the DPP, explained that applications have been made to the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, as well as the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on the matter.
    He stated further that the process should have been completed before the next adjournment date on April 18.
    Abdul-Ganiyu also told the court that he was served with a notice of preliminary objection filed by the counsel to Yewande, Prince Bioye Ashanike, on the competence of the charge by DPP against the suspect.
    The court, however, directed the DPP counsel to file his written address and Prince Ashanike to file his response argument on the application within seven days.
    In a chat with The Nation after the court proceedings, Chief Aliu said Lowo’s family applied for fiat to hire private legal practitioner to prosecute Yewande because “it is not proper, not that it is not legal for the DPP to prosecute Yewande, who is a principal state counsel with the DPP.
    “I trust the DPP counsel as well as the Solicitor General/permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice. But it is not about me. It is about the public,” he said.

  • Council boss promises grassroots programmes

    The caretaker committee chairman of Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, Niyi Adeagbo, has promised to embark on projects that will have direct bearing on the people.

    Adeagbo said he has always been committed to the well-being of his people “by empowering our youth, providing visionary leadership to the next generation, putting smiles on the faces of the old, the students, the unions, religious associations and the public with my God given resources and ability”.

    He said: “It is important to state here that my appointment as the caretaker chairman, though divine, must be seen as that of a mere manager, your servant and not your boss, your son and not your father, your student and not your teacher, your team-mate and not your coach.

    “Going forward, it is important to draw your attention to the dreams, the goals, the objectives, carrying everyone along. My people, it’s going to be a complete paradigm shift, a new thinking, a new approach.

    “It’s time to forge new strategies, new ethos, new ethics, strictly about developing  the Itesiwaju of our dream where we will be united in our stand; building peace, unity, justice and equality.

    “Our classrooms will be filled with quality teachers, our recreation centres will be important, our social life will be re-modified; our youth will be trained and empowered.

    “Our aged and less privileged will be given attention. We will position Itesiwaju as one of the greatest local governments in the state.’”

  • Ajimobi gives provisional approval to Ladoja’s, others’ promotion

    Ajimobi gives provisional approval to Ladoja’s, others’ promotion

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    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has approved the promotion of nine Ibadan high chiefs.

    This followed the last night intervention of the Ibadan Elders Forum (IEF), which brokered peace in the simmering crisis between the governor and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, over the promotion.

    The monarch elevated the high chiefs to their next rank on January 1, following the November deaths of Chief Sulaimon Omiyale, who was the Balogun of Ibadan and Chief Omowale Kuye, who was the Otun Olubadan.

    They were next in line to the throne from both lines that produce the Olubadan of Ibadan.

    The governor frowned at their promotion, saying it was in defiance to the government’s order to allow the chiefs go through security and medical examinations as stipulated by the Chieftaincy Law.

    He, consequently, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the monarch on Monday to reverse the elevation of the chiefs or face sanctions.

    The enlarged meeting held at the Agodi GRA residence of the IEF President, Ambassador Olusola Saanu, started at 6.34pm, when Governor Abiola arrived. It ended about an hour later.

    The meeting was attended by many high chiefs but the Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, did not attend.

    Ladoja, according to a source, had travelled out of the state.

    The elders in attendance include: former Head of Service of the Federation Prof Oladapo Afolabi; former President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Bayo Oyero; former Commissioner for Information in Old Oyo State ýChief Adegboyega Arulogun; CCII President Chief Wole Akinwande; renowned industrialist Chief Bode Amoo; Chief Kola Daisi, Dr Lekan Are and the monarch’s son, Prince Femi Lana.

    Saanu told reporters after the meeting that they had successfully resolved the crisis.

    According to him, the governor had given a provisional approval for the Olubadan chiefs to retain their positions, but must follow the due process as stipulated in the extant law.

    “We thank God for using the good elders of this land to resolve this issue peacefully in one accord. We have been having this meeting since 10am and immediately we summoned the governor, he answered us.

    “After we have had a meeting with the governor in the morning, we later invited the affected chiefs to present their grievances to the governor themselves. It was only a misunderstanding and the matter has been resolved amicably. We are grateful to the governor and we promise that the chiefs will follow the regulations for their promotion,” he said.

    Ajimobi said: “We thank God for the elders. Our elders are committed to peace in Ibadanland and our king has shown that he is a good monarch. He contributed to my success as governor. In this case, brothers are fighting and elders have intervened.

    “There is no cause for further misunderstanding. We will perfect the papers because the issue has been resolved by men of impeccable character. Due process will now take place. Sometimes, you get married before perfecting the ceremony.

    “The Ibadan chiefs have agreed to follow the due process and I have also given them provisional approval to retain their position. ”

    Former Prelate of Methodist Church, Most Revd Sunday Ola Makinde, who was also in attendance, said God intervened.

    He said: “The chiefs have agreed to follow the due process and the governor has given them provisional approval to retain their positions.”

    The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the chiefs, confirmed that the issue had been resolved. He said the Ibadan elders should be commended for intervening.

    “We have all agreed with the governor because he is my brother and we are one family in Ibadan,” he said

    The Ibadan Progressives Union (IPU), one of the strong bodies in the CCII, led by Rev Ademola Moradeyo, also held a separate meeting with Ajimobi yesterday on the matter.

    The IPU members were also at last night’s meeting.

     

  • Dean challenges govt on education funding

    THE DEAN,School of Engineering,Federal Polytechnic Ilaro in Ogun state,Prof.Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke has called on both Federal and state governments to give proper attention to the funding of technical education in the country in order to ensure technological development in the country.

    The University don made the call in yesterday in Ibadan at a lecture during an award of Excellence conferred on him by theNational Association of Polytechnic Students(NAPS)

    Prof Olagoke who spoke on the theme “Quality Polytechnic Graduates For National Development,” observed that quality graduates are the hope of the future, adding that quality does not stop at academic excellence alone, but extended to students who appreciated the culture of discipline which according to him, would make them pure raw materials for thoroughbred professionalism.

  • INEC warns parties against premature campaign

    INEC warns parties against premature campaign

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to deal with any political parties, groups or individuals engaging in campaigns for elective political positions before the stipulated time by law.
    The Oyo State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Alhaji Nasir Ayilara gave this warning yesterday at the monthly meeting of the National Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments (NAFOHEADS), Oyo State Chapter, held at federal secretariat, Ibadan.
    Ayilara who was represented by the Administration Secretary of the commission, Alhaji Rafiu Adegbola stated that the next date for the next general elections is still far away, warning that the commission will not hesitate to prosecute against those breaching the Electoral Act which stipulates time for campaigns for general polls.
    “Most political parties are flaunting campaign law under disguise of one association or the other and we find it highly disturbing and diversionary that  some Nigerians rather than concentrate on activities that would contribute to the expansion of the frontiers of the present political dispensation, have chosen to  engage heating up the polity.
    “We do not see the necessity for an early campaign because the time for election is yet to be fixed, anybody or party caught will be dealth with” he said
    Ahead of the upcoming general elections in 2015, Ayilara reiterated the commission’s commitment to conduct free, fair and credible elections in all states in the country.
    He attributed the success of the 2011 general elections to functional partnership with the media, security agencies, civil society organizations, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), political class among others.
    The Oyo State REC promised Nigerians to expect an improvement in 2015, as different strategies has been put in place to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
    He said: “All steps has been put in place towards 2015 elections, the activities include several retreats in which the previous elections were thoroughly re-examined, resulting in restructuring and re-organisation of the Commission.
    ”Preparation, deliberation and presentation of a strategic plan running between 2012 and 2016 designed to provide a clear cut road map for the 2015 general elections. We are also working and preparing for the take-off of continous voter registration of young Nigerians who have turned 18 years. We are also perfecting plans for the creation of additional polling units most especially for new settlements”
    He also disclosed that the commission has started reshaping and restructuring to make it more efficient and effective election management body.
    According to him, the commission has commenced voter and civic education immediately after the 2011 general elections on the mass media.