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Tag: Toye Arulogun

  • Youths must say no to money politics, Oyo Commissioner charges

    As a way of addressing the nation’s leadership and mentoring challenges particularly facing the average youths, the Nigerian youths have been challenged to shun money politics and such acts that are detrimental to their future leadership opportunities.

    Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, gave the charge at a press conference to unveil the 2018 Junior Chamber International, (JCI), Nigeria Convention Mascot.

    The national conference slated for October 11th – 14th 2018 is tagged Oluyole 2018.

    According to Arulogun, although a lot of people believe the country’s problems were caused by bad leadership, the mindset of the followership also plays a vital role in the development of the country.

    He said for an all-round solution to the myriads of problems facing the country, especially in the areas of leadership, followership must also be given serious attention, saying followers must learn to resist some temptation possess to them in terms of goodies by the so called leaders.

    He said, “People talk about leadership problem in Nigeria forgetting that followership is also a problem to tackle. In some instances where politicians offer money in exchange of people’s rightful vote, and the youths declined, I think the country’s problem would be reduced, but unfortunately, some of the youths are not patient, they want things to happen overnight.

    Read Also: Oyo: Breastfeed your kids exclusively, govt urges mothers

    “In terms of mentorship, many of them have wrong models, some of the people they look up to are not on the right track, leading them astray. But there are still a lot of youths who are doing well”.

    The commissioner, who described the group as a leadership organization encouraging youths to remain focused on their ambition, assured the group of the state government support towards the success of the national conference.

    “The present administration recognises the fact that the youths are the future of the nation, and all must be put in place to prepare and educate them to fit in for the roles. Am assuring you that Governor Abiola Ajimobi will be there in person to grace the occasion”. He said.

    Junior Chamber International is a worldwide organization and a body of young, vibrant and dynamic individuals committed to invest in youths, provide sustainable solutions to community problems and provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

    The 2018 Director, National convention JCI Nigeria, JCIN Ambassador Temi Alade-mustapha disclosed that series of educative programme were aligned for the upcoming events, saying “at every of our conferences, we have our trainings to help in developing the youths for better tomorrow.

    “This year event will not be exceptional members  all over the world would assemble in the city of Ibadan to share views and opinions. There would also be a peace campaign walk around the city.”

  • Oyo approves beaded crowns, coronets for 48 Obas

    The Oyo State Government on Thursday approved beaded crowns and coronets for 48 Obas across the state. They included the recently crowned Ibadan and chiefs and others from across the state.

    The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun, who made the disclosure, said the decision was taken after due consultation with members of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs.

    The government said that the approval was in line with the exercise of powers conferred on the governor by Section 28(1) of the Chiefs Law Cap 28, Vol. 1 Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria and by virtue of all other powers enabling in that behalf, stressing that the approval has been gazetted with Oyo State Notice No. 20-67 of Oyo State of Nigeria Gazette No. 3, Vol. 43 published March 29, 2018 and endorsed under the governor’s command by the Secretary to the State Government, Ishmael Olalekan Alli.

    According to Arulogun, 26 Obas will wear beaded crown based on the approval, while the remaining 22 will wear coronets.

    He disclosed that over 100 applications were received for beaded crowns from all the geo-political zones of the state.

    The commissioner further disclosed that the consultative meeting with the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs was attended by 23 Obas and Chiefs led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi, pointing out that three of the Obas could not attend due to old age while the other three others did not attend for different reasons.

    The government spokesman stated that after a thorough and fruitful deliberation, the consultative meeting unanimously stepped down the approval for six chiefs, promising that further approvals will be issued in due course.

    He pointed out that the issue of the baales stepped down would go for further consultations noting that what the Chiefs Law requires is consultation of the council and not approval.

    He said that beaded crowns were approved for the Alajaawa of Ajaawa in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government (LG) area of the state, the Aale of Oke’Lerin in Ogbomoso North LG, the Onijabata of Jabata in Surulere LG, the Onigbeti of Igbeti in Olorunsogo LG, the Ajoriiwin of Irawo in Atisbo LG, the Asawo of Ayete in Ibarapa North LG, the Obalufon of Sepeteri in Saki East LG and the trio of the Oluigbo of Igbojaye, the Olokaka of Okaka and the Eleyinpo of Ipapo, in Itesiwaju LG.

    Others are the Oloje of Oje-Owode in Saki East LG, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland in Ibadan South East LG, the Balogun of Ibadanland in Ibadan North East LG, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland in Ibadan South West LG, the Otun Balogun of Ibadanland in Ona-Ara LG, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland in Ibadan North LG, the Ashipa Olubadan of Ibadanland in Ibadan North West, the Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland in Akinyele Local Government, the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oluyole LG, the Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland in Ido LG, the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland in Egbeda LG, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanlan in Lagelu LG, the Elempe of Tapa in Ibarapa North and the trio of Oniware of Iware, Oni Fiditi of Fiditi and the Onimini of Imini from Afijio LG.

    Arulogun stressed that the approved coronet wearing Obas include Onijaiye of Ijaiye, Oniroko of Iroko and Onikereku of Ikereku in Akinyele LG, Ololodo of Olodo, Elerunmu of Erunmu and Elegbeda of Egbeda in Egbeda LG, Onido from Ido, Alakufo of Akufo, Oloke of Okelade-Okin, the Olomi of Omi-Adio and Alawotan of Awotan in Ido LG, Olofa-Igbo of Ofa Igbo, Onilagun of Lagun, Onilalupon of Lalupon, Onilegbon of Ile-Igbon, Ologburo of Ogburo and Elejioku of Ejioku, all in Lagelu LG.

    Others are Alaba of Aba-Nla, Onidiayunre of Idi-Ayunre and Onilatunde of Olatunde in Oluyole LG, Alakaran of Akanran and Alajia of Ajia in Ona-Ara LG.

  • Oyo moves to rid Egungun festival of violence, hooliganism

    Oyo moves to rid Egungun festival of violence, hooliganism

    Oyo State Government has reiterated its determination to rid the annual Masquerade ( Egungun ) festival of violence and hooliganism that usually characterised it across the state.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun and made known in a statement in Ibadan on Sunday.

    The annual festival was in the past characterised by violence and hooliganism, which has severally promoted insecurity in the state.

    Arulogun stated that the state government had as part of efforts to proffer solution to the problem held a meeting with the heads of masquerades across the state.

    “The state government has put in place machinery to reform the celebration of the festival across the state in order to curb the excesses of Egungun followership.

    “The festival will rather be used to showcase the rich cultural values of Egungun in the state and promote it beyond the shores of the country,” he said.

    He said that the era of using the festival to perpetrate violence was gone, adding that the entertainment and cultural values of the festival would be celebrated and promoted locally and internationally.

    According to him, the festival is one of our heritage festivals and the ministry is task with the promotion and preservation of our cultural heritage.

    “The ministry is set to project and package the entertainment value in a manner devoid of violence.”

    The Commissioner said that government has commenced the engagement of stakeholders in readiness for due collaboration to give the festival the prominence it deserves.

    Arulogun urged the stakeholders to support the state government’s reform process aimed at making it a worthwhile celebration.

    Chief Ojetunde Akinleye, Olori Alagbaa of Ibadan had appreciated the government for the initiative, pledging their loyalty to the government on its effort at using the festival to promote the cultural values of Egungun.

    Akinteye, popularly known as Asoleke declared their readiness to cooperate with the government on its reform process aimed at curbing violence and promoting the festival.

    He advocated a three-year ban on any masquerade that foments trouble, saying they have cautioned their members to stay away from any conduct that could smear the reputation of the festival.

    Similarly, Chief Sesan Onibode, Aare Isenbaye from Saki Zone, said the efforts has shown that government was very serious about security.

    Onibode stressed that the repackaging of the festival and the collaborative efforts of the government would bring sanity to street carnivals.

    He appealed to government to engage in sensitisation and enlightenment at various levels, appreciating government’s extension of fellowship to the masquerade during their festivals.

    Mr Yinka Ogundaisi, a representative of Universal Films and Communications Limited, said that the government was not taking away the festival from the custodians of the masquerades.

    He said that the collaborative efforts of government with their outfit was to ensure that the festival is transformed to have global appeal.

    NAN

  • Oyo approves N2bn for rehabilitation of 100 schools

    Oyo approves N2bn for rehabilitation of 100 schools

    Oyo State Government has approved two billion naira for rehabilitation of 100 public secondary schools and construction of four compartments VIP toilets.

    This was announced in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.

    Arulogun stated that the projects, which cost N2 billion would be handled by 10 contractors across the state.

    He said that the upgrading of infrastructure in schools to facilitate the provision of enabling learning environment and fast track transformation and repositioning of education sector in the state, was non-negotiable.

    The commissioner emphasised that the Ajimobi-led administration had prioritised education as one of its legacy sectors.

    He explained that 34 schools would be renovated in Ibadan, 30 in Oke Ogun, 15 in Ogbomoso and 12 in Oyo zones while the remaining nine were in Ibarapa zone.

    “Among the schools to be rehabilitated with the construction of four compartments VIP toilets are Emmanuel Grammar School, Samonda; Anglican Grammar School, Kudeti and Otun Agbaakin Community Grammar School, Akinyele.

    “In the list are Fiditi Grammar School, Fiditi; Orayan Grammar School, Progressive Grammar School, Tede; Community High School, Alarere; Lagelu Grammar School, Agugu and  Jericho High School, Eleyele, among others.

    He said that the state’s Bureau of Public Procurement had issued the certification for the renovation of the one hundred schools, warning that contractors should abide by the project specification and duration.

    The commissioner stressed that  government would not relent in its resolve to positively turn around the education sector.

    Arulogun pointed out that government’s efforts were already yielding fruitful results with the recent 54.4 per cent pass rate in WASSCE, being the best in the last 18 years.

    He said that students from the state also emerged first and second best in the 2017 WASSCE in Nigeria as well as the best 2017 WASSCE students in public schools.

    NAN

  • Oyo to prosecute tax defaulters

    Oyo to prosecute tax defaulters

    The Oyo State Internal Revenue Service (OYIRS), has vow to commence the prosecution of tax evaders and offenders in the state from Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

    The Special Adviser of the Board for Oyo State‎ Internal Revenue Services, Biyi Oloko who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Toye Arulogun disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalist in Ibadan.

    Oloko said:” The Oyo State Internal Revenue Service has now put in place a data bank on tax defaulters and is now embarking on an enforcement and prosecution drive that will take full advantage of the provisions of the tax laws to apprehend and prosecute tax defaulters. The Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice will through a Rapid Tax Prosecution Process commence prosecution of tax defaulters in Oyo State without further notice.

    “The Oyo State government through the Oyo State Internal Revenue Service (OYIRS), has put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax laws and wishes to advise all erring taxpayers to comply forthwith and ensure immediate payment of any outstanding taxes, fines and levies. The full weight of the law will be brought to bear on taxable persons who fail to comply.”

    According to him, the government has set up a joint enforcement team with the local government in order to ensure a harmonised approach to the enforcement of the tax laws of both the State and local government.

    Also, in order to block leakage in revenue collection, Oloko disclosed that the state government has adopted electronic collection of revenues ( POS) at all revenue points in the state.

    He urged all tax payers not to make any cash payments to any individual other than directly into the designated revenue accounts in any of the collecting banks.

    He reiterated that the state will continue to take full advantage of the provisions of the law to prosecute recalcitrant corporate organisations and individuals, stressing that all tax evaders and offenders, upon prosecution may be fined or imprisoned.

    He said:”‎ the administration of His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, wishes to state that without revenue, all of those things that facilitate the progress, advancement and development of Oyo State will not be realised, for example, infrastructural developments like roads to ensure access to business sites, if the people of Oyo State do not have all the services that government is compelled to offer such as security, education and healthcare etc. then we cannot make progress and develop collectively.

    Oloko explained that OYIRS has over the past months, embarked on various advocacy and enlightenment programmes, for various stakeholder groups and took them through the essence of paying their taxes as at when due.

    “OYIRS has met with NURTW, Informal Sector associations including markets, mechanics, and artisans. We have also met with MAN, Organised Private Sector, professional bodies such as lawyers,  accountants  and surveyors.‎ We also wish to add that the tax types are as follows:

    Pay As You Earn (PAYE), DIRECT TAXATION, Withholding taxes for individuals, Capital Gains Tax for individuals, Stamp duties on instruments executed by individuals, Road tax, Business Premises Registration, Development lev for individuals‎, Right of Occupancy fees on lands owned by State Government, Land Use Charges” he said

    He thanked ‎the people of th state who have continually supported the administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi through voluntary and prompt payment of their taxes.

  • NLC Strike: Oyo Workers goes on seven days fasting, prayers

    NLC Strike: Oyo Workers goes on seven days fasting, prayers

    …Govt says it’s a welcome devt   

     

    Workers in Oyo State have sought divine intervention to end the industrial impasse between them and the state government by going on a three days fasting and prayers.

    This, the workers said they hope will spur government to their plight and meet all their demands.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Waheed Olojede who spoke in Ibadan yesterday said:”We have began a seven days marathon fasting and prayer since Monday, because we have come to realise that this is a critical time that we need to seek God’s intervention for the government to meet our demands and to sustain us in this struggle”

    Olojede said the union is still open for negotiation with the state government anytime, anywhere.

    Speaking on the support rally that was held by trade associations for the state government on Monday, the NLC boss described it as’ misguided and uncalled for solidarity rally’.

    “We believed that those who did the solidarity rally might have done it in error and ignorance. Shortly after the rally the comment of the general public have condemned it. Many of them who attended the rally regretted their action and claimed that they were deceived to go there and they would not have attended the rally if they were told that the rally was in support of sale of secondary schools in the state.

    “How will a trader go and attend a rally that was organised by a state government that has failed to pay six months salaries, bearing in mind that they cannot sell without the payment of the salaries of the workers. Workers and labour leaders in this state remain committed, undaunted and we shall not resume without government meeting our demands.”

    Olojede noted that the state government has accepted to withdraw a case that was instituted again them at the magistrate court but noted that they are waiting to confirm their sincerity on Friday when the case will be coming up.

    On the issue of the six outstanding salaries, the labour leader said:” At our last meeting with the state government, they promise to set up a committee to look into how to solve the issue. We have since sent our own nominees but we are still expecting the state government to inaugurate the committee”

    In a swift reaction, the State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Toye Arulogun described the workers fasting and prayer as a welcome development that will bring solutions to the crisis rocking the state.

    “We need God to deliver this state from economic meltdown and if the workers are praying I believe it will assist us more. We are sensitive to their welfare and government is looking for ways to meet their demands. Government will meet labour Leaders shortly to dialogue and reach a consensus.” he said

    Arulogun assured the members of the public to be patient with the state government and support them to move the state forward.