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Oyo APC: Minister Sunday Dare Finally Backs Alao-Akala led Elders Advisory Council

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has finally thrown his weight behind the recently constituted Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council led by ex Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The minister, via his Twitter page – @SundayDareSD, said the first task of the Advisory Committee is to bring about normalcy by ensuring that the spirit of inclusivity is enshrined.

The tweets read:

Oyo APC- the first Task of the Advisory Committee is to bring about normalcy by ensuring that the spirit of inclusivity is enshrined. I am not one to bury my head in the sand. No.  Let’s pay attention to the details of unification. Not gloss over them. That’s my point.

I speak out because silence is not an option. As an investigative journalist and activist, I know that too well. I speak up because I want us to achieve genuine unity, not overnight unity that is not rooted. The rush to attack anyone not sharing your view can be disruptive…

I have looked around.There is only one former governor in Oyo State APC. He deserves the leadership role. Almost a given. But he bears a huge responsibility- to be father to all.The Uniter. The Arbiter. The modern leader. Those that seek for him a different role do him great harm

Why Local Government Election Will Not Hold in 2020 – OYSIEC Chairman

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Chairman of Oyo State Independent Elelctoral Commission (OYSIEC) Barrister Abiola Isiaka Olagunju has disclosed that the much anticipated local government election earlier promised the good citizen of Oyo State will not hold in 2020 again.

The Chairman attributed the decision of the Commision to hold the election at a later date to logistics issue that must be trashed out to guarantee free, fair and credible election.

Barrister Olagunju’s stand on the LG election as the number one election umpire in the state came barely a month the 8-men committee was inaugurated by the Oyo State Engr Seyi Makinde.

Engr Makinde as part of the preparation for the LG poll as ordered the auditing of the caretaker chairmen in the 33 local government areas of the state as well as the Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

The Governor appointed Senator Monsurat Sunmonu to the lead the auditing committee and report back to the government within a short period of time.

Barrister Olagunju assured everyone that grassroots election will hold after the Commision has conducted thorough advocacy in all the local government areas in the state.

He however noted that the OYSIEC has communicated to 18 registered political parties in the State and brief them what the Commision is doing at the moment.

Before the conduct of the Local Government election, Oyo State Government under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde might extend the tenure of the caretaker chairmen.

AGAIN! Presidency Defends Petrol Hike, asks How Many Nigerians Have Cars, Generators?

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Presidency has continued to defend the recent hike in petrol prices, as spokesman Garba Shehu on Friday questioned how many Nigerians benefit from low fuel charges.

The Buhari administration earlier this year put in motion plans to cut out fuel subsidy and deregulate the petroleum downstream sector.

Since then, prices of petrol have fallen, in line with a dip in international demand attributed to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, in September, the price of petrol went up, sparking outrage among many Nigerians.

Many have blamed the government for allowing the prices to rise even as many Nigerians are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic.

On Friday, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Mr Shehu argued that it is unfair for poor Nigerians to continue to subsidise the lifestyle of urban dwellers.

“We belong to a global market system,” Mr Shehu said. “We are buying, mostly, refined products from the international markets.

“Is it fair that the taxpayer’s money . . . how many Nigerians have cars anyway? How many of them run generators in their homes that they need this fuel for? Is it fair that the farmer and the herder and all of these low-level people in our society, that the taxpayer money is taken from them and is subsidising the lifestyle of our city, urban dwellers?

“So the President is just trying to be as practical as possible on this matter.”

Deregulation is the answer

Mr Shehu also defended President Muhammadu Buhari’s comments on Independence day, where he compared the price of fuel in Nigeria with that obtained in Saudi Arabia.

He said: “So Saudi Arabia is important in this discussion because what is the technical cost of producing a barrel of oil in Saudi Arabia? It’s not more than a quarter of what we spend here. And yet you see that they charge more than Nigeria. How much comes to Nigeria? One, you look at their technical cost. So therefore Nigerians should be realistic.”

He added that it was unwise for the government to continue to determine prices and be an active player in the petroleum industry.

Deregulation, Mr Shehu argued, will see an end to long queues during festive periods.

“Government is not the best manager of businesses; we should surrender them to the market,” he said.

“We have done this with the telecoms; the telecoms are serving the whole nation excellently well, and when we do this with petrol, we will no longer have to cope with queues, spending two nights ahead of Christmas travel.

“All nations of the world put this thing to the market. We should no longer pretend”.

Unity of Oyo APC is the first step towards electoral victory in 2023 – Hon. Omodewu

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A former commissioner in the previous administration in Oyo State and 2019 governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – Hon. Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu has called on all interest groups as well as gladiators of the party to stop venting their grievances in the media so that all efforts towards true reconciliation will not be exercises in futility.

The two-term Honourable Commissioner under the administration of late former governor Abiola Ajimobi expressed his displeasure over the brewing supremacy battle after the much publicized meetings convened by the Governor Buni-led APC National Reconciliation Committee and Governor Kayode Fayemi, which were aimed at resolving various crises rocking the Oyo State Chapter of APC prior 2019 elections.

The Oke-Ogun born politician, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, on Saturday, appealed to all returning and existing members of Oyo APC to sheathe their swords and get united for the purpose of the party’s victory in the 2023 elections.

The statement read in part, “The party cannot move forward if we do not stop unnecessary discrimination. APC is a product of ACN, PDP, CPC, APGA, ANPP and other legacy parties. The purpose of which the party was formed is to ensure good governance at all levels. Therefore we must imbibe the spirit of tolerance for peaceful coexistence”.

“APC is the only party we can call our own. All stakeholders must place the party’s interest above theirs. The party is the binding force that unites all of us. The unity of the party is the first step towards electoral victory.”

“Our disunity actually gave a room for People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) victory in 2019. We lost presidential and governorship elections in the state because of supremacy battle; the loss ought to have taught us good lessons. We cannot continue to suffer our teeming members because of our personal interests. Washing our dirty linens in the public will lead us to nowhere. All stakeholders must be conscious of what they say or write about the party.”

“On the leadership of the party, there ought to be no need for controversy again. Former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala has always said he was neither contesting in 2023 nor begging to be a leader of APC; the declaration further underscored his loyalty to the party, maturity and exemplary leadership quality. I expect the formation of Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council, which is all-inclusive, to be a panacea to the party crises not the beginning of another civil war”.

“It will be counterproductive if the supremacy battle continues, as all of us have a responsibility to make things work better and ensure unity in our party. Let us join hands together with the leadership of our party at the National and State levels to make sure that our party remains strong to win all elections in the state and federal levels come 2023” the statement concluded.

Hon. Isaac Omodewu who is a US-trained accountant and public administrator served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Physical Planning in the last administration in Oyo State.

Oyo NUT’s Nigerian women in Education Network urge National Assembly to promulgate laws on rape, gender equality

By Peter Ayoade

The Nigeria Women in Education Network (NIWEN) in Oyo State, has condemned increasing incidents of violence against women in the country. The group tasked the National Assembly to promulgate laws on rape and gender equality.

The NIWEN, a wing of Oyo State Chapter Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), made this disclosure at a seminar it organised in Ibadan to educate the people on the prevalence rate of gender-based violence, which has become an household issue globally.

In the program which was held, State Chairperson of Oyo NIWEN, Comrade Moji Adeoye while giving her welcome address at the event, which was held at Teacher’s House, Oluyole Estate- Ibadan, said women and girls all over the world represent half of the world’s population and also the half of the global potential.

According to her, “gender-based violence against boys and girls is carefully chosen as the topic of the seminar to proffer lasting solutions to the series of socio-cultural attacks being directed toward women, girls and, of recent, boys in form of; physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence as well as economic violence”.

The first speaker at the occasion and the Oyo State NUT chairman, Comrade Adedoyin Samson Tojuade, in his paper presentation, stated that gender-based violence is an historical phenomenon that is deeply rooted in gender inequality which is a violent and hatred directed against women, girls and boys. He added that majority of the victims are women and girls.”

“Violence against women, girls and boys is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world today. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries which includes physical, verbal, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse,” he said.

He further encouraged the women and girls to participate in politics and preached equal rights for all in the rule of law.

Alhaja H.M Olawoyin who was the second speaker at the symposium said the cultural and social norms make men to be aggressive, powerful, unemotional and uncontrollable which contribute to a social acceptance of men as dominant.

“The socialization of both men and women has resulted in an unequal power relationship between men and women.

“Women and girls suffer higher incidences of this violence because of their subordinate status in the society.

“The effects of gender-based violence are far reaching, potential social responses are most effective when there is common understanding of the nature and causes and stringent laws should be passed by the appropriate quarters to curb the act”, she stated.

Comrade M. A. Adediran who spoke on the economic and educational drawback of gender-based violence against women in the school and the nation at large emphasized that rape and and gender violence is a global issue that is giving Nigeria sleepless nights.

The speakers urged the National Assembly to promulgate a law on rape and gender equality in Nigeria.

EACOED Provost Charges Matriculated Students to Shun Deviant Behaviours

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Provost of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education Oyo, Dr. Rasak Adefabi has charged newly matriculated students of the College to shun all forms of deviant behavious and other vices and focus on the essence of their coming to School.

The call was made at the College’s 2019/2020 matriculation ceremony held on Friday, 2nd October, 2020 at the College premises.

In a release made available by the Special Assistant to the Provost on Media Matters, ‘Wale Adeoye, the College helmsman affirmed that “the admission of the new matriculants into the College out of numerous Colleges in Nigeria was a clear confirmation of the confidence reposed in the college for its academic excellence and in zeal to producing quality teachers for our dear nation.” According to him, “the credit for this goes to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, FNSE who has remained steadfast in ensuring stability of the College system as epitomized in the prompt and untruncated payment of staff salaries and subventions even during the covid-19 lockdown of all educational sectors in the state. We would forever remain grateful to His Excellency’s magnanimity and kind-heartedness”.

While lauding the 14th Governing Council under the amiable leadership of Professor Matthew Odedokun, an erudite and world-class economist who since inauguration leaves no stone unturned in ensuring that the College is set on the trajectory of progress by the invocation of policies to boost IGR for the College in order that staff and students welfare were not compromised by any guise whatsoever. The Provost stated that the Governing Council has not left College Management alone in shouldering the governance of the College.

“We are all here today to put you through the principles, norms and culture of the College which had always projected the image of the College as a centre for learning and character for the would-be teachers. The core value of the College depicts the vision of the College as the best teacher training institute in the continent of Africa”, stated the College Chief Executive. He further appealed to the fresh students to abide by all rules and regulations of the institution.

Speaking on the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Adefabi called on the fresh students to join hands with the Oyo State Government in getting rid or at best eradicate the spread of the infectious disease. “You need to wash your hands with running water, constantly use face masks, maintain social distance in public places including lecture rooms, classrooms and examination halls and surrender yourself for body temperature measurement as may be required by the College Covid-19 Task Force. Let me assure the entire members of the College community including staff, students and visitors that all required logistics to guarantee strict compliance with Covid-19 protocols are already in place. May we never be victim of the pandemic”, he stated.

The Provost later stated that at the moment, the College has all its programmes fully accredited by both the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and the National University Commission (NUC) which award both NCE and degree certificates respectively.

On security, the College no 1 man gave assurance on adequate security on campus while urging the new students to conduct themselves well in their relation with their landlords/landladies in the larger Oyo community where they will be residing. Said he, “recently, we had meetings with landlords as our hosts where they have all pledged their loyalty and cooperation with the College and to continue to extend their support and cooperation with you as their tenants. It is expected that you will also reciprocate their good gesture by cooperating with the landlords/landladies and keep to their respective dos and don’ts as may be required. Feel free to report any untowards development to the College authority, any challenge to your security both within and outside the College community”.

Dr. Rasak Adefabi finally admitted the new students to an oath. “Let me remind you of the oath you are taking today to be obedient to the Provost and all those in authority in the College and in which you equally promised to be of good behaviour throughout your stay in the College. Please be warned that a breach of the oath that you have taken today will attract appropriate sanctions. I pray that God Almighty will watch over you, prosper you and make you all a source of pride to your parents, to your state and humanity in general “, he submitted.

Nigeria @60: LGI Donates Medical Supplies Worth Millions of Naira to UCH

By Oluwakemi Ishola

As one of its numerous ways of celebrating Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, the Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), a non-governmental, non-political and non-profitable organisation, on Thursday October 1, 2020 donated some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medical supplies worth millions of naira to the University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Some of the medical supplies donated by the LGI to the UCH are face masks, pulse oxometer, PPE gowns, bacteria viral filters and nebulizers to aid the service delivery of the health institution in treating patients, particularly those that are COVID-19 positive.

Noteworthiness, the items were personally handed over to the Chief Medical Director of the UCH, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the LGI, Hon. Shina Peller who is a member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Oyo State.

Whilst handing over the items on behalf of the LGI, Hon. Peller stated that the humanitarian gesture is one of the various ways through which the LGI is celebrating Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary by taking responsibility and encouraging others to do so. Similarly, he explained that the LGI is always driven by its core values of contributing purposefully to community growth and nation-building.

In the same vein, Hon. Peller seized the opportunity to enjoin Nigerians to subdue their individual interests for the overall interest of the country whilst he urged them to keep the hope alive in spite of the challenges confronting the nation at 60.

Receiving the items on behalf of the management, staff and students of the UCH, the Chief Medical Director expressed profound gratitude to the LGI and assured the donors that the Hospital will use the medical supplies judiciously for the purpose they are meant for.

EFCC Arrests 10 Suspected Cyber Criminals In Ibadan

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 10 suspects for alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The suspects were arrested at Ajinde Road, Akala-Expressway, Ibadan in the early hours of Friday. by men of the Commission from the Ibadan Zonal Office.

According to the anti-graft commission, their arrest followed credible intelligence and many weeks of surveillance on the location.

A statement signed by the commission’s zonal head of media and publicity, Wilson Uwujaren revealed that many fraudulent documents were recovered from the suspects at the point of the arrest.

They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.

JUST IN: Bayelsa Governor, Diri Wins at Appeal Court

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

A five-man panel of the Appellate Court has overturned a ruling which nullified the election of Douye Diri as governor of Bayelsa State.

The court held that the Bayelsa Election Petition Tribunal acted outside its jurisdiction by nullifying the election of Governor Diri.

In a unanimous judgment, the five-man panel of the court said the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) failed woefully to show that it had a valid candidate that was unlawfully excluded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court berated the tribunal for ignoring the fact that the petition of ANDP was status barred in addition to the fact that the party presented an unqualified candidate to INEC in the November 16, 2019 Governorship election in Bayelsa State.

Nigeria at 60: Akande-Sadipe Reiterates Commitment to Constituency

…condemns non-prioritization of History in Schools

Peter Ayoade, Ibadan

Federal Representative, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has urged Nigerians to make the celebration of Nigeria at 60 a driving force to uphold good values, reiterating her commitment to legislative representation through her core constituency agenda for emancipation of Oluyole Federal Constituency.

She however described the non-prioritization of History in the Nigerian educational curriculum as an injustice to the younger generation, who do not know much about Nigerian independence.

Akande Sadipe, who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency, said this through her Special Assistant on Media, Olamilekan Olusada, urging Federal Government and State Governments to make History, a compulsory subject in schools for pupils and students.

Speaking on her definition of October 1, Akande-Sadipe said the day denotes emancipation to her. Reminiscing the sacrifices of her late mentor, Chief Anthony Enahoro in the Western House of Assembly.

“What October 1st means to me. It means Emancipation. In 1953, Anthony Enahoro who I fondly call Baba Enahoro. My late mentor, initiated the self-government motion in the Western House of Assembly. This eventually led to Nigeria’s Independence on the 1st of October, 1960. Unfortunately, today, a lot of the young people in spite of the elaborate celebrations of the day, are not familiar with that name. An injustice as history is no longer a priority in Nigeria’s educational curriculum. A very sad travesty of justice”, she said.

Condemning the state of injustice in Nigeria, Akande-Sadipe said, “October 1st is an opportunity for we the citizens of the nation Nigeria, to ask ourselves the question. ARE WE TRULY EMANCIPATED? In my opinion the answer is NO”.
“Today we are no longer Slaves to the Europeans, but we are slaves to the corruption that pervades all strata of our society. We are slaves to the ethnic differences that abounds in our nation”.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Akande-Sadipe therefore called on Nigerians to have a deep thought on the state of the Nation and where they want the Nation to be.
“I therefore call on my fellow Nigerians, that we should all use this day of celebration to assess, where our nation is and to decide, where we really want to take our nation. It’s truly up to us. I pray that we will be true to our selves and jointly work towards genuine emancipation of all, across the nation. Then shall we have a reason to celebrate real independence”.

Celebrating her constituency, Akande-Sadipe added, “To come closer home, Today is a day to celebrate my people of Oluyole Federal Constituency, for collaborating with me on the progress of our constituency, because out of progress can there be true emancipation”.

“HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS – OLUYOLE, I pray that this independence day will bring forth hope, and actions to birth progress such that this time next year our situation will reflect an improvement over today”, she concluded.

Akinwole Bags Award of Excellence

Peter Ayoade, Ibadan

Former Ogbomoso North Local Government secretary and the Chairman AA Luxury Suite as well as Ogbomoso United Football Club, Hon. Akinwole Akinwale has reiterated his commitment towards serving humanity using his resources to better the life of the people.

He stated this on Thursday while receiving an Award of Excellence in Nation Building Through Philanthropy in a program organized by Shake Global Economic Empowerment and Social Initiatives at International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.

The former Local Government secretary appreciated the group for finding him worthy of such a prestigious award and described the organization as “one of those creditable, trustworthy and respected platforms that has distinguished itself with excellence.”

“I know the people of Ogbomoso will not hide their innate joy and happiness over this award because this shows that people are watching and I will continue to do things that will bring development to Ogbomoso and improve the standard of living of all,” he said.

Wolekanle, as he is fondly called mentioned that his philanthropic act is not politically motivated.

Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, the Majority Leader in the Oyo State House of Assembly who was also at the event applauded the group for finding Hon. Akinwole worthy of the award.

He described Wolekanle as someone who always speaks for the truth and a pacesetter, added that it was a well-deserved award.

The Majority Leader also noted that Wolekanle is a fearless leader and a pacesetter for the younger generation.

Speaking earlier, Director of the Organization, Mr. Seyi Bamidele, revealed that they have been monitoring Hon. Akinwole closely and have decided to honour him for his efforts in contributing to the development of not only his town but the nation at large.

He stated that the Shake Global Economic Empowerment and Social Initiatives is an organization that recognizes individuals who stand out in the human development in the country.

While handing over the award to him, it was said that the award is in recognition of his efforts in nation-building and contribution on relevant matters that has to do with the masses.

He then described Wolekanle as a young astute democrat who even in the face of trial and persecution is focused on helping people.

The director of the organization further said the business mogul is an “astute leader, whose efforts has not gone unnoticed in the developmental stride to transform Ogbomoso into a Smart City.”

Unity Forum, Sunday Dare Oppose Alao-Akala led Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The crisis rocking Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not far from over as the Unity Forum elements and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare opposed Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala led Oyo APC Elders Advisory Council.

Recall, Governor Kayode Fayemi’s expanded reconciliation meeting decided on the formation of Elders Advisory Council headed by the ex Governor of Oyo State. Meanwhile, the Oyo State APC in a communique released after its enlarged executive council meeting, ratified the recommendations of Governor Buni-led National Reconciliation Committee and the resolutions reached at Governor Fayemi’s house..

However, the Unity Forum and Minister Sunday Dare, in separate statements, opposed the Elders Advisory Council. They described that the arrangement at the meeting was in a deliberate move to outpower them.

Dismissing claims that the warring forces in the party had reconciled, Sunday Dare in a statement on Twitter described the reconciliation process as one that is still in murky waters.

“The reconciliation process is still stuck in murky waters even as the APC National advances efforts to unite the party. A Normalization committee is urgently needed with clear TOR that will address contentious issues, not seek to just plaster them over,” the Minister tweeted.

This newspaper understands that before the tweet, the Minister had in an earlier statement explained that the idea of handing the party over to a few individuals to the detriment of others will spell doom.

“The notion of entitlement or personal ownership of the Oyo APC will keep the party stuck as if caught in wet cement. No one of us owns the party. We all do. The party is an institution of collective membership but also collective ownership.

“The only banner we should raise is the APC banner. Any idea that some informal and nebulous sub-faction should rule and is more important than the party itself must be tossed out the window. To exalt some small group over the larger is against the democratic spirit of the party and it will fate us all to a troublesome and adverse future.

“Either you are an APC member or you or not. There are no conditions or caveats that govern us. The different political tendencies in the party must now discard their adversarial colorations so that we may coalesce and strengthen the party. Currently, Oyo APC is less than the sum of its individual parts. We must reform how we interact so that the party becomes greater than the sum of those individual parts.

“We know what the organizational hierarchy should be within the party. Attempts to usurp or ignore the democratic spirit and letter of our party constitution and established norms will fail.

“APC Oyo is beyond the Ibadan crowd or Ogbomoso crowd or Oke Ogun crowd or any crowd for that matter. Together we win. Separate and tendentious we lose.

“The APC State Executive must embrace a new more inclusive and collegial mentality else they drive the party aground. The fragmentation of the party and the unfair treatment of members associated with a rival faction must stop. A party does not become strong by crushing internal opposition, it becomes strong be reconciling it. And only a strong unified party will win the majority of elections it faces. The idea of handing the party over to a few individuals to the detriment of others will spell doom. You might win the battle for supremacy in the party but may well lose the greater war which is the general elections.

“Unless we bind our wounds and rebuild, we will lose respect and focus as a party. This will allow a lesser party to take the victories and the chance to govern this beloved state that should rightfully be with us,” the Minister wrote.

Similarly, on Thursday, the Unity Forum of the party dismissed the statement by the Akin Oke led State Executive Council ratifying the Akala Council of Elders.

In a response jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi, former Deputy Governor Moses Alake Adeyemo, former Senators Olufemi Lanlehin, Ayo Adeseun and Soji Akanbi and former minister of communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, the Unity Forum stated that the Akala council of elders is a contraption of PDP elements in the party who saw the meeting at Governor Fayemi’s Ibadan residence as an oppurtunity to foist a PDP leadership on our progressive party.

“We stated clearly in our initial response to the charade in Governor Fayemi’s house that the meeting deviated from the mandate of the National Reconciliation Committee directing it to choose three members from each of the two contending groups in the party to superintend the forthcoming registration of members in the party.

“The flooding of the Fayemi meeting with over 60 representatives by the Gov Akala/SENACO group against the agreement of 15 representatives each was an ungentlemanly approach to politics symptomatic of the PDP elements who now found themselves in the APC.The present attempt to foist a PDP leadership on the party is a grand design to deny the people of the state a choice between the conservative PDP and the progressive APC.

“We have made it clear that the so-called Akala Council of Elders is an exercise in futility and cannot solve the lingering crisis in the APC in Oyo State.The past week has clearly demonstrated that the so-calleedz Akala Council of Elders,like the meeting at Governor Fayemi’s house, has worsened the criisis in the party.

“What the APC needs is a genuine, sincere, all embracing and collective effort at reconciling the contending groups in the party. We regret to state that the present charade is a road to no where.

“We therefore restate our call on the National Reconciliation Committee to return to the Abuja Agreement of September 10, 2020 requiring each of the two contending groups to nominate three representatives that will work with the state executive of the party for the forthcoming registration of party members and other party activities until the dissolution of the state executive council alongside the councils in the other 35 states of the federation”, the statement concluded.

Setback for 774,000 Public Works jobs take off date

 

Late release of funds, flooding delay scheme •Keyamo: no increase in lawmakers’ slot

 

THE Special Public Works (SPW) programme of the Federal Government won’t take-off tomorrow as planned.

It was learnt that the Ministry of Labour and Employment has written to President Muhammadu Buhari for approval to extend the commencement of the programme by 19 days.

A highly placed source told The Nation that the supervising ministry is waiting for the presidential approval.

It was learnt that delay in the release of funds for purchase of equipment for the programme necessitated the call for extension.

It was also gathered that some of the sites for implementation of the programme are flooded due to rainfall.

The programme is designed to put 774,000 young artisans to work on public facilities between October and December.

Each beneficiary is to be paid N20,000 per month. Fifty-two billion naira is voted for the programme in the budget.

One thousand beneficiaries are being selected from each of the 774 local government councils.

A source said: “The funds to be used to purchase light equipment to be used was released very late, as late as last week.

“The minister has written to the President requesting an extension. He has insisted that there must be due process in the purchase of equipment.

“You don’t buy things across the shelf like that in government. It has to go through due process. Because the fund for the purchase of some of those light equipment came in late and we need to follow the due process, we had no choice but to ask for two weeks or 19 days extension.

“Don’t forget that we need to go through the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP).

“The second reasons is that this is a dry season programme but the water level is still very high in some of the chosen sites. We expect the water level to drop. We think in the next two to three weeks it will be okay for us to start work at some of those sites. Before the end of October, they would have dried up.
We are looking at the end of the second week of October to officially begin implementation of the programme.”

Only 15 states have completed recruitment process and submitted the names of successful applicants.

Some of the states that have completed the selection and submitted names include: Ebonyi, Yobe, Bauchi, Zamfara, Gombe, Oyo and Benue.
The source said: “Most of the states have concluded their selection and they are submitting the lists one by one. Some that are still waiting for one or two interest groups are yet to submit and we said no problem with that since we are asking for extension.”

It was also gathered that the banks have commenced capturing the biometrics of successful applicants selected.

Six banks have been enlisted for the job. They are: Zenith, Access, Fidelity, FCMB, UBA, and Heritage bank. They have received their letters of engagement in their branches in the 774 local government councils.

The government said successful applicants will be paid through their bank accounts using their Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).

It stated that the resort to BVN would entrench transparency and avoid fraudulent payments.

Keyamo yesterday declined to speak on the commencement date of the programme but dismissed reports that the slots for federal lawmakers have been increased.

The minister said the ministry retains the original arrangement of slots allotted to political office holders and other groups.

He explained that circumstances may alter the arrangement in some states.

Keyamo said: “That is an attempt to shave my head behind me as the minister in charge of the programme.

“I don’t know where that information came from. I am the minister in charge. I am the one on whose table the bulk stops in terms of policy matters. Who gets what in government and how is a policy matter, it is not an execution, it is policy. Once that policy is made, the agency can go and execute.

“To set the policy as to who gets what in terms of government programme is a policy decision. It is that of Mr. President through his ministers. The agencies simply execute directives, that is how government is run.

“The ministers are the political heads. They are the policy makers. So that (increase in slots) has not come from my desk.

“As a general rule, we have made certain allotment to different political office holders. However, local circumstances may require alteration of the formula as we move from state to state.”

Champions League Draw: Messi to Clash with Ronaldo as ManUtd Face PSG

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will meet in a mouthwatering clash in this season’s Champions League after Barcelona and Juventus were placed in the same group in Thursday’s draw.

Messi and Ronaldo will resume the rivalry they developed when the Portuguese superstar was at Real Madrid. Between them, they have won 11 of the last 12 Ballons d’Or.

The two heavyweights were drawn in Group G along with Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine and Ferencvaros, the Hungarian club returning to the group stage for the first time in quarter of a century.

Meanwhile, beaten 2020 finalists Paris Saint-Germain will have a chance for revenge against Manchester United, who ousted the French club in the last 16 two seasons ago.

PSG will also come up against RB Leipzig in Group H. The sides met in last season’s semi-finals in Lisbon in August, with Paris winning 3-0 before losing to Bayern Munich in their first-ever final appearance.

Completing the group is Istanbul Basaksehir, who are appearing in the tournament proper for the first time.

English Premier League champions Liverpool, who won the Champions League in 2019, will face Ajax as well as Atalanta and Midtjylland of Denmark in Group D.

Holders Bayern will take on Atletico Madrid and will also have a short trip across the border to Austria to take on Salzburg in Group A. Lokomotiv Moscow are other team in the section.

Other notable match-ups will see 13-time European champions Real Madrid meet Inter Milan in Group B and Chelsea come up against debutants Rennes as well as Europa League winners Sevilla in Group E.

Chelsea signed goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes last week.

The group stage starts on October 20, and all six rounds of games will be crammed into eight weeks in a schedule that is even more packed than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic.

This season’s final is scheduled to be staged in Istanbul, which was initially the host for last season’s final before UEFA was forced into a change of plans because of the health crisis.

It remains to be seen whether spectators will be able to attend matches in the group stage.

See the draw:

JUST IN: Lewandowski Named UEFA Men’s Player Of The Year

Robert Lewandowski was named UEFA Men’s Player of the Year on Thursday following a superb season in which he won the treble with Bayern Munich.

Lewandowski was at UEFA headquarters in Nyon in Switzerland to receive the award at the draw for the Champions League group stage, just weeks after Bayern won the 2019/20 edition of the competition.

The Poland striker scored 55 goals in 47 games as Bayern also won the Bundesliga and German Cup. He was the top scorer in the Champions League with 15 goals.