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Akinremi Jagaban Condoles UI, Ajidagba Family

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Rebecca Akinkanju
Barely a week after Victor Ajidagba, a 400-level Nursing student of the University of Ibadan, slumped and died, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North at the House of Representatives, Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide Akinremi on Thursday condoled the management, students and family of the departed student.
Akinremi who arrived Ibadan and visited Yemetu constituency office, got the hint of the departed student and expressed sympathy over the unfortunate and painful exit of Ajidagba.
The media office of the lawmaker popularly called Jagaban Ibadan North, quoted the lawmaker as expressing sadness over the loss of a promising medical professional.
According to him, “his death leaves sour in the mouth. I am disturbed and feel very sad for the guy whose parents must have toiled to sponsor his education.
“The journey of his university was gradually coming to an end when death took him away from our midst. God knows why.
“On this sad occurrence, I share in the grief of the distrust parents and entire Ajidagba family. May God console them and grant them the fortitude to bear Victor’s irreplaceable loss,” Akinremi added.
“At a time like this, our heartfelt condolences are with those Ajidagba left behind. May God console them and grant the departed eternal rest,” Akinremi said.
Last Thursday, the management of UI announced the death of a 400-level Nursing student of the institution.
Ajidagba, our correspondent gathered became unconscious during the lecture period on last Wednesday, around 5:15pm and was rushed to Jaja clinic of the institution by colleagues and security men on campus.
At Jaja, the doctor referred him to the UCH and the institution’s ambulance was made available to convey him to the hospital, our correspondent gathered.
With the presence of UI officials and emergency nature of the patient’s condition, doctors and nurses at UCH were said to have commenced treatments on him, but in the process, Ajidagba gave up the ghost.
Confirming the sad development to our correspondent, the UI Director of Communications, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo said, “we learnt he slumped around Physiology department. Those around rushed him to Jaja clinic.
“We were told his case became so critical that the doctor on duty had to refer him to UCH for better medical attention.
“UI did everything to safe his life and we used Varsity’s ambulance to ferry him to UCH. The doctors and nurses there also battled to safe him but unfortunately we lost him,” Oladejo said.
He disclosed further that a postmortem would be conducted on his remains to determine what led to his death.
Oladejo prayed God to grant his family the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.

At PCU Varsity, Don tasks Govt on Science Research

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede
A Bioinformatics expert from the University of Ibadan, Dr. Olawale Adelowo has called on government to create enabling atmosphere for science research and knowledge generally, to grow in Nigeria.
 Adelowo stated this in Ibadan on Monday at the opening ceremony of a month certificate course on Bioinformatics organised by Precious Cornerstone University, (PCU) Ibadan.
Punch correspondent observed that participants from 39 universities nationwide are attending the course.
Adelowo, a guest lecturer at the event who spoke on the topic ‘Bioinformatics, Omics Science and Big Data revolution: The Art, the Science and a Lost Opportunity’, said the country need to improve on funding support for science research.
“In a situation where scientists run researches from their pockets, or seek external grants that does not augur well for national development and we need to harness the economic opportunities in this field of science.
“Infrastructure should be developed in all ramification; we have some universities without laboratories and we claim we are training manpower, manpower for what, when we don’t have the tools for the training,” he said.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Precious Cornerstone University, Prof Julius Oloke, said the university is domesticating bioinformatics by bringing together different professionals from various disciplines on how to get the needed information from DNA.
“We are training them on the use of DNA to manipulate microorganisms to over produce what they produce and this will lead to solving so many problems.
“And also the different information from DNA sequence can assist us to solve the problem of different diseases and help to get information on how to bring them under control different diseases destroying people’s lives.
“Especially, those diseases we think do not have any solution; when we understand their molecular biology properly, we will be able to develop different ways to knock them off and make life go well,” Oloke said.
He further stated that the course will equip students of the institution not to be theorists only but to be employers of labour “because bioinformatics makes people to understand both physical and biological sciences; so our students would be problem solver”.
Also, the Chancellor of the institution and founder Christ Life Church, Bishop Francis Wale Oke who was represented by Prof. Ben Emikpe stated that Bioinformatics is an area that needed to be developed in Nigeria, hence the reason for the short course to add to knowledge.

Oyo Labour Leaders Demand New Minimum Wage from Gov Makinde

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Ridwan Oyebamiji
The leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Oyo state chapter on Tuesday met behind closed-door with Governor Seyi Makinde.
They said the meeting became imperative to sustain the ongoing industrial harmony between the government and the workers.
 The state NLC, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo told journalists that they had deliberations with the governor on how to implement the new minimum wage to the letter.
He stressed the need for Oyo state government to rise to the challenge of paying the new wage.
Titilola-Sodo, stated that the deadline for the negotiation of the minimum wage to resume has been issued.
While applauding the government on the prompt payment of salaries and pension, Titilola-Sodo also urged the governor to as a matter of urgency look into the issue of minimum wage; status of directors in the state and promotion arrears.
The NLC equally lauded the review of appointment of workers whose job were terminated by the immediate past adminstration.
Titilola-Sodo pointed out that the appointment of many were cut without due process.

Agbede, YCE Factional President Quits

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede

A factional president of the Yoruba Council of Elders, otherwise known as Igbimo Agba Yoruba, Col. Ade Agbede (retd) on Tuesday voluntarily quit the office.
Agbede made the announcement at the meeting of the Senior Elders’ Forum of YCE held at the Bodija, Ibadan residence of the first female Professor of Library Science in Africa, Adetoun Ogunseye.
At the meeting which was presided over by the hostess, Prof. Ogunseye, the future of the group was discussed.
They reportedly vowed not to have anything doing with the new leadership midwifed by the group’s Secretary General, Dr. Kunle Olajide.
On July 18, this year, another president emerged for the crisis-ridden YCE.

He is a retired justice, Justice Ademola Bakre, an Officer of the Order of Niger, OON.

Bakre was unanimously voted to replace the interim executive put in place last year by the body.

Agbede who just quit the group, had been enmeshed in crisis with Dr. Olajide.

Olajide was last month suspended indefinitely by Agbede.

Olajide, who was placed on an indefinite suspension by the Senior Elders Forum of Agbede’ faction, had since headed to court to secure an injunction to stop another meeting scheduled by the Senior Elders’ Forum.
Following  the ugly development,  the Senior Elders’ Forum at its meeting, said they would not join issues with Olajide by going to court.
The elders argued, “we do not elect going to court because we refuse to drag or expose the name and integrity of Yoruba into disrepute”.
Recalling that the role of elders is well articulated in the pamphlet issued by late Papa Emmanuel Alayande’s administration at the inception of the YCE,  they said,  “the constitution claimed by Dr.  Kunle Olajide,  Prof.  Oluwasanmi and Justice Bakre is unknown to us.
“Even though,  we asked Dr.  Kunle Olajide to surrender the document with him to the President, he refused. In that regard, we cannot comment on something we have not seen.
“The said constitution was hoarded and we have no access to it”, the forum added.
The Senior Elders also accused Olajide of consistently treating YCE as his personal property,  citing as an example, his putting the National Headquarters  of the YCE under lock and key with the gates chained so that they would have no access to it.
Saying that Yoruba has heritage, culture and customs,  the forum noted that “elders are the supreme level in Yoruba culture to whom all knotty matters are referred for solution, constitution may not cover all areas where convention can resolve, hence, Senior Elders’ Forum.
“The group of Dr. Olajide, Prof. Oluwasanmi and Justice Bakre has declared it does not recognize us and we cannot force ourselves on them. Hence, we hereby dissociate ourselves from the YCE of Dr.  Kunle Olajide,  Prof.  Oluwasanmi and Justice Bakre and remain on our own”, the Forum stated further.

Women in Politics Susceptible to Danger, Attacks, says Rep Member

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Rebecca Akinkanju

A member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Tolu Akande-Sadipe on Tuesday regretted that women in politics are susceptible to danger and vicious attacks during electioneering.

Akande-Sadipe, the chairman, house committee on Diaspora said the development deters willing and qualified women from participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.

The lawmaker from Oluyole constituency at the multimillion naira empowerment programme; commissioning of a constituency office and town hall meeting, recalled how she was attacked during the recently concluded 2019 elections.

“The participation of women in Nigeria politics is very low and poor. Women are known to nurturing but unfortunately in Nigeria we have stereotype bias against women going into politics. Likewise, there is no proper funding and they are equally facing severe act of violence.

“I was attacked during my campaign but I thank God that I’m still alive today. I hope, there would be massive participation of women in politics in absence of these problems.

“We, women must unite to make the rate of women participation in Nigeria go higher than of men.

“In the same vein, in terms of empowerment, “People should be given technical exposure and support to be able to start up business to boost their income.”

Speaking on insecurity in Nigeria, “my recommendation is that, all communities should come together and come up with a practical strategy because they understand their community better.

“Government itself should create the enabling environment for the establishment of state police.”

The state secretary of APC, Alhaji Mojeed Olaoya, said, “Tolulope Akande-Sadipe can be described as an ‘ark of covenant’ in the Nigerian politics because we haven’t had a female as federal honorable in the history of Oluyole Local Government politics either in our party or other parties.

“Tolu has really tried for it’s not up to two months she was sworn-in that she have started embarking on this great projects,” Olaoya added.

 

‘43% Nigerians have no Bank Accounts’

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
Some Information Technology experts in Ibadan, Oyo state have identified local solutions to the Central Bank of Nigeria ‘Know Your Customer’ 2020 target on financial inclusion.
A Product Engagement Manager, Kazeem  Bolarinwa and Tobi Davies, of Software Engineer, FinTech  at a workshop for University of Ibadan student entrepreneurs, said 43 percent Nigerians have no bank accounts.
According to Bolarinwa, the high percentage was due to a number of factors that needed to be addressed urgently in a country that operates cashless policy.
“The need for financial inclusion has called for a leap in processes to onboard customers; among these include automatic data on boarding, data management, and risk analysis.
“This is in a bid to solve problems such as lack of consistency, long processes, high cost, increased security requirements for data and compliance with local and regional laws.
“Know Your Customer challenges include problem of customer identity and gathering of information which stemmed from issues such as lack of infrastructure facilities especially in the rural areas,” Bolarinwa said.
Davies however, stated that to solve the problem of financial inclusion there must be increased trust, capability and consistency through informal networks and trusted community infrastructure.
He said “Our purpose is to understand the underlying facts about financial inclusion and discover ways to improve access to credits and other banking services.”
Also, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, University of Ibadan, Prof Olanike Adeyemo, said the institution is all about producing balanced students who are competitive locally and internationally.
“The gap we identified is that most of the employers’ complaint is that graduates are not employable; what we should have is graduates that will go to the job market and fit in.
“For our students it is about employability and entrepreneurship mindset; what education does is to open one’s mind.
“Hence, the institution have devised ways to equip students and invest in human capital development,” Adeyemo said.

Oyo Govt Raises Alarm over Fraudsters for ‘SUBEB Recruitment Jobs’

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Temitope Yakubu
The general public have been warned to be wary of individuals going around extorting money from people with the claim that Oyo State Universal Education Board (SUBEB) was recruiting. 
The Chairman, Oyo SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran who disclosed this while interacting with journalists at his office in Ibadan on Monday said many people have contacted him and those close to him on the purported recruitment.
According to him, parents, guardians and potential job seekers should be careful so as not to fall into the hands of the unscrupulous elements that were poised to dupe them in the guise of selling employment forms and assisting in getting jobs.
“Oyo State Government’s attention has been drawn to activities of syndicates extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public under the guise of recruitment in the teaching services of the State. Please disregard such information, as it is false and misleading.
“We are using this medium to call on the general public, especially parents, guardians as well as our young job seekers not to fall victims of these fraudsters.”
He further revealed that while efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the fraudsters, calling on the members of the public not to fall victim of their antics under the guise of public recruitment as the current administration was not recruiting.
Adeniran said the necessary medium of relating with the public would be used whenever there would be need for recruitment.
“The general public should note that Oyo SUBEB has not begun any form of recruitment exercise. It is pertinent that we state that Oyo SUBEB or the State Government is currently not recruiting. Therefore, the information is targeted at deceiving unsuspecting members of the public”.
 “We would be transparent in our operations and make any recruitment exercise known to the public, through legitimate means whenever the State will be recruiting.
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“Oyo State Government will announce this, when the time comes”we would be transparent in our operations and make any recruitment exercise known to the public, through legitimate means,” he added.


Akinremi Lauds Gbajabiamila on House Committees, Wishes him Hitch-free Hajj

By
Peter Ayoade
-

 

By Rebecca Akinkanju

The Vice Chairman, House of Representatives committee on science and technology, Hon. Musiliudeen Akinremi on Saturday commended the Speaker of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on the recent constitution of the various committees of the house.

Akinremi, a member from Ibadan North in a goodwill message to 11 pilgrims he sponsored to perform this year’s hajj, also wished Gbajabiamila the best of hajj exercise.

He disclosed that Gbajabiamila departed Nigeria for Saudi Arabia on Sunday, to seek Allah’s face for a return of peace, safety and security to Nigeria.

Akinremi, the President of Prince Akinremi Foundation which had just enlisted 12, 000 students across Ibadan North secondary schools for free holiday coaching, enjoined the pilgrims from foundation to pray fervently for the success of the current administration at both the federal and state level.

He said it was in an atmosphere of peace that real development could take place, and advised all pilgrims to use the opportunity of the ongoing hajj exercise to supplicate to God, for the greatness of Nigeria as a whole.

On the recent house committees put in place by the leadership of the house, Akinremi (a.k.a. Jagaban) said, “the various committees encompass inclusion of all, irrespective of party differences.

“Mr. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila is walking his talk in line with his promise to lead a responsible and responsive leadership that will be the envy of all.

“The selection is particularly laudable because it reflected the diversities and heterogenous nature of our national life. He has brought all members together for the good of this nation.

“Everybody has been given a sense of belonging and Mr. Speaker is indeed a man of his words, an hallmark of great sportsmanship and worthy leadership. I am happy to be associated with him. This house will record tremendous success under his watch,” Akinremi added.

Oyo APC passes Confidence Vote on Ajimobi, Oke

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Rebecca Akinkanju
The Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress has passed a vote of confidence on the former Governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as its leader
The APC members at the end of their extended State’s executive meeting attended by all the 35 States Executive members and 32 of the 33 Local Government Party Chairmen across the state, also asked the state Chairman, Chief Akin Oke to ‘carry on’.
Following the dismal performance in the recently concluded 2019 elections, some tendencies in the party had asked for the new leadership direction to reposition the party for future electoral victories.
But a communique made available to reporters on Thursday in Ibadan by the party’s spokesman, Dr. AbdulAzeez Olatunde, said the party appraised the pre-election, election and post-elections events and praised the party chairman and the state working committee.
It stated that, the timely initiative of ward to ward tour campaign across the entire 351 wards covering all the 33 local government areas of the the State, when it was becoming obvious and apparent of the lethargic approach to dragging campaign, which became the saviour for our party.
“The party charged the local government party chairmen to raise local government reconciliation committee to reconcile all aggrieved party aspirants and members in line with similar exercise being set up at the state level.
“Members were updated on various petitions before various tribunals and members were happy that judgements delivered so far has been justifying the integrity values which APC symbolises.
The party mandated the party chairmen to warn members from allowing anybody from setting up caucus groups and anybody that goes against this directive would be disciplined in line with the party constitution, no matter how highly placed.
“The party passed vote of confidence on Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the leader of the party in Oyo State as well as Chief Akin Oke, the State chairman of APC,” the communique added.

JDPC Seeks End to Child Trafficking

By
Peter Ayoade
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Pacesetter

 

By Yakubu Temitope

 

The Director of Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) Ibadan, Rev. Father Ezekiel Owoeye has said “it is time to find permanent solution to the increasing spate of child trafficking and child labour in Nigeria.”

Rev Father Owoeye stated this while speaking at this year ‘Stakeholders Conference against Child Trafficking, Labour and Violence to commemorate World Day Against Child Labour and Trafficking in Persons.

The theme was: ‘Children should not Work in Fields, But in Dreams.’ held at J. Travers Place, St Patrick ‘s Catholic Church, Basorun.Ibadan

The Director JDPC Ibadan stressed that to make this a reality, the time has come for the government and the stakeholders to give more prioity to the protection of child right act law.

He said there were so many anti children agents in our midst cutting short the dreams of many children and that government and stakeholders should take child protection program more serious than every other programs, as protection of child against any form of abuse is a collective effort of everybody.

“We cannot keep quite and be watching the perpetrators with their evil act, these people are living with us in our community and they are boycotting the dreams of many children in the society.” he said.

Rev Father Owoeye added, “Oyo State government should popularized child right act law so that it can be effective and reduce the menace of abuse of child right, the content of the law should be made known to everybdy because child abuse, child labour and trafficking can not be fight and won alone, it require a collective efforts.

The JDPC stressed ” anybody found wanting in the violation of child right should be brought to book and dealt with accordingly irrespective of his or her political or economic status so as to serve as deterrent to others who hired children as thugs while their own are far away in oversea.”

“Parents, guidance and caregiver should wake up to their responsibility more than before, they should be vigilant and watchful and also report any negative things they notice about their children to the appropriate authority for action to be taken.

Oyo state Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Agboola, while speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Abosede Abioye hinted that the present administration in the state “is running an inclusive government whereby nobody is left behind, noting that the administration is already working with the 9th House of Assembly to ensure that the right of children are protected.

“We all know that the issue of child labour and trafficking is a menace not only limited to this state, but all over Nigeria and the world at large, and there is a needs for all the people to know that protection of child right is a collective effort. Oyo State government is very proactive when it comes to the issue of sexual abuse or child right violation, we are working with security agencies to ensure that right of our child are protected, our doors are open for collaboration with all those who are ready to work the Oyo State government to ensure that the right of these children are not only protected but promoted.” She said.

Alhaja Agboola added, “Children are heritage of God, so there is a needs to collaborate and synergized to make these children achieve their dreams in life, we need to focus on the right of our children, and to ensure the life’s of our children are save, let the people to know the fact that rubbishing any child is against the right of the children in the state.

“Don’t over labour and over worked the children, parent should also contribute their own role in protection and encouraging them, and speak for them where they can not speak”.

Speaking, Head of Programme, Women and Child’s Right, JDPC, Ibadan, Mrs Omotayo Adebayo declared that JDPC, Ibadan in collaboration with the Network for the Defends of Child’s Right has been convening annually at the stakeholders conference on Child Trafficking, Labour and Violence since 2016.

Mrs Adebayo said the purpose of the conference was to enable stakeholders to consider the state of child trafficking labor and violence in Ibadan, Oyo State, and provide reports on the progress towards reduction and facilitate joint action on the way forward.

“The annual stakeholders conference gives a progress report on how JDPC through its Women Development and Child’s Right Program implements the project “Action Against Child Trafficking, Labor and Violence, the project is to scale up population involvement in trafficking the problem of child trafficking labour and violence in Ibadan, Oyo State.” she said.

Mrs Adebayo stressed “the target beneficiaries of the project include children within the age of 5-17 years in Ibadan, who are victims of child trafficking labour and violence, the public in Ibadan, government ministries, social agencies, the law enforcement agencies, media, educational sector, policy makers, media, etc.”

FAAN: 37-Year-Old Alakia Airport to Host Company Repairing Aircrafts Soon

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
The Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Captain Rabiu Yadudu has sought for collaboration of the Oyo state government to uplift the standard of the Ibadan Airport.
Yadudu made the request on Wednesday when he and other top management of FAAN paid a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde in his office, in Ibadan.
He urged the governor to assist in resolving some of the challenges such as issue of encroachment, security among others, confronting the airport
According to him, the Ibadan airport has been facing certain unique challenges over the years in the course of carrying out our work, which need the kind intervention of the state governor.
He said the management of FAAN had already written letter to the governor on areas of assistance and pleaded with him to consider the request of FAAN.
He posited that resolution of the challenges would not only enhance the operation and service delivery of FAAN but empower the airport economically and create opportunities for businesses to thrive.
He informed the governor that a particular company – Maintenance and Repair Organisation for aircrafts, had shown interest to relocate from Lagos airport to Ibadan airport.
He said the relocation of the company would boost the economy of the airport once the challenges facing the airport were resolved.
He thanked and appreciated the people and government of the state for their support and patronage since the inception of the Airport 37 years ago.
”Since this time, the management of FAAN has been working consistently to improve the quality and capacity in all aspect of our service quality delivery which include our personnel and our structures, equipment and procedures.
”We will keep doing this towards achieving our mission and vision as professional airport operator.” Yadudu stated.
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He assured the governor and the other stakeholders of the commitment of FAAN to achieve and sustain its service delivery target.
In his response, Gov Makinde stressed on the importance if the Ibadan Airport to the economy of the state and promised to collaborate with FAAN on how to resolve the challenges facing the airport.
The governor said he had received a letter from the FAAN management as regards some challenges confronting the airport and promised to act on the letter.
Makinde further said ”I have made some promises about the airport; I promised  this year pilgrims that intending pilgrims will fly from the Ibadan airport directly to the holy land from next year and I count on FAAN to make this promise achievable.
”We are also thinking of expanding the runway to make it easy for bigger crafts to operate at the airport, and I promise to partner with FAAN to make it happen.” He stated
”If the runway can be expanded then, having cargo aircraft schedule at the airport would be facilitated, stressing the state government was ready to put its money to make things happen at the airport.”

Makinde Visits Ajila Value Adding Farms, Assures of Govt Support

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with and encourage investors in the agriculture sector in order to expand the economy of the state as well as surmount challenges facing their operations in the state.
The governor stated this during a visit to the Ajila Value Adding Ventures Limited in Awe, where Alaawe-in-council are collaborating with local and foreign investors led by a chartered accountant, Mr. Tayo Phillips to grow the state’s economy.
While speaking at the Ajila Value Adding Farms, Awe, where he was conducted round the poultry, hatchery, egg powder processing plant and palm trees plantation of the farms, Makinde described the facility as world-class.
The Governor, who was received by the Alaawe of Aawe, Oba Cornelius Taiwo; Chairman of Ajila Farms, Mr Philips; Managing Director of the farm, Mr Dotun Odekeye; president of Bond Group of Companies, Chief Debo Omotoso, and a foremost poultry farmer, Chief Lai Amoje, expressed his joy at the developments he witnessed at the Ajila Farms.
He maintained that it was the intention of his government to encourage Ajila Farms and other investors in the agriculture sector by addressing their challenges and, where necessary, providing incentives to help them expand their operations so that they could provide employment for the teeming youths of the state.
“Just as we have said in our manifesto, we want to drive our economy through agriculture and agriculture value chain. Most of the things I have seen and heard here are music to my ears: they want to process eggshells into egg powder and export it; they want to generate foreign exchange for the state and that is consistent with our idea of expanding the economy.
“We will encourage them. Some of them may have challenges; security challenges, some of them may have challenges with access to the market. We will look at their challenges and make sure that we solve them. And we may even give incentives to some of them to expand their operations and employ our youths,” Governor Makinde said.
Earlier, Phillips, chairman of the company, stated that the farm was focused on agriculture value chain and backward integration to provide direct and indirect employment for youths and other business concerns.
He maintained that the company was ready to partner with the Oyo State Government to boost agricultural development.
Phillips further explained that “our business is focused on agricultural value chain and backward integration, providing direct and indirect employment for youths, growing numerous other business concerns as the hub to ensure sustainable development and other indirect employment for our youths, vendors, suppliers, and contractors.”

ALGON Urges Oyo Govt to Obey Court Order on LGs Probe, Other

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter has urged the state government to continue to maintain the status quo until otherwise decided by the Court of Appeal on the dissolution of Local Government administration in the State. 
The advise was given by the ALGON chairman, Prince Abass Aleshinloye on Wednesday while reacting to the High Court judgement on the suit between ALGON and the State government.
ALGON had gone to court to challenge the dissolution of the elected Local government administration by the Sate government on May 6, 2019.
The state government has however appealed the judgement and also got the ‘state of execution’ of the matter on Tuesday.
That notwithstanding, the ALGON chairman advised the State government to await the outcome of its appeal before taking any further action.
 “We urge His Excellency to be patient for the outcome of his appeal at the Court of Appeal because to do otherwise, on the misconceived , misinterpreted purported stay of execution will amount to assault on our judiciary, which is also capable of rendering the said appeal pending at the Court of Appeal nugatory”, Aleshinloye said.
In the same vein, ALGON has challenged the state government and urged the Court to restrain it (the government) from setting up an ad-hoc committee to probe the finances of the local government.
Governor Seyi Makinde had set up a seven-man committee on July 1 to look into the councils accounts from January 2018 to May 29, 2019.
The committee is chaired by retired Justice S.L. Popoola.

Sharing N250 Million for My People,  not Big Deal, I Will Do More, Says Akin Alabi

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Inter-governmental Affairs, Hon. Akin Alabi on Wednesday said there was no big deal in splashing N250 million on women in Egbeda/Ona Ara federal constituency.
Alabi also declared that there was no secret in what members of the National Assembly earn monthly.
Alabi, said that the major problem why most Nigerians regarded what members of the National Assembly earn as a big thing is that, most of the lawmakers are afraid to disclose what they earn to their constituents and other Nigerians.
He said that contrary to what many Nigerians are saying, “there is no secret in what members of the National Assembly earn.”
Alabi who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NairaBet, a leading Nigerian betting company, made these disclosures while addressing journalists when he flagged off a N250 million empowerment scheme for women in Egbeda and Ona Ara local government areas of Oyo state.
The lawmaker while speaking at the program held in Isebo area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital added that the motive behind the scheme is in fulfilment of his campaign promises to the people of the area.
Alabi who insisted that he summoned courage to put what he earned as a lawmaker on his personal website, added that he put it on the site in order for his constituents and other Nigerians to see what he earned as a lawmaker.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker said, “Yes, I put it on my blog, akinalabi.com. Everything we earn. Everything is there and anybody can go and check it. There is no secret in what we earn as a lawmaker.
“I think that the biggest problem that we are facing in this country is that people are afraid to say this thing. That is why many people think it is bigger than it is. There is no secret in what we earn as a lawmaker.”
He said that he would not wait for the executive arm of government before he provide succor to some of the problems facing his constituents.
“A total of two hundred and fifty people are benefiting from this empowerment scheme today. Today alone, we are kicking off the programs today. We are continue tomorrow, we are starting today with 250 women today. That is just today. The program is a N250 million empowerment scheme.
“As much as we can, we don’t have a definite number, as much as our resources can accommodate, we are going to take care of them. Some people, it is not going to be on monetary basis, some is to assist them on their hospital bill, some are going to be trained on this scheme for free.
“I am doing it for different reasons, and during the campaign, I met a lot of women during the campaign, they came out and voted for me. I see this as one of the ways to assist them. I don’t want to wait for the government, that is why I am doing it now. It is basically from my own pocket.
“I have special interest for the youth, some are looking for jobs, some need training, so we are going to do all our possible best to assist them. We are going to have different solutions to different people. We are doing this in order to formalise it. I believed spending N250 million on the people is not a big thing for me. The legislative arm of government has three major functions; lawmaking, constituency outreach and oversight. This is one of them. This is part of my constituency outreach. It is still part of my job here.
“For lawmaking, for those of us who are familiar with the media, they must have seen my contributions at the floor of the house. I moved a motion in the floor of the house to resist men of Customs Service from arresting people on the roads after they had paid their duties. When you had paid your duties, they still stop you on the roads.
“That is a motion we argued extensively on, in the floor of the house. So, I got two motions and am very active on the floor, I got some bills coming up. This is just for the women, we have for youths and the aged. We have for all categories of people in the constituency.”

26 Months After, Why We Reconcile With Olubadan – Balogun

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede

The Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun on Monday evening said the first bi-monthly meeting of the Olubadan-In-Council which was last held in May, 2017 had commenced.

This came 26 months after they last met as united Olubadan-In-Council.

The Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji and his estranged chiefs, met for 40 minutes behind doors.

The last time similar meeting held was was in May, 2017, three months to the controversial reform carried out by the then Governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi.

Ajimobi elevated all the high chiefs and some Baales in Ibadan, numbering 21 on August 27th, 2017.

The Osi Olubadan and former Governor of the state, Chief Rashidi Ladoja turned down the crown and went ahead to challenge the coronation.

Ladoja secured judgment of a state high court, which nullified all the processes that led to the coronation of the chiefs.

Ajimobi appealed the judgment and the chiefs were still awaiting the judgment at the appellate court. The new Governor Seyi Makinde who inherited the case, had vowed never to dabble into it.

The reconciliation efforts which started few days ago climaxed with the appearance of Otun Olubadan, Balogun; Ekarun Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade and Ladoja. They arrived the palace at about 12.15pm, without crowns in separate vehicles.

The palace media aide, Adeolo Oloko said the Olubadan who clad in blue ofi and white crown with half shoe to match, received them with open arms amid songs, drum beat and trumpet sound.

He danced and sat on the throne and the high chiefs paid homage.

They later went into closed-door meeting which lasted for about 40 minutes after which reporters and cameramen were called in to ask questions and take pictures.

The Olubadan was said to have thanked the returning high chiefs, and was quoted as saying that he welcomed the development because of the need for unity, progress and solidarity of Ibadan.

High Chief Balogun who spoke on phone with our reporter, confirmed the meeting, just as he said they were back in the palace for peace and unity to reign.

Said he, “we did what we did for peace and unity to reign in Ibadanland. The legal matter is still on, but no matter the outcome, we will abide by it and respect its outcome.

“We won’t interfere with the matter in court. And no matter where it goes, we will maintain the current peace and unity. We just held the first of our fortnightly meetings today. We met and jointly rob minds.

“We regarded it as a council meeting and I must say that no precondition was given for the reconciliation. We just want it for peace to reign in our land,” Balogun said.

On the absence of other chiefs at the meeting, Balogun said there was no ill feeling, stressing that, “the notice was too short and it wasn’t convenient for them to attend.”

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