Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) has announced the appointment of Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the Minister of Communications & Digital Economy and Professor Adeolu Akande, the Chairman of Nigeria Communications Commission as its Board Chairman, and Vice Chairman respectively.
The appointment was made known during the Governing Board meeting of USPF held on Friday 24th January 2023 at the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Abuja.
Professor Isa Pantami as the Chairman of the board presided over the meeting that was well attended by institutional members.
Receiving his appointment letter as Vice Chairman of the Board, Professor Adeolu Akande appreciated Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the Ministry & Federal Government for their trust in him and further reiterated his commitment towards the course of Universal Service Provision Fund, as well as serving the nation better for the advancement of technology in the country.
The Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID), a group of Nigerian professionals in Diaspora, has thrown its weight behind the re-election of the Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde for the second term.
The group, which consists of Nigerians from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, Malaysia, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Israel, Hungary, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Botswana, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa, among others, have rated Governor Makinde as the best governor in the history of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
According to the group, following an outstanding record of achievements and the execution of excellent trailblazing projects in all sectors, his declaration to run for a second term in office deserves massive votes from the good people of Oyo State, so as to continue the re-engineering programmes for the socio-political and economic stability of the State as a pacesetter.
This was contained in a press release signed by the group’s spokesman, Barrister Ayotomiwa Adebayo, which stated that Nigerians in the Diaspora are so proud of Governor Makinde as a dynamic and creative leader whose administration has had success and record-breaking performances in Oyo State, especially in the areas of education, health, infrastructure, security, and economy expansion (through Agribusiness).
The group also stressed that Governor Makinde has also committed to actionable climate change policies to mitigate negative environmental impacts on a sustainable socio-economic development. The above-mentioned areas of development focus of his administration have helped to significantly generate jobs, provide food security and safety, increase prosperity, and reduce vulnerability of youths and the ageing population.
“Over 44 months of being at the helm of affairs, Governor Makinde has changed the status quo of governance, fostered unity, and rekindled hope for the possibility of a better future. In fact, Oyo State is now experiencing unprecedented economic growth and a generational shift from poor leadership and bad governance to a good governance. These laudable achievements lend credence to the viability of Omituntun 2.0 – a sustainable socio-economic development and growth agenda for Governor Makinde’s second term tenure,” the release stated.
Barrister Adebayo emphasised that never again shall the good people of Oyo State, including professional bodies, unionists, pensioners, civil servants, teachers, students, farmers, artisans, youths, traders, among others, allow greedy political godfathers and their accomplices, who are puppets, to come to power in 2023. The consequences of their looting and misrule have resulted to unprecedented hardship, and the impacts are still fresh in the memories of the people.
He further stated that Governor Makinde is a very tolerant, prudent, honest and thoughtful leader who has demonstrated the spirit of fairness, equity, and justice towards the citizens of Oyo State irrespective of their religion, ethnicity and political affiliation.
The spokesperson expressed that based on the group’s 99.9% performance scorecard of Governor Makinde’s administration, the OID Convener, Mr. Moses Eledan, has directed all its members and well-meaning citizens, including the youth ambassadors’ wing and GSM Network globally, to work actively and selflessly to ensure that Governor Makinde is re-elected for the continuation of the laudable projects and policies he started.
Mr Eledan further stressed that, “the Executive Governor has made Oyo State a place where a child of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody and indeed his re-election victory as a servant leader will surely inspire new generational leadership and bring more tremendous developmental milestones for the State.”
“Finally, as Governor Seyi Makinde has restored people’s trust in good governance and leadership, we urge all citizens to vote massively for Seyi Makinde and his endorsed candidates,” the spokesperson added.
Few hours to the presidential and national assembly poll, the camp of the Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) received a major boost as a major rival political party, Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), collapsed its entire structure while its leadership announced that at least 25 of their candidates for the 2023 general election and the whole of their State Executive Committee members have joined the APC.
This announcement was jointly made by the trio of the National Vice Chairman (South West) of the party, Engr. Adewale Durojaiye, the state Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Ademola, and deputy governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 poll, Mrs. Funmi Omoniyi, as they spoke at a press briefing organized after a meeting with Oyo APC Chairman, Mr. Isaac Omodewu, and Senator Teslim Folarin who’s is the broom party’s gubernatorial candidate at the APC’s state secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan on Thursday.
According to Durojaye, the decision to fuse the entire structure into Oyo APC was “borne out of the burning desire to be part history as Nigeria is set for a turn around under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who would emerge as the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have seen from all indications that Tinubu would not only defeat all his other contestants on Saturday but he would also win convincingly with a wide margin to set an unprecedented record. We cannot afford to be left behind as patriots and democrats.”
In his own address; the APM’s state chairman, Alh. Ademola, stated that they took the bold step after wild consultation with relevant stakeholders from.within and outside the state. His words; “we have a crack team of strong candidates, executive committee members at all levels as well as teeming population of our party faithful from across the 33 Local Government Areas in the state. Although we cannot tell the public the disposition of our Party’s gubernatorial candidate to this move as we have lost communication with him for some weeks now, I am glad to tell the whole world that the deputy governorship candidate and 24 other candidates of Oyo APM are in full support.”
In his reaction; Oyo AP’s chairman, Hon. Omodewu lauded the defectors and assured them of robust relationship as stakeholders in APC. According to him; “it takes a lot of courage and foresight for this kind of decision to be made by any politician at a critical stage like this. We now have it on record that your team of distinguished politicians and patriots acted right when it mattered and your place in the book of history shall be guaranteed as having aided the cause of nation building”.
Among members of the APM’s state executive committee and other state who were present at the meeting are; Hon. Kayode Adeyinka (state Secretary), Comrade Samson Adesiyan (state organizing Secretary), Mrs. Falilat Amoo (state women leader), Comrade Lanre Badmus (state youth Leader), Mr. Mobolaji Elewi (state financial Secretary) and Mr. Adeoye Adedokun (state public relations officer) as well as Oyo North Senatorial Candidate, five House of Representatives candidates and 20 House of the candidates.
Yesterday, Sunday, the 19th February, 2023 witnessed a superlative performance of Fresh FM Radio Station as the station, in conjunction with others across the state, organized a live debate for the major political parties’ gubernatorial candidates.
The PDP candidate and sitting governor – Engr Seyi Makinde, Accord Party’s Chief Adebayo Adelabu and APC candidate, Sen. Teslim Folarin were to appear for the debate but due to one reason or the other, only two candidates were on air.
The debate has come and gone, the jabs, the arguments and counter arguments by the participants was impressive. Both Gov Seyi Makinde and Chief Adebayo Adelabu spoke with maturity, facts and brotherliness which portends good prospects for our dear state.
However, both of them goofed and become selfish on the issue of successor. In their responses, the agenda is Ibadan and Ibadan only.
Where is the plight of other sections of the state? The Okeogun, Ibarapa, Oyo and Ogbomoso geo-political zones? They too need to taste power and power has to rotate in 2027. Is leadership in Oyo State meant for Ibadan indigenes only? When would another person from zones other than Ibadan have a taste of power in the state?
For equity, fairness and justice in an egalitarian society like ours to prevail, both Gov Seyi Makinde, Chief Adebayo Adelabu and any other likely aspirants from Ibadan should forget 2027 and allow an Okeogun indigene to succeed whoever wins March 11, 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.
As incumbent governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde must be ready and prepared to support an Okeogun candidate for 2027 if only he wants our votes in March 11, 2023.
Esv Ismail Adewoyin The Convener, Okeogun Project Forum
The Senatorial Candidate of Accord Party in the February 25th General Election, Kolapo Kola-Daisi KKD has expressed his desire to award bursary to Indigent students of Oyo South Senatorial District.
According to information gathered from the campaign office of KKD, the process has been on since December last year and after following all process, selected beneficiaries has been picked and will be awarded on Thursday 23rd February 2023.
The Senatorial District Candidate, Kolapo Kola-Daisi according to a statement accredited to him reiterated his support to the student community if elected. He stated that he has always identified with the students and his agenda is youth inclined and will do more if elected.
The National President of the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), Barrister Ahmed Raji SAN has called on the people of Oke-Ogun to remain calm and avoid activities that might lead to violence and destruction of properties in the region.
He called on community leaders to discuss reasons why Oke-Ogun should be working towards attracting and building public infrastructures rather than destroying them through violent mob actions and protests.
Raji said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, urging youths to rather decide on good leadership come the 2023 elections rather than rioting.
The Senior Advocate also called on the federal government to expedite actions towards resolving the crisis associated to the new Nigerian naira swap and cash withdrawal policy that has created suffering for the masses.
“It is very clear that the situation in the country, especially that of the cash swap and cash withdrawal limit policy has caused a lot of hardship for the people, this has shown in the emotional outburst that has led to violent riots across the country and loss of lives and properties.
“In Oke-Ogun, we should remember that the development process to get our region to an enviable level has started, the federal and State government have started looking towards developing natural resources in our area while business owners are thronging towards the region to establish their businesses, thus, we need to eschew violence at this critical period so as not to destroy the little we have and chase away those coming to help build more.
“I urge our monarchs, community leaders, market leaders, youths leaders and others to please have periodic discussions with our youths so they will have sense of belonging in this process of safeguarding the little we have till we have more.
“We are also calling on the federal government through the Central Bank of Nigeria to expedite action on the cash swap/ cash withdrawal limit policy and make the new naira notes available for the people.”
Barrister Ahmed challenged the youths in Oke-Ogun to also see the 2023 elections as important to change the fortune of Nigeria for the better, asking them to vote for their conscience and eschew violence.
Former member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Director Monitoring and Evaluation PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Oyo State, Hon. Festus Adewale Adegoke has been appointed as the Principal Technical Officer PTO for the 2023 Presidential Election.
According to a message signed by the Assistant Director, CSOs, PDP- Presidential Campaign Management Council (PCMC), Hon. Kunle Yusuf, MON, the appointment takes immediate effect and he’s saddled with the responsibility to manage, organize and coordinate INEC Accredited Observers in Oyo State during the 2023 Presidential Election coming up on February 25.
In his response, Hon. Wale Adegoke appreciated the PCMC for finding him worthy for the responsibility and reiterated his support in ensuring that H.E Atiku Abubakar emerges victorious in the coming Presidential Election.
The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has cautioned a former minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, Ms Jumoke Akinjide, to thread softly and refrain from making futile attempts on the mass media with a view to running down the presidential candidate of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is favoured to defeat Atiku Abubakar and others in the presidential election coming up this Saturday.
The former minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan appeared on a private radio station at the weekend where she again made some disparaging comments about Sen. Bola Tinubu in an apparent effort to mobilize support for Atiku Abubakar of the PDP which she represented.
While reacting to Ms Akinjide’s outbursts in a statement issued on Sunday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC described the daughter of the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General as a failed political player who was desperate to make a comeback to reckoning and also take an advantage of the vulnerability of Atiku to dispossess him of his money.
“With what the whole world was able to see as massive support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu last Thursday when he visited Ibadan for the presidential rally of the APC, it would make no sense for us to engage in a battle of wits with any political jobber in the PDP or any other party. Despite the adverse effects of ill-timed cashless policy sponsored by some unfriendly forces to discredit the APC ahead of the general election, people trooped to the streets of Ibadan to show love and support to Tinubu.
“This obviously jolted the likes of Ms Akinjide who felt the best thing to do was to embark on a fresh campaign of calumny against the popular choice of the masses with a view to giving a false hope to Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. Meanwhile, one would have loved to listen to the manifesto and programmes of the former vice president from Ms Akinjide in the course of the interview but she chose to boxing the shadow as she made Tinubu her only subject of discourse for about an hour.
“We have had promptings from many concerned members of the public who wanted us to remind the public about the similar inglorious path which Jumoke’s dad took against Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Uncle Bola Ige in 1979 and 1983 respectively as well as many other historical events which lend credence to the anti-Yoruba mantra of the Akinjides but we are of the opinion that we do not have to travel that route for obvious reasons even as we remain focused and determined to secure a well deserved victory for Asiwaju and his running mate, Sen. Kassim Shettima, this Saturday.
“But for personal ambitious, covetousness and greed, people like Jumoke Akinjide would know that a southerner must succeed President Muhammadu Buhari while Bola Tinubu stands tall among all the contestants for the coveted seat. As it is on record that Ms Akinjide has never contested and won any election in her life, we would like to admonish her to always think beyond her own whims and caprices before seeking the support of the people because history would not be kind to her after the conclusion of the this year general election which Nigerians are ready to take advantage of and throw up Tinubu as their president.” Sadare stated.
An alumnus of University of Ibadan, Dolapo Amusat has emerged as the first runner up in the youth of the year category in Oyo state. Amusat emerged as the first runner up in the youth category during the 2022 Oyo State most influential award series.
The event was organised in Ibadan, the state capital by Ibadan Media Limited.
Amusat was born on 22nd July 1995 to the popular Gbenla family in Ibadan.
He attended Concord Preparatory School, The International School, University of Ibadan, and completed his tertiary education at the University of Ibadan, where he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
While in the university, he was an active driver of Arts and Creative initiatives. He co-founded the award-winning Uites Write initiative with his friends. This project helped showcase the literary culture in the Premier University and went on to win the ‘Student Initiative of the Year’ at the Students Union Awards.
Award.
His interest in creativity while being rooted in Engineering and Technology made his journey post-university more interesting. He went on to co-found Agbowo.org, an acclaimed African art magazine that has collected and published works from dozens of writers and artists across Africa.
He also founded WeTalkSound, a music community that started as a WhatsApp group in the University of Ibadan, that has now grown into one of the most important youth-driven entertainment companies in the country.
With WeTalkSound, Dolapo has helped support and develop several talented individuals from Oyo state and Nigeria as whole. He has also executed marketing campaigns for superstars such as: Reminisce, Timaya, Teni the Entertainer, Bad Boy Timz, and worked with brands like Aristokrat Records, Smoov Chapman, Boomplay, and many more.
He partnered with the team to bring superstar Bella Shmurda to Ibadan in January 2022 for a huge concert, and he supported the committee on talent hunt of Ibadan Culture week 2022.
He has been listed as one of the most influential under-30 youth in the Nigerian music industry by Pulse Nigeria and Turntable Charts.
In his professional career, he has journeyed through multinationals like Total E&P, KPMG, Bolt and he now works as an Associate Product Marketing Manager at Google, focusing on initiatives targeted at supporting African youth through digital skills.
Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu, the Lagos State Government has directed Lagosians to continue transacting with the old naira notes.
According to a statement by the governor on Wednesday evening, he applauded the people for their patience and assured them of the State government continuous support.
The full statement reads:
“I hereby commend and applaud your patience and calmness, following the sad controversy generated by the Naira shortage crisis.
I would like to inform you that the Lagos State Government has joined the dispute at the Supreme Court, which today adjourned the hearing of the matter till February 22.
When the matter first came up on February 8, the apex court said the old notes remained legal tender.
That position has not changed. Therefore we hereby warns those rejecting the old notes to desist from doing so or face prosecution. It is against the law to reject the old notes, as doing so is contrary to the position of the Supreme Court.
I therefore plead with everyone to remain law-abiding, and shun mischief makers who may want to exploit this temporary situation to promote their anti-people agenda. I am confident that the Judiciary will resolve all the issues around the currency shortage crisis.
To cushion the effect of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directive on the old notes, especially on the vulnerable among us, Lagos State has started the distribution of the food packs as I earlier promised, while the 50% fares slash on all State transportation services facilities continues”
