The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde has announced that lecturers at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, will be denied subvention if they fail to return to work despite the state government’s demand to resume academic activities at the university.
On Saturday, the governor made the news during a media engagement at the BCOS Television house in Ibadan to commemorate his third year in office.
The governor said that if the lecturers do not return to work, the state government will not pay their subvention.
He said, “If the lecturers were sensitive, they should not have joined the industrial action. As of today, their subvention is being withhold. If they don’t go back to school, I won’t pay their subvention.
“The students must know who to hold accountable. We expect 100 per cent cooperation but some want to play politics.
“We will only pay those who return to their duties. I don’t care whether it’s an election year. I will only do what is right till the last day of the tenure.”
The Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bayo Adelabu, has joined the Nigerian Accord Party.
The All Progressives Congress’s (APC) Gubernatorial candidate for 2019 stated that the Accord Party of Nigeria supports his ideas.
Adelabu stated that he will now proceed to the party.
On Thursday, he made this known in a statement that he personally signed and made available to reporters.
It reads: “A time exists in the life of a sincere aspiring man of the public when events and circumstances lesson the operation of his mind onto new decision, new desire and new determination. Such time now finds expression in my political career which necessities vital change, fundamental decision and refreshing determination
“It is therefore on this basis that I hereby declare the withdrawal of my membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ACCORD Party of Nigeria (ACCORD). This is the political platform upon which my gubernatorial ambition shall be pursued to actualization by the guidance and grace of the Almighty Allah.
“It is needless to restate in details, reason for relinquishing my APC membership on the point that such reason is public knowledge. The man dies in him who keeps silent in the face of blatant injustice and the life of a lie is a matter of little time. Evil people struggle in vain in their conspiracy against their innocent fellowman because malice is a poor match for destiny. What is important above all is that my leaders, supporters and teeming people of Oyo State are hereby assured of my determination never to disappoint them in the pursuit of my gubernatorial ambition to reality by the Will of God. I wish to present my humble self for the Political Liberation Movement to rescue our pacesetting state from the bad operation of clueless and inept people in Government and in the other Party. We shall together inaugurate a new Era of peace and Progress in our Dear State in line with my 7-Point Agenda when I become the Executive Governor by God’s Grace in 2023.
“There is accord for our Vision in the ACCORD PARTY of Nigeria. We hereby move to therein accordingly.”
The Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union National Council on Saturday, 28th of May 2022 embarked on the first every Environmental Sanitation, tagged Keep Ibadan Clean Project.
According to the National President, Aare Fakolade Anuoluwapo TIMFAK said that the idea was borne out of the desire of their members in supporting the vision of His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde which in beautifying and making Ibadan the most cleanest city in the country.
He further stated, that the administration won’t stop there, as they only stated with Ibadan North Local Government. He stated that the exercise covered Ibadan North LG to NTA road and to Gate Market.
Receiving them after the exercise was the Chief of Staff to Ibadan North Local Government Chair, who conveyed the good will message of the Chairman.
Also, the General Secretary of Gate Traders Association commended the Union for such initiative and further stated that the market will be willing to partner with them in any of their future Programmes.
Finally, Aare Fakolade Anuoluwapo appreciates the executive chairman of Ibadan North LG for his support towards the success of the exercise.
The Nigeria Institute of Soil Science Southwest zone recently organized train the trainers Workshop on the use of Soil text kits for effecient fertilizer use for extension agents and farmers in Southwest Nigeria at Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) hall, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
Speaking during the one day training, the zonal coordinator Southwest NISS ,Prof James Adediran said to attain food security in the country, the issue of problematic soil in the country needs to be taken seriously. He said this is the reason NISS decided to train stakeholders on the strategies required to manage various soils in Nigeria.”Soil is part of our environment and it is a vital input in Agricultural production, continuous land cultivation and improper handling of soil adversely affects the productivity and consequently crop yield. Thus, organising this Workshop is apt and useful in promoting sustainable soil management.
Prof Senjobi and Dr Shitu also corroborated the statements of the Zonal Coordinator on the importance of Soil to Agricultural production. Soil experts which are members of NISS , drawn from various institutions took part in the training program.
A discussion of the nationalism question in Nigeria has always revolve around the triumvirate of Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello in no particular order, but having an in-depth study into the life and times of these men, their aspirations, their politicking and conduct, were they really nationalists in the real sense of the word or mere accidental nationalists who wounded up to one another at independence, but fought dirty before and after for the prominence of their own aspirations and the lording of their own ethnic stock over the others?
The oldest of the triumvirate is Nnamdi Azikiwe who started off as a hothead journalist with African Morning Posts in Ghana before later founding his own West African Pilot in 1937. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s first entry into national politics was his involvement with the Nigeria Youth Movement, the country’s first nationalist organization which he left in acrimonious circumstance in 1941 when his anointed candidate Samuel Akinsanya was not elected for a vacant seat in the Legislative Council, the NYM executive council selected Ernest Ikoli who ironically was supported by Obafemi Awolowo ( this was the first political meeting between Azikiwe and Awolowo, which was the beginning of an intense rivalry within the political space of Nigeria between the duo which would last nearly half century). Nnamdi Azikiwe withdrew from the NYM, condemning the party of tribalism against the Ijebu-Yorubas and Igbos.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan
Obafemi Awolowo on the other and rose to national consciousness in 1941, having joined the Nigeria Youth Movement earlier and supported the election of Ernest Ikoli into the Legislative Council in Lagos before proceeding to London to study Law and was eventually called into the English bar in 1944.
As a great grandson of Mohamed Bello, the son of the great Islamic scholar and jihadist of the 19th century, Uthman Dan Fodio, and having a sultan grandfather, Ahmadu Bello was different from Awolowo and Azikiwe as he was a blue blooded royalty. At the age of 28, Bello contested to become the Sultan of Sokoto but lost to Siddiq Abubakar III who reigned for 50 years until 1988, thus becoming the Sarduana (Crown prince) of sokoto and steadily rose through the traditional ranking. Ahmadu Bello rose to national consciousness with the formation of the Northern People’s Congress in 1949 from the Northern socio-cultural group Jammaya Islamiyya Arewa and he subsequently became its leader with his work in the 1950 All Ibadan constitutional conference as head of the Northern delegates.
Obafemi Awolowo, while studying in London has founded ‘Egbe omo oduduwa’, a student body of people of Yoruba descent, a group which was launched in Owo, the present Ondo state as the Action Group party to serve as the counter balance to the earlier formed National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun (NCNC, which was later changed to National Council of Nigerian Citizens) which was formed earlier by Nnamdi Azikiwe and Herbert Macaulay which the former was now leading and was gaining much traction in the western Nigeria ahead of the 1951 regional election. It is worthy of note that the1951 election was the first toe-to-toe political battle waged by Awolowo and Azikiwe, with the former castigating the latter as a nationalist who would prefer to be premier in Ibadan than in Enugu. With the inability of Azikiwe to be elected into the House of Representatives via the western region in 1951causing much disaffection between Awolowo and Azikiwe, the latter returned to the eastern region to become the premier in 1954, thus, the stage was set for an ethnic dominated politics in the first republic and beyond. The approach of the three men to the administration of the emerging heterogeneous structure called Nigeria is noteworthy, Obafemi Awolowo in his book ‘Path to Nigerian Freedom’ (1947) had advocated for the adoption of Federalism, with component units formed along ethnic lines. Azikiwe on the other hand, through his belief in the corporate existence of the country advocated Unitarianism while Ahmadu Bello advocated Confederalism. How the latter leaders could have advocated Unitarianism and confederalism respectively for a heterogeneous Nigeria is rather a bewilderment to say the least.
Close to Nigeria’s first republic, a huge seed of discord was sown among the three men when Tony Enahoro moved a motion for independence in 1956, fearing domination, Ahmadu Bello rejected the motion, replacing 1956 with the now unpopular phrase ‘as soon as practiceable’. The 1959 parliamentary election which was to usher Nigeria into the first republic was ethnically dominated, with the NPC and affiliates winning 134 of the 312, the NCNC and affiliates winning 89 and the AG and affiliates winning 72 seats, thus, the stage was a set for a coalition government between any of the three parties. Despite sharing the same progressive ideology and with a promise to step down from the position of Prime minister to minister of finance by Awolowo in his favour, Azikiwe led the NCNC to form an alliance with the conservative NPC in other to spite Awolowo for his 1951 daringness, in effect, Azikiwe ignored the offer of premiership to become a titular head of state under the NPC arrangement. It is now only left to imagination how an alliance of NCNC and AG with Azikiwe as prime minister and Awolowo as Finance minister would have set Nigeria on the path of prosperity in the First republic.
How much of a nationalist the duo of Bello and Azikiwe is left to posterity with the summary trial of Awolowo on trumped up treason charges as a result of the western region crisis of 1965/66 and the carving out of the mid-western region out of the western region in 1966 in a permanent attempt at limiting the influence of Awolowo and setting Nigeria up for its current state of lopsided federalism of which the very stock of Azikiwe are a victim.
The coup d’etat of January 1966 which claimed the life of Ahmadu Bello at the age of 56, according to repeated prophesies of Northern imams and diviners, cut his life short at his prime and denied him of his lifelong ambition of one day occupying the Sultanate in Sokoto but was still very enough to carve a place for him in the annals of Nigeria history as a champion of the north and an exporter of the domination at all cost mentality of his lineage, which has now gained much traction among northern elite and aristocrats.
The demise of the first republic did not however put paid to the growing profile and rivalry between Awolowo and Azikiwe which was soon put to test in the second republic with the formation of ‘national political parties’ which were at best a caricature of the first republic NCNC and AG. The Nigeria Peoples Party was formed and registered by the associates of the Owelle of Onitsha, the Unity Party of Nigeria by associates of the Odole Odua and the National Party of Nigeria by the remnant of the defunct NPC led by the docile Shehu Shagari, the other two political parties; GNPP led by Ibrahim Waziri was a result of in fighting in the NPP and PRP was re-incarnation of the first republic NEPU under the charismatic Mallam Aminu Kano.
Awolowo’s undoing in the second republic was a result of his inability to reach out to the other side of the south, especially to the eastern region where his controversial role in the Nigerian civil war was now his albatross, cheered on by a new messiah in Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, and still with the respected Owelle to contend with, Awolowo would register no meaningful electoral presence in eastern Nigeria. Also contributing to Awolowo’s woes is the fact that his first republic lieutenant; Tony Enahoro and J.S Tarka would hitherto held strategically important minority base of Edo and Benue for him were now in the folds of the NPN.
The enigmatic Owelle of Onitsha would make no meaningful impact outside of the Igbo heartland, especially in the north, no thanks to his role in the 1962/63 census crisis, and his reputation as an unstable ally. Aided by Ojukwu, some of his own even resented him because of his role in the civil war where he chameleon seamlessly between a Biafran ambassador when it pays and a pro-Nigerian when the weather looked different.
The 1983 election which was the last that was participated in by the duo of Azikiwe and Awolowo cemented their place in our national political history, just like in 1959, having lost in the election proper, Azikiwe danced gleefully to the invitation of Shehu Shagari’s government of national unity in 1979, on realising that the cream de la cream of his NPP membership handpicked by Shagari were being harvested into the ruling NPN, he pulled out of the political arrangement. With the abysmal performance of Shagari in office, it was clear that Nigerians wanted a change, after much dilly-dally and dragging feet, and at the very last minute the Owelle decided to throw his hat into the ring, running famously as the ‘beauty pride’ who had no real chance at the polls, much to the chagrin of Awolowo.
In fairness to the trio of Awolowo, Bello and Azikiwe, the politics of the pre and first republic with its regional and ethnic nature did not allow the men the ample ground to sow and harvest seed of nationalism, as primordial and ethnic sentiment must be spinned among the common men to gain their cult following, but all leaders have shown through their actions; Azikiwe through his preference for Unitarianism for an heterogeneous entity like Nigeria based on his belief of indivisible common destiny of the Nigerian people, but which was actually a veiled attempt at Igbo domination, which people in some quarters felt was acted on by the January, 1966 coup plotters, his subsequent prioritization of revenge over national interest in 1959 by the choosing the much conservative NPC over a much workable alliance with AG and lastly his macabre dance in the 1983 election where he should have retired as a statesman.
Ahmadu Bello’s propensity towards sectional interest over national interest was first shown in his opting for confederalism for an heterogeneous structure like Nigeria, an obvious indication of unbelief in the Nigerian state, his issuance of the 8 points agenda which demanded for a confederation after the motion for government fiasco in Lagos in 1953, his refusal to hire qualified Nigerians into northern civil service and the hiring of British expatriate in their stead, fearing domination are sure indices of anti-nationalism. Awolowo of the trio appeared to have a genuine belief in the Nigerian state when he, as early as 1947 suggested the adoption of federalism as a system of government for the Nigerian state, but Awolowo cannot be spared of his hatred, especially towards the northern elite, who he derisively described as feudal lords even on the campaign train, his prioritization of the Yoruba stock over the rest of his countrymen runs contrary to the spirit and meaning of true nationalist.
It is therefore evident from the life, politics and choices of these men that the appellation ‘Nigerian nationalist’ attached to them is nothing but vain glorification as some other men who were detribalized in their dealings, fought for the right of Nigerians notwithstanding their linguistic affinity such as Herbert Macaulay are more deserving of being ascribed Nationalist.
The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu has responded to a claim by the State PDP that he’s imposition candidates on party members in the State.
According to a press release signed by Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, he described the opposition in the State as attention seeker.
“The opposition PDP’s claims on the just concluded primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have further exposed not only its gross ignorance but also the party’s desperation for attention. Painful enough, such attention remains perennially unavailable for the opposition party”
“The allegation of imposition of candidates by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, exposes the deep-rooted deficiencies embedded in a political party that has yet found its bearing in the arena of equity and fairness.”
“For the records, Governor Akeredolu’s role in the just-concluded primaries of the APC was nothing short of providing leadership. The Governor, in an unusual manner, recognizes and respects the party supremacy. He conceded the role of party stakeholders and leadership without interference and sentiment.”
“The Governor is a father for all in the party. His commitment to equity, fairness and transparency has led to the many successes recorded in the various outings of the party, including the just-concluded primaries. The process leading to the primaries was driven by the party leadership”
“Evidently, the results of the APC primaries betrayed the claims of the PDP. One wonders how primary elections keenly contested by different aspirants across the State be branded imposition.
The PDP, out of desperation, had gone public with spurious allegations even before the APC commenced its primaries. A serious opposition would have waited and observed the exercise till the end before rushing to the public space to disseminate insidious stunts. The hasty manner in which this uncanny propaganda was oiled, especially as it came even before the commencement of the APC primary depicts an insatiable crave. The PDP’s allegation is a self-kill. It is embarrassing and projected the ilk as a lazy pack.
Perhaps, the opposition party requires a subtle education on what imposition connotes. The APC’s primaries were monitored by INEC and security agencies under whose full glare delegates voted for their preferred aspirants to emerge as candidates.
Governor Akeredolu shall continue to pursue the cause of justice, fairness, and equity in the management of the party. He will not be deterred in his quest to emplace an enduring legacy of transparency in the party”
Ibadan Prime Youths Forum (IPYF) which is the Youth Wing of the apex socio-cultural group for all Indigenes of Ibadanland both home and abroad (CCII) has called on all political parties to maintain peaceful environment as they commence their primary elections this week.
The IPYF National Coordinator, Dr Oluwatunmise Adeagbo in a press statement advised political parties to present quality candidates for the citizens of the country.
He said ” It is a known fact that every decision made by the political parties will have both direct and indirect effect on the citizens. It is on this note that we implore political parties to present credible Candidates that will positively contribute to the development of the state in a selfless way with the masses’ interest as their priority.
He continued that All aspirants across the political parties are encouraged to display the spirit of sportsmanship and avoid any action that may disrupt the peace of the land or daily activities of the masses in the state.
“We pray the best candidate emerge across board for the betterment of our dear state and country”
As the primaries of the All Progressive Congress APC, draw near, a frontline state assembly aspirant in Ogbomoso North state constituency, Shittu Olaitan Abede – SOA, has continued to receive blessings and endorsement s of stakeholders in the constituency.
Shittu’s chances of grabbing the APC assembly ticket are looking up as the Honourable to represent Ogbomoso North at the Oyo state house of assembly come 2023.
Shittu with Chief Ayoade Adeseun
Reports that Hon. Sunday Dare, Sen. Ayoade Adeseun, Pa Olorode the APC zonal leader and other leaders might have settled for Shittu Olaitan Abede of Ogbomoso north, to succeed the 2 term incumbent honourable, Wumi Oladeji as the Consensus candidate ahead primaries seem to be true, Hon. Sunday Dare the minister of youth and sport development, who also is the only federal cabinet member/NEC representing Oyo state has blessed and endorsed the candidacy of Shittu Olaitan to represent the Minister’s immediate constituency, Ogbomoso north ahead primaries next week.
Hon. Shittu when contacted via phone call, confirms a wider consultation and blessings from the agbáákin of Ogbomosoland, Chief Sunday Dare, and other party stakeholders, whom he described as an upright leader and a father, according to shittu, his decision to join the assembly race was borne out of his passion to reinvent the constituency and realise the constituency dream, He further express that his intention is to transform Ogbomoso North by given adequate, dynamic and proper legislation through,motions and bills that brings relief to every constituents. The 2023 assembly hopeful said he is well prepared to make Ogbomoso North the pride of every Ogbomoso man, “we have toured all tendencies and consult widely with all leaders in all factions” this is a relief that out system will be all inclusive.
As the primaries of the All Progressive Congress APC, draw near, a frontline state assembly aspirant in Ogbomoso North state constituency, Shittu Olaitan Abede – SOA, has continued to receive blessings and endorsement s of stakeholders in the constituency.
Shittu’s chances of grabbing the APC assembly ticket are looking up as the Honourable to represent Ogbomoso North at the Oyo state house of assembly come 2023.
Shittu with Chief Ayoade Adeseun
Reports that Hon. Sunday Dare, Sen. Ayoade Adeseun, Pa Olorode the APC zonal leader and other leaders might have settled for Shittu Olaitan Abede of Ogbomoso north, to succeed the 2 term incumbent honourable, Wumi Oladeji as the Consensus candidate ahead primaries seem to be true, Hon. Sunday Dare the minister of youth and sport development, who also is the only federal cabinet member/NEC representing Oyo state has blessed and endorsed the candidacy of Shittu Olaitan to represent the Minister’s immediate constituency, Ogbomoso north ahead primaries next week.
Hon. Shittu when contacted via phone call, confirms a wider consultation and blessings from the agbáákin of Ogbomosoland, Chief Sunday Dare, and other party stakeholders, whom he described as an upright leader and a father, according to shittu, his decision to join the assembly race was borne out of his passion to reinvent the constituency and realise the constituency dream, He further express that his intention is to transform Ogbomoso North by given adequate, dynamic and proper legislation through,motions and bills that brings relief to every constituents. The 2023 assembly hopeful said he is well prepared to make Ogbomoso North the pride of every Ogbomoso man, “we have toured all tendencies and consult widely with all leaders in all factions” this is a relief that out system will be all inclusive.
The constituents of Lagelu State Constituency on Saturday 21st of May 2022 pledged their support for the reelection of Hon. Olajide Akintunde, AKT- Honourable member representing Lagelu State Constituency at the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly.
According to comr. Adisa Yakub Omotayo who spoke on behalf of the concerned youths in the constituents states that Hon. AKT has demonstrated high level of leadership skills in the execution of his primary responsibility as a law maker and his numerous empowerment and developmental program for the people of the Local Government.
Passing the vote of confidence, Comrade Adisa described Hon. AKT as a successful parliamentarian who understand the needs of his people and the only way to encourage him is to ensure that he get the return ticket.
