Author: oduduwanews

A critique of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by Northern Elders Forum member Prof Usman Yusuf has brought to light a stark reality. In an interview with Channels Television, Yusuf expressed dismay at what he sees as dashed expectations under the current administration. According to him, rather than instilling hope through tangible improvements, the government has instead plunged Nigerians further into despair over the past year.

Yusuf highlighted the distressing scenes of people lining up for meager palliatives as emblematic of a failed promise of renewal. He lamented the widespread loss of hope among the populace, painting a bleak picture of a year marred by deception and worsening poverty.

Criticizing the economic management team as resembling tax collectors more than proactive economists, Yusuf underscored the need for policies that promote production over mere taxation. He pointed out the adverse impact the government’s actions have had on millions of Nigerians, exacerbating poverty levels and forcing children out of school due to unpaid fees.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji has authorised a 50% subsidy on oil palm, cocoa, and cashew seedlings for distribution to farmers in Ekiti State this planting season. The initiative aims to revitalise tree crop production, generate employment, and restore Ekiti’s prominence in cocoa cultivation.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, the subsidy seeks to replace ageing trees in old plantations and those lost to bushfires with improved seedlings, ensuring shorter gestation periods for enhanced productivity.

Also, this initiative will help the farmers benefit from the current price surge in the global cocoa market, with commodities reaching $10,000 per metric tonne.

Legacy farmers and newcomers are urged to seize this opportunity, with additional government support in the form of agrochemicals to combat fungal diseases and pests, leading to improved yields.

Interested farmers can obtain payment details from the Tree Crops Department of the State’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The screening exercise for the 2024 Psaltry Foundation Scholarship Scheme, named ‘Brilliant Students Scholarship Programme’ will hold on Saturday 25th May, 2024.

The exercise, targeting brilliant but indigent children of farmers willing to gain admission into higher institutions of learning will hold at the main hall of Iseyin District Grammar School (IDGS), Iseyin in Oyo State.

According to the Chairman of the Psaltry Foundation Scholarship Scheme, Alhaji Saheed Alaran during a parley with journalists in Iseyin on Saturday, the screening was put in place to ascertain those in real need of higher education, as the foundation was poised to cater for the children of farmers with no financial power to give support.

The former Chairman of Iseyin local government added that the scheme will cover hundred beneficiaries to study in courses in Law, Medicine, Agronomy, Engineering and sundry courses, with support for feeding and accommodation.

“This scheme was planned to benefit the children of mainly farmers who are willing to have academic achievement and get to management positions at Psaltry Farms Limited and other organizations.

“This screening will only help to pick those who are willing to work for the scholarship, it is part of the measures to give the beneficiaries opportunity to sit up and make better decisions about their futures,” he told reporters.

He went on to inform reporters that the registration forms for the scholarship scheme were still open to beneficiaries to obtain and submit till Friday 24th May, 2024.

Ogun State Government has demolished some illegally constructed buildings, that are shanties in the state. It’s part of the effort of the government to ensure that unapproved structures are not in the state.

Most of the shanties are under bridges and some other places across the southwest state. Online Parrot News had reported that Lagos State Government is also seriously demolishing shanties across the state.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Environment, Farouk Akintunde said the demolition became necessary after the expiration of the deadline given to the traders and people living there. He led the exercise.

Akintunde said, “We have issued them a notice since last year, but they refused to leave. The notice has expired. That is why we are here to demolish all makeshift, shanties, and illegal structures.

“These shanties have become a hideout for criminal elements, and the government won’t tolerate such. It is a continuous exercise.”

Our correspondents reported that the exercise took place in Abeokuta, the state capital.

President Bola Tinubu will commission the 76.67km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso road, which is the latest of the road construction revolution embarked upon by Governor Seyi Makinde.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

According to the statement, the commissioning ceremony will hold at Randa area, Ogbomoso on Thursday 30th May, 2024, by 10am.

The Information Commissioner said the uniqueness of the latest road named after the late former governor of Oyo State Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Expressway is that it was constructed on a rocky, water-infested virgin land that was used mainly by traders and Fulanis who traversed the path by trekking from Oke-Ogun interland to the North and vice-versa.

Prince Oyelade reiterated that the road has joined the long list of inter-zonal and intra-zonal road projects completed by the Seyi Makinde administration which runs into over 300km with many others under construction.

The information commissioner recalled that the Ibadan-Iseyin 65km road was commissioned on June 3rd, 2021.

With the commissioning of the Alao-Akala Memorial Express road, motorists can now ply the 142km Ibadan-Iseyin-Ogbomoso road on exclusively State road.

In another development, Prince Oyelade revealed the official date for the final burial ceremony of the late Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun.

The commissioner said all is now set for the final burial rites taking place on the 8th of June, 2024 at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.

He said that the burial committee set up by Gov. Seyi Makinde is chaired by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Segun Olayiwola, while other members include the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Toyin Balogun and the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Other members are the Asipa Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Biodun Kola-Daisi, the Osi Balogun of Ibadanland, Oba Lateef Adebimpe, a former Head of Service, Chief Tajudeen Aremu who is also the Bobajiro of Ibadanland, the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba
Olasunkanmi Abioye, representing the Baales and Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, representing the Mogajis and representatives of the family of late Olubadan.

E-signed
Prince Dotun Oyelade
Honourable Commissioner for
Information and Orientation
Oyo State
18th May, 2024.

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for conferring the highest honour in the land, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the Awujale of
Ijebuland, Alaiyeluwa Oba (Dr) Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

Prince Abiodun, who visited the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday evening, also commended the President for directing the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, to take over the operations and management of the Sikiru Adetona School of Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Governor Abiodun also spoke on the commitment of his administration to the ‘Renewed Hope’ vision of the Tinubu-led administration to ensure a better Nigeria.

Prince Abiodun said: “I had the honour of meeting with our dear President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to express my deepest appreciation on behalf of Kabiyesi, the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, and the government and good people of Ogun State.

“I conveyed our gratitude for the honour accorded to His Royal Majesty by the high-powered Federal delegation that attended the commissioning ceremony of the Sikiru Adetona School of Governance at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, in celebration of the 90th birthday and 64th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Alayeluwa, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON, Ogbagba II, the Awujale, and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland.

“During the meeting, I thanked His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the presence of His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR, at the event, which added grandeur and importance to the occasion.

“Of particular significance was the announcement made by His Excellency regarding the conferment of the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Kabiyesi, the Awujale of Ijebuland, and the directive for the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos, to take over the operations and management of the Sikiru Adetona School of Governance. We expressed our appreciation and humility for His Excellency’s display of magnanimity with this announcement.

“I highlighted the kind remarks and encomiums showered on His Royal Majesty in a tribute letter addressed to Kabiyesi by His Excellency, which were indeed heartwarming.

“As Governor of Ogun State, I reaffirmed our commitment to aligning with His Excellency’s Renewed Hope vision for a better Nigeria, as evidenced in his socio-economic transformative initiatives and policies aimed at putting our nation on a sound footing.”

Oyo State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has graciously approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers to the Public Primary School as well as 100 caregivers for special schools across the 33 local government areas.

The announcement was made by Dr. Nureni Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), during a press conference in Ibadan.

Dr. Adeniran revealed that the first stage of the recruitment process has already begun.

“The preliminary work has commenced, and we have made the details public. This recruitment is essential to address the vacancies in our primary schools and special education centers,” he stated.

Emphasizing the state’s commitment to equitable distribution, Dr. Adeniran explained that the recruitment would be localized to ensure that people work within their respective local government.

“Applicants must be residents of the local government where they intend to work. Those who falsely claim to belong to a different local government will not be considered,” he clarified.

Dr. Adeniran also issued a stern warning to potential applicants to be cautious of scammers.

“All necessary information regarding the recruitment process will be made public. We urge applicants to come directly to the SUBEB office for accurate information.

“No one has been authorized to collect any money from applicants during this process,” he warned.

He reiterated that the recruitment would be strictly based on merit.

“We are committed to ensuring that this recruitment is transparent and based solely on qualifications and abilities.

“The goal is to improve the quality of education in Oyo State by hiring the most capable individuals,” Dr. Adeniran concluded.

Dr. Adeniran added that special consideration will be given to people with disabilities.

“Inclusivity is a priority for us, and we will ensure that individuals with disabilities are adequately represented in this recruitment process,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of computer literacy for recruits.

“In today’s digital age, it is crucial that our teachers and caregivers are proficient with technology. Computer literacy will be a key requirement for all applicants,” he added.