The Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Labour Matters, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo has said that there is no rift between the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Oyo state chapter and the state government.
This he said while reacting to an ultimatum by the NLC State chairman, Kayode Martins, that there would be a sit-at-home by the end of October if an agreement was not reached by both parties on implementing a N35,000 wage award for workers in the state.
Comrade Titilola-Sodo while featuring on Crest FM’s Breakfast Show on Wednesday, stressed that the reason the N35,000 wage award has not been concluded by the 11 man committee set up to negotiate with labor, is due to the ultimatum given to the Oyo State Government by a “faction” of NLC Oyo state chapter.
While commenting on the palliative measures rolled out by the government, the Special Adviser noted that what was given to the most vulnerable was not palliative but food assistance.
He said the SAfER intervention measures are in different phases in which the state government has done three phases and the next phase will address the workers of the state.
Comrade Sodo then appreciated the labour unions for not embarking on the planned strike.
He further said that the Oyo state government will continually engage the labour unions and also rely on the feedback received from various agencies to better cushion the effects of the hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidy on petrol.
The Aseyin of Iseyin has today welcomed his newly wedded wife to the ancient Palace of Iseyin after necessary rites were done in Lagos.
Oba Sefiu Oyebola Adeyeri III was announced last month by Oyo State Government as the new Aseyin of last month after the kingmakers’ declaration. The new Olori is now the second wife of the traditional ruler.
The new bride, Maryam Omoronke Abike was officially betrothed to Oba Oyebola today Thursday at a planned Nikkah programme held in Lagos.
The new bride was immediately taken to the Aseyin’s palace upon arrival at Iseyin to meet the Kabiyesi after which a befitting party will follow at Iseyin.
The new ‘Olori Aseyin’ is an indigene of Osogbo in Osun State and her parents have for long, lived at Oyo township.
Meanwhile the coronation of Oba Olawale has been officially approved by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde last week Thursday and the ceremony is due to hold in a matter of weeks.
The duo of Oyo State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and Trade Union Congress have directed workers to pack their personal belongings from offices as from Friday while they finalize decision to commence strike action on Monday through a congressional resolution.
This statement was signed and sent to Oduduwa News by the State Chairmen of NLC and TUC, Comrade Kayode Martins and Olabiyi Bosun as read in part:
“Joint press statement Issued by the Oyo State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)
We bring warm Fraternal greetings to Workers and Pensioners in Oyo State from the Leadership of both NLC & TUC. Arising from the joint SAC & SEC meeting of the two Labour Centers held today Thursday 2nd November 2023, the following decision were taken.
(1) We, the Oyo State Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), stand united and strongly condemn in totality the recent attack on the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress by the Nigerian Police in Imo State on Wednesday 2nd November 2023 by the hopeless Government of Hope Uzodinma and police Force .We view this egregious incident as an affront to the fundamental rights and liberties of the Nigerian labour force, and an alarming manifestation of the tyrannical tendencies displayed by some State Governments towards the labour movement.
It is evident that the principles of social justice and the rights of workers are being disregarded in some quarters. We strongly assert that the Labour movement is a vital pillar of our democracy and must be allowed to function without fear of harassment or intimidation.
In conclusion, we, the Oyo State NLC and TUC, wish to make it clear that we will not take this attack on the National President of the NLC or any Labour Leader lightly. We stand resolute in our commitment to defending the rights and welfare of workers in Oyo State and throughout Nigeria. We call upon the labor community, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning Nigerians to join us in condemning this act and demanding justice, only Constructive Negotiations that would lead to Agreements and implementation can lead to Good Governance.
Our struggle for workers’ rights and social justice will not be deterred by acts of tyranny. Together, we shall prevail in our pursuit of a just and equitable society, where the rights and dignity of all workers are upheld and protected. (2) After the expiration of the ultimatum served on the State Government who are yet to profer Lasting solution to our Grievances, All Workers ( should pick all their personal belongings from office on Friday 3rd November 2023) and Pensioners in the State are to resume at NLC Secretariat Agodi Gate on Monday 6th November 2023 for the Largest Congress in the history of Oyo State for further Directive.
(3) We also condemn the continued verbal assault and insult by the S A Labour Mr Titi-Lola Sodo to Workers , Pensioners and the Labour Movement of Oyo State”.
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission last night released 58 out of 69 students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, arrested earlier on Wednesday, November 1. had earlier reported that operatives of the anti-graft agency carried out a sting operation and arrested no fewer than 70 students of the university.
The officials stormed the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, at about 2am, broke into rooms, and arrested the students.
Statement released by the agency claimed that they were arrested following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in fraudulent internet-related activities. The agency claimed credible intelligence linked Oduduwa Estate with activities of suspected internet fraudsters.
The statement mentioned that items recovered include exotic cars, 190 mobile phones and 40 laptops among others.
Later in the night, 58 of the arrested students were released.
President Tinubu, on Monday, said Nigeria’s power sector privatisation had failed to meet its objectives, as the national grid was serving only about 15 per cent of the country’s electricity demand despite being privatised 10 years ago. Tinubu canvasses N2tn Discos’ recapitalisation, tariff review.
Tinubu, who spoke during the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry market participants and stakeholder roundtable that focused on privatisation, also called for the recapitalisation of power distribution companies.
Represented by the Special Adviser, Energy and Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, Sodiq Wanka, the President said, “10 years on, I believe it is fair to say that the objectives of sector privatisation have, by and large, not been met. Over 90 million Nigerians lack access to electricity.
“The national grid only serves about 15 per cent of the country’s demand. This has left households and factories relying on expensive self-generation, which supplies 40 per cent of the country’s demand.
“What is worse is that the total amount of electricity that can be wheeled through the national grid has remained relatively flat in the last 10 years. The grid capacity has increased from just over 3,000MW to roughly 4,000MW today. Versus a 40,000MW target by 2020 that the Federal Government had set pre-privatisation.”
The President stated that the reasons for the sector’s underperformance in the last decade were well known, including deep commercial, governance and operational issues that had beleaguered the sector.
“As of Q2 2023, for every kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity sent to the grid, only 60 per cent is paid for. But as we know, even the tariff paid for that unit of electricity is far from being cost-reflective, especially in light of the recent devaluation of the naira.
“The sector has suffered chronic underinvestment, especially in transmission and distribution. Many of the successor utilities of the PHCN have failed to meet their performance
Gunshots rented the air at the office of Economic Financial Crime Commission(EFCC), Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday after students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) stormed the office in protest against the arrest of 70 of their colleagues.
The students were seen carrying placards with several inscriptions, including “My security as a student should be a priority”; “EFCC stop illegal activities”; “We are students not a criminal”; “FreeOAUstudents,” among others.
The students chanted anti-government songs and also demanded for the immediate release of their colleagues unconditionally.
However, while the students were protesting, masked operatives of EFCC started shooting into the air to scare the protesters away.
The Chairman of the National Association of University Students, Osun Campus committee, Yinka Popoola, told journalists:, “they were shooting sporadically in the air to scare us away. It is a show of shame. They did the same a few days ago at the College of Forestry. We are demanding for unconditional release of all the students that were arrested.”
Over 70 students of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife Osun State were reportedly arrested by officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a midnight raid on hostels outside the campus.
Multiple sources in Ile-Ife confirmed to our correspondent on Wednesday morning that the officials, around 2 a.m., stormed the Fine Touch and Superb hostels in Oduduwa Estate, Ile-Ife, broke into rooms, and arrested the students.
Reasons for the arrest have not been confirmed as of press time, but the Students’ Union President, Abass Ojo, said the union had details of “72 students picked up from the hostel with phones and cars taken away.”
A former union official, Joy Abiola, told our correspondent that the students were beaten.
“The EFCC officials came between 1:40 a.m and 4:00 a.m. Only students stay in those hostels,” Joy said, adding, “How can you arrest people for owning iPhones, laptops, and cars?”
Another student, identified simply as Ewatee, said, “Female students were among those picked up. Even some fresh students who just went to greet their senior colleagues were arrested. The approach is wrong.”
In a video shared with our correspondent, taken by one of the students, several young persons said to be students of the hostel were seen being marched into a white Hummer Bus with some security officials hitting them and ordering them to move and enter quickly.
In another video, about six vehicles were seen alongside the white Hummer Bus on the move.
Students said the officials were leaving the Ile-Ife area and heading to Ibadan.
Contacted, the head of Public Affairs Department of the EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command, Olumide Egbodofo, said an update would be given on the incident.
The Ogun State government-owned So-Safe Corps, on Monday, admitted killing a pastor, Adeniyi Adisa, in a shoot-out with suspected kidnappers on July 1, 2023.
Some gunmen had reportedly stormed a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at Abule-Ori in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state, where they killed a pastor and abducted seven worshippers.
The Commander of the Ogun State So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzallo, while confirming the incident, said his officers later rescued the seven church members and killed one of the kidnappers during the operation.
But three months after the incident, Ganzallo admitted that Adisa was also kidnapped at a different location by the gang of hoodlums who attacked the Redeemed Church.
Adisa, a pastor in charge of Latter Rain Revival Christian Church, Olaogun, Ibadan, Oyo State, was said to have been kidnapped on June 24 while returning from a visit to a friend in the Yotomi area, Owode Egba in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Ganzallo cleared the air while addressing newsmen on the controversy at the Corps’ head office in Abeokuta, alongside the family members of the slain pastor.
Ganzallo said “It will be recalled that on July 1st, our officers responding to a distress call at Abule-Ori community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state moved in and were able to rescue seven church members earlier kidnapped in a church. That same night, the Corps decided to trail the kidnappers and it was during the operation when the officers engaged in a shoot-out with the kidnappers that the unintended event happened.
“It was really an unfortunate situation, a very sad one that none of us is happy about. After this incident, So Safe issued a release to the members of the public that several kidnapped church members were rescued while one of the kidnappers was gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“We however later got to know in the course of our investigation that the suspect killed was not a kidnapper but Pastor Adeniyi Adisa of Oke Oluokun, Ibadan, Oyo State who had earlier been kidnapped by the kidnappers and probably brought along to be freed after collecting the ransom before going for their next operation.”
Three persons died on Tuesday while two sustained serious injuries in a road accident along the Itamaga-Ijede road in Ikorodu, near Lagos.
The accident which occurred at about 8:05 am involved a Toyota Camry car and a tricycle.
The car, which was on high speed, crossed the other side of the road and rammed into the tricycle, killing three passengers – one adult and two school children on the spot.
One of the injured, a secondary school student, who relapsed into coma was rushed to hospital along with the tricycle driver for medical attention.
The driver of the Camry car, however, took to his heels immediately after the incident.
A witness at the scene of the incident, said that the car was heading toward Ijede, a community in Ikorodu and was on top speed, making it impossible for the driver to control the vehicle before it rammed into the tricycle, which was heading to Ikorodu Garage.
The crash occurred near Cele Bus-Stop at Ijede in the Ijede Local Council Development Area.
It was learnt that police operatives later came to the scene of the accident and towed the tricycle and the car to the police station in Ijede.
“If we have chosen the position in life in which we can most of all work for mankind, no burdens can bow us down, because they are sacrifices for the benefit of all; then we shall experience no petty, limited, selfish joy, but our happiness will belong to millions, our deeds will live on quietly but perpetually at work, and over our ashes will be shed the hot tears of noble people.” – Karl Marx.
Whenever I see the nearly-impassable Iseyin-Okeho road, especially at those points where the roads have collapsed and motorists now have to navigate the bush to get by, I remember that the Honorable member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Oyeshina Oyedeji will soon get delivery of a #130million SUV bulletproof Jeep to do ‘oversight functions’.
My letter is not aimed to dissuade him from taking his own SUV, he must have already done so. It is for him to rise above ‘selfish joy’ as Karl Marx put it up here in his quote, and work assiduously for the ‘benefit of all’, by finding a lasting solution to the jinxed Iseyin-Okeho road.
I remember that during his term in office, the erstwhile honorable representing this constituency, Hon. Abiodun Olasupo once exposed the corruption associated with the road, saying whatever fund allocated for palliative measures on the road then were shared at Abuja by the contractor and some big wigs over there. He went against them and forced the contractor to spend the fund for 2017 and a stretch of the road was tarred, leaving about two kilometers to Okeho town that year.
That was when people were able to use this road after an abandonment that lasted almost a decade. During the second term of the last administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister for Works, Mr. Babatunde Fasola visited the road and it was announced that the road would be reconstructed. The palliative platform was scraped and up till today, nothing concrete was done. The culverts put in place since then have been abandoned and today, we are back to two decades again.
This is not a medium for me to demand what Hon. O-Shine has achieved within the short period he got to the Green Chambers, though some of his colleagues that have just got there anew are pointing to one thing or the other, but it is time for him to start working on this particular road by reaching out to the concerned federal ministries and agencies.
At least we have the compendium of the achievements of Honorable Kola Olabiyi, Abiodun Olasupo, Shina Peller and those who came before them in the areas of human capital development, social infrastructure and good legislation with us, we are cataloguing yours too, though our pens are still hanging, as we see nothing yet to write about.
Oke-Ogun region, which Okeho community is a part of and which is the hometown of the lawmaker, is the proud food basket of not just the Southwestern Nigeria, but Nigeria, this road, like the Moniya-Iseyin road, Iseyin-Fapote-Ognomoso road, Iseyin-Oyo road, Saki-Okerete road and the Saki-Sepeteri road, reconstructed by the incumbent administration in Oyo State, will add socioeconomic values in the areas of agribusiness, solid minerals in mining of natural resources along the Iwajowa axis, which will propel employment opportunities and good standard of living for the people.
I am not begging you to go cap-in-hand to solicit for the good of your own people from those hoarding it at Abuja, I’m begging you to do all you can and more, so that upon “your ashes, will be shed hot tears of noble people”, as your deeds on Iseyin-Okeho road will then be remembered for eternity as we remember those of Honorables that came before you.
