The Ibadan Prime Youth Forum (IPYF) on Monday congratulates the new Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan as he resumes Office, describes him as a round peg in a round hole.
In a statement by the National Coordinator, Dr Oluwatunmise Adeagbo said “On behalf of all the youths of Ibadanland under the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes with the name IPYF, we congratulate Professor Adebowale on this mile stone achievement. We knew when the agitation for having an Ibadan-born as the VC started, and we are happy that it’s happening while we are alive. It is not that the University has never produced any competent Indigene who are qualified for the position, but the problem has always been politics, we are glad that this time around, a competent son of the soil has been given the mantle of leadership, given his wealth of experience in academics and administration, we believe that he will make a difference”
Prof. Adebowale was born on 11 January, 1962 in Ibadan, Oyo state. He completed his B.Sc in Chemistry in 1984; M.Sc in Industrial Chemistry in 1986 and Ph.D in 1991.
The new Vice Chancellor began his academic career at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in October, 1991, as a Lecturer Grade II. He returned to UI in 1999 as a Senior Lecturer and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in October 2006. He had post-doctoral experience in Germany and Italy. His cognate administrative experience includes: Dean, Faculty of Science, 2009-2011; Director Special Duties Office of the Vice-Chancellor, 2015-2017 and two-term Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), 2018 till he was appointed.
He is a Fellow of the following learned societies: Science Association of Nigeria; Chemical Society of Nigeria; Polymer Institute of Nigeria and the Nigerian Academy of Science.
Outside the shores of the country, Professor Adebowale is a Fellow Royal Society of Chemistry (UK); African Academy of Science (Kenya), and Alexander von Humboldt (Germany). He is happily married with three children.
The National Coordinator of the Forum Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo also admonishes the the new VC to use his experiences to sustain and improve the standard of the University achievement both in academics and other areas.
“Let me also add that University of Ibadan is known for greatness, the University has won many medals in Science, Arts and other areas, we want the new VC to sustain this and improve on them, we have no doubt in his ability to succeed and we pray that the Lord be with him”
Eventually, the much-touted PDP convention has come and gone. The convention; amidst court case instituted by the erstwhile national chairman of the party, Prince Secondus, began on October 30th and ended on 31st of same month.
The convention was at the instance of the election and ratification of National Executive Council officials. The National Executive Committee is the body saddled with the responsibility of running the affairs of the party. The body is crucial to the presidential primary of the party.
The issue of who controls the party machinery is not a child’s play. The fierceness that is associated with the exercise is understandable because the convention is a battle ground to test wits, popularity and relevance. Thus, the unending maneuvering and nocturnal meetings.
There are power blocs in every party. Meanwhile, the most vocal bloc is the governors’ forum. Senators’ forum and others are not as powerful as the committee of state governors.
Political parties get funds from elected officers in form of levies, donations from wealthy political bigwigs and gratifications from manufacturing cum construction companies. The list is endless. However, the bulk of the fund comes from the governors. Thus, their over-bearing influence. As long as the governors remain the major financiers of a political party, the control of the structure would reside in them. He who pays the Piper, dictates the tune.
The victories of both Dr. Ayu as national chairman and Taofeek Arapaja as Deputy Chairman South are products of secret cult – like relationship amongst the governors. Dr. Iyorchia Ayu is a known figure in the party. He was once a senate president in Nigeria. Ayu was the candidate of his state governor, Ortom while Taofeek Arapaja, who himself was once a deputy governor to Alao Akala of Oyo state was the annointed candidate of governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
It was reported that two hours before voting, Atiku, Saraki and Lamido shrugged off their big men status as they made their way to state pavilions housing delegates to lure delegates in support for Oyinlola. The deft move was meant to neutralize the influence of the governors. However, the move turned out an exercise in futility as Arapaja polled a whooping total of 2,004 votes to beat Oyinlola’s meagre votes of 705 .
The defeat of former governor of osun state, Oyinlola by Taofeek Arapaja was as a result of his closeness to Obasanjo. The governors of the party are obviously not pleased with any retired general dictating the pace in the party again. Whatever respect they hitherto had for them; especially OBJ, may have vanished due to the manner with which the former president disgraced the party when he tore his membership ID card in the full glare of the world. The action of Obasanjo was a misnormer. It was least expected of a personality like him. Obasanjo should not have torn the identity card in the public. One expected somebody like him to be able to control his adrenaline. Adrenal gland controls anger. Anger lacks timidity.
The action of Obasanjo was in the governors’ blast radius. It drew the ire of the governors and that was why his influence was laid to waste. Oyinlola was also a former governor but his intimacy with Obasanjo was his albatross. That he once ditched the party for APC was another stroke in the camel’s back.
One noticeable development within the party is the uncommon love now existing within the rank and file of PDP governors. For the first time in the history of the party, the governors now speak with one voice. The unanimity in the decisions taken so far; from the ouster of Uche Seconds to the convention is a testament to the mutual trust. Party positions were shared amongst the governors and were followed to the letter without much ado, legal tussle to stop the convention were unanimously confronted, the spirit of comraderie is waxing and regular communication within the party governors’ forum has improved. With this new-foumd love, it may be difficult for an “alien” to emerge as the party’s presidential election in 2023. The situation this time would be different from what transpired in the last convention where Alhaji Atiku stole the show despite the gang-up from some Rivers State governor, Wike. Governor Wike had threw his weight behind Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto with a reported caveat and a treaty that he would be picked as running mate.
Meanwhile, politics is not religion. Political trust is not wholesome. In politics, one needs to have a shock absorber. According to Asiwaju Tinubu; ” I have always prepared for disappointment”. This is wisdom. The interpretation of which is the non-existence of permanent friend or foe in politics. Former Oyo state governor, Senator Ladoja once gave an admonition that anything is possible in politics. No matter the vituperation and public criticism, politicians are always friends. Alhaji Atiku stood in as the groom’s father when Buhari’s son was wedding. The president was physically present. This is the politics of my dream. A political co-habitation where politicians could dine and wine together without suspicion. A situation where campaign would be issue-based. A situation where the atmosphere would be free from campaign of calumny and where political supporters would not fan embers of discord. Permit me to salute the courage of former governor Fayose on this aspect. It was only Fayose, outside APC, that went to visit Tinubu after his return from London medical treatment.
The administrative acumen of the convention planning committee chairman and Secretary are commendable. The duo of Governors Fintiri of Adamawa and Engineer Seyi Makinde of Oyo state did a yeoman’s job. They deserve a credit.
Now that the convention is over, two crucial issues await PDP. The threat by Secondus to approach supreme Court and the battle to pick 2023 presidential aspirants from the likes of the perennial presidential hopeful Atiku, Tambuwal and Saraki. Coincidentally, the trio were at the forefront in the last presidential primary convention.
All the same, the earlier the party mends fences, the more potent their opposition to APC come 2023.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News.
PDP Elects New Members Of National Working Committee At The National Convention. See Full List.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has just elected a new set of members into its National Working Committee (NWC) to take over the leadership of the party.
Twenty-one people were elected at the party national convention which began on Saturday October 30 and lasted till Sunday October 31 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
See the full list of the newly-elected national officials:
National Chairman – Iyorchia Ayu
Deputy National Chairman (North) – Umar Damagum (Contested)
Deputy National Chairman (South) – Taofeek Arapaja (Contested)
National Secretary – Samuel Anyanwu (Unopposed)
National Treasurer – Ahmed Mohammed (Unopposed)
National Organising Secretary – Umar Bature (Unopposed)
National Financial Secretary – Daniel Woyegikuro (Unopposed)
National Women’s Leader – Professor Stella Effah-Attoe (Unopposed)
National Youth Leader – Muhammed Suleiman (Contested)
National Legal Adviser – Kamaldeen Ajibade (Unopposed)
National Publicity Secretary – Debo Ologunagba (Unopposed)
National Auditor – Okechuckwu Daniel (Unopposed)
Deputy National Secretary – Setoji Kosheodo (Unopposed)
Deputy National Treasurer – Ndubisi David (Unopposed)
Deputy National Publicity Secretary – Ibrahim Abdullahi (Unopposed)
Deputy National Organising Secretary – Ighoyota Amori (Unopposed)
Deputy National Financial Secretary – Adamu Kamale (Unopposed)
Deputy National Women’s Leader – Hajara Wanka (Unopposed)
Deputy National Youth Leader – Timothy Osadolor (Unopposed)
Deputy National Legal Adviser – Okechukwu Osuoha (Unopposed)
Deputy National Auditor – Abdulrahman Mohammed (Unopposed)
Hon. Akeem Raheem on Sunday congratulate the National Deputy Chairman Elect, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja described the victory as a result of true leader of Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Hon. Akeem Raheem who’s the Executive Chairman of Oorelope Local Government also appreciated the people of Oyo State for standing solidly behind His Excellency for this victory.
“On behalf of the people of Oorelope Local Government, I Congratulate our leader, the National Deputy Chairman Elect, South, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja on his landmark victory, this victory is a reflect of the exemplary leadership of his Excellency, Gov. Abiodun Oluseyi Makinde, the People’s Governor”
“I want to reiterate that the victory is a well deserved one, and His Excellency, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja will deliver beyond our expectation, considering his wealth of experience in administration and leadership”
The chairman encourages the people not to give up yet on the National, as the Party is ready to re-build the collapsed economy on their return to power at the Federal in 2023
“This is a charge to our people, there’s still hope, and PDP is the hope, we are coming back to power to re-build Nigeria” he added.
The Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Taofeek Arapaja on Sunday morning was declared the the Deputy National Chairman Elect (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Arapaja who was the candidate of the of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, garnered 2,004 votes to defeat his only opponent, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a Former Governor of Osun State, who polled 705 votes.
A total of 165 votes were declared invalid.
The result of the election was announced by the electoral officers at 3:32 am after about two hours of sorting and counting.
The Executive Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Hon. Akeem Raheem on Saturday commended the leadership of the ongoing People’s Democratic Party National Convention holding at Abuja for holding up to the tenet of True Democracy.
The Chairman, in a statement while reacting to the manner and conduct in which the Convention is going said that People’s Democratic Party is the only party in Nigeria who abides with the principle of democracy.
“I must commend the leadership of PDP National Convention under the leadership of Gov. Fintiri as Chairman, and my own boss and leader, Gov. Seyi Makinde as secretary, for the good job they are doing in ensuring that they give Nigerians the best. It should be on note, that our Party is the only Party holding the principle of True Democracy and this is evident in the peaceful and we’ll coordinated manner the Convention is going, with this conduct, I’m convinced that our Party will take back the leadership of Nigeria come 2023, and rescue the Nation collapsing”
The Chairman also wishes Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja well, and pray that he succeed as the National Deputy Chairman (South) of the party.
“My prayers, and thought, including those of the good people of Oorelope are we with our leader, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, and we pray that he comes out in victory, we believe in his leadership, and know that he will perform excellently well as the Deputy National Chairman of our Party”
The All Progressive Congress, Oyo state Chapter has announced the results of the election of the new Executive council members to succeed Chief Akin Oke.
Honourable Isaac Omodewu emerged as the Chairman, while Alhaji Olaide Moshood Abass emerged as Deputy
Other newly elected members included, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, Oyo Federal Senatorial Chairman, Mr. Joshua Oyebamiji Atiku. The State Secretary emerged was, Prince Tajudeen Lannipe, The state woman Leader, Alhaja Sijuade Adigun, the State legal Adviser, Abdul Salam Muhammed Deji.
Other appointed excecutive are: Aremu John Oyetunji, Alhaji Busari.
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo hosted the National leader of the All Progressive Congress, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu today in Abuja.
Tinubu visitation follows the widely spread rumor by some supports of the Vice President, that Prof. Yemi will be contesting against Ashiwaju Bola Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential Election.
As at the time of filling this report, the Vice President is yet to make any public comment on such ambition.
The Government of Oyo State has warned parents, principals and other school administrators to be vigilant as kidnappers have devised new method to abduct school children. According to the statement released from the office of Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, the kidnappers who disguise by wearing a school child a uniform to look like a real student in their cars with an attempt that they would be stopped along their way by unsuspecting students who will then ask to be lifted to their respective destinations.
The attached below is the circular released by the State Government on the new method being abducted by the kidnappers.
The Governor of Ekiti State has flagged off the construction of Bus Terminal in Ekiti State.
This was contained in a statement released by the Governor via his personal Facebook account as read in part:
“A functional, efficient, and integrated transport system is critical to urban development. This is why we are investing in modern transport infrastructure to unlock the potential that abound in this sector.
“Yesterday, I flagged off the construction of Bus Terminal along Ijigbo-Okeyinmi Road, Ado-Ekiti and remodelling of the Ado Central Business District, as well as the construction of 19km Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Dual Carriage Way.
“These projects are in line with our vision to make our state capital an ultra-modern Central Business District.
“When completed, the bus terminal will address the issue of indiscriminate parking and disorganized motor park activities in our state capital, which have contributed to creating traffic gridlocks within the metropolis.
“The Central Business District will also serve as a hub for all business related activities within Ado-Ekiti axis with facilities to include civil works (roads, parking lots, opened and covered pedestrian walkways), terminal building, drivers lounge, clinic, shops, cargo building, fencing, external electrical/mechanical installation, covered bus stop, restaurant/shops, amongst others”.
