Oduduwa News

The Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Communication(NCC),Professor Adeolu Akande has called on the governor of Oyo State,Engr Seyi Makinde, to respect the autonomy of tertiary institutions in the state to ensure quality education and academic freedom in the institutions.

According to Akande, a Professor of Political Science, Makinde’s frequent interference in the administration of tertiary institutions has the danger of turning them into mere departments of government with the attendant consequence of stifling the performance of the institutions in their primary duties of research,manpower development and community service.

It will be recalled that Engr Makinde recently directed the Vice Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University(LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Professor Michael Ologunde to resign from office. In addition, the governor introduced consultants to the management of tertiary institutions, undermining the authority of their governing councils.

Professor Akande said the removal of the Vice-Chancellor of LAUTECH is against the laws setting up the University and global best practice in the administration of universities.

“The governor, as the Visitor to the university, has appointed a governing council to oversee the affairs of the university. Whatever inadequacies noticed in the conduct of the Vice-Chancellor should have been reported to the governing council, who will investigate and decide the necessary course of action in accordance with the laws of the university.

“The approach adopted by Engr Makinde violates the spirit of the law and is tantamount to a miscarriage of justice.

The allegations against the Vice-Chancellor were not investigated according to the regulations of the university and the victim may have been punished for an offence he did not commit. This is against natural justice.

“The approach of Governor Makinde is fraught with danger. Oyo State is not a one-man business; due process must be followed in the exercise of power otherwise the governor will unleash a chain of crisis that will undermine the development of the state.”

“LAUTECH is an important institution that is dear to the people of Oyo State and its affairs should be handled with care to avoid a return to the crisis that had slowed down the giant strides of the institution.

“The institution started strong in April 1990 and it quickly established itself not only as the best state university but one of the best universities in the country. I commend Engr Makinde for the initiatives that brought the University out of its ownership crisis. I however plead that he should respect the time-worn tradition of university autonomy to return LAUTECH to its old glory and avoid a relapse into crisis.

“Engr Makinde should extend this respect for the autonomy of tertiary institutions to other higher institutions in Oyo state so that they can discharge their responsibilities without undue official interference.”

“The introduction of a consultant to collect revenue and supervise expenditure is alien to the autonomy of the institutions. The law allows the governor to appoint a governing council of his choice to superintend the affairs of the institutions. It is incumbent on the governor to appoint men of honour and integrity into the governing councils which will ensure they respect government financial regulations in their transactions. The introduction of consultants to perform the functions of the councils under the guise of seeking financial integrity is a suggestion by the governor that he appointed men of shady characters to the councils. That would be sad if it is so.”

The Oyo State Executive Council has approved the sum of N279.2 million for the production of ballot papers to be used for forthcoming local government election.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr.Wasiu Olatunbosun, who disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the 9th executive council meeting of year 2021, also stated that the production is directly awarded to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, NSPMC.

He said the government did this to show its seriousness and commitment towards conducting free and fair local government election.
He said: “The Council approved the production of ballot papers to be used for the forthcoming local government election, which is scheduled to hold on May 15, 2021. And the production is directly awarded to Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company.
“We did this to show how serious and transparent we are and how prepared this administration is towards the forthcoming election. We are giving the contract for the production out to a reputable printing company known for printing of security materials.
“In the past elections in the state, they made use of the government printing press, but, this time around, we want a third party to handle this sensitive material so that nobody will have access to the ballot papers.”
Also, the council approved the construction of a new Oyo State Governor’s Lodge at No 2, John Kadiya Close, Abuja, through alternative project funding approach (APFA) at the cost of N1,201,760,000.
The Commissioner for Public Works and Infrastructure, Prof. Kehinde Sangodoyin, who stated this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the executive council meeting, added that the project will be completed in the next six months.
The commissioner stated that the lodge will have the Governor’s Lodge, Deputy Governor’s Lodge, some chalets, fittings and some furniture, which he said will be of modern type, adding that this is part of what the present administration will leave behind as legacy.
“The executive council has approved the construction of the new Governor’s Lodge at No 2. John Kadiya Close, Abuja, which is under APFA.
“The lodge has been there for a while and our government noticed the dilapidated condition. The new lodge will have the Governor’s Lodge, Deputy Governor’s Lodge, some chalets, fittings and some furniture, which will be of modern type. This is part of what the administration will leave behind.
“The edifice will cost the government of Oyo State the sum of N1,201,760,000 only. Once the construction has been awarded, the duration for the completion of the project is just six months. So, it is believed that six months after the award of the contract, the project will be completed and it will have the facilities I have mentioned earlier.”
Similarly, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Barr. Abiodun Abdu-Raheem, said the council approved the construction of two modern Government Reserved Areas for residents of Oyo State, adding that new GRAs will be well-packaged so that they can meet the test of time.
He said the two GRAs are the late Lere Adigun GRA, which is behind the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) and the other one is named after Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, which is along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“Furthermore, we have two GRAs that we have packaged in a way that shows a new narrative that is different from what we are used to.
“You know that the GRAs we have in Ibadan don’t have the infrastructure but the new ones we are bringing on board are well-packaged and they can meet the test of time.
“The GRAs on the ground now are late Lere Adigun GRA, which is behind BCOS, and the other one is named after Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, which is along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. We have been welcoming applications on these GRAs.”
He also used the medium to explain the activities of the ministry and some products available for the benefit of the people of Oyo State
“This afternoon, we showcased the products of the Ministry in a very symbolic way and that is why we made a request that all members of the exco, including the governor, should dorn our customised shirts, which indicate that we are working for the state.
“We are with the good people of Oyo State, which is a sort of obligation on our part that, within a certain period of time, we are going to make some products available for the benefit of the people of Oyo State.”
He said that the ministry is vigorously marketing the payment of Land Use Charge, 60 days C of O and collection of land and property titles.
“We are using members of the Executive as a point of contact to the people with regards to our activities. We noticed that before the inception of this government, the trust index has been very low but we thank God that with the activities of the present government and other laudable programmes that this government is coming up with, the trust index has improved and we want to leverage on that to sell our products to the people.”
Signed
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde
April 20, 2021.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has described the judgement of the State Election Tribunal as a true reflection of the position of the Law and the collective wish of the people.

Governor Akeredolu similarly posited that he had no enemies to hold any grudges against as a result of the Tribunal case.

The Governor made this known shortly after the Election Tribunal struck out the case brought before it by Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, the PDP governorship candidate in the October 10, 2020 governorship election.

“For every purpose and mission endorsed by God, the will to navigate the clouds of uncertainties and the path of thorns becomes stronger if backed by faith. In our case, our faith is unshakable. It is, therefore, with gratitude to God that we accept the verdict of the Honourable Tribunal.

“We have gone through this legal process and the path of Justice with the hope that the true position of the Law shall once again, be examined and exposed. The industry and legal expertise demonstrated by the Honourable Tribunal has corroborated this desire.

“We were equally enamoured by the inexorable quest to renew our social bond with the good people of State while the legal tussle was on. Unambiguously, the Tribunal verdict has further fermented this bond and strengthened the wish of the people.

“Notwithstanding, the legal process was not just part of our democratic culture. Legal paths, without doubt, provide in some cases, certain opportunities that permeate fresh frontiers.

“Therefore, the ability to extend the hands of friendship, the courage to absorb even the undeserving as well as the magnanimity to reinvigorate old, relaxed relationships without grudges is what makes a real democrat. I hold no grudges against anyone.

“Once again, the good people of Ondo State, without any stratification, remain my constituents. We shall together, move the State to higher and loftier heights.

“For my brother, friend and colleague, Eyitayo Jegede, my respect for him cannot wane and I enjoin him to join hands with us in this Ondo Project. There is no victor, no vanquished

The Aba Paanu, Osoogun/Akinwumi town, Araromi LCDA of Iseyin Local Government was agog as one of the honourables at Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Dele Adeola flagged off empowerment of farmers in his Constituency.

The empowerment, a first phase which was kicked off today in Araromi LCDA having the people of Aba Paanu of Akinwumi/Osoogun as the first beneficiaries was an initiative of the honourable Dele Adeola born out of the desire to support farmers in enhancing food security, growth of Iseyin/Itesiwaju economy particularly this trying time of ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

The farmers whose farming activities have been put on hold due to lack of funds for ploughing of lands were assembled at Aba Paanu and two acres of farm lands were ploughed with tractors for each of the farmers.

It will be recalled that the pandemic has severely affected the farmers whose means of livelihood solely relying on farming outputs.

The farmers, while their farm lands were being ploughed for planting could not hide their deep feeling by expressing their profound gratitude to Adeola for coming to their aide at a time they had thought all hopes in getting succour from government seemed to be lost.

Dele Adeola while speaking, enjoined the farmers to continually support the State Government in its unrelenting efforts at revamping the economy of Oyo State through agricultural revolution.

Adeola said, he appreciated the good people of Aba Paanu, Akinwumi/Osoogun community for the support giving to him and assured them of his support in all ramifications.

He further reiterated that the empowerment was the first phase as other phases shall cut across the entire Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency.

He said, he would continue to give support to farmers because of the role they play in nation building.

“It is high time we gave support and focus more on famers to enhance food production and the state economy as a whole”, said Adeola.

The head of the community who spoke on behalf of farmers, appreciated Hon. Dele Adeola for keeping them in heart all the time and used the medium to thank Governor seyi Makinde while praying that Almighty God would continue to guide and protect them.