Oduduwa News

As part of her official tour to some key government officials and government institutions across the State, the winner of the Spelling Bee Competition and ‘One-Day’ Governor of Lagos State, Miss Gloria Eniola Ajala, on Friday, visited the Lagos State Judiciary where she acknowledged the efforts in the timely delivery of Justice, despite the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest on the Judiciary’s operations.

Miss Ajala, in her interaction with the State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, commended the State Judiciary for its efforts at making justice available to the populace and ensuring fair dispensation of justice for all regardless of status, religion or creed.

The ‘One-Day’ Governor, who was accompanied by other Runners-up in the competition during the visit, charged the Judiciary to uphold its integrity in the dispensation of justice, saying “Let integrity continue to be your watchword as you go about attending to numerous cases in the State”.

Earlier, the Hon. Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, while welcoming the delegation to the Judiciary, applauded the originator of the ‘One-Day’ Governor describing it as a very laudable initiative that had stood the test of time.

Alogba extolled Ajala for demonstrating rare eloquence, determination among her peers and for standing out in the midst of others, imploring her and other winners of the Spelling Bee competition not to be complacent with the recognition accorded them by the State Government but rather remain steadfast and aim for greater accomplishments.

The visitation to key government officials, according to the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, was informed by the need to motivate winners of the Spelling Bee and also encourage other students in public schools to aspire for excellence in their academic pursuits.

She said, “OEQA recognises the hard work that these pupils from public schools put in their academics, hence the need to reward them adequately”.

Seriki-Ayeni disclosed that apart from the privileges of meeting top government officials across the State, the Spelling Bee winner will equally be sent on a trip to Finland alongside other Runners-Up as part of the rewards for their hard work and dedication to their studies.

Members of the cabinet of the ‘One-Day’ Governor, who is a student of Lafiaji Senior High School, Lagos Island, include Miss Grace Ikhariale of TinCan Island Senior High School; Tolu Oluwatosin Akinbodewa of Iworo Ajido Senior Secondary School, Badagry; Miss Eunice Adedotun of Agbede Senior School, Ikorodu and Master Ekene Ezeunala of Meiran Community High School.

Recall that the former First Lady of Lagos State and the founder of New Era Foundation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is currently representing Lagos Senatorial District at the National Assembly, initiated the Spelling Bee Competition during the tenure of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of the State.

In line with his vision of supporting the course of standardizing the standard of education in Ibarapa and also, giving the hands of support to the diligent and indigent students across the zone, Dele Bajaj Foundation organises Scholarship Examination for the 2021 UTME applicants in Ibarapa North and Central local government areas. The exercise which witnessed over 500 students across the two local government areas was done in Three centers across the towns that constitute the two local governments.

Speaking after the exam, one of the students whose name is Oke Damilare expressed his gratitude to the foundation for their phylanthropic gesture and also urged him to extend the hand of phylanthrophy to higher institutions of learning to encourage those who have been wonderful in their course of study.

Mr Oke Wasiu Ayinde who’s the coordinator of the foundation’s UTME SCHOLARSHIP appreciated all the students and the members of the foundation for their dedication and commitment towards the goal of the foundation.

In his words, he says : “We appreciate all the students that turn out for the exercise. It’s expected that you all start seeing your results from next week and the next line of action would be sent to the qualifying 50 across board. I appreciate all the members of the foundation for their dedication and commitment towards getting this done. Likewise, my sincere gratitude to Mr Dele Bajaj for the platform. Let’s all continue to strive to better our immediate environment”

It’s gathered that 50 students who score highest from this exam would be given free jamb form with many encouraging prizes .

Ambassador Arapaja in pursuance of his ambition as the South West PDP Chairman, the ambition he tagged Unification Agenda. He visited the leadership and stakeholders of PDP in Osun State to seek for their supports.

In a press release made available to ODUDUWA NEWS signed by his Media and Publicity Assistant; Bamitale Ibrahim.

Prince Oyinlola welcomed Arapaja and his Entourage to Osun State, while appreciating all state stakeholders, who deemed it fit to attend the gathering.

In his speech, he prayed the reason for this August meeting to come to success, which is the Zonal Chairmanship ambition of Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.

According to the former Governor who likened the current situation of PDP in Osun State to the story of the biblical Israelites and pray Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja should be the next Esther of the Israelites to save the party from th current hurdles.

He recalled how masses have benefited from people oriented projects he executived as a sitting Governor from 2003-2010 and that PDP Should be back and stronger so as to liberate people from shackle and manacle of oppression as inflicted by APC. My brother, Arapaja is a man of great repute that could always be trusted to produce world class result, he added.

Arapaja thanked all leaders and stakeholders of the State for the warm reception and specially appreciated the former Governor of the state; Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola for the leadership role he is playing and even the evergreen roles he played during the time of our late leader, Oloye Ariyibi Adedibu.

He also mentioned that he had learnt alot from the Former president of the nation, Baba Olusegun Obasanjo who s Prince Oyinlola’s mentor and father of all.

He talked about how PDP has been lacking behind in the zone, owning to how the party use to take a lead of having five States out of 6 states in the zone to having just one, which is not too good for the people. Apparently, no good development in the zone since our sister party take charge.

The Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders, Kunle Olajide, has said Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, does not represent the Yoruba people in his call for secession.

Igboho recently declared that the South-West was no longer part of Nigeria, alleging marginalisation of the region and the poor situation of things in the country.

But speaking with TheCable, Olajide said Nigeria would be stronger if it remained as a unit, noting that the Yoruba people had invested so much in Nigeria’s formation and unity that it cannot consider secession.

He said: “It is his (Igboho’s) personal desire but the present circumstances in our nation do not favour and will not make it achievable, and the fact that Yorubas have invested so much in the unity of this country and the making of Nigeria. The tribe cannot choose to opt out without any adequate plans.

“I am not aware that the Yoruba nation or citizenship has given a mandate to anybody to desire their extinction from this country. So it is not a decision that can be taken by an individual or a group of individuals.”

At a meeting of all Yoruba groups held at the Western House, Parliament Buildings, Secretariat in Ibadan on Thursday, the leaders painted a grim picture of atrocities of Fulani herders in the South-West.

Similarly, some notable Yoruba leaders at the meeting suggested that June 12, 2021, should be chosen as a day to conduct a referendum among people in the South-West to decide whether to insist on restructuring or self-determination.

The meeting was themed: ‘The Paramountcy of Yoruba Unity in Tackling Insecurity Menace in Yorubaland.’

The meeting, convened by Victor Taiwo on behalf of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, attracted several associations and groups from the South-West zone.

In his remarks, Akintoye restated that the issue of self-determination for the Yoruba nation was not negotiable.

The professor of History, who was represented by Hamzat, said: “The Yoruba nation has been admitted into the United Nations Development and Planning Organisation. Self-determination should not be misconstrued for separation. Our train for self-determination has left the station. Nothing can stop it.

“We must join hands together, we should form alliances. We are already in a promised land. We need to build consensus and mobilise our people for the struggle.”

In his opening address, the chairman of the event, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, said: “In the past, they used to say Yoruba were lazy, but when they saw the exploits of Agbekoya, they knew that when Yoruba keep quiet, they are not fools.”

Also speaking, the Convener of the meeting, Taiwo, said: “Àsá is a small town in Yewaland of Ogun-State. A few weeks ago around 7.30 in the evening, there was a sudden invasion of the town by the Fulani bandits who summarily sacked the whole town with heavy gunshots.

“Those who could run for dear lives did so, and those who could not were either gunned down or slaughtered, after which they burnt their houses. Those who escaped are now refugees in the neighbouring town, falling into the Benin Republic, known as Egelu.

“Till today, they are unofficial refugees in the Benin Republic. I doubt if anybody would still be surprised at this movie-like story-line. This is the truth – right in our Ogun State here where we have a government-run by a governor. And yet we are helpless. This is a piece of the odious scenarios happening across Yorubaland today. Yes, it is that bad.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday expressed his Government’s commitment to quality education in the State, saying education will continue to be a major stake in the THEMES agenda of his administration in order to improve the learning outcome of students in public schools.

He said his government would continue to improve on the ambience of learning in public schools to bring out the best in students across the State.

Speaking on Friday while receiving the One day Governor, Miss Eniola Ajala, who is the winner of the 2018 New Era Spelling Bee Competition and her cabinet members at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the competition is about excellence to encourage students and youth population in Lagos State.

Members of the cabinet of the One Day Governor, who is a student of Lafiaji Senior High School, Lagos Island were; Miss Grace Ikhariale of TinCan Island Senior High School, Tolu (Deputy Governor); Oluwatosin Akinbodewa of Iworo Ajido Senior Secondary School, Badagry (Speaker); Miss Eunice Adedotun of Agbede Senior School, Ikorodu (Commissioner for Education) and Master Ekene Ezeunala of Meiran Community High School (Chairman, House Committee on Education).

Governor Sanwo-Olu who commended the Ministry of Education as well the Office of Education Quality Assurance in the ministry for their efforts and tenacity in improving education sector, urged students in various schools in the State not to relent on their oars to be the best and be committed to reach their goals in life.

The Governor who applauded Ajala for demonstrating confidence, knowledge, eloquence and pride, admonished her and others to be steadfast and not to allow the little feats they got to get to their heads.

He promised to fulfill the requests made by the One Day Governor, among which were rewards for teachers, principals and infrastructural improvement in schools.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also appreciated former First Lady of Lagos State and the founder of New Era foundation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who is currently representing Lagos Senatorial District in the National Assembly, for initiating the Spelling Bee Competition.

He said the competition, which had started for the 20 years was not about race nor tribe but an excellence platform available to students of public schools in Lagos.

In her remarks, the One day governor while holding an extraordinary Exco meeting with the State Executive Council at the Exco Chamber with her cabinet members, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the honour bestowed on the winners of the school competitions.

She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration THEMES agenda and how the efforts of the governor in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.

She enjoined students to be focused determined, prayerful and committed in order to overcome their challenges in life.

Ajala appealed to Governor Sanwo-Olu to provide more infrastructure in schools that produced winners of the competition, adding that her parents, who she commended for bringing her up properly, should be rewarded also by the Lagos State Government.

Speaking to journalists at the event, the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, said the winners of the Spelling Bee competition will be sponsored on a tour programme to Finland.

“Former First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu started the Spelling Bee Competition for public schools students and 20 years later the programme still exists; that says a lot about Lagos State Government. To prepare for the Spelling Bee Competition takes a lot; it takes perseverance, hardwork and consistency, and that is what we expect our students to be able to do to prepare them for the future.

“It is good to know that all the winners of the One Day Governor and Spelling Bee Competition have succeeded in their various areas. We have people that are now lawyers, Ph.D holders, medical doctors and professionals in other areas. We have those who are currently employed in Lagos State Government,” she said.

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that the Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP has just revealed the names of candidates for Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship positions in various Local Government in Oyo State.

This was contained in a statement sent to ODUDUWA NEWS today by the Secretary of the Party, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke which reads in part:

“This is to inform the below successful PDP candidates in the forthcoming Local Government election in Oyo State to start preparing for documentations which will commence very soon.
1. Ibadan North WestChairman – Hon. Rahmon Olanrewaju AdepojuVice Chairman – Hon. Ganiy Abiodun Omotoso
2. Ibadan NorthChairman – Hon. Yusuf Shuaib OladayoVice Chairman – Hon. Waheed Adeniyi Akanbi
3.Ibadan South WestChairman – Hon. Kehinde Adeyemi AkandeVice Chairman – Hon Tajudeen Adigun
4.Ibadan South EastChairman – Hon. Emmanuel Oluwole AlawodeVice Chairman – Hon. Teslim Ogundeji
5. Ibadan North East Chairman – Hon. Ibrahim AkintayoVice Chairman – Hon. Mary Esiomor
6. IdoChairman – Hon. Sheriff AdeojoVice Chairman – Hon. Saka Fashola Abiona 
7. EgbedaChairman – Hon. Oyedele Sikiru SandaVice Chairman – Hon. Amos Olawoyin
8. Ona Ara Chairman – Hon. Musibaudeen SanusiVice Chairman – Hon. Kunle Balogun 
9. Oluyole Chairman – Hon. Popoola Settle Olaide Vice Chairman – Hon. Tunde Ayoade 
10. Lagelu Chairman – Hon. Kazeem Gbadamosi Vice Chairman – Abiodun Badmus

11. Akinyele Chairman – Hon. Taoreed Jimoh Adedigba Vice Chairman – Deacon Kayode Funso Peter
12. Atiba Chairman – Hon (Mrs) Kafilat Mojisola OlakojoVice Chairman – Oguntona Seun Olunloyo
13. AfijioChairman – Hon. Sunday Akindele OjoVice Chairman – Toyin Bukola Oyebamiji
14. Oyo West Chairman – Hon. Akeem Salami Babatunde Vice Chairman – Nureni Alade
15.Oyo East Chairman – Hon. Saheed ArowosayeVice Chairman – Bamise Alabi
16.Ogbomoso SouthChairman – Oyedokun Oyeniyi Timothy Vice Chairman – Olajide Isaac Adisa 
17.Ogbomoso NorthChairman – Akanji Kabir AyoadeVice Chairman – Adijat Aremu (Mrs) 
18.Oriire Chairman – Alabi Olateju MichealVice Chairman – Mrs. Lydia Bankole
19.Surulere Chairman – Hon. Isaiah Adegbite Vice Chairman – Morufu Gbadamosi 
20. OgooluwaChairman – Hon. Adesoye Seun Ojo Vice Chairman – Ajala Abraham Onaolapo
21. Iseyin Chairman – Hon. Mufutau Abilawon Vice Chairman – Fasasi Ajibola Raheem
22. Iwajowa Chairman – Jelili OyinloyeVice Chairman – Mr. Tajudeen Oluwafemi Bello
23.Kajola Chairman – Afolabi Adebayo SalimonuVice Chairman – Oyediran Gideon Bolanle 
24. Itesiwaju Chairman – Ojo Akintola Vice Chairman – Azeez Jimoh Olaniyi 
25. Saki East Chairman – Hon. Mrs Adeniran Rahmat Vice Chairman – Mr. Fatokun Emmanuel 
26. Saki West Chairman – Omirinde Sarafadeen Vice Chairman – Akinola. OLUGBENGA 
27.ATISBOChairman – Fasasi AdeagboVice Chairman – Ayoola Makanjuola Joel 
28.Irepo Chairman – Hon. Sulaiman Adeniran Lateef Vice Chairman – Oyetunji Joe
29.OorelopeChairman – Raheem Akeem Adepoju Vice Chairman – Atoyebi Ebenezer Durojaye
30.Olorunsogo Chairman – Akanni – Ika Julianah OluwakemiVice Chairman – Mutiu Badmus
31.Ibarapa East Chairman – Obalowo GbengaVice Chairman – Ojebola Idowu Yinusa
32.Ibarapa Central Chairman – Mr. Adedoyin Oloyede Adeoye Vice Chairman – Olasunsi Zaneb Folasade
33. Ibarapa NorthChairman – Lateef Adebare LawalVice Chairman – Balogun Amos Olatayo.

Thank you”.

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has stated that his administration will continue to create enabling environment for all business owners to thrive in the state.
The governor, who stated this while commissioning the Radio House of Agidigbo 88.7FM, said that his administration would keep upping the ante in this regard.
Governor Makinde said that his government will support the newest entrant into the thriving radio business in the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor commended the tenacity and doggedness of the proprietor of the radio station, Mr. Oriyomi Hamzat.
He maintained that Hamzat has done excellently well by struggling to achieve the aim he (Oriyomi) has been nursing for many years.
He said: “I am happy to be here today, firstly because what my brother, Oriyomi Hamzat, has in mind to do has come to reality. There are a lot of people who want to come up with good projects like this but never had that opportunity to actualise them. So, we thank God that Oriyomi achieved a feat such as this.
“What hit me at first was the uniform I saw on the permanent staff members when I came in, and the way they are looking smart and gorgeous. And what that means is, what this government stands for is the progress of everyone in this state.
“You can see that a majority of the staff are youths. He has provided jobs for 65 of them. So, as a government, we will continue to encourage those who want to set up a business.
“I want to also let you know that, from this event, there is a lesson for all of us to learn.”
Makinde further added that the establishment of the radio station, which has provided job opportunities for 65 youths in the state, is a feat well-achieved, pointing out that his administration will continue to encourage all those that are aspiring to set up businesses.
In the same vein, he declared that his government has been working assiduously to tackle insecurity in the state through the use of both state and non-state actors which include the Police and other security agencies, Vigilante groups, Amotekun, Agbekoya and other local security outfits.
In his words: “I saw Amotekun operatives over there. Before we got into government, Amotekun was not existing but we created it. I was asking from the Security Task Force Team, which we just set up, to know the strength of Police Force in the state and I got to know it is about 6,000; but we recruited 1,500 personnel into the Amotekun outfit. What this means is that we have successfully recruited 25 per cent of the Nigeria Police Force operating in the state.
“So, with the security challenges we have, we want some of you that will be speaking on radio to help broadcast this development to the whole world, that in Oyo State, in a bid to ensuring that we are not treating the issue of security with kid gloves, we have voluntary policing. We want the state actors, non-state actors and other security agencies to come together to tackle the menace of insecurity.
“The way we are not resting on our oars to fight insecurity, we also want you to intensify in broadcasting the message to the people. I must tell you that those who want us to continue to live in the past are around us. And because we want the economy of the state to grow, we must jealously guard our democracy.
“This station will go from strength to strength. Even after we might have left the seat of power, I believe Agidigbo FM will still continue to influence what will be happening in Oyo State.

Earlier, the founder of the Agidigbo FM, Mr. Hamzat, thanked the Governor Makinde-led administration for creating a viable and sustainable atmosphere that attracts local and foreign bussinesses and investments into Oyo State.
He added that the government’s policies on trade and investments have turned the state into a beehive of local and foreign bussinesses.
He said: “Agidigbo Radio is the people’s voice that is committed to driving the kind of broadcasting that will reflect the thoughts and concerns of members of the public.”
He appealed to government to pay attention to the issues that the station will be bringing to the fore, promising to ensure that citizens continue to listen to the station.
The event had in attendance the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Chairman, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, Prince Dotun Oyelade; Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Jide Ajani; Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr.Taiwo Adisa and a host of others.

This resolution and others were reached at the meeting held at the Western Hall, Oyo State Secretariat Complex, Ibadan, with the theme: “The Paramountcy of Yoruba Unity in Tackling The Insecurity Menace in Yorubaland.”

In a communique read by the Founder of Yoruba K’oya Movement, Otunba Deji Osibogun, after the meeting, the groups said that Yoruba self-determination was non-negotiable.

The groups, which urged the Yoruba, especially the elite, to return to protect their land, also tasked every House of Assembly in the South-West to pass a resolution on the state of insecurity in Yorubaland and urged members representing Yoruba constituencies in the Senate and House of Representatives to move a motion on insecurity in Yorubaland within the next 90 days, precisely June 25.

It also urged Yoruba groups to organise relief materials for victims ravaged by insecurity.

All the Yoruba groups were charged to make the unity of purpose a guiding principle, while Yoruba Central Coordinating Council has been proposed.

In a remark, Prof. Banji Akintoye, represented by the Administrative Secretary of Ilana Oduduwa, Dr. Tunde Hamzat, stressed that the call for Yoruba self-determination should not be misconstrued as secession.

Akintoye said the Yoruba nation would be achieved in a peaceful manner through the building of consensus and mobilisation of the people.

Also speaking, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, stressed that the Yoruba should be ready to defend themselves against threats to their lives.

He charged all Yoruba individuals and groups to bring to bear their intellect, asset and knowledge for the cause of the Yoruba nation.

Groups, under the platform of Assembly of all Yoruba Groups Worldwide, have set aside June 12 as the day of referendum for the Yoruba on the self-determination agenda.

This resolution and others were reached at the meeting held at the Western Hall, Oyo State Secretariat Complex, Ibadan, with the theme: “The Paramountcy of Yoruba Unity in Tackling The Insecurity Menace in Yorubaland.”

In a communique read by the Founder of Yoruba K’oya Movement, Otunba Deji Osibogun, after the meeting, the groups said that Yoruba self-determination was non-negotiable.

The groups, which urged the Yoruba, especially the elite, to return to protect their land, also tasked every House of Assembly in the South-West to pass a resolution on the state of insecurity in Yorubaland and urged members representing Yoruba constituencies in the Senate and House of Representatives to move a motion on insecurity in Yorubaland within the next 90 days, precisely June 25.

It also urged Yoruba groups to organise relief materials for victims ravaged by insecurity.

All the Yoruba groups were charged to make the unity of purpose a guiding principle, while Yoruba Central Coordinating Council has been proposed.

In a remark, Prof. Banji Akintoye, represented by the Administrative Secretary of Ilana Oduduwa, Dr. Tunde Hamzat, stressed that the call for Yoruba self-determination should not be misconstrued as secession.

Akintoye said the Yoruba nation would be achieved in a peaceful manner through the building of consensus and mobilisation of the people.

Also speaking, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, stressed that the Yoruba should be ready to defend themselves against threats to their lives.

He charged all Yoruba individuals and groups to bring to bear their intellect, asset and knowledge for the cause of the Yoruba nation.

The National Bureau of Statistics report indicated that price increase remained the slowest in Oyo at all levels, with the Economic Adviser to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Professor Musbau ‘Tunji Babatunde, stating that the effective management of the state’s economy by the governor were responsible for the development.

Statistics released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) for February 2021 have shown that Oyo State’s month-on-month as well as year-on-year inflation figures were the slowest in the country within the time under review.

Data made available by the NBS in February indicated that the inflation rate rose to 17.33 per cent (year-on-year); 1.54 percent rise month-on-month above the January 2021, while urban rate increased by 17.92 percent (year-on-year) in February 2021 from 17.03 percent recorded in January.

However, the NBS report indicated that price increase remained the slowest in Oyo at all levels, with the Economic Adviser to Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, Professor Musbau ‘Tunji Babatunde, stating that the effective management of the state’s economy by the governor were responsible for the development.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Prof. Babatunde as saying that Oyo State was able to record the slowest growth in headline inflation and food inflation month-on-month and year-on-year because of the sound economic policies of the Governor Makinde administration.

He pointed out that the regular payment of salaries, which according to him, increased effective demand in the food system, support to farmers with inputs at the height of the pandemic and the expansionary fiscal policy from the various capital projects embarked on by the state were among factors responsible for the slow inflation increase.

According to Babatunde, a professor of Economics at the University of Ibadan, the NBS Data had indicated that “the consumer price index, at the national level, (CPI) which measures inflation, increased by 17.33% (year-on-year) in February 2021. This is 0.86% higher than the rate recorded in January 2021 (16.47) %.

“On a month-on-month basis, the Headline index increased by 1.54% in February 2021, this is 0.05% rate higher than the rate recorded in January 2021 (1.49%).

“The urban inflation rate increased by 17.92% (year-on-year) in February 2021 from 17.03 % recorded in January 2021, while the rural inflation rate increased by 16.77 % in February 2021 from 15.92% in January 2021.

“The upward increase in inflation can be attributed to the lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, fluctuations in the price of crude oil, weakened Naira that has increased the price of imported input, insecurity in the food producing parts of Northern Nigeria, the food blockade during the Shasa riot, among others.

He added:

“The components of inflation that witnessed surges in the review period are food, health care, imported food and transportation.

“However, food price is the main component of the inflation basket. It rose to 21.79% in February, a jump of 1.22 % point from the January figure.

“This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of Bread and cereals, Potatoes, yam and other tubers, Meat, Food products, Fruits, Vegetable, Fish and Oils and fats.”

Further analysis of the performances of the state had shown that on month on month basis in February 2021 all items inflation was highest in Kogi (3.25%), Ondo (2.46%) and Kebbi (2.43%), while Kwara (0.84%), Kano (0.70%), while that of Oyo stood at (0.38%), the slowest rise in headline month on month.

On month on month basis, however, February 2021 food inflation was highest in Kogi (3.34%), Ondo (3.33%) and Ebonyi (3.26%), while Benue and Niger (0.90%), Kano (0.70%), oyo again recorded (0.09%), the slowest rise in month on month food inflation.

Babatunde, who explained that the implication of the slowest rise in headline and food inflation in Oyo State meant that the state has the lowest cost of living in Nigeria, said that the cost of health care services in Oyo State has not risen due to the strategic investment that the state has made in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “The conversion of isolation centres to Level 3 primary health care centres has improved access to health care services. “The effects of the strategic investment in the health sector by the State has manifested in the stable service cost.

“Transportation cost has also been stable in the State despite the fluctuation in domestic price of petroleum products. The positive effect of the Park Manager System with respect to managing the commercial transport sector is showing positive with respect to the regulation of transportation costs across the routes.

“So, one can say that there is good value for money can be obtained in Oyo State.”

He further said that the positive inflation figures recorded in Oyo State in headline and food inflation month on month across the 36 States can be attributed to the regular payment of salary, which has increased effective demand in the state.

He said that the regular payment of salary in the State has improved demand.

“Similarly, the effective support to farmers with inputs at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has paid off. The strategy of supporting farmers with inputs impacted positively on their output level which has been translated to the moderation in price increase of agric. output.

“Also, the effective distribution of the COVID-19 palliatives to different categories of people in the state moderated the demand for those goods that were distributed in December 2020.

“More so, the expansionary fiscal policy from the various capital projects embarked on by the State also had impacts. The contractors have employed a sizable number of artisans across the geopolitical zones in the State. This has created both direct and indirect jobs.”

Babatunde added that the effective management of the government deficit structure and the use of alternative infrastructural financing framework have also allowed the government to simultaneously embark on welfare enhancing projects, a factor which, according to him, also contributed to the slow inflation growth.

He further stated that the ongoing construction of the Moniya-Iseyin road has also enhanced the movement of agricultural goods to the main city and has reduced farm-gate losses, which he said, has also improved the supply of agricultural goods.

“The merit driven staff recruitment across the educational, health and environmental sectors of the State have boosted household confidence about the activities of Government given the economic opportunities available to the newly employed candidates.

“Low interest fund support to SMEs to cushion the impact of COVID-19 pandemic that is being coordinated by OYSIPA has enhanced the business framework in the State. It has enhanced the business performance of the beneficiaries with feedback to the Oyo State economy.

“In conclusion, effective economic management has been very supportive of the low headline and food inflation being witnessed in the state,” the Prof. added.