A bill to establish the Oyo State Local Government Staff Loans Board has passed through first reading at the Oyo State House of Assembly.
This was sequel to the reading of a letter sent to the House by Governor Seyi Makinde requesting the Lawmakers to pass the Oyo State Local Government Staff Loans Board Bill.
Governor Makinde said the bill which will provide loan for Local Government staff is aimed at enhancing their productivity and boosting their morale.
According to him, this is another effort of his administration to fulfill his election campaign promise to the state workers.
The bill shall be under the supervision of the State Local Government Service Commission.
The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin who read the Governor’s letter at the plenary commended the Oyo State Government for exploring all avenues to make life comfortable for the state workers.
” The bill will bring about a new dawn in the local Government administration in Oyo state. Ever since the inauguration of Local Government in Oyo state, the Staff only access car refurbishing loan. However, with the new Oyo State Local Government Staff Loans Board Bill, the staff will now have access to both Car and Housing loans just like other State workers.” The Speaker said.
In line with the provision of the bill once passed, any sum of money released for disbursement as loan facilities will be disbursed amongst staff of LG, Public Primary Schools and the Primary Health care.
The Joint Action Committee, JAC of the three Trade Unions in Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate has written the a Save Our Soul letter to the Oyo State House of Assembly to intimate the Legislature of the state of Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate and the plight of the staff and students.
According to the letter duly signed by COEASU, NASU and SSUCOEN Chairmen, the college appreciates the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly for passing the bill for the change of the name of the College to “Oyo State College of Education”, Lanlate and the other areas of the College law, which has given the College an autonomy.
The Statement read ” Since its establishment the College has been battling with series of problems and challenges which have necessitated this letter.
” The issues are itemised below:
(1). Non-Release of Take-off Grant : The College was not given any take-off grant by the state government when it was pronounced autonomous, and it has not received any till now. This has led to the poor state of facilities at the College. Of all the state-owned tertiary institutions, it is only our College that has not been given any take-off grant and this has negatively impacted the growth and development of the College.
(2) Infrastructural Deficit: The non-release of take-off grant to the College has compounded the infrastructural deficit in the College. . There are no enough offices for staff hence some of them sit under trees. There are virtually no toilet facilities as the few available are in a state of disrepair. Staff have to go to the bush to answer nature’s call.
(3)Damaged Bridge: The bridge on the only road to the College was destroyed by flood about three years now. The College Management and the staff unions have written letters to the State Government requesting for the bridge to be fixed but nothing has been done as we write this piece.
(4) Abandoned Project: The state government awarded the contract for the construction of the School of Education Complex to a contractor some years back. The contractor abandoned the project and absconded. Recently, the state government was said to have mobilised the contractor again with about #20 million to complete the project. Unfortunately again, the contractor has refused to return to site. We are appealing to the state government to prevail on the said contractor to come and complete the work. If the project is completed, it will ease the problem of shortage of office accommodation. More importantly, the College is preparing for accreditation and the building is required for the accreditation of all its courses.
(5) Staff Welfare: We commend the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his worker-friendly programs. However, our annual salary increments for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, which has October 1 as its effective date are yet to be effected. Apart from this, the staff of the College are also owed promotion arrears of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 all of which have run into several months now. Even, the 2021 promotion exercise is still hanging.
(6) Non-payment of Arrears of the consequential adjustment on minimum wage: Recall that the State Government under Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde graciously approved the consequential adjustment on new minimum wage in January, 2020. It may interest the house to know that it is only our College that is yet to pay the arrears as agreed and signed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the trade Unions of the six Oyo State owned Tertiary Institutions and the government representatives. For your information, the staff is being owed 9months of the arrears up to date. Because of this, we have commenced an indefinite strike since January 24, 2022. We are also owed arrears of Hazard and Medical allowances of 16months between 2014 and 2015. All efforts to get the College management to pay has proved abortive as they always complain of non-availability of funds
(7) Issue of accreditation: The issue of accreditation is another area of concern. Be informed that since the College became autonomous in 2016, no accreditation of courses has been done. This is very dangerous for the College and her students.
As we round off this letter, we want to passionately appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde to come to our rescue. His midas touch is being felt everywhere across the state. Ours should not be an exception. These problems are too much for the College to bear. Needless to say Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate is at a precipice , and may collapse completely if urgent steps are not taken.
Responding to the appeal, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin noted that his recent evaluative visit to Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate showed him clearly the unimpressive state of infrastructure and the general condition of the College.
“I toured round the facilities, listened to the staff, students and other stakeholders on ground. We are calling for massive repair of infrastructures and approval of more fund for facilities and accreditation activities.
“We are calling on our Governor to kindly prioritize this college in all educational projects for this year. The students, staff and stakeholders are trusting us on this and there will definitely be a turn around,” The Speaker added.
The Oyo State Government over the weekend, launched a mobile app designed with many features, including having access to details of chosen landed property, without necessarily visiting the Ministry of Lands.
According to the Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Tpl Olayiwola Olusegun, the mobile app, otherwise known as Ilè D’olà Exchange under the Private Networks Nigeria Limited (PNN) initiative, is the first of its kind in Nigeria, and would avail residents of the state the opportunity to make enquiry and suggestions on government services and getting faster responses.
The Commissioner said this during a two-day retreat organised for top management staff of the Ministry, where he added that the initiative is part of strategic measures to shore up the State’s internally generated revenue.
He however, urged the workers participating in the retreat to justify the confidence and investment of the state government in them by organising the capacity building retreat which is aimed at learning new ways to fast-track operations, prevent leakages and improve productivity.
The CEO /Managing Director of PNN, AbdulRahman Abiola Odunowo said the vision behind the new innovation is to key into the emerging global market with a view to unlock the full potentials in technological advancement in all land related matters.
He explained further that through the use of Ilè D’olà Exchange, the Ministry can now easily create an enabling environment for both local and International Investors, validate ownership of properties, as well as easy transfer of ownership among others.
Odunowo, while unveiling the newly created App which provides for online tracking system of files codenamed Àwárí said the App can easily be downloaded on Play Store which can now eliminate cumbersomeness of files and unnecessary delays, allows individuals to identify stages of transactions, alerts the office user of delay of files.
Other features of the App according to Odunowo include easy detection and location of files, and also allows external users easy access to download the App on Play Store adding that the Àwárí App will officially be launched online on the 11th February, 2022 noting that the App works for all files including old and new with their peculiar problems
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry, Tpl Ademola Bashir, advocated for team work, while he also expressed confidence in a very impressive performance by Staff members of the Ministry in the current year 2022.
He added that hitches encountered by residents in the purchase of title of ownership, transfer of ownership, land allocation, would be henceforth be things of the past, with the calibre of the Ministry’s reinvigorated workforce.
Other participants at the Retreat included the Ag. Surveyor General, Esv. Abiodun Alaba, Chairman State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr Femi Awakan and other top officials of the ministry.
Law, constitution, edict and decree are all pointers to one direction. They all connote rules and regulations. They are ethics, norms, customs and ethos that dictate direction of governance. Every law has an element of cultural background of the people. The major intent of laws is to guide against excesses and instil decorum. Where laws are elusive, anarchy prevails. The entire globe is a product of rules and regulations. Even in sports, rules are inevitable. The absence of constitution in a nation is akin to a football match without goalposts.
Be that as it may, laws are made for people and not otherwise. However, every law made is in tandem with the existing practice which are susceptible to change in conformity with current trend. Change is inevitable. A law that is imuned against change becomes controversial, ambiguous and conservative.
Review is the process of editing a law or ordinance. It is against the backdrop of flaws and irrelevances. Ordinances that look obsolete and aquake are also proned to review. It is a matter of expunging the clauses, minus and plus to give it a facelift or human face.
Traditional institutions in Yorubaland are the constituted authorities in the ancient days. The royal fathers are the custodians of culture and heritage.Then, they were the executive arm and wielded enormous power over their subjects.Civilization has however eroded the power hitherto confered on the royal fathers by culture. As presently constituted, little or no regard is attached to royalty. The executive governor of the states have become the deciders of the fates of the obas. Nigeria’s constitution places the governors above the kings. From nomination to installation and to salary, governors dictate the pace. Woe betides any oba that embarks on a journey outside his jurisdiction without the express permission of the governors. Any royal father that trespasses does so at the detriment of his status. Such a king would incur the wrath of the governor through various sanctions such as: relegation of status in the comity of Obas, deposition and banishment. His salary could be withheld and other entitlements could be suspended.
Recently, the review of ordinances that established chieftaincy matter in Oyo state; especially Ibadan, led to serious controversies. For the first time, the traditional method of ascension to the throne of Olubadan was contested and challenged. This was consequent upon the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji. The age-long method of ascendancy which was globally adjudged to be the most peaceful was brought to disrepute. The simmering crisis was at the instance of the elevation of the high chiefs to the position of obas. To an average Ibadan man, the elevation was implemented to settle innuendos, vendetta and for political witch-hunt.
There are two schools of thought on this matter. A school was of the conviction that the governor then, Late Ajimobi had the right to effect the promotion while the other school of thought was of the opinion that it was sacrilegious to tamper with the existing order. This dilemma led to litigations which almost marred the selection of the next oba until the current governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde intervened. The brouhaha that trailed the review assented to by the late governor was unprecedented and that is why a cursory look at similar exercise is essential. Hence, the comparative assessment of the reviews of chieftaincy issue in Oyo state and her neighbouring state, Ogun.
Monday 17th of January, 2022 , Governor Dapo Abiodun signed the Ogun State Chieftaincy Bill into law. The bill was titled; ‘Obas, Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council law of Ogun State, Bill 2021, is aimed at “respecting human dignity and promotion of modernity” in the installation of new Oba. It also aimed at curbing fetish practices in the process of installing and burying traditional rulers in the state and finally, upgrading of Baale to Oba. From the term of reference, the review in Ogun state had wider scope and more cumbersome than Oyo state. Yet, there was no wahala !
In the case of Ogun state, the bill emanated from the traditional council which was passed to the State House of Assembly, where a public hearing was held. On the other hand, Oyo state was purely an executive bill although, some apologists strived to give it a colouration of people’s will. There was an argument that it was the work of previous governments who were not bold to implement it. Three basic facts are logical from the process adopted by Ogun state Viz; initiated by traditional council, subjected to public opinion and debated by house of assembly.
Review is procedural. It must follow certain rudiments. Any law that is passed without the inputs of the populace is seen as a decree; characterized by order and draconian tendencies. Such law is despotic, an effort in futility from conception and bound to fail.
Let me make a clarification. Bill could be initiated by anybody. The late governor of Oyo state had the right to initiate a bill but such bill must follow sequence without any parochial sentiment. The fact that the elevation in contention did not follow due process; despite the germane nature of the exercise made it suspicious and so; was misconstrued as a unilateral decision shrouded with sinister and political motive.
According to the speaker of Ogun state house of assembly, the bill passed through a very rigourous exercise and subjected to inputs from the public and scrutiny before it became law. There was a public seating which attracted more attention than any public seating that the Assembly has had in the recent times. This is due process.
I was engrossed in an intellectual discourse on this issue with some friends penultimate weekend. They posited that Ogbomoso town has four Obas despite the fact that the town is smaller than Ibadan. Another was of the opinion that there are other Obas in ife aside Oonirisa. Yoruba cradle for that matter. Obalufe..oba ni. Obaloran..oba ni. They were right but where they erred was their inability to take cognisance of Ibadan’s peculiarity. What am I saying !
The high chiefs lineage of Olubadan-in-council is different from the various obas at various suburbs in Ibadan. There are traditional obas at the various hitherto independent towns before the amalgamation . Yes, I make bold to say that Ibadan is an amalgamation of various towns that were captured and coerced into the cosmopolitan city. There were Ijaye, Ikereku, Onidundu, Moniya, Lalupon, Ejioku, Akanran, Pade and a host of others. All these ancient towns had their Obas but ironically, they are currently under the high chiefs who collect royalty from these Obas till date.
Progressive modernity further altered the status of the villages. This is evident in the evolution of cultures and civilisations that are considered fluid and dynamic. Review is all about transformation. Suffice to say that the title; Olubadan was a transformation from Bale. A change of nomenclature which helped to further strengthen the system in the face of the changing realities of the period. From its’ formation around 1829, leadership of Ibadan bore the title of Bale. There were Bale Apampa in Isale – Osi, Bale this and Bale that.
In truth, the review was not bad but if the then governor had not allowed ego to dictate his action, there would not have been any uproar.
Aside this, the firmer governor should have exhausted all amicable options to bring everybody on board. He should have gauged the opinion of the volatile public and above all, he should have allowed the reigning kabiesi crown the high chiefs.
The former governor has come, served and gone like everyone before him. And so will everyone at his own time. Whatever we do become history and that is why we all need to be wary of our actions. He was a peace-loving and an outstanding custodian of ingenuity who held on strictly to the principles of excellent leadership. He would forever be remembered for his consistency and tenacity of purpose in whatever he believed would advance the course of Ibadanland. But he was a mortal, susceptible to errors.
The lesson from this is the need to thread the path of honour and respect majority view. No matter the necessity of a change, it must not be made to look as a way of harbouring malice. Hence, the scepticism.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a Columnist with Oduduwa News and a public opinion analyst.
For comments: lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com Mobile No: 08060002439
The presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, received a boost in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday.
An APC stalwart in the state, Elder David Okon, donated his five-storey building to serve as a secretariat for Tinubu support groups, to achieve the presidential ambition of the former Lagos State governor.
A meeting of support groups in the state for the advancement of the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Tinubu ended on a high note, with the offer of the campaign secretariat by Okon, a former deputy governorship candidate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Cross River.
Speaking during the meeting at 65, Mayne Avenue, Calabar, Okon, who presided, said he had accepted a proposal from the groups that his building should serve as a secretariat to coordinate the activities of the groups across the 18 local governments.
He said Asiwaju Tinubu was the answer to the clamour of Nigerians, who wanted him to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari, to consolidate the strength of the party and achieve more progress for the country in critical sectors.
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde , has congratulated residents of Oyo State and Nigerians in general on witnessing the New Year, praying God to make 2022 a prosperous year for all and sundry. Makinde, who appreciated all residents of the state for their immense support and cooperation with his government in 2021, urged them not to relent in their support and prayers for Oyo State.
Seyi Makinde
The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, equally enjoined Oyo State residents to continue to live in harmony and to continue to heed all precautions regarding the prevention of the COVID-19. According to Makinde, 2021 was “a quite eventful year in the life of our dear state,” as it was characterised by developments and moments that could be termed as high and low. The governor maintained that though there were challenges, the support of the people and their prayers ensured that Oyo State triumphed, with several landmark infrastructure development projects and programmes delivered in line with the focus of his administration to take Oyo State from poverty to prosperity. “I congratulate all citizens and residents of Oyo State on witnessing the New Year
“It is my prayer that 2022 will be an exciting, prosperous and rewarding year for our dear state and all its people. “As a government, we can make one promise; that 2022 will be eventful and it will mark a decisive moment in our agenda to move the state from poverty to prosperity.
“As you would have known, our administration delivered several landmark infrastructure projects in 2021. While many projects and policies introduced by our government to develop our state are at various stages of completion, we also flagged off several others, with 2022 set as the date line for the completion of all these efforts. “Across our four pillars of security, education, health and economic expansion, there are several initiatives ongoing, which will be consummated this year. When all these are done, our state will, no doubt, remain the same. This is why we believe that 2022 is a decisive year. “But can we succeed without your support? No. In all the successes we recorded in 2021, one factor remained a constant and that is the support and prayers of Oyo State residents. I encourage you to continue to support your government and we will, in turn, continue to deliver on commitment as contained in the Oyo State Roamap for Accelerated Development, 2019-2023.”
The governor equally used the opportunity of his New Year message to warn residents of the state to follow the #Own Your Action (OYA) initiative of the state government by ensuring that they continue to follow all the necessary safety procedures on the prevention of COVID-19.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Strategy and Innovation, Ademola Adeyinka says contrary to the information in the public domain that his principal rejected the offer to install Closed Circuit Camera at the Abolongo medium Correctional Centre in Oyo by Governor Seyi Makinde after the attack on the facility recently, nothing of such happened.
It would be recalled that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had been quoted to have said that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State does not have the power to order an installation of CCTV Camera within the premises of the Correctional Centre in Oyo during his visit to Oyo after the jail attack.
But fielding questions from Aanuoluwapo Omorinde on Impact Point, a weekly current affairs programme on IBR 92.5fm Ibadan, the Minister’s Aide said the report is the handiwork of the federal government’s traducers.
“Nothing of such happened. Ogbeni never said anything like that. I think the media aide to the Minister was only quoted out of context. These things are the making of the Traducers of the government”.
Reacting to an inquiry from a Caller on the programme, Adeyinka said popular Fulani Warlord Iskilu Wakili is in safe custody adding that he was never at anytime kept at Abolongo Correctional facility in Oyo.
His words “I think what the people needs to know is that Wakili is in safe custody. He was never in Abolongo before the attack because the nature of his crime never warranted that he should be kept there”.
Speaking on what is being done to forestall a repeat, he said all Correctional facilities across the Country is now being treated as “critical national asset”.
“what the federal government through the Ministry of Interior has done is to classify these facilities as critical asset of national importance. I can tell you that anyone who attacks any of the correctional centres in the country now is on a suicide mission as they are now well fortified”.
He advised Nigerians to stop patronizing touts for their international passport admitting that there are exploiters out there with the sole aim of milking unsuspecting Nigerians.
He however noted that the government is after them.
According to him, with the new initiative introduced by his Principal, issuance or re-issuance of international passport should not take more than six weeks.
The Executive Chairman Chairman of Egbeda Local Government; Hon. Sanda Sikiru Oyedele, on behalf of the great people of Egbeda Local Government celebrates the Governor of Oyo State; Governor Seyi Makinde.
The Chairman through his media aide; Kunle Molomo describe the Governor as God sent, Peace lover and an uncommon Leader.
He mentioned that Egbeda Local Government has already worn a new look within the little period the Governor has spent.
Hon. Sanda added that Governor Seyi Makinde magical performance has made him the real Koseleri the state has ever had.
He concluded by wishing him many happy returns of his big day!
The Governor said “We are spending the Christmas break in Saki and so today, we went out to inspect some projects. One of the projects – the 9.7km Saki Township Road dualisation which we had hoped to commission this month, is behind schedule but will be ready for commissioning next month.
We also inspected the Adabo Primary Health Centre which is one of 299 PHCs being upgraded in Oyo State. It is about 60% complete. However, the Saki Township Stadium is not progressing as expected so we will be speaking with the contractor to find out the reason for this.
We also visited the Adabo Market, Saki which burnt down recently. We promised to rebuild the market and support the traders who lost goods in the inferno.”
Oyo state government, on Wednesday has again evacuated 95 beggars,17 mentally ill persons within Ibadan metropolis.
The government has reinstated that it will not rest on his oars until beggars and destitutes are totally get rid off the nooks and crannies of the state.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola stated this while leading the state raiding team on evacuation of beggars and destitutes from Mokola roundabout, Jemibewon road, Sango, Ojoo roundabout, Eleyele, Challenge, and Dugbe.
Other areas as captured in the exercise are; the popular Iwo road roundabout, Gbagi and Academy – Monatan road.
Speaking with the newsmen shortly after the exercise at the Akinyele Resettlement center, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Olayiwola said, “When I assumed office about two months ago, I visited this place as a matter of duty to see the facilities on ground, welfarism of the people and how we can improve more on what I met on ground.
“I held meetings with the stakeholders, especially the leaders of the Hausa Arewa communities and they all commended the laudable efforts of the state government ably led by Governor Seyi Makinde for the initiative on this matter.
“Infact most of their leaders frowned at the non compliance of their people that had returned to the streets to continue their begging business and we assured them that we would recaptured them in no time of which we have started massively today again.
“We always received calls on the high increase of these beggars as they occupied all our major roads which is always an eye sore and we have strategized and renewed our plans to bring the mendicants who have left the provided Resettlement center back to the facility provided with adequate amenities which including free feeding in the morning, afternoon and night.
While expressing her displeasure over the attack of the state government raiding team by the beggars at the popular ‘Bola’ located at Jemibewon road, Alhaja Olayiwola said, government would not condone any act that would jeopardize the peace of the people of Oyo state
“Our team was seriously attacked with stones, sharp objects and sporadic gun shots by the beggars who ran to their undergrounds exchanging with our security men. Do we call those ones too beggars or hoodlums? Perpetrators of evil acts are fully among them though some may be innocent but we don’t trust anyone of them based on what we experienced today, but thank God for the security agents, they were able to overpowered them and we captured most of them back.”
Also contributing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Christiana Abioye said, “necessary attention and more facilities have been provided for the evacuees to make it more habitable and conducive for them and I see no reason why they should not stay here just as the government has directed.
“We will not rest on our oars until we rid them off the state totally, we appeal to philanthropist to always come down to Akinyele Resettlement center to give alms to them.”
Some of the residents of Oyo State, Chief Bamiji Oyeyemi and Mrs Titilayo Adedoyin expressed their joy on the evacuation exercise as they affirmed that the beggars create all sorts of problems in the environment.
The duo urged the government to continue with the evacuation exercise.
