Courtesy Visit to the Saki-West Local Government Chairman-Elect by the Association of Nigerian Broadcasters(ANBROAD), Oke Ogun Zone.

Earlier yesterday, the Association of Nigerian Broadcasters paid a courtesy visit to the newly elected Chairman of the Local Government, Mr Gbenga Akionla, on 11th June 2024 at his office led by the Chairman of the Association Comrade Opeyemi Kilani

The purpose of the visit was to congratulate the Chairman-Elect on his recent election victory and to discuss areas of collaboration between the Association and the Local Government.

The Association of Nigerian Broadcasters was represented by delegates (Com. Opeyemi Kilani- Chairman, Com. Adetayo Aderogba - Rep. Elders, Com. Olaniyi Aweda- Stakeholders, Com. Tosin Idowu Man Tee-  among others).

During the meeting, Mr. Akinola Gbenga pledges support for the Association while the Association also expressed its willingness to support the Chairman's efforts in promoting the development of the Local Government and its environs. The Chairman-Elect appreciated the gesture and highlighted his administration's priorities, including specific areas of focus, such as infrastructure development, education, or healthcare.

In the Chairman's speech , he gave kudos to the President of Nigeria towards his support for freedom of speech while advising the Association against news that could bring religious hatred. 

Comrade Opeyemi Kilani, the Chairman of the Association, press charges his stance on his intolerance against fake news and war inciting bloggers that may bring civil unrest to the community.

The visit ended with a commitment to establish a strong partnership between the Association of Nigerian Broadcasters and the Local Government, aimed at promoting accurate and timely information dissemination to the public and also urge the association on the need for timely meeting at least once in a month.

The courtesy visit was a success, and the Association looks forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Chairman-Elect and his administration.

Signed:

Comrade Opeyemi Kilani

Chairman

Association of Nigerian Broadcasters.

Makinde Joins NLC Protest in Ibadan

The Oyo State Governor, ‘ Seyi Makinde, has participated in a peaceful protest alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other civil society groups on Tuesday to advocate for a more prosperous Nigeria.

Recognizing the prevailing hunger and discontent in the nation, Makinde emphasized the importance of unity in addressing the challenges, stating, “The solution lies in our collective efforts to tackle these issues.”

Governor Makinde pledged to convey the concerns raised by the NLC and civil society organizations in Oyo State regarding the economic hardships to President Bola Tinubu.

He assured the protesters of his commitment to fostering a better future for Nigeria, highlighting the initiatives implemented by his administration since October to alleviate the impact of the economic difficulties, such as the introduction of various programs and the payment of a 25,000 Naira wage bonus.

Encouraging peaceful demonstrations, Governor Makinde urged the protesters to maintain order both during and after the protest.

His words: “My message to the protesters and people of Oyo State is to simply let them know that this is a trying period for our country. It is not the time for divisive activities. We have to pull together and confront the challenges that we are faced with.

“Usually, when you are going through a period where you are trying to reform a system, there will be challenges. We have seen it in 1989 during the Structural Adjustment Programme. We had a riot but, at the end of the day, we still all came together to solve our problem.

“I told the Labour and also responded to the NLC president that this is not the time for lies and propaganda. They cannot say no state is paying wage awards as we have started paying it to our workers and pensioners since October, last year. Even, I have extended it by another six months to give us the opportunity to sit down and negotiate the minimum wage and the adjustment that will come with it.

So, I have appealed to them though I know that this protest is their right. I will pass the letter they gave to me to the President.

“I know there is hunger and anger in the land but the solution is still for us to pull together.”

The NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Kayode Martins and other labour union leaders appealed to federal government to find lasting solution to economic hardship facing the country.

N30bn Allowance: Akpabio Apologises to Makinde, Other Govs

Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke in Iseyin, Oyo state, described Akpabio's statement as a comment far from truth.

Godswill Akpabio, president of the Senate, has tendered an apology to the 36 governors over a “regretted” comment claiming N30 billion allowance  was given to them to fight hardship in their respective states.

Speaking during a plenary on Tuesday, February 20, Oyo Defender recalls that Akpabio stated that each of the governor allegedly received N30bn each from the federation account to battle the effect of inflation and the high cost of living.

The statement, however, angered the governors, with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state slamming the Senate president for “playing politics” with people’s predicament.

Makinde speaks for colleagues

Makinde, who spoke in Iseyin, described Akpabio’s statement as a comment far from truth.

“This is not the time to play politics, as we have real issues that deserve real solutions. But yesterday, I saw the video and read in the news where the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, made a statement, though he said it was an unverified report, stating that the state governments received an additional N30bn from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, outside of our statutory allocation, in the last few months, to address food security.

“Please, listen to me loud and clear. I can speak for Oyo State and can also speak for any of my colleagues. This is because, as the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I know when things are happening.”

In a statement released by his media office on Monday, February 26, Akpabio said the statement are regretted.

“The unfortunate conjectures to take away the kernel in the material facts of FAAC payment are rather regretted.

“In considering the well-intended motive of urging state governments to collaborate with the Federal government of President Bola Tinubu to facilitate strategic interventions to mitigate the prevailing economic situation in the country remains the underpinning motivation in the comment.

“The President of the Senate is not oblivious to the fact that state governments are functional partners in all the efforts of the current administration of President Bola Tinubu and are also valuable stakeholders’ in the various legislative engagements of the legislature in creating the nexus between the legislature and the people,” part of the statement released by Akpabio’s media adviser, Eseme Eyiboh, read.

Saki Parapo Kicks Against Platinum Consultant in Oke-Ogun Poly

Saki Parapo, the umbrella body of all sons and daughters of Saki, has called on Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde to urgently review activities of the Platinum Consultant it engages to generate and save funds for all the state owned higher institutions.

The National President of Saki Parapo, Dr Festus Adedayo According to a release personally signed by him, Adedayo Adejumobi, said that this call has become imperative, as activities of the consultant has made the smooth running of the instructions, especially the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, impossible.

Adejumobi stated that following his visitation to the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, TOPS, for inspection of the general well-being of workers, so the body and Saki Elites could continue the self-help project being carried out in the school, he expressed his sadness on the stagnant state of infrastructural development in the institution, which is occasioned by lack of adequate funding on the account of the activities of the Platinum Consultant and as a result of which he called on Governor Seyi Makinde, who is the Visitor, to immediately do something about TOPS.

“…our findings has revealed that many challenges begging for solutions remain unsolvable, with the manner Platinum Consultant is handling the institution and we learned it is the same in other places.”

“As a matter of urgency, our amiable Governor needs to visit or declare an emergency on TOPS, as the school is facing a number of unbelievable challenges from lack of perimeter fencing; need to construct another Central Administrative building, as the old one is in bad state; bad and untared internal roads; lack of drainages which gives way to many gully erosions, causing untoward hardship for academic, non-academic and students during raining seasons to absence of master plan to follow in the development of the school.”

Saki Parapo President, Dr Adejumobi, while pleading with the state Governor, Seyi Makinde to terminate contract of the Platinum Consultant firm in the institution, charged the governor to carry out a descreet of the body’s claims at the school.

He further enjoined Governor Makinde to quickly constitute a Governing Council for the Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki. He revealed that the absence of a functioning council has created a void which is significantly impacting adversely, the administration, strategic planning, effective decision making and overall smooth operation of activities, thus jeopardizing the institution’s progress.

Meanwhile, all efforts of this reporter to speak with the top management officials of the institution to verify the issues raised proved abortive, but some staff members who spoke under condition of anonymity, corroborated the claims of Saki Among those who’s present at the occasion were National Vice president TPL. Rasaq Adebayo, Alh kola Busari, National Secretary, Mr. Ojo Solomon, National Fin. Secretary, Alhaja Tijani Adewumi National Treasurer, Hon Waheed Asiperi, Com Sola Ailako National PRO, Prince Oyelegbin Oyetunji among the others.

LG Election: OYSIEC Reassures Political Parties Of Transparency, Equal Treatment

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC), has reassured political parties participating in the forthcoming Local Government Councils Election in the state of transparency and equal treatment.

The OYSIEC Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, while speaking on the preparations of the Commission for the elections during a yoruba live radio program on Saturday in Ibadan, emphasized the need for political parties to canvass for votes.

He explained that necessary arrangements are in place for an onward transmission of election results across the polling units in the 33 local governments to the situation room of the commission, saying this will ensure credible and acceptable elections.

He admonished residents of the state to contribute their quota in the forthcoming local government councils election, promising that the commission will deliver credible election.

Aare Olagunju, also called on citizens of the state residing in other states to create time to participate in the polls, scheduled for 27th April, 2024.

Olagunju submitted that the long year age narratives associated with the local government councils election in Nigeria could only be changed for the better by the time citizens believe and participate in the electoral process.

His words: “In 2021, we had challenge, some did not believe in the Commission, but today, the story is different because all the nineteen (19)registered political parties in Oyo state are participating in the election.

“We meet regularly with the political parties, I am impressed with the way members of the political parties relate with each other, and I hope they will replicate the same on election day. All the political parties will be given equal treatment and citizen’s vote will count on election day.

“We have done everything needed to be done as a commission to have a free, fair, transparent and credible election. People should endeavor to vote by 27th April, 2024 , wait till the announcement of results at polling units and record the results.

ATISBO Chairmanship Candidate, Alade, Others Receive Royal Blessing From Onitede

Alhaji Bashir Olumuyiwa Alade, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP for ATISBO local government in the forthcoming local government election and other candidates of the party received royal blessings from the Onitede of Tede, Oba Abdulrauf Adebimpe Oladoyin.

The monarch prayed for all the PDP candidates ahead of the coming election when they paid him a visit in his Palace in Tede, ATISBO local government area.

His words: “This coming election, God will favour us. On April 27, PDP will win. All PDP candidates will win. By this time on that day, we will be celebrating and jubilating.

“We will dance for joy and not for sadness. May God answer your prayers.”

The traditional ruler added that his relationship with the PDP candidate started when Alade was the secretary to the local government under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Ismail Adedeji.

He added that their administration respected traditional rulers, took their welfare as a priority.

He said with the pedigree, he knows the candidate will not disappoint if elected.

While reacting, the chairmanship candidate, Alade said that the PDP has been known for taking care of traditional institution in the history of the local government adding that their administration constructed the Onitede palace and procurement of cars for members of council of Obas and Chiefs in ATISBO local government area.

He added that the party hasn’t relented in his effort and style while making reference to what Governor Seyi Makinde has been doing for traditional institutions in the state.

He thanked and commended the monarch for the blessing and promised not to disappoint the good people of ATISBO if elected.

He assured him that the ATISBO local government is in safe hands.

Sunday Igboho Returns To Nigeria For Mother’s Burial

 

Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) returned to a rousing welcome by his supporters in Igboho, Oyo State on Thursday, three years after escaping a deadly attack on his Ibadan residence by security personnel.

Igboho is back home for his mother’s burial ceremony.

He was said to have flown in from Germany where he had been after a Benionese court granted him bail last year

Recall that Department of State Security (DSS) personnel attacked his Soka, Ibadan residence on July 1, 2021 in an attempt to arrest Igboho.

Two of his followers were killed during the attack while 12 others were arrested and taken to Abuja for prosecution.

Adeyemo told reporters on Thursday: “It is true that I am back in the country. I came back on Wednesday purposely for the burial ceremony of my mother.

“I have to come back home to bury my mother. She passed on last year and today (Thursday) is her wake keep and tomorrow we are holding a burial ceremony in Igboho before we move to Ibadan for the entertainment of our guests on Saturday.

“I can tell you that all arrangements have been perfected to give my mother a befitting burial and eminent Nigerians and dignitaries from all walks of life are billed to attend the burial.

“I am very grateful to everyone for your support and solidarity during my travails in Nigeria and Republic of Benin, Cotonou.”