Olaosebikan: Oyo Regaining Pacesetter Status, To Surpass Lagos In Development

Oyo State will soon regain its pace setter status, surpassing the present  achievements of Lagos State if the ongoing massive infrastructural development and purposeful governance  is sustained beyond 2019, a community leader, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan said in Ibadan, Saturday.

Delivering his valedictory speech at the Annual General Meeting of Bashorun Estate Residents Association, BERA, Akobo, Ibadan, Olaosebikan stated that the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has raised the bar in leadership and good governance, returning the state to its old glory.

He maintained that Senator Ajimobi has in the last six years governed the state outstandingly with the restoration of peace, healthy and neat environment, provision of purposeful hubs for economic growth and unprecedented massive infrastructural developments across the state.

Olaosebikan who handed over the chairmanship of the neighborhood association to Mr. Owolabi Oladejo, the Chief Executive Officer of Impact Business Radio (IBR) after serving the community for four years said what is required of Oyo State to surpass the achievements of Lagos State is continuity of good governance and institutionalization of bold, purposeful and dynamic leadership as being exhibited by Governor Abiola Ajimobi

According to Olaosebikan,  a former local government chairman, Oyo State has all what it takes to be the best in virtually everything; commerce, agriculture, tourism, sports and others because of its central location, uncommon natural endowments and presence of great national and international institutions in the state.

Having recorded prodigious achievements and proven to be the builder of modern Oyo State it then behoves the citizens of the state to continue supporting him and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) for greater development and provision of focused leadership.

“As citizens of the state, desirous of quality and unimpeded massive development, it is our responsibility to give maximum support to Governor Ajimobi and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general elections for a better and greater Oyo State.  At the pace Senator Ajimobi is developing the state, it is certain that Oyo would regain its pace setter status in no time.”

“As we all know, the bane of development in this part of the world has remained largely poor leadership and lack of continuity. It is that bad that in many cases, we see people in positions deliberately choosing persons with low ability to succeed them so that their regimes could be the all time best. But why would a leader want to be the best ever? To me, this is failure and a display of poor leadership.

“The right and most appropriate fixation for leaders in all circumstances is to consciously seek for capable persons (even more than them) as successors. With that, the association or wherever they are leading would be further strengthened with continuity guaranteed and greater achievements recorded. In a nutshell, success in any position is not complete without handing over to a capable successor.

“The story of Lagos State where good leadership and continuity have brought excellence in governance is a good reference point here. We all know how Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has distinguished Lagos from all other states in Nigeria through good and selfless leadership.

“We can also achieve this in Oyo State if we all rally round the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to ensure continuity of good governance and the institutionalization of strong, bold and dynamic leadership as currently being exhibited by him

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, my joy is full here today as I am handing over to a very capable, fit, resourceful, delightful and competent person, Chief Owolabi Oladejo as the new chairman of Bashorun Estate Residents Association”.

2017: ‘Constituted Authority’, 9 Other Events That Rocked Oyo State

The outgone year 2017‎ did not end without events and issues that dominated the media space for long. To wet the appetite of our darling readers in this new year 2018, insideoyo.com has compiled some of the events.

1) ABIOLA AJIMOBI, THE ‘CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY’

Few days into the new year, ‎in January 2017, an obviously provoked Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while addressing frustrated protesting students of the Ladoke Akintola University, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, at the frontage of the state secretariat, was videoed as telling the students respect ‘Constituted Authority.” He went further to describe himself as the Constituted Authority of Oyo State. The video trended for months and generated criticisms and counter-criticisms.

‎2) COURT STOPS OYO LG ELECTION

As politicians across the state were planning ahead of the planned council election scheduled for February 11, 2017, an Abuja federal high court ordered the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, OYSIEC, to stop the planned election. This was after some Baales from Oyo town had sought redress in court for the ceding of their villages to other local government and local council development areas, without any referendum.

3) OYO APC MEMBERS PROTEST, TACKLE AJIMOBI OVER ‘IMPOSITION’ OF ‘SENACO’ MEMBERS AS CARETAKER CHAIRMEN

For the first time in close to their 7 years in office, members of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, especially those from Oke-ogun, took their destinies into their hands by protesting the neglect of core party members in the selection of caretaker chairmen. This was on April 3rd, 2017. They alleged a power permanent secretary of been behind the plot. The protest almost turned into a fracas as party members faced each other.

‎4) OY‎O APPOINTS VC FOR TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

The Oyo State Government, on May 9, 2017, appointed an  inaugural ‎vice-chancellor for its new univeristy- Technical University. A former deputy vice-chancellor (academics) of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Ayobami Salami is the man.

5) RENOWNED PLAYWRIGHT, ADEBAYO FALETI, DIED

After many years of rumoured death, renowned playwright, dramatist, poet and broadcaster, Pa Adebayo Faleti died‎ on July 23rd, 2017 and was buried in Agboye village of Oyo town on September 8th, 2017.

6) ELEVATION, INSTALLATION OF HIGH CHIEFS & SENIOR CHIEFS TO BEARDED-CROWN OBAS

On August 27, 2017, Governor Ajimobi added another ‘first’ to his already decorated cap. He did what has never happened in the history of his hometown- Ibadan, by elevating and installing Ibadan high chiefs and senior chiefs ‎to crown-wearing Obas. The coronation was done at the historic Mapo Hall, Ibadan, with the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, in absentia. The issue is still generating condemnations and commendations. In fact, the court will decide on the case anytime soon.

7) OLUYOLE SOCCER LORD, 3SC, RELEGATED TO ‘DIVISION TWO’

The darling football club of Oyo State, especially the people of Ibadan, Shooting Stars Sports Club- 3SC, was officially relegated from the Nigeria Professional Football League to the Nigeria National League on September 10, 2017.

8) LION KILLED ‘BABA OLOHUNWA’ INSIDE AGODI ZOO

‎The people were woken up on independence day with the news of the death of one of the zoo attendants in Agodi Zoo, Mr. Hamzat Oyekunle‎. Baba Olohunwa, as the deceased was called, had “fed‎ the lion for over five years and was known to have had a very good relationship with all the animals in the zoo” was ‘accidentally’ attacked by the lions on September 30, 2017. He was said to have died from injuries sustained from the incident.

9) ALAAFIN’S ANNOUNC‎EMENT OF OTUNBA GANI ADAMS AS AARE ONA KAKANFO OF YORUBALAND

On October 15, 2017, the same day he celebrated his coronation anniversary, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, surprised many as he announced the coordinator of Oodua Peoples Congress, Otunba Gani Adams as late Chief M.K.O Abiola’s successor as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. The appointment, which early critics predicted would generated condemnations, has continued to draw commendations from far and wide.

‎10) ‘COUNTER DEFECTION’ OF MAJOR POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHTS

The political space witnessed historic defection‎s in the history of the state. Former governor Rashidi Ladoja, ex-senator- Olufemi Lanlehin, Bisi Ilaka (all of Accord), Seyi Makinde, Dare Adeleke (of SDP), Sharafadeen Alli (LP), Jumoke Akinjide, Ayoade Adeseun, Hosea Agboola, Gbolarumi Hazeem and Mulikat Adeola Akande (all of PDP) decided to come together as one, under PDP. On the other hand, former governor Adebayo Alao-Akala (of LP) and ex-senate leader- Teslim Folarin (of PDP) led their supporters to the ruling APC

OPINION: Perspectives On Good Governance In Oyo State

Aare of Ibadanland, the Atunluse of Ibadanland, the Pillar of Support and Sustenance of Islamic Umma in Oyo State and the father of the mordern Oyo State, Mr. Restoration, Mr. Transformation , Mr. Repositioning, Mr.Quality, Master Strategist, A Pious and Godly personality and a Blessing of the Most High to the people of Oyo State in particular, Nigeria and mankind in general, Senator Dr. Aare Isiaka( not Isiaq as he is a Yorubaman and not Arab) Abiola Akanji Adeyemi Ajimobi, GOV, the father of the mordern Oyo State and the glory of God the jinx breaker- Koseleri 1 of Oyo State , the proud husband of Yeye Aare Florence Fatima Ajimobi, our masterpiece of nature( will write on Floxy Abiola my Benefactor and Angel soonest).

Let me simplify my task here by pigeonhole the attributes and qualities of this great Statesman under reference as profiled by me hereunder-

A. ASTUTE ADMINISTRATOR

Oyo State was thrown into abysmal filth of inverse, reverse and un-pacesetting when the PDP led government at the centre under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo unleashed a willing tool and ally, the Garrison Commander of Oyo State Politics, Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu of blessed memory to destabilise the progressive and purposeful government of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja in 2005 and Oyo State never recovered from that dungeon of retrogressiveness until Senator Abiola Ajimobi came on board on the 29th May, 2011 through a credible, free, fair and  transparent election conducted by a pious Gentleman, Professor Attahiru Jega who resisted all the pressures mounted him by the then President Obasanjo to announce a losing PDP candidate as the winner of that election.

All thanks to Almighty God who used Alhaji Ahmed Raji, SAN to also prevail on Professor Jega to maintain his insistence on declaring the rightful winner of that election in the person of Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

From 30th May, 2011, Senator Ajimobi hit the ground running with the launching of his government tripod RTR policy to wit: Restoration, Transformation and Repositioning.  The remarkable results and the greatest unprecedented  dividends of democracy which were never experienced in Oyo State since the exit of our great sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, was freely delivered and impacted at the doorsteps of the good people of Oyo State in all sectors of the state as follows-

* Security

* Restoration of the  Corporate being and pride of the people of Oyo State

* Suave, Urbane, Decent and Proud representation of the State by the Governor himself as the status symbol of the people and government of Oyo State

* Urban Renewal

*Uplifted , Efficient ,Effective productive  and less corrupt Civil service and public servants

* Introduction of Excellent Public Administration

* Appointment of Qualitative political Appointees

* Urban Renewal

* Provision of the qualitative Infrastructural facilities

* Medical Mission

* Entrenchement of the Rule of Laws through a thoroughly Rehabilitated Justice Sector

* Oyomesi Qualitative Education

* Estabilishment of full-fledged Polytechnics in Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa Zones

* Pioneered the Introduction of TSA in the country ( since 2011)

* Peaceful Resolution of the LAUTECH Ownership Crisis at the Supreme Court

*Enhancement and According Traditional Institutions a pre-eminent and prominent position

*Resolution of the trumped-up crisis among the Traditional Institutions in the State

” Resolution of Labour and Industrial Crisis through Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms

* Creation and Development of Recreational, Gaming and Sporting facilities

* Creation of Conducive and Enabling Environment for Bussiness Opportunities

* Attracting Investment Opportunities into the State

* Creation of Free Trade and Export Processing Zones

* Ongoing Construction of Circular Roads

* Flood Control

* Restoring the Development Partners’ confidence in the State and symbiotic collaboration with them

* Pioneer the Design of the Development and Masterplan for the State

*Eradication of perennial flood in the State

* Establishment of the premier Technical University in Nigeria in Oyo State

* Elimination of Ghost Workers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies

* Total Blocking of Revenue Leakages

*Efficient Allocation of the Lean Government Revenue among competing needs of the state

And please note that the wage bill of Oyo State is about N4.9b while the Federal Allocation and the State’s IGR is N5.2billion at the best or peak period.

* Grooming of a Credible , Competent Astute and Incorruptible Successor who shall be Mr. Actualizer that would consolidate and improve on the solid foundation ably built by the Archipellago himself.

Can you beat all that I have enumerated above? Your informed, unbiased , non-prejudiced and sincere comments please.

“Conscience is an open wound and only the truth can heal it” – Sheikh Uthman Dan Fodio

” Governance must not under any circumstances be entrusted to those who profess to be Moslems or Christians if they are unfair and unjust ; Rather Governance should be rightfully entrusted to the infidels if they are fair and just” – Alhaji Maitama Sule.

By Adebayo Mutalubi Ojo

(Ojo was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.)

Lam-Adesina: I Go Home Every Weekend; I’ve Spent Over N100m‎ On Poverty Alleviation

The lawmaker representing Ibadan North East / South East federal ‎constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Adedapo Lam-Adesina has said that a week or two cannot go without him visiting his constituents.

This is just as the 39-year old former commissioner said that he has spent over N100m on poverty alleviation programme in just two years in office.

According to him, this is apart from the physical infrastructure and financial assistance he has rendered to his people.

In a recent interview, the son of late ex-governor Lam-Adesina added: “We also did the stomach infrastructure, i.e empowerment for our people. During campaigns we visited various trade unions and organisations and did promised that we were going to support them, so we have been able to do that and as I speak to you, we have spent about N100m to provide poverty alleviation materials. We have also started what we call ‘Omo oloore’ food bank.

“I visit my constituency every weekend and I usually don’t to to my house but stay at my father’s house in Felele to attend to constituents and go around the constituency.”

‎Reacting to report that the 8th Assembly members have no money to share while some lawmakers are saying they don’t wish to be re-elected,

Lam-Adesina explained that he was not disappointed that members of the 8th Assembly ‎have no money to share unlike before.

Hear him: “I am not disappointed, and I don’t mind to return, as long as it is about service to the people. Let me say this, 90 per cent of everything I get here, I spend it in my constituency, I make bold to say it anywhere, you can find out. So for me, it is not about coming here to look for money, it is about coming here to fight for the right of my people, it’s about coming here to ensure that I get things to take back home to them.

“I am always very happy when I organise a programme or commission a project in my constituency, when it is over a month and it’s getting to two months and I didn’t do anything in my constituency, it looks like I have failed, so almost every month, there is one thing or the other to commission. Recently, we had the free health mission whereby about 2000 constituents benefited, it wasn’t the regular free health mission that we hear about, here lots of drugs and dispensed freely, it wasn’t about coming with the APC card, it was for everybody.

“The only thing we did was to ensure the beneficiaries come with their voters card, because a lot of us complain about people not doing the right thing in government and that our leaders are disappointing us, yet we don’t get involved in who becomes what.

“So we must challenge our people to ensure that they get their voters card and make sure that they vote for the right people, that is the only way we can change this system, a surgery was even conducted for one young boy and it was done successfully, so I will say I am not here to make money, I am just here to make a name, just like I did when I was commissioner it wasn’t about money, and I am rest assured that when you do very well for the people, they will push you ahead.

“I believe that because I did well as commissioner that was why people voted for me, after all I contested for this same position and lost, people were surprised because my father was a former governor and he was alive at that time.

“But that is not the way it is, people didn’t believe in me, and they voted against me, but when I had the opportunity and I did very well, people believed in me but funny enough, my father was no more at the time I won.

“So I think people should be encouraged with my story and understand that we can vote out politicians who are not doing very well and we can also vote in people who have done very well for us. It is an encouragement for me to know that when you do very well, you won’t have to run after money, the money will come,” he revealed.

On ho‎w much development he has attracted to his constituency, he disclosed that “You will notice that BudgiT, a civic society accountability organisation, in its last report, analysed Ibadan South-east / North-east federal constituency and confirmed that the three projects under the name of Ibadan South-east/North-east federal constituency were completed 100 percent.

“As at June when we clocked two years in office, I had done 21 water projects, and I am sure that no House of Representatives members has done 21 water projects in two years, even in four years, in that federal constituency,” he added.

Ajimobi To Nigerians: Don’t Lose Hope In Buhari’s Govt.

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the New Year, urging them to keep hope alive on the ability of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to take the economy through a remarkable turnaround.

This was contained in the governor’s New Year message by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, issued in Ibadan, on Sunday.

Admitting that the country went through a lot of social and economic challenges in 2017, Ajimobi, however, assured that the novel programmes and policies of the Federal Government would bring the needed succour to the people in 2018.

The governor particularly expressed sympathy with Nigerians on the pervading fuel scarcity, which, he said, spoilt the fun of the Yuletide for many people, assuring that it was a phase that would soon fizzle out.

While expressing appreciation to the people of Oyo State for their cooperation with, and support for his government, Ajimobi pledged that he would redouble his efforts to make life more meaningful to them in 2018.

He said that his administration would remain committed to the welfare and well-being of the people through the execution of projects that would have direct bearing on their lives.

Ajimobi said, “Although the challenges we are currently facing appear daunting, it is my utmost belief that, with the commitment and sincerity being exhibited by the Muhammadu Buhari-led FG, we shall overcome them.

“On our part, I want to assure you that we will complete some of the ongoing projects across the state; particularly those already slated for completion by 2018. We will also embark on aggressive rural infrastructural development.

“We are resolute in consolidating on the gains of the past. I crave your understanding and cooperation as good citizens of the state, particularly on the poor state of the economy, which has taken its toll on virtually all the states of the federation.”

“I want to appeal to our people to keep supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. Let us repose confidence in the president to take the economy through a remarkable turnaround.”

The governor assured the civil servants, artisans, traders, professional bodies and other citizens of the state of a new lease of life in 2018, while promising that he would not neglect the ongoing efforts at ensuring safe, secure and decent environment.

He called on the people of the state to continue to support his administration by also performing their civic duties so as to create a conducive atmosphere for the actualization of his dreams for the state.

“I wish everyone a New Year that brings prosperity and immense happiness to every home,” the governor said.

George Weah’s presidential election victory speech

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Former international football star Georges Weah speaks in the Liberian capital Monrovia on December 30, 2017, the day after Liberia's elections board officially certified Weah as the winner of the nation's presidential election, following a tally of all results. Weah, 51, is due to be sworn in on January 22, taking over from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who in 2006 took over the country founded by freed US slaves.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen
Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor, Vice President-elect of the Republic of Liberia
Fellow compatriots
Today is a day to give thanks. Let us begin by lifting our eyes to heaven to thank God Almighty for the wonderful blessings He has bestowed upon beloved our country. It was God who inspired the people of Liberia to vote change to believe that with this change will come the hope of … in a most prosperous Liberia future. I thank God that among so many presidential candidates, I was chosen to be the 24th President of the Republic of Liberia.
I am truly blessed and humbled by this divine favour. I thank my darling wife, Clar Weah, and my family who have stood by me over the years, especially in the last 13 years of political struggle. Through the darkest moments of this struggle, my wife and children have remained my pillar of strength. I would not have been able to do this without their untiring support and advice.
I cannot summon the words to thank the people of Liberia who have made this historic day possible. What the people of Liberia have delivered for the country cannot even be described in words. So, I will ask Liberians here and those throughout the country under the sound of my voice to thank the Liberian people by clapping for one minute.
I thank you for joining me to celebrate the Liberian people. They are the true heroes and heroine of this victory. Let me also thank the leadership, partisans, supporters and sympathisers of the Coalition we say a big thank you, with special thanks and appreciation going to the Honourable Senator of Nimba County, Prince Yormie Johnson. To the leadership and partisans of the Liberia People Democratic Party, we say thank you. To the leadership and partisans of the National Patriotic Party (NPP) we say thank you, and of course to our own, Congress for Democratic Change, we say a resounding thank you.
CDCians have sustained the struggle over the years, and without you this victory would not be possible. Two days ago, the world watched me cry. I did not cry because I won. I cried because of the many partisans who lost their lives in the struggle for change. They will never be forgotten. Please join me in a moment of silence in memory of the fallen heroes of our revolutionary struggle.
We truly thank all Liberians especially the women of Liberia who stood with us in the battle. For that, I can truly that the best way to celebrate all Liberians is to improve their lives through the instrument of pro-poor public governance. I declare publicly today that transforming the lives of all Liberians is a singular mission and focus of my presidency.
Over the next few days, we will assemble the government committed to fighting for the ideas that have inspired our campaign, and dedicated to delivering for the Liberian people. Those chosen to serve will and must be dedicated to the ideas of grassroots, social transformation. Person looking to cheat the Liberian people through the menace of corruption will have no place in my administration. We will build on the institutional gains under Madam Sirleaf to improve the lives of our people. We will build a new institution where necessary to protect rights and engender inclusion among all our people.
To our Diaspora Liberians, we say come home. This is a new dispensation. We need your skills, your ideas, your expertise and talents so that together we will build our common patrimony. To our development partners, we say a big thank you for the support you have provided over the last 12 years. As we embark upon this transition, we call for renewal and strengthening of this partnership. We know that aid flows have declined in the last few years. In our view, this decline is not good for the current transition – at least in the short term. While we work to grow the Liberian economy and expand our revenue base, medium-term aid would be needed to support projects that would be critical to our long-term growth.
To investors, we say Liberia is open and ready for business. Over the long term, private investment will be our key strategy to delivering transformation. We will work to relax constraints to private investment; strengthen the business, legal and regulatory environment, and protect business profits.
Fellow partisans, I received a concession call from His Excellency Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai. I thanked him and said that in the interest of our people, we will work together. He is a statesman and also my neighbour. If I have to walk over to greet and get advice from him, I will. That is what neighbours are for.
To other political parties, we are not enemies. We welcome you with open arms as we all strive to build our country. This election was a contest in ideas and not a clash of political personalities. Our ideas have prevailed but that does not mean you do not have a contribution to make. We need to bring our country together to secure our peace and work harder towards national unity and development.
To the iron lady of African, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, we say thank you for the peaceful transfer of power that is about to take place. Yours is a legacy in democratic empowerment, and we promise to follow your footsteps in protecting the rights of Liberians and providing even greater freedom. We will build on the foundation you have laid to achieve more for all of our people. Your job is not yet done, Madam President, as we will continue to count on you to strengthen our outreach to both development partner and investors, all in the direction of moving our country forward.
Let us all work hard to build our country; only then will the creed in our national anthem ring true:
In union strong success is sure
With God above
Our rights to prove
We will o’er all prevail

OPEN LETTER TO PMB BY ETTU MOHAMMED

Dear President Buhari,
IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO THAT BOY AND HIS FRIEND,
You will only have yourself to blame if you keep your son and the other gentleman who was involved in that fatal bike crash in Nigeria because you want to avoid being bashed for the madness of you and your contemporaries who presided over Nigeria in the last 5 decades.

You are trying not to incur the wrath of Nigerians at the poor lad's behest and i pray it doesn't backfire.

Let this be clear if anything happens to him just be rest assured its on you and your contemporaries who refused to invest in our healthcare system.

Accidents do happen but providing the best healthcare is the bomb. As at today no Nigerian hospital can take care of anyone involved in terminal illness, it is a clear way to the world beyond once you are unlucky to be gravely sick, this is your making and that of all your contemporaries who at one point presided over Nigeria and did nothing.

Just imagine we had all these air ambulances we can summon within minutes when involved in accidents or get the best healthcare minutes after accidents. I bet the Young boy must have laid gritting in pain for several minutes before he received attention and i am sure on their way to the hospital they received no care.

In as much as you can't changed the fact you and your former presidential contemporaries have not done anything to turn around the myriad problems that you guys brought upon Nigeria and Nigerians you should retire to Daura and pray for forgiveness.

It is clear your government has not done anything to improve the health sector and it is coming back to hurt you.

You were ferried out of Nigeria to get better treatment a serious indictment to you and your former presidential contemporaries.

You have been back in Nigeria after spending over 6 months in London on our bill yet you did nothing about the healthcare sector.

Under your watch the State House clinic was immersed in a brazen mismanagement and you looked away.

My only two kobo advise is that you get the poor boy out of Nigeria to get the best medical care and bury your face in shame when he gets back on his feet.

You should have experimented our healthcare system with your own life do not use that of your son for Experimental instead.

I only pity the poor mother and his siblings, I know for sure the mum would be traumatized seeing her only son in his present condition likewise the sisters.

May God heal the duo with immediate alacrity and we should also pray for those who can't afford Igbobi.

I do not care one bit about how Mr President feels at present.

ETTU MOHAMMED

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OKAYS AUTONOMY FOR LG

National Assembly okays autonomy for local
governments, INEC to be in charge of Local
Government elections!!!

The National Assembly on Tuesday, granted full financial and administrative autonomy to all the 774 local council authorities across Nigeria by amending section 124 of the nation’s constitution.

The section provides a consequential provision for the making of the local councils, a full third tier government without undue interference from the state governments.

The ammendment was one of the 22 others approved by the House of Representatives last week and ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.

Both chambers had through a conference committee harmonised versions of the ammendments into the constitution carried out by each of them last month.

By the development, the National Assembly had ratified all the 23 clauses and sections that had been ammended by both chambers.

The newly ammended document which would be sent to States Houses of Assembly, for approval, also approved the creation of the Office of Auditor – General of the Local Government as
well as the State Local Government Service Commission.

The section equally deleted the State
Independent Electoral Commission from the constitution thereby vesting the powers to conduct council elections on the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It however, retained the immunity clause in the constitution for the President and Governors by adopting the Senate version of the ammendments on the issue and rejected the House of Representatives version which removed the immunity clause.

The National Assembly also made provisions for Independent candidacy in future elections in Nigeria by ammending sections 65 and 106 of
the 1999 constitution!!!

Adeolu Akande In Ado-Awaye, Proffers Solution To Problems Of Agriculture In Oyo State

Adeolu Akande In Ado-Awaye, Proffers Solution To Problems Of Agriculture In Oyo State

A gubernatorial aspirant in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, Prof Adeolu Akande has recommended an agriculture policy focused on provision of food security, job creation, industrialisation and rural development for Oyo State.
He said agriculture can no longer be treated as a standalone item but the epicentre of the development strategy of Oyo State.
He said such approach will help the state to optimally harness the potentials of agriculture for food security, youth employment, rural development, industrialisation and general well-being of the people.
Akande made the plea as the Special Guest of Honour at the commissioning of the Ado Awaye Farm Settlement Scheme today.
The settlement is the initiative of the Ado Awaye community in Iseyin Local Government in the Oke Ogun area of Oyo State to create jobs for its youths and expand agriculture productivity.
Prof Akande said the initiative is commendable because it will address some of the key problems of agriculture sector in the country. He recommended the community’s initiative to other towns, saying such effort will complement the efforts of the state government in the areas of agriculture, youth empowerment and community development.
Akande also commended the focus of the settlement on cassava, saying it is high time Oyo State focused on its comparative advantage in cassava production and poultry.
He said: “As the largest producer of Cassava in a country that produces 54 Million Tonnes of Cassava but imports cassava products in excess of N1Trillion annually, Oyo State could double or triple its production to create more wealth for the people of the state”.
He identified problems hindering the potentials of Oyo State in agriculture as including aging farmers, deplorable feeder roads, challenging agriculture extension services and large but incapacitated holding farmers in need of  support.
Akande commended the Ajimobi administration for the many initiatives it has taken to address the problems confronting agriculture in the state, noting that dwindling financial allocation from the Federation Account has created more urgent need for more government attention to these areas.
“The incumbent government has been addressing these problems which have become deep-sited because of decades of neglect.” He said the farm settlement strategy will help address some of the problems because it will make provision of agriculture extension services more effective, enhance security against attacks on farmlands and promote cooperatives services for farmers to access financial assistance.
Prof. Akande volunteered to partner the farm settlement in the area of capacity building for its youths through his Adeolu Akande Foundation. He said the Foundation will expose the youths to the opportunities that abound in the agriculture value chain and in equipping them with other necessary competencies like book keeping, marketing and knowledge of and liaison with the international market.