OGBOMOSO INFO

  The Oyo State House of Assembly has called on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to repair deplorable Federal roads across the State. This is sequel to a motion presented at plenary by House leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin who expressed particular concern over the deplorable Federal roads in Ogbomoso township and other towns. After deliberations on the motion, the House resolved to appeal to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works to expedite action on the completion of Oyo-Ogbomoso Road. Also, at the plenary, the House deliberated on the Oyo State Fund Bill 2024, a bill to establish the State Roads Fund Authority which passed second reading and was forwarded to the appropriate committees for further scrutiny. A motion titled ‘Need for the Executive arm of Government to Create a Fire Service Station in each of the 33 Local Government Areas for Quick Response to Emergencies was presented by Hon. Musbau Azeez, representing Kajola State Constituency. Anothe...

  President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers with promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years. President Tinubu also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage. President Tinubu announced the decisions at the meeting held with leaders of TUC and NLC on Thursday in Abuja, the second time the parties met in 7 days. The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries.

  President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated a road, project in Oyo North senatorial district of Oyo State, the 76.67 km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road. Tinubu hailed the state governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, for being a collaborative partner with the Federal Government in the area of building road infrastructure to connect communities and open the state up to commerce and economic opportunities that will lift people out of poverty. Represented by the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Tinubu stated this at the commissioning of the road named Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Highway in honour of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala. Tinubu that the Federal Government would support Oyo State to achieve its full potential as an agriculture hub in the country, especially in the agro-industrial sector. According to him, posterity would be kind to Governor Makinde for building such a huge legacy project that connects communities in Oyo State, opens the state to economic opportunities, and also links th...

                 President Bola Tinubu Nigeria’s inflation soared to 29.90 per cent in January 2024 from 28.92 per cent recorded in December 2023 amid rising food prices. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, who disclosed this on Thursday in its latest Consumer Price Index, added that the figure is 0.98 per cent points higher compared to the 28.92 per cent recorded in December 2023. According to the bureau, on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 8.08 per cent points higher compared to the rate recorded in January 2023, which was 21.82 per cent. In addition, the report said, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in January 2024 was 2.64 per cent, which was 0.35 per cent higher than the rate recorded in December 2023 at 2.29 per cent. The report said the increase in the headline index for January 2024 on a year-on-year basis and month-on-month basis was attributed to the increase in some items in the basket...

  The Federal government alongside the governors from all 36 states have concurred on establishing state-level police forces to tackle the rising insecurity issues. This consensus was reached at a critical meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu with the state governors at the presidential villa in Abuja last Thursday. Vice President Kashim Shettima also participated in this meeting. The announcement came from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, during a press briefing attended by Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ubah Sani (Kaduna), and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), following the meeting. Mohammed mentioned that this idea is still in the discussion phase, with further meetings planned to finalize how state police forces will be established. He emphasized that no definitive plans have been made yet. The discussions in the Thursday meeting also covered the country's food supply issues. The Minister revealed the formation of a committee to consolida...

  By Adewuyi ADEGBITE Few days ago, the management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,  LAUTECH , Ogbomoso, released a new fee regime for the school. The new fee regime ranges from N221,000 to N553,000 depending on course of study and state of origin. LAUTECH is owned solely by Oyo State unlike in the past when it was jointly owned with Osun State. Among all the state universities, her fee regime is about the most affordable. Before the expiration of the Abiola Ajimobi government in Oyo State, the fee was increased – a development that caused disaffection between the students/parents and the university. During his campaign for the 2019 gubernatorial election, the current governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, promised to look into the issue and do the needful. In fulfilment of the promise, he did not only reduce the fee but ended joint ownership with Osun State. Makinde was applauded by all for the feats. My concern now is the killer fee regime introduced by the sch...

  By Festus Adedayo  The porcupine is a large rodent that is clothed with a thick coat of sharp quills, spines. The spines protect it from rampaging predators. When it feels threatened, the porcupine shoots the arrows of its spines at its assailants. These deadly quills pierce the intending attacker, allowing the animal to escape harm. So, in their confidence about the mystical powers at the beck and call of their kings, Yoruba say that when hunters talk about pursuing, capturing and gripping an animal to death with bare hands, that animal can never be a porcupine. Most likely premising their conviction on history and ancient practices, the people liken their traditional rulers to the porcupine and believe that the monarchy approximates its gallantry. In the same way, wherever they expect gallantry and bravery but find cowardice and effeminacy, Yoruba respond with a feeling of disgust. One of their responses is captured in a saying that goes thus, “A Save Our Soul shout of ‘he...

  Jimi Solanke, a seasoned actor and folk singer, has passed away at the age of 81. The esteemed poet and playwright died on Monday while en route from his residence in Ipara Remo, Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, to Babcock University Teaching Hospital in Ilisan. His demise marks the end of a period during which he battled health issues, having been in and out of the hospital since December. Honorable Dickson Awolaja, who represents Remo North State Constituency in the state Assembly, confirmed the loss of this exceptionally talented artist. Awolaja expressed condolences, acknowledging the significant contributions of Pa Jimi Solanke to the development of Remo North and Ogun State. He described the passing as a substantial loss and extended wishes for the peaceful repose of the late artist's soul. Jimi Solanke, often fondly referred to as Uncle Jimi, left a lasting legacy with notable works such as Kongi’s Harvest, Sango, Shadow Parties, and more, leaving an indelib...

  Festus Adedayo  Big calamities seldom knock before opening the door. Calamities’ sneaky essence is articulated in one song by grand old Odolaye Aremu, Ilorin, Kwara state-born Dadakuada song minstrel. While philosophizing the concept of calamity, which Yoruba call “eemo”, Odolaye sang that surprise and swiftness are primary features of calamities, holding tight to them like leeches. So he sang, “Peki laa k’eemo,” (calamity is met suddenly). The singer points at horses used in races and in ancient wars meeting their end unprepared during races. It is the same with soldiers who mount horses and ride them to death. Odolaye sang that, as sudden death pounces upon warhorses, so also do buffalos meet their end in the treacherous thickets of the savannah. Last week, though not racing on horses nor does it have anything in similarity with buffalos, calamity swiftly walked into the capital of Oyo state and like Odolaye aptly dissected it, it was sudden. It came with its handmaidens –...

  The Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde has called on the people of the State to cooperate with heads of security agencies and security personnel by reporting suspicious movements and suspected criminal activity within their vicinity. Governor Makinde made the call at the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Grand finale and Laying of Wreaths.  The Oyo State governor who on arrival inspected the guard of honour and parade also led the wreath laying aspect of the event held to honour the fallen heroes who paid the supreme price while protecting the nation's territorial integrity. The event had in attendance, the Dep Gov , Barr Bayo Lawal, SSG,  Prof Nike Adeyemo, Chief of Staff , Hon Segun Ogunwuyi, Head of service Mrs Bunmi Oni, commissioners , Special advisers and the Chairman , BCOS , Mrs Dotun Olaitan. The Speaker ,Oyo State house of Assembly , Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, the representative of Olubadan , ...

  The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Mrs Salawu Oluwatoyin as the Deputy Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. This was contained in a statement issued by the Registrar, Mrs Modupe Fawale and signed on her behalf by the Public Relations Officer, Mogaji Soladoye Adewole. The approval of Mrs Salawu as the Deputy Rector of the institution followed her election last October and subsequent approval by the state government on 10 January, 2024. The appointment takes retrospective effect from 1 November, 2023 and terminates on 31 October, 2025. The position of the Deputy Rector became vacant when the then Deputy Rector, Mrs Olubunmi Olubamiwa, completed her two-term tenure. Mrs Salawu Olaide Oluwatoyin (Nee Alade), an Indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State was born over 50 years ago. She joined the services of The Polytechnic, Ibadan on 20 September, 1993 as Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Mrs Salawu rose through...

  Oyo State Government has debunked information being circulated by certain unscrupulous elements on the sale of application forms for employment of medical personnel into the services of the State Government. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation in a statement issued in Ibadan clarified there is currently no sale of such forms, as the process for eventual recruitment is still on-going. The statement implored the general public to therefore disregard the false information on recruitment of medical personnel.  The Ministry also assured that adequate information will be made available to the public once present arrangements are concluded on the recruitment process. The state advised the public to visit the Office of the Permanent Secretary, State Hospitals’ Management Board or call telephone numbers 07034776164, or 08037179610 for any further clarification.

  The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Sanwo-Olu’s victory was upheld by the tribunal and Appeal Court in the state. The kernel of the case of the Labour Party candidate in the election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, is on Sanwo-Olu’s running mate qualification. He claimed that the deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, had renounced his citizenship as a Nigerian. The court held that Sanwo-Olu’s deputy is a Nigerian by birth The court added renunciation of citizenship of a citizen by birth must be registered by the Nigerian president, adding that the appellant did not provide evidence to that effect. The court, however, dismissed the appeal by the Labour Party Candidate for lacking in merit.

  The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has seized the passports of the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and her predecessor, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, over the ongoing investigations into scandals in the ministry. Edu, who arrived at the EFCC headquarters, Abuja at 10am on Tuesday, was still being quizzed by the commission’s investigators as of the time of filing this report at 7pm. The scandal involving Edu burst open after a leaked memo revealed that the suspended minister directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant, Grants for Vulnerable Groups. The minister had claimed that the N585m payment was meant for vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun, and Lagos states, describing the allegations against her as baseless. The Media Assistant to the minister, Rasheed Ol...

  The Western Nigeria Security Network codename Amotekun has arrested two persons in connection with the removal of a fresh human head from a graveyard in Saki, Oyo State. It was gathered that one of the suspects went to the graveyard on Monday evening to dig the grave and remove the head of the deceased buried on the same day. His accomplice, who sent him on the mission, has also been arrested. A source in the town who spoke with newsmen on Wednesday said that the perpetrators live in Oba Abimbola layout in Saki. The State Commandant of Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd) further confirmed the arrest of the suspects on Wednesday.

The Oyo State Government and the United Nations Children Education Fund have concluded plans to adopt more Local Government Areas in the state for the Open Defecation Free programme. The Director of Sanitation, Oyo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Mrs Titilayo Obayemi, who disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Ibadan, said Ibarapa-East Local Government Area in the state had been selected as the third local government that would be triggered for the ODF programme. Mrs Obayemi described the selection process as competitive and transparent. She noted that monitoring and other follow up programmes would continue at Egbeda and Ona Ara council areas that were initially triggered for the ODF programme. She recalled that the state government in 2022 launched a road map on open defecation to avert its negative impact on health and wellness of the general citizens. She noted that the road map would enable the state to plan on how the 33 LGAs in the state would be open defec...

  Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan (UI) branch, has decried the move by National Assembly to create additional 47 federal universities. UI ASUU Chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in an interview with Newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday on the sidelines of its scholarship awards to some indigent students. Akinwole expressed concern over the planned creation of additional federal universities when government was still struggling to fund the existing ones. According to him, the Federal Government is still battling to maintain the quality of the 52 universities it currently has. The ASUU chairman described the removal of tertiary institutions from IPPIS as mere ‘noisemaking’, as there had been no letter to that effect to the universities. He, therefore, urged the government to always effect its policies before making pronouncements.

    The Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has approved an increase in basic salary, allowances and annual basic salary for all the staff of the State house of assembly and the state House of Assembly commission. The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin made the disclosure today (Tuesday), in a remark at the annual inter-faith service for civil servants in the state. According to the speaker, the approval as granted by Governor Makinde include, 35 percent Basic Salary (legislative duty allowance), 30 percent of other allowances under the Negotiated Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure and 10 percent Annual Basic Salary to be reinstated as Leave Bonus. He added that the implementation of all the approvals will be effective from January 1, 2024. Hon. Ogundoyin implored Governor Makinde, who is also the vice chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to encourage other governors to give priority to the legislatures in their various states in ...

    Oyo State Environmental Task Force comprising Amotekun corps, Police, Civil Defense Corps and other stakeholders have arrested another 21 people for dumping refuse indiscriminately in unapproved areas in Ibadan. Earlier, the task force arrested 19 environmental law offenders for dumping refuse at Alakia Bridge and Iwo Road axis of Ibadan metropolis. According to the Commissioner for Environment and Natural resources, Architect Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola the offenders were apprehended at Yemetu, Mokola and other areas. The commissioner while frowning at the indiscriminate dumping of refuse assured that the task force will not relent in its effort to ensure full compliance of environmental laws. Architect Mogbonjubola further charged residents to desist from illegal dumping of refuse in road side and patronize registered refuse collectors. According to Architect Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, the environmental law offenders will pay a fine of 110,000 Naira or one month community se...

  A new Commissioner of Police, Bzigu  Kwazhi, has been posted to Osun State to replace CP Isyaku Mohammed. According to a statement on Friday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola,  the new CP reported at the state police command in Osogbo on Thursday. The deployment is sequel to the recent redeployment of former Commissioner of Police, CP Isyaku Mohammed, she stated. Opalola added that the new CP was born in Mildu Shalmi, Madagali L.G.A of Adamawa State. The statement added, The new Commissioner of Police holds  B.A in History/Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and was a SEC 45 alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.  He joined the Nigeria Police Force in May 1992 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (Cadet ASP).