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2024: Anglican bishop, Aladekugbe urges govt. to prioritise practical solutions over palliatives
The Bishop of Ibadan North (Anglican) Diocese, Rt Reverend Williams Aladekugbe, has called on government at all levels to consider practical solutions in the new year rather than relying on palliatives.
Noting that such palliatives often fail to reach the populace and are exploited by unscrupulous politicians for personal gain, the Bishop urged all Nigerians to embrace righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, emphasising the need to fight the good fight of faith for eternal life.
Bishop Aladekugbe delivered these calls in his New Year message on Sunday, imploring the government to prioritise investment in local government interests over federal issues to bring tangible benefits to communities and avoid chaos.
He further emphasised the importance of ensuring that no religion or tradition takes precedence over the constitution in every part of the country, warning that failure to do so would hinder national unity.
“We appeal to government at all levels to make life meaningful and livable for the citizens; the citizens are hungry and angry. The cost of living is astronomically high and unbearable. We implore the government to invest more in local government interests than federal government issues. This way, people can feel the effect of having a government rather than chaos in most parts of community living. We also plead that no religion or tradition should take precedence over the constitution in every part of the country. Unless this happens, we are obviously not one people.”
The Bishop expressed concern about the continuous devaluation of the Nigerian Naira and urged the government to address it seriously. He criticised the soaring prices of food items, highlighting the incongruity of a bag of rice costing N60,000 in a country where the minimum wage is N30,000.
Addressing the issue of safety, he noted that citizens often feel unsafe in the country, leading some to relocate due to perceived better security services in other countries. He cited Nigeria’s low ranking on the 2023 Global Peace Index (144th out of 163 countries) as evidence of the high rates of crime and insecurity.
Looking ahead to 2024, Bishop Aladekugbe urged Nigerians, especially the Church, to make a difference in the face of corruption and societal challenges. Expressing gratitude for surviving the ups and downs of 2023, he acknowledged the challenges, including pre-election issues, Naira redesign, cash shortages, fuel scarcity, elections, change of governments, and the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
“As we begin the new year, we implore everyone to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. We must fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life. As Christians, if we keep the faith and refrain from contributing to the ills plaguing our country, others will surely have a re-think.”
The Bishop concluded by thanking God for the new year and offering prayers for joy, peace, security, and fulfillment for all in 2024. “Happy New Year to us all,” he added.”
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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