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Fayose makes first public appearance, visits Ewi of Ado
GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Tuesday made his first public appearance in Ado Ekiti, the state capital after the July 14 poll which produced Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor-elect.
Fayose was hailed by crowd comprising of market women, kids, aged and youths and his nickname ‘Oshoko’ rented the air on the street of Ado Ekiti as he walked from the Oja Bisi area to the palace of the monarch of Ado Ekiti, the Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe.
The crowd were extremely excited on seeing him. They prayed for him and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The crowd saw him off to the Ewi palace where the governor reported the security lockdown in the state, particularly as it affects him at the government office to the custodian of culture, calling on the Ewi and other traditional rulers in the state to intervene.
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Governor dressed in complete black attire still wore the neck guide which he had shortly after he alleged he was physically assaulted by security agents on July 11.
“l have come to let you know that before the July 14 election, the government house was invaded by the police and men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the poll was rigged, over 300 of our members and top government functionaries have been arrested and clamped into detention since then. My wife was also subjected to a 45 minutes harrowing experience while entering the government house shortly before the poll.
“Since the day of the poll, the government office has been shut and my security agents have been withdrawn.
“The July 14 poll has come and gone, and the constitution says until Oct 16, I am still the governor. Since they have left this morning, I felt I should inform you, Ekiti people , Nigerians and international community that l am still being locked at the government office.
“I urge you to help tell the Federal Government and security agents and others that I should be left alone, l and my family have a right to life.
“The man who contested against us is being protected, but my policemen have been withdrawn. I represent Ekiti and was given a mandate of the people. Harassing me is not the best.
“My aides are being harassed, searched, their vehicles up to spare tires and they are being searched even to their pants. I wonder why we should be in this kind of situation ahead of 2019. I want you to intervene please Kabiyesi, ” Fayose reported to the monarch.
Reacting, the Ewi of Ado, who pitied governor Fayose, submitted: “First of all I want to thank God for sparing your life and that up till now, there has not been casualties.
“Before the poll and as if we knew this was going to happen, the council of Obas met with INEC officials, security operatives, party candidates and others and pleaded with all parties that before, during and after the poll, we want peace in Ekiti state, because we are homogenous, Ekiti will remain one forever and whoever wins we will accept.
”It is unfortunate that this kind of thing is happening, the way I see you today in complete black, which is against our custom in the palace. I knew something is happening. I will convey your message to the chairman traditional council of Obas in Ekiti. We had discussed you this morning and wondered where you are.
The monarch continued, ” We use this opportunity too to appeal to the security operatives to, in the name of God restore your security to you. Whatever it is, we are in Ekiti and they should allow us to intervene in this matter, all the three of you in the race, yourself, Professor Olusola Eleka, and Dr. Kayode Fayemi are our sons. You are all our eminent sons that cannot be wished away. We urge all parties to allow peace to reign. We will also get in touch with Dr. Fayemi to use his good office to intervene”.
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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