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Accord Party Leader, Ladoja Cautions Ajimobi Over Ibadan Chieftaincy Affairs.
FORMER Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasidi Ladoja yesterday cautioned Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state to steer clear of Ibadan chieftaincy affairs, warning that any attempt to dabble into it may have grave consequences.
The National leader of Accord Party (AP), Ladoja, also advised the governor to face governance squarely by addressing issues of state importance which he said include the lingering crisis battling with Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, dwindling fortune of the education, health, delay in the payment of workers salaries and pensioners, conduct of local government election among others.
Addressing newsmen at the graduation and distribution of empowerment tools to graduants trained by a member of the state House of Assembly representing Ibadan South East 1, Hon. Fatai Adesina on Saturday, the ex-governor specifically faulted the purported inauguration of committee to review the 1958 declaration by the present administration, describing it as a distraction.
He said, “I read it in the paper today, it is a distraction. Distraction in the sense that there are more pressing issues in the hand of the governor.
“The people in the Chieftaincy line, they have the council, the Olubadan-in Council and they are in the position to handle their matters without the interference of the government.
“And he should first of all go and settle the pressing matters. He should go and settle the problem of employment, he should go and settle the problem of schools that are not functioning, he should go and settle the problem of LAUTECH and he should go and settle the problem of the hospitals not Ibadan Chieftaincy matters.
“I told you three months ago, one year ago, two years ago that we are ready for the local government election and I told you that the hand of jacob and the voice of esau. If somebody says don’t conduct local government election and they went to court, the matter is still in the court, that means that the only thing that concerns the governor is the issue of local government fund, now that the fund has been released nobody want to know how the case went again.
“There is nothing that concern government with Ibadan chiefantcy affairs, what are they doing on the issue of LAUTECH, when student who spent six years but could not get certificate?”, Ladoja questioned.
Ladoja, however called on the people of the state to have a rethink and know the kind of people to vote for in 2019.
“I am using this medium to call on good people of Oyo State to think well.
“The local government election is there, all these court issues, all is a tactical move not to conduct the local government election, this is why I want the people of Oyo state to think very well.
“The problem that will come out of this interference will be much.
“It is half time now, two years have gone.
“So don’t think the government is forever, the people will still have time to elect someone that will pay them. ” This is the time to reorganise our party, because of this, I want the people of Oyo State to think very well.
“In the 2004/2005 session, LAUTECH was the 5th in the country but where is it now? In 2005, SUBEB said Oyo state is the best in the country, it has changed now, the former governor amplified.
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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