Politics
‘Look at genuine complaints, suggestions to make Amotekun acceptable’, Oyo ALGON tells S/W governors
The Association Of Local Government Of Nigeria, (ALGON) Oyo State Chapter on Thursday, urged Southwest governors to look at all genuine complaints and suggestions to make the newly launched Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ generally acceptable so as to achieve its set goal of providing complementary security to all.
The association, while declaring support for the security outfit also appealed to the governors to subject its operations to democratic control, management of communities and local government authorities as elected representatives of the grassroots for Amotekun not to be abused and misused.
Oyo ALGON through its Chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass Aleshinloye stated this at the New Year get together and review of year 2019 activities held at ALGON house, Ibadan, the state capital.
Prince Aleshinloye further disclosed that the association will set up a technical committee to study the situation and make recommendations to the governors on it.
“Let me state here that ALGON Oyo State supports Amotekun as we have been doing to create and support any move to address meaningfully the security of life and property as this is the fundamental objective and duty of government at all levels because without security there cannot be governance or development.
“We however wish to appeal to South west governors to subject the operation of Amotekun to democratic control and management of communities and local government authorities as elected representatives of the grassroots for Amotekun not to be abused and misused”, Prince Alesinloye observed.
Reacting to the recent appointment of Caretaker Chairmen in the state , the ALGON boss insisted that the continuous disregard of the Supreme Court judgement and High Court judgement that forbid dissolution of democratically elected Local Government functionaries shows clearly a flagrant disobedience and abuse of rule of law by the Seyi Makinde – led government.
Alesinloye, however dared Governor Makinde to produce the ‘Court Order’ he repeatedly claimed restrained the conduct of local government election organized during the tenure of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“In his defense, the State Government said the Local Government election that was conducted by the last dispensation was illegal because it contravened court order. The government run by Engr. Seyi Makinde has been asked since then to produce and give evidence of the so-called “Court Order” they repeatedly claimed restrained the conduct of local government election organized during the tenure of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, but all this was to no avail. The order only exists in their imagination.
“As if were not enough, the Governor in his usual characteristics, displayed yet another contempt to highest court of the land with the swearing-in of the outlawed caretaker committee to forcefully take over our seats that were not vacant by law.
“We are equally aware that recently, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation has issued an advisory directive to the Attorneys General of all the 36 states including Oyo state, requesting they all comply with the decision of the Supreme court outlawing illegal dissolution of Local Councils and which set aside caretaker appointments over local councils.
“The HAGF by his letter demanded compliance with the Supreme court by a restoration of democratically elected Council Chairmen and Councillors in all councils in the states.
“Uptill now Governor Makinde and his government have continued to act illegally and contrary to democratic norms. We reiterate that we shall not fail to continue to fight this illegality prone, unjust and deceptive administration until Governor Makinde submits to, and obeys our constitution, court judgments and the rule of law, the continuing despise of which is an impeachable offence against him”, prince Aleshinloye concluded
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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