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Our society demands us to be magnanimous to the less-privileged – Makinde
The wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has charged the rich in the society to always find ways of giving back to humanity by caring for the less-privileged.
She said the rate of poverty and despair among the people has called for concerted effort to create means of survival and shelter for those in dire need, especially Nigerians suffering from loss occasioned by insurgence or natural calamities.
Mrs Makinde said this over the weekend while receiving gift items donated by MTN Foundation to Juveniles Correctional Institution and Child Care Unit, Ijokodo, Ibadan on behalf of the State government.
She said “a large percentage of Nigerian population today are going through hell on earth for reasons they were not the cause or directly responsible for, the rate of suicide and despair among Nigerians could be traced to the condition of the economy which has forced many out of their jobs and rendered many homeless.
“It is the responsibility of those who have the financial power to cater for the need of these sets of Nigerians, we urge the corporate bodies to tow the path of MTN Foundation and give back to the society by donating items that will keep those in need alive, they should start to build institutions like schools, libraries, hospitals and the rest to facilitate empowerment for those in dire need of survival.
“The present administration in Oyo State has made it the major cardinal programme to put the welfare of workers, the less-privileged and the generality of the people into consideration in all policies and activities of the government, this is reflected in the free education policy and you can see the result in the influx of pupils back to school, as financial burden on the parents are now light.
“Children used to beg in the street and those that have left school due to reasons of homelessness among others are today going to school from government-controlled orphanage homes and it is a thing of joy when you think of the outcome of such interventions,” she added.
Mrs Makinde was accompanied by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Professor Bolanle Olaniyan and the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and social inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni to the event.
Earlier the Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Mrs Odunayo Sanya while handing over the items donated said, the gesture was part of the organization’s corporate social responsibility to the people and a way of raising the living standard of the less privileged in the society, as according to her, everyone deserved the benefit of a conducive living.
She explained that the provision of basic living amenities and consumables to the less privileged was critical to the growth and development of the nation, emphasizing that the Foundation was passionate about making life better for the children.
Expressing her gratitude to the Foundation, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni described the gesture as timely and uplifting and appreciated the caregivers for their support, love, care and dedication to humanity, enjoining them to use the gifts donated maximally for the benefit of the children.
Items donated are consumables, toiletries, detergents, diapers among others.
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-thirds of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The survey, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), underscores the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.
The report shows that approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one.
Power Outages and Access to Energy
The survey also sheds light on the nation’s energy crisis, revealing that Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week. While 82.2% of urban households have access to electricity, the figure drops to 40.4% in rural areas.
Cooking remains predominantly dependent on traditional methods, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on firewood. However, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly increasing.
Sanitation and Asset Ownership
In terms of sanitation, the report highlights that many households still lack basic toilet facilities, relying on bushes or streets for waste disposal. Access to clean drinking water is often through tube wells or boreholes, reflecting a lack of formal infrastructure in many areas.
On asset ownership, the survey indicates a decline since 2018/19. While two-thirds of households own mobile phones, only 21.3% have internet access. Housing ownership remains significant, with 70.4% of households owning their homes—80.1% in rural areas compared to 49.1% in urban centers.
The NBS report provides a stark reminder of the challenges many Nigerians face daily, from food insecurity and power outages to inadequate sanitation and declining asset ownership. It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these critical issues and improve the living standards of the population.
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.
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