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Ekun Leaps to The Next Level

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Chief  Waheed Ekun, the Agbaakin Mayegun of Ibadanland, is a thoroughbred ‘shon of the shoil’ of Ibadanland whose diverse influence transverses all segments of the formal and informal strata of the Nigerian polity, nay worldwide, but in particular that of Yorubaland and succinctly that of Ibadanland which is the main focus of his interest in the leadership of the umbrella body of all indigenous Clubs/Associations/Groups of Ibadanland known as, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

It is an accepted fact that sporting activities are about the only aspect of life, globally, with unifying factor when all citizens of a country put aside all their differences and unite as one to support our team/individuals!

Worldwide sporting activities like football and table-tennis attract so much followers and Chief Ekun had, since a very tender age, been involved in one of the prominent grass-root sporting activities, namely Table-Tennis game, he went to the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, to hone his capability to be well acceptable in all global sporting convocations!

Waheed was a champion at all categories of the table-tennis championship events held locally and globally, he went ahead to take on coaching jobs in many countries abroad like Ghana, United Kingdom, United States of America amongst others!

Waheed remains the only Nigerian, nay African, whose write-up on the game of Table-Tennis was accepted to be published in the journal of the International Table-Tennis Federation who later adopted his recommendations as part of how the game was officiated!

His exploits in these sporting activities attracted and are still attracting lots of influence in all circumstances of human endeavours and these are veritable avenues he will definitely explore for the benefit of Ibadanland as much as the need arises!

During all his educational and professional exploits, he came in contact with and made lasting/mutually beneficial relationships which will still be available for the development of Ibadanland!

Waheed is iconic social person with membership of notable associations/groups within and outside the shores of Nigeria. He is a member of the first cosmopolitan club in Africa, the Ibadan Recreation Club, where he served in so many relevant capacities including being the General Secretary of the Club. He is a member of the Ibadan Solidarity Group, which is one of the foremost clubs under the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) where he also served as the General Secretary and eventually as the President after which he was included in it’s Board of Trustees. A crucial aspect of his membership of ISG is the undeniable fact that when he was it’s General Secretary, he got a lot of upward mobile sons of Ibadanland to join the Group which eventually lifted the status of the Group from one which membership was not up to twenty to a level of almost seventy as those he brought in also got others to become members thus strengthening the influence of the Group in the CCII and Ibadanland!

Waheed also is a member of  the Jericho Businessmen Club, another formidable Club within the CCII, and to demonstrate his grassroot cleavage, he belongs to Ibidapo Ibidunni Olounje Bodija, an association of market men and women through whose sponsorship he was elected as the General Secretary of CCII, a position on which he brought to bear his wealth of experience thus elevating the GS status beyond the way it used to be considered in the affairs of the CCII!

This caught the attention of the then Executive Governor of Oyo State who appointed him as his Special Adviser On Sports thus giving him the privilege of being part of the governance of the State with the attendant advantage of knowing the workings of the Civil Service at the top which he had and can still exploit for the benefit of CCII as the need arises in future!

It was during the tenure of Waheed as the Chairman, Ibadan Week Celebrations, that a lot of fresh/new ideas were introduced thus lifting the Celebrations to another level never experienced before and equally generating both moral and financial profits to the CCII!

Chief Ekun is now into real estate industry operating under the name Waheed Ekun Properties and he is involved in the totality of the industry: buying, selling and building (commercial and residential apartments) through which business he has been able to build a credible reputation!

Waheed is married to ‘Sunmbo, his childhood heart-throb, and they are blessed with three children, Yetunde, Wareez and Aishat and through Yetunde, he became a grandfather some years ago!

All his veritable exploits in all of human endeavours did not go unrecognized and therefore, he was given an Impact Award_ in recognition of his contributions towards the promotion/development of Ibadanland, particularly the youths, by The Federation of Ibadan Students Union in the year 2009. Also he, as a cultural icon, was appointed a Cultural Ambassador by The Centre For African Culture And Tradition in the year 2010. Equally in the year 2019, the University of Ife made him a role model in pursuant of his attributes as a youth leader!

A complete gentleman with considerable influence in all facets/spheres of the Nigerian polity, it is during the Ileya Eid-Kabir party he holds annually that his wide acceptability is better seen/demonstrated as the creme-de-la-creme of the society always make that occasion a must-attend event, Waheed is a very marketable individual whose brand will bring a lot of developmental milestones, from within and outside Nigeria, to Ibadanland during his tenure as the PG of CCII!

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Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe

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(FILES) The logo of carmaker Ford is pictured on the sidelines of a warning strike called by metalworkers’ union IG Metall at the plant of carmaker Ford in Cologne, western Germany, on October 29, 2024. – US car manufacturer Ford on November 20, 2024 announced plans for 4,000 further job cuts in Europe, mostly in in the UK and Germany, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

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.

 

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Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor

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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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Ekiti Workers to Earn N70,000 Minimum Wage as Govt Signs MoU with Unions

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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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