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Oyo agog as Alaafin Installs Folashade Abeo Nurudeen as new Iyaloja-General
The ancient Yoruba town of Oyo, Oyo state Southwest Nigeria went agog last Monday when the Alaafin of Oyo and Permanent Chairman, Oyo State Traditional Council, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III installed Princess Azeezat Folashade Abeo Nurudeen as the new Iyaloja General of Oyo State.
The epoch making occasion of installation and coronation exercise took place at the palace of the Alaafin on Monday, April 26 had the full attendance of all members of the Oyo State Traditional Council, new Iyaloja’s admirers, Oyo State Market Leaders Joint Working Committee among other dignitaries.
Alaafin’s confirmation, installation and coronation exercise organized for the new Iyaloja General of Oyo State was consequent upon the letter which the Oyo State Market Leaders Joint Working Committee wrote to the monarch on 14th March, 2021 where no fewer than eight (8) out of twelve (12) various cluster groups comprising of Artisans, Technicians and Traders in Oyo State endorsed Princess Folashade Abeo Nurudeen.
The eight (8) clusters of Oyo State Market Leaders Joint Working Committee, where the Presidents and Secretaries endorsed the candidature of Princess Azeezat include the followings:
Canteen Workers Association of Oyo State, while Alhaja (Chief) Hamdalat Iyaduni Lawal and Mr Oluwaseun Olaniyan endorsed Folashade Abeo Nurudeen’s candidature on behalf of the association as the President and Secretary.
Tradesmen and Artisans Association of Oyo State approved her candidature with signatures of Alhaji(Chief) Yisau Kolayode Hamzat and Alhaji Sabitu Akanji Salawu as the president and Secretary.
Chief (Mrs) Patience Labake Lawal and Alfa Waheed Salaudeen signed on behalf of Joint Traders Association of Oyo State as the president and Secretary.
Nigerian Youth Traders Action International endorsed her candidature with signatures of Alhaji Najimdeen Amole Azeez and Alhaji Kabiru Oladipupo as the president and Secretary.
In a related development, Oyo State Association of Traders in Nigeria, also in support of her candidature with approval from Mrs Stella Modupeoluwa Olabisi and Comrade Taofeek Oyewale Alausa as the president and secretary.
Continuing, Ibadan Joint Traders Association with signatures of its president and Secretary in persons of Mr Abiodun Adeola and Alfa Kamil Ari yo, while National Traders and Market Leaders Council confirmed her installation with signatures of Alhaja Sikirat Hammed Lawal and Alhaja Funke Ayinde as the president and secretary.
While Companion Traders Association of Oyo State is not left behind as her candidature was endorsed by Chief Samson Adeola Afolabi and Alhaja Isiaka Lawal as the president and secretary respectively.
The foremost traditional ruler, Oba Adeyemi while performing the coronation exercise, congratulated the new Iyaloja General on the confidence, belief and sincerity that the market leaders reposed in her, to have suggested and confirmed her for the exalted position after several consultations and deliberations.
Alaafin, however tasked her to maintain her status quo on reasons and factors which necessitated her nomination and installation as the new Iyaloja General of Oyo State, stressing that her pure and genuine disposition to the market leaders’ association will henceforth culminate fruitful and prosperous results.
The monarch in affirmation and authenticity of the coronation exercise carried out on Princess Azeezat Folashade Abeo Nurudeen, penned Governor Seyi Makinde informing him that he (Alaafin) had performed the coronation on her based on the unanimous decisions of the market leaders.
In her appreciation, the new Iyaloja General of the state, Princess Abeo Nurudeen thanked the Imperial Majesty, the highly revered custodian of culture, Alaafin Adeyemi for making time out of his tight schedules to make the installation and coronation feasible, promising that she would do the needful to contribute her own quota to the growth and development of the various cluster groups that make the association.
She equally sought for the cooperation of all and sundry in order to attain the greatest results.
The coronation was well attended by the creme la creme within the state and beyond amidst funfair and merriment.
Photo credit: Beejay Bright
News
Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe
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.
News
Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor
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.
News
Ekiti Workers to Earn N70,000 Minimum Wage as Govt Signs MoU with Unions
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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