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How Buratai broke over 100-year-old Kuta’s jinx – Oba Makama reveals
A prominent traditional ruler in the Southwest, Olowu of Owu Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, has said with the construction of the abandoned bridge linking his community – Owu Kuta with the outside world, Ikoyi-Ede and Osogbo, former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Tukur Buratai has broken the over 100-year-old jinx that negated development and prosperity of the town.
Oba Makama noted that the ex-chief of Army Staff helped to break the Jericho wall, adding that Kuta people will never forget his gesture in their lifetime, including the coming generations.
“We are eternally grateful to him and the Nigerian Army. If this was to be influenced by a political party, Kuta will continue to give unalloyed support to the party till eternity because the prosperity of the town is tied to that road”, he said.
The monarch, who expressed gratitude to Buratai and the Nigerian Army, disclosed this last Friday during a media chat organised by the Southwest Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Narrating how military engineers constructed the abandoned bridge, the chairman council of Owu Oba lauded Gen. Buratai for his patriotism and rare commitment to humanity , stressing that he has never seen a Nigerian as detribalized as the former military chief.
In his words, “Gen. Buratai is a jinx breaker, that’s another genius, highly detrabalized, a reliable and dependable, patriotic citizen of this country. Gen. Buratai is a friend, and a reliable one for that matter.
“My community has an age long agitation, just one single thing. During the old western region , before the colonial era, because we still have some records that are dated back to hundred and something years. Our people have been agitating that there should be a road between Kuta and Ede but there is a barrier – the Osun river, which made that impossible.
” This bridge was started by previous governments, I can remember former President Olusegun Obasanjo being the Balogun of Owu, while in power flew to the town twice and included the bridge in the federal budget, but it got no cash backing.
“Also, former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, my good friend, had the bridge in the state’s budget for 8years, the bridge alone is about over N3 billion, but there was no money to construct the bridge.
“But, one day, I was dinning with the ex-Chief of Army Staff, and he asked what do I want him to do for me. I told him, I don’t want anything from him. I told him there is only one thing I want him to do for me, and I mentioned the bridge. Eventually, God raised the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai for me.
“That same day he (Buratai) gave approval to construct in case if he leaves office that day and that was the day God smiled on that community that was founded in 1427. Buratai is the angel that God used”, the traditional ruler further narrated.
Oba Makama continued, ” I was away, when my subjects called, that soldiers are everywhere , and that they have gone to the river. When I inquired, I was informed that Gen. Buratai has asked that they should get him estimate of the bridge. No sooner, that we saw heavy equipment been moved to the river. And today, the military engineers have constructed the bridge which has been lying for over 100 years.
“Nobody contributed a dime, no contract was given, it was done by military engineers. We asked for one bridge, they did two . On the day of commissioning, Gen. Buratai led the Army council to Kuta. He constructed the bridge free of charge, Kuta people will never forget this.
“So, I think my relationship with the military is ordained, it has better off my community, and my relationship with the military will continue, irrespective of any hiccup”, the custodian of culture submitted.
As a result, he, however, said today, all residents of Owu Kuta are seeing the former military chief, Buratai as their god , for breaking a jix of over 100 years .
The monarch, also canvassed increased allocation of funds to the military to further assist in ongoing fight against insurgents in different parts of the country.
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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