News
Group hails Makinde giant strides in market leaders’ tussle, NURTW/PMS merger talks
• lauds Dotun Sanusi’s roles in peacebuilding initiatives
A group; under the aegis of Greater Oyo State Initiatives has appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his latest giant strides in conflict resolution and amicable resolution of the festering crisis amongst the warring market leaders in the state.
A statement issued on Thursday by the group’s president, Chief Adesola Aderogba disclosed that the governor is already walking his talk in ensuring that people live harmoniously to contribute their quota towards the socioeconomic development of the State.
Chief Aderogba informed that the crisis amongst the market leaders was finally laid to rest this week as all the units of the markets in the State affirmed Alhaji Yekini Abass (a.k.a. YK Abass) as the Babaloja-General of Oyo State.
‘Alhaji YK Abass emerged as the choice of all market units, thus putting paid to Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh’s aspiration for the same position”, Aderogba remarked.
Similarly, he hinted that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje was ratified on Wednesday in Ibadan by leaders across markets as the authentic Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.
Saratu Konibaje garnered seven votes against her main challenger, Princess Folashade Abeo who scored two votes in a closed-door peace-building effort by some stakeholders in the State.
Aderogba who eulogized the support of an ally of the Governor; an Ibadan-based billionaire and owner of Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort, Chief Dotun Sanusi in the peacebuilding efforts said, ‘Dotun Sanusi has shown in deeds and actions that he is a man of immense influence, character, integrity, and quality upbringing in facilitating the peace efforts so far.’
Chief Adesola said, ‘Engr Dotun Sanusi (Ilaji) deserves our prayers as he is not only the facilitator of the peace initiatives, he also followed up and presented same to the Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde who in turn created an environment for fruitful reconciliation of the impasse.
‘Our man, Sanusi is a great asset to Ibadan, Oyo State, Yorubaland, and humanity in general. He took up the matter with our listening Governor. And today, there is no Victor, no vanquished as far as market leaders in the State are concerned.
‘After painstaking efforts and due process by all the stakeholders, Alhaji YK Abass is now our Babaloja-General while Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje has been unanimously elected as the Iyaloja-General. Both leaders have been presented to the State House of Assembly for legislative backing while the State Government also presented them with Certificates.
‘Kudos to our Governor for these great giant strides. He is passionate about the well-being of our people and he is showing leadership by example. His Omituntun 2.0 will galvanize the State to the greater pedestal.
‘The next stage for His Excellency is to finalize the ongoing peace efforts in the motor parks and integrate the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with their counterparts in the Park Management System (PMS).
‘Dotun Sanusi is helping us in this regard too and the Governor is also moving fast on this issue. Both deserve the prayers of all and sundry to record tremendous success in their endeavors. Engr Makinde is truly the People’s Governor. May God help him to succeed,’ Aderogba added.
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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