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Makinde’s aide, Danjuma fingered in fresh controversy over Oyo market leadership
Barely two weeks after traders in Oyo State lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for amicably resolving the crisis rocking the leadership of markets in the State, an Adviser on Market Liaison to the governor, Mrs Odunayo Danjuma has been allegedly fingered in a fresh controversy over the authentic Babaloja and Iyaloja in the State.
It would be recalled that Governor Makinde was a few days ago hailed for ensuring peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis among the traders.
Both Alhaji Yinusa Abass (YK Abass) and Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje were thereafter officially recognized Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General respectively.
However, this week, at a function held at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan, Danjuma was severally quoted as recognising both Alhaji S.A. Jimoh and Princess Folashade Abeo as Babaloja and Iyaloja of the State, in contravention of the recent agreement reached among the stakeholders in the State.
A press statement signed by Alhaji Gbadebowale Aruna on Friday in Ibadan said, ‘This Governor Seyi Makinde’s Adviser on Trade matters, Mrs Odunayo Danjuma is overreaching herself and going against his boss’s decision on the leaders of market men and women in the State.’
Aruna added, ‘Danjuma, three days ago, recognised SA Jimoh and Folashade Abeo as Babaloja and Iyaloja of the State. This is utterly against the Governor’s recent decision recognising Alhaji YK Abass and Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General of the State respectively.
‘The Governor, had based on the court’s decision, constituted stakeholders to look into the matter which has festered for too long and at the end of the rigorous review and several meetings, both YK Abass and Saratu Konibaje were returned as authentic Babaloja and Iyaloja for the State.
‘It is now crystal clear that that decision didn’t go down well with a supposed Governor’s Adviser, Danjuma who is now in cahoot with another Commissioner in the Governor’s cabinet, Chief Bayo Lawal saying ‘we no go gree with Governor Makinde’s decision and position?’
‘The question is: Is Danjuma more powerful than the Commissioner and the Governor combined? In particular, is an Adviser powerful than the Governor who appointed her?
‘Is this a sign of weakness on the part of the Governor or indifference to what could draw back the hands of progress of this administration in matters that have to do with the peace in our markets?
‘Is Danjuma now dictating to the Governor on what he should do or not do? This volte-face coming about two weeks after the Governor resolved the crisis in the markets is nothing but a calculated attempt to set the traders against the Governor, and Engr Seyi Makinde must watch this banana peel.
‘Danjuma saying the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III appointed Princess Abeo was the height of hypocrisy which the Governor must guide against as efforts are on now, to make the Oyomesis (Alaafin’s chiefs and kingmakers) to portray Governor in bad light,’ Aruna warned further.
It would be recalled that a few months ago, traders in the State frowned on the way the state Commissioner for Trader and Investments, Chief Bayo Lawal has been persistently misinforming and misleading Governor Seyi Makinde for his personal and selfish interest.
Speaking at the press conference organised in Ibadan, the state capital by the zonal leaders who represented the Congress of Babalojas and Iyalojas in Oyo State, Chief Layi Olawoyin described Lawal’s action on the crisis rocking traders’ body in the state as a planned conspiracy to set the governor against his admirers and present him as ingrate to the source he leveraged in to become the governor in 2019.
According to Olawoyin, “We have exhausted available patience and exploited all possible avenues to avoid making utterances that can set our people against Governor Makinde, his administration and People’s Democratic Party (PDP), unfortunately, Lawal’s desperate and very unrepentant towards turning our people against the governor.
‘It is equally unfortunate that traders in the state have not positively felt the impact of Chief (Mrs) Odunayo Danjuma, the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Market Liaison, who is known to be a well-experienced Comrade and leader of the National Association of Nigeria Traders in the Southwest and believed to have the capacity to guide and advise the Governor on the right path but chose otherwise.’
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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