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Ajimobi pledges to revitalize cultural tourism in Oyo
- Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has disclosed that the culture sector is one in which his administration would leave a legacy with tangible projects to ensure the revitalization of the cultural tourism sector in the state.
The Governor stated this on Monday at the Government House, Ibadan during the cultural activities marking 2018 World Culture Day and the official launch of the state’s quarterly cultural magazine tagged ‘Dundun’ produced by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to promote and document our culture, values and historical places among others.
Ajimobi maintained that Ibadan is the melting point of the Yoruba Culture, stressing that the promotion and preservation of our culture and heritage is one of the legacy pillars of his administration.
He explained further that the other legacy pillars are Education, Technology, Agriculture and Health, assuring that his administration will strive hard to ensure the revival of the cultural tourism sector of the Oyo State economy which he said can be easily modeled after the Californian economy given the inherent similarities.
The governor, also hinted that his administration has embarked on the establishment of the Ibadan Media City as a first step in the realization of this noble objective pointing out that the facilities of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State would serve as its launch pad.
Senator Ajimobi pointed out that Yoruba Culture is centred on Godliness, integrity, morality and good value system which are the Omoluabi ethos, adding “it is unfortunate that we are losing this ethos. People no longer have respect for our culture, fear of God is missing, there is disrespect for people and people no longer value integrity.
“There should be fear of God in what we do, integrity and morality should be part of our life and this is why we must use our culture to reclaim the Omoluabi ethos
“We will ensure that we leave a formidable legacy in the cultural tourism sector of the state,” the governor reiterated.
Also, in his own remarks, the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun noted that culture should be used to propagate peace and unity among the different tribes in the country, saying “we should always remember our culture. A wise man once said ‘a people without culture is like a tree without root.’ And therefore, like you all know that culture is the way of life. We must always remember our way of life.
Arulogun said, ” if you look at the insecurity that we have, if you look at all the disturbances here and there, they are also related to culture. Our understanding and appreciation of it is crucial, because culture is not just related to the way we do things, there is also religion. We have religions and our culture to shape our life.
“The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) set May 21 aside for people all over the world to remember their culture, to celebrate their culture and to promote their culture. But more importantly for us here, it is to preserve our culture, because if you notice you will see that our culture is going into extinction.
“So today is a day of celebration. And that is why you would see that the students have gone to school today in their traditional attires and will be engaged in cultural activities. If you go to offices, you will see that everybody is dressed in traditional outfits.
“It is a way of remembering where we came from, the way we do our things and one of the ways you can distinguish people is the way of their culture. We have gathered people from diverse culture at the cultural center and we are having a cultural rendezvous. Everybody is going to be there, the local food, music, dance, arts and craft and everything that is related to culture will be exhibited there today. We will be showcasing the culture of Oyo State,” he continued.
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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