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Accord members in Saki West joins APC.
HUNDREDS of Accord Members in Saki West Local Government Area of Oyo state who are loyalists of Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, over the weekend dumped their party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The colourful event, held at the Saki West Town hall was witnessed by a large turnout of APC faithfuls and top government functionaries.
The decampees which came from each ward of Saki West Local Government were led into the APC by their leaders, in the persons of Hon. Jimoh West, Hon.Najeem Omirinde, Baba Jimoh Dogo, Alhaji Rafiu Ojolowo, and Alhaji Mutiu Sekoni.
In his address, the Chairman of APC in the council, Alhaji Ganiyu Oloba, expressed satisfaction that the party has attracted political titans in Saki West. He lauded the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who he said has done tremendously well in managing the affairs of not just the state, but the party as its leader. He added that the sagacious policies of his administration are noteworthy and will continue to attract people to the party.
Speaking further, Alhaji Oloba thanked Engr. Olaniyan, whose influence he said, has brought about the defection of major players of Accord in Saki West into the APC, while appreciating him for the role he played towards facilitating political peace in the council since he joined the APC.
Also, he noted that everyone is aware of the role the erstwhile OYSTROMA boss, Olaniyan played and support both financially and otherwise he gave Accord in Oke Ogun and beyond while he was a member of the party, assuring that he will do even more now, that he is in a bigger and stronger party.
He, therefore urged members to heartily welcome the new entrants to the party emphasising that with the likes of Hon. Jimoh West joining hands with APC, meant that Accord is officially pronounced dead in Saki West.
Speaking on behalf of the decampees, Hon. Jimoh West expressed appreciation over the warm reception given to him and other new entrants from Accord. He thanked Governor Ajimobi for making the party attractive to be a part of. Similarly, he commended his leader, Engr. Olaniyan, who he said they followed into the APC. He, however vowed to channel his resources to the victory and success of APC, not just in Saki West, but the entire Oke ogun region.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the party symbol ‘the broom’ to the representative of the new members, Hon. Jimoh West by Dr. Morunkola Thomas, the executive assistant to Governor Ajimobi on political matters, who represented the governor at the decamping ceremony. Among dignitaries who witnessed the epochal event were the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Musah Abdulwasi, Hon. Oseni Abudul Ganiyu, member Oyo State House of Assembly representing Olorunsogo state constituency.
Others include, Mr. Karimu Adegoke, Caretaker Chairman of Saki West Local Government, Engr. Raufu Olaniyan, and Dr. Isiaka Kolawole.
It will be recalled that supporters of Engr. Olaniyan across party lines numbering over a thousand decamped from Accord, SDP and PDP to APC in Ibadan North Local Government last week Wednesday. The defectors were received by the Local Government Party Executives led by its Chairperson, Alhaja Tinuade Adigun, the state party executives and some members of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
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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