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AgricOyo: Oyo cultivates 24 hectares of grains
The Oyo State Government has cultivated 24 hectares of maize grains under the Oyo Agricultural Initiative (AgricOyo) in the 2018 planting season.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Mr. Oyewole Oyewumi, during his inspection to the farm at Paapo village, Iseyin noted that agricultural practices under the present administration in the state has moved from the olden method to mechanized farming which has facilitataed many agro-allied investors in the state.
Mr. Oyewumi, at the farm cultivated by Iseyin Local Government, explained that efforts of the government in the Agricultural sector cannot be visible within the short period of time like the construction of roads, saying that the AgricOyo initiative is a systematic approach which has started yielding a positive result with the cultivation of the 24 hectares of grains.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola stated that AgricOyo is one of Governor Ajimobi’s agricultural initiatives aimed at improving job creation, poverty alleviation and food security through massive engagement of human and material resources through the agricultural value chain to position the state as the food basket of the Southern States.
He said the vision of Governor Ajimobi in launching the AgricOyo in 2016 has made people appreciate the importance of mechanized farming, saying that this is contrary to insinuation that the programme is a waste as it has started yielding results.
Mr. Oyewumi commended Iseyin Local Government for complementing the efforts of the state government in achieving its vision for AgricOyo, enjoining other agrarian local governments and the general public to imbibe the spirit of farming as agriculture is the bedrock of the nation.
In his address, the Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, Hon. Yekini Akanni speaking through the Vice Chairman, Hon. Adeniyi Adekunle, appreciated Governor Abiola Ajimobi for launching the AgricOyo in his Local Government, saying that he has been working earnestly to ensure that the initiative yielded positive results.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Head of Iseyin Local Government Administration, (HLA), Mr Taiwo Adewale pointed out that Paago was the root of Agric Oyo in 2016 which has assisted the development of Iseyin Local Government.
He therefore commended the State, Local Government and his team for a job well-done in the realization of this landmark among the agrarian local governments in the state.
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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