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Ajimobi links rural roads, commissions 5.76 km Ikereku road
Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has commissioned the 5.76km rural roads at Ikereku in Akinyele East Local Council Development Area of the state.
The road project with 19 culverts, commissioned on Tuesday was the pilot scheme of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) which cut across Ikereku – Oloronbo – Abidogun – Ileba – Abebi – Onigbongbo Village linking Iware Road.
Governor Ajimobi stated that the commissioning ceremony was another success story of his administration, stating that the project was aimed at improving the living standards of the people at the grassroots and providing access roads for them to convey their farm produce to the city.
The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said that more communities would benefit from the scheme, promising that the project would cover over 500 kilometers of rural roads in Oyo State.
He however enjoined the people of Oyo State to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections so as to guarantee more dividends of democracy.
In his address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewunmi commended Governor Ajimobi for making Oyo state the pioneer beneficiary of the RAAMP project, emphasizing that the initiative would assist in promoting agricultural production and generate employment opportunities for the people.
Speaking, the State’s Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Dr Yode Ayanlowo stated that the main objectives of RAAMP are to improve rural access and agricultural marketing in selected participating states while enhancing sustainability of the rural and states’ roads network, stressing that the project is meant to connect small holder farmers in participating state to local agricultural markets with all weathered access road in selected and prioritized rural development areas.
Dr Ayanlowo stated that 28 rural local councils would benefit from the programme in Oyo State, noting that RAAMP as a project does not stop at providing access roads to ease evacuation of farm produce after harvest to the markets but also concern on what becomes of the produce when it gets to the market.
In their goodwill messages, the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Olasukanmi Opeola and the Onikereku of Ikereku, Oba Olasunkanmi Akinyosoye expressed appreciation to Governor Ajimobi for his laudable achievements in the state especially the elevation of traditional rulers to crown Obas in Ibadan land.
Earlier in his welcome address the chairman of Akinyele East Local Council Development Area, Builder Ayo Akinpade described the project as a good omen that would increase agricultural productivity in the area as well as revenue generation for his council.
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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