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Ajimobi to NPC: Be fair with 2018 census.
OYO state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has enjoined the National Population Commission (NPC) to take note of the peculiar nature of the rural communities and ensure that necessary modalities are put in place to guarantee objectivity and fairness in the 2018 census, adding that any error will undermine the integrity of the exercise.
The governor stated this at the flag-off of the 3rd phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) for the 2018 population and housing census at Igbeti Town Hall, Olorunsogo Local Government Area of the state
He observed that the census figures returned for the State over the years did not appear to give a fair reflection of the demography of the state, adding that Oyo State has a large expanse of land area with considerable population.
The governor , who was represented his Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matter, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, emphasized that the issues of population and housing census are important tools in social and economic configuration, noting that they are important indices on the development chart that reveal the potency for economic activities as well as guide developmental initiatives.
The governor urged the NPC to guide against error of omission or commission, “if a State is under enumerated or the tools for demarcation processes are mismanaged to give wrongful indications, it would affect the integrity of the final census figures. It also has debilitating effects on the development planning and resources to be made available for the well-being and the development of the State.”
Governor Ajimobi appealed to the stakeholders and people in the State to cooperate with the enumerators by allowing them to move freely, give them access to their buildings/housing units and respond truthfully to their inquiries during the demarcation to have a fruitful exercise.
Remarking , the Chairman and Federal Commissioner for National Population Commission, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji said that the commission was ready to inform, enlighten, create awareness and sensitize various stakeholders and the general public in the State on the 3rd phase of the enumeration area demarcation of the 2018 population and housing census which will commence from 20th February to 12th March 2017.
According to him , “EAD is the division of the country into small units that can be conveniently covered by a pair of enumerators during the census period. It is not real population census but preparatory activities for the census exercise and vehicle that drives the entire census process in the pre-census, actual enumeration and post-census period.
“The commission is deploying the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) compliance, high resolution satellite imagery and personal digital assistance (PDA) so that there won’t be room for un-demarcated and duplicated,” he explained.
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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