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Ajimobi to sacked LG chairmen: You have legitimacy on your side
Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Sunday assured the sacked Council bosses in the 33 Local Government Areas and 35 local council development areas that they have legitimacy on their side as due process was followed in the exercise that ushered them into office.
Apparently assuring the council bosses that the process that brought them to power followed all known legal tenets, Ajimobi said, although some may think he is not doing anything about the case in hand, he said he is doing whatever it is in silence, saying silence is golden.
The ex-governor stated this at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idi Ape, Ibadan, venue of a thanksgiving and prayer assembly held in his honour by the Basorun of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Daisi.
The event which attracted crème-de-la-crème within and outside Ibadan was also attended by religious leaders, traditional rulers, business mogul, community leaders, the APC governorship candidate at the last election, Mr Bayo Adelabu, APC state executives led by the Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, party members, Ajimobi’s former commissioners, aides and political associates among others.
Governor Seyi Makinde had upon his inauguration sacked all the chairmen of all the local governments faulting the processes that brought them to office.
The sack came despite an initial court judgment gotten by the umbrella body of the council bosses stopping the government of the day or the house of assembly from sacking the elected council bosses.
But the council bosses have also remained resolute challenging Makinde’s directive and insisting that they remained the authentic elected council bosses.
Ajimobi said “Many of you are saying I am not saying or doing anything about what is going on. I am doing something about it but just that I don’t want to …., there are times that silence is golden and this time that we are, I think it is better to be silent.
“But I pray that God will make you victorious. And you are on the right track. The law is on your side.”
The remarks attracted the applause and ovation of the guest.
It is the first time the governor is making any public appearance since the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government was inaugurated in the state on May 29.
The ex-governor who said the event was just an opportunity for him to thank all those who played one role or the other in his eight years rule in the state, also prayed that the Makinde government sail through safely, noting that “it is good to make promises but when reality done on you, you will know that it is not easy”
Earlier in his remarks, the host of the event, Chief Kola Daisi said he had the option to call the “get together anyone of these several names: ‘celebrations’, ‘reception’, ‘grand party’, etc, but because it is conceived primarily as an occasion for thanking God for his love and mercies, I decide to give it a touch of the religious so that those who reflect upon the occasion in the future will appreciate how deeply we believe in the overwhelming influence of the Almighty in our daily lives.”
The business magnate gave four reasons for the event saying, it is to offer prayers for the repose of the soul of his first wife late Alhaja Sherifat Kola-Daisi and his god-son, Aare Arisekola Alao; offers prayer for Oyo state and Nigeria as a whole; offer prayers and thanksgiving for Ajimobi and his wife, Florence as well as for the complete success of Ajimobi’s successor, Governor Makinde.
In their separate remarks, some of the dignitaries who spoke, including Prof Oladipupo Akinkugbe, Chief Folake Solanke, Chief Bayo Oyero (former President General of CCII) and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Idowu Olayinka lauded Governor Ajimobi for his exemplary leadership and service to the people and the state, noting that his eight years reign had indeed transformed the state in the comity of states in the country.
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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