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ALGON: Ex-Oyo council appointees laud leadership’s gesture, seek increment in sharing formular
The Forum of former political appointees of the Oyo state local government councils, Ogbomosho zone has lauded the gestures extended to its members by the ex- Oyo State All Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).
The former political appointees which include the Secretaries, Chief of Staffs and Supervisors are partakers of the sharing of initial N1 billion of severance package given to the ex- ALGON by the Oyo state government.
Recalled that Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde released the first installment of one billion naira for former members of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Oyo state following their victory at the Supreme Court.
The Ogbomosho zone of the forum in a letter obtained by Mega Icon Magazine, dated January 24, 2022 and addressed to ex-ALGON executives noted that, although, its members are not entitled to the money according to the Supreme Court Judgment, but they are part of “the struggle from the beginning to the end”.
The letter which was signed by Hon. Adesina Adeboye (representing all secretaries), Hon. Akanbi Isaac (all Chief of Staffs) and Hon. Azeez Tijani (representing all supervisory councilors) disasociated the zone of the forum from other zones’ complaints over the money apportioned former councils’ appointees from the N1 billion largesse.
The group, however appealed to the ex-ALGON leadership to review and increase sharing formular for the former political appointees of local government councils.
“We held our meeting on 21st January 2022, concerning one billion Naira paid by Oyo state government to ex- chairmen, ex-vice chairmen and councilors. We invited Hon. Jesutoye Oluyinka and Hon. Gbodeniyin Ibrahim to our meeting.
“We all agreed that, we are not entitled to the money according to the Supreme Court judgment but we were part of struggle from the beginning to the end.
“We appreciate the token amount being paid to every one of us as appreciation and to inform you that our forum in Ogbomoso zone is not among other zones that disagreed with the sharing formular and your leadership style.
“We are now appealing to ex-ALGON leadership in Oyo state to please assist the forums by reviewing and increase the amount proposed in your sharing formular”, the letter read.
(c) Mega Icon Magazine
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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