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Amotekun is shaping up well—Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde said on Thursday that the South-West security initiative, Operation Amotekun was shaping up well.
The Governor made the declaration while attending the 80th Annual General Conference of Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, held at Ashi, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan.
He equally reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure a peaceful, safe and secure Oyo State.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, also quoted the Governor as calling for more prayers for leaders in positions of authority by religious leaders across the faiths.
He said: “I was with the Inspector General of Police yesterday and we had close to 30 minutes deliberation back and forth on how to make our State and country secure.
“We also discussed on how Amotekun is not supposed to replace the function of the Nigerian Police and the community police they are setting up. They are to complement those efforts to make our society safer. Very soon, we will begin to reap the reward of Operation Amotekun.
“All the issues before us are being addressed right now; Amotekun is definitely here to stay.”
He further stated: “I will continue to work for the benefit of all to provide a peaceful, safe and secure State where we can all worship without fear. All of us cannot worship God in an atmosphere of fear. I am happy that Amotekun, the regional security outfit to which Oyo State subscribes to, is shaping up brilliantly.
“Today is not for proverbs, it is a day for speaking clearly and openly about the role that religion and worship play in our lives. As I am standing before you today, Oyo State needs prayers. Some elements have threatened to disrupt the peace of local government councils so that a state of emergency can be declared in the State but with our prayers, their plans will not come into fruition.”
The Governor commended the Church for the continuous prayer for the success of his administration and urged them to have deliberations on how the Church would move forward.
“This year’s annual general conference theme “Enlarge The Place Of Thy Tent” as taken from Isaiah Chapter 54 verse 2, is a testament of how God blesses his people and continues to bless them with growth. I heard about the conference that was held last year in Lagos and how it made waves. I have a message for you; last year, you made waves in Lagos but today, you are in the Pacesetter State. So, by virtue of the fact that this conference is taking place in Oyo State, I believe it will create a benchmark of how future conferences will look like. Not just in terms of attendance but miracles that will occur while the conference is going on.
“The Bible records that where two or more gather in God’s name, God is there with them. If God will be with two or three, how much more will he be with a multitude that is here. So, God is definitely here with us. My message to you this day is that you may hold fruitful deliberations and conversations that will move this church forward.”
Governor Makinde charged everybody to see themselves as one irrespective of the religious differences and pledged to take the dividend of democracy to the door steps of all and sundry.
“When I was on the campaign trail, seeking to be the Governor of Oyo State, I fellowshipped with you and spoke to you about my dreams for this beloved state. Today, I am thankful that we are here through the efforts of our numerous people across all faiths. This actually tells us something; that all of us, irrespective of our religion, want good government. That was why you voted for me. All of us want to live a good life and desire the development of our communities, local councils, State and Nigeria. So, we must not allow religion to divide but unite us.”
Speaking on the local government crisis rocking the State, the Governor said: “The LG dissolution case is before the court. There is a court injunction against the people who are trying to foment trouble. For me as the chief security officer, we will definitely not allow lawlessness.”
Speaking earlier, the Supreme Head of the C&S Unification Church Worldwide, Dr. Solomon Adegboyega Alao, called on the National Assembly to immediately amend the Constitution to ensure that general elections are held in November such that all legal entanglements would have been resolved before the inauguration of the President and Governors in May.
According to him, it does not make sense to elect a Governor only to have him removed six months after.
“Now that all petitions have ended in courts, I think the government should consider a constitution amendment to ensure that elections are held in November so that all the cases would have been disposed of.
“It doesn’t make sense to elect a governor and five or six months after you have him removed,” he said.
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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