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Amotekun: Iseyin Community Hails Appointment of Togun
Iseyin Development Union (I.D.U), an umbrella body of Iseyin indigenes has expressed happiness over the appointment of General Kunle Togun, an indigene of Saki, in Saki West local government as the Chairman, Oyo State security network, code-named ‘Amotekun’.
In a statement signed and made available to newsmen by the National President of I.D.U, Alhaji Bayo Raji on Friday, the body was delighted that Governor Seyi Makinde put a round peg in a round hole, as the erstwhile military man has always been brazen and forthright on issues of community policing and safety of farmers from cow herders.
Raji said the appointment has signaled an end to brigandage perpetuated by herdsmen that maim, kill and destroy farmers and their farms in rural communities, adding that people that have changed their minds about retiring into farming would have a rethink with the appointment.
“When I heard of the appointment, I was very elated because Gen. Togun has been a very dynamic leader of Oke-Ogun, maybe because of his military background, the appointment is what they call a round peg in a round hole.
“Since his retirement, he has been so active on the issue of community policing and security in the Oke-Ogun axis and Oyo State generally, I have no doubt that he is a good ambassador of Oke-Ogun and he is going to perform beyond the expectation of the governor who has reposed so much confidence in him.
“Amotekun should serve as our own community police in the sense that it is we at the grassroot that know where the shoe pinches, the challenge posed by cattle rustlers and cow herders that usually destroy farms and local economy will be laid to rest through the operation of Amotekun.
“Agriculture has suffered in Oke-Ogun because people are afraid of endless destruction that some cow herders visit on hapless farmers, I know many people want to go into farming after retirement, so if they pump their gratuity and pension into the venture and one day, cows destroyed everything, it will not augur well.
“Similarly, the issue of monitoring crime at the local level will be well looked into by this outfit, Amotekun has come to stay and to guarantee peace, I am sure that there will be total eradication of crime in the State, we want people to give maximum support to the outfit when they commence operation, giving prompt information that will ease investigation and arrest of hoodlums is the key.”
The I.D.U national President commiserated with the State governor and the people of Oyo State in the recent demise of the former commissioner for Environment, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola, urging the governor to see the death as the will of God.
He prayed for the repose of the late politician and urged politicians in the State to take a cue from the life and time of late Kehinde Ayoola in his struggle to contribute to the development of the State.
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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