Politics
Cash scarcity: Tinubu’s consistency sets him apart – Group
Better Oyo Movement (BOM), a group committed to the state’s development has lauded the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his consistency and fearlessness, particularly since the current cash crunch began, maintaining that with leaders like Tinubu, the masses of Nigeria can be rest assured that they now have someone ready to defend their interests.
“Without a doubt, we’re sure Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as president of this great country will not only run a pro-people administration, he will also be at the vanguard of promoting their interests. We know, from his days as governor of Lagos to his current status as an advocate of good governance that service to the people will be of paramount interest to him. If he’s done it before, then he’ll do it again,” the group opined.
BOM, in a release in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, consequently praised Tinubu effusively, recalling that the former Lagos governor was the only presidential candidate who showed his deep knowledge of finance on one hand, and demonstrable empathy on the other, to come up with sound, innovative and infallible ideas which, if faithfully implemented, could put an end to the current crises.
“We recall that Asiwaju, asides from being the first to come out frontally to challenge the highly unpopular policy of the CBN at his presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, was also the only presidential candidate who came up with alternative ideas to ease the burden on Nigerians. He issued a personally signed statement, wherein he informed the public that he, and his deputy, Senator Kashim Shettima weren’t against the CBN cashless policy and the Naira redesign, save that their worry was just its disruptive implementation.
“Some of Asiwaju’s propositions included the immediate announcement of the validity of old notes alongside new notes, for the next 12 months, following examples of countries who’ve implemented similar monetary policy; immediate suspension of associated charges on all online transactions, bank transfers, and payments via POS, until the current crises were resolved; as well as mobilization of all commercial banks and payment platforms to show commitment and timelines on expanding their infrastructure and support services.
“Other suggestions from the Jagaban Borgu were that the Central Bank and other associated MDAs constitute an interagency action committee for immediate oversight over the cash supply gaps from the Nigerian Security and Minting Company and deal with issues around capabilities and turnaround time to effectively meet with the needs of the informal sector and the unbanked; and that the CBN, National Orientation Agency, Ministry of Information, States and Local Governments, with their relevant organs in both the public and private sectors, commence enlightenment programs to further educate Nigerians on the policy for better understanding and mainstream adoption,” the group noted.
Unlike former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and ex-governor Peter Obi, both of whom sought to benefit from the expected backlash Nigerians were to heap on the APC, and by extension its candidates, Asiwaju Tinubu chose to side with Nigerians and history. That alone, BOM said, sets him apart from the opportunistic duo, advertising him as one Nigerians can trust.
“We, therefore, commend him for such bravery, while we call on Nigerians to reciprocate this good gesture by voting for him massively on Saturday, 25 February 2023 as president. We equally call on all relevant agencies to take Asiwaju’s suggestions to heart, as we believe a serious implementation of his recommendations remains a panacea to the current crises,” said BOM, whose release was signed by its Chairman, Dr. Femi Fakunle, and Secretary, Engr. Tunji Hammed.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has criticized the alleged forceful conversion of public reading and learning facilities in Dugbe, Ibadan, into shopping malls and lock-up shops by the state government, describing the development as shameful, ill-conceived, and unacceptable.
In a statement released over the weekend by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the APC also raised concerns about the alleged sale of the modern motor park facility at Wema Area on New Ife Road, Ibadan, built during the administration of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi.
According to the party, the motor park has been sold to a pastor who presides over a popular church near the facility.
Residents of Ibadan, the state capital, were reportedly stunned when they noticed the sudden erection of massive private business complexes within the premises of the Oyo State Library Board.
The facilities, built by the defunct Western Region government, had served as public libraries and archives for decades, benefitting students, researchers, and tourists until recently.
“It is a sad reality that the buildings which used to serve as public libraries and archives in Dugbe axis of Ibadan have now paved the way for the development of commercial and business structures,” Sadare said.
“The implication is that education and research development have been relegated to the background in the state by an administration that has done little to address the poor reading culture among young students.”
The APC expressed alarm over what it termed the erosion of public heritage under Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, alleging that public properties are being sold or leased to private individuals and groups under questionable circumstances.
“How can a government wake up one day and convert public reading facilities and archives into lock-up shops in the name of making money, thereby subjecting society to the dangers of illiteracy and ignorance?” the statement queried.
The party also cited other instances of alleged mismanagement of public assets, including the concession of OYSADEP Guest House in Saki and Agbowo Shopping Complex in Ibadan, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to the state’s socio-economic development.
“Sad enough, the ignoble activities of the governor and a few other characters around him as they involve mismanagement of land and other resources belonging to the state have paved the way for a surge in land grabbing cases in most parts of the state capital. There are many cases involving appointees of the governor, PDP lawmakers, local government officials, and party chieftains,” the statement added.
The APC called on well-meaning individuals and stakeholders in the state to demand accountability from the Makinde administration and halt what it described as the systematic erosion of public resources and heritage.
Over 300 constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in Oyo State benefitted from a skill acquisition and empowerment programme organized by their representative in the National Assembly, Hon. Akinmoyede Olafisoye.
The event, held at Faith Joe Event Centre, Alegongo, Akobo, Ibadan, aimed to address the challenges of unemployment and economic hardship by equipping participants with practical skills and financial support.
The programme focused on empowering youths, students, and unemployed graduates to become self-reliant. Each participant was provided with a certificate, a Point of Sale (POS) terminal, an umbrella, and ₦100,000 as a startup grant to kickstart their businesses.
The tools and financial aid were designed to enable beneficiaries to establish sustainable sources of income.
Participants received comprehensive training, gaining hands-on experience to ensure they could effectively utilize the tools provided. The POS machines were configured with the personal details of the recipients, ensuring proper use and discouraging unauthorized transfers.
Addressing the participants, Akinmoyede who is the Chairman House Committee on Nigeria/ Mexico Parliamentary Friendship enjoined the beneficiaries to explore the opportunity for their benefit by ensuring that they use the machines for the purpose it was meant for.
He added that all the machines have been configured with the documents of individual beneficiaries which will make it very difficult to transfer to another person.
In his goodwill message, the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman of APC, Hon. Joshua Oyebamiji said comparing what the lawmaker has been doing in the area of dishing out empowerment and palliatives to his constituents, it is difficult to tag him a first-timer at the national assembly.
While appreciating Akinmoyede for his gesture at the event, former APC Deputy State Chairman, Alhaji Isiaka Alimi, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, and Hon. Akinbode Emmanuel said they were yet to discover the magic wand being used by the lawmaker for his constant and habitual empowerment programmes.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the end of the training, Afolabi Kuburat, Akinropo Akindotun, Ajala Abisade Iyabo, and Grace Anuoluwapo Ayinde lauded the lawmaker for giving them the opportunity to be self-reliant at this time when Nigerians are facing economic hardship.
The House of Representatives member representing Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency Oyo State, Hon. Prince Akinmoyede Olafisoye Wasiu has initiated another skill acquisition and capacity-building training for no fewer than 300 members of his constituency.
The initiative which is being organized in partnership with Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan is part of a strategic effort by the lawmaker to foster rural development of cooperative for their economic emancipation and break the shackles of poverty so as to alleviate the impact of the high cost of living among the people in Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency he represents.
The training programme is coming up on Monday 18th November, 2024 at Faith Joe Event Centre hall. Alegongo, Ibadan by 8.00am.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the lawmaker, Alimi Abdullahi stated that the capacity-building is designed to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills with a view to building sustainable livelihoods and improve the quality of lives of the people of Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency.
All the participants for the training are expected to be at the venue by 8am so as not to miss any part of the training.
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