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CESDEV lauds Makinde’s vision on tourism, pledges support
The Directorate of Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV), University of Ibadan has commended the Oyo state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his ingenuity in using tourism as a tool to create more jobs and improve the internally generated revenue in the State.
The Centre also promised to form a synergy with the state government in ensuring that its vision for the sector comes into reality.
The Director of the Centre, Professor Olanrewaju Olaniyan disclosed this while receiving the Special Adviser to the Governor on Culture and Tourism, Hon Akeem Adeomla Ige in his office on Thursday.
Professor Olaniyan who explained that the Oyo state is endowed with a lot of tourism potentials, however, expressed their displeasure towards the attitude of the past administrations for not paying attention to the development of the sector.
He stressed that now that the government under Engr Seyi Makinde has shown interest in working with the centre, they were ready to give their best in ensuring that the sector enjoys the best it deserves in the overall interest of the State.
Part of where they intend to assist the state government to achieve in the sector, according to Professor Olaniyan, is proper training of tour guards and other stakeholders, documentation and mapping of tourism sites as well as giving necessary advise and assistant on how to develop tourism sites.
Olaniyan harps on the need for government to embark on sensitization and enlightenment of people on what tourism is all about, adding that “people need to have interest and the only way this can be achieved is to arouse their interest and tell them what tourism is all about.”
“Tourism is not about sites alone, its about the stories around it, the stories make the sites so people that would work in the sites must be properly trained, informed and equipped for the tasks”. He submitted.
While introducing the departments at the centre to Hon. Ige, Director of Tourism, Dr Olusegun Opadeji said that the centre trained professionals in tourism sector and most of their graduates are already in the field while some are lecturers in other schools.
He hinted that apart from tourism, government should also be involved in festivals and other cultural and traditional events that would attract tourists to the State, adding that their coming would definitely boost the economy of the State.
In his short remark, Hon. Ademola Ige explained that the visit was to familiarize with the institute with the aim of forming a synergy with them on how to move tourism sector forward in the State in line with the vision of the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde.
According to him, “I have been moving round the sites and I am not impressed with the state of facilities I met on ground. The Governor is not happy too but I belief the way out is to form a synergy with the stakeholders like you in the sectors so that we can jointly take tourism to the next level”.
“Governor Makinde is ready to transform the sector, and that is why we placed an advert in the national newspaper seeking for investors on some of the tourism sites. We want the sites to come alive and be functional again. It is our collective heritage and pride of Oyo State. We must not fold our hands and allow them to be rotten away”, Ige concluded.
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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