News
Crisis looms in Oyo Assembly over purchase of official cars.
INDICATIONS have emerged yesterday that fresh crisis between members of the Oyo State House of Assembly is looming as the principal officers insisted on being the beneficiaries of the first set of official cars bought for the Assembly members almost two years after the inauguration of this eight assembly.
At the parliamentary caucus meeting held on Tuesday which lasted till 3pm, it was gathered that the bone of contention was who and who to be the first beneficiaries of the first batch which are nine (9) in number.
A source at the meeting informed that while the principal officers insisted that they would be the first set to benefit from it, other members equally suggested that the beneficiaries should be among the non official members. Meanwhile, the Speaker, Hon. Michael Adeyemo and his deputy, Hon. Musah Abduwasi were excluded because they had earlier got their official vehicles.
Another nagging issue causing division among the Assembly members was the presentation of the report of the Committee that investigated the allegation of the swearing in of two unapproved local government chairmanship nominees for Irepo Local Government, Asabari Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Mudasir Agbaje, and Taiwo Adeleke respectively and swapping of Mr Akeem Aransi with Mr Abiodun Oladeji for Lagelu West LCDA.
Following this development, it was exclusively gathered that the Governor, Abiola Ajimobi held a closed door meeting with the lawmakers with a view to amicably resolving the perceived imbroglio between the two arms. During the meeting, the governor promised to immediately release the official vehicles to the lawmakers as well as giving them their parcels of land within the Government Reservation Areas (GRAs) which they ought to have been given since the inception of this present assembly.
According to the report as reliably gathered, the committee recommended that the Executive Arm of government should tender unreserved apology to the house for flouting the directives of the house which against the principle of separation of power.
It was gathered that the Speaker not satisfied with this aspect of the recommendations made an appeal for its outright removal from the report which did not go down well with the members of the House, especially the members of the Ethics and Privileges Committee that investigated the matter.
Mega Icon Magazine learnt that the members have now prepared for a showdown with the speaker at the plenary slated for tomorrow if the original report of the committee is not allowed to be presented.
(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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