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Eid-el-Kabir: Ogun residents celebrate amid fuel scarcity, hike in transport fare, rain
The Eid-el-Kabir festival is an avenue for Muslims to celebrate and give out to relatives and the needy.
These days, the festival creates an opportunity for people to reunite with friends and family and to hold other communal cum social activities, taking advantage of the public holidays declared for the Muslim festival.
However, this year’s celebration seems to be a bit different in Ogun State with various unforeseen circumstances preventing fun-seekers from having the yearly merrymaking.
On Friday, many residents travelling for the festival became stranded, struggling to get vehicles to convey them to various destinations.
This, DAILY POST gathered, was a result of a lack of fuel in many filling stations across the Gateway State.
Since Thursday, many vehicles were held up in queues at the few fuelling stations dispensing petrol at a rate above the N165 approved pump price.
Our correspondent, who monitored activities across the state, reported that filling stations are selling the product at a price between N180 and N200 per litre.
The scarcity of fuel and the unending rainfall that started yesterday have dealt a heavy blow to commuters.
Some of those travelling on the eve of the festival had to return home due to the unavailability of vehicles and the rain.
“It has been a very difficult task to commute during this festive period. There are no vehicles on the road due to fuel scarcity. The rain is too much and the few drivers on the road are charging too much. How can a driver charge N2,000 from Sango to Oshodi and Abeokuta, which should not be more than N500?” a commuter, Adebisi Solanke, told our correspondent.
Asake, another resident, who travelled from Abeokuta to Idiroko lamented how he paid N1,000 from Ilaro to Owode and the same fare from Owode to Idiroko.
“Instead of N500, I paid N1,000 to Owode. I was also charged N1,000 from Owode to Idiroko instead of N300. This is too outrageous. But I won’t blame the drivers. There is no fuel. The rain is not stopping and the bad roads are flooded, destroying vehicles. This shouldn’t be happening at a festive period like this,” Asake explained.
Meanwhile, residents are optimistic that the situation would improve before Tuesday when the Sallah break will be over.
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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