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Exclusive:EX- Oyo NURTW boss,Tokyo sets stage for comeback attempt.
YEARS after losing his seat in a stunning crisis, the former deposed Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW), Oyo State Council, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola popularly called Tokyo is making atypical surreptitious moves to regain power, Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered.
Our further checks revealed that the embattled ex-NURTW boss, Akinsola, who visited the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan on the eve of Sunday May 28th, 2017 to break fast, also desperately seeking for the governor’s assistance to reinstate him.
Tokyo, who claimed he had court judgement in his favour pleaded with the governor for several hours, which was turned down.
It would be recalled that the Oyo state government in 2011 inaugurated a five-man judicial commission of enquiry to investigate the protracted crisis in the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers which claimed several lives, including Anwal Bala Shannon, a 500 level medical student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, at Iwo road area of Ibadan, the state capital.
The panel which had a retired high court judge, Justice Olagoke Ige, as the chairman, was told that the government resolved to investigate the NURTW crisis because it could no longer fold its hands while some people continued to portray the state as a state of touts and hooligans.
Also, the probe panel with eight weeks to conclude its assignment was given the mandate to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the violent clash, to identify those individuals and or groups that precipitated and or participated in the crisis either directly or indirectly, and recommend appropriate sanctions to be imposed on the identified culprits and to make appropriate recommendations on how to prevent recurrence among others.
However, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi proscribed the then NURTW which was under the firm control of rivalry leaders – Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (Tokyo) and Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) respectively.
This development led to the emergence of Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde (Fele), who is currently occupying the seat for a second term.
Mega Icon Magazine also gathered that the ex-NURTW captain, Alhaji Akinsola nominated the present occupant, Alhaji Oyerinde, one of his loyal aides, who has been able to control the affairs of the union without rancor.
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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