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Ibadan City Master Plan Won’t Lead to Demolition, Oyo Govt. Allays Fears.
THE Oyo State Government has allayed the fears of the people of the state over the proposed Ibadan City Master plan to be unveiled by May 2017, saying that the plan is a guide towards the physical development of Ibadan as well as prevent flooding and not a demolition exercise.
The state government explained that the ongoing development of Ibadan City Master Plan is to provide direction for future expansion and identify key development opportunities, noting that the “Master Plan is to guide growth and support development and not urban renewal. So, there won’t be any form of demolition. It is not a document that promotes or recommends demolition.”
These were disclosed by the Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi during a press briefing on the ongoing development of the Ibadan City Master Plan held at the Head of Service (HoS) Conference room, Secretariat, Ibadan.
Alhaji Gbadamosi, who was supported at the Press Conference by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and Special Adviser to the Governor of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, said that the traditional architecture and cultural landscape of the city will still be maintained.
According to him, “We are not going to tamper with the traditional homesteads and cultural landscape that typifies and beautifies the city. There won’t be demolition and we will stick with that. The aim of the Ibadan City Masterplan is to plan for the next 20 years while the vision is that: by 2036, Ibadan and its wider region will be a model sustainable and resilient city where development addresses the population’s needs, with thriving employment, providing a high quality of life for all.”
Alhaji Gbadamosi added that the Ajimobi Government set up the IBADAN URBAN FLOOD MANAGEMENT PROJECT (IUFMP) with the assistance of the WORLD BANK (WB) to prepare a master plan for Ibadan to ensure coordinated physical growth, improved socio-economic development, noting that the existing structures in place makes the city of Ibadan vulnerable to natural disasters such as flooding as witnessed on August 26th, 2011 in which many lives and properties were lost.
Gbadamosi explained “the resultant effects of this lack of robust planning, are manifested in the existing poor roads and drainage networks, in challenges of inaccessibility and in mismatched land uses. Other effects of the absence of a masterplan are the existence of slums and urban squalor, inadequate provision of social amenities/facilities like potable water supply, electricity, schools, health facilities and poor solid waste management”.
He assured that the present administration in the state will institutionalize the Master Plan to ensure that the coming administrations key into it, adding the master plan will go to the state House of Assembly for proper legislation and once it becomes a law, every administration will follow suit.
Gbadamosi said “the objectives of the Master Plan is to prevent flooding and mitigate any flooding impact caused to the settlement areas; to protect, manage and enhance the natural environment to improve connectivity and integrate with the emerging transport developments and to promote the city’s economy and attract investment and to meet the social needs and requirements of the existing and future population.
“Others to provide adequate utility infrastructure for the existing and future population; to protect and promote the cuture and heritage of the city; to enhance quality of life for all and to provide sound planning framework for efficient delivery and implementation.
“The spatial vision of the Ibadan City Master Plan is also underpinned by a set of principles which has informed all stages of the Master Plan development and implementation. The principles framing the vision are Sustainable City, Connected City, Cultural City, Resilient City, Green City and the Enterprising City,” Alhaji Gbadamosi expatiated.
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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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