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Insecurity: Oyo must not slip back, AAC guber candidate warns Makinde
The Oyo state gubernatorial candidate of the Action African Congress (AAC) in the last election, Engr. Akinwale Laosun on Friday warned the newly inaugurated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Governor Seyi Makinde to do all within its power to ensure that the state does not slip back into the years of wanton killings, brigandage and destruction of property.
He noted that allowing the state to return back to its days of violence, crime and criminalities will be the greatest betrayal of trust on the part of the government to the people.
Engr. Laosun gave the warning while reacting to the reported violent and leadership clashes that led to the proscription of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, during a press conference which held at his Gate of Praise Foundation Office, Jericho, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The AAC guber nominee lauded the immediate past administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi for improving the security architecture to a certain level, noting that much still needs to be done for the people to be able to sleep with their two eyes closed.
The Gate of Praise Foundation founder charged the new administration to ensure that all its campaign promises move from the realms of mere talks to reality, stressing that the charge became imperative as a stakeholder desirous of a better Oyo state.
“We dare say that, allowing the state to slip back into the years of wanton killings, brigandage, destructions of property, violence, crimes and criminalities will be the greatest betrayal of trust on the part of the government to the people.
“We hereby call on the newly inaugurated administration to do all within its powers to ensure that all loopholes are blocked in ensuring that the people of the state can sleep with their two eyes closed. It should go beyond political promises. Despite the boasting and efforts of the immediate past administration, many lives and properties were lost in ‘unnecessary and unimaginable’ situations.
“The huge security votes for the State must be judiciously spent on securing the state and its people, which remains the original purpose and not servicing the political machinery of the government”, he added.
The governorship candidate, who was flanked by members of his AOL Support Group Organisation assures the people that he as well as his party will not play politics of mudslinging, bitterness, witch hunting, acrimony and unhealthy rival but will be ready to provide support to the government, in any area, such might be needed in the interest of the people, adding that such support will only be granted on the readiness and the political will of the governor to remain focus on fulfilling his campaign promises.
“For us in Akinwale Omololu Laosun (AOL) Support Group Organisation, politics of mudslinging, bitterness, witch hunting, acrimony and unhealthy rival is a taboo and we will never be part of it.
“Let me use this medium to announce to the newly sworn-in PDP government that I and my party will not fail to live up to our role as an opposition party in the state. This, we will do to check and checkmate the government regularly in the areas of her policies, actions, inactions, attitude and efforts in the interest of the people for better service delivery and more importantly, as a stakeholder desirous of a better Oyo State”, he said
Speaking on the issue of payment of the new minimum wage, Laosun said, “We charge the PDP government of Engr Seyi Makinde to explore the many untapped avenues to financially re-engineer the state so as to ensure that Oyo State does not lag behind in the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.
“Beyond payment of salaries (we know it is not a favour or any form of kindness or a benefit to the workers), others ways the lives of the Oyo state workers can be improved are obvious for all to see. We hope the new Governor will deploy his acclaimed years of experience in running the private sector to use in this wise.
“Please note that we will not fail to lend our voice to issue(s) should the government fail to keep its promises to the workers, or introduce policies that might not be in the overall interest of the people and the state as a whole. Salary arrears and backlogs of payment to tertiary institution workers, Local Government workers, pensioners and retirees amongst others must get the immediate attention of the new government so that a new lease of life can blow across the state.”
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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