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KOWA party warns Ajimobi not to divert Paris Club Loan.
THE Oyo State chapter of KOWA party has called on Governor Abiola Ajimobi against diversion of the state share of the Paris Club.
The party warned that the governor before it is too late should use the money for the purpose to which is meant for in the payment of salaries and execution of people-oriented projects.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital at a press briefing tagged ‘Before it is too late in Oyo State’, Chairman of the party , Alhaji Olaide Olayiwola said, “this Paris Club money we are expecting, let the civil servant be fully paid with the Paris Club money and wait to see the outcome, they will be happy to work. KOWA party is not in support of suspension of staff salary.
“Before it is too late, the Paris Club share should be used to pay salary and take care of the people.
“This is why we are calling you that before it is too late, the present government promised many things, but the state has come to a worse situation in terms of employment, education, agriculture, we cannot talk about health, have you ever seen a situation where civil servants are not paid. We need to ask why the civil servants are not paid. It is either the present government lacks the power or does not have the people that know about governance”.
Olayiwola stressed that the governor has derailed on his promises, “most of the promises he made are still a mirage”, citing the example of the proposed Oyo State Technical University, Ibadan Circular Road, Five Star Hotel and Model Schools which he said are yet to take off.
Olayiwola then blamed Ajimobi for deliberately denying the people of the state by appointing the new caretaker committee chairmen in the state, adding that the court injunction can only affect the councils in questions and not the whole councils.
He also urged journalists to always strike balance in their reports.
“The caretaker arrangement is not good, the governor is denying the people, the court injunction affects only the councils in controversy and not the entire state, why will the governor appoint caretaker chairmen in all the councils but did not appoint for those where there is issue. That means the governor knows what he is doing by not appointing council chairmen in those ones.
“It is high time the government change its direction. I want to state that these new LG caretaker chairmen arrangement to placate people with appointment as if it is Valentine gifts is not good.
“Tell him that KOWA party and other parties is not in terndem with his policies, the people are not for the projects but the projects are for the people.
“Gentlemen of the press, please don’t take side, it does not worth it, let us tell the government that we don’t like his style.
“We saw Ladoja, Akala exercise books, nothing is in the state, when students are still sitting on the floor. Every year, you see budget of restoration, budget of this and that, but nobody is asking about the last year budget, budget appraisal. We are calling the state governor to tell us how does he spend and what does he takes, recently Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai published his salary, let the governor tell us how much he collects and spends.
The chairman further charged the state government to rehabilitate dying industries in the state.
“We are calling the governor to rehabilitate our moribund industries like exercise battery, Layland and Wire and Cable know as the best, how much will it take the governor to put little money and resuscitate them. We want our government to look at all these avenues, please we want things to be done in that manner”.
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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