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LG Crisis: ‘Don’t set Oyo state ablaze’, Mogajis warn FG, Malami
The Council of Authentic Mogajis in Ibadanland has warned the federal government and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakah Malami to desist from any act that can set Oyo state ablaze.
The local government chairmen sacked by Governor Seyi Makinde under the aegis of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), had on Monday resumed in their offices following a judgment of the Supreme Court that governors, States House of Assembly cannot arbitrarily dissolve elected local government councils.
It would be recalled that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), had, in a recent letter to the Attorney General of Oyo State, demanded the reinstatement of the sacked local government chairmen and councillors.
Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, had in another letter, urged the sacked Chairmen through the ALGON and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to liaise with the state Commissioner of Police for appropriate actions.
However, the family heads in a statement signed by its publicity secretary, Chief Wale Oladoja said the federal government should respect the 1999 constitution which empowers the governors to care for local government in their various states.
The Mogajis maintained that the Government’s position became imperative following the threats of violence by the sacked ‘illegal chairmen’ and the stay-at-home order issued to all local government workers in the State by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
According to the family heads, Oyo State has been peaceful and there is need for government to maintain the peaceful atmosphere in the state.
“We are amazed with the latest development on the issue of local government in our dear Oyo state. The federal government. We wondered when it becomes the role of the Anthoney General of Federation to determines who leads local government.
“It is imperative to note that we have 33 local government areas in Oyo state not 68 as election was held in those LCDAs which made the election null and void.
” We want president Buhari to caution his aides who are working hard to ensure that our nascent democracy is being truncated. We appeal to the president to make sure that the issue of local government in Oyo state does not lead to crisis as we are aware that many of the APC chairmen had forcefully took over their council.
“If anything happens to our sons and daughters who are working in our councils, the Attorney general would be hold responsible for given questionable order”, the statement reads.
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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