News
Makinde swears-in 7 commissioners, assigns portfolios
Oyo State governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, on Friday, swore-in the seven commissioner nominees who were reappointed into the cabinet, charging them to keep raising the bar of governance.
The governor, while speaking at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, stated that names of the remaining commissioners would soon be made public.
He equally charged the reappointed commissioners to explore more innovative ways to deliver on their mandate and positively touch the lives of the good people of the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that the composition of the whole cabinet will be completed in the next few weeks.
The statement added that six of the reappointed commissioners retained their former Ministries, while the immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs, Alhaja Faosat Ajoke Sanni was deployed to the Ministry of Special Duties.
The newly sworn-in commissioners include Mr. Akinola Ojo (Finance); Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN (Justice); Chief Bayo Lawal (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Prof. Dahud Sangodoyin (Public Works).
Others are Mr. Ayansiju Lawal (Establishment and Training); Mr. Temilolu Ashamu (Energy and Mineral Resources) and Mrs. Faosat Sanni (Special Duties).
Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde said: “Two years ago, I inaugurated the first State Executive Council with 14 members initially and the number eventually grew to 17. The cabinet was dissolved about a month ago. All of you here who have been reappointed Honourable Commissioners were members of that cabinet.
“Well, as they say, ‘you don’t change a winning team.’ Yes, that is true. But they didn’t say that we should not reassess our team. In fact, regular assessment and reassessment are important to keep teams working optimally. So, to all seven of you here today, I will say welcome back.
“I hope you have used the time to get enough rest and you are fully reinvigorated now for the task ahead. You have just under two years left to make even greater marks in your various Ministries.”
Governor Makinde, who maintained that his administration will continue to take development to all the nooks and crannies of the state, said his government has done massive works along the four pillars upon which the roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023 is built.
“Our administration has become known for sustainable development in all sectors, with no communities left behind. We want to continue to do even more than what we have done before.
“I meet people and once they tell me they are from Oyo State, I ask them the geopolitical zone they are from. And once they tell me, I ask them if they have seen so and so projects in their communities. So, that is what we are known for. It is even development all across the state and that is where we really want to be.
“Two years ago, I spoke to you about the key roles you will play in ensuring that our people partake of Omituntun. “Today, there is clear evidence of the massive works we have done in the four pillars upon which our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023 is built.
“Yes, we have done so much already but this is not the time to rest on our oars but think of more innovative ways to deliver on our mandate and positively touch the lives of the good people of Oyo State.
“When we complete our tenure in office, we will have set a new bar of governance in Oyo State and I believe that by that time, I would have one or two things to learn from yourselves. You have taken a break and now you are back.
“I remember that over a year ago, they said everything we were doing was audio. Then, I actually enjoyed being the ‘audio governor.’ For me being audio, they are acknowledging the visuals and by the time we are done, they will understand that we have set a new bar on governance.
“I was recently talking to a brother-governor and he said to me that, first, they called you audio. Now, they are saying we are seeing what you guys are doing. But then, they ask if those things are sustainable. We have sustained payment of salaries for our workers and pensioners in the state for over two years. So, they will constantly be shifting their position until they have nowhere else to shift to,” the governor added.
He equally stated that the new commissioners will all need to play their part in ensuring that emphatic and service-oriented leadership becomes the norm in the state, saying: “The people of Oyo State will no longer be dragged down to the days of mediocre leadership. You all have a role to play in ensuring that ’emphatic’ leadership becomes the new normal in Oyo State and, by extension, Nigeria because the whole country is watching. We should not relent but keep raising the bar.
“Of course, we have provided the channels to ask questions. I will also continue to ask questions to ensure we remain on the path to sustainable development in the state. So, when I am holding you accountable to a very high standard, it is because some of you will go beyond the current leadership role to something even higher.
“So, I urge you to rededicate yourselves to your positions. We have presented your scorecard before the state House of Assembly, which was a prerequisite to your reappointment. I want you to look at that assessment and ask yourselves if that was indeed your best. Are there ways you can serve the people better? Ask yourselves how you want to be remembered. Revisit the answers quarterly and measure your activities against your goal.
“This is a sure way to self-correct any inadequacy you may notice.
“In the next few weeks, we will have the whole cabinet once more. Our goals will remain the same. We will do everything in our power to move Oyo State from poverty to prosperity. So, I congratulate you on your appointment. Let us do it again.”
News
NAF Pharmacist Shines at 97th PSN Conference, Bags Three Prestigious Awards
Air Commodore David Olumuyiwa Babalola, a consultant clinical pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has achieved an extraordinary milestone in Nigerian pharmacy practice, earning three prestigious honors at the 97th Annual National Conference of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
Held from November 4 to 9, 2024, the conference celebrated Babalola’s exceptional contributions with the Biogenerics Integrity Award, the Pfizer Excellence Award, and the Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN).
Babalola was recognized as the best overall public-sector hospital pharmacist in Nigeria, clinching the Biogenerics Integrity Award. This esteemed honor, accompanied by a ₦1,000,000 cash prize, celebrates excellence in patient care, career achievements, innovations, training, research, professional service, philanthropy, and leadership in public hospitals.
Adding to his accolades, he was one of four pharmacists nationwide to receive the Pfizer Excellence Award. This award highlights outstanding contributions to hospital and community pharmacy and includes a ₦250,000 cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and a certificate.
Representatives of Pfizer Nigeria presented the award during the conference’s grand closing banquet at Flairmore Event Centre, Uyo.
This achievement makes history as Babalola becomes the first pharmacist in the Nigerian Armed Forces to win a PSN-sponsored corporate award since its inception nearly two decades ago.
In his acceptance speech, Babalola expressed gratitude to Biogenerics Nigeria Ltd and Pfizer Nigeria for their sponsorship, which he said inspires excellence in hospital pharmacy practice.
He also acknowledged the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, for fostering an enabling environment for pharmacists within the NAF and for approving the implementation of the Pharmacists Consultant Cadre in the force.
Babalola’s accolades were further crowned by his conferment with the Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (FPSN), the highest honor awarded to pharmacists in the country. This recognition, reserved for individuals who have rendered exemplary and meritorious service, solidifies Babalola’s status as a trailblazer in the field.
As the first pharmacist in the Nigerian Air Force to attain the rank of air commodore, Babalola’s career is marked by groundbreaking achievements.
His latest recognitions underscore his relentless commitment to advancing pharmacy practice in Nigeria and inspiring a new generation of pharmacists.
The investiture ceremony for his FPSN honor is slated for early 2025, promising yet another celebration of his outstanding contributions to the pharmacy profession and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
News
NGO Launches Ibadan Food Bank Project to Combat Hunger Among Vulnerable Nigerians
The Founder and Executive Director of the Temmy Helping Hands and Youth Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. (Pastor) Elizabeth Bakare, on Saturday unveiled the Ibadan Food Bank Project during the foundation’s 2024 annual convention in Ibadan.
The initiative tagged “Let Nobody Go to Bed Hungry,” aims at tackling food insecurity and hunger among Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations”.
Mega Icon Magazine recalled that a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-third of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals.
The survey titled “Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024)”, noted the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.
According to the report, approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should.
“The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one”, the report reads further.
Speaking at the unveiling in Ibadan, during the 2024 annual convention of the foundation, Mrs. Bakare described the alarming rise in hunger caused by the nation’s economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the increasing exchange rate, which have led to soaring food prices.
She noted that these conditions have placed immense strain on widows, single parents, orphans, and other underprivileged groups, making it imperative to act swiftly.
The Ibadan Food Bank is set to provide food support to 2,500 individuals monthly, with plans to expand its reach to 30,000 beneficiaries annually by 2029 and 105,000 per annum by 2034.
The initiative incorporates several interventions, such as the free distribution of essential food items, a food subsidy programme offering discounted staples, and a mobile kitchen service providing one free meal daily.
Continuing, it includes outreach to prisons, orphanages, IDP camps, and leprosy centers, as well as educational meal subsidies for schools and centers for people with disabilities. The project also encourages self-reliance through a home farming initiative that offers seeds, tools, and training, and through food processing training to empower beneficiaries with sustainable livelihood skills.
Since its establishment in December 2023, Temmy Helping Hands has already made significant strides in alleviating hunger and poverty. Past achievements include food distributions during World Food Day celebrations and financial support for widows.
Bakare also announced an upcoming initiative, “Make This December One to Remember,” which will provide assistance to 500 vulnerable individuals during the festive season.
She called for partnerships to expand the scope and reach of the Ibadan Food Bank, urging individuals, organizations, and corporations to support the initiative through food donations, financial contributions, and volunteering.
Highlighting various ways to collaborate, she appealed for sponsorship of families or meals, establishment of endowment funds, employee volunteer programs, and media campaigns to raise awareness.
According to Bakare, such contributions would not only transform lives but also demonstrate a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.
She thanked the awardees for their dedication to humanitarian service, urging everyone to join in the fight against hunger.
“Together, we can ensure that no one in Ibadan goes to bed hungry. Every act of kindness matters,” the Founder added.
The keynote address at the occasion was delivered by Dr. Ibraheem Okunlola Akinwale, an Assistant Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), who spoke on strategies for coping with the economic hardship in the country.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Princess Oyedele Bolatito, from Oyo State WAZOBIA Widows commanded Temmy Helping Hands and Youth Empowerment Foundation for the laudable initiative, urging others to emulate such kind gesture.
News
Two-Thirds of Nigerians Can’t Afford Healthy Meals — NBS
A recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by Nigerian households, revealing that two-thirds of the population struggle to afford healthy and nutritious meals. The survey, titled Nigeria General Household Survey – Panel (GHS-Panel) Wave 5 (2023/2024), underscores the worsening multidimensional poverty and the erosion of purchasing power due to the persistent rise in the cost of goods and services.
The report shows that approximately 63.8% of households have been forced to eat only a few kinds of food due to financial constraints. About 62.4% of respondents admitted worrying about food insufficiency, while 60.5% ate less than they thought they should. The situation has deteriorated significantly since the last survey, as the proportion of households expressing food insecurity concerns rose from 36.9% in the previous wave to 62.4% in the current one.
Power Outages and Access to Energy
The survey also sheds light on the nation’s energy crisis, revealing that Nigerian households experience an average of 6.7 power blackouts per week. While 82.2% of urban households have access to electricity, the figure drops to 40.4% in rural areas.
Cooking remains predominantly dependent on traditional methods, with 65% of households using three-stone stoves and 70.2% relying on firewood. However, the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is reportedly increasing.
Sanitation and Asset Ownership
In terms of sanitation, the report highlights that many households still lack basic toilet facilities, relying on bushes or streets for waste disposal. Access to clean drinking water is often through tube wells or boreholes, reflecting a lack of formal infrastructure in many areas.
On asset ownership, the survey indicates a decline since 2018/19. While two-thirds of households own mobile phones, only 21.3% have internet access. Housing ownership remains significant, with 70.4% of households owning their homes—80.1% in rural areas compared to 49.1% in urban centers.
The NBS report provides a stark reminder of the challenges many Nigerians face daily, from food insecurity and power outages to inadequate sanitation and declining asset ownership. It calls for urgent policy interventions to address these critical issues and improve the living standards of the population.
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