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Mum’s death shows that life is truly ephemeral – Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said, on Sunday, that the death of his mother, Madam Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde, has further confirmed to him that human beings’ stay on earth is truly temporary.
Governor Makinde, who was giving his vote of thanks at the Thanksgiving Service in honour of his late mother, who was buried on Friday, said that no matter how long a human being lives, the reality of death was unmistakable.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, indicated that the Thanksgiving Service, which was held at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Yemetu, Ibadan, had in attendance the deputy governor and his wife; the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), other top government functionaries as well as friends and political associates of the governor and his siblings.
Siblings of the governor in attendance include Engineer Sunday Makinde; Mr. Kayode Adedeji; Chief Muyiwa Makinde and Pastor Omololu Makinde. The last child of the family, Iyabo Muyiwa (nee Makinde) was unable to make the trip from the United States.
Governor Makinde said: “I really want to appreciate you all for what you did at the funeral service of my late mother at Aremo Cathedral. I thank God for the kind of life my mother lived.
“I sat down after my mum passed away to do some calculations to know the number of days she spent on earth. And I discovered she spent exactly twenty-nine thousand, five hundred and nine days (29,509). We can think the days are long; but it will end one day. That’s just the truth.
“Even, if anyone will spend 100 years on Earth, such person will spend about thirty-six thousand (36,000) days. So, it will end one day. The word of the Lord would not go without being fulfilled on any of us.
“We really appreciate your support and thank you very much.”
He thanked the clergy and everyone who contributed to the successful burial of his mother, declaring that every support was well recognized.
The governor, who also led the congregation in singing two of his mother’s favourite songs, said that his late mother had a way of getting things from him, even if he was determined not to yield.
The service also saw the inauguration of the governor’s brother, Chief Muyiwa Makinde as a member of the Youth Wing of the Church, while his wife, Olabisi Muyiwa Makinde was inaugurated as a direct replacement of the late Madam Abigail Makinde in the Imole Ayo Society.
In his sermon, the Assistant Priest of St. Pauls Anglican Church, Yemetu, Rev. O.J. Alo, called on the congregation to always remember that death could come any time, adding that every living soul shall taste death one day.
He said that Mama was a devout Christian, whom he said the Church will greatly miss.
He added, however, that the late Madam Abigail Makinde lived a fulfilled life.
Those who graced the service include the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan and his wife, Prof. Bolanle; the SSG, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun and her husband Akinjide; the Chief of Staff to Governor Makinde, Chief Oyebisi Ilaka; and other top government functionaries.
The service also had in attendance top clergies including the Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Prelate Sunday Ola Makinde, and the Venerable Dr. Samuel Osungbeju, who oversees the Yemetu Church, among others.
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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