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OLOJO 2022: ASUU strike, 2023 election, youth plight top Ooni’s prayer requests
The lingering strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which has placed all universities in Nigeria under lock and key is part of the prayer requests of the Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II as he on Sunday began the annual 7-day seclusion rite being part of the symbolic activities marking the annual Olojo festival in Ile-Ife.
Ooni Ogunwusi who appeared in his usual white traditional attire laced with colourful ancient beads told newsmen on his way out of his Ile-Oodua palace that he will use the spiritual moment of seclusion as a point of contact with God Almighty towards resolving all issues in Nigeria as the country gears up for next year’s General election.
The Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) explained that the government must as a matter of core urgency end the strike to avert the looming anger of Nigerian youths.
“The youths are angry and no one can blame them for that. Just imagine the number of months they have been kept out of school, ASUU and the government must unite and end this because we cannot handle the anger of the youths if they go out of control. They have started blocking highways and even threatening to lock the airports, which is an indication that they have been pushed to the wall.
“This is my seventh year on the throne and I have been serving humanity with a special focus on the youths of our country. Apart from investing hugely in human capital development and capacity building, I have engaged many of the youths as handlers of my projects and they have shown excellence in leadership. So I appeal to our government to look in this direction and make the necessary amendment.
“During the recruitment process at the newly unveiled OjajaMore, over 50 per cent of applicants are undergraduate students who are tired of staying at home which speaks to the fact that the ASUU strike has done a lot of damage. It is avoidable and it should be ended by the government and ASUU for the benefit of the youths.
“Next year’s election is equally another strong prayer request with which I am proceeding into seclusion, I want Nigerian youths to refuse to be used as thugs during the election while I pray that the process goes seamlessly acceptable to all the political parties for peace and prosperity of our land.” Ooni Ogunwusi said.
Explaining the potency of the seclusion exercise, the Ooni who will be incommunicado for one week and not grant audience within the days in seclusion said,” There has never been the time my prayer requests during seclusion is not answered by the Almighty, it has never happened. It is a period of fasting and prayer to appease God and seek blessings for our land.
Olojo festival connotes a strong indication of God’s creation and the day of the first dawn on earth, it is celebrated annually in Ile-Ife by all descendants of Oduduwa globally. While this year’s Olojo festival has already witnessed several activities, other key events lined up to make this edition superlative include as follows:
Friday 23rd September is for the ILAGUN(Dog sacrifice). Ojo Owode (Community cleaning) Oonirisa Terrestrial Message to the world and Oonirisa’s Adire Hub Fiesta. Saturday 24th will witness the Grand Official Ceremony for the year’s Olojo celebrations after which the Ooni will adorn the sacred Aare Crown in a procession to the Okemogun shrine in honour of an agelong covenant with Ogun(God of Iron). Ife Grand Resort Musical Concert will hold much later same day.
Sunday 25th is for the Grand Finale Reception Party at the palace courtyard and Monday 26 will be for the Oonirisa Ancestral Traditional Propitiation which is a symbolic procession led by the Ooni to his family compound at Agbedegbede street in the Moore area of Ile-Ife which will be followed by Sinamania/ BUGA Poolside Dinner while Wednesday 28th will climax the 2022 Olojo festival with Ife and Oodua clubs paying Homage to the Ooni.
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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