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Olubadan Declaration Review: Memoranda requests for beaded crowns.
THE Oyo State Government has stated that the massive attendance and response by various stakeholders to the ongoing Olubadan Declaration Review panel has justified and vindicated its action revealing that 91 out of the 118 memoranda received during the open sessions requested for additional beaded crowns while the remaining 27 hinged on the review of ascendancy into the Olubadan stool.
The government reiterated its position that the proposed review is not targeted at any individual or group of people, saying that it is for the development, modernization as well as growth of the traditional council of Ibadan, Ibadanland and the state in general.
It noted that change is the only constant in life, stressing that all parties will eventually be convinced of the sincerity of government’s proposition.
The government equally said that its action is within the ambit of the law of the Olubadan Declaration of 1957, assuring that it will be just and fair in examining the recommendations of the Justice Boade’s panel and align with the wishes of Ibadan people.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun stated in a statement on Sunday that the action of the government has precedence and it is in tandem with the aspirations of the people, saying, “It is high time we reiterated our earlier position and put issues in proper perspective. The action of the government is backed by law, there are precedents, the governor has the power to review the declaration and most importantly the government is fulfilling the yearnings of the people.
“We are not being political with this issue and not targeting any individual. The purpose is to elevate the status of the Olubadan title and pave the way for the development and modernization of Ibadan chieftaincy and Ibadan towns and city. We are running an all inclusive government and our government believes in collective responsibility in the Ajumose spirit. Our decision to review the Olubadan Declaration of 1957 was a response to several calls by stakeholders and we will follow the principles of openness, fairness and justice,” Arulogun explained.
The government spokesman further disclosed that members of the Olubadan in Council, many high chiefs in Ibadan, stakeholders including Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Ibadan Elders Forum, Ibadan Progressive Union, Association of Recognised Mogajis, All the War Lords’ families in Ibadan and eminent individuals attended the sitting of the panel which lasted three weeks, pointing out that the panel received 118 memoranda during its sitting.
The commissioner, however explained that the panel, which finished its sitting on Friday June 23, 2017 and requested for four weeks extension, received 91 chieftaincy memoranda requesting for beaded crowns in Ibadan land, while the remaining 27 memoranda hinged on the review of ascendancy into the Olubadan stool.
According to him, “the support and participation the Justice Boade’s panel received shows that the government is on course with its action. We are not doing this unilaterally, all stakeholders are involved and they have showed their support. This does not give any indication to the recommendations of the panel’s reports and we are not interested in pre-empting what the report will be. We want the people to also wait for the outcome of the panel’s recommendations and we promise to be fair and just.”
He urged the people to see the government’s action from modernization and developmental view points rather than the political, emphasising that the yearnings of the people will always be superior to individual opinions and aspirations assuring that the government will not renege on its principles of openness, fairness, justice as well as the collective responsibility and all inclusiveness it is known for.
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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