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Ooni Empowers 70 Graduands After One Year Free Training
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II has canvassed for capacity building for the teeming Nigerian youths as the lead way towards the prosperous future for the country.
Ooni, who is also the co -chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) made this known on Saturday at his Ile-Oodua Palace, Ile Ife while addressing a cross section of beneficiaries of the Ojaja Fashion Institute, which is one of the monarch’s initiatives through which youths are being trained to become professional fashion designers.
Addressing the 70 graduands who were also empowered with sewing machines and other tailoring equipments witnessed by their trainers, parents, guardians and dignitaries at the event, Ooni Ogunwusi decried the restiveness of the youths across the country which he attributed to idleness and unemployment.
“This initiative started as a simple training for Ile Ife youths, especially children of the poor but we had to transform it into an institute to accommodate more people across the country.
“Due to poverty and idleness, most youths have found themselves perpetrating several forms of evil, especially our young girls and ladies. Most of them resort into prostitution just to acquire basic necessities of life.
“I came up with this initiative because I realized that we are sitting on a keg of gunpowder as a society if our youths are not trained and mentored to gain financial independence and be able to fend for themselves”. Ooni said
“I want to congratulate the beneficiaries and also urge them to make the best use of this opportunity, while I implore their parents and guardians to support their dreams and aspirations”, Ooni stressed.
Also in his remarks, the director of Ojaja Fashion Training Institute, Adeyanju Samuel commended the African foremost monarch for his youth development and empowerment agenda, describing him as a God’s unique gift to the world.
Adeyanju who explained that the institute has since its establishment by Ooni trained several professional fashion designers, saying this will go a long way drastically reducing the level of poverty in the society..
He noted that Hausa, Ibo, Yorubas and other tribes of Nigeria have benefitted from the one year free training. He thus urged other philanthropists to emulate Ooni for the good gesture towards the less privileged.
Adeyanju also praised International Breweries, makers of Trophy lager beer and supporters for their material and financial contributions towards the success of the institute.
Similarly, the National President Nigeria Union of Tailors, Comrade Wasiu Taiwo, praised Ooni Ogunwusi for being a saviour of this generation, lauding him on the project which he called first of its kind across the country especially coming from a traditional ruler.
While urging government to impact the citizenry with adequate dividends of democracy, Comrade Taiwo admonished the graduands to face their work and ensure that they develop their carrier to greater height.
Pledging to take fashion and tailoring profession to the next level, the national tailors union boss expressed the willingness of his union to partner with the Ooni on the project with a view to productively engaging the jobless youths. He also explained that such an initiative will help combat poverty, especially among Nigeria’s teeming youths most of whom are unemployed despite being educated.
Mrs Eniola Ali-Faweya, the Corporate Affairs Manager, International Breweries, lauded Ooni for his goodness towards the society. She advised the graduands to dedicate and disseminate effectively well what they have learnt and ensure they updated themselves globally through the internet.
Mrs Ali-Faweya pledged that the company would continue supporting Ooni in all his efforts to empower youth and beneficiaries of other initiatives of the monarch.
Miss Kehinde Adebiyi who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries applauded Ooni for transforming her life through the training and for setting her up with quality sewing machines.
Adebiyi said she was hopeless for she had no helper, but now Oba Ogunwusi had given her hope.
She promised to utilise the privilege wisely and urged other roaming about youths to find something tangible to do rather than wasting their brighter future.
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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