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Ooni urges Nigerians in Canada to remember home
The Arole Oodua and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi has charged Nigerians residing in Canada to in the spirit of patriotism come together to join the government and the people of Nigeria in proffering solutions to the economic challenges facing the country.
The foremost African monarch gave the admonition on Monday during a ceremony of Proclamation Day, Flag Exchange presentation of city key done in his honour by the government of the City of Brampton in Toronto by the Mayor of Brampton Patrick Brown, his wife Genevieve, cabinet members and members of Nigeria community led by His Excellency, Ambassador Adeyinka Asekun alongside senior officials of the embassy of Nigeria in Canada.
Welcoming the visiting Ooni and his entourage in his speech, the 41 year old Mayor expressed delights at hosting the epoch event describing himself as being lucky receiving such a revered African king.
“Your Imperial Majesty, I feel so delighted to be your host today. The city of Brampton is humble to be your host for this great event because you are one of the greatest kings in the world.
I visited Nigeria in 2006 and I was in love with the country. It is a great country of great people and great cultures.
“We know you, you have been preaching peace and harmony all over the world and that is why we have decided to honour you today”. Mayor Brown said.
According to the Mayor, the city of Brampton hosts over 60, 000 Africans and Caribbeans with Nigerians standing out contributing immensely to the socioeconomic development of the city and Canada in general.
“This city have over 60, 000 Africans including Caribbeans residing here. This population has more Nigerians doing very great.”
“Your majesty, I feel great everyday to see these great Nigerians contributing to the development of Brampton and Canada socially and economically.”
“I look forward to visiting Nigeria soon for productive collaboration and my first point of call will be Ile-Ife because I have read and heard about the cultural richness of Yoruba people who have you as the overall head”,he added
Ooni Ogunwusi in his speech proclaimed Brampton as the city of love, appreciating the warm reception and honour given him.
“I proclaim this city as ‘city of love’ because you have so welcoming and receptive. I could feel in your spirit what is called love through this warm reception.
“You have been good to Nigerians and I feel so proud of the positive roles Nigerians are also playing in the economic life of this city which is the fattest growing city in Canada. I confirmed this during my meeting with the cabinet members of this government who told me how Nigerians have impacted positively. It is now evident that good things can actually come out of Africa”.
Admonishing Nigerians in Canada to be patriotic ambassadors in the country, the Spiritual father of Yoruba race worldwide said
“If everyone can be like Canada. We know what country of Canada “man must be kind to one another. Canada is doing this.
“We as Nigerians should always think of how to benefit our country for the goodness of our unborn generations. I appeal to you Nigerians living here never to write off your country.
“This proclamation doesn’t go to me alone, it goes to all of you from Nigeria. These are the ways we should be portraying Nigeria to the world
“I hold this honour of proclamation flag exchange dear to my heart and I will carry it with pride.
“In appreciation of this honour, I also bring u a gift of bronze cast which emanated from our land in Africa”.
The Co-chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) accompanied to the event by his beautiful queen, Olori Silekunola Ogunwusi (Yeyeluwa), the Nigerian ambassador to Canada, H.E, Adeyinka Asekun, the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, HRM Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Oloba of Oba-Ile, HRM Oba Adekunle Oyeyemi, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi(Iya Adura), Coordinator of Imperial Awards and CEO of Hope4Sure Initiatives, Miss Peju Oke, Toronto based Pharmaceutical business giant, Prof Isa Odidi, Chairman of Okey Equipments, Mr Okey Eze, members and leaders of Nigerian community in Canada.
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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