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Osun Postpones Regional Youth Summit to Accommodate Yorubas in Diaspora
THE Osun state government on Monday announced a short postponement of the highly anticipated first edition of its Regional Youth Summit dubbed ‘Western Nigeria Regional Youth Summit’ billed for Osogbo, the state capital this week due to demands of Yorubas in diaspora for effective participation.
Announcing the postponement at a press conference in Osogbo, the state commissioner for Regional Integration, Mr. Bola Ilori expressed joy at the huge acceptance received by the idea of the summit.
Ilori said, “We must say we are pleasantly surprised at the huge interest the idea of the summit has generated across the country. We never estimated that it will receive this volume of enthusiasm. It’s more surprising that we openly announced that we were not going to provide transport nor pay for accommodation yet 2097 conscious youths of western Nigeria have registered online on our portal before we closed it. This reality is quite different from the image people erroneously attached to our youths.”
“We considered it a matter of pride and privilege to receive ‘appeal of interest’ to participate from youths in diaspora most especially those that live and work in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Middle East. Also, a number of our youths currently resides in Northern and other Southern parts of the country. The appeal from these segments of our population have been so overwhelming. Most of them have planned to return home for the New year break.”
The commissioner added that the elders and critical stakeholders are virtually unanimous that it will be a major historical error to shut this critical segment of our population out of this epoch making event which is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.
“We have reached out to the office of the Vice President who is scheduled to declare the gathering open and some of the other dignitaries on this latest development and have expressed readiness to bend over backwards to accommodate the request for a short shift in the date”.
He further expressed the state’s delight in observing that majority of the sons and daughters of Western region holds the development of the region as of highest priority.
Ilori, however assured that the event will hold within the next two weeks “we hereby announce a short postponement of the Regional Youth Summit 2017, initially fixed for 12th &13th of December, 2017”.
“In view of this consideration, we deeply regret all inconveniences the postponement might have caused.
Please, be rest assured that a new date, within this festive season, will be communicated shortly.”
The Commissioner also used the medium to express the government appreciation to the media and committee members . “We want to thank you gentlemen of the press for your support since the first day we rolled out our plan to organize the first ever Non Partisan Regional Youth Summit.
“We appreciate the effort of our independent social media team for a job well done. We give kudos to all committees at various levels that had given so much time, energy and commitment to drive this initiative far within a very short period of time”.
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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