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Oyo APC cannot fool all the people all the time – Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde said on Monday that the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) can only fool some people all the time but that it cannot fool all the people all the time.
The Governor, who was reacting to the management of government projects during the administration of the immediate past administration in the state, said that the manner in which many government projects were abandoned especially following bogus commissioning exercises left much to be desired.
His comments were coming on the heels of criticisms by the Oyo State APC of his plans to reconstruct Iwo Road Interchange with the sum of N8 billion.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor made the statement while speaking to newsmen after inspection tour of some government installations.
The governor stated that the previous administration in the State attempted to fool the people of the State with bogus contracts and projects to the detriment of the people.
He also said that the immediate past administration moved equipment from Jericho Specialist Hospital to another centre in Olodo to stage a commissioning exercise, leaving the Jericho facility empty.
The Governor had visited Sanyo Area of Ibadan, where the State Government plans to move the Oyo Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) and the Jericho Specialist Maternity Hospital, Jericho, Ibadan,
He noted that the previous administration put in lots of resources in projects and ended up abandoning the same even after some bogus commissioning exercise.
He decried the situation of the Jericho Specialist Hospital, which he said would be immediately moved to the new complex as a matter of emergency.
Governor Makinde said: “You have all seen the situation out there; it is almost like wasting the resources of the state.
“The State has put in a lot of resources but have not been able to get any value for the citizens. For me, the facility at the Jericho Hospital’s new site is at 80 per cent completion but it is already falling apart. So, it has to be occupied.
“They took all the equipment from there to do a ceremonial commissioning at Olodo. I believe you can fool some people some of the time but it is difficult to fool all of the people all the time. So, we will go back and relocate the Jericho Specialist Hospital and that would be taken as an emergency because it has to happen between now and the end of the year.
“This facility, for instance, is going to be finished up and, by then, we will take the movement of the people from Jericho Specialist to this place as an emergency. Our target is to complete the project before the end of this year.”
On the entourage of the Governor to the Jericho Specialist Centre were the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello; the Consultant on Health to the Oyo State Government, Dr. Funmi Salami; Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Management Board among other top government functionaries.
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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