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Oyo: Buhari, Sunmonu, Olowofela condole Makinde over death of commissioner

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(L-R) Late Ayoola and Governor Makinde

Senator  Abdulfatai Buhari representing Oyo North Senatorial District has condoled with the Seyi Makinde -led Oyo State government over the demise of  its Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Hon. Kehinde Ayoola.

 

Hon.  Ayoola, who was the first Speaker of the 4th Oyo State House of Assembly died  in the early hours of Thursday after a brief illness in an undisclosed hospital in Ibadan, the state capital, Mega Icon Magazine gathered.

 

In a statement on Thursday, Senator Buhari   lamented that the Commissioner died at a time when his contribution is required by serving the state. He identified the deceased as a visionary politician who used his timely opportunity, especially between 1999 and 2003 to serve people of the state diligently.

 

The lawmaker,  however enjoined politicians especially in Oyo State never to delay their contributions toward the betterment of the state, just as he  admonished that everyone will encounter death at an unexpected time.
He prayed that God Almighty will give his family, the state government and his loved ones the fortitude to bear the sudden death.

Other eminent personalities including former Senator Monsurat Sunmonu have also expressed their condolences to Governor Makinde over the death of his Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources.

Senator  Sunmonu also lamented the sudden passing of the former Speaker of State House of Assembly in a release made available to newsmen  on Thursday’s evening.
According to the release, Sunmonu who hails alongside the deceased from Oyo town said the demise of Ayoola has accidentally created a huge vacuum in the intellectual and political circles which would take a very long time to fill.
She described the late Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources as a brilliant mind whose foresight and advocacy as a principled technocrat during his lifetime has been tremendously paying off in having a functional society through democratic systems.
Sunmonu therefore commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde over the loss of his age long close confidant and one of the key cabinet members of the State Executives Council.
Similarly, the first female Speaker of the State Assembly who also represented Oyo Central Senatorial District between 2015- 2019 also condoled with the Alaafin of Oyo, the Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the bereaved indigenes of Oyo town and the entire residents of the State for the unforeseen passage of the renowned agriculturist and public affairs analyst.

 

The statement in conclusion prayed for the repose of the soul of the late politician and gratification of fortitude for the bereaved family and friends to bear the irreparable loss necessitated by the demise of the late Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources.

Also commenting, the Commissioner representing the state at the Federal Character Commission,  Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, expressed shock over the death of Ayoola. While extolling the virtues of the late Commissioner, the APC chieftain described him as a committed cabinet member.

Olowofela, however commiserated with the state government for  loosing a rare gem.

“Honourable Kehinde Ayoola, may your soul rest in peace. I found it extremely difficult to believe  when I heard.  I commiserate with the Government of Oyo-State, for loosing a committed cabinet member, with Alaafin of Oyo and entire Oyo town – your origin, your wife and children for vacuum created by the loss of a loving husband and father, your church for loosing a worker in the vine yard and Ido Local Government for loosing one of the most  influential Landlords.
“Rest in peace brother – life indeed is ephemeral”, Olowofela submitted.

 

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Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe

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(FILES) The logo of carmaker Ford is pictured on the sidelines of a warning strike called by metalworkers’ union IG Metall at the plant of carmaker Ford in Cologne, western Germany, on October 29, 2024. – US car manufacturer Ford on November 20, 2024 announced plans for 4,000 further job cuts in Europe, mostly in in the UK and Germany, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP)

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.

 

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Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor

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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.

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Ekiti Workers to Earn N70,000 Minimum Wage as Govt Signs MoU with Unions

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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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