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Oyo cautions property owners, developers on illegal task force.
THE Oyo State Government has cautioned property owners in the state to beware of fraudulent individuals parading themselves and extorting money as government Task Force members, saying that adequate measures are being taken to checkmate this worrisome activity.
The government said that its representatives are equipped with relevant documents and identification to distinguish them as genuine government officials and they do not have the mandate to request or extort money from individuals or groups’ property owners.
The Director General of the Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control, Tpl Waheed Gbadamosi, who gave this charge on Wednesday in Ibadan, explained that it has come to the notice of the State Government that some people are moving about parading themselves as the Government Task Force and extorting money from members of the public if they cannot provide documents requested from them.
He noted that the Government’s Task Force Team are only mandated to check for necessary documents from property owners and they do not have the right to request for money.
Tpl Gbadamosi therefore appealed to members of the public to beware of these fraudulent individuals, urging that they should visit the Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control for more Information if they are in doubt of the identity and veracity of the people that visit them.
Also, the government has assured that it will continue to synergize with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), noting that the agency is critical to the ongoing infrastructural development in the state.
Receiving the new sector command of FRSC, Oyo Sector Commander, Corps Commander Cecilia Alao in his office on Wednesday, the State Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade explained that the ongoing infrastructural development is geared towards safety of lives and properties, saying that the government will improve on the relationship between the commission and the state government to sustain the positive development in the state.
Eniade disclosed further that Oyo state has been playing a very important role in the area of Special Marshal Corps in which notable personalities of the state are active members, urging that the corps should intensify efforts on the area of advocacy to enlighten citizens on the rules and regulations regarding road safety.
He therefore enjoined FRSC to re-introduce the road safety Clubs in Secondary Schools and higher Institutions in order to enhance understanding of road safety ethics.
Earlier, the sector Commander of FRSC, Corps Commander Cecilia Alao hinted that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize with the state government and seek more collaboration to enlighten people on road safety.
She noted that safety on roads is a collective responsibility that requires the support and efforts of all and sundry.
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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