Politics
Oyo: Democratically elected LGs will emerge in 2020 – Makinde declares
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde on Tuesday declared that he was set to institutionalise the democratically elected local government system at the grassroots in line with the dictates of 1999 Constitution, adding that his government would turn local governments to real centres of development.
The governor stated this while inaugurating the boards of the Local Government Commission, the Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB).
Makinde noted that to institutionalise democratically elected Government at the grassroots, his government would conduct free, fair and credible local government elections in 2020.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the Governor as saying that, “the Local Government Service Commission is to drive our bid to turn the councils to real centres of development, rather than glorified power centres they have been turned to in the years past.
“In line with the dictates of Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), we are determined to institutionalise democratic governance at the grassroots levels, using the imminent local government election in 2020 as a test case.”
Governor Makinde also informed that his administration was determined to ensure the quick and positive turnaround in the state’s education sector through its free education policy.
According to the state gaffer, “Our aim is to ensure that our students restore the lost glory of education in Oyo State and make our schools the envy of our neighbours and others across the country. We are set to reverse the poor records of our schools in public examinations especially the WAEC, NECO, and JAMB, something that has given us huge heartaches in recent years. With me at the helm of affairs in this state, you can be assured the
state of education here will improve.”
He also said that the state would focus on infrastructure of the schools in view of the influx from private schools due to the free education policy of the state.
“There is no doubting the fact that the three commissions hit directly at the people, whom we crave to serve diligently. Education is one of
the four key pillars of our service delivery agenda and you will agree with me that action or inaction of TESCOM and SUBEB have implications for our successes in the area of Education, where we have since declared a free and qualitative education policy”, he added.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to provide qualitative and free education to the people of the State so as to liberate them from poverty and make them be self-reliance.
“I have stated it elsewhere that there is no going back on our policy of free and qualitative education. We have no reason to look back on this policy because as I have stated before now, education is a sure way to liberate people from poverty and lack. By giving education to our younger ones, we are not just giving them the fish, we are teaching them how to fish by themselves.
“As you will soon be confronted, the schools are in need of more teachers and more infrastructure. I have given the nod for the recruitment of more teachers and we are distributing thousands of chairs in the schools already”, the governor submitted.
House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.
In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.
Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.
As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.
In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.
He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.
“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.
“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.
Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.
“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.
Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.
“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.
In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.
This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.
Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.
(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)
Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.
Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.
Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.
(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)
The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.
The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.
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