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Oyo Governor’s Aide Receives Pan African Distinguished Leadership Award.
AFRICAN University Student Parliamentarians from 54 member countries, under the aegis of African Students Union Parliament (ASUP), on Wednesday bestowed the 2017 Pan African Distinguished Leadership Award on the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela.
The Speaker of the student parliament, Rt. Hon. Kewul Abel from Côte d’Ivoire, was ably represented by his Deputy, Solomon Mensah, a student of the University of Ghana, who led a delegation of ASUP legislative officials to the Ministry of Education, Agodi Government Secretariat, Ibadan to bestow the award on the Commissioner.
Making the presentation, the Speaker said the award was in recognition of the governor’s aide commitment and contributions to effective service delivery, key support to the governor, open door policy which was brought to the front burner by Nigerian representatives at the African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) Conference held at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
Hon. Kewul stressed, “African Students Union Parliament (ASUP) has taken her time to scrutinize this leader who have committed his time to serve the common good in accordance to the Pan-Africanism Ideology. At this point that the youths need to have exemplary leaders as role models, we have carefully selected your highly respected person to honour you with PAN-AFRICAN Leadership Award.
Also, he lamented that Africa, faced with the dire consequence of years of neglect of youths in its ranks, has resulted in various social vices such as conflicts, kidnappings, bombings, robberies which have assumed an alarming dimension.
In his response, at the historic ceremony, while accepting the honour, the commissioner urged the youths not to run Pan Africanism as a philosophy alone, but to evaluate the present state of development, what the future foretells for young people and to properly establish their role in Africa’s development.
The University Don, Olowofela further tasked the youths on the need to contribute to Africa’s development through sound education and technological skills, stressing that the world is open for the youths to shine, especially in the area of technological development.
“African youths can compete globally in the technological field in the new world economy. We only need better technological education and exposure to best practices, especially renewable energy. We must come together to promote development and commercialisation of indigenous technology and adaptation of imported technology for wider application. The development of Africa will be done only by Africans”, the commissioner reiterated.
He continued, ” the entire Africa is looking up to Nigeria that has all it takes to be the greatest nation in the world, and if the country gets it right, other African countries definitely will get it right. For black man to be respected, Nigeria must get it right. We must go back to the basics”.
The ex – council boss, Olowofela, however advised the youths to emulate leaders such as Obafemi Awolowo, Nkwame Nkruma, Nnamdi Azikwe and other great African nationalists, who have lived well and those who are living exemplary lives, just as he called for knowledge sharing with other continents through exchange programmes, academic conferences, and social media interactions.
Earlier, various recipients of the honor include: the President of Sudan, Umar Al-Bashir, President, Federal High Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta, Vice Chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, and the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, among others.
Some of the ASUP delegates at the event include, the Majority Leader, Lanota Chakibe ( Universite de Kokodi), Director Gender, Dahunsi Nifesimi (Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo), Media Director, Okojokwu Kingsley (Benue State University, Makurdi) and Eveh Dominic ( Nigeria Coordinator, Nasarawa State University, Keffi),
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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