Connect with us

News

Oyo govt. moves to reposition gaming business, engages stakeholders

Published

on

The Oyo state government through its Gaming Board, on Wednesday, engaged gaming operators and other stakeholders on better ways to improving gaming businesses in the state.

Remarking at the forum, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, declared that the state government prioritised the welfare of its citizens over revenue generation.

“The welfare of our people is what we need to be saying continuously,

and even though we recognize that what the games does is boosting the revenue of the state.

“But it is very clear that even as we pursue the revenue drive and not just in gaming but everywhere, we ensure that the interest of the people are always considered first.

“Putting the people first is one of the key agenda items so dear to Governor Seyi Makinde, so we are not going to create a situation whereby because we are looking for the revenue or seeking to increase revenue to help the people, we impoverished the people,” she said.

The state’s scribe further maintained that all what the present administration had been doing since it came on board; wether in education, health, security and agribusiness, were centered on people.

She lauded the state gaming board for organising the meeting, saying the board has brought up very pertinent issues that needed to be addressed.

According to her, the theme of the stakeholders interactive forum, ‘Redefining Responsible Gaming’ will guide the operators, the regulators “and even the gamers on the best practices.

“It will also find the balance between generating revenue for the state and maintaining mental welfare of the people of Oyo State.

“In addition, it will redefined the entire culture of gambling to accommodate only fun and entertainment.”

The Director-General of the board, Mr. Olajide Boladuro, said the forum with the theme – ‘Redefining Responsible Gaming’ was necessary as part of the activities to regulate the gaming industry.

According to Boladuro, gaming and lottery industry is gaining attraction in the country.

“Based on the prospects of the industry, the board has taken it upon itself to addressing the issue of responsible gambling in the state.”

“While we are excited to tap into the enormous revenue potentials that the industry present, our priority is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”

“Problem and responsible gambling is a constant focus of ongoing research and advancement world-wide,” Boladuro said.

The DG added that the importance of proactive responsible gaming programmes was paramount as a result of the recent market studies estimating that the global casino market alone would expand at a compounded annual growth rate of 10 per cent over the next five years.

He expressed optimism that discussions from the forum would chart a new and better path for the operators and other stakeholders in the gaming industry.

One of the operators, a House of Representatives member, Mr. Akin Alabi of Nairabet Sport Game, said the forum was the first of its kind in the state, describing it as the right way to go, “because the industry is relatively new and it is a very dynamics industry.”

“We have to stay on top of it, and we have to be abreast of the development, thus the forum has brought different people together to formulate policies that will move the industry forward.”

Alabi urged the Gaming board to come up with a very strong policy that the operators must adhere to.

He added that the operators too must start to regulate themselves through formulation of policies, rules and regulations.

Highpoints of the Interractive Stakeholders Forum which is the third edition was two panel sessions which saw experts and stakeholders in different fields that relates with gaming exchanging views as to how the sector could improve.

The two fold event also saw the Board hosting the stakeholders to a dinner where awards were presented to operators and stakeholders as reward for their exemplary role in upholding the sector.

Comments

News

Alli Campaign Warns Against Fraudsters Collecting NIN, Bank Details

Published

on

The campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has warned members of the public against fraudsters allegedly impersonating the senator and members of his campaign team to obtain sensitive personal information.

The organisation said the suspected fraudsters had been contacting unsuspecting members of the public by telephone and requesting their National Identification Numbers, bank account details and other confidential information.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele.

Oladele described the development as an attempt to deceive members of the public and expose their personal and financial information to possible abuse.

He said, “Neither Senator Sharafadeen Alli nor his campaign organisation has authorised anyone to solicit NINs, bank details, passwords, PINs, One-Time Passwords or any other confidential information from members of the public.”

The campaign organisation urged anyone who receives such calls or messages to disregard them and avoid disclosing personal, banking or identification details until the identity of the caller has been properly verified.

It also cautioned members of the public against transferring money or responding to requests for financial assistance made through unverified telephone numbers, social media accounts or other unofficial communication channels purportedly linked to the campaign.

The organisation warned that sensitive information could be exploited for identity theft, financial fraud and other criminal activities.

It urged victims or members of the public who encounter suspicious calls or messages to report them promptly to the appropriate security agencies.

The campaign organisation said it was taking the allegations seriously and would cooperate with relevant authorities to identify and prosecute anyone found to be involved in impersonation, fraud or other criminal activities using Alli’s name.

It further advised the public to remain vigilant and verify unsolicited requests before responding to them, stressing that information about Alli and his campaign should be obtained only through officially verified communication channels.

The organisation reaffirmed Alli’s commitment to lawful and transparent engagement with the people of Oyo State, maintaining that legitimate political engagement does not require anyone to surrender confidential banking or identity information to unidentified callers.

Continue Reading

News

LAUTECH Strike: Alli Campaign Organisation Knocks Makinde Over Doctors’ Plight

Published

on

The Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation has criticised the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the prolonged strike by resident doctors at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso.

The organisation said the strike, which has lasted for more than 30 days, was taking a toll on healthcare delivery and exposing what it described as the government’s failure to adequately address the welfare concerns of medical personnel in the state.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Bisi Oladele, stated this in a statement issued on Sunday.

The organisation also expressed concern over the 21-day warning strike issued by the Association of Medical and Dental Officers of Oyo State over unresolved issues bordering on welfare, remuneration and conditions of service.

According to the group, the situation was worrisome because medical workers were being forced to embark on industrial action over issues relating to allowances, residency training funds and salary arrears.

It said the resident doctors were demanding the payment of outstanding Medical Residency Training Fund and six months’ Minimum Wage arrears, among other welfare-related issues.

The organisation said the prolonged strike had negatively affected medical services at the teaching hospital, with patients who could not afford private healthcare allegedly left with the option of waiting for services to resume or seeking alternative treatment.

“The SSACO is concerned about Governor Seyi Makinde’s failure to sit with the striking resident doctors and find a lasting solution to their demands.

“As the strike prolongs, the resident doctors feel maltreated, while the masses bear the brunt of government’s insensitivity.

“Healthcare delivery is a critical service which serious administrations treat with urgency and with the importance it deserves. With this prolonged strike, our resident doctors are feeling maltreated while the masses suffer.

“The medical and dental officers across state hospitals have also served notice of a warning strike. This combination is a signal of government failure in the health sector. It is unacceptable in our dear state,” the statement read.

The group maintained that the situation could worsen if the grievances of health workers were not urgently addressed, warning that further disruption of services could have serious consequences for patients dependent on public hospitals for affordable and specialised treatment.

It challenged the state government to engage the striking doctors and resolve the outstanding issues, accusing the administration of treating their complaints with insufficient urgency.

The organisation further said healthcare would occupy a priority position in Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s Oyo AHEAD agenda, promising improved welfare and working conditions for health workers.

“Health workers and other civil servants will not be denied their entitlements. They will enjoy training and retraining, and they will have facilities to work with,” it said.

Continue Reading

News

Independence: Alli celebrates Nigeria at 66, seeks support for Tinubu, APC candidates

Published

on

The Oyo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and support President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Alli made the call in his Independence Day message issued in Ibadan on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The APC candidate said the anniversary was not only a moment to celebrate the country’s freedom but also an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers and the responsibility of the present generation to build a better Nigeria.

He urged Nigerians to remain united and patriotic, saying the country’s challenges could be overcome through responsible leadership, collective action and commitment to national development.

Alli also appealed to Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, saying the government needed the cooperation of citizens to move the country from economic stabilisation to increased production, investment and shared prosperity.

He said, “We must never lose faith in Nigeria. Despite the challenges confronting the nation, our country remains endowed with enormous human and natural resources capable of making it one of the most prosperous nations in the world.”

The former senator particularly urged the people of Oyo State to support Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

According to him, having an APC-led government in Oyo State would provide an opportunity for closer coordination between the state and Federal Government in the implementation of development programmes.

Alli said his aspiration to govern the state was driven by a desire to provide purposeful, inclusive and people-centred leadership.

He listed education, security, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, youth empowerment, economic development, workers’ welfare and local government autonomy among the areas his administration would prioritise if elected.

He said the state had significant potential in agriculture, commerce, industry, tourism and human capital, but required deliberate policies to translate those advantages into opportunities for its people.

“We are seeking the mandate to build an Oyo State where our children can receive quality education, our farmers can produce without fear, our young people can find opportunities and our communities can benefit from meaningful infrastructure.

“Our campaign is not about political power for its own sake. It is about service, development and restoring greater confidence in the ability of government to improve the lives of our people,” Alli said.

The APC candidate also called on members of the party across the 33 local government areas and 351 wards of the state to close ranks and work collectively for the success of the party’s candidates.

He urged party members to see the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates as members of one team working towards advancing the interests of Oyo State.

Alli congratulated President Tinubu, the Federal Government, state and local governments as well as Nigerians on the Independence anniversary.

He prayed for peace, security and prosperity in the country and urged citizens to remain hopeful and committed to the task of nation-building.

Continue Reading

Trending