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Oyo govt. partner NOA, INEC to strengthen democracy
Oyo State government on Tuesday said it was ready to use interface programs and different open fora to deepen democratic tenets and provide more opportunities for the people to interact and access their representatives in government.
The State Commissioner for Information, Culture, Mass Mobilization and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun disclosed this at a one day Forum on Citizens’ Conversation with elected officials, organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ibadan, the state capital.
Olatunbosun, who was represented by the Director, Public and Grassroot Enlightenment in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Mass Mobilization and Culture, Mr Solomon Ayoade, noted that government communication should rather flow from bottom-top rather than from top-bottom in order to carry the populace along in government decisions and policy matters.
The forum which attracted top government functionaries and head of agencies like the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Oyo State, Barrister Mutiu Agboke, Director, National Orientation Agency, Oyo State office, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu among other personalities was witnessed by other lawmakers, religious leaders, military and paramilitary personnel and community leaders was targeted at taking governance to the people for better interaction.
Olatunbosun said “Governor Makinde’s administration is people-focused. This administration’s programs and policies are tailored to meet people’s yearnings and expectations as we all know government cannot go to individual household to inquire about their needs, which makes this forum most important.
“The government will engage the people at every point along the way and that is why we are so happy to be part of this engagement. It is a welcome idea and it is in tandem with what our administration holds as sacrosanct to keep people abreast of our agenda and actions as well as to get feedback.
“Good governance requires bottom-up information flow and we are making use of this approach to know what the people want in particular communities instead of engaging in uniform projects across the State.”
Speaking at the event, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Mutiu Agboke noted that the interface programme was appropriate and timely as elected political officers would know the need of their people through interaction with the people that voted them into offices.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin who was represented by Hon. Akintunde from Lagelu State Constituency disclosed that seventeen motions had been passed by the State Assembly in just 100days in office to ensure good governance and sustainable development.
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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