News
Oyo lawmaker makes case for renovation of Agbowo shopping complex, calls on Makinde
A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebayo Babajide, representing Ibadan North state constituency II, has called on the State government to consider the renovation of the dilapidating state owned Agbowo shopping complex, as an opportunity to increase the internal generated revenue of the state.
Lamenting the worrisome state of the State property on Thursday during the Oyo State Assembly plenary, Babajide noted that government suffers huge loss of revenue due to lack of patronage of the facilities of the complex by prospective tenants and investors.
According to him, the lively Agbowo complex which housed the popular ‘Cinema De Babasala’, a large car park, a high rise building with so many office spaces and about three hundred shops is now a reliable abode for touts and hooligans, posing fearful security threats to the residents of the area.
“I grew up in Agbowo, and it saddens my heart to see the erstwhile bubbling, attractive and revenue generating complex deteriorating and becoming home for hoodlums.
“Truthfully, apart from being a good and potent source of internally generated revenue for Oyo State, the complex if renovated, upgrades and put into functional use will also generate employment opportunities for the people of Oyo State whose interest we are all here to defend and protect.
“That is why I and my co-lawmakers are calling on the executive led by our amiable Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde to look into renovation, upgrading and make the complex facilities functional in order to restore the lost glory of popular Ibadan business hub”, Hon. Babajide submitted.
Speaking on the resolution after the deliberation of the lawmakers, the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin noted that the location of the complex is lucrative, being located in a university environment, where it can serve vast community of people.
Ogundoyin said that the lawmakers are requesting from the executive through the Oyo State housing corporation to forward to the house of assembly a comprehensive report of the status of facilities and activities within Agbowo shopping complex, from 2011 till date.
“It obvious the complex is becoming an eyesore and not even safe for the residents of the area, that’s why we are calling on the executive to consider partnering with consultants and other stakeholders with a view to renovating and upgrading facilities in the complex thereby making it functional.
“This is the time to explore all means possible to increase the State Internal Generated Revenue and also provide job opportunities for our people in Oyo State”.
News
Ford Trims Workforce: 4,000 Jobs to Go in Europe
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.
News
Tinubu Dissolves UNIZIK Council, Sacks VC, Registrar, Otukpo Pro-Chancellor
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.
News
Ekiti Workers to Earn N70,000 Minimum Wage as Govt Signs MoU with Unions
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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