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Oyo: Makinde threatens to expose those politicising security issues
Oyo state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has said that he will soon expose those politicising the issue of security in the state.
The governor, who stated this on Sunday while addressing the congregation at the St Peters Anglican Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, on the occasion of Easter Sunday Service, said that though the state is experiencing a level of insecurity, the situation is not peculiar to the state but a nationwide phenomenon.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, in a statement quoted the governor as saying that security issues ought not to be politicised.
He said, however, that “if they are politicising the issue of security because they want to be in power in 2023, they are making a huge mistake.”
Makinde stated that his administration has taken time to investigate and proffer solutions to reports of insecurity across the state.
He implored those behind the politicisation of insecurity because of their 2023 ambition to jettison the idea and seek the face of God instead of engaging in actions he said could trigger palpable fear in the state.
He said: “I want to say happy Easter to the church of God and pray that we shall witness more on earth. It is another Easter season and it is another opportunity for us to say thank you to our Lord and Saviour, who died for us to be saved.
“The Archbishop has already preached and the only thing I can do is to thank God and say one or two things, which our government is doing.
“Very soon, we will be two years in office and the area of focus of our government remains Education, Health, Economic expansion and Security.
“When the Archbishop was preaching, he mentioned that there are security challenges. Yes, it is true and I can confirm to this gathering that if there is something that makes me not sleep with my two eyes closed, it is the issue of security.
“As a government, we are doing different things and, as a matter of fact, it is on record that there is no government in Oyo State that has spent more money on security than this current one.
“When we came in, within the first hundred days, we gave 100 patrol vehicles out to security agencies.
“We re-established Swift Response Squad, SRS. We re-established Operation Burst as well.
“All the communication gadgets they needed were provided to cover all the areas in Oyo State and they were able to communicate with one another without hindrance. Also, before we came in, there was nothing like Amotekun, but we were able to set it up when we came in. It was just last week that Ogun State set up its Amotekun outfit.
“If you look at those who have set up before now; states like Osun, Ekiti and Ondo, they recruited 300 personnel each, totaling 900 for the three states. But in Oyo State, we recruited 1,500 Amotekun personnel.
“The issue of insecurity is not peculiar to our state; however, rest assured that this government will not rest until every inch of Oyo State is secure.
“But I must warn that politics is inherent in this insecurity issue in Oyo State and in the days to come, I will expose the people that are politicising the issue of security.
“I, as well as those working with me are taking our time. If we hear of any report on insecurity, we will investigate. I know I don’t have much time but I need to explain to the people what is happening so that when they hear about those trying to politicise the issue of security, they will easily know and identify what exactly is the truth
“I symphatise with the people! Why? If they continue to politicise the issue of insecurity because they want to be in government in 2023, they should know that if there is no Oyo State or Nigeria, I don’t know how they want to govern the state in 2023.
“So, I also want to beg you that it is not all we read on social media that is true. If we have friends who are aspiring to get into political offices, they should keep looking unto the face of God instead of seeking to destroy our state and country.”
He also used the occasion to preach forgiveness of sins, saying “God has forgiven us our sins. Let us also forgive others who have sinned against us. I have forgiven my offenders too,”
The governor further felicitated all Christians and the entire people of Oyo State for the Easter celebration, admonishing them to forgive one another in the spirit of the season.
Earlier, the Diocesan Archbishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Most Revd. Segun Okubadejo, charged every Christian to emulate the teachings and ways of life of Jesus Christ.He urged Nigerians not to relent in praying to God Almighty for restoration of peace and a secure nation.
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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