News
Oyo Market Group Warns Abeo Against Misleading Title, Affirms Saratu Konibaje as Iyaloja-General
A prominent figure in the market, Chief Gbadeyanka Alimi, and a coalition of young leaders representing various markets across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State have jointly issued a stern warning to Alhaja Folashade Abeo, urging her to cease identifying herself as the Iyaloja-General of the State.
During a dedicated press conference held in Ibadan, this collective reminded the public that all Iyalojas from the 33 local governments had officially endorsed Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as the rightful Iyaloja-General of the State.
Chief Alimi also underscored that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje secured seven votes out of the 12 market groups and leaders in the State, while Abeo garnered just two votes in a highly competitive election involving branch Iyalojas.
Alimi strongly rebuffed recent media reports that suggested a majority of market leaders supported Abeo, dismissing these claims as groundless, diversionary, and deceitful attempts to mislead the State Government.
Alimi emphasised, “The process of appointing or electing the Babaloja-General and Iyaloja-General of Oyo State has long been concluded, following the same procedure that led to the appointment of Alhaji YK Abass as the Babaloja-General of the State over Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh. YK Abass received the official certificate from the State Government”.
He clarified that both Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje and Alhaja Folashade Abeo underwent identical processes. Aduke Konibaje emerged victoriously with seven votes, receiving overwhelming recognition from stakeholders across the 33 local governments.
Alimi highlighted that it is unconstitutional and illegal for the late Alaafin or any traditional ruler to appoint the Iyaloja. Instead, the traders themselves select and elect their preferred candidate, which, in this instance, is Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje.
He also revealed that under the previous administration of late Abiola Ajimobi, there were eight market clusters, but the current administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde expanded them to 12. Elections were held among these clusters, with Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje securing seven votes, compared to Abeo’s two votes.
The spokesperson of the market youth group, Comrade Gbenga Ajibade, urged journalists to exercise caution when disseminating news that might mislead the public or stir unnecessary sentiments in favor of Folashade Abeo.
Ajibade emphasized, -Enough is enough,’ and called on religious and traditional leaders to abstain from interfering in the matter of the Iyaloja-General. He implored them not to misinform the State Government regarding the choice of market women across the 33 local governments.
“Our mothers from the 33 local governments and the 12 clusters have made their voices heard, electing Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje as the new Iyaloja-General of the State. The State Governor should instruct his Commissioner for Trades and Investment to fulfill the necessary procedures and hand over the certificate to her”.
He also pointed out that Chief Bayo Lawal, who now serves as Governor Makinde’s Executive Assistant, held the position of Commissioner for Trades when Alhaja Saratu Konibaje was elected and endorsed by all Iyalojas in the State. Ajibade questioned why anyone would seek to disrupt the process and unsettle the peace in the markets due to an individual’s ambitious aspirations.
Ajibade, however, asserted that Alhaja Folashade Abeo lacks popularity among market leaders and, more importantly, the Iyalojas across the 33 local governments and the 12 clusters.
He urged her to wait for her time and allow Alhaja Saratu Konibaje to enjoy her well-deserved peace as the Iyaloja-General of the State.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Thursday, donated the sum of fifty million naira (₦50 million) toward the construction of the proposed Sheikh Agbotomokekere Mosque building project.
Oseni joined other dignitaries, religious leaders, and Muslim clerics to honour the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Grand Imam of Oyo State, and Grand Patron of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yorubaland, Edo, and Delta States, His Eminence Sheikh AbdulGaniy Abubakre Agbotomokekere, during the annual Maolud Nabiyy celebration at the Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja Oba.
It was during the event that he announced the generous donation.
The Maolud Nabiyy celebration, organised by the Al-Imam Agbotomokekere Islamic Foundation, also featured the unveiling of the proposed mosque project and an award presentation ceremony.
Delivering an insightful lecture at the event, the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Dr. Yunus Tolhat Ayilara, who served as the Guest Lecturer, highlighted the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker, who also chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen the spiritual and social development of his constituency and state.
He commended the Al-Imam Agbotomokekere Islamic Foundation for its dedication to fostering a sense of community through faith, education, and shared values.
According to him, the mosque project symbolises unity and the determination of the people.
Reflecting on the significance of the proposed Agbotomokekere Mosque, the APC chieftain described it as a beacon of unity and religious harmony.
“This mosque project reflects our shared values and our commitment to building a community grounded in faith, love, and unity. I am honoured to contribute to this vision and support the Agbotomokekere Foundation in its efforts to promote peace and spiritual growth,” Oseni stated.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record revenue collection of N5.7 trillion as of November 12, 2024, surpassing its yearly target by 10 percent.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the ongoing 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
Themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the conference showcased the Customs Service’s progress in modernizing its operations and fostering collaborative partnerships.
“Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how our commitments in 2023 have evolved into tangible achievements,” Adeniyi stated.
He attributed the revenue growth to a series of reforms, including the implementation of a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, a revamped ICT infrastructure, streamlined inspection procedures, and enhanced automation.
Adeniyi explained that these changes reflect the agency’s commitment to elevating operational transparency and efficiency.
“We pledged to re-align our free trade operations, elevate cargo integrity standards, and expand our scanning capacities,” he said.
“Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations—one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaborations with our partners.”
As of Tuesday, November 12, Adeniyi confirmed that the NCS collected N5.07 trillion, achieving the anticipated 10 percent revenue surplus.
“This performance validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent strides in trade facilitation, revealing that six companies have been selected to benefit from the Authorised Economic Operators programme, which provides fast-tracked customs clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the NCS has processed 21 requests under an advance ruling programme, designed to expedite customs decisions on import and export cargoes before they reach Nigerian ports.
The Comptroller-General expressed optimism about the NCS’s potential to drive further economic growth, citing the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative practices within the customs sector.
Nineteen out of the thirty-eight directors who were shortlisted to fill permanent secretary vacancies within the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying examination, a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) revealed on Tuesday.
The memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, disclosed that the qualifying exam was conducted on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Federal Government, through the OHCSF, launched the recruitment drive in October to fill permanent secretary vacancies in eight states.
Providing insights into the progress, Eno Olotu, Director of Press at OHCSF, stated, “Of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the exam, 19 have passed the first stage and will move on to the second stage, which will assess their competency in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government operations on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.”
Olotu highlighted the rigorous three-stage selection process, designed to ensure that only the most capable individuals are appointed to these high-ranking civil service roles.
This comprehensive approach, according to OHCSF, aims to elevate the quality of leadership across federal ministries.
The directors who advance beyond the ICT proficiency test will face a final stage on Friday, November 15, 2024, where a panel of senior government officials and private sector experts will conduct a final evaluation to determine their suitability for the permanent secretary positions.
-
Politics1 week agoOyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations
-
Health5 days ago
Oyo: Oseni to Launch Mobile Clinic Initiative to Revitalize Rural Healthcare
-
Crime & Court2 days ago
EFCC Chair Raises Alarm on Rampant Fraud in Nigeria’s Electricity Sector
-
News3 days ago
Half of Shortlisted Directors Fail Federal Permanent Secretary Exam
