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Oyo: Neglect turns Agbele hill into garbage dump
Oyo state is blessed with several tourist sites with potential of generating millions in income and employment opportunities for the people.
Agbele hill situated along Ago Aare axis, Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo state is one of the tourist sites.
Despite its intimidating and enviable potential, the unique Agbele-human-like-rock structure that welcomes visitors to the town of 16 hills -Igbeti appears to have been forgotten, as the tourist site suffers total neglect both from successive administrations and the present administration in the self acclaimed Pace setter state – Oyo.
While the tourist site is waiting to be officially recognized, developed and generate revenue, outlaws have turned the spot into a refuse dump site, and the surroundings endemic in the open defecation practice, putting children at risk of diarrhoea and other diseases and wreaking havoc in its landscape.
In a chat with our reporter, one of the residents, Mr Adebayo Tawheed said, “more and more refuse is being dumped here. The fence and gate awarded several years ago have been abandoned. Our foundation, a Non – Governmental was responsible for the cleaning in collaboration with secondary school students because this is our own heritage and the rock is very dear to us. It has become a recognisable symbol of not just Igbeti town, but Oke-Ogun and Oyo state”.
Due to the tourist site’s bleak state, Adebayo, therefore called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on the monument so as to prevent people from continued damage. The fascinating Agbele Rock with its delicate balance wore a physical representation which appears like a woman with a basket on her head and a child strapped to her back.
It was further learnt that this rock formation was formed when a woman stole some yam tubers from a rocky part of the village which was being dried in the sunlight. Surprisingly, like Lot’s wife in the holy Bible who became a pillar of salt after she looked back at Sodom, the woman also became a permanent fixture on the spot.
But unfortunately, the monument, which attracted first time visitors to Igbeti and that could have served as economic booster is now in ruin. Agbele Hill lives in the past glory, as the once great tourist centre is now nothing, but the shadow of itself due to total abandonment.
And the song on the lips of the people of the town housing the monument has since been, “government come to our aid”.
When will Agbele Hill’s prayers be answered?
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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