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Oyo PDP chieftain, Wolekanle frowns at attack on Soun’s palace, meets aggrieved parties
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state, Mr. Akinwale Akinwole has called on the aggrieved youths in Ogbomoso land to shelve their swords and allow peace and tranquility to reign supreme in the ancient town.
Apart from visiting Ita Alasa and Isale Ora communities where he specifically appealed to the youths, representatives of LAUTECH Students, the PDP chieftain also met with the parents of late Isiaq Jimoh who died in the ensued scuffle, police authority in Ogbomoso area command office among others.
Wolekanle who lauded the IGP, Mohammed Adamu for yielding to the agitation of the public by disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigerian Police Force popularly known as SARS, said, “the ENDSARS Protest was a right step taken at a right time and thank God SARS has been disbanded by the IGP”.
He, however frowned at the way the palace of Soun of Ogbomoso land, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, was destroyed on sunday.
“A talk has already been initiated in town and I can assure you that everything will be settled but you have to be calmed, Governor Makinde is not happy with the development and is already wading in to see how lasting peace would be achieved”, he said.
After the meetings, the youths agreed to put the protest on hold and allow peace to reign.
Normalcy has since immediately after the meetings returned to the town, but they insisted that those arrested should be released and the police should present the officers that shot at people during the protest.
” Those who were killed by the police are innocent people, the victims were not part of the agitation to #Endsars slogan that rented the air”, they submitted.
“The police came to their area to arrest these innocent brothers and relatives of the deceased “, Taju, one of the youths who spoke at the meeting alleged.
Also commenting, the LAUTECH community representatives assured the convener of the peace meeting of absolutely peace and order around the school vicinity, but implored the police authority to let the peace and tranquility be achievable by seeing to the maximum security of the people.
They appreciate the efforts of Akinwole towards restoring peace to the town, commending him for his genuine love for the people.
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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