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Oyo residents express displeasure over invasion of markets by Customs, urge govt. to intervene
Residents of Oyo state, Southwest Nigeria, have expressed their displeasure over the incessant raid of some popular markets in Ibadan, the state capital by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
They urged the government to intervene before people take to self-defense.
While condemning the act, the residents also described the character of the NCS towards the invasion of markets and burgling of shops as dictatorial tendencies and wickedness.
Speaking separately, an Ibadan resident who pleaded anonymity described the actions of men of the NCS who carried out the alleged dastardly operations as wicked and merciless which care not for the living and survival of the victims whose bags of rice and other valuable goods were carted away by the officers.
Anonymous respondent however hailed Senator Muhammed Kola Balogun, who represents Oyo South Senatorial District at the National Assembly for speaking the truth and standing for the victims against alleged injustice and wickedness being perpetrated by men of the NCS.
Also commenting , Samson Adewale criticized the way and manner in which the markets in Ibadan were invaded by the NCS and carted away the traders’ goods which serves as their means of livelihood and survival.
Adewale stressed that it was disheartening and painful that the men of the NCS had invaded Ibadan markets for three consecutive times, while bags of rice and other valuables worth millions of naira were carted away by them.
He faulted them for concentrating on Ibadan traders who spent millions of naira to have their goods bought from their respective sources and route.
“Where were the men of NCS before the bags of rice escaped from borders?”, Adewale questioned.
In a related development, Jamiu Soliu also expressed outrage at the seemingly loud silence of both the federal and the state governments. Governor Seyi Makinde was further alleged of failure and reluctance to speak in respect of markets and traders’ shops which were burgled by men of the NCS.
Soliu added that the governments’ silence on current condition of traders whose shops were burgled and carted away their goods justifies that governments do not care for the masses they were elected to protect.
He called on all government functionaries to do the needful by calling men of the NCS to order, so as to avoid inflicting suffering and hardship on the traders and the masses.
He noted that calling them to order will prevent people from taking to self-defense and outbreak of envisaging war.
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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