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OYRTMA warns night prowlers, club-goers against reckless driving as man hit by drunk driver dies in Ibadan
The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority, (OYRTMA) has reiterated it’s warning against reckless driving and illegal parking at clubs as well as fun spots during the night.
The Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Mr. Akin Fagbemi gave the warning last Sunday while reacting to an incident that led to loss of a life, which was caused by an individual suspected to be driving under alcohol influence at a popular club at Awolowo way, Bodija in Ibadan.
He disclosed that the middle-aged man who was hit by a drunk night reveller sustained head injury and later died at a hospital close to the scene of the incident.
“It would be recalled that following a directive of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the authority issued stern warnings to owners of commercial buildings particularly Club houses during the height of the covid-19 lockdown around March this year following the flagrant disregard to the pandemic prevention protocols as issued by the State Government and as regards the indiscriminate and illegal encroachment of road corridors by customers of the club houses.
“It is pursuant to this warning that the Authority moved to impound erring vehicles around such vicinities particularly as the Authority continues to receive several public petitions and formal complaints from both motorists and residents of the areas where such centers are situated.
“Following a road crash occasioned by the illegal parking of a vehicle whose owner was reported to be patronizing one of the club houses located at Awolowo Road here in Ibadan, OYRTMA in conjunction with the Special Security Joint task Force otherwise known as Operation Burst moved in to impound ten erring vehicles which have been deposited at the our premises pending their legal prosecution for infringing on section 16 of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority Law 2009”, he said.
He further explained that the victim, who was a resident of the area, was rushed to a nearby hospital after the accident around 1200hrs of Friday night, gave up the ghost because of the road blockade caused by indiscriminate parking of vehicles at the club house.
Fagbemi urged the public to ensure that they do not constitute blockade to the roads whenever they parked their vehicles so as to allow others to pass, especially in cases of emergency situations such as fire outbreaks or the need to rush a sick resident to the hospital.
He called on fun lovers and night crawlers to always seek the service of licensed drivers, as there have been several cases of midnight accidents resulting from drunk-driving by vehicle owners who investigations often revealed were coming from club houses in the midnight, who destroyed properties of other persons as well as those of government, like public utilities and streetlight poles.
“It is to this end that we reiterate that the Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration would not condone the continuity of such destructive behaviors on the roads, we shall henceforth continue to enforce relevant sections of the extant traffic laws of the State against such,” he submitted.
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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