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‘Stop playing irresponsible politics with Rahmon’s death’, Makinde’s aide warns politicians
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, has warned opposition politicians in the state, to desist from playing irresponsible politics with the death of Rahmon Azeez, who lost his life in the violence that erupted in Iwo Road recently.
Adisa, who stated this while speaking on the weekly citizens’ sensitisation radio programme on a private radio station in Ibadan, said that rather than seeking to gain undue attention with the death of the young man, politicians should allow the law to take it course.
Adisa frowned on the attempt to politicise the death of the young man instead of supporting the law enforcement agencies to bring his killers to book, saying that the attempt by politicians to take advantage of unfortunate incidents like Rahmon’s demise to launch their sagging political ambitions or stabilize their rudderless political parties, is ungodly and evil.
“Rahmon Azeez was a young man and he was not supposed to die in that manner. No one deserves that kind of death and we, again, use this medium to pray God to give his family the fortitude to bear this loss.
“But when an issue like this happens, what one should do is to allow the law takes its course. The opposition politicians are supposed to support the law or operators of the law to make sure justice is served. They can even support the family with a lawyer but not to attempt to take political advantage of such gruesome incident, and be making meaningless political statements.
“A lot of untoward things have been happening around the issue in recent days. Particularly some politicians have been crying more than the bereaved, attempting to turn the death of the young man to a platform to make political gains.
“Some of them have gone as far as saying that the late Rahmon was an astute APC member but there is no evidence to show that the deceased or his mother, belong to the APC. And this matter is not even about partisanship; it is about getting justice for the deceased and Governor Makinde has made that commitment. So, I see the attempt to appropriate Rahmon’s death to advance the cause of a political party as a disservice to the memory of the dead and it is evil to dance on the grave of the dead”, he said.
The governor’s media aide admonished politicians in the state to put the overall interest of the state above party politics and ‘stop playing wrong politics.
“I want to advise politicians in Oyo State to stop playing the wrong side of politics. They say ‘he who rides on the back of the Tiger will surely end in the belly of the Tiger, they should not turn our state into a centre of violence in the name of trying to score cheap political point, because that is what they are trying to do.
“I can tell you that Governor Makinde will not take that from them. So, I encourage them to play responsible politics.”
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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