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Wage war on poverty, youth unemployment, Akande tasks Gani Adams
A prominent gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Professor Adeolu Akande has tasked the new Aare Ona Kakanfo, Aare Ganiyu Adams to use his new office to wage war against poverty and youth unemployment.
According to the gubernatorial hopeful, Akande, in his congratulatory message to the new Aare Ona Kakanfo on his installation which comes up on tomorrow in the ancient city of Oyo, noted that gone were the days when Aare Ona Kakanfo’s primary duty was to wage war on the enemies of the Oyo Empire.
He said the most damaging wars ravaging the Yoruba people today, like other Nigerians, are poverty and youth unemployment.
“The most damaging wars ravaging our people are poverty and youth unemployment. These are the wars I implore you to wage.
“There is hardly any household in Yorubaland that does not harbour some unemployed youths. There is no corner of Yorubaland we do not witness poverty on all fours.The war we need to fight are the wars to ensure youth employment and to banish poverty”, said Akande.
Akande also advised the new Aare Ona Kakanfo to use his extensive contacts among Yoruba in diaspora to attract initiatives and engagements that will help provide jobs for the youths.
Akande charged him further to use his network of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC within the country to help mobilise for purposeful leadership at every strata of the Nigerian political landscape.
Professor Akande, thereafter paid a glowing tribute to the Alaafin of Oyo for the choice of Ganiyu Adams as the Are Ona Kakanfo.
“It is noteworthy that the new Aare Ona Kakanfo was born about the time Kabiyesi ascended the throne of his forefathers. There is no better way to demonstrate belief in the capacity of Nigerian youths than investing someone of the new Aare’s age with the enormous responsibilities of Aare Ona Kakanfo.
“I congratulate Kabiyesi on the auspicious occasion of his 47th anniversary on the historic throne of Alaafin of Oyo. It is noteworthy that Oyo within this period had graduated into a major city of note, including being host to two universities, two colleges of education and the only College of Survey in Nigeria”, Akande added.
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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