₦airaland Forum

Within the Oyo State socio-political space today, the most common parlance is ‘’ko sele ri’’, a yoruba coinage which literally translates to ‘’never happened, experienced or existed before.’’

This imaginative but apt coinage was actually an ‘’honorary title’’- Ko seleri 1 of Oyo State- conferred on Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi by the body of common people, the masses, by virtue of his well deserved victory at the 2015 governorship polls that gave him an un- precedented second term in office as governor of Oyo State. It was an unparalleled feat waiting to be equaled in the long chequered history of politics in the state.

Now, ‘’Ko sele ri 1’’ has become a rhythmic phrase chanted time after time at most public functions the governor attends these days. This presents an accurate picture of the people’s appreciation for an endless flow of good governance that has brought Oyo State to the forefront of rapid growth and development.

Perhaps at this point, and in retrospect too, it is necessary to examine the contributing factors that over time added great value to governance and ultimately led to this ’title’ bestowal. The main focus of this piece actually.

Like a recurring decimal, these contributing factors that could best be described as novel and pacesetting achievements, happened at different intervals during the first four years of the Ajimobi led administration. Indeed, they were in themselves ‘’ko sele ris’’, the totality of which paved the way for Gov. Ajimobi’s second term victory.

The first and perhaps most important factor was the governor’s rare ability to exercise a resilient and irrepressible political will in making far-reaching decisions that eventually changed the fortunes of the state for the best, regardless of whose ox was gored.

For a fact, from the inception of his administration, Ajimobi’s body language was quite clear. In an audacious manner, he called the bluffs of the fifth columnists by putting his foot down firmly and courageously in executing his reformation, regeneration and repositioning agenda.

Consequently, his vision and drive, coupled with well articulated initiatives and programmes ensured restoration of peace, security and political stability, long overdue resuscitation of decaying infrastructures and environmental revival and upgrading.

Next factor was the restoration of peace, security and political stability that were almost non-existent before the advent of Gov. Ajimobi’s government. It is on record that the governor inherited a state of anarchy, of which brigandage, thuggery, hooliganism, loss of lives and property in great proportions were sad spectacles of the time.

This unhealthy phenomenon left him with no choice than to proactively put together initiatives that would within a short time entrench peace and stabilize the polity. Predictably, the governor rose to the occasion in a very robust manner, for he did not only provide appropriate leadership at this instance, but also led the charge in implanting a sustainable regime of peace that has permanently changed Oyo’s typecast of a violent and unruly state to one of the most peaceful states in the country today.

With a peaceful and tranquil environment in place, the stage was now set for meaningful development and socio-economic stability. This commendable peace effort in fact set the pace for monumental and unprecedented achievements of the Ajimobi-led government.

A fact check revealed that the first four years of his administration witnessed the construction and rehabilitation of over 250 roads across the state while dualization of major entry points to major towns in all the geo-political zones of the state were completed to taste and commissioned accordingly.

Furthermore, the Mokola fly-over bridge, the first ever by a civilian governor was commissioned within two years of his first term. In addition to this, government constructed several bridges, including the Bodija Restoration Bridge and dredged many rivers, streams and canals that effectively checkmated flood disasters that constantly ravaged the state, especially Ibadan, the state capital for so many years prior to Ajimobi’s administration.

It is also worthy of note that Oyo State is fast becoming one of the choicest investment destinations in Nigeria, thanks to Gov. Ajimobi’s strategic peace, environmental enhancement and public infrastructure resuscitation initiatives that continue to attract. both local and foreign investors to the state in large numbers.

At the last count, his administration has attracted at least 30 new companies that have yielded a turnover of about N32bn and created over 3000 jobs. In fact, the National Bureau of Statistics figures of Foreign Direct Investment Inflow in Nigeria revealed that Oyo State had within four years attracted a total of $64.8m investment, placing the state second only next to Lagos State in the South West.

Six years down the line, Gov. Ajimobi continues to render transparent and accountable stewardship reinforced by integrity and good governance. He is busy consolidating on his first term achievements by stepping up the tempo of making life more meaningful to the common man on the street through the never-happened-before (ko sele ri) legacy projects implementation, even despite serious financial constraints.

For instance, the road revolution legacy projects continue unabated with the recent flag off of the dualization of the Idi-ape — Basorun — Odogbo Barracks Road; dualization of Agodi gate — Old-Ife Road to Adegbayi Junction; Expansion of Oke-odo — Agodigate — Idi-ape to Iwo Road Interchange; Eleyele — Ologuneru to Akufo Junction, all in Ibadan metropolis, and the dualization of Saki Township Road.

The latest addition is the revival of the Ibadan Circular Road, an idea conceived by the late Lam Adesina government, but neglected by successive administrations. According to reports, when completed, the Circular Road is expected to ease intra and inter city traffic congestion, especially in Ibadan which is fast becoming an industrialized city under the current administration. The road is also expected to boost trade and commerce and ultimately engender better standard of living of the people.

Other pacesetting achievements of the Ajimobi led administration include, among others, the establishment of a farm settlement in Aawe, Afijio LGA which has engaged 1000 youth farmers to pioneer organic farming, modeled after the Songhai Farm in Porto Novo; Health initiatives aimed at giving the citizenry more access to quality healthcare such as — Free Health Mission interventions that have recorded over a million beneficiaries from all the nook and crannies of the state, and the establishment of the First Health Insurance Scheme which instantly provided. employment for about 750 health workers in the state.

Others include a veritable welfare programme that has empowered and provided succour to about 1,200,000 people in the last six years; and finally, a recently unveiled Transformation Industrial Park along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a Free Trade Zone established with the aim of upgrading the civil service status of the state to that of an industrialized one.

In conclusion, the foregoing narrative could best describe Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, popularly hailed as the Architect and Builder of modern Oyo State, as an accomplished change agent that irrepressibly continues to steer the ship of the state to new directions.

He remains resolute in sustaining the Oyo State pacesetter status through a holistic restoration, transformation and repositioning of all sectors of the state economy.

I was inspired to write this piece as I listened to the out of tune, obtrusive and cacophonous noise of the “My Dream” instrumental by the accordion in the Oyo State musical ensemble. One of my favourite preachers, philosophers and motivational speakers, the late Dr Myles Munroe, postulated that one of the richest places on earth is the cemetery. According to him, the cemetery is a rich library, full of unwritten books, dream homes, untapped talents and skills, undelivered messages, unspent resources, unfulfilled promises and missions impossible. For Dr. Munroe, as he was popularly referred to before the fatal plane crash that cut short his short but fulfilled life, the cemetery is a place where dreams, visions and desires are buried.
Given this postulation to which I subscribe fully, it means a lot of people end their lives without actualising their dreams and aspirations. They are therefore buried with all of these in the cemetery making it not just an abode for dead bodies in coffins or caskets depending on the status of the dead but indeed a place rich and full of unfulfilled dreams. Dr. Myles Munroe’s prayers or prophetic declarations at the end or in the middle of his usually powerful and inspiring sessions is “May you die empty”; his own way of prophesying to the destinies of his audience for a fulfilled life that will see to the actualisation of their mission, dreams and aspirations.
To die empty is to have lived a fulfilled life, a life where at its end, the individual will be said not just tohave dreamt but actualized them. By an obvious implication, there is a wide gulf between a dreamer and an actualiser. What is the difference? A dreamer talks, an actualiser acts. Dreamers talk about what they think is possible, while actualisers talk less and act more. Actualisers forsake talk for action. They work late, sacrifice weekends and keep going in the face of opposition. Dreamers postpone, actualisers start. While the dreamer gives all sorts of reasons and excuses for deferring his dreams like a raisin in the sun, the actualiser begins and commences action on his dream surmounting every obstacle and distraction. The dreamer blames and finds faults while the actualiser is solution oriented. Dreamers speculate, actualisers experiment.
Dreamers listen to fear, while actualisers work through fear. Dreamers stay in their comfort zones leading to a paralysis of their dream while actualisers recognize the difference between ordinary and extra ordinary. They are therefore able to push themselves to the limit pushing fears and objections behind them for a home run to the actualization of their dream with the “extra”. Actualisers see the race track and the lines demarcating each lane, dreamers see themselves breasting the tape. In essence, while the actualiser focuses on the journey and takes concrete steps to get to the destination, the dreamer focuses on the destination but takes no decisive and concrete steps to support his dream. Dreamers quit their dreams owing to failures, obstacles and setbacks.An actualiser is resilient, trudging on in the face of stiff resistance knowing fully well that every setback is a set up for a comeback. Dreamers stop with failure, actualisers are inspired by failure. Actualisers recognize that rough roads lead to beautiful destinations.
Finally, dreamers compare their dreams, actualisers construct their dreams. Dreamers will recount their dreams and attempt to put them side by side with others who have achieved their dreams.This has been the narrative in Oyo State since 2011. The story has been of a dreamer and an actualiser. The current governor actualised the construction of the flyover at Mokola in Ibadan, the first by any civilian governor of the state, a former governor claims it was his dream. The current governor flagged off the construction of Ibadan Circular Road, a former governor says it was a pipe dream of his administration. When the Ajimobi-led administration actualizes major policies and projects, the decibel of the accordion noise increases. Of course, the cacophonic orchestra is quick to be replied with the popular song “Ariwo ko ni music o……Empty barrel lo ma n pariwo”which simply means do not let us equate noise to music…..empty barrels make the loudest noise.
Anybody can dream but not everybody can be an actualiser of dreams. According to the Harlem born son of Jamaican immigrants, Colin Powel, former United States National Security Adviser and the first African American to be appointed as the U.S Secretary of States, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work”. The salient point here is that we need to rigour before we can savour. Success does not come cheap or by wishful thinking. A dreamer will never be a visionary; for a true visionary matches vision with action. Therefore, a visionary can easily become an actualiser. And to you reading this piece,would you rather be a dreamer or an actualiser? Whichever you choose, can I have an Amen to my prayer: “May you die empty”.
Arulogun is the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism

…INAUGURATES EDUCATION TRUST FUND MEMBERS

The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has approved the appointment of chairmen and members into the newly constituted Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and Hospitals Management Board (HMB).

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olalekan Alli, on Tuesday, conveyed the governor’s approval and directive for immediate constitution of the board.

The TESCOM has Alhaji Bashiru Ajibade as full-time chairman, while Messrs Ojo Omoyeni (Oyo), M.K. Ogunkunle, Laide Afolabi, M.R. Arinola, Ibrahim Bolomope and Mrs. Margaret Babalola will serve as part-time members.

Similarly, the statement named Dr. Goke Adeyemo as full-time chairman for the HMB, while Alhaji Rasaq Oladele, Mr. Diran Olabisi; Mrs. Funmilayo Ogundipe Anuoluwapo, Mr. Esuola Olabayo Sampson, Dr. Jare Adegbola, Dr. Adediran Oyeyinka and Alhaji Femi Yusuf, were appointed as part-time members.

The appointments are said to take immediate effect.

Meanwhile, members of the Education Trust Fund, which was recently constituted by the governor, will be inaugurated on Monday.

The Chairperson of the ETF is the President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a former Minister of Industry, Chief Onikepo Akande.

Communication Team
Governor's Office
Ibadan

The Ajimobi-led Oyo state Government has shown it’s resolve to tackle headlong the decadence in the state’s educational sector.

Pragmatic steps such as the abolition of automatic promotion and the establishment of Schools Governing Board (SGB) for public secondary schools amongst others, have helped to revamp public secondary school education.

These policies are yielding positive results already; recently, the state was adjudged second best nationwide in the NECO external examination.
In the spirit of SGB and PPP which is the Ajumose concept to governance, BOVAS, a private oil and gas investor based in Oyo state has donated a block of six classrooms to the College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo-Ora.

This donation will go a long way in making learning comfortable and more conducive for the students and their lecturers.

This is also a clarion call to other private business owners and the well to do in the society to contribute their quota to the development of the education in the state.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has emphasised the need for civil servants to discharge their duties with positive mentality, pointing out that the ongoing verification of the workforce was not to witch-hunt but enhance quality.
Ajimobi stated this at a capacity development seminar for senior government officials in the state civil service, held at state Secretariat, Ibadan, on Tuesday.
Describing the civil service as central in effecting good governance, Ajimobi noted that the imperativeness of regular evaluation and overhaul for efficient service delivery, at all times.
“The civil service as the engine room drives public service delivery. Hence, there is the need to regularly evaluate, calibrate, and overhaul to put the engine in optimum state for effective performance.”
“We are also doing verification of certificates which is for quality control. Some tendered certificates that are not genuine. We are not afraid to get rid of such persons.” “And, we are doing manpower audit so as to match the person with the job and vice versa.”
“We are doing this verification to ascertain the workforce, eliminate ghost workers and others. We are doing restructuring to enhance the quality of our people in the engine room so that the vehicle can perform effectively,” he said.
He further charged workers to put their heart to their work and especially update their skills through trainings.
On his administration’s commitment to staff trainings, Ajimobi said the state government, between 2011 and 2014, had sent more than 16,000 civil servants on trainings.
“In the course of the last six years, this administration has observed that there is a considerably huge gap between the expected capacity of our human capital and what is actually on ground.”
“Some of us will come in with good qualification but how often do we service that basic qualification that brought us in? How often do we learn the modern trends? After a while, if you don’t learn, update yourself you rust away.”
“This administration values human capital development, capacity building. Between 2011 and 2014, more than 16,000 civil servants, including teaching staff, benefited from various training programmes both locally and internationally. Our lack of adequate fund like before is what is hindering us in doing more,” Ajimobi.
Earlier, state Head of Service, Mr Soji Eniade said the training was to address poor attitude and low ethical value in the civil service.
This, Eniade said, tilted towards engendering a civil and public service that provided quality service delivery, at all times.

The average man may be capable of benefiting by initiation, or he may not; it also depends upon his capacity; but each individual should have the opportunity of advancing to the highest development of which he is capable.



Governor Ajimobi earlier today attended the Oyo State Capacity Development For Management and Senior Staff in The State Civil Service.

▪That since 2014, Oyo state has been ranked by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission and Nigerian Bureau of Statistics among the top 5 most investment-friendly states in Nigeria?

▪That before 2013, Oyo state languished in the 26th position amongst the 36 states of the country in terms of investment friendliness and opportunities?

▪That in order to attract investments, #Koseleri focused primarily on ensuring peace and security that once seemed unachievable by past governments?

▪That our state embarked on providing enabling infrastructure for investment opportunities by the way of rural and urban road construction, about 2,000km till date?

▪That #Koseleri also provided administrative infrastructure, setting up a 'Bureau of Investment Promotion' to focus on piloting, procuring & promoting Oyo-centric investments?

▪That a 4000-hectare Free Trade Zone (FTZ) was set up to encourage an influx of both indigenous & foreign investments?

▪That 162 plots of this FTZ has been commissioned as the Polaris Pacesetter Industrial Park, with 157 foreign companies already registering interest to pitch in?

▪That 7 of these foreign companies will start operations by the end of this year, 2017?

▪ *That what all these above means to the Oyo state citizen is a minimum of 20,000 gainful jobs, a surge in intra-state commerce, over $250 million turnover, and a bustling economy that breeds wealth for all?*

▪That already, in the past 4 years, #Koseleri policies has attracted $65 million in investments and 34 new companies across the state?

Well, now you know!

Oyo State Government, has urged residents of the state to expose suspected criminals around them to complement and sustain government’s efforts at protecting lives and properties.

Mr Femi Oyedipe, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSTFF), made the plea while addressing newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.

Oyedipe said that the government in conjunction with the security agencies in the state are synergising to arrest pockets of armed robbery incidents in some areas.

“The government and security agencies cannot do the task of protecting our community alone. We need the support of the people of the state.

“We cannot be in all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State at the same time; this is why we need the support of our people.

“We want them to collaborate with us to expose criminals in their domains and we guarantee the protection of their identities as we have been doing,” he said

Oyedipe called on the residents to take advantage of the control and emergency numbers regularly released by the police for feedback.

He said that the security trust fund would soon release to the public details of the communication room being set up to complement the control room of the police.

The OYSSTF scribe assured that the identity of informants would be protected.

He warned that the government and security agencies would not treat with kid gloves misinformation that would hinder dispensation of justice.

He disclosed that the repositioned state’s crime-fighting outfit ‘Operation Burst,’ would soon be launched.

He said that the collaborative efforts of the security agencies and stakeholders had given the state orderly and peaceful environment in the last 6 years.

“Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s name is synonymous with peace and he has been able to bar brigandage and thuggery from the state.

“We still have pockets of crimes which we are working round the clock to curtail. That is why we must involve communities in security and policing efforts.

“We know it looks unachievable to have 100 per cent crime free society, but we are doing everything humanly possible to achieve this goal.

“We will not relent in our security measures which have positioned the state as a safe haven for investors and at the same time support the industrial revolution going on in the state,” Oyedipe said.

He assured that OYSSTF would continue to support security agencies in the state to ensure peace and tranquillity through the provision of patrol vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security equipment.

THE recently planted seed of the School Governing Boards (SGBs), an education policy in the education sector, conceived, conceptualized and inaugurated in all the 628 Public Secondary Schools in Oyo state by the Abiola Ajimobi led administration has not only revolutionised the education sector in the state but it has also started yielding positive fruits.

Knowing that education is better driven through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, the present administration in the state is conscious of the positive contributions of Public Private Partnership (PPP) hence its decision to incorporate the policy into the education sector in the state.

The timely clarion call made by the state’s government to all the stake holders was borne out of the urgent need to restore Oyo state to its glorious years having known that government cannot, alone, bear the burden of an important sector such as education.

The introduction of SGB policy aimed at restoring, transforming and repositioning the education sector in the state has started yielding positive fruits as Old Student’s Associations, Philanthropists, Parent Teacher Associations, Private Companies among others continuously stretched forth their good hands for the betterment of education sector in general and their Alma Mata in particular.

This will be my fourth time of coming to the school to commission a good gesture like this within a year. In fact, these gestures have demonstrated the commitment and cooperation of Old students that no government can shoulder the responsibilities of education alone. It is this conviction that gave birth to the establishment of the School Governing Boards (SGBs)”.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi who spoke, ecstatically, through his Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela during the official commissioning of the newly renovated staff room, block of eleven classrooms and provision of furniture donated by the 1977 Old Students Association of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo yesterday also urged other old students across the length and breadth of Oyo state to emulate the good gestures stressing that judging by the fruits which the SGB policy has produced since its introduction, Oyo state will soon reclaim its lost glory.

Similarly, the Commissioner lauded the kind hearted Old Students for their efforts toward contributing to the repositioning of education in the state. He noted that the newly renovated classrooms will not only provide conducive and child friendly environment to the citadel of learning, it will also enhance teaching and learning activities in the school.

The ex- council boss stressed that qualitative education through provision of required and adequate teaching and learning materials has been a great concern to the present administration, saying it is in this view that, the government has been supplying furniture to schools and has not relented in carrying out series of renovation in schools.

He, however urged the teachers not to relent in their efforts no matter the situation, adding that the teaching profession is a noble one which no financial reward can compensate.

The event had in attendance, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, South West, INEC Commissioner among other dignitaries

This is the kind of thing we are expecting in Oyo state

To start with, how can Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State degenerate to the state of these protracted strikes, with no end in sight? How can the students be left in perpetual wandering, with uncertain future? In addition, how can the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), LAUTECH chapter be so stubborn not to allow the two owner states, Oyo and Osun State, to carry out forensic audit of the institution, as suggested by the Chief Wole Olanipekun’s panel? Also, how can the two owner States, Oyo and Osun, not performing their respective functions, in funding the institution since 2013? Besides, how can LAUTECH, a one-time best state university, in Nigeria be suffering from funding, and this retrogression?

These are the questions begging for answers on the mind of well-meaning Alumni and many Nigerians, who cannot but everyday pray for immediate academic resumption of the highly respectable University of Technology that has churned out big wits in the society home and abroad. Moreover, the institution, as known before, was a beehive of activities that always burst for excitement, both during and after the academic session.

Meanwhile, aside the rigorous academic activities LAUTECH is known for, the school is a source of livelihoods for thousands business owners. Such as photographers that rake hundredths of naira from both fresher’s and non-like, taxi drivers and bike riders that patronize the school environment to commute their passengers, the landlords and hostels agents that swindle newbies, café and business centers that provides diverse services to nerds, banks that carry out students fee payment and cash withdrawal services, and kiosks owners that sell puff-puff, doughnut and soft-drinks to meet undergraduate and post-graduates hungers and thirsts, eateries are not left behind. All these are gone or at low ebb! The nostalgic feeling way back is leaving me sullen and nauseated.

The three gladiators are: the Oyo State Governor, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi, Osun State Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Academic Staff Union of Universities (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter. It’s been accusations counter accusations for couple of months, over who is authorized to perform forensic audit of the institution. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, claims ever since the 2013, the institution’s owner states of Oyo and Osun have failed in their responsibilities of funding the institution.

Consequently, while the Academic Staff Union of Universities (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, prudently use the institution’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to survive ever since then, until few months ago that it exhausted the fund. On the other hands, the two institution’s owner states, Oyo and Osun, never accepted the blame of funding LAUTECH since 2013, as it were, but said the reason was because of the lopsided and porous accounting system of the school, according to the Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela.

The Commissioner claims that the government is ready to refund the loans owed the institution only if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, is ready to open its accounting system for thorough scrutiny. However, the latter refuse on the ground that only the institution’s Governing Council is authorized to do so.

Furthermore, a panel was set-up headed by Chief Wole Olanipekun to proffer a way forward. His recommendation was to audit the account of the school by the government; however, I don’t know why the Academic Staff Union of Universities (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, find it difficult to bend their stance in giving peace a chance by allowing the government to do whatever pleases them?

In other words, they say, “He who pays the piper dictates the tune.” I believe the governments have the final say in this regard because they own the institution, after all. The buck lies at the hands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso chapter, since the government has contracted the KPMG, an auditing firm, to fish out the culprit of the nebulous and porous account, except the former has something to hide.

In conclusion, I salute the courage of the former State Union Government, comrade Ropo Egbeleke and its team for taking the bull by the horn through rallying people to support the YesWeCanFund project to save the LAUTECH from going into imminent extinction and unnecessary mess. It’s a duty of all Alumni to pay token into the accounts already rolled out for that the purpose.

1.Oyo and Osun States released N13. 63bn to LAUTECH between 2011-2016?

2.Oyo state just released N149, 955,518.20 as monthly subvention to LAUTECH?

3. LAUTECH survived for 18 months without subvention until ASUU insisted that management should not use IGR to pay salaries.

4. That subvention is a form of support, aid, assistance which is not mandatory and government does not specify what it should be used for.

5. ASUU of LAUTECH is preventing the KPMG audit exercise of the institution.

6. LAUTECH is biting more than it should chew by offering courses beyond its mandate as a University of Technology and Must streamline its academic programs to reflect it's mandate?

7. LAUTECH fees are the lowest in the Southwest. Lower than what is paid in some nursery schools?

8. That Government is requesting for a change in paradigm for obvious reasons such that will ensure a self sustainability strategy for the University?

9. That both owner state governments are saying they cannot continue to pour water in a leaking bucket? And insists on a forensic and personnel audit?

10. That owner state Governments desire a lasting solution and not a palliative that will resolve issues holistically and put the institution on the path of viability with the conviction that this will be achieved in another 4weeks only if the KPMG audit is allowed to be conducted. WHO IS AFRAID OF THE FORENSIC AUDIT?

That there are 334 roads and 7 bridges totaling about 590 km have been constructed so far.
That there have been dualisation of all entry roads into major cities in Oyo state, six (6) of such roads, totaling 55.6km. [Ibadan, Iseyin, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki]
That there is an 1236.5km cumulative stretch of road network undergoing either construction or rehabilitation across Oyo state at the moment.
That a cumulative 201.105km single carriageway roads were built in Ibadan alone.
That there's a robust land policy to boost infrastructural development in Oyo state today [Agriculture - 90% discount; Manufacturing - 70% discount; Commercial - 50%discount]
That there are 61.59km stretch of better quality and improved network of dualized roads in ibadan today.

THE Oyo State Government has assured that the on-going construction of model schools in the state, including the inherited one located at Ogbomoso will be completed by September 2017.

Speaking during a live television broadcast in Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday, the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela disclosed that the model schools housed by Oba Akinbiyi Secondary School, Mokola, Islamic High School, Bashorun, Baptist High School, Saki and the abandoned one at Ogbomoso by successive administrations will soon be completed.

The commissioner also unearthed that the governor has approved the construction/rehabilitation of no fewer than 100 secondary schools across the 33 local government areas in the state based on needs and strategic locations.

“To demonstrate the seriousness and importance the present administration in the state under our amiable governor, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi gives to the total development of the state, the government had fashioned out and implemented far reaching policies aimed at taking Oyo state to greater heights.

“The contractors handling the model schools, including the inherited one at Ogbomoso have been mobilized to cater for student’s expansion in enrolment. The project is poised for completion by the end of August, but plus or minus, first week in September”, the commissioner reechoed.

Olowofela, however assured that the present administration’s promise was not to leave abandoned projects, but remained committed to the repositioning of education in the state.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State is no doubt a lucky man. He has survived many battles‎; while some were inflicted on him by his political enemies, others are self affliction.

Here are 9 hurdles that the governor has gone through in the last 6 six years of the APC-led state government in Oyo state:

‎1) In 2011, he was not favoured to win the ticket of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, as Femi Lanlehin, who was later pacified with a senatorial ticket, was the choice of majority of the members. He got the ticket.

2) In the build-up to the election, the then incumbent Adebayo Alao-Akala of favour with all the ‘deciding factors’ of Oyo politics which included the Ibadan elites, the Alaafin and the late businessman and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao. He got their support, without even soliciting.

3) After winning, he was accused of side-lining most of the party-men with the appointment of the son of who-is-who in the society and nobody raised eyebrow.

4) He banned the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. And for the first time, sanity returned to the hitherto troubled transport union. ‎According to Thisday, the union’s ring leaders, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (Tokyo) has been rendered redundant till date and his archrival, Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary) is still in Agodi prisons for murder-related offence. Remember their third, Lateef Salako (Eleweomo) was murdered five months before assumed Ajimobi office as governor.

5) In the build-up to his re-election, he lost the two serving senators from the party- Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South) and Ayoade Adeseun (Oyo North) to Accord and PDP respectively. To many people, there was no way he was going to be re-elected. But he broke the second term jinx.

6) Hardly had he settled down for his second term when he was confronted by his alleged move to ‘privatise’ public secondary schools. It generated serious troubles for him but it didn’t last and the policy has come to stay with the introduction and inauguration of the Schools Governing Boards‎.



7) Few month later, Ajimobi earned another sobriquet ‘Mr. Constituted Authority’ in a viral video altercation between him and students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, over inadequate funding of the varsity. It soon faded away, though the nickname has come to stay.

Not long ago, there was uproar over his plan to introduce a new reform through Justice Boade-led panel of inquiry on Olubadan Chieftaincy Law of 1957. He has won the war as the palace and Olubadan In Council who had earlier castigated him for dabbling into another needless controversy soon made a U-turn and has now thrown their weights behind the move, describing their initial standoff on lack of proper communication.

9) Just recently too, precisely May 29 Democracy Day, marking his 6th year in office, Ajimobi at a media interaction said he would unveil his successor during next year’s democracy day. He alluded to the fact that about 34 aspirants within APC alone were angling to take over from him but with a proviso that only five of them were being watched closely. As usual, that he had the effrontery to disclose that he would announce his successor next year expectedly drew the ire of many, who considered the statement as unguarded, diversionary and self-serving. The governor, however later issued a clarification saying that God, the ultimate decider of men’s fate would choose his successor.

However, with the opposition still in disarray with less than 18 months to the next governorship election, it remains to be seen if Ajimobi would not succeed in installing a successor especially if the latest statewide infrastructural developments are anything to go by.

Don't be FOOLED or CONFUSED - These Are True FACTS You Should Know About The Ongoing OLUBADAN CHIEFTAINCY REVIEW

▪ The present Oyo state government has set up a judiciary panel to review the 1957 Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration.

▪ This review is NOT aimed at distorting the succession pattern of the present Olubadan stool, rather, the review is to expand and improve on the existing declaration.

▪ To justify its overdue need, the Abiola Ajimobi-led government is not the first to commission a review of this declaration.

▪ Four (4) past administrations in Oyo state, including that of Chief Bola Ige and that of the present Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, have all sought to review this declaration for best reasons, but didn't conclude.

▪ The Ajimobi administration will be the first to commission and conclude this much-needed review to achieve its intention.

▪ The review is much needed and long overdue because Ibadan, and its over 160 regions, needs it. Our city is big enough to entrench and accommodate a broader traditional base for cultural and communal efficiency.

▪ As said above, this review seeks expansion and not distortion of the succession of the Olubadan stool. Rather, it seeks ways to make Ibadan have regional Obas to ensure much ease in attaining communal accord and peace, and driving socioeconomic development.

▪ We should stop and condemn anyone who attempts to use a very clear but, royal matter such as the Olubadan Chieftaincy review, to cause confusion and score political offside goals.

The Oyo State Youth Stakeholder’s Forum (OYSYSF) has called on the owner state governors of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) to immediately dissolve the Governing Council of the institution and the disengagement of the Vice Chancellor.

The Group in a statement by its President, Mayowa Adigun and Mobilisation Officer, Kunle Olaoye on Wednesday said the call became imperative with the unending crisis in the institution and the inept attitude of the LAUTECH Governing Council towards resolving the crisis.

The group noted that an appeal letter has been sent to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his counterpart in Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to dissolve the Governing council, adding that the Vice Chancellor of the institution should not be spared if there would be lasting solutions to the problems.

According to the group, “we have observed with keen interest the on going crisis in LAUTECH. It is as if there is no governing council in the school. Nothing is being heard from them and they are not even making efforts. We have members across the institutions in the state and they used to report about the activities of their governing councils and management teams.

“The case in LAUTECH is different. The governing council as well as the management is too silent on the fate of the institution and most importantly, the registered students. The Owner state governments have said they do not have enough to pay subventions for again and consequently directed the management to think outside the box to generate revenue.

“This is not happening in LAUTECH. It is a higher institution of technology but what technology value are they adding to Nigeria’s economy and development? The ineptitude of the governing council is taking its toll on the university and the students are the one suffering.

“We should all note that the management and staff of the institution will still collect their salaries even if the school is closed for 2 years. But what becomes the fate of the students? We have members who registered for five-year courses and this is their seventh year in school and there is no reprieve in sight. There is nothing to show that the governing council as well as the management headed by the VC is doing anything.

“We have the opinion that anything that is not reported is not executed and based on this, the governing council, the VC and his management team should go. There should be reorganization in the institution if the owners want lasting solutions to the problems. The crisis started with the management versus the staff unions of the school and no end in sight yet to get it resolved.

“We have sent letters of appeal to Governors Ajimobi and Aregbesola on this issue and want them to act accordingly. We do not like the present configuration and it is better to do justice now before it is too late,” the statement added.

On 23rd October 2015, Pastor Oyakhilome donated the sum of #1billion to Idahosa University while on the 15th January, 2016, Ganduje donated the sum of #10million to the Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa to fast track the growth and development of these institutions.
There are a lot of incidences where individuals and organisations have donated immensely towards the growth and development of schools which shows that for the provision of quality, quantitative and affordable education; it should not be solely the duty and responsibility of the government rather the collective responsibility of all.

I received with a grateful heart the news of the donation of #2million and #640000(pension for 6months) by Senator Rasheed Ladoja to support the #fundlautech project which I see as a nice development as far as this project is concerned. I have no doubts that Senator Rasheed Ladoja is a testimony of what Senator Ajimobi led administration preached months ago which witnessed criticisms from the quarters of the opposition.
Ajimobi led administration has always canvassed for the contribution of individuals, alumni associations and organisations towards the growth and development of education within the state which led to the creation of a board called “School Governing Board” where individuals, great personalities, alumni associations and organisations contribute their own quotas. Some years back, about # 500million was retrieved from one of the looters of the state(a former governor of the state) the money is being used to construct Oyo state model schools within the state (a visible case study).
As we appreciate the donation of Rasheed Ladoja (#5million out of #7billion), I equally appreciate His Royal Majesty, the Oni of Ife for his donation too but it is pertinent to note that #fundlautech project is just an emergency attempt by some alumnus which does not stand as a permanent solution to LAUTECH problem because if it does; they will have to raise #360million to pay staffs salaries for every month.

The impossibility of #360million per month is very glaring and visible which shows that the permanent solution lies within the control of the government.
Both governments have spoken with simple language and clear words that “Thorough auditing exercise needs to be carried out to know the true financial state of LAUTECH such as the lapses, gaps and potholes” which is believed to be the most acceptable form of financial investigation throughout the whole world.

The Audit reports tend to show the financial status of LAUTECH, expenses and blockage of unnecessary financial potholes that might have ruined the state of the institution especially if the need to increase her subventions arises or to work in hand with the management of the school for her sustenance. Both visitors are fully aware of the plights of ladokites which necessitated the need for permanent solution because only through permanent solution will make gate of LAUTECH forever remains unclose which we see as the only thing that merits their sacrifice.

As we welcome Senator Rasheed Ladoja as one of our members of School Governing Board; an initiative of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi; we call on other wealthy, political appointees in the state, elected representatives, oppositions and philanthropists to come out and contribute towards the growth and development of education in our dear state because it is responsibility of individuals, organisations and state in particular.

The Oyo State Youth Stakeholder’s Forum (OYSYSF) has called on the owner state governors of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) to immediately dissolve the Governing Council of the institution and the disengagement of the Vice Chancellor.


The Group in a statement by its President, Mayowa Adigun and Mobilisation Officer, Kunle Olaoye on Wednesday said the call became imperative with the unending crisis in the institution and the inept attitude of the LAUTECH Governing Council towards resolving the crisis.

The group noted that an appeal letter has been sent to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his counterpart in Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to dissolve the Governing council, adding that the Vice Chancellor of the institution should not be spared if there would be lasting solutions to the problems.

According to the group, “we have observed with keen interest the on going crisis in LAUTECH. It is as if there is no governing council in the school. Nothing is being heard from them and they are not even making efforts. We have members across the institutions in the state and they used to report about the activities of their governing councils and management teams.

“The case in LAUTECH is different. The governing council as well as the management is too silent on the fate of the institution and most importantly, the registered students. The Owner state governments have said they do not have enough to pay subventions for again and consequently directed the management to think outside the box to generate revenue.



“This is not happening in LAUTECH. It is a higher institution of technology but what technology value are they adding to Nigeria’s economy and development? The ineptitude of the governing council is taking its toll on the university and the students are the one suffering.


“We should all note that the management and staff of the institution will still collect their salaries even if the school is closed for 2 years. But what becomes the fate of the students? We have members who registered for five-year courses and this is their seventh year in school and there is no reprieve in sight. There is nothing to show that the governing council as well as the management headed by the VC is doing anything.



“We have the opinion that anything that is not reported is not executed and based on this, the governing council, the VC and his management team should go. There should be reorganization in the institution if the owners want lasting solutions to the problems. The crisis started with the management versus the staff unions of the school and no end in sight yet to get it resolved.


“We have sent letters of appeal to Governors Ajimobi and Aregbesola on this issue and want them to act accordingly. We do not like the present configuration and it is better to do justice now before it is too late,” the statement added.

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said that the state's human capital development is premised on sanctity of human dignity, as well as complete education that emphasizes excellence in character and learning.

The governor disclosed this while hosting a delegation from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), led by the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Ms Yewande Sadiku.

The governor said that the administration's industrialization drive was tailored towards the Asian Tigers' economic policy, which, according to him, emphasizes utmost regard for human dignity, as against the European's style of robotic technology. He said that the use of robots in place of humans derided human life.
Ajimobi said, "Our free trade zone and industrial park were targeted at China, because we believe that the Asians, especially the Chinese have value for human dignity and respect for labour.
"The growth of China's economy is anchored upon the sanctity of human dignity. They are not like the Europeans who are today building their economy on robotic technology, which has no value for human dignity.
"We focus our own growth on complete education that exemplifies excellence in character, civic responsibility and learning. We supported our free trade zone with an industrial park and many entrepreneurs have embraced our initiative.
“We are prepared to give them at cheap cost and to even some for free if they will offer us what we want for our development."
The governor said that the state would be willing to give the needed support to NIPC whenever requested, adding that the state had all that was required for it to become the center of business opportunities.
He cited the recent statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which ranked Oyo among the first five states in Nigeria on ease of doing business, which he said was a remarkable improvement from the earlier 24th position in 2014.
In her response, the CEO of NIPC said that the delegation was in the state to promote investment and express its support for the administration in its drive for investment promotion and industrialization.
She said her agency had the mandate to encourage and support Nigerians to invest in their own country, which according to her, had been made possible with the support given by state governors.
Sadiku announced that NIPC would be holding a summit in October in Abuja to bring together stakeholders in the country on the need to drive local businesses and make the people of the country to invest more in their own nation.
She said, "I want to inform Your Excellency that we have come to serve and we cannot achieve our objectives without closely working with the state governments. A broom sweeps better as a whole; since my resumption as the Executive Secretary, I have had closer working relationship with DAWN commission to look into how we can achieve our mandate.
"Our mandate is to promote investment locally and support whatever attempts being made at making Nigerians locate their investments in Nigeria, to drive job opportunities and maximize growth.

▪ The Ibadan Circular road is a major and modern bypass road developed in accordance to the Ibadan master plan.

▪ The road is unprecedented in span, 110km, and monumental in intra and inter city impact, it eases connectivity within Ibadan and across the southwest states.

▪ It was conceived for construction 15 years ago, but has suffered abandonment in as many years too.

▪ The administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi has prioritized the construction of the (four) 4 wings of the road viz Northeast, Northwest, Southwest and Southeast.

▪ The NorthEast wing, totalling 32.2km and spanning Badeku village to Ajanla village on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, will be completed withing 18 months

▪ The road is another people-oriented project birthed from Oyo state government's masterful Public-Private-Partnership initiatives.

▪ The construction of the Ibadan Circular Road comes at no direct cost to Oyo State Government; the project partner (ENL Consortium) shall raise fund to finance it on the basis of `build, operate and transfer’ module.

▪ The construction is estimated to cost about 70 billion naira.

▪ The project partner, ENL Consortium, has already leveraged on their international reputation to raise 232 million dollars from the Nexim bank to immediately kickstart and complete the construction within stipulated time.

▪ The Ibadan Circular Road will give great mileage to Oyo State government's drive towards unprecedented socioeconomic development of our the state and its people.

Governor Ajimobi will tomorrow flag off the construction 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road.
The first phase of the project will be a four-lane, dual carriage motorway spanning a length of 35km from the existing expressway
The circular road will run through Ibadan, the state capital, pointing out that the first phase of 80 kilometres will start from Akilapa on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Egbeda on Ibadan-Ife Expressway, while the second phase will commence from Egbeda and run through Akinyele to Iddo and back to Akilapa.
The road as a developmental project that will take the state to a higher level of development and place it at par with other developed cities of the world, adding that necessary legal backing had been accorded the project.
In the pursuit of his administration’s agenda to transform Oyo into a modern state of his dream, Governor Abiola Ajimobi identified the socio-economic benefits of the circular road project to the state and has diligently pursued its manifestation.
In realization of this vision, the state government signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the road through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with ENL Consortium Limited.
``The circular road, when completed, is expected to ease intra and inter-city traffic congestion, especially for Ibadan which is fast becoming an industrialized city under the current administration.
``The circular road will serve as a bye pass for inter-city traffic on routes outside Ibadan, while it will open a new economic corridor for controlled development in line with the Ibadan Master Plan.’’