The Oyo State Government on Wednesday explained that the demolition notice to Music House, Fresh Fm 105.9, Ibadan was not based on sentiments or witch-hunting, saying that contravention notices were served to different organizations in the state since June 14, 2017 including all radio stations in the state.

The government in a statement by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said that the state government observed that property owners in the state are deviating from the originally approved building plans without seeking physical planning approvals from the Oyo State Bureau of Physical Planning and Development Control.

Arulogun stated that the decision of the state government to demand for the building approved plan was not peculiar to Music House, Fresh Fm as several companies and institutiuons such as University of Ibadan, Kola Daisi University, University College Hospital, banks and radio stations in the state were asked to provide their Planning approval, saying that the government recently demolished several banks ATM extension and some local government structures in the state.

The Government spokesman said that the letter to Fresh Fm was received by one Bamiduro Aderonke and a reminder letter dated 18th August 2017 was sent to the radio station to again request for the planning approval/permit for the Radio Station in line with the Oyo State Physical and Development Control laws in which the radio station was expected to forward the approved Building plan to the Bureau within seven days, noting that a copy of the letter was received by Adebisi Akinfunmi on the 21st of August 2017.

Arulogun said that the submitted building approval was actually meant for an office complex and not a radio station, thereby contravening the Oyo State Physical Planning and Development Control laws, sections 30, 31 and 32 of the Oyo State Physical Planning and Urban Development Law of 2012, stating that the submitted approval from Music House deviated from the approved plan which effect makes the approval null and void because deceitful information was given to the approving authority and also deviation from the approval granted both in construction and use.

He added that a physical inspection was carried out on the 25th of June 2018 to ascertain the extent of the deviation from the approval where it was discovered that apart from the change in use of the building, spatial standards in terms of setback, airspace and parking spaces were found to be grossly inadequate.

The Commissioner said that a letter was sent to Music house on 29th of June, 2018 to submit a fresh building plan application that will reflect the existing structures on site, noting that the radio house deliberately ignored the letter as there was no response from their end till date.

He said that the deviant posture of the radio station prompted the Bureau to serve a three day Demolition Notice on the 13th August 2018 which expired on the 15th August 2018.

Arulogun said that the government had also received petitions subsequent upon three fatal accidents that occurred around Music house in the last nine months, as the petitioners urged the government to look at the physical structure of the organization in relation to the dual carriage way which lends itself easily to accidents.

He emphasised that the government will do the needful and follow due process in accordance with the laws of the land but will not dignify or elevate the tantrums of Music House, Fresh Fm.

Honorable Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Hon. Abimbola Adekanmbi speaking at the formal launch of Yoruba Translation of United Nation Sustainable Development Goals, held yesterday Wednesday 25th July, 2018 at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

#BimadekAllTheWay

The Oyo State Government on Wednesday in Ibadan unveiled the 17 goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Yoruba language.

The translation of SDGs goals to Yoruba, which was unveiled at the ancient Mapo hall, was witnessed by culture enthusiasts, traditional rulers, diplomats, socio-cultural groups, market men and women, traders and members of the Oyo State Executive Council.

In his address at the launch organized by the state government in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre, Lagos (UNIC), United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN), Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD) and Development Agenda of Western Nigeria (DAWN), Governor Abiola Ajimobi described the launch as historic, saying that this is the first translation of SDGs goals to local language in the country.

Governor Ajimobi, represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said that the translation of the goals will resonate with the people at the grassroots who are the actual targets of the SDGs in the pro poor projects.

According the governor, “today’s event is significant as the translated SDGs goals is meant to penetrate the grassroots for better understanding, better appreciation as well as buy in and cooperation in terms of achieving the goals. Hitherto, it has been in English Language and you know, for example here in Oyo State, Yoruba is the language and the United Nations thought that for the goals to be understood by the people, we need to translate it to the local languages.

“Today is also historic because this is the first time that it is being launched in Nigeria, and it is starting from Oyo State. We ensured that the South West launch, which is the first in Nigeria, was done in Oyo State, the cradle of Yoruba race and the epicenter of the South West,” the governor said.

Governor Ajimobi said his administration has embarked on many projects at the grassroots level under the SDGs in the areas of education, health, youths and women empowerment, pledging that the government will continue to ensure that the local communities benefit from the UN SDGs programmes.

In his remarks, the Chairman, State Implementation Committee of SDGs, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi said that the state government recently provided 15 motorized boreholes for markets across the state, noting that school facilities like structures and teaching aids, health facilities as well as empowerment programmes for the youths and women have also been executed.

The United Nation’s representative at the event who is also the Director United Nations Information Center (UNIC), Dr. Ronald Kayanja appreciated the Oyo State government for the launch of the translation of the UN SDGs document to Yoruba, saying that the effort was important to make positive impact on the people.

Kayanja said, “The United Nations recognizes the importance of protecting our mother languages as our heritage. The UN Assembly has put emphasis on the use of people’s native languages to communicate important messages that enable us live together in peace and prosperity.

“We want to see a world free of poverty, hunger, disease and lack, where all lives can thrive. We envisage a world free of fear and violence. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets contained in this document demonstrate the scale and ambition of this new universal agenda. This is why this event, the launch of the Yoruba language SDGs is of great importance,” the UNIC Director added.

The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Bamiji Ojo, in his speech extolled the goodness in the event, which he said afforded the people the freedom to freely express themselves in their local language.

Chief Ojo hinted that the success of any administration or people in leadership positions were attached to the use of mother tongue in communicating policies and programs of government to the people, adding that only the late Chief Bola Ige and the present administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi achieved such.

“Imagine somebody telling you about ending poverty and using foreign language. When you get home and you cannot explain what you were told here, it means the communication channel has failed. The awakening has shown that previous administrations also have programs and policies but lack proper implementation. So if really we want development, we should always put people who love and make good use of Yoruba language in government and leadership positions. We have such example in late Chief Bola Ige and Governor Abiola Ajimobi,” he said.

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has hinted that the crisis within the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state is nearing resolution, with the splinter groups said to be closing ranks with the mainstream.

The governor stated this while addressing journalists after a statewide party leaders’ meeting, which was held at the APC state secretariat, Oke-Ado, Ibadan, on Monday.


The three-hour meeting was also attended by the state Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olagunju Ojo; a former Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and a former Deputy Governor, Chief Iyiola Oladokun.

Also at the meeting were members of the House of Representatives: Hakeem Adeyemi, Saheed Fijabi, Dada Awoleye, Gbenga Ayoade and Segun Odebunmi, as well as other APC leaders, led by the State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke.


The governor said that the meeting was called to evaluate the level of success recorded so far in reconciling the aggrieved members, who had earlier formed splinter groups, back to the party’s mainstream.

Ajimobi expressed delight in what he called the high level of progress in the reconciliation move, adding that seventy-five per cent of those that left the party had so far been brought back into the fold.

The governor said, “The meeting is about reconciliation. It is about talking with our leaders and about party politics generally. There will always be grievances. There will always be conflict.


“But, in politics, like in all human endeavours, there is bound to be conflicts and resolutions and we will continue to have that. That is why we are making spirited effort to be on the same page.

“We have achieved about 75 per cent level of resolution and some people are already coming back. Some are aggrieved, rightly so; some are aggrieved wrongly so.

“But, the most important thing is to appreciate that in all human endeavours, there is bound to be conflicts and there is bound to be resolutions. As leaders, we must continue to accommodate, to give and take; but there will not be winner takes all.

“All the same, there are those, no matter what you do, who will not reconcile. They are irreconcilable and there are those that, with little efforts, we will reconcile with. So we are ready for reconciliation. The process is ongoing.”


In a separate interview, the party’s Director of Publicity, Dr Azeez Olatunde, said that the reconciliation committee set up by the governor after the party’s congresses had submitted its reports to the meeting.

He said that the position of the estranged members of the party have been taken, with assurance from the party’s leaders to look into them in the spirit of give and take.


Olatunde said, “The recommendation of the reconciliation committee was accepted, while the demands of the aggrieved members have been taken. The leaders have promised to look into them for imminent resolution.”

Ajimobi: Tackling security challenges in Oyo through public-private partnership ~ Wale Sadeeq


One of the major challenges which stared the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration in the face at its inception in 2011 was how to bring the state back to the path of sanity and ensure the security of lives and property.


This became imperative in view of the apparent collapse of the security apparatus, culminating in total breakdown of law and order in the pacesetter state. Before the advent of the administration, Oyo State had become a state of bedlam, with stories of wanton bloodshed always in the news.

Murder, brigandage, rape, arson, armed robbery, burglary, wanton destruction of property and clashes of miscreants were the order of the day. Ibadan, the state capital, was a fiefdom under the firm control of some political merchants, with motor park touts, political jobbers and unsuspecting youths as willing tools to unleash terror on the residents of the city. The situation became so deplorable that legitimate businesses were threatened and those desirous of contributing their quota to the development of the state fled for their lives.

It is an incontrovertible fact that security is sine qua non to good governance. Indeed, the primary responsibility of government is to ensure security of lives and property, as enshrined in the nation’s Constitution. Thus, there cannot be said to be government except it has ensured that a secure environment is put in place. Indeed, the moment a government is unable to provide security for its people; it ceases to be so called. It was in realisation of this, coupled with the fact that it would be extremely difficult to bring the development the state had been yearning for without peace and security, that the governor put security in the front burner at the inception of his administration.

To achieve the developmental stride, Governor Ajimobi came out with a development blueprint or pyramid of development, the fulcrum of which was security and safety. Consequently, he launched a joint security outfit codenamed ‘Operation Burst’ to tackle the inherited security challenges. He equipped the outfit with state-of-the-art communication equipment, a fleet of patrol vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers, to enhance its operational efficiency.

As a further demonstration of his commitment to the restoration of peace, the governor inaugurated the Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSTF) in July 2012. The move was meant to bring in stakeholders to partner government in raising funds for the security of lives and property of the citizens. The inauguration ceremony was graced by eminent personalities from all walks of life, including a former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; renowned industrialist, Mr. Oba Otudeko; the late Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Chief Abdul-Azeez Arisekola Alao; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III; captains of industry, heads of banks and other private organizations. They all contributed their widow’s mite towards the new security arrangement being put in place then.

Although the OYSTF recorded modest success in its operations, judging by the restoration of the desired peace and sanity into the land, the governor still felt the need to strengthen the outfit. Thus, the governor inaugurated a new board for the outfit on August 4, 2017 and appointed a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, to head the new board.

The board was given a mandate to rev up the activities of the OYSTF by waging total war against criminal elements across the state. This was done the same day the newly reconstituted ‘Operation Burst,’ was inaugurated at Idi-Arere in the heart of Ibadan. Prior to the ceremony, the area was being held hostage by ‘One million boys’, a group of criminal elements terrorising some parts of the metropolis. The security outfit was then fortified with officers and men of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Special Response Squad of the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as a way of renewing people’s confidence in its capacity and capability to combat crime and criminality.

While describing both occasions as a milestone in his administration’s efforts at stamping out all forms of violent activities in the state, the governor vowed that things would take a different turn following the development. And indeed, things took a different turn as Ajimobi put in place what he called the “Safe City Project”, a holistic programme designed to enhance the security apparatus of the state in terms of logistics and technical capabilities. It was also targeted at nipping crime and criminality in the bud, especially in major townships.

Through this arrangement, government has installed Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in some black spots and business districts in Ibadan metropolis. This is being complemented by the introduction of call centres and toll free lines through which security agencies would receive useful security information from members of the public.

The Safe City Project also included what the state government called “Light Up Ibadan.” Already, a large expanse of land had been set aside at the Trans Amusement Park in Ibadan for the sighting of solar power for the project, which, according to the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF), Mr. Femi Oyedipe, would gulp about N750 million

Oyedipe said that the project, which would be done in phases, had received a boost from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through the donation of N50 million, while some commercial banks had also assisted government with the sum of N250 million.

Aside donating about 2,000 safety helmets to commercial motorcycle riders across the state, regular repairs are being carried out on the operational vehicles of the various security agencies as well as “Operation Burst” to further boost their operations.

In furtherance of its safety and security agenda, government is also looking into what it called a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement in security funding which would involve collection of security levy from business premises, filling stations, churches, mosques and other corporate organizations in the state, with an estimated income of about N2b annually.

While justifying the introduction of the security levy, the governor said “supporting security agencies, especially the police, through donation of funds and materials is not peculiar to Oyo State.” He cited the case of the South African Police Service, which he said, pleaded with members of the public few months ago to donate their dogs to the force for the use of its canine units. Ajimobi also mentioned the New York Police Division, which has a dedicated website for donation of money for the prosecution of cases through the New York Police Foundation.

The OYSSTF Executive Secretary said that collection of the security levy had already begun in four local government areas of Ibadan, namely: Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-West and Ibadan North, adding that the response rate from the affected bodies had been encouraging. The levy is expected to complement the one per cent security tax, which had earlier been introduced on all the contracts executed on behalf of state government.

Given the foregoing, there is no doubting the fact that provision of safety and security is at the heart of the Ajimobi-led administration. However, the current concept of PPP, leveraging on the symbiotic relationship between the public and the private sector in security funding appears to be the only way of addressing the ever-increasing security challenges. Besides, a well-coordinated security arrangement is also required for a crime-free state that would guarantee development and attract investors to the state.

Wale Sadeeq is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State on Media (Print)

The Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has assured the people of the state that his administration will continue to embark on life-changing legacy projects and programmes till May, next year when his tenure will end.

He said this during the inspection of the state-of-the-art Jericho Pediatric and Maternity centre, a World Bank-assisted project of the state government under construction, in Ibadan, on Thursday.


Judging by the pace of work at the centre, the governor said he was optimistic that it would be inaugurated latest by the end of the year to institute integrated and modernized health delivery services in the state.

Ajimobi said that he was unlike some governors who would stop engaging in developmental projects when it is a year or less to the end of their tenure, a practice he said was against the promises made to the electorate while campaigning for election.


He said “This center is another testimony to the fact that ours is an administration noted for projects. We are not like some lazy governors that would have stopped embarking on projects a year before the end of their tenure and will instead be frolicking around.

“We will work till the last day in office because that is why we were elected. I was not elected for seven years but eight years and it will be completed in May next year by the grace of God.


“Our government is striving to bring a good standard of living to the people and this is not possible without good health delivery. That is why I am here. We must complete these projects in the next three to six months at the most and it will be opened to the general public.”

The governor stressed that the project, which he described as an integrated health delivery center, would rival the popular University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in service when completed.

Ajimobi said that the place would be a referral centre for health issues like tuberculosis, maternal health and child-related diseases.

Ajimobi added, “We are known for modernizing Oyo State. We are not only modernizing the state through the education sector, we are also modernizing the physical environment and more importantly, we are modernizing the health sector.

“We believe that we should have here an integrated health service delivery center, where we can have a maternal and paediatric center, where we will have tuberculosis center and all centers related to health service delivery.

“We want to make this another UCH, so to speak, where virtually everything will be integrated, where any service you want will be on the ground when it comes to health.”

Communication Team

Governor’s Office

Ibadan

Behold, the DIGITAL GOVERNOR!

The Nigeria Computer Society today awarded Governor Abiola Ajimobi as the Digital Governor of the year, in consideration of his administration's ICT strides, particularly, the appreciable level of digital inclusion into governance.

#AsiwajuNiWa

Oyo State Government has commenced the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at some black spots and business districts in Ibadan metropolis.

Mr Femi Adedipe, Executive Secretary, Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF), disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the state government had embarked on the project as part of measures to enhance the security architecture of the city.

Adedipe said that the state government had announced the introduction of call centres and toll free lines through which security agencies could avail security information from the public at no cost to them.

He stated that government had also commenced the collection of security levy from business premises, churches, mosques and corporate organisations in the state, with an estimated income of about N2b annually.

Oyedipe added that government has commenced a project christened “Light Up Ibadan” through which street light would be installed in major roads within the city.

According to him, all these are parts of the Safe City Project being executed by the state government to enhance the security apparatus of the state in terms of logistics.

“It will also enhance technical capabilities as well as nip crime and criminality in the bud.”

He stated that the CCTV cameras had already been installed in some areas in Ibadan metropolis, adding that the project would soon be extended to other areas and business districts in the city.

The Executive Secretary said that the security levy, which was expected to be collected had already taken off in four local government areas of Ibadan.

Oyedipe listed the local government areas as Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan South-West and Ibadan North.

He commended the affected corporate bodies for their response rate to the clarion call by the government for them to partner with it in its efforts at providing adequate security for the lives and property of the citizenry.

It is apparent that no government can single-handedly shoulder the huge responsibility of funding security.

For this reason Gov. Abiola Ajimobi-led administration decided to set up Oyo State Security Trust Fund in 2012.

“This is to serve as an avenue through which funds could be raised for the improvement of the security architecture of the state.

“It is also in furtherance of this that government introduced one per cent security tax on all the contracts executed on behalf of state government.

This has also assisted the Security Trust Fund in the past years.

“I am convinced that by the time the security levy is spread to all the local governments across the state, close to N2 billion would be raked in annually to complement government’s efforts,” he said.

Oyedipe pointed out that a large expanse of land had been set aside at the Trans Amusement Park in Ibadan for the sighting of solar power for the ‘’Light Up Ibadan’’ project .

He said that tthe project would gulp about N750 million.

He also said that the project is in phases, adding that it had received a boost from the CBN through the donation of N50 million while other commercial banks also assisted with the sum of N250 million.

The Executive Secretary said that OYSSTF had donated 2,000 safety helmets to commercial motorcycle riders across the state.

According to him, OYSSTF has also embarked on regular repairs of operational vehicles of the various security agencies and the state security outfit codenamed ‘’Operational Burst’’ to enhance their efficiency.

He assured the people that the government would continue to do its best to ensure security of lives and property through a well coordinated security arrangement and public-private partnership in security funding.

The installation of CCTVs at chosen and strategic locations across Ibadan, the state capital, under the Oyo Safe City Project initiative, has entered an advanced stage.
The main aim of this initiative, commissioned in the last quarter of 2017, is to complement the existing security apparatus in the state and make Oyo state even more secure, and smartly at that.
In developed countries all over the world, this technological and digital way of aiding security rose to prominence after the 9/11 terrorism attacks, and has since remained a key component of community security setup.
The major advantages of this technology include boosting vigilance, providing intelligence, premptimg and preventing crime and ultimately promoting justice. These are the advantages the Oyo State government have decided to graft into its proactive security efforts.
These CCTVs will be manned and synchronized with a main control center to ultimately aid the efforts of all security agencies in Oyo state with its provisionnof real-time feeds and information.
In an explanatory remark, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Mr. Segun Bolarinwa, reinstated that the SAFE CITY Project was developed in tandem with the government’s recognition of security as the bedrock and foundation of development, adding that the Safe City/CCTV Initiative will help sustain the peace and security that the current administration has managed to achieve.
Additionally, the Special Adviser ICT, Mr. Niyi Ajao, in a brief remark stated that the configuration and site installation is also ongoing across locations within Ibadan as well as remote connectivity tests to the data center/command room.
The implementation of the Safe City Project involves a working partnership between the Oyo State Security Trust Fund (OYSSTF), the OYSG-ICT department, and a couple of multinationals including HUAWEI, MTN, and others, like the Ibadan Electrical Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Fast Deploy; not without mentioning the superb support of the communities hosting these strategic locations.

The Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has ordered the immediate re-opening of Bodija market.



The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun disclosed this at the weekend, explaining that the decision was taken after due consultation with security agencies and all the stakeholders of the market.

Arulogun said that adequate security measures have been put in place by the government to forestall any crisis and ensure that people go about their normal businesses.

He noted that government will not hesitate to close the market for unhygienic and unsanitary conditions as well as violent and chaotic conduct including such acts that may threaten the security of not just the market but the entire state.

The Commissioner urged the people to go about their normal businesses, praying that God will comfort the families of the victims of Thursday’s mayhem and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

He reiterated that the perpetrators of the Thursday crisis will be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

Wife of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi has espoused her intention to erect a vocational training centre for girls who drop out of school.

She made this known at her office‎ during a courtesy call by a two-man team from the British High Commission.

This is just as she‎ pledged support towards improving the wellbeing of female gender in the state.

Reflecting on some of her activities since Governor Ajimobi’s administration came on board, the First lady recalled the drafting of a bill on prohibition of violence against women which was forwarded to the State House of Assembly and eventually passed 5 years after initiation.

She also listed the initiation of women empowerment programmes to guard against abuse of woman due to poverty or want as part of her contributions to female gender in Oyo state.

Responding, the British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Beaufils, enjoined the general public to not only educate their daughters on how to avoid getting abused but also educate the boys on how to respect and protect the women and girls in the society, adding that it is important for both women and men to work together for women rights.

She however expressed her readiness to collaborate with Oyo State government especially the office of the wife of the governor to impact positively the lives of female gender in the state.

The Oyo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Organized Private Sector (OPS) on Skills for job component for the 190 Youth Empowerment and Social Support Operations (YESSO) beneficiaries.

Similarly, the state government has signed a (MOU) with Hills Harvest Limited on the promotion of fruits and vegetable businesses to reduce post harvest loss on the part of farmers.

The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Yomi Oke explained on Thursday at the signing on the MOU that it is part of the prerequisite for any participating state under the scheme, adding that it is to ensure smooth implementation and sustainability of the operation.

The YESSO programme was designed in close partnership between the federal government and some states in Nigeria including Oyo State with support operation from the World Bank and Nigeria’s commitment to poverty reduction by permitting the poor people of the country to access increased opportunities for youth employment and social service delivery.

Oke admonished the OPS members to expose the beneficiaries to training that would allow them compete favourably in the local market and self-reliance, assuring that the state government will adhere strictly to the content of the MOU.

Speaking, the State Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. David Olatunde, assured the gathering of prompt release of fund for the programme, noting that it has been included in the current year budget estimate.

In his address, the Director General of National Directorate of Employment (NDA) Dr Nasir Ladan, who was represented by the South West Zonal Director, Mrs. Safar Adeola encouraged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity given them to learn.

The representatives of Ibadan Chambers of Commerce, Trades Men and Artisans of Nigeria Association and the Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprise, Messsrs Sola Abodunrin, Tajudeen Isola and Tunji Aleem charged the beneficiaries to project themselves as good trainees, promising that they will adequately be exposed to the necessary training they deserve.

At the signing of the MOU with Hills Harvest Limited recently, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi said that the deal signed with the agricultural marketing firm was aimed at preserving perishable produce with limited life span and increase income generation for the farmers.

Oyewole stressed further that the partnership would afford farmers the opportunity to acquire skills that would assist them in producing standard produce suitable for exportation, hinting that cold ware houses will be built in agricultural zones of the state and managed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with a view to reducing post harvest loss to minimal percent.

The commissioner reiterated the commitment of Oyo State Government in making Agriculture a profitable business for all and sundry, saying that the government is on the verge of expanding the dams in the state to make irrigation farming convenient and profitable for concerned farmers.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, Hills Harvest Limited, Deji Rotimi assured farmers in the state of mutually benefited arrangements by receiving their produce at profitable rates, adding that ware houses will be built based on climatic condition of each agricultural zones of the state to prevent spoilage and make the produce presentable at the global market.

If you knew Oyo state, and indeed Ibadan, before now, you would have no choice but feel compelled by objectivity to write about the transformation that has occurred in the security sector of the state; It is just too impressive to ignore, and this is no farce.

15 months ago, after many years of service in Lagos, I was promoted and transferred the branch of my company in Ibadan in a higher capacity. I declined it immediately. In fact, I was ready to resign. The major reason was my experience with the high rate of insecurity in the city of Ibadan and Oyo state as a whole, while I was growing up as a young adult. Robbery and crime were always reported in droves; hardly a week went by without reports of thugs and hooligans unleashing terror on residents, or engaging in needless wars that claimed lives and destroyed properties; mayhem was a staple at major city centres.

I was a happy man when I left 10 years ago and there was no way I would move my family back there for work’s sake, or so I thought.

Still, I decided to discuss with some friends who still resided in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo state. Thus, partly out of curiosity, and a need to preserve my means of livelihood in order to be able to continue putting food on the table, after so many quiet prayers were said, I decided to take the plunge.

While I was considering this move, I had made up my mind to be security conscious, and to do whatever it will take to protect my family, even to the extent of hiring private security, if need be; having lost a close friend, who was president of the Nigerian Medical Association at the time, to one of such violent outbursts in Iwo road some years ago, I was determined to leave nothing to chance.

My perception about insecurity in Oyo state was steeply rooted in that nasty experience and other sentiments that I couldn’t just shrug off. It was that bad.

However, I couldn’t have been more wrong! Months down the line, my paranoia about the security situation in Oyo state and Ibadan in particular has been impressively doused. I am proud to say that, not only have things improved, it is largely compelling and almost unbelievable.

Driving through Molete could now be hitch free? I could now be around Iwo road past 7pm? Bere-Oje axis now rid of crime and marauding urchins?

Incredible!

I shared my surprise with a few of my colleagues, and they laughed at how paranoid I was. They unanimously conceded that the present Abiola Ajimobi-led administration seemed to understand the challenges when it came in, judging by the pragmatic way it chose to tackle the menace of insecurity, a feat past administrations had unsuccessfully struggled with.

In fact, I came across this comment attributed to the Commissioner Of Police in Oyo State, where he too was profuse in appreciation of the new and secure state of Oyo. Hear him:

“There are peculiarities of each state but basically one state is not much different from another; we work for the environment to work and Oyo state, since I came in here, has been very peaceful; it is one of the most peaceful states in the country.”

This comment above further cemented my new found thoughts about the security of Oyo state, and totally quelled my fears. Anyone who is even remotely familiar with Ibadan and Oyo state, will admit that this is indeed a great achievement, especially considering the crime-infested past.

I have always insisted that governance in Nigeria is not rocket-science, and that, when an administration is serious about getting something done, it would only take deploying the right strategy with the right intent, executed most importantly, by the right people; I am happy to say that the Ajimobi administration has proved me right. Without a shadow of doubt, this is what the Ajimobi administration has achieved so obviously in Oyo state, and we must all give kudos to whom it is due.

For a while now, the Ajimobi government has devoted 100% of the Federal allocation to offset salaries, pensions and gratuities. Now, more than the FG's suggested 50%, Governor Ajimobi has approved the use of 72% of the latest Paris Club refund to pay 2 months of workers salaries; thus making it the 4th time Oyo workers would be receiving 2 months of pay at once in recent times.
It is clear that the Ajimobi government is determined to lead the people way past the biting effects of recession through this very prominent and practical WELFARIST policy.

#AsiwajuNiWa
#AjumoseWelfare

The drive to promote digital literacy in Oyo state is very much alive.
This below, leveraging technology to source smarter and futuristic solutions, is very laudable. ���

#AsiwajuNiWa

Teachers in Oyo State whose students record over 50 percent credit pass in Senior School Certificate Examinations are to benefit from a financial reward pool of N22 million.Special Adviser to Governor Abiola Ajimobi on Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi, disclosed this during a capacity training for teachers and principals on implementing the Oyo Model Education Systems Intervention (OYOMESI) templates in the state’s schools.According to Akin-Alabi, the reward package was to spur teachers’ capacity to deliver the curriculum in outstanding form and push up the state’s ranking from the 26th position recorded in the 2016 West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
“As part of the third strand of OYOMESI which is improving teachers’ competencies and providing incentives, every teacher taking WAEC class whose pupils have 50 percent credit pass rate is eligible to get from the reward package of N22 million made available by the state government,” Akin-Alabi said.
Also aimed at ending deterioration in the state’s education sector, she listed quality assurance measures to be checked as students’ behaviour management, class control, lesson planning and preparation and effectiveness in day to day running of schools.
She also noted the huge stake of principals and the Schools Governing Boards in improving teaching and learning in schools.
This is just as she chided as unprofessional teachers who boycott classes and acts of brigandage exhibited by some students of the state to advance their demands.
Furthermore, Akin-Alabi spoke of ensuring school safety by involving parents, students and teachers in curbing sexual harassment, bullying and vandalism in schools.

The FADAMA III Additional Financing (AF) Programme has started the training of 300 unemployed youths and women in Oyo State to enable them to acquire skills in various agricultural enterprises.
The FADAMA III AF programme made this known in Abuja via a statement by Mr Tunde Oladunjoyelo, the World Bank Media Consultant on FADAMA.
Oladunjoyelo said that the aim of the training, organised under the FADAMA Graduates, Unemployed Youth and Women Support scheme, was to empower unemployed graduate s, youths and women to become self-employed and employers of labour.
Mr Nath Olayinka, the FADAMA Project Coordinator in Oyo State, said that training would run for two weeks at three training centres.
He listed the centres as College of Agriculture, Igboora, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso and Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
Speaking, Mr Oyewole Oyewumi, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture, said that the vision of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi’s administration to create one million jobs via the agricultural sector would be fulfilled with the intervention of the FADAMA III AF project.
He said that the training would empower the beneficiaries to become experts in their chosen agricultural enterprises.
“At the end of the training, each participant is expected to prepare his or her business plan which will be assessed and the best 200 participants will eventually be selected for funding.
“The starter package ranges from N700,000 to N1 million, depending on their enterprises, and the money will be given to them as a grant and not a loan,’’ he said.
Two of the trainees, Mrs Lawal Mariam and Mr Adekanmbi Johnson, commended the Oyo State Government and the FADAMA programme for the scheme.
They pledged that the beneficiaries would use the knowledge they acquired in the training to boost the development of the agricultural sector of the State.
“We also contribute to growth of the national economy in general,” he said.
Prof. James Adeniran, the Executive Director of Institute of Agriculture Research and Training, said that youths and women were the most vulnerable groups in the society.
“However, the future of agricultural development for a diversified economy in Nigeria is in the hands of women and youths,’’ he added.
Adeniran assured the participants that in the course of after training, they would be exposed to standard procedures that would enhance their knowledge and prepare them as future entrepreneurs
He said that their participation in agriculture would upgrade their socio-economic status, while enabling them to contribute more meaningfully to the growth of the nation’s economy and food security.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved the payment of April and May 2017 salaries for workers in the state from the refunded second tranche Paris Club Fund and June released Monthly allocation from the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, who disclosed this on Thursday, explained that about 72% of the N7.9bn Paris Club fund was committed to the salaries and salary related payment, at both the state and local government levels to abate the salaries irregularities of council workers.
Arulogun said that despite President Muhammad Buhari’s directive that at least 50% of the Paris Club refunds should be committed to the payment of the salaries of workers in the states, Governor Ajimobi has always displayed his humanitarian and welfarist disposition and commitment to workers’ welfare by committing above the stipulated 50% to salaries and salary related.
The Government spokesman recalled that the governor committed 100% of the N5.003bn second inflow of the first tranche of the Paris Club fund to workers salary, pensions and gratuities, noting that 60% of the N7.2bn first inflow was committed to the same course.
He pointed out that the Oyo state government has paid two months salaries four times in the last 7months, expressing optimism that the government would soon be free from owing workers salaries.
According to him, “our government is committed to the well-being and welfare of the people of the state. We have said it many times that the leadership of the state is not happy with the situation of workers in the state and has never not relented in its efforts to correcting the anomaly. The Governor is consistent in reiterating his commitment to permanently resolving the issue of outstanding workers salaries.
“Before the financial crisis in the country, we used to pay on or before 25th of every month. Workers also received a 300% increase in salaries between 2011 and 2015. We strongly believe and are committed to getting back to the rosy days. We will all recall that the governor said at the 2017 inter faith service in January that the state will survive this period. As at then, we were owing workers in the state about six month salaries.
“It should be noted that with the payment of April and May salaries, we will be owing workers in the state only June Salary and by extension July in some days time. The prophecy is already coming to pass and we believe that everything will soon be back to normal as we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
“We appeal to the people of the state to bear with us and continue to support our administration. We will continue to strive to fulfill our electoral promises and improve the quality of life for the citizenry in Oyo state. We do not politick or politicize people’s welfare,” Arulogun stressed.

The Oyo and Osun governments have announced the immediate constitution of a 7-man Governing Council for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), saying that the council will be headed by a retired Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi.
The Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr. Olalekan Allli said this in a statement issued and signed on Monday, listing Professor Lai Olurode, Prof. (Mrs) Olaide Adedokun, Mr. Abiodun AbdulJelil Owonikoko SAN, Mr. Isiaka Olagoke, Mr. Tise Adenipekun and Bade Adesina as members of the Governing council.
Alli explained that Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and his Counterpart form Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola acted on the powers conferred on them by the laws establishing the institution as Visitors, met and approved the immediate constitution of the Governing Council of LAUTECH with Professor Oladapo Afolabi as the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor.
The SSG noted that the tenure of the Governing Council, as mandated by the University Law, shall be for four years from the date of its inauguration, unless determined by the Visitors.
Alli stressed that the Visitors have also directed the immediate inauguration of the Governing Council, whose mandate shall also be guided by the provisions of the relevant laws establishing the University.
He added that the Visitors are confident that with this development, the ongoing crisis in the institution will be resolved soonest and consequently enjoined all stakeholders to cooperate with the newly constituted Council in its determination to realize its mandate.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, hosts his counterparts from the Southwest Region of Nigeria, under the platform of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission at the MITROS Gateway Annex, Ibara, Abeokuta today, 24th July, 2017.
The focus of the meeting is on the challenges confronting the region and setting goals towards ensuring that the Southwest Region becomes a force to be reckon with in the nation.
Other areas of common interest discussed at the forum are security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, rail and road networks.

The Community Relations Unit is a department established by the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, in a bid to strengthen the feedback process from his beloved people of Oyo State.
His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi is not only interested in achieving excellence in every other sector of the state, but he is also passionate about having a warm relationship with his people.
The Objective of this unit is to bring government and governance to the people, while also creating a notion of inclusive governance among the people of the Pace Setter State.
Do you have any complaint or suggestion for the Oyo State Government?
We would love to hear from you.

K' Oyo le da, Ajumose gbogbo wa ni o.
#AsiwajuNiWa

The efforts of the present Oyo state government in the health sector, from increased funding, rehabilitation of old and creation of new health centres, and to cleaning up the environment, have all resulted in a marked reduction in the prevalence of deadly diseases within the state.

#AsiwajuNiWa
#AjumoseHealth

The Osun State Government has expressed shock over the suit filed by joint unions of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to stop the auditing of the university’s accounts, as recommended by the visitation panel set up to investigate and find lasting solution to the crisis that has crippled the institution.

The government called on parents, students and other stakeholders to prevail and plead with the unions to stop frustrating sincere steps of owner governments to get LAUTECH back on track, saying that it was not happy and uncomfortable with the prolonged strike that has kept the Nigeria’s future leaders at home.
Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa, in a press statement on Sunday, said the state government found it shocking, unheard of and counter-productive the suit filed by the unions at the Oyo State High Court.

Baderinwa explained that the auditing of the LAUTECH,Ogbomoso accounts was recommended by the Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) led visitation panel, and the two owner states had appointed a reputable accounting firm, KPMG firm to do the job.

He added that the LAUTECH unions, apart from chasing out the KPMG workers in the university, have persistently been working against the recommendation of the Olanipekun panel, except where the owner states are asked to raise fund.

The commissioner who noted that the owner states eager to resolve issues involved in the institution’s crisis urged the unions to be sincere and support the owner states in its bid to get the school back on track, describing the suit by the unions as unpatriotic and ill-conceived.

According to Baderinwa, contrary to submission by the unions, the owner states have effective contractual agreement with KPMG on the forensic auditing job.
He also explained that, contrary to Nigeria Senate’s assumption, there is no crisis on the ownership of LAUTECH, maintaining the Supreme Court has clearly stated the owners as Osun and Oyo states according to a 2012 judgment for the apex court .

Baderinwa said: “The last time LAUTECH accounts were audited was in 2012, and a sum of N400 million was in question then. LAUTECH has 97 different accounts at this time of Treasury Single Account policy . The Wole Olanipekun panel recommended auditing of the university’s accounts as a way to address the crisis holistically.

“The Osun and Oyo states entered into effective contractual agreement with KPMG, a reputable auditing firm. KPMG workers were harassed and chased out of the university by the unions. The unions have also gone to court stop the forensic auditing as directed by the visitor of the institution, it worth noting that the two owner states have committed a total sum of N13.626Billion to University since 2011 aside over N10 Billion that has come to the University as TETFUND and NEEDS as well over N12 Billion declared as IGR for about 5 years now and we deserve every right to find out the way the money was spent.

“We wonder what the unions stand to gain by approaching court to stop the auditing. Do they have something to hide? How could they militate against a genuine and transparent move to get LAUTECH out of the unpleasant situation? We make bold to say that the unions’ action is unbecoming of a group of academicians and patriotic workers of university. We appeal to them to give peace a chance.”

Oyo State Government has said that it will hold its N50bn endowment on Thursday, August 3, 2017, assuring that the fund will be used for infrastructural upgrade of 679 health facilities in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, who disclosed this on Thursday during a Press Conference held at the Conference Theatre of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibadan, stated that the fund will be utilized for the establishment of a cardiovascular center which will provide up-to-date routine and emergency care in a bid to reduce sudden deaths arising majorly from cardiovascular causes.
Dr Adeduntan, in company of his counterpart from Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and the Consultant on the N50bn Endowment Fund, Dr Bola Olaosebikan, noted that the fund will also be used for the upgrade of existing secondary health facilities in the 33 LGAs and the primary care facilities in the 351 wards of the State as well as engagement of qualified medical personnel for the afore-mentioned health facilities.
According to him, “the State has already commenced the construction of five (5) secondary level facilities in five (5) LGAs previous without such facilities. Presently, construction of these facilities is at various levels, but the Fund will adequately allow for full completion. Also, it will ensure that there is availability of up-to-date equipment for use in these hospitals.”
The commissioner further explained that the endowment fund will be used for infrastructural upgrade of 57 hospitals and 622 Primary Health Care centres, assuring that the fund will be administered with utmost transparency and accountability.
Dr Adeduntan expatiated that the fund will be managed in a public purse separate from Government account by a Board of Trustees comprising notable Nigerians led by renowned Professor of Medicine, Chief Oladipo Akinkugbe, stressing that the first phase of the endowment activities will span the next two (2) years with the possibility of extension.
Dr. Adeduntan explained “since all other vital sectors of the economy in the State are also competing for attention at the same time with the health sector, the government had no other alternative than to call on individuals, corporate organizations and well-meaning indigenes of the State to donate generously towards N50billion health endowment fund. We need the support of well meaning Nigerians to take our health sector to the next level.”
Speaking at the Press Conference, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun noted that the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration met health care services in a bad state, saying however that the sector has been revamped and free medical services provided to over one million citizens.
He reiterated that the present administration has placed health care delivery on the front burner, noting that there is need for concerted efforts to ensure the sector is not moribund and static.
In his own address, the Consultant of the project, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, who noted that the Endowment fund is the first of its kind in Nigeria, commended the State Government for supporting the lofty idea and assured that many organizations from within and in the Diaspora are ready to contribute to the fund.
He therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians to give Oyo State government huge support by donating generously towards the N50billion health endowment fund.

Whether unintended or deliberate, it is now a fact that years of layered maladministration and fiscal mismanagement are the hunk harbingers of the hurtful halt that has besieged the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, for a while now.

It is high time we stated and followed facts of the situation without getting our views and opinions blurred by the sting of emotions. This only applies if we truly desire an end to the lingering impasse.

Without mincing words, it is almost incurably sad that students, parents and workers alike have had to suffer stagnation and drought due to this lingering crisis. But also, judging from recent moves, it is an unmissable fact that the two owner states of the university, Oyo and Osun, especially the latter, have both recognized the importance to forestall such halt again. A reason why they set up a panel that gave a 75-number recommendation from a 6-point mandate viz – (i) To review the current terms of engagement of the University, with a view to consolidating the joint-ownership structure of the institution; (ii) To conduct an audit into the institution’s sources and application of funds; (iii) To review the structure of the institution, with a view to enhancing its efficiency and effectiveness; (iv) To propose a suitable funding structure that will ensure non-dependence of the institution on Government – subventions; (v)To propose suitable strategies for the overall improvement in the institution’s quality of education and service delivery; (vi) Consider any other matter relevant to the upliftment and sustainability of the institution and make suitable recommendations on same.

Then, I was privy to a detailed reading of the White Paper submitted to the Oyo state government on behalf of the two owner states by the Chief Wole Olanipekun-led panel, and I was shocked to the bones at the level of administrative imbalances and fiscal flaws replete within that document.

How can you run a public institution this huge for almost six (6) years without an audit, be it internal or external? How can the subventions, IGR, grants, TETFund, etc, be unaccounted for by audit or other means for five (5) successive academic sessions? How can you run a non-computerized Bursary and Audit departments and not expect to be prone to graft and a risk of managerial misappropriation? The Panel also observed the existence of ten (10) Chief Accountants in the Bursary department and regarded the number as “too big” as some of them would either be redundant or underutilized. One would ask, “why does LAUTECH need 10 chief accountants while some Federal, State and Private Universities use far too less?”. Well, the panel asked that it be reduced to four. Furthermore, how does one explain the need for 97 bank accounts for a singular institution? Red flags almost everywhere!

Many other unnecessary bleeding points and maladministrative abscess were indicated in that 75-pointer White Paper, and all were accompanied with many well thought-out recommendations to reverse the damnifying drain, and set the institution back on a stable course.

For example, in this document, the Panel recommends a minimum of 10% of the University’s IGR for funding its business units/operations so that in future the quantum of income of the University would be higher than its present income. It also advised the expansion of LAUTECH enterprises to accomodate further diversification. Furthermore, it advised that the laws establishing the University should be amended to allow for construction of student hostels on either Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. Another recommendation was that the University should make internal transportation arrangement for the students through PPP arrangement to alleviate the plight of the students. All these and more, the document said will reduce over dependence on funding from either the owner-states or student fees. It did also stress that the financial commitment of the owner states should not be caught in doubt despite the recommendation of fiscal independence for the institution.

In brief, contrary to what a Dr. Adejumo, an ASUU executive and LAUTECH Lecturer said on Channel’s TV Sunrise Daily programme, the root cause for this painful pause of productivity in LAUTECH is chronic internal mismanagement, as espoused by a majority of the recommendations in that panel report, and NOT “chronic underfunding” per se.

Yes, everyone with sane thoughts agree that the two owner states provide subventions to the university, and while they have lapsed in payment of these subventions for a while, that lapse is neither the singular nor major reason for the halt. At this level going forward, what the owner states seek is transparency in administrative management and even, a degree of fiscal independence for the school by recommending diverse revenue generation means, most of which are addressed in the quite detailed White Paper.

As a parent with a daughter stuck in her third year (300 level) for almost 2 sessions and without the means to bail her out of grief by enrolling her into a private university, you could imagine my pain all these while and why I hauled expletives at the two state governments at every chance I got. But of late, after seeing details of administrant rot espoused in this White Paper, I’ve had to recycle my pain and redirect my anger and prayers at the right diagnosis.

In fact, I opine that the state governments make this White Paper public, publish it someway. It’ll do a whole lot to help converge thoughts and congregate efforts of all parties involved at solving this issue from its foundation.

Without a surge of emotion, any responsible parent like me will agree to tow any course of solution being primed to finally forestall a recurrence of this sad phase. It should be agreeable by all sides that the system within the school be healed of managerial cancers before more funding is procured and poured into the school, else, this kind of situation will surely reoccur; it’s no rocket science!

As I said above, at this level, we can’t seriouslty want a change in the fortunes of this once best state-owned university in the country, by dissipating energy on insulting remarks, needless propaganda and endless protests. We need to rather converge on facts together, students, parents, workers, ASUU, SSANU and NASU alike, and tow a path to progress from there.

Anyone would imagine how the faces of students and parents lit with hope to have heard the Commissioner of Education in Oyo state say that LAUTECH could be reopened some four (4) weeks from now, especially if all parties involved cooperate with the process of thorough external audit commissioned by the state to ensure absolute clarity, transparency and stability, moving forward.

The role of the school authority to make this happen is to allow the external audit to be done in time and successfully at that. Parents too must be clearly seen joining hands with the students to rechannel common energies to appeal to school associations to cooperate with external auditors to complete audit and thus fast track the reopening of the school and resumption of academic activities.

It’s no farce, that to forestall fiscal flaws and further failures in the running of LAUTECH, we all must follow the facts without the flak of emotions to find a final and lasting solution to the current siege, and ensure this university is seen as great again.

N50bn endowment fund for upgrade of 679 health facilities, says Oyo Govt.

Oyo State Government has said that it will hold its N50bn endowment on Thursday, August 3, 2017, assuring that the fund will be used for infrastructural upgrade of 679 health facilities in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, who disclosed this on Thursday during a Press Conference held at the Conference Theatre of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Ibadan, stated that the fund will be utilized for the establishment of a cardiovascular center which will provide up-to-date routine and emergency care in a bid to reduce sudden deaths arising majorly from cardiovascular causes.

Dr Adeduntan, in company of his counterpart from Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun and the Consultant on the N50bn Endowment Fund, Dr Bola Olaosebikan, noted that the fund will also be used for the upgrade of existing secondary health facilities in the 33 LGAs and the primary care facilities in the 351 wards of the State as well as engagement of qualified medical personnel for the afore-mentioned health facilities.

According to him, “the State has already commenced the construction of five (5) secondary level facilities in five (5) LGAs previous without such facilities. Presently, construction of these facilities is at various levels, but the Fund will adequately allow for full completion. Also, it will ensure that there is availability of up-to-date equipment for use in these hospitals.”

The commissioner further explained that the endowment fund will be used for infrastructural upgrade of 57 hospitals and 622 Primary Health Care centres, assuring that the fund will be administered with utmost transparency and accountability.

Dr Adeduntan expatiated that the fund will be managed in a public purse separate from Government account by a Board of Trustees comprising notable Nigerians led by renowned Professor of Medicine, Chief Oladipo Akinkugbe, stressing that the first phase of the endowment activities will span the next two (2) years with the possibility of extension.

Dr. Adeduntan explained “since all other vital sectors of the economy in the State are also competing for attention at the same time with the health sector, the government had no other alternative than to call on individuals, corporate organizations and well-meaning indigenes of the State to donate generously towards N50billion health endowment fund. We need the support of well meaning Nigerians to take our health sector to the next level.”

Speaking at the Press Conference, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun noted that the Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration met health care services in a bad state, saying however that the sector has been revamped and free medical services provided to over one million citizens.

He reiterated that the present administration has placed health care delivery on the front burner, noting that there is need for concerted efforts to ensure the sector is not moribund and static.

In his own address, the Consultant of the project, Dr. Bola Olaosebikan, who noted that the Endowment fund is the first of its kind in Nigeria, commended the State Government for supporting the lofty idea and assured that many organizations from within and in the Diaspora are ready to contribute to the fund.

He therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians to give Oyo State government huge support by donating generously towards the N50billion health endowment fund.

(1) The Ibadan City Masterplan is a consummate urban development plan aimed at charting a modern and new direction of development for the city.

(2) The detailed master plan is expected to be submitted by September, alongside the Ibadan Drainage and Solid Waste master plans; these are expected to be developed as a trifecta of master plans aimed at enhancing infrastructural development and future expansion of Ibadan, as well as ending the regime of flooding.

(3) The Ibadan City Materplan was designed to internationally-acceptable standards by the Design and Architecture Bureau Consulting Engineers (DAR), in conjunction with the World Bank.

(4) The lack of a master plan slowed down the infrastructural and socioeconomic development of the state entirely, while it also contributed to the vulnerability of the city to natural disasters.

(5) It is a 20-year development plan.

(6) The development of this masterplan was inspired by the August 2011 flooding in Ibadan and those before then, which were triggered by several natural and human factors.

(7) The Ibadan City master plan covers the original 11 Local Government Areas of Ibadanland, and took the state’s natural environment, history of flooding, transport, infrastructure, housing and population into consideration.

( It is a reflection of the immediate and future needs of citizens of the city, who are the major stakeholders that were engaged during the process of drawing up the masterplan.

(9) This Ibadan City Masterplan will provide sound planning frameworks and foundations to attract investment for existing and new business growth.

(10) masterplan will make Ibadan city resilient to stress and responsive to natural disasters, especially flooding episodes for existing and future development areas.

(11) It will improve and expand the city’s transport network. while also aiding plans to accommodate the future population growth. For example, to incorporate an intra and inter-city rail system that will take advantage of the existing Lagos-Ibadan rail line.

(12) The masterplan will establish the basis for the provision of adequate infrastructure capable of meeting the need of the population. It will also enhance the quality of life for existing and future residents.

(13) This masterplan focuses on land use distribution, heritage and tourism, education and healthcare facilities, fire stations and security network, transport network, prevention of flooding and sustainable drainage systems, as well as pedestrian and bicycle networks.

(14) The Ibadan City masterplan incorporates how the state can cope with the existing structures and settlements. It will give us legitimacy to remove illegal structures on flood plains, with recommendations for alternatives to street trading, that include a trading axis, neighbourhood markets and the rest.

(15) A draft masterplan was presented to the state executive council and stakeholders to receive observations and contributions, all of which will be grafted into a final and robust master plan that will ensure coordinated physical growth, improved socio-economic development and enhanced living standards of residents.

Governor Abiola Adeyemi Ajimobi received his Lagos state counterpart, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on a courtesy call at The Governor’s Office, on Wednesday, 19th of July, 2017.

ETHNIC NATIONALITY AND PROSPECTS OF MODERN AFRICAN COUNTRY - that was the title of the 10th SplashFM 105.5 Ibadan Annual lecture, held today at the University of Ibadan.
A very timely, insightful and instructive title to drive a germane discuss, and Governor Abiola Ajimobi was there to lend his thought and voice.

#AsiwajuNiWa

This fact below, is the reason why #Oyo state remains stratetegic to the agricultural drive sweeping through the nation.
For a while now, we have been enhancing of the value chain of our major cash and arable crops, viz Cocoa, Oil palm, Kolanut, Cassava, Maize, Soy bean, Sorghum, Rice, Cashew, and Yam, ensuring that we remain in the forefront of Nigeria's agricultural revolution.

#AsiwajuNiWa
#OyoStateAgricultureMap
#AjumoseAgriculture

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.

#KOSELRI
THE Oyo State Government has announced that about N5 billion will be expended to repair the dilapidating structures in primary and secondary schools in the state, adding that the government has received 70,000 books covering different subject areas such as Mathematics, English, English literature, Physics, Biology, Economics, Algebra, Chemistry among others from a non-government and non-profit organization based in United States known as the Jewels of Africa.
The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, made the disclosure at the weekend during a meeting with the state chapter’s leaders and representatives of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) and All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).
Olowofela explained that N3b counterpart funding will be spent on primary education, while N1.9bn generated from the students’ levies and state government internally generated revenue will be spent on secondary schools in the state, adding that every step needed to take for the smooth take off of the rehabilitation of schools in the state has been concluded, stressing that in the next 12 months, majority of the primary and secondary schools in the state would have worn new looks.
According to him, the state’s School Governing Boards (SGBs) for secondary schools in the state is yielding positive results with many old students’ associations working on the rehabilitation of structures in their schools while some others have signified interests, adding that the collaborative efforts between the government and stakeholders in the education sector will restore its lost glory.
He assured the representatives of the unions that those issues, which include dilapidated plants, teachers’ promotions, dearth of instructional materials, agonies of retired primary school teachers, alleged certificate forgery, reversion of appointments in the school system among others raised at the parley will be adequately addressed and resolved.
Olowofela appreciated the doggedness and commitment of the unions to ensuring quality education in the state, urging that stakeholders should always put issues in proper perspective and be factual in their presentation to the general public.
Speaking earlier, the Secretary of NUT, Comrade Waheed Olojede said that the union is not against local government autonomy but the management and funding of primary schools should be domiciled with the state government.
“There is danger in leaving the funding and management of primary school education with the local government. If the federal government does not want the repeat of the suffering of primary school teachers and neglect of primary education between 1990 — 94, the funding of primary education should not be put under the whims and caprices of local government councils.
“The government could give the responsibility of management and funding of primary education to Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). We are not against local government autonomy but what we are against total control of funding and management of primary by the local government,” he said.
Comrade Olojede, who observed that the SGB has lifted some of the difficulties and burden of schools management from the Oyo State Government, commended the state government for its efforts and initiatives to revive the education sector, appealing that the government should address the issues raised in due course.
While delivering the 70,000 books, the representative of Jewels of Africa, Mr Deji Haastrup said, “Oyo State has always been forward looking and has shown a lot of interest in education and having a large population, the government will have its hands full and as such needs collaboration with the private sector and non-governmental organizations since all hands ought to be on deck to ensure we give the government the needed support to build education which is the foundation of development in the society.