The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and Chairman, Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement in Ibadan.

He said no casualty was recorded, adding that the fire was caused by a gas leakage in the kitchen.

“The distress call was received at exactly 13:59hrs on Sunday through a telephone call from Mr. Soladogbon, reporting that the campus hall was on fire at the above address,” he said.

“Immediately the address was received, firemen led by Adesina Olusoji promptly responded and were deployed to the scene of the incident. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a campus hall used as a store and kitchen was engulfed by fire.

“Our officers swiftly swung into action, curtailed, and restricted the fire from spreading to other nearby buildings in the campus. The fire was successfully extinguished, and a fire prevention lecture was delivered by the Officer in Charge.”

Akinwande advised the public to always be conscious of fire safety, switch off and unplug all electrical appliances when not in use, understand the correct use of gas cylinders, and avoid indiscriminate refuse and bush burning.

He further admonished every household and workplace to install fire extinguishers in their premises.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola.

The ban comes in direct response to a rise in reports of violence, public disturbances, and other forms of indiscipline associated with these end-of-year events.

“Schools must remain free of violence, bullying, and intimidation to protect adolescents during their formative years.

“The State Government is using this period to officially ban “sign out” celebrations by final-year students in both public and private secondary schools across the state. This directive comes in response to increasing reports of misconduct, violence, and public disturbances associated with such events.” the commissioner said.

Additionally, the government is reiterating and enforcing its existing ban on students’ use of mobile phones in schools. 

According to the Commissioner, these devices are a significant source of distraction and can be a vehicle for cyberbullying and access to inappropriate content.

These new measures are part of a broader effort by the government to maintain a conducive learning environment and ensure student safety. 

The state is also enforcing the use of only government-approved textbooks and cracking down on unauthorized fees to make education more accessible to all.

“In addition, principals are directed to recommend only government-approved textbooks, selected for their quality, reusability, and alignment with the curriculum. Compliance with these directives will be closely monitored by the ministry.”

The groups showered the encomiums on the Oluyole Warriors in separate statements on Sunday in Ibadan.

Shooting Stars, on Saturday, gained promotion to the elite division of the Nigerian league after securing seven points in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Super 8 playoffs in Enugu.

The club was relegated to the NNL in 2017 and had since struggled to return to the NPFL until last Saturday when it dazed Ekiti United FC by 6-0 in the Group B Conference, defeated Bendel Insurance 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Remo Stars.

In its statement, the Oyo chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) felicitated the players, coaches, officials, and the management of 3SC on their return to the NPFL.

The statement jointly signed by its chairman, Niyi Alebiosu, and secretary, Adewale Tijani, said, “It’s as a result of the determination of the players who recorded an unprecedented nine-game winning streak and a year’s unbeaten run spanning 2020 to 2021.”

The Crown Football Club of Ogbomoso also congratulated the governor on the promotion of 3SC to the NPFL.

In a statement signed by its acting General Manager, Kunle Oyeleye, the club said, “Shooting Stars cum entire South-western Nigeria had longed for a space in the country’s highest football category for quite some time. Until now, when the sports-loving governor came with his Midas touch, the dream had been elusive.”

The statement added, “It is crystal clear that the governor is the impetus and motivation for this wonderful achievement as he has done in other sectors in Oyo State. We are proud of the governor.”

It also commended Rasheed Balogun, 3SC General Manager, for bringing to bear his expertise as a long-standing football administrator on the Ibadan soccer outfit.

Similarly, the Oyo chapter of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA) also congratulated 3SC on their promotion to the NPFL.

The association, in a statement signed by its chairman, Festus Adegoju, said, “We earnestly pray that he succeeds while the team gets there. We appreciate the team’s efforts, technical crew, backroom staff, the football association, and the state governor.”

Speaker of the state Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, had, on Monday, received the list of the seven Commissioner-nominees from the executive arm.

The screening by the state lawmakers will take the form of the nominees reeling out their achievements for the past two years and their projections for the Governor Seyi Makinde administration, moving forward.

The set-to-be-returned Commissioners are the then Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinola Ojo; former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin; Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal.

Others are former Commissioner for Justice, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal; then Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Seun Ashamu and former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Faosat Sanni.

After their screening on Wednesday, the names of the Commissioners are expected to reel out and confirmed at Thursday’s plenary.

More commissioners are expected to follow in the coming days.

This comes five weeks after Governor Seyi Makinde announced the sack of Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka and 17 commissioners.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

The 41 workers are from the 602 officers initially indicted and recommended for removal from the payroll by Messrs Sally Tilbot Consulting which was engaged by the Oyo State Government to undertake employees and pensioners’ verification/validation and payroll re-engineering, in what was tagged 2019/2020 staff audit.

Upon submission of the report by the consultants, on April 30, 2021, the state government set up an implementation committee that affirmed 41 ghost workers; cleared 40 others of any infraction; uncovered 10 deaths; 170 systematic retirements; and affirmed the option of voluntary retirement by 341 others with irregular records of service.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, released on Wednesday, disclosed this development.

The 13-member Implementation Committee, headed by Mr D.O Olatunde, Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, affirmed that “forty-one (41) officers established to be “No Show” should be removed from government payrolls immediately.”

The committee recommended that an administrative investigation be undertaken by the government to determine where the salaries of the “No Show” officers had been going.

The statement added that out of the 341 who indicated their decision of voluntary retirement to the Implementation Committee, 290 officers had turned in their voluntary retirement letters, while the 24 officers who failed to take advantage of the two-month window have now been retired by the concerned agencies of government.

The Implementation Committee, however, recommended that the government should affirm the resolve of 341 officers who opted to retire voluntarily following the discovery of irregular records of service in their files.

The affected officers are to be “helped to port into the pension payroll not later than two months after their respective notices of retirement,” the report stated.

The Committee, according to its report submitted to the government, had, however, recommended that 170 officers, who were found to have “retired systematically” (retirement according to age or years of service) be removed from the list of 602 earlier recommended for sanction by Tilbot Consultants.

Ten (10) others who were found to have died were also removed from the list prepared by the Consultants, while another 40 officers were cleared and absolved of any offence.

The report read in part: “From the above, it is observed that from the 602 alleged officers, one hundred and seventy (170) had already retired systematically due to no particular influence of the screening exercise and ten (10) deceased.

“Consequently, the Committee agreed that out of the 602 officers involved in the report: Forty (40) officers should be absolved and allowed to remain on government payrolls; one hundred and seventy (170) officers who had retired systematically should be allowed on pension payrolls; and ten (10) deceased officers should be paid their due entitlements.

It also agreed that: “three hundred and forty-one (341) officers that opted for voluntary retirement should be allowed to do so; forty-one (41) officers established to be “No Show” should be removed from Government Payrolls immediately; while the list of affected officers from Tertiary Institutions should be forwarded to their respective Governing Councils for necessary action.”

Besides the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, who chaired the Committee, other members include the Special Adviser, Economic Matters to the Governor, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; Special Adviser, Labour Matters, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo; Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Mr. Akin Funmilayo; Permanent Secretary, Service Matters, Office of the Head of Service, F.N Oladeinde; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs. A.A Fasina; Acting Solicitor-General of the State, Mrs. Folabimpe Segun-Olakojo; Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Mr. O.J Adeniyi; Representative of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade (Mrs.) K.F Aiyedun; Representative of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Kola Badmus; Secretary, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Olusegun Abatan; Director, Service Matters, Office of the Head of Service, Mr. Goke Adenrele and the Deputy Director (EMR&P), Office of the Head of Service, Idowu Mashopa.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Governor Makinde, who stated this while declaring close a two-day retreat for Local Government Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLAs), in the 33 Local Government Councils of the state, held at the Ilaji Hotel and Sports Complex, Akanran, Ibadan, said that his government has, indeed, been working hard to find a lasting solution to the challenges in the all-important sector.

He stated that when ongoing efforts to rework the security system are completed, even the Federal Government will copy the state’s template.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as expressing delight at the well-packaged retreat put together by Forsterfield Consulting in conjunction with the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters.

While addressing the chairmen, Governor Makinde admonished them to step up their game on the issue of security and take responsibility for the security of their domains, saying, though security is the responsibility of everyone in the society, those in government will be held accountable.

Makinde equally charged the chairmen to consider adopting the Security Task Force approach of the state government and to hold regular security meetings and work with the Amotekun, federal security agencies, and the voluntary policing initiative of the state government.

The governor also asked the council bosses to up the scale of intelligence gathering in their domains.

He said: “There is a state Security Task Force, you can replicate that at the local government level. Meet once a week and review. I can bet that by the time we are done grinding our security architecture, they will copy it at the national level in this country. So, you should step up to the table and ensure that, at each of your local government areas, you take responsibility.

“Yes, it is a collective responsibility. The government alone cannot handle it but somebody will have to hold the rod of accountability and because you are the elected representatives of the people, you have to take responsibility even sometimes for things that are well beyond your control.

“The Amotekun people are there. There are challenges to get them as an agency to work with federal institutions because there is a rivalry. You guys should see it as the time to put all of them together and we have to thrive. Also, we have voluntary policing. You know some of the youths within your localities, get them into the scheme.

“When I went to Igangan, I said we would start funding the hunters and local vigilantes and we made the arrangement. Today, I am glad that the HLAs are here. We are passing through a very challenging period. So, everybody must come together to support that initiative. If we get it right, on a monthly basis, we will ensure that we make provision for them because they are quite important.

“From the report I have on Ibarapa, both open and confidential, it would have been a lot worse if not for local hunters and vigilantes. So, we need to strengthen that network.

“Most important is the issue of intelligence. The failure we got at Igangan was that people saw the bandits converging during the day but nobody reported the case. So, you also need to strengthen intelligence gathering in each of your local government areas.

“The number of the security control room is 615. Call it. When there was an issue at Igangan, I didn’t get the report that anyone called the number. It started at about 11:30 p.m. Call 615 to address any distressing issue. You need to promote the number at the local government level as elected officials. Take it upon yourselves now to ensure that every household is conversant with the 615 number and call it when they are in trouble. Also, encourage your people to say something to you when they see something so you can take the information to appropriate quarters.”

Governor Makinde, who also charged the local government officials to operate with the fear of God and put the interest of the people first in all their activities at the local councils, maintained that the people of the state expect good governance and dividends of democracy from the councils.

While charging the local council officials to consider adopting the four service point agenda or pillars of the state government or work on their own based on the peculiarities of the councils, Makinde stated that the state government will continue to support the councils to achieve the mandate of delivering quality service to the people at the grassroots.

He said: “I am glad that we are able to organise this retreat. We tried having it when some of you were interim chairmen and chairpersons but the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t give us the opportunity. But today, we thank God that in Oyo State, COVID-19 is taking a back seat. At least, from the reports given to me, there is nobody in the Infectious Disease Centre, which is our isolation centre at Olodo.

“I want to say that the people of Oyo State voted for you and are expecting from you dividends of democracy at the local level. For the state election, most of you joined me to campaign together. So, you have all contributed to putting the government at the state level there.

“This is a good time for us to interact and for me to share one or two things with you. I am sure a lot of you are familiar with our Roadmap for Accelerated Development (2019-2023). We brought out the document before the election and I am happy to tell you that the author of the document, Professor Musbau Babatunde, is also here today. We spent several days and weeks together, knocking the document and it has served us as the blueprint for this administration. We are not going anywhere to seek knowledge on how to govern the state. Take the document anywhere in the world, it is a standard document.

“And for these past two years, it has assisted us. So, at the local government level, my wish is for you to adopt those four pillars. I understand that there could be peculiarities in the local government of some of you. You can add two or more to your own pillars and make it six depending on the peculiarities of your local government area.”

The governor stated that the agenda of his government to expand the state’s economy through Agribusiness and infrastructure development has been yielding positive results, with a lot of offers coming to the state to assist it.

He said: “We think we are getting stability in the areas of agribusiness and infrastructure. We are still continuing but we can add more, and now, we are saying we should add solid minerals development and Tourism.

“So, for those local governments that are positioned to do things in the tourism and solid minerals sectors, the state will be available to support and partner with you.”

The Oyo State Governor counselled the new chairmen and vice-chairmen not to be discouraged by challenges, noting that if they handle the current assignments, it could become stepping stones to something higher.

“But you have to work and it is not something that I am just thinking in my head. I have seen it happen. The governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, started as local government chairman in 1999. From there, he rose to the position of Chief of Staff to the Governor and then a federal minister, and today he is a governor. He can even become the President of this country if he wishes. So, starting from the local government level is actually an advantage and opportunity to showcase the leadership qualities you have.

“Some of the policies that we have, which are working at the state level, replicate them at the local government level. And where you need direction and support, don’t be shy about it because if we get it right at the local government level, it will assist our overall position as a state,” Makinde said.

He assured them that the state government will always be available to support the council chairmen, saying: “You know we are here to support you. If you are faced with challenges beyond your control, come to us and we will solve it together.”

He also admonished the civil servants at the local government levels to support the council chairmen to achieve success, noting that the government will always be ready to listen to them and give necessary support to do their jobs effectively.

Makinde made known these line of actions when, on Thursday, he toured the Iwo Road scene of the violence.
While condemning Wednesday’s violence, Makinde vowed to ensure that all those behind the Iwo Road incident is brought to book.

In the meantime, the Oyo governor said he had ordered investigations into the crisis.

With some phone sellers being victims in the crisis, Makinde said he will meet with them to determine what form of assistance they will receive.

Makinde said: “I visited the scene of the Iwo Road incident this morning. The loss of lives during the incident that occurred is unfortunate and should never have happened.

“I give you my word that we will ensure that everyone involved in the dastardly act is brought to book.

“I have ordered investigations. In the meantime, we will sanitize the area behind Iwo Road where cultists congregate and review the Park Management System.

“We have also informed the phone sellers to choose representatives who will discuss how we can assist them.”

Nigerian Tribune gathered that trouble started on Wednesday when some shop owners confronted the park managers, whom they accused of always blocking access to their shops.

The park managers on their part claimed that the same area serves as their coordinating point for buses.

The altercation was said to have attracted intervention men of Operation Burst, the Amotekun corps, and the police force. There was said to have been a reinforcement later in the day. And in the course of this, a tenant, believed to be a son of one of the shop owners, was said to have been killed.

The deceased, according to a source, had planned to park his car in front of his mother’s complex but some members of the PMS had already parked their vehicles at the parking lot. The source hinted that a brawl ensued following an altercation between the tenants in the complex and members of the PMS, a development which degenerated into clashes, forcing many shop owners and traders to hurriedly lock their shops and flee the scene.

Members of the transport union were said to have later regrouped and launched a fresh attack on the shopping complex with dangerous weapons. In the ensuing melee, one person was said to have been killed.

Some policemen, members of the Operation Burst and Amotekun Corps were later moved to the scene to restore normalcy.

Some members of the public protested to the Oyo State governor’s office with the corpse, accusing the park managers of unleashing terror at Iwo Road, leading to the death of one of them.

Government officials who came out to address them appealed to the traders to remain calm while the government address the situation.

A government ambulance was later used to convey the corpse to the morgue of Adeoyo State Hospital.

However, reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Park Management System (PMS) in the state, Alhaji Emiola Jelili, denied the involvement of park managers in the violence, saying “it was a clash between some students and phone sellers in a shopping complex.

“It is very ridiculous and unfortunate that if anytime clash happens in Iwo Road area, some people always attribute it to park managers. This is quite unfair. None of our members was involved in the violence. I can say this with all authority,” he stated.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Adewale Osifeso, described as untrue information that some people died during the clash. He said; “it is true there was crisis, but nobody died. Our men are already at Iwo Road and they are maintaining law and order.”

Source: Nigerian Tribune

He equally supported members of Ido Farmers Cooperative Society with N7.5 million as a take-off grant for the factory, which can process a trailer load of cassava into garri on a daily basis.

According to Makinde, “we know that it was the sage, Pa Obafemi Awolowo, that initiated the operation of this factory. He was the real architect of Western Nigeria, who put us in a more advantaged position over several regions that time, and we are toeing the same path in Oyo State.

“So, when members of the farmers cooperative society came to meet me, I told them we will put the factory back on track and, to the glory of God, it has happened. I told the local engineer handling the project to understudy it and if he can successfully fix the factory and make it work effectively, the work he will do next will be the brick factory at Erunmu.

“So, he has got another job for himself automatically as a result of what he has done here,” he said.

He maintained that as part of his administration’s commitment to fixing infrastructure that target the economic expansion drive of the state, the government has included the Eruwa road in the RAAMP projects.

“I want to inform everyone here today that the road from Eruwa to this point has been captured in our RAAMP programme. We will fix it. I also want to tell the Kabiyesi and Baales that the contractor fixing the road from Apete to Awotan to Akufo will, by the time he gets to Akufo, turn his equipment to the right and fix the road linking Moniya. And if he turns to the left side, he will fix the Akufo road to link the Eruwa road here.

“So, I want to assure you that the government of Oyo State will continue to resuscitate all moribund projects to create value for our people. The money you requested for, which will enhance your productivity in this factory, will be given to you because we don’t want the work to stop. We will give you N7.5 million to commence the work. We will give you the cheque here now,” he added.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Adeniyi Adebisi, appreciated Makinde’s support and policy thrust, which, according to him, “is aimed at rejuvenating the economy of the state using agriculture as a tool.”

In his address, the chairman of Ido/Ibadan Cooperatives Farming and Produce Marketing Society Limited, Elder Lasun Dairo, said “Papa Awolowo established this factory in 1972 after he left Gowon’s government with 132 farming members, 44 from Ido, 44 from Akufo and 44 from Omi Adio.

“He (Awolowo) appointed five management members, making a total of 137 members. The factory died in 1998 due to bad management.”

The Onido of Ido, Oba Muritala Gbolagade, commended Makinde for resuscitating the factory, just as he implored the people of the state to support his administration in bringing more developments to the state. Chairman of Ido Local Government, Sheriff Aderemi Adeojo, said the governor’s decision to rejuvenate the factory will go a long way in reducing unemployment and enhancing food security.

Executive Director, Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, was represented at the event by the Editor, Saturday Tribune, Dr Lasisi Olagunju; Group Business Editor, Nigerian Tribune, Mr Sulaiman Olanrewaju; Manager, Internal Audit, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Mr Peculiar Adegbite and the Head, Human Resources, ANN Plc, Mrs Bukola Ezeamaka.

Source: Nigerian Tribune

Accepting responsibility for the incident, Makinde said his administration had identified its failures and aspects of its security architecture that was not working.

While promising to fix lapses in the state’s security architecture, Makinde said he will henceforth be responsible for the effective operations of vigilante, local hunters and others providing security for Igangan.

He however enjoined Igangan residents not to take laws into their hands and demanded some more time to implement his plans regarding security across the state.

Makinde said: “I accept responsibility for not doing what I should do to allow what happened here. I beg you and I am here to say that this is the last time that such thing will happen here. When things get to a point where a mosquito perches on a delicate part of the body, we deal with it smartly.

“I have told your Chairman that the governor will be responsible for the vigilante and other local hunters providing security in the town.

“But I beg you to give us the opportunity to do what is right to ensure that this kind of convergence on security issues in Igangan won’t happen again. It will be a thing of the past. Don’t take the law into your hands.

“We have identified where there were failures and I want you to hold me accountable. I can’t run to Abuja because there are certain things we put in place in the state that should work but are not working.

“Please give me time and we will resolve it. As long as there is life, there is hope.”