NBS Ranks Oyo Number One In The South As Makinde Hits 22,000+ Employment In Five Years.

  The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics, NBS, has announced Oyo State as the most employment friendly State in the Southern part of Nigeria. In a statement made by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, NBS, a Federal Government Agency made this declaration in the latest employment statistics published for 2024. The document, according to the Commissioner, reveals a significant decline in Oyo State unemployment rate, recording an impressive 2.0%, thereby announcing Oyo State as leading in employment creation, surpassing 31 other States in the Federation including the FCT which recorded a 14.1% unemployment rate as at September 26, 2024. According to the Commissioner, the NBS figure is not surprising because employment in the State has been consistently high-pitched. Recently, the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, announced the employment of 7,000 new staff. Two weeks ago, the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, also announced the employment of 7,500 teachers and 3,000 non-teaching Staff. This is in addition to the 5,000 Teachers employed to TESCOM by Gov. Makinde in his first term. In the Health Sector, the State government just concluded the employment process of 375 personnel into the State Hospital Management Board, including Medical Doctors, Nurses, Specialist Consultants, Hospital Administrators, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technicians, Physiotherapists and other junior cadre officers. And as we speak, the employment of 791 staff into the Oyo State Civil Service Commission is ongoing. In the same vein, the Seyi Makinde administration has effected the pardoning, reinstatement and promotion of 1,800 workers. In a rare approach to governance, Governor Seyi Makinde had ensured that his performances in all sectors, including people’s welfare and employment surpassed his first four years even when the administration is less than two years into the second term.

2024 Igbo Ora Twins Festival: Oyo Targets Another UNESCO Cultural Heritage Designation,Promises To Complete Ido-Eruwa Road Construction

  Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has expressed the hope that in line with his administration’s zeal to expand the state’s economy through tourism, the Igbo Ora Festival of Twins and Multiple Births will be promoted to gain world acclaim as a UNESCO World Heritage. Governor Makinde stated this on Saturday, while speaking at the annual World Twins Festival, themed; “Twinning for Love, Unity and National Economic Reorientation,” held at the Methodist Grammar School, Igbo Ora. The governor said that his government would continue to promote the festival because of its uniqueness and importance to Ibarapaland and Oyo State in general. He added that his government would also accelerate efforts on developing necessary infrastructure to support the drive, stating that the government would double its efforts to ensure that the ongoing rehabilitation of Ido/Eruwa road is completed. Governor Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Barr. Bayo Lawal, pledged his government’s continuous support for the festival to attract more investors, stating that this would be achieved through improvement of facilities and creation of an enabling environment needed for tourism to thrive in the state. The event was organised by the Igbo Ora Community Foundation and Ibarapa Central Local Government in conjunction with Oyo State Government and the Twins World Creation Intercontinental. Governor Makinde said: “What we are doing today is something that is worth celebrating. You can see that we have a lot of people who came here from far and wide for this event. “Research has shown that 10 per cent of births in Igbo Ora are twins. We should ask ourselves why it is like that. But if we know that such is what God has blessed this town with, we are supposed to guard that uniqueness jealously. “We should also know that twins are special children from God. It is the same foods they eat here that are being eaten in other places but they have their uniqueness of multiple births in Ibarapaland. “The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism has said a lot about this event and I want to tell you that Oyo State government is making efforts to upgrade the celebration of this event to UNESCO standard, which will make people come all the way from America, Asia and other continents of the world. So, the arrangement is ongoing.” Speaking further, the governor charged parents of twins and multiple births to guide and take care of them well towards attaining their goals in life, while he also encouraged the immediate community to embrace and celebrate the festival by creating a permanent venue that would serve as a monument for the important festival. “Also, we have to, as parents of twins, guide them well towards attaining their goals in life. “I also want to encourage this community, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, to look for a parcel of land that will serve as a venue for this celebration subsequently. They will come and inspect and the government will give necessary support so that we won’t continue to make use of a field. “Part of what will add to the colour of this celebration is to have good roads that lead to the venue of the event, which would encourage those coming for the event to have a smooth experience on their way. “We are working on the Ido-Eruwa Road. I passed the route and I paid attention to the current state of the road. I can assure you that we will redouble our efforts to ensure that the road is fixed quickly,” the governor added. In his address, the chairman on the occasion and Member representing Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abass Adigun, said “the annual festival does not only showcase the premium placed on culture and tradition by the Oyo State Government but also shows the values and the uniqueness of Igbo Ora Community in the state and all over the African continent.” He lauded Governor Makinde for his efforts in putting the festival on the global map, thereby attracting tourists and investors to develop the economy of the state. Also in his address, the Olu of Igbo Ora, Oba Jimoh Titiloye, appreciated Governor Makinde for promoting the twins festival as a platform for tourism and an avenue for the expansion of the state’s economy. Oyo State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, said the festival is unique, as it has incorporated twins from all the geopolitical zones in the state, with the target of entering the Guinness Book of World Records and also being enlisted by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. He added that the festival has promoted culture and tourism in the state, urging residents of Ibarapaland to embrace the festival and accommodate all the states in Nigeria. In their speech, the Twins Festival Consultants, Ambassador Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye, also appreciated Governor Makinde for being a lover and promoter of creative and innovative cultural adventures and tourism. Giving the vote of thanks, the Member representing Ibarapa Central/Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives, Dr Anthony Adepoju, expressed optimism that the twins festival would soon be on the global map to attract more investors to boost the economy of the state. Highlights of the event include unveiling of twins’ statue at Igbotikale Roundabout; Igbo Ora Twins’ Parade; Twins’ Talent Show and Twins’ Appellation, among others. The event had in attendance traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and top government functionaries, among others.

  Oyo State Government is set to screen Three Hundred and Forty seven thousand, three hundred and four (347, 304) individuals as ‘Project 10 Million Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers’ commences in Ibadan. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi stated this at the unveiling of the Project 10 Million with the members of the State Executive Cabinet at the office of the Governor. According to the Commissioner, the Project 10 Million is a nationwide screening initiative, aimed at screening 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT within a 7 days period in October, 2024. Dr. Ajetumobi explained that the objective of the project is to screen 10 million Nigerians for hypertension and diabetes, promoting early detection, prevention, and control of cardiometabolic diseases, using the slogan – “Know Your Numbers, Control Your Numbers” She added that “knowing your vital health metrics empowers you to take timely actions and make the right decision concerning your health, while controlling them prevents complications that may arise from ignorance or neglect”. The Commissioner added that the screening will include blood pressure and blood sugar tests to detect hypertension and diabetes, alongside other anthropometric measurements that pertain to the health of the heart, blood vessels and general body metabolim processes. She stressed that the screening process is safe and uses standard, point-of-care testing. “The Nigerian Health Commissioner’s Forum is initiating the project and executing in partnership with professional bodies, developmental agencies, and Donors. Project 10 Million will utilize a team of trained healthcare workers who will visit various communities within each state. They will set up temporary screening stations at designated locations, making the screening accessible to the community”, she said. The Commissioner concluded that everyone aged 18 years and above are eligible for the screening and the screening is absolutely free. “This means that you do not have to make any payment for the registration as well as other services accessed during the screening exercise”. Dr. Ajetumobi said participants will receive their test results and counseling on the spot. People who have abnormal results will receive some first contact care or be referred to nearby government-owned health facilities for further evaluation, treatment and follow-up care, she said.  

Oyo Denies Plans To Revoke Land At Ajoda New Town

  The Oyo State Housing Corporation has denied allegations that it intends to revoke any land on the Ajoda new town estate, Ibadan from encroachers. Some illegal occupants on the land, accused the corporation of intention to revoke their parcels of land. In a press briefing on Wednesday, the Corporation’s chairman, Demola Omotosho said contrary to what was being portrayed, about 4,000 encroachers have been identified. According to the Chairman, the encroachers breached every provision as contained in the Act that established the corporation. He said contrary to insinuations, the encroachers bought land on the estate, without government’s approval from swindlers, who are could not provide land titles to them. Mr. Omotosho however added that the Corporation, through the magnanimity of the Governor, is making provisions to incorporate the encroachers, numbering over 4,000 in its development plan. “Over 4,000 encroachers are in Ajoda new town, as we speak. They bought land from fictitious people who could not give them land titles. Magnanimously, the corporation will incorporate them in the scheme, so they can become official tenants of the corporation.” The Chairman insisted that the corporation is set to rejig the allocations on the estate, in the interest of the corporation and its allotees. “There are so many challenges we are facing in developing the estate, but we will surmount them, as they come. However, we do not intend to revoke allotees, rather there will be a resettlement.”, he said. “Allotees holding on to allocations, like souvenirs will not allow estates to develop, anywhere in the world. The Law that sets up OYHC, is emphatic on that…you lose your land if you refuse to develop. Some of them bought lands, as far back as 14-15 years of not developing their land. Some who have not paid statutory amounts to be paid, actually stand risk of losing their allocations.” Omotosho said according to the Act of Oyo State House of Assembly that established the corporation, it’s primary duty is to build affordable homes for the public. He said the Corporation is making efforts to build more affordable houses in all estates across Oyo, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, Saki, Okeho and Ibarapa. “We want to do more to achieve this core assignment. We came up with a vision to build more affordable houses in all estates across Oyo, Iseyin, Ogbomoso, Saki Okeho and Ibarapa”, he said. Starting with Ibadan, Mr. Omotosho said the Corporation intends to build Two thousand, five hundred (2,500) housing units within one year at Ajoda new town. He said the estate is specially located at the dove tail of the circular road, while the Ibadan airport, which is experiencing an upgrade is about 8-10mins drive from the Ajoda new town. Speaking on the history of the estate, Omotosho said Ajoda new town was established 47 years ago by former military administrator, Gen. David Jembewon. He said the Ajoda New town estate, is sitting on 5,000 hectres of land, but has been encroached by land grabbers. Mr. Omotosho therefore said the Corporation will leverage on the vast land in Ajoda, by laying foundation for Ajoda-Gulf estate, which will attract elites to the estate. He said the estate will come with a Gulf school, and a Gulf course, as well as a recreational park. Mr. Omotosho said in few weeks, the corporation will build a shopping mall at Olubadan estate, opposite Gbagi market with over 300 lock up shops. He applauded Governor Seyi Makinde for developing Oyo State, and improving the economy of the State, especially the capital city. Omotosho added that the previous leadership at the corporation opened up Ajoda new town with tarred roads, hinting that “this gave us the impetus to develop the Ajoda new town estate, further.” “Beautiful estates have sprung up in Oyo State, and these are in efforts to grow the State”, he said. He therefore solicited the support of all stakeholders to disseminate the information, adding that the corporation is keen on providing affordable houses.

Oyo Assembly Receives Makinde’s Supplementary Budget

  The Oyo State House of Assembly has taken the first reading of the Finance Bill, 2024 of the supplementary budget of seven nine billion, seven hundred and thirty million naira (N79,730,000,00:00) only. The bill was read on Tuesday the plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin. The House also considered the first reading of Oyo State Supplementary Appropriation Realignment Bill, 2024. The bills were contained in the two letters forwarded to the House by Governor Seyi Makinde. Hon. Ogundoyin said the supplementary and realignment became necessary to address emerging priorities in the context of the current economic challenges and ensure effective implementation of critical key projects across the state. According to him, it will also take cognizance of the payment of the newly approved minimum for the state civil and public service. If the supplementary budget eventually passed, the 2024 budget will now increase from four hundred and thirty-eight billion, four hundred and forty-seven million, eight hundred and seventy-eight thousand, five hundred and forty-eight naira, thirty-nine kobo only (#438,447,878,548.39) to five hundred and seventeen billion, seven hundred and eighty-four million, eight hundred and seventy-eight thousand, five hundred and forty-eight naira, thirty-nine kobo only (#517,784,878,548:39) for both recurrent and capital expenditures Meanwhile, some of the Ministries, Departments and Parastatals (MDAs) featured in the supplementary budget realignment include Fire Service Agency, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency, Sustainable Development Goals, and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Others are Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, First Technical University, Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Ministry of Health, Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency, Water Corporation of Oyo State, the Judiciary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources among others.

Oyo Speaker, Ogundoyin Holds Strategic Meetings With Ibarapa East Constituents To Strengthen PDP Ties

By Adeleke Maria  In a move to strengthen the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ibarapa East Local Government and enhance unity and cooperation amongst members, the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has held a series of strategic meetings with leaders and members of the party. In the last four days, Hon. Ogundoyin met with PDP stakeholders and constituents at different venues across Eruwa and Lanlate towns. These meetings brought together key party leaders, including Chief Adewale Atanda Alase, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, Alh. Kasali Morakinyo, Chief Abegunde, Dr. Adedokun Daniel, Alh Adebisi Sikiru (Party Chairman), Alh Kamorudeen Adeyemi (Senatorial Chairman), and Mrs. Adebisi Yetunde, among others. Hon. Ogundoyin emphasized the importance of unity, urging members to prioritize cooperation and avoid spreading false information that could harm the party’s reputation. He stressed that the party’s strength lies in its ability to work together towards a common goal and cautioned PDP members in the Local Government against unnecessary bickering over sharing of party political posts and positions. According to the Speaker, if PDP in the Local Government wishes to remain stronger and consolidate on its political gains, it must close ranks, speak with one voice, and never allow internal wranglings to fester beyond control. While admitting that there will occasionally be misunderstandings and unnecessary instigation of crisis by some unscrupulous individuals, the Speaker urged the leadership of the party in the council to always engage in dialogue and consultation in resolving issues. “It was a 4-day productive meetings and engagements with leaders, elders and party faithful in Ibarapa East Local Government. I am happy that PDP in Ibarapa East Local Government has again laid the foundation for a stronger and a more united front. The meetings were productive, with various issues raised and addressed. “There were clarifications and records were set straight. Issues likely to cause dis-affection and disunity were discussed and resolved. Aggrieved members were pacified and contentious issues settled amicably. This move is important to avoid division and crisis which could undermine the strength and success of our party in future elections in our Constituency.” Oyo Speaker said. At the end of the meetings, PDP members in Ibarapa East State Constituency reaffirmed their loyalty to Chief Adewale Atanda Alase as the overall Leader of the party in Ibarapaland and agreed to continue working together for the upliftment of the party and all its members.

Oyo Government Restores Water Supply, Promises Enhanced Service for Residents

  The Oyo Water Corporation on Saturday said it has restored water supply to residents in some parts of the State, after many years of service disruption due to technical challenges faced by the Corporation. The Corporation added that repairs of leakages and burst on other water pipelines located within the State is ongoing. A statement issued by the Corporation’s Chairman, Hon.Elias Adeojo, said operations have since commenced at major waterworks and booster stations to complement water supply to Ibadan and environs. He said areas water supply has been restored to include Molete, Bode, Labiran, Beyeruka, Eleyele axis, Bashorun-Oluwo nla among others. While assuring residents of improved service delivery, he urged them to use it prudently. Hon. Adeojo added that efforts have been put in place to ensure prompt repairs of facilities as soon as they are detected or reported by the public. “The agency under my supervision would do everything possible to ensure that the recently restored potable water supply to Ibadan and environs is sustained” He, therefore, solicited the understanding of consumers in affected areas for any inconveniences and assured the general public of steady water supply afterwards as the corporation is working relentlessly to serve them better. “Let me assure residents of Ibadan and environs of adequate potable water supply as all factors like leakages and burst pipes mitigating against the Oyo State Water Corporation are being tackled with accurate precision”, he said. He added, “The Corporation would deploy it’s personnel and machine to restore potable water to other parts of the State as soon as all the faults in Ibadan are resolved”. Hon. Adeojo therefore called on residents of Ibadan to report detected pipe leakages and bursts on 08077033774 for prompt actions by the corporation’s engineers.

In Oyo, Makinde’s Leadership Trumps Governance | By Sulaimon Olanrewaju

  Governance is often confused with leadership but the two are poles apart. Governance is routine and predictable but leadership is innovative and dynamic. Governance is maintaining the status quo but leadership is about extending the frontiers. Governance is a structure that provides a framework for running a system; it identifies roles, establishes orders, stipulates sanctions and postulates the reward system. Governance facilitates the smooth running of a state. So, good governance is about doing the expected; it is about following the procedure; it is about keeping the hands off the till and ensuring the effective management of available resources. But leadership is much more than that. Leadership is about bursting out of routine, it is about challenging the status quo, it is about changing the course of history, it is about shaping and reshaping geography, it is about unleashing the power of a people to have new dreams, new hopes and new expectations. Leadership is bridging the gap between possibilities and realities. It is unlocking a people’s innate abilities to actualise their potential. The defining difference between governance and leadership is the size of the vision behind each; while governance’s focus is the moment, leadership’s vision encompasses both the present and the future. Leadership weighs the impact of every action by its effect on the future. Leadership dreams big. Leadership aims high. Leadership is audacious. Leadership is ambitious. Leadership is intentional. Leadership knocks off the limit. Leadership is neither deterred by difficulties nor dissuaded by impossibilities. Where leadership reigns, impossibility is crushed. refuel in Ibadan, thus providing an alternative to airports in Nigeria and other West African countries. The facility improvement resulted in an increase in the number of airlines operating at the airport as well as the number of flights in and out of the airport. Thus, the tethered giant started showing signs of greatness gradually. Therefore, upgrading the airport to international standard is a natural follow-up to the investment of the state in the airport. In the same vein, having an international airport is a sequel to what Governor Makinde has already put in place in the state; from developing the state’s human capital to creating various opportunities for the citizens, to strengthening small and medium scale businesses, supporting smallholder farmers, connecting all the zones with good roads, creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, investing in the development of agribusiness and positioning the state to take advantage of its tourism sites as well as its cultural heritage. This is because aviation is an enabler of trade, a harbinger of investment, a promoter of agriculture, a facilitator of manufacturing and an ally of tourism. So, aviation is a major driver of development. Experts have opined that upgrading the airport would increase the state’s visibility, accessibility and viability, which could attract investment capital and stimulate growth in various sectors of the economy. They also state that the presence of an international airport in the state would boost tourism-related ventures, real estate development, and other business opportunities. They add that the international airport will lead to the creation of job opportunities and boost regional and international trade in the state. Explaining the rationale behind the upgrade, Makinde, while speaking at the inauguration of the Bimbo Adekanmbi-led committee which was constituted to midwife the airport upgrade, said upgrading the Ladoke Akintola Airport to international standard would support his administration’s drive to expand the economy of the state through agribusiness. He added: “The decision to convert our existing local airport into an international airport was not a hasty one; we are not engaged in a let-me-do-this-because-other-governors-are-doing-it-competition. “This is a well-thought-out decision based on science, logic and data. This vision is already four years old and we laid the groundwork in our first tenure.” He added, “We have preliminary data to support this move and part of the work this committee will be doing is providing us with the definite numbers through a comprehensive passenger data analysis and ensuring that all the groundwork is laid to fulfil requirements for building an international airport as stipulated by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).” While speaking on the benefits of having an international airport during the ground-breaking ceremony of the upgrade the other Wednesday, Governor Makinde said, “This airport will connect Oyo State to the global market. It will improve ease of doing business, bringing investments into agribusiness, manufacturing and technology sectors and positioning Ibadan as a true regional business hub.” The governor, who listed MRO and cargo facilities as some of the features the upgraded airport would parade, described the project as a strategic investment that would be delivered on time and within budget. However, while the bulk of the citizenry is having a kick out of the prospect of having an international airport, the first phase of which the Governor promised would be ready within 12 months, some people in the state are kicking against the project. In the estimation of those people, an international airport in Ibadan would not serve the majority of the citizens, so it should not be the priority of the state. For such people, a retreat into history would be quite helpful. When Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as Premier of Western Nigeria, established the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) in 1959, there was no market for the services of the station in Ibadan or elsewhere on the continent. As a matter of fact, the number of television sets in the country was less than 20. So, there was resistance to the move as some people felt that the television station should not be the priority of the region. But because Awolowo saw into the future, he went against the grain and set up the television station, which was the first in Africa. Today, tens of millions of people across the African continent earn their living from television. Today, Ibadan is regarded as the home of television in Africa. This is one of the reasons Oyo State is regarded as the pacesetter in the country. In the same … Read more

Vaccinate Your Dogs, Cats Against Rabies or Risk 250k Fine, Imprisonment – Oyo Govt Warns Residents

  Oyo State government through the ministry of Agriculture has mandated her residents to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies to curb the continuous spread of the disease. The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olaleye Olasunkanmi, who made this announcement in a recent statement added that offenders who fail to vaccinate their pets annually, in accordance with the Oyo State Dog Law of 2019 risk a fine of N250,000 or six months’ imprisonment, or both. Olasunkanmi who emphasised the importance of pet vaccinations further urged all dog and cat owners who have not yet vaccinated their pets to do so immediately by visiting the veterinary centres in the state. The commissioner further highlighted that research shows the majority of rabies cases result from dog bites, making it essential to keep dogs confined and to vaccinate them regularly. “The best way to prevent rabies in humans is by vaccinating dogs and cats at least once a year. Human rabies deaths, according to research, are 100 per cent preventable with prompt vaccination of dogs and cats,” he said. The commissioner added that it was a violation of the Oyp State Dog Law of 2019 to allow dogs to roam without their owners. He further noted that over 70 per cent of infectious diseases in humans originate from animals. Consequently, the government has adopted an all-inclusive approach to controlling rabies and other zoonotic diseases. As part of its efforts, the state has conducted free mass vaccinations for cattle under the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery initiative. The state Chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, John Famoyin, commended the government for its initiatives to prevent zoonotic diseases. However, he urged the government at all levels to ensure the effective implementation of the Dog Law to enhance public health and safety.

Oyo State Government Announces Plans For Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Celebration

  The Oyo State Government has unveiled its plans for the upcoming celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary on October 1st. According to a statement released by the State Ministry of Youth and Sport, the festivities will commence with a Cultural Game of Ayo Olopon on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the open space of Oyo State House of Assembly Complex Secretariat in Ibadan, starting at 10 am. On Thursday, September 26, 2024, an Independence Walk will take place from the Govt House Arcade through Total Garden to UCH back to the Secretariat, commencing at 8 am. Additionally, a Special Jumat Service is scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2024, at 1 pm, followed by a Sunday Service for thanksgiving at the Cathedral of Saint Peters Aremo in Ibadan on Sunday, September 29, at 9 o’clock in the morning. The climax of the 64th Anniversary celebrations will occur on Tuesday, featuring a march past by students and voluntary organizations at 8 am. A football match by the Female Team and a cycling display will also take place on the same day. The statement encourages top government functionaries and political office holders to attend these events.