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Tag: Oyo State

  • Gov Makinde approves new salary scale for Oyo workers

    Gov Makinde approves new salary scale for Oyo workers

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved a minimum wage of N80,000 for workers in the State workforce, an official said on Wednesday in Ibadan.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, disclosed in a statement that the technical committee set up by the state government recommended N80,000 as minimum wage.

    “The recommendation of the committee got approval from the governor for the implementation of the new salary scale.

    “This new scale will be implemented as soon as the consequential adjustments process is completed by the committee which comprises of government and top labour officials,” he stated.

    The Commissioner further said an agency of the Federal Government —- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) —- recently in its 2024 employment statistics rated Oyo state well.

    “The state was rated as the most worker-friendly state in the whole of South-West.

    “This NBS rating was as a result of the significant decline in Oyo state unemployment rate following a series of high-pitched employment of workers into various sectors of the state,” he said.

    Oyelade also said workers in the state have always received their salaries on the 25th of every month since Makinde came into office in 2019.

    He added that the Makinde administration had paid the backlog of gratuities from 2008 to 2015 for pensioners with an increase in gratuity payment.

  • Oyo LG Chairman suspended over alleged gross misconduct

    Oyo LG Chairman suspended over alleged gross misconduct

    The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, announced the immediate suspension of the Executive Chairman of Oyo East Local Government Area, Mr Olusola Oluokun, following allegations of gross misconduct.

    Mr Akintunde Olajide, representing Lagelu state Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, presented the motion for the suspension of the chairman.

    The decision of the lawmakers to suspend the chairman might not be unconnected to a viral video on social media where Oluokun is reportedly seen partially unclothed eating while praising his political godmother and publicly cursing her enemies.

    The decision taken during the plenary is seen by the House as a key step in maintaining accountability and decorum by public officers.

    The Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, in his brief remarks before approving the suspension cautioned local government chairmen against arbitrary use of power especially now that the call for local government autonomy has reached its peak.

    The Speaker said that it was wrong for a sitting executive chairman seen as a role model by members of the public to conduct himself in such manner and warned other chairmen from conducting themselves in a way that discredits the exalted offices they hold.

    Mr Rahman Olorunpoto representing Oyo East/West and Gbenga Oyekola representing Atiba State Constituencies pleaded with the house to tamper justice with mercy and have the erring chairman simply cautioned.

    However, other lawmakers kicked against the appeal, stressing that such suspension will serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to act recklessly in public without regards to the offices they hold.

    Lamenting the implication of such public conduct, the speaker ordered the Executive Chairman, to step aside immediately and hand over to his vice chairman, pending the report of further investigations by the House.

    The speaker also directed the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and report back to the House.

  • Makinde assures Oyo workers of N70,000 minimum wage payment

    Makinde assures Oyo workers of N70,000 minimum wage payment

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Saturday in Ibadan assured those in the state’s workforce of his administration’s willingness to pay the N70,000 minimum wage.

    Makinde gave the assurance while addressing primary school teachers under the umbrella of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on the occasion of the 2024 World Teachers Day.

    He announced that negotiation on the minimum wage’s consequential adjustment would start in the coming week.

    The governor equally announced the extension of the wage award payment by three months, from October to December.

    “We have extended the wage award by three months, and if we are able to conclude on the negotiation in between this period, we will drop the wage award payment and get into the minimum wage payment,” he said.

    Makinde, while acknowledging the importance of teachers in nation-building, assured teachers that his government would be committed to their welfare.

    He noted that any country that wanted to develop must educate its citizens, pointing out that teachers are the drivers of the nation’s education sector.

    Makinde however urged the teachers to continue to support his administration for the upliftment of the state’s education sector.

    In his address, the State Chairman of NUT, Mr Raji Oladimeji, appealed to the governor to fast-track the ongoing teachers’ recruitment processes, for their quick posting into the classrooms.

    ”This is for effective service delivery,” he said.

    Oladimeji appreciated the governor for his concern for the welfare of workers, and urged him to continue prioritising the welfare of teachers.

  • Oyo: Why we are reviewing public service rules – Gov Makinde

    Oyo: Why we are reviewing public service rules – Gov Makinde

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his administration is reviewing the state Public Service Rules to bring about  transformation the state’s civil and public service.

    Makinde stated this on Thursday at the executive chamber of his office while receiving committee reports on the Review/Update of Public Service Rules and other regulations in the state civil/public service.

    The governor said the existing public service rules had become obsolete.

    He said that his administration had put in place a lot of measures to improve the civil service system in the state.

    Makinde said that a technical committee would produce the white-paper on the report within a short time, “which will be followed with immediate implementation.”

    He said the committee reports had validated his position regarding the legacy he wanted to be remembered for.

    “Our legacy should come from the institutions that we are able to put together, such that good governance will continue in the state even after we are long gone from the system.

    “Once we are able to implement and operationalise the committee reports, we will have a different civil service in Oyo State,”he said

    Makinde pledged that he would forge ahead to put in place strong institutional frameworks that would ensure that the state continued to experience good governance even after the expiration of his tenure in 2027.

    Chairman of the committee, Chief Adebisi Adesola, noted that adoption of the reports presented would birth a new and more responsible civil service.

    According to Adesola, a former Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, the new public service rules will facilitate greater output and better delivery of services.

    The four documents presented by the committee for consideration are; Public Service Rule Volume 1, renamed Public Service Rule Volume I; Administrative Regulations and Public Service Rule Volume 2, now Financial Regulations.

    Others are: Public Service Commission Rule 1978, renamed Civil Service Commission Rule; and Operational handbook for Civil/Public Service in Oyo State.

  • Oyo govt. to recruit 791 civil servants

    Oyo govt. to recruit 791 civil servants

    Oyo State Government says process is on to recruit 791 new officers into various cadres of its mainstream civil service.

    Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamoru Aderibigbe, made this known on Wednesday in Ibadan while speaking with newsmen.

    Aderibigbe said that the recruitment would involve absorption of 230 education officers and 561 others into the mainstream civil service.

    He stated that the recruitment would be the highest into the mainstream civil service in the last two decades.

    According to him, the prospective applicants would be required to log into the state government job portal: www.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng from Oct. 7 to Oct. 11.

    He noted that the online application would enhance due diligence, fairness and equity of the recruitment process.

    “Applicants into cadres requiring a degree must be university graduates with minimum of second class honours division, while applicants into cadres that require Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate must be polytechnic graduates with a minimum of lower credit.

    “All university and polytechnic graduates must possess NYSC discharged certificates or exemption certificates as at the time of the recruitment process.

    “Equally, applicants into cadres requiring the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) must be graduates with minimum of merit,” he said.

    Aderibigbe said that the commission would ensure competence in the discharge of its duties, without any political interference.

  • Oyo APC warns Makinde: “You’re about rendering thousands of families homeless”

    Oyo APC warns Makinde: “You’re about rendering thousands of families homeless”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Monday urged Gov. Seyi Makinde to think twice about his alleged plan to take over some land in Ibadan. The Governor had proposed creating 500 metres setbacks for the ongoing Circular Road project in the city.

    But Oyo APC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, queried the rationale behind the alleged plan. It insisted it was part of Makinde government’s determination to “forcefully hijack over 24,700 acres of privately-owned land”.

    The Oyo state chapter of APC argued that such action would render over 100,000 families homeless and stranded.

    The project is expected to run through the six local government areas (LGAs) in the outer parts of Ibadan city. Controversy had raged over the announcement of the 500 metres setbacks on both sides of the 110-kilometre road.

    Oyo APC said the affected landlords have pleaded for leniency even as many of them have allegedly had their choice buildings demolished or marked for demolition by the state government’s agents.

    “Tongues have been wagging on why a governor would allegedly alter the approved plan of a development project initiated by his predecessors to suit his wishes in a democracy.

    “While members of the public do not have sufficient information about the progress made on the real construction of the Circular Road, apart from the fact that billions of Naira were set aside as the cost, government has allegedly prioritised the grabbing of land belonging to poor citizens.

    “Even as the state government claims the actions were being taken in the overriding public interest, certain questions on the exact development projects which are to be done on such expanse of land have not been answered by the government.

    “This has lent credence to the submission from many quarters that it could be a repeat of what had happened to various land resources owned by either the government or private individuals/organisations allegedly sold off by the government in recent times,” the party said.

    It contended that the alleged sale of BCOS Staff Quarters, ARCEDEM Estates owned by ECOWAS, some segment of Agodi Gardens land, Trans Amusement Park, among others, still hurt the state’s citizens.

    “It is imperative that the governor should halt his alleged plan on taking land and properties owned by hapless citizens with a view to allocating them to investors,” Oyo State APC said.

  • Nigerian taxi driver gives reason for wearing wife’s clothes to work

    Nigerian taxi driver gives reason for wearing wife’s clothes to work

    Afeez Adedigba, a Nigerian driver who recently went viral for wearing his wife clothing while driving a popular micra taxi in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has given reasons behind his action.

    Speaking about the reason behind the action, Adedigba during an interview with media personality, Ayo Adams said he donned his wife’s clothing because rain drenched his clothes, and the only quick fix available to him was the cloth.

    The driver said he had explained to his wife that he wanted to use it in his car, and she consented.

    “This is not the only cloth of my wife that I have. They are about two. The first time I took the dress, it was raining heavily, and all my clothes were drenched. I had no choice but to take hers since I was still interested in working that day,” he explained

    Adedigba also disclosed that he’s unpertubed about the public’s comment on his choice of work clothes, noting that he is only focused on providing for his family.

    “Although people speak against it, I do not care about whatever they say because I remain focused on what I do. I have only one wife and I have four children,” he said.

    “I have been driving a cab for many years. We are only praying to God to show us mercy. From a young age, I learnt how to trade tyres. But when things did not go well for me I had to switch to driving a taxi.

    “As for my clothes, I have about two that I wear. When I took it from home, I told her I wanted to use it in my car and she agreed. I do not fight with people. Whoever is looking for money does not fight. The scar on my chest was from an accident I had.”

  • How Oyo APC chairman died in USA

    How Oyo APC chairman died in USA

    The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo says its Chairman, Isaac Omodewu has died after a protracted illness in the United States.

    The party, in a statement on Monday  in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said that the chairman reportedly died in the late hours of Sunday.

    Sadare said Omodewu died at the age of 61 in the United States where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness since November 2023.

    He described the demise of the chairman as a devastating blow and colossal loss not only to the party but the entire country.

    He noted that the party was shocked by the demise of Omodewu, who served in various ministries as a Commissioner between 2011 and 2019 in the two-term administration of late Gov Abiola Ajimobi.

    “A big Iroko has fallen and a big vacuum has surfaced in our party (APC). He was an epitome of humility, kindness and selflessness.

    ”He emerged as the state chairman at a turbulent period and he did his best to stabilise the party.

    “It is even regrettable that he transited at this time when his efforts on total reconciliation have begun to yield full results as desired.

    “We commiserate with President Bola Tinubu, our National Chairman and the entire APC faithful.

    ”We pray that God grant him eternal rest and give members of his immediate family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.

  • 8 in police net over alleged ritual killing

    8 in police net over alleged ritual killing

    The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested eight suspected serial ritual killers and 15 others over alleged murder, robbery and rape.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayodele Sonubi, made this known while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters in Ibadan on Friday.

    Sonubi said that the command got information about the act of one of the suspected serial ritual killer on Aug. 10 when it was reported by one Ayede and immediately swung into action.

    He said that residents of the community had noticed an offensive odour oozing out of a building belonging to the 40-year-old suspect who didn’t, however, reside in the house.

    The police commissioner also said that the man usually visited the house at odd hours.

    “Operatives from Moniya Divisional Police Headquarters swung into action and moved to the scene, where a dry well was seen at the compound of the house.

    “Upon close observation, gory sights of what had the semblance of mutilated human bodies were spotted inside the well.

    “Eventually, the remains of three unidentified bodies were removed to the State Hospital horgue for preservation and autopsy,” Sonubi said.

    He said that the suspect was arrested, adding that aside confessing to the crime, he also mentioned the names of some of his accomplices in the killing of people for money ritual, who were now at large.

    Sonubi said that the suspect and others at large had, in April, lured a 28-year-old man to the same scene at Moniya, severed his head and legs, and sold them to two other suspects.

    He said that the suspect further confessed that on Aug. 7, he and others now at large stabbed a 17-year-old boy to death and severed his head and legs, which were sold to a female suspect for N70,000.

    “On Aug.11, at about 0630hrs, an execution of search warrant was conducted in the houses and premises of the suspects where the victim’s fresh flesh was recovered.

    “In the course of the investigation, other suspects were arrested and they confessed that they bought different types of human parts for money ritual from the 40-year-old suspect,” Sonubi said.

    In an interview, the suspect, who claimed to be an Islamic cleric, said that he started killing people for money rituals in 2024 and that he had killed no fewer than five people.

    He said that he used to collect N200,000 from anybody who gave him a money ritual job.

    The exhibits recovered from the suspects included: dried human skull, charm, 89 bags of cannabis sativa, motorcycle and cutlass, among others.

  • Iseese Day: Governor Makinde declares August 20 work free day

    Iseese Day: Governor Makinde declares August 20 work free day

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared August 20 a work-free day to mark 2024 Isese Day.

     

    The governor’s Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, announced on Wednesday that the declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo. Makinde had stated last year that August 20 would be observed as a work-free day in the state in commemoration of Isese Day.

     

    In the circular, the governor encouraged all traditional worshippers and citizens to use the day to pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the state and the country as a whole.