Author: Wale Owoade

New Aseyin Gets Mercedes Benz S Class  As Gift From Honourable Peller

By Adewale Owoade

A former House of Representative, Honourable Shina Peller, has gifted a Mercedes Benz luxury car, to the new Aseyin of Iseyinland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sefiu  Oyebola Adeyeri III,.

The S-Class Mercedes Benz was presented to the monarch in his house when Honourable Peller paid him a surprise visit.

Earlier in his congratulatory message to the monarch, Hpn. Peller, the Ayedero of Yorubaland, had expressed confidence that Oba Oyebola’s ascension to the throne will usher in desirable development to Iseyinland.

Iseyin is regarded as the gateway to Oke Ogun region.  Oke Ogun region in Oyo State is blessed with diverse landscape, natural resources and fertile land, which offer immense opportunities to investors particularly in agriculture.

Some of the great potentials of Iseyin are Ikere Gorge Dam and Ado Awaye Suspended Lake which is one of the only two suspended lakes in the world. Unfortunately, these resources have remained tapped.

With the emergence of Oba Oyebola as the Aseyin of Iseyinland, many people including the Ayedero of Yorubaland and Oyo State Government have expressed optimism that the monarch’s personality will go a long way in bringing about development to Iseyin and Oke-Ogun at large.

Historically, the bond between Honourable Peller and Oba Adeyeri III could be traced to the previous generation. The late Professor Moshood Abiola Peller and late Oba Adeyeri II, who reigned as the Aseyin of Iseyin from 1978 to 1996, enjoined a very cordial relationship with each other.

Many decades after, that cordial relationship between the two families still exists as evident in the case of Honourable Peller and Oba Adeyeri III. Indeed, some relationships are evergreen and transcending!

Oba Oyebola, until his ascension to the throne, lived and worked in the United States of America with his family and has continuously shown interest in the welfare of his people and community at large.

Through his charitable foundation, many indigent students of tertiary institutions had access to financial aid.

As the new Aseyin of Iseyin, Honourable Peller believes that Oba Oyebola’s educational background, exposure and experience will count positively as he takes on the revered traditional role.

Oba Oyebola, the 30^th Aseyin, who had contested the throne with other eleven princes but emerged the chosen one, succeeded the late Aseyin, Oba Salaudeen Adekunle Ajinese I, who joined his ancestors in 2022 after reigning for almost sixteen years.

We’re ready to build sustainable gaming environment in Oyo- Makinde

By Adewale Owoade

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, says the state is ready to build a sustainable and responsible gaming environment.

Makinde stated this in Ibadan during the 5th annual stakeholders’ interactive forum, organised by Oyo State Gaming and Lottery Board, with the theme: Tax and Task, Building a Sustainable Gaming Environment.

Makinde, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, said a responsible gambling policy would be enforced in the state.

“What will enable us to build a sustainable and responsible gaming environment in Oyo State would be building stakeholders capacity to take advantage of the industry’s potential and manage the risks associated with gambling expansion.

“Improving rich engagement through innovation and technology, a responsible gambling policy that will be enforced to institutionalise support for patrons with gaming problems,” he said.

Speaking to newsmen, the Director-General of Oyo State Gaming Board, Mr Olajide Boladuro, warned that gambling was not for people below the age of 18.

He also stated clearly that as a game, the probability of winning was very low.

“When I came on board, one of the major things that we set to do was to make sure that children that are under age were not going to the gambling house.

“We went to a lot of schools, we did a lot of sensitisation within the communities, speaking to parents and guardians.

“We always say it emphatically that it is not something for the underaged children to do.

“It is not something you do and become a millionaire financially, it is just something that you do with loose change that you have, and I preach that aggressively to people.

“Don’t use your children’s school fees, don’t use money that you have earmarked to do capital project for your family to go and gamble.

“You don’t get addicted to it, you don’t look at it as something that will bring permanent fortune to your life.

“If it happens it happens, but the probability of that is very low, so we are seriously discouraging heavy gambling,” Boladuro said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Sydam Concept Partners Rep’ Member, Makanjuola, To Empower Constituents With Electronic Items, Cash Gifts

By Adewale Owowade

In it’s bid to aid proper representation of the people ,especially through collaboration with key political office holders, Sydam Concept Nigeria limited, has partnered with a member of House of Representative, to deliver dividends of democracy to his constituency.

Hon Ojo Sunday Makanjuola, representing the people of Ogo Oluwa/ Surulere Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, empowered
members and leaders of his constituency, at an event held in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

At the programme, Rep Makanjuola, also known as ‘SMATO’ ,
a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, distributed 64 deep freezers and 64 generating sets, which were supplied by Sydam Concept Nigeria limited.

He also presented cash gifts not less than 2millions naira to the beneficiaries, as part of ways to appreciate them for their support during the last general election.

The beneficiaries include the party leaders, youths and others, who are from the two local governments that make up the Constituency.

Honourable SMATO also commissioned four newly constructed modern boreholes for
the usage of the people in his constituency

Speaking to journalists after the event, Hon SMATO, said, “Before now, I aspired for this position that I currently occupied, the party gave me the platform whereby I was chosen among many to represent our people at the green chamber in Abuja, and as a way of paying back to my people I have to organise this to say thank you to my party leaders.

“I started with the leaders of the party, but I’m promising all the people in my constituency, that I’m going to reach out to them all, for their welfare is my top and number one priority at the the House.

” But we just have to start somewhere, the women leaders, and party leaders in Ogo Oluwa and Surulere have been attended to today, some of them received generating set and cash, while some received cash and deep freezers.

“This empowerment is a token, and it is meant to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship that is facing our people in the country right now. So, those that received the freezer will use the money given to them to buy drinks and other items to start up a small scale business which I believe shall keep them running in this harsh economy.

” And for those that are using electricity on daily basis to power their businesses, they can start using the generating set given to them to support the powering of their business centers especially when there is power outage while the money given to them can serve as a start up capital for fueling their generating sets.

“This will help them to boost their businesses and enhance the economy of their communities, aside from the national palliatives the federal government and the state government rolled out for them.

“Also we commissioned two boreholes in Ogo Oluwa local government and two in Surulere local government to assist our people to have access to portable water.

“In Ogo Oluwa local government we commissioned a borehole in Otamokun, and Aiyegun Yemetu, while in Surulere local government, we commissioned one in Onikoko town and another one at Atapa town.

“So, before first quarter of next year my people should be expecting something better than this, as their welfare remains paramount to me.”

Some of the beneficiaries that spoke with journalists expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Hon SMATO for remembering them at this critical period.

The event was graced by party leaders from both Ogo Oluwa and Surulere local government areas such as Chief John Famakin, Prince Lasisi Oladimeji Olagbemileke, Executive Chairman of Ogo Oluwa local government, Honourable Seun Ojo, his Surulere counterpart, Hon. Isaiah Adegbite among others.

Integration Of Traditional Institution Into Governance Is Important For Greater Socio-economic Devt, Makinde says

By Adewale Owoade

The Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has said that integration of traditional institution into governance is a must, for socio-economic development of the country.

Gov. Makinde stated this while delivering a lecture entitled “the role of traditional institutions in socio-economic development in Nigeria,” during the 70th birthday anniversary and 17th Coronation Anniversary of Oba Dr Adesimbo Kiladejo, CFR.

The event was held at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre, Ondo, Ondo State.

Makinde noted that for the traditional institutions to be able to make these contributions, they must be integrated into the existing structure of the nation-state, adding that the concept of homegrown democracy came from the recognition of the traditional institutions and the great roles they play in the socio-economic development of their respective societies.

He said: “I am an advocate for strong traditional institutions. I believe that when traditional institutions are strong, they promote a value-driven society. And it is in the entrenching of these values that we achieve socio-economic development.

“I will be highlighting three ways that traditional institutions contribute to socio-economic development. These are: Contributing to security through community policing; maintaining peaceful trade relations and keying into the development architecture of the State.

“Of course, this is only possible when the traditional system is integrated into the State structure.

“So, I am also making a case for this integration. If these systems work well, why do we need additional bureaucracy for a federal-operated local government architecture?

“Each State can now determine what local authorities they want to run and how they should run. I know this is not a very popular stand I am taking. We must discuss these reforms and chart a new course for our nation.

“And, of course, we can see the clear link between security and socio-economic development. We need a secure environment to carry out economic activities. Farmers cannot go to the farm; market activities cannot be held when there is chaos.

“In Oyo State, we say, if you see something, say something, and the authorities will do something. This works well in our rural communities, where we have seen a drop in crime rates in areas where farms have been abandoned for years. Even in the more recent attacks in the Oke-Ogun Zone, the traditional institutions played a key role in ensuring proper intelligence gathering.”

The governor equally expatiated on the role Obas play in socio-economic development by highlighting the key roles they play in peaceful trade relations among communities, noting that the State can learn to leverage the traditional rulers’ knowledge and coordination of market associations to widen the tax net and increase internally generated revenues.

The governor, who was later installed as the Jagunmolu of Ondo Kingdom at the Osemawe palace, congratulated Oba Kiladejo on his 70th birthday and 17th coronation anniversary, stating that Ondo Kingdom had witnessed unprecedented developments under his reign.

He expressed his commitment to the progress and development of Ondo Kingdom as one of its chiefs, noting that he has always been excited to associate with the people of Ondo State because his mother, Mrs Abigail Omojolagbe Makinde, hailed from Akure.

He later unveiled a compendium on Ondo history.

In his response, the Osemawe commended Governor Makinde for the insightful lecture, stating that his recommendations were apt and well-accepted.

The governor’s entourage included his wife, Engr (Mrs) Tamunominini Makinde; former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engr Hamid Gbadamosi; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsura Sunmonu.

Others are; Chairmen of the Oyo State Elders’ Council and Oyo State Advisory Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, and members of the respective councils; members of the South-West PDP Executives led by the acting chairman, Chief Rahman Owokoniran; commissioners and other top government functionaries.

Wage Award: Oyo Labour Union threatens to Down Tools

By Adewale Owoade

The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the state government to abide by the Federal Government’s wage award proposal to pay Workers N35,000 and pensioners N25,000 or risk total mass industrial action at the end of October.

The NLC and its affiliate unions resolved to embark on a sit-at-home protest if the state government failed to comply with its demands on wage award at the end of the month.

The leadership of the unions had earlier briefed the workers on activities of the committee set up by the state government to fashion a suitable arrangement for the wage award, before reaching resolutions based on recommendations from workers.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the congress, the NLC Chairman, Oyo State Council, Comrade Kayode Martins recalled that the union leaders had informed the government of their displeasure with workers welfare at the inauguration of ad hoc committee set up by the gov. Makinde, to look into the wage award.

“Since May 29, this year, couple of months now, nothing has been done, is been meetings upon meetings, and people decided today that we are standing on the agreement made between the Federal Government, governors’ forum and the labour leaders at the national level.

“That by the end of this month if the wage award of N35,000 for workers and N25,000 for Pensioners is not implemented, people should stay at home.

“People have spoken by the end of this month, workers should stay at home,” Martins said.

Also, the Vice Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrade Ranti Gbenle – Oluwemimo was optimistic that the governor will act fast, to avert the strike.

“All the things we’ve been placing before him, he has been doing it, that is what gave me the utmost believe that this wage award will be done without much problem, he will effect it, I’m trusting God.” Gbenle – Oluwemimo said.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Union of Pensioners, (NUP), Comrade Olusegun Abatan, said that the decision of the NLC, was bidding on NUP.
He said although Gov Makinde had proven to show empathy to workers welfare, he should be wary of wrong advices which might pitch him against the workforce.

“The Nigerian Union of Pensioners is fully in support of the decision taken today at this congress.
“Gov Makinde has done well in his first term in office, we want to advice him to do better in this second term in office.

“He should shun negative advice that would bring his administration to disrepute, and do the needful for workers and for pensioners,” Abatan said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Gov Makinde set up a committee, which had the labour leaders as members, to reach a common ground on a mutually beneficial wage award following the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
This was after labour leaders said the subsidy removal made the lives of its members more miserable.(NAN)