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We will double our pace at developing Oyo — Makinde
…Appreciates Muslim Ummah for support
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that his administration will double its pace on the path to attaining sustainable development in the state.
He made this known on Wednesday, while playing host to Muslim leaders in the Government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who visited him in his house on the occasion of 2023 Ileya festival.
The Governor, who appreciated the Muslim community in Oyo State for standing by his administration during Omituntun 1.0, promised to roll out the names of some new appointees very soon.
He said, “First, I want to thank the Almighty for keeping all of us up until this moment; for us to witness another Sallah.
“About three months ago, we were all still out there campaigning and some people tried to sow the seed of division by introducing religion into the politics in Oyo State. But thankfully, they failed as our people did not listen to them, and we have a united Oyo State.
“We are all here celebrating another Sallah. So, I use this opportunity to greet my brothers and sisters of the Islamic faith for standing by this administration and also to wish them many more Sallah.”
While appreciating members of his cabinet for their contributions to the success of his administration during the first term, the Governor implored everyone to play their part to make Oyo State better and more united.
He said further: “Our people are expectant and they want us to move as fast as possible and we have started. The House of Assembly, yesterday (on Tuesday), cleared some of our commissioner-nominees.
“The structure of government will start taking shape in days. So, our people should not despair or think we are moving slowly this time around. No, we are not. We will even double our pace.”
Earlier, the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, thanked the Governor for empowering the people of the state and executing laudable projects.
He also lauded him for exemplifying the virtue of Prophet Ibrahim, who kept his vow to Almighty Allah.
Ambassador Arapaja said Governor Makinde kept his promise to the people of Oyo State in his first term. He expressed confidence that he would not deviate from that style in Omituntun 2.0.
The delegation included the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi; Member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon. Abass Adigun Agboworin; Director-General, Seyi Makinde Campaign Organisation, Chief Bayo Lawal; PDP State Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke; PDP State PRO, Engr. Akeem Olatunji; and the PDP State Women Leader, Alhaja Wulemat Ibitoye, among others.
By Matthew Denis
The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated contract numbers 6,136, 6,137 and 6,138 with Mothercat Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd and RCC Ltd, respectively.
The projects affected by the termination are the dualisation of Obajana – Benin road, section II (Okene – Auchi) in Kogi/Edo State; the dualisation of Obajana – Benin road, section III (Auchi – Ehor) in Edo State and the dualisation of Obajana – Benin road section IV (Ehor – Benin) in Edo State.
This was contained in a statement released by Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Works on Monday.
According to the government, the termination became necessary in view of the alleged inordinate delay by the affected companies in job performance and their failure, neglect and refusal to fulfil their contractual obligations as required by the Standard Conditions of Contract.
Orji stated that this had affected the timely completion of the projects and thus resulted in the expiration of the contracts by effluxion of time.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Ogbe has stated that the board remains on track to achieve its target of achieving 70 percent local participation in the oil and gas industry by 2027.
The NCDMB ES made this known yesterday at the Nigerian Oil and Gas conference (NOG) holding in Abuja.
Engr. Ogbe, speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Content Seminar, said jobs in the industry can only be out-sourced when there was no in-country capacity.
He said the board would continue its stringent monitoring of projects in the country to ensure that where local capacity exists, Nigeria companies were given the opportunity to bid for the jobs.
He stressed that the “board will only approve local content plans that consist of contractors meeting the legal definition of Nigerian companies and demonstrating the capacity to execute projects within Nigeria.”
He added the NCDMB would continue to ensure that all services provided in the industry “generate values within the country.”
On his part, the Director, project Certification and Authorisation, NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele said a lot of progress has been made in growing local capacity in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, disclosing there are currently over 13,000 indigenous oil service firms registered by the board and over 120 operators registered also.
The Federal Government has announced that the Governing Councils of Federal universities, polytechnics, and other tertiary institutions will be inaugurated on July 4, 2024. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the composition of the newly constituted governing councils, stating that the list is dominated by retired politicians rather than experts in academia or relevant fields.
ASUU’s national President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, expressed concerns over the trend in the appointment process, emphasising that the union demanded the reinstatement of the ‘illegally’ dissolved governing councils, not the constitution of new ones.
Despite ASUU’s ultimatum, the Federal Government has proceeded with the inauguration, which is expected to take place on July 4.
President Bola Tinubu approved the reconstitution of the Governing Councils and Boards of federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, with 560 individuals appointed to the governing councils and boards of Federal Government-owned tertiary institutions.
The approval was given for the effective management of Nigerian tertiary institutions across the country.
It was gathered that the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, announced the inauguration date during her acceptance speech on Monday, while assuming the institution’s affairs.
A total of 560 individuals were appointed to the governing councils and boards of Federal Government-owned tertiary institutions.
For the University of Ibadan, the President appointed Chief Bisi Akande as the Chairman of the governing council. The board members are Alexander Ajipe, Nelson Alapa, Ifeoma Nwankwo, and Prof. Emmanuel Alo.
Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) was appointed as the Chairman of the governing council of the University of Lagos. The council members are Bello Kumo, Prof. Idowu Mark, Niyi Akande, and Bola Njoku.
Isa Yuguda chairs the board of the National Open University. The council members are Goddy Etta, Yomi Balogun, Deborah Apah, and Hingah Biem.
Siyan Oyeweso has been named as the chairperson of the governing council of Obafemi Awolowo University. Joining him are Edward Sarki, Joseph Abaagu, Wahaab Owokoniran, and Abubakar Kachaalla, who have been appointed as council members.
Additionally, Adebayo Shittu, Muiz Banire, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa have been appointed as chairpersons of the governing boards for David Umahi University of Medicine in Ebonyi State, Federal University of Transportation in Katsina State, and Federal Polytechnic in Ugep, Cross River State, respectively, among others.
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