Oyo state government under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde has discontinued and withdrawn the criminal case against Hon. Kamil Akinlabi, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives and the current Chairman, Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA).

The suit (Oyo vs Akinlabi) Hoy/5c/2016 which was to be revisited after several adjournments, was on Tuesday dismissed by Justice Iyabo Yerima at court Four of the State High Court in Ibadan.

The discontinuation was at the instance of the power of the State’s Attorney General, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, who told the court in a letter to discontinue the case which was taken to court in 2016 by a revered traditional ruler.

While reacting to the development, Akinlabi, who was appointed by the Seyi Makinde administration as the Chairman, Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), said he was happy that justice prevailed on the matter despite that it took a long time.

“I must give kudos to the judiciary, you should see the unbiased prosecution of the case from the beginning till it was discontinued, it reaffirmed the fact that the court of law is truly the last hope for the common man.

“It is one thing to take an action and it is another thing to be ready to bear the consequence of that action, this I have shown and we are happy that the matter spoke for itself, even when charges were amended about two or three times, but I am glad to tell you today that it is a new dawn.

“The Ministry of Justice came in today and withdrew the charges, the reasons, best known to them, but we thank God and whoever was behind the decision and this has given me the opportunity to accept that this is the period when the rule of law is held sacred.”

Akinlabi went further to urge government to improve the facilities in the law courts so as to make the judicial system better in its service to the people.

He lamented the fact that Justices still wrote judgments with long hands when technology could be deployed for such, saying introduction of modern technology would help hasten cases in law courts.

The leadership of Federation of Ibarapa Students Union (FIBSA), National Council which is the apex body of the indigenous students of Ibarapa has written an open letter to Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde over the insecurity challenges in the zone.

The open letter was co-signed by Com. Ogunjobi Feranmi Oladimeji and Sen. Ogunlowo Soji Aderemi who are FIBSA National President and Senate President respectively.

While the students body decry evils befalling the zone day by day, they enjoined the governor to take a responsive mechanism by intensifying the security and policing means in the state to curb this menace.

The Open letter reads thus:

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF OYO STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, ENG. OLUSEYI ABIODUN MAKINDE

Solidarity greetings to you His Excellency, may God Almighty continue to be your guide in leading us at Oyo state to the greater height.

The leadership of Federation of ibarapa Students Association (FIBSA) National Council want to at first commend your assiduous efforts since your emergence as the God-sent governor of Oyo state, in whose vein the milk of kindness towards the occupants of the state runs through, we pray to God for more knowledgeable, logical and intellectual prowess of leading us aright.

The Apex Body of the indigenous Students of ibarapa across Nigeria and in diaspora consider it imperative to write you this as a concerned and dutiful citizen of this state and whose prerogative is to raise alarm where imperfection of any reigning government is being discovered.

We want to crave the indulgence of Oyo state government through you sir, to the appalling insecurity menaces bedeviling, disrupting, plaguing the well-being of Ibarapa land and the peace of its people.

Need we remind of you of how gruesomely the noticeable herbal medicine practicioner, Alhaji Yusuf, fondly called Oko Oloyun was murdered along Igboora-Eruwa road by unsuspected gunmen last month. This heartbreaking incidence is causing those people who make the murdered soul their reckon when it comes to financial catering of their affairs, and his parents are there wallowing tears everyday, as it remains, till tomorrow, saddening commentary seeing the grave of their illustrious son, who in his lifetime had promise to make life comfortable for them by spending the rest of their life in luxury.
Oko Oloyun was a benevolent soul that no success-aiming state like Oyo should loose, especially in the time like this.

Similar excruciating assassination was that of an Idere-born young businessman, Mr. Nurudeen Baleri. He was slain last year on his way to where he found means of livelihood by suspected herdsmen. You need to be there at a point of time when he was about to be buried amidst of tears in his residence at Idere, and see how shocking, heartbreaking, despicable and unfortunately it was for his wives, parents and families watching their golden son being taken away to be buried with his glossy future and yet to fulfilled purposes. It is still like a dream to countless people who believe Baleri should still be doing fine in the next 80years.

We once heard the security agencies were on top of his case then, but I can ascertain that all there pledges to bring the perpetrators of this villainous act to book and face the full wrath of law ended in futility.

Who knows if we have not been loosing the upcoming commissioners, governors, president and top administrative officers to the massacres?

People of Ibarapa land are now sleeping with half eyes closed and half widely opened to watch over their priceless properties from being surreptitiously taken away by bandits.

We have people of considerable refinement living comfortably outside the country, willing to come home and build our state with what they have acquired with erudition, but the bloodlust growing rapidly in the psychopathic, mentally-deranged assailants frightens them, and they however continue to watch misfortunes thriving in the pacesetter state mouth agape.

Your Excellency sir, for how long do we have to continue bearing these insufferable occurrences impoverishing IBARAPA as a region?

We decry evils befalling us day by day and I drive you forward to take up with responsive mechanisms by intensifying the security and policing means in the state. Deploy as many as possible valiant and indomitable securities to Ibarapa land for the safety, progress and success of the community and its people.

Lastly sir, see earnestly to our request and come up with decisive action to curb the imperfections debasing your governance through insecurity. You have started well, we pray you end well and live to give testimonies thereafter your reign as the Executive governor of Oyo State.

Yours in governance,

Signed

COM. OGUNJOBI FERANMI OLADIMEJI
FIBSA National President

SEN. OGUNLOWO SOJI ADEREMI

FIBSA National Senate President

A former National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alh. Lamidi Mukaila Auxillary has been appointed to head the Park Manager Committee.

This was pronounced by the Oyo State Government on Monday at the inauguration of the Motor park managers.

These park managers are to manage the affairs of motor parks in the state after the State government had proscribed the NURTW for months.

Details later.

The Oyo State command has reacted to the inciting trending video on social media to at to peace and security in Oyo State which featured the erstwhile Chairman, Alh. Abideen Olajide a.k.a “Ejiogbe” and some other members of the proscribed NURTW in Oyo State.

As contained in a press release made available to oyomind.com.ng and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Fadeyi Olugbenga, the commissioner of police warned all the warring factions of the proscribed union to maintain peace and sheath their worth and a from any action that is capable of threatening the peace and security being enjoyed by the peace-loving good people of Oyo State.

“The attention of the Commissioner of Police, CP Shina T. Olukolu psc(+) has been drawn to an inciting trending video on social media on the threat to peace and security in Oyo State which featured the erstwhile chairman, Alh. Abideen Olajide a.k.an “Ejiogbe” and some other members of the proscribed NURTW in Oyo State.

“The Commissioner of Police wishes to unequivocally and sternly warn all the warring factions of the proscribed union to maintain peace and sheath their swords and abstain from any action that is capable of threatening the peace and security being enjoyed by the peace-loving good people of Oyo State.

“The Police, as the lead agency in internal security, in synergy with all other sister security agencies will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of the protection of lives and properties amongst others and will therefore not fold its arms and allow any disgruntled individuals or groups to take the laws into their hands and cause chaos or mayhem.

“The appointment of the pack managers should therefore not be misrepresented. It is simply a call to service and does not call for any form of celebrations or funfair neither should it be an excuse for an orchestrated agenda to foment lawlessness and disunity.

“The Commissioner of Police, therefore, wishes to admonish all the Stakeholders, leaders and the entire peace-loving good citizens of Oyo State to complement the efforts of the security agencies in the maintenance of law and order by prevailing on the proscribed members of the NURTW in Oyo State to desist from stoking/fanning the embers of chaos, lawlessness, and disorder, that has the capacity to take the state back to the ancient destructive days of “Wetie”.

“As the Police assisted by others strive to continue to provide adequate security both within and outside Ibadan metropolis, all aggrieved parties, are seriously warned to refrain from any act(s) or cause of action that may lead to the breakdown of laws and order, lawlessness, shedding of innocent blood, injuries or damages to properties.

“Consequently, all criminally minded hoodlums/ individuals or groups who are bent on causing mayhem are hereby warned to stay clear from the motor parks or garages in Oyo State as the Police will not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the law on such individuals or groups who attempts to test the collective will of the security agencies in Oyo State.

“The good citizens of Oyo State are however assured of their safety and advised to go about their lawful businesses in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility devoid of any molestation or threat whatsoever.” He said.

“One of the major lessons life has taught me is that human beings can be so complex, unpredictable and at times, vicious. One needs the grace of God to be able to survive and succeed in life. In my life, I have never killed a fowl, I can’t kill it, I will be shaking, let alone human being. Yet, in the run up to the 2015 vice chancellorship contest, someone alleged that I was after his life. I was too shocked and shattered by the allegation. That is human being for you”

These were the words of the University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka who turns 62 today when this writer had an exclusive interview with him in his expansive office. He spoke further on the nature of human beings. Hear him: “unlike machines that will give you straight forward answers when you press the right buttons, if you present the same body of facts to ten different people, you will get ten different reactions. This may be as a result of their background, ideologies and orientations. All I know is that you cannot predict human beings”. There can be no argument about the fact that Prof. Olayinka is a wonder to watch. He lives without pretending. He acts in a fashion of a gentleman, bearing the burden of leadership, with all its stress and distress stoically in his strides.

Like him or loathe him, he remains truthful. Perhaps to underscore his preference for transparency and accountability, he is quick to declassify and disclose needed information, insisting that he has nothing to hide. That is his routine conduct. Interestingly, since he became the UI VC in 2015, nobody has ever accused him of malfeasance, including stealing the university money. He is honest to a fault. But, steadily, his tenure comes to an end this year in November.

However, as asserted by the American author, John Maxwell, “leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower. This assertion rings so loud in the life of Prof. Olayinka. He loves to assist and empower young people to grow, particularly young scholars. There have been various testimonies about his interest in using his power to lift people. This he does regularly without any intention to attract applause. When he was the Dean of the then Post Graduate School, now Post Graduate College, he assisted quite a number of people who would have otherwise been frustrated by the bottleneck in the system.

Recently, a young scholar, Dr Ayodele John Alonge of the Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies has this to say, “Prof Olayinka is very accommodating and compassionate. My first contact with him was in 2014 when I was to obtain study leave approval. Out of his busy schedules as DVC Academic then, he created time to listen to me and he recommended my Study leave for my CARTA sponsored Ph.D. in Kenya. Two years after, I had another opportunity to have a close interaction with Prof Olayinka at the CARTA’s Vice Chancellors’ meeting at the University of Nairobi, Kenya in July 2018”

“I observed that Prof. Olayinka was accommodating, unpretentious in his relationship with people even subordinates like me. He created a friendly atmosphere for close discussion ranging from academic , politics and currents affairs. During our contact in Nairobi, he asked if I would like to move from being an academic Librarian to becoming a Lecturer, that he saw that I would be more suitable in that career path. I eagerly responded in the affirmative. On December 1 when I defended my Ph.D., I received a congratulatory message from him and that I should see him on my return to Nigeria to formalize my transfer. And he made it possible for me to move to the LARIS department as a Lecturer”

Indeed, the way Prof. Olayinka manages power, principle and pragmatism is not only amazing but breath-taking as he has no time for egoistic vanity. He molly-coddles everyone, showing respect to all and sundry. If management is doing things right and leadership is doing the right things, then Prof. Olayinka could be said to be doing everything right with his leadership position. He is witty. He can also pass for a humour-merchant extraordinaire. One of his long-standing friends, Dr Gani Adeniran could not have been wrong describing him as a man who brings out extra-ordinariness to showcase his professional prowess, Dr Adeniran who has been the VC’s friend since 1971 insisted that Prof. Olayinka’s sterling strides were remarkable in UI.

Again, one of the remarkable attributes of Prof. Olayinka is his writing ability. He is a Geologist-turned prose stylist. Those who follow him on social media will attest to the fact that he writes with flair and felicity. At every convocation ceremony, the VC delivers beautiful speeches with accuracy, facts and fluency. The best way to write, according to scholars, is to read and write. This is his cutting edge. He reads widely. Perhaps this is one of the lessons this social-media generation can learn from the life of Prof. Olayinka. He is an incurable epistemophile, a bibliophile of uncommon standing. He once confessed that there were times he read for six hours non-stop.

Assessing him, his Deputy on Administration, Prof. Kayode Adebowale and DVC (Academic) Prof. Adebowale Babatunde Ekanola as well as the immediate past Director of Distance Learning Centre, Prof. Oyesoji Aremu were unanimous in their opinion that the VC has been giving the university quality leadership that has greatly lifted the institution. They praised Prof. Olayinka for providing leadership with human face.

University is a universal city with a diversity of students and lecturers. Some call it a city with an organized chaos, thriving on intellectual dissent and disagreement. Leading such a critical city requires the legendary Wisdom of Solomon. However, Prof. Olayinka’s strength in this case lies in his reticence. He rules largely by body language. Those of us working with him have had to learn his body language. He does not need to talk before you know his mindset. In other words, he is a man of few words.

He goes about in a self-effacing manner. Prof. Olayinka moves around to personally inspect on-going projects on campus with a missionary zeal. Since 2016, his leadership has been organizing Research and Development Fair which is a way of bringing the gown and town together. Again, last year, the university organised a Small and Medium Enterprises Summit. It was quite innovative. His administration has also facilitated access to students’ transcript in a seamless manner.

But has there been a day of regrets since he became the VC? He replied, “There will always be frustration. Ordinarily, it is not good to always have everything moving on without hiccups, I applied for this job. I never expected that it would be a bed of roses, I am not a super-human being. Another person could have done it differently. My mother used to tell me that it is not good to have everything so smooth. So , I have learnt to take the rough with the rough”

Born at odo-Ijesa, Osun State on 16th February 1958, Prof. Olayinka attended St. Bartholomew’s Primary School, Odo-Ijesa, from 1964 to 1969. He was admitted into the famous Ilesa Grammar School in January 1970 and completed his West Africa Secondary School Certificate in 1975, in Division one. He entered the University of Ibadan in 1977/1978 to study geology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.sc) degree (2nd class Honours, Upper Division) in 1981, and he was the best graduating student in his class.

He proceeded to the United Kingdom for postgraduate studies in September 1983, first at Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London. He earned an MSc degree in Geophysics of the University subsequently received the Overseas Research Students’ Award from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of United Kingdom Universities (now Universities UK); he utilised this scholarship at the University of Birmingham for his Ph.D. research in Applied Geophysics which he completed in April, 1988.

As he marks his 62nd birthday today, one can only wish him more years of success and prosperity in the years ahead. Happy birthday sir, a boss and mentor like no other.

Saanu (08059436919) is Media Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan
Email: sundaysaanu@gmail.com

Songs of praise filled the air as the constituents of Oluyole Federal Constituency rejoiced as their Representative surprised them with what they called a huge empowerment initiative

Honourable Tolu Akande Sadipe-K the representative of the moment as she distributed Deep Freezers worth millions to her constituents at her constituency office on Friday 14th February 2020.

The beneficiaries were selected across all the wards in Oluyole Federal Constituency. Beneficiaries included APC members, Communities, widows etc. within Oluyole Local Government.

Hon. You Sadipe in her speech implored the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity as there are lots of people out there who wished to be beneficiaries today.

“I want to believe that our beneficiaries are aware that a lot of people would love to be a beneficiary today. It is your turn today and theirs will come tomorrow, as no stone will be left untouched to drive socio economic empowerment opportunities. On the 18th and 19th of this month, there will be an agricultural training and empowerment opportunity for farmers. This will also hold at the constituency office.”

“I am opportuned to access this materials and I have brought them home for our people to reiterate my commitment to my people and my promises to enhance the socio economic situation within our communities.”

All Progressive Congress (APC) State Secretary, Alhaji Mojeed Oloya in his address urged the beneficiaries not to sell the freezer presented to them.

He said “In the history of Oluyole politics, Hon. Akande-Sadipe was the first woman to occupy this seat and the first to consistently put smiles on the faces of her people. He commended her and cautioned her to stay true to her commitment to her people.

He also cautioned the recipients not to sell as they will get better value from running businesses tied to the gifts, as they were long term sources of revenue. He gave examples of past beneficiaries whose businesses had grown because they kept the empowerment item and used it as a base to start a business.

Also In attendance were Apc Oyo State Vice Chairman Hon Lekan Adeyemo, Apc Oyo State Woman leader Madam Williams.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Deborah Akere, while speaking with the press expressed how happy she was to have been deemed worthy by APC as a beneficiary.

“I am so happy to be part of the beneficiaries today. Like we have always been told, it is turn by turn and today mine has come.

” I want to sincerely thank Hon Sadipe for this wonderful empowerment, The other beneficiaries and I are grateful and we promise to make good use of this gift”

It is no more news that the Oyo State Government has begun the recruitment of teachers into Primary and Secondary Schools through the State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

The recruitment process which initially started with the collection of forms by hand at various TESCOM offices situated at each zone and the state TESCOM office was greeted with a lot of controversies forced the government to come up with an online portal.

Many applicants were confused about the Genuity of the form as some applicants still have the forms collected at TESCOM.

According to the information posted at the TESCOM office on Friday, applicants are now expected to submit only the downloaded form starting from Monday 17th, February 2019.

Applicants are hereby enjoined to take note of the new development.

A member of Federal House of Representatives, Honourable Olaide Musiliu Akinremi representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency in his usual way has disbursed free Jamb forms for students in his constituents.

This is part of his promises made during the electioneering process that no stone will be left untouched and that if given the mandate to serve in this capacity, there will be continuity of activities in abundance to what he has been doing.

Prior to the election, Hon. Akinremi through his Prince Akinremi Foundation have taken education as priority because he believes and knows that education is key to national development.

Not less than 200 Free Jamb forms was distributed to indigent students in Ibadan North Local Government while some forms were extended to some neighbouring local governments situated within Oyo South.

Hon. Akinremi had earlier organized a standardized and well effective tutorial classes for students, which was to prepare them for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and UTME.

As a trustworthy representative, this is just a tip of the promises made as he is work all round the clock that the dividends of democracy reached the nooks and crannies of his constituency without placing anyone over another.

Like the usual way of our politicians, during electioneering process especially, that no election is worth the life of any citizen, whether they mean it or otherwise, we don’t know, same principle should then be followed for employment opportunities, as no job is worth the life of any applicant.

First, I want to commend Governor Seyi Makinde for deeming it fit to employ more teachers and making it absolutely free, just 9months into his adminstration after he had put a stop to PTA levy and sessional stipends introduced by the past administration.

Ever since the government made that decision to stop the #3000 payments, our schools are obviously in a state of mishap as a result of the laying off of PTA teachers who are incharge of key subjects in some schools, if not many. You will all have to agree with me that, the recruitment exercise is important and timely.

Since the announcement of the recruitment exercise by His Excellency through the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), thousands of unemployed graduates have been in a state of uncertainty and disarray, these helpless citizens would have the utmost pity of any eyewitness, as the helter skelter running, and the leaving of their comfort homes very early, staying under the very scorching sun and end up not getting the forms at the end of the day. This was witnessed in the first day of form collection.

It took the efforts of some innocent citizens to called the attention of the government to the fact that the 21st century employment should not be manual, hence, the manual and archaic method need to stop.

As a listening Governor that Engr Makinde claims to be, a directive was made that an online portal should be created to ease the applicants off stress. Isn’t he a listening Governor?

To the people’s dismay, the online portal as created by the state government for the teachers’ is a tale of twelve and half a dozen as there is no difference between the manual and the said digitalization.

And I begin to ask, who are those in charge of this recruitment? I hope we are not putting a barber in a tailor’s shop?

When it was expected that the online portal should serve as a means to ease people off stress, to enable them access the form from the comfort of their homes, fill and submit while necessary documents are attached to it.

Sadly, the provision made by the government according to the portal is that applicant can only get to download application form then still go through a rigorous process of submitting it manually to the state TESCOM office or a nearby one close to their zone. Who does that?

The state government should be bold enough to take a stand, whether to allow the masses that voted massively for them go through the archaic method or they digitalize it fully. Trying to play on the masses intelligence by asking them to download and fill form by hand is an act of betrayal and a means to showcasing how their government lacks human face.

Now, we all need to take a stand, that Oyo Teachers’ Recruitment should be applied for ONLINE only while COLLECTION of FORMS at various TESCOM offices should be BANNED or the government keeps their job.