Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) at the weekend trained over fifty commercial motorists on road safety regulations and measures to curb traffic accidents on major road in the state.

The training, organized in conjunction with the Institute of Road Transport Workers, Oyo State Chapter was aimed at producing better and cautious drivers across the State to reducing road accidents on the State’s highways.

The State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) commenced the special training session for drivers and motorists drawn across the State on Road Safety, Signs, Rules and Regulations as well as defensive driving in line with the constitutional responsibilities of the agency enshrined in the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority Law, 2009 in sections 16 (a, d, f, n, o, p).

The Chairman of OYRTMA, Mogaji Akin Fagbemi while addressing beneficiaries of the 1st batch of the training at the OYRTMA headquarters in Ibadan, charged them to seize the opportunity to learn as much as possible so as to be good ambassadors of the Transport Institute and that of OYRTMA.

He further implored them to put into use all lessons that would be learnt in the course of the training, saying “this training is for the benefit of all road users to be abreast of the rules and regulations guiding the usage of highways and driving in Oyo State.

“We are working to put the incidents of traffic accidents to the lowest degree and make the State a good example to others in the area of traffic regulation compliance and discipline.”

The intention to empower commercial motorists in the State was also disclosed as the government partnered with Sterling Bank Plc., to float a Micro-Bus Empowerment Scheme to further reduce the level of unemployment and poverty in the State.

Participants at the training are expected to be part of the Micro-Bus Empowerment Scheme championed by the Institute of Road Transport Workers in conjunction with Sterling Bank Plc., which would commence soon.

Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Hon. Kehinde Ayoola has said that the West Africa Energy, which operated under the name Solous MRF. 1 Ltd. has failed in its performance under the contract it signed with Oyo State Government.

The Commisoner while revealing the new development in his office on Saturday, said the government has revoked it’s contractual agreement with the company due to the fact that the company was found to be in material breach of the contractual terms.

The Commissioner cites instances that the State capital, Ibadan, has experienced unbearable heaps of refuse in the last four weeks, saying the company has not lived up to expectations in cleaning the city.

He said, Oyo State Government being the main employer of the contractor, has deemed it fit to relieve West Africa Energy of its duties, so as to ensure efficient waste management in the State.

Hon. Kehinde Ayoola thereby assured residents, that the State Government was taking holistic measures to ensure the State experiences a turn-around in the environmental sector, as well as, creating wealth from wastes.

He also revealed that the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has appointed a Chairman for the Oyo State Waste Management Authority, in the person of Prince Seun Adelore, who will see to the day to day running of the disposal mechanism in the State, under the supervision of his office.

It would be recalled that Oyo State Government reached a partnership agreement with West Africa Energy in 2016, with the past administration in the State.

Oyo State government through the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ojemuyiwa Jacob Ojekunle has charged the Butchers’ Association of Nigeria (BAN), Oyo State chapter, to ensure strict compliance with the state government’s directive to members to operate at government-designated centres at the Central Abattoir, in Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan.

The disclosure was made at the weekend during a stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the State Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.

The Commisoner added that the directive was in the best interest of the citizenry who consume meat daily without knowing the source or the process that produced the meat for consumption.

Mr. Ojemuyiwa Jacob Ojekunle, while addressing the stakeholders, stated, that the government was interested in the well-being of the people which necessitated the need for enforcement of environmental and food hygiene.

“The regulations guiding butchering and meat processing in the State are in place, so is the law that every butcher must do this at the central abattoir at Akinyele until other ones are in place.

“The health and well-being of the people are paramount to the government and we will not joke with the adherence, nobody should violate this, it is for our own good.”
He stated that the state has food vendors scattered across the state and it is important to ensure that meat supplies into the society by members of butchers association are produced under the most hygienic condition to guarantee safety of all consumers.

“Strict compliance to the directive is important as it will among other things help the State government manage data of the market operators in order to block all financial leakages emanating from saboteurs who would not comply with government directives,” he said.

By Kayode Ejidiran Aluta Kay

” Let nobody fool you,all the loud noises we hear today are nothing but the death groans of the dying system. The old order is passing away,the new order is coming into being. But whenever there is anything new there are new responsibilities. As we think of this coming new world we must think of the challenge that we confront and the new responsibilities that stand before us. We must prepare to live in a new world.”

INTRODUCTION

Greatest Nigeria Students, we salute your sense of forbearance and fortitude in this epochal season of attacks from all fronts on Nigerian Students, vis victimization of student activists on our campuses and the astronomical increment in fees payable on all our campus,among many others.
NANS as the most virile and vibrant association and the largest Student’s apex body in Africa has an historical and generational role which it was been playing from time immemorial as seen in the noble and enviable record of our NANS history and it becomes fundamental that we continue struggle scientifically in order to sustain and maintain our revolutionary pride as an association in the comity of others.

Over the past few months, I have been in the trenches,sleeves rolled up,cuffs drawn and having the privilege of God,I have pushed on with the NANS SUSTAINING THE MISSION TO REBUILD AGENDA. I have been at sea for weeks and I have shared my concerns with too many people and I have made it clear that my aspiration is driven by collective purpose. I have had the fortune to interact with many who like me, are truly worried about our prospects as a student and as member of National Association of Nigerian Students.

The stakes are high,the stones are not good, the problems we face are real,merely recounting the travails that Students,in the multitude have to undergo is painful,astronomical increment in fees payable, victimization of Students Union leader’s among others. We have written at length on the issues on various social media platform ,we have spoken in different campuses, senate sitting, public and private transporters and the privacy of out thought.

My interaction with distinguished numbers of Nigerian Students across the Zones of our dear Association convince me beyond doubt that they are all feeling what I am feeling as regard our dear Association purported hijack by old generation.
I strongly believe you all understand that our generation is well equipped, experienced and intelligent enough to lead NANS in this era which necessitate collective call for a chance yo showcase our leadership prowess as Young cadre in struggle.

My aspiration is borne out of passion to correct bad impression about our generation as Youth and Student who had been a victim of misconception and perceived not ready to lead following poor coordination of our activities and misinterpretation of students. We must see my aspiration as generational battle ,it is not all about KAYODE EJIDIRAN as a person but it is now all about our generation in struggle as young breeds with clear vision,purposeful, reasoning and intelligentsia determination to rebuild our dear NANS to an enviable standard.

Surely, many politicking will come, financial inducement will follow, intimidation and harassment will join but with our resolution as young revolutionaries we shall deliver our agenda against all odds. Keep faith with me as I won’t let you down as your fellow radical ideologist in the struggle.

OUR AGENDA

I am not here to share with you list of programmes but to share with you a vision and a dream of taking NANS to a greater heights.

The cardinal mission trust of my leadership will be to do everything within my capacity to restore the dignity glory and image of NANS and one of the ways I intended to achieve that was by shifting the fulcrum of NANS operations back to the campuses which in my opinion and perhaps inarguably are the main cauldrons of activism and Student Unionism. It is of capital essence we rebuild the image and integrity of NANS to regain her position as true Pressure group,Voice of the Voiceless, Hope of the common Student and true representative of teeming Nigerian Students by reactivating all working relationship with other key stakeholders, agencies and Unions in Education sector (ASUU,NLC,ASUP,NBTE,COEASU etc)

The need is obvious just as the will is physically express in me and my determination to make NANS WORK AGAIN as an ideological base Association. The provision of NANS generally acceptable charter of demand of 1984 Article 39,Part 1 of the schedules recognized only three zones in NANS. Zone A (Sokoto, Kano,Kaduna and Niger), Zone B(Rivers,Cross River, Bendel, Imo, and Anambra) and Zone C (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Plateau, Benue, Borneo, Kwara, and Gongola).
This is not ordinary archaic working document but insult on the generality of Nigerian Students intelligence, intellectualism and ideology, if elected as President of NANS as a Young Passionate Revolutionary Student, I will update the document using the Senate and the Zonal Coordinator expedite the process to birth new Constitution for the Nigerian Students.

Just as the charter of demands itemized, our struggle shall be purely student and masses oriented, I will not only redeem the image but restructure the association to survive on new foundation. NANS must change look,the image rebranding has started by the present leadership, my complementary effort and robust restructuring antics for our Association will change Public perception about us as Student Leaders in Nigeria an NANS as association in country.

MASS BASED AND DEMOCRATIC NANS

We shall launch a programme of periodic symposia, rallies, seminars, talk shops on NANS programme and national and international issues in order to make NANS mass based and to increase our member’s level of consciousness, awareness, programmes,participation and mobilization.

QUALITATIVE AND FREE EDUCATION- We shall embark on an effective grassroots mobilization of Nigerian Students to defend their legitimate right to free and qualitative education as well as having in place a well organised resistance against government agenda of mass retrenchment of Nigerian students from schools through introduction of hike in school fees and other forms of education commercialization, wholesale and gradual.

INDEPENDENT UNIONISM AND REINSTATEMENT OF ALL UNJUSTLY EXPELLED STUDENTS- We shall promote and support independent unionism in all campuses across the zones as a way of defending students rights and also committed to the reinstatement of all unjustly suspended and expelled students across the Zones.

The Generational Mandate is a course we must not failed to deliver as Young Breed in NANS,the conspiracy net of the old generation may be tick but it can never catch our fish just because we are the shark in the ocean of struggle. Let keep faith as it always impossible until its done. Our Generation must advance from being a perpetual follower,it is out time to leads NANS of Genuine Students to Greatness.
It is time for us to lead, let the old entrust us with power for the first and see the true definition of loyalty with ideological progression.

The world is different now. From man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human intimidation and victimization. And get the sane revolutionary beliefs for which our forefathers bears fought are still at issue around the Association.
We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from time to place ,to friend and for alike,that torch has been passed to a new generation of students born in this era.Let everyone knows ,whether it wishes us well,that we shall pay any price ,bear and burden, meet any hardship and friend, oppose any to assure the survival and the liberation of NANS.

My conscience will not let me rest if I don’t come clear to tell you that the fays ahead will be tough and demand a lot from me and the greatest demand will be of the greater helpless majority of Nigerian Students_ than to align with narrow selfish interest of the opportunistic minority. I see the battle to liberate the fate of NANS that may be imperiled by the actions of some people and the grave consequences of same, I will rise up and speak up. I will not conspire or be a traitor against the thousands who took up to some of us for a secure future in a life resting on assurances of a greater tomorrow.

Although, in the Hand of NANS Peer Brokers and the Deciding Factors, I may not be the most preferred candidate, but surely amongst my Generation, contemporaries and lover of better Student oriented NANS,I remain the Best Option. In appealing time to strike balance between the duo,I remain the Best Alternative to promise Land,where NANS of our Dream shall Become a Reality.

I sincerely hope you join me in the task of building a viable future full of hope._ _I thank you most sincerely for your understanding and anticipated support.

I truly look forward to meet with and engage all of you one on again. Such time present me the opportunity to say my thanks in person and receive the assurances of your support and blessings. I can go no further than I am lifted and placed by your collective efforts and support.

Team KAYODE EJIDIRAN FOR PRESIDENT OF NANS
09060763136
Kayodeejidiran@gmail.com

A former Oyo State House of Representatives member who represented Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency at the 8th National Assembly, Hon. Dapo Lam Adesina on Thursday announced the disbursement of another set of bursary to students of Ibadan North East/South East Federal Constituency.

Hon. Dapo Lam Adesina while speaking with OYOMIND.COM.NG shortly after a radio programme, disclosed that Monday 11th November, 2019 will make it 7years that Late (Alh.) Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina left this world and that the annual bursary will be disbursed to students in his commemoration.

He then said that forms have been handed over to the representative of students to reach out to their members and he hopes that the forms are returned earlier so as to inform the would be beneficiaries as soon as he gets feed back from them.

Hon. Dapo Lam who expressed his feelings on how much he missed his father said that, he listen to how people commend Lam-Adesina ‘s good work day in day out and he is always moved that his father could not live to see this himself.

“I missed the great Lam so much but it would have been better if all that people say about his good work are said to his face to see how best he had performed to ensure good lives and dividends of democracy get to the nooks and crannies of the state as a governor even though some of these achievements are visible to me.

“As we listen to people make several comments about him, myself and other members of the family feel elated and this makes us to miss him more.

Late Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina was a former governor of Oyo State from 1999-2003 under the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday summoned the Commisoner for Energy, Barr. Seun Asamu over the spate of unconnected transformers in Oyo State.

The commisoner who was accompanied by the Ag. General Manager, Oyo State Rural Electrification Board and Directors of the Oyo State Ministry of Energy took his time to explain to the House that the Ministry and its Agencies had done their findings on the transformers and discovered- amongst others- the following: [i] the transformers in question were procured by previous Administrations; [ii] the distribution of the transformers was riddled with ‘mismatch’ issues i.e. incorrect capacity transformers being supplied to the wrong area (based on the power line serving that area); [iii] efforts to ‘swap’ transformers was met with mistrust by the communities in question; [iv] efforts had been made under previous Administrations to energise the transformers but unfortunately these efforts didn’t see the light of day.

He however informed the House of the ministry’s efforts- planned and underway- towards securing Government and alternative funding/connection options, and their determination that same will yield fruit, to ensure power provision for as many residents in Oyo state as possible.

He also briefed the House on some of the Ministry’s other plans and efforts towards providing and facilitating good quality and quantity of power to Oyo state residents, thereby providing a better quality of life and business.

He there assured the House that this Ministry under the Governor Seyi Makinde Administration will continue to work in a focused and determined manner in this regard.

The Oyo State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde host the Oyo South Senatorial District Stakeholders’ Engagement on the 2020 Annual Budget, at Ogunlesi Hall, University College Hospital Ibadan this afternoon.

This meeting which is first of its kind under the State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning where the government will be listening to the people of Oyo State in a bid to prepare a budget that will be most suited to their needs and overall development of the state.

Governor Makinde in his remark said that he hopes this engagement will improve the performance of the budget and sustain the developmental objectives of this administration.

“I hope that this engagement will improve the performance of the budget and sustain the developmental objectives of this administration. I want to assure you that your feedback and views will be given due consideration.

Other town hall meetings with hold in the other two senatorial district this month he said.

The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan today held her congregation elections into the Governing Council and Board of Studies at Assembly Hall, The Polytechnic Ibadan.

In the keenly contested election, OYOMIND.COM.NG gathered that a total of 983 and 1291 votes was recorded for Governing Council and Board of Studies respectively.

The results of the elections are as follows.

Result in Respect of Congregation Elections for the Representatives into the Governing Council

1. FANTOLA, Jubril Oluwatoyin 213 votes
2. OLADOJA, Sule Akande 287 votes
3. OLALERE, Samuel Aderemi 278 votes
4. OMOLE, Elizabeth Adewumi (Mrs.) 205 votes

Result in Respect of Congregation Elections for the Representatives into the Board of Studies

1. ABIMBOLA, Latifat Adebisi 208 votes
2. ADENIRAN, Abiodun .A. (Engr.) 210 votes
3. AKANO, Tirimisiyu 220 votes
4. AKERE, Abiodun Olalere 216 votes
5. FAJEMIROYE, Joseph Ademola
6. OYEBOLA, Toyin Monsurat (Mrs.) 219 votes.

The results were duly signed by the agents to the candidates.

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has said that the local governments resources will not be hijacked under his watch stressing that he will rule with the fear of God.

Governor Makinde stated this at the 7th Quandrennial States Delegates Conference of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyo State Branch held at Saki.

Governor Seyi Makinde who spoke through his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan said he will ensure Local Governments in the state are independent, stressing that autonomy of LGAs in the state is inevitable. He said if the dividend of democracy will be extended to the grassroot, it should be through the LGAs autonomy adding that they are the nearest to the people at the grassroot.

He therefore pledged that his administration will not in anyway impose on any Local Government, but will allow them to perform their civil duty accordingly.

He reiterated that his government is workers’ friendly, therefore he will not do anything that will hinder the welfare of workers in the state.

The State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress and President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo, in his welcome address commended Governor Makinde for his giant strides at ensuring a new Oyo state, pledging that NULGE will be forever grateful to the Seyi Makinde’s administration.

He revealed that, in just few months of the present administration, about #11b has been in the Local Governments’ coffers.

The NULGE President who pledged the support of the union to the Governor thereby urged his administration to consider training for its members as this will improve their productivity.

The Government of Oyo State on Wednesday through the office of the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Works and Transport, Prof Raphael Afonja clarified how it arrived at the new cost of the all-important Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin road.

Prof. Afonja stated that the new contract was a clear departure from the rehabilitation contract given out at the cost of N7 billion by the administration of the immediate past Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

He indicated that the total reconstruction of the 65-kilometre Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road was arrived at taking into consideration the extensive reviews of the components and the desire to construct a road that would withstand the test of the huge traffic on the road.

Afonja said that the cost of the new road, which is expected to be completed in 12 to 14 months, stands at N9.9 billion.

He stated that the road belongs to Oyo State and that it links the state capital with the food basket of the state, which also serves as the solid mineral belt of the state.

“The contract to be executed by KOPEK Construction Company should be of high quality, being the road linking the food basket of the state,” the statement read.

He added that some of the components of the road reviewed by the state executive council and which informed the increment in cost include the design of the project, price fluctuation, asphaltic wearing cost and adequate drainage system.

The statement quoted the Commissioner as saying: “Let me say this quickly, Moniya-Iseyin road is not a federal road but a state road. Oyo-Iseyin is the federal road. In terms of the amount, it is actually N9,929,702,66, which is approximately N9.9bn. The question that may arise is the initial award that was approximately N7bn.

“However, we have reviewed the design to make sure that the road that will be constructed for this important food basket of the state has high quality.

“We have made some changes including the design. We increased the stone base core from 150mm to about 200mm. We also changed the asphaltic wearing cost from 40mm to 50mm. We also realised there was an inadequate provision for drainage system along that road in the initial design but we have changed that to provide adequate drainage system.

“Also, we considered the fluctuation basically in terms of pricing of materials, bitumen for example. That was also factored into the new pricing. Another thing is, the road will last for, at least, minimum of 10 years.”

The statement further indicated that the immediate past government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi had, in February 2018, awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the road at the cost of N7 billion, out of which N2 billion was paid to the Contractor who could not deliver on the terms.

The contract has since been revoked by the state government which has asked the contractor to refund the bogus payment.