Religion

CAN Declares July 2 Special Day of Prayers Against Insecurity In Oyo State

By Web News 433 0

Christian Association of Nigeria, Oyo State chapter has declared that July 2, 2021 will be set aside as a day of intercession against insecurity in Oyo State and the country.

This was part of resolutions reached today, between Oyo State government and Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) during a stakeholders meeting with the Christian body in Oyo state.

During the meeting, the State Government represented by Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun and the Executive Assistant on Administration, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe and CAN agreed to go spiritual, as CAN has vowed to hold a special praise, worship and prayer session to intercede for the State.

Recall that the State Government had met with Islamic and Traditional leaders in the State, who also agreed to work with the Government to eradicate insecurity in the State.

Speaking during the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun noted that the State Government resorted in seeking the intervention of religious stakeholders in the State, to forge a new front against insecurity in the State.

“In a bid to renew our efforts against insecurity, Oyo state has been working tireless against insecurity in recent times. We have purchased needed gadgets and vehicles for security agents in the State and we will do more”, he said.

“However, we can not do it alone, we apparently need to change our strategies and work with you religious stakeholders in the state,” said Wasiu Olatunbosun at the meeting.

“We are meeting christians and Christian body for a specific reason, which is to trigger a religious war against the devilish act of banditry, abduction and insecurity in the state”.

“This government seeks to secure the state from insecurity and we will do so regardless of the state of the nation,” said Olatunbosun.

“And as we redouble our efforts, we will never allow insecurity to divide us— this is why we have engaged representatives of all religion in the State: Christian, Muslim and traditional worshippers”.

In his comment, Chairman, CAN, Oyo State chapter, Apostle (Col) Joshua Akinyemiju said the body in partnership with the Chaplain of the State Government house will commence a powerful intercession for the State.

“Yes, insecurity is not exclusive to Oyo State, but we believe as Christians, we will not give in. We will intensify our efforts to pull down the strong hold of the enemy”, he said.

The CAN Chairman however berated those promulgating falsehood that the State Government has neglected Christian or Islamic bodies, rather seeking only traditional means.

“We are glad this meeting is coming up today. This strategy by the State Government is commendable and we thank the Government for inviting us”, he said.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, Ph.D.,

Hon. Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

Politics

Oyo Government Adopts Report on Review of Ajimobi’s Government Contracts

By Web News 668 0

Oyo State Government has adopted the report of the committee set up to review projects and contracts signed between 2017 and 2019 by the last administration in the state.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun stated this after the state’s weekly executive council meeting.

Dr Olatubosun explained that the report would help the about-to-be-inaugurated state anti-corruption agency bring to book individuals involved in acts inimical to economic growth of the state.

The Commissioner also said the council approved the procurement of new truck-mounted rigs with Compressor to further promote the administration’s drive towards the provision of portable water to the people at the sum of about 107 million naira.

Iyabo Adebisi

Health

Covid-19: Oyo State Government Begins Mass Testing

By Web News 1237 0

Oyo State government has commenced community mass testing for Covid-19.

The community testing began in the three local government areas of Lagelu, Oluyole and Ibadan South East.

Commissioner for Information, Oyo State (in blue, @ the foreground) Dr Wasiu Olatubosun at St Stephen’s Anglican Primary School, Alegongo, Akobo Ojurin one of the venues of the Mass testing

Speaking at the flag-off, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun who noted that the state had tested over 3000 persons, said the mass testing would assist government on the exact data to work with to determine other ways to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Some of the health workers taking samples at St Stepen Anglican Primary School, Alegongo, Akobo Ojurin Venue of the Mass testing

Dr Olatunbosun however said government would take over responsibilities of people who might end up with positive results. 

State Coordinator of Emergency Operation Center in the state, Dr Olabode Oladipo said the community testing became imperative in view of increasing cases of Coronavirus in the state.

Caretaker Chairman, Lagelu Local Government, Mr Gbadamosi Kazeem urged residents of the council to take advantage of the testing to know their status early.

Some of the participants commended the Oyo State government for the initiative.

The mass testing which targets 10000 people is to guide government on other areas to look into in its bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the state.

Iyabo Adebisi

Politics

Oyo Govt. Approves Law Enforcing Social Distancing

By Web News 748 0

Oyo State Executive Council has approved a law to provide a legal framework for the recommendations of the state task force on Coronavirus disease in the state.

The regulation tagged “Oyo state Coronavirus Disease Emergency Regulation 2020” would give legal backing to the ban on social activities and enforcement of social distancing to guide against the spread of Covid-19 in the state.

Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of State Executive Council meeting held through social media platforms chaired by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Professor Oyewo said the law which revolved around extant laws would prevent security operatives from infringing on the fundamental human rights of individuals and punish offenders adding that the law would further boost the activities of the task force. 

Also, Oyo State government has intensified efforts to establish Energy Centre of Excellence to boost the social and economic development of the state.

Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun explained that the state government has shown its readiness to establish the centre through effective collaboration with the Finnish government.

Similarly, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa said the proposed Energy Centre of Excellence would provide much-needed electricity through various dams with a view to boosting the economy of the state.

Iyabo Adebisi

Politics

Stakeholders Stress Need For More Awareness On FOI Act

By Web News 683 0

Participants at a stakeholders meeting on the Freedom of Information, FOI Act have advocated adequate sensitization campaign on the application of the act to enable members of the public make their political officeholders accountable.

The programme organized by the Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, which had in attendance stakeholders from ministries, department and agencies was organized to evaluate the successes of the act and its impact on national development.

While some of the stakeholders blamed the inadequacies in the implementation of FOI act on lack of awareness, ignorance, faulty judicial processes and long bureaucracy involved in accessing government information, others believed Nigerians needed more reorientation on their nonchalant attitude to laws and government policies. 

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FOI-ACT-AWARENESS-INS-1.mp3

They also suggested that a desk office is created in all MDAs that will take care of the requests from members of the public on government information for easy access. 

A cross-section of stakeholders at the sensitisation programme

In an address, Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun who reiterated the determination of the Governor Seyi Makinde-led-administration to be more accountable, said the state government would soon embark on Stakeholders Town-Hall meetings geared towards disseminating government programmes as well as receiving people’s opinion and needs in their communities. 

Dr Olatunbosun noted that no meaningful development can take place in any society if leaders are not accountable to their followers. 

While highlighting some clauses in the FOI act passed into law in 2011, a resource person, Miss Tirenioluwa Ibitoye said though every Nigerian has the right to Freedom of Information, there are certain exemptions to the act especially on information that may jeopardize the operations of security agencies or injurious to the development of the country. 

https://radionigeriaibadan.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FOI-ACT-AWARENESS-INS-2.mp3

Earlier in a welcome address, the state director NOA, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu said the agency will continue to sensitize the public on key provisions of the FOI act and how it can be used to promote good governance. 

The agency also used the opportunity of the stakeholders meeting to sensitize participants on preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus. 

Mosope Kehinde

Education

Oyo Govt. set to Reintroduce Open-Day in Public Primary Schools

By Web News 633 0

Oyo State Government has announced plans to reintroduce Open-day system in public primary schools across the State.

Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said this during his State-wide interactive session with Head-teachers, recently.

Dr. Adeniran opined that Open-day, when introduced will give parents the opportunity to visit their children in schools, where they would get first-hand insights into their children’s performance and speak to their teachers on how to further improve those children.

He said Oyo State Government will also employ more strategies as part of measures to complement its absolute commitment to improving the basic education sector.

Dr. Adeniran said the reintroduced system would be an improved adaptation of the moribund open-day, noting that the system would make parents more responsible towards their children in public schools.

“We will reintroduce Open-day system back to our public schools because we realized that this would complement Governor Seyi Makinde’s free education policy. Parents need to be responsible for their children’s progress in schools”, he said.

He added emphatically that, “One of the things Oyo State Government has done, is to improve the standard of the education system”

While Dr. Adeniran stressed that being a teacher requires patience and great discipline, he urged teachers to ensure their pupils compete favorably with their contemporaries in reading and writing skills.

He said the state government is open to suggestions and ideas that would further build the capacity of the teaching workforce in Oyo State.

Dr. Adeniran noted that the present government is doing so much to improve pupils’ reading culture, by providing running grants to schools, building facilities among others.

The Chairman added that the state government is presently seeking more ways of improving the lots of teachers, especially those in the rural areas, while he stressed that education remains the greatest asset the state government can bequeath its citizens.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner,

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism, Oyo State Government

Security

Oyo Approves 179 Million Naira to Procure Communication Gadgets for Security Personnel

By Web News 651 0

Oyo state government has approved about One Hundred and Seven Nine million naira for the procurement of radio communication gadget for security personnel in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun stated this while briefing journalists after the weekly Executive Council Meeting.

The commissioner explained that the sophisticated digital communication gadget would improve collaboration among security operatives and enhance security of lives and properties in the state.

Dr. Olatunbosun also noted that the one hundred security cars procured by the government had been branded and would commence work next week 

He however said that many of inmates rescued from the Oloore Rehabilitation Centre had be treated and reconnected to their families while others had been transferred to approved government rehabilitation center.

Iyabo Adebisi

Lifestyle News

Journalists are an indispensable part of the society – Hon. Peller

By Web News 781 0

Welfare of journalists should be considered paramount by stakeholders to ensure media men discharge their duties effectively to the society. 

Member House of Representatives, Honourable Shina Peller made the call during a speech at the inauguration of Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chairman’s office, at Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Honourable Peller noted that journalists remain indispensable in the scheme of things in the society, hence the need to equip them adequately.

Commissioner for Information, Orientation, Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, made similar submission as decried a situation where media men are owed several arrears of salaries, thereby making them vulnerable to various dangerous situations and corruption. 

He implored the NUJ president, Comrade Chris Iziguso, to work assiduously to address sundry issues confronting the pen profession. 

President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Chris Iziguso, expressed his pleasure at being honoured to inaugurate the Oyo State Council’s Chairman’s office.

He commended Honourable Shina Peller for his magnanimity to the Oyo State Council of the NUJ. 

Comrade Iziguso described journalism as the breath of democracy, highlighting the various cases of harassment and detention of journalists in African countries including Nigeria, Tanzania and Sudan. 

He said politicians must respect the constitutional position of the fourth estate of the realm.

Earlier, in an address of welcome, Chairman, Oyo NUJ, Comrade Adewumi Faniran, expressed his gratitude to all who graced the occasion. 

Comrade Faniran lauded member representing Iseyin/ Itesiwaju/ Iwajowa and Kajola Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Shina Peller, for facilitating the rehabilitation of the NUJ chairman’s office. 

In a lecture with the theme “Media, Freedom and Development”, the Director, Distant Learning, University of Ibadan, Professor Olusoji Aremu, who was represented by Dr. Olarenwaju Oladejo, pointed out that it has become a norm for government to tag criticism as dissent. 

Professor Aremu described governance as collaborative undertaking, adding that no nation can attain its desired development without the media.

He said it was imperative for journalists to guard the freedom of the media jealousy as it remains the voice of the masses. 

Professor Aremu stressed that the media should however not compromise its status, its independent mandate, while also charging them to remain objective.

Highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the Oyo NUJ chairman office. 

Agbaakin Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi

Present at the event were the Agba Akin Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, who represented the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Zonal Director, Radio Nigeria Ibadan, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, represented by Deputy Director News and Current Affairs, Pastor Dare Olorunfemi. Simeon Ugbodovon

Security

Security: Oyo State to Get 100 Patrol Vehicles

By Web News 677 0

Oyo State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 100 units patrol vehicles worth Eight Hundred Thirty-Two million Naira ₦832m to beef up security in the state.

The council equally ratified the purchase of exercise books to be distributed freely across public schools in the state for the new session.  

Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun said six big notes exercise books of 60 leaves would be given to each pupil and 80 leaves of big notes to those at the junior level.

Dr Olatunbosun noted that distribution of exercise books would gulp over Four Hundred and Forty Seven Million naira to complement the free education policy of the present administration.

 Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Raphael Afonja said the one hundred units patrol vehicles would be executive automatic transmission patrol ones.

Professor Afonja explained that the step was taken as part of campaign promises to improve the security of the state.

Earlier, declaring the meeting open, Governor Seyi Makinde had enjoined members of the state council to be passionate on issues affecting the state and work towards tackling them.

 Governor Makinde said he was optimistic that the council would come up with policies that would accelerate development of the state 

Iyabo Adebisi