Popular Agbeni market in Ibadan, Oyo State, has gone up in flames.
Report says that the market was gutted by fire at about 04:30 am, on Sunday.
When contacted on the phone, the state General Manager of Fire Services, Yemi Akinyemi, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.
Akinyemi said, “The agency received the distress call at exactly 04:37hrs through Sunday Ogundele, Access Bank security that Agbeni market is on fire.”
“Our men are still battling with the job, we are grateful to the Central Bank of Nigeria that allows us to use their water supply. Everything is under control. They are still going to CBN to replenish”, he confirmed.
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Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde congratulates the Muslim Ummah on the completion of the Ramadan fast which ultimately heralds the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, calling on them to sustain prayers for the state and its leaders.
Governor Makinde, who also congratulates Muslims from across the world for the dawn of another Eid-il-fitr, prayed that the Almighty Allah would accept their worship and keep them all alive and healthy to witness many more.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, quoted Governor Makinde as saying that, though the Ramadan season is over, Muslim faithful must continue to practice the lessons that the Holy Month taught us all by remaining pious and close to Allah and denying themselves in total submission to His will.
The governor equally enjoins residents of the state to continue to live together harmoniously, while urging them to remain relentless in their prayers and support for his administration.
According to him, the incoming administration under Omituntun 2.0 will herald sustainable development and reposition the state for greater growth.
He said:
“I also want to charge our brothers and sisters in Islam that though the Ramadan fast is over, their commitment to the ideals of prayers, selflessness and service to the community should not wane as these are values that can make our society a better place.
“I will also plead that they do not relent in their prayers for Oyo State and the country at large.
“We believe that it is in doing these that we all can derive joy and bring about an Oyo State of our dreams.”
The essence of fasting during Ramadan is to show devotion to Allah and practice self-discipline in order to purify one’s soul.
This was the submission of Imam Abdul-Rasheed Adedeji while delivering a sermon during the Eid prayer of the Muslim students society of Nigeria, Oyo Area Unit held in Ibadan.
Imam Adedeji who emphasized that Ramadan is a month to train hearts, and souls for the purpose of developing a love for and connection with Allah, explained that, fasting is beyond observing physical abstinence but, to refrain Muslims from any hurtful utterances, lies, and unnecessary comments which could lead to disunity in the society.
He called on incoming elected political officeholders to fulfil their electioneering promises and be accountable to the electorate.
The Islamic Scholar reminded the leaders to justify the confidence reposed in them by living up to expectations.
Imam Adedeji however called on Nigerians to be in one accord, in other to protect the unity of Nigeria regardless of their backgrounds and prayed to Allah to grant the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wisdom and guidance to direct the affairs of the country.
The Amir, Muslim students society of Nigeria, MSSN, Oyo Area Unit, Mallam Abdul Kabir Yakeen in an interview with Radio Nigeria enjoined Muslims to sustain the lessons of Ramadan and remain dedicated to Allah.
He congratulated the Muslim Ummah globally on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.
To remain relevant and also add value in the workplace, it is important to constantly update one’s knowledge as knowledge not updated becomes obsolete.
This is against the backdrop of the fact that human beings have been structured to renew their minds with knowledge.
This formed the basis of the training organized by one of the Radio Nigeria stations, Premier FM, Ibadan, for the management and staff of the station.
The Facilitator of the Workshop, Mr Segun Oduyebo, while speaking with the Heads of Units of the station, on challenges of middle-level managers emphasized the lack of adequate motivation amongst other things as one of the barriers to efficiency on the job.
In his remarks, the Zonal Director, of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan, Mr Dominic Mokikan who was represented by the Deputy Director, Internal Audit, Alhaji Abdul Rasheed Akande noted the need for a turnaround in terms of equipment and personnel stressing that training of workers remains a vital component for productivity on the job.
In his welcome remarks at the opening of the two-day Capacity Building workshop for staff of Premier 93.5 FM, Iyaganku, Ibadan, the General Manager, Mr Adedamola Tinubu explained that training is essential as it serves as a morale booster for workers.
The Capacity Building Workshop with the theme, “Attitudinal change: Panacea for Organizational Growth” continues today for all staff of Premier FM at the Iyaganku premises of the station.
The hustle usually experienced on the eve of Ramadan in Ibadan markets seems to be absent this year as Muslim faithful deserted commercial centres due to the non-availability of naira notes.
A few Muslim faithful found in the market arena lamented the difficulties to purchase food items, fruits, and beverages needed to observe the 30 days mandatory spiritual obligation.
Radio Nigeria Correspondent, who went around some major markets in Dugbe, Ogunpa and Alesinloye, in the Ibadan metropolis reports that traders complained about the little or no sales compared to what was obtained in years past.
One of the traders, Mr Hassan Musa who spoke with Radio Nigeria, explained that, unlike the usual market rush for Ramadan in preparation for fasting, traders have experienced low patronage this year, due to a cash crunch.
“People are not coming to buy food items from us, due to cash problems which have affected their sales adversely”. He said.
Also, Mrs Basirat Amusan who trades in foodstuff at Dugbe market said despite the instruction from the supreme court to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to re-circulate the old naira notes in other to alleviate the suffering of the citizens, the challenge still persisted and had affected their businesses.
“Aside from the cash crunch, online transactions have also been another challenge facing both customers and we the traders and this is not encouraging”.
The traders, however, appealed to the government at all levels, to help proffer solutions to the masses, in other for all Muslim faithful to experience a fulfilling month of Ramadan.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a candidate in the just concluded general elections, Chief Joseph Tegbe has attributed Governor Seyi Makinde’s victory in Saturday’s governorship election to hard work and commitment to the welfare of the people of Oyo State.
In a congratulatory message personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, Chief Tegbe said that the victory recorded by Makinde at the poll was well-deserved.
He said that the governor has also demonstrated his commitment to the general improvement of the standard of living of the people in the last four years.
Chief Tegbe noted that Makinde’s stance to stay firmly on the side of the people had paid off with his re-election, adding that, the issue-based campaign he ran during the electioneering had reassured people like him who believed in the governor that, he was indeed a leader worthy of following.
“It is with great delight that I, Mogaji Olasunkanmi Tegbe, the PDP Oyo South Senatorial candidate in the last election, write to congratulate you on your well-deserved re-election as the governor of Oyo State in the March 18th gubernatorial election.
“Your victory is a clear indication that the people of Oyo State recognized your hard work and commitment to their welfare as well as the general improvement of their standard of living in the last four years.
“This you have demonstrated through prompt payment of workers and pensioners’ salaries, a continuation of infrastructural projects, initiated by the last administration and commencement of new ones, among other people-friendly policies you introduced,” he said.
“I have no doubt that you will continue to lead Oyo State towards a brighter and more prosperous future and I wish you all the best in the years to come.
“Be assured of my support and expertise in whatever capacity that they may be required in the new dispensation to add value to our people and our dear state.
“Congratulations once again, Your Excellency, on your well-deserved re-election and thanks for your consistent courage, tenacity and steadfastness,” he said.
Stakeholders in the country have been urged to support the drive toward reducing Oral health diseases to their barest minimum.
Oyo state Commissioner for Health, Dr Taiwo Oladipo made the call at the World Oral Day Celebration at St. Michael Catholic Primary School, Yemutu, Ibadan.
Represented by the Director of Public Health in the ministry, Dr Olusoji Adeyanju, Dr Oladipo who gave global statistics of people affected by oral diseases by the World Health Organization, WHO, said the disease had become a challenge, prompting the State to focus on a free health mission carried out across the 33 local government areas of the state to both young and old.
“In the last two years, Governor Seyi Makinde has directed that dentists should join state health mission and they have joined, “he said.
He appealed to the Nigeria Dental Association of Nigeria, Oyo state chapter to partner with the ministry in offering free healthcare services to students in the state.
In an address of welcome, the Chairman, of Nigeria Dental Association, Oyo State Chapter, Dr Fechi Nkwocha described the high level of Oral diseases in Africa as alarming, especially, in the rural areas, attributing it to a lack of good health facilities.
“Many areas don’t have access to good facilities and we have a few medical practitioners, having one doctor attending to 54,000 patients.”
“We won’t be able to achieve optimal care for such people, so we need the government and other agencies to involve in training Dental and Oral Health specialist care to reach out to these people.”
“ If they don’t have access to quality medical care, they won’t be able to practice preventive measures, and also have little or no knowledge about how to apply correct toothpaste, correct brushes and correct instrument “she added.
Dr Nkwocha however urged parents and guardians to give adequate care and attention to the teeth of their wards from the beginning, especially, the infants, as they start growing teeth from six months.
“the moment you observe teeth on the gum, it is time to start cleaning the mouth two times a day with fluoride toothpaste, put a little of the paste in your finger and spread it around their teeth, initially, they will resist but, they will get used to it”.
The Head Teacher of IMG N 4 Basic School Yemutu, Mrs Akintayo Olubisi, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, expressed happiness about the free health care embarked in the school and noted that it would enable the students to take proper care of the Oral Health.
Highlights of the event included free medical and dental checks for students in the school.
As part of efforts in empowering inmates to become responsible citizen, Prison Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN in partnership with a church abroad have donated ten laptops to the Agodi Correctional Custodial Centre to enhance learning.
Delivering the items at the centre, the Chairman of the PFN, Prophet Boyede Sule said they were moved to complement the effort of the government towards educating the inmates.
He stressed that their impressive academic performance needed to be encouraged.
“We have discovered that over the years people will just come and bring food, eat food, after leaving this place and they get to the society if they are not empowered they will come back here.
So we felt the best thing is to educate and empower them so that when they move out, they will be useful to the society and to their families too”.
Prophet Boyede who was of the view that, if the inmates were not empowered with any skill, they could go back to their old ways when they were released, called for more support from Nigerian citizens and Corporate bodies in giving them a good life.
Expressing gratitude for the kind gesture by PFN, Assistant Controller of Corrections (in-charge, Agodi Correctional Centre), Mr Samuel Ayodele, promised that, the items would judiciously be utilized by the inmates.
” In fact, today’s gesture is a very wonderful one because, in this part of the country, we hardly find people who will be helpful to us, so when we see people who come to show this kind of gesture, we feel appreciated and we are happy.
‘‘At the moment we have inmates who have written NECO and had brilliant results that, they cannot go out to further their education, this made us seek the assistance of an Open University.
One of their conditions was to get about 25 laptops and the prison fellowship of Nigeria has been able to donate ten laptops which they promised to bring the remaining 15 later in the year. ‘‘We say thank u’’.
Mr Ayodele who noted that the correctional centre needed more assistance enjoined Nigerians not to relent in their efforts in making life better, adding that, they should show more love and care for the inmates.
Federal Government will continue to consolidate its infrastructure drive in the quest to reposition the health sector.
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire expressed the resolve while inaugurating some projects at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.
The projects included One In-Patient Mammogram Machine, One Out- Patient Mammogram Machine, a 64 Slice CT Machine, a state-of-the-art and fully equipped Molecular Laboratory, Nurse Tutors Practical Demonstration Building, other were Pressure Swing Absorption Oxygen Plant and two Autoclave Sterilizer.
Dr Ehanire explained that the 64 Slice CT Scanner would greatly enhance the hospital radio-diagnostic capabilities, while the In-Patient and Out-Patient Digital Mammography machines come with the latest 2D and 3D technology to detect breast diseases in women while still in early stages to improve survival chances in cancer patients.
Fielding questions from newsmen on the exodus of Health personnel from the country in the quest for greener pastures, Dr Ehanire maintained that the situation was not peculiar to Nigeria.
“This is not peculiar to Nigeria, It is a global phenomenon. There is huge mobility in the labour force – pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and doctors of all levels are moving.
I have heard officials of the United Kingdom complain that their doctors are moving to New Zealand, Canada, and Australia, where the pay is higher”
“I have seen Ghanaian ministers saying that their doctors are leaving. Even, the Gambia said their doctors are leaving for other countries.
So, it is a global phenomenon. That doesn’t mean it is not a problem. It is a problem for all countries, not only for us.
The countries that are wealthy are looking to improve their health services with cheaply acquired doctors trained in other countries.
And in many developed countries, there is nothing like free education at that level and it costs a lot to train doctors. But how are we trying to solve this problem? He said further.
According to the Health Minister, the exodus of health workers was not a recent phenomenon.
“It is true that we are suffering an exodus of health workers. First, I want to say it is not new. As far back as the 1990s, Nigerians were going to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other places. So, it is not a new thing. “
Dr Ehanire said that the Federal government had given health institutions directives to embark on a one-on-one replacement for health workers and medical personnel.
He, however, warned health institutions not to abuse the replacement process.
“I want to urge you all not to abuse this programme. If one doctor goes out, replace him with another of the same calibre.”
The Minister added that the Federal government was ready to accommodate Nigerians who are experts in the health sector but, had travelled out of the country for more than 10 to 20 years and would want to give back to the country to provide virtual lectures for students and staff in Nigeria.
Earlier, In an address of welcome The Chief Medical Director of UCH, Professor Jessie Otegbayo, commended the Federal Government, for improving facilities and creating a conducive place for research, training and clinical services in the health sector and UCH.
Professor Otegbayo said he was optimistic that the projects would “stem the tide of much talked about health tourism and brain drain in the health sector due to poor working environment.
The CMD implored Dr Ehanire to assist UCH by promptly addressing the problem of manpower shortage, through one-on-one replacement staff.
“I’m not unaware that you are already taking steps to address the issue.”
High points of the event were the presentation of a reappointment letter for another period of four years to the Chief Medical Director of University College Hospital Ibadan at the board room of the teaching hospital, the presentation of an award to the Minister of Health and the inauguration of projects.
Accreditation and voting have commenced at Polling Unit 43 Ward 11 in Ibadan North Local Government.
Voters were seen in the queue in an orderly manner as they passed through the preliminary stages before they eventually cast their ballots.
Two of the voters Dr Basir Olanrewaju and Alhaji Bidemi Siyanbade commended INEC on the use of BVAS for accreditation
Meanwhile, at Polling Unit 7 ward 5, the polling unit officers are experiencing hard times with the device due to poor network signal but later contacted the INEC supervisor for rectification.
However, in some polling units of Ibadan North West voting seems to have been concluded as there was no single voter sighted on the queue.
Still on election, security agents fully armed are seen at their duty post en-route Iseyin and saki axis.
Also, INEC officials were on ground as early as few minutes before 8:00 o’clock in the morning, while electorates were on the queue to exercise their franchise.
At Ipapo, Okaka under Itesiwaju Local government, accreditation and voting have commenced.
At Atisbo, voters conducted themselves peacefully while exercising their rights to cast their votes .
Oba Azeez Babatunde and Wife at their polling unit to cast their votes.
Oba Azeez Babatunde, Onibasi of Basi and his wife were at their polling unit to cast their votes.
Oba Babatunde who expressed satisfaction on the conduct of the exercise, commended INEC for their promptness.
“I am here with my wife to cast our votes as we know that is the only way we can pick leaders of our choice” .
All is now set for the Presidential and National assembly Elections in Oyo state.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State, have filed out in hundreds to all the polling units in the state to ensure a crime-free exercise.
The police convoy in Oyo State with fully armed officers and men, as well as an Armour Personnel carrier, were on their way to strategic places in Ibadan and its environs for a successful election.
Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Oyo state has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the 33 local government areas of the state.
The exercise which was done at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN amidst tight security had representatives of political parties
The distribution of sensitive materials however confirmed the readiness of INEC to conduct the much-awaited 2023 general election starting on Saturday, 25th February.
Two members of different political parties in Oyo state, Alhaji Tajudeen Olanite and Mr Idowu Awokoya expressed satisfaction with the distribution of the materials and INEC’s readiness for the exercise.
Earlier, Residents Electoral Commissioner, Oyo State, Dr Adeniran Tella said the distribution began at two o’clock in the morning.
Dr Tella said the materials, including ballot paper, EC8 series and result sheets would be redistributed to polling centres while registration area centres, RAC, would be activated on Friday.
He assured residents of a seamless voting exercise with a credible, fair and acceptable election.
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has flagged off the 4.7 kilometres Odo-Ona Kekere-Arapaja-Asunle Road in the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state.
The flag-off ceremony of the road took place when the governor took his re-election campaign to Oluyole and Ido Local Government areas of the state, ahead of the general election starting on February 25.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, on behalf of the Media Committee of Governor Makinde Campaign Council, made this known in a statement.
Mr. Taiwo Adisa said that the governor while speaking during the flag-off of the road project explained that the road project would put an end to the lies that his administration had not paid attention to rural roads.
He said that under Omituntun 2.0, more developments would also come to Ido Local Government.
According to him, Governor Makinde’s administration said he had ensured that communities were involved in his administration’s development efforts both at the state and local levels in the last forty-four months, and got value for its money on all the projects.
The governor noted that his administration had delivered on his promises to the people of the state across the four pillars of his administration, adding that the government would up the ante of performance under Omituntun 2.0.
Some yet-to-be-identified hoodlums have attacked the Ukpor High School training camp being used by the Independent National Electoral Commission to train its officials ahead of the general election.
It was gathered that the hoodlums invaded the school located in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State and disrupted the activities of the electoral umpires, trainers and trainees.
The reason behind the attack was unknown at the time of filing this report, but sources said the quick response of the police prevented the hoodlums from carrying out any dastardly act.
Although no life was lost in the incident, which occurred late on Thursday, sources said it left the students, the National Youths Service Corps members and other officials in panic and in fear.
The source said the incident created fear in the area and thereby created doubts that the hoodlums would allow the INEC officials to carry out their activities in the area.
“We thank God there was no loss of life in the attack. There is a need for adequate security to be beefed up around the area so that these INEC officials would be allowed to work and ensure hitch-free elections next.”
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public relations officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives prevented the hoodlums from abducting or causing harm to the trainees and their trainers.
Ikenga said, “Following the policing strategy put in place by the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, that is potent and dynamic to respond to any emergency and security concerns, especially ensuring a hitch-free 2023 elections in the state, the Joint security team on Thursday, by 5:35 pm successfully rescued and prevented armed men from hurting electoral officials on an assignment at Ukpor high school, Nnewi South LGA.
“The INEC staff, with some corps members, university undergraduates and some MDA officials on the training programme of Adhoc staff for the forthcoming 2023 general elections were disrupted by the armed men. No life was lost.”
Meanwhile, Protesters have taken over the streets of Ibadan in Oyo state over the scarcity of the new naira and the ban of the old N500 and N1000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to reports, the protest began in Iwo Road where gunshots were heard and have now escalated to other areas of Ibadan.
In a video shared on Twitter by @Ibadantwitta_, people are seen running for dear lives at the sound of gunshots as traffic held vehicular movement in parts of the state.
There was pandemonium on Wednesday morning around the Eleyele, Gbopa, Ologuneru, Apete, Sango, and Poly road axis of Ibadan as transporters protested the scarcity of cash.
Witnesses at the scenes told Radio Nigeria that the transporters were obstructing the free flow of vehicular and pedestrian movements around the areas.
The transporters were reported to have expressed displeasure at the non-availability of cash and the rejection of the old 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes by passengers and some filling stations.
Meanwhile, when our correspondent contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO in Oyo State, Mr Adewale Osifeso, he said officers had been deployed to the scenes to restore order.
Government needs to find an immediate solution to the cash scarcity currently rocking the nation, following the redesigning of some naira note denominations.
This is the submission of a group of Nigerian youths who stormed the Ibadan Office of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in Dugbe, Ibadan to express their grievances concerning the hardship they are facing in the process of trying to get the new naira notes.
The youths numbering about 50, carried placards bearing inscriptions, such as “Give us our money”, “2000 naira isn’t enough”, “Enough is Enough”, “This wahala is too much”, “We have a right to our money” e.t.c.
One of the youths who spoke for the group urged the government to quickly find a solution to the matter adding that, if the people got too frustrated it could lead to undesired consequences.
There was a heavy presence of security operatives, including the police and the military around the CBN complex during the protest to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
Every electorate must obey all the instructions by the INEC for the elections exercise to achieve a free and fair election.
Electoral officer, Ibadan North Local government area, Mr Timothy Onabanjo said this during the sensitization for the congregation of Foursquare Gospel Church Bodija Ibadan.
Mr Onabanjo explained that, if all instructions were strictly adhered to, it would also make the work easier for INEC officials all over the nation.
While teaching people how to follow the steps of voting, he urged the congregants to vote according to their conscience.
“Voting without PVC is not allowed, according to the 2022 constitutional law of INEC. INEC is fully prepared for exercise”.
Also speaking, the assistant Electoral officer, Ibadan North local government area, Mrs Tosin Oladapo said that it would be a good thing, not to sell one’s conscience, hence, the need for every citizen to be fully prepared and keep whoever candidate they are voting for, in their minds.
While thanking the efforts of the Electoral officers, for the sensitization, the senior Pastor of the FGC, Bodija, Ibadan, Reverend Williams Akinlade, said, no one should entertain any fear, but, follow their instincts on who to vote for, on the election day.
Highlights of other activities included prayers for the nation, for the political and for the religious leaders.
Meanwhile, collection for personal voter’s cards, PVC, had closed on the 5th of February, 2023.
The long queues of customers who had waited endlessly at the ATM points for new naira notes had vanished following the protest that rocked some parts of Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday over lingering fuel and naira scarcity.
Customers had daily waited at the ATM points hoping to withdraw money but to no avail.
However many banks were deserted as customers left the ATM for their safety.
Only a few customers were however sighted waiting by the ATM with the hope that the machine could meet their long-awaited desire of cashing the new naira notes.
Hopeful Customers
Since the beginning of the week, bank customers had been besieging the Automated Teller Machines, ATM and had been keeping vigils or resuming as early as five O’clock in the morning for the withdrawal of new naira notes.
Major General Mohammed Usman has assumed command of 2 Division Nigerian Army Ibadan as the 43rd General Officer Commanding.
This is in line with the recent army headquarters postings and redeployments of senior officers across the country.
General Usman is a seasoned and thorough-bred Infantry Officer who has attended all military courses commensurate to his rank.
He took over the command from Major General Aminu Chinade who has been redeployed to 82 Division as the General Officer Commanding.
The 43rd Chief Tiger was commissioned into the Nigerian Army on 16th August 1995 as a member of the 42 Regular courses of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy.
The senior military officer has held several commands and staff appointments in the course of his career among which are; Commanding Officer 177 Guards Battalion, Chief of Staff of Headquarters Guards Brigade, Commander of Army Headquarters Task Force Brigade Munguno and Baga during Operation Zaman Lafiya and Commander 28 Task Force Brigade in Borno and Adamawa during Operation Lafiya Dole.
Until his appointment as the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Usman was the immediate past Commander Guards Brigade, an elite Brigade saddled with the responsibility of protecting the C-in-C and the seat of power Abuja and other adjoining cities.
The second edition of the FRCN Kids Football Challenge, Oyo zone kicked off yesterday with four matches at the football pitch of Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo town.
The first game of the day saw Olivet Baptist High School defeat Fiditi Grammar School by a lone goal, while Community Commercial High School Ilora and Baptist Secondary school Ilora played a 1-1 draw in the second game.
In the third game of the day, Community High School Fiditi beat Ilora Baptist Grammar School two 2-1, while Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo thrashed Sped International Secondary School, Akinmorin 3 nil.
In today’s fixtures, Olivet Baptist High School will play Community High School Fiditi, Community Commercial High School Ilora tackles Sped International Secondary School, Fiditi Grammar School battles Baptist Secondary school Ilora while Ilora Baptist Grammar School two will play Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo.
Electrifying praise, prayers, dance and unquantifiable joy could best describe the atmosphere that characterised the new year thanksgiving organised by the Christian fellowship of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan, for staff of the corporation.
Members of staff gave thanks to God as they recalled various challenges of life surmounted last year.
The Zonal Director,FRCN, Ibadan, Zonal Director, FRCN Ibadan, Mr Dominic Mokikan represented by the Deputy Director of Engineering Services, Mr Gabriel Ajayi said it was good to show a heart of gratitude unto God for His mercies in the previous year.
Mr Mokikan explained that, praising God should totally be part of human life, as he committed the new year in the hands of God.
Leading the members of staff in the prayers, Pastor Ademola Adegboyega, of The Redeemed Christian Church, underscored the importance of praising God as a strategy in achieving life goals.
He however urged Nigerians to be fervent in prayers, towards a hitch-free election.
Earlier, the President of FRCN Ibadan Christian fellowship, Pastor Taiwo Sowande told members of staff to remain grateful to God who had preserved their lives to witness another year.
The programme also featured special song renditions from various music ministers.
Workers in Oyo state and federal civil service have resumed work after the Christmas and boxing daybreak.
According to Radio Nigeria, the Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan and Federal Secretariat, workers were seen at their duty posts to carry out their duties.
In an interview, some of the workers described the holidays as worthwhile to reunite with their families.
Mrs Kikelomo Aiyedun and Mr Ramoni Adegbite appreciated both the State and Federal governments for the payment of their salaries in making the festivities a remarkable one.
They, however, called on the government to jack up their salaries so as to be commensurate with the present-day economic realities.
It would be recalled that the Federal government had declared the 26th and 27th of December as public holidays to mark Christmas and boxing day.
Residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, today besieged banks’ Automated Teller Machines, ATM points with excitement to withdraw new naira notes but were disappointed as they were paid with the old notes.
Our Correspondent, Olukemi Akintunde who moved around commercial banks and ATM points in the Dugbe axis to ascertain compliance with CBN’S policy on the circulation of new naira notes with effect from Thursday 15th December, reports that customers were seen making transactions with the old naira Notes instead of the new one.
Some customers at the ATM point who were anxious to withdraw new notes alleged that commercial banks were hoarding the new notes.
“One of the residents said, “Am not surprised this is Nigeria, the apex bank that promised the new naira notes in circulations today had failed because this is almost noon and am yet to receive new notes.”
“This is my second bank ATM point today and am yet to get new naira notes”. She said
“Another customer complained that commercial banks will not give them rather for those who are in the naira mint business “
They appealed to Apex bank to monitor the compliance of commercial banks on the policy.
In an interview with security personnel of a commercial bank at the ATM point who craved anonymity said the machines were pre-loaded with old notes the previous day, hence the reason for dispensing the old notes.
“If you want new notes, you will get it at the counter, even someone gave me one thousand naira this morning as a gift. “
A commercial bank staff, who does not want her name mentioned explained that they were unable to pay with New notes because the CBN was yet to hand over the new notes to their branch, stating that customers would get the new notes as soon it is handed over to them.
