As the world marks Christmas, Nigerians look with optimism for a better and prosperous nation in the New Year.
The Zonal Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station, Mr. Dominic Mokikan gave the advice in his message to the carol service held at the premises of the National Orientation Agency, NOA.
Mr Mokikan, who was represented by the Deputy Director of News and Current Affairs, Mr Adewumi Faniran explained that though the economic situation of the country might affect the mood of citizens at Christmas, people should look forward to a brighter year.
The Zonal Director commended the leadership of NOA in Oyo State for organising the carol service and reaffirmed Radio Nigeria’s commitment to effective mass mobilization efforts of the agency.
In a sermon, Pastor Ayodele Adelegan of Christ Eternal Life Mission, Bashorun, Ibadan, admonished Nigerians to reflect on their lifestyles and relationships with others as they prepare for 2024.
In an address, State Director, National Orientation Agency, Dr Olukemi Afolayan enjoined Nigerians to enter the year 2024 with renewed hope of a better life, a peaceful and prosperous country
The choir of the agency presented soul lifting rendition to the admiration of members of staff and dignitaries including the former State Mrs Dolapo Dosumu and representatives of security agencies in the state.
As the public holiday break declared by the federal government ends today, motor parks in the Ibadan metropolis are still recording low arrival of passengers despite the resumption of official activities tomorrow.
Our correspondent, Rotimi Famakin, who monitored the transportation situation, reports that most vehicles at the parks visited were empty while some passengers returning to Ibadan were seen alighting from interstate buses.
A visit to Ojoo, Iwo Road, Challenge motor parks and private transport company, revealed transportation fares within and outside the state still remained high.
In an interview, one of the inter-state park managers at Iwo Road, Mr Olanrewaju Kehinde said passengers were still few, adding that the increase in fuel price had influenced the hike in the fare.
Churches in Ibadan Metropolis conducted the Christmas service with excitement to praise God for witnessing another yuletide season.
Our correspondent, Dayo Adu, reports that the worshippers were in an exciting mood in some of the churches visited as they sang hymns and songs of praises to God in reflection of the Christmas season.
In a sermon at The Cathedral of St. James the Great, Oke Bola, The bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, The Most Rev’d Joseph Akinfenwa charged Nigerian leaders and the citizens to imbibe the virtue of love, purity, and peace exemplified by Jesus Christ to achieve national cohesion
On his part, the priest in charge of Wonderland Baptist Church, Orogun, Rev. Peter Oláníyì, enjoined Nigerians to anticipate success in the conduct of the 2023 general elections, adding that God’s will would prevail
The Zonal Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Glorious Paris Oyo province one, Abiola Adio who advised the people to shun the act of greed noted that government could win public trust when benefits meant for all were not embezzled by few.
Some of the worshippers, who spoke with Radio Nigeria, expressed joy at witnessing another Christmas day with major concerns for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general elections.
The respondents called on the government to cushion the effect of inflation so as to make the yuletide season worthwhile.
A few days before the celebration of Christmas and New Year, security agencies in Oyo State have assured the residents of a crime-free atmosphere before, during and after the yuletide.
They made the assurances while giving details of the levels of their preparations towards achieving hitch-free fun during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
As part of efforts at achieving a crime-free yuletide celebration, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebowale Williams said sustained efforts were being put in place to comprehensively secure critical infrastructures across the length and breadth of the state.
He said the places included Media Houses, Banks, Correctional centres, Hospitals, Schools, Places of worship, Recreational centres, Public spaces, as well as INEC facilities and Telecommunications base stations.
Mr Adebowale said the Command had devised plans to effectively provide security through the full adoption of Robust Community Policing Strategies, Smart Inter-Agency Collaboration, Visibility Policing, Mass Patrolling Strategy and Technology-Driven Policing Strategy.
The police commissioner, therefore, called on members of the public to celebrate moderately to collectively maintain a crime-free society.
Speaking in the same vein, FRSC Sector Commander in Oyo State, Mr Joshua Adekanye, said FRSC had also deployed nine hundred and twenty-one officers and special marshals to various traffic-prone areas to ensure free traffic flow during the yuletide celebration.
Mr Adekanye said the command had also deployed twenty-one patrol vehicles, three ambulances, one heavy-duty tow truck and one motor bike across the state to ensure that the celebration was hitch-free.
Mr Adekanye added that the command also deployed personnel and logistics to critical corridors like Lagos-Ibadan, Iwo road and Ogbomosho-Ilorin road to tackle the menace of traffic gridlock/obstructions along these corridors.
Similarly, the Oyo State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Mr Micheal Adaralewa said the command had deployed two thousand, five hundred officers and men for the festive period which comprised Anti-Vandalism unit, Counter Terrorism Unit, Agro Rangers, Female Special Squad and Disaster management unit.
Mr Adaralewa, who spoke through the Public Relations Officer of the command called on the Divisional officers across the State to be more vigilant in their community as people prepare for Christmas and New year celebrations.
Mr Adaralewa expressed his optimism about the Security of the lives and properties of the citizens and urged all officers and men to be active in their core mandate.
He later urged Christians and citizens of the state to pray for the survival of the present democracy as the nation was preparing for the 2023 general elections.
The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command, Mr Agboola Sunday has directed Area Commanders and Divisional Officers across the state to identify strategic and vulnerable points in the state and deploy massively to ensure adequate security of lives and property before, during and after the yuletide.
A statement signed by the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Osun State, Miss Kehinde Adeleke, says Mr Agboola Sunday gave the marching order during December strategic monthly meeting with Area Commanders and Divisional Officers.
He pointed out that the end of the year period usually witnessed lots of criminal activities, hence, the need for all personnel to be on their toes in order to smoke out criminally–minded people who are hell-bent on frustrating the peace and tranquillity enjoyed by the residents of Osun State.
The Osun NSCDC boss, therefore, instructed the Area Commanders to make sure that their deployment covered all recreation centres, worship centres, shopping malls, motor parks, critical national assets and infrastructure.
He noted that patrol teams and surveillance squads would be fully deployed throughout the period of celebrations, so all citizens can rest assured of the security of their lives and property.
Mr Agboola further charged the personnel to strengthen their leadership capacity and operational strategies in order to be able to deal with various crimes associated with the end of the year.
While commending the officers for their resilience in fighting crime and criminalities during the outgoing year, Mr Agboola urged them to tackle crimes and all threats to national security head-on.
He advised personnel to justify the trust reposed in the Corps by members of the public.
‘Be reminded of the prevailing challenges facing the country, therefore, there is a need for you to work very hard so as to assist the system in achieving a secured and safe society,” Agboola said.
He also appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies by providing intelligence that could lead to the arrest of men of the underworld. “Security is everybody’s business, be security conscious and when you suspect strange faces and movement in your environment, report to the nearest security agency,” Mr Agboola said.
The Commandant, hereby, on behalf of the entire officers and men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command heartily rejoiced with all Christians in the state as they celebrate this year’s Christmas
He encouraged them to propagate peace, demonstrate love, forgive one another and be tolerant, as this is the only means of promoting harmonious coexistence with fellow citizens irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political inclinations.
Barely four days to Christmas, have prices of items including clothes and bags increased in the Ibadan metropolis
In markets such as Ogunpa, Old Gbagi and Dugbe markets, the usual hustle and bustle often witnessed was minimal as few buyers were available to patronize traders as many were in the markets for window shopping.
This might perhaps be due to the economic situation in the country, as well as the hike in the prices of materials.
For instance, 6 yards of Ankara depending on their quality, sold between 1700naira to 7000 naira as against the previous prices of 1000naira and 5000naira last year,
A similar trend was noticed with children’s wear, dresses now go for between 5000naira, 7 500naira and 8000naira compared to last year when they sold for 3500naira and 5000naira
Two fabric sellers including a woman who traded in bags and shoes, Mrs Funmilayo Okunola and Mrs Bolanle Ajayi and who said that customers had been scanty, attributed the low patronage to the economic situation in the country.
They explained that prices of adult sandals and slippers sold for 7000 naira as against 3000naiar to 5000 naira in 2021.
Some buyers, who spoke with Radio Nigeria equally complained that the prices of items were too high which prevented them from buying as many materials as they needed.
The buyers urged the government to address the present economic situation in the country.
Also, visits to major markets like Bodija, Ọjà Ọba and Molete showed that prices of food items such as rice, vegetable oil, palm oil, yàm flour, tubers of yam as well as chickens and goats had soared.
A chicken seller and a goat seller, Mrs Olúwatoyin Bello and Mr Sikiru Alade said the prices of chickens and goats were expensive, which they attributed to a hike in the prices of feeds and transportation.
Mrs Bello and Mr Alade explained that a big-size broiler had increased to 10,000 naira from 5000 naira, while layers which were sold for 2500 naira were now 3500; a goat that was sold between 18,000 naira last year was now 30,000 naira.
Similarly, a bag of rice sold for between 36000 to 37,000 as against the previous price of 28000 naira; five litres of vegetable oil which were formerly 5500naira was now sold for 7500 naira while 25 litres of vegetable oil is now 32000 naira compared to its previous price of between 28000 and 29000, while a big basket of tomatoes is sold for 20,000 Naira and a big bag of pepper sold for 40,000 and a big bag of Onions is sold for 80,000 naira.
They lamented the increase in prices of food items and blamed the development on insurgency and the economic situation in the country.
A housewife, Mrs Uju Emmanuel and a civil servant, Mr Abiola Olugunde noted that they were not able to purchase more commodities as they wished.
Mrs Emmanuel and Mr Olugunde wanted governments to urgently address insecurity and regulate the prices of commodities in the country.
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration would continue to do everything necessary to improve the standard of education in the state.
He stated this while speaking at the 2022 Christmas Carol Service with the theme “Joy to the World,” held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, adding that his administration would continue to commit resources to improve the education sector.
While stating that the pace of development in other sectors would also not be reduced, Governor Makinde said his administration had laid the foundation to ensure the continuous improvement of the human development index of the state.
The governor also used the occasion to announce that the state government would pay the 13th month’s salary to workers in the state on or before 31 December as it has been doing since the inception of the administration in 2019.
Speaking on some of the strides recorded by the administration, especially in the education sector, Governor Makinde said that with the upgrade of the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education to a University of Education, the state now has a state-owned conventional university and two specialised universities
The governor also explained that with the success already recorded by the administration within the scope of the Omituntun 1.0, the State Government would explore tourism and ethical mining as an avenue to further expand the economy of the state if he is re-elected in 2023.
He said: “We started with omituntun 1.0 where we listed four pillars in the document I presented in 2018 – Roadmap for Accelerated Development of Oyo State. We focused on Education, Health, Expansion of the economy and Security and we have achieved a lot.
“Right now, we have a state-owned conventional university and two specialised universities with a campus in Iseyin. Now, we have Emmanuel Alayande University of Education in Oyo and the first Technical University in Ibadan. Some have said we won’t be able to fund this new project but I can tell you that we have the capacity. Since LAUTECH became solely owned by Oyo State, we have been funding it.
“We have paid the backlog of salaries owed by the past administration. We have paid around 50 per cent of our commitment to Osun State already. So, we will continue to commit our resources to the education sector because that is where the future lies for us.
“For the next 40 years, we have laid the foundation to produce human resources requirements for Oyo State.
“We have the same focus for Omituntun 2.0 with a few additions. The expansion of our economy will not only be through agribusiness but tourism and solid mineral development.
Earlier, the general overseer of the Hour of Mercy Prayer Ministry, Prophet Moses Muyideen Kasali, reminded the indigenes of Oyo State to hold on to hope, as according to him, the birth of Christ symbolises hope.
He enjoined everyone to use the season to remember the needy in their communities because those who have should be sources of hope for the needy.
The first, second and third lessons of the event were read by the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; a Judge of the Oyo State High Court, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima; and the Chairman, CPFN, Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu, respectively.
Special prayers were held for the state, the first family, the State House of Assembly, civil servants and for increased prosperity for the state and Nigeria, by the Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Sunday Ola Makinde; Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa; Bishop Daniel Oluwajimade; Prophet Ojo Olowere; Bishop T.V. Adelakun and Bishop Francis Wale Oke.
The highlight of the event included songs, hymn renditions, and fireworks.
In a related development, the wife of the governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has called on parents to give priority to child training for the overall benefit of society.
Mrs Makinde stated this at a Christmas party organized for the children in the state.
She reiterated that when parents played their role of imbibing virtues into the hearts of the younger generations, it would help build a society free of corrupt practices.
Mrs Makinde, who called on the children to use the holiday period to relax after rigorous academic activities, called on the parents not to be careless in watching over them.
Some of the children, who enjoyed themselves on bouncy castles and roller coasters, said the Christmas party was fun filled for them, appreciating the wife of the governor for the gifts.
The highlight of the programme was visiting the Father Christmas grotto to receive gifts.
Christmas Season has been described as a season of sharing and caring for members of society, especially the less privileged.
Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde stated this at an end-of-the-year party organized for women in the state.
Mrs Makinde said Jesus Christ was given freely to mankind by God to express supernatural love to human beings.
The wife of the governor called on the women to be empowered and equipped to be able to face and overcome challenges which might confront them
In her welcome address, Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni called on women to exercise their franchise during the election and should not be found missing on election days.
The women, who were drawn from all the thirty-three local government areas of the state received cash gifts and food items.
Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ajara Jimoh and Mrs OluwaSeyifunmi Adesope thanked the wife of the governor for the gesture and promised to use the gifts judiciously.
Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola wants Nigerians to show more love to one another, especially at this trying period of the country.
Mrs. Oyetola, who made the call at the annual Christmas party for children in the state, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the need to show love to everyone.
While describing Christmas as a season of love, the Governor’s wife urged every Nigerians to let the tempo of love for one another be increased at this period.
She maintained that the situation still calls for vigilance as the case of COVID-19 was increasing daily calling for total compliance to all guidelines to prevent spread of the virus.
Mrs. Oyetola commended mothers for the extra-ordinary job they had been doing in ensuring the safety and welfare of their children which has been made more hectic with the lockdown that attended the first wave of the pandemic.
Mrs. Oyetola advised the children to be of good behavior, shun every form of vices and behaviour that is criminal but focus on their studies.
