The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, says he sometimes acts like a child in the interest of his kingdom, Iwoland.
Oba Akanbi made the disclosure at the annual 2021 Iwo Day celebration held at Oluwo Stadium, Iwo, Osun State
Oluwo said his efforts are tailored towards building a distinctively economic vibrant metropolis while his dream is to see the ancient town greater than the Centre of Excellence, Lagos. He therefore called on stakeholders to complement his endeavours at restoring the glory of Iwo.
He also urged well-meaning sons and daughters of Iwoland to be more dedicated to Iwo through harmonisation of interest at securing a better future for the land.
He said, “In 1931, according to census conducted, Iwo was the 5th largest city after Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and Ogbomoso. But certain factors that cannot be discussed here caused a monumental drawback. I’ve come to reclaim and restore the glory of the town to compete favourably with Lagos, Kano and other great cities.
“I’m trying my best through traditional influence. Occasionally, I act like a boy, I don’t mind presenting myself as a party man if such will be to the advantage of the town.
“While I acknowledge the efforts of the patriots, I want to charge them to continuously toe the path of honour. I look up to the constitution of a powerful team that will design 2030, 2040 and 2050 visions for Iwoland. We should have a plan of action at intervals to economically, politically, socially and educationally shape the fortune of our great land, Iwo, the home of parrot.
“I appeal to every parent to encourage their children to be loyal and patriotic. Iwo is business-friendly and safe for investment. Let’s harmonize interest to bring out the best in us.
“My enthronement heralded unprecedented recognition for Iwo. Development is in stages. We have successfully established our position and the next is the facilitation of infrastructures. We are on that now. Though it is a sacrifice, I’m enjoying it.”
Fayemi assures labour leaders of commitment to workers’ welfare
Omotayo Olatunde
Ado Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said his administration would continue to meet workers’ demands targeted at improving their welfare and condition of service in the State.
Governor Fayemi gave the assurance on Tuesday during a roundtable discussion with executives of organized labour unions comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) at the Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti.
The Governor assured the labour union leaders that all agitations raised in respect of workers’ promotion, leave bonuses, salaries, pension, gratuity and other cogent matters that affect workers’ welfare would continue to be accorded top priority.
In attendance at the meeting included the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Biodun Omoleye, Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Oluyemi Esan, Special Adviser, Governor’s Office, Evang. Folusho Daramola and Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Akin Oyebode represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, James Folorunsho, Chairmen NLC, TUC and JNC, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, Comrade Sola Adigun and comrade Kayode Fatomiluyi respectively as well as other labour leaders in the State.
Dr Fayemi also ordered that Chairmen of each of the union should meet with government representatives comprising the Head of Service, Chief of Staff, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development and the Special Assistant on Labour Matters to work out a paper presentation of the demands tabled during the meeting for further considerations.
He said: I have noted down for consideration all your demands as raised by the Chairmen of Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Council and Joint Negotiation Committee on workers salary, leave bonuses, implementation of minimum wages to the letter, house of assembly laid off workers, subventions to state owned tertiary institutions and other matters that affect our workers .
“As witnessed in the past three years, our Government will continue to demonstrate in strong practical terms to improve the welfare and condition of service of our workers.”
Also the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi in her remarks commended Governor Fayemi for approving the sum of 400 million naira to clear backlog of gratuity arrears for retired state workers. She said the state government has continued to meet its monthly obligations to the workers despite the economic situation because of the commitment of the Governor to workers’ welfare.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Oluyemi Esan commended Governor Fayemi for creating a veritable platform that permit labour union leaders to present the agitation of their members to government.
He said the round table meeting was designed as an annual event that allows labour union executives to meet with the Governor and other state actors and review activities of the union in view of the concluding year and as well present their demands and agitations ahead the new year.
In their separate speeches, the Ekiti Chairman of NLC, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, his counterparts in TUC and JNC; Comrade Sola Adigun and Comrade Kayode Fatomiluyi who commended the governor for his giant stride in infrastructural development, prompt payment of salaries, solicited for government intervention in reinstating legislative workers that were laid off by the Assembly early this year and implement the use of current retiring officers’ grade level in preparing their gratuities.
Others issues raised at the meeting included payment of Covid-19 allowances to local government health workers, payment of gratuity to workers that retired in 1993 from College of Education now Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology Ikere, payment of leave bonuses, implementation of minimum wages for the remaining grade level among others.
Ogun promises enabling environment, good governance for private sectors
The Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo had said that the State government has became the fastest economy through its focus on new state’s acronym ‘ISEYA’, Infrastructure, Social Well-being, Education, Youth Development and Agriculture developmental agenda.
Okubadejo said this at the maiden edition of the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) end of the year cocktail party, held at Park Inn, Abeokuta, the State capital.
He said that the government was planned to create an enabling environment, best class governance for both private sector and corporate bodies in order to thrive and promote individual prosperity of the citizens to engender economic development of the State.
He noted that infrastructure came first in the developmental agenda because without investment in infrastructure, no meaningful development and economic growth could be achieved.
He said that the government had developed economic cluster strategically to take advantage of various road infrastructure already constructed across the State, saying that the State had completed road construction of Ijebu-Ode/Epe expressway and many others with 90 percentage completion.
“Indeed, Infrastructural development, especially road construction which the government embarked upon, among others is a sure way to attract investors and development to the State, government is now embarking on building solar energies, so as to complement the government efforts on electricity”, Okubadejo said
In his submission, the Chairman OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Tony Olaleye noted that the gathering was familiarize with tax agents in a relaxed atmosphere and also to rub minds together for more robust business relationship in the coming year.
He said that the government was determined to collect appropriate taxes from all taxable residents in the State, noting that the government was not interested in overtaxing or undertaxing the residents of the State.
“In fact, we are intending to deliver quality customer oriented service delivery and to ensure that all residents taxable adults pay appropriate taxes as and when due, it should be no under or overpayment of taxes”, Olaleye said
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Revenue, Mr. Adegbenga Adeshina, applauded the guests and taxes payers’ companies, pointing out that aside from appreciating them for their support in paying their taxes, the event was also meant to give them insight into the digitization vision and execution efforts of OGIRS regarding transactions in the subsequent years.
“One is the robustness of the technology solution is the revamping operational process to bridge the gap between the existing manual or semi-automated processes to the anticipated digitization phase, as you all aware the Swan Experience of COVID-19 has resharpened our lives positively and in otherwise aspects, and of the positives is the compulsive adoption of Technology to initiate, process and complete business transactions”, Adeshina said
Our protection is our priority, ogun assures border residents
The Ogun State government has assured people and residents of the State, that any interaction or engagements on the proposed red line light rail project between Lagos and Ogun States, in partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and other stakeholders, would be driven and championed, only by Ministries Departments and Agencies of the state.
The State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, disclosed this in Abeokuta, the State capital, while speaking with newsmen in his office, enthusing that the project was a result of a vibrant collaboration between Lagos and Ogun States towards ensuring social and economic integration among the citizens and governments of both neighbouring states.
“Indeed, the State has assured all people and residents of the state, that any interaction or engagements on the Joint Lagos Ogun activities, including the red line project, will be driven and championed, only by Ministries Departments and Agencies of the State, and will protect and respect their rights and opinions”, Dairo said
He asserted that this and other collaborative efforts are part of the fall-out, of the Lagos-Ogun joint development commission, which was inaugurated by the governors of both States, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu earlier this year.
He further asserted that the State government was in active consultations with residents and indigenes of border-communities which may be affected by development related activities arising from the collaboration, adding that “no decisions have yet been reached, neither have any State position formerly adopted”.
According to the Commissioner, no effort will be spared at ensuring that policies and decisions formulated and executed or implemented would be in line with the best interest of the citizens of the state.
“I want to affirm that Ogun State restates its principle of adopting a thoughtful, methodical, deliberate, consultative, inclusive and focused approach to service and project delivery to the people of Ogun. The red-line light rail project between Lagos and Ogun, under development in collaboration with Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), is testimony to the joint efforts of Lagos and Ogun, at addressing common issues”, Dairo stated.
