The unfortunate incident that took place in the late evening of 16th January, 2024 leaves a sad taste in the mouth. As we await full investigation and report of what would have really transpired, we condole commiserate with the family and friends of those who suffered fatality and pray that the injured as well as those who lost valuables as a result of the incident are granted speedy recovery. It is saddening that at a time of the year as this when many are going about trying to hit the ground running for the year, we would have to come to this point.
It is important to note that security agencies must leave no stone unturned in a bid to get to the root of this matter. Given the level of insecurity in the country, the incident has further raised the apprehension of the good people of Oyo State, particularly Ibadan residents, and fuelled the spinning of many theories. The explanation offered by the authorities has also engendered questions in the minds of many. The question of why anyone would keep such a large quantum of dynamite that could have created such far-reaching impact across the city is begging for answers. The people deserve logical answers that will help nip their apprehension in the bud and this has to be done fast.
Needless to say that this unfortunate incident again brings to the fore the poor state of our emergency response method in the state, and in deed Nigeria. That it took the authorities over an hour after before it could make any categorical statement on the unfortunate incident speaks to how poorly we (can) manage emergency situations. The first responders in emergency situations as this were nowhere to be found for over an hour and citizens were left to resort to self-help in rescuing their friends and loves ones. As we have often maintained in the past, the state government needs to wake up to its responsibility in the area of providing security of lives and properties. Beyond using security votes for personal ends, government must understand that it owes the state a duty to properly train the police and other first responders in the art and act to promptly attend to issues as this. This is the 21st Century and we cannot afford to be running the state on a 19th century model. The state authority must realize that ensuring security is not just by purchasing patrol cars vans for the security agencies, rather, but a combination of many factors such as training and quipping them. The government at the centre can only do little when it comes to training of its personnel and this is where Oyo State. Hence, that duty falls on the lap of the state government to partner with these security agencies for improved efficiency.
May God bless Oyo State.

The one with 5 members.

Maize247:
Is this a speaker with 5 members or the one with 27 members because our judiciary can be fuuny

Excellent 👍.

Wema is always the best

A philanthropist and politician, Mr Alagbe Gbemileke Eleniyan, has urged the Oyo state Government to do away with any thought of selling off seemingly moribund state assets like the Trans Amusement Park and the Agodi Gardens.

It will be recalled that the Seyi-Makinde led administration had made it known earlier that it intends to sell off some state assets in a bid to raise revenue.

In a speech made available to newsmen, Eleniyan noted that it amounts to the theatrics of the Biblical prodigal child when all a government can think of as the panacea to the revenue/IGR crisis the state is enmeshed is selling off monumental edifices like Trans Wonderland and Agodi Gardens.

Eleniyan argued that unless the government wants us to insinuate that it wants yo use the sale to service his political alliances, nothing else justifies the sale. He argued that what is needed is not an outright sale but a private-public partnership (PPP) and an efficient policy strategy that will not only see to the rejig of these tourist centres in the state, but make these monuments a source of revenue generation to the state.

He noted that state monuments such as the Agbowo Shopping Complex, Trans Amusement Park, among others have suffered much inertia under the Seyi Makinde administration.

Eleniyan pointed out that, “We cannot be in the 21st century and be rolling with the analogue solution. These monuments have a potential of raising as much as N5b for the state if properly harnessed.

He quipped, “Trans stands on 67acres of land and there is so much to bring it to operate at full capacity. If we allow this sales, don’t be shocked if the government asks to sell off the suspended lake is Ado Awaye or even the old Oyo National Park”.

He expressed shock at how governance has been made transactional— a situation where public office holders use their exalted office to oil their cronies.[b][/b]

…Says for economic prosperity, govts should stop anti-people policies, embezzlement

By Rita Okoye

Prominent businessman and expert in defense and strategy, Gbemileke Eleniyan, has warned that if there would be economic growth and national prosperity which cuts across all strata of the Nigerian society, then governments at all levels must ensure that embezzlement of public funds and anti-people policies must be stopped.

The defense expert made this known while responding to questions from journalists during a media parley held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“I doubt if we now have leaders in this country. At best we can say that we have political rulers who have benefited from the goodwill that the country used to offer and enjoyed such as Awolowo’s free education, free health care, and a descent life after graduation from higher institutions. Sadly, instead of reciprocating and repaying the country in a positive light, they are involved in embezzlement as well as oppressive and anti-masses’ policies that will keep impoverishing the masses.

“My recommendation will be that leaders across all sectors must work to reduce unemployment, income disparity, improve per capita income and ensure social justice. All these can only be possible when we have free, fair, and credible elections and our judicial system is allowed to function effectively,” he said.

Speaking further, he told the gathering that “APC administration met the dollar at about 180 naira and it is now about 950 naira in the black-market and about 800 naira at the official Import and Export window. Since we are import dependent, the value of our currency determines both our cost of living and our standard of living.

“The price of food items have skyrocketed. A bag of rice is now over forty thousand naira and in 2015 it used to be about eight thousand naira. Food inflation has set in and the average cost of food item is more than the minimum wage.

“On the issue of subsidy removal, Tinubu’s government is starting wrongly with false assumptions that we are one of the few countries still subsidizing fuel. No, there are over thirty-nine countries with various forms of fuel subsidies. You cannot remove subsidy when you still do not refine the crude locally. If I had the same chance that Tinubu has, I will follow this sequence within twelve months and I will roll out a four-year gradual plan to eliminate subsidy with good palliatives. Send EFCC after fraudulent oil marketers and recover billions of naira; eliminate smuggling of PMS and other crude products; ensure proper tracking of imported PMS with correct data; eliminate stealing of crude oil by installing pipeline intrusion detectors system across the country and aerial surveillance; when all refineries are working optimally, we can then embark on four years subsidy removal plans and each aspect will have equal palliatives.

“Tinubu’s hasty removal of subsidy is not strategic and it shows lack of critical thinking on the part of the government.”

On philanthropy, Eleniyan revealed that he would continue to pursue his passion in helping to reduce criminality, teenage pregnancy and unemployment. According to him, “I understand that philanthropy is a serious venture and the impact is long term but surely enduring. Learning from great philanthropists across the globe, it is important one is known for few but impactful ventures and I think I will love to be known for girl-child education and youth employment. By providing education for indigent girls, I feel a sense of fulfillment and I am sure we have succeeded in reducing teenage pregnancies, criminality, and prostitution in our local communities.

“I have a passion for child education. I believe the educated child already has leverage in life. More importantly, I have a stronger passion for girl-child education. This was what influenced me to create a scholarship that we sponsor yearly at Vinespring International Model Academy, Moniya- the girl child education. We sponsor twenty girls from less-advantaged families yearly. This was one of the things we presented to Meta in securing Covid-19 grant in 2021. We have however decided to extend it to boys too because we understand that an uneducated boy-child is a threat to the educated girl-child.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/fgs-removal-of-fuel-subsidy-not-strategic-eleniyan-defense-strategist-says/

You belong to a youth demography that appears to have been marginalised and not really represented in government. What can be done by the present administration to change this?

I honestly think that various administrations have come up with policies to further marginalise the youths. You need economic liberation to be able to contest for any political position. And systematically, various administrations have totally excluded the youth from political appointments. They only need youths when it comes to voting; immediately after that, youths are no longer important. We must work to change this narrative by creating a paradigm shift. Our involvement should not be a few months into the elections; we must be systematic and strategic in our engagements.



The present government at the federal level is led by President Bola Tinubu. The party in power succeeded itself. Considering the present realities, do you think this government has the capacity to make the lives of the citizens better?

No. The APC administration met the dollar at about 180 naira and it is now about 950 naira in the black-market and about 800 naira at the official Import and Export window. Since we are import-dependent, the value of our currency determines both our cost of living and our standard of living.

The price of food items have skyrocketed. A bag of rice is now over 40,000 naira and in 2015, it was about eight thousand naira. Food inflation has set in and the average cost of food items is more than the minimum wage.

On the issue of subsidy removal, Tinubu’s government is starting wrongly with false assumptions that we are one of the few countries still subsidising fuel. No, there are over 39 countries with various forms of fuel subsidies. You cannot remove subsidy when you still do not refine the crude locally. If I had the same chance that Tinubu has, I would follow this sequence within 12 months and will roll out a four-year plan to gradually eliminate subsidy with good palliatives. Send EFCC after fraudulent oil marketers and recover billions of naira; eliminate smuggling of PMS and other crude products; ensure proper tracking of imported PMS with correct data; eliminate stealing of crude oil by installing pipeline intrusion detectors system across the country and aerial surveillance; when all refineries are working optimally, we can then embark on four years subsidy removal plans and each aspect will have equal palliatives.

Tinubu’s hasty removal of subsidy is not strategic and it shows lack of critical thinking on the part of the government.



You are young, dynamic and energetic; you are also a grassroots politician. If given the opportunity to govern Oyo State, what would you do differently?

Presently, one can describe Oyo State as being deficient in infrastructure; there is a high level of insecurity, low employment opportunity and untapped revenue sources. If I have the chance to govern Oyo State, I will start by increasing the tax net to be able to generate a minimum of 9 billion naira monthly and this is possible without increasing the tax rate. You only need to look at some other sectors that the state has failed to take advantage of. On non-tax revenue, the government can look at generating revenue from road sign violations, light signal violations amongst other items. We can also look at areas of improving agricultural value-chain, especially taking advantage of the Oke Ogun axis and the dry sea port cum rail system at Moniya. With proper planning, we can be the highest exporter of ethanol in Africa. Ikere Gorge Dam is still untapped.

Road infrastructure is one of the poorest in the country. The last time local governments drove road constructions and other amenities was the period of Ladoja and later Akala; subsequent governments have caged local governments hence the poor primary health care sector, poor road network and dirty state of our communities and markets.

To reduce insecurity, the government must not sponsor thugs as Park Management or under whatever guise. Technology and latest surveillance mechanisms must be used to curb kidnapping and banditry. And as an expert in Defense and Strategy from a reputable university, it will be an insult to allow such under my watch.

We need to encourage Foreign Direct Investment in the agricultural sector of the state. Create a free trade zone within the state. Encourage the legitimisation of crypto trading. Train our youth in the aspect of block chain technology, Artificial Intelligence and coding, and software engineering. We will partner with Google to train a minimum of 1,000 youths yearly from each of the 33 local government areas and empower them to make adequate use of their training. Today, the highest paid robotic engineer in the world is a Yoruba- Silas Adekunle. We can replicate hundreds of thousands of Silas Adekunle in Oyo State. We also have untapped potential of inorganic fertilizer from our mineral resource deposits.

Nothing stops us from creating industrial hubs in Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Eruwa and Iseyin. I will ensure the creation of the Ministry of Export and Ministry of Processing and Industrialisation to annex our potential and increase forex earnings. We must have a tech village, fully operational to reduce dependency on computer villages in Lagos and other areas. Energy sufficiency is attainable in Oyo State using hybrid methods.






https://tribuneonlineng.com/nigeria-is-structured-to-keep-young-people-impoverished-eleniyan/

Penguin2:
Be like the Lawal guy is actually pulling weight in Zamfara.

Wish we had anyone from Zamfara we could ask.

It is Atiku wave that first term Governors from the North are afraid of. They understand the voting pattern and the flood that will soon sweep them away.

The momentum is gathering and tomorrow ACF will put their stamps on it

Belleful:
Just imagine! 36million for housing allowance when many of them are landlords. This must be the reason gov Wike boldly said Ayu collected 1billion from Atiku.
PDP will never change.

So you believe this trash They are stooges of Wike and looking for any way to deceive gullible people. They should show us the narration of the credit alert? It is a common practice among all the major parties to pay Housing Allowance since it is assume that you are leaving your state to relocated to Abuja and you will not sleep in the streets.
If you have worked in corporate organization you will know that people in some industries get as high as 10m for each relocation which could even be yearly. So paying an elected party member 28-36m for a 5 years term is not a big deal. Go and rent a Duplex in central area for 4 years and you will understand what we are saying.
Cheap blackmail

phemmie06:
Yẹ̀yẹ́ people,
If it is housing allowance why is it not stated in their pay advice? BTW 36 millions is housing allowance and schools have been locked for more than 7 months.

Is PDP the reason for the locked schools?? You don't have a point

Be ware of those that think like this johnrake69; they are not well informed and they easily spread lies

Johnrake69:
Ike Ekweremadu will serve a jail term. Unless they're ready to completely sell Nigeria to UK because of him.

There's no way he will escape organ harvesting and human trafficking charge. Buying of Organ is illegal anywhere in the world.

Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu got his Certificate of Return Today putting an end to all leadership tussle within PDP Ogun State chapter

Segun Showunmi is lying as he failed to show up at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. He scored zero votes and declared a parallel primaries at NUJ.

The real winner of the original primaries conducted by the National Officers of the Party infront of INEC is Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu PhD

The statement credited to Segun Showunmi is distasteful, disgraceful and shameful to say the least. Cheif Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu is not a match for Segun considering his Academic, Family, Business and Political life. The difference is crystal clear.

For information, Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu (born 25 February 1962) is a Nigerian politician from Ogun State. At the Age of 30, he won his seat in the National Assembly in 1992 where he represented the Remo Federal Constituency under the umbrella of the now defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He ran for Senate under the United National Congress Party (UNCP) in 1998 and the National Assembly in 2003, 2007 and 2011 as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Apart from his political career, Ladi Adebutu is the Chief Executive Officer of JB farms ; a piggery with over 50,000 pigs and thousands of Cows. Lad's passion for agriculture led him to establish the Solomon Kessington Agro-Allied Limited, the largest pig farm which focuses on the production of livestock feeds and other services. His passion for Agriculture greatly influences his political career as he believes it is an important tool for food sustenance and security. Honourable Ladi despite his wealth, affluence and influence, has remain in Iperu with his family where he employs thousands of youth.

Segun Showunmi on the other hand only profit from politicians by holding one appointment or the other.

I have tried not to wrestle with him in the mud as we all know his antecedents but further unnecessary outburst will be met with equal response.

Hon. Gbemileke Alagbe
Eleniyan

Sacked?

No. Bring then to VineSpring Int'l Model Academy, Moniya, Ibadan. We offer the best.

VineSpring, Ibadan is the place to be. Give us a trail this term.