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Osun Govt Installs Ex-APC Chair, Famodun As Owa Of Igbajo
Workers in Osun have extolled Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for restoring their lost glory as his administration lived up to its word by swearing in 30 Permanent Secretary to crown the promises he made to them at this year’s Workers’ Day.
The governor had also kept his promise to end the era of Coordinating Director which had hitherto been the nomenclature for same status.
Governor Oyetola charged the new Permanent Secretaries on competence, dedication, loyalty, discipline and effective service delivery as they assume the pinnacle of their career.
The State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jacob Adekomi, lauded the Governor for his faithfulness to all the pledges made to workers, saying he has successfully restored their lost glory.
Recall that on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day, Governor Oyetola had promised among other things to conduct outstanding promotions nominally from 2019 to date and to appoint Permanent Secretaries to put an end to the use of Coordinating Directors in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The new Permanent Secretaries are: Engr. Kamoru A. Babalola; Engr. S. O. Ajao; Mr. M. A. K. Jimoh; Mr. R. A. Popoola; Dr. D. O. Ogunrinade; Mrs. J. K. Odediran; Mr. Oyesiku Adelu; Mr. Babajide Falade; Mrs. Funmilola Oyewole; Mr. O.A. Ogundun; Mrs. Bukola Aderibigbe; Mrs. Taiwo Oladunjoye; Dr.A. A Oni; Mr. Lekan Babalola.
Others are: Mrs. Sola Akinsola; Mr. K.N. Akintola; Mr. J. S. Adekomi; Mrs Jibola Falode; Mis AY Esan; Mrs C O Falade; Mr C O Fasina; Mrs Gbemisola Fayoyin; Mr MA Olawale; Mr SA Raji; Pharmacist Kunle Adebayo; Mr TO Akinwumi; Mr Richard Oyegbami; Mr Fatai Adekilekun; Mr. M.O. Obidiya; Engr. I. A Babalola
Inaugurating the newly-appointed senior proletariats, Governor Oyetola said the appointment was made having found them worthy both in character and performance to be appointed to the administrative pinnacle of the State’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Oyetola noted that his administration has successfully implemented all that it promised workers in May this year regardless of the outcome of the Governorship election.
This, according to him, is a clear indication that his administration is not a vindictive government but rather, one that has demonstrated within four years, the progressive ideals of the All Progressives Party despite paucity of funds.
The Governor further noted that the appointment of the new Permanent Secretaries had proved the doubting Thomases and naysayers who had wickedly portrayed his administration as being anti-workers wrong.
He called on the new Permanent Secretaries to consistently imbibe the principles of strategic thinking/planning and prompt implementation while rallying their subordinates to embrace same and global standards for optimal results.
“The position of Permanent Secretary is a position of trust, responsibility and leadership. By attaining this status, your sphere of responsibility and leadership has expanded as you are expected to lead your respective MDAs to success by leading from the front at all times.
“The Osun civil service you are invited to lead at various levels is a significant part and driver of the knowledge-and technology-driven bureaucracy that has delivered sustainable good governance, award-winning programmes and innovative policies in the past four years. You are invited to further fortify the team and raise the bar of service delivery in the State.
“As an administration, we envision the civil service as an effective driver of sustainable development, and successful service delivery as a process and not a destination. Therefore, you must realize that in a world governed by the New Normal and rapid changes, what got you here cannot achieve the effective service delivery we all seek and desire.
“You must, therefore, consistently imbibe the principles of strategic thinking/planning and prompt implementation while rallying your subordinates to embrace same and global standards for optimal results.
“The civil service of today has engaged in a paradigm shift whose contents are knowledge, technology, innovation, effective time management and results orientation. You must realize that when these new nuggets are mixed with the statutory kernels of competence, dedication, loyalty and discipline, effective service delivery will be on autopilot.
“The tool for constantly achieving and sustaining the above-mentioned skills is capacity building. I, therefore, charge you to constantly build your capacity and those of your subordinates so that together, you can consistently drive and deliver the Osun of our collective dream”, he said.
Earlier, the Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, had applauded the Governor for appointing best of the best to the position of Permanent Secretary.
Olowogboyega further appreciated the Governor for his unalloyed support and kind gesture that had turned around the socio-economic fortune of the workforce since his assumption of office.
Speaking on behalf of the newly-inaugurated Permanent Secretaries, Comrade Jacob Adekomi, described the appointment as a round peg in a round hole saying Oyetola has restored their lost glory.
Adekomi who is the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said their appointment is a testimony of the fact that Oyetola is a man of honour whose words are his bond.
“You have restored our lost glory. This has not happened in the last 10 years. There was even a time when promotion became a thing of difficulty, when half salary was the order of the day, when conversion became difficult, when three square daily meal became difficult for workers.
“You are creating hiOsun Govt Installs Ex-APC Chair, Famodun As Owa Of Igbajostory and removing stigma from the civil service. We can’t thank you enough. You have brought joy and happiness to us. Indeed, you are epitome of happiness. We shall not forget you. You made a promise to the whole world at our last Workers Day Celebration, and you have fulfilled your promise”, he added.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
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PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Mohammad Abubakar II, has called on Nigerians to avoid publicly criticizing their leaders, instead urging citizens to place their trust in God to address leadership concerns as He deems fit.
Speaking at the Regional Conference on Climate Change-Induced Conflicts in Northern Nigeria, organized by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith in collaboration with International Alert, the Sultan emphasized faith and patience in navigating the country’s challenges.
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Acknowledging Nigeria’s current economic and social hardships, the Sultan encouraged continuous prayer, not only for the nation but for its leaders as well.
“Even though many feel times are particularly hard, we believe relief will come. Let’s increase our prayers for our leaders, trusting God to address them in His way,” he said, expressing hope that divine intervention could bring stability and prosperity.
The Sultan reminded political leaders of their ultimate accountability to God, cautioning that they will stand alone on the Day of Resurrection, with only their deeds to support them.
“On that day, every leader will stand alone. Governors, advisers—none will have support except their own deeds. Let us act with a deep sense of responsibility and fear of God,” he stated.
Addressing religious leaders, he warned against misleading their followers for personal gain, underscoring the trust many place in their religious guidance.
“Only God can save any human being,” he said, encouraging Nigerians to remain faithful and discerning in their spiritual beliefs. “Focus on worshiping Allah and leave the rest to Him. Don’t follow those who might lead you astray.”
With leaders from various religious communities, including the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in attendance, the Sultan called for unity, resilience, and communal effort to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and insecurity in the northern region.
He praised the North’s history of unity and resilience, warning against divisive narratives that threaten communal harmony. “When we are united, we can face any challenge and build a prosperous community,” he asserted.
The Sultan’s remarks come amid ongoing social and environmental issues in the region, including a recent surge in climate-related challenges that have exacerbated poverty and security threats.
In light of these issues, he called on both Muslims and Christians to intensify their prayers, saying, “Our country faces many challenges, and we must turn to God in prayer. Let us intensify prayers in our mosques and churches.”
In a decisive move, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors detained by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on Monday, underscores the government’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
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Idris confirmed that President Tinubu’s directive prioritizes the welfare of detained minors, instructing the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to facilitate their safe reunification with their families.
A committee led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will be established to oversee the welfare of the released minors and ensure compliance with the president’s orders.
Additionally, President Tinubu has directed a formal investigation into the actions of law enforcement agencies involved in the arrests.
The president emphasized that any misconduct uncovered during the investigation will result in disciplinary action, affirming his administration’s dedication to accountability within law enforcement.
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