Author: IbcityAnnouncer

All is now set for the 11^th edition of the Ibadan city marathon race which is scheduled to hold on the 14^th of April 2019 as about 3,100 athlete jostle for the prize money of #3 million.

The Power oil/ Splash Fm sponsored 42km marathon race, which is also the most consistent marathon race in the history of Nigeria is set to host thousands of athletes from all over the country as all necessary preparation has been concluded by the organizers to ensure one of the best marathon events ever in the history of the country.

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This much was made obvious at the press conference held at the media centre of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium. The press conference had in attendance media personalities and sports administrators in Oyo state and in the southwest.

The press conference which was moderated by ace sports presenter Mr Tunde Olawuwo had in attendance, the CEO West Midland communications Limited, Mrs Atinuke Adetunji, the General Manager (Admin) Splash Fm Mr Adesina Alawode,the south west zonal coordinator, of the federal ministry of youths and sports, Mr Olufemi Ajao, the CEO of Kayrom Lee fitness centre Ambassador Romoke Ayinde and a host of others.

The Chief Executive Officer of West Midland Communications Limited Mrs Atinuke Adetunji while lauding the success of previous edition noted that the marathon race came into being as a result of the Chairman Chief Akande desire to promote good governance and integrity in the society. She assured that this year’s edition will live up to expectation as a flagship marathon event in Nigeria.

The Southwest zonal coordinator of the federal ministry of youths and sports Mr Olufemi Ajao also lauded the consistency with which the splash fm integrity marathon race is being held noting that it has outlasted many marathon races in Nigeria and it is the most consistent race ever in the history of the country of the highest standard.

Mr Tunde Olawuwo noted that application for the race has ended and a total of 3,100 athletes have registered to participate. He explained that while all participants will be issued a certificate of participation, the first 10 finishers (5 male, 5 females) will receive cash awards of varying values with the winner going home with #700,000.

All security arrangements have been made with the relevant security agencies to ensure adequate security. Health wise, the organizers have taken delivery of two ALS ambulances adequately equipped to address health challenges of any athletes before onward transmission to a hospital when the need arises. Already between 10 20 doctors to be led by Dr Akin Amoo have been mobilized to cater for health needs of the participants.

In a bid to spice up the atmosphere, in term of entertainment, notable Ibadan Fuji musician Taye Currency will be the artiste of the day.

The CEO of Kayrom Lee Gym and Fitness centre who is one of the active collaborators and sponsors of the event harped on the need to appreciate the runners for their efforts and endurance at participating both I cash and in kind. She advocated for more financial appreciation by the organizers so as to encourage other people to take part in the exercise.

Mr Tunde Olawuwo also stated that efforts are in top gear to ensure that the marathon race is upgraded to international standard so that international athletes can participate.

The 42km race scheduled to hold on Sunday 14^th of April will begin by 7 am. The race will course through Obafemi Awolowo stadium through Aleshinloye to Sango, to UI, Ojoo, Iwo road, Gate through Molete back to the stadium.

Iliya and Deborah Pam from Plateau state won the 2018 edition of the marathon race in the male and female category respectively.

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Sixty years ago today, an Amazon bred in the city of Ibadan was born. The first lady of Oyo State Mrs Florence Ajimobi marks her Diamond anniversary on earth. Hip Hip Huzzah!!!

This year’s celebration is quite unique and auspicious. It marks the last time Dr Florence Ajimobi will be celebrating her birthday as the First lady of Oyo state after a historic 8 year tenure of 2 terms secured by her husband the executive governor of Oyo state Sen. Abiola Ajimobi

Constitutionally, the office of the first lady at any level of government is not recognised, interestingly however, we have come to accept it a norm and convention and some women have rode on this platform to launched and engrave their names and memories in the minds of the citizens making their mark in the governance of the state and nation thereby adding feathers to the cap of their governing husbands. Perhaps, we have Maryam Babangida to thank for institutionalizing the position of the First Lady and setting the pace in a commendable manner (with her Better Life program and initiative) for women in government to follow.

This Femocratic culture has allowed women and wives of political actors to launched themselves and contribute in their own meaningful way to the development of their domain thereby enhancing the positive perception of their husbands while garnering the good will of the people. Florence Ajimobi is a shining example of this fact

For Eight years, governor Abiola Ajimobi, the koseleri 1 sat majestically and elegantly on the primus seat at the Agodi government house remarkably initiating and executing various reforms and projects in the pace setter state of Oyo. It is plausible to know that he achieved this much reforms and programmes with the unalloyed support of his delectable and loving wife. As the saying goes, Behind (Beside) every successful man is a supportive and successful woman.

It didn’t take long for Mrs Florence Ajimobi to make her mark in the minds of the residents of Oyo state, A mark that may never be erased for a long time to come. Just as her husband hit the ground running in delivering good governance in 2011, Florence also wasted no time to initiate programmes meant to empower women at various levels in the society. She did so remarkably seamlessly. Why?

Not many persons know that Florence Ajimobi is not a Nigerian. She is Lebanese! Yes. However she was born and bred in Nigeria. She was born to the Hajaid family of Lebanese origin on 5^th of April 1959 in Benin City. Shortly afterwards her parent relocated to the city of Ibadan where she has spent virtually all her life. She attended the Bodija International School and thereafter Our Lady of Apostles secondary school. For her tertiary education she went to The Polytechnic Ibadan where she studied Secretariat Studies and Management.

After her education she went ahead to serve in various capacities in reputable institutions including Femi Johnson and Co a foremost insurance broker in the city of Ibadan.

Her solid background as a resident of the city of Ibadan gave her a firsthand appreciation and understanding of the task of good governance and no sooner had the opportunity to serve presented itself, when her husband Abiola Ajimobi won the election and was sworn in as the executive governor of Oyo state, than she began her empowerment and humanitarian initiatives using her office as the first lady as a good vantage point to impart the society and the state in general. Most of these initiatives were focused on the less privileged in the society such as women and children.

Some of the initiatives embarked upon are :

• The AJUMOSE FOOD BANK – A monthly food provision support programme for the less priviledge especially widows.
• Educate A Rural Child project – providing educational materials for indigent children

• Creation of Mini Clinics for Widows and the Aged
• Establishment of ICT Center for Women in Public Service
• Access to Basic medical Care (ABC) FOUNDATION – providing easy access to Basic medical Care
• To enhance cooperation and effective governance, She championed and organized the wives if political and public office holders together under the umbrella of the Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association OYSOWA, an intellectual hub and platform where issues concerning women in the society are discussed and solved.

Apart from the various empowerment programs initiated by Her Excellency, she also in conjunction with her husband owns some business outfits in Ibadan that has helped alleviate the unemployment problems in the state. Grandex bakery and the Grandex supermarket are some of the investments that she made in the state. This entrepreneurship drive is of little of no surprise as she was an entrepreneur extraordinaire having resigned her paid employment to venture into business before politics came calling through her husband

It is thus without surprise that Dr Florence Ajimobi has been a recipient of numerous awards and recognition. Just days ago she inducted into the Chartered Institute of Public resources management and Politics (CIPRMP), an institute based in Ghana. The induction add her to the gallery of eminent Nigerians who are recipient of the award such as The first Lady Aisha Buhari, Chief Afe Babalola, Emir of Kano, HRM Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

At the event, the Director of the Institute Dr Richard Kpoku congratulated Mrs Ajimobi on the recognition. In his words: “you are seen as a role model figure, beacon of hope and source of unending inspiration to this generation and future generations.

“Your sterling qualities in leadership toward ensuring excellent service delivery have impacted positively in your sector, nation and global stage at large.’’

Remarkably, no first lady in the history of Oyo state has been more prominent, more charitable more involved and more loved than Dr Mrs Florence Ajimobi. The incoming first lady Mrs Tamunominini Makinde will do well to take a cue from her giant strides and continue from where she stops in imparting the lives of women and children in the society.

While the tenure of the Governor might be wounding down, it will be foolhardy to assume that the legacies of the Oyo state First lady will also wind down, as she has been involved in these humanitarian activities before Political office beckoned. We only hope she will do more to cement her name and image in the minds of many women and children and indeed the people of Oyo state for many years to come.

Happy Diamond Jubilee to our Ibadan bred Amazon

Indeed Diamonds are forever.

Diamonds they say are everlasting so also will be the effect and memories of the charismatic first lady of Oyo state even long after the expiration of the tenure of his excellency Abiola Ajimobi

The Nigeria Police has unveiled the cops behind the gruesome murder of a young Nigerian Kolade Johnson.

Mr Kolade Johnson was shot and killed on sunday evening by men believed to be of the Special Anti Cultism Squad when he went to watch a football match between Liverpool and Tottenham at the Onipetesi area of Lagos.

The officers allegedly responsible for the murder are: Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan and Sergeant Godwin Orji.

Their arrest and unveiling follows a public outcry and protest against the killing of the young Nigerian especially on social media with the #ENDSARS, #ENDSARSBRUTALITY and #ParadeKoladesKillers trending on social media platforms

In a tweet on the official Nigeria Police Force twitter handle, the Nigeria Police stated: “The men suspected to have carried out the shooting of Kolade Johnson have been apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary procedures. The CP has revealed their names as (1) Insp Ogunyemi Olalekan and (2) Sgt Godwin Orji attached to the Anti Cultism Squad.”

Many Nigerians are also calling for the prosecution of the culprit officers to serve as deterrent to other trigger happy police officers in the country.

The Oyo state Governor-elect, Engr Seyi Makinde has accused the outgoing Governor of the state of awarding spurious contracts at the twilight of his tenure as the state governor.
The Governor elect who made this disclose in statement made available by his spokesman Dotun Oyelade has therefore promised to review all the contracts awarded in the state.
Engr Seyi Makinde has at different fora emphasized the importance of consolidating on the gains of the Ajimobi administration and to call on his experience and ideas, when needed, in moving the state forward. He had also quietened the idea of probing the administration.
However, the unfolding revelation of hastened award of contract by the outgoing administration may have influenced the change in stance.
According to him, “Events of the past two weeks have shown characteristics of targeted contract awards that were compiled in haste and randomly awarded to empty government purse before the May 29 swearing-in date.
“While the government remains in place till May 28, awarding a N30bn new set of contracts in one day as was the case during last Wednesday’s executive meeting was curious and an aberration, especially when debts, as old as 2011 are left unpaid.”
He therefore promised to look into all the late hour contract being awarded by the administration
Engr Seyi Makinde also warned that Civil servants who are found culpable in various illegal dealings and award of contract will be dealth with accordingly.
According to Makinde, civil servants found culpable in illegal dealings would face justice.

Some students of The Ibarapa Polytechnic in Eruwa have called on the school management and the State Government to intervene in the non accreditation of the some of the courses in the school. A reality they complain is impeding their onward deployment for NYSC programme and employability.
The students made the appeal while featuring on a current affairs programme on Fresh Fm, Ibadan. According to them they have been facing some challenges since been admitted to the institution due to non accreditation of their courses. While some students are lucky to have their courses accredited about 1000 students from various faculties and department were not so lucky.
According to the Students, the faculties affected and departments are Faculty of Engineering and the departments that are affected are; Mechanical, Civil and Electrical Electronics. At Faculty of Communications and Management Studies, the departments affected are; Office and Technology Management, Marketing, Accountancy, Purchasing and Supply and Public Administration. At the faculty of Science is Library and Information management.
They notice that their courses were not accredited in 2016 when they discovered that their course were not on the NYSC portal. We made several appeal to the Rector, Mr Iyiola Eyitayo and other relevant authorities.
“When we graduated in 2017 we noticed that nothing has been done we went back and laid the complaint we have even visited some traditional rulers to lay the complaints and they all promised to mediate on our behalf to resolve the issue.”
“After much time, we went to the Oyo state house of assembly and in fact the late speaker Hon Michael Adeyemo was aware of our plight, the incumbent Speaker is also aware. We also met Hon Adeleke and Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin. We went to the commissioner of Education Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, who directed us to director of Higher Education Mr Adeosun. What we noticed is that they were not aware of what was going on in our school.”
“We also noticed a discrepancy between the notification of result given to students who offered courses that were accredited and those of us who were not accredited. We noticed that students who are going for NYSC had a security code on their notification of result while notification of result for students who are not slated for NYSC due to non accreditation only carry a 12 month validity period. This is despite paying about #38,500 to collect the notification of result.”
The students are thereby calling on relevant authorities to intervene in their plight and demanding among other things the accreditation of their courses, the validation of result and onward mobilization for the compulsory NYSC programme.