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Sultan of Sokoto extols Governor Ajimobi as he commissions Central mosque on 69thBirthday.

Featured by IbcityAnnouncer, posted in News

The Sultan of Sokoto Alh Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar has lauded the Oyo state Governor, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi for his accomplishment in the state particularly for building a mosque for the people, saying there was not better thing he could have dedicated than a mosque where people can worship God.

Thepresident general of the National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairsstated this on Sunday while commissioning a central mosque which wasbuilt by the execution governor and commissioned as part of eventsmarking his 69thbirthday celebration.

At the dedication of the mosque named which is named Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Central mosque’, after the governor, is located beside the All Progressive Congress party secretariat, Oke Ado, Ibadan.

The sultan in his speech stated that the building was a very significant project, adding that there was no better ting the governor could have dedicated than the mosque. The monarch also called on the governor nit to relent in what he described as his good works.”

Also at the event was the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Muhideen Ajani who in his sermon commended the governor for fulfilling his covenant with God. He said the dedicated mosque belonged to God and the people adding that it should not be seen as a family property.

The renowned Cleric also admonished the governor not to relent in his religious and humanitarian activities, he advised him not to see the project as the last he would do for the people and God even as he winds up this 8 years tenure as governor of the state.

He also advised the governor to apologize to the people he must have offended duri ng the course of is governorship.

At the event, Governor Ajimobi was turbaned as the Bashorun Musulumi of Ibadan land by the Chief Imam of Ibadan land Sheikh AbdulGaniyu Abubakar.

Prominent Islamic dignitaries at the event were NSCIA Deputy President General Alhaji Sakariyau Babalola, Alhaji Daud Akinola, the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land and Prof Daud Noibi, Secretary- General Muslim Ummah of South Western Nigeria (MUSWEN)

Avoid Hate Speech, Don’t Politicize Covid19 Pandemic – Bayo Adelabu, APC Oyo 2019 Governorship Candidate

by IbcityAnnouncer, posted in Announcement, News, Report, World

The All Progressives Congress Oyo State governorship candidate in the 2019 election, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has warned Nigerians to refrain from what could be considered as hate speech and from playing politics with the Coronavirus pandemic currently ravaging Nigeria and the world. The former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria made this known in his personal goodwill message to wish the Oyo State Governor Engineer Seyi Makinde speedy recovery after the governor tested positive Covid19 pandemic.

“Following the announcement that my brother, Oyo State Governor, His excellency Engineer Seyi Makinde has tested positive to COVID19, I want to use this opportunity to wish him a speedy recovery and abundance of health going forward.

His decision to self-isolate in line with government’s measures to reduce the transmission of the virus is right and commendable. May God give us strength in these trying times.

This is a time for us all to shun petty politics, and for all hands to be on deck in order to contain and eradicate COVID19 in our dear state and Nigeria as a whole.

We must support the efforts of government by following the safeguarding guidelines they have provided as this will help reduce the spread of the virus.

The government must also be supported by capable and well-meaning indigenes and residents to provide adequate treatment to those who are already infected.

In my personal effort to provide support in these trying times, in addition to various programmes we currently have in place to provide succour to the people which include but not limited to distribution of preventive items like sanitizers, nose masks, hand gloves, palliatives like food, water and minimal cash transfers to the indigents and the needy, we will also be liaising with relevant authorities including the NCDC and UCH to see how we can support their current medical initiatives and crisis management plan.

COVID19 is a global medical epidemic that must be taken seriously by all and sundry, please stay safe and keep others safe by following government guidelines. At this crucial moment, we need not politicise any of our efforts and avoid hate speech as issues bothering on our health concern our lives and we must all be our brothers’ keeper for us all to remain alive and fulfill our destinies. May God help us”

Reports By ADEFARATI Abiodun

#COVID19: Why We Won’t Activate Lockdown Option In Oyo State Now – Gov. Seyi Makinde

by IbcityAnnouncer, posted in Life Style, News, Report, World

The Executive governor of Oyo state Engineer Seyi Makinde has reiterated his stand that there is no need to lock down the state amidst the coronavirus pandemic currently spreading globally, not weighing on the fact that Oyo state currently have the highest number of coronavirus cases 8 (Eight) in Nigeria after Lagos and Federal Capital Territory with 82 and 28 respectively as at 8:00pm, March 31st 2020

With the current lockdown of Lagos and Ogun States in the Southwest by the Federal government, the proximity of Oyo State to the two states, one would have thought a lockdown of the state should be activated by the state government and even as the #lockdownOyo hashtag has been trending on social media especially twitter since yesterday.

The state governor Engr. Seyi Makinde while speaking of some radio programs and tweets on his personal twitter handle @seyiamakinde said, the state government will not lockdown the state as  the Covid-19 Oyo State Task Force continue to assess the situation, relying heavily on fact based and logical opinion from experts  “Everything which can be done to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Oyo state is on the table, we will continue assess the situation and take additional measures when necessary but remember that my own background is engineering and I kept on saying it to people as an Engineer, you take decision that are based on logic and fact, this is an uncharted territory, we kept on interacting with the experts to find out what are the facts emerging. Lagos and Ogun can be on lockdown but that doesn’t apply to Oyo state. People have been saying Oyo state should lock down too but I have been asking the pertinent questions. What are going to be the benefits of lockdown in Oyo state? Are there other alternative cause of action for us to take? There are some people that it’s what they sell daily that they eat from, there activities today determine what they will eat tomorrow. There are many people like this within our environment, are their alternative available to us? Can we do selective lockdown? This is why we imposed the curfew, if we say stay at home from 7pm to 6am we really want people to stay at home, just to ensure that we curtail these coronavirus. We have everything on the table but it has to follow logical pattern and with input of the experts.

I have also being watching the CNN (Cable News Network) the most successful country to contain the coronavirus spread is Czechoslovakia.  One of the laws they made was that if you must leave your house you must wear a mask. It may be that route for us to go if we must but we also have to think about people who cannot afford the mask. Can we make mask locally? Can we get our artisans, tailors to produce the masks with funding from the government? This are the type of solutions we are looking at beyond the lockdown policy.

I pity those playing people who rather than reflect deeply on where we are and the situation we are faced with it but have chosen to play politics with it.

Governor Seyi Makinde who relinquished the leadership of the Covid-19 Oyo State Task Force to former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital UCH Professor Temitope Alonge after testing positive to the Corona Virus disease enjoined the good people of Oyo state not to press the panic button as the government is on top of the situation.

“I want to tell our people everywhere in Oyo state they should not panic because there is no cause for alarm. The government is doing everything in her capacity to contain and curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease. The diagnostic centers in Ibadan has commenced operation, which means we can test many people I implore anyone with symptoms to call the phone numbers of the emergency operation center, they will come and take their samples wherever they are for testing. We have gone far working to put in place the Infections Disease Center at Olodo, Ibadan, I can assure you that the place will be ln operation this week. I want to implore all citizens to please adhere strictly to all directives from the Oyo state Covid-19 taskforce. God will help us and also know that cleanliness is the surest antidote to any diseases let us keep out environment clean at all time.

I want to implore all the good people of Oyo state that Covid-19 is real, please follow all measure put in place to control and curtail the virus.

Stay at home, maintain social distance, wash your hand with water, use hand sanitizer regularly, these are things we have to do to stop the spread of this virus. I know how resilience we one as people but I don’t want any casualty in Oyo state, I don’t want anyone to lose their lives and I don’t want people to doubt the message of the government. They gave us the opportunity to serve them and that is exactly what we are going to do” he concluded

Reports By ADEFARATI Abiodun

How EFCC Zonal Head, Friday Ebelo,Gov. Seyi Makinde Marked 2019 Anti-Corruption Day In Ibadan

by IbcityAnnouncer, posted in News, Report

The Ibadan zonal head of EFCC, Mr. Friday Ebelo, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other top officials of the commission, the State government, professionals, artisans and people from across various fields of human endeavors, yesterday participated in a road walk as part of activities to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day.

Others at the rally are the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and members of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

While addressing journalists before the road walk, the Ibadan zonal head of EFCC, Mr. Friday Ebelo, had explained to them on the essence of the day and why the EFCC was marking it with a road walk.

“Corruption remains the most potent threat to human existence. It is at the root of every tragedy that ever befell mankind. It has also been identified as the ultimate potential impediment to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed for full actualization by the year 2030.

“It is the realization of these threats and the need to nip them in the bud that countries of the world came together under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) to pass the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in December 2003. As of today, 186 member-states are parties to the treaty. The document currently has 140 signatories and 30 ratifications. Those are in addition to the full involvement of notable non-member states of the global body,” he said.

The zonal head also listed out some of the successes of the Ibadan zonal office for the current year 2019.

“From January 2019 till date, the zone received 691 petitions; 213 of these were returned unapproved as issues raised therein did not fall under the purview of our mandate.

“In the course of investigations, the zone arrested 878 persons. Out of the 268 prosecuted, 171 have been convicted. Our investigations also led to temporary fixing of 1,044 bank accounts, while 56 automobiles and 14 houses were impounded.

“We equally have several laptops android phones and many other electronic devices confiscated in compliance with court orders,” he said.

The rally took off from the Iyaganku GRA Quarters premises of the Ibadan zonal office, through Dugbe, and came to a halt at the take-off point.

Governor Seyi Makinde who will also be signing the Oyo state Anti-Corruption bill already passed by the State Assembly, any moment from now, used the occasion to mobilize the people of the state in the fight against corruption, noted that no meaningful development could take place in a society that failed to curb corruption.

Report by Abiodun Adefarati

SCHOLARSHIP: Oyo State Tech-U Offers Best 165 Students From 33Lgs Admission For 2019/2020 Academic Calendar

by IbcityAnnouncer, posted in News, Tech

Indigenes of Oyo state from the 33 local government areas across the state who participated in the recently conducted Local government scholarship exams and Josephus Foundation scholarship examination held on the 15th, 16th and 17th October 2019 for the 2019/2020 admission process into the prestigious The First Technical University (Tech-U) Ibadan have been advised to check the school’s portal https://tech-u.edu.ng/scholarship/confirmation for  names of successful candidates.


According to the information released by the university’s management, the best five from each of the 33 Local Government Areas of the state, totaling 165 of the 436 candidates who wrote the examination have been offered admission through the Local Government scholarship scheme
Tech-U, Nigeria’s premier technical university, will resume its 2019/2020 academic session in November and it presently has 16 programmes accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Report By Boluwatife Oyinloye

GCIbadanAt90 : Speakers At Reunion Public Lecture To Proffer Solutions to Nigeria’s Energy Crisis – Adepoju, Chairman, Anniversary Planning Committee

by IbcityAnnouncer, posted in Interview, News, World

In continuation of the 90th anniversary reunion celebration of the Government College Ibadan, a special Public lecture will be held tomorrow at the Afe Babalola Hall, University of Lagos, to discuss and proffer solution the Energy Challenges in Nigeria.
The Annual Public Lecture titled Resolving Nigeria’s Energy Challenges will have in attendance outstanding speakers selected to do justice to the discourse with a clear objective to providing workable solution to the current energy crisis facing the country.


Speaking exclusively to IbadanCity Announcer on the 90th anniversary annual reunion epoch making event, the National Social Secretary and Chairman, Planning Committee, Pastor Yinka Adepoju highlighted the importance of the public lecture and the relevance of the discourse in this present time of Nigeria
“Nigeria has energy crisis since independence and every successive government has been trying to find a lasting solution to the epileptic power problem, we thought hard about it and agreed it will be appropriate at this particular period to use this platform to proffer lasting solution to the problem. We have carefully selected the best brains, professionals, thoroughbred  and energy experts among the old students of Government College as speakers at the public lecture. You can be assured that we are going to have workable solutions to the energy issue at the public lecture tomorrow.
The communique at the end of the public lecture will be presented to the people at the appropriate quarters and if properly implemented, the energy crisis that has plagued this nation from time immemorial will be a thing of the past”
According to the Chairman, Planning Commite , Pastor Adepoju, notable speakers for the public lecture include Mr. Tunde Adeyemo, former Director Information Coordination Centre, West Africa Power Pro, Mr. Bolade Soremekun, The Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ruhitec Group, major player in The Renewable Energy Provider, Also Expected at the lecture Are Mr Ifeoluwa Oyedele, The Executive Director Engineering and Technical Service, Niger-Delta Power Holding Company Limited, Mr Bayo Aderenle, The Front Development and Technical Interface Manager Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited And Mr. Gbite Falade , The Managing Director and Group Chief Operating Officer Oilserv Nigeria Limited.


The public lecture will be capped by presentation of awards to deserving personalities in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the development of Government College, Ibadan and Nigeria as a whole.
The events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Government College, Ibadan started on the 12th October with an exclusive 4hour High Impact First ever boat cruise on Lagos water followed by a drama presentation, an adaptation of three plays: Wole Soyinka’s ‘Trial of Brother Jero;’ Femi Osofisan’s ‘No More the Wasted Breed;’ and Bode Sowande’s ‘Mamiwater’s Wedding.’ Held on Sunday afternoon at the Professor Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos.
Soyinka, Sowande, and Osofisan who were old students of the college, were presented with different awards, along with Dr Christopher Kolade, and the late T.M. Aluko.
The Nobel Luarate, Professor Wole Soyinka, while answering questions from reporters, applauded the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association for organizing the 90th anniversary Reunion programme.
Professor Soyinka also used the occasion to bear his mind on the state of education in Nigeria, he stated that the country’s education was nothing to write home about.
“We are in serious trouble, education wise in this country. Let me not kid you; it’s horrifying. That was why I was happy about the initiative of creating a model school and trying to resurrect this Government College and present it as the ideal. We are really very low, education wise.
“I have learnt how much they (old students association) have done in the last few days and I am very proud of their work. I just hope the government leaves them alone; don’t interfere with them. Let them bring back to everybody’s mind the possibility of what education can be,” he opined.
The playwright said, “What pains us now is that the school (Government College Ibadan) could produce people of worth before, but the whole thing has gone down now. We are hoping that this help generate new impetus and action about the school and education.”
The 90th celebration reunion train will move down to Ibadan to continue other the lined up programme of events starting with a Anniversary Lunch with Government Boys and Staff at the school ground, a repeat of the drama presentation titled, THE FOLLY OF MEN inside the Lalekan Are Hall, Government College Old Boys House Apata Ibadan.

Reports by Adefarati Abiodun, photo by Sunmola Olaleye