Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun has called on the people of the State to (more…)

The media sub-Committee of the Oyo State Covid-19 Task Force, has taken the sensitisation campaign to leaders of the Hausa community in Ibadan, the State capital.

The sensitisation drive, which was led by the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, on Sunday, April 26, 2020, alerted the communities visited that the essence of the trip was to engineer community ownership of the risk communication messages aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

The Committee urged leaders of the Hausa community in Sabo and Shasha in Ibadan to ensure that residents of the communities follow the laid down protocols on how to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, noted that it is only by adhering to the guidelines designed to end COVID-19 that everyone can be safe; warning the two communities that the State Government is ready to lockdown Communities, Markets and settings that fail to adhere to the precautionary measures.

The delegation, which also included the Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Relations (Arewa Community), Alhaji Ahmad Murtala, as well as members of the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) of the State, visited the palaces of the Seriki Hausawa of Ibadanland, Alhaji Dahiru Ahmed Zungeru and the Seriki Sasha, Alhaji D. Haruna Maiyasin Katsina (CON).

While speaking, Dr Olatubosun maintained that the visits were part of the community engagement on COVID-19, noting that it was targeted at improving the level of compliance of the residents to the guidelines on the prevention of the virus.

He stated that the Government of Governor Makinde considered the Hausa community as an important part of the State and that the Governor is desirous of protecting everyone from contracting the virus.

Earlier, a Senior Registrar in Community Medicine at the University College Hospital, Dr Ronke Atoyebi, who is a member of the State’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) had told the two communities of the precautionary guidelines including social distance, sanitization, compulsory use of face masks, among others; noting that adherence to the measures would greatly help in containing the spread of the virus.

In their separate responses, the Seriki Hausa and the Seriki Sasha appreciated the Governor for running a Government that leaves no one behind, noting that by sending emissaries to the Hausa community to enlighten them on the novel Coronavirus, it showed that the Governor counted the community as important.

The Seriki Hausawa, Alhaji Zungeru, maintained that the Hausa community in Sabo is ready to abide by the rules on prevention of COVID-19; noting that as a community, the Sabo Development Progressive Association and his leadership had immediately swung to action on some of the measures.

He maintained that in line with the directive on the suspension of religious gatherings especially during Ramadan, he had informed all the Imams and clerics in Sabo to suspend group prayers, noting that the directive that prayer gatherings should be suspended during the pandemic was in line with the teaching of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Oyo State Government has promised to collaborate with the Federal Government and other stakeholders on development of tourist potentials in the State, adding that it is poised to make the State a hub of tourism in Nigeria.

Commissioner of Information, Culture & Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun stated this at the Old Oyo National park, during a State-wide working visit to some abandoned tourist sites in Oyo State.

While he decried the unpleasant state of some Oyo-State owned sites such as: the Iyamapo hill, Agbele hill, Oke-okin hill (all in Igbeti), Royal cemetery (Igboho), he also indicated that the State Government is ready to synergize with the management of the Old Oyo National park on improving sites like the Akoko base camp (Sepeteri) and Koso Relics, Oyo.

He added that the State Government would assess the tourist sites, potentials embedded in them and resuscitate some of the sites, with the aim of improving tourism in the State.

Olatunbosun hinted that Oyo State has 115 Tourist sites which could be developed to compete favourably with obtainable international standards, noting that this would attract investors which would likewise improve Oyo State’s economy and its internally generated revenue.

The Commissioner therefore called on potential investors, residents and indigenes of Oyo State to support the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in its efforts to boost the State’s economy through tourism.

In his remarks, the Conservator of the Old Oyo Park Mr. Joseph Asham opined that the effort of the State Govt has really been instrumental towards a healthy relationship with the management staff of the old Oyo national park.

He reiterated that the old Oyo National park, which is one of the seven national parks has a land mass of 2512 square metres, with a coverage area of 10 Local Govt. and 115 communities.

He added that the park derived its name from the old Oyo kingdom as it encompasses relics of the old Oyo kingdom and has a rich history which best describes the cultural and traditional components of the people.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner,

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.

Oyo State Government on Monday said the newly introduced Park Management System was to increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
It denied the new structure was not in any way a lift on the existing proscription on the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
The Government said the new effort will bring a fresh face to parks and garages management and administration in the State.
The Government made the clarification while inaugurating the park managers across the 33 Local Government Areas of the State and two Disciplinary Committees for motorists and tipper operators.
The event at the Conference Room, Ministry of Public Works and Transport was attended by Commissioners Bayo Lawal (Special Duties), Prof Rapheal Afonja (Public Works and Transport) and Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun (Information, Culture and Tourism) among others.
While a former factional leader of the NURTW, Mr Mukaila Lamidi (fondly referred to as Auxiliary) was inaugurated as the Chairman of the State Motor Parks Disciplinary Committee, Mr Adewale Yekeen was inaugurated as the Chairman of the Tipper/Lorry Drivers Disciplinary committee.
Afonja charged the new managers to be disciplined and ensure peace at the various motor parks and garages while also ensuring free flow of traffic.
He said: “This instruction was given by the Governor. It is a new park management system that we are implementing.
“We are trying this to make sure we bring in a better structure into our motor parks and garages.
“Soon, other things like infrastructure will fall in place. So, for the main time, these people have been assigned to take charge of the parks on behalf of the State.
“This is not a union system as they are basically employed by the State Government. One of the things the Governor is doing is to ensure that leakages are blocked and there is an increase in the revenue of the State.
‘’We cannot continue to mortgage our future by borrowing every day to construct or develop our infrastructure.
‘’So, that is why we have this management system in place; to coordinate on behalf of the Government.’’
He added: “Another reason why the Governor is doing this is to avoid violence among the union people because people feel insecure in the State.
“If there is anyone who, in some way, wants to threaten the peace of the State, such person will face the wrath of the law.
“We are asking the park managers and the committees to make sure that there is no traffic congestion in our State.
“They should coordinate people and make sure that the revenue, which the State is entitled to, get into the State coffers.
“These are the things this Government is saddled with the park managers and disciplinary committee for the State.”
Auxillary thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve, assuring that the initiative will rewrite motor vehicles control and administration in the State.
He also confirmed that the new assignment had nothing to do with NURTW operations, which has been banned in the State.
An initial fear enveloped areas like Iwo road, Ojoo, Challenge and others when after the inauguration, Lamidi led hundreds of his supporters to various parks and garages across the state.
Heavy security presence from combined team of police and State anti-crime patrol were however on hand to stem any form of violence.

This morning, Gov. Seyi Makinde swore in a New Set of Permanent Secretaries to The Civil Service of Oyo State. (more…)

Gov. Seyi Makinde was present at the Oyo State Tax Stakeholders Summit jointly organized by the Ministry of Finance and Oyo State Internal Revenue Service, yesterday.

The Governor during his keynote address talked about the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) Roadmap which will facilitate Economic Prosperity in Oyo State.

He also made it known that one of the key plan of the current administration is to increase the Internally Generated Revenue without an increase in tax rate.

He added that the Government is working on faster platforms which will ease the payment of tax and issuance of tax receipt in the State.

He charged the good people of Oyo State to be open to new ideas and creative ways which the Government can use for the expansion of Oyo State IGR.

In an effort at reducing drug abuse and trafficking, Oyo State Government has pledged to support the National Drug Law (more…)

Oyo State Government has assured that advocacy and enlightenment programs of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) would receive its support (more…)

Oyo State Government has directed that the 10,000 metric tonnes of silo project at Aawe in Oyo township be completed by the Contractor, Rahvet International Limited.

The contract had been a subject of litigation when the last administration revoked the contract which the contractor claimed was at 68% completion stage and the contractor headed for the law court to seek redress.

Ojekunle explained that the present Government met the project at the stage of incompletion and subject of litigation despite the disbursement of over 98% of total contract sum of by the immediate past administration and the work done till date was adjudged to be 67.8%.

He said the present administration entered into dialogue with all stakeholders to settle the issue amicably out of court as it was in the interest of the State to have value for the huge amount of money already expended on the project.

“The present administration met the contract at 68% completion and a lawsuit which we immediately entered into and settle amicably out of court. The result is what you are witnessing today.

“We have successfully resolved the issue and the contractor is back to site today as documents relating to the contract have been perfected and he is to complete it to avoid waste of scarce resources.

“The contractor has promised that the completion period is five months and after this, we believe that our farmers will be the one to benefit from the project as the present administration is poised to make farm produce available to the people at cheap price.

“The silo will assist in storing 10,000 metric tonnes of grains and other farm produce while it will help in export of farm produce that hitherto have always suffered destruction due to rot as farmers do not have facilities to store in this capacity.”

The Honourable Commissioner charged the contractor to reciprocate the kind gesture of Governor Seyi Makinde, by swinging into action as soon as fund was released to ensure the project would be of good quality and completed and delivered within the shortest period stipulated.

The Executive Chairman, Rahvet International Limited, Dr. Mufutau Raheem appreciated the  Governor Seyi Makinde for the opportunity given  his company to return for the completion of the project and gave his words of assurance by promising that the project will be completed and delivered at the stipulated period of  five months’ time.

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner, 

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.

…promises completion of others before year ends

Governor Seyi Makinde will commission at least Six (6) Model Schools, executed under the Universal Basic Education Commission-FG/Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board intervention Projects across the three senatorial districts of Oyo State, as part of activities marking his 100 days in office.

Also, Government has promised speedy completion of all ongoing UBEC-FG/SUBEB projects in the State, before the year ends, assuring that pupils across the State would henceforth enjoy a better lease in their basic educational pursuits.

According to the Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, this is part of efforts by the State Government to provide quality education to indigent pupils in the State.

He revealed that six Model schools across the State are ready for commissioning, stating that “this attests to the kind and genuine gestures the Governor has in rejigging the education sector of this State”.

“The Board has ensured that the contractors complete at least six (6) of the ongoing projects, which are ready for commissioning by His Excellency”, he said.

The Model school projects are located in Ibadan, Oyo and Oke-ogun region of the State, with modern facilities such as classrooms, sickbays, science laboratories, computer rooms, libraries and halls.

He further affirmed, that this is part of Oyo State Government’s efforts targeted at reviving the education system in the State and ensuring pupils return back to schools within a better environment.

Speaking on the fast pace achieved at completing the already abandoned school projects within 100 days of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration, Dr. Adeniran stated that the Governor’s pro-activeness and commitment to the development of education in the State, worked the magic.

He affirmed that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration would ensure that education is not only made free for pupils across the State, but that Government would make the schools worth attending for the pupils.

“Our pro-activeness brought about this finished works. We ensured these projects are completed by the contractors on site”, he said.

Some of the schools ready for commissioning include, Elekuro Jnr. High School, Elekuro (Ona-Ara Local Government), St. Mathias Primary school, Orogun, (Akinyele Local Government Area).

Others are Community Primary School, Idi-osan (Ibadan North West Local Government Area), Baptist Primary school, Isokun (Oyo-East Local Government Area), Muslim Community Junior High School, Igbeti (Olorunsogo Local Government Area) and Ofiki Grammar School Ofiki, (Atisbo Local Government Area).

Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun, PhD.,

Hon. Commissioner, 

Min. of Information, Culture & Tourism,

Oyo State Government.