Author: David Adeoye

High yield crops: Regional hub for fertiliser launched in Ibadan
Fertiliser
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, on Wednesday in Ibadan launched the West Africa Fertiliser and Soil Health Hub.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facility was launched at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan.
The hub is to address the challenges that threaten food security and economic stability, low fertiliser use and continuous degrading soils in the West African region.
Toure-Litse, in her address, noted that the West African region was blessed with vast natural resources and rich agriculture heritage.
”But it is faced with unprecedented challenges that threaten its food security and economic stability.
“Low fertiliser use and continuous degrading soils are factors that were significantly holding back crop yields in the region,” she pointed out.
The ECOWAS official however said the challenges were posing a direct threat to the livelihood of millions of farmers and the well-being of various communities.
She noted that West African lands were rich with several resources, stating that “its soils not only nourish our people but also can feed the world”.
Toure-Litse said low use of fertiliser was due to either its high cost, limited access to quality fertiliser, lack of farmers’ awareness and education on proper fertiliser use.
“Poor infrastructure for distribution and inadequate government policies are issues hampering the ability of the region to achieve highly agricultural productivity.”
She said this was why in 2006, having recognised the gravity of the region’s agricultural challenges, its leaders convened the first fertiliser summit in Abuja.
“Eighteen years has passed and the progress has been slow, yet current estimates placed fertiliser use in our region at around 20 kilogrammes of nutrients per hectare compared to the global average of more than 100 kilogrammes per hectare.
“This disparity has just called for urgent need for action, as new challenges have emerged compounding the old ones and the urgency of our situation should be addressed.
“With the support of financial and technical partners, efforts to implement, coordinate and monitor the roadmap that address all these issues have began early in October 2023,” the ECOWAS Commissioner said.
She further explained that African leaders, under the leadership of the African Union (AU) Commission, convened another summit in Nairobi, Kenya in May 2024 in response to the challenges.
Toure-Litse said the summit renewed the commitment to increasing productivity, enhanced fertiliser use to improve soil health and encouraged fertiliser use so as to restore degraded soil and boost productivity.
“And, to better ensure its implementation in West Africa and the Sahel, ECOWAS endorsed the Nairobi declaration after adoption.”
She said key recommendations of the roadmap include supporting countries in the region to develop their own action plan for fertiliser and soil health, aligning with the local need and opportunities..
Toure-Litse said the launching of the West African fertiliser and soil health hub was in the context of implementation of the roadmap.
She said the hub would provide countries in the region the necessary technical support to implement respective action-plan through capacity-building and services provision in the area of fertiliser and soil health.
“I am optimistic that the hub will be a cornerstone solution for the regional agricultural challenges,” the ECOWAS Commissioner noted, saying it would help in addressing the problem of high cost of fertiliser, limited access to fertiliser and lack of education among farmers.
She said the roadmap’s significant achievement was made possible through IITA’s technical leadership and the coalition of technical partners, including International Fertiliser Development Centre, African Plant Nutrition Institute, among others.
Toure-Litse further stated that the hub, along with the roadmap and action plan, would provide a powerful framework to achieving the set goal.
“I charge all stakeholders to seize the opportunity and build a more sustainable, secured and prosperous future for the region.
“I urge all the stakeholders, government, financial institutions, technical experts and farmers to work together so that they can turn the tide of food and security in West Africa.”
She assured all the stakeholders of the ECOWAS Commission’s commitment to continuing to play its leadership role to ensure the achievement of secured food security in the region.
“To ensure the success of the initiative we must integrate the voices and needs of farmers, particularly women and youths, because they are the backbone of our agricultural sector.
“We must provide them with training on proper fertiliser application techniques and empower them to make informed decisions about soil management,” the ECOWAS Commissioner said.
In his address, Dr Bernard Vanlauwe, Deputy Director, General Research, IITA, said the hub would provide technical assistance to countries in the region.
He said this would be on what they can do to increase their fertiliser use and the efficiency of fertiliser.
Vanlauwe said activities of the hub would have significant impact on food productivity in the region.
The priorities of the ECOWAS Fertiliser and Soil Health RoadMap for West Africa and Sahel include market information on agricultural inputs and strengthening fertiliser quality control regulations.
Others are improving fertiliser trade within ECOWAS, increasing local production of fertiliser and expanding agricultural inputs distribution networks.
Highlights of the event was the signing ceremony of ECOWAS-IITA Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the ECOWAS Agriculture Policy (ECOWAP) and West Africa Fertiliser Hub.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

June 26, 2024
Upgrading Ibadan airport to international has been approved by FG — Makinde
Airport
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde on Wednesday disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the upgrade of the airport at Alakia in Ibadan to an international airport.
Makinde, while receiving the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, in Ibadan said the President’ approval has made his administration’s efforts to have the airport upgraded become a reality.
He explained that the upgrading project, which would begin in the next three weeks, would include the construction of a new terminal, runway and other structural features.
“The project will be handled by experts and delivered to standard,” he said, pointing out that he had identified the need for the airport’s upgrade to be central to his economic expansion agenda.
On developmental projects by his government, Makinde said his administration had spent the last five years turning around the state’s economy
“Our government’s resolve to build infrastructure which targets the economic expansion agenda has also seen it investing resources on the 110-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road.
“This administration will consider the Air Force’s request for land for its post-retirement housing scheme on the Circular Road corridor,” he said
The governor appreciated the Chief of Air Staff for his officers’ efforts in working with sister security agencies to secure Oyo State.
He urged that the cordial relationship between the Force and the people of the state be maintained.
Makinde equally noted that his administration has remained committed to working with the Air Force to deliver the Air Force Base in Ajia, Ibadan.
He assured Abubakar that his promise of a speedy completion of the road that leads to the base would be kept.
Earlier in his speech, the Chief of Air Staff had described the governor as a visionary leader, thanking him for his support for the Air Force.
He noted that the acquisition of 60 hectares of land for the Air Force Base at Ajia and the provision of security operational vehicles were commendable efforts of the governor.
Abubakar acknowledged the governor’s focus on economic development and enhancing security in the state.
“The Air Force will continue to support the state and also build on the mutual relationship with the state,” he assured.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

June 26, 2024
Oyo govt. begins recruitment of 7,000 primary school teachers, 100 caregivers
Teachers
Bye David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Oyo State Government on Tuesday opened a portal for recruitment of 7,000 primary school teachers and 100 caregivers for special schools across the state.
Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, announced the opening of the portal at a news conference in Ibadan.
According to Adeniran, the job portal for the recruitment is: subeb.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng.
He said that the portal would be active from 6 p.m. on Tuesday (June 25) to July 9.
He urged all intending applicants to be wary of scammers who might open other portals aside the official one released by SUBEB.
“subeb.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng is the SUBEB job portal where we expect intending applicants for the 7,000 teaching positions as well as 100 caregivers to put in their online applications.
“The job portal, will register each candidate with his/her email, phone number and National Identification Number (NIN), among other requirements.
“At the end of the three weeks, the portal will be shut and we will go back to the drawing board to do our analysis to shortlist candidates and see those that actually complied with the requirements.
“Thereafter, the shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a Computer Based Test (CBT) examination.
“After the CBT examination, the number of those that passed will determine those that will proceed to the next stage, which is oral interview,” he stated.
The SUBEB chairman urged all intending applicants to channel the complaints or challenges encountered in the process of the online application through the phone number and email addresses provided on the website for free support services.
He advised every intending applicant to upload necessary documents, while assuring the general public that the exercise would be transparent and based on merit.
According to him, the application process from begining to the end is free of charge, adding
no person is assigned to collect money from any applicant.
Adeniran said that the decision to embark on the recruitment to reduce unemployment rate in the state.
“In addition, the administration of Gov. Seyi Makinde wants to expand the job space in the basic education sub-sector and those who are interested in working as caregivers, knowing fully well that education is a major pillar of the administration,” he said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DAK/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
June 25, 2024
Makinde reshuffles Oyo cabinet
Cabinet
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has effected a minor cabinet reshuffle.
This is contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, on Tuesday in Ibadan.
According to the statement, Mr Segun Olayiwola, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, has been moved to Ministry of Establishment and Training.
The Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mr Ademola Ojo was named as the new Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr Adeniyi Adebisi, is to take over the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives.
The postings, according to the statement, are with immediate effect. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
DAK/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
June 25, 2024
World bank supports Oyo govt. with N3.5bn grant to renovate 105 primary schools
Grant
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The World Bank has supported Oyo State Government with N3.5 billion grant for the renovation of selected 105 public primary schools across the state.
The state Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, made the disclosure on Friday in Ibadan during a symbolic presentation of cheques to representatives of some of the beneficiary schools.
Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal said the grant was meant for the renovation of primary schools with critical attention.
The governor explained that the works would commence simultaneously in all the 105 schools selected across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He admonished those in charge of the exercise to avoid doing shoddy jobs but to ensure that all the projects were in accordance with the prescriptions.
He said that doing quality jobs would make the essence of the projects realisable and equally make the general public to appreciate government efforts in the education sector.
“A huge amount of money is being put into this project and the beneficiaries must put eyes into what is being done in their respective schools.
“The standard must be in accordance with prescriptions, so that our children will take maximum advantage of the facilities government is putting in place,” Makinde said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Mr Suraj Tiamiyu, said that the renovation of the 105 approved public primary schools mostly in the rural areas was expected to be completed within six weeks.
Tiamiyu said the renovation would include construction of toilets, boreholes drilling among other facilities that would make learning environment more condusive for pupils.
He added that the exercise would be properly monitored for effective delivery to standard and time framework.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grant support is a World Bank Project under Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) – Additional Funding (AF).
The project is a form of educational grant from the World Bank with Global Partnership for Education (GPE) aiming to increase equitable access for out-of-school children and improvement of literacy in beneficiary states.
Oyo state and two other states, namely; Adamawa and Katsina were beneficiaries of the grant, which is also seeking to strengthen accountability for results in basic education in Nigeria. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
DAK/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
June 21, 2024
Olubadan throne: Gov. Makinde approves appointment of Olakunleyin
Olubadan
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 19, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of Oba Owolabi Olakuleyin as the 43rd Olubadan of lbadanland, an official said in Ibadan on Wednesday.
The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr Olusegun Olayiwola, disclosed in a statement that Makinde gave the approval in a memo signed on Friday.
“This was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 19 (Cap 28) Law of Oyo State 2000 as amended.
“The approval was a culmination of a series of processes stipulated by the extant laws of the state regarding ascension to royal thrones,” he added.
The Commissioner stated that the governor also congratulated the new Olubadan, and prayed that his tenure would bring about greater developments in Ibadanland and Oyo State as a whole.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)
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June 19, 2024
Eid el Kabir : Intensify prayers for Nigeria, Makinde urges Muslim faithful
Eid el Kabir : Intensify prayers for Nigeria, Makinde urges Muslim faithful
Prayers
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 15, 2024(NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on Muslim faithful in the state and across Nigeria to intensify prayers for the country.
This is contained in a message to Muslims on the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, issued in Ibadan on Saturday by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Print Media, Mr Moses Alao.
The governor, according to the statement, called on Muslims to use the opportunity of the Eid el Kabir to rededicate themselves to the service of God and for doing good to humanity.
He equally charged them to use the occasion to make more supplications to Allah for continued peace and prosperity in Oyo State and Nigeria as a country.
“As I have always said, our administration appreciates the support and prayers of the Muslim Ummah over the last five years.
“But, we desire more support and prayers, because the times we are in demands that we give more; more sacrifice, more prayers and more patriotism to our state and country.
“It is my prayer that Allah will accept our worship and reward our efforts,” Makinde stated.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
DAK/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

June 15, 2024
Makinde promises to give priority to infrastructure devt
Makinde promises to give priority to infrastructure devt
Infrastructure
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 14, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Friday, said that his administration would continue to prioritise infrastructure development, to enhance growth and productivity in the state.
The governor stated this at the funeral and thanksgiving service in honour of the mother of Bishop Francis Wale Oke, the late Elizabeth Oke.
Bishop Oke is the founder of Christlife, National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and founder, Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan.
The thanksgiving service was held at the St. James Memorial Anglican Church, Kasumu Village, Ibadan.
Makinde said the ongoing road construction in Kasumu village to Egbeda Road, through Owobaale-Erunmu, would be completed as planned.
He said his administration attached importance to the road which links Erunmu where the state government planned to convert the moribund Erunmu dry port to a container terminal.
The governor, however, cautioned residents of Kasumu village and other communities in the area to be wary of land grabbers and equally avoid selling their lands.
Makinde said road corridors in the area would soon experience massive economic transformation as a result of the project and the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road Project being developed around the axis.
The governor, who described the funeral and thanksgiving as the celebration of life for the late Oke, observed that the character of the deceased could be seen in her children.
He said the late Oke lived a fruitful life and impacted the community and people around her meaningfully.
He charged the Oke family to take solace, saying that Mama Oke lived for 97 years, which called for celebration.
In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Rev. Williams Aladekugbe, charged people not to see death as a bad thing but a transition of believers to a place of peaceful rest and everlasting life.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Bishop Oke thanked Gov. Makinde for his exceptional life and giant strides in transforming the state into an enviable one.(NAN) www.nannews.ng (NAN)
DAK/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
June 14, 2024
Makinde pledges to sustain cordial relationship with Oyo’s legislature, judiciary
Relationship
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday in Ibadan pledged to sustain the cordial relationship with the legislative and judicial arms of the state government.
Makinde made the pledge while addressing the state lawmakers during the first anniversary of the 10th Assembly of the State House of Assembly.
He said the smooth working relationship with the legislature had enhanced his unprecedented achievements in the last one year of his administration.
The governor noted that his administration had been having the support of the lawmakers “as we made people-first decisions.
“In all this time, we have prioritised our economy and taken steps that put us ahead of all other states in times of crisis.
“You have shown us that you believe in us, and that is why our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has continued on the path of growth from an average of about N4.2 billion monthly in 2023 to an average of N4.95 billion in the first quarter of 2024.”
Makinde further explained that his government prioritised road infrastructure development in rural areas because it believed that such would reduce poverty in the areas significantly.
“And so, from Omituntun 1.0, we focused on linking all our zones. We completed the 65 kilometres (km) Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road, and started the 34.85 km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the 76.67 km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road.
“We have delivered the Oyo-Iseyin Road and the Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road, now renamed Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Highway.
“We have also delivered the 12.5 km Challenge-Odo Ona-Elewe-Elebu-Apata Road dualisation, now renamed Theophilus Akinyele Way and the dualisation of the 8.2 km Agodi Gate-Old Ife Road-Adegbayi Road, including an underpass at Onipepeye area.
“In total, we completed 152.92 km of road projects in the first year of Omituntun 2.0. We are currently reconstructing the 48-km Ido-Eruwa Road to link Ibadan and Ibarapa zones, among other road projects.
“The real impact of these road constructions is that Oyo State is fast becoming a regional agribusiness industrial hub,” he stated.
The governor also made it known that his government in the last one year had delivered across all sectors, be it in the area of education, health, agriculture and tourism, among others.
He said the state would continue to play a huge role in the sale and development of solid minerals in Nigeria.
Makinde recalled that the Executive Order number one he signed into law in October, on the protection of mining communities against insecurity and exploitation in the state, was very useful.
He said it would go a long way to make his administration’s plan realisable.
On tourism, Makinde said the sector was the fourth focus area for the economic development of the state.
“In April, we hosted the world at an International Tourism Summit, signalling our administration’s readiness to foster partnerships with the private sector.
“Our plan is to continue working to make Oyo State the destination for heritage, pleasure and agri-tourism through direct and indirect investments in the sector,” he said.
The governor said his government would continue to build strong institutions in the state, saying the institutions would play pivotal roles in the engineering of a modern Oyo State.
He said this would be by working with existing ministries, departments and agencies.
Among the institutions already established by the Makinde’s administration are the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED) and the Oyo State Project Monitoring Agency.
Others are the Oyo State Rule of Law Authority, the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
In his address, the Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Debo Ogundoyin, disclosed that the assembly within one year had been able to pass 16 bills into law.
He added that four other bills were presently at various stages of legislative processes.
“Nine out of these bills had been assented to by the Governor. I am pleased to also announce that 68 motions had been sponsored and moved by us, and the committees had presented 35 reports on oversight functions and matters referred to them at plenary sittings of the House.
“So far, the House had passed 170 resolutions to the executive arm of government and others for appropriate actions.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)
June 13, 2024
Makinde inaugurates newly-established Mobilisation Agency for Economic Devt
Assent
By David Adeoye
Ibadan, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday in Ibadan signed into law the bill establishing the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-Economic Development (OYMASED).
However, Makinde not only signed the executive bill into law, he also announced the appointment of a former Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr Thomas Morohunkola, as the agency’s Director-General.
In his remarks, the governor said the agency’s establishment was in line with his stand that the administration would not only be defined by the massive infrastructure it has built.
”But it will be by the strong institutions it has put in place.
.
“With OYMASED, we have an agency that will clarify abstract ideas in our state economic policies and educate our people about the law and political process.
“This agency we are creating today will serve as a rallying point for several key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government.
“As a country, we have to prioritise production and we cannot be productive without mobilising our people behind what we want to do.
“When we broaden our productive base, that is when we know we are tackling the issue of taking our people out of poverty into prosperity.
“There is hunger in the land, which does not reflect where we should be as a nation. So, we must create a framework to harness our potential through mobilisation, sensitisation and advocacy. So, this agency is a key part of the framework,” he said.
The governor further said his administration would continue to prioritise economic development in order to solve major challenges in the state.
“Also, when economic development is prioritised, continuous education is needed. You cannot win people’s trust if you do not clearly communicate where you are taking them.
“OYMASED will play a big role in the continuous mobilisation and sensitisation of the various demographics in Oyo State for the pursuit of social, economic, political and environmental development,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also inaugurated the office of the newly-established OYMASED immediately after he assented the bill.
During the inauguration of the office, Makinde reiterated his stance that the state only needs strong institutions to continue to thrive.
He stated that the country would have to borrow a leaf from the pages of Oyo State in creating strong institutions to address its challenges.
In his goodwill message, a former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana, who witnessed the inauguration, said OYMASED would bring development and transformation to the state.
He said this would be faster and better through the involvement and mobilisation of the people in governance.
Gana commended Makinde for establishing OYMASED, which he described as a good initiative.
Morohunkola, in his remarks, assured that the objectives of establishing OYMASED would be achieved and that the Makinde administration would leave a lasting legacy for coming administrations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
DAK/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

June 11, 2024