Oyo state Government

 The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria(MHWUN) in Oyo state decided to defer its strike action due to the intervention of the state chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins and the Special Adviser on Labor Matters to the state Governor, Comrade Titilola Sodo.

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This disclosure was made on Thursday by the secretary of the union, Comrade Suraju Alabi.

''We were persuaded not to resume the strike action by the NLC chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins and the S.A Labor, Comrade Titltlola Sodo. They appealed to us to be patient, explaining that a committee had been set up by the state government to look into our demands and the committee's report would soon be out. So, let us give them the benefit of the doubt. However, our members were not moved by the promise that the report would be favorable, so, we are patiently waiting for the report,'' Comrade Alabi stated.

The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria(MHWUN) in Oyo state on Tuesday suspended the 7-day warning strike embarked upon to press home their demands.

According to the chairman of the union, Comrade Olumuyiwa Fabunmi, the State Executive Council of the union, after a meeting on Wednesday, decided to reconvene next week,''we have decided to give the state government another seven days because we received a letter, we will reply to the state government's letter.''

''We have not called off the strike, we have only suspended it. We will reconvene next week.''

In most recent times, parents and guardians in Oyo state have expressed great worries over the dwindling performance of their children and wards in private and public schools in the state. The major challenges revolve around the visible absence of quality education coupled with the difficulties in pinpointing the impact of education on pupils and students.

In this interview with New Federation, the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji commends the state governor for embarking  on the massive recruitment of teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Excerpts:

The Oyo state government is in the process of recruiting teachers into government owned primary and secondary schools in the state. What is your reaction?

Let us first appreciate God for the privilege of life. We equally need to appreciate, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for teachers in the state and for taking drastic action on the issue of the shortage of teachers. How do we cope at the different labor centers in relation to the shortage of manpower?

The issue of shortage of workers is not limited to Oyo state alone, labor unions are complaining in Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Imo and many other states. 

The problem in Oyo state has been addressed headlong.

The state government has decided to recruit 7,000 primary school teachers, 7,000 secondary school teachers, 3,000 non-teaching staff and 100 helpers for special schools. They are not likely to be degree holders. Each school will have 3 watchmen.

It is unprecedented in the history of oyo state. It is not for political patronage as has been insinuated, but the recruitment would be based on merit. We cannot doubt them.

The prospective teachers would undergo Computer-Based Tests. We do not need to doubt them. Candidates have started registering online. The registration is free of charge. It is a good thing that has come. 

Health workers in Oyo state have advised the state government to adopt a human face in its approach to acceding to their demands.

The health workers who are members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria(MWHUN) made this call on Tuesday in an interaction with the union's chairman, Comrade John Fabunmi and secretary, Comrade Suraju Alabi in the union's office in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''We call on the state government to look into our demands that have been lingering for years and give it a human face. We don't take pride in going on strike, we are also always considerate because we are also members of the larger society. The Oyo state government should be compassionate and do what is required,'' the union leaders stated.

The health workers are currently on a seven-day warning strike to press home their grievances.

Traders of Igbo extraction in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria have made a Save Our Soul Appeal(SOS) to the national leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide to rescue them from the claws of the state government officials and multiple fees.

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The traders who made the SOS on Friday, located in different parts of the state, opted to speak incognito to avoid victimization.

''The entire leadership of Igbos in Oyo state have failed us, they have been silent all this while. We have been harrassed, extorted and attacked because of the multiple taxation by agents of the government. We passionately appeal to the national leadership of Ohaneze Worldwide under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu to come to our rescue. Save us from multiple taxation,'' they pleaded.

Victims of police brutality in Oyo state have expressed worries that the Panel of Enquiry set up by the state government is yet to commence sitting.
The victims in a chat with Poverty Line, lamented that several weeks after the inauguration of the Justice Badejok Adeniji led panel, mum is the ord.
''We are disturbed that the panel is yet to commence sitting. We are also surprised that several weeks after the inauguration of the panel by the state Governor nothing encouraging has been heard. This should not be the attitude of the State Government'', they stated.
However, a lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Femi Aborishade insisted that the panel has not been given any terms of reference, saying,'' they have no office, no place of sitting and no funding''.

The Oyo state Fire Service has attributed fire incidents in the state in recent times to human error.

The potions of the fire service was made know by its Deputy Director, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi.

Since I joined the service three decades ago, I have never witnessed such fire incidents, between January 1st and today we have recorded 200 fire calls. All these fire incidents are man made not natural causes. The fire incidents occurred due to one mistake or the other. I appeal to residents of Oyo state to be careful and abide by fire safety tips'', Mr. Adewuyi stressed.

The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners(AWDROP) has called on the Oyo state Government to ensure the enforcement of the regulations guiding borehole drilling  in the state.

AWDROP made this call through its National Public Relations Officer, Mr. Richard Adeyinka in a caht with Poverty Line

''I think the area the  state government  has to look at, is the strict regulation of borehole drilling in the state. I also think that Governor Seyi Makinde has done well in appointing Mr. Kehinde Ayoola as Comissioner for Environment and Water Resources. There have been haphazard drilling by foreigners, who are not conversant with the terrain. AWDROP has been agitating for the enforcement of regulations in the state 36 states and Abuja.

''The standard Code of Practice-NCP 027/2010, should be strictly adhered to. The Commissioner should look inwards and ensure that indigenous companies benefit fron the dividends of democracy, as this shall create employment for those already out of business'', Mr. Adeyinka asserted.