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In response to the recent surge in transport fares and the resulting financial strain on public workers, the Kwara State Government has introduced temporary measures to alleviate the situation. 

The State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Susan Modupe Oluwole, announced on Monday that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak has directed a reduction in work days from five to three days per week for all state-employed workers.

The directive, aimed at mitigating the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government, was conveyed through a statement signed by Murtala Atoyebi, the Chief Press Secretary in the office of the HOS.

Mrs. Oluwole emphasized that the purpose of this measure is to provide relief to the workers who have been grappling with the skyrocketing cost of transportation.

By reducing the number of work days, the government aims to ease the financial burden on employees and help them cope with the increased transport expenses resulting from the fuel subsidy removal.

To ensure effective implementation, the Head of Service instructed all Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to promptly devise a format indicating the alternating work days for each employee under their purview.

This arrangement will enable a smooth transition to the new schedule and ensure that all workers are aware of their designated work days.

While the government has shown compassion towards the workers, Mrs. Oluwole cautioned against abusing the governor’s generosity.

She stressed that the Head of Service’s office would intensify its monitoring of MDAs to ensure strict compliance with the new directive. 

The government expects employees to adhere to the revised work schedule diligently and demonstrate professionalism in their duties.

The temporary reduction in work days is seen as a proactive step by the Kwara State Government to address the immediate financial challenges faced by public workers. 

By implementing this measure, the government aims to provide relief and support its employees during this period of increased transportation costs. 

The effectiveness of these temporary measures will be closely monitored to assess their impact and determine any further necessary actions to alleviate the burden on the workers.

~ We shall continue to promote Unity, Peace and our Cultural Heritage – Mr Latin

It was funfair in Abuja as the Global President of Theatre Art and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) inaugurate her Abuja Chapter.

Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba at the event commending TAMPAN, appreciate the role the Association have played at preaching and promoting Unity, Peace and Cultural Heritage of the Nation, as they have in numerous ways added value to the society especially with notable Thespians which formulates the Association.

Usman Baba, represented by the Police Public Relation Officer, Prince Muyiwa Adejobi promise of more synthetic partnership and support to the Association at providing a secure and serene environment throughout the Nation.

In his address, TAMPAN Global President, Otunba Bolaji Amusan, Mr Latin appreciate the IGP and men of the Nigeria Police Force for their role at enhancing a peaceful society worthy of living throughout the Federation especially at a time when the national security apparatus seems to be let down. He equally calls for more support of the NPF for all TAMPAN Members in the Federation.

The PPRO, Prince Muyiwa Adejobi at the event was awarded as Patron, TAMPAN Abuja Chapter and pronounced by the Global President, Otunba Bolaji Amusan as one of the selected personalities to be celebrated at TAMPAN National Convention holding later in the year for his outstanding role and profile in the society especially as the NPF Image Maker.

The program which lasted for 3days features events like Seminar, Football Match, inauguration and investiture of the Chapters Patron and Patroness ended with Male Cooking Competition and won by the TAMPAN Global President, Otunba Bolaji Amusan.

It will recalled that few days earlier, Otunba Bolaji Amusan had Inaugurated the Germany Chapter of the Association with expectations of him inaugurating America and Ekiti State Chapters later in the month.

Some of the dignitaries at the event includes: Otunba Bolaji Amusan (Mr Látìn); The Global President, Yeye Rose Odika; Deputy President, Ayobami Olabiyi; National General Secretary, Pastor Sunday Alabi Osibata; Assistant National General Secretary, Alahji Adeniyi Adedayo; Director of Theatre Arts, Yeye Toyosi Adesanya; Director of Social and Welfare, Emperor Damola Ọlatunji; Director of Research, Mr Titi Jeje; Chairman TAMPAN Guild of Directors, Yeye Bose Akintola and Mr Dada Olasunkanmi; TAMPAN Governors from Oyo and Ekiti States respectively, among others.

REPORTING FOR TAMPAN :
Ayobami Olabiyi
National General Secretary

PRESS STATEMENT

ALLEDGED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: DISREGARD FABRICATED LIES AGAINST THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR.

It has come to the attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, that a baseless and false report credited to a faceless group alleging the Deputy Governor of engaging in domestic abuse and assault on his wife, has been making the rounds in some sections of the media.

This falsehood and its peddlers would have ordinarily been ignored at this time but the need to halt further negative reports and rumours capable of creating needless tension in our State has necessitated this response.

The said allegation of domestic abuse against the person of the deputy Governor is a figment of the imagination of those behind it and their ungodly intentions to cause crisis in the State had been known for weeks and therefore such falsehood did not come as a surprise.

While His Excellency reserves the right to privacy on issues pertaining to his family, it is pertinent to state clearly that there has never been any domestic violence between the Deputy Governor and his lovely wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, who at the moment is outside the shores of the country.

It is not a secret that Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa has lived and worked in the United Kingdom for many years before her husband became an elected public official in Nigeria and since then she has been shuttling between United Kingdom and Nigeria to take care of the home and the children who are also in the United Kingdom.

Therefore, any report of alleged domestic issues within the family should be taken as the handiwork of the enemies of the State who are bent of causing crisis where there is none and we therefore warn those spreading such falsehood to desist or face the consequences.

It is concerning to see that a faceless group said to be headed by a name not known anywhere in the State could sell such fabrication to media men. It is more concerning, however, that such lie, which was not backed with any evidence whatsoever, could be promoted into a news item by journalists.

In the last four months quoted in the false report as timeline, His Excellency has been busy with official duties of his office and has during the period performed the duties of the office of the Governor as delegated to him by his boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, while he was on Leave.

It is therefore uncharitable for anyone to claim that the Deputy Governor has in that period carried out “multiple assaults” on his spouse who is out of the country. This is nothing but political blackmail taken too far.

We urge the good people of Ondo State to ignore such falsehood as those behind it may just be plotting further attacks on the Deputy Governor to promote their sinister agenda.

We also urge journalists in the State to embrace the ethics of the profession and not allow themselves to be deceived or coerced by those intent on distabilising our State into feeding the unsuspecting public with lies.

Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson
Press Secretary to the Governor, Office of the Deputy Governor.

Ondo State
June 4, 2023.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it will embark on a nationwide protest from next Wednesday,7th June, in solidarity with the Nigeria Labour Congress, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) fails to revert to the old pump price of petrol.

NUJ in a press statement by its National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, said the Central Working Committee of the union, after an emergency meeting, resolved that the NLC’s planned nationwide strike was in the overall interest of the Nigerian masses.

The statement reads ” “CWC reiterates the argument that although the removal of fuel subsidy will free allocations which can be channelled to the provisions of infrastructure and creation of additional jobs, the sudden removal could, however, lead to social unrests and protests as people may perceive government as being insensitive to their plight.

“CWC also noted that already there is an astronomical increase in the prices of petroleum products and high inflation which have drastically reduced the purchasing power of citizens.

“Accordingly, CWC directs all State Councils of the Union to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence protests nationwide from Wednesday next week, 7th June, 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the oil sector,” the statement added.

•Congratulates New Speaker, Other Principal Officers

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has charged members of the newly inaugurated 10th Assembly to prioritise the interests of the people of the state in the discharge of their duties.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Richard Olatunde, the Governor urged the lawmakers to see their assignments as a service to the people of the state who elected them as representatives.

Governor Akeredolu, who had earlier congratulated the new speaker personally, enjoined the new legislators to be above board and discharge their duties without fear, favor, or interference.

The Governor also commended the assembly members for electing their principal officers without rancor or misunderstanding.

“Legislation is a crucial assignment and one of the most important instruments of government in organizing, developing, and stabilizing society and protecting citizens.

“I congratulate our newly inaugurated lawmakers. Your people have invested trust and confidence in you. You must strive to justify the mandate the people invested in you through quality representation.

“Let me quickly commend you for the smooth conduct in electing principal officers of the House. I congratulate the new Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan, and other principal officers of the House.

“You have once again displayed the true spirit of the Sunshine State. Our character and principles have always been our most valued treasures. We are a people of honour and integrity.

“It is our hope and belief that the new Assembly, through its leadership, will have a smooth working relationship with our administration. We are committed to any idea or process that will accelerate the development of our state,” he said.

The Governor equally congratulated the 9th Assembly led by the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun, for recording a successful tenure in office.

Governor Akeredolu thanked the Oleyelogun-led Assembly for its cordial relationship with his administration.

He noted that the last Assembly displayed diligence, maturity, and understanding in supporting the Executive Arm of government to manage the affairs of the state.

The Governor urged the 10th Assembly to allow the interest of the people and the good of the state to be the guiding and driving force.

Ignore The Rumor On The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON

We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON. We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.

Though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary.

We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.

Signed
Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation