Latest news with #OyoState
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: OYACA, estate surveyors collaborate to stop use of looted funds for real estate
The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has evolved a collaboration with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Oyo State branch, to stop the use of looted public funds for real estate in the State. This was disclosed during the courtesy visit of the Estate Surveyors body to the State Anti-Corruption Agency on Wednesday, where the OYACA Chairman, Justice Eni Esan (rtd.), asserted the need for collaborative efforts to stamp out corruption. She reeled out the achievements of her agency to include the investigation and conclusion of 309 cases, the prosecution of corrupt civil servants, and the recovery of huge amounts of money from corrupt contractors and civil servants. Eni Esan, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the agency, Ibrahim Tijani Esq, told the visitors that as part of the mandate of OYACA, education and enlightenment of the public, as well as advocacy programmes for different groups in the State, have been a core mandate that has been delivered upon. She pointed out that the collaboration would help to identify, verify, and manage assets recovered from corrupt practices while ensuring proper valuation and disposal of forfeited assets, as well as maintaining ethical conduct within the real estate sector. 'While congratulating your institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Oyo State branch, we recognise the efforts of your body in regulating and promoting the best of the established standard for professional conduct among members. 'These attest to the fact that your organisation also plays an important role in achieving a fair society, free of corruption, it is time to regulate the sector to stop looted funds from being channeled to the real estate sector of Oyo State economy,' the retired Justice mentioned. In his words, the NIESV, Oyo State branch Chairman, Estate Surveyor Olufisayo Ogunbiyi, opined that the fight against corrupt practices in the areas of valuation of confiscated properties in the course of investigation, adding that the cooperation would also boost the government's resolve to stave off illicit funds from the real estate sector. Present at the visit were the management members of OYACA, like the Executive Secretary, Ibrahim Tijani Esq., Pastor Dr. Folasade Ajibade, Director ICT, Mr Tajudeen Azeez, Director Finance and Administration, as well as the Vice Chairman of NIESV, Estate Surveyor Olasukanmi Tanigbola, among others. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Oyo govt advocates technology-driven approach for agric transformation
The Director General of Agribusiness Development Agency in Oyo State, Dr Debo Akande, has advocated a technology-driven approach to agricultural development nationwide. He made the submission in his lecture titled, 'Industrialisation of Agriculture for Economic Development', as part of activities marking the 86th birthday of Ekaarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Adebayo Akande and the 18th anniversary of an Ibadan-based radio station, Splash FM 105.5, held at the Alumni Hall, University of Ibadan. 'We must embrace a value-chain-based approach involving the downstream, midstream and upstream sectors. Private sector-led processing, technological innovation, and science-driven practices as crucial to transforming agriculture,' he said. He decried the low budgetary allocation to the sector, adding that if the government must diversify from the oil and gas sector of the economy, the best alternative is the agricultural sector. The sector, according to him, is not just food security, as important as it is, but also a means for economic growth and development. He added that Nigeria needs to design policies and programmes that are not just focused on food security alone but could also address sustainable economic growth and development. 'Agriculture is not just food security, as important as it is, but also a means for economic growth and development. We need to design policies and programs that are not just focused on food security alone but could also address sustainable economic growth and development. 'Agriculture has gone beyond hoes and cutlasses, it's innovation and technology driven by science. L'Oréal, one of the largest companies in beauty and make-up, is looking for a scientific solution from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on green innovations,' Akande added. In his remarks, the celebrant, Ekaarun Olubadan, Oba Akande, dedicated his birthday to God, family members and associates for their support over the years. Speaking through the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of WestMidlands Communications, Atinuke Adetunji, Akande said he was overwhelmed with the calibre of people who surrounded him. The Ekerin Olubadan designate stressed further that unwavering support and love received daily from both the family members and associates have kept him going, which money cannot buy. He said, 'It is not every time a man gets to celebrate 86 meaningful years of life, nor is it every day that one sees a dream like Splash FM grow, thrive, and redefine a city's media culture for 18 vibrant years? 'But what is life, without the people who walk its journey with you? Today, I'm not just celebrating my birthday, I am celebrating you- my dear friends, family, colleagues, and loyal partners. 'I am overwhelmed by the love that surrounds me, by the laughter in this hall, by the kind words that have been spoken, and by the faces that have travelled near and far just to honour me. 'To my friends, your unwavering support, your constant check-ins, your belief in my person and vision, these are treasures money cannot buy. 'To my dear family, your love is my compass. To the entire team at WestMidlands Communications, past and present, thank you for giving meaning to a vision I once whispered to myself. You've turned a single frequency into a household name. You've taken radio beyond the studio, you've taken it into lives. 'I often say that Splash FM is not just a radio station, it is a voice of values, a companion, a teacher, an entertainer, and most importantly, a torchbearer.' Akande explained that Splash FM remained the first private radio station in Ibadan, and also the first to stream live on Facebook in the ancient city. He continued, 'As I look at all of you, I am reminded again that legacy is not only built in structures, it is built in values. I stand before you today not just as a Royal Majesty or a broadcaster, but as a grateful man.' In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Council of Lead City University, Prof Jide Owoeye, who chaired the occasion, said the commitment of the celebrant to civic education, youth empowerment, cultural promotion, and community health has turned media into a ministry. He commended the celebrant's choice of celebrating his birthday with an intellectual colloquium featuring eminent scholars and practitioners engaged in topical public discourse. He, however, charged the traditional rulers to allocate land to the cooperative to unlock rural transformation. 'To our traditional rulers, lead this revolution from your palaces. Allocate land, encourage cooperatives and open dialogue with agribusiness investors. 'To our youth, do not despise the soil. The tech you love can meet the land you ignore. Agro-entrepreneurship is not outdated; it is under-marketed,' he added.
Zawya
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Zawya
Nigeria: Petrol tanker catches fire in Oyo
A petrol tanker laden with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, caught fire at Celica Junction in the Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, although it caused heavy gridlock along the Ibadan-Ife highway. Eyewitnesses attributed the accident to brake failure, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle 'The truck, which fell on its side, spilled its contents, leading to a fire outbreak,' one witness explained. Another source said, 'The tanker hit a Prado Jeep and another car. In the process, it fell and exploded. Although no casualties were recorded, the fire damaged both vehicles.' Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Maroof Akinwande, said in a statement: 'The incident was reported at exactly 18:27hrs on Thursday. 'Our firemen responded swiftly, applying chemical foam compound to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to the nearby Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) petrol station and surrounding properties. 'The fire was eventually extinguished with the support of officers from the Federal Fire Service.' Akinwande added, 'The fire resulted from a brake system failure, which caused the truck to lose control, collide with a Prado Jeep and another car, and then overturn and catch fire. 'While no casualties were recorded, the trailer tanker and a car were affected, and the Jeep was pushed into a nearby gutter.'
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Olakulehin don die at di age of 90
Di Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, don go join im ancestors. E die at di age of 90 as celebrations for im 90th birthday and di first anniversary of im reign as Olubadan of Ibadan land bin dey hapun. Tori be say e die early on Monday. Di late Olakulehin become di 43rd Olubadan for 2024, after e take over from Oba Lekan Balogun. Na Oyo State Govnor Seyi Makinde give am di staff of office. Former Oyo State Govnor, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, na next in line to di throne.
Zawya
04-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: Opening of new GRAs, digitisation of land allocation, property search grew Oyo's revenue — Akin-Funmilayo
Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, has credited Governor 'Seyi Makinde's visionary leadership as the reason behind the state's increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), noting that the opening up of new Government Reservation Areas, digitisation of land allocation and title documents, among other initiatives, resulted in the massive leap experienced in the state's IGR. Akin-Funmilayo, who stated this on Thursday while addressing pressmen at the afternoon session of the Omituntun 2.0 Inter-Ministerial Briefing, said about 15 GRAs were created through the public-private partnership model, while the ministry also introduced several initiatives, including electronic allocation letters, deployment of online allocation and plot selection on the Ministry of Lands' website as well as an amnesty programme for building permits and deployment of an online building permit platform. All these initiatives, as well as the issuance of 17,046 digital title documents since the inception of the Governor Makinde administration, deployment of the Oyo State Property Reference System (OYPRS) for easy identification of properties and payment of land-based taxes, as well as the expansion of the tax net, have culminated in the ministry achieving improved revenues on a year-on-year basis. According to Akin-Funmilayo, the ministry recorded increased revenue generation in the last two years of Omituntun 2.0, contributing the sum of N4.8 billion to the state's coffers in 2023, while it achieved N6.1 billion in 2024, with the 2025 revenue generation as of May 15 standing at N3.2 billion. The Commissioner said the GRAs opened by the state government include the Engr. Lere Adigun GRA, which has been completed, while the Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja GRA, Senator Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi GRA, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala GRA, Chief Lateef Oyelade GRA, Signature Estate, Woodland Estate, Chief Michael Adeniyi Koleosho GRA, Baywood Gardens, Hon. Akinremi Jagaban GRA, Kolapo Ishola Land Phase II Extension, Akobo, Mokola Hill Top GRA, Tonabim Estate, Oyo GRA and Ogbomoso GRA are all under construction. He said, 'As of today, we have some GRAs that are not yet in the market. The one at Alalubosa is not in the market yet, we are going to sell very soon. The one at Aerodrome is not yet in the market; we are going to sell very soon. The one at Agodi Gardens is also not in the market yet.' He added, 'Cumulatively, from January to May 2024, we achieved N2.7 billion, while cumulatively from January to May 2025, we achieved N3.2 billion, which is an increase of about N500 million. For us to record that level of improvement we had to appraise ourselves; we did serious analysis and where corrective measures needed to be taken, we did just that. 'In the area of title documents issued, altogether, we had about 17,000 plus from 2019 to date. Out of that number, almost 8,000 were issued within the past two years, which means that about 9,000 were issued in the first term. Out of the number for the last two years, 4,570 were issued in 2024, which was the highest since 2019. In May 2025 alone, we issued 1,008. So, I can tell you that by December this year, we should be able to achieve about 5,000 issuance of these titled documents.' He added that the ministry has also introduced innovations such as the digitisation of property cards and files in the Deeds Registry to protect and preserve historical data, as well as provision of Real Time Kinematic Digital Surveying Equipment for the use of surveyors to enhance surveying in the state. Other achievements, he noted, include the new Land Use Charge Act, which has been signed and passed into law, the recruitment of 77 additional staff members into the ministry to improve efficiency, and the payment of compensation to the tune of N935,846,000 to property owners affected by the various infrastructure development projects of the state government, including the East Wing of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road (N260,000,000.00); Ajia Junction Improvement Interchange (N139,000,000.00); Right of Way/Weigh Bridge of Ogbomoso/Iseyin Road (N23,846,000.00); and the Air Force Base, Ajia (N513,000,000.00). Fielding questions from newsmen, Akin-Funmilayo said though the need to put up necessary infrastructure in the various GRAs being opened up by the government pushed up the cost of land in those places, he assured that the Makinde administration would achieve affordable GRAs for the middle and low-income classes before the expiration of the tenure. The Commissioner added that the ministry was strengthening its processes to ensure that those putting up buildings in the state comply with the regulations with a view to stemming the tide of building collapse in the state. 'We will protect lives and properties in the state by ensuring that house owners and contractors comply with the building regulations in the state. We don't want to lose any life to building collapse. We also don't want our people to lose their properties. So, as a government, we will do what is required of us to stamp out building collapse in the state,' he added. The Commissioner called on those putting up buildings to always get in touch with the ministry for approval and guidance before embarking on construction to guard against ugly occurrences. On the ministry's projections for the future, the Land Commissioner said it would be focusing on house numbering in the coming months. He said: 'House numbering is one of the promises we made and the digitalisation and archiving of all documents in the ministry. And, maybe the last is—let me also say independence—partial independence for the Physical Planning Department, which is to let it become a unit or a division on its own. We have already started the administrative work on it and maybe before the year runs out, we would have gone far on this vision.' The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development was accompanied by the top echelon of the Ministry. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
