E-governance: Oyo Trains Top Directors On Effective Powerpoint Presentation

As part of the efforts to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of its officers, Oyo State government, on Tuesday, organized one-day effective PowerPoint Presentation Workshop for Assistant Directors on GLS 13 and 14 in the Oyo state Civil Service.

Declaring open the event held at the Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Alhaji Siju Lawal, stated that the training was imperative to improve on government service in the aspect of e-governance.

Lawal, at the event, urged the participants to live up to expectations by applying the vital computer operating and presentation skills, PowerPoint presentation techniques into practical use in their different job situations, adding that "it is by so doing that you will be able to add value to the system."

He appreciated the current government under the dynamic leadership of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, who has been consolidating the expansion of the economy of the State through the agriculture value chain, security, health and education.

In His words: “The governor is instrumental to this type of training and wants all our staff and workers to be computer-literate because he wants to improve on the service we have found ourselves by going digital. 

“We want to ensure that all government operation and businesses are carried out through our computer operation. This saves time, makes work speedy, easy and confidential rather than the old analogue practice, where we carry files from one place to the other and still wastes time. Even in the process, documents get lost.

“It will be better for the service if they take this training very seriously.”

Earlier during her remarks, the Director, Management, Secretarial Computer and Business Studies, Mrs S.O Okedum, explained that the workshop will afford the participants the opportunity to make an effective PowerPoint presentation, which will inadvertently aid and enhance their activities at work.

She stated that government business requires efficient and articulate officers to meet the challenges of an ever-changing world, saying that no officer should be found wanting in the discharge of their duties as far as digitalisation is concerned.

She charged them to see the training as an opportunity for self improvement and empowerment; to reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that the desired change, development and effectiveness is seen in them as the programme runs. 

“As new skills and knowledge are being dished out to you, you are expected to demonstrate your competence and ability through better service delivery, Okedum stated.

Few participants who spoke during the event expressed gratitude to the government of the day for the privilege of the training, saying it will enhance their capabilities in the operation and usage of powerpoint system.

Ile-Ife Is Owned By My Ancestors - Olugbo Of Ugboland

His Imperial Majesty, Oba(Dr) Frederick Akinruntan(Okoro Ajiga 1), The Olugbo of Ugboland, Ondo State has said that the ancient city of Ile Ife in Osun State is owned by his forefathers.

The monarch made the assertion while addressing some  members of Southwest Group of Online Publishers(SWEGOP) who were on a courtesy visit to his palace.

Oba Akinruntan reiterated that his ancestors were the original settlers and aboriginal owners of the ancient city which is known as the cradle of Yoruba race, before migrating to the coastal area of Ondo State. He said their migration was based on the directive by Ifa and Osanyin that the land of the ancient city was barren. 

Revealing more facts about Ugbo Kingdom, Akinruntan said," it is a notorious fact that Oduduwa came as a stranger to Ile Ife. Oduduwa met sixteen communities in Ile Ife out of which thirteen have been identified in present day Ile Ife, and the aborigines are still very much in these communities, being active and holding principal roles in the day to day affairs of Ile Ife today.

"It is equally clear that he met these communities who had their kings that wore beaded crowns already in confederacy under the Paramount Ruler(Osangangan Obamakin), the existing communities in ancient Ile Ife, originally called Ugbomokun which had an established monarchical system of kingship as well as culture, customs and traditions regarding all faces of life including marriage, agriculture, worship, justice, security, parenting, commerce and others, under the leadership of Osangangan Obamakin(the son of Oranfe).”

He added, “Osangan Obamakin received Oduduwa into Ile Ife, and gave him residences as well as farmlands to cultivate. The elders in Ile Ife today still affirm that Oduduwa was a regular visitor to Ilero(Ile Apero), the palace of Osangangan Obamakin, which is still in existence today in Ile Ife, along Iremo road, and the aboriginal palace is unanimously adjudged by the elders of Ile Ife today as the Oldest Assembly In Yorubaland.

"Oduduwa was a likeable man, and was welcomed by Osangangan Obamakin but in time, dynastic wars began between Oduduwa and Obatala which eventually led to the defeat of Obatala in his Idita community, and sparked off series of events that have shaped history till this day.

"The Ugbo-Ilaje are direct descendants of Osangangan Obamakin whose dynasty founded Ile Ife, and reigned as the aboriginal Paramount Ruler of ancient Ile Ife which was known at the time as Igbomokun(Ugbomokun). He too was the son Oranfe who is recorded to be half man and half spirit, and lived on the hills of Ora.

" The offsprings and siblings of Osangangan Obamakin included Obalufon, Ojoyin, Alawo, Obawinrin, Obariyun, Owajan, Woyeasiri, Obarena, Obalara, Lowagbafin, and Baba Sigidi to mention but a few, in present day Ile Ife, there are existing quarters of Osangangan Obamakin where his direct descendants who are my kith and kin reside".

“Oranfe, the father of Osangangan Obamakin, was mystified as a god and believed to have his palace built of fire both in heaven and his earthy abode on Ora hill in Ile Ife. That was why he was fondly referred to as Oranfe Onile Ori Oke. Oranfe was greatly revered and the entire spiritual paraphernalia that founded ancient Ugbomokun otherwise known as Ife Ooye or Ife Ooyelagbo was in the custody of Oranfe which included the dictates of the Oro Initiates as well as the powers of Ifa, the god of wisdom and divinity, after the ascension of Orunmila(the progenitor of IFA) from the earth.”

The Monarch maintained that the historical facts of Ugbo Kingdom as expatiated above can be found in the article entitled “A History of The Oldest Throne In Yorubaland,” By His Imperial Majesty Oghonne, Oba(Dr.) F.E.O. Akinruntan CON, FICA, FNIM and ODU: A Journal of West African Studies, New Series NO 46 July, 2015, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Oba Akinruntan also explained that he has no link or historical ties with the Igbo despite sharing border with each other, stressing that people have been mistakenly pronouncing his Ugbo as Igbo.

He said that Igbo and its origin could be traced to East, while he, as the paramount ruler of Ugbo kingdom is from Southwest, geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

The Olugbo of Ugboland maintained that he has every fact regarding his claim about Ile-Ife and Ugbo kingdoms. He challenged anyone with contrary opinion to come out and contradict his facts.

He said some historians have turned the history of Yoruba upside down, stressing that it is high time the concerned authorities in history did something meaningful, factual and substantial for the sake of the current and subsequent generations.

Police Orders Autopsy On Lady Allegedly Electrocuted At Obi Cubana's Club

The FCT police command says it has ordered an autopsy to be carried out on the body of the lady identified simply as Susan, who was allegedly electrocuted at the Hustle and Bustle club owned by businessman, Obi Cubana, in the Aminu Kano Crescent area of Wuse, Abuja on Saturday, November 13.

The management of the club has since shut down its operations following the unfortunate incident.

“We’re closed till further notice. This is due to the loss of our esteemed client. We are deeply saddened by this situation and need time to heal from it. Our prayers are with the families of the lost soul; may her soul rest in peace. We sympathize with the family on this unbearable loss.”

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson of the FCT police command, DSP Josephine Adeh, said an investigation is ongoing and that the police would conduct an autopsy on the corpse.

“The case was reported to the police. This is a case of sudden and unnatural death, which investigation is going on. We are going to carry out an autopsy to determine the cause of death. I cannot tell you the cause of the death now until the investigation and autopsy are completed.”she said

Oyo Govt Fixes Collapsed Barricade Atop Mokola Flyover

The government of Oyo State has announced the reopening of Mokola Flyover to traffic following the completion of repair works on the collapsed barrier on top of the  bridge.

The Oyo State Road Transport Managenent Agency OYRTMA) had, on Monday, suspended the use of the bridge, following the collapse of the barricade installed on the bridge to prevent use by heavy duty vehicles.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, which quoted the  chairman of OYRTMA, Mogaji Akin Fagbemi, indicated that the flyover has been reopened  to traffic from early hours of Tuesday.

The statement said that the quick completion of the repair works followed concerted efforts and coordinated synergy between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the OYRTMA, adding that "normalcy has returned to the area within the shortest possible time to ease the hardship faced by motorists whilst the work lasted."

He quoted Fagbemi as saying that the repair work was completed on Monday.

"The collapsed  barricade was fixed within the shortest possible time as a result of coordinated action between the Ministry and OYRTMA," the statement said.

It further read: “His Excellency, Governor 'Seyi Makinde had directed that MDAs must synergise in real time to tackle issues that affect the good people of Oyo State. 

“It is on that note that OYRTMA swiftly called the attention of the Works and Transport department and they were able to jointly fix the barricade in a matter of hours.

"The bridge is now reopened for the unfettered use of the good people of the state. 

"As a government, our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of lives and properties of our people. That explains why the temporary closure became imperative to forestall vehicles ramming into the collapsed barricade, destroying people’s properties and taking lives of innocent citizens. 

"It turned out that the issue was resolved in far less than 24 hours and the bridge is now reopened to traffic.”

The statement thanked the good people of Oyo State for their understanding while the closure lasted, adding,  however, that the incident has showcased the need for indigenes and residents of the state to be watchful of how contractors handle public works.

"It is a pity that the government of Engineer Seyi Makinde had to source hard-earned money to put the bridge in order just a few years after the immediate past administration spent humongous sum to put the single lane bridge in place," the statement added.

The statement assured the people of Oyo State  that the incumbent administration will continue to work round the clock to ensure quality service delivery, free flow of traffic and sanity on the roads at all times.