Osun APC, PDP trade tackles on establishment of University of Ilesa

By Musa Baba Adamu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has described the reaction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the establishment of the University of Ilesa as one lacking the requisite understanding.

The party also described the unnecessary criticism of the State Governor, Ademola Adeleke by the APC as an indication of ignorance.

The PDP in a statement by its caretaker chairman, Akindele Adekunle on Sunday affirmed that the party had a record of establishing an enduring institution like the University of Osun (UniOsun).

Adekunle also added that Adeleke’s interest in the university is to make the institution sustainable and stand the test of time like UniOsun.

He also accused the Oyetola administration of being deceitful as the initial idea of the university was that of Ademola Adeleke which was part of his campaign promise in 2018.

“The reason for this is not far-fetched as it is well known to the public that Governor Adeleke was the first to promise Ijesha people a University during his 2018 governorship election campaign at the Palace of Owa of Obokun. At that time, the APC, including Oyetola laughed it off, and thought of it as impossible, until it was a few weeks to the 2022 governorship election when Oyetola hurriedly came up with the idea just to drive voters, and not because he was sincere about.”

The PDP also said Oyetola was not sincere in the establishment of the University of Ilesa, explaining that a lot of key issues were left unattended by the past administration.

“The law establishing the University was hoarded and kept away from the public just as nothing concrete was done about the workers in the College of Education that was upgraded. Also, the funding and sustainability plan of the University was treated shabbily,” Dr. Adekunle pointed out.

Adeleke who had on Friday during a visit to the institution assured that the University of Ilesa had come to stay added that he was only making efforts to ensure that the institution had a proper and sustainable takeoff.

The governor had in November 2022 set up a technical committee headed by a renowned academic to review the establishment of the university and come up with plans for a resolution for the effective take-off of the University.

The governor also stated that the Committee had submitted its report and a White Paper on it will be issued soon.

The APC had in a statement by its acting chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Saturday alleged that the Adeleke administration did not undertake due diligence on the University of Ilesa before it suspended its take-off.

It also accused Governor Adeleke of being inconsistent regarding the take-off of the recently established University.

According to the statement, “The haphazard manner with which Adeleke reversed his earlier policies on the take-off of the Ilesa University (IU) and the Ilesa Water Project is an indication that he is not sincere as he is out to swindle the populace and obtain their votes under false pretence in the Saturday’s election across the state.

“All the indigenes of Osun State, wherever they may be, must not cease to offer prayer to God Almighty to deliver us from the ‘kick-and-push’ governor whose trademark is a constant policy somersault.”

From Abubakar Y Ojimaojo ABUJA

Commission (NCC) says telecommunications companies lost a total of 12 million internet subscribers in 2021 due to the national identification number (NIN) linkage policy.

In its latest report titled, ‘2021 subscriber/network data annual

Company blames insufficient power allocation for unstable electricity supply

From Abubakar Yunusa, ABUJA

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said insufficient power allocation to the company by generation stations was responsible for the unstable electricity supply in the region.

Adamu Muhammed, public relations Officer, Niger Region, AEDC, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Minna.

“The Management of AEDC PLC wishes to inform its valued customers that it is aware of the unstable power supply experienced in recent times essentially caused by insufficient power allocation.

“Due to the limited energy allocation, we have had and will continue to implement load curtailment directives across our franchise to manage the situation for grid stability.

“This will involve occasional/ temporary interruption of power supply to certain areas for a limited period.

“All this instability in power supply has to do with generation/ transmission stations. If the generation stations improve, definitely our allocations will improve as well,” he said.

Mr Muhammed apologised to electricity consumers for the inconveniences caused by the load shedding.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure that the impact of the power outages is minimised, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.

“We appeal to our esteemed customers that we will continue to update them on the situation and provide any necessary information when it is available,” he said.

NAN reports that AEDC’s franchise area covers the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa States.

The company is organised into nine regions and 39 area offices across the four states.