Oyo State Government has approved the recruitment of about 791 officers of cadres into the mainstream of its civil service.

Civil Service Commission Chairman, Alhaji Kamoru Aderibigbe, said the recruitment would encompass the absorption of 213 education officers and 561 officers.

He told reporters: “This recruitment will be the highest into the mainstream of the civil service in the last two decades.

“I believe we could have had more, but for the fact that the governor has constantly approved the conversion of officers, who were employed into the lower cadres in the civil service by the previous administration, but possessed higher educational qualifications.’

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has hailed residents especially youths for boycotting the nationwide protest. At the same time, his Oyo counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde also lauded residents for their peaceful conduct during the rally that started on Thursday.

Oyebanji who had appealed for calm in a statewide broadcast, in a statement said he was thankful to the people of the state for listening to his plea to embrace peace.

The governor urged them to continue to maintain their peaceful conduct, assuring that the current economic challenges would soon become a thing of the past.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, Governor Makinde, appreciated all youths and parents in Oyo State for ensuring peaceful demonstrations across the state against hunger and hardship raging the country.

The governor expressed his gratitude following the sustenance of the peaceful protest which has entered the third day.

The statement recalled that Governor Makinde was among the first set of leaders across Nigeria to publicly embrace the constitutionality of the #EndHungerProtest with an admonition that the protest must be peaceful to achieve the desired result.

Makinde further appealed to Nigerians to be law abiding and ensure that their agitation is without rancour and incitement throughout the period.

The governor praised the people and most especially the youths for keeping their end of the bargain as they expect the federal government to make life better for all and sundry.

Governor Makinde equally called on Nigerians in states where various degrees of violence have been recorded during the protest to allow peace to reign as the search for good governance continues.

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Chief Oladele Okeya has praised the peaceful conduct of residents of Ekiti State in the ongoing nationwide protest.

Okeya gave the commendation while speaking with journalists in Emure-Ekiti, on Saturday, ascribing the peaceful conduct of Ekiti residents to Oyebanji’s purposeful leadership, which he, has brought a new lease of life to all and sundry in the state.

Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade has charged owners of broadcast stations to wake up to contemporary media challenges and reaffirm their roles in educating, entertaining, and informing the public.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, Oyo State Chapter, held at the NTA Ibadan Network Centre, the veteran broadcast manager expressed concern over the poor performance of government-owned stations in recent years and the negative impact on their ratings.

Oyelade, who has been in the business of broadcast media and management for the past 47 years called for a renewed commitment to excellence, stressing that government broadcast stations should embrace the innovative practices that have allowed private stations to thrive and re-assess their strategies to keep their heads above water.

He said “Referring to data from the National Broadcasting Commission Zonal office, Oyo state has experienced a remarkable growth in the broadcast industry. As of February 2024, the state could boast of 51 radio stations, a significant increase from 20 stations in 2019.

“However, private stations have dominated the landscape, with government-owned stations facing decline in their ratings and struggling to attract advertisers.”

Prince Oyelade further urged the management of government-owned stations to think innovatively and seek collaboration, even with competitors, to navigate the tough business climate citing the example of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which was established in 1922 by the British government but operating independently and publicly funded as a successful model.

Earlier in his address, the Chief host and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who has equally had decades of successful management experience in the broadcast media, said broadcasting remains a credible profession.

He said the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters which was mooted in 1963 became formally registered in 1994.

In his key note address, the Vice-Chancellor, Lead City University, Prof. Aderemi Adeyemo said Broadcasting, a vital component of modern communication, plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, disseminating information, and providing entertainment.

He said as media consumption evolves, broadcasters face a delicate balancing act between maintaining high professional standards and adopting sustainable practices.

The guest speaker noted that political influences can undermine editorial independence, leading to biased reporting and a loss of credibility.

Identifying that financial constraints can lead to compromises in content quality and ethical standards, Prof. Adeyemo added that media houses must be financially stable to sustain operations by diversifying revenue streams, such as advertising, subscriptions, and partnerships.

Oyo State government has absolved itself from the rumoured plan to stop or scuttle the ambition of anyone from becoming the next Olubadan.

In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the government said it believes that it is not only premature but also unfair and preemptive for anyone to start discussion on the next Olubadan when a new Olubadan has just been successfully installed.

The commissioner said, “It is embarrassing that few days after the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the new Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, some citizens are already looking over the shoulders of the new Oba and ascribing the government gazette that implemented the recommendation of the Ibadan Chieftaincy Review Committee to a ploy to disqualify certain individuals.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the last Olubadan, Ọba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okumade II, set up the Ibadan Chieftaincy Review Committee to review and deliberate on the needed reforms of the Ibadan Chieftaincy, the extant chieftaincy declaration and composition of the Ibadan land local government traditional councils and make the necessary recommendations.

“After extensive review and deliberation, the committee recommended among others that the 11 high chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-In-Council be elevated and approved as beaded crown wearing Obas.”

The commissioner revealed that the late Oba Balogun, Alli Okumade II, in a signed letter to the Governor of Oyo State and dated February 5th, 2023, proposed that the reform be incorporated into the Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957.

He added that “Few months later on 14th July, 2023 precisely, the amendments were gazetted.

“The governor did this not only because it was a legitimate prayer from His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. (Sen.) Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okumade II, but also in deference to the tradition and culture of Ibadanland.

“The state government advised the people not to heat up the polity as government will continue to uphold what is right and the cherished tradition and culture of our people.

“Government wishes the Olubadan of Ibadanland, HIM Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of Ibadanland.”

Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade has charged owners of broadcast stations to wake up to contemporary media challenges and reaffirm their roles in educating, entertaining, and informing the public.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, Oyo State Chapter, held at the NTA Ibadan Network Centre, the veteran broadcast manager expressed concern over the poor performance of government-owned stations in recent years and the negative impact on their ratings.

Oyelade, who has been in the business of broadcast media and management for the past 47 years called for a renewed commitment to excellence, stressing that government broadcast stations should embrace the innovative practices that have allowed private stations to thrive and re-assess their strategies to keep their heads above water.

He said “Referring to data from the National Broadcasting Commission Zonal office, Oyo state has experienced a remarkable growth in the broadcast industry. As of February 2024, the state could boast of 51 radio stations, a significant increase from 20 stations in 2019.

“However, private stations have dominated the landscape, with government-owned stations facing decline in their ratings and struggling to attract advertisers.”

Prince Oyelade further urged the management of government-owned stations to think innovatively and seek collaboration, even with competitors, to navigate the tough business climate citing the example of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) which was established in 1922 by the British government but operating independently and publicly funded as a successful model.

Earlier in his address, the Chief host and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, who has equally had decades of successful management experience in the broadcast media, said broadcasting remains a credible profession.

He said the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters which was mooted in 1963 became formally registered in 1994.

In his key note address, the Vice-Chancellor, Lead City University, Prof. Aderemi Adeyemo said Broadcasting, a vital component of modern communication, plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, disseminating information, and providing entertainment.

He said as media consumption evolves, broadcasters face a delicate balancing act between maintaining high professional standards and adopting sustainable practices.

The guest speaker noted that political influences can undermine editorial independence, leading to biased reporting and a loss of credibility.

Identifying that financial constraints can lead to compromises in content quality and ethical standards, Prof. Adeyemo added that media houses must be financially stable to sustain operations by diversifying revenue streams, such as advertising, subscriptions, and partnerships.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade caused commotion at a youth gathering to drive home his point when he prostrated for over 100 teenagers as he appealed to youths across the State against any form of association with drug abuse.

This happened during the 2024 children’s day celebration organised by a non-governmental organisation, founded by Senior Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on local government and chieftaincy matters, Mrs Ramota Agberemi-Dabo.

Prince Oyelade who challenged the over 130 students at the event to hold on to the vision of great possibilities said they should believe that their lives will be impactful to many generations.

He said they should not fixate their minds on success only through politics saying that many successful professionals live better and happier than politicians.

“You can excel and be more successful and contented than the politician, provided you abstain from drug abuse and other emerging social vices” he told the young audience as they listened with rapt attention.

He therefore urged them not to be distracted in their journey to greatness.

Earlier in her welcome address, the founder of the NGO and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on local government and chieftaincy matters, Mrs Ramota Agberemi-Dabo, encouraged the students to remain committed to their education and make their parents proud.

She said the initiative which began in 2017 was borne out of the desire to mold future leaders from their young age.

The event which was held at the Akinyele local government secretariat had in attendance students from selected 22 government and private secondary schools in Ibadan.

Earlier, the commissioner for information had visited the State 2024 Children’s celebration held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba.