The Oyo State Government has approved ₦25 million as compensation for the composers of the state anthem, “Asiwaju Ni Wa.”
The decision was made after the Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, and Governor Seyi Makinde praised the foresight of former First Lady Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, who initiated the anthem.
The announcement was made by Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, in a statement on Wednesday. According to Oyelade, the composers will also receive parcels of land, and streets will be named after them. In addition, the Ministry of Information and Orientation will produce a documentary on the history behind the anthem.
Oyelade explained that “Asiwaju Ni Wa” became Oyo State’s official anthem about ten years ago, but the composers were not compensated. To address this, a committee was set up last year, leading to this compensation.
In other news, Oyelade shared that the Executive Council has also reviewed and approved the promotion of 1,629 state workers, including nurses who had been affected by an administrative error during promotions between 2017 and 2020.
Furthermore, the government approved the reinstatement of 47 civil servants who were wrongfully dismissed during the last administration, based on a request from the state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni.
Additionally, 124 workers who were sacked in 2012 have been pardoned, while 823 workers** dismissed for submitting fake certificates had their dismissal upheld. The termination of **180 workers hired at the end of the previous administration in 2019 was also confirmed.
