The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Canadian govt, OAU, ARMTI task youths to promote agriculture with technology

    Canadian govt, OAU, ARMTI task youths to promote agriculture with technology

    The Canadian government, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute(ARMTI) have enjoined Nigerian youths to embrace and promote agriculture through technology.

    The Canadian government through its intergovernmental organisation, Commonwealth of Learning(COL) organised a capacity-building workshop tagged “Scaling-up Lifelong Learning for Farmers in Nigeria in Ile-Ife, Osun State lamented that many youths who are unemployed living in urban areas are not interested in farming despite a lot of potentials in the practice.

    The representative of the intergovernmental organisation, Professor Adeolu Ayanwale disclosed that the workshop was organised for the youths and farmers to assist them to master the environment they are operating.

    He explained that lifelong training would help the youths to use their phone, and ICT tools such as small messages to draw the attention of their colleagues in the urban area to agricultural activities which would arouse their interest back to the farm and be gainfully employed.

    “There are a lot of potentials in using lifelong farming for farmers to ensure their inclusivity, the youths, the women can be included in the Agricultural program of the government.”

    Earlier, the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, OAU, Prof Adebayo Akinola, said that the program came at the appropriate time and was designed to bring together farmers, learning Institutions, banks, and information and Communication technology providers to facilitate learning for development in the rural area.

  • Another tanker explodes in Ondo

    Another tanker explodes in Ondo

    A tanker conveying fuel has exploded in Idanre, Idanre local government area of Ondo State. This is happening two weeks after a tanker exploded in Akure, the Ondo State capital, and razed a fuel station.

    Witnesses said the petrol-laden tanker caught fire after it fell down. Some adjourning buildings around the area have been engulfed in flames. As of press time, firefighters have arrived at the scene to put out the fire.

  • Cleric warns against proliferation of churches

    Cleric warns against proliferation of churches

    The General Overseer and Presiding Bishop of the Redeemed Pillar of Fire Ministry, Bishop (Dr.) Adol Paul Obinwaogu has called on Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to partner with  Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in monitoring and providing oversight on churches in order to check the proliferation of churches.

    Obinwaogu  who made this declaration said, “The church of today has lost the focus, capacity and standards of God from the beginning. God created light and darkness, and confirmed light good, not darkness. But churches today confirmed darkness as good. Because many ministers of God today are yet to experience the truth of the word of God and have not encountered God to know His standard.”

    He said that many parading themselves as pastors cannot rule their home and manage their personal life  much more than other people’s lives. They have not told themselves the truth, how then do you expect them to tell the truth of the word of God when they don’t have what it takes.

    “The truth of today’s church is, you can’t expect the mango tree to produce oranges. Truth has departed from churches and no more truth of the word of God in the church. What people honour and celebrate in the church today are lies and earthly material things,” he said.

    Still lamenting on the state of today’s churches, Obinwaogu stated that, material things  honoured over the word of God is an indication that many ministers today called themselves, God did not call them, so they establish churches with foundation of lies with purpose to mislead and destroy lives.

    “The word of God has been desecrated with self- seeking lies and deceitful messages. Unfortunately, many ministers today are not different from showbiz personalities in appearance and character. So sad, the church of today has disappointed Christ and the word of  God has left the church.

    “If Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and other blocs will set up a high powered committee or task force with support of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to monitor and oversee those who want to establish a church. This will reduce proliferation of churches and every Dick and Harry becoming a ‘General Overseer’ when they cannot oversee anything.

    Speaking on present situation in Nigeria, Obinwaogu said, “The problem of Nigeria are religious leaders, the church Rabbi’s (pastors, and the Muslim Huzzahs, imams and Alfas) who refused to tell the truth to their followers that are in position of authority and power when they are going wrong. “If religious leaders can be truthful and tell the truth to their followers, we will have fewer problems in Nigeria.”

      In his suggestion to solve the present situation, he remarked that, nothing bad is happening to Nigeria, the country is doing well with beautiful weather and her greenland. We only have bad people who are man aging our affairs and resources for their personal selfish and cronies interest instead of the nation and citizens interest. “No matter the situation of the country now, Nigeria remains a great country and giant of Africa,” he declared.

    Adding his voice to the 2023 general election, Bishop Adolf said, it is a secret only known to God and can only be determined by Him. But, as people and citizens, let us play our role by getting our PVC and use it right according to our conscience, not according to tribe or religion.

  • Shun illicit actions, NCPC boss advises intending pilgrim

    Shun illicit actions, NCPC boss advises intending pilgrim

    • Says prayers for peaceful poll crucial

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, has warned intending pilgrims against smuggling illicit substances to the Holy land and any other act that will dent the image of Nigeria.

    Deputy Director and Head of Media and Public Relations of the commission, Celestine Toruka made this known in a statement recently.

    According to the statement, Pam made this known while bidding farewell to about 300 intending pilgrims on Wednesday, February 15 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The intending pilgrims were those from Edo and the Federal Capital Territory with some privately sponsored. They were on their way to Israel and Jordan.

    While noting that the batch of intending pilgrims was the 7th and last batch before the general elections, Pam said, “I believe you are going to seal up all the prayers other pilgrims and Nigerians have made for the country,” he said.

    He warned them against smuggling illicit substances to the Holy land and any act that would tarnish the image of Nigeria.

    “You must avoid anything that will tarnish the image of the country while carrying out your spiritual activities in the Holy land,” he added.

    He also urged them to pray for the success of the coming elections and peace in Nigeria.

    Pam expressed happiness that pilgrims from other states had returned to Nigeria without any negative incidents after their visit to the Holy Land

    “I pray you all returned without any single case of abscondment,” he said.

    In his address, Mr. Audu Dabara, Director FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, told the intending pilgrims that the exercise was a pathway to eternity and should expect some challenges. Still, at the end of the spiritual exercise, they would have cause to rejoice.

    He urged them to be orderly and keep to all rules and pray fervently for a better nation.

  • Why I was reluctant to start ministry -Madu

    Why I was reluctant to start ministry -Madu

    The President of CUMI House of Faith Ministries, Apostle Cliff Buchi Madu spoke to Adeola Ogunlade about the ministry’s first anniversary, adventure to Leprosy Centre, and the role of the church in the coming election

    How elated are you as you celebrate your first anniversary?

    God has been so good and that is why we are celebrating ‘Exceeding Grace.’ The array of men of God present here makes me happy. I feel so blessed.

    What is so unique about GUMI?

    GUMI is Jesus himself. GUMI is all about life. Jesus gave back life to a dyeing little child in the book of Mark 5: 41-And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, “Talitha cumi;” which is, being interpreted, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise,” and death departed from that little girl. From that day, Jesus conquered death and gave back life to humanity. Jesus called me into this kind of ministry. Our mission is to give life to the communities and the dying world. We are to rescue the dying world and bring them back to the path of life. GUMI is so unique because we are life-givers. We give back life to a dying soul.

    Giving back life is relative; please can you explain a bit more about your mandate to give back life?

    GUMI is giving back to life in different ways. We are giving life to the dejected, fatherless, widows, forsaken and downtrodden. We also give back to the lepers. We visited the Leprosy Centre, a colony of lepers which we have been visiting since 1999. We are celebrating one year in the name and not one year in the calling. This is a ministry that has been there for 25 years. Giving life to the lepers and resettling them is one of the major interventions God has led us into.

    Many persons infected with leprosy have been neglected and abandoned by society but once they are healed by the word of God or medical attention, some of them through our intervention are resettled back into the community. We give back healing to the sick. Jesus makes the blind to see, and we have by the grace of God made the lame to walk and the sick to recover. We are giving scholarships to indigent students. That is how far we have gone in the last one year.

    What drove you into pastoral ministry?

    What drove me into ministry was when I received my first encounter in 1999. I was in a retreat, the Lord showed me people who are battered and dejected. He led me to the Leprosy Colony and exactly what I saw during my dream was what I saw at the Colony. I never knew the place existed. It is a calling and a kingdom assignment. It was not something I ever imagined. Looking at me, a youth going to the Leprosy Colony to care for lepers. I stayed there for three to four days. I ate with them. I did all that because it was an encounter and a calling and a mission that God has sent me. I am bound to obey the divine mandate and calling of God upon my life. I am ready to undertake anything for Jesus. I am full of joy as God is using me to transform their lives.

    What has ministry taught you?

    I have learnt to be humble, meek, gentle, and bring the best character in me. If you don’t have godly character, you will not exemplify all these things. The character in me is what defines me. Ministry has humbled me like that of Jesus. My work is to serve and not people serving me.

    Tell us about your background

    I did not have much education like other people. I came to gain value when I met Jesus.

    My education is to the extent that I can read and write. I can read the Bible and I can hear God speak to me. I have taught professors and they have repented of their sins. I am a teacher of the word of God and the Holy Spirit is my teacher. I came from a family of 12 children and am the only one saved. I was a businessman but when God called me in 1999, I started community crusades 1999.

    Was accepting the call of God into full-time ministry easy?

    No, it was not, it took me 10 years before I finally abandoned my business.

    What are our expectations as the ministry clocks 1 year?

    We are committed to more souls and more souls. Rescuing the dying souls, relieving the hopeless, and anchoring on spreading the gospel across the globe.

    A lot of people are labouring as recession looms in parts of the world, what ray of hope do we have?

    Rachael was involved in labour but she prevailed. Nigeria will prevail and our citizens will prevail if we faint not. In this journey of hard labour, when you enter into the labour room, whether dead or alive, life is in your hands, you have to push until the child’s come out, but if you do not push, you may die in the labour room. Citizens come and push in this election so that our destiny can be retrieved from the hands of the evil doers of this country. God is about to judge this nation and our ceaseless prayers will make it happen.

    Should Christians come en mass and vote?

    No one, born as a child of God should sit on the fence. Our vote must count. God is depending on us. We are the ones that will make a difference and the church of God will make a difference. The church will redeem us from this quagmire we have found ourselves. The good news is that Nigeria will rise up again come February 25.

    Nigeria is a project in the hand of God and when God takes over,  everything will be under his control.

  • WATS appoints Gava as new provost

    WATS appoints Gava as new provost

    The West Africa Theological Seminary (WAT) Ipaja, Lagos has appointed an associate professor of the New Testament Dr. Daudu Gava as its new provost.

    WATS, a non-denominational theological institute, was established in 1989 by Prof. Gary Maxey, an American missionary in Nigeria.

    Gava’s appointment is coming eight months after the death of the school’s former provost, Pastor Oluwafemi Martins.

    His appointment brings to seven the number of provosts that have served in the institution since its inception.

    Gava was presented to the WATS community during a brief but impressive ceremony on Wednesday

    Chairman of WATS governing council Dr. Emmanuel Oluwayemi, the Vice Chairman, Dr. Kelvin Tapere, the Director of Administration, Dr. Tosin Awolalu who has been acting since the transition of Pastor Martins and a host of other lecturers and council members were at the presentation ceremony.

    Oluwayemi expressed appreciation to God saying  “tough times don’t last but tough people do. Leaders solve problems and see solutions because every problem has a solution. Today, God has answered our prayers because he has given WATS a new provost”.

    He expressed confidence in the ability of the new provost stating that “God has sent him at a time like this in history to put WATS on the path of progress.”

    According to Oluwayemi: “The arrival of the new provost is timely as the number seven represents perfection.”

    He said Gava has been a friend of WATS and also an adjunct faculty member for over ten years. “Indeed, God does his own things in his own way in his own time and the time is now for WATS.”

    While presenting Gava to the WATS community, he said, “On this first day of February 2023, the Governing Council Chairman officially unveils Dr. Daudu Gava as the new provost of WATS”

    The founder of the school, Prof Maxey who could not attend the event expressed joy at the coming of Dr. Gava.

    In a message read on his behalf, he regretted he could not be at the event due to ill health.

    He however noted that “WATS has steadfastly passed through eight long months under the interim leadership of Dr. Tosin Awolalu, after the very unwelcome passing away of our beloved provost, Pastor Olufemi Martins

  • One killed as gunmen invade APC campaign ground

    One killed as gunmen invade APC campaign ground

    Gunmen at the weekend killed one person at the campaign venue nof the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ebonyi.

    The wife of a journalist in the State narrowly escaped death during the attack as the gunmen shot at them.

    The incident occurred at Ezzagu Ward 1 in Isielu local government area which the Ebonyi Central senatorial candidate of the party,Ken Eze visited for campaign.

    An indigene of the area, Mr Benjamin Nworie, whose wife escaped death during the attack narrated how the gunmen stormed the campaign ground and opened fire on party faithfuls.

    He said the campaign ended successful but while the supporters were waiting to depart to their various destinations, the gunmen invaded the venue and started shooting sporadically.

    “It was around 5:30pm on Saturday, February, that I received a distressed call from my wife, Eunice, that she was in trouble. Her emotions were high and palpitating profusely.

    “She narrated to me that she was calling me from a bush where she scampered for safety, which I sent a rescue team from my nearby village. She was unhurt,” he said. 

    Nworie, who is the Vice Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalist(NUJ) Ebonyi chapter, narrated the wife was conveyed to the venue by the National president of Ogboji General Assembly, John Anyalagu; his wife and younger brother, Emeka Nwusulor.

    “Unfortunately, why they were standing by the roadside for John to drive out his car for them to return back to Abakaliki, the hoodlums invaded and killed Emeka who was standing-by,” he said. 

    The hoodlums, Nworie narrated, also burnt a Hiace Bus and one ash-coloured Vehicle before zooming off.

  • Firm announces partnership with Telecom company

    Firm announces partnership with Telecom company

    Leading global phone maker, itel has announced its strategic partnership with telecommunications giant, Airtel. This is as itel launched the latest in its line-up of smartphones, the itel A60 smartphone targeted at leveraging on existing 4G technology to provide smoother, faster and more stable internet connectivity at an affordable price for consumers. 

    At the official launch and press briefing in Lagos, itel’s Marketing Manager for West Africa 1, Oke Umurhohwo noted that in line with the 4G for Everyone tagline, the itel A60 will bring a different dimension to how the brand’s target users surf the internet. 

    Umurhohwo disclosed that itel’s partnership with Airtel is to continue to bring ease to consumers. Speaking further, he described the itel A60 as the first of its kind, combining affordability and efficiency without dropping the ball in terms of performance.

    Director Corporate Communications, Airtel Nigeria, Adefemi Adeniran said that Airtel is delighted to establish a prolific partnership that will go a long way in creating a strong value chain for the customers of both brands.

  • As Benue Governor finishes with Ortom-atic flourish

    As Benue Governor finishes with Ortom-atic flourish

    By Tunde Olusunle

    YOU have to give it to Samuel Ioraer Ortom, governor of the north central state of Benue. Benue is the geopolity which savours the bragging rights of being the “food basket” of the nation. For emphasis, you are embraced into Makurdi, capital of the state, by a humongous artistic simulation of the agrarian essence of the state, at the triangular intersection, as you approach the city, from Yelwata and Agan. It is complete with select, albeit artistically simulated farm produce and local implements, for graphic emphasis. The preceding road leads variously from the federal capital territory, (FCT), and other routes from the North West and North Central, through Nasarawa State.

    That iconic “food basket” convergence, leads to Gboko and Otukpo respectively, the other two angles of the tripod of roads. Gboko and Otukpo are major towns in the state, and also ethnocultural headquarters of the two major peoples of Benue, the Tiv and the Idoma. Both towns lead further, to two major geopolitical zones of Nigeria, the South South and the South East, respectively. This backdrop is apposite to help us situate the depths and distances to which produce emerging from the fecund soils of Benue State, travel for national, even international culinary arbitration. To be sure, there are also active cross-border migrations of produce from Benue, into neighbouring Cameroun from the Zaki Biam area of the state, in Ukum local government area, (LGA).

    It may be just a little over three months to the completion of Ortom’s second term in the driver’s seat of Benue State, but there is no slowing down for him. The stamina, the drive, the energy Ortom continues to invest in governance and development, is best compared with the exertions, the commitment a newcomer to the office he has occupied in the past eight years. True, “freshmen” to Ortom’s kind of position are driven by that desire to impress and make a mark, within their “first 100 days” in office. The *First hundred days* concept was popularised by erstwhile American President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s regime and has become a global political concept.

    Roosevelt the 32nd President of the United States of America, (USA), was in office between 1933 until his demise in 1945. Ortom’s valedictory weeks and months have not been characterised by a slowing down in his work rate. Rather, it has been one of accentuated intensity. Ortom continues to feature on campaign podiums, project commissioning, meetings and interfaces with his constituents at various levels. He conscientiously manages his official schedule receiving official delegations and August guests who desire to see him.

    But he has his distinctly *Ortom style,* outside of the “Benue unity colours” initiated by him, and since manifestly popularised by his people. Benue people flaunt a multiplicity of apparels and regalia, the “amalgamated,” Ortom-created colours have spun. Between his personal accommodation; his formal workspace in Government House, Makurdi; his rest zone within the same premises, even his vehicle, Ortom himself is a veritable “mobile office.” To be sure, Ortom even while travelling to keep up with engagements does invite an aide from time to time, to discuss government matters, even while in motion. The last time I witnessed anything like this was during Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime. *Baba,* as we famously call him, can participate in an interview by a media organisation, riding between Aso Villa and the Nnamdi and International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja.

    Ortom’s schedule on Wednesday February 15, 2023, typifies the breakneck programme he has prosecuted in recent times. He began his day at an “Interactive Session Between the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and Critical Stakeholders in Benue State.” Both as governor and candidate aspiring to the Senate of the Federal Republic to represent his people, it was imperative Ortom attended the event which he did. The broader canvas of the Benue electorate would subsequently be fed by him with his takeaways from the programme as the countdown to elections gains traction.

    He would also commission the “Ultra Modern Institute for *Almajiri* Learning,” located at the “AGB Learning Centre,” North Bank, Makurdi, and inaugurate the *Ortom Vanguard, Ayihe-Ugondo,* also in Makurdi. The body is a support group launched in furtherance of Ortom’s senatorial bid. The governor will then lead his people to a campaign rally held at St.Mary’s Primary School, in Wurukum District, Makurdi. Same day, he engaged with political stakeholders from Buruku LGA. In between these various events, Ortom made out time to hold two private meetings. These instances typify Ortom’s itinerary in just one day, starting from 9am and stretching to 8pm. It was at that time that he led his officials to dinner in his home. Very instructively, Ortom is actively participating in the very draining beginning-of-year fasting and prayers usually called by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), his denomination. Ortom not only worships in the church, he is also an elder in the leadership hierarchies.

    Ortom began his week Monday February 13, with a visit to Gboko, the traditional and political headquarters of the *Tiv* nation. There, the Tiv Area Traditional Council, (TATC), at its *ijirtamen,* the “Supreme Council Meeting” under the leadership of the Tiv paramount ruler, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Prof James Ayatse, conferred on him the chieftaincy title of *Inyamkyume i Tiv.* His wife, Dr Eunice Erdoo Ortom, received the title of *Shima i Inyamkyume i Tiv.* *Inyamkyume* is a dreaded creature which scares and terrifies beings which encountered it. The title relates to Ortom’s chest-front fearlessness in defending his people from the fangs of freestyle invaders, notably itinerant herdsmen. They have relentlessly terrorised and traumatised the Benue valley in recent years and Ortom has forever stood his grounds against such ruinous adventurism which has upset the socioeconomic equilibrium of his people.

    In what could be described as syndicated investitures of traditional titles on Ortom this season of his swansong, Ortom a week before the Tiv honour, had similarly been celebrated in Idoma land. Thursday February 9, 2023, the *Och’Idoma,* His Royal Majesty John Elaigwu Odogbo, installed Ortom the *Ochikpaki L’Ogwabo K’Idoma,* meaning “Defender of the Defenceless.” His wife received the title *Ogbonene K’Idoma,* which translates as the “Kindhearted Daughter of Idoma land.” This was just as a modern palace, the seat of administration of the *Och’Idoma* was unveiled the same day. Ortom’s political twin, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, was also conferred the title of *Okokonjo K’Idoma,* which translates as the “Unbreakable.”

    Thursday February 16, 2023 after the enervating engagements of the previous day, the tireless Ortom chaired a meeting of the Benue State Executive Council, (BSEC). The converge usually holds on Wednesdays, but was taken up by the racy events of the previous day. He equally received a delegation of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), led by Levi Akuma, who came to demonstrate solidarity with him. His proposed out-of-state trip in furtherance of his engagements for the day, was kept in abeyance because of inclement weather conditions for his prescheduled flight. Ortom would not let the window of opportunity provided by his botched trip slip idly by. He held private meetings with party leaders and stakeholders from Benue North West, also known as *Zone B,* bolstering his campaigns for his senatorial quest.

  • Abiodun’s scorecard and imperative of his mandate’s renewal

    Abiodun’s scorecard and imperative of his mandate’s renewal

    By Femi Ogbonnikan

    IT has been a long season of thrilling electioneering jamborees across all the federation states, preparatory to the forthcoming general elections. Back home here in Ogun State, where Governor Dapo Abiodun is blazing the trail in good governance, all is a promise kept, making his re-election bid easy stuff to sell.

    The performing governor, in keeping with the primary import of his just, inclusive and accountable governance style, has been criss-crossing the nooks and crannies of the state not only to push for continuity agenda but to also present the scorecard of his administration since its inception on May 29, 2019.    

    Though development is forever a work in progress, one can say without any equivocation that he has so far justified the people’s mandate to earn a second term, for within the limit of available resources, he has put the state on a new pedestal of sustainable economic growth, improved security, job creation, accelerated industrial progress through local and foreign direct investments as well as aggressive infrastructural development cutting across all the 20 local council areas of the state.

    At this point now that there is a lull in electioneering activities due to the hardship occasioned by the twin challenges of the new naira redesign policy and fuel scarcity, it is imperative to do a cursory sectoral analysis of the performance of the administration so as to be able to put things in proper perspective.    

    To begin from where we were before the advent of the present government, at the twilight of the tenure of former governor Ibikunle Amosun, several road projects were awarded and abandoned midway. Despite the paucity of funds accentuated by the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy, nay Nigeria’s revenue inflow, Governor Abiodun took up the challenge in his stride and worked assiduously to complete all abandoned road projects across the state, including the flyovers in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo, Sagamu, and Sango-Ota, among others, in order not to waste tax payers’ money.

    For the records, some of the abandoned road projects inherited by the present government included the Sango-IjokoAkute-Alagbole road; Ita-oshin- Isaga- Ilaro- Owode- Ado-Odo road; the Iperu-Ilisan-Agoiwoye road; the Atan-Lusada-Igbesa-Agbara road; the OwodeEgba-Mowe road, to mention but a few.

    Those within Abeokuta Township are Idi-aba- Ogtv Road, Pansheke- Onikolobo-MAPOLY Road, and Adatan Saje-Mokola- Enugada Road all of which were left uncompleted by the administration. Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro, Atan-Lusada-Agbara, Sagamu, and Ota axis are equally inclusive.

    Today, most of these projects have been completed and delivered, while work is still ongoing on a few others that are yet to be commissioned. This is aside from the new road network dotting the entire landscape of the state. At pres ent, not less than 80 major roads and 120 others have been constructed, reconstructed, or rehabilitated amounting to 661.76km, and 99.125km, while 562.63km are ongoing across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    For the avoidance of doubt, some of the completed ones in Ogun East include the reconstruction of 14km Ijebu – Ode -Epe Road, 4.7km Oru- Awa- Ilaporu – Ibadan road, 1. 217km Molipa/ Fusigboye/ Ojofa street Ijebu- Ode, 1.514km Asafa Oke / Asafa Isale/ Ayegun/ Ojofa street Ijebu Ode. Others are the construction of Gateway Agro Cargo Airport, Iperu, the reconstruction of 4km Oba Erinwole Dual Carriageway, Sagamu Phase I and II, the reconstruction of 4km Molusi College Road, 24.5km Ikenne, Ago -Iwoye Road, 3.8km Togburin- Tigara- Agodo road, Ogun Waterside and11km Atan – Erunwon Road.

    Similarly, in Ogun Central Senatorial District, construction has been completed on the 42km Abeokuta Sagamu Interchange Roa, 4km Idi- Aba- Elite- Oke – Lantoro road, Gateway City Monument, and 3.1km Ikoritameje Adenrele/ Olose titun Vespa, Ifo, while the 7.8km Obantoko Road, (Fajol American junction – Unity Estate Gbonogun) Phase I-III, and 3km Panseke-Adigbe Road, Abeokuta have been reconstructed. This is in addition to the 4.786km Akute Denro Isasi Road, Somorin -Kemta, Idi -Aba road, Abeokuta, 2.35km Journalist Estate Road, Arepo, 2.0 km Inner road, Itori Junction-Total Road all of which are reconstructed road projects.

     The list of completed roads in Ogun West includes the reconstruction of 1.8km Ray power road, 2km Osi Ikola Navy Command, Ota, as well as 4.5km Chemically Treated Road, Ejila – Igbesa road. Alongside these completed projects, six other different ones are also ongoing in the zone, notably the reconstruction of 19.2km Agbara – Lusada – Atan road, construction of 13km Ilaro – Iwoye road, construction of 2.4km Oke Ola road Imeko, 7km Imasayi-Igan Ogoto road, construction of 4.656km Akute Denro Ishasi road with bridge and construction of 1.3km Joju road.

    It is particularly noteworthy to state that 65 percent of these transformation projects executed by the administration in each zone of the state were based on people’s requests. And to say the least, the multiplier effects of this enabling environment on investment inflow and industrial growth cannot be over-emphasized.  For instance, it has been estimated that the International Cargo Airport alone when completed would generate no fewer than 25,000 jobs for the people of the state.

    In addition to employment creation, the project will also open up the state, deepen the development process, and even provide an alternative to the congested Lagos port facilities. In the same vein, it will also shore up state revenue generation capacity, which is the right step towards financial self-sufficiency. The net effect of it would no doubt boost housing schemes, industrial projects, and other investments that could ordinarily have been located in Lagos which will now be attracted to Ogun State, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on the Southern front, and towards Epe and Ijebu Ode on the Northern axis.

    More importantly, it would tremendously boost the exportation of agricultural and allied products by commercial farmers as well as the importation of farm inputs into the state, thereby enhancing the capacity for the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for accelerated development.

    In spite of its commitment to infrastructural development, people’s welfare remains the centerpiece of government policy. This explains why Governor Abiodun has made regular payments of workers’ salaries and gratuities of pensioners a top priority of his government. It is on record that over N70 billion has been released for the payment of the inherited gratuity arrears since he assumed office in 2019, while the administration has equally increased the quarterly payment to defray outstanding gratuities from N500m to N600m. As someone who believes in the dignity of labour, the governor has consistently assured that he would continue to put the welfare of the people, especially the senior citizens at the centre of his developmental agenda.

    It is also to the credit of the Abiodun administration that Ogun State has emerged as the third largest economy in the country with enhanced capacity for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), coming only after Lagos, FCT and Rivers. As analysis of the recent statistics by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory recorded N1.89 trillion in Internally Generated Revenue in 2021. Out of this figure, Lagos had the highest IGR with N753.3 billion, representing 40 percent of the total sum, followed by the FCT with N131.9 billion; Rivers State, N123.3 billion and Ogun State, N100.7 billion.

    The report is further strengthened by the fact that between the months of January and September last fiscal year, over N70 billion was recorded as IGR with an assurance of a better performance in the years ahead. Among other things, Ogun State has also achieved a mile stone in investment drive under the administration of Governor Abiodun. According to the 2021 second quarter report of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), investment in Ogun stands at $500 million, representing 30 percent of the total figure for the country, while Lagos State, with $441.3 million worth of investment, represents 26 percent for the period under review.

    Further statistics released by the World Bank also placed the State in a prime position in the ease of doing business index, ranking 3rd among the states of the federation in its latest report. Not only that, in a similar report compiled by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2021 on capital importation into the country, Ogun State equally emerged as the 5th top destination of capital investment in Nigeria, coming behind Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Abia and Niger. Ogun State is currently housing the largest manufacturing companies in the West Africa sub-region.

     Obviously, the enviable height the state has attained in its industrial drive is not by sudden flight but by the policy intervention initiated by the present administration, resulting in the ease of doing business and a friendly environment for industrial growth. For the health sector, the performance of the Abiodun administration on accessible healthcare delivery service to the people remains unequal and unparalleled. Not only that all the state hospitals across the three senatorial districts have been rehabilitated, while some new structures have also been constructed or old buildings renovated at the state-owned teaching school, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.

    To change the old narrative, the government has also bought new equipment for the state-owned institution and employed well over 200 medical personnel, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and others to fill in the gap of the mass exodus of the personnel who had embarked on the brain-drain syndrome to Europeans and American countries.

    When this government came into power, there were only five functional ambulances for the entire 20 Local Government Areas of the state. With the renewed commitment of the Abiodun administration, 35 additional ambulances have been purchased, making a total of 40 available for emergency services. Added to that, various Primary Healthcare Centres across the state have been rehabilitated with the recruitment of more medical perspectives to fill in vacant positions.