Category: South West

Wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has said the acquisition of both digital literacy and Information Technology skills had become more imperative, more than ever, for individuals to remain relevant and enhance their future.

She tasked students and teachers of secondary schools across the state on the need to be digitally literate to be relevant now and in the future.

Makinde gave the charge while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child, themed, “Digital Generation, Our Generation.”

The event held at the House of Chiefs, House of Assembly Complex, Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Addressing the audience, Makinde noted that the emphasis overtime has been on the students, but that it is crucial for teachers to also equip themselves technologically so as to be on the same page with their students who she described as “tech-savvy.”

She, especially, enjoined female students to take seriously Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and correct the insinuations that STEM courses are more of the jurisdiction of male students.

Stressing that everything today is product of technology, she urged the female students to take keener interest in Information Technology (IT) while also praying that more females get involved in the coding and development of computer programs.

Rather than negativities, Makinde urged students to rather explore the Internet to choose their career paths, network mentors, acquire and share ideas that will positively impact the world.

She stressed that students should reap the benefits of ever changing technological innovations and not expose themselves to cyber bullying.

Other speakers at the event including a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Mrs Kafilat Sokunbi and another expert, Mrs Aderonke Adedayo emphasized the need to optimize technology as a tool for social change and development.

In his remarks, state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem emphasized that technological knowledge, especially by girls, is crucial to development of Nigeria and Africa, at large.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Command on Friday, arrested two self-claimed herbalists, Ajisafe Toheeb and Ogundayo Usman at Soka area of Ibadan over their alleged involvement in offences bordering on internet fraud.

They were arrested alongside twenty-four others, four of whom claimed to be students of Lead City University.

According to a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, twenty two of the suspects have been indicted by the investigation, which is still ongoing.

He further gave the names of the suspects to include: Soyinka Emmanuel Oluwafemi, Olaoti Fawaz, Omoke Ogbonaya, Okhiria Alex, Olamilekan Ibrahim, Olagoke Olalekan, Adeniran Ibrahim Adesina, Olasupo Temitayo Ayomide, Adeniran Basit, Ogunsetan Gbolahan Oluwasegun, Balogun Salam Omolade and Olamilekan Ibrahim.

Others are Ilesanmi Mayowa, Amao Emmanuel Abiodun, Olakanmi Babatunde Abdulrahmon, Olasile Jide, Dauda Sodiq, Hammed Ayomide Rasheed, Sodiq Olaide, Idris Damilola Yusuf, Abdulramon Mubarak and Ogunbiyi Segun.

“They were arrested following verified intelligence on their alleged involvement in cyber fraud.

“Items recovered from them include cars, mobile phones, television sets, Play Station5, laptops, among others”, the statement added.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has said his administration will shop for N13billion to fix roads at Ota in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.

He said plans had reached advanced stage to build three housing estates in Ijebu Ode, Ota and Ilaro.

According to him, while 250 houses are meant for Ijebu Ode, 150 and 130 will be built at Ilaro and Ota.

Abiodun said this in his address at the virtual citizens’ engagement (town hall meeting) on 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and 2022 Budget for Ogun West Senatorial District, held yesterday in Abeokuta.

He said that the town hall meeting, which began on Wednesday in Ogun East, would ensure that stakeholders and other citizens expressed their views and expectations about next year’s budget.

The governor said that the development of Ogun West Senatorial District would continue to be of importance to his administration.

He said the zone will continue to receive the deserved attention of his government.

Abiodun, who described Ogun West  as the major outlet to other West African countries and the industrial engine room of the state, said his administration would remain committed to making Ogun a truly investors’ first choice destination, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa.

He added his administration would never toy with the development and welfare of the inhabitants of the senatorial district, which is home to Agbara Industrial Estate with over 400 national and multinational brands

He added that the reconstruction of the 19km Atan-Lusada-Agbara road had started, while the 10.25km Lusada-Igbesa road had also been inaugurated.

“We are assiduously working on the Ilaro-Owode–Idiroko road, which is a federal road, like we do on Epe-Ijebu-Ode road in Ogun East Senatorial District and Sagamu-Abeokuta road in the Central Senatorial District. As we await the Federal Government’s approval on transfer of the reconstruction of Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta, we are daily on that road to fix the failed portions.

“It is noteworthy that Otunba Mike Adenuga has already committed to reconstruct the 64 kilometre Ota-Idiroko International Road through tax credit. Ditto for Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who has been granted leave to reconstruct the 100 kilometre Ilaro- Papalanto-Sagamu Interchange Road, also through tax credit, among roads that we hope to fix through Public Private Sector Partnership (PPP).

“We will continue to improve our PPP programme to identify necessary funding options for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of major roads in our state,” Abiodun said.

While pleading for the patience and understanding of the people, the governor said the Ogun State Public Works Agency (OGPWA) has been empowered and mandated to continually do palliative works on bad roads, to make them passable.”

Ogun State House of Assembly yesterday urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to begin implementation of the State Animal Grazing Regulation and Cattle Ranch Establishment Law, 2020, passed by it and assented to by the governor about a month ago, as the dry season approaches.

It said this would prevent recurrence of attacks on human beings and farmlands, which often occurred in the dry season, especially in Yewa area of the state.

Speaker Kunle Oluomo gave the advice while responding to the submission of a member representing Yewa North I State Constituency, Adegoke Adeyanju, who spoke under Personal Explanation.

He said the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, AIG Olusola Subaru (rtd) and other concerned government officials should set machineries in motion towards liaising with security formations for compliance with all sections of the Law.

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has reaffirmed his commitment to the rehabilitation of more rural roads, as the dry season approaches.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said the motive is to ease movement of rural dwellers, who are predominantly farmers, to transport farm produce.

He noted that Oyetola disclosed this during another edition of rural engagement meeting held at Sekona, Alajue, Olodan and other villages in Ede South Local Government.

“Oyetola, represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement,  Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said his administration was aware that the rural dwellers were far from the centre of governance.

“If more rural roads are attended to, the connection between villages and cities will be strong and as such the state will be contributing to the achievement of sustainable cities and communities, which is the 11th goal of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said yesterday that communities in Ondo South Senatorial District that had been in darkness for the past 14 years, would be connected to the national grid in December.

He gave the assurance when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs to defend his ministry’s 2022 budget proposal.

The minister’s pledge followed an appeal by the lawmaker representing Ondo South, Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo, who described the 14-year-old blackout as “embarrassing and despicable.”

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday presented N100.703 billion Appropriation Bill at the House of Assembly for the 2022 fiscal year.

The budgetary estimates, named the ‘Budget of Legacy and Consolidation’, which comprises N60.686billion recurrent and N40.067 capital expenditure, is N8.9billion lower than the 2021 fiscal year, which was N109.6billion.

The Appropriation Bill incorporated the budget proposal submitted by the two arms of the government to the executive in accordance with the provisions of the fund management law.

Giving a breakdown of the budget in accordance with the five-point agenda of his administration, governance takes the largest chunk of N36.716billion, representing 36 per cent, followed by infrastructure and industrial development, which take N28.056billion, representing 28 per cent.

Others include the knowledge economy taking N19.716billion, representing 20 per cent; social investment takes N14.063billion, representing 14 per cent, while agriculture and rural development takes N2.201billion, representing two per cent.

Speaking while presenting the budget to the lawmakers, Dr. Fayemi said that the proposed budget estimate was a product of extensive consultation, adding that it was in tandem with the five pillars of his administration.

He said the major objective of the budget is to ensure that ongoing legacy projects, including the state cargo airport, the new Ado-Iyin road and other new road projects are completed to consolidate his administration’s plan to transform the state.

Fayemi, who hailed Speaker Funminiyi Afuye and other members for supporting programmes and policies geared towards the state’s development, reaffirmed his commitment to sustain the harmonious relationship with the legislature and judiciary for the betterment of the state.

The Speaker assured the gathering that the Assembly would work assiduously on the Appropriation Bill and ensure its passage to law before the end of the year.

Lagos State Government has enlisted the support of Nollywood celebrities to mobilise enrolment in public primary schools.

The State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), embarked on enrolment across 10 local governments and local council development areas ahead of the current education session, with the support of local community leaders and influencers, including celebrities led by the LASUBEB Executive Chairman, Wahab Alawiye-King.

LASUBEBS’ EKOEXCEL enlisted the support of Nollywood celebrities to educate parents and guardians on the gains of early child education with the likes of Prince Jide Kosoko, Ibrahim Chatta, Afiz Oyetoro, Funso Adeolu, Yemi Solade, Ricardo Agbor, Ayo Badmus and Mama Ereko, who participated in the exercise.

Speaking at rallies at the fruit market in Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and Bariga market in Bariga, the SUBEB chairman said the objective of the drive was to mobilise communities to enrol children in public primary schools.

Speaking at the Ikosi-isheri rally, Ibrahim Chatta, who was cheered as he stepped onto the podium, said education is the key to knowledge.

Ayo Badmus, another Nollywood actor, urged parents to enrol children in the state’s primary schools, noting that it is their right and they shouldn’t be deprived of it.

Governor Sanwo-Olu launched EKOEXCEL in 2019 to provide quality education for the rich and the poor.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said yesterday that his administration would re-engineer agribusiness development, to expand the economy.

The governor,  speaking at the Oyo State 2021 Agribusiness Summit, held at the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, said that for agriculture to lift people from poverty to prosperity, it must not only be seen as a tool for rural development, but, specifically, as a business.

Making a presentation titled: “Re-engineering Agribusiness Development in Oyo State,” Makinde enumerated the agribusiness investment potentials of Oyo State to the world, saying his administration was in partnership with the government of France and IITA, among others.

He said the summit is to showcase the investment potential of the state, adding that it would also enable the state to come up with more ways to create incentives for local and international partners.