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Tag: Abeokuta

  • ‘Lagos Ibadan standard gauge ready in Feb’

    A test run of the 45km Lagos Abeokuta standard gauge from in Iju, Lagos and terminate in Abeokuta will begin by February, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Mr Fidet Okhiria said on Wednesday.

    Speaking at Ijoko, Ogun State during the routine inspection of the $1.7 billion project, Okhiria who represented the Minister of Transportation Mr Rotimi Amaechi, said by February 6, the corporation will begin a test run of the tracks.

    He said the first phase of the project, which is to link Lagos with Abeokuta by rail, is on course, adding the federal government will first deliver on it while work progresses on linking Abeokuta with Ibadan, thereby completing the Lot II of the Lagos to Kano standard gauge project.

    He said the contractor – China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation- has fully laid 38 kilometers of tracks from Kajola (km 41 to Abeokuta, km 79) while efforts to get the project from Kajola to Iju, is on course and would be achieved by February.

    According to him: “The contractors have said their equipment could lay 1.5 kilometres of tracks per day. That means that they could achieve the 10km distance between Kajola and Iju within seven days and we can start the test run of the tracks latest February 7.”

    He expressed satisfaction at the speed of the contractor, adding with the civil works between Kajola and Iju completed, work could go on unhindered on the laying of tracks.

    Okhiria, who led the media and other members of the project monitoring committee to ride on first class train coaches on the tracks between Kajola and Abeokuta, expressed satisfaction on the pace of the project.

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    He said two first class full air-conditioned coaches have been drawn from the Itakpe-Warri standard gauge corridor to service the new rail line.

    According to him, with a speed of 150 km/h, Lagos-Ibadan could be achieved within one hour, adding that such would have a tremendous impact on housing stock and congestion witnessed in the nation’s urban centres.

    Okhiria said the federal government has placed order for 30 locomotives and coaches and wagons to further boost modernisation of the fixed and rolling stocks of the railway corporation.

    He also praised the transparency of the compensation plans of the government which according to him has ensured the peaceful environment within which the contractor has been operating.

  • My ambition not worth blood of Ogun people –Dapo Abiodun

    Mr Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday said that his ambition was not worth the blood of anyone in Ogun.

    In a statement issued in Abeokuta by his spokesperson, Remmy Hazzan, the APC candidate said that he was in the race to win and serve.

    “I would not want anyone to be killed or maimed for supporting me and my party.

    “I have left the comfort of my highly successful local and international businesses to serve my dear Ogun people.

    “I am confident of my local and global goodwill, connections and networks that can be put at the service of Ogun workers and people, indigenes and residents.

    “I don’t want my people to be killed, injured or maimed, I don’t want to govern over families that have lost breadwinners or are physically challenged as a result of political violence,’’ he said.

    Abiodun, quoting the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948, said “the will of the people shall be the basis of government, and this will be expressed through a democratic election that is free, fair and credible.’’

    “I, therefore, call on candidates of all political parties to play by the rules. In the first place, we are all brothers and sisters. Violence is not the way to go.

    “Our campaign has been issues-based and non-violent. That was the assurance we gave from the onset, that is the pledge we will keep to despite the unwarranted smear campaign from certain quarters,’’ he added.

    Read Also: APC desperate to remove CJN over polls, PDP alleges

    The APC candidate, however, urged members of the public to protect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC).

    “Keep your PVC to use, as your conscience desires a better Ogun State under a governor who will listen and who will be friendly to workers, farmers, students and all segments of the society.

    “Those who have not collected their PVC should do so and timely too.

    “ Those who want to buy your PVC are simply telling you that they don’t trust you to vote for them.

    “They want to debar your rights to vote. Please don’t sell your rights,’’ Abiodun said.

  • Rousing support as Abiodun flags-off campaign

    Governorship candidate  of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Ogun State Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday flagged – off his campaign at Atan, the headquarters of Ijebu North East Local Government Area, pledging to keep his electioneering promises if elected Governor come March 2, this year.

    Abiodun, who received rousing welcome and support of thousands of party faithful and  supporters,  said that his administration would implementing programmes  contained in his policy documents, if he is elected into office.

    The frontline governorship candidate and successful entrepreneur, added that the only way to deliver his policy documents would be by  returning power to the Local Governments in the state  to enable them perform their constitutional roles effectively and efficiently.

    He rued the situation where Local Government Chairmen  would  have to first run to Abeokuta routinely begging for funds from the Governor before they could perform even fractions of their rudimentary roles.

    He said: “By returning power to local government chairmen to operate unfettered, council bosses will no longer have to go to Abeokuta to beg for funds to run their administration.

    “They will be like mayors, like what we have in the advanced countries. By so doing, they will have time to deliver good programmes for the people of their immediate communities.

    “Also, there will be prompt payment of salaries of teachers and civil servants in the state, without delivering.”

    He recalled that indigenes and residents of the Local Government  would not forget that when he  pledged in 2015 while jostling for Ogun East Senatorial seat on the platform of the APC,  he made good of his promise with personal donation of six transformers to Isonyin, Eruwon and eight other communities that were without electricity for almost 10 years.

    The Governorship hopeful  appealed for the massive votes of the Local government as was done in 2015, to enable him emerge victorious at the governorship poll.

    “Don’t be confused, but ensure you cast your votes for as your next governor of Ogun State. You should know where you are coming from and know where you are going,” he said.

    Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Sen Gbenga Kaka, appealed to the people of Ijebu North-East to be wary of candidates they are going to vote for, in the forthcoming general elections.

    He said except those who are bind would not be able to differentiate what is good from bad.

    Kaka said:”Except those who are blind would not be able to differentiate what is good from bad.

    “You are to follow a right path by casting your votes for a good candidate like Dapo Abiodun as your next governor of Ogun State.

    He and his running mate, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, enjoy strong support from the Federal, State and local government levels.”

    However, no fewer than 2,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the Local Government dumped the three parties and declared their support for Abiodun and APC.

    Also, about 50 traditional rulers under the aegis of Council of Baales drawn from various communities and villages within the local government  expressed support for Abiodun governorship ambition and prayed for his success at the polls.

    Spokesperson of the Council of Baales, High Chief Durojaiye Olugbode, said the landmark kindness of the APC governorship candidate as recorded when he was contesting for Ogun East Senatorial seat in 2015 spurred them to endorse him as their governorship candidate.

    He said Abiodun redeemed his pledge when their respective communities were in total darkness and he provided six transformers that have restored electricity.

    Earlier in the day, executives and members of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ijebu-Ode branch, who had converged on the Palace of the Olisa of Ijebu – Ode, High Chief Rasheed Adesanya, also prayed and endorsed the APC candidate as the next governor of the state.

    Notable personalities in attendance include Olorogun Sunny Kuku, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, Sen Dipo Odujinrin, Sen Gbenga Obadara, Dr Femi Majekodunmi, Chief (Mrs) Lola Oduwole, Maj Richard Ajayi (rtd), among others.

     

  • Police arraign truck driver for manslaughter

    A 45-year-old truck driver, Semiu Akanni, who allegedly drove recklessly and killed a motorcycle passenger, appeared on Monday in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos. The police charged Akanni, who resides at Abeokuta, with manslaughter.

    The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Innocent Odugbo told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 14 at 7.00 a. m. at Agbotikuyo Road, Agege, Lagos

    Odugbo said the accused recklessly drove a Volvo truck  with Reg. No.BOG276XA and hit the motorcyclist and his passenger, killing Wasiu Oladunjoke.

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    The offence, he said, contravened Section 18 of the Lagos State Traffic Laws, 2015 .The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs S. K. Matepo, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Matepo ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and must provide evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    In addition, she ordered that the sureties must be blood relations of the accused and should reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The case was adjourned until Jan. 9 for mention.

    (NAN)

  • FG plans two additional Satellites to boost NIGCOMSAT-2

    …As telecom subscribers hit 162,05 million 

    The Federal Government is set to establish two additional satellites to support the Nigeria Communication Satellite  system (NIGCOMSAT) to complement the existing NIGCOMSAT- 2.

    Minister for Communication, Dr.  Adebayo Shittu, who disclosed this on Thursday at the 6th regular meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT),  in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said this is to further  boost the Telecommunications industry.

    Shittu added that the Federal Government is committed to using Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) as a tool to diversify the nation’s economy.

    According to him, the economic recovery and massive employment generation for the teeming youths could be achieved faster using ICT

    Speaking on this year’s theme: “Leveraging ICT as a vehicle for economic recovery and growth, “the Minister revealed that the country’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increased from $32 billion in 2015 to $40 billion in 2018.

    Shittu also disclosed that the telecommunications industry has improved with active telecom subscribers increasing from 148,70million in 2015 to 162,05 million as at September, 2018.

    Declaring open the meeting, Governor Ibikunle Amosun said the state is committed to sustaining an ICT driven environment, adding that he would  always accord it a significant role in his administration.

    Amosun said his government would continue to work to channel the energy of youths into technology, and harness it as weapon of mass development.

    Read Also: Nigeria to launch two satellites soon – NIGCOMSAT

    The Governor expressed worry over the unethical and unprofessional use of ICT to create falsehood and disseminate same on the social media, warning that if left unchecked, it could spell doom for a nation.

    He urged the government, experts in ICT and appropriate agencies to deliberate on measures to check the culture of using ICT and social media to cause disaffection, mislead  and unnecessarily heat up the polity.

    This, he said, would help the nation, especially now that the it is approaching the electioneering year.

    In his goodwill message, Post Master General of the Federation,  Bisi Adegbuyi, stressed the need for leveraging on technology and embracing its importance to solve human and national challenges.

  • 30 contestants selected for Queen Moremi Beauty Pageant

    Thirty contestants have been selected out of 400 ladies, who applied to contest in the 2018 edition of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro Beauty Pageant, the organisers announced on Tuesday.

    Cultural Ambassador to the project, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the contestants were selected after a two-day screening, held at Ile Ife in Osun.

    She said that the contestants, who must be Yoruba undergraduates, within the ages of 18 to 25 years, were selected by a team of panelists, including culture icons, Woli Arole and Odunlade Adekola.

    Ademiluyi said that the contest, initiated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye, was aimed at promoting Yoruba culture among young women.

    “The contest showcases our culture, which is really important to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, it encourages young ladies to discover and learn about their culture.

    “The initiative about the queen is to project leadership roles in the future of our young girls as Queen Moremi Ajasoro did during her life time.

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    “The contest showcases the strength of a woman, dating back to thousands of years, in encouraging young ladies to be selfless and committed to nation building.”

    The culture entrepreneur said that the contest, which started in 2016, commenced its third edition this year with a 10-day camping at Ile Ife.

    “The contest this year commenced in Ile Ife and the grand finale will be held in Abeokuta in Ogun State.

    “The rationale for Abeokuta is to rotate hosting of the cultural event in different Yoruba states every year. In 2016, it was held in Ife. In 2017, it was held in Lagos and the 2018 edition will be held in Abeokuta.”

    According to Ademiluyi, the choice of Ogun is because of the interest of the wife of the Governor of Ogun, Mrs c, who supports the Ooni of Ife, in promoting Yoruba culture.

    Ademiluyi said that the winner of the contest would go home with a brand new car to be provided by the Ife monarch.

    “There is also a cash prize from the QMA Impact Investment Fund. In addition, the winner automatically becomes a young culture ambassador to the Ooni and the House of Oduduwa.

    “She will also enjoy the privilege of becoming a part of the royal entourage for foreign trips,” the project ambassador stated.

    Ademiluyi recalled that the winner of the maiden edition, Miss Blessing Animashaun, was in the royal entourage to UK last year, while the winner in 2017, joined the royal team to Brazil and the U.S. earlier this year.

    Out-going Queen, Miss Shola Shittu, who graduated with a first class degree in automobile engineering, won various awards during her reign.

    Shittu championed the fight against trafficking of young ladies and made tours to various schools, offering scholarships to indigent students in Lagos communities.

    NAN

  • Amosun hails state troupe on award

    The Ogun State Government has commended the performance and achievement of the State cultural troupe at the recent National Festival of Arts and Culture Competition held in Rivers State.

    Giving the commendation at the 2019 Treasury board meeting, held at the Obas Complex in Abeokuta, the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, said the cultural troupe, particularly, the winner of the Ayo-Olopon board game have made the state proud.‎

    He said that state was really proud of the giants stride been achieved during the National Festival of Arts and Culture Competition, advising them to really do more on the subsequent competition.

    Earlier, the State Commissioner for culture and tourism, Bashorun Muyiwa Oladipo, drew the attention of the Governor to the National winner of Ayo Olopon board game, Akanbi Rasheed, who in the last two years had performed well at the National Festival of Arts and Culture, thereby recommending him for automatic employment into the State Civil Service.

    “Due to the laurels recorded in the last competition, I will not hesitate in bringing the player forward, presenting him to the Governor, this is a guy that beat  the former Head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in ayo-olopon ‎ (Board game)”, he said.

    While appreciating  the Governor for staffing some members of the cultural troupe, the Commissioner further appealed to the Governor to approve recruitment of some Casual staff within the troupe, saying, ” as we move on, the troupe moves higher, so we need more hands”, he said.

     

     

  • Rudderless Nigeria is not God’s making – Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday bemoaned the frustrations of Nigerians because of the state of affairs in the country, but said he still remained convinced that “God did not create Nigeria to be rudderless.”
    Obasanjo said God created Nigeria and endowed her to be one of the great nations of the world, declaring that it is not the fault of God that the country is unable to attain its potential despite the great endowments.
    The ex – President spoke at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library(OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital,  when the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolade Osinowo led the candidates of the party in the state, including the governorship candidate; Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, the running mate,  Mrs Bisi Okeowo – Bolade and Chief (Mrs) Titi Oseni – Gomez, for the 2019 general elections to him.
    He reckoned that God though usually use human beings to advance his cause on earth, stressing however,  that what the pitiable state the country is today is result of the “conscious and unconscious choice of the people of Nigeria.”
    He noted that many are “hopelessly frustrated and disillusioned” in the country, but also counselled Nigerians not to despair much, expressing the hope that the “God of miracle” that had continued to love Nigeria, would  bring succor to the land.
    He also admitted that Nigeria as a country has made many mistakes which could have plunged it to extinction, but said the country has continued to exist and remained as one because of the love and grace of God upon her.
    Obasanjo explained that he is not one of those who would sit down and be wringing one’s fingers when things are bad, on the contrary, he said he would reflect and deliberate to figure out what is amis as well as suggests likely exit path.
    According to him, this informed why he wrote a certain letter in the  past, pointing out what ails Nigeria and proceeded to push for a coalition of forces to spearhead and drive a better country for all.

    He said: “I believe that God has decided that things will change for good in Nigeria. Some people are in despair due to the situation of things in the country, it is understandable.

    “God did not create Nigeria to be rudderless, He did not create Nigeria to be a failed country. God created Nigeria to be one of the leading countries among the committee of nations. That we are not there is not the fault of God, that we are not there is a conscious and unconscious choice of the people of Nigeria.

    “I believed then, when we were confronted with bad situations in this nation, we should sit back and think and look at the situation and ask ourselves, what is wrong? and when we have ascertained what is wrong, what can we do to correct what is wrong?

    “And that was the statement I made on the 23rd of January which led to the establishment of Coalition for Nigeria Movement to start doing something about the wrongs and stop complaining.

    “One thing is to think of what to do, another is to do something about it which is very important. We have gone from that  statement making to  the adoption of a political party because movement is an activism but in the context of moving Nigeria froward, our Constitution only allow a political parties to be the instrument.

    “And when we did the assessment we decided to come up with a political party for the yearning Nigerians and for the betterment of Nigeria.

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    “We have made so many mistakes in this country that should have stopped Nigeria from existing but that has not been our lot. Some are going from PDP to APC and back to PDP, in the short run we have no choice but in the long, we have choice because we cannot be running here and there and expect transformation.

    “We have to get out of where we are and the only way to get out is through what you have in your hand, your party.

    “If your party do things the way  other parties have done things in this country, it will not create a new channel for Nigeria so you have to be different and that is why the movement adopted ADC.

    “You can not do things the way other parties have done it in the past and expect a difference, in fact you must not.

    “Going by so what  happened in Osun election, you must not give money to voters, don’t buy voters, your party must be different and voters should know that those who buy them will steal their money.

    “Let me warn those of you who are going for legislative assembly, don’t go their to steal you are going as law makers so make laws for good governance. It is necessary for you to let people know that you are different.

    “I will continue to do what is good for the country till I die. I am not a man of ADC I am just a guide and adviser also to PDP and APC and SDP. Whoever comes around, my doors are open.”

    Obasanjo lauded the ADC for what he described as its phenomenal growth in Ogun State and Nigeria, and advised the party to strive to be different from other political parties and also “work extremely hard” to achieve successes in 2019.
    On the Governorship candidate of the party in Ogun state, Obasanjo described Gboyega Nasir Isiaka as his “son” in whom he is “well pleased,” saying he is a “credible and trusted candidate” deserving of the executive office of the state.

    “Gboyega Isiaka, I believe you are a good product and your running mate but don’t sleep, you have to work hard. We have a peculiar situation in Ogun State since creation and the situation is that the East has democratically produced governors twice also the central but the West has not produced any.

    “One of the things I usually hear is that they(Ogun West) have no people, how there you say that. No section of this country has monopoly of good people. I have maintained that it is time for the people of the West to be given opportunity to provide the governor,” he said.

  • Ogun empowers 50 female sex workers

    The Ogun Government says it has empowered over 50 female sex workers across the state between January and August in order to take them off the street

    Mrs Biola Kufile- Okonji, Commissioner for Women Affairs, disclosed this in Abeokuta on Wednesday while playing host to the state House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.

    The committee led by the Chairman, Mrs Juliana Akintayo, was on oversight visit to the ministry in Abeokuta.

    The commissioner, represented by Mr Olurotimi Sotubo, Director, Social Welfare Services, said that they were trained in soap making, pastries and jelly production in conjunction with the United Nation Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).

    Kufile- Okonji explained that the sex workers were rehabilitated, trained and equipped with skills to make a living.

    She explained that 250 teenage girls were also trained in sexual reproductive health and livelihood support in collaboration with Action Health Incorporated.

    The commissioner added that over 1, 112 family cases were handled by the ministry throughout the state, saying that 876 family cases were successfully concluded while 160 estranged couples were reconciled.

    “Apart from these, we have raided and evacuated over 575 vagrant lunatics, destitute and beggars.

    “85 per cent of destitute in the state are not from the state, they came in from neighbouring state through Ado Odo Ota local government and Ifo local government,” she said.

    In her response, Akintayo advised the ministry to make its presence felt in all the nook and crannies of the state especially areas nearness to Lagos.

    The lawmaker urged the ministry to ensure more synergy with the House of assembly, saying that the synergy would bring more development to the state.

    “The ministry will continue to build a just society devoid of discrimination against women and ensure continuous empowerment and protection of the rights of children,” he said.

  • Ogun pays N6.3bn to pensioners in nine months

    Mr Femi Ogundimu, Director of Contributory Pension Scheme, Bureau of State Pension in Ogun, says the government has paid N6.3 billion to pensioners in the state between January and September.

    Ogundimu made this known while playing host to Ogun Assembly Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

    The committee, led by Mr Ojo Viwanu, its Chairman, was on oversight visit to the Bureau.

    Ogundimu said the state did not owe any arrears of monthly pension saying that pensioners in the state received their monthly pension simultaneously with serving workers’ salaries.

    He said it was necessary for the bureau to offset the backlog of gratuities to appropriate retirees and ensure remittance of contributory pension deductions to relevant pension fund administrators in the interest of workers.

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    Meanwhile, Mrs Modupe Bosede, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Service Matters, said the bureau would continue to promote good relationship between political appointees and civil servants.

    Bosede said this while taking her turn to present her agency’s performance for the year under review.

    She explained that the bureau was awaiting the approval of the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, of the processing of 2016, 2017 and 2018 promotions.

    She said the state government played pivotal role in the promotion of good governance adding that government would continue to accord high priority to the welfare of workers.

    Responding, Viwanu urged the pension bureau to continue to ensure prompt settlement of the pensioners.

    The Assemblyman underscored the critical role of public servants in the running of government business.

    He challenged all the bureaux to evolve more measures towards making the public service more productive.