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Tag: Amosun

  • Ogun: Amosun’s men re-elected ward chairmen

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday conducted its ward congresses in the 236 wards across Ogun State with majority of the wards chairmen, who were elected in 2014, unanimously returned unopposed.

    The Ward Congress Committee Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Sheriff, who coordinated the exercise, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

    In Ado – Odo – Ota Local Government Area of the state, which has 16 wards, the congress which began by 10am, finished in record time without hitches and 85 percent of the existing chairmen were re – elected.

    Same scenarios were obtained at the Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South Local Government, Ijebu – Ode Local Government, Ijebu – North Local Government and Obafemi – Owode Local Government Areas respectively, where the subsisting wards chairmen were unanimously returned unopposed.

    It was learnt that Governor Ibikunle Amosun directed that where there is consensus among party leaders about candidates seeking election into party executive offices, the affected candidates should be returned in a unanimous decision instead of resorting to time -consuming voting process.

    It was also gathered that there would be harmonization process too at the end of the day to accommodate people loyal to former governor, Aremo Segun Osoba.

    In about 48 hours to the congress, the Osoba group and that of Governor Ibikunle Amosun met in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at least three times to deliberate and strategize on how to work in unity and peace to ensure successful wards congress.

  • Amosun, Osoba camps close ranks in Ogun

    THE main contending factions in the ward, council and state congresses in Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) have resolved to work together in the party’s interest.

    Some members are loyal to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and others to former Governor Olusegun Osoba.

    A meeting yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, may be a turning point in the three-year old crisis.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some Osoba loyalists, who attended the meeting with the governor’s team, include Sen. Adegbenga Kaka, Sen. Gbenga Obadara, Sen. Akin Odunsi, Adekunle Adeyemi,  Abiodun Adudu-Balogun and  Bukola Braimoh.

    Prominent political leaders, representing the three senatorial districts, are called the ‘Abuja team’, because they served in the 7th National Assembly.

    Speaking to NAN, Osoba confirmed that the meeting had his blessing.

    “Peace, progress and unity in Ogun is of paramount importance. The meeting by the leaders of the senatorial districts has only one message. And that message is that the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State is one,” he told NAN on phone.

    The ex-governor said efforts toward reconciliation had never ceased and that what was playing out was a reflection of such effort.

    “By July I am going to be 79. I must reiterate that I feel insulted when people insinuate that there is a rivalry between me and the governor. I respect the governor. He is the chief executive. He is the head of Ogun State.

    “Therefore, I must accord him all necessary respect due to his office, which I once held on two different occasions. There is nothing like a rivalry,” he said.

    NAN learnt that others at the meeting include the Ogun Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa and several state commissioners.

    In another separate interview with NAN, Sen. Kaka, a former deputy governor of the state, corroborated Osoba’s endorsement of the peace parley.

    “We gathered to reconcile the party. Those issues that brought about discord have come and gone for good. As we go into party congresses, we expect less of acrimony and more of collaboration and unity,” he said.

    Kaka, who represented Ogun East until 2015, is believed to be one of the front-runners for governor on the platform of APC in 2019.

    He told NAN that Amosun would be one of those to determine who governs Ogun in 2019.

    Similarly, and according to him, Osoba would also be another deciding factor.

    “I can say I have the support of both Gov. Amosun and our leader, Chief Osoba. They are both indigenes of the state. Consequently, they both have a say in the race; like every indigene of the state.

    “Since October 2017, I told both of them my ambitions. But beyond that, I rely mostly on the decision of God.

    “On geo-political sensibilities, I must confess that I am not concerned about such feelings. The most important thing on my mind is service to the people. Those whose preoccupations lie in drumming up cleavages can continue to worry about such,” he said.

     

  • Drum festival brought wealth to Ogun – Amosun

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, said on Tuesday the recently concluded drum festival was a huge success for the state, Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said the festival would be self -sustaining because it generated huge income for citizens of the state and the state government.

    He said: “To the Glory of God it was very successful. We were expecting that we will just have may be 10 participants form the international community and within the continent of Africa. We never expected that we are going to have participants from outside Africa and little did we know that we were going to end up with about 23 states within the nation and over 80 individual participants at the drum festival.

    “All we were trying to do was to use the instrumentality of the drum as a vehicle or catalyst for socio-economic development as well as a boost to our tourism sector and clearly we got more than what we expected.

    “It created so much wealth for our people. A lot of people got doing something and we leveraged on the value chain of the drum festival. Whatever money that we spent was realised and even surpassed and that’s why we stated that clearly and gradually the festival will be self -driven because we got several partners.”

     

     

  • State replication Home Owners programme, says Amosun

    The Homeowners’ Charter Programme initiated by the Ogun State government has received wide acceptance with states copying the scheme, Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said.

    The Governor stated this during the presentation of 1000 Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and building plan approval to another batch of beneficiaries at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    Amosun, who was represented by Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms. Adenrele Adeshina, said: ‘’Homeowners’ Charter Programme, which started in 2013 is a major programme of the State Government and has put smiles on the faces of thousands of successful applicants. It is now being replicated in other states of the federation.  Indeed, Ogun State is a pacesetter.’’ he said

    The Governor also promised that the programme would be pursued to a logical conclusion, saying that all applicants that met the requirement would collect their land title documents.

    Special Adviser/ Director General Bureau of Lands & Survey Mr. Biyi Ismail, said the administration had delivered on the promises of Homeowners’ Charter, noting that government had set standard and have been consistent in the presentation of C of O to beneficiaries.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Kolawole Olajide from Ifo appreciated the Government for giving them genuine land title documents.

  • Alake, Amosun call for concerted efforts to eliminate malaria

    The paramount ruler and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called for concerted efforts between Nigerians and the donor of Long Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs), Global Fund and implementing agency, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), to tackle the scourge of malaria across the country.

    Alake made this known while he was decorated as the net Ambassador by the team of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) at the ongoing distribution of card net, aimed at eliminating malaria across the country, held at Ake Palace, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    Alake said that it was imperative to use the mosquito net or sleep inside the mosquito net to avoid contracting malaria through the bite of female mosquito called (Anopheles), noting that by so doing the state will be free from the scourge of malaria fever.

    He appreciated the donor of the initiative, Global Fund, and the implementing agency, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), saying that it was a good initiative and giant step being taken by the groups, pledging the support and cooperation of the traditional rulers across the state.

    The Deputy Chief of Party, Global Fund Malaria and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Dr. Diwe Ekweremadu, while decorating the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, stated that the partnership between the donor of the programme and implementing partner was geared towards eliminating malaria in the country, hailing the paramount ruler for supporting the campaign.

    He added that no stone would be left unturned as every household is entitled to a net card, noting that every logistic has been put in place to make sure that the LLIN goes to every nook and cranny of the state.

    Earlier, the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, appreciated the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, and his chiefs for accepting the offer, assuring the traditional ruler of hitch-free exercise before, during and after the programme.

    He added that Ogun was chosen as the pioneer state in the country to benefit from the campaign now that it is technologically-driven, adding that the state’s health sector under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun  has recorded evidence-based progress.

     

  • Saraki, Sultan, Amosun, others extol foremost scholar Adam Al- Ilory

    Eminent Nigerians have extolled the virtue of one of Africa’s most celebrated Muslim scholars, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory at the main Auditorium of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

    Al- Ilory, a widely published Muslim author and founder of the country’s foremost Arabic school, Markaz, was born in 1917 and died in 1992.

    The event commenced the late scholar’s week-long Centenary Anniversary.

    Senate President Dr Bukola Saraki, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, his Lagos and Kwara state counterparts Akinwunmi Ambode and AbdulFatah Ahmed, UNILAG Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Board Dr Wale Babalakin SAN.

    Saraki said the Senate would continue to make laws that would provide a conducive atmosphere for learning in order to eradicate illiteracy.

    According to him, the contributions of Sheikh Al- Ilory to the teaching and propagation of Islamic and Arabic knowledge in the country are yielding fruits across the country.

    Sultan Abubakar canvassed the use of indigenous languages in the teaching and learning in schools.

    This, the NSCIA leader said, would go a long way in improving education, healthcare delivery, science, and technology.

    According to him, anyone who has qualitative Islamic education would not engage in the acts capable of inflicting pains on other people.

    He urged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of praying for country’s leaders so that God will direct them right to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

    Amosun said he aligned with Sultan Abubakar on use of indigenous languages to teach and learn in schools.

    The Ogun State Governor said Sheikh Al- Ilory laid an indelible mark on human capital development, pointed out that Islam denounces terrorism and encourages learning.

    Senator Amosu called on Muslim clerics to right the wrong by preaching to their subjects that Islam is not synonymous with terrorism.

    Governor Ahmed called on religious leaders to promote peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance among Nigerians.

    He appealed to citizens to provide useful information to the security agents in order to prevent loss of lives and property.

    Others who spoke at the event include former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo salami (retd), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Registrar Prof Ishaq Oloyede, former Vice-Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University Prof Razaq Abubakre and Alhaji Kola Belgore, who represented Justice Alfa Belgore (retd).

  • Amosun to distribute CofO on Friday

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun will give out Certificates of Occupancy and other land title documents to another batch of beneficiaries under the Homeowners’ Charter Programme.

    Director-General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Biyi Ismail, who stated this, added that the beneficiaries would collect their documents as from Friday at the Arcade Ground, Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    He urged beneficiaries to come with valid means of identification and photocopies.

  • Be hopeful, Amosun tells Christians at Easter

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has emphasised the need for followers of Christ to remain hopeful for a glorious future. The governor said this in his Easter message. Amosun said “Easter, which essentially is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolises the assurance of the redemptive heritage of all Christians. It is not only a verification of the teachings and ideals of Jesus but also an assurance of the fulfilment of the promises of all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

    Amosun also enjoined Nigerians to see beyond the merriment and holiday, during the season, but rather reflect on the essence of the celebration, which is hope, sacrifice and love. According to him, “as long as we live in the consciousness of these ideals, life will indeed be more abundant and peaceful.” He wished Christians a happy Easter celebration, urging them not to relent in prayers for the nation and government at all levels.

     

     

  • Amosun explains delay on issuance of c of o

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has identified lack of proper documentation and incomplete payment by applicants under the Homeowners’ Charter Programme as factors responsible for the delay in issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

    Amosun spoke during the 29th edition of presentation of Certificates of Occupancy and Building Plan Approval to another batch of beneficiaries at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    In a statement by the Press Officer in the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Passover Adeshina,the governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, explained that though government allowed payment by instalment, some applicants who had taken advantage of the opportunity have not done the needful by completing their payment and other documentation.

    “The question asked by some applicants is why the delay in the issuance of C of O. But we found out that they have not done the needful. Some are yet to make full payment, though this government allows payment by instalment. Others have not completed their documentation under the scheme. Let me assure you that all applicants that meet the requirements will collect their C of O before the end of our tenure”, Amosun said.

    He said proper documentation would assist government in fast tracking the process of issuing land title documents and free the owners from land grabbers, forging or cloning their documents.

    The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, Bola Ajayi, said the programme would also help to provide enumeration data for medium town planning for the provision of schools, hospitals and other essential services to the people.

     

  • ‘Amosun has right to back an aspirant’

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s media aide Soyombo Opeyemi spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the succession battle in the Gateway State. 

    What  is the assurance that Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his team will not be distracted by the 2019 succession battle?

    That is a loaded question, with some slant to it. I agree 2019 is around the corner and there are lawful political activities here and there, not campaigns. But in my own state, governance has not come to a halt. As a matter of fact, the tempo of services to the people of Ogun State continues to increase by the day. Just recently, you read about the rice revolution in the state. Rice, of course, is a major staple in the country. I do not know of a house where rice is not consumed almost on a daily basis. If you don’t eat, your children will eat.  It doesn’t make sense for us to continue to spend two billion dollars yearly on rice importation, thereby developing the economies of other countries. We can eat what we grow. We can grow what we eat. God has given us vast hectares of arable land. That is why the Amosun administration keyed into the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to scale up rice production in the state.  The governor believes in partnership with out-grower farmers, not political farmers. Government serves as off-takers. You remember the Commodity Boards of those days. Gradually, we are bringing back the good old days in the sector. We should plant, process and package what we consume. Our Mitros Rice is more nutritious than the imported ones and cheaper. The popular Ofada rice is now stone-free courtesy of the rice mills installed by the state government. This is a product of vision and has nothing to do with 2019.

    You must equally have read about investment of the present administration in vocational education, with provision of state-of-the-art facilities. There’s an MoU with Independent Power Producers (IPP) to light up Ogun State. Rural electrification efforts of the current government yielded more fruits a few days ago. We do these things directly or through beneficial and enduring partnerships.

    As we speak, there are poor residents in most parts of this state receiving free medical treatment with their cards. These cards look like ATM. They contain biometrics of the patients. We do not make noise about all these things. These development strides happen on a daily basis. You are aware that Ogun State Television is now on DSTV. No one could imagine this would be that possible or that it would come so soon. Construction work is going on here and there. So rather than talk about being gripped by 2019 election fever, here in Ogun, we are gripped by rice production fever, electrification fever; we are gripped by education expansion fever. Amosun is gripped by development fever in Ogun State. He is consumed with passion to deliver dividends to democracy to his people. And this will continue till May 29, 2019.

    As the last count, Amosun has inaugurated over 125 multi-billion naira companies in Ogun State. The frequency of this inauguration has not waned despite 2019. This is as a result of the enabling environment provided by this government. If your company is not in Ogun State, it is probably not in Nigeria. For us, it is business as usual in Ogun State in terms of development.

    But if there are places in the country where development has taken a flight because of 2019, the people have the right to demand explanation. The press is empowered by Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to hold the government accountable to the people.

    Talking about the Mitros Rice, the Labour Party (LP) has alleged  that your government was involved in rice padding, by adding some bags of sand to make a rice pyramid. How do you react to that?

    Does the Labour Party exist in Ogun State? Where are their members? A party that could not win a councillorship position, that could not even field candidates in most of the elections, you call that a party? We all knew it was disgruntled politicians at work, the merchants of Pull Him Down. Otherwise, how can anyone in his senses accuse a government of packaging bags of sand as rice? As I stated elsewhere, it’s height of moronity. No focused government will be distracted by such inane falsehood. And that’s why no government official dignified such a foolery with a response. Above all, the good people of Ogun did not take any notice of them. I think we can talk about important matters.

    Some governors are accused of not paying workers’ salaries. How is your government coping with the salary crisis?

    The Amosun government pays salaries as and when due. Where we have challenges we acknowledge. And this is known to everyone. We do not believe in propaganda. The governor has always talked about the need to offset the cooperative deductions. It has an agreement with the labour unions that as the finances of the state improve, this will be paid. But for the financial re-engineering introduced by the Amosun administration, I think the state would have been in dire straits financially during the recent economic crisis. The governor had increased salaries of workers in the early life of this administration, which ballooned the wage bill by nearly 100 per cent. He believes in his workforce. And will always prioritize their welfare.

    Does Governor Amosun believe in restructuring?

    Of course, he does. He believes in restructuring that will make Nigeria more united. He said that much recently. Even before the term gathered much traction recently, he had always talked about state police and fiscal federalism. A situation where Ogun State that is currently Number 2 in terms of non-oil contribution to the Federation Account is ranked a distant 26 out of 36 states in terms of revenue allocation from the same central purse is clearly not acceptable. The governor had spent humongous amount on federal roads, it will be good if these roads revert to states and the Revenue Allocation Formula is altered in favour of states.

    Ogun APC is said to be in crisis due to the alleged plan by Amosun to shut out some candidates?

    The line here is thin. This should be a matter for the party. But I do not see any crisis anywhere. Can you see any yourself? No one has been shut out of any elective race. And no candidate has even complained of being shut out. So this observation is quite strange. The party has thrown its doors wide open for all contestants from the state. Once you are a bonafide indigene of Ogun State, you are free to contest in any election. Democracy is a game of numbers.

    The governor is alleged to be planning to install his Chief of Staff, Tolu Odebiyi, as his successor at all cost?

    I don’t know what you mean by at all cost. Amosun has always won a transparent election. 2019 will not be different for the party. But the governor has the constitutional right to promote the candidacy of anyone. It is his inalienable right, you know. If you are from Ogun State and you are interested in contesting any election, and Amosun feels you have what it takes to deliver, why will he not support you? If the caps fits the Chief of Staff, why should Amosun not support him?

    Do you think Tolu Odebiyi has what it takes to lead Ogun State?

    He does. He is very competent to govern this state. Apart from his personal qualities that eminently qualify him to build on the very strong foundation laid by Governor Amosun, he has a rich political heritage, which clearly sets him apart. He will be a good helmsman.

    Do you think the All Progressives Congress can win the governorship contest in 2019?

    The APC remains the party to beat. The party remains intact in Ogun State. Unlike the opposition PDP, there’s no crisis in the APC. The Labour Party exists on the pages of newspapers while the PDP is torn apart. Above all, the sterling performance of the current Amosun-led government will result in overwhelming victory for the APC in 2019.