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Tag: Amosun

  • Amosun inaugurates school, road in Edo

    Amosun inaugurates school, road in Edo

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday inaugurated two projects in Benin, the Edo State capital, bringing to nine the number of projects inaugurated in the week as part of the Finishing Strong, Finishing Well agenda of outgoing Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    President Muhammadu Buhari earlier inaugurated six flagship projects of the Oshiomhole administration on Monday and Tuesday, including the new 200-bed Central Hospital, six-lane Siluko Road; Samuel Ogbemudia College, reclaimed Queen Edo gully erosion site, the Ugbegun-Ujiogba-Ebudin-Igueben-Ewohinmi Road and the state university at Iyamho.

    Also, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode inaugurated the Itohan Grammar School in Benin.

    Amosun inaugurated the Arinze Primary School and four-lane seven-kilometre 2nd East Circular Road, complete with underground drains, walkways and street lights.

  • ‘Amosun, Alaba Lawson not quarrelling’

    ‘Amosun, Alaba Lawson not quarrelling’

    The Iyalode of Yorubaland and proprietor of Lawson Group of Schools, Chief Alaba Lawson, yesterday said she was not quarrelling with Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    Mrs. Lawson said the rumour that there was a frosty relationship between them was the creation of mischief makers.

    The Southwest woman leader spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, when a delegation from the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye  Ogunwusi, led by Adewale Williams, visited her yesterday.

    Mrs. Lawson said as a law abiding citizen, she did not have any misunderstanding with the government, group or individual.

    She explained that the mischief makers also published misleading information that the government directed that her over 30-year-old school in Kuto and Ibara be sealed off.

    Mrs. Lawson dismissed insinuations that she was meeting with some top politicians ahead of 2019 elections.

    “I make bold to say that I am not a politician. I am not a member of any party. I am a community leader and there is a difference between a community leader and politician.

    “I did not hold any meeting with any politician. I am not in the bad books of any government. I remain Iyalode,” Mrs. Lawson said.

     

  • Ambode, Amosun, Aregbesola, Fasanmi, others pay tributes

    Ambode, Amosun, Aregbesola, Fasanmi, others pay tributes

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, his counterparts in Ogun and Osun states, Ibikunle Amosun and Rauf Aregbesola and other eminent Nigerians yesterday paid tributes to the deceased Afenifere leader, Pa Olaniwun Ajayi.

    A statement signed by Ambode’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, described the late Ajayi as a frontline politician who was passionate about the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.

    Ambode’s statement reads in part: “Papa was one of the few surviving close associates of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. After Chief Awolowo’s death, he was a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers.

    “He was very passionate about the progress of Nigeria. He was an intellectual genius who had enthusiasm for the development of his immediate community and the country at large.

    “I recall my last meeting with him just about three months ago at the residence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It was like a premonition.

    “He had admonished all of us to give him a long lasting legacy and ensure that the Yoruba hegemony is not trampled upon and tarnished.

    “This wish of his, as a great Nigerian statesman, and true son of Yoruba land, we are committed to uphold and to cherish.”

    Governor Ambode recalled that the late Pa Ajayi’s law firm, which was established in 1962, grew from being a sole practitionership to one of the largest and open partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa, and in its five decades of existence, held briefs for various corporate organisations and the government at both the federal and state levels.

    “There was virtually no sector in Nigeria that Pa Ajayi’s law firm was not prominent. His law firm in no time became one of the most sought after full-service legal practices in Africa,” the governor said.

    He also prayed that Almighty God would grant the soul of the departed peaceful repose and for the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    “I wish to convey my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased on behalf of the people of Lagos State.

    “Pa Ajayi will be sorely missed.”

    Expressing mixed feelings over the demise of Pa Ajayi, Governor Amosun said although the nonagenarian would be missed, it is also a thing to grateful to God for that he lived an impactful life.

    “Although he will be sorely missed, we cannot but thank the Almighty

    for the eventful and highly impactful life that the late Sir Olaniwun

    Ajayi lived,” Governor Amosun said.

    Amosun described the late Ajayi, an associate of the late sage, Chief

    Obafemi Awolowo, as one of the icons of Ogun State and architect of modern day Nigeria.

    According to him, the late elder statesman lived a long, fulfilled life in good health and made it to the gracious old age of 91, which is something to be grateful to God for.

    While commiserating with the Ajayi family, the good people of Ogun State and the entire nation, over the loss of the elder statesman, the governor said his words of wisdom would be missed at this critical stage of the nation’s development.

    Good man, forthright leader gone, says Fayemi

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also saluted the the late Afenifere leader, describing him as a forthright leader with a very rare generous spirit.

    Fayemi said the death of Chief Ajayi came to him as a surprise, saying that the late Afenifere leader was full of life during their recent meeting, in spite of his old age.

    The minister, in a condolence message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described the late Chief Ajayi as a distinguished leader, nationalist, foremost Awoist and a thoroughbred professional who brought a unique touch of excellence to whatever he did.

    Recalling his relationship with the late leader, whom he described as a man of wisdom and leader with a huge sense of history, Fayemi said every encounter with the late Chief Ajayi revealed his good nature as well as passion for the unity of the Yoruba in particular and Nigeria’s greatness in general.

    “Papa was a man of distinction, a compassionate and courageous leader, who contributed immensely to the enthronement of democracy, by working assiduously with other patriots in Afenifere, the pan-oruba socio-political organisation, and the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).”

    The Minister urged the children of the late elder statesman to be consoled by the good name and legacy of service he left behind.

    “His was a life well spent,” he added.

    “There is no doubt, Papa Ajayi’s death has robbed the Yoruba race, indeed Nigeria, of a distinguished citizen, patriot and leader.

    “We shall surely miss his wise counsel and generous spirit at this critical stage of our national life.”

    The Senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator

    Solomon Adeola, said Pa Ajayi’s death marked the end of a great and

    principled man.

    In a statement by Adeola’s media adviser, Kayode Odunaro. The senator said Pa Ajayi’s contribution to the progressive politics in Nigeria over the years remains unparalleled, stressing that the man would be greatly missed.

    He said: “Pa Ajayi was a foremost progressive and anti-military rule fighter.

    “Yorubaland and indeed Nigeria will miss a man noted for his consistency in fighting for the mancipation of the people through advocacy of good governance and a progressive politics.

    “His loyalty and consistent adherence to the philosophy of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, spanning over six decades, is a good example for politicians of today and future generation of politicians.

    “And his wise counsels backed by historical experiences would be sorely missed by Yorubaland and indeed Nigeria at this critical stage of our history.”

    The senator prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss.

    Nigeria will miss him, say Fasanmi, Ogundokun

    Second Republic senator, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, and former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, described the death of the Afenifere leader as shocking.

    In different telephone interviews with our correspondent over Ajayi’s death, they said Nigeria had lost a national asset.

    They commiserated with Nigeria and Ajayi’ s family, saying he would be greatly missed.

    Chief Fasanmi, who described Ajayi as his best friend outside politics, said his death was a challenge for the Yoruba to come together and forster a common front in the interest of the race.

    According to him, he and the deceased worked together under the leadership of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, adding that he had so much respect for him.

    Fasanmi also said he never allowed politics to affect his admiration and respect for Ajayi, noting that he, Ayo Adebanjo, Rueben Fasoranti and the deceased worked together for national interest.

    Ogundokun, on his part, described late Ajayi as a man of peace, who he said made a great sacrifice for the nation’s unity.

    Ogundokun said his kind of politics had endeared him to national leaders across Nigeria and outside the shores of the nation.

    He said the nation had lost a gem whose experience, he said, was particularly needed at “this trying time of our history.”

    Former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the late Pa Ajayi as a democrat of repute and an elder statesman who dedicated his life to the service of his people and the country.

    Ajayi, he said, was “a very strong force in Nigerian polity and well respected in the political landscape over the years as he improved on the democratic ideals of the founding fathers and played his roles in the service to the nation in various capacities.”

    “He was a courageous personality noted for his frank disposition to issues and policies.

    “He remained principled when it mattered most and never compromised his stance even in the midst of challenges.

    “His invaluable contributions to national development will be greatly missed.”

    The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Ondo State, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, said the death of Sir Olaniwun Ajayi was a great loss to Nigeria and the Yoruba.

    According to the Chairman of Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee,  Ajayi died at a critical time his wise counsel would be needed most.

    Oba Akinruntan recalled the role played by Pa Ajayi in lending support to the resolution of misunderstandings among Yoruba monarchs.

    He said: “It is painful to lose him at this critical time.

    “He was an intelligent Yoruba man. He worked assiduously for the unity and

    upliftment of Yoruba race to take its rightful place in Nigeria.

    “He was a selfless leader and I will always remember his contributions to resolving crisis among Yoruba Obas.

    “I know history will be kind to him.”

    Ajayi was born on April 8, 1925 at Isara Remo, Ogun State.

    He trained as a lawyer.

    He was chairman of Great Nigeria Insurance Company owned by the Oodua Group of Companies, during the Second Republic.

  • Amosun’s ‘Gateway of shame’

    •Yet another reminder to a bungling governor

    Lies are the oxygen of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s ‘Change.’ This time last year, the governor’s media aide called to plead on his behalf. He said the governor has promised to hearken to his people’s cry and make the state more habitable for them, in the spirit of good governance. But Amosun seems incapable of ‘Change’ and good governance. Hence his jarring mediocrity and excruciating performance. Amosun has mended some roads, built new ones and constructed bridges. Among other schemes, he has initiated a ludicrous 15-unit model school project. But tempting as it is to paint a glowing portrait of his administration, the purpose of this piece is to draw his attention to the maggots of neglect, arrant duplicity and underdevelopment still infesting his government and the state, like a mind tumour.

    Tumour has been known to cause its victims to hallucinate or descend into psychosomatic degeneration until death, particularly if located in the brain. But Governor Amosun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has never been diagnosed with any such affliction, physically or metaphorically but like an ill-fated administrator, leading a government afflicted by nerve and ideological tumour, Governor Amosun is incapable of fulfilling the promise of his party’s philosophy of ‘Change.’

    This moment, Amosun’s version of ‘Change’ resonates as a corny phrase he had to chant to achieve an epic sweep at the polls. No doubt, it worked for him. After all, he remains His Excellency, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State for a second term. It’s however, interesting to see him  bluster through his second spell in office, chanting ‘Change’ yet denouncing it in conflicting tenor and undertones.

    Amosun camp parades him as the people’s governor, a humane leader, yet he is stonily deaf and conveniently blind to the townships’ grief and the peasants’ sighs. There is a death trap at Owode junction, just before you get to Ifo; recently it claimed lives and property in ghastly vehicle accidents. And poor, helpless residents of Ijoko, Agoro, Ijako, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ilepa, continually die, slowly and accidentally, from the perils of plying their muddy and badly cratered roads.

    There is devastation in Alade, Elekunmefa, Imise, Onihale, Singer, to mention a few and to residents and traders of Lusada, Atan-Ota and Igbesa in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state, the roads leading to their communities are nightmarish and inimical to growth.

    At the point where the Lagos ghetto of Ayobo meshes with Ogun state, a hideous kind of filth palpitates. There is ugliness in Lafenwa, Aiyetoro, Olugbode and various communities along Itele road. More roads present an eyesore at Oju-Ore, Ilo-Awela and Oke-Aro. At Toll-gate junction, Joju, Temidire and environ, mucky pools still stagnate in devastating craters along the bypasses because these hotspots and scenes of multiple deadly accidents are allegedly inconsequential to Governor Amosun. Really?

    Lest we forget the people of Ewekoro who are dying slowly from the dangerous fumes persistently discharged into their communities by neighbouring multinational cement company, LafargeWAPCO Plc. Persistent reportage of LafargeWAPCO’s dangerous commercial activities in the area have been randomly scorned and condemned by the incumbent government of the state in the past, until a five-part series by The Nation spurred the government to stage a theatrical intervention that has so far, produced a remedy that barely addresses the health and developmental challenges incited by LafargeWAPCO in the area.

    A certain Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who identifies himself as Secretary to the Ogun State Government, in an article published on September 5, 2015 by online medium, Opinion Nigeria among others, enthused that: “Of course, it is impossible to list the achievements of our government within this limited space. I must add that, Amosun, like our revered sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is a man that is conscious of his place in history. People like that are men of vision who will devote their all to the welfare of their people.”

    Governor Amosun is incapable of living up to the full measure of Adeoluwa’s hyperbolic cant. It’s about time the governor and his peers, stopped misappropriating substance by channeling it from the exploits of late Obafemi Awolowo. Is it so hard for Governor Amosun to become an icon by his own terms? It needn’t be too difficult for him to aspire to greatness by his handiwork, good deeds to be precise. Until then, no quality of spin or PR blitz would dull the jarring notes of sorrow and the portraits of death presented by Ogun State’s neglected townships, on his watch.

    It is even more heartbreaking to see schools in the state deteriorate rapidly. Governor Amosun will do right by devoting greater attention to public schools on the decline. Consider for instance, the sad case of Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School (S.A.C.H.S), built in 63 hectares of land in Osiele, Abeokuta; it is ironical that Governor Amosun continually commemorates the life and death of the school’s founder, late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O) Abiola on June 12 of every year, even as the school founded by the late politician and philanthropist, withers away in abject neglect.

    It need be said that while Abiola was alive, he traveled with friends and family on his birthday, August 24th of every year, to celebrate with students of the school. That day also happened to be ‘Abiola Day,’ a day set aside for rewarding outstanding students of the school with prizes.

    As you read, S.A.C.H.S is virtually dead. The hostels are derelict and the classrooms and school laboratories are severely impaired. Yet Amosun plays to the gallery, celebrating Abiola’s life and politics every June 12.

    There are other public secondary schools like S.A.C.H.S deserving Governor Amosun’s urgent intervention. While alumni of Abeokuta Grammar School, Baptist Boys Secondary School and African Church Grammar School (of which Gov. Amosun is an alumnus) to mention a few, have been staging progressive interventions to rescue their alma mater from neglect,  S.A.C.H.S alumni have fared terribly in this respect. The latter’s intervention would have been a saving grace for the school since the Abiola family apparently considers it the government’s burden, and Governor Amosun conveniently neglects it and other diminishing schools, to actualize his mega-schools fantasy.

    “Hundreds of school buildings have been renovated, but the governor will not waste the scarce resources of the state to maintain buildings that ought to be demolished…We will not deceive our people with cosmetic changes,” stated Adeoluwa in his fawning piece on Amosun’s model school project. No doubt, Adeoluwa and his principal, Governor Amosun, need to visit S.A.C.H.S, Egba High School, Egba Odeda High School, Methodist Grammar School, Arigbajo, and other schools within Abeokuta, Ijebu and the outskirts of Ogun State to determine if they are actually worth saving or not. So doing, both Amosun and his underling may see the error, wastefulness and pitiful grandstanding in expending millions of tax payers’ money on building new ‘model schools’ while several schools in the state suffer excruciating decline.

    No one wishes that Governor Amosun deceives the citizenry with what he and Adeoluwa considers “cosmetic changes” but since he is been paid handsomely with tax payers’ money for running the state, he is duty bound to provide cost-effective education with justifiable infrastructure, good roads and safety of lives and property in the state. It is a way to fulfill the promise of “Change” we can believe in and prosper by, that he made to the electorate at election time.

  • Amosun fires striking NLC, NUT chairmen, others

    Amosun fires striking NLC, NUT chairmen, others

    •Action illegal, says labour leader

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday sacked Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) Chairman Akeem Ambali, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Chairman Dare Ilekoya and 14 others, including the NLC vice chairman.

    The workers have been on strike since October 21 over non-payment of deductions by the government.

    Amosun, who approved the dismissal, acted on the recommendation of a report of a Panel of Inquiry set up to investigate the alleged misconduct of executive members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)

    on the 2016 World Teachers Day Celebration observed held October 5, at the NUT Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta.

    Sixteen union officials were suspended for their roles in their alleged misconduct during the celebration.

    It was learnt that the recommendations of the panel signed by the Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi, was approved by the governor.

    It was learnt that the  government set up the panel to look into complaints received from the public against the affected officers for their alleged involvement in various acts of misconduct and

    contravention of extant regulations during the celebration.

    Ambali rejected his sack which he described as “against all norms of democracy and fair hearing”

    Ambali, who until his sack was a Deputy Director, Community and Social Development, Sagamu Local Government, was alleged to have instigated the action that primed the Teachers’ Day event to turn to a political campaign rally.

    He was said to incensed the teachers with inflammable remarks against the government, an action deemed capable of causing a breach of the peace.

    The affected civil servants were dismissed for contravening the Public Service Rules 04401,04421(c&d) and 04406(a).

    The state government directed agencies ,  Local Government Service Commission, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) to implement the recommendations with immediate effect.

    Those dismissed are A.O Oshin, Nola Balogun, Eniola Atiku, Solaru.O, Adebanjo.T, Akinola.A.S, Oyolola .S.A, Obafemi. O.B, Ogunsola Peter, Akinlade.S.A, Christopher.T.A,Ogunrombi A.A, Azeez.K.I and Taiwo A.O. And those slammed with suspension include Odusanya S.A, Comrade Akapo, Adegbesan J.O, Adelami S.I, Obadara O, Ogunnuga O.A, Ayokambi T.A, Tijani A.A, Adegbesan J.O, Idowu A.O, Olaifa O.A, Bayo Lasore, Ahmodu S.A, Oludotun Oliyide, Tijani Y.A, Awode I.A, Dada O.A and Adesanya Abiola.

    Ambali in his reaction yesterday night, described Amosun’s action as reckless, vindictive, draconian and unhelpful.

    He said he would not be cowed, adding that the government had only shown its  colour and urged striking workers to remain resolute.

    “The attention of the leadership was just drawn to the purported dismissal through phone calls.

    “We are calling on our ever committed workers to remain at home and not be intimidated by this action that was against all norms of democratic and fair hearing. I have never been summoned by any panel

    and this clearly shows how autocratic and deceitful the government of Ibikunle Amosun is.

    “Our cause for this strike is legitimate, just and right. They have only shown their true colours and this new approach is unprecedented in the history of this country, as no governor had done what they are

    doing to us in Ogun. Their past draconian efforts have never yielded any fruits; so also will be this move to cage us.

    “We only want to warn that they should not set this state on fire, as we urge our members to remain calm and just stay at home. Aluta continua!,” .

     

  • Amosun’s ‘Gateway of hell’

    •(A reminder to a bungling governor)

    Ogun State looms like a gothic platitude of pain and death from its transit townships but the “Gateway State” is Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s bower of bliss. There, in his stately Eden, he lives immune and insensate to the ravages of ill-will and pent-up fury tearing the natives apart from inside out. Governor Amosun must be having a blast inside the Government House at Oke Mosan. He does not have to rise and retire to his bed everyday wondering if he would die along the deadly stretch of Lagos-Abeokuta highway, particularly at the spots where innocent children, mothers, fathers – dependants and breadwinners – die like stray fowls, accidentally or by installments, in his administrative landmine.

    Governor Amosun’s loved ones are extremely lucky; unlike the mother who left home with her three children only for them to be brought back as mangled corpses from an accident, caused by bad road, to the deceased’s husband. Amosun is certainly favoured by the ‘gods,’ unlike the bereaved families who sent their wards to school only to receive news that they had been crushed to death by a steel container in a gory accident along the Sagamu-Benin expressway. Is Governor Amosun neglecting that death trap because it is a ‘federal road?’ If that is the case, is Governor Amosun solely remunerated from revenue he makes from Ogun State or from the ‘federal purse?’

    Governor Amosun is one lucky dude as he does not have to live up to the promise he made to the poor, hopeless pupils of the Community Primary School, off Agoro road, Owode-Titun, Ota, Ogun State. It’s almost two years since they lost their classrooms to a violent rain squall, yet most of the 740 pupils have been learning with tears, under a crooked shed held together by wooden poles and corrugated iron sheets. The school’s Parents Teachers Association (PTA) constructed the shed last year when it was clear that the state government will not come to the children’s rescue. Although Governor Amosun promised to rebuild the school when his campaign train visited the area to seek re-election, he has since forgotten his promise and the area.

    Thus through scorching sun blaze and violent rain squalls, the pupils huddle together helplessly, in futile lunge for comfort and cover from the ravages of nature and Governor Amosun’s ill will, tearing at their fragile frames. For the only public primary school in the community, the descent into decay started in May last year, when a rainstorm blew off the roof of the block of six classrooms and the staff room. The storm also tore off the entire side of the building. Yet Governor Amosun conveniently forgets the sad fate of the poor pupils of Community Primary School in Owode-Titun, Ota.

    Some cratered meters from the school, the stars are still a backdrop for the inhuman condition at Owode junction, just before you get to Ifo. Is Governor Amosun waiting for that expedient moment of disaster or road mishap of immense magnitude to occur before he swoops in with a bereaved mien and overzealous aides, to misappropriate anguish where he feels none?

    The natives of Ijoko, Agoro, Ijako, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ilepa, Ijoko, Alade, Oju Ore, Ilo-Awela, Elekunmefa, Imise, Onihale, Singer, Lusada, Ewekoro, Atan-Ota and Igbesa to mention a few, are still dying slowly and accidentally, from the perils of plying their muddy and badly cratered roads and there is still ugliness in Lafenwa, Aiyetoro, Olugbode and various communities along Itele road.

    From a distance, the piercing and indiscriminate glare of sunlight and moonshine desecrate these townships like tombs slipshodly carved along the graying highway that leads to Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital city. Closer, the people and houses in the communities take shape like a stream of accidental shadows, their hard noises striking one’s face and making the senses numb with jarring clarity. It is their noiseless undertones that however, evoke intense feelings of awe and curiosity. Sad desperate glances of the natives inspire a thirst for buried narratives that they miserably learn to endure as unreal jests made by death.

    Guess his Excellency in Ogun State, has learnt to glance without flinching at the straggle of human suffering emblematic of the pale ghost of his “Gateway State.” Wonder if he is unaware of the deaths and squalor across the townships; wonder if he knows that there are schools with better structures, histories, progressive and ideological foundations that deserve as much attention and support as he is currently giving his model schools’ phantasm; wonder if he simply chooses to ignore the descent of the tourist tracts where decay and death spit venom at the hapless citizenry, like Siamese cobras every day.

    Governor Amosun is probably unmoved to affect heart-felt responses to the malaise. Perhaps he is making spirited gestures even as you read to extend citizenry-centred governance cum democratic dividends to the disillusioned natives of the state. Perhaps he just doesn’t know how to go about it.

    Ignorance is not an excuse for denying the citizenry good governance and their fundamental human rights. It is no longer tenable to hoodwink the citizenry by chants of ‘Change’ and platitudinous avowal to abolish squalor and foster general prosperity; time has revealed what section of the citizenry such ideological ‘life boat’ solutions are meant to deceive. It shall no longer be “politically expedient” to neglect a class of the governed just because, by will or circumstance, they inhabit parts of state the ruling class would rather not lose sleep over; except at the time of election or re-election.

    Governor Amosun is spending his second term in office which makes it even more dangerous for the APC to maintain dominance in Ogun State if he fails. When the party eventually presents its candidates for public offices in 2019, what glowing achievements will it point to as Amosun’s legacy and reasons why it should be given the people’s mandate again? The oft over-hyped and derided bridges and roads in Abeokuta? Or the equally contentious model school projects? These familiar arguments have gotten too old now and they are infinitely strange to the poor citizenry braving the perils of the state’s townships every day.

    Life in Ogun State’s townships is in grave decline. Together, these neglected tracts constitute an ambiguous ‘sick rose’ accentuating Ogun State’s descent into a food for worms even as you read. Though a sick rose, Ogun State is manouvered to mimic a growth cycle in the hands of Amosun and amid the rabid PR blitz launched and managed by Camp Amosun.

    That is why the state government will do nothing even if foreign investors  cum fortune hunters like cement giant, LafargeWAPCO Plc, subjects its host communities to terminal death, by its dangerous production activities, in desperate pursuit of profit. (It is instructive to note that LafargeWAPCO perpetrates in Ogun State, atrocities it wouldn’t dare commit in France and other European nations but that is a discussion for another day.)

    Ogun State’s manifestation as a sick rose satirizes Governor Amosun’s preferred portraits of it as a bower of bliss. It reveals an inner hostility; the governor’s flirtatious art of concealment necessitates that truth’s approach must take the form of a rape. If not, the people of Ogun State will continue to die by the onslaught of the conqueror maggots of hypocrisy, neglect, arrant betrayal and underdevelopment afflicting the state.

    Does Governor Amosun, like too many of his peers, consider truth as he hates to see it, as a perverse fetish? Does he believe that any critique or contradiction of his gospel of ‘Change’ is a swerve from goodwill and fruitfulness? If so, his much celebrated ‘Change’ project is diametrically opposed to the APC’s gospel of ‘Change.’

     

  • Egba chiefs petition Amosun

    Egba chiefs petition Amosun

    The Ilugun Traditional Council of Chiefs, under the Osile Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, have petitioned Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun on the alleged harassment, victimisation and threat to life and property by the Baale of Bakatari, Chief Yekini Ayodele.

    The chiefs accused five others, including Alhaji Wahab Olabanji, Olalere Ajao and Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) leader, Muri, of persistent oppression against the Egba people living at the boundary town between Ibadan and Abeokuta.

    But Ayodele described the allegations as false and an attempt to breach the peace in the community.

    The petition, which was copied to the Department of State Services (DSS), Ogun State Police Commissioner and Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, alleged that Olabanji and others have been making life difficult for the people of Egba.

    “We seek your intervention in this matter in order to forestall the looming trouble, which can lead to a breakdown of law and order and breach of public peace.”

  • Amosun: oil has failed Nigeria

    Amosun: oil has failed Nigeria

    Oil – the mainstay of Nigeri’s economy – has failed the nation, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said yesterday. He spoke at the ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Festival at the Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, where he   chaired the third day of the weeklong festival.

     Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor spoke on: “From oil to soil: Private sector role in the transition of the main economy.”

     The governor said: “We must not forget that our soil has mineral resources yet untapped which will bring about wealth creation and job creation. Before we got oil in 1956 in Oloibiri, everything we got to achieve was achieved without oil proceeds.

    “Agriculture should be the mainstay of our economy which still brings us to the issue of soil and its importance. A nation that cannot feed itself is in trouble. Nigeria has 94 per cent arable land which can give us a lot. I wonder why previous administrations neglected this path.”

     Also speaking as panellists at the session were: Brimrax Farms General Manager  Ms Bukky Olowude (Moderator); Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture Mrs Ronke Shokefun; 7-up Bottling Company General Manager (Human Capital)Yinka Adeshina; NextGen Farm Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mrs. Kofo Durosimi-Etti; Ope Farms CEO Mrs. Sola Sowemimo, AgriHubCEO Mrs Ronke Aderionoye  and Kereksuk Rice FarmManaging Director/CEO Mr. Rotimi Williams.

    Speaking at the interactive session, Ms Olowude said: ‘’Nigeria is a natural agricultural leader which should be able to feed herself. Nigeria spends N1 trillion annually to import food that can be produced locally. Nigeria can become self-sufficient in food if we process and add value to what we produce.’’

    During the second panel discussion, Sterling Bank Director Mrs Bukola Awosanya, a technical adviser in Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, Ms. Mosunmola Umoru, Mrs Bimbo Akomolafe, Lagos State Finance Commissioner Mr. Mustapha Akinwunmi and Mr. Olams Director Ade Adefeko   were panellists. They agreed that governmemt intervention was not enough and that those in the private sector should be more creative in disbursement of support to agriculture.

    Adefeko said: “Government intervention is not enough. Intervention do not affect the issue most times, we need to do more as government and private sector. We have lost ground compared to other countries by focusing on particular types of crops. We have lost ground in terms of cocoa, Ghana is producing over 1.6m tonnes while Nigeria is producing above 250, 000 tonnes. That is not good enough so what is the essence of intervention if it is not taking us to the top.’’

    Mrs. Awosanya said: ‘’Sterling Bank is taking agricultural support seriously. The bank is giving financial support to farmers that demonstrate enough seriousness. If you are serious about farming, we will support you but the condition is that we will pay your vendor instead of giving you the money directly because people can collect the money and divert it to non-farming ventures.

  • Amosun vows to complete Sango-Ojodu road

    Amosun vows to complete Sango-Ojodu road

    The ongoing construction of Sango-Ojodu road will be completed, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has assured.

    He spoke yesterday when he visited some parts of the 32km road construction project, which comes along with five bridges during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.

    Amosun promised residents and commuters whose daily activities have been adversely affected: “The hardship of this raining season would be the last that you would experience on this road before the completion of the project.”

    While explaining that the road construction would have been completed but for paucity of fund, the governor described it as a huge project.

    He pointed out this was why all previous administrations in Ogun State avoided it.

    “But we are determined to tackle it headlong and put an end to the hardship always experienced on the road by our people,” Amosun stressed.

    Appreciating residents of Ijoko, Yakoyo, Alagbole, Akute and other communities on the path of the project for their patience and support, the governor assured by next March: “the five overhead bridges on the road would have been completed.”

     

  • Amosun seeks confirmation of commissioner-nominees

    Amosun seeks confirmation of commissioner-nominees

    OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has forwarded the names of two additional commissioner-nominees to the House of Assembly for screen and confirmation.

    The Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, said this at yesterday’s plenary when he read a letter from the governor to the house.

    The nominees are Miss Aderonke Onadeko and Mrs. Abiola Okogie.

    Adekunbi called on the new commissioners-nominees to appear before the House tomorrow with 30 copies of their curriculum vitae for screening.

    Also, at the plenary, the assembly adopted the interim report which recommended extension of the caretaker committee of the Amalgamated Motorcycles and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN).

    The report was adopted after the Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Isreal Jolaosho, read the report of the committee on petition by some members of the transportation unions.

    Jolaosho said the extension was to give the committee more time to address the issue contained in the petition from the transport unions.