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Tag: Amosun

  • Amosun, El- Rufai, Dickson preach unity at Ojude Oba

    Amosun, El- Rufai, Dickson preach unity at Ojude Oba

    Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Dickson Seriake (Bayelsa) have urged the citizenry to see the country’s diversity as a source of “strength” for its “greatness”, and not for disunity.

    They advised that the diversity should be utilised in harmony “for the good and progress of Nigeria”, and not otherwise.

    The governors spoke separately yesterday in their goodwill messages at the 2016 annual Ojude-Oba cultural carnival of the Ijebu people in Ogun State.

    It depicted an array of people suffused with glamour and excitement.

    Thousands of Ijebu sons, daughters, friends and well-wishers participated in the event, where over 35 age grades – Regberegbes – paid homage to the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who is often referred to as the Orisa Ijebu (the god of the Ijebu people).

    Amosun who hailed Oba Adetona for his ability to use “culture, tradition and religion” to weave an enviable and enduring unity among his people, said the nation’s leaders should emulate his leadership style, and forge a greater unity among Nigerians.

    The governor hailed the Ijebu people for making Ogun State unique with the Ojude Oba festival and for using same to launch the state into global consciousness.

    “One sees the love, tenacity and determination of the Ijebu people to showcase their rich cultural heritage and tradition. In Ogun State, we create the template for others to follow.

    “In Nigeria, we should serve diligently. It is not where one comes from or religion should count, but one’s diligent service. We should emulate kabiyesi ability to forge unity among his people despite different religions.

    “We should live in togetherness, love and harmony, not only in Ogun State but also in Nigeria,” Amosun said.

    For El-Rufai, the Awujale should be praised for his courage and leadership competence in leading his people towards organising the annual Ojude Oba, which he described as an “incredible event”.

    “I came here not as governor, not as guest of Governor Amosun or as a member of All Progressives Congress (APC), but I’m here because Awujale is my father, a man of great wisdom, unparralled courage and integrity.

    “Throughout my public service and exile, he was a true father to me. He advised and even supported me financially. I know the dream of  Ijebu state is close to your heart, and one can pray for your long life to see Ijebu state come to pass,” El-Rufai said.

    Dickson, who was the special guest of honour, urged Nigeria to export Ojude Oba to the rest of the world through cultural tourism.

    The governor, who is a descendant of Adebukunola Fidipote, a princess from one of the ruling houses of Awujale stool in Ijebu-Ode, said Nigeria should leverage on its rainbow of diversity to work towards greatness, and not division.

    Oba Adetona said the festival kept gaining more local and global attention by the year. He hailed Amosun and corporate bodies for their continuous support.

    Ogun State Deputy Governor Princess Yetunde Onanuga, former Old Rivers State Military Governor and traditional ruler Alfred Diette-Spiff, were among dignitaries at the event.

    Others are Olori Omoba Subomi Balogun; Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly Suraj Adekunbi; the Moyegoso of Itele-Ijebu Oba Adesanya Kasali, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Chief Bimbo Ashiru; his Culture and Tourism counterpart, Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo; and Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu.

  • Recession: Amosun, Ekiti Muslim clerics preach patience

    Recession: Amosun, Ekiti Muslim clerics preach patience

    OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Muslim clerics in Ekiti State have urged the citizenry to exercise more patience with the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Amosun spoke yesterday while fielding questions from reporters after observing the Eid prayer with thousands of faithful at the Muslim prayer ground, Lantoro in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    According to Amosun, two years are not enough for Buhari to fix the rot he met on ground.

    He said: “My message to Nigerians is that we are on the right track; we do not expect that things that have been bad for years will just be normalised in one or two years; no.

    “Even four years and eight years are not even enough to fix the rot in government. That is why whatever you do with two terms, let other fresh hands come in.

    “With where we have found ourselves and where we are coming from, it is appearing as things are tough now; as we are almost getting to the corner now. But once we just take the bend, we are going to be on the right path and we will get there.

    “I believe that it is only tough times that bring the best out of the people of this nation. That is why we are thinking out of the box. We know that money is hard to come by these days and that is why we have to work hard.

    “I appreciate Nigerians for their support and I urge them to continue with their support for the government and I know that Nigeria will be better for us at the end of the day.”

    On the local government election on October 8, Amosun said it is about the state and not individual or political parties.

    He added that whoever wins should serve the interest of Ogun people.

    Also, Chief Imam of Egbaland, Chief Liadi Orunsolu, urged Nigerians, particularly the Muslim faithful, to have the fear of God in their dealings with others to ensure peace and growth.

    Ekiti State Muslim leaders, who spoke at the Eid prayer at Ado Grammar School in Odo Ado area of the Ondo State capital said with prayers, support and steadfastness of Nigerians, Buhari would lead the country out of the woods.

    The Awiye Adinni of Ekiti land, Alhaji AbduRaheem Olowoyo, said Nigerians need to make more sacrifice  to reap the dividends of change promised by Buhari during the electioneering campaign.

    He urged Muslims to live by the dictates of Islamic religion, which, he said, include respect and support for constituted authority, maintaining peace with fellow citizens and sharing love with one another.

    The Islamic leader enjoined Nigerians to be patient with the governments in the face of the economic hardship.

    The Chief Missioner of Ahmadiyya Muslim Missionary Centre, Alhaji Kamaldeen Yusuf, urged Nigerians to pray for those in positions of authority.

     

  • Students threaten to occupy Amosun’s office

    Students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, are threatening to “occupy” the office of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, if he fails to meet their lecturers’ demands. This was their resolution when they gathered to discuss their lecturers’ ongoing strike. FESTUS OGUN reports.

    When will the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, enjoy strike-free session? This is the question students posed last weekend when they gathered to discuss their lecturers’ ongoing strike.

    For over three weeks, activities on the campus have been paralysed, following the indefinite strike embarked upon by the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the government’s alleged failure to fund the school.

    ASUU said the government had not funded the school for 23 months, resulting in the non-payment of salaries for the past three months.

    The students are wondering why their lecturers must go on strike before being paid their salaries. The students said the strike   would slow down the school’s academic calendar. They also expressed dissatisfaction over what they called government’s “lackadaisical attitude” towards the institution.

    The school’s ASUU Chairman, Dr Deji Agboola, said lecturers had worked for three months without being paid. He accused Governor Ibikunle Amosun of “reneging” on the promises made to the union during a warning strike a few months ago. He added that the government had neglected the institution.

    Agboola said: “The issue on ground is non-payment of salary by the government. And there is no assurance that we are going to have our salaries paid in the next four or five months.”

    He said ASUU has adopted “no pay, no work” indefinite action to press home its demands.

    The university, he disclosed, was being run with fees paid by the students. He said: “This government has not brought a dime to fund the university. The university management has used internally-generated revenue (IGR) to pay salaries of some workers in the past 23 months.”

    Agboola said the institution’s IGR should have been invested in research and infrastructure projects on the campus, adding that all projects inaugurated on the campus recently by Governor Amosun, were those donated by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

    He said: “The university IGR was exhausted in June. By the end of July, it became obvious  that we were not going to get salaries any longer. Again, these students, some of whom were done with their examinations, are not going to come back until October. This means workers will not earn anything till then, because the state government has not been responsible enough to even do anything in the university for the past 23 months.”

    The development is drawing a strong response from students, who are disenchanted with the continued closure of the school.

    Barring last minute change of mind, students, after their meeting convened at the instance of their leaders, Students’ Union Government (SUG) last weekend have vowed to march on the governor’s office at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    The planned protest, a source told CAMPUSLIFE, would be joined by members of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the local chapter of Joint Campus Committee (JCC). At the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that if the government does not reach agreement with the striking lecturers this week, the governor will receive “strange visitors” in his office. For security reasons, a member of the SUG said the date of the protest would not be announced.

    A 200-Level Biochemistry student, Femi Wilson, said the lecturers’ action was lawful. He blamed the government for abandoning the institution. “The government is not ready to fund the school. If it is not so, I don’t expect the strike to have gotten to this level, where workers have had to declare indefinite action,” he said.

    While many students blamed the government, some have faulted the timing of the lecturers’ action. They said the strike came at a “delicate period” in the school.

    Olumuyiwa Odubela, a 300-Level Law student, said ASUU should have allowed the ongoing semester examination to end before embarking on the strike. According to him, the lecturers were insensitive to students’ plight before announcing the action.

    He said: “I don’t know why the lecturers did not wait for the right time to embark on their industrial action. Examination time is the least period to think of strike. This will affect the academic calendar negatively, because all examinations will have to be rescheduled. Results of papers already written are being delayed, while graduating students are held to ransom by the lecturers.”

    Another student, Titiloye Dawodu, told CAMPUSLIFE that she was not happy about the development, urging the government to accede to the lecturers’ demands. She noted that if the strike continued, she would use the period to learn a vocation.

    For three weeks, students have been left idle. Most of them have expressed deep regrets over the development. Taiwo Dada, a 300-Level Political Science student, said the strike would prolong her stay on the campus. She said: “The strike has affected me and other students in a lot of ways. How do they expect us to cope with the attendant frustration? Many have stopped reading, yet whenever they call off the strike, they would ask us to come and write examinations the next day. This is deeply frustrating.”

    Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, the SUG president, Tayo Mabunmi, also expressed his grievances over the matter. He said several appeal letters were written to the government on the non-payment of the lecturers’ salary. According to him, negotiations are on-going. He added that if the negotiation failed, students would have no option than to march on the governor’s office.

    He said: “Obviously, our lecturers are fighting a just cause. They deserve to be paid on time. Subventions for the school should not also be withheld. Students are clamoring for confrontation, but we have to put our consolidation very tight and put a lot of considerations in place before we embark on the protest. And if we are to protest, we are going to do it in a way that no life or property will be lost.”

    When The Nation spoke to Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, to get the government’s reaction, she said she was in a meeting and asked our reporter to call back an hour later.

    When our reporter called back after an hour, Mrs Mujota said the reporter should send a text message. She did not respond to the message before press time last night.

  • Expect positive change in 24 months, Amosun tells Nigerians

    Expect positive change in 24 months, Amosun tells Nigerians

    Ogun State governor, Senator  Ibikunle Amosun has said the positive change promised Nigerians by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will begin to manifest over the next one to two years.

    Amosun told reporters   after the Progressive Governors Forum’s lecture in Kaduna, that tough challenges inherited by the Buhari administration caused the delay in the manifestation of the change.

     “Yes we have challenges, but the challenges are not insurmountable. We are already on the right track, but we need to do more.

    The issue is that the problems we met on ground were  far more than what we are portraying to Nigerians. Irrespective of these challenges, we are determined, we are challenged, we are ready and we are equal to the task.

     “Yes, things may not yet be very obvious, but in no distant time, we will begin to see and feel the benefits of these efforts that we are putting in place.The problem is that you cannot expect something that has been bad for ages to be resolved in one or two years, and that is exactly what has been happening.”

     Asked to be specific on how soon the change would be felt across the land, the governor said in the next 12 to 24 months, adding:

    “Three, four years is even too far away, in the next 12 to 24 months, we will begin to see a positively changed Nigeria. By then, we would have improved on power, we would have improved even on service delivery.

    “If not for the militancy that we are having now, we would have gone far. Don’t forget that this government has hit 5, 000 megawatts in electricity generation. That tells you that we can do more and I am sure we will do more and Nigeria will be better for it.”

  • Why agitation for restructuring is mounting, by Amosun

    Why agitation for restructuring is mounting, by Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday blamed what he termed as lack of fair distribution of the country’s resources and disrespect for laws for the agitation for restructuring.

    Amosun, who addressed participants of Course Nine of the Executive Intelligence Course of the Institute of Security Studies in Abuja, backed the country’s restructuring to allow for equal distribution of projects, dividends of democracy and a review of the revenue allocation formula.

    He said he was not in support of any restructuring that would affect the nation’s unity, saying great nations of the world drew their strength from diversity.

    Amosun said while Ogun State has the highest number of industries in the country, the state is placed 25th in terms of revenue sharing based on indices generated several years ago and not based on what you contribute to the Federation Account.

    His words: “I believe that if our institutions had been strengthened, people will not need to call for restructuring of the country at all because we will abide by our constitution. But you have a scenario where people do what they like, even in project distribution and dividends of democracy, among others.

    “Look at fiscal federalism. If you had followed what is in the constitution, and everybody believes that the institution is greater than all of us, we will not be where we are today. So, for me, any restructuring that will affect the unity of the country, I am not for it.

    “But a restructuring that will say, ‘there are certain things that must be done differently’, I want that to happen. For example, in Nigeria today, Ogun State has the largest number of industries, but when the money is being distributed from the Federation Account, the state is placed about the 25th position.”

    “These are indices that have been taken several years back and probably not in relation with what you contribute to the federal purse.

    “For me, that is restructuring and maybe reforming the revenue allocation formula or people calling for state police. I have said I will support state police. But that does not mean we will not have federal police.

    “It is just about making amends in some areas, but not things that will uproot our existence as a nation and those things that divide us. We should talk more and dwell more on things that unite us as a nation. It is even in diversity that we have our strength.”

    On efforts to improve the state revenue, Amosun said: “When we came on board, we introduced cashless. We realised that anything that will make you come in contact with cash is subject to manipulation and so, we said we want cashless.

    “For example, in one of our institutions, the highest revenue they were collecting was a little over N300 million. We told them this is what we wanted to do. The next time, they were able to generate N1.4 billion and we ask ourselves, where has that money gone into in the past?

    “As a government, we introduced what is now known as Treasury Single Account (TSA) in August 2011, when the present Minister of Finance was our Commissioner for Finance. When we came, we had over 700 different accounts and I ask myself how do we monitor all those accounts?

    “So, I told all the banks that I need one account from them. But if you like, you can have different subheads in your banks and not that the government will have over 700 accounts. We also said we will partner with a maximum of three banks and today, we are happy for it. That is why I can look them in the face and challenge them to tell me the state that has performed like we have done”

    He boasted that he did not owe staff salaries.

    The governor said: “When they were giving out bailout funds, I said we are paying salaries and so we don’t owe salaries. But there are certain things, which workers must enjoy such as pensions and gratuity, which we are owing and have appealed to organised labour to be patient with us since we are paying salaries as at when due.

    “My salary bill is about N9.12 billion and sometimes, our proximity to Lagos comes with its own problems and challenges. Every month, we run round to make sure we pay salaries.”

     

     

  • Amosun, Bello congratulate Oyegun at 77

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his Niger State counterpart, Sani Bello have congratulated national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) John Odigie- Oyegun for clocking 77 last Friday.

    Paying tributes to Oyegun, Amosun said: “Your life has been an eventful one with innumerable achievements in many spheres, especially, in the public sector, where you have made significant impact.

    “In addition to this, the nation’s political landscape has benefitted immensely from your active participation, especially, when you served as the first executive governor of Edo State and in the build-up to the formation of our great party, APC.”

    Amosun continued: “On this occasion of your birthday, we join you in celebrating the abundant grace of God on you and your family.

    “It is my prayer that the Almighty God will preserve you for many more years, in good health and sound mind so that you can continue to make significant contributions to the overall development of our party, in particular and Nigeria in general.”

    Bello described Odigie-Oyegun as a humble and perfect gentleman whose fatherly role has impacted positively on the party and its governors.

    The governor said Oyegun’s leadership has impacted positively on the party and given it a sense of direction.

    According to him: “He is like a father to most of us and he is a gentleman, perfect gentleman; I think that is what I want to say about him”.

  • Amosun urges to fast-track Cs of O issuance

    Amosun urges to fast-track Cs of O issuance

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged the Home Owners’ Charter Programme team to increase the number of certificates of occupancy (Cs of O) and other title documents being issued.

    The governor, who was represented by the Director-General and Special Adviser, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Biyi Ismail, spoke at the presentation of another batch of 1,000 Cs of O to beneficiaries at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

    He said people should acquire title documents to their property with ease as at when due.

    Amosun added that his administration funded the Home Owners’ Charter Programme better than it was, adding that more persons were engaged to fast-track the process.

    “Let me assure applicants, who are yet to collect their documents, that the process has been improved upon to issue documents faster. Our government is doing everything to make sure that this programme is completed before the departure of this administration,’’ he said.

    The governor said the programme bridged the gap between the rich and poor.

    He noted that everyone participating in it, irrespective of class, age, colour and purchasing power, could boast of their title documents, which were made possible by allowing instalment payment.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Commander Adijat Akinbote of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Osi-Ota, Ado-Odo Local Government, thanked the Amosun-led administration for the opportunity to obtain the documents with ease, saying the programme was a success.

  • ‘Amosun won’t impose candidates on APC over council polls’

    ‘Amosun won’t impose candidates on APC over council polls’

    Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Alhaji Roqueeb Adeniji has assured of a level-playing field during the party’s primaries for council polls.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Adeniji said, would not foist candidates on the party.

    The state’s electoral body has fixed October 8 for chairmanship and councillorship elections into the existing 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the newly created 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    Adeniji, who allayed the fears of aspirants that Amosun might give tickets to his anointed candidates, said APC would not renege on its commitment towards ensuring that the principles of internal democracy prevails in the choice of party’s standard-bearers for the LGAs and LCDAs elections.

    The party chairman spoke at the weekend while addressing the APC delegates for the chairmanship and councillorship primary election for Sodeke/Isale Ijeun Ward 10 of the Abeokuta South East Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    According to him, APC would respect the wishes of people in the choice of candidates for every elective office without preference for any candidate.

    Adeniji, who was represented at the occasion by Farouk Akintunde, one of the APC’s state executive officers.

  • ASUU-TASUED appeals to Amosun on N2b arrears

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State chapter, has served Governor Ibikunle Amosun notice to pay over N2 billion subvention owed the institution over the last 15 months.

    The union warned that government’s continued default could disrupt the peace in the institution.

    In a briefing at ASUU TASUED secretariat on Tuesday, the chairman of the union, Dr. Bayo Adesanya said that the failure of the Ogun State government to pay subventions of 15 months has affected the smooth running of the institution.

    The ASUU boss said with a wage bill of N175million monthly, 70 per cent of which is covered by the subvention, makes up the N2 billion.

    Adesanya lamented that series of meeting with Amosun, and other officials and the state Ministry of Education have not yielded results.

    He said: “The efforts made to government to release subventions to TASUED in the past 15 months have not been positive.

    “It is clear that the system will be grounded if this continues as the administration cannot be allowed to face the real assignment of teaching, research and community service, but struggling on how to raise cash to address its needs. The situation has made the administration to seek for funds from every available sources.

    “The payment of salary to staff in the university has taken a worrisome dimension. The administration of the university has become incapacitated in meeting her obligations of salary payment to university staff. Since January, 2016 the university administration could not promptly pay salaries to the staff.”

    Presently, he said workers were being owed June and July salaries, while deductions of cooperatives and others levies have been delayed since April, adding that additional 10 months’ deductions are owed cooperative bodies since 2012.

    Adesanya explained that workers are being owed several arrears of entitlements such as CONUASS, and hazard allowance, as well as the Earned Academic Allowance which was embedded in ASUU-FG agreement since 2009.

    “In Ogun State, it can be clearly stated that what is budgeted is not even released; yet government takes pride in these institutions not funded by it. Staff morale is dampened, commitment is reducing as their rights are denied having worked for the system, Adesanya lamented.

  • Obasanjo tasks youth on ‘profitable ventures’

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday urged Nigerian youths, particularly Ogun State indigenes, to be proactive and focused on good ventures.

    Obasanjo said Ogun is blessed, strategically located near Lagos and hospitable, adding that it is encouraging that there are young people who had set their minds on worthy cause.

    The ex – president gave the remarks remarks during a public presentation of a book titled: “100 Most Influential Ogun Indigenes Still Living” at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The event which also featured conferrement of awards to deserving Ogun State sons and daughters, was packaged by Hex Communications.

    Obasanjo, who was one of the awardees, noted that youths are active partners in nation building and should not be ignored.

    He commended the authors of the book – Muyiwa Awodein, Olusesi Akinoso, Tayo Ogunbowale, Babatunde Azeez and Ademola Adetona for the initiative.

    The state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by his deputy, commended the organisers for recognising and honouring those that had performed creditably well for the state and Nigeria.