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Tag: Amosun

  • NNPC’s reckless comments against Amosun

    NNPC’s reckless comments against Amosun

    SIR: It amounts to sacrilege and gross misconduct for an official of a government agency to insult or disparage elected public office holders. It is even worse when the object of such reckless comments is an elected governor.

    This is a serious matter as it touches on the fundamentals of our democracy. The NNPC officials could only get away with such insults against a man who holds the mandate of the electorate with their letters of resignation accompanying their reckless comments.

    In its reaction to the comments made by Governor Amosun that the negligence of the corporation was responsible for the regular pipeline vandalism at Arepo, the NNPC through Ms Tumini Green, acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs of the corporation was quoted to have said: “It is sad that the governor of Ogun State who should know the importance of national assets like pipelines and do everything in his power to protect them is engaging in a blame game when every responsible Nigerian citizen is wondering why Arepo which is in his domain has become such an attractive spot for oil thieves and pipeline vandals.”

    The meaning of this comment is that the governor of about five million people of Ogun State, according to Ms Green, is “irresponsible”, for if he was a “responsible Nigerian citizen” he should have been “wondering why Arepo which is in his domain has become such an attractive spot for oil thieves and pipeline vandals.”

    Green was not done with her insults as she urged Amosun “to protect the pipelines in his domain to sustain product supply to the state rather than engage in unnecessary rhetoric.”

    For a government worker to declare that an “elected” Governor of a federating state in Nigeria is engaging in “unnecessary rhetoric” is the height of infamy, worse from a corporation that is noted in Nigeria as the epicentre of monumental corruption and inefficiency.

    This really goes against the grain in a democracy, for public servants to disparage “elected” office holders, worse of the status of a governor.

    I do hope the unguarded comments of officials of the NNPC will attract appropriate sanctions from the appropriate quarters.

    • James Ikechukwu

    Owerri

  • Amosun, others call for national rebirth at Gani Fawehinmi Lecture

    Eminent Nigerians yesterday recounted the struggles of the late Chief Gani Fawehnmi (SAN) to improve Nigeria.

    The occasion was the Ninth Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/Symposium organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, which was held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    The lecture was entitled, “Economy, politics and human rights: Wither Nigeria”.

    Many speakers, including Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, described the late Fawehinmi as a selfless lawyer, who died fighting for the masses.

    They called for a national rebirth, which they said would guarantee development and protect human rights.

    Other speakers include the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu; rights activist Chief Abiodun Owonikoko; Lagos Solicitor-General Lawal Pedro (SAN) and Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

    Amosun, who chaired the event, described the lecture as an avenue to proffer solutions to the nation’s challenges.

    The governor, who was represented by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), condemned the inducement of the poor to vote.

    This, he said, could result in the emergence of unpopular leaders, poor policies and programmes, which would result in a bad economy.

    Amosun urged the Federal Government to reposition the economy to facilitate sustainable democracy.

    He said there was need to empower the people, so that they would be able to freely exercise their rights and defend them.

    The governor said: “Defending the rights of the citizens and creating a conducive atmosphere for them to realise their potentials is the best way the government can become accountable to the people.”

    He urged lawyers to see human rights beyond the narrow prism of right to life, free expression, fair hearing, education and other social rights contained in chapter four of the constitution.

    Referring to some rights embedded in Chapter Two of the constitution, which he said are “non-justifiable”, Amosun said: “Your determination of rights must encompass all economic rights, including, but not limited to, right to fair opportunities, decent and gainful employment.”

    Pedro, who represented Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, urged lawyers to take up more public interest litigation and not to be concerned about making money alone.

    He urged lawyers to emulate the late Fawehinmi and always think of what they can do to make Nigeria better.

    Odinkalu attributed Nigeria’s economic woes to the collapse of the police and the nation’s “lobotomised” Judiciary, a situation he said led to the belief among influential citizens that judgment could be bought.

    He said insecurity in the country started with the murder of ace journalist Dele Giwa and the “complicity of the state” in the murder or the state’s attempt to cover it up.

    Odinkalu said a failed Nigeria would be catastrophic to Africa.

    Owonikoko said for the country to improve, the culture of inefficient and misplaced priority in appropriating resources must stop.

    He urged the government to put a mechanism in place to check the excesses of politicians.

    NBA President Okey Wali said the late Fawehinmi recorded great achievements in public interest litigation under harsh legal frame work and environment.

    Wali said the situation was no longer the same with the introduction of the new Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, which encourages courts to welcome public interest litigations without cases being struck out for lack of locus standi.

    He urged the Federal Government to tackle insecurity so that the economy can grow.

    Also at the event were Justices Ayotunde Phillips, Emeka Ngige, Augustine Alegeh, Niyi Akintola, Tayo Oyetibo and Dele Adesina.

  • Amosun: we’ve received cooperation from our people

    Amosun: we’ve received cooperation from our people

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has said his administration has enjoyed cooperation from the people in its development programmes.

    He noted that “contrary to speculations in some quarters that our people are averse to development, they have shown unparalleled and rare enthusiasm for positive change.”

    The governor said this in his New Year television and radio broadcast to the indigenes and residents.

    Amosun said: “We have seen people removing the roofs of their houses and breaking walls before the demolition team of the road construction firm gets to their areas. Till now, we have not received any news of confrontation on any of the sites.”

    He said his government has had “pleasant experiences” in its ongoing construction work in Sagamu, Sango Ota, Ijebu Ode, Abeokuta and other places, adding that “our people will support developmental efforts and make sacrifices where they see determination by the leadership to bring about improvement in their standard of living.”

    The governor said his administration has received requests for road projects from communities in the state, adding that due to limitation of resources, “it is not possible to build all the roads in Ogun State at the same time.”

    While calling for more sacrifices from the people, Amosun assured that his administration would reduce the pains of those affected through the payment of compensation.

    He said plans were on to build modern shopping malls to cater for displaced traders.

     

  • Our people have been supportive, says Amosun

    •NURTW hails governor on roads

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said his administration has been enjoying the people’s support.

    In his New Year television and radio broadcast, Amosun said: “Contrary to speculations in some quarters that our people are averse to development, they have shown rare enthusiasm for positive change.

    “We saw people remove the roofs of their homes and even break the walls before the demolition team of the road construction firms got to their areas. Uptil now, we have not received news of confrontation at any of the sites. Our people will always make necessary sacrifices and support genuine development efforts.”

    He said his administration has continued to receive requests for road projects from communities across the state, but explained that due to limited resources, it was impossible to build all roads in the state at the same time.

    Amosun assured the people that his administration would continue to compensate those affected by the demolition.

    He said plans were on top gear for the building of shopping malls for displaced traders.

    The governor said: “Our schools have become better and we have more of our children in school now. Services and infrastructure in our hospitals have greatly improved. A lot of our youths are now gainfully employed, either directly in the Public Service or empowered to start their own small/medium scale enterprises.

    “Our state is wearing a new look. The road projects have turned our environment into a huge construction site.”

    He thanked civil servants, traditional rulers, rights groups, labour, security agents, opposition groups, media and other stakeholders for the successes so far recorded and urged them to continue to support his mission to rebuild Ogun.

    Also yesterday, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogun State branch, hailed the governor on road projects, particularly the building of the first Fly-over in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    It said the projects would not only fast-track development, but ease the movement of goods and persons.

    NURTW Chairman Alhaji Akeem Adeosun told reporters that the projects have opened up every section of the state.

    He said the benefit of the projects far outweigh the momentary pains of the people, whose shops and homes were affected, and urged residents to support the governor.

    Adeosun said: “This is real governance and it must be applauded. A lot of roads are being built to ease movement. I urge our people to support the governor and pray for peace to continue to reign in the state.”

  • Fayemi, Amosun sign 2013 budgets

    Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) yesterday signed the 2013 Appropriation Bills for their states into law.

    Fayemi also signed nine other bills into law.

    The others include the law to pay pension to former governors and their deputies and other auxiliary matters; Ekiti State Peace Corps Law, 2012; Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Law, 2012; Ekiti State Lotteries Law, 2012 and House of Assembly Commission Loans Board Law, 2012.

    Others are the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Law, 2013, Ekiti State Advisory on Prerogative of Mercy Law; Local Government Service Commission (amendment) Law and Local Government Administration (amendment) Law.

    Fayemi said this year’s budget would consolidate on on-going projects across the state.

    He said the proposed Ministry of Rural Development and Empowerment will ensure development at the grassroots.

    Noting that this was the first time the state’s budget would be passed before the New Year, the governor said the 2013 Appropriation Law was tailored in line with the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which covers all sectors of the economy.

    He said the budget would be “carefully and faithfully implemented”.

    On the other laws, Fayemi said the establishment of a Peace Corps, which would work with security agencies, would sustain the peace in the state.

    He said the Board of Internal Revenue Law was to reduce the state’s dependence on federal allocation and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin said the Fayemi administration delivered the dividends of democracy to the people in the implementation of the 2012 budget.

    He said the early passage of this year’s budget was to enable the administration continue with the good work.

    On December 6, Fayemi presented a proposed N93.6 billion budget to the Assembly, but it was jerked up to N97.6 billion. The House passed the budget on Friday.

    Assenting the bill in his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Amosun thanked the House of Assembly for “diligently appraising the budget estimates”.

    He said after exhaustive deliberations, you were able to pass the budget and present it for assent before the end of the year. This demonstrates that the legislature and executive are working together to make life better for the people.”

    Amosun said the budget would be implemented to the letter.

    Speaker Suraj Adekumbi assured the governor of the Assembly’s support in rebuilding the state.

    The signing of the bill was witnessed by principal officers of the House and members of the State Executive Council.

     

     

     

  • Wada: A lamentable accident –  Amosun

    Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has lamented the ghastly auto crash involving the governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, which resulted in the death of his aide-de-camp, ASP Idris Mohammed, and serious injuries to others, including the governor.

    Amosun condoled  with the government and people of Kogi State on the sad incident.

    In a press release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Amosun described the accident as unfortunate, especially coming on the heels of the regrettable death of Governor Patrick Yakowa and ex-National Security Adviser, Rtd Gen. Owoye Azazi, in a helicopter crash.

    The governor wished Captain Idris Wada and others involved in the accident a speedy recovery and prayed for the repose of the soul of the late ADC.

  • Why I suspended council chief, by Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday explained why the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area and councillors were suspended.

    The governor said the action was taken to forestall acts “that could be injurious to the socio-economic well being of the generality of the people of the state”.

    Amosun said though the third tier of government should be independent, the state government should not allow the disruption of the peace necessary for the socio-economic development of the state.

    The governor spoke yesterday in Abeokuta while receiving the report of the Panel of Enquiry, which investigated the conflict between the Chairman, Ijebu East Local Government, Mr. Patrick Ogunde and the councillors.

    Amosun, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said government had to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    He said: “The state government will not fold its arms and watch some people, under whatever guise or claim to political sovereignty take actions that could be injurious to the socio-economic wellbeing of the generality of the people of the state.”

    The governor said no meaningful growth could be achieved in an environment where peace did not exist. He said his commitment to the development of all parts of the state remained unwavering, adding that government would continue to take steps necessary to impact positively on the lives of residents.

    He thanked members of the four-man committee for working within the 14-day deadline given to them to carry out the assignment.

    The governor said government would study the report and come up with a White Paper to prevent a recurrence.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Chief Wole Adesiji, thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve the state. He said the recommendations would assist government in finding a lasting solution to the crisis.

     

  • Amosun greets Christians

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has congratulated the Christian community in Nigeria on the celebration of Christmas.

    He said despite the challenges “confronting us as a nation, adherents of all faiths have cause to celebrate because we are alive and determined to overcome the challenges.”

    In a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs. Funmi Wakama, Senator Amosun said the birth of Jesus Christ signified the love of God for mankind, triumph of good over evil and the victory of light over darkness.

    He urged Christians to use the opportunity of the season to reflect on the reasons for the birth of Christ and keep hope alive.

    The governor said: “Notwithstanding the difficult circumstances of the birth of Jesus Christ, his life remains today a perfect example for the world.”

    He hailed the religious harmony in Ogun State and enjoined the faithful all over the country to emulate the indigenes.

    “Religion should be a source of strength and not a cause for disunity because no faith condones violence or preaches hatred,” Amosun said.

    The governor enjoined the indigenes to use the Yuletide to pray for the state so that there would be development and peace would continue to reign.

    While wishing Christians a happy celebration, he urged them to be guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ as contained in the Holy Bible.

  • Amosun: Eso could not be bought

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described the late Justice Kayode Eso as “a courageous judge, who is not afraid to say the truth”.

    Amosun spoke yesterday when he visited the deceased’s family in Ibadan, the state capital.

    He urged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of the late jurist, who was known for his integrity, courage, discipline, compassion and diligence.

    Amosun said the late Eso was one of the elder statesmen, “who sacrificed their yesterday for what the country is enjoying today”.

    He said: “The late Eso lived an exemplary life that we all should be proud of. He was a courageous man, who delivered landmark judgments. He could not be bought. He was a good man and would be missed by all.”

    Recalling the late jurist’s dissenting judgment in the celebrated 12 2/3 of 19 states of the 1979 presidential polls, the governor said the dissenting judgment was one of the redefining moments in the political history of the nation, especially the Southwest.

    He said: “We are not mourning Justice Eso, we have come to celebrate the passage of a courageous jurist, a diligent man and a shinning example. He was an uncompromising and incorruptible judge, whose landmark judgment always gave hope to the hopeless.”

    The deceased’s brother, Ven. Ladipo Eso thanked Amosun for the visit and said the traffic of personalities to their home was a testimony of the late jurist’s selfless life.

     

  • CDAs are development partners, says Amosun

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described Community Development Associations (CDAs) as “worthy partners of the government” in providing basic infrastructure to improve the life of the people.

    Amosun spoke yesterday while inaugurating a 500KVA transformer presented to the Goshen Estate Community Development Association, Asero in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    He said his administration would continue to assist CDAs to enhance their ability to contribute to communal growth.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Olu Odeyemi, said to ensure that every community enjoys the dividends of democracy, the government distributed 500 transformers to them earlier this year.

    Amosun hailed residents of Goshen Estate for installing the transformer without waiting for the government.

    He said: “We have presented so many transformers to different communities. This community has taken a great step by coming together to instal their transformer. You have laid a good example for other CDAs to emulate.”

    The governor assured residents of the estate that by the first quarter of next year, mini power plants would be completed to provide them with potable water.

    He said the water projects would begin with the Arakanga Water Booster Station.

    Amosun said other requests by the community, such as the grading of internal roads and the building of a police post and polling booth would be looked into.

    Chairman of the CDA Pastor Oluseyi Sonde thanked the government for putting an end to black outs in the area.