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Tag: Governor Ibikunle Amosun

  • Osoba’s son Olumide, rejects inclusion on consensus list

    … Says it’s absurd to ship him from North to South of Abeokuta

     

     

     

    Row over the list of 40 All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the 2019 general elections in Ogun state allegedly drawn by Governor Ibikunle Amosun deepened on Monday with Hon. Olumide Babatunde Osoba rejecting the inclusion of his name on it.

    Olumide who represented Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency from 2011 – 2015, said he was neither contacted for any consensus arrangement nor did he participate in one, but his name was listed for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency seat’s ticket.

    Read Also:Adebiyi emerges Ogun APC chair as Amosun, Osoba harmonize new exco

    The son of former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, who made this known in a statement, added that it is not only “absurd and ridiculous to find his name on a list been peddled as a consensus list,” but also wrong to attempt to ship him from his primary constituency into another.

    He explained that he owes full allegiance to Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency and had never entertained any thought of abandoning them to seek election into the House of Representatives from another Constituency.

    The statement reads in full: “I, Olumide Osoba, was privileged to be among the few chosen  360 out of the over 160 million Nigerians to Represent my people in the Green chamber in 2011-2015 at the House of Representatives.

    “I will forever be grateful to the people of Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency for finding me worthy to be their Representative.

    “Having said that I owe full allegiance to that Federal Constituency and at no time have I ever entertained the thought of abandoning them to seek election into the House of Representatives from another Constituency.

    “I served them with all I had and I am till this day grateful for the bond we have. I registered and vote at Owode Ward 3, unit 006 Geleodun polling unit in Obafemi Owode Local Government and I have never participated in the politics of Abeokua South.

    “It is therefore absurd and ridiculous to find my name on a list been peddled allegedly as a consensus list.

    “I at no time participated in any consensus arrangement and neither was I contacted. I therefore wish to disassociate myself from the list.

    “On the issue of primaries of our Great Party for aspirants seeking to become Candidates in the General election of 2019 I totally abide by the ruling and communiqué of the NWC and i am ready and willing to submit myself to a direct Primary in my Federal Constituency of Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency,” Olumide stated.

  • Amosun’s former Deputy, Adesegun declares for Ogun guber race

    … As Obasanjo’s coalition party – ADC, begins its congresses tomorrow

     

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s former Deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, has joined the 2019 governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and called on party members to support him to win the APC gubernatorial ticket.

    Adesegun who declared his ambition to govern the state in 2019 at the Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Abeokuta, shortly after a meeting with the party executives, said he is familiar with the challenges facing the state and pledged to fix them if he becomes the Governor.

    Read Also:Woman dies in Ogun shrine, police arrest priest, father

    The ex – Deputy Governor between 2011 and 2015 and who hails from Ago – Iwoye (Ijebu) in Ogun East Senatorial district, also promised to promote social, political and economic freedom as well as peace and dignity of labour through massive investment in agriculture, better healthcare delivery and rejuvenation of the local government system in line with the nation’s constitutional provision.

    In a related development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) where ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) fused into will begin its congresses tomorrow with wards congress in 236 wards across Ogun State.

    The State Chairman of the party, Dr. Gbolade Osinowo who disclosed this to reporters in Abeokuta, said the essence to put party executives in place as parts of preparation to position ADC for successes in forthcoming general elections in Ogun.

    According to him, the Local government congress comes up on Monday followed by the State on Tuesday.

  • Ogun 2019: Oil magnate, Abiodun declares for governorship

    …Lauds, PMB, Tinubu on direct primary

     

     

    Oil magnate and entrepreneur, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared for the Ogun State governorship race, expressing the confidence that he would not only clinch the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket, but also succeeds Governor Ibikunle Amosun on May 29, 2019.

    Abiodun who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and APC national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, for their position on direct primary as the right approach to select its candidates for electives offices, said he would focus on “mass centric” programmes and not “ones that cater for the elites or “have only visibility value,” if he emerges  as Governor in 2019.

    Read Also:Ogun 2019: Isiaka dumps PDP, cites intractable crisis as reason

    The APC chieftain and Real Estate investor, made this known to reporters in Iperu, his home town, Ogun State on Thursday evening while declaring his ambition to succeed Governor Amosun.

    He urged the Ogun State chapter of the APC to adopt direct primary system as the right approach for selecting governorship candidates, saying it remains the way to give party members the unfettered freedom to pick the right person from the pool of aspirants.

    According to him, the pronouncement of the party leaders like President Buhari and Tinubu – on direct primary as advocated by both, actually saves the party from further hemorrhage due to defection, since direct primary assured every party member equal chance of participation in the race in a fair and free level playing field, devoid of impositions.

    Abiodun assured that he has the intellectual capacity, experience, pedigree to govern the state and “raised the bar” because of veritable leadership and management skills garnered over the years from the private sector, adding that it would be “laughable” for anybody sit in a “corner of somewhere and appoints who should be Governor of Ogun State.”

     

  • Pray for me to hand over better Ogun State – Amosun 

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has urged the people not to relent in their prayers for his administration in order to hand over an Ogun State that would be a pride to everybody in 2019.

    Amosun also urged the people of the state not to despair but to “hope for a new dawn,” saying the modest efforts of his administration are being felt across the state.

    This was contained Governor’s message on Tuesday to mark the 2018 Democracy Day, and assured of the commitment of his administration to make democratic dividends felt in all segments of the state.

    Read Also:Ogun APC: Amosun, Osoba harmonise new excos

    In the massage by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, Amosun expressed optimism that the Mission to rebuild the state embarked upon by his administration, which is marking the 3rd anniversary of its 2nd term, will be a success story; by the time its tenure expires on May 29, next year.

    He noted that the government would have commemorated this year’s Democracy Day with inauguration of some of the over 50 new projects, spread across the three geo-political zones, but the commissioning has been shifted till a later date that will be announced because of the on – going Ramadan.

    “We have kept faith so far, and I hereby restate our commitment to hand over an Ogun State, which will be a pride of all of us.

    “Our modest efforts are being felt by all and we have no doubt that by the time we handover, we will be celebrating a New Dawn in our dear Ogun State,” he stated.

  • Group hails Amosun’s over achievements in Ogun

    A socio-cultural group, the Awori National Consultative Youth Council, has commended Governor Ibikunle Amosun for re-positioning the state into an economic hub and tackling infrastructural deficit.

    The group’s president, Prince Adesegun Ogungbayi, noted that apart from the road construction, flyovers and other multibillion infrastructural facilities across the state, the governor had been able to stimulate investment in the state.

    He said: “Truth be told, Governor Amosun’s achievements in the educational and health sectors are unrivaled till date. Ogun State environment in general has been liberated from uncleanliness and security treats. For me, the most resounding success story of the APC led government in Ogun State is empowerment and positioning of the youth, which has led to youth managing the State House of Assembly without crisis and Local Government Service Commission as well and some other areas.”

    Ogungbayi urged sons and daughters of Ogun State to support Amosun’s choice of picking his successor from Yewa-Awori for equity and justice.

  • Amosun to young graduates: Aspire to be governors

    Amosun to young graduates: Aspire to be governors

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday urged the Nigerian youth to aspire for elective offices as the world awaits their manifestation but said being a governor of a state comes with great responsibility.

    Amosun said the youth should avail themselves of the current thinking in Nigeria that ‘It – is – not – too young – to – run,’ seek leadership position and fulfil their destiny in life.

    The Governor spoke at the 27th Convocation ceremony of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago – Iwoye, where the quartet of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Chairman of First Bank PLC, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, foremost

    Nigerian banker, entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, and Toyin Falola, a historian and Professor of African studies, University of Texas, Houston, USA, were each awarded the institution’s Doctor of letters (honoris causa).

    Amosun, however, advised that the youth should also be prepared to pay in order to enjoy qualitative education at the tertiary level.

    He noted that undergraduate education is highly subsidized in Ogun by the state government, adding that the best won’t come out the university system if people insisting it must be made free for students.

    “Education can’t be free otherwise there will not be qualitative education. But to cushion the effects of the various payments which you think are too high we are at the same time subsidising this university and other tertiary institutions spread across the state.

    “If you are insisting or yearning for a free education, then the quality of graduates that the university and other tertiary institutions in the state will be churning out will be on a “garbage in, garbage out” scale, a situation we don’t cherish.

    “You will need to programme yourselves. You are to think out of the box. Be ingenious while we will create enabling environment for businesses to thrive. You are to see your graduation today as a turning point in your life. Also, be ready to give back to the school, your family members, the society and humanity.

    “You have not only been a pride to yourself and your parents but you have carved a niche for yourself and the centre of excellence you have graduated. The world is waiting for your manifestation and so, let the world see you that you are an eagle.

    “Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) has raised the bar of excellence and we will do all humanly possible to improve from the 23rd position ranking,” Amosun said.

    He lauded the overall best graduating student, Mr. Semiu Olalekan Taiwo, of the department of Economics who has obtained first class and won the institution’s and Vice Chancellor’s awards respectively.

    In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Ganiyu Olatunde, said  a total of 4,386 graduands were awarded first degrees and Diploma in the academic 2016/2017 session with 18 graduands making first class list, 605 in second class upper division while 1,938 made second class lower.

    Similarly, Prof Olatunde stated that 654 received their higher degrees and postgraduate diplomas which comprises 105 postgraduate diplomas, 474 Master’s degrees, 1 MPhil and 74 PhD degrees.

  • Ogun 2019: Stranger won’t succeeds me – Amosun

    Ogun 2019: Stranger won’t succeeds me – Amosun

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun  on Wednesday vowed for the second time that he would not hand over to a stranger in 2019.

    Amosun said it would be an insult to the forebears of Ogun State if an ‘Atohunrinwa’ (stranger) should succeed him when there are true sons and daughters of the soil in abundance.

    The Governor reiterated his vow while addressing elders from Ogun the West Senatorial district during a meeting with them at his Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The elders visited Amosun to dissociate themselves from a reported endorsement on Monday of a governorship aspirant from Ogun West by a group.

    Amosun who reaffirmed his resolve to work for the emergence of an Ogun West son or daughter as Governor in 2019, said a stranger would “wreck” Ogun State if given its affairs to manage.

    He noted that people from other senatorial districts are qualified to vie for the governorship seat of Ogun State in 2019 but insisted he would only work for the Ogun West candidate.

    Amosun appealed to the Ogun West elders not to see two other senatorial districts as enemies, saying they need to court their support, lobby and consult for the realisation of Ogun West governorship agenda.

    “It is a covenant between me and my God, I will be handing over to someone from Ogun West but other senatorial districts are also qualified to contest.

    “But we shouldn’t see them as enemies, it should not appear that we are taking anyone for granted, our people in Ogun East can come out to contest, in Ogun Central we’ve agreed, but if anybody comes out from the central, I will confront him frontally.

    “We will be tactical and strategic but we shouldn’t pay attention to those that are not necessary. I am free to take my position just like every other person.

    “I am not God, we are human but where we are today, I am supporting people from Ogun West, it will be an insult to us in this state when we have sons and daughters, no ‘Atohunrinwa’ (stranger) will come, they will wreck Ogun State if we allow it.

    “You can’t wake up one day and be moving from one place to the other, when it is time for campaign, they will not even come because it will be too hot for them to handle,” Amosun said.

    Earlier, the elders cutting across  the five Local Governments of the zone, led by a former Secretary to Ogun State Government, Deacon Poju Adeyemi, told the Governor that his choice of will succeeds him, will be theirs.

    The elders comprising representatives from Yewa Think Tank, Ogun West Elders Forum, Ogun West Elders Council and leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) from the zone urged Amosun to pick a popular choice from the zone.

    A professor of history, Anthony Asiwaju, who spoke at the meeting, appealed to Amosun to lead them into who his choice is to enable them throw their weight behind such a person.

    “You should lead us as to who in Ogun West, who in Yewa land you will like us to support and work for.

    “I have said it because it’s our stand, in Ogun West Elders Council, we will go where where you go and we will support whoever you ask us to support from Yewaland.

    “We will suggest without forcing you into action unnecessarily, within shortest possible time, let’s know who we should support from the candidates,” Asiwaju said.

    Meanwhile, Senator Olamilekan Adeola has lauded  a group of professionals, academics and community leaders under the aegis of Ogun West Consultative Forum (OWECOF) for endorsing him as their choice among governorship aspirants from the area.

    In a statement by Adeola’s Media aide, Chief Kayode Odunaro, he hailed the group for their courage and painstaking efforts in contributing to steps being taken to ensure that the next governor of Ogun State comes from Ogun West extraction.

    “Following the endorsement he received from a group of professionals,  academics community leaders and opinion molders  from Ogun West Senatorial District under the auspices of Ogun West Consultative Forum, OWECOF, to contest as Ogun State Governor in 2019, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola aka Yayi, chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content has commended the group for their courageous and painstaking efforts in contributing to efforts to ensure that the next governor of Ogun State will be of Ogun West extraction after 42 years since the creation of the state.

    “The senator who was endorsed ahead of 5 other notable aspirants praised the group for providing a level playing ground for majority of the aspirants from the Ogun west senatorial district to showcase their credentials and their agenda for Ogun state as governor stressing that the race to Oke-Mosan Government House in 2019 for him is not a do or die affairs but a vision to build on the achievements of previous administrations with experience garnered over the years in governance at both state and federal levels.

    “Senator Adeola promised to continue with his consultations with relevant stakeholders and the teeming masses of the people of Ogun state in the days and months ahead stressing that his vision is for an all-inclusive participatory government that will bring urgently needed development to all the nooks and crannies of Ogun state.

    “The senator called on other aspirants in the race from the district to join hands with him in the quest to reverse a history that has relegated the district to the back burners adding that it should be a collective effort to build on the ongoing rebuilding mission as well as make improvements on areas that are facing serious challenges in the state.

    “He reiterated his earlier commendation for former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba and incumbent governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun for supporting the Ogun West aspiration to produce the governor of the state in 2019 in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play adding that history will not forget their roles in the holistic development of all parts of Ogun state,” he stated.

  • Amosun calls for holistic approach on 2018 budget implementation

    Amosun calls for holistic approach on 2018 budget implementation

    The Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun has called on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the state government (MDAs,) to be holistic, transparent and accountable in their inputs into 2018 budget in order to have a comprehensive Appropriation Bill.

    Amosun stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Treasury board meeting on year 2018 budget at the conference Hall, of Obas’ Complex, in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Capital.

    He said that all MDA’s needs to be more proactive in the presentation and deliberation of their draft estimates and proposals to be submitted for the next fiscal year in order to have a hitch-free ‎budget presentation to the House of Assembly.

    “This meeting is an avenue for our administration to receive contributions from top government officials, civil and public servants in order to engender understanding, cooperation, speed service delivery and speedy passage of the 2018 budget by the House of Assembly.” Amosun said

    He noted that his administration was committed to leaving behind an enduring legacy for the masses and even generation unborn, hence the need to ensure a holistic approach was embraced, pointing out that 2018 budget would be their last full year budget.

    According to him “It is therefore critical for us to continue to deepen collaboration trendy of our budgetary process so as to bequeath on our enduring legacy to the next administration ‎and so as to move the state to an enviable height”.

    He admonished the various MDA’s which involved in the budget process and implementation not rest on their oars, noted that much was expected from them in order to lay a good foundation for the good people of state.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms. Adenrele Adesina said the 2018 Treasury Board meeting was a reflection of the administration’s last six years budget and the reflection of the state economic and developmental plan.

    Adenrele Adesina said that the annual Treasury Board meeting was a tool that has more powers in terms of the level of disciplines among the various MDA’s to derive the State’s Income and Expenditure, adding that it was an imperative exercise for transparency and accountability.

    She urged all participants including stakeholders involved to listen to questions and contributes their quota to the meaningful deliberations that would bring about effective and efficient 2018 budget exercise.

  • ‘I have no grudges against Amosun’

    ‘I have no grudges against Amosun’

    A front line 2019 governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, on Thursday revealed that he has no grudges against Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    Adeola who is popularly called Yayi said what exists between him and Amosun are just differences in “political ideology and political belief,” explaining that what he found disagreeable about the Governor is his mindset that someone coming from Lagos should not govern Ogun State.

    The Senator who hailed from Agosaga Pahayi in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, but currently representing Lagos West at the National Assembly, added that it was this Amosun’s attitude of “how can he come from Lagos to rule us” remained the source of contention between the duo.

    Adeola made the clarification while fielding questions during an interactive session with members of the Ogun West Consultative Forum at Ilaro, the Headquarters of Yewa South Local Government Area.

    He recalled that each of the first civilian Governor of Ogun State, Bisi Onabanjo, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Amosun himself had all worked or done business in Lagos for years before returning home to vie for and won the position of a Governor in Ogun State.

    The Senator wondered why a strange and different yardstick should now be introduced into the political field of the state by the incumbent Governor because the Ogun West people have become more determined to produce a Governor in 2019?

    Adeola noted that he “wants to be Governor of Ogun State but not desperate” about it, stressing, however, that he remained unflinching in his resolve to pursue the ambition to a successful end.

    He also noted that there were many rumours flying about to the effect that he was stalling the efforts of the Governor to obtain the $350m loan facility which requires clearance by the Senate, and said there was no truth to it.

    Adeola said he would not stand in the way of what would bring development or progress to the state, adding that the loan facility even came up on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

    He explained that nobody was working to frustrate the Governor from seeking the $350m facility, saying he recognises the rights of states to source for a financial package but it shouldn’t be a routine thing.

    He said he would resuscitate the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency(OGROMA) to address the constant road problems in the state, revisit the abandoned Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas(OKLNG) located in Ode – Omi in Ogun Waterside, leverage on the proximity of Ogun to Lagos to boost the socio-economic fortunes of the state.

  • Ogun homeowner charter: 38,000 applicants seek assessment

    Ogun homeowner charter: 38,000 applicants seek assessment

    No fewer than 38,000 of the 70,000 applicants that met the requirement for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy and other title documents under the Ogun State Homeowners’ Charter programme have responded for assessment.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun stated this during the presentation of land title documents to another batch of beneficiaries at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    Amosun, represented by the Commissioner for Housing, Segun Abiodun disclosed that the interest shown by the applicants made the process quicker and faster.

    ‘’The Homeowners’ Charter Scheme has been a landmark achievement as 38,000 applicants out of 70,000 that qualified have been able to pay after their assessment. There was a little delay as no one anticipated for the high population of applicants, but things have been straightened out and the process is now quicker and faster,” he said.

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    Commissioner for Finance  Adewale Oshinowo said some applicants initially were reluctant at presenting their documents, including survey plan, land receipt, notice of assessment among others which, according to him, makes issuance of C of O difficult for such persons.

    Oshinowo enjoined the people not to lose faith in the programme as many applicants had benefitted from the scheme.

    One of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Abdulazeez Adisa from Oju-Ore, Ota Local Government Area, thanked the State government for giving them authentic land documents which afforded them homeowner status.