The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Governor Ibikunle Amosun

  • ‘Motorists to endure more hardship on Lagos – Ibadan expressway’

    ‘Motorists to endure more hardship on Lagos – Ibadan expressway’

    Travellers and motorists using the Lagos – Ibadan expressway are to  brace up for more hours of harrowing gridlock at the Ogun State stretch of the long bridge as lasting solutions to the nightmare may not come soon.

    Contractor – Julius Berger Nigeria Plc,  handling the rehabilitation, hinted on Tuesday that the five – kilometer “Long Bridge” where  major work is being carried out may not be completed earlier than November ending.

    Julius Berger’s Divisional Manager (West), Wolfgang Loesser,  gave the hint while fielding questions from reporters during a press briefing organised by the Ogun State government to inform Nigerians about steps being taken by Governor Ibikunle Amosun to ease the situation.

    Loesser, who led the team of Julius Berger’s construction firm to the meeting with the Ogun state government, in Oke – Mosan Governor’s Office, noted that the on-going work at the bridge was complex and required diligence.

    “First is the stage where we are now before we move to the other side coming from Lagos. So, that work will take at least, until the end of November”.

    “But I also want to point out that there are many bottlenecks on the road; for example, the Ogun River base. So, we are likely to experience the same problem there where we will have several stages of traffic management.

    “We can only do it if everybody is disciplined and careful to drive safely within the construction area,” he said.

    Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arc. Lekan Adegbite, assured that the state government would create earth road by the sides to serve as alternative roads and thus, eased traffic often experienced at the Bridge.

    Adegbite, who ascribed the cause of the gridlock in that area to drivers’ impatience and indiscipline, say the the government may wield the big stick on erring motorists that drives against traffic in bids to beat the gridlock.

    According to him, miscreants appeared to take advantage of the traffic build up to attack motorists and travellers, dipossesing them of valuables.

    The Commissioner, however, aasured that the  government would deploy more law enforcement agents, and Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) and the TRACE  to the area.

  • Unpaid arrears: ASUU-TASUED appeal to  Amosun

    Unpaid arrears: ASUU-TASUED appeal to  Amosun

    …Says subvention has reached N2 billion

    Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun, Ogun State has served Governor Ibikunle Amosun notice to pay over 2billion subvention owed the institution over the last 15 months. The union warned that government’s continued default could disrupt the peace being experienced on in the first university of education in the nation’s history.

    In a briefing at ASUU TASUED secretariat on Tuesday, the chairman of the union Dr. Bayo Adesanya announced that Ogun State government has defaulted TASUED 15 months subventions, adding that the development has affected the smooth running of the institution.

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

    Adesanya put the current wage bill of TASUED at N175million, noting that by government’s subvention policy of paying 70 per cent, Amosun administration owes TASUED about N2billion for 15 months.

    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 source.

    He continued: ‘’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.’’

    According to him, staff are owed two months salaries comprising June and July this year, saying deduction made on behalf of staff cooperatives and others have been delayed since April. Adesanya added that additional 10 months deductions are owed cooperative bodies since 2012.

    Adesanya explained that workers are owed several arrears of entitlements such as CONUASS, and hazard allowance. The Earned Academic Allowance which was embedded in ASUU-FG agreement since 2009 is yet to be implemented too, Adesanya added.

    ‘’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.

    Adesanya’s vice Dr Rotimi Ettu and Secretary Dr Damilola Adejoye described the briefing as a notice to Governor Amosun to do the needful. The duo appealed to stakeholders particularly in Ogun State to prevail Ogun State government to give TASUED workers their dues, hoping that such prompt intervention would not truncate the atmosphere of peace the university has enjoyed for years.

  • Herdsmen may have affiliation with Boko Haram terrorists – Buratai

    Herdsmen may have affiliation with Boko Haram terrorists – Buratai

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, has hinted that the attacks on villagers and farmers in many parts of the country by herdsmen may be due to likely affiliation with members of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    Buratai urged Nigerians to be security conscious and to report to the security agencies, any suspicious persons or group of people roaming about in their communities.

    The Army Chief of Staff, who gave the hint in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when he visited Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Thursday, said the army is investigating the herdsmen and also pursuing them so that their menace could be addressed.

    “We want to call on all Nigerians to be security conscious and to report any suspicious persons or group of people that are roaming about in their communities.

    “One may not be too far from the fact that some of these herdsmen that are attacking communities across the country may have some affiliation with the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “This we are further investigating and also pursuing them so that we can address the situation, so let’s be security conscious. Let’s report quickly movement of suspicious persons carrying arms especially.

    “If you suspect any individual within your community, we should be able to report immediately. Timely information is very important. We have our troops deployed in certain areas and I believe the Police are working with them to be able to tackle any challenge that comes in from them,” Buratai said.

    He also revealed that members of the Boko Haram sect did not capture any village when they attacked a small community in Borno state few days ago, saying Nigerian troops responded swiftly and chased them away.

    He noted that troops are patrolling all places in Borno and coordinating with ‎the multinational joint task force to ensure that the nation’s borders are well secured and are blocked from any infiltration.

    He said: “they didn’t capture any village. They went and attack a community, small community in Borno State and our troops responded appropriately and we will continue to pursue them wherever they are.

    “This situation may continue for some time, this is just pocket of them that sneaked out to go and commit such atrocities. Our troops are on top of the situation and we will continue to address such challenges.

    “You know generally terrorism has no specific phase, they mix among the people anytime they want to strike, they sneaked out and commit such atrocities, so I want to tell you that no community is under Boko Haram as at now.

    “No local government or any ward that we can say is under any Boko Haram seige. Our troops are patrolling all those places and we are coordinating with ‎the multinational joint task force to ensure that the borders are well secured and are blocked from any infiltration.”

    Earlier, Amosun Called for Creation of Army Division in Ogun State.

    The Governor said Ogun State population has increased to over 7 million just as the economy of the state has also expanded to the point where the state can be said to be ripe for an Army Division of its own.

    “We want our own Army division here in Ogun State,” Governor said.

    He also lauded the Nigerian Army for the successes it has recorded against insurgency in the North East region of the country and cases of insecurity in other parts of the country.

    “We want to commend their effort because we know that before now we all know what the Boko Haram has turned Nigeria into, but up their effort, they have restored sanity by bringing back the dignity of the Nigerian Army and the entire Nigerians.

    ” Not only that ‎they are  helping in all the security challenges we are having as a nation. The nefarious activities of the herdsmen truly needs to be checked, the Avengers, the kidnapping and all sort.

    “The Army is being over worked. We are calling on them all the time and they are responding, for that; I want to say well done to them and still challenge them to do more.
    In Ogun State, the Army has been tremendous to us.

    “We thank them for this entire success story that we are recording. The most is rated the most secured state and I want to say that we can’t do it alone. All the security agencies in Ogun State are working together in harmony,” Amosun said.

  • I take responsibility for collapsed market complex – Amosun

    I take responsibility for collapsed market complex – Amosun

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun on Friday said he has taken responsibility for the collapse of an Ultra – Modern Market complex being constructed at the Old Oyo road by the popular Itoku market, Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    A wing of the dual four – storey market complex caved – in around 9am, killing one person – Mrs Noimat Sikiru (a nursing mother), and injuring seven others out of about 18 workers who resumed work there in the morning.

    Amosun who was sighted coordinating the rescue efforts at the scene of the collapsed structure, said he would not leave the location until the excavators and rescue team had gotten to ground zero to ascertain that nobody is still trapped in the rubbles.

    Speaking with reporters on ground, he said the state government would investigate the incident to establish what caused the structure to crumble down.

    Amosun said: “I take full responsibility of what happened here, not even the Commissioner for works can take the responsibility because when the glory comes we share it together but if anything goes wrong, I take the blame so I take full responsibility but we are going to get to the root of the matter”.

    “As early as 9 o’clock in the morning, the workers were here as always, 16 all together as we have told and a little minute after 9am we have this partial collapse of this building.

    “Out of those 16, eight came out immediately the building collapsed and the remaining 8 they were hurriedly taken to the hospital, one unfortunately died on the way to the hospital, two were discharged immediately because they sustained minor injuries. The remaining five are still at the hospital, they also sustained minor injuries”.

    “We can’t leave this place the way it is, because it is better for us to act under caution we are not that comfortable with the way this place is and that is why we have to get to what we called ground zero and we will get there before we leave here today because we want to be sure that nobody is still trapped under the collapse.

    “The most important thing to us is to ensure that no further lives are lost. We will leave here until we are sure that nobody is still trapped in there.

    “We are going to find out the cause of the collapse. When you look at this building particularly you will discover that the topography of this side of the building is lower and that is why we have the basement here and sure the engineers and everybody else will get to the root of the matter”.

    “We didn’t pray for this but we are going to double check other buildings of the State projects to determine their structural viability. We are very saddened about the fact that we lost a live, we have gotten across to the members of his family.”

  • I’m not quarreling with Oba Adetona, says Alake

    I’m not quarreling with Oba Adetona, says Alake

    Less than 24 hours after Governor Ibikunle Amosun doused the embers of row between the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona over Obas’ ranking in Yorubaland, Alake said “there was no quarrel or misunderstanding between him and Awujale.”

    Oba Gbadebo said further he and Oba Adetona would work harmoniously to sustain the prevailing peace in the state as well as coordinate their support for Amosun’s Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.

    The Alake who made this known to The Nation in a release by his Media aide and Aare Baaroyin of Egbaland, Chief Layi Labode, “appealed to the Press to just inform and not to inflame the people” about the matter.

    According to him, the same message of peace and harmony he is sending out to his Egba people would be communicated to the Ijebus by the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Adetona.

    The statement reads: “both the conventional at Social Media had gone to town with stories on the purported disagreement between two of the foremost Traditional Rulers in Yorubaland and indeed in Nigeria, on the ranking of Traditional Rulers in Yorubaland, Southwest Nigeria.

    “The Alake had ranked the Yoruba Traditional Rulers according to documented records including Government Gazette while Awujale disagreed and made his own categorization.

    “Awujale’s Remarks caused further response from the Egba High Chiefs who went into Achieves and Contemporary Records to insist on Alake’s stand.

    “Naturally the disagreement between the Great and revered Monarchs became a hot Running Story, attracting “Screaming Headline.”

    Few headlines and contents were mere writers’ imaginations, which might even cause further deterioration between The Alake and Awujale.

    “The Executive Governor of Ogun State in his usual swift and proactive manner came in decisively to put off the festering Embers of disharmony and disunity among Ogun State Traditional Rulers.

    “According to the Governor he could not wait for People outside the state to come and resolve such situation for the state on Wednesday 16 March 2016, Senator Ibikunle Amosun invited both Oba Alake, His Majesty Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and Awujale, His Majesty, Oba Sikiru Adetona to the Executive Chamber of the Governors Office for a Royal and Harmonious discussion.

    “Those at the meeting with the Governor were the Deputy Governor, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, The Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Adeoluwa Taiwo and The Honorable Commissioner to the Chieftaincy Affairs Chief Jide Ojuko.

    “Both Oba, Dagburewe of Idowa that accompanied the Awujale and Aare Baaroyin Egba, Olootu Layi Labode that accompanied the Alake were “Hosted in a Comfortable Waiting Room.

    “About One hour into the meeting the Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun came into the waiting room to address both Kabiesi Oba Dagburewe of Idowa and Aare Baaroyin of Egbaland, asking the two of them to deliver his message of peace to the Ijebus and the Egbas, that he had totally and finally discussed with the two foremost Traditional Rulers. He enjoined  both Egba and IjebuChiefs and People should Promote Unity through Love,understanding and Concord among the two Groups as well as the entire Ogun State.

    “Kabiesi, Dagburewe and Aare Baaroyin of Egbaland assured The Governor that his message of peaceful co-existence among various Groups in Ogun State would be fully deliver to all appropriate courters.

    “Thereafter, the Governor went back to the Executive Chamber to continue his meeting with the two Ogun State Paramount Rulers. The meeting ended some one and half hour.

    “As the Ogun State Governor Emerge from Executive Chamber with The Alake, The Awujale, The Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government and Hon. Commissioner to Chieftaincy Affairs, A Hoard Press had laid an ambushed.

    “Questions Started flying from the Press Men simultaneously to the Governor,to the Alake and to the Awujale.

    “Senator Ibikunle Amosun took charge and told the Press that the briefing they were waiting for, would take place down stairs, where he humorously advised some individual correspondents that they should not write imaginary stories about what happened as they used to do.
    “He appealed to the Press just to inform and not to inflame the people.

    “He told the Press that he had invited the two Traditional Rulers to discuss the development of Ogun State, adding that what was discussed on the striking workers in Ogun State was still classified and asked the Alake to address the press.

    “Talking to the Press, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo said there was no quarrel or misunderstanding between him and Awujale and the two of them would sustain and coordinate there support for Senator Ibikunle Amosun Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.

    “The Alake also disclosed that the two of them fully delivered Striking workers ‘message to the Governor, hoping that the dispute would be amicably resolved soonest.

     

  • Amosun commiserates with family of Oyewole twins

    Amosun commiserates with family of Oyewole twins

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has commiserated with the Oyewole family over the death of Pa Dotun Oyewole.
    Pa Oyewole, a foremost educationist, was until his death on Sunday, February 28, at the ripe old age of 94, the remaining survivor of the popular Oyewole twins in Abeokuta.
    His twin brother, Femi, had earlier died in 2006, aged 84.
    Describing the death of the nonagenarian as “a painful, yet inevitable loss,” Governor Amosun urged the family to take solace in the fact that the late educationist and his twin brother “lived an impactful and fulfilling life.”
    He added that as foremost educationists, the Oyewole twins contributed immensely to the education sector in Ogun State and indeed the whole of Nigeria.
    “It was in recognition of this fact that we recently named the newly built Model School at Kobape after Femi and Dotun Oyewole,” Governor Amosun said.
    The governor expressed delight in the fact that his administration was able to celebrate and immortalise the Oyewole twins with the commissioning of the ultra-modern Model School on February 2, 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of activities marking the 40th anniversary of Ogun State.
  • Tribunal grants Isiaka access to INEC’s documents

    Tribunal grants Isiaka access to INEC’s documents

    The Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday rejected bids by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gboyega Isiaka, from accessing the materials used in the April 11 election.

    The tribunal granted Isiaka’s prayer to have unfettered access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) documents used during the election.

    Tribunal Chairman, Justice Henry Olusiyi said Isiaka’s prayer succeeded and was granted because it has considerable merit.

    According to Justice Olusiyi, Amosun’s counsel Olumide Ayeni was unable to convince the court how the granting of Isiaka’s prayer would be prejudice.

    Isiaka’s counsel Funminiyi Adeleke argued that INEC’s documents would assist in the determination of the substantive petition before the tribunal.

    Adeleke argued that granting the application would be in line with the applicant’s right to fair hearing as well as strengthening justice.

    But, in opposing the application at the time, Ayeni argued that it was grossly incompetent and that the tribunal also lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it

    The counsel also reckoned that the application sought to embark upon a fishing expedition for evidence, thus rendering it an utter and complete ruse calculated to mislead the tribunal.

    He explained that all documents being sought by the applicant have been in his custody as demonstrated by the available information before the court.

    In granting the application, Justice Olusiyi said the issue for determination was resolved in the affirmative in support of the applicant.

    “Counsel to the first respondent failed to show how granting the application would prejudice him.

    “There’s considerable merit in the application, it succeeds and is hereby granted,” he ruled.

    The tribunal, however, directed that Amosun’s and APC’s representatives should be available during the inspection, which should be concluded in seven days.

    [news_box style=”1″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”INEC” count=”6″ show_more=”on”]

  • …Amosun, wife hopeful of victory

    …Amosun, wife hopeful of victory

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday raised the alarm over open inducement of voters with cash as well as security breaches, including snatching of ballot papers in parts of Ogun state during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Amosun, who is seeking reelection on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), cast his vote by 1:30pm at the polling unit 004, Ajura Ward 4, situated at St John’s School, Ajura, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.

    He expressed optimism that he would win.

    His wife, Olufunso Amosun, also voted at the same polling unit and ward few minutes later.

    The lauded the voting procedure and processes with minimal delay from the card reader and commended voters for turning out massively to exercise their right.

    He however expressed disappointment that even when the country is striving to improve the election process with technology, some politicians were attempting to sabotage the effort by engaging in electoral violence and other vices.

    Amosun said: “I’ve been briefed about some security breaches, which I want to believe that security operatives have put in check, particularly now that voting has commenced.

    “I’ve been told about those cases in Ipokia, Ikenne, even in Abeokuta; people bringing money to the polling centres, openly distributing it to lure people to vote.

    “But those ones I know that the security operatives will do their jobs. But the one that worries me – I’ve even been told, they are taking vehicles round the town and dropping four men at every location; and your guess is as good as mine what those four people would do.

    “Even the military and police accosted some people in Itele and all of them have been taken to army barracks there in Ilese.

    “They were there with ballot papers and a lot of things. I wasn’t there, we were phoned.

    “But I’m happy to commend the security agencies for their efforts because they were there, they even resisted them.

    “I understand that the policemen ran away, maybe they are fake policemen or whatever.

    “We have been informed that all of them have been surrounded and taken to the barracks. I’m sure they would hand them over to the police. Those boxes, I’m sure they would have collected them.

  • Professionals back Amosun’s re-election

    A socio-economic group, Ogun Professionals for Development (OPD), has supported the re-election bid of Governor Ibikunle Amosun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group, in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Dele Taiwo, said: “The actions of Governor Ibikunle Amosun since 2011 are in sync with democratic norms. Little wonder Ogun State that was ranked the lowest in Nigeria by the World Bank under the administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is today ranked among the top five states in terms of being investor-friendly, a noble feat achieved under the leadership of Senator Amosun.

    “Ogun cannot afford to return to the dark days of insecurity, violence, mismanagement of public funds and other atrocities that scared away investors and stagnated development.”

    The professional body also noted that contrary to what obtained under the previous PDP government, the opposition could access the state media, move about without molestation and express itself without fear.

  • Peugeot backs Ake Festival

    Peugeot backs Ake Festival

    HOW would you rate a book festival that featured Nigerians such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Prof Wole Soyinka, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi? And what would be your expectations from such interactions that also attracted literati from across the globe for 5 days? Expectedly, the corporate bodies that supported the annual festival were leading players in the economy. One of them was foremost Nigerian automobile brand Peugeot was among top supporters of the organisers of 2014 edition of Ake Arts and book Festival through the provision of executive shuttle services for the concluded event in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    The second edition of the Books festival brought many African writers to celebrate African talents in literature, arts, theatre, music, dance and drama.

    The level of support and participation of private organisations, government functionaries, institutions and individuals in the campaign for reading culture in Nigeria through workshops, public readings and book festivals obviously accentuated the theme of the event – Bridges and Pathways.

    Regional Director, Peugoet Automobile Nigeria (PAN), Mr.Erick Maydieu, noted that the need for the promotion of knowledge acquisition informed its support for the festival and arts in all of its genres.

    “We have provided the services of different range of our executive cars to help in the provision of shuttle services to participants at the festival and also to help provide seamless movement for the organisers of the event and all of their premium quests and partners”, he added.

    Part of the activities which gave colour to the six-day days event included varieties of cultural, artistic and literary events. Some of these were woven around readings, master classes, workshops, performances and talks delivered by both Nigerian and international authors, thinkers, poets, filmmakers, actors, artists and academics.

    Many schools in Abeokuta were visited by writers such as Yejide Kinlanko who read from her novel, Daughters who walk this path, a stage play, film showings, musical concert, and a comprehensive book fair which pupils, publishers and book buyers took advantage of.

    Discussions at this year’s festival touched on important issues such as the public and individual perception of nationhood and how freedom of expression in Africa could be established. More targeted themes such as women’s rights and child literacy were also addressed, as a way of examining how the arts can contribute to development in these areas.