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Tag: Ibikunle Amosun

  • You’re hypocrites, Ogun APC tells opposition

    You’re hypocrites, Ogun APC tells opposition

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has described the opposition’s allegation that the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration is authoritarian as “cheap hypocrisy”.

    It was reacting to a statement by the People’s Party of Nigeria’s (PPN’s) candidate in the 2011 governorship election, Mr. Gboyega Isiaka.

    Isiaka condemned a circular from the state government, which “purportedly barred its officials from expressing their views in the media”.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sola Lawal, APC said the circular sought to “streamline official lines of information flow from the government”.

    The party said no responsible government would permit uncontrolled information dissemination on critical issues.

    It said: “Being democratic and open, the Amosun administration will always respect the right of the people to information, but this right, however, should not undermine the government’s duty to maintain decorum. The new measure in place makes commissioners and permanent secretaries in ministries custodians and official channels of information.

    “This policy is not in any way near the blatant brutality of the immediate-past Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration, in which Isiaka served, which detained 12 civil servants in December, 2006, for leaking official secrets.

    “It is also incomparable to the anachronistic display of wanton power embedded in the harassment of the respected paramount ruler of the Egbas, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, by the Daniel gang for daring to express disgust about the decadent infrastructure in the state capital.

    “We recall the nihilistic embarrassment of Yewa people when the government of that era openly disrupted the 2005 Oronna Day (the annual cultural celebration of Yewa people) in Ilaro on the primitive ground that its organisers approved an award for the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, and the late Otunba Dipo Dina, a leading opposition figure of the period.

    “Isiaka was part of the nightmare that the Daniel administration was, when, in 2006, the yearly Ojude Oba ceremony in Ijebu-Ode was brought to an abrupt end because Daniel disapproved of the inclusion of the late Dina in the team of his age grade, who were to pay homage to the monarch of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    “The prevailing vista of uncommon infrastructural rebirth, ingenious transparency and openness in government and flamboyant restoration of human dignity in a generous atmosphere of peace that the Amosun administration has heralded is a loud testimony to the governor’s commitment to ensuring a clean break from the decadence of yesterday.”

     

  • Amosun advocates stiff sanctions for fake journalists

    Amosun advocates stiff sanctions for fake journalists

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday recommended stiff sanctions for fake journalists and misconduct in the profession.

    Amosun said quacks and unethical practices by unguided persons were bringing disrepute to the noble profession. He advocated collaboration among the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Police and the State Security Service (SSS) to track down fake journalists.

    The governor spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the opening of the 2013 Press Week of the NUJ, Ogun Council, on: “Stabilising Nigeria’s democracy: The role of the media and the political class”.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, Amosun said journalists have a crucial role to play to ensure national stability, good governance and promote democracy.

    He said journalists and the political class were vital stakeholders for the growth and sustenance of democracy, adding that the media has the greater responsibility of mobilising citizens for national development.

    Amosun said there was need to re-orientate journalists on constructive criticism and the need to proffer solutions to societal problems.

    Ogun NUJ Chairman Wole Shokunbi said journalists would continue to carry out their duties objectively without fear or favour, urging the government to implement the Freedom of Information (FoI) Law.

    Shokunbi said: “This year’s theme was chosen to pinpoint the topical issues that foster greater political consciousness and ensure that the nurtured democracy of our great nation is sustained. This sense of purpose and proactivity is especially crucial now in view of global political challenges, of which Nigeria is clearly not exempted.”

  • Ogun adjudged fastest growing state economy

    Ogun adjudged fastest growing state economy

    Ogun State has been adjudged as the fastest growing economy and first choice of industrialists and entrepreneurs among the 36 states in the country.

    According to a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, the verdict was passed by the management and Board of Editors of the nation’s leading business newspaper, Business Day at its States’ Competitiveness and Good Governance Awards ceremony which held in Lagos on Wednesday.

    At the ceremony attended by state Governors, members of State Executive Councils from across the nation, members of the business community and the media, Editor of Business Day, Mr. Phil Isakpa, said Ogun State won the award of the fastest growing economy, because it has the highest number of businesses established in its domain due to the conducive business environment provided by the state government.

    He added that Ogun State got the award because from the research conducted by the newspaper’s team, the state has the highest positive number of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the last one year, while the number of bank branches has increased more than any other state in the last three years.

    The newspaper said its conclusions were made based on “extensive research and tour of states across the country and submission of entries by states”.

     

    While receiving the award on behalf of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, thanked the management of the newspaper for recognising the efforts being made by the state government to attract investors through provision of infrastructure, liberalising the process of establishing businesses, including access to the vast land in the state, as well as provision of security facilities to ensure safety of persons and properties.

     

  • Ogun opposition parties becoming desperate, says govt

    Ogun opposition parties becoming desperate, says govt

    The Ogun State Government has accused some people in the opposition parties of using desperate tactics to undermine the Ibikunle Amosun administration.

    The government said the opposition elements were uncomfortable with the achievements of the current administration.

    A statement yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the opposition elements were deploying subterfuge measures, including spreading false information, to incite some professional and interest groups against the government.

    Olaniyonu noted that when the opposition elements could not fault the government’s infrastructural development, they started instigating property owners on the 32-kilometre Sango-Ojodu Road against the on-going construction work in the area.

    The commissioner recalled that the Sango-Ojodu Road was among the latest projects of the government.

    He said the government had 14 other ongoing projects, adding that no property owners refused to go to Abeokuta to collect the cheques for their compensation.

    According to him, it is ironical that the opposition elements were still campaigning against the government for bringing development to their area.

    “The method being adopted by some landlords on that road is curious, particularly in view of the earlier campaign by some politicians that the government would not build the road. Now, that the contractor has commenced work, the landlords refused to come to Abeokuta to collect their compensation. They have been speaking in the media that government has not paid their compensation and that they would prefer that government stayed action on the road construction work.

    “This has led to suggestion in some quarters that the same set of people who said the road would never be constructed were the ones instigating the landlords not to take the compensation but to continue to blackmail the government through the media,” Olaniyonu said.

    The commissioner urged the people to stop playing politics with development issues.

    He added that the government would adopt the same process to pay compensation to affected property owners.

     

    adopted without any controversy in the other parts of the state where road construction is taking place is being used in the Sango-Ojodu road and that nobody who is due for compensation will be left out.

     

    “Once again, we want to call on our people in Sango-Ojodu area to please continue to co-operate with government and realise that their interest is best served with the construction of the road. They should come to Abeokuta and collect their compensation’’, he said.

  • Ajimobi, Aregbesola, Tinubu, Akande, others pray for Lam Adesina

    Ajimobi, Aregbesola, Tinubu, Akande, others pray for Lam Adesina

    •Ayo Lam Foundation unveiled

    Eminent Nigerians yesterday gathered at the Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to pray for the late former Governor Lam Adesina, who died a year ago.

    The prayer session was organised by the state government.

    Dignitaries at the event include Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Oyo State Governor Omololu Olunloyo; Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Ayo Adeseun.

    Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) were represented by Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa and Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi.

    Also present were Gen. Adedayo Popoola; former Secretary to the State Government Chief Michael Koleosho; the Iyalode of Ibadanland, Mrs. Aminat Abiodun; former Deputy Governor Hazeem Gbolarunmi; Aare Abdulazeez Arisekola-Alao; Chief Iyiola Oladokun; Elder Wole Oyelese; Justice Adekola Nurudeen; Chief Lateef Oyelade and representative of the Olubadan, Chief Olufemi Olaifa.

    Others are House of Representatives members Kamil Akinlabi and Biodun Awoleye; Chief Aminat Abiodun; Alhaja Sekinat Adekola; Dr. Busari Adebisi; APC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Oyo APC Chairman Chief Akin Oke and the late Adesina’s supporters, known as the Abegi Group, among others.

    Ajimobi described the late Adesina as his teacher, father and political leader.

    He said the late Adesina taught him in school.

    The governor urged APC factions to resolve their differences, saying it was the best way to honour the late Adesina.

    He said: “Some people are calling themselves Lamists to the core; they do not even know that I am one of the core followers of the late Adesina. When I was vying for the governorship seat, Asiwaju Tinubu and other leaders of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) took me to him and he blessed me. We shall continue to honour the memory of the great Lam Adesina and tread his path.”

    Aregbesola said the large turnout of people at the ceremony showed that the late Adesina was loved by many.

    He urged the people to emulate the virtues of the late politician, who he said lived an exemplary life.

    People also gathered at the late Adesina’s home, where the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Suara Haruna, led prayers for the repose of his soul. This was followed by the inauguration of the Ayo Lam Care Foundation.

    The late Adesina’s first son, Ayo, said the foundation was to immortalise his father.

    He said his father was a philanthropist and he (Ayo) was determined to build on his legacies.

    Ayo said the foundation, which was established early this year, has made donations to many charity homes.

    He urged eminent personalities to support the foundation in caring for the less privileged.

    Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja described the late Adesina as a God-fearing man, who lived his life serving Allah.

    He pledged to donate N100,000 monthly to the foundation for life.

    Ladoja said: “Lam was a selfless man, who loved the masses. There is need to donate to this wonderful foundation to help the needy in honour of Lam’s memory.”

    Former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala described the late Adesina as “loving towards everyone”.

    He pledged to send his donation to the foundation before Friday.

    Chairman of the Odu’a Group Sharafadeen Ali; Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Mr. Femi Babalola were also in attendance.

  • Amosun preaches unity, oneness

    OGUN State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has challenged Nigerians to work towards a peaceful coexistence.

    He said Nigerians should continue to see themselves as one regardless of their religious, racial and cultural differences.

    Amosun spoke yesterday at the dedication of the Rhema Christian Church and Towers’ 10,000- seater cathedral in Sango Ota, Ogun State.

    He said: “We must see ourselves either in the state or the country as a whole, first as Nigerians, binding together in unity and jointly seek the progress of the nation.”

    The governor said Nigerians should always endeavour to replicate the spirit of oneness, which comes to the fore anytime Nigeria is involved in an international football match.

    Amosun, who charged the Presiding Bishop of the church, Bishop Taiwo Akinola, to continue preaching on unity and holiness, maintained that where the spirit of unity exists, ethnicity and religious crisis would be completely eliminated.

    He harped on the needs for spiritual rejuvenation in the country since the present generation gives little thought to their spiritual growth.

    Amosun said this informed the decision to re-introduce religious studies as a mandatory subject in Ogun State from primary to secondary schools.

    According to him: “If we are developing the state, we must make sure we develop ourselves spiritually as well. We must also continue to support our churches so that we can move forward spiritually.”

  • Amosun gets special adviser

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has sworn in is Mr. Olalekan Onanusi as his Special Adviser on Special Projects.

    Amosun urged Onanusi to ensure that the Olokola Free Trade Zone (FTZ) becomes fully operational. Onanusi, a chartered accountant, hails from Ijebu-East Local Government Area.

    Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony yesterday at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, the state capital, Amosun said Onanusi’s first task was to ensure full operation of the zone.

    He said the Olokola FTZ was very significant to his administration’s drive for economic development.

  • Man docked for reckless driving

    A 44-year-old man, Salami Ibrahim, who was arrested by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, was on Friday arraigned before an Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court for reckless driving.

    The police prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the offence was committed on Thursday at about 8.20am at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation mega station on Abiola way, Abeokuta.

    He said there was a gridlock in which the governor and the accused as well as other motorists were held up.

    The prosecutor further said the accused suddenly drove out of his lane in a bid to meander through the traffic jam.

    “The governor, who was also held up in the gridlock and was not using siren, arrested the accused and handed him over to the police.

    “If the governor could be in the gridlock, nothing exempted the accused,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the police prosecutor as saying at the hearing.

    He added that the accused, who was driving a Mitsubishi space wagon private vehicle marked Lagos AKD 160 AM, drove on the highway in a manner dangerous to other road users.

    The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 18 of the Road Traffic Laws of Ogun State of Nigeria, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge of reckless driving.

    Magistrate Martins Akinyemi granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum and ordered that his vehicle be kept in police custody.

    The case was adjourned to August 16 for further hearing.

     

  • Amosun leads democracy walk, says June 12 is watershed

    Amosun leads democracy walk, says June 12 is watershed

    Over five thousand people on Wednesday walked the major streets and roads of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, in remembrance of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election purportedly won by the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O Abiola.

    The walk which began at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, at exactly 7:30 am coursed through the Abiola Way, Sapon, Itokun, and Lafenwa and terminated hours later at the MKO Abiola family house in Isabo area of the state capital, where the crowd were received by Abiola’s younger brother, Alhaji Mubashiru Abiola and Engr. Rahmon Abiola.

    The Democracy walk train was led by the state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, his Deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, Ogun Assembly Speaker, Prince Suraj Adekumbi, daughter of the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola – Costello, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Ogun State First Lady, Olufunso Amosun, pro – democracy group and other trade unions.

    Amosun, who addressed the gathering at the late Abiola’s family house, said June 12 was a watershed in the annals of Nigerian elections and transcends Abiola and his family.

    The governor noted that the late politician paid the supreme price to pave way for Nigerians to enjoy the present democracy.

     

  • Amosun seeks end to HND/ B.Sc dichotomy

    Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has called on the Federal Government to end the dichotomy between the graduates of polytechnics and universities with immediate effect.

    The governor noted, “Polytechnic graduates are by no stretch of imagination inferior to their university counterparts.”

    Amosun spoke yesterday in Abeokuta while addressing the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) who met him during an inspection of road projects in the state capital.

    He described the discrimination against the polytechnic students as unwarranted, adding that “it is only in Nigeria this practice takes place.”

    He said the state polytechnics, monotechnics and institutes of technology should be able to award degrees in no distant future.

    The Senate President of NAPS, Mr. Liberty Nwogu, said they were in the state for the annual convention of the association at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.