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Tag: Ogun state

  • Only National Assembly can restructure Nigeria, says Osoba

    To former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba, only the National Assembly has the constitutional power to restructure the country.

    He made the remark in a chat with State House reporters after presenting a copy of his book: “Battlelines: Adventures in journalism and politics” to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, he also reported the political situation of his state to the President.

    The new governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, he said, has started governance on a very good note.

    According to him, the President has given an instruction that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give Ogun State maximum support in agriculture.

    Asked if he advised the President on the issues of restructuring and devolution of powers, Osoba said: “I have said it and I am one of the founders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I would not discuss in details because I have access, I am part of the presidency because the President is our president.

    “But I can tell you, all this noise about restructuring, we in the APC put devolution of power, true federalism in our manifesto and we’ve moved far from there to where a committee was set up, headed by the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

    “That committee has submitted its report; that report has been presented to us in the caucus and the President was there, the president endorsed the outcome.

    “I want Nigerians to please, give us time. I hope and pray that at the right time, the government or the party would send that report to National Assembly for debate.

    “I would say with all authority that restructuring lies with National Assembly. The President is not a military president; he cannot change anything by decree. Sovereignty in Nigeria now is vested in the National Assembly.

    “Those agitating for sovereign national conference must go through the National Assembly and unless the National Assembly surrenders part of its powers by an Act, there can never be sovereign national conference.

    Read Also: Osoba @ 80: A protege remembers

    “Secondly, agitation for referendum; there must be an act of the National Assembly to create that referendum. It’s not the president that would by fiat or by executive order for referendum.

    “It must go through the National Assembly and that is why I plead with our elders: Pa Edwin Clark, Pa Adebanjo, Prof Banji Akintoye, all across Nigeria, they met with the Eight Senate and they heard what that National Assembly has done in terms of the review of the constitution.

    “They should come back and tell us. We cannot move forward until we recognise the importance and the powers vested in the National Assembly. And for restructuring, let us go through the legal route.”

    Asked to clarify whether the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), who agreed to serve in military administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha got the nod of the winner of the June 12 presidential election, the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, the former Ogun governor said the late politician gave his nod.

    Osoba said: “There have been a lot of blackmail and denigration of people. For example, people like Jakande, Onagoruwa, late Alex Ibru, they said that they went and collaborated with Abacha which is not true.

    “Solomon Lar, Abubakar Rimi and all others were all in a meeting in MKO Bashorun Abiola’s house on a Sunday after the late Gen. Abacha seized power on November 17, 1993 and kicked us out.

    “The following Sunday, we met in Bashorun MKO Abiola’s house and we debated with chieftains of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and we that produced him as president and made June 12 possible agreed that those that may be invited to come and serve the country, should serve but remain loyal to the mandate and use their influence to perhaps persuade the military to return the mandate to Abiola. Iyorchia Ayu was one of them, he was former Senate President.

    “I can call many of them who were at the meeting in which MKO Abiola presided. So, I have to clear this doubt that Abiola had knowledge and gave approval to serve in Abacha’s government.”

  • Monarch makes case for peace, unity

    Moloko Ashipa, an agrarian community in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State is reputed for serenity and peace.

    The community is known as the home of cultivation and production of the popular and safe ofada rice in large quantity.

    However, the sustainability of the production of this staple food is dependent on the collaboration and support the traditional ruler of the community, the Olu of Moloko Ashipa, Oba Nureni Nosiru Adesina received from members of the community towards the development and progress of the area.

    Already, Oba Nureni Adesina and his chiefs have condemned what they considered as an alleged attempt by Alabi Oguntoyinbo to cause disaffection in the peaceful and agrarian town in connivance with some resentful members of the community.

    Oba Adesina, who, until his elevation by the past administration in Ogun State on the strength of the recommendation by the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, was the Baale of Moloko Ashipa for 10 years.

    He revealed that since being made a coronet Oba, Alabi has allegedly been creating confusion in the community, claiming to be member and head (Olori-Ebi) of the ruling family.

    Alabi Oguntoyinbo and 15 others reportedly petitioned Governor Dapo Abiodun, claiming membership of the Adesina Likoyi Family of Moloko Ashipa and that Oba Nureni Nosiru Adesina wasn’t their choice.

    But speaking with Southwest Report on the development, Oba Adesina denied Alabi Oguntoyinbo, saying Pa (Chief) Osho Oguntola Adesina is the head (Olori-Ebi) of his family and urged whoever that is in doubt, to verify from Pa Osho who, he added, is still alive.

    “We condemn this attempt to create confusion by some disgruntled elements. I have been Baale since 2010 and later made Baale-General. I have been functioning in that capacity and nobody contested the office with me.

    “Alabi Oguntoyinbo is not the head (Olori-Ebi) of my family. Our Olori-Ebi is Pa Osho Oguntola Adesina and he is alive. Alabi Oguntoyinbo has been out of the town for about 25 years and has lost touch with reality in the town. I advise people to discountenance and disregard the posturing of Alabi Oguntoyinbo,” he said.

    Checks by Southwest Report revealed that Oba Nureni Adesina enjoyed the support of the Alake, the Balogun of Igbore; Chief Tajudeen Lemboye, the Oluwo of Igbore; Chief Anthony Oliyide, the women leader (Mama Isedo) Madam Fauisat Adesina and elders of Moloko Ashipa.

  • Abiodun: we’ll prioritise payment of salaries, deductions

    OGUN State Governor Dapo Abiodun has reiterated his government’s commitment in quick payment of workers’ salaries and deductions as and when due.

    He made the pledge at the 2019 International Day of Cooperative Celebration, with the theme “Coops for decent work,” at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

    Abiodun said workers would not experience non-remittance of deductions and pensions, adding that his government would do everything humanly possible to also pay workers’ salaries and other entitlement as and when due.

    “Let me reiterate our irrevocable commitment to workers, that regular payments of salaries, remittance of pension to Pension Fund Administration (PFA), and other entitlement will occupy our burner of this administration, never again will you experience non remittance of deductions,” Abiodun said.

    Read Also: Osinbajo, Kukah, Abiodun: Religion has become divisive

    He said his administration would continue to support cooperative societies in the state to become successful business enterprises, which would be protected by enacted law and in tandem with best global practices.

    The governor said cooperative societies has continued to be a valuable-driven socio-economic growth of any society, saying the choice of the theme for this year celebration have much impact to play in human life, as it was about people more centred in enterprises that characterised by human development and workplace.

    He emphasized that cooperative enterprise was a unique member-serving entity, which empower people to collectively realize economic aspirations through self-help and empowerment.

     

  • IBB greets Osoba at 80

    Former military president Ibrahim Babangida has eulogized former Ogun State Governor Chief Segun Osoba at 80, describing him as a “civilian general”, who has the “knack for unraveling the unknown”.

    Babangida also described the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain as a press officer, who knows so well how to cultivate friendships across tribes and religions to derive happiness, even from a gloomy situation.

    The ex-military president stated this in a letter he personally signed and sent to Osoba to celebrate his 80th birthday anniversary.

    Babangida noted that the octogenarian is imbued with various talents for solving hard situations.

    According to Babangida, Osoba is one of the few Nigerians who are not concerned about the tribe one belongs to before reporting credible information.

    Read Also: IBB: The lonely long distance runner

    He also extolled the virtues of former Managing Director of Daily Times and later The Sketch as one who practised the journalism profession with credibility and diligence when technology was still a huge challenge.

    Babangida stated: “As young minds in those days, we socialised maximally without thinking about tribe or religion. We made good use of our prime and ensured that we left no stone unturned.

    “Even as military officers, we had good company in our ‘bloody’ civilians who complimented our networks. Chief Osoba was one of such ‘civilian generals’ who knew so well how to cultivate friendship and derive happiness from a seemingly gloomy situation.

    “He has a knack for unraveling the unknown. When we needed to feel the pulse of the nation, Chief Osoba became handy. He was more like a bridge between us and the people.

    “Despite being ‘stubborn’ with extremely brilliance, he has a boss that understands his ‘wiles’ and ‘tricks’, both in letter and spirit. All credit must go to his wife of quintessential orientation and unknown humility. Her ability to manage Osoba’s excesses till date deserves more than a golden award and a standing ovation.”

     

  • Truck crushes three to death in Ogun

    Commercial motorcycle operator and his two passengers were crushed to death on Saturday morning at Onibukun stretch of Sango – Idiroko road, Ogun State by a truck.

    The accident which involved an Iveco truck marked EKY 644 WH and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle with registration number plate FFF 398WH, occurred when the motorcycle rider attempted to overtake the truck at a narrow portion of the road and got mauled along with his passengers, The Nation learnt.

    Read Also: Autopsy: Cause of Nigerian insurance director’s death in South Africa unnatural

    Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, attributed the cause to “wrongful overtaking by the motorcycle rider.”

    Akinbiyi said: “We learnt the truck and motor cycle were coming from idiroko to Sango-Ota.  Attempt by the motorcycle rider (who was carrying two passengers on the motorcycle) to overtake the truck from the left through a narrow space, the truck crushed them and all of them died on the spot.

    “The truck and motorcycle, as well as the driver of the truck and motor boy have been taken to Onipanu Police Station, Ota. Two of the presumed dead have been collected by their relatives while the remains of one other have been deposited at the morgue of the State General Hospital, Ota.”

  • Man jailed four months for sending pornographic pictures

    THE Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday sentenced a man, Ahmed Oladimeji, to four years imprisonment for sending pornographic and indecent pictures via a computer.

    Justice Ibrahim Watilat convicted Oladimeji on a one-count amended charge bordering on the offence, following a plea bargain deal with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    The offence is contrary to Section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under Section 24(1)(b) of the Act.

    Read Also: Man rapes 89-year-old grandmother

    Apart from the four months jail term, the convict was also ordered to restititue sums in foreign currency to victims of his fraudulent acts.

    The court equally ordered the forfeiture of all items recovered from him during investigation to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    These include one Toshiba Laptop, one IPhone 6 and one Tecno KA phone.

  • Ogun Assembly seeks safety of graders

    SPEAKER of the Ogun State House of Assembly Olakunle Oluomo has directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to liaise with Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) for the recovery of the earth moving equipment, especially graders, to council headquarters for safe custody.

    The directive followed the submissions of Minority Leader Ganiyu Oyedeji (Ifo II); Adegoke Adeyanju (Egbado North I) and Oludare Kadiri (Ijebu North II) under Personal Explanation, calling for the recovery of the graders for effective management towards rehabilitating roads in rural communities.

    The lawmakers alleged that the equipment was not well managed and so required effective monitoring to ensure they are well utilised for the benefit of the rural people.

    The Assembly also urged the Ministry of Environment to ensure effective management of dumpsites in the state, especially the one on the Ijagun/Epe Expressway to forestall the outbreak of epidemic.

    The call followed the submission of Abayomi Fasunwa (Ijebu North East), who complained about the ineffective management of the dumpsite since refuse was taking over part of the expressway.

  • A governor’s dilemma

    We have by far too many things to do than to begin to be bogged down by what someone did or did not do or what he left behind. I cannot begin to describe in the open to you the Ogun State we inherited. I cannot begin to describe it to you. I will not because I have made up my mind that publicly and privately, I will not discuss anything about the last administration. We have resolved to draw the line and move forward from there. We need to be focused”. Those were the words of Ogun State governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, while addressing party leaders at the state congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abeokuta, last week.

    To demonstrate the precarious financial situation of the state, the governor disclosed that he had to take a loan of N7 billion from five banks to pay the May salaries of the state’s public sector workforce. This was made possible, he explained, through the goodwill he enjoys with the managing directors of the banks. The commitment of the governor, right from the outset, to prioritising his government’s salary obligations to its workers in line with his campaign promise is commendable. We hope that he will continue in this spirit throughout his tenure.

    For, he could easily have taken the path of least resistance by following the advice of the state’s head of service who reportedly told the governor that “You are new in government and everybody understands that you assumed office and we don’t have expectation of you paying salaries now. They (workers) will understand. There is very little or no money. We can talk to them”.

    However, this problem no doubt arose because of the poor and untidy transition from the government of the former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, to the new administration. The committee set up by the then governor-elect to coordinate and plan the transition with the state government team claimed it was being frustrated at every turn. This was not peculiar to Ogun. In many states, new governors have little meaningful information to work with. Precious time is thus lost as such governors cannot hit the ground running.

    It is perhaps necessary to enact laws prescribing handover processes from one administration to a new one, which must be strictly adhered to by exiting office holders and stipulating sanctions for any violation of such laws.

    Beyond this, however, if the situation he inherited in Ogun State is as bad as the governor has painted it, his administration has a responsibility to find out what went wrong, who committed what infractions and bring them to book in accordance with the law. This is not a question of sentiments. What is at stake are public resources, the use or misuse of which must be accounted for. This is not, however, to sanction witch-hunting of former office holders for partisan considerations.

    In deciding to draw the line on the past and just continuing with his administration’s programme, Mr. Abiodun’s dilemma is understandable. He is obviously sensitive to the impatience of Nigerians with leaders that continually blame their predecessors for the problems they inherited rather than working to solve such problems. That does not mean any proven infractions of the past must not be confronted and remedied.

    But then, Mr Abiodun cannot continue to rely on loans to pay salaries. It is unsustainable in the long run. Therefore, his administration must creatively design new means to enhance the state’s internally generated revenue as well as reduce its dependence on federal allocation. Even if loans are to be obtained, this must be for productive purposes such as provision of infrastructure rather than for recurrent expenditure.

     

  • Ogun CJ advises 30 customary court presidents

    OGUN State Chief Judge Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has advised the newly sworn-in customary court presidents and members to discharge their duties to the best of their knowledge and in accordance with the rule of laws.

    Justice Dipeolu stated this at the swearing-in of 30 customary court presidents and members at New Ogun State Judiciary Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta.

    She said in actualisation of the state’s agenda to decongest the courts, it has decided to begin the Intervention Week at Sagamu Magisterial District.

    “This intervention week is borne out of the desire to fast-track cases and dispose them off speedily and the idea is that the magistrates will sit longer than usual to dispose all the cases, new and old in their docket during that week,” Justice Dipeolu said.

    She added that the appointment of customary court presidents was aimed at bringing justice closer to the people.

    Read Also: I’ve no regrets dumping PDP, says Ogunlewe

    She said the sole obligation of their duties was to interpret the law as it relates to land, inheritance, marriage and more (as stated under the law), under Customary Law.

    “As you can see that they have gone through series of test and they have been found worthy of this appointment, I pray that God in His infinite mercy will grant them the grace and strength to discharge their duties according to their oath of office,” Justice Dipeolu added.

    She urged the new appointees not to forget the motto of Ogun State Judiciary, which is “hard work and result”, in the words of Vince Lambard and also in the discharge of their duties.

    “The price of success was hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand,” she said.

    She admonished them to flee from any form of corruption, laziness and favouritism, as corruption was a cankerworm that must be abhorred.

    The CJ urged them to rather embrace transparency, hard work, uphold the oath of office and dispense justice without fear or favour and with the help of God.

    She also implored them to be disciplined and avoid any act or acts that would bring disrepute to the Ogun State Judiciary.

     

  • League of political parties to LP, Akinlade: withdraw your petitions against Abiodun

    THE League of Registered Political Parties, Ogun State chapter and 2019  governorship  candidates forum have advised the two factions of the Labour Party (LP) and candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Adekunle Akinlade, to withdraw their separate petitions challenging the declaration of Governor Dapo Abiodun as winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship polls.

    The group said Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs to concentrate to deliver dividend of democracy for the people, hence the call on Akinlade and LP factions to withdraw their petitions in the interest of peace.

    The group also said they were driven by selfless interest and not influenced by anybody or politicians to appeal to litigants to withdraw their cases in court or at the tribunal.

    Addressing reporters on behalf of over a dozen other colleagues present at their secretariat in Akin Olugbade area of Abeokuta during a news conference, the governorship candidate of Independent Democrats (ID) during the last general elections, Otunba Adebayo Mosuro, urged Akinlade to withdraw “all litigations against” Abiodun.

    Mosuro noted that Akinlade has the right to seek redress in court in respect of the March 9, 2019 governorship poll.

    Read Also: Withdraw your petitions against Abiodun – LP, Akinlade urged

    He advised the APM’s flagbearer to borrow a leaf from other governorship candidates such as Prince Gboyega Isiaka of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who had embraced Abiodun and joined hands with him to move the state forward.

    According to the spokesman of the League of Registered Political Parties and 2019  governorship  candidates’ forum, it is the people of Ogun State, who stand to lose when the governor is kept distracted from the onerous task of governance with needless litigations.

    He also called on the governor to be magnanimous in victory by ensuring that every political party and candidate that participated in the last elections is made to feel a sense of belonging in his government of “inclusiveness”.