The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun state

  • Buhari urges religious leaders to fight corruption

    Buhari urges religious leaders to fight corruption

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday charged religious leaders to use their exalted position to assist the on – going crusade against corruption in the country when ministering to followers.

    Buhari said the battle to rid the nation of corruption and corrupt practices should not be left for the administration alone, adding that with the collective support of majority of Nigerians, the menace could be fought to a standstill.

    The President who spoke at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, during the 55th anniversary Conference of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Affable, Babafemi Ojudu.

    At the event which was also used to install former Minister of Steel and ex – Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Alh. Tunji Sarafa, as the new Baba Adini of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, the President lauded the body for praying fervently for his recovery during the long period he was ill, urging them to continue to pray for him and the unity of the country.

    Buhari said it also was heartwarming to know the Registrar of Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, is one of them and has represented the religion of Islam and the organization well in the manner he had demonstrated accountability, transparency and commitment.

    He said since the birth of JAMB body has remitted to the coffers of the federal government what Oloyede had paid as the Registrar of the examination body.

    Also, Governor Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open urged Muslim Imams and Alfas to continue to work for the peace and unity of the country.

    Amosun said Islam is a religion of peace and advised adherents, particularly the elders and leaders in the faith, to inculcate this into the youths so that they do not conduct themselves in manner that could convey erroneous impressions about the religion.

    The Governor noted that there was the overriding need for Nigerians, notwithstanding their different geographical locations, creeds and ethnic nationalities to live in unity so that genuine growth and development can take place in the country.

    He noted that no people or nation can achieve anything worthwhile in an environment of chaos, hence the need for every citizen to work for the peace of Nigeria.

    “Nothing good can come from an atmosphere of violence, rancour and in atmosphere where people don’t love or tolerate one another. We have to do more in working for the unity of Nigeria,” Amosun said.

    On the new Baba Adini, Tunji Sarafa, Amosun said the office is a “big burden” and prayed that the almighty Allah would grant him the strength and wisdom to succeed.

    In his welcome address, the President – General of League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Muhammed  Jamiu Bello, called for the continued unity of the body and Nigeria.

  • Interboundary crisis: Oyo, Ogun assure of peaceful settlement

    Interboundary crisis: Oyo, Ogun assure of peaceful settlement

    The hope of amicable resolution of the interstate boundary issues and disputes between Oyo and Ogun state beckons Friday as both states have agreed to abide by whatever decision made by the boundary dispute committee.

    Rising from a meeting which lasted for about ten hours at the Oyo State House of Chiefs, Parliamentary Building, Agodi Secretariat complex, the two states among others, also agreed that the states, affected local government councils and respective traditional institutions will continue to ensure peaceful co-existence amongst the border communities pending the conclusion of actions on the interstate boundaries.

    The states also agreed to facilitate another meeting before the end of the first quarter of 2018 to finalize the demarcation and ownership of the contentious territories.

    The meeting was facilitated by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and presided over by the Director-General, NBC, who was represented by the Director, Internal Boundaries, Surv. Adamu Adaji.

    The Ogun and Oyo states delegation were led respectively by their deputy governors who also double as the Chairmen of each state boundary committees.

    While Ogun state Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Dr. Olumide Ayeni represented the deputy governor, the Oyo deputy governor, Otunba Moses Adeyemo was in attendance. The Surveyor-General of the federation was also represented at the parley by the director, Internal Boundaries in the office of the Surveyor-General, Surveyor M. K Mohammed.

    The two states have been involved in inter-boundary crisis particularly at the Eruwa and Bakatari axis, with the members of the communities engaging in communal clashes.

    In his remark, the Oyo deputy Governor who noted that Oyo and Ogun states are one and same despite the administrative boundary issues regretted that the delayed conclusion of the permanent demarcation of the boundary has generated an unhealthy attention and commotion between the affected border communities. He enjoined the states to maintain the ‘status quo ante’ pending the final determination. He also pledged Oyo state’s support and cooperation with the efforts of National Boundary Commission.

    While speaking, his Ogun State counterpart commended the NBC for the prompt responses to the requests of the two states, pointing out that the boundary issues had lingered on for too long. She appealed to for more efforts in the boundary definition process, calling on the affected communities to promote peace and imbibe the spirit of brotherliness between the two states and pledge her states cooperation to the Commission.

    She also called for attention to the issues that have militated against the acceptance of the boundary in the Bakatari sector and stressed the need for the decisions to be revisited in the true spirit of peace and unity.

    Earlier, the NBC DG in an opening remark noted the need for peace and concord amongst the border communities of the two states, noting that the essence of the meeting was to address the recent complaint and work out a programme of action towards completing the demarcation of the remaining sectors of the boundary. The DG, however, stressed that the boundary in question is the administrative boundary that delimits each of the States and not traditional boundary based on ethnic groupings and appealed for the support of all the stakeholders while expressing the hope that outstanding exercises will be concluded as quickly as possible.

  • Ogun State mulls bonds to finance infrastructure

    Ogun State mulls bonds to finance infrastructure

    Ogun State Government has indicated that it would be approaching the capital market to raise funds to support the infrastructural development of the state.

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who led a delegation from the state to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, said the improved financial position of the state and key policies implemented by his government has put the state in a better position to access funds from the capital market.

    He said the planned capital raising would enable the government to extend its infrastructure development to many other areas of the state.

    Amosun, who was given the privilege of beating the closing gong for the market, said the initial reluctance of the state to raise bonds was due to the low internally generated revenue at the inception of his administration adding that the internally generally revenue has increased significantly to between N6 billion and N7 billion.

    “It is now I know the state can fulfill the obligation of raising bond. We need long term funds to develop infrastructure and we know you are the one to help us, I know when we come, you will help us,” Amosun said.

    He said the state government has requested the Federal Government to cede some Federal Government’s roads in Ogun State to the state government to rehabilitate such roads and further enhance the economic activities in the state.

    Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, said the Exchange is looking forward to collaborating with the state on many fronts.

  • Ogun targets N4bn revenue in 2018

    Ogun targets N4bn revenue in 2018

    Ogun state ‘s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, on Monday said the ministry had put in place machinery to generate  N4billion in  revenue next year.

    Ashiru said  this while defending the ministry’s 2018 budget proposal at the Ogun House of Assembly  in Abeokuta.

    The commissioner explained the amount proposed by the ministry was achievable, saying the ministry had mapped out strategies  to block all leakages in revenue collection.

    He said the ministry had proposed to generate N200million from registration of trade and artisans in the state while N3billion would be generated from haulage.

    “The ministry intends to intensify efforts on monitoring and enforcement for effective collections of haulage fee across the state.

    “There are over 24,000 business premises payers in the state. The sum of N300million is budgeted to be generated from registration and renewal of business premises.

    “N500million will be generated from inspection of quarries, monitoring of activities of quarry operators, regulation of illegal mining in the state and collection of surface rent,’’ he said.

    Read also: Shopping malls: Ogun to revoke unused allocations

    Ashiru also said that the ministry had proposed to spend the sum N740million on capital expenditure while N420million had been earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

    Defending the budget of his ministry, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said that the ministry had earmarked N2.6billion as its total expenditure for 2018.

    Oladipo explained that the ministry had also proposed to put in place a museum in each of the three senatorial districts in  the state.

    “There is no museum in Ogun East. We intend having one to be called `Museum of Cultural Heritage and Data’.

    “The likes of Ogunde museum will complement that of the state,’’ he said.

    Declaring the budget defence open, Deputy Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo, said  the exercise was not meant to witchhunt  any Ministry, Department  or Agency, but part of the constitutional duties of the house.

    NAN

  • Outcome of convention critical to party’s future – Ogun PDP

    Outcome of convention critical to party’s future – Ogun PDP

    Elders and leaders of the Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have called for support from members to ensure a hitch – free National Convention, saying the outcome of it is critical to the future of PDP in Nigeria.

    The call was made known to journalists in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Friday in a statement by former members of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Johnson Olu -Fatoki, Joseph Adegbesan, Mr. Ladi Owodunni, Chief Adeoye Monsuru, and Chief Gbadero Gbadela.

    Others were Mr. Wasiu Saula, Alhaja Adeyinka Ilebiyi, Chief Sunday Alawode, and Alhaji Wasiu Isiaka respectively.

    The nine party faithful said the success of the Saturday convention would brightened the fortune of the party the more and appealed to members to remain calm and ensure peaceful and fruitful exercise.

    They lauded the qualities of the party’s national caretaker committee for ensuring that the party is reorganized and repositioned ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    “Being committed and loyal party members, we believe that the success of our National Convention on December 9 (today) is paramount important to the future of our great party. We therefore appeal to all members to remain calm and join in ensuring a peaceful and fruitful convention,” the statement reads in part.

    They expressed the hope that the new national executive that would emerge from the convention will address all the petitions sent to the different committees in respect of the State Congress of November 4, ward and local governments Congresses of October 21st and 28th respectively.

  • Corps members mark AIDs Day

    Corps members mark AIDs Day

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ogun State have held a health sensitisation procession to commemorate the World AIDS Day. The Corps members, who are members of anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Sexually-Transmitted Infections Community Development Service (CDS) group, held the rally in Agbara to sensitise residents of their host community on the need to stop the spread of the HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

    The event with the theme: HIV free generation, featured a procession around the Agbara district, where the Corps members enlightened residents on various ways by which HIV could be contracted, and the need to know their HIV status.  There was also counselling session and free HIV test for the residents.

    On how she benefited from the programme, one of the residents, who identified herself as Mama Olumide, said: “The initiative is a welcome development, because it has enlightened us on the danger of the spread of HIV and how the disease could be prevented. We live our normal lives without knowing our HIV status. But with this programme, majority of the residents who benefited from this initiative now know their status.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs Kemi Okesanjo, emphasised the need to sustain the programme. “Many are still unaware of this programme and still don’t know their HIV status. As much as I commend the Corps members for this event, I also want to suggest that the programme should be sustained, because it would help to curb the spread of HIV.”

    The president of the CDS group, Grace Alademomi, said the sensitisation was created as a cardinal programme of the group because of the need to prevent the spread of HIV and Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in rural areas. She hailed members of the CDS group for their collaboration in ensuring the success of the programme.

  • 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.

  • Three die, four injured in early morning accident on Kara bridge 

    Three die, four injured in early morning accident on Kara bridge 

    Early Thursday morning accident involving multiple vehicles on Kara bridge stretch of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway has left three persons dead and four others injured.

    The accident which occurred around 6:30am involved eleven vehicles, including four trucks, causing not a small obstruction on the highway and huge traffic gridlock.

    Operatives of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and soldiers were sighted working to clear the obstruction, direct traffic and assist victims.

    The Nation gathered that one of the vehicles involved in the accident lost control of the wheel and crashed into another and in the ensuing milieu, others smashed into one another in quick succession.

    The Public Relations Officer of the TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, listed DAF truck marked  APP 769XR, a Mazda bus  with registration number AKD 520 XN, another Mazda bus registered as BDG 327 AA and a nondescript DAF truck as vehicles involved in the early morning accident.

    Others are Cabster marked XS216 KSF, MAN Diesel with registration number AGL 545 XF, Ford marked KTU 320 XN, LEXUS Jeep registered as FKJ475BR, SINO Truck with registration number  KRD 122 XD,  another SINO Truck marked KRD 123 XD and one other.

    Akinbiyi also stated that three persons died while four others were injured in the accident.

     

  • Court docks man over motorcycle theft

    Court docks man over motorcycle theft

    A 35-year-old man, Akinyele Sabitu, who allegedly stole a Bajaj motorcycle valued at N95,000 was on Wednesday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun state.

    Sabitu, whose address is unknown, is facing a count charge of stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 9 at about 11.40 p. m., at No. 14, Adeyanju Str., General Hospital, Ota.

    Mustapha said that the accused stole a Bajaj Motorcycle with registration number TRE 458 UU, valued at N95, 000 from the place where the complainant, one Arewole Seun, parked the motorcycle.

    “The accused was caught in the act by some passers-by and handed over to the police,’’ he said.

    Read also: Six docked for beating DPO

    According to him, the offences contravened Section 390(a) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. B. Adebowale, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She said that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

    Adebowale also ordered that the sureties provide evidence of tax payment to the Ogun State Government and submit four recent passport photographs to the court, as part of the bail conditions.

    The case was adjourned until Nov. 23, for hearing.

    NAN.

  • 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.