The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Amosun tasks clerics on peace

    Amosun tasks clerics on peace

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Thursday called on clerics in the state to collaborate with his administration to sustain the existing peaceful religious harmony in the state.

    The governor made the call in Abeokuta at the 2013 Annual Retreat and Award ceremony of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), held at the Cathedral of St. Peter Ake.

    Amosun, who spoke through the State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, said the church needed to do more to re-awaken the moral senses of Christians.

    He counseled religious leaders to preach sermons that could re-direct their adherents to the path of truth and peace needed for socio-economic growth of the society.

    The governor declared that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere devoid of peace.

    He said that his administration would support religious programmes “that seek to promote peace for the socio-economic development of the state.’’

    Amosun enjoined the awardees to rise to the challenges of the time by sincerely offering themselves to serve God, through selfless service to the people of the state.

    “No sacrifice could be greater than the one paid by our Saviour on the Cross of Calvary by exhibiting the attributes of genuine love,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governor as saying at the retreat.

    Earlier in his sermon, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, the National Vice Chairman and Chairman South-West of CAN, urged clerics to shun tendencies that could lead to crack within the Christian fold.

    He said the nation would only flourish in an atmosphere of peace and prayed that God should `touch’ the hearts of all those formenting trouble for Nigeria.

     

  • Ogun takes tax campaign to schools

    Ogun takes tax campaign to schools

    The Ogun State government has taken its tax awareness campaign to secondary school pupils.

    The government, through the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, championed the cause at a Civic Education programme organised by her ministry in conjunction with the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last week.

    Speaking at the event for selected secondary schools pupils in the state, Mrs Adeosun said there is need for the citizens to be informed and educated to perform their civic responsibilities such as paying taxes regularly and promptly.

    Mrs Adeosun added that the pupils were included in the campaign so they can be enlightened on why they should pay tax as adults in future, and so they can serve as change agents for their parents.

    The Commissioner explained that the monthly federal allocation to the state is insufficient for the government to embark on capital projects, adding that Ogun State ranks 21 among the 36 states in the federation revenue sharing formula as it is not an oil producing state.

    She said: “The money we get can only be used to pay salaries and for general maintenance. It is not enough to do capital projects. The only way we can get more money is through tax and every adult that is working must pay.

    “The tax we generate in this state is very low. The problem we have is that a lot of people don’t want to pay yet everyone enjoys whatever amenity the government provides through tax.”

    Giving his remarks, the Chairman of the IRS, Mr Babajide Odubanjo said tax education for school children would help government record less tax evasion in future.

    On his part, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, described the programme as an investment in the future of the State, saying, “we will not be in office by the time these young people become tax payers but the seed being sown today will make them responsible citizens in future, which will benefit the entire State.”

     

  • Amosun’s many firsts in Ogun

    Amosun’s many firsts in Ogun

    SIR: What should I say about my governor at this important moment? I do not know how to praise-sing. Amosun does not like praise singers. That is why he has refused to take any chieftaincy title. “If I deserve one, let me be given after I leave office,” he says.

    But I should throw these questions to the public, especially the good people of Ogun State.

    What would have been the state of our state today if Amosun is not the one in power at this time?

    Why is it the government of Amosun that has built the first ever overhead bridge by any state government since the creation of Ogun in 1976?

    Why is it Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) that introduced functional free education to school pupils after the era of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo in the Second Republic?

    Why is it Amosun that has constructed the first ever international standard road – complete with modern features such as drains, median, greenbelt, walkway, street light, pedestrian bridge with an air-conditioner and CCTV (the only component yet to be installed)?Why is it Amosun that distributed 500 transformers to bring back to life comatose Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ogun in one, single iconic gesture? Has that ever happened anywhere in Nigeria?

    Why is it Governor Amosun that introduced for the very first time in Ogun modern luxury buses, under the Bus Mass Transit scheme (BMT)?

    Why is Ogun, under Amosun, the first state government in Nigeria to purchase the very latest technology of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and make the “maximum donation” of security equipment in at one fell swoop that the Inspector General of Police said he had never witnessed “since I have been serving as a Police officer”?

    Why is it under the roof of Amosun that the idea of taking the 2012 Best WAEC students from the 20 Local Governments in the state on “merit excursion” to the United Kingdom was conceived – and all the 20 pupils are from public schools? Said the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, “This is a laudable initiative that is worthy of emulation by other states in Nigeria. Let me state categorically that this is the first time ever that students are being brought to the United Kingdom on educational merits.”

    As Senator Ibikunle Amosun (FCA) attains the age of 55 tomorrow, January 25, I believe he can look back and thank God for a good life, robust health and for being associated with many firsts in the history of Ogun State.

    I wish him happy birthday in advance and all the pleasant returns of the day.

     

    • Soyombo Opeyemi

    Abeokuta

     

  • Ogun PDP urged to unite

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun West Senatorial District yesterday urged factions in the party to sheath their swords.

    It warned that should Ogun PDP continue to carry on with a divided house, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) would remain in power beyond 2015.

    Ogun PDP, in the last two-and-a-half years, has remained divided following the emergence of various factions.

    There are no fewer than four factions in the party, including those of Prince Buruji Kashamu and Senator Dipo Odujirin, which is believed to be loyal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Ogun West PDP, in a statement by party leaders in the zone, including Mr. Kunle Salako, Chief Wale Egunleti, former Forestry Commissioner Ali Ajibode, Mr. Kunle Akinosi and Evangelist Titus Eweje, among others, urged the factions to dialogue and resolve their grievances.

    It said: “We recognise dialogue as a time honoured veritable conflict resolution mechanism and urge aggrieved stakeholders to shun violence and embrace dialogue and conflict resolution procedures stipulated in the party’s constitution.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ogun: we didn’t cede land to Lagos

    Ogun: we didn’t cede land to Lagos

    The Ogun State Government yesterday said it did not cede its land in Egua, Yewa Local Government, to the Lagos State Government as is being speculated by “fifth columnists”.

    It said it allocated the land to Lagos State for agricultural purposes and to fast-track development in the area.

    The government said the allocation was for a period of time and a pilot scheme, which it plans to replicate across the three senatorial districts.

    Commissioner for Agriculture Mrs. Ronke Sokefun made the clarification in Abeokuta, the state capital, at a meeting with stakeholders from the area.

    She said the decision would ensure even development across the state.

    Mrs. Sokefun said: “The land had long been acquired for agricultural purposes by past administrations in the state. There was a strategic reasoning behind our allocating part of it to Lagos State for rice planting. We only gave them one-tenth of what they requested for.

    “The terms of agreement are unambiguous. We agreed that rent would be paid to the Ogun State Government and the land will only be used for rice cultivation. We also agreed that indigenes of the community must be considered first for engagement on the farmland. This is a pilot scheme.”

    The commissioner lamented the inability of past administrations to take advantage of the state’s proximity to Lagos and assured residents that the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration would fully exploit that advantage.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ogun suspends 1,024 teachers for certificate forgery

    Ogun suspends 1,024 teachers for certificate forgery

    The Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board has suspended 1,024 teachers for falsification of certificates and other irregularities.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abeokuta by the Chairman of SUBEB, Chief Mufutau Ajibola.

    According to the statement, the affected teachers are among the 6,531 out of the 19,154 earlier screened in an exercise conducted by a firm of consultants.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that consultants verified the teachers’ claims in the form of statements of result and attestation letters from over 50 higher institutions across the country.

    A final report submitted to the State Government by the CITC Consulting on November 26, indicated that 475 teachers were suspended for possessing forged certificates and not having their attestation letters confirmed by the institutions they presented.

    No fewer than 274 teachers were suspended for not appearing for the screening exercise; 236 for being out rightly unqualified and 12 for exceeding statutory length of service.

    The report also indicated that 11 were suspended for age discrepancies, 14 others were discovered to have died while two of the suspended teachers were considered to be impostors.

     

  • Ogun wins its first gold medal

    Ogun wins its first gold medal

    • Amosun charges athletes, officials to obey rules

    Ogun State has won its first medal at the ongoing 18th National Sport Festival, Eko 2012.

    Marvis Enoruwa won the medal for the state in the 200 metres male sprint cycling event. Meanwhile, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has charged all the participants and the officials to compete according to the rules governing the festival.

    Speaking through the press officer of the state ministry of youth and sport, Rotimi Oduniyi, Amosun said it is through respecting the rules that the festival can achieve the aims and objectives of its founding fathers.

    While urging the winners of different sports and events to be magnimous in victory, he called on the refrees and judges to be free, fair and interpret the laws governing their different sports without any fear or favour.

    The governor also used the opportunity to wish all the participants, organisers and all others associated with the games the best of luck as the festival enters its competition stage.

     

  • Robbers kill teacher in Ogun

    A gang of suspected armed robbers on Wednesday night unleashed terror on the residents of lwesi in ljebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State and killed a school teacher.

    The teacher, identified as Mr. Sikiru Odufowokan, was shot dead.

    The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that Odufowokan was shot when the robbers discovered that he was watching them through his window.

    Some residents of the area told NAN that the suspected robbers disguised themselves as commercial motorcyclists to raid the town.

    An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Emmanuel, said Odufowokan was shot in the chest after the gang had forcibly gained access into his apartment.

    The ljebu Area Police Commander, Alhaji Usman Alabi, confirmed the incident but said that no arrest had been made.

     

  • Ogun pays N88m compensation

    Ogun pays N88m compensation

    The Ogun State Government yesterday paid N88.07 million in cheques to 69 individuals, whose properties were marked for demolition to pave way for road expansion at Agbeloba in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    A Deputy Director at the Bureau of Lands, Mr. Isaac Akogun, said the Governor Ibikunle Amosun followed due process by compensating the landlords before demolishing the structures.

    Akogun said the government contracted the valuation of the property to a consultant.

     

  • Ogun PDP begins peace meeting

    Ogun PDP begins peace meeting

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Chief Sule Onabiyi, yesterday said the crisis in the party had been settled.

    He said factions in the party had agreed to work together to enhance the PDP’s chances in the 2015 general elections.

    Onabiyi spoke with reporters on Sunday after the reconciliation meeting of Ogun Central PDP.

    The meeting was held at his Ibara GRA home in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Onabiyi said similar meetings would be held in Ogun West and East senatorial districts.

    He said a state reconciliation meeting would be held soon in Abeokuta to bring all members together.

    Expressing confidence that, this time, sustainable peace would be achieved would endure, Onabiyi allayed the fears that former Governor Gbenga Daniel and his group may not be accommodated in the party by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He said the differences between Obasanjo and Daniel was a “father and son matter” that would be sorted out by the duo in no time.

    Onabiyi said: “We have so many problems and if we do not reconcile warring parties, we cannot get to where we are going. We have a long time to prepare our selves and have all buried our hatchets. That is what we came here for and we are happy that we have achieved that.

    “You can be sure that this is permanent; take my word for it. The people you see here are from Ogun Central Senatorial District. The people of the West and East senatorial districts would have theirs too. Because we (Ogun Central) are the leader, the people always follow the Central. That is the reason we started the reconciliation.

    “Our father, Obasanjo, has no faction. We that have factions have reconciled. If there are two or three people absent here, we are going to beg them to make sure that we become one. Obasanjo has no faction. He is the head of the party in the state, Nigeria and anywhere.”