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Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun sells subsidised rice to pensioners

    Ogun sells subsidised rice to pensioners

    Ogun State government has extended the sale of subsidised rice to pensioners.

    The Head of Service (HoS), Kehinde Onasanya, while monitoring the sales to members of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN) at its secretariat in Ita Oshin, Abeokuta, said the government decided on the initiative since the economic situation cuts across all ages.

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    Onasanya, who urged the pensioners to take advantage of the gesture, said the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration is pensioners’ friendly and concerned about their welfare.

    He noted that bringing the rice to their doorsteps was to eliminate any hardship they may likely face in purchasing the commodity. He urged them to take advantage of the initiative and buy according to their levels while in service.

    Chairman of LOGPAN, Pastor Benedict Ademoye, thanked the governor for the intervention, saying it would go a long way to alleviate their hardship.

  • Oil Exploration: Ogun on the path to eldorado

    Oil Exploration: Ogun on the path to eldorado

    • By Femi Ogbonnikan

    It is no longer in the realm of speculation that Ogun State is on the path to becoming an oil-producing State. It is an age-long desire based on its natural location along the Dahomey (Republic of Benin) Basin corridor but located at Tongeji Island within the purview of Ipokia Local Government (Ogun State). So, as the Gateway State, it is only natural for the government to tap into the full advantage of its proximity to the Basin where there is a high prospect of oil deposits.

    To be sure, the search for the black gold remains a work in progress. But the prospect of turning the dream into a reality looks very promising. Promising to the extent that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has indicated its readiness to commence oil and gas exploration along the Dahomey Basin corridor. Section 9 of the PIA empowers the Nigerians Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to carry out some functions concerning frontier basins.

    Last Friday, May 31, 2024, Ogun State Governor,  Prince Dapo Abiodun,  played host to the Federal Government team consisting of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri; Managing Director, SHELL Petroleum Development Company Ltd, Mr. Osagie Okubor; Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari,

    The purpose of the visit was to unveil the Federal Government’s plan to start oil exploration in the state without any further delay. The leader of the team, Hon. Lokpobiri, while speaking at the governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, noted that Ogun State had always been part of the Dahomey Basin with the prospect of having a huge deposit of hydro-carbon.

    “We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here. Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscores the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State,” he said.

    Lokpobiri emphasized that oil and gas remained the quickest way to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, adding that his team was in the State in continuation of the renewed campaign for exploration activities. He said the visit was to demonstrate the seriousness and commitment of the Federal Government to shore up its revenue generation in the oil and gas sector.

    “Today we are here to tell the people of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country. We are doing these exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State,” he added.

    The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) Mr. Mele Kyari, on his part, said Ogun State was lucky to be in the Dahomey Basin corridor with an expected high deposit of oil, assuring that the corporation would be coming back in earnest to commence full-scale exploration activities. He expressed confidence that oil would be found in commercial quantities.

    In his remarks, the Executive Director of Nigerians Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, said the coming of the team to Ogun State was to further demonstrate the commitment of the Federal Government to grow the oil reserves and enhance federation revenue.

    “We all understand that Nigeria is very prolific in oil and gas, but then there is still a need to grow the reserves through exploration activities given our huge hydro-carbon as a benchmark,” he stated.

    Komolafe informed that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) makes provision for the funding of the development of the Frontier Basins. According to him, the Nigerian Petroleum Regulatory Commission is working in synergy with the NNPCL to leverage the PIA to aggressively carry out oil exploration in the Dahomey Basin.

    “The Dahomey Basin stretches up to Delta, Edo, Ogun and Ondo states. We intend to in the course of this exercise, cover all those states leveraging the provision of Section 9, Subsection 4 of the PIA. This is a good opportunity for the people of Ogun State and it would be complementary to the reforms and transformation initiatives of the governor. We want to congratulate the governor and the people for being the beneficiaries of this initiative,” Komolafe said.

    The host Governor, Abiodun, in his response, identified Ogun State as part of the OPLs 302,303 306, 307, saying the acreages present unique opportunities for the qualification as a Frontier Exploration State as defined in the PIA section 9.

     He observed that investment under the frontier exploration basin funding was not meant to realize the oil and gas potentials only, but to also acquire data that would aid Bitumen exploration and exploitation in Nigeria.

    According to Abiodun, studies have shown the potential of the basins, which brings Ogun State to the fore and projects it towards becoming a beneficiary to achieve commercial success and derive economic benefits from exploration and production within a minimum schedule.

    This is a region of the country that provides ease of access, low entry and operating costs, a safe and welcoming community and very active state government support and participation.

    “Ogun State, therefore, presents some unique opportunities towards the realization of the full intentions of the PIA section 9 on frontier exploration as it will contribute to guarantee additional petroleum production of additional petroleum products for the country and afford more supply to potential refineries in the area.

    “As a low-hanging result, this area also presents the opportunity for Bitumen extraction, thereby reducing import dependency and bringing with it savings in foreign exchange expenditure on this single line item,” the governor said.

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    By the time the exploration effort comes to fruition, Ogun State will be entitled to the full benefits of being an oil-producing state, thereby adding to the revenue generation for the state. Beyond that, the state will also be entitled to benefit from the 13 percent derivation fund which is meant for the development of the oil-producing communities. This is in addition to some percentage of funding for socio-economic and infrastructure development from the federation account.

    At present, Akwa Ibom tops the list as the largest producer of oil in the country. It is closely followed by Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ondo, and Lagos State respectively.  Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers account for 80 percent of crude oil production in Nigeria, while Cross Rivers, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ondo account for 20 percent.

    In 2016, Lagos officially joined the League of Oil Producing States in Nigeria following the discovery of crude oil by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited in Badagry, Lagos. The milestone followed several missed targets for the achievement of the first oil. 

    With the readiness of the NNPC limited to commence oil exploration, Ogun State has also begun its journey to the Eldorado. Therefore, optimism is high that the search effort will bring something tangible for the state based on its historical antecedents.

    Governor Abiodun, referencing the aborted effort made by Shell D’Arcy Nigeria Ltd along Dahomey Basin in 1937, in an interview with TVC on Friday evening, emphasized the significance of the renewed commitment of the Federal Government to oil exploration, expressing confidence that it would succeed. 

    He had this to say: “This afternoon, the entire leadership of the Ministry of Petroleum led by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobri; NNPCL GCEO, the CEOM of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, was here in Abeokuta to formally declare Ogun State a frontier state for oil exploration in line with the establishment of the Frontier Exploration Fund Administration Regulations as defined under Section 9, subsection 4 of the PIA.

    “What this basically has done or will do is to allow Ogun State to join the comity of states that are oil-producing when this exploration is successful. We don’t have a doubt that it will be successful because Ogun State is part of the family of states that belong to the Dahomey Basin, a geographical area that starts from just beyond the Delta and goes all the way to the Eastern part of Ghana. And when you look at the fact that there are OPLs that have become very prolific by the Delta and that other oil-producing explorations have been made by Benin Republic and Ghana, it stands to reason that that same basin that our state belongs to, when that exploration commences, should be very positive. Beyond that, we have studies that have revealed that in 1937, Shell D’Arcy Nigeria Ltd began exploring for oil in Nigeria and the Dahomey Basin and actually explored oil around Ogun State, around where we now have OPL 303, OPL 306, and OPL 307.

    “Unfortunately, as soon as they discovered oil in Oloibiri, they abandoned the exploration in Ogun State.”

    The benefits of successful oil exploration and exploitation are countless. Apart from an increase in the revenue generation capacity, when production of crude oil eventually starts in the state, it will also generate jobs for the teeming population of youths.

    The combined effects of all these will further open up the economic and investment potentials for the state.

  • Ogun APC mourns chieftain, Sola Lawal

    Ogun APC mourns chieftain, Sola Lawal

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun has mourned its former Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sola Lawal, describing his demise as sad and unfortunate.

    Lawal died on Thursday in Lagos, aged 61.

    In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye,, said Lawal’s death was a sad one for the party, as he served diligently in various capacities while alive.

    Oladunjoye described Lawal as a dedicated party man who diligently carried out his assignments effectively and efficiently to the best of his ability.

    “Anyone who came across Sola Lawal while alive will attest to the fact that he was a burst of energy, amiable and jovial.

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    “On behalf of the All Progressives Congress, Ogun State, we mourn the departed party chieftain, who has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

    “We sympathise with the families, relatives, associates and friends of the deceased and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

     “We pray that the late politician will be granted Aljanah Fridaus,” he said.

  • Ogun pupil wins spelling bee contest

    Ogun pupil wins spelling bee contest

    I learnt 450 words every day to prepare adequately for any competition. My mummy and teachers were equally supportive.

    These were the words of a 10-year-old Primary Six pupil of Our Lady of Apostles, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Daniel Success, who won the fourth edition of the Annual Spelling Bee Competition organised by Children Empowerment Fund at Imo Methodist Nursery and Primary school, Oke-Yeke, Abeokuta.

    Fifty-three schools from Abeokuta South, Ogun State participated in the competition and went through to the fifth round for the winner to emerge with 22 points.

    Success went home with a mini-computer (tablet), a school bag, a mathematical set, and a set of writing materials, among others.

    Success said that she felt elated for winning the competition which according to her was a result of hard work, patience, and following the instructions given as the competition went by.

    The Programme Manager, Children Empowerment Fund, Temitope Akinrotimi said about 600 words were sent to the children to learn the spellings and understand the synonyms to expand their minds and be relevant in the world that has become a global village with a lot of competitions.

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    “Our goal as an organisation for the competition is to bring children together, not just for the sake of bringing them together, but so that they can learn and have fun together”, she said.

    Akinrotimi called on the government to support non-governmental organisations who are working assiduously to lead a better future for today’s children.

    Head, Academics and School Services, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mrs. Esther Martins, who lauded the programme said spelling is part of skills that would definitely help the children to have mastery of English Language, noting that the competition was indeed interactive.

    Success Class Teacher, Mrs. Deborah Oluwole said that Success won by grace. But we try on our part to make sure that our learners are always ready for any competition.

  • Ogun to join oil producing states as exploration commences

    Ogun to join oil producing states as exploration commences

    The quest of Ogun State to be an oil producing State would soon materialize as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), is set to begin oil and gas exploration in the Gateway State.

    Stakeholders in the oil industry,  including the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri,

    Managing Director, SHELL Petroleum Development Company Ltd, Mr. Osagie Okubor; Chief Executive, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Engr. Gbenga Komolafe and the Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, stormed Ogun State yesterday on plans by the Federal Government to start oil exploration in the state.

    They were received by Governor Dapo Abiodun and his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

    Hon. Lokpobiri, who spoke at the governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta said Ogun State has always been part of the Dahomey Basin with the prospect of having a huge deposit of hyrdro-carbon.

    The Minister said: “We decided that we are going to resume exploration in the different Basins; we decided to come to Ogun State to reassure the people that we have very high potential of discoveries here. Ogun has always been part of the Dahomey Basin and our presence underscores the seriousness the federal government attaches to the exploration activities that we want to carry out in Ogun State.”

    Hon. Lokpobiri, who added that oil and gas remain the quickest way to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, said his team was in the state in continuation of the campaign for exploration activities.

    He said the visit was also to demonstrate the seriousness and commitment of the federal government to shore up its revenue through the oil and gas sector.

    “Today we are here to tell the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring that we continue our campaign and exploration activities across the country. We are doing these exploration activities in several places across Nigeria and today we are in Ogun after which we will proceed to Sokoto State,” he added.

    The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited,(NNPCL) Mr. Mele kyari, while speaking, said Ogun State is blessed to be in the Dahomey Basin corridor with expected high deposit of oil, assuring that the corporation is coming back in earnest to commence exploration activities, even as he expressed the hope that oil would be found in commercial quantity.

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    In his remarks, the Executive Director, Nigerians Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Mr. Genga Komolafe, said the coming of the team to Ogun State was to further demonstrate the commitment of the Federal Government to grow the oil reserves and enhance federation revenue.

    “We all understand that Nigeria is very prolific in oil and gas, but then there is still a need to grow the reserves through exploration activities given our huge hyrdro-carbon as a benchmark,” he noted.

    Responding, Governor Abiodun said Ogun State is part of the OPLs 302,303 306, 307, saying the acreages present unique opportunities for the qualification as a Frontier Exploration State as defined in the PIA section 9.

    He observed that the history and studies over the years allow any investment under the frontier exploration basin funding to not only realize the oil and gas potentials, but also acquire data that would aid Bitumen exploration and exploitation in Nigeria.

    The country, Abiodun maintained holds the second largest resolves in the world of 42,b tons, adding that a lot of studies have shown the potential of the basins, which brings Ogun State to the fore and projecting it towards becoming a beneficiary to achieve commercial success and derive economic benefits from exploration and production within a minimum time schedule. 

  • Five years of accountability, purposeful leadership in Ogun

    Five years of accountability, purposeful leadership in Ogun

    “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

    Today, for millions of ordinary Nigerians whose experiences about political leadership in the country over the years had been traumatizing due to dashed expectations, opening any discourse about the polity either through debates or this type of editorial piece is distractive, wasteful and has nothing to offer them in terms of socio-economic benefits.

    To many observers of the increasingly uninspiring turf of the polity, this apathy or total lack of interest of the masses in such issues is not misplaced in view of the current economic situation, which has accentuated the high level of poverty among the people.

    But then, as terribly cloudy as the political firmament and its associated seeming hopelessness appears to be, there are still some few leaders who, by virtue of their innate virtues and futuristic approach in leadership, are championing the cause of a silver lining in the firmament. By their policies and actions, they are still demonstrating to the governed, especially the youths, that there is hope for their future in Nigeria, a land adequately blessed for regeneration and prosperity for the inhabitants.

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    Among this genre of the few people-oriented, value-driven, and grassroots-focused political leaders beaming the torchlight of hope is the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    A cursory appraisal of the governor’s developmental initiatives anchored on his “ISEYA” mantra over the past five years clearly showed that he is redefining governance through inclusive strategy by taking real dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of ordinary people across the three senatorial zones of the state, in line with his avowed promise not to leave any part of the state untouched and undeveloped.

    On assumption of office for his first tenure in 2019, Governor Abiodun unveiled a five-point agenda with specific thrusts in Infrastructure, Social Welfare and well-being, Education, Youth Empowerment and Agriculture (ISEYA) as the developmental focus of his administration. Even though the political environment in the first few months of his coming to power was not really supportive as his opponents embarked on frivolous campaigns of calumny and invidious blackmails on his election due to undue envy and frustration. In spite of these distractions ,the governor remained focused, unperturbed and has since silenced his detractors with evidence-based sterling performances through innovative and transformational policies and programmes.

    Propelled by the zeal of an irrepressible crusader for positive change, Abiodun has today manifested the Midas touch to all sectors of the state’s political economy, thereby demonstrating to the citizens his determination to change their past narrative of abject poverty to a new song of progressive prosperity.

    On his promise for improved infrastructure, which is the first in the “ISEYA” mantra to ensure broad-based development in the state, the governor has completed over 500 kilometres of roads across the state and is currently constructing several others for the purposes of linking the cities and rural communities for a holistic socio-economic integration of the Gateway State for sustainable growth.

    Some of the roads already completed, which cut across the state, include Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway; Obantoko Road (Fajol-American Junction-Unity Estate-Gbonagun); Idi-Aba-Elite-Oke Lantoro; Ikoritameje-Adenrele (Olose Titun Vespa); Panseke-Adigbe; City Gate Monument Development Flyover Bridge, Kuto; Arepo road, Somorin-Kemta-Idi Aba; Olusegun Osoba-Toyin Agbado, Yakoyo Bridge to Mr. Biggs section along Akute; Owode-Siun.

    There are also the Oru-Awa-Ilaporu-Ibadan expressway; Molipa-Asafa Isale-Ayegu-Ojofa; Asafa Oke-Fusigboye-Ojofa Street; Oba Erinwole road, Sagamu; Awujale road, Ejinrin-Idowa-Awa-Ibefun-Itoikin; Ijebu Ode-Epe-Sagamu-Benin Interchange Flyover Bridge; Esure-Ijebu Mushin road; Ogbagba Street, Ijebu Ode; Molusi College road, Ijebu Igbo; Ilishan Market road; Iperu Roundabout-Ode; Sagamu Junction-Iperu Roundabout.

    Also, Ibooro-Imasayi-Igan Okoto-Ayetoro road (Phase 1) in Yewa North Local Government Area was reconstructed after several years of neglect. Others, such as Ikola-Navy-Osi Ikola; Raypower; Joju, Sango; Ilashe-Koko-Alari; Oke Ola, Imeko; Tollgate-Singer GRA, Ota; Ilaro-Iwoye (Phase 1); Iwoye-Owode Yewa Secondary School road, (Phase2); Owode Yewa Secondary School-Owode Yewa Junction road (Phase 3) have also been rehabilitated.

    The governor has also directed the immediate reconstruction of the 21-km Ita-Oshin-Ayetoro road. Some of the other ongoing projects by the government include Lafenwa Rounder-Ayetoro road; Adatan-Gbonagun; Akute-Denro-Ishasi; Sango-Ota-Ijoko-Agbado-Oke Aro-Lambe-Akute-Alagbole-Ojodu Abiodun; Adesanolu, Mowe; Mowe-Ofada; Obafemi Awolowo Way-Mada-Takete; Ejinrin-Oluwalogbon-Ijebu Ode; Orile Oko; Hospital Road, Ogijo; Ado Odo- Idogo (Phase 2); Atan-Lusada-Agbara-Marogbo-Tollgate road; Oke Erinja-Erinja Ilobi (Phase 1)

    The governor requested each local government in the state to name three most critical roads requiring upgrades and immediately commenced work on the road networks, which have since been completed.

    The Dapo Abiodun-led administration is also doing so much to develop the agricultural sector through sundry farming, food processing, and marketing initiatives in the past few years.

    With the implementation of the Ogun State Agricultural Policy and Ogun State Livestock Development Policy, the Abiodun-led administration has created thousands of jobs in the sector. Similarly, the N50 million Ijebu Development Initiative for Poverty Reduction (Eriwe) introduced to develop the fish subsector in the state and the empowerment of over 40,000 agripreneurs in cassava cultivation, or the distribution of motorcycles to extension agents to reach farmers in remote areas have remarkably transformed agriculture and agribusiness endeavours of farmers and agripreneurs across the state. The governor recently unveiled plans for a 20,000-hectare rice farmland in the Yewa axis to be operated by private agribusiness investors.

    Also, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Anchor Borrowers Programme, the trail-blazing Prince has encouraged the youth in agriculture with the creation of the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNIPA) and the establishment of the Ogun State Business Executive Council (OGUNBEC) to make the state the preferred choice for agribusiness investors.

    The multibillion naira Gateway International Airport, an agro-cargo facility, which many investors are already expressing their interest in view of its invaluable socio-economic benefits, including bright prospects for return on investments, is another giant strides recorded by the Governor Abiodun-led administration in the agricultural sector. The project is designed to create about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs when it becomes operational. Apparently encouraged by the remarkable strides the governor is making to transform the Gateway State to agro export hub in the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved the Special Agro-Cargo Processing Zone, created to serve the airport as a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), located very close to airport.

    Beaming the performance assessment torchlight to other sectors reflected that Governor Abiodun had surpassed analysts’ expectations. For instance, in the education sector, the administration has abolished all levies in primary schools and also adopted a school per ward for development as a model school in furtherance of its agenda towards ‘zero illiteracy level’ in the state. To enhance teaching and improve teacher/student ratio, the government launched the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TREACH) with the employment of 5000 interns, with 1000 interns transitioned to permanent teachers under the scheme. To encourage the sector’s workforce, the administration has promoted teachers and non-teachers as a way of encouraging them for more work. Extensive construction and rehabilitation of secondary and tertiary institutions have been carried out with the provision of technologies to upgrade their standards and position the students for global competition. 

    Still under the education sector, the Dapo Abiodun-led administration recently disbursed over N3.5 billion through the EDUCASH initiative to lessen the impact of the current economic crunch on students and their parents, with 150, 000 students and pupils from tertiary institutions and secondary and primary schools benefitting.

    In the health sector, the governor is championing the ‘health for all’ drive at primary and secondary levels with all resources at the government’s disposal since his assumption of office in 2019. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the administration was the first that inaugurated State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee to enhance the Ambulance and Emergency Service delivery for which the Federal Government commended the state’s exemplary approach in combating the pandemic then.

    Specifically, in area of primary healthcare, the Abiodun-led administration has consistently conducted training for health workers on comprehensive screening for new born babies to tackle sickle cell disease, and for the first time in 45 years, secured the full accreditation and upgrade of the Ogun State Schools of Nursing and Midwifery to collegiate status and inaugurated Sexual Therapy and Assaults Referral Centre in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), the Family Planning Centre at the State Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, and distributed over 25 tricycle ambulances to rural areas, among other commendable initiatives. More than 2000 people have benefitted from the Ogun Free Surgical Intervention Programme since it was launched in March.

    A cursory appraisal of the administration’s efforts to provide affordable housing in the state shows clearly that Governor Abiodun is a transformative leader. A few weeks ago, the administration apart from its modest achievements in the sector during the first tenure of the governor, flagged off the construction of 200 housing units with the site for the project being cleared in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government. By its design, the project will provide housing for residents in the emerging Remo Zone Economic Hub, with the expected influx of workers to the area and complement the state government’s investment in the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport.

    This is even as the governor recently visited the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate, a flagship housing project (named after former President Mohammadu Buhari)in the state, promising that between 200 to 250 units of housing units, with the complementary landscape and all other pieces of furniture that are required to make the place an ideal place to live in, will soon be completed. Over 1000 housing units have been delivered, while an additional 1000 units are under construction across the state. The administration is promising to deliver 10,000 housing units by 2027.

    Another commendable trail-blazing initiative of the Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State is in the transportation sector. Just a few months ago, the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ashok Layland, an Indian auto company, for the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit buses for transportation system in the state, thus becoming the first state in Nigeria to run CNG powered buses.

    The MoU is in line with the “ISEYA” agenda of the administration aimed at operationlization of the approved multi-modal transport master plan for the state connecting air, road, sea, and rail systems.

    In addition to the deal’s potential to reduce transportation fares for commuters, the project will also support the government in creating a more environmental-friendly transportation system with the attendant implications for improved health for lives and fauna in the state.

    Governor Abiodun has also demonstrated clearly that he is a man of rich cultural heritage in his leadership style in the Gateway State. Despite his drive to leverage the socioeconomic competitiveness of Ogun State on technology and innovation, he can be regarded as the most culture-oriented governor in Nigeria, given his very strong relationship with the royal fathers. He is, as the Yoruba will say, ‘Omoluabi’ indeed!

    No wonder this indefatigable governor who, based on his unassailable and outstanding performances in office, is being commended by those who value purposeful leadership in governance. The governor has so far been honoured by local and international organizations with many awards of commendation in most areas of governance, with more of such awards waiting in the wings.

    Governor Abiodun, as the foremost torch bearer in transformational governance in the country, has, no doubt, moved beyond the ‘Renewed Hope’ line to the ‘Restored Hope’ altitude in his irrepressible desire to surpass the expectations of the Ogun State indigenes and residents in terms of democratic dividends for all.

    •Adeniran is chief Press secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

  • Flood: Ogun urges wetland dwellers to relocate

    Flood: Ogun urges wetland dwellers to relocate

    Ogun State government has told residents in wetland areas to relocate to safer ground before the rain begins fully.

    The rain, according to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), would begin in March and end in December, with an average rainy period of 239 days and an average precipitation of 1786.5mm, affecting 16 of the 20 local government areas.

    Commissioner for Environment Ola Oresanya stated this yesterday during the year 2024 Ogun State Flood Alert, in conjunction with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA). According to him, areas such as Imeko-Afon, Odeda, Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South would experience the lowest rainfall.

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    The commissioner noted that people living in the hilly areas will experience erosion because of the speed of the water. He, however, called for calm ‘as the government is putting measures in place to cushion effects of the expected heavy rainfall’.

    Oresanya added: “It is either you relocate from the area or you elevate; may be you want to reconstruct your house or do some kind of elevation if you must stay in that area. Every year, we talk about relocation. It is not easy to relocate. If you must live in those areas, make sure that your electronics, chairs and whatever can be damaged are elevated.

    “When we talk about relocation and elevation, it will predominantly be around this area. People living within the wetlands should prepare for increase water level because there will be a retention of this lockdown around this period.

    “So, people located in the hilly areas will experience some kind of erosion because of the speed the water will take in running down around the Ilaro area and some areas in Ota, and it will be accompanied by erosion.

    “Other areas that will be affected are the predominantly wetlands in the southern parts of the state. This is because the area is almost a flat land, low line land because they are border towns with Lagos.”

    The commissioner said the government is however set to address the flooding with the construction of 2,975.6m drainage channels and mini-bridges/culverts, as well as and the desilting and clearing of 56.150m of river across the state.

    “We are constructing drainage channels and culverts at Wesley Primary School, Ijebu-Ode; reconstructing dilapidated culvert at Saje Dumpsite road; Apakila (Abeokuta); Igbosoro (Ogijo, Sagamu), Imasai, desilting of rivers/stream courses at Yemile (Ijebu-Ode); Sensen river (Sagamu), Onibuku (Ota); Odo-funfun (Oja-Odan), Opa Aro (Isheri), Sokori river and tributaries while desilting of drainages channel will take place at Abeokuta, Ifo, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro, Ota among others,” he added.

  • Ogun seals gas company over gas explosion

    Ogun seals gas company over gas explosion

    The Ogun State government has sealed Gasco Marine Ltd, owners of the truck which was in the gas explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.
    One person died, five vehicles and shops were burnt in the explosion.
    Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Environment, Farouq Akintunde, after sealing the company yesterday, said the accident happened due to negligence on the part of the company.

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    He said: “Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck involved in that fire is from this company.
    “Our preliminary investigation shows that it is an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck. As the regulatory body in charge of these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent a recurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises and after which other procedures will follow.”
    Akintunde said the company would be opened as soon as all necessary steps and precautions have been put in place. He maintained that as a business-friendly state, the government does not take joy in sealing business premises perpetually.

  • Ogun seals gas company over explosion

    Ogun seals gas company over explosion

    Ogun State Government has sealed Gasco Marine Ltd whose truck was involved in an accident that caused explosion in the Ita-Oshin area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area on Saturday.

    The explosion left one person dead, five vehicles burnt with unspecified number of shops.

    Speaking in an interview after sealing the premises of the company located at Onijoganjogan, Abeokuta, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun Governor on Environment and Chairman, Special Task Force on Environmental Matters, Hon. Farouq Akintunde, said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the company.

    He said: “Two days ago, Ogun State was in a tumult with the news of fire incident that occurred around Ita-Oshin. We can authoritatively confirm that the truck that was involved in that fire is from this company.

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    “It was a sorry case because it involved loss of life and destruction of properties. Our preliminary investigation shows that it is an act of negligence from the company as they did not do the needful as regards the truck.

    “As a regulatory body which is in control of all these matters, we believe there is a need for us to conduct safety and audit tests on all their trucks to prevent future occurrence. In doing so, we have to shut down the premises and after that all other procedures will follow.”

    Akintunde said the company would be unsealed as soon as all necessary steps and precautions have been put in place, maintaining as a business-friendly state, the government does not take joy in sealing business premises perpetually.Picture: Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Environment, Hon. Farouq Akintunde and a staff of the ministry, Habeb Musa, at Gasco Marine, the gas company whose truck caused an inferno at Ita-Oshin, in Abeokuta North Local Government area of the state. 

  • Ota rainstorm: Ogun sympathises with victims

    Ota rainstorm: Ogun sympathises with victims

    • ‘We’re in touch with IBEDC for prompt action’

    Ogun State government is in touch with the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to ensure poles damaged in some part of Sango, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area, during Sunday’s rainstorm, are repaired soon enough.

    A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade, said a government delegation was in the area on Monday to sympathise with victims, ascertain the extent of damage, and know how to engage with IBEDC.

    Akinmade noted the cables had not been energised before the destruction, which saved lives.

    The statement reads: “Our team went on physical site inspection of the affected area on Monday to ascertain the extent of the damage and to know how to engage with the IBEDC team. We are currently working with the IBEDC team led by the Regional Manager and the Technical Head for the Ogun Region. Some of the less affected feeders have been restored and energised while the clean-up of the most affected areas has already started.

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    “Most of the poles on the roads have been removed while the remaining will be taken out today (yesterday). We are working with IBEDC to ensure there will be full restoration of power in Sango-Ota before the week runs out.

    “The government is not relenting on its effort in ensuring that we restore power to Sango-Ota and its environs, and we can assure the citizens that we are on top on the matter.

    “We also commiserate with those whose properties were destroyed, and urge residents to remain calm.”

    Residents of Iyana-Iyesi, Osuke Town, Egan Road, Iyana-Ilogbo, Ijaba, Ijagba, Itele, Lafenwa, Singer, Joju, Alishiba, Oju Ore, Tollgate, Eledi, Akeja, Abebi, Osi Round About, Ota Town, Ota Industrial Estate, Igberen, Iju, Atan, Onipanu, Obasanjo, Lusada, Arigba, Odugbe, Ado-Odo, Igbesa, Owode, Olokuta, Hanushi, Bamtish Camp Lufiwape, Eltees Farm, August Engineering, Spark Cear Soap Ayetoro, Amazing Grace Oil, Christopher University, and Royal Garden Estate, were affected by the disaster.