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Tag: Ogun

  • Over 10,000 girls empowered as SFH partners Ogun Govt

    Over 10,000 girls empowered as SFH partners Ogun Govt

    Over 10,000 adolescent girls in Ogun State have been empowered with vocational skills and equipped with tools by Society for Family Health (SFH) through its A360 intervention projects.

    According to the Project Director, Roselyn Odeh, the approach was premised on SFH’s appreciation of the empowerment of girls as essential towards achieving human capital and fostering social and economic development.

    Speaking at the close-out dissemination meeting of SFH A360 project, Odeh said SFH is a foremost Nigerian organisation with a mission to improve health outcomes by ensuring communities have access to affordable, quality, and gender-sensitive health services and commodities.

    She stated that the A360 project implemented through 9ja Girls model, a trusted response that empowers and supports girls and their communities to deal with adolescent sexual and reproductive health through social and economic development that centres on supporting adolescent girls’ knowledge, skills, and confidence to aspire and achieve their goals for their lives.

    She said: “SFH understands that a comprehensive approach to this empowerment involves providing girls with access to contraceptive options, quality health education, skills-building opportunities and continues to strive to support Government stakeholders on these intersections.”

    “To date, SFH has supported 10,581 adolescent girls with vocational skills, equipped them with tools to participate in the workforce and make informed decisions thereby improving their human capital outcomes.”

    “Additionally, 101,070 adolescent girls have benefitted from comprehensive contraceptive counselling resulting in 77,828 girls taking up a contraceptive of their choice in partnership with Ogun State Primary Health Care Board.”

    She highlighted the fact that making the right reproductive health decisions and contraceptive adoption for adolescent and young girls is strongly link to their socio-economic and general well-being.

    She added that it enhances their agency and the capacity to demand, claim and uphold their sexual reproductive health rights.

    “This finding was part of the outcome of its integrated Adolescent 360 project that demonstrated benefits of implementing a comprehensive adolescent reproductive health programme with economic empowerment as an integral part of its approach.

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    “Access and uptake of reproductive health services remains a challenge for adolescent girls and young women in Nigeria at the personal, family, and societal levels with religious, cultural and socio-economic considerations and barriers often undermining the need and access to these services.”

    “Building on the momentum of an initial phase of the project funded by the Bill and workforce by SFH through its A360 intervention project.

    “Melinda Gates Foundation from 2017-2022. The current phase of the A360 programme funded by the Hightide Foundation offers technical support and funding to Ogun State Government through its PHB to facilitate expansion and implementation of A360’s high-impact solutions for Adolescent sexual Reproductive Health across basic healthcare facilities distributed across the local government areas in the state.

    “It uses a life mapping exercise and vocational training as an entry point for conversations about the role contraception can play in achieving their life goals, the purpose is to sustain developmental improvements towards holistic outcomes for adolescent girls.

    “The goal of the project is to break down barriers to access and voluntary use of modern contraceptives by adolescent girls 15- 19 years by increasing the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) and improving the sexual reproductive health of adolescents,” Odeh stressed. 

    Odeh urged Ogun Ministry of Health to consider developing an alternate resource mobilisation strategy for its ASRH aspirations that take into consideration the economic outlay of the state and the potential for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    She said SFH will continue to provide technical support to the Ogun State Government in delivering on its ASRH aspirations, adding that Primary Health Care facilities will provide the infrastructure to deliver on this.

  • ‘Ogun to provide shelter for victims of gender-based violence’ 

    ‘Ogun to provide shelter for victims of gender-based violence’ 

    Ogun State Government yesterday said it would provide a befitting accommodation for victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV).

    Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received his wife and other women, who were on a road show as part of activities for the 16 days’ Activism Against Gender Based Violence in the state.

    The governor, who said gender violence had become pronounced among men and women in the country, added that the state government would provide a befitting building to serve as a shelter for people that had been sexually harassed or subjected to other forms of molestation.

    The shelter, he said, would save them from the stigma usually associated with the problem.

    He added that the government would also work towards instituting a Gender Based Violence Trust Funds to finance the welfare of the victims.

    “You want us to ensure that we have a befitting shelter and you made a case for that, and you emphasised the fact that people abused in the house or at home cannot go back home. There are those who do not have anywhere else to go back to. There is a lot of stigma associated with those who are abused.

    “I believe that we have identified somewhere previously, but I am told that it may not be befitting.

    “By this, I am now instructing the Secretary to the State Government to work with the Ministry of Housing to identify either a building; if they can’t find one, we identify a parcel of land and we will construct a befitting building to serve as the needed shelter for those persons who have been subjected to all kinds of sexual harassment,” he said.

    Speaking on the call for a specialised court to try cases of gender based violence in the state, Governor Abiodun said: “

    Fortunately, our head of court in Ogun State is a woman. In fact, the two courts we have, the state High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal, are both headed by women. I am sure that the Chief Judge will be more than happy to see what she can do to expedite the request.”

    The governor said his administration will support women at the executive level and at the judiciary to ensure that all that is required to reduce gender violence to the barest minimum in the state, is implemented.

    He also brought to the fore the need to look into violence against men.

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    He said: “I also want to bring to the fore that violence against persons is not only violence against women alone. Men also are being abused. But often times, nobody talks about that, and I want to be the advocate for men who are being abused.

    “On the Gender Based Violence Trust Fund, I will do everything that I can to ensure that we sit down and plan on how to mobilise resources towards this noble cause. 

    “Once again, I want to assure you that I do identify with you and as your governor, I will do everything within my power to ensure that we reduce this incidence of gender based violence to an absolute minimum in Ogun State.”

    Mrs Bamidele Abiodun noted that there was an increase in cases of rape and incest in the society, calling for the provision of a safe space for those who had been abused or harassed.

    Speaking earlier, an expert on gender based violence, Dr. Mojisola Akinsanya, said there was an urgent need to relocate women who had experienced violence at home for them to have a peaceful place to stay.

    Akinsanya, who advocated for a Gender Based Violence Trust Fund in the state, acknowledged poverty as the driving force for GBV, noting that once women are well empowered, they will adequately cater for themselves.

  • Making Ogun a giant construction site with Budget 2024

    Making Ogun a giant construction site with Budget 2024

    • By Kayode Akinmade 

    Watchers of developments in Nigeria’s Gateway State would not have been surprised as the key deliverables itemized by the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, when he laid the N703.03b n 2024 budget proposal for before the state House of Assembly last week. A breakdown of the “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development” shows that it has N287.37billion and N415.66billion as recurrent and capital expenditures, respectively. The specifics: N95.05 billion will take care of personnel costs, N27.35 billion is projected as consolidated revenue, while N59.09 billion will cover public debt charges. With N105.88 billion for overhead cost and N415.66bn for capital expenditure, the appropriation bill projects a lofty16 per cent (N109.219 billion) for education and 12 per cent (N81.185 billion) for health. The sum of N28.886 billion (four per cent) will go into housing and community development, with N14.218 billion (two per cent) for agriculture and industry, while N209.122 billion (30 per cent) is allocated to infrastructure. Others are N22.872 billion (three per cent) for recreation and culture, N28.692billion (four per cent) for social protection, while general public service, executive organ will gulp N31.125 billion, etc.

    The key point to note is that the expenditure policy of the government is designed to achieve the strategic objectives of the Ogun State Economic Development Plan and Strategy 2021 – 2025, including fiscal sustainability, human development, food security, improved business environment, energy sufficiency, improving transport infrastructure, and promoting industrialization focusing on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

    Said Governor Abiodun: “The physical capital projects in the 2024 budget include; Light up Ogun Project to include procurement and installation of transformers state-wide whilst partnering with the private sector to experience uninterrupted power supply in 24 months; hosting of the 2024 Ogun National Sports Festival; construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of roads across the state including major ones such as Lagos–Ota-Abeokuta Expressway; Ofada-Owode Road, Lagos Garage – Ikangba – Ilese Road, Ota-Lafenwa-Itele-Ayobo Road; Ita Oshin – Ibara Orile – Ijoga Orile – Ibooro – Imasayi Road OPIC Estate Internal Roads, Agbara, 250km State-wide construction in all three (3) senatorial districts road infrastructure to support the 2024 Ogun National Sports Festival.”

     In 2024, the government is focusing on the construction of infrastructure at the various economic development clusters, while extending the Lagos Blue Line Metro Rail Project into Agbara and ensuring the well extension of the Lagos Red Line Metro Rail Project to Ijoko and Ifo/Kajola in line with the execution of the state’s multi-modal transport plan under the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission initiative.

    Given the massive transformation ongoing in many parts of Ogun State, the key highlights and underpinnings of the Budget 2024 aimed at giving a fillip to Ogun’s emerging status as a giant construction site and Nigeria’s top investment destination have not come as a surprise to the populace. In the last four and a half years, the state has witnessed infrastructure revolution: connecting parts of the state to the capital, the neighbouring states and the outside world through rail, road network and air has been a top priority of the Abiodun administration. For one thing, the Agro-cargo International Airport, a specialized facility designed to ease the movement of agricultural produce and create new jobs, generate revenue, and improve food security, is already proving to be a game-changer in reversing the damning statistics by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), namely that Nigeria’s agriculture industry suffers an estimated N3.5 trillion in post-harvest losses every year. Where agri-preneurs can quickly and easily transport fresh produce to local/ international markets faster, increased profitability is guaranteed. The airport is expected to create over 25,000 direct and indirect jobs across the agriculture, transportation, logistics, hospitality, tourism and other sectors.

    Beyond facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, the airport strategically located the along Iperu-Ilishan road in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state and designed to handle imports, exports and passenger traffic will reduce post-harvest losses, facilitate inter-regional and international connectivity for agro produce, increase Ogun State’s forex earnings, and attract massive investments to the state. In just a matter of weeks, commercial activities will start at the airport city. Speaking on the airport, Abiodun said: “With the longest runway, the biggest apron and control tower, the cargo airport is destined to be the best in the country. We have been approached by cargo companies that now want to relocate to Nigeria, simply because they have seen the size of our apron at the airport, which is 84,000 square metres. It is four or five times larger than the largest cargo airport in Nigeria. 

    “These cargo-based companies have now decided that once the airport is ready, they will be flying their cargoes that are destined for Nigeria to that airport, and from our airport, they will now be trans-shipping the cargoes to the other parts of Nigeria and even West Africa. And when you look at all those that would be involved in these cargo operations in the distribution and in running of our airport from the agro-producing zone and to the Aerotropolis, you can just imagine the economic impacts and the number of jobs that will be created. The impact will resonate in the entire economy, not just this country but the entire Africa.”

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    The fact is generally uncontested that Ogun is now an investors’ destination: the recent global meeting in Cairo, Egypt, showed that most of the investors that showed interest in Nigeria are actually looking at Ogun State. The way Ogun State is positioned as an investment destination given its proximity to Lagos has also earned it a lot of respect and interest from business experts who are coming to Nigeria to invest. With the kind of budgetary provision for infrastructure, education, agricultural revolution, among others, it is clear that the Abiodun administration has brought a lot of transformation to Ogun State.

    Only last week, Governor Dapo Abiodun, during a breakfast meeting with Chief Executive Officers of the organised private sector (OPS) OPS in Abeokuta, gave indication of plans to construct the Olokola Deep Seaport located in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state with a view to providing another opportunity for companies in the state to easily convey their goods and equipment, taking advantage of the almost completed Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, and the planned dry port to be located at Kajola, an outskirt of the state capital.

    It cannot but be cheering news that Ogun under Abiodun will join league of oil-producing states soon. In preparation for this new status, the administration has already established the Ministry of Mineral Resources saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the general administration and operation of the natural resources that abound in the state, and the Ministry of Energy to take advantage of the constitutional amendment that allows sub-national governments to participate in the energy sector. But there’s more: the administration will construct over 2,000 housing units in Warewa, Sagamu, Iperu, Ibara, Ayetoro Road, OGTV Village, Ijebu-Ode, etc, and ensure water reticulation projects to connect more households to potable water supply, having completed the Urban Water Supply Project. And that is the point: budgeting for total transformation.

    •Akinmade is Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor of Ogun State.

  • Ogun SSG congratulates Otedola matriarch on YABATECH award

    Ogun SSG congratulates Otedola matriarch on YABATECH award

    • By Halimah Balogun

    The Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Joseph Olatokunbo Talabi, has congratulated the matriarch of the Otedola Dynasty, Lady Christine Doja Otedola on the award of fellowship conferred on her by the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos during the 35th convocation of the institution.

    Talabi said he was delighted to know that one of the daughters of Oru-Ijebu in Ogun state and former First Lady of Lagos state, was honoured for her contributions to the institution.

    He Mrs Otedola as an epitome of womanhood, a source of inspiration, and a pillar of support to many especially the women folks and the youth adding that the former Lagos State First Lady’s enthusiasm for women, youth, and humanitarianism played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s growth and development.

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    He said: “She’s not just a golden mother, she’s a dedicated and compassionate leader whose positive influence has touched numerous lives throughout her distinguished private public services career. She’s an advocate for social justice, a philanthropist, and a champion for those who often go unheard.

    “On behalf of my family, the people of Oru-Ijebu, and the entire Ogun State, I congratulate our amiable mother on her conferment of Fellowship award by YABATECH. We are so proud of you.

    “It’s our prayer that the good Lord will grant you exclusive sound health and wisdom to continue what you are known for in your community, state, and the nation at large.”

  • Ogun CNG buses begin Mowe-Ibafo-Berger operations 

    Ogun CNG buses begin Mowe-Ibafo-Berger operations 

    The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses of the Ogun State Government, tagged:   ’DapoCNG Bus’, yesterday began operations along the Mowe-Ibafo-Berger Lagos axis of the state.

    The buses, according to the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, are to operate ahead of the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the axis.

    They will operate between 6am and 9 pm from Mondays to Saturdays and 7 am to 6pm on Sundays with bus stops at Mowe, Ibafo, Magboro, Arepo and New Garage in Berger.

    According to Dairo, transport rates on the CNG powered buses range from N200 to N400.00 maximum.

    The commissioner said necessary arrangement had been concluded with stakeholders, including transport unions and local government officials, for the smooth take-off of the scheme. 

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    “Expectations are quite high, the services are much anticipated and the timing of start of operations with Christmas activities at the RCCG camp is ideal.

    “Commuters along that axis are encouraged to patronise these buses as they are convenient, safe and affordable with promises to give an endearing smooth experience while on the road,” Dairo said.

    Governor Dapo Abiodun, while announcing the deployment of CNG Technology and E- Mobility as a better alternative and viable means of transportation in the state with the launching on October 30, of 17 converted vehicles in the maiden scheme, said it was a cost-effective transportation system with little impact on the environment and a direct response by his administration devised to mitigate the adverse impact of fuel ‘subsidy removal’ on transport costs experienced by commuters in the state.

    He said the scheme, which started along Adatan to Ita-Oshin corridor in the Abeokuta metropolis, would be extended to other towns and cities in the state.

  • Ogun CNG buses begin operations on Mowe-Ibafo-Berger route

    Ogun CNG buses begin operations on Mowe-Ibafo-Berger route

    The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses of the Ogun State Government, tagged ‘DapoCNG Bus’ on Monday, December 4, commenced operations along the Mowe-Ibafo-Berger Lagos axis of the state.

    The buses, according to the state Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo are to operate ahead of the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along the axis.

    They would be operating between 6 am to 9 pm from Mondays to Saturdays and 7 am to 6 pm on Sundays with bus stops at Mowe, Ibafo, Magboro, Arepo, and New Garage in Berger.

    According to Mr. Dairo, transport rates on the CNG-powered buses range from N200 to N400.00 maximum.

    The commissioner said every necessary arrangement has been concluded with all the stakeholders, including transport unions and local government officials, for the smooth take-off of the scheme.

    He said: “Expectations are quite high, the services are much anticipated, and the timing of the start of operations with Xmas activities at the RCCG camp is much valued by commuters”

    “Commuters along that axis are encouraged to patronize these buses as they are convenient, safe, and affordable with promises to give an endearing smooth experience while on the road.”

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    Governor Dapo Abiodun, while announcing the deployment of CNG Technology and E- Mobility as a better alternative and viable means of transportation in the Gateway State with the launching on October 30, of 17 converted vehicles in the maiden scheme, said it was a cost-effective transportation system with little impact on the environment and a direct response by his administration devised to mitigate the adverse impact of fuel ‘subsidy removal’ on transport costs experienced by commuters in the state.

    He said the scheme, which started along the Adatan to Ita-Oshin corridor in the Abeokuta metropolis will be extended to other towns and cities in the state.

  • Ogun tasks Kara cattle traders over clean environment

    Ogun tasks Kara cattle traders over clean environment

    The Ogun State Government on Friday issued a 48hour ultimatum to Oluwanisola Cattle Market, Kara Isheri, Ifo Local Government Area of the state, to come up with an amicable resolution to the issues of the poor environmental condition of the market and revenue remittance to government’s coffers.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo gave the directive at a meeting held with the leaders of the market, led by Seriki Hausa Community, Alhaji Mohammed Badamosi in his office at Oke-Mosan, saying if necessary steps were not taken within the speculated period, drastic steps would be taken by the state government.

    Owotomo said the unwholesome attitude of the traders on revenue remittance would no longer be tolerated, adding that environmental issues in the market should be taken seriously to avoid environmental hazards.

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    According to the Commissioner, “The government is not happy with the revenue being remitted to government coffers and the poor environmental condition of the market. So, you have to come up with an amicable resolution on these two major issues”.

    He implored traders to cooperate with the government in its resolve to ensure adequate welfare and well-being of the people of the state irrespective of their tribes or religions, assuring that the present administration is poised to deliver dividends of democracy to all and sundry.

    Reacting, the General Secretary of the market, Prince Babalola Akeweje, appreciated the Commissioner for the meeting, promising that necessary action would be taken on the issue raised while appealing for more time to enable them to come up with an appropriate solution.

  • Armed robbers kill Ogun Gov’s office accountant

    Armed robbers kill Ogun Gov’s office accountant

    Suspected armed robbers on Wednesday in Abeokuta shot dead an accountant of the Ogun State Government, Mr Taiwo Oyekanmi, and escaped with the money he just withdrew from the bank.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyekanmi, who was the Director of Finance and Accounts at the Governor’s Office, had picked up an undisclosed amount of money.

    After leaving the bank, a branch of Fidelity Bank in Abeokuta, and was heading back to the office, he was stopped by the gunmen.

    NAN gathered that the gunmen, about five, shot the accountant dead under the Kuto bridge and made away with the money in his possession.

    It was gathered that Oyekanmi and other assistants who sustained gunshot injuries during the attack were then rushed to the State General Hospital at Ijaiye, where the accountant later died.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alamutu, said the accountant was with a driver and one other person and they were with  a home-made bullion van.

    “They were supposed to have a police escort, but for certain reasons, the person was permitted to travel to attend to some issues. So, consequently he was not part of the movement.

    “According to the report, after making the withdrawal, and on their way back to the office, they were accosted.

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    “A vehicle blocked them on top of the bridge, five occupants of the vehicle came down, shot at the director and from their vehicle brought out a sledge hammer to force the receptacle where the money was kept open and they left with the money.

    “As at that time there was no information, the police escort was not with the team and they sped off.

    “The driver claimed to have trailed them to a point near Conference Hotel where he lost contact with them,” he said.

    Alamutu said further that he had directed the Area Commander to get to the bank and request for the CCTV footage which would give the police an insight into the vehicle in question.

    “There is a possibility of identifying the culprits if they ever ventured to step out of the vehicle or may be they just maintained their position in the vehicle.

    “I have reached out to Lagos and everywhere in the command to block all the exits out of the state, while we are trying to identify them because they said they were five and they used hood,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, has already visited the late accountant’s residence to commiserate with the family.(NAN)

  • Ogun govt to landlords: provide toilets or forfeit your houses

    Ogun govt to landlords: provide toilets or forfeit your houses

    As part of its efforts at eradicating open defecation, Ogun State government says henceforth old houses with collapsed toilets, without provision for new ones and new houses built without toilets will be forfeited to the government.

    Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, in a statement warned landlords of the houses to either build toilets in the houses or convert rooms to serve as toilets or risk forfeiting their houses to the government.

    According to him, the state government, after several warnings and abatement notices spread over several months, has given them enough period for compliance, hence any landlord that refuses to comply will have to face the consequence.

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    “We have given the landlords a period of compliance, so we are not ready to persuade anyone of them again to do the needful.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we are now making it public again that any old or new houses without toilet will be forfeited to the government. After all, the environmental laws of the state allow the government to take over such houses in the public interest, while the landlords may be charged for endangering the lives of people living in their communities,” he said.

    Oresanya called on residents, Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Central Development Councils (CDCs) to cooperate with the state government, as it will soon begin to carry out the forfeiture exercise as part of its efforts at making the state open defecation free.

  • Ogun, OPS to sign MoU on Olokola Deep Seaport

    Ogun, OPS to sign MoU on Olokola Deep Seaport

    The Ogun State Government and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) have concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the construction of the Olokola Deep Seaport located in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of the state.

    Olokola deep seaport project was conceived by the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel and it was to be housed within the equally planned Olokola Free Trade Zone (OFTZ) scheme which was expected to serve as a multipurpose deep seaport facility and export processing zone but the two projects suffered delay.

    However, speaking during a breakfast meeting with Chief Executive Officers of the OPS in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday, Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed that State would soon sign the MoU on the Olokola Seaport project.

    Governor Abiodun noted that the construction of the Olokola seaport would provide another opportunity for companies in the state to move their goods and equipment in addition to the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, which is almost on completion stage, and the planned Dry port to be located at Kajola, an outskirt of the state capital.

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    Prince Abiodun said: “I want to share with you the fact that whilst we are talking about our road, rail and air transport, we will be signing very soon a Memorandum of Understanding with the private sector players for the construction of our seaport in Olokola.

    “This is another giant step to ensure that we enable businesses to continue to thrive in our state.”

    The governor said that his administration is working towards putting an end to the multiplicity of taxes in the state, adding that the reforms already put in place by the Ogun State Inland Revenue Service would definitely put pay to the issue.

    He also urged businesses to patronize government whenever they are in need of land, saying that all land belonged to the government.

    “On the harmonization of taxes, we have put in a lot of reforms on our Inland Revenue Service.

    “Be rest assured, be patient with me, slowly and surely, we will remove all these multiplicities of taxes.

    “We are also concerned about our physical planning as well. The lands department and physical planning are now working collaboratively to ensure that all the problems we have had in the past are resolved.

    “All lands belong to the government. My advice to you is that if you want to buy land, come to the state. We have ensured that any land to be sold to you is properly enumerated and compensated.

    “So, please, I want to discourage all of us to desist from buying land from land speculators,” he said.

    Abiodun said that his administration would be distributing 5,000 Certificates of Occupancy (CofO) this Friday.

    According to him, the state is now at a vantage position to continue to issue out Certificate of Occupancy to subscribers with a newly acquired equipment that can sign 1000 CofOs daily.

    Abiodun called on the OPS in the state to give back to their various host communities by either taking advantage of the state government adopt a school or primary health care center project.

    The governor spoke on the importance of businesses imbibing the culture of  technology transfer, which would further assist the country to move forward technologically.

    He reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure steady and uninterrupted power supply soon through the Ogun Light Up Project.

    The governor noted that his administration deliberately laid a lot of emphasis on reconstructing roads that connect the Ogun with other states of the country, especially Lagos, the economic capital of the country.

    While commending the OPS for joining hands with his administration at repositioning its security architecture through the rejigging of the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, Governor Abiodun added that his administration would continue to do all it can to make the state the safest place to live, work or play.

    Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Adebola Sofela assured that the state government would continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    He said the present administration would continue to partner with industries in the state with a view of propelling the common interest of both the government and industries to greater heights

    Also speaking, Ogun State Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief George Onafowokan, acknowledged the position of the state as the best place for industries to thrive.

    He, however, called on the state government to continue to work towards ensuring that the enablers for businesses to thrive are readily made available in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of the Agbara Cluster, the Director of African Industry Group, Chief Sohan Baghla disclosed that they have being able to provide over ten thousand jobs for the people of the state, adding that a greater percentage of their investments are in steel production and processing, aluminium production and processing, glass, chemicals, steel rolling mills, all situated in the Agbara business cluster.