The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Lagos, Ogun, Osun to represent Southwest in NNPC science quiz finals

    The regional finals of this year’s Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) national science quiz competition at the weekend produced the Southwest winners.

    Of the six states – Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo – the three winners will represent the region at the national finals in September in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    The states’ representatives contested to represent the region at the Wesley School of Science, Elekuro, Ibadan.

    At the end of the quiz, Lagos, Ogun and Osun states jointly won the first position with 55 points each; Oyo and Ekiti states jointly won the fourth position with 50 points apiece, while Ondo State was sixth with 40 points.

    Lagos, Ogun and Osun states will represent the Southwest at the national finals in Abuja.

    The competition was set by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and it covers Biology, Chemistry, English language, Mathematics and Physics.

    The regional final was attended by Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry and other top government officials.

    It was also attended by top NNPC officials.

    Olowofela hailed the NNPC for the initiative and its support for secondary schools.

    The commissioner urged the corporation to assist the state in its new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) drive.

    He said: “What we are witnessing today is one of the efforts of the NNPC. Experience has shown that many of the winners in the past are successful people today. Not only in the quiz competition like this; they also support sporting competition and agriculture. So, we are also calling on them to support us in our recent ICT drive for schools.

     

     

  • Les Blues at exit door?

    A French aka Les Blues victory over Uruguay in the 1st Quarter final of the 2018 World Cup on Friday at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia is like a man trying to ride a bicycle up Olumo Rock, a tourist spot in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    On current rating, both have played 4 matches, Uruguay won all (beat Egypt and Saudi each by a lone goal; spanked hosts Russia 3-0 before Cavani’s brace decision Ronaldo’s Portugal 2-1 in R16); scored 7 goals, conceded 2 goals and has +5 goals difference. France won 3 matches ( beat Australia 2-1, Peru 1-0, played goalless with Denmark before the 4-3 thrashing of Argentina in R16) scored 7 goals like Uruguay but conceded 4 goals and has +3 goals difference.

    The implication of this is that France with a record of poor marksmanship may need more than the elasticity of Mbappe and Pepe to score. Before the desperate encounter with Argentina where France scored a whopping 4 goals, they could only squeeze a goal per match, one against Australia but for the own goal by Behich in the 80’, the match would have ended in a draw and that lone goal against Peru scored by Pepe. France was not doing well.

    Book makers are hinging their 47% win vote to France because of the surprise performance against Argentina. 23% feels Uruguay will win while 30% feels there will be a draw and then a penalty shoot-out. Uruguay W1 D4 L3 in their encounters. Suarez scored in the lone victory of June 2013. In their world cup encounters, Uruguay had W1 D2 winning in 1966 with draws in 2002 and 2010.

    There is something Uruguay will not like to hear, they have never won five times in a row in same world cup tournament. Diego Maradona had said the new French wonder boy; Mbappe is like Claudio Canigga a notable Argentinian star who wrecked opposing teams at will. There is a sentimental angle to it.

    Read Also: Brazil are through to the World Cup quarter-finals

    France Forward, Griezmann is team mate with Uruguay defenders Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez at Athletico Madrid. They are so close that Griezmann keeps feeling he is from Uruguay. Godin is the godfather of Griezmann’s daughter. Suarez said Uruguay does not have time for sentiment and Friday will show it.
    Cavani is PSG’s all-time top scorer and is ready to bang in goals for Uruguay. Cavani killed Portugal with his brace. Will he also wreck France? But the news from Russia is that Cavani may not be fit for the match because of a calf injury. Mbappe and Griezmann have scored two goals each for France. The match is 1500 hours WAT.

    The second match at 1900 hours may not go to the wire at all. Belgium v Brazil. Surprised? Kazan Arena will see ‘wenn’ as we say in Warri language meaning they will see American Wonders. Brazil is playing quarter final in consecutive 7th time in world cup. They were beaten two times at this stage in 2006 by France and 2010 by Netherlands. It is important to tell you that European teams knocked out the five times world champions in 2006, 2010 and the last one in Brazil 2014.

    Pundits are always saying Brazil is favorite to win in every tournament, even at this stage, 43% vote a Brazilian victory, 28% say it’s a Belgium win while 29% say it go to the wire and be decided via penalties. Both teams have met five times mostly friendlies. Belgium won in 1963 but Brazil won the three other encounters.

    The only time the ever met in the world cup, was in 2002 Round of 16 and Brazil ran away with a 2 nil victory.

    On current standing, both have played 4 matches each, Brazil has W3, D1 (drew 1-1 with Switzerland; defeated both Costa Rica and Serbia 2 nil each and also dazed Mexico 2-0 in R16), scoring 7 goals conceding 1 and having +6 Goals difference.

    Belgium won all her 4 matches (walloped Panama 3-0; defeated hard fighting Tunisia 4-2; subdued almighty Three Lions 1-0 before edging Japan 3-2 in a pulsating R16), were the high goal scorers with 11 goals conceding 4 goals with +7 goals difference.

    The implication of this is that Belgium may adopt wing play to break the Brazilian defense. Belgium manner of pumping in goals is dangerous for the Samba boys. The Belgians currently eyed to lift the cup will look unto Lukaku already runners up goal scorer with 4 goals and Felaini to use his height to score from corner kicks. Eden Hazard could create hazardous moments for Brazil.

    Marcelo, the tireless horse is coming back for Brazil in the midfield. Refs have started neglecting the theatrics of Neymar in diving or his attitude when tackled.

    He has to watch it. Will Brazil go out again at the quarters?

    Saturday the other quarter finals shall be decided. Sweden v England at 1500 hours and hosts Russia v Croatia at 1900 hours both WAT. We shall periscope those two matches later.

  • Man, 42 arraigned over cult membership

    A 42-year-old man, Ogundare Lateef, was on Thursday brought before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly belonging to a secret cult.

    Lateef was also caught with a double-barrel gun and three live cartridges, according to the prosecution.

    The accused, who lives at Bamidele Street, Oke-Ore, Ijoko near Ota, is being tried for conspiracy, membership of unlawful society and unlawful possession of firearms.

    Police Sgt. Abdulkareem Mustapha had told the court that the accused and others still at large committed the offences on June 4 about 4.30 p. m. at Oke-Ore, Ijoko.

    The accused and his accomplices belong to a cult called “Aiye Confraternity”, he alleged.

    Read Also: Police question four for unsolicited job interview in Lagos

    The offences contravened Sections 4, 43(b) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted him bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties.

    Chief Magistrate Matthew Akinyemi, who gave the ruling, said the sureties should reside within the court’s jurisdiction and be gainfully employed with evidence of tax payment to Ogun Government.

    The case was adjourned until Aug. 22 for hearing.

  • Ogun Polytechnic gets Rector, Governing Council

    The Ogun State government has announced the appointment of Dr. Samson Adeola Odedina as the pioneer Rector of the newly created controversial Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia and approved a Governing Council for the institution.

    The appointment  made known in a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa stated that Ambassador Isiaka Adesola Abolurin would head the Governing council committee.

    The acting rector of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Ayo Tella would function as the Deputy Rector for the combined and newly created Ogun Polytechnic.

    The full statement reads  “As part of efforts to ensure seamless commencement of academic activities at the Ogun State Polytechnic, Ipokia, following the approval of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to transfer accredited courses of the old Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta to the new Polytechnic at Ipokia, the Ogun State Government has announced the appointment of Dr. Samson
    Adeola Odedina as the pioneer Rector of the institution. Dr. Odedina was a one-time Rector of the Gateway Information Communication Technology (GICT) Polytechnic, Itori.

    “In the same vein, it also approved the constitution of a Governing Council for the institution with Ambassador Isiaka Adesola Abolurin as Chairman.

    “The acting Rector of the old MAPOLY, Abeokuta, Mr. Ayo Tella will now function as the Deputy Rector for the combined and newly created Ogun State Polytechnic.

    “Other members of the Council are Engr. Niyi Olumide, Alhaji Waheed Kadiri, Prof. Kayode Biodun Olurin, Messrs Olaolu Idowu, Idowu Adegbite, Akin Orebiyi and Mrs Moji Bobade(nee Abiose).

    Others are Mr. Hakeem Olatunbosun Ayoade representing the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Alumni Association, Chief Jare Oyesola representing the Ogun State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCIMA) and Mrs. Roselyn A. Onalaja representing the National Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA)”.

    According to the release, Dr. Samson Adeola Odedina holds Ph.D in Crop Production from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, M.Sc in Crop Science from Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Portharcourt among other educational and professional qualifications.

    He joined the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure in 1990 and rose through the ranks to the position of Chief Lecturer in 2012 and was appointed Provost of the institution in 2015.
    52-year old Odedina had a stint with the Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) as Village Extension Agent in Ajebo village between 1986 and 1987. He has over 60 publications in National and International media.

    The chairman of the Governing Council, Ambassador Isiaka Adesola Abolurin was a career Diplomat who served as in various capacities at the Nigeria High Commission in Kenya, Nigerian Embassies in Germany and South Korea among other foreign Missions.

    He retired in 2016 as the State Coordinator/Head of United Nations office, Malakal, Upper Nile State and holds a Masters of International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and a Bachelor of Science.

  • Car kills three teachers opposite FRSC office in Ogun

    A driver had knocked down three female teachers in Ogun State with his car, killing the three in the process.

    One of them is said to be a teacher at a public school in Ajebo village.

    The accident which occurred at Alapako, opposite the office of the Ogunmakin unit of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) stretch of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway, also left one other woman with injuries.

    The Nation learnt that the teachers were standing by the roadside waiting for vehicle to convey them home after school hour when the Toyota Camry car ( 1996 model) marked EPE 140 BP and careering off its lane, knocked them down on Monday evening.

    Read Also: Court summons Zuma’s son over fatal car crash

    According to the Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, “the driver lost control and hit the women (school teachers) standing by the roadside” when “one of the front tyres of the speeding Camry car” suddenly pulled out.

    Akinbiyi stated that the injured was taken to the Victory hospital, Ogere, while the dead were deposited at the FOS Mortuary, Ipara, by the Operatives of the FRSC.

    The TRACE Spokesman added that the accident – vehicle had also been evacuated and taken to the Alapako Police Station, Ogun State.

    It was learnt that the driver was going in the direction of Ibadan, Oyo State, when the accident happened around 4:05pm on Monday.

  • Ogun farmers lose N100m fishes to flood, rainstorm

    Ogun fish farmers, 55 of them, have lost over N100m worth of live fishes to a devastating flood which swept them away following a two – day torrential rainfall.

    The cluster – cat fish farms located at Idagba area of Ayetoro in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State and housing about 110 ponds were submerged at the weekend when the overflowing Idagba river emptied into them.

    It was learnt that the river which incidentally was their source of water supply, the reason the farms were sited near, experienced overflow with the heavy down pour.

    The Nation gathered that some of the villagers had a luck day as they defied the heavy downpour and followed the Idagba river course to catch swarms of fishes being washed down its path.

    A witness told The Nation that a basin of table -size cat fishes were sold as cheap as N4000:00 in Ayetoro area by some youths who made fortune out of the farmers’ misfortune.

    One of the farmers, Mr David Adeniyi, a retired banker who operates a fish farm in conjunction with his wife, said the flood swept away his seven active fish ponds, lamenting that he has lost over five million naira to devastating rainstorm.

    Also affected is 76 year – old Pa. Akanni Olateju, who claimed he personally lost six million naira worth of fishes to the flood and appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to come to their help.

    According Olateju, majority of the affected fish farmers invested in fish farm business with loans.

  • Accidents kill 15 in Ogun

    No fewer than 15 persons were confirmed dead while over 53 persons sustained injuries in various road accidents across Ogun between June 11 and June 20.  Public Relations Officer, Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta yesterday. He stated that the accidents happened during the 10-day period set aside by the agency for special patrol for the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.

    The TRACE spokesperson explained that 21 road crashes involving six private cars, three private buses , four commercial buses, seven commercial cars and two motorcycles. He said that the crashes also involved two medium trucks, four heavy trucks and three other vehicles. “During the period 142 persons were involved in road crashes , out of which 53 persons comprising of 31 males, 22 females sustained various degrees of injuries. 15 persons comprising seven males, eight females were killed and 74 persons were rescued unhurt due to prompt response to 15 emergency calls received by TRACE Corps, “he said.

    Akinbiyi added that 45.73 per cent of the crashes were caused by excessive speeding, 22.84 per cent by dangerous driving, 9.80 per cent by driving against traffic and 19.18 per cent by other causes.He noted that 77 motor vehicles and 15 motorcycles were apprehended for 195 offences during same period. “Comparing 2018 to 2017 Eid-el-fitri period in the state , road traffic deaths was reduced by 16.67per cent in 2018 while number of persons injured was also reduced by 22.22 per cent, “he said.

    He added that the resolve to reduce deaths and injuries on all roads in the state would be pursued vigorously and relentlessly such that no traffic offender shall go unpunished. He appealed to the motoring public to obey all traffic rules and remember that “the road is patient but does not forgive.”

  • 15 die, 53 injured in accidents in Ogun

    A total of 21 separate accidents that occurred on roads in Ogun State within a space of nine days  have claimed the lives of 15 people ( seven males and eight females) and left 53 others with various degrees of injury.
    The accidents which occurred between June 11 and June 20 this year, involved six private cars, three private bus, four commercial buses, seven  commercial cars, two motorcycles, two medium trucks, four heavy trucks and three other vehicles.
    The Nation learnt that most of accidents occurred prior to, during and shortly after the last EID-IL-FITRI festive period.
    Data made available to reporters by Ajayi Michael, Director, Traffic Planning, Research and Statistics, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE),  revealed that 45.73% of the road traffic crashes that happened during that period were caused by “excessive speeding, 22.84% by dangerous driving, 9.80% by bad tyres, 2.45% by driving against traffic and 19.18% by other causes.”
    According to Ajayi, 77 vehicles and 15 motorcycles were apprehended for contravening a total of 195 traffic offences
    The TRACE’s Director of Traffic Planning, Research and Statistics, reiterated the Corps’  “resolve to vigorously and relentlessly reduce deaths and injuries on all roads in Ogun State in the year 2018.”
    He also warned that no traffic offender shall go unpunished even as he lauded  the unflinching support of the Traffic Whistle Blowers throughout the State for their ever prompt information whenever there is any crash on  roads in the state.

  • Accidents kill 15 in Ogun

    No fewer than 15 persons were confirmed dead while over 53 persons sustained injuries in various road accidents across Ogun between June 11 and June 20.

    Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, Public Relations Officer, Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta on Saturday.

    He stated that the accidents happened during the 10 day period set aside by the agency for special patrol for the Eid El Fitri celebration.

    The TRACE spokesperson explained that 21 road crashes involving six private cars, three private buses, four commercial buses, seven commercial cars and two motorcycles.

    Read Also:Ogun Police dismiss 19 officers, demote nine others

    He said that the crashes also involved two medium trucks, four heavy trucks and three other vehicles.

    “During the period 142 persons were involved in road crashes, out of which 53 persons comprising of 31 males, 22 females sustained various degrees of injuries.

    “15 persons comprising seven males, eight females were killed and 74 persons were rescued unhurt due to prompt response to 15 emergency calls received by TRACE Corps, “he said.

    Akinbiyi added that 45.73 per cent of the crashes were caused by excessive speeding, 22.84 per cent by dangerous driving, 9.80 per cent by driving against traffic and 19.18 per cent by other causes.

    He noted that 77 motor vehicles and 15 motorcycles were apprehended for 195 offences during same period.

    “Comparing 2018 to 2017 Eid-el-fitri period in the state, road traffic deaths was reduced by 16.67per cent in 2018 while number of persons injured was also reduced by 22.22 per cent, “he said.

    He added that the resolve to reduce deaths and injuries on all roads in the state would be pursued vigorously and relentlessly such that no traffic offender shall go unpunished.

    He appealed to the motoring public to obey all traffic rules and remember that “the road is patient but does not forgive”.

  • Rivers, Ogun, top qualifiers’ chart for 2018 Cowbellpedia exam results

    WITH 15 candidates in the second stage, Ogun State excelled in the 2018 Cowbellpedia Qualifying Examination conducted by the National Examination Council (NECO). Following closely was Rivers State with 10 candidates while Osun State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja had five candidates each In all, 41,735 students sat for the qualifying examination held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 to participate in the competition which is being sponsored by Cowbell, the flagship brand of Promasidor Nigeria Limited. The junior category had 21,585 candidates, while the remaining 20,150 were senior secondary school students.