The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun retires OGBC, OGTV General Managers

    The Ogun State government has retired the General Managers of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Tunde Awolana; and General Manager, Ogun State Television, Dele Bolujoko.

    Their retirement according to a statement by Head of Service, Abayomi Sobande on Wednesday evening takes immediate effect.

    Staff of the two broadcasting stations are presently on strike over unpaid salaries and other allowances.

    “On behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, I wish to seize this opportunity to appreciate the contributions of these General Managers to the development of the State and wish them success in their future endeavours.

    “The most senior management staff of the two government agencies is hereby directed to take over the management of the agencies pending further directives from the office of the Head of Service.”

  • Ogun assures Ifo, Arigbajo residents of potable water

    Ogun assures Ifo, Arigbajo residents of potable water

    Ogun State Water Corporation has assured Ifo, Arigbajo, Papalanto, Akinsinde, Itori and Ewekoro residents of potable water, despite the rainstorm, which destroyed electricity poles and other property.
    It said the items had been replaced.
    The General Manager, Mrs. Monsurat Agboola, during an inspection of Ifo/Akinsinde Water Scheme in Ifo Local Government, said 10 power poles, a pumping house and office were destroyed by rainstorm.
    “Following the damage caused by thunder/rainstorm at Ifo/Akinsinde Water Scheme, water supply was stopped for about two weeks to effect repairs. Now that normalcy has been restored, residents can enjoy water supply,” Agboola, an engineer, said.
    She added that kiosks, shanties and illegal structures near the water scheme constituted a nuisance, as their roofs were blown up, damaging the water scheme.
    The general manager urged shanties’ owners to remove them, to avoid penalty.
    She said the corporation had replaced the poles and other property, noting that water production in areas, such as Papalanto, Ifo, Itori, Arigbajo, etc had begun.
    Agboola thanked the residents for their patience, enjoining them to pay water bills.
    A resident, Mrs. Akinwande Ayomide, hailed the corporation for justifying the confidence reposed in it.
    She promised to pay bills promptly and advised others to do likewise.

  • Firm partners Lagos, Ogun against malaria

    Firm partners Lagos, Ogun against malaria

    Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Nigeria, makers of Mortein insecticide, has partnered the Lagos, Ogun and Abia State governments to fight malaria.

    At a news conference to mark the World Malaria Day, General Manager, RB West Africa, Mr. Rahul Murgai, said the partnership is to improve action in the fight against malaria, through community engagement, continued investment and sustained efforts.

    According to him, the environmental sanitation, free tests and consultations in markets, were to sensitise residents on the benefits of maintaining clean environments.

    He noted that the partnership demonstrates RB’s commitment to the anti-malaria fight.

    “At RB, our global vision is to have a world where people are healthier and live better. In achieving this, we will continue to make a difference by giving people innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes. We know that regular combined interventions of Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs), Larviciding and insecticide use, like Mortein, is the solution to achieving a Malaria-free Nigeria.  “Therefore, to protect our children and ourselves from getting sick, the first thing to do is to educate ourselves about prevention.”

    Marketing Director, RB West Africa Leferink Aliza said through the grassroots community engagement, residents are sensitised on the importance of hygiene, and how the simple habit of maintaining clean surroundings and drainages can reduce malaria.

    According to Aliza, there is an estimated 100 million malaria cases, with over 300,000 deaths, yearly in Nigeria, mostly among children under the age of five.

    “Malaria is preventable and we have made it our fight to advocate protection, especially for the most vulnerable – pregnant women and children – and their families, against Malaria. This has also leveraged on the Clean Healthy Naija program which RB is leading across various platforms, especially for preventable diseases,” she said.

    Marketing Manager Omotola Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi said Mortein has been at the forefront of the fight against Malaria. “In the past few years, Mortein has partnered the Federal Ministry of Health, through the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH) and various state ministries of health, to foster education on malaria prevention via TV infomercials, education at primary healthcare centers, and Mortein’s ‘Own a Community Project’.

    “We intend to take this a step further by having free malaria test and consultations in markets of cities with high prevalence,” she added.

     

  • Ogun Assembly passes Bill to provide emergency treatment for accident victims

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday, passed a Bill that will ensure provision of emergency medical treatment for accident victims within the state, if signed into law by the executive.

    The Bill is entitled: “A Bill for a law to provide for Emergency Treatment of Road Accident Victims.”

    It also provides for the ”establishment of the Ogun State Trust Fund for victims of road accident and for other related matters”.

    The bill also seeks to provide immediate attention and first aid to road accident victims in all registered private and public hospitals within the state.

    The bill also states that private and public hospitals shall provide immediate treatment to accident victims brought to them for the first 72 hours without any demand for fees or any other form of emoluments among others.

    The bill further states that the aim of establishing the trust fund was to acquire and deploy medical equipment, vehicles, ambulances and other resources required to achieve its objectives.

    The Majority Leader of the House,Mr Adeyinka Mafe (APC-Sagamu 1), moved the motion for the third reading of the bill and seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Olawale Alausa (PDP – Ijebu Ode).

    If signed into law by the governor, the state will establish domiciliary fund accruing from the sale of road accidents victims’ emblems, voluntary subscriptions, and contributions from the Ogun Government.

    It will also accept donations from interested government agencies.

     

  • Ogun advises contractors on standard

    Ogun advises contractors on standard

    Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Ms Adenrele Adesina, has urged contractors bidding for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) /Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) scale up projects to comply with stipulated standard towards achieving quality service delivery of projects.
    She spoke at the Governor’s Office Press Centre, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, while welcoming contractors to the opening of bids on 2015 SGDs/CGS projects for local governments.
    Adenrele said the CGS projects were important to the government, as they would have impact on the people at the grassroots and ensure even development across the nooks and crannies of the state.
    She enjoined them to execute the contracts with diligence and uphold ‘’Ogun Standard’’ by sustaining the image of the state.
    “You should know that you are in partnership with the government. You must, therefore, uphold the standard of the state,’’ Adenrele said.
    The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Hassan Adekunle, assured contractors of prompt release of mobilisation fee for the take off of the projects.
    He said: ‘’Much as we will not delay your payment, please do not perform below standard. You are to move to site immediately.’’
    The representative of Arshcorn and Form Ltd, Mr. Akin Taofeek and representative, Victor and Grace Nig. Ltd, Mr. Dele Soneye, on behalf of other contractors, thanked the Tender Board Committee for ensuring transparency in the bidding processes, pledging that they would not disappoint the government.
    The CGS projects which covered three thematic areas of Education, Health and water/sanitation would involve the construction of classrooms, VIP toilets, borehole, health centres and purchase of ambulance, among others.

  • Don’t undermine our economy, Obasanjo warns expatriates

    Don’t undermine our economy, Obasanjo warns expatriates

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned companies – foreign and local, doing business in Nigeria against engaging in acts that could undermine Nigerian’s economy.
    Obasanjo said the emphasis today is on making Nigeria self – sustaining in production and consumption, vowing that he would kick against companies, whether indigenous or expatriates, that want to use unwholesome business practices to sabotage the self – reliance drive of the nation.
    The elderstatesman who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday at an interactive session with the Indian Professionals’ Forum(IPF) in Nigeria, condemned a situation where some companies have elected to make the country a dumping ground for sub – standard and fake products.
    The IPF members led by the President, Mr. Dinesh Rathi, had organized the interactive forum to further identify with Obasanjo and to tap from his wealth of experience.
    The Ota farmer explained wrong business dealing is not only act of undermining the economy, but also give a bad name to companies doing genuine business in Nigeria.
    He recalled that his administration had had cause to expel some Indians from the country because of unethical business practices, saying the duty of companies is to improve the lot of the country where they do business and not to undermine its economy.
    Obasanjo added that he visited India sometimes ago and witnessed to his admiration, what India and Indians were doing “for self reliance,” wondering “why any Indian company should come here(Nigeria) and undermine our own self reliance” initiative.
    He deplored a situation where “jollof rice is(allegedly) being prepared and shipped to Nigeria as ridiculous and bad,” and said that was not what the country needed.
    He admitted that there are genuine Indians doing business in Nigeria, engaging Nigerians as workers and contributing to the growth and development of the economy but challenged them to fish out the bad eggs among their midst.
    Obasanjo said: “there are Indians who are in partnership with Nigerians and they are doing well, we have some even here in Abeokuta. They are doing very well and it is very encouraging.

  • Ogun and fear of abandoned projects

    SIR: It is typical of governments in Nigeria to embark on so called “people-oriented projects” which the people would never benefit from, knowing that they lacked the wherewithal to execute them. These projects are better described as “white elephant projects”.

    The fear of residents of Ogun State as it relates to the will of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration to complete all road projects it had embarked upon may have been allayed by the recent re-mobilization of contractors in executing the projects spread across the state back to site.

    A lot of people were sceptical about the ability of the state government to fund and complete those projects scattered across the state in the face of the prevailing economic circumstances.

    Now, respite has come for residents along OGTV-Brewery road, Ojere-Adatan road, Lanfenwa-Aiyetoro road, just as contractors have also moved to site at NNPC-Kobape road, flyover Bridge at Ijoko, flyover Bridge at Agbade, Ilara, Ijoun-Ilase road to mention but a few.

    One can only imagine the value all these projects would add to the economy of the state when completed. It is thumbs up to the present administration in the state for taking on the enormous task of rebuilding the state in its entirety.

     

    • Odunayo Ogunleye,

    Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

  • Southwest governors set to tackle militants

    Southwest governors set to tackle militants

    SOUTHWEST governors are set to tackle militants who have made seaside communities unsafe.

    The governors of the six Southwest States of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti are to meet in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital next Monday.

    They are to deliberate on measures to tackle the increasing challenges posed by the militants.

    According to the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, some of the thematic areas to be discussed include: “export development initiatives for the Western region, security, in view of the current contemporary unwholesome activities of some criminal elements parading themselves as militants now ravaging parts of the region.”

    The meeting, being convened under aegis of the South West Governors’ Forum, would also afford the governors opportunity to discuss the security of the zone “in view of the current contemporary unwholesome activities of some criminal elements parading themselves as militants now ravaging parts of the region.”

    In a statement, the SSG stated that the meeting would also evaluate the key areas of cooperation for the unity, progress and development of the region as well as collaboration that would engender good governance.

  • Transforming Ogun through road construction

    SIR: The presence of citizens of Ogun State, especially the optimists, who have been following the developmental trend of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration. It is a surprise to the pessimists who have wondered – ‘where will the fund come from?’

    While many states of the federation battle with payment of salaries of staff, Ogun State Government has continued to pay its workers’ salaries as and when due without leaving other developmental projects unattended to.

    The on-going ‘Ogun standard ‘roads construction work witnessed across the three senatorial districts of the state which has the ability to transform the state into an industrial hub is worth mentioning. The massive springing up of industries in the state confirms that road construction is a need in the present Ogun State and not a want using the basic secondary school knowledge of economics. The planning of any major transportation network should be preceded by economic calculations of the benefits to be derived which could either be direct, to the road users, or indirect, the economic value it will add.

    The question that I cannot stop asking myself is ‘When will our people understand the difference between needs and wants in setting priority?  Basic fundamental   understanding of economics is enough to help a lame man differentiate between his needs and his wants.

    The presence of construction companies on different roads across the three senatorial districts is a development that should gladden the heart of any lover of progress that Ogun State would be better off in the nearest future. Some of the Ogun Standard roads under construction are; Lafenwa-Ayetoro road, Sango-Ijoko road, Ilishan-Ago-Iwoye road-bridge, Atan-Agbara road, Ilo-Awela road, Magboro township road among others.

    There wouldn’t have been a better time to give priority to projects that can attract investors into the state with the purpose of increasing its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). Apart from shaping the environment and giving it a good new look, good road system has the capacity to shape the development of the state. Little will one wonder why it is referred to as the bedrock of any economy.

    For this and many other developmental projects embarked upon by the State Government, I say kudos to the Senator Amosun-led government.

     

    • Gbemisola Salau,

    Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

  • Ogun hosts 20 countries to Drums Festival

    Ogun hosts 20 countries to Drums Festival

    The Ogun State government, today, begins the 2017 edition of African Drums Festival. The show which is touted as an expanded version of the 2016 maiden edition, tagged, the Nigerian Drums Festival continues till Saturday, April 22, 2017.

    The Ogun state government, had during the 2016 edition, unveiled the world’s tallest drum.

    Speaking at a World Press Conference to unveil the official logo for this year’s festival on Tuesday, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, said over 20 African countries had indicated interest to participate during the festival.

    This, he added, is in addition to the over 12 states of the federation that had confirmed their attendance.

    The governor said that the festival, with the theme, “Reviving Our Culture in Drums,” would reveal the richness and depth of Ogun, Nigeria, and by extension, African culture, to the world.

    Amosun, while emphasising the preservation of African cultural heritage, said “the 2017 African Drums Festival would afford us the opportunity to learn from our cultural values and diversity and promote African unity.”

    Also speaking, Chairman of the 2017 African Drums Festival Local Organising Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, said the event would enhance the economic value of the citizens by showcasing talents and the cultural heritage.

    In his welcome address, Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Barr. Muyiwa Oladipo said the festival would foster development, growth and unity, not only in Nigeria, but also in Africa.