The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun, FG identify three LGs for women development

    Ogun, FG identify three LGs for women development

    THREE local governments which include Yewa South, Ijebu-ode and Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State have been identified for the pilot scheme on women development to be undertaken by the State and Federal Governments towards effectively catering for the needs of women in the state. Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Jide Ojuko, stated this when the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Biola Kufile- Okonji led delegates from the National Centre for Women Development on a courtesy call to the Ministry’s headquarters in Oke-mosan, Abeokuta.

    The Commissioner while receiving the delegation assured that the Senator Ibikunle Amosunled administration was ready to support the team towards repositioning the existing Women Development Centres across the State to effectively meet the demands and yearnings of women in the society. Ojuko appreciated the Federal Government for identifying Yewa South, Ijebu-Ode and Odeda local government areas for the pilot scheme, promising that the State government would leave no stone unturned towards ensuring the success of the programme. ‘’Let me assure you on behalf of the Governor of our support towards the programme.

    We want to appreciate the efforts and consideration of Mr. President for giving us this opportunity in Ogun State to be a part of the pilot scheme out of the six States that have been picked. ‘’The issue of Women Development Centres (WDC) is very important to us like that of youths and other stakeholders in the society. With your presence in Ogun, you will help the State government identify issues at the centres and also ensure that the centres are moved forward’’ Ojuko remarked. In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Biola Kufile-Okonji, said the visit was to inspect and monitor the activities of selected WDC in the State so as to identify their challenges, find ways of improving them as well as undertaking retraining programme for members of staff at the various centres.

  • Students to protest fee hike in Ogun

    Students of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun in Ogun State are planning to protest tuition fee hike in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, next Monday.

    The students, belonging to various groups such as Tai Solarin Students’ Union, National Universities Education Students’ Association (NUESA), Alliance of Nigerian Students against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA), are coming together under the  Save TASUED and Fund Education Coalition (STAFEC) umbrella for the protest against alleged continued neglect of education, particularly the tertiary education subsector in the state.

    In a statement on behalf of the group, Sanni Ramon, Ewetola AbdulRamon, Sanyaolu Juwon, and Tomi Aina decried the fee hike at TASUED and other higher institutions across the state.

    They lamented the introduction of N25,000 registration fee; increment of acceptance fee from N30,000 to N40,000, and N10,000, fee that they described as “arbitrary tax.”

    Part of the statement reads: “The mass action is aimed at showing our displeasure towards the premeditated neglect of public education especially TASUED. We take exception to the illegal and arbitrary tax of N10, 000 imposed on students and we reject in totality, the increment in acceptance fee from N30, 000 to N40, 000. The coalition maintains an outright rejection of the introduction of N25, 000 registration fee; we consider it as fraudulent, thoughtless and unacceptable, especially at the time the same students and their unpaid parents barely manage to pay the exorbitant N76, 500 school fees, astronomical acceptance fee and many other ridiculous charges.”

    According to the students, both TASUED and the Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye, have not received subventions from the Ogun State government for more than 20 months, adding that salaries of workers are not paid in full, leading to poor commitment to work.

    “The astronomical school fees of TASUED, the increase in the charges of vocational studies (subsequently and fraudulently disguised as registration fee) from N1000 to N25, 000, the imposition of N20, 000 as penalty for late submission of clearance file and the despotic increment of acceptance fee from N30, 000 to N40, 000; are few of the many anti-poor/student policies incited by government unacceptable neglect of the institution,” the statement added.

  • Ogun shuts seven health facilities

    Ogun shuts seven health facilities

    The Ogun State government yesterday shut five health facilities in Ifo Local Government Area.
    Commissioner for Health Babatunde Ipaye announced this while monitoring the level of compliance with the re-validation/registration of private health facilities in Akute.
    Ipaye named them as Accurate Diagnostic Centre, The Mantle Clinic and Maternity Home, Bliss Medical Centre, Fibiani Medical Centre and Christian Maternity Home.
    The commissioner was represented by Director, Department of Hospital Services, Dr Solomon Sokunbi in company of state executive members of National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
    He warned certified owners of private health facilities across the state to desist from engaging the services of unqualified nurses and other health workers.

  • Ogun begins free school feeding

    The Ogun State government yesterday began implementing the free meal programme for pupils in public primary schools as part of the Federal Government’s social intervention scheme.
    The scheme, under the Ogun Home Grown School Feeding Programme, will be carried out in 1,554 primary schools with pupils in primaries 1 – 3 as beneficiaries.
    The pupils were served porridge garnished with vegetables and fish.
    Governor Ibikunle Amosun who inaugurated the programme at St. Paul’s Demonstration School, Onikolobo , Abeokuta, the state capital, assured that it would be implemented simultaneously in 874 schools.
    Represented by Deputy Governor Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, Amosun said 2, 968 women have been enrolled and trained as food vendors.
    The governor listed the benefits of the programme to include provision of hot nutritionally balanced diet to pupils, improved school performance and health status, boost in enrolment figure, job creation and poverty alleviation.
    The Programme Manager, Tinuola Shopeju, said preparations for the take-off started eight months ago .

  • Ogun pays N1.7b to 685 pensioners

    Ogun pays N1.7b to 685 pensioners

    The Ogun State government yesterday released N1.7billion for the payment of gratuity to 685 pensioners.
    This formed part of the N6 billion earlier approved by Governor Ibikunle Amosun for pensioners in December from the Paris Club refund.
    The government had disbursed N1.5billion to the first batch of retirees from July to December 2012.
    The N6 billion was earmarked for gratuities for 2,429 retirees from the state civil service from November 2012 till January 2014.
    Head of Service Abayomi Sobande, who addressed beneficiaries at Oke -Mosan Governor’s Office, said this was in fulfilment of government’s pledge to pay outstanding gratuities in batches.
    Sobande lauded them for their patience and understanding.

  • Lassa fever: Ogun declares 396 persons safe

    Lassa fever: Ogun declares 396 persons safe

    Ogun State Commissioner for Health Babtunde Ipaye yesterday said the 396 people kept under surveillance for having primary and secondary contacts with the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer of Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta, who died of Lassa fever last year, have been declared free, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
    The commissioner, who spoke to reporters in Abeokuta, said another suspected case was recorded with about 50 contacts traced to the victim.
    He noted that blood samples of 19 of the 50 contacts came out to be negative.
    According to him, the victim died at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan and cannot be counted for Ogun State.
    He said the remaining 39 secondary contacts have been placed under close monitoring.
    He explained that none of the contacts have shown abnormal temperature and that the medical officers would continue to monitor them until the specified period in line with WHO standard.
    Ipaye advised the public to report any malaria symptom that may have exceeded three days of treatment to the nearest general hospital, Ministry of Health or call 09099140121 and 09099140122.

  • Ogun pays N1.5bn gratuity

    The Ogun State Government has paid a whooping sum of N1.5b to 546 retirees in the state in fulfillment of its promises to offset arrears of gratuity due to retired civil servants in the state.
    The state Head of Service, Mr. Abayomi Sobande, while presenting cheques to the pensioners at the Arcade ground, Oke-mosan, Abeokuta, said that no fewer than 546 retirees were those that retired from service between July and December 2012.
    He added that those that have not collected their cheque due to the year of retirement should wait for their batches as the government would not compromise in its efforts to give them their entitlement which they have laboured for in the state.
    Sobande noted that the government would continue with the payment in batches based on its schedule as released by the Bureau of State Pensions, with assurance to pay as and when due.
    “The Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration is not relenting in its efforts at ensuring the well-being of the retirees and will continue to put smiles on their faces”, he said.
    He said that government would continue paying pensioners in the state in order to cater for themselves, adding that no backlog of arrears of retirees would be left unpaid before and after the present administration end in 2019,
    One of the recipients, Mrs Awojuola Celestina, appreciated the govern-ment’s gesture and gave God all the glory that she was alive to collect her entitlement.

  • Ogun PDP’s 2019 calculations

    Ogun PDP’s 2019 calculations

    A faction of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has zoned the governorship to the Ogun East Senatorial District, ahead of the 2019 elections. Correspondent ERNEST NWOKOLO highlights the factors that may shape the party’s preparations for the poll.

    Since May 28, 2011,  Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has been left in the cold. Now, the troubled chapter is plotting to bounce back.

    Its major priority is to recapture power in 2019, after two failed attempts –  2011 and 2015.

    However, what may thwart its bid to bounce back is the division in the fold. There are three factions fighting for the soul of the party.

    A factional chairman, Bayo Dayo, disclosed that the party’s projection is, not only to win the governorship poll, but to also win  other elective offices in 2019.

    Dayo said that many chieftains were warming up for the governorship primary, despite the protracted crisis affecting the chapter.

    “Our projection is not just to win the governorship, but other elective offices in 2019. Tens of people are expressing their desire for the office of the governor because the PDP has a bright future in the state.

    “Factions are no problem; even the APC has factions. Thousands of people in the APC decamped to the PDP in the state recently and that was a signal to what lies ahead. When our candidates for all elective offices emerge, everybody will fall in line to enable us win at the polls,” Dayo said.

    Another factional leader, Sikirullai Ogundele, said the PDP cannot afford to stay out of power 2019. He gave insight into steps  being taken to realise the dream.

    Ogundele said the PDP had returned to the drawing board after it lost the 2011 and 2015 governorship elections to Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

    He said the party had also resolved to take legitimate steps, including building a “quasi – coalition,” “strengthening membership base” to facilitate the party’s hope of reclaiming power.

    “We are uniting and solidifying the party for victory in the state and the signs are there that the good people of Ogun state want the PDP back to power.

    “We are looking forward to a credible election in 2019. The high insensitivity of the present administration towards the plights of the people and the poor management of the economy have taught us good lessons.

    “Our people, like a woman that married two husbands, have compared, contrasted and believed that the PDP was a better husband.

    Considering the mode of governance in Ogun today that bordered on the poor financial status of the state and lack of people oriented projects, we are confident that people will vote us in in 2019.

    “We have a lot of people aspiring to occupy the governorship seat, but we are looking for credible ones among them. We are also strengthening the membership base with people of like minds and people of electoral values.

    “We are working to have a quasi-coalition to confront APC and defeat it on the field. No reasonable person will thumb print for APC next time in Ogun.

    “Look at the prices of basic items today and they are not affordable anymore. Promises made are not fulfilled. It is all deceit, propaganda by the government of APC, full of noise and fury but signifying nothing and are inconsequential and incompetent to the betterment of Ogun people and Nigerians,” Ogundele said.

    Although none of the factional leaders was willing to give names of people aspiring to rule the state, sources said no fewer than 10 chieftains are eyeing the ticket.

    They include Adebutu(Ogun East), a two-time governorship candidate of the PDP, Gboyega Isiaka (Ogun West), former minister Tunji Ishola (Ogun Central), an Insurance magnate, Biyi Otegbeye(Ogun West), Senator Buruji Kashamu (Ogun East) and Remi Bakare (Ogun Central.

    But, according to observers, for the chapter to move forward, the starting point is the resolution of its protracted crisis.

    The crisis, which reared its head in 2007 when Daniel sought for the party’s ticket for a second term, was managed and kept under wrap in the name of ‘family affairs,’ to enable the party win the elections. But, it it soon festered, following the impeachment of the Speaker, Hon. Titi Oseni, by the House of Assembly. Then, all the 26 members belonged to the PDP. As crisis engulfed the PDP, Daniel and Speaker Tunji Egbetokun were locked in a war of attrition. The House could not sit for six months.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Daniel could not see eye to eye. The party was divided by the governorship ambition of General Tunji Olurin and  ex-Managing Director of the Gateway Holdings, Prince Gboyega Isiaka.

    The party went into the election as a divided house. Daniel’s supporters defected to  the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). Isiaka, who ran on the weak platform, lost to Amosun.

    Obasanjo has since left the PDP. Also, Daniel has been expelled by the Dayo-led faction. But, the party continue to swim in crisis.

    Today, there are three factions loyal to three warring leaders of the chapter-Hon.Adebutu, who represents Remo North, Sagamu and Ikenne Constituency in the House of Representatives, Senator Kashamu from Ogun East District and former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole, who hails from Ogun Central.

    Dayo is the Chairman of the faction controlled by Kashamu. Ogundele is the Chairman of the camp of Adebutu. Bankole’s faction has Wale Egunleti as its Chairman.

    The factions have the same goal, which is to capture power. But, they are not ready to close ranks over other issues.

    Adebutu’s and Bankole’s factions are not happy with the alleged one-man show of Senator Kashamu. Their grouse is that Kashamu, who is believed to be a major financier of the party since 2011 and who wrested the party structure from Daniel, has been determining almost 70 percent of who got the party tickets for elective offices on his term, to the detriment of other groups.

    To the two factions, Kashamu has been unfair to other chieftains he has sidelined. In their view, the senator may be an obstacle to the aspiration of the party to bounce back to power.

    Ogundele maintained that he is the authentic chairman. The former Chairman of Ifo Local Government Council said the governorship ticket had been zoned to Ogun East, thus shutting people from Ogun West out of the plan.

    He said: “We are on board to getting the lost glory of the party back. With what is happening in the state today, the PDP is capable of bouncing back to power in Ogun in 2019. After the election, we went back to the drawing board to know why we lost.

    “We found out that somebody has sort of commercialised the party where he gives party tickets to whoever pleases him. We had a situation where two or more candidates got tickets for one elective office during the last general elections. Our members and supporters could not know who was the authentic candidate to vote for at the polls.

    “This time, we resolved to stand up and challenge such shenanigans.

    We are the only one recognised by the zonal executives.

    “They tried it in 2011 and got away with it because we did not look at the issue or challenged it then. But not so now. We want to do things he right way so as to return our party to power.”

    Ogundele said his faction may not work with Dayo’s faction so that the chance of the party will not be jeopardized. He said given the divisive roles the faction played in Ondo State in tandem with Senator Amodu Sheriff, the faction does not mean well for the party.

    Ogundele said: “We have good

    reasons to suspect that they are moles in our midst for APC.”

    However, the Publicity Secretary of the Dayo-led executive committee, Bolaji Adeniji, exonerated Kashamu of any wrong doing. He dismissed other factional executives in Ogun PDP as “dissident groups” brought about by the inordinate ambition of certain individuals.

    He urged Bankole, Adebutu and others to subsume their respective personal interests in the larger interest of Ogun PDP.

    He identified Bankole’s problem as that of ego and being vague about his political ambition.

    “We do not know what he (Bankole) wants or what his ambition is. He and Adebutu should come down from their high horse and join us. Our doors are opened to them.”

    Adeniji accused Adebutu of fragmenting the party because of his ambition to govern Ogun in 2019.

    “After 2015 general elections, the party was united as one in the state. Everybody or group worked for the PDP, except Dimeji Bankole’s group, which did not work wholeheartedly for PDP but chose to assist the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state.

    “The architect of the balkanization is Ladi Adebutu who is nursing an ambition to be Governor in 2019. He wants to seize the control of the party to win the ticket, that is why he is balkanizing the party.

    “Senator Buruji Kashamu has been supporting the party in Ogun. And had called Ladi Adebutu and other groups where he discussed with them on ways to bring harmony to the party but they kept doing their own thing out of ego and selfish interest,” he said.

    But, a member of Bankole faction, Chief Biodun Ogunbiyi, expressed the hope that the party may be united before the next general elections to enhance its chances of returning to power.

    He said: “It is our determination to capture power in 2019 and we are putting strategies and plans in place along that line to achieve our dream of recapturing Ogun.

    “Factions or fragmentation are not issues and also not limited to PDP. Politics is dynamics and not static. At the appropriate time, we will reason together, set aside differences and form a formidable team to wrest power from the APC.”

    Politicians are regarded as incurable optimists. but the way things are with the Ogun PDP bogged down by strife, it is doubtful if its founding fathers-Chief Sule Onabiyi, Chief Joju Fadairo and Senator Jubril Martins Kuye still have faith in it.

  • We’re still tracking abductors of Turkish school pupils, others – Police

    The Ogun State Police Command on Monday said it is still working to track the abductors of some pupils and staff of the Nigeria Turkish International Colleges (NTIC), Isheri, Ogun State in order to rescue the victims.

    The Command’s Police Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told The Nation that the Police is conducting thorough investigation into the incident and would make public, its finding known when there is a breakthrough.

    Abimbola expressed the optimism  that the victims would be rescued safe and alive.

    Five students and three  staff of the NTIC located in Isheri community were abducted last Friday night by suspected gunmen and taken to a yet – to – be determined location.

    The Nation gathered that among those abducted are three regular students and two others who were preparing for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board exams, three members of staff and a cook.

    Earlier, Abimbola told The Nation that security chiefs from the Nigerian army, Navy, Police and Department of State Security Service(DSS) in Ogun State had moved to Isheri, on Saturday to coordinate efforts towards search and rescue of the victims.

    The security chiefs, he added, include the General Officer Commanding(GOC) of the mechanised army, Director of DSS, Police Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu, and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos and other senior security officers.

    According to Abimbola, the details of the strategies adopted towards search and rescue of the captives won’t be disclosed until success is achieved.

  • How our students, staff were abducted – Turkish school Principal

    The Principal of the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges(NTIC), Isheri, Ogun State, on Saturday gave an account of how eight students and staff of the school were abducted at gunpoint by people suspected to be kidnappers.

    The Principal, Yunus Emre Dogan, said the gunmen arrived the school premises on Friday night armed and began to shoot sporadically, adding that there was panic everywhere.

    Yunus said that the abductors swiftly dashed into the female hostel where three students were kidnapped alongside the house mistress and a Turkish teacher that teaches mathematics in the school.

    According to him, the abductors dug a big hole through a side of the College’s perimeter fence from where they escaped through the bushy and swampy part of the area.

    The Principal offered the explanation of the incident when the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, visited the school on Saturday in company of other members of the state Executive Council for on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
    The Nation gathered that among those abducted are three regular students and two others who were preparing for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board exams, and three members of staff while a cook was also taken away from the kitchen.

    Addressing the agonizing parents at the school, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, assured that the government was committed to the safe return of the students, saying state government had put security measure in place in that direction.

    The Deputy Governor appealed to parents and guardians of the pupils to remain calm and not engage in panic withdrawal of their children from the school.

    “We are here to express our concern and symphaty. It is unfortunate that, this is happening barely few days on school resumption. Wheen we heard about it, we quickly sprang into action, hence the urgent visit.

    “Our government has put necessary security measure in place for the rescue of the abductees. Ogun State is already in action. Let me reassure you that we are going to rescue the victims soon.

    “No doubt, it does happen once a while but it’s unfortunate, the state is aware and we are doing the work, we will do all that is possible for the safe return of the children. The FG is aware and they habe also assured us that very very soon, they would be rescued.

    “It’s not the time to start taking children out of the schools, the security operatives are all on ground to ensure safety of life and property of the school. We will do all that is possible to make sure the school is safe and the school authority is also doing what is possible to ensure that the state is safe,” she said

    Mr Ahmad Ajani, whose daughter – Hanatullah Aderinto Ajani(22), was one of the abducted pupils, said he got the information on Friday night that his girl has been kidnapped.

    Ajani who described the incident as sad and unfortunate said his child was in the school to prepare for the forthcoming JAMB exams.

    “Somebody called in the midnight that something happened here and my daughter was involved, I had to come down this morning and the Police Commissioner addressed us assuring that they would work on it and that everything would be alright very soon.

    “I am very sad but prayerful that the they are rescued on time, as I am standing, I am traumatised, you can imagine a girl of 22 preparing for University and somebody took her away, it is a big issue.”

    But Funmi Tijani has blamed the management of the school for the security lapses that led to the abduction.

    Mrs Tijani said the College did not put in place enough security measures including security, to forestall the incident.

    She said, “We parents jointly resolved and agreed that we have to take away our children at least for the first one week, until we are convinced about perfect security arrangement in place.

    “The road is not tarred, no security light, bushes all around, last year, the school was closed down for two weeks because of flood. What we are saying is that ‘let there be adequate security.

    “We are taking our Children away, we’ve agreed amongst ourselves to take our children away for a week, my daughter saw them, witnessed the whole scenerio and she’s traumatised, psychologically, they are not balanced, you don’t expect me to leave her behind.”