The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun referendum for April 21

    Ogun referendum for April 21

    A referendum to enable indigenes and residents of the five proposed Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ogun State justify their creation has been slated for April 21.

    The LCDAs are Afon LCDA with headquarters in Oloka – Afon; Sango /Ijoko LCDA with headquarters in Sango and Abeokuta North East LCDA with headquarters in Ita-Iyalode.

    Others are Ifesowapo LCDA with headquarters in Imodi – Imosan and Coker – Ibogun LCDA with headquarters in Ibogun.

    The Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Mrs Risikat Ogunfemi, made this known at a briefing yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Mrs. Ogunfemi said the planned referendum followed an April 6 directive to OGSIEC by the House of Assembly, asking it to conduct a referendum in five of the 37 proposed LCDAs.

    She urged eligible voters in the proposed LCDAs to participate in the process, saying the body as an unbiased empire would conduct a hitch-free exercise.

    According to her, the outcome of the referendum would assist the Assembly to complete the process of creating the LCDAs.

  • Ogun unveils Nigerian Drums Festival logo

    Ogun unveils Nigerian Drums Festival logo

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has unveiled the logo and launched the raffle draw of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Drums Festival billed for April 19 and 21.

    Unveiling the logo and the raffle draw,  Amosun, represented by his deputy, Mrs  Yetunde Onanuga, said the event would foster development and unity, being the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa.

    He said the festival would also promote the cultural heritage and tradition of the people. It would attract participants from the 36 states and Abuja, who will showcase their talents and skills on drum beating, dancing and performances.

    The governor said the festival would boost tourism and create jobs.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Otunba Muyiwa Oladipo, said the festival would turn around culture and tourism  in Ogun State, Nigeria and Africa. The festival, he noted, would promote cultural heritage of the country which other African countries would take a cue from.

    ”Drum is a common factor that binds tribes and ethnic groups with different cultures and traditions in Nigeria and the Nigerian Drums Festival will be an avenue to bring the different types of drums together,” Oladipo stated.

    He said the unveiling of the logo has set the ball rolling and placed an official stamp on the organisation of the event which planning had begun in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism towards the successful staging of the event.

    He said: “The event is purely an initiative of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism supported by the the Ogun State Government and some stakeholders, but more stakeholders and sponsors are welcome on board, the more the merrier”.

    The commissioner, however, said  the raffle draw was to create awareness and promote the festival amongst the people at the grassroots, adding that it would be an opportunity for buyers to win fascinating prizes to commemorate the Nigerian Drums Festival of the year.

    ”This is part of the side attractions of the Festival, there are other side attractions and they will be unveiled as time goes on,” the Commissioner said.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaja Salmotu Ottun, enjoined participants to be steadfast and focus as the event would bring about the cultural and traditional promotion of their states, saying that the event was first of its kind in Africa.

    She said the event would be soft-landing,  which other African countries would  emulate, as Ogun was known to be number one in cultural and traditional values across the country even in Africa.

    The event, which had in attendance, Minister of Information and Culture, represented by Ms. Grace Gekpe, Senator Olorunmbe Memora, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Shokefun, her counterpart in Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, House of Assembly members, Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi, among other dignitaries.

     

  • Tricyclists unite in Ogun

    To streamline their operations, commercial tricyclists popularly known as Keke Marwa, have come under one roof in Ogun State

    The Chief Samuel Idowu-led Tricycle Association of Nigeria (TORA), United Three Wheeler Riders Association of Nigeria (UNITRAN) and Tricycle Transport Association of Nigeria (TITAN) merged to become Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN)

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has registered TOAN as its affiliate. TOAN elders forum and the state executive will be inaugurated today at TUC office in Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta.

    The state executive comprises Abdul Rasheed Awesu, chairman and Wasiu Akinola, secretary, among others.

    Receiving TOAN’s certificate of registration from the Registrar of Trade at the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, its national president, Conrade Augustine Apeh, promised that the group would promote peace between its members and the public.

    At the association’s inaugural national meeting, TUC President Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, advised members to ensure high standard of performance.

    Kaigama said: “Our members have respect for the law of this country; we ensure that our members operate within the ambit of the law and encourage absolute respect for rules and regulations.”

    Urging the association to embrace dialogue in promoting the welfare of its members, the TUC president said: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria which you are affiliated to is a very responsible and respected association; we are respected because we know that the era of table banging is over. “You now have to use your brain to marshal your points and sell the idea of the protection of your workers. My little interaction with your president and other executive has proven to me that we are not wrong to accept you into our fold.”

  • Ogun set for drum festival

    The first ever Nigerian Drum Festival organised by the Ogun State government will come up on April 19 to 22.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Olumiyiwa Oladipo, said the government has launched a raffle draw to kick-start the festival.

    Presenting prizes to the winners at the Cultural Centre Kuto, Abeokuta,  Oladipo said the raffle draw was organised to sensitise the public and participants on activities concerning the  festival.

    ‘’The raffle draw has been designed to exhibit honesty and transparency in the festival, which will cut across the 36 states, including the FCT,’’ he said.

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy, Jide Ojuko, advised the public to be consistent and steadfast as the event would improve the nation’s cultural heritage.

    “We need to know that the Drum Festival is not just for fun or benefit but also to showcase our cultural heritage being endowed with through drums, dance, so there is a need to display our rich cultural and traditional values,” Ojuko said.

  • Police arraign four over alleged theft of N700,000

    Police arraign four over alleged theft of N700,000

    The Police in Ogun on Wednesday charged four men: Ogunkoya Adebayo (22), Olufemi Adelaja (24), Onini Brown (20) and Ifeoluwa Olugbenga (27), before an Ota Magistrates’ Court for allegedly breaking into the house of one Sadiku Ogundimi and stealing N700,000 cash.
    The accused persons, whose addresses were unknown, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and burglary.
    The Prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that the accused, and others still at large, committed the offences on Feb. 10 at 4:00 p.m. at Ijamido Street, Ota.
    Gbesi said that the accused and his accomplices conspired amongst themselves to break into the house of the complainant and stole N700,000 cash.
    He said that the offences contravened Sections 390 (9), 413 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
    The Senior Magistrate, Mr S.O. Banwo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N750,000 with one surety in the like sum.

     

    He said that the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and should be gainfully employed.

     

    Banwo also directed that the surety should swear to an affidavit of means and produce two-years’ tax clearance from the Ogun Government.

     

    In addition, the surety should submit four recent passport photographs to the court and must possess a reasonable means of identification.

     

    The case was adjourned to April 14, for hearing.

  • ‘Ogun development plan on course’

    The Ogun State government has assured the people that its developmental agenda on land administration is still on course.

    It said it would do everything necessary to make the state habitable.

    The Director–General, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Olubiyi Ismail, spoke during the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) Week and Awards ceremony tagged: “Celebration of Achievers” in Abeokuta, the state capital, at the weekend.

    He said: “We are change agents of the government. So, let us go out there and sensitise the citizens on the achievement and developmental agenda of this administration. Let us change their perceptions about land matters and tell them the proper way of buying land without getting into trouble.”

  • Police homicide team move to ritualists’ den

    Police homicide team move to ritualists’ den

    A team from the homicide unit of the Ogun State Police Command has moved to the Iyana-Ilogbo area of Sango-Ota, for investigations to uncover persons directly or remotely connected to the running of the suspected ritualists’ den in the area.
    The den was discovered beside the abandoned Ayokunnu filling station, about 20 metres from the seedy Iyana Ilogbo bus stop on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway last Saturday.
    Two suspects – Babatunde Taofeek and Hammed Hassan, have already been arrested by policemen from the Sango Police State and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad when they swooped on the building following a tip off from a member of the community.
    Also, decomposing remains of a male victim, clothes, shoes, wigs, matchete, and bags were also retrieved at the den to the shock and rage of residents of the area.
    However, on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the team deployed to the area will ascertain and arrest those connected with it.
    Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), told The Nation that the team headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Sina Olukolu, had began work on the order of the Commissioner of Police, AbdulMajid Ali.
    He assured that whoever that is connected to the incident upon investigation would be arrested.

  • Ogun unveils Nigerian Drums Festival logo

    Ogun unveils Nigerian Drums Festival logo

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has unveiled the logo and launched the raffle draw of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Drums Festival billed for between April 19 and 21.

    Unveiling the logo and the raffle draw,  Amosun, represented by his deputy, Mrs  Yetunde Onanuga, said the event would foster development and unity, being the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa.

    He said the festival would also promote the cultural heritage and tradition of the people. It would attract participants from the 36 states and Abuja, who will showcase their talents and skills on drum beating, dancing and performances.

    The governor said the festival would boost tourism and create jobs.

    The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Otunba Muyiwa Oladipo, said the festival would turn around culture and tourism  in Ogun State, Nigeria and Africa. The festival, he noted, would promote cultural heritage of the country which other African countries would take a cue from.

    ”Drum is a common factor that binds tribes and ethnic groups with different cultures and traditions in Nigeria and the Nigerian Drums Festival will be an avenue to bring the different types of drums together,” Oladipo stated.

    He said the unveiling of the logo has set the ball rolling and placed an official stamp on the organisation of the event which planning had begun in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism towards the successful staging of the event.

    He said: “The event is purely an initiative of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism supported by the the Ogun State Government and some stakeholders, but more stakeholders and sponsors are welcome on board, the more the merrier”.

    The commissioner, however, said  the raffle draw was to create awareness and promote the festival amongst the people at the grassroots, adding that it would be an opportunity for buyers to win fascinating prizes to commemorate the Nigerian Drums Festival of the year.

    ”This is part of the side attractions of the Festival, there are other side attractions and they will be unveiled as time goes on,” the Commissioner said.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaja Salmotu Ottun, enjoined participants to be steadfast and focus as the event would bring about the cultural and traditional promotion of their states, saying that the event was first of its kind in Africa.

    She said the event would be soft-landing,  which other African countries would  emulate, as Ogun was known to be number one in cultural and traditional values across the country even in Africa.

    The event, which had in attendance, Minister of Information and Culture, represented by Ms. Grace Gekpe, Senator Olorunmbe Memora, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Shokefun, her counterpart in Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, House of Assembly members, Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi, among other dignitaries.

     

  • Club donates hospital, school facilities to Ogun community

    Club donates hospital, school facilities to Ogun community

    The District 404-B Governor of International Association of Lions Club, Mrs Idowu Omolola Anobili, has handed over items donated by the Region 7 and 8 of the Club to primary health care centres at Ifo and Ota Ward II Annex.

    Apart from the handover of these health centres, she also inaugurated 13 blocks of toilet at St James Primary School, Ota, as well as donation of bakery equipment to graduating students of skills acquisition and empowerment programme sponsored by the Club in Ado-Odo/Ota and Ifo local government areas of Ogun State.

    She also visited the skills acquisition centres built by the Club at Ewupe in Ado-Odo/Ota where residents of the areas would receive trainings on different skills.

    Mrs Anobili was at these places to perform one of the Club’s yearly programmes, ‘District Governor’s Visitation’, and to fulfill her promises of making life better for the less-privileged in the society during her tenure.

    The event featured singing and dancing by residents of the community, especially the patients, expectant mothers in the hospitals, the graduating students and their parents.

    Speaking at the events, Mrs Anobili said the gesture was to sustain the humanitarian services which are the priority and mission of the Club.

    According to her, Lions Club was established to mobilise and empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding. These, she said, have made the Club attain the global leader in community and humanitarian services.

    She said the Club has been partnering with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in campaigning against measles and other deadly diseases, donating to hospitals and empowering youths among others were to make life better for the less-privilege and society at large.

    Mrs Anobili urges the legitimate members to continue to make the humanitarian services their priority by focusing on a wide variety of service projects that would meet the international goals of the Club as well as the needs of their local communities.

    She appealed to them to ensure they deploy their talents to work for the improvement of their communities and the larger society.

    The Matron, Primary Health Care Centre, Olose, Ifo, Mrs Comfort Ojodu, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the Club for the gesture. She also said the gesture would go a long way in enhancing the well-being of the hospitals.

    She urged governments, clubs, political stalwarts, corporate organisations and individuals to assist in tackling infrastructure problems facing primary health care centres across the country.

    The major problems, she said included equipment, electricity, water, beds and chairs.

    She said it’s an awkward situation to use candles or lanterns to assist women when in labour rooms in the hospitals.

    She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to assist in sinking borehole systems, power generating sets and modern technology equipment.

     

     

     

  • Police arrest robbery suspects in Ogun

    • Arms, others recovered

    The police in Ogun State have arrested three robbery suspects – Yusuf Olatunji, Jamiu Babatunde and Tunde Ajasa– following a raid on their hideout at Gbaga Eriyo Ogijo community in Sagamu.

    A pistol, live cartridges, knives, cutlasses, bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, various mobile phones and charms were recovered during the raid carried out by a combined team of police and the State Vigilante Service.

    The suspects, who are assisting the police with  information, have been handed over to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

    Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the suspects were arrested on March 14 in an operation spearheaded by the Divisional Police Officer in Ogijo.

    Adejobi said the Command was mindful of the influx of some hoodlums and criminals from neighbouring states and has put measures in place to flush them out.

    He identified boundary towns, such as Ogijo, Ijebu- Ode, Ijebu-Igbo,  Isheri, Akute Ajuwon, Ota among others as hideouts of hoodlums and other miscreants migrating into the state.

    “We’re flushing the criminals out of their hideouts so that they will not have any conducive environment to operate.

    “These strategies of raid, intelligence gathering and rigorous patrol have paid off and the command will not relent in its efforts to sustain such.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, has praised the DPO for his good initiatives and achievements.

    “He has, however, challenged other DPOs to re-engineer these strategies to make their areas safe.  He emphasised on constant raid of black spots and promised to continue to encourage his officers and men to fight crimes,” Adejobi said.