Tag: Ogun
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Ogun at 40: Govt distributes 1,000 C of O to beneficiaries
The Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite has distributed 1,000 Certificates of Occupancy to the 11th batch of Homeowners’ Charter Programme beneficiaries to mark the 40th anniversary of the state.
Presenting the title documents to the elated beneficiaries at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Adegbite who was represented by the Director of Administration and Supply in the Ministry, Mr. Dolapo Adewunmi, said that thousands of people have become ‘’real landlords’’ under the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration which showed that the state government was sincere and always stand by its words.
He said the process of obtaining the documents was convenient and affordable for the citizens, noting that due process was followed in order for the exercise to be a success.
‘’In celebrating Ogun at 40, the present administration has worked hard to change the face of the State through Homeowners’ Charter programme and other notable projects such as the construction of Ogun Standard roads and flyover bridges, model schools, agriculture and rural development, youth empowerment, amongst others’’, he said.
Arch. Adegbite further gave the assurance that other qualified applicants under the scheme would soon receive their title documents.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning, Alh. Mufutau Adetimilehin said the benefits of Homeowners’ Charter Programme include elimination of ownership disputes and problems of land speculators ‘’Omoonile’’, promotion of an orderly and planned environment to mention but a few.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Babatunde Soyombo, from Ijoko-Lemode area of the state said that the title documents are genuine, affordable and had made them authentic property owners.
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Celebrating Ogun State at 40
WHEN it was carved out of the old Western Region in 1976, there was no doubt as to how Ogun State will evolve.
From day one, Ogun indigenes decidedly took up the mantle and marched doggedly into progress and greatness.
Perhaps this determination lies in the fact that several of the nation’s founding fathers hailed from the state. In the fields of law, medicine and accountancy, the state had produced first class brains like Sir Adetokunbo Ademola,- the first indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria-, Dr Elizabeth Awoliyi- the first female doctor – and Mrs Toyin Olakunri, – the first female Chartered Accountant. As far as Nigeria’s political history is concerned, the state has also produced among other noble men, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, world class citizens, who became Military Head of State and a two–term civilian President.
The State has however come very far from the mid-1970s. It has been blessed with visionary leaders, men and women of valour, who have successfully put to good use, its rich supply of natural, agricultural and human resources. Ogun is also home to tourists ‘monuments such as Olumo Rock, Abeokuta and Bilikisu Sugbo Shrine, Oke-Eri; both steeped deep in rich cultural histories.
Leading the roll call of astute politicians and fore-sighted leaders, is of course the revered late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, an indigene of Ikenne in Ikenne Local Government of the State, who as Premier of the Western Region, tapped into the rich potentials of Cocoa and laid the foundations for deep socio-economic changes.Awolowo remained a national icon and his legacy set the pace for the state’s resilience and creativity in good governance and development.
During the years of military administrations, Ogun State was to find its dynamism and passion for breaking new grounds. The sprawling Agbara Industrial and Residential Estates were established to take advantage of the state’s proximity to Lagos State. Today, the layout serves as a template for industry and housing sectors.
Fast forward to the 1979 elections in which the State’s first civilian governor, late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo, under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) came into office. Through Chief Onabanjo’s policies and programmes, he charted a way for the state. Thus, through carefully-designed socio-economic development agenda, he was able to move the state on the path of economic growth.
The Ogun State University, later renamed Olabisi Onabanjo University, was founded in 1982; located in Ago-Iwoye as a model for the ‘Gown meets Town’ development became a template for developing local manpower for the emerging giant.
By the time the Military took power in 1983, the state, through Onabanjo’s efforts, had commenced broadcasting from its own television and radio stations. Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation as Onabanjo declared at the time was created: “to evolve a distinctive character of its own and come out with a choice of programmes appealing to different interests”. Tourism and the hospitality industry were also high on the administration’s agenda when he established the Gateway Hotels in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Sango Ota respectively.
Other flagship projects reaped over the past four decades across the sectors including health, education, social welfare and roads, became the norm, as Ogun continued to blossom.
The peace and stability the state has enjoyed is not without the input of its traditional rulers who without exception, have contributed immensely to the state’s rich trado-cultural harmony. The social cohesion enjoyed by the citizenry is evident throughout the state.
Mention must also be made of the civilian governors who worked assiduously from Oke-Mosan to maintain the pace and growth. Formers state governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, further took Ogun State to new heights during their tenures, creating an enabling environment and human capacity building.
Under their charge, the state grew in leaps and bounds. Its vast areas of land and welcoming nature of its citizens attracted numerous private sector investors including faith-based groups to build their businesses, industries and organisations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway axis.
Certainly over the years, Ogun State has become the investors’ destination of choice. This feat was not achieved overnight but through painstaking planning of its leaders and administrators, both military and civilian. Of course, the state’s dedicated and vibrant civil service still serves as the engine room of government’s policies and programmes.
Ogun State which comprises 20 Local Government Areas and 236 Wards is blessed with mineral and agricultural resources including Limestone, Phosphate, Cocoa, Kola nuts, Cotton, Timber scattered around the state. It has enormous potentials to become a hub for mining, or solid minerals production and agro-processing.
Perhaps in recognition of this the current administration under the leadership of Senator Ibikunle Amosun disclosed plans by his administration to produce a mineral data map to guide investors.
This laudable policy demonstrates the profound nature of the Governor’s socio-economic agenda for the state.
Governor Amosun has in recent years also altered the physical landscape of the state through his massive construction of roads and bridges as part of the drive to usher in new phases of development and investment. Indeed, the state’s first bridge constructed in Abeokuta.
The beauty of this policy is that the physical infrastructure is not limited to the state capital of Abeokuta.
Governor Amosun has through his broad-based socio-economic plan, ensured that the major towns of Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu, have also become beneficiaries of his administration’s re-building mission.
Expansive new housing estates and new model schools are some of the components of his first tenure. Indeed, the administration with its current crop of technocrats’ and politicians looks set to do even more.
As Ogun marks 40 years of existence, I salute the leaders, past and present, for their vision and the citizenry for their support and resilience.
- Odeneye represents Ijebu-Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives
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Ogun set to improve LGs IGR
Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko, has tasked all local government heads in the state to improve more on their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to boost the socio-economic growth of the state, and keep their domains clean at all times.
Ojuko stated this while declaring open a workshop organised for Local Government Transition Committees at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. He said the purpose of the workshop was to create, enabling environment for those in local governments to meet as a family and deliberate on how to look inward and boost the Local Government IGR and ensure clean environment.
He said the present situation in the state requires the state and the local governments to look inward on ways to increase their IGR, but noted that “this cannot be achieved unless all stakeholders involved come together in one direction.’’
He also said there is a proposal before the state government to set up a mobile court at the local government levels to monitor their areas during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, where those caught violating environmental laws would be prosecuted accordingly. He added that the Local Government Councils could even generate more revenue through refuse collection and disposal.
Chairman, Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS), Mr Kunle Adeosun, stressed that allocations from the federal government has dropped drastically and decried the low rate of IGR at the local government level, which he said was due to leakages in revenue collection from the operators, non-payment by potential task payers and self-employed people.
Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Olusola Sonuga, commended the ministry for putting the workshop in place, pointing out that there was no way governance could be successful without carrying the local governments along.
In his remarks, Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Ogun State Chapter, Alh. Mojeed Ekelojumati appreciated the State Government for the workshop, adding that the association was set to contribute its quota to the Mission to Rebuild the State and meet the expectation of the governor, in his quest to improve the Internally Generated Revenue of the State.
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Ogun may penalise parents for pupils’ absenteeism
The Ogun State Government has warned that it would penalise parents and guardians whose wards are not in school during school hours without reasonable excuse.
A statement by the the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mrs Modupe Mujota, who gave the warning at a stakeholders meeting at her office in Abeokuta said henceforth, the government would monitor the movement of pupils and students in public schools across the state.
“Government will penalise parents whose children are not in school when they are supposed to. We will send out officials to visit homes whenever a child is not in school to ascertain why,” she said
She said the free education policy of the government was to ensure that every child has access to education, calling on parents/guardians to desist from sending their wards to hawk goods when they should be in the classroom.
Mrs Mujota also spoke of plans to register and do background checks on teachers to guard against rape, assault and other vices on the pupils.
To enable teachers teach the entrepreneurial subjects effectively, the commissioner said government would liaise with professionals/artisans to train teachers in the practical aspect of the subjects.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs Olabisi Akinnuga, called for a synergy between the ministry and its parastatals in the areas of training, and monitoring and evaluation of teachers to get the best for the learners.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun on his part, called for proper streamlining of supervision of the education sector among other supervising agencies to avoid conflict of interest.
The Director of Secondary and Higher Education, Mr. Johnson Odeyemi, observed with dismay the lop-sidedness in the distribution of teachers between the urban and rural areas, while the Ota Zonal Education Officer, Mr Samuel Olugbenga Olaotan pointed out that inconsistency is one of the problems plaguing the education sector in the country.
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Four battered, six others abducted in Ogun
At least four Operatives of the Ogun state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) were battered and six others abducted on Tuesday in a surprise attack on their Ibara Area office, Abeokuta, by men of the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS), Ogun state Command.
The armed squad of the NIS which stormed the TRACE office in ‘shock and awe’ fashion using two unmarked vehicles, began to shoot sporadically into the air, seized any TRACE officer on sight and also thoroughly beat up the unfortunate ones caught.
For over 45 minutes, pandemonium ensued as TRACE Operatives and their visitors abandoned the offices and fled for safety into neighbouring compounds, to escape the NIS attack, a witness told The Nation.
Those wounded during the assault include the Head of Operations, Olalekan Adewale, a member of Parking Management agency, Tomiwa Khaleed and two others.
The Nation gathered that NIS not content with storming the victims’ Area Office, also went round strategic areas in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, and abducted six TRACE Operatives on duty in different locations and took them away.
It was gathered that angry NIS officials were reacting to an alleged assault on their un-armed colleague earlier in the day at the Sapon area of the state capital by TRACE Corps.
It was further gathered that following bitter argument between the unarmed NIS officer and TRACE, eight traffic corps were said to have beaten him up on the allegation that he parked his car in a manner that constituted an obstruction to traffic at the Sapon area.
The Public Relations Officer of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the assault, said four persons were wounded while six others were abducted in different areas of the city.
He said,”I got a call this morning that some of our men were being picked random around Abeokuta by some immigration officers.
“Learnt that they contravened traffic rules around Sapon area and our men were trying to remove the number plate and pushed him and he fell.
“Presently the driver of that car had been taken to court for the contravention and attacking uniformed officers on duty.”
Reacting, the Public Relations Officer of NIS, Felix Kuti, said the TRACE officials provoked the reprisal attack, and also justified the abduction of six TRACE corps.
Kuti said, “Even in family, there is bound to be disagreements. But among the uniformed men, there should be ‘espirit de corp.’ As a uniformed man, if you see another uniformed man in trouble, you must come to his aid. But when that is not being respected, there is problem.
“The TRACE assaulted two of our men this morning and one of them is a Chief Superintendent of Immigration around Sapon area, they tore his uniform, and wounded him. He suffered injury to the mouth.
“They later took him away, up till now, we are yet to see him. There is something called law of reciprocity. If I am looking for my brother and I cannot locate him, and I know you have taken him, it is possible that I may be tempted to equally take yours. When you give me my own, I give you your own.”
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No incidence in Ogun, govt declares
There is no confirmed case of Lassa fever in Ogun State, the government declared yesterday.
It debunked rumour spreading around that cases of Lassa fever had been discovered in some parts of Ota in Ado- Odo/Ota local government area of the state.
The government directed all the 20 councils to mount effective surveillance across all the borders.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, stated these at a media chat in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Ipaye pointed out the surveillance became imperative after an index case was reported in Ojokoro, Lagos State, which is very close to Ota.
He assured the state will immediately embarks on vigorous campaign to sentisise residents against the virus using bottom-top approach communication system.
Ipaye said all health workers have been put on red alert across the 20 councils.
He added that Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, General Hospital in Abeokuta and Iberekodo Hospital have been designated as isolation centres should there be confirmed cases.
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Uncertainty greets Ogun varsity’s resumption plan
With the suspension of its teachers’ strike, the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) at Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State is set to resume. But students are sceptical about the planned resumption. Will the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) prove them wrong? WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.
Members of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have suspended their industrial action for which the institution was shut for four weeks.
Last Friday, the ASUU leadership called on its members to return to work but it was silent on the terms of agreement with the Ogun State government. Not all the students are enthusiastic about the planned resumption.
Some believe the issues that led to the strike were not “properly resolved” by ASUU and government. The truce, they said, may be temporal, adding that, it may not be long before the school is closed down again.
But, ASUU chairman Dr Deji Agboola said the strike was suspended after the union met with Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his team.
The lecturers declared an indefinite action last month over alleged non-payment of their 15-month salary and allowances by the government.
Before the strike, they held a rally on the campus tagged: “Prevent avoidable crisis in OOU”. They accused Amosun of neglecting and not funding the school. The union also claimed that the governor abandoned the institution’s capital projects.
The lecturers said it was wrong to fund the school through Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR), accusing the government of taking education as a commercial venture instead of social enterprise.
Students are not sure that they will resume soon.
Ade Benjamin, a Physics student, expressed doubt over the suspension of the strike. He said: “From the outset, I have supported the lecturers because they were not fighting for their pockets but for the development of the school. I am still dumbfounded by ASUU’s decision to call off the strike, because nothing has changed. Is it that the governor suddenly acceded to their demands?
“I feel that the union was cajoled into submission by the government. I will be sceptical about the news except ASUU clears the doubt of many students, who never knew how the agreement was reached. They must consider the fate of students being affected by the state of facilities in the school.”
A Biochemistry student, who gave his name as Oladipo, said: “From the look of things, another strike may be in the offing in the nearest future, because of the manner the matter was resolved.”
CAMPUSLIFE gathered that management has directed returning students to pay their fees on or before January 31. The students said the deadline was “too close”, given the prevailing harsh economic condition. Since the government stopped installmental method of payment, the students said it would be hard for them to pay the fees before the deadline.
Kehinde Olokonla, a Political Science student, said majority of students supported the lecturers’ action, because of what they called government’s neglect of the school. “This means that school fees are used to run the university, which ought not to be, because OOU is a public university. ASUU should have taken a lengthy time to negotiate. We have a government that probably sees no reason in the lecturers’ demand. I believe ASUU was forced to resume,” he said.
Dotun Adebusoye, a 200-Level Mass Communication student, said: “ASUU reiterated its commitment to engaging the government in constructive dialogue to resolve the matter. Today, the strike is over, the union and the government must have reached a solid agreement. It is the joy of every student that academic activities are back. Agreement is an agreement, whichever way it turns out. I believe ASUU has found joy in the agreement it reached with the government, which made it to call off the strike.”
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) Public Relations Officer, Damilola Adelesi, said the union stood with ASUU and supported its decision to end the industrial action.
He said: “We supported the action for its substance. ASUU duly notified the Students’ Union before the strike. We believe the struggle was for the benefit of all students. If the demands of ASUU are met, the university would be able to provide adequate facilities and academic materials for students’ use. The Students’ Union will always support decisions that will bring peace and growth to the university. But, we believe the suspension of the ASUU action is in the best interest of the university and students.”
Agboola has allayed the students’ fear about a possible strike in the future.
Speaking with our correspondent on telephone on Monday, Agboola denied that the union was cajoled into submission. He said the ASUU involved its national leadership in the negotiation with the government, pointing out that both parties met for eight hours before reaching an agreement.
He said: “We met with Governor Amosun on December 31. The ASUU team was led by Dr Dipo Fashina from the national secretariat. After the meeting with the governor, he directed the Secretary to the State Government to chair another round of meeting, which was attended by Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Vice-Chancellor, members of Governing Council and Pro-chancellor.
“After the meeting, we went back to meet the governor to clarify some grey areas. At the end of the day, both parties signed an agreement. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology signed on behalf of the government; Dr Fashina signed on behalf of the union. Then, we presented the agreement to the congress last week. The ASUU National Executive Council recommended that the strike be suspended based on agreement reached with the government.”
Agboola said there is no time frame for the implementation of the agreement, urging the students to not doubt the union’s decision. ASUU, he said, would not sign an impracticable agreement that may lead to another crisis.
The government, Agboola said, agreed to pay the teachers’ outstanding allowances, but added that the strike was not called off because of the money.
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We’re unaware of N100m allegedly received by Falae, says Ogun SDP
The Ogun State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday said it was neither notified of the N100m allegedly collected by its National Chairman, Chief Olu Falae, nor involved in the SDP’s decision to work for former President Goodluck Jonathan during the last presidential election.
In a statement by the state chairman, Olu Agemo, and the Publicity Secretary, Clement Adeniyi, the party denied receiving any financial or campaign logistics from the national secretariat of the party or any of its principal officers.
The national leader of SDP, Chief Olu Falae, was reported to have admitted collecting N100m from Chief Tony Anenih of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to campaign for the former President Jonathan as his party did not field a candidate for the presidency.
He also recalled that some key candidates of the SDP for the last general elections in Ogun state were joined Ogun PDP to receive the President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, to solicit support from Ijebu monarchs.
But, the Ogun SDP, in a statement titled: “Re: 2015 Election Campaign Funding”, they said that SDP in the state was never notified of or involved in any negotiation to partner with the PDP or any other party for the purpose of winning the election or maintaining peace during the period.
The statement said: “We were never informed by the national secretariat “of our Party of the decision to adopt former President Goodluck Jonathan or any other candidate as the party’s presidential candidate.
“We were never informed of any donation of funds to the party by the PDP or any other party.
“We plead with our members and supporters who have received these untoward revelations with great shock to remain calm and await the convocation of a general meeting where these issues shall be thoroughly discussed and appropriate decisions taken.
“We assure that the SDP in Ogun will continue to operate within ethical and moral norms as laid out in the principles of progressive welfarism established established by our progenitor-Chief Obafemi Awolowo – in the struggle to establish an egalitarian, peaceful and equitable nation,” the statement reads in part.”
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Ogun sensitises students on breast, cervical cancers
The Chairman of Governing Council of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Mr. Alaba Lawson, has urged female students of the institution to find out their status about breast and cervical cancers respectively.
Mrs Lawson said raising the awareness of the two deadly cancers was an effort to consolidate on the campaign to checking cancer pandemic among young girls and mothers, adding that the institution has acquired some equipment for testing patients on cancer.,
She spoke at the campus of the institution during a cancer campaign awareness jointly organised by the wife of Ogun State Governor, Olufunsho Amosun and the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN).
The campaign was led by Mrs Amosun and Iyalode Alaba Lawson.
Addressing the participants, Mrs Amosun gave cheery news that the state government would henceforth pick medical bills of cancer patients in the state.
Mrs Amosun also said the Senator Ibikunle Amosun -led administration has pledged to pick up the medical bills of Ogun women undergoing surgery for breast and cervical cancers.
Amosun’s wife was concerned that cases of ýbreast and cervical cancers appeared to be on the increase, saying experts have agreed that the two are leading deadly forms of cancer.
“Understanding how cancer spreads is of importance to humankind because if we are fortunate enough at this very moment not to be affected by the disease, we would know somebody that is affected or we could, at least, share the information because as we say, early detection is the only prevention.
“In the past, it has broken my heart that whený we do this screening exercise and awareness walks and talks, we do come across some sisters, daughters and women in general that do have cancer and each time I walk away without taking action.
“I go back home and I say to myself, now that I’ve told this woman that she has cancer, what am I doing to help her further? That is why this year, we are taking the campaign a step further and His Excellency, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has agreed to pay the medical bills of women who underwent surgery on cancer,” Mrs Amosun said.