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Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun launches School Sports Festival tagged OGSSFEST

    The Ogun State government is set to bring back the glorious days of yesteryears in sports, following the launch of the Ogun State Schools Sports Festival (OGSSFEST) in Abeokuta last week (Dec 30, 2015).

    Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) between the government and the consultants on the project, Youth and Sports Commissioner,  Moroof Afolabi Afuwape, said the Amosu administration was committed to making the state “the factory of sports stars in Nigeria”.

    “The administration has upgraded the sport infrastructure in the state to first-class status and no state in Nigeria boasts of what we have at our stadiums and we have the technocrats. What remains for us is to bring in the private sector to drive first-class competitions. The GT Principals Cup and OGSSFEST are the pioneering efforts in this regard,” he said.

    The commissioner said the government believes success in sports is connected to age and that sports super stars needed to be caught and nurtured very young.

    “It is of no use discovering a football, tennis or athletics star in his or her late 20s. Most sports thrive on the ‘catch them young’ and now that sports is big business, we also see OGSSFEST as a way of fighting crime and unemployment in the land,” he said.

    Afuwape called on corporate organisations and philanthropists to embrace OGSSFEST “not just as corporate social responsibility(CSR) but in order to reap heaps of marketing advantages as over 4,000 kids will participate in the yearly competition.”

    In his response, the Managing Director of Newswatch Times Magazine,  Bolu John Folayan, said the competition would be the first of its kind in Nigeria and perhaps in Africa.

    He said a consortium of sports marketing and sports media experts are coming together to complement the state government’s initiative, not just to discover the stars of tomorrow but to also nurture them to stardom and make them financially self-sustaining.

    Folayan commended the Amosu administration on the initiative and expressed confidence that the festival would fulfill its objectives.

  • Ogun promises pension payment

    Ogun promises pension payment

    The Ogun State Bureau of Local Government Pensions has said it is committed to sustain the economic independence of local government retirees through payment of pensions and gratuities.

    The Bureau’s Permanent Secretary, Ayo Kolawole, said this while defending the budget for 2016 before the House of Assembly in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    Kolawole proposed N29.5 million as the expenditure for the fiscal year, of which recurrent expenditure stood at N19.5 million, while capital expenditure is N10 million.

    He noted that the Bureau hoped to use the N10 million capital cost to acquire a Toyota Hiace Bus to enhance service delivery through effective monitoring and supervision of pension management in the 20 local governments.

    Chairman of the Finance and Appropriation Committee Akanbi Bankole praised the Bureau for the work done.

     

  • Ogun charges agency on maternal/pre-natal death

    Ogun charges agency on maternal/pre-natal death

    The Ogun State Government has charged the State Steering Committee on review of Maternal and Pre-natal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) to sustain the high standard record it has set as the first state in the country to inaugurate a committee to tackle maternal and pre-natal death in the country.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Nofiu Aigoro, gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at the Annual Review Meeting on Maternal and Pre-natal Death Surveillance and Response System organised by the State Primary Health Care Development Board in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    Ipaye also urged the committee not to focus only on mortality reviews, but in addition carry out a comprehensive surveillance on unwarranted deaths of mothers and children during delivery.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Moses Alao, assured the state government and the people that the committee would continue to carry out the review of maternal and pre-natal death, learn from its causes and intensify efforts on surveillance in order to avert future occurrence in line with its slogan ‘no name, no blame’.

    Also speaking, the Consultant on MPDSR in the state, Dr. Akinkunmi Akinbajo explained that the committee, since its inauguration in 2012, had embarked on the review of MPD, maintaining that efforts are on to control the incident across the state.

    He assured that the committee would not relent on its commitment until the set objectives, goals and positive results were achieved in reducing maternal and mortality rate in the state.

    Earlier in her goodwill message, the State Advisor for United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA), Dr. Titi Duro Aina, applauded the giant strides of the state government towards eliminating maternal and pre-natal deaths in the state.

  • ‘Yewa’ll work to produce Ogun governor in 2019’

    •Monarchs call for unity

    The Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, has called on his people to appraise their situation in Ogun State and chart the best way forward.

    Also, the Olubara of Ibaraland, Oba Jacob Omolade, urged the Yewa to ensure that an indigene emerged the governor in 2019.

    The duo gave the advice in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area on Saturday at a civic reception for indigenes of Yewaland.

    The reception was held at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion, Empire Field in Ilaro.

    Oba Omolade, who was the royal father of the day, said the Yewa people must occupy the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office and should not let the opportunity slip off as it had since the state was created in 1976.

    The monarch said former President Olusegun Obasanjo wanted a Yewa person as governor when he backed Gen Adetunji Olurin in the 2011 general poll.

    He said: “I had wanted Obasanjo to be here with us because he has always supported our cause. He backed Olurin. We tried for Olurin to be governor but we did not succeed.

    “Also, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka came out at the same time. But we thank God because if it was our time, one of them would have won. But our time has now come.

    “The Yewa monarchs have started working. I would enjoin our people to rise up to the occasion. May God help us. I urge Oba Olugbenle to set up a committee of veteran politicians so that in 2019, the crisis, division and disunity we experienced in 2011 would not occur.

    “We tried our best, but failed. But if we allow our elders, only one candidate would be presented. We are not talking about party here. The Egba, the Remo and Ijebu are expecting us to do something. But when we are not united, how do we do that?

    “So, whoever emerges as the governorship candidate, we should support him. You politicians, I want you to talk to yourselves because we find it difficult to control you. If I could come from Abeokuta to talk to you, you should know this is a serious matter.”

    Oba Olugenle, in his welcome speech, advised his people to forget the acrimony arising from their unsuccessful attempts to produce a governor and focus on breaking the jinx in 2019.

    Olugbenle urged them to unite and forge a formidable front in the interest of the people and their socio – economic and political progress.

    Oba Olugbenle said: “I enjoin us to carry the flag and banner of Yewa and indeed Ogun State anywhere we find ourselves with dignity and integrity. Let us be the change agents our people and the nation desire at this time.

    “We should reflect more on what the future holds for us in Yewaland almost 40 years after the creation of Ogun State. Let us forget about the past and with optimism, look into the greatness ahead. Where we are going as a division in Ogun State is more important than where we are coming from.”

    At the event were University of Lagos Vice Chancellor Prof. Rahmon Bello; Second Republic Minister of National Planning Mrs. Ebun Oyagbola; former Ekiti State Military Administrator Gen Adetunji Olurin; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI); the senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola and Speaker of the House of Assembly Suraj Adekunbi Ishola.

    Present also were three members of the House of Representatives, Jimoh Ojugbele, Kayode Oladele and Adekunle Akinlade; Rector of the  State Institute of Technology, Igbesa Dr. Olufunke Akinkurolere; two commissioners of police, Mr. Rasheed Akintunde and Mr. Olusola Amore and Emeritus Professor Anthony Asiwaju.

  • Ogun equips Hospital with N200m equipment

    Ogun equips Hospital with N200m equipment

    The Ogun State Government has equipped some hospitals in the state with medical equipment worth N200million towards providing efficient and affordable health care service delivery to the people. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, made this known while handing over one anaesthetic and two infant incubator machines to the Chief Medical Director of Olabisi-Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Alfred Jaiyesimi, in Abeokuta.

    Other items handed over to the hospital include two Anaesthetic machines, six infant incubators, 50 British parturition bed, blood bank, magnesium sulphates and suction machines. Dr. Ipaye, in a statement signed by the Hospital Management Board’s Press Officer, Mrs. Gbemisola Ogolo, said the use of the anaesthetic machine would help in reducing pains patients usually undergo during surgery, as it would aid sleep, while the incubator was capable of increasing the survival chances of pre-mature babies in the hospitals.

    The Commissioner said, “the equipment will enable the teaching hospital to make maximum use of its expertise and their operating theatre for many more people to benefit”. He explained that an anaesthetic machine and infant incubator were also donated to Oba-Ademola hospital, while General Hospital, Ilaro was given an incubator and blood bank, 50 parturition beds and two incubators were given to State Hospital, Ota.

    The Permanent Secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde, said the provision of the equipment would no doubt boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the hospitals, adding that the anaesthetic machine would also reduce the postponement of surgery and enable the hospitals accommodate more patients. Dr. Jaiyesimi commended the State Government for the huge donation, saying that the equipment would boost performance, assuring that the equipment would be adequately used and maintained to stand the test of time.

  • Ogun pays Dec salary, bonus

    Ogun pays Dec salary, bonus

    The Ogun State government has announced the payment of December salary and a 10 per cent bonus to workers.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG)  Taiwo Adeoluwa said the payment was to ensure that civil servants celebrate the Yuletide without financial stress.

    The payment was effected not only for civil servants but also local government, judicial service commission and government agencies’ workers.

     

  • N6b tourist centre lands in Ogun

    N6b tourist centre lands in Ogun

    How much does it take to bring a planet into existence? Solutions Media has spent about N6 billion on such a project. The multibillion naira High Impact Planet project on Kilometre 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway opened last Friday as an avant-garde tourist centre, Paul Ade- Adeleye reports. 

    High Impact Planet is a kind of project that posterity may one day study in order to replicate and develop upon in order to advance the seemingly dysfunctional sector of tourism in the country.

    It is the product of intense brainstorming on what could be done to grant the children of the country a new childhood experience without their travelling abroad where they would get abridged entertainment and fun.

    From facilities such as freestyler to hoopla, Mexican fiesta, Samba balloon, dream machine, jump around bumper cars, watermania, Rio train, Boeing 777 always outperforming ride and ice rink, the tourists centre, which sits on about 185,000m2 land boasts of state of the art equipment.

    In addition to the attractions are a clinic, banking hall and ATM, guest accommodation, food courts, and a multi-purpose hall. This multi-purpose hall is capable of accommodating between 6000 and 8000 people, depending on the arrangement for the event to be held there. Also, provisions have been made for a souvenir court where the guests can purchase souvenirs.

    However, the Planet is not only for children, as adults too will find themselves having a lot to helplessly grin about. There is no better way to elucidate on what can only be described as the ultra-modern specifications of the planet – a planet that will soon have Disney Land looking over its shoulder – than to individually pick out its many facilities.

     

    Size and location

    The tourists centre sits on about 185,000m2. It is located at Kilometre 12, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, opposite Mountain Top University. According to the Solutions Media’s chairman, the location was deliberately selected for a number of reasons. First, it would be perilous to erect steel structures where there is salt water. Many of the equipment at the amusement park are made of steel. Also, it is a way of shifting focus from the already congested Lagos town planning system. It has so far brought development to the area it is situated. In addition, the journey away from the city will add to the recreational feel of things. The journey will provide an added effect of holidays and recreation to the experience that will await the children at the park. So far, only 35 percent of the land has been used.

     

    Facilities and features

    This is the juiciest part of High Impact Planet. All equipment has been designed to maximise the relaxing ambience of the planet. It is important to note that provisions have also been made to ease the experience of those on wheel chairs. They were all designed by European technical crew, and it would be imperative to note that they are all state of the art equipment. There is a surfing simulator called the freestyler. For those willing to be tossed about a bit in all directions, the hoopla would be a welcome ride, and for those willing to try a little South American fun, there are the Mexican Fiesta, and the Samba Balloon. Another amusement ride to try out is the Dream Machine, a flying carousel that can accommodate about 1240 people/hr. For the automobile savvy, there are the Jump Around, an avant-garde interactive family ride; and the indoor Bumper Cars; a set of flat electronic cars. The aqua lovers are not left out too as there are the Watermania rides, as well as the indoor Bumper Boats. No room has been allowed for lovers of the locomotive and all other such railroad vehicular system to feel left out. There are the Rio-Train rides and the Convoy rides which both operate on the rail system to simulate the real transport effect, complete with a thumping engine emitting fake smoke. Those who have a morbid fear of just about anything can attempt conquering their fear can have a go at the Haunted House where they are promised a terrific time, and they can also stroll through the jungle for a less terrifying but equally amusing time with the ‘animals’. Other death defying rides are the Vertical Swing, the Spring Ride, and an enterprise spinner (a 40m high Ferris wheel) that spins people out of whatever misery dogged them there.

    The indoor attractions are mostly simulators. There is a ride called the Boeing 777 Always Outperforming ride, simulating an air travel system. Then the Ice Rink awaits those who want to try their legs at Ice Skating, and for the movie lovers, there is a 5D cinema which will enable the viewers to engage their senses and feel virtually every nuance of the movie world. Hunting enthusiasts will enjoy the hunting experience of the Big Buck Panorama and sci-fi lovers would be adequately advised if they try the Aliens Armageddon. Crazy Jump, the indoor trampoline system is available for children. Other attractions are the Transformers Deluxe, Pacman Smash, I Combat, and Pump It Up Fiesta.

    royal horsetail, and garbed in the kente attire peculiar to Ghana, but now worn widely in Africa. That the symbols in question are derived from the African culture speaks volumes concerning the Pan-African nature of the organisation. The elephant symbolises strength which means that High Impact has the strength to accommodate very many people, which is a staggering 120,000 people. The beads and the horsetail are indicative of authority like that which used to be bestowed upon the rulers of old. They symbolise Solutions Media as an authority in the field of entertainment and tourism, as well as being a scrupulous organisation that sets great store by integrity.

     

    Restrooms

    Apart from the many restrooms inside all the structures in the planet, there is a general restroom system which can accommodate 90 people at a go – 45 males, 45 females. Provisions have also being made for little children who have not yet mastered proper usage of the water closet system. They will use specially constructed water closets crafted to their size.

     

    Security

    One of the reasons High Impact Planet has been constructed is because of the difficulties in going abroad due to the security threats now prevalent in Europe. As such, High Impact Planet is fitted with maximum security systems. Upon entry, all baggage will be scanned with ultra-modern scanning implements and explosion-detection device. Before entering the amusement park, guests are going to have to go through turnstiles which will once more scan them, and there are cameras at all points that will ‘keep an eye on things’ in order to prevent mishaps. In case of emergencies, guests would be required to gather at certain points which are located throughout the park from which exits can be made without the danger of a stampede. There is an expandable parking lot which can, so far, accommodate 2,500 cars and these cars are not parked at owner’s risk. They will be constantly watched. Added to this, a police station is under construction nearby to provide additional security to both the community and the resort.

     

    Staff

    High Impact has dealt with the issue of inefficiency on the staff’s part by employing staff which are well trained in their duties. According to the chairman of Solutions Media, 85 percent of the staff have been trained overseas in the best possible environments. The in-house doctor of the clinic has been trained in the United Kingdom as well as Nigeria and is certified to practise in both countries. High Impact Planet can employ about 2,000 staff which is a great way of solving the issue of unemployment in the country.

     

  • Re: Ogun the real change

    Re: Ogun the real change

    SIR: I read the article: The real change by Sola Lawal publicity Secretary, All Progressive Congress Ogun State (The Nation Thursday Nov. 19, P18) and have the following comments to make.

    The publicity secretary is entitled to his opinion on the achievements of Governor Ibikunle Amosun especially as regarded urban renewal and developments. However, the writer forgot the most important factor of production in economics and management which is labour or human resources. Retired civil servants in Ogun State, local government, teachers in primary schools most of whom retired at the prompting of the state government in 2011 when the news of ending the former pension scheme that guarantees pension for life as against the new scheme, which deals with the contributory pension and the pension managers led to the exodus of lots of unripe staffers from the service – know better. Unfortunately the old scheme had been extended to 2025.

    We acknowledge, the fact that the monthly pensions are being paid as at when due in state. However, the payment of pension rates of N2,000, 10,000 to pensioners who retired before the review of the minimum wage of N18,000 in 2008, has led to the death of many of these pensioners due to minor health challenges as a result of non-payment of their gratuity. As of today, the Bureau of Local Government has only paid the gratuity of local government pensioners to October or November, 2011.

    The state government signed a law transferring local government retirement benefits bond redemption fund to Ogun State Government which has caused the delay of payment of local government staffers gratuity, which as at today stand at over N10.5b. The state government stopped payment of state contribution to local government pension fund since 2012, which is against the law of the land and the constitution. The Ogun State government has also refused to reconstitute the Bureau of Pension which is statutorily charged with the responsibility of managing the pension funds in the state.

    Physical development has to go hand in hand with the human development. The rate at which local government pensioners are dying is alarming due to non-payment of their gratuity. The real change the retirees want in Ogun state is the prompt payment of gratuity and harmonization of the pension rate in the state, to enable the pensioners, who had served the state for  more than 30 years before retiring live a decent life.

     

    • Chief. S. A. Onasanya,

    Action Committee of Local Government Retirees,

    Ilisan, Remo, Ogun State

     

  • Police assault woman in Ogun

    Police assault woman in Ogun

    A woman, Mrs Risikat Abosede Bamidele, is lying ill after a taste of “police brutality” last Sunday.

    She lost her two-month pregnancy after she was, allegedly, battered at the Kemta Division of the Ogun State Police Command by a senior police officer.

    Mrs. Bamidele, a non-teaching staff of Catholic Comprehensive High School, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, claimed she was nine weeks pregnant when she visited the Kemta Police Station.

    Her husband, Tunde, had been detained, because of a work-related matter.

    The victim, who spoke from her bed at the State Hospital, Ijaiye, claimed she was phoning her brother-in-law, Vincent Olubodun, when the senior policeman beat and shoved her in various directions.

    According to her, she was detained on Saturday evening when she visited the police station to see her husband.

    She bled throughout the night and discovered the miscarriage on Monday after she was released on bail.

    Mrs. Bamidele said the doctors confirmed that “I suffered a miscarriage”.

    She said: “When I got to the police station, my husband gave me his phone to call his brother.

    “As I was making the call, I saw a man. I never knew he was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO). He said ‘you’re very stupid, you’re phoning after 8pm, you don’t know we don’t phone here after 8′.

    “I apologised and said I wasn’t aware because the other officers didn’t stop me.

    “He grabbed my phone and called a police officer to arrest me. They harassed  and pushed me around.

    “My husband rushed out shouting ‘she’s pregnant, don’t push her,’ that was when the man started slapping and shouting at me.

    “During the night, I had serious cramps and I informed the policeman who told me there was nothing he could do. He ordered me to go and sleep but I couldn’t sleep.

    “I started bleeding and my husband gave me money to buy sanitary towel, which I used and I was released the following day.

    “I was told that my offence was that I didn’t leave the phone at the counter.”

    Her husband, Tunde, told reporters that he was arrested and detained for demanding  N894, 000 debt owed him and his colleagues by an unnamed construction company.

    He said:  “Before we were detained, the police said my colleagues and I should write statements and I said I wasn’t ready to write any statement.

    “At 7pm, my wife called me because I am diabetic and she came to the station to see me.

    “When she arrived, I gave her my phone to call my brother and what I started hearing from inside was ‘bastard, go inside’.

    “She was detained. My clothes were removed, water poured on me and the instruction that I should be smoked with teargas.”

    But police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the case had not been formally reported to the Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali.

    Adejobi advised the victim and her family to officially complain to the commissioner of police.

    Adejobi said: “I just got information from the media; the case has not been brought to our notice.

    “I urge the family to write an official complaint letter to the commissioner.

    “If this report is true, I can assure you the commissioner will have personal interest in the case because this is strange to the command and we will not allow anyone to tarnish our image.”

  • School produces best NECO results in Lagos, Ogun

    School produces best NECO results in Lagos, Ogun

    •Learn Africa rewards 111 candidates 

    It was double honour for Isolog Group of Schools as two of its former pupils were presented with the Learn Africa-NECO awards for recording the best performance in the 2015 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) last Tuesday.

    With five A1 and four B2, Justin Nwaoha of Isolog College, Ojodu, had the best result in the examination in Lagos State; while Taofeek Adelaja, who sat for the examination at Isolog College, Alagbole, Akute, had three A1 and five Bs – the best result in Ogun State.

    The award programme, which was to reward the top three candidates at the state category held at the Head Office of Learn Africa Plc in Ikeja, Lagos State.

    Justin, who also had the best result in the May/June 2015 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in Lagos State, is the second overall best in the NECO SSCE nationwide and would be rewarded at the national category award to be hosted by Learn Africa on December 2 at the Protea Hotel, Ikeja.

    The 17-year old, who has been admitted to study Medicine at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), attributed his feat to God and hard work.

    “I knew that it is just by God’s grace.  For other students I will say it is hard work and also prayers because God crowns efforts with success,” he said.

    Group Administrator, Isolog Schools, Mr Kehinde Olowe, said the school was delighted to achieve such feat, attributing it to a reward from the Almighty for the investments they made to achieve quality education delivery.

    “Starting from the quality of teachers that we have; we have not compromised on that at all.  And the facilities in school are such that a very ready student to learn will find it comfortable to learn and do well.  And we have not been disappointed from our performances,” he said.

    Olowe said the results were achieved without recourse to examination malpractice.

    Taofeek’s mother, Mrs Monsurat Bolatito Adelaja, attested to the school’s focus on integrity and hard work.

    “You know they are Deeper Life; they don’t teach people in the examination.  What they do is that they will train them before the examinations.  Parents used to complain.  Me, I used to say that ‘this is too much.’ They would resume by 7am and close by 5.  Sometimes this boy would not sleep before 2am.  He will say Mummy wake me up by 3, I will not wake him until maybe around five because I will be afraid so there won’t be any problem,” she said.

    Taofeek was nicknamed Sleeping Handsome in school because he used to sleep during classes as a result of late night studies.  The 16-year-old who has already been admitted to study Chemical Engineering at UNILAG, praised the school for its efforts on the pupils.

    “The school is known for honesty.  During examinations external subject teachers are not allowed close to the hall.  Our director really detests cheating,” he said.

    Justin and Taofeek got N40,000 each and certificates for their efforts.  Second placed Folorunsho Temitope from Ota Total Academy, Ogun State; and Kenechukwu Okuze of Apostolic Faith Secondary School, Anthony, Lagos State, were rewarded with N30,000 each; while third placed Paul Ofili of Jextoban Secondary School, Ketu, Lagos, got N20,000.

    Teachers that produced the best candidates in each state were also rewarded with N40,000 each.

    The teachers’ prizes for Lagos and Ogun went to Isolog Schools teachers, Mrs Ena Kpagban, who teaches English; and Mr Stephen Adekunbi, who teaches Chemistry.

    Managing Director, Learn Africa Plc, Mr Segun Oladipo said in his speech that the awards were instituted to encourage excellence.

    “They were instituted to underscore the significant role that excellence in education can play in achieving our national goals and aspirations.  We trust that the awards will encourage strong commitment to learning, celebrate diligent scholarship and healthy rivalry among students,” he said.