The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun names school, estate after HID Awolowo

    Ogun names school, estate after HID Awolowo

    •Schools, markets closed tomorrow

    The Ogun State government has named the state-owned Model School in Ikenne and Plain Fields Estate, Abeokuta after the late Mrs. Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolowo..

    The Model School and Plain Fields Estate are being built by the Ibikunle Amosun administration.

    Former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande; Minister of Solid Minerals Kayode Fayemi, his wife; Bisi, yesterday joined the  people to celebrate the life of the matriarch of the Awolowo family.

    For hours, dignitaries including Governor Amosun, chairman of the defunct Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan; Chief Ayo Adebanjo and ex -military administrator of Ekiti State Gen Tunji Olurin extolled the virtues of Yeye Odua.

    Amosun, Shonekan, Adebanjo and Olurin, who spoke at the Gateway International Stadium,  Sagamu, venue of the celebration, described Mama Awolowo as an “exemplary woman,” a “ great mother, grandmother and a true daughter of Ogun State”.

    Amosun enjoined Yoruba women and Nigerians to imbibe Mama’s core values of selfless love and service to humanity.

    According to the governor, the State Executive Council (SEC) concluded that one of the best ways in which the state could immortalise Mama Awolowo was to sustain the ideals and philosophy, which she stood for.

    He noted that the late Yeye Odua worked for the stability of the Awolowo dynasty, standing by her husband throughout his political travails.

    “We should imbibe her ideals, selfless service and love for humanity because it is the greatest legacy we can leave for Mama. We should copy all the good virtues, values and attributes of Mama HID because that is the way to honour her.

    “Mama worked for the stability of Papa’s dynasty. She stood solid and resolute not only for the Awolowo family but also for the Yoruba. She was a good woman, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and daughter of Ogun State,” Amosun said.

    For Shonekan, HID Awolowo was a rallying point in progressives’ politics, an exemplar in character, who worked diligently for the economic and socio-political development of Yorubaland.

    He said Mama’s support for her husband was unique, adding that her “indelible marks on the sands of time and the legacies left behind will continue to speak for her”.

    Speaking on behalf of the family, Mama’s eldest daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran, said the show of love by Nigerians attested to their appreciation of what her parents did for the country.

    The government has directed that all markets and public schools in Remo be closed tomorrow.

    This was contained in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa.

    It stated that the closure was a mark of respect for the late matriarch.

    The release, however, said the directive would affect only schools Ikenne, Remo North and Sagamu Local Government Areas.

     

    ”Government, hereby, appeals to market men and women as well as residents of the state to troop out en-masse to give late Mrs Awolowo a befitting burial,” it said

     

    At the ceremony are wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, Ambassador Olatokunbo Awolowo – Dosunmu, Chief Doja Adewolu, the General Overseer of Deeper Life Christian Ministry, Pastor Williams Kumuyi, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, among others.

     

  • Hoodlums set girl, 8, ablaze in Ogun

    IMG_20151105_113121
    •Sangotoki

    AN eight-year old girl, Abosede Sangotoki, has been set ablaze by hoodlums at Amode Oke-Ore in Ado-Odo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    Her father’s building was also torched when the hoodlums stormed the village.

    Eyeswitnesses said the hoodlums wet the girl and the building with petrol before setting them ablaze.

    Eight other houses were also razed.

    Baale Samuel Olawale Sangotedo, who is also Abosede’s grandfather, said  the hoodlums came in five commercial buses and many motorcycles around 2pm on August 19.

    “Everything happened so fast we could not wait to pick any of our valuables. We fled into nearby bushes and they still came after us. We ran far into the bushes before they turned back.

    “While some of us are now managing at our relatives’ homes, others are sleeping in churches, mosques and shops. We cannot go back to Oke-Ore because the hoodlums are still there. They are threatening to kill whoever comes back”, Sangotedo said.

    •Hannah
    •Hannah

    His wife Hannah described the incident as barbaric and shocking, adding:

    “Abosede was on holiday when I went to pick her at her parent’s home to come and spend the holiday with me. She did not really understand the intrigues  surrounding the village land ownership tussle. Immediately they came, we all dashed into the bush, but she waited too long”.

    Baale Sangotedo traced the cause  of the incident to a land tussle decided by an Ota High Court in April.

    His family, he said, won the case, adding that since the verdict, the  other party has resorted to lawlessness and hooliganism.

    He said the Ogun State House of Aassembly tried to resolve the matter, all to no avail.

    Inspector-General of police Solomon Arase has drafted detectives from Abuja to investigate the matter.

    The detectives arrested six persons, who were arrainged before an Ota Chief Magistrate Court on a six-count charge of conspiracy, arson, murder and kidnapping.

    Their plea was not taken. The court ordered that they be remanded in prison custody, pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

     

  • Ogun to partner insurance brokers’ council

    Ogun to partner insurance brokers’ council

    Ogun State Government will partner the Nigeria Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) on disaster management and enforcement of law on insurance of public buildings.

    Commissioner for Finance Mr. Adewale Oshinowo spoke when members of the Council visited him in his office at Abeokuta.

    Oshinowo said collaborating with professional insurance brokers on unexpected risk would enable the state concentrate on its resources and other challenging sectors. He said despite the dwindling economy, the government would continue to put in place necessary palliative measures to give relief to its citizens.

    “This is a time to collaborate with each other, when people appreciate a bailout in case of negative happenings so they can have a second way out,” he said.

    The Council‘s President, Mr. Kayode Okunoren noted that for any nation to develop economically, insurance should be accorded a pride of place, stressing that no nation can have sustainable economic development by making insurance its last consideration.

    According to him, insurance funds constitute a larger percentage of investible reserves of most progressive nations, apart from guaranteeing peace of mind which is germane to progress.

    Okunoren regretted that the law on insurance of public buildings that was promulgated to protect citizens against losses was not adhered to by most states.

    He therefore solicited for the support of the government in the area of compliance with law enforcing insurance on public buildings and disaster management.

     

  • Ogun, NCRIB partner on building, disasters insurances

    Ogun, NCRIB partner on building, disasters insurances

    Ogun State government has collaborated with the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) to enforce relevant Acts on insurance of public buildings.

    The state also stated its readiness to partner brokers in the area of disaster management and enforcement of Section 64 and 65 of Insurance Act 2003 on insurance of public buildings.

    The Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo while receiving the NCRIB delegation to the State Secretariat, said the need to engage insurance professionals in risk management is pertinent.

    He said: “In view of recent incessant building collapse and other forms of disasters across the nation, it is expedient for the state, which prides itself as the economic hub of the nation and its proximity to Lagos, to partner with brokers to win more investors mind.

    “It is a known fact that Ogun is one of the most strategic states in Nigeria today, partly because of its proximity to Lagos which has remained the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.

    “Government could also be saved of unnecessary hassle of dolling out the meagerly acquired fund of the state to compensate victims of insurable disaster when insurance professionals could handle same at a very minimal cost.”

    He enjoined brokers to think out of box and be more creative in their product development that would directly impact people’s lives.

    NCRIB President, Kayode Okunoren, who led the delegation on the courtesy visit, applauded the state government under the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun for human and physical transformation which has been recorded in the state since he assumed office.

    According to him, no country can have sustainable economic development by making insurance its last consideration. Funds from insurance constitute a large percentage of investible reserves of most progressive nations apart from guaranteeing peace of mind which is germane to progress, he said.

    Okunoren regretted that the law on insurance of public buildings that was promulgated to protect citizens against losses is not being adhered to by most states.

    He solicited for the support of the state in the area of compliance with law enforcement on public building and a disaster management through insurance.

  • 500 get title documents in Ogun

    500 get title documents in Ogun

    Another batch of 500 persons who subscribed to the Ogun State government’s Homeowner’s Charter Scheme, have received title documents-Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of their properties.

    Addressing the beneficiaries at Oke-Mosan, the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, assured other applicants who satisfied the requirements of the scheme that they also would receive their title documents soon.

    Adeoluwa, who represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the event, said the state government would continue to deliver the documents in batches.

    “I assure applicants who are yet to be attended to, that we will not relent in ensuring that our dream of processing title documents for the people of Ogun State at discounted rate is achieved.

    “All programmes aimed at achieving the re-building mission of the present administration would be realised while all ongoing projects would also be completed and delivered as scheduled,” Adeoluwa said.

    He, therefore, appealed for people’s understanding and support in the face of increasing economic challenges. He pledged that the state is striving hard to attain self-sufficiency.

     

  • Amosun’ll do more in Ogun, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has said the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration will sustain its massive socio-economic achievements, following the reconstitution of the Executive Council.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Sola Lawal, in a statement in Abeokuta, said the government was positioned to ensure the speedy completion of projects and also undertake infrastructural projects in line with its five cardinal programmes.

    Lawal said the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State, which the Amosun administration embarked upon in its first term, would take a new toga by enhancing infrastructural development.

    “The APC ruling government in its first term left no one in doubt that it was committed to fulfilling its promises.

    “The significant improvement in security, free education in primary and secondary schools, massive infrastructural development as well as the provision of affordable health care services are among the programmes that have renewed the people’s hope.”

  • Ogun goes tough on deforestation

    Ogun goes tough on deforestation

    •To encourage private participation in forestry

    The Ogun State government has vowed to go tough on deforestation in the state in addition to encouraging private participation in forest reserve development.

    The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, stated this during a meeting of the National Executive Council of Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) held at the Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    Represented by the commissioner for forestry, Mr. Kola Lawal, the governor said close monitoring of the forest reserve would be embarked upon, adding that massive deforestation of large expanse of forest, over exploitation of wood resources, destruction of forest by native nomadic cattle rearers and excessive hunting of wild animals would soon be a thing of the past.

    He said the present administration had done so much not only to address the problems, but to gradually eradicate the challenges through proactive measures that would take into consideration the well being of rural dwellers, communities as well as the restoration of the forest in the state.

    He added that in the last four years, his administration had employed more forest guards to patrol the forest, saying that the State would encourage private participation in forestry development in the State.

    He said: “The mission of the state government in forestation is to encourage private participation in forestry development, such as the Lafarge/Ogun partnership on carbon reduction through Agro-Forestry Program.”

    The governor further disclosed that the State would continue to strengthen forest institutions, extend forest reserves and training of task force against the eradication of cocoa farms, review and implementation of forestry and wild life laws.

  • Ogun HoS takes oath of office

    Ogun HoS takes oath of office

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday swore in Abraham Adeyemi as the Head of Service (HoS) at the State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    Adeyemi was appointed on October 19, following the retirement of Mrs Modupe Adekunle on September 30.

    Amosun urged the HoS to strengthen the civil service and ensure greater service delivery.

    The governor advised him to build on the performance of his predecessors and strive to promote a conducive working environment.

    “Please note that your appointment comes with added responsibilities beyond that of a permanent secretary.

    “We expect that you will use your office to motivate the workers to key into the government’s rebuilding mission,” he said.

    The governor urged the family of the new HoS to show understanding as his new duties would demand more time from home.

    Adeyemi thanked the governor and the government for considering him worthy of the appointment.

    He pledged to do his best to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors and strengthen the civil service for increased productivity.

     

  • Ogun rehabilitates roads

    The Ogun State government has completed the rehabilitation of two federal roads within its domain in a bid to alleviate the problems faced by motorists and other road users. The roads are Owode- Ijako, in Ifo Local Government Area of the State and Sagamu- Ogijo road, Sagamu Local Government Area.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Kayode Ademolake, in a statement by the agency’s spokesman Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, said the state government took the initiative to rehabilitate the roads because in recent times, the heavy down pour has almost cut off these roads including the Lagos- Abeokuta old road due to erosion.

    “The Lagos-Abeokuta old road was badly damaged before we moved in to safe the situation about 500 metres of it was impassable; same thing happened to Ogijo-Sagamu road where about three locations were cut off by erosion,” the statement read.

  • Ogun NYSC begins rural health care scheme

    Ogun NYSC begins rural health care scheme

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ogun State has begun rural health care programme for rural communities.

    Its Coordinator, Mr. James Afolayan, said no fewer than 10,000 rural dwellers will benefit from the newly inaugurated Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme.

    Afolayan, who spoke with newsmen at the launch of the programme in Ilubere village, Odeda Local Government Area said bringing free health care delivery to people at the grassroots became necessary because of lack of quality medical facilities in rural communities across the country.

    He said the HIRD programme aims at mobilising corps medical volunteers in the provision of health intervention through diagnosis, treatment, referrals and proper prevention mechanism.

    Afolayan further said that in driving the health initiative scheme, the NYSC hopes to enhance the general well-being of rural dwellers across communities in Nigeria.

    Afolayan, who said the programme in Ilubere village would cater for about 1,500 residents from 11 communities, assured that the programme would be sustained by the NYSC scheme.

    “Our confidence in the success of this programme lay in the fact that we have been able to secure the support of stakeholders who are assisting our personnel with medical supplies and logistics.

    “The health outreach, which is taking place simultaneously in selected rural communities across the nation, has been designed to address our people’s health challenges.

    “The initiative is for the benefit of everyone; hence our people must take ownership and participate fully for everyone’s  benefit,” he said.

    The chairman, Odeda Local Government Area transition committee, Mr. Segun Adebowale, urged the people to take advantage of the programme for their health benefit.

    He discouraged the use of self-medication and local methods of treatment, even as he emphasised more on preventive medicine and the need to adopt healthy lifestyles.

    The community head of Ilubere, Mr. Rasheed Olaleye, thanked the NYSC for the HIRD programme, saying it would bring much succour to their lives.