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Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun 2014 Ramadan Essay competition enters final stage

    Ogun 2014 Ramadan Essay competition enters final stage

    THE final stage of the Ogun State 2014 Ramadan Essay and Quiz Competition took place on Saturday at the Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School, Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The competition, which was organised by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, began across the 20 local government areas of the state on July 1, 2014.

    In a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to Mrs. Amosun, Idowu Sowunmi, it stated that this year’s competition was divided into three stages with the hope of giving a sense of belonging to students at different levels and bringing the best out of them.

    The statement added, “There was poem writing for public primary school pupils across the length and breadth of Ogun State, in which the pupils were required to write poem with the theme: “Ramadan: The Month of Peace,” that would not be more than 100 words to be submitted to the Head of School Services in their respective Local Government Education Authority for onward transfer to SUBEB.”

    The second stage, Sowunmi said, involved Quiz and Qu’ran Recitation for public junior secondary school students and this took place in selected schools in each of the 20 Education Zones in Ogun State on July 1.

    The statement added that the third stage involved Essay and Debate Competitions for Senior Secondary Schools. The Essay Competition had “Sanctity of Life: The Islamic Perspective” as its theme, while the Debate Topic was “A Crime-free Society: Role of the Government or the Governed.”

    “The essay competition with not more than 250 words was written by scores of secondary students at the four divisional centres in Remo, Ijebu, Yewa and Egba respectively on July 3, 2014.

     

  • Ogun students mark Week

    Ogun students mark Week

    It was an atmosphere of revelry  at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) when National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) held its Week.

    The event, which started with a novelty match between members of the association and their Ondo counterparts, was held at the sports pavilion.

    The match, which was a keen contest between both sides, ended in a draw.

    The second day witnessed the Ogun Day, where students showcased their rich cultural heritage. The female students were clad in traditional attires while the males flaunted Aso Oke outfit.

    The event tagged: Mission to rebuild Ogun State: The role of Ogun students, was graced by illustrious indigenes of the State from all walks of life. Also present at the event were the Students’ Union President, Ahmed Lawal Abiodun; Vice-President, Kemi Hassan and Public Relations Officer, Balogun Isiak.

    The event featured cultural display by the performing troupes, cash donations and presentation of awards to deserving persons.

    The outgoing president, Adeosun Azeez, showered appreciation on the dignitaries for their contribution towards the success of his administration.  He urged the students to be committed to their academic pursuits.

    A former president of the association, Mr Dopamu Michael, congratulated the present administration for upholding the legacy he left behind. He also promised to render support to the union.

    The chairman of Ogun Week Committee, Olaleye Olalekan, lauded the leadership qualities of his predecessor, saying posterity would remember him for good.

  • Ogun to employ 5,000 people

    Ogun to employ 5,000 people

    The Ogun State government is to engage 3,000 youths as Environmental Marshals to enforce its sanitation and environmental regulations.

    Governor Ibikunle Amosun disclosed this during the 2014 World Environment Day celebration.

    Amosun said 2,000 street sweepers would be employed in addition to the 1,000 previously engaged.

    He said N1 billion had been approved for the procurement of more waste management equipment.

    The governor said his administration’s efforts to provide greenery on the medians and pedestrian walkways can only be successful if the people reciprocate by protecting the flowers and grasses planted.

    He said: “While we continue to push forward our industrialisation agenda, we are not oblivious of the environmental cost.

    This is why we always encourage incoming investors to embrace clean production technology and provide plans for acceptable environmental management.

    “In like manner, existing industries are being engaged on a regular basis to invest in emerging process technology that do not only optimise resource utilisation, but also reduce environmental impact.”

    Amosun said his administration’s Green Campaign and road projects have reduced flooding and erosion.

    He said: “We are returning to the concept of sustainable development, which is evident in the manner we constructed drainages, median for flowers as well as pedestrians walk-ways in our road projects. We are committed to a united, stable and economically prosperous state built on strong democratic principles.”

    Urging corporate organisations to partner the government in its quest for a clean environment, Amosun urged them to find improved means to prevent pollution in their factories.

  • Ogun to upgrade slaughter houses

    Ogun to upgrade slaughter houses

    In line with international best practices and promotion of  quality health in the meat sector, the Ogun State goverment is  embarking on a phased development and upgrade of its slaughter houses in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ijebu-Igbo and Isheri-Kara.

    The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs Ibironke Sokefun,  said this at a ministerial briefing in Abeokuta, the state capital as part of activities marking the third year anniversary of Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration.

    According to her, a preferred partner has emerged for the development and upgrade of the Lafenwa Slaughter House in Abeokuta, which will be ready in seven months at N507 million while the rest will also be upgraded through public-private partnership.

    The Commisioner also said Refrigerated Meat Vans will soon be introduced to ferry meat from different slaughter facilities to various markets in a clean and hygienic manner to curb the spread of pathogens and reduce the risk of post abbatoir contamination.

    Mrs Sokefun listed the achievements of the state government to include purchase of farming equipment and implements for the use of farmers at highly subsidised rates, rehabilitation of farm settlements and fish farms.

    Others are cultivation of rice at Eggua, cassava multiplication project in Ibiade, establishment of Model Farm Estate in Owowo, 50hectares cocoa plantation in Alagbagba and a 50-hectare cashew plantation in Afon, Green House in Kotopo.

  • Ogun pays N17b as pensions, gratuities

    Ogun pays N17b as pensions, gratuities

    Over N17 billion has been paid as pensions and gratuities since the inception of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration came on board in Ogun State in May 2011, the state Head of Service, Mrs Modupe Adekunle, has said.

    Speaking in Abeokuta during the Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the third anniversary of the Amosun government, Adekunle said over N12.2 billion had been paid to pensioners while gratuities totaling over N5.5 billion, including the back-log owed by the immediate past administration, had  been paid to date.

    She added that the government had implemented the Contributory Pension Schedule for officers employed since January 1, 2008 till date.

    On employment, Adekunle said 10,504 unemployed citizens of the state were recruited or empowered  as at May, 2012; 967 last year while 296 candidates who were successful during the Civil Service Selection had been issued letters of appointment.

    “In the same vein, the Civil Service Commission recruited 459 officers into various cadres as replacement of those that retired from the service so as to beef up the staff strength in special areas,” Adekunle added.

    The Head of Service noted that promotions of public servants had been done promptly, revealing that no fewer than 2,141 officers were promoted duirng last year’s promotion exercise, adding  that 742 of their counterparts in the parastatals were also moved up.

    Meanwhile, the state government has assured that improvement in resource management and budget discipline towards increasing the level of productivity and accountability would continue to be given utmost priority.

    The state Commissioner for Budget and Planning Mrs. Oluwande Muoyo, said this was to ensure a reduction of the cost of governance in state.

    The commissioner said at  the briefing that this necessitated the launch of the state Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Agenda in May, last year.

    She said since the launch of the reform, significant achievements had been recorded in the control and preventive vigilance on payroll preparation in which a substantial amount had been recovered while the certification of pay analysis reports and nominal roll by the accounting officer of each agency of the government was strictly adhered to, which enhanced integrity of the pay roll.

    Muoyo said despite the short fall in the receipt from Federal Account, coupled with harsh economy environment, the state 2014 budget has achieved a first quarter performance of 61.87 per cent.

  • Ogun school pupils pray for abducted girls

    Ogun school pupils pray for abducted girls

    Thousands of school pupils from the 20 local government areas of Ogun State prayed fervently yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, for the release of the over 200 abducted Chibok school girls.

    The girls were seized in their hostels and taken away by their captors on April 15. They have not been found.

    But yesterday, in a special inter-denominational service tagged, “Prayerful Children’s Day,” observed at the MKO Abiola Stadium, pupils from primary and secondary schools interceded for the Chibok girls, asking God to touch the hearts of their abductors. Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s wife, Olufunso encouraged the children to do more intercessory prayers for the Chibok girls, adding that saying the solemn prayer was a way of identifying with them.

    The pupils pleaded with God to intervene in the plight of the Chibok girls and for  protection from the growing acts of terrorism in the country. Some of their prayer-points, which were inscribed on placards, read: “Save us from terrorism in Nigeria”;  “Save us from insecurity in Nigeria so that we can be good children to our parents and country.”

    Also, Christian and Muslim clerics prayed God to soften the hearts of the insurgents and release the girls. In his address, Amosun appealed to the insurgents to release the girls.

    He noted that the activities of Boko Haram sect were at variance with the doctrines of any religion, saying violence will not bring anything good.

    Amosun said: “Nothing can ever be resolved with killing innocent souls. Hence we have set aside today to pray for the over 200 girls that were abducted 43 days ago. We have decided that today will not be for fanfare. We thank God that we are here today to offer our prayers. We cannot be celebrating knowing those girls are away from their parents; only God knows what is happening to them.”

    The governor, who assured students of their safety and welfare in the state, advised them not to indulge in acts that could dent their image.

  • Ogun road projects cost N166.7b

    Ogun road projects cost N166.7b

    Road contracts worth N166.7 billion were awarded to contractors in Ogun State in the last three years.

    The roads span 306.55km and cut across the three senatorial districts.

    Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Olamilekan Adegbite stated this yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, during a ministerial press briefing marking the third anniversary of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration.

    Adegbite said many jobs were created through the road projects, adding: “A lot of information is flying around on the social media about how much we have spent on roads. Some people alleged that the budget was bloated, instead of asking questions about things they do not know.

    “The amount spent on road construction is N166,715,880,490.79 billion. Some people may decide to divide this amount by 36 months, but it does not work like that. There are bridges on these roads and the cost of constructing a bridge is different from that of a road.

    “I urge people not to politicise the issue. Please go round and see what we are doing. They are standard roads that will stand the test of time, not shoddy projects.”

    On statements credited to former Governor Gbenga Daniel and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko on the cost of the road projects, Adegbite said: “They are mere political statements. Mimiko should know better, except if he is not building roads in his state. As for the former governor, the wonders done by this administration are a shock to him. He is still sleeping and someone needs to wake him. I do not want to join issues with them.”

     

  • Abiodun Omotade expands business

    Abiodun Omotade expands business

    HIGHLY connected Abuja business woman, Princess Abiodun Folashade Omotade, has shelled out a princely sum of money to acquire a factory in Ogun State. She sealed the deal recently with the management of the company originally owned by an Italian. It was gathered that the turn-around of the outfit will commence soon with experts being expected from Asia.

    Princess Omotade, who is the widow of the late Deji Omotade (ex-permanent secretary in the federal Ministry of Industries and Federal Capital Territory at different times), has been rubbing shoulders with people  in the corridors of power since the late Gen. Sani Abacha days as head of state.

    She has investments in oil and gas as well as banking and manufacturing.

  • Ogun FRSC sensitises fleet operators

    Ogun FRSC sensitises fleet operators

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun State Command has held a workshop for fleet operators in Ogun State to address various issues associated with running of their business and the havoc recorded as a result of non-compliance to necessary directives. The state FRSC Sector commander, Mr. Micheal Adedeji in an opening address at the event, accused the fleet operators of carry out their businesses without following laid down rules.

    To ensure safety of fleet operators, Adedeji revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the merger of all fleet operators under a new scheme christened Road Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS).

    In his speech, the Divisional Police Officer of Ibara Police Station, who was represented by Mr. Kunle Sowo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, reiterated the readiness of the police in securing lives and property of fleet operators.

    He advised representatives of fleet operators at the event to desist from leaving an accident scene without following appropriate measures.

    While speaking with The Nation, Adedeji said the need to update the skills of the fleet operators and safety managers necessitated the workshop.

     

  • 2015: APC, PDP, LP battle in Ogun

    2015: APC, PDP, LP battle in Ogun

    Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has his work cut out in the battle to win a second term next year.

    At the last count, about 10 aspirants cutting across three major political parties are interested in taking over from him come next year.

    Amosun and the battle within APC

    In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some major stakeholders are allegedly working to scuttle the governor’s second term bid.

    This development is a fall-out of the acrimonious ward, local government and state congress of the APC in which the governor’s loyalists had a clean sweep of party positions.

    But another group loyal to a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, would have none of this. The group’s displeasure may have struck the right chord in the relevant quarters, as the national leadership of the APC has put on hold the inauguration of the Ogun State executive of the party, which was earlier scheduled to take place about two weeks ago.

    Regardless of how the contentious issues are resolved between the two groups fighting for the soul of the party, sources revealed that some stakeholders in the party are rooting for a fresh candidate to replace Amosun as the party’s 2015 governorship candidate.

    A businessman, Mr. Remi Bakare, who was alleged to be Osoba’s preferred candidate in 2011 before the national leaders of the party settled for Amosun, has already indicated his intention to challenge Amosun for the APC ticket.

    From Ogun Central like the incumbent governor, Bakare has reportedly told his associates that he is determined to go the whole hog in the race for the APC governorship ticket.

    Another rumoured aspirant from Ogun Central in the APC is Mr. Fola Tajudeen Adeola, the pioneer Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, whose posters indicating his alleged intention to contest the governorship election in 2015 surfaced in some parts of Abeokuta, the state capital, mid last year.

    Adeola, who is the former Vice Presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and currently a member at the ongoing National Conference, has however not formally indicated his interest in the exalted seat.

    Other aspirants in contention

    Abiodun Akinlade, the beautiful bride

    A third term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has emerged as the most formidable aspirant from the Yewa axis that is yet to produce the governor since the creation of the State.

    Elected into the National Assembly in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was re-elected in 2007 but defected to the defunct ACN in 2011 on which platform he contested again and won by a landslide.

    In the last few months, Akinlade, who was allegedly chosen as the defunct ACN’s governorship candidate in 2011 before power brokers in the party later opted for Amosun, has been under intense pressure to vie for the position again.

    The Nation reliably gathered that Akinlade has become a beautiful bride of sorts, as some Ogun APC leaders who are opposed to Amosun are urging him to contest the party’s governorship ticket.

    The PDP and the Presidency are also allegedly dangling the offer of the party’s governorship ticket before Akinlade, but sources say the Chairman, Science and Technology Committee of the Lower House is taking his time before deciding his next move.

    At a series of meeting convened by the national leaders of the Labour Party (LP), Akinlade last year, had allegedly been promised the governorship ticket of the party but the defection of the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to LP from the PDP appears to have put that plan in jeopardy.

    A grass root politician who enjoys a cult-like followership in Ogun West senatorial zone, Akinlade, who is married to an Abeokuta indigene, is perceived by the governor’s camp as a man that must be checkmated in the race for the Oke Mosan Government House in 2015.

    The governor, it was gathered, is said to be uncomfortable that half of the members of the state House of Assembly are allegedly loyal to Akinlade. Since the contest for the ACN 2011 governorship ticket was decided, the governor’s relationship with the federal lawmaker has been frosty at best.

    Sarafa Ishola

    The former Minister of Mines and Steel, according to reports, is currently putting structures in place to contest for the PDP governorship primary.

    Ishola, who also served as the Secretary to the Ogun State Government during the first term of ex-Governor Daniel, is yet to publicly state his intention, but sources close to him say  his declaration may happen sooner than later.

    Dimeji Bankole

    No sooner was he discharged and acquitted of corruption charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja that certain forces in Ogun PDP began to call on the former Speaker of the House of Representatives to throw his hat into the governorship ring.

    Though the former lawmaker is not averse to the idea, but he was reported to have told his supporters, that achieving unity in the party is an urgent task that must first be  addressed.

    Kayode Amusan

    A two term member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Amusan, has not hidden his intention to unseat Gov. Amosun in 2015.

    But first, he has to win the PDP ticket. Does he stand a chance? Not many stakeholders in the PDP rate him high. His failed third attempt to return to the House of Representatives following his defeat to Olumide Osoba, eldest son of APC leader, Aremo Ousegun Osoba, is still fresh in the minds of many people in the State.

    Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka

    He is a close political associate of ex-Governor Daniel.

    From the Yewa zone, Isiaka contested for the same seat in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and may get Daniel’s nod again, this time for the LP 2015 governorship ticket.

    Sina Kawonise

    He is also a close ally of Daniel. From Ogun East senatorial zone, Kawonise, who served as Commissioner for Information under Daniel, is vying for the LP ticket with Isiaka.