The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun

  • Fire at Ogun secretariat

    Fire at Ogun secretariat

    There was a fire yesterday at the Ogun State Secretariat in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

    It was caused by an electricity spark from an air conditioner in one of the rooms at the Economic Planning Office.

    The fire was prevented from spreading by men of the State Fire Service. The air conditioner and a desktop computer were destroyed.

    Leading Governor Ibikunle Amosun to the scene, the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, thanked that no one died and the damage was minimal.

    She praised men of the Fire Service for their quick intervention.

    Amosun ordered her to ensure strict compliance with monthly fire drills in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    He said this will enable workers act appropriately in emergency situations.

     

  • Police rescue eight teenagers from baby factory

    Police in Ogun this afternoon rescued eight teenagers serving as resource persons in a baby factory being operated at Ajuwon – Akute in Ifo Local Government Area of the State.
    The operator, a woman, was also arrested.

    The operation which was led by the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, led to rescue of the teenagers – including 21 years old Vivian Princewill from where they were kept in Akute by the operator, 29 years old Angela Chigozie.

    The Commissioner of Police, Okoye, said the woman kept the girls for the purpose of bearing children for her which she would later sell to people.

    According to him, it said that the woman sell a child as much as N300000 or less and would give the teenage – mothers pittance out of the proceed.

    Confirming, Angela told reporters that a baby is sold for N300000 to an unidentified  woman, and that it is the girls that consult her for that purpose since she knows how to use herbs to assist women in respect of pregnancy

  • Ogun pays N20m compensation to farmers

    Ogun pays N20m compensation to farmers

    The Ogun State Government has paid N20 million compensation to farmers whose crops were affected by some infrastructure development.

    About N20 million was paid to 151 farmers in Itoku Elewe Irepodun Community in Kobape, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state.

    The farms of the beneficiaries were affected by a new housing scheme to be located in the area.

    Presenting the cheques to farmers in the first 50-hectare land acquired, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun said the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration was passionate about agricultural development and would have not tampered with their crops.

    She, however, said the government had to take the painful decision of taking over the farmlands because it was necessary, saying the scheme would help open up the area and attract more people that would enhance their socio-economic status.

    “We are very much aware that your crops are important to you, and we know that farming is your major source of income, as matter of fact, agricultural development for food production and industrialisation remains one of our five cardinal programmes, but we also need the land to pursue another cardinal programme, housing. At the end of the day, it would be a win-win situation as the housing scheme would bring in people, engender further development and ultimately, enhance socio-economic status,” Sokefun said.

    She enjoined them to make judicious use of the money given to better their lots and that of their respective dependants.

    Also speaking while presenting another batch of cheques, her counterpart in the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi said the scheme could improve the living standards of the farmers as it would attract infrastructure such as roads networks, power supply and potable water.

    He added that the massive population that will move to the area would be a ready market for their farm products, noting that they may not need to take their produce too far before they are sold.

    He urged them to support the state government as it was moving to implement its mission to rebuild, promising that soon, similar compensation would be paid to farmers in the second phase.

    Responding on behalf of recipients, Baale of the Community, Alhaji Waheed Afolabi, lauded the government for fulfilling its promise to the farmers, pledging their support for programmes of the government.

     

  • Ogun to partner Chinese investors on devt.

    The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has said his government will continue to welcome investors to enhance socio-economic development, urging the China/Africa Investment Club to present a blueprint for possible collaboration with the state.

    Amosun stated this while receiving a delegation of the Club, made up of conglomerate of business concerns in China, in his office yesterday in Abeokuta.

    He said Ogun State is fast becoming the investors’ haven with the advantage of suitable land, nearness to Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital and the gateway to the West/African sub-regional market among others.

    The governor said: ‘’In Ogun State, we have the largest concentration of industries in the whole of Nigeria and we also have different industrial zones. Since we assumed office, we have been investing heavily in agriculture, particularly in the production of cocoa, cassava, cotton and rice. We have also invested in real estate and this government is creating all the necessary enabling environment for business to thrive.’’

  • Police arrest man with 18 human skulls in Ogun

    The Police in Ogun this morning arrested  a man carrying 18  human heads, apparently harvested from burial ground.

    The Nation gathered that the policemen attached to the Ado Odo Division of the  Ogun State Police Command,  while on stop and search along Ado-Odo – Owode road in Ado –  Odo – Ota Local Government area of the state, sighted the suspect, Adelani Ayomide, carrying a bag and was going on foot.

    Upon searching the bag when accosted by the police, it was discovered that it contains 18 human heads (skull).

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi,   , said the suspect who hails from Ilaro, the Headquarters of Yewa South Local Government, would be transferred to the state department of investigation, Eleweran, Abeokuta for further investigation into the crime.

    According to Adejobi,  a Deputy Superintendent of Police(DSP), the “Commissioner of Police, Mr  Ikemefuna Okoye, has assured the general public of thorough investigation and make the suspect face the wrath of the law.”

    He urged the public to  assist the police with information that would assist them in getting other suspects in connection with the 18 human skulls

  • Ogun begins immunisation

    Ogun begins immunisation

    A four-day polio immunisation begins on Saturday in Ogun State.

    The government urged parents to make children aged 0-5 years available for the house to house inmmunisation.

    Commissioner for Health Olaokun Soyinka made the appeal yesterday in a statement issued by the State Primary Health Care Development Board.

    Soyinka said immunisation will prevent children from contracting polio, which can cause paralysis, adding that that the government was determined to sustain the state’s zero status of the Wild Polio Virus (WPV) as well as reduce child mortality.

    He said: “Ogun, as a gateway state to border towns, with the number of people moving in and out of the state, our children have to be immunised to protect then against poliomyelitis and other killer diseases.”

    The immunisation ends on Tuesday.

    Soyinka said the vaccines required and logistics were in place.

  • ‘Comply with cash-less policy or lose subventions’

    The Ogun State government has warned that any government-owned tertiary institution which fails to adhere to the cash-less policy will, henceforth, lose its subvention.

    At its weekly State Executive Council meeting on Monday, the government said full compliance with the state government’s cash-less policy by the institutions would be a pre-condition for the release of government’s subvention due to it, according to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu.

    In a statement in Abeokuta, Olaniyonu said: “Any state government-owned tertiary institution found to have wilfully contravened the cash-less policy of the state government shall forfeit the subvention due it for the period of non-compliance, with immediate effect.”

    The decision, Olaniyonu said, became necessary because of the wilful circumvention of the policy by some institutions, which if left unchecked, have dire consequences. He revealed that the state government, which spends N600 million monthly (N7.2 billion per year) on subventions to its tertiary institutions had in September 1, 2012 started the cash-less policy for revenue collection in all the institutions, adding that “to date, all the 11 tertiary institutions had complied as compliance is a pre-condition for the continued receipt of subvention.

    “The thrust of the cashless policy is not just to account for revenue collected and block all leakages, but more importantly, to assist the state Ministry of Finance in developing an accurate and sustainable financial model for each tertiary institution. Under the policy, all revenue items of the tertiary institutions are to be collected and accounted for using an electronic platform.

    “The implementation of the policy in all tertiary institutions of government has resulted in unprecedented increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the tertiary institutions covered. The IGR rose from N4, 363,806,432 in Year 2012 to N8,221,001,069 in 2013, representing 88.5 per cent increase as a result of the reform,” Olaniyonu stated.

    Aside facilitating budgetary planning, cash-less policy, Olaniyonu noted that the implementation has afforded management of tertiary institutions prompt access to automated funds for speedy project execution on campuses and control over students admission and management.

     

  • Ogun: Much ado about another term

    Ogun: Much ado about another term

    SIR: Anyone who resides outside Ogun State is likely to get worried about the media coverage of the political activities in the state in recent times.

    Political watchers and those that are familiar with the issues involved are however better informed. The truth is that the so-called political misunderstanding among members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state is overblown for obvious reasons.

    It is very clear that politicking is here with us and every minor issue is blown out of proportion. Furthermore, there is the issue of elected officials wishing to secure another term. These people, who were simply anointed to contest the 2011 general election on the platform of the defunct ACN,  seemingly want a repeat of the 2011 selection procedure.

    Having had an easy entry the other time, they obviously will not want to go through the democratic selection process but will rather prefer that they are handed the tickets to contest the 2015 election as it was in 2011.

    The realities of today however would not support a blanket directive allowing those already serving not to test their popularity among the party members. It is only fair that they and others that are so interested be given the opportunity to come forward and showcase what they have to offer to the party members, who will ultimately determine who contests for which position.

    Governor Amosun has said many times that whoever is interested in any elective position should come forward and  be part of the transparent democratic processes that will produce credible candidates as the party’s  flag bearers. This is a path of honour every aspirant should take instead of crying wolf in order to have the sympathy of traditional rulers, elders and leaders across the society, who may call for “an amicable solution in the spirit of peace”.

    Those who were voted for in 2011 general election now have the opportunity to return to the people and give an account of their stewardship.

    In democracy, power resides with the people. A true democrat should not be afraid of  elections.

     

    • Bola Adeyemi Oyero,

    Ifo local government.

     

  • Lagos, Ogun mark World Hijab Day

    Lagos, Ogun mark World Hijab Day

    Last Saturday, Muslims across the world celebrated the World Hijab Day. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI was at a walk organised by the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit from Maryland to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos to join the rest of the world in the celebration.

    Last Saturday, millions of women, (Muslims and non-Muslims) gathered at different locations to commemorate a day globally set aside to mark what the Muslim women regard as their pride – the Hijab.

    The movement, started by a New York resident, Nazma Khan on February 1, 2013 to foster religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women non-Muslims in particular to experience the use of Hijab for one day.

    The World Hijab Day is also in recognition of Marwa El-Sherbini who was stabbed to death in a German court by Alex Wiens in Dresden on February 1st, 2009, for wearing Hijab. This happened in the presence of her husband who was also shot by the police that mistook him for the criminal.

    Ms Khan, a social activist and resident of the United States once said: “Growing up in the Bronx, in New York City, I experienced a great deal of discrimination due to my hijab. When I entered university after 9/11 attacks, I was called Osama bin Laden or terrorist. It was awful. I figured the only way to end discrimination is if we ask our fellow sisters to experience hijab themselves.”

    Hijab is an injunction from Almighty Allah to all Muslims women. The Holy Quran says in Surah 33 verse 59: “O Prophet! Enjoin your wives, daughters and the believing women that they should draw their outer garments over their persons. That is more proper, so that they may be recognised and not bothered. Allah is forgiving, merciful.”

    This year’s theme is: “Better Awareness; Greater Understanding; Peaceful World;” and the goal is: to foster global religious tolerance through Hijab awareness.

    It was learnt that various mosques across the globe seized the opportunity of last Friday’s Jumat Service to rally worshippers for the celebration.

    The day was marked in over 120 countries with millions of women wearing the hijab.

    In Nigeria, the World Hijab Day was celebrated in different states including Abuja, Lagos, Edo, Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.

    In Abuja, at ThisDay Dome in the Central Business District of Abuja, wife of the Vice-President, Hajia Amina Sambo addressed a large gathering to mark the day.

    Muslims women came out in various colours and styles of the Hijab.

    Among the dignitaries who graced the occasion were the wife of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed; Hajiya Aisha Dukku and Senator Khairat Gwadabe.

    Hajiya Sambo reminded the gathering that both Christianity and Islam preach the covering of women’s hair.

    She enjoined Muslims wearing hijab to be proud of their dressing, as well as proud of themselves as Muslims wherever they go.

    Highlights of the event include drama by children, a Hijab show by MID Collections, hijab exhibition and free distribution of hijabs.

    In Lagos, Amirah (Female President) of the Muslim Student’s Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit (LSAU), Hajia Hafsah Badru addressed over a thousand women and girls at Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota after a long walk from Maryland bus stop to Ojota.

    Pupils and students of various primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions were there in large number.

    As early as 7:00am, the Muslim women have been gathering at Maryland bus stop in preparation for the rally. The procession started around 9:00am.

    Residents, marketers, commuters and bystanders along the popular Ikorodu roads marvelled at the orderly manner the rally was conducted.

    They had some cardboards with different writings which include: ‘The wrapped sweet is better than the unwrapped ones,’ ‘the covered sister is better than the uncovered ones’, ‘stop this victimisation, it is my pride, obedience to Allah has come to stay, no doubt about it’, ‘nudity is immoral’, ‘hijab is dignity’ and ‘hijab is the cloth of believers.’

    Others had, ‘come and experience the sweetness of hijab with us’ and ‘emulate the mother of Jesus Christ, used the hijab free of charge.’

    Tracts on the essence of the World Hijab Day were distributed to virtually all the road users.

    The large crowd chanted praises of Allah – La ila ila llahu (There is no other God except Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest) along the line which drew attention of people at distance.

    They also shouted words include ‘no hijab, no vote’.

    Getting to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota with its greenery atmosphere, some of the women laid flat to regain strength after the long walk. Some of them removed their shoes on the way to find comfort during the rally.

    Addressing the crowd, Hajia Badru shouted Kabirullah, the crowd responded Allahu Akbar!

    She saluted them for making the day a success by not indulging in violence or untoward acts.

    “You have once again showed the world that our religion is all about peace and good mannerism. I salute your courage, I salute your discipline and doggedness. We shall be victorious,” she said. The crowd replied saying “Insha Allah (God’s willing).”

    According to her, “the use of hijab symbolises obedience to Allah, curbing immorality in the society and a divine injunction.

    Why addressing the crowd, including journalists, Hajia Badru decried the alarming rate of immorality in the society.

    She said: “The increasing of unwanted pregnancies is worrisome, the culture of nudity and bestiality is being glorified and nudity – induced rape cases are fast getting out of hand. An estimated of 16 million girls between the age of 14-18 fall victim on yearly basis to these avoidable tragedies.

    “The concept of morality in our contemporary world is that no part of a woman is private; a woman can only exercise her rights when she adopts shameless western mode of fashion. At the same time, tags those who chose to be chaste in outlook as uncivilised and not modern. What is considered as fashionable is dressing which unveils female erogenous zones in the name of liberty. Fashion can be modern without being nude. We support civilisation but not nudity.

    “Hijab is an apparel of honour, a garment of modesty and a shield against immorality. It is our pride. It is our dignity.”

    Hajia Badru called on the Lagos State government not to politicise the issue of Hijab.

    “Our appeal goes to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola to consider our demand on the issue of Hijab. We are neither seeking a favour nor asking for a privilege; we are simply demanding our rights. This is an opportunity for our governor to write his name in gold by simply do the needful. It is a wind of change which no one can stop; for if he refuses to grant it, another rights-conscious administrator will definitely grant it, it is a matter of time!

    “It is important to note here that Hijab has been granted by Muslim minority states, how much more Lagos State with Muslim majority. It still baffles us that while a Christian governor in Southwest, Nigeria is aiding Allah’s work, a Muslim governor in the same region is frustrating it!

    “As we join millions of people, both Muslim and non-Muslims all over the world to celebrate this great event, we strongly appeal to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party to intervene in this matter, else we may be forced to mobilise the entire Nigerian Muslim Students to vote against any anti-Islam government come 2015.

    Enough of playing politics with our morality, enough of playing politics with our dignity and enough of playing politics with our rights.”

    Also, speaking at the park, MSSN University of Lagos Amirah, Shakirah Oduwole said the rally was to call the attention of Lagosians to their plight.

    “It is what Allah has instructed us to do and we shall do it, we cannot compromise this because it is a mandatory on all Muslims women,” Oduwole said.

    A member of the MSSN Hajia Ganiyat Owolabi who dressed her two-year old daughter, Nusaybah in hijab said she did so, to give her sense of belonging.

    “My daughter always asks for her hijab whenever we are going out even if I forget; I am very comfortable every time I use it because I see it as an honour and part of modesty,” Mrs Owolabi said.

    At Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque Hall, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, various organisations converged to mark the day.

    They include MSSN, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, The Young Muslim Women Association, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), among others.

    Mrs Afusat Ogunkoya of MSSN Ijebu area council, describes that the use of Hijaab as a fundamental right of every Muslim women across the world with no exception to Nigeria.

    She called on the state governments to declare the use of Hijab in all schools, hospitals, private and public establishments legal, adding that any act of molestation, embarrassments, humiliation, harassment and assault would not be condoned from any individual, organisation or public functionaries.

    A procession was held from Ijebu-Ode Central Mosque to Lagos garage and end at the Chief Imam of Ijebuland’s residence.

  • N400m loan for 24,850 Ogun women

    N400m loan for 24,850 Ogun women

    The Ogun State government is disbursing N400 million to 24,850 women under the state’s Micro-credit Initiative for Women.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Elizabeth Sonubi, said the facility, which is in the third phase, would help small-scale business women to expand their businesses.

    Mrs. Sonubi said the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration partnered Ecobank Plc to give out the loans at a single digit interest rate.

    She said 3,850 women got N100 million in the first phase and 5,000 got N200 million in the second.

    The commissioner said the government increased the loan to N400 million because of its positive impact on beneficiaries and the success rate of the repayment of past loans.

    She said beneficiaries would get between N20,000 and N200,000 each.