Education

Lawmakers Want to Reposition Osun Tertiary Institutions 

By Web News 474

By Mojisola Oladele

Osun State House of Assembly has reiterated its support for improving the standard of state-owned tertiary institutions and their internally Generated Revenue, IGR, capacity.

The Chairman House Committee on Education, Alhaji Sikiru Bajepade stated this when he led other members of the Education Committee on an oversight visit to Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke and Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.

At the institutions, the Rectors conducted the team round the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, projects and the Tetfund Assisted projects.

Alhaji Bajepade, who expressed satisfaction with the state of the Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke and Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, urged the management of the schools to give room for improvement in terms of increasing IGR and quality of graduates from the institutions.

He lauded the State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke for his usual intervention for the state-owned tertiary institutions to ensure standard practice in line with international best practices.

 “Our assessment of both Esa-Oke and Iree, we are impressed with the efforts of the Management of both schools for upholding the required standard”

He commended the management and staff of Osun State College of Technology Esa Oke for prioritizing innovation targeted at driving development and attracting global attention to the state.

While emphasizing the essence of oversight function, the Chairman, the House Committee on Education, said the exercise was part of the legislative duty of the state House of Assembly, aimed at monitoring and ascertaining the state of completed and ongoing projects in state-owned tertiary institutions.

Corroborating Alhaji Bajepade, the Vice Chairman of the committee, Engr. Abiola Awoyeye and a member Prince Adeyemi Adewumi noted that the oversight function is one of the components which propels development geared towards asserting the principles of checks and balances.

Earlier his remark, the Rector, Osun State College of Technology, Esa Oke, Doctor Samson Adegoke explained that the intervention of Governor Adeleke had paved the way for various innovations which are beneficial to the school.

“We have made lots of innovation, and if investors partner with us we can go places. For instance, we have a generator that can be controlled remotely anywhere you are in the world, you just text a message to switch it on and off “

Doctor Adegoke stressed that the students of the institution were able to innovate an automated door and coded remote security doors.

Also during an oversight of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, The Rector, Mr. Kehinde Alabi lauded the legislators for the visit and assured them that efforts would be intensified to improve the internally generated revenue, IGR, of the Institution.

Mr. Alabi added that plans were ongoing to partner with some universities which would allow the institution to run Conversion Courses, to upgrade its standard. 

Other Legislators on the tour, included the Deputy Chairman, the House Committee on Education, Engr. Abiola Awoyeye, Prince Adeyemi Adewumi and Mr. Rotimi Ogunrinade.

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Governance

Govt.Targets N240bn IGR in Ogun

By Web News 349

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Ogun State Government says it will realise 240 billion naira through Internally Generated Revenue this year.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo made this known at a comprehensive budget breakdown and media parley in Abeokuta.

The parley also had in attendance the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Kayode Akinmade.

Mr Okubadejo said the State’s 703 billion naira budget for the year represented Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration’s vision to foster best-in-class governance, create a conducive environment for public-private partnerships, and achieve sustainable economic development.

The Economic Chief Adviser also highlighted the facilitation of ease of doing business, institutional reforms, and development of fiscal policy thrust as the government’s focal points aimed at boosting the economy of the state.

He added that the budget was strategically structured around key development pillars of infrastructure, social welfare, education, human capital development, youth empowerment, job creation, agriculture, and food security.

In a remark, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olabimtan identified the resilience and sustainability of the budget towards ensuring economic and financial independence for the state.

He noted that the budget would capitalize on Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, giving room for more capital expenditure and infrastructural development.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Akinmade had explained that the media parley was a crucial platform for journalists to engage with key decision-makers to enhance public understanding of the state’s achievements and plans, in line with Governor Abiodun’s development model, known as the “ISEYA mantra”.

Mr Akinmade pointed out that the media interaction was poised to catalyze dialogue, transparency, and public awareness, contributing to the overarching goal of sustained growth and development.

Economy

We target making Osun economic hub – Govt.

By Web News 486

By Mojisola Oladele 

Osun Government says plans were underway to ensure that the state is transformed from a civil service status to an economic vibrant one. 

The State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Reverend Bunmi Jenyo gave the assurance during a meeting with the State House Committee on Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment held at the Assembly Complex, Osogbo.

Reverend Jenyo explained that the ministry had met with some investors with a view to attracting investments into the state to boost the internally generated revenue, IGR.

He stressed that ministry was planning to appoint one consultant per local government, and that they would be saddled with generating revenue.

Earlier in a remark, the Chairman, Osun State House Committee on Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment, Mr. Sanmi Areoye assured the Ministry of unflinching support, urging it to carry the legislators along in all its programmes.

Vice Chairman of the committee, member representing Ola-Oluwa, Mr Afeez Ibrahim urged the ministry to present executive bills that would help boost the economy of the state, noting that it was necessary that the ministry engage the consultant to increase revenue generation.

Other legislators on the Committee included Mr. Olayiwola Taofeek Olalekan, Mr. Adekunle Oladimeji and Mr Olaide Ajibola.

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Economy

Govt Taps Into Bamboo Production to Raise IGR

By Web News 489

By Olusegun Folarin

Ogun State government is to plant 2400 bamboo for the year, as a way to improve the state’s economy.

Director of Forestry, Non-Timber, Forest Programmes, Wild Life and Eco-Tourism Department, Dr. Gbotemi Adeleye stated this at commencement of the bamboo plantation at Ilaro forest reserve Ipake in Yewa South Local government area of the state.

Dr. Adeleye noted that bamboo plantation had contributed to the Internal Generated Revenue of the state, with the potential to yield more.

The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Forestry, Mr. Timothy Olatunji advised farmers and other prospective investors to key into the commercial potential of bamboo plantation instead of focusing on timber plantation alone.

Listing the benefits of bamboo to include construction of houses, making of furniture, medical purposes, and firewood Mr Olatunji said the plant could also provide a source of livelihood for the citizens.

He advised farmers and other prospective investors to key into the commercial potential of bamboo plantation rather than of focusing on timber plantation alone.

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Politics

We generated over 70 billion in 9 months – Gov Abiodun

By Web News 599

Ogun State government has generated over 70 Billion Naira Internally Generated Revenue between the month of January to September 2022.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun made this known in Ijebu Ode, during the Town Hall Meeting on the 2023- 2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and 2023 Budget for Ogun East Senatorial District.

Governor Abiodun explained that the upward increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue was a result of quality reforms initiated by his administration.

He maintained that his administration would continue to entrench digital initiatives and focus on infrastructural development that would not only be economically viable but also financially visible.

While pointing out that his government would grade all rural roads across the twenty local government areas of the state, the Governor maintained that his administration’s commitment to infrastructure would not be undermined.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Finance Mr Dapo Okubadejo explained that meaningful engagement with all stakeholders on 2023 budget became imperative to ensure fiscal discipline and discourage extra-budgetary expenditure.

Bolanle Adesida.

Economy

Osun Now Generates Over 19 Billion Naira IGR- Auditor General

By Web News 577

The Internally Generated Revenue of Osun State has increased from over thirteen billion naira in 2018 to over nineteen billion naira in the present year..

This revelation is contained in the audited financial reports of the state presented to the public by the state auditor general, Mr Folorunso Adesina.

Mr Adesina said the public presentation was part of efforts to keep citizens abreast of the financial status of the State, showcase prudence in the management resources
and, strengthen the existing public trust and confidence that had been the hallmarks of the Administration.

Thw Auditor-General of the State, Mr. Folorunso Adesina said the increase in the IGR was a product of accountability, transparency and probity in the management of the State’s resources demonstrated by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

While reeling out the audited reports of the finances of the State for the year 2020, Mr Adesina said Public Finance Management (PFM) reform under the leadership of Governor Oyetola, received a boost by becoming one of the pioneer States to assist and implement Audit Act in Nigeria, a feat the Federal Government is yet to attain.

He said the presentation of the 2020 fiscal account would make Osun to consolidate on its pacesetter status among the comity of states in the country and further build public trust and confidence in governance.

The Auditor General pointed out the economic and social sectors took over 86% of the Total Capital Expenditure which was responsible for government’s ability to build, rehabilitate, revitalize and deliver for public use over 300 Primary Healthcare Centres as at the time of the report.

He hinted that on infrastructure, the Office through the monitoring team inspected roads construction embarked upon and completed by the State such including Moro-Yakoyo-Ipetumodu-Asipa road; Ada-Igbajo road; Overlay of Oke-Gada-Army Baracks road, Ede; Ereja roundabout-Eregun-Isaare-Oke-Oye road, Ilesa; Akindeko-Awosuru-Alekuwodo road; various rural electrification projects spread across the State among others.

On budget performance, the Auditor-General said Goverment had performed credibly on its revenue generation efforts, most especially on IGR as reported in the comparison of revenue between previous years.

Earlier, Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye lauded the Administration of Governor Oyetola for running an all inclusive and participatory government.

The Speaker who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Gbenga Ogunkanmi reaffirmed the House’s commitment to continue to ensure check and balances in the management of the State in general and public treasury in particular.

In his remarks, the Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade applauded the financial prowess of the Administration of Governor Oyetola to maintain and sustain the economy of the State despite the daunting challenges.

The Audit Forum had in attendance members of the Civil Society Organizations; Stakeholders, Heads of Non-Governmental Organizations; top government functionaries, professional bodies, artisans among others.

Adenitan Akinola

Politics

Don Advocates Agriculture To Boost State IGR

By Web News 661

Osun State Government says it has impacted positively in every sector of the state to improve better living for its citizenry.

The Commissioner for Budget and Economy Planning, Professor Olalekan Yinusa stated this in Osogbo at a public lecture of the Osun State NUJ 2020 press week.

Professor Yinusa spoke on the topic ” Examining Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s two years of governance in Osun: A journey of transformative leadership or Political rhetoric.

He emphasised that Governor Oyetola was running an inclusive and participatory government to the benefits of citizens and overall development of the state despite the financial challenge poised by COVID 19 pandemic.

Also speaking, another lecturer, Doctor Tunji Ogunyemi of OAU Ile-Ife who said security and welfare of the people were constitutional responsibility of government gave Oyetola administration a good credit.

He urged Osun government to empower local governments to go into massive agriculture to increase their income for developmental projects at grassroots which would culminate into overall development of the state.

Earlier, the chairman Osun State council, Mr. Wasiu Ajadosu said the lecture was organized to hold government accountable and set agenda as such was necessary for good governance.

Abiodun Adeoye

News Analysis

Harnessing Nigeria’s Tourism Potentials

By Web News 1249

Tourism over the years has proven to be a strong and resilient economic activity and a fundamental contributor to economic growth of any nation.

As it generates billions of dollars in exports and creating millions of jobs.

Acknowledging these facts, many developing and developed countries today rely on tourism as an option for sustainable development of their nations.

Though Nigeria is richly blessed and endowed with both physical and cultural tourism potentials it has been relatively insignificant on the world tourism map.

This is because the nation’s economy has been mainly petroleum-driven, with the result that tourism does not play any significant role in the economy.

Much prominence has been given to oil production as the major source of revenue, particularly, foreign exchange at the expense of other industries including tourism.

Factors that affect the nation’s tourism sector include poor implementation of tourism plans, absence of defined measures to encourage participation in tourism, policy formulation and implementation, and poor infrastructural development.

It was also discovered that successive administrations have not shown commitment to tourism development beyond mere rhetoric.

Unless tourism is seen as strategically important to the economy of Nigeria and the necessary plans, policies, actions and resources to support this initiative are put in place, tourism will continue to be a missed opportunity.

For instance, in Ondo state, much concentration is still on cultural tourism which is promoting the culture through festivals and celebrities.

The state is also endowed with natural resources which if developed, will help to generate employment for the people and boost the local economy.

The time has come for the country to harness the potential in the tourism sector to protect its culture and heritage.

To do this, government at all levels should commit a lot of resources to the development of tourism sector.

Also, federal government needs to create a conducive environment so that visitors could be attracted to the nation’s tourist sites.

The provision of efficient transportation, stable power supply, water and telecommunications will make Nigeria a tourism destination for foreign nationals.

Above all, there should be attitudinal change by states and local government to improve their Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, through tourism development thereby reducing dependence on federal allocation.

Abisola Oluremi