Lifestyle

Workers Key to Reform Success — HOS

By Web News 233

By Olusegun Folarin 

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, has urged civil and public servants in the state to fully embrace the ongoing reforms of the present administration, aimed at repositioning Ogun State as Nigeria’s preferred investment destination.

Mr. Onasanya made the call while speaking with journalists in his office at Oke-Mosan during the first working week of the year

The HOS described civil servants as the engine room of government and urged them to remain dedicated to the effective implementation of the administration’s cardinal programmes, as outlined in the I.S.E.Y.A. development Agenda.

He expressed gratitude to the workforce and the people of the state for their cooperation, while assuring them of government’s continued commitment to inclusive development, social amenities, and improved welfare services.

Mr. Onasanya urged workers to sustain excellence and uphold the values laid by the founding fathers of the service, while thanking the governor for approving continuous capacity-building programmes to enhance efficient service delivery.

Some workers, including Mr. Lateef Shittu from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mrs. Stella Olasode of the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives, and Mrs. Kabirat Obadimu from the Bureau of Service Matters, appreciated the governor for the End-of-Year bonus and other welfare packages in 2025. 

They pledged their renewed commitment and dedication to duty in the New Year.

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Governance

OGHA Passes Resolution on Regulations of Explosives

By Web News 342

By Omolara Adasofunjo

Ogun state House of Assembly, OGHA, has passed a resolution calling on all Federal and State regulatory agencies to enforce safety precautions guiding the storage and handling of explosives. 

At a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Oludaisi Elemide at the Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta Assembly Complex, the lawmakers said the move became necessary to ensure the people’s safety and preserve the environment from the hazardous effects of indiscriminate use of dynamites by miners across the quarry sites.

Sponsor of the motion and Minority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Lukman Adeleye had submitted that the recent occurrence which claimed lives and property in Oyo State had underscored the need to address the potential dangers posed by the fact that numerous mining sites in the state were mostly operated by unregistered foreigners who often disregarded environmental safety laws.

Mr Adeleye recommended that the State Ministry of Environment, as well as that of Industry, Trade, and Investments, should be mandated to strictly enforce full compliance with the safety regulations within the mining sector. 

Other lawmakers, while contributing to the debate noted that such a proactive approach was crucial in preventing disasters to public infrastructure and protecting the lives and property of residents. 

Responding, the Speaker of the House, Mr Elemide implored the Ministries, Departments and Agencies connected with upholding safety measures to strengthen their operations towards protecting the ecosystem and preventing any compromise of the existing safety, peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the State. 

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Security

AIG Solicits Continuous Support in Tackling Land Grabbing

By Web News 365

By Bolanle Adesida

The Nigeria Police has taken proactive steps in tackling land grabbing, kidnapping and Cultism in Ogun and Lagos State. 

The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, comprising Ogun and Lagos, made this known at Oke-mosan Abeokuta when he paid a courtesy visit to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

While promising that the police would continue to take necessary measures in strengthening security architecture in the Zone, The AIG urged the state government to continue to support the police.

Responding, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said his administration had concluded arrangements to launch surveillance drones in the state.

The Governor pointed out that kidnapping, cultism, and land grabbing were serious security challenges that should be tackled urgently.

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Environment

Abiodun Suspends Penalties for Construction Without Approval

By Web News 499 Post a comment

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has suspended all penalties imposed on people who built houses without approval.

Governor Abiodun stated this at this year’s World Habitat Day celebration with the theme, ‘Mind the Gap; Leave no one and no Place Behind’, held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun said the gesture was to ensure that those who built without permits have the opportunity to regularize their documents within 30 days.

The Governor pointed out that stringent measures had been put in place to control the construction of buildings to meet best practices and guard against building collapse across towns and cities in the state.

He said his administration had demonstrated commitment to minding the gap and promoting the objectives of the United Nations with the construction of a good road network and affordable houses across the state.

The Guest Speaker, Professor Taibat Lawanson from the University of Lagos said it was imperative for government to empower those that were left behind through targeted interventions in order to spread the dividend of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

Bolanle Adesida

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Politics

Assembly Speaker Resumes Duty after EFCC Encounter

By Web News 592

The Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr Olakunle Oluomo has returned to his office after his travail in the hands of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in Lagos.

The speaker was received at the Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta House of Assembly complex by the state lawmakers as well as the staff and other stakeholders.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, the Chairman, Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Ogun Assembly Chapter Mr Ayotunde Ojediran, expressed optimism that the leadership of the 9th legislature would not be deterred in the course of adding value to the process of good governance. 

Mr Ojediran who expressed joy that both the Speaker and the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Deji Adeyemo, were back at their duty posts renewed the association’s confidence in their leadership. 

The PASAN chairman promised that the association would continue to work and support the lawmakers towards ensuring the success of the 9th legislature.

The Speaker was recently arrested and arraigned alongside the Clerk of the Assembly by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for offences bordering on financial crimes.

Oluwatoyin Adegoke

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Security

Ogun Redoubles Efforts On Security

By Web News 630

Ogun State Government has announced a plan to relaunch the joint internal security operational platform, popularly known as OP  MESA, to complement the efforts of other law enforcement agencies towards enhancing the security in the state.

Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known at the inaugural meeting with the twenty local government Chairmen in the state, held at Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun urged the chairmen to embrace hard work and maintain a cordial relationship with traditional institutions and security agencies in their various local government areas to promote a peaceful society.

The Governor noted that, though the allocation assigned to the local governments was insufficient to execute all projects, promised them the necessary support to carry out the tasks of developing rural areas across the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr. Afolabi Afuape while appreciating the governor for providing an enabling environment for the local government chairmen to serve the people at the grassroots, appealed for more assistance to enable them to succeed.

Bolanle Adesida

Economy

Gov. Abiodun Seeks Approval Of N83.5Billion Loan From Budget Committee

By Web News 737

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has sought the speedy approval of the N83.5 billion loan requested from the 1.68 percent Development of Natural Resources Fund from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Governor Abiodun stated this in Oke Mosan Abeokuta while playing host to members of Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee of
Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission,
led by its chairman, Alhaji Adamu Dibal.

Governor Abiodun who said if approved the loan would be used to boost agriculture and tourism, pointed out
that the release of the fund would help to diversify the state’s economy as well as complete the ongoing construction of the Agro Cargo Airport.

He also noted that Ogun has abundant mineral resources including limestone and granite, saying part of the fund would be used to address the problem of environmental degradation arising from the mining sites to ensure the safety of the residents.

Ealier, the Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Adamu Dibal explained that the fund would assit all tiers of government in diversifying their economy base towards creating alternative sources of revenue and reducing dependence on oil revenues.

Bolanle Adesida

News

Matron Dies On The Way To Promotion Exam

By Web News 603

A matron at General Hospital, Iperu Remo, Ogun state had reportedly died in a lone accident while her husband was injured after their vehicle ran into the bush crashing into trees and other objects.

The ill-fated car, a Nissan Murano SUV with number plate APP 347 GF, was travelling to Abeokuta from Iperu when the accident occurred at a notorious spot called Onipepeye, along the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu Road.

Witnesses said the fatal accident occurred due to speeding.

It was gathered that the late matron was reported to be on her way to sit for a promotion interview holding at the state secretariat, Oke Mosan in the state capital with her husband.

The injured husband was taken to Ijaye State hospital for treatment while the corpse of the wife had also been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

Wale Oluokun

Politics

Pensioners Protest Against Long Spread Of Outstanding Gratuities

By Web News 991

Pensioners in Ogun state have described as unacceptable, the plan by the state government to spread the quarterly payment of outstanding gratuities of members over the next thirty four years. 
The Chairman, Local government Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Ogun state Chapter, Chief Sikiru Ayilara stated this while addressing journalists during a peaceful protest to the Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor’s office. 
According to reports, the pensioners were denied entrance to the state Secretariat by security operatives.
The protest attracted pensioners from the twenty local government areas of Ogun state who marched out carrying placards with various inscriptions like ” Governor Dapo Abiodun, stop sending our members to early graves due to starvation “, ”  Governor Dapo Abiodun follow the governors of Ondo, Oyo, Borno and Lagos states to improve the welfare of pensioners in Ogun state “
Addressing journalists, the chairman, Local government Pensioners Association of Nigeria, Ogun state Chapter, Chief Sikiru Ayilara said the protests had become necessary following the failure of government to accede to their prayers after several correspondences to the necessary quarters. 
Chief Ayilara who noted that the sum of five thousand naira minimum pension paid monthly in the state was insufficient with the economic realities in the state advised the present administration to commence the immediate implementation of thirty three point four percent of pensions designed in 2014.
Chief Ayilara listed other demands of the pensioners to include the resuscitation of the suspended bureau of local government pensions committee in line with federal and state laws.
Other pensioners who spoke with Radio Nigeria described the government’s poor attitude to pensioners welfare as unfortunate.
Addressing the pensioners, the Secretary to State government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi explained that though the debt was inherited by the present administration, the government would continue to find the means to address their demands.
Representatives of both the government and the pensioners had gone into a closed door meeting with a view to working out a better arrangement to resolve the issues.

Segun Folarin

Politics

Keep hope alive for a better Nigeria – Governor Abiodun

By Web News 733

Governor Dapo Abiodun wants Nigerians to renew their hope of a greater Nigeria and regard the economic recovery policies of the Federal Government as deliberate efforts towards ensuring that the country does not go back into recession. 

Governor Abiodun made the call at the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the country held at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Our Correspondent Bolanle Adesida completes the story.

At the low key event, organized in strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, Governor Abiodun said it was necessary for Nigerians to summon courage towards building a better and more prosperous future for the country. 

While calling for more patience and understanding from the citizens, the Ogun State governor expressed optimism that the sincere efforts by the President Muhammad Buhari administration would turn around the country’s fortunes around for the benefit of the people.

Governor Abiodun urged Nigerians to shun the calls for the country’s breakup but to support the current economic and social reforms of the present administration. 

The governor also promised that his government would take advantage of the Diamond Anniversary of the country, not only to reappraise all of its policies and programmes, but also to improve on its approach and strategy towards ensuring good governance.

Some residents of the state including Mr Olusesi Jibowo and Mrs Oluwemimo Olatunji urged government at all levels to deploy all available resources across all sectors towards making life more comfortable for Nigerians.

They pointed out that the much desired national growth required collective efforts and called on Nigerians to support the government in its bid to lift the country to a greater height. 

Bolanle Adesida

Education

Parents of Private Secondary School Students Protest High Cost of Covid-19 Test

By Web News 729

Parents of final year students in private secondary schools in Ogun State have appealed to the state government to reverse the twenty-five thousand naira cost of Covid-19 for boarding students before resumption for the Senior Secondary Schools Certificate Examination.

The parents made the appeal during a protest at the MTR Specialist Hospital, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, venue of the test.

Radio Nigeria correspondent completes the story.

Francisca Irekpita

Sport

Edo 2020: Governor Abiodun Promises Athletes Adequate Support

By Web News 793

Ogun State Government has promised to provide a system that can be used to develop athletes that will compete for laurels for the state and Nigeria at large.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun stated this while receiving the Torch of Unity of the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020 at the forecourt of the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. 

Governor Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele explained that the national sports festival was an opportunity to bring the youth together, develop and discover new talents.

The governor admonished the state’s contingent to be of good conduct by following instructions of health and security personnel in order to achieve success at the festival. 

In a chat with newsmen at the event, Commissioner for Youth and Sport, Dr Oluwadare Kehinde expressed optimism that team Ogun would do the state proud at the festival.

The Director of Sports, Ogun State Sports Council, Mr Adesola Faleti who said the state would participate in thirty-two sports, added that all the state’s athletes have resumed camping ahead of the festival.

Olusegun Folarin