Politics

Makinde to Appoint Permanent Secretaries Soon

By Web News 966

By Iyabo Adebisi

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said that he will soon appoint Permanent Secretaries to vacant positions in the state’s Civil service, following the advice of the retired Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Ololade Agboola.


The governor, who stated this while speaking at the retirement and thanksgiving programme of the retired Head of Service held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan said that the ex-HoS was committed to workers’ welfare.


He also said that it was commendable that the outgone HoS did not recommend any staff for dismissal all through her four year tenure.


A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, further quoted the governor as saying that his administration will soon purchase official vehicles for serving Permanent Secretaries and Tutors-General in the state.


Governor Makinde who described Alhaja Ololade Agboola as a team player who contributed immensely to the success of his administration in the past four years, adding that she was so passionate about Service to the state.


While admitting that Alhaja Agboola was a member of his administration’s think tank, the governor noted that his government was successful in putting the right pegs in the right holes.


He also stated that since it came into office, his administration has refused to base its decisions on sentiments such as religion or region.


In a remarks , Alhaja Agboola thanked God and Governor Seyi Makinde for giving her the opportunity to serve the state as Head of Service, despite all odds.


She also commended the state government, Labour unions and other government functionaries, for providing a conducive atmosphere for her to thrive.


She pledged to continue her support for the Seyi Makinde- led administration.

The event was attended by the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, the state deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, former deputy governors of the state, the husband of the celebrant who is also the Chairman State Advisory Council, Senator Hosea Agboola, law makers, Commissioners, traditional rulers, among others.

Politics

Oyetola left N76bn debt in salaries, pensions – Osun Govt

By Web News 576

The Osun State government says it has uncovered debt in salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments incurred by the administration of a former governor, Mr Gboyega Oyetola amounting to 76 billion naira.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Bimpe Ogunlumade disclosed this while briefing officials of the new administration on the financial status of the state. 

The disclosure was contrary to the claim by the former Governor that he left 14 billion naira in cash for the new government among other claims that have now been found to be a falsehood.

The Permanent Secretary gave the breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities to include, salary over 29 billion naira, pension arrears of 45 billion naira and Group Life Assurance Scheme amounting to 554 million naira.

Spokesperson to the Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed in a statement, said that the 76 billion naira is not the total debt left by the past administration as briefings on other sources of liabilities continue tomorrow.

Funmi Adekoya

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTubeChannels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Environment

Oyo Government Plans another Resettlement Facility

By Web News 878

The government of Oyo State, on Wednesday, again evacuated over 400 beggars and destitute within the Ibadan metropolis.

It equally declared its plans to provide another resettlement centre for the beggars and destitute in the capital city.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola, stated this when she led the raiding team on the evacuation of beggars and destitute from Jemibewon/Mokola/Sango University of Ibadan main gate.

Other areas captured during the evacuation exercise include Challenge/Oja’ba, Oje/Bodija, Iwo Road/Gbagi and Basorun Akobo routes.

While speaking with the journalists shortly after the exercise, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Olayiwola explained that the government is hell-bent on returning sanity by ensuring that beggars and the destitute keep off the streets and roads.

She said: “The government of the day is not interested in seeing the destitute and beggars on our roads without being fed and looking battered. As a result of this, the government provided a settlement for them, where they can be well fed, given proper health care and enjoy other facilities but we still discovered that they go outside to beg and do other things that this government seriously frowns at.”

“Yes, the government is planning to provide another settlement area for them apart from the one here in Akinyele. Though we have returned some of these beggars, who have been rehabilitated back to their families, having taken their profile and know where they belonged.”

“The next thing we are planning to do now is to employ security guards to take control of the gates so as to prevent them from going outside to beg for alms.”

“When we went out today to raid markets and neighboring streets, we were able to evacuate over 400 of them back into the settlement the government has provided for them and we are still expecting more.”

“We all know that the focus of this administration is to ensure the lives of the less privileged are improved upon and that is what it has been doing.”

“The destitute and beggars in Oyo State need care, affection, rehabilitation and resettlement. All these have been taken care of by the state government. But despite the care and comfort being given to them at the resettlement centre in Akinyele, we have observed that some of them are very stubborn to the extent that they still stray back to the street but the government is hell-bent on ensuring that they stay at the provided centre.”

“We want to make sure that we enforce the law and implement their full stay in the centre. The government will continue to do this as we now raid in the afternoon and evening hours. So, we are ready to tackle the stubbornness of these destitute.”

“Also, we sincerely appreciate the level of cooperation of the citizenry on this development. They have been so supportive and we will continue with the exercise until they comply with the orders of the state government.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Christiana Abioye noted that necessary attention and more facilities have been provided for the evacuees to make it more habitable and conducive for them.

“We see no reason why they should not stay here just as the government has directed. We will not rest on our oars until we rid the state of them totally,” She added.

Meanwhile, a resident of Oyo State, Mr Wasiu Gunwa, expressed joy on the evacuation exercise, as he affirmed that the beggars create all sorts of problems in the environment.

Mr Gunwa prayed for the government to do more so as to ameliorate the challenges of the less privileged.

Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun

Commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism

Oyo State

News

FG Seeks Support Against Challenges Facing Nation’s Water System

By Web News 774

The Federal Ministry of water resources has identified an increased demand for water due to population growth as problems confronting the development and management of the nation’s water resources

Permanent secretary, federal ministry of water resources, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack made this known in Ibadan at a southwest stakeholders engagement on the 2013 national water resources master plan implementation.

Mrs Walson-Jack who also highlighted climate change and uneven distribution of rainfall across the country however explained that the Federal government was sensitizing relevant stakeholders to implement the 2013 water Master plan.

She said the first water resources master plan for the country in 1995 recorded setbacks due to lack of political will and weak implementation structure, hence the need for the stakeholder’s sensitization workshop on the new plan.

Mrs Walson-Jack explained that the new plan focuses to achieve management and monitoring of water resources for agricultural production, food security and adequate provision of safe water.

While noting that the ministry had earlier organized similar sensitizations in Kano and Sokoto states, Mrs Walson-Jack explained that the stakeholders would be intimated on the need for Nigeria to consent to the United Nation’s water Convention.

She appealed to states, local governments, development partners and end-users to collaborate with the Federal government to ensure successful accession to the UN water convention.

Reacting to two of the participants, Mr Michael Ale and chairman, Oyo state rural water supply, Mr Najeem Omirinde advised the Federal Government to include in the plan, measures to check the indiscriminate drilling of Borehole.

The participants also called for the need to review the 2013 water plan to allow it to meet the current reality on the ground.

Mosope Kehinde

Judiciary

Gov. Makinde Eulogises Late PS Min. of Justice

By Web News 736

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde had described the death of the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Prince Wasiu Adetunji Gbadegesin , as a painful blow to the state, the Ministry of Justice and especially the judiciary in the state.
Governor Makinde, who described the late permanent secretary as a hardworking and efficient civil servant, who gave his best to the state, adding that his wealth of experience and expertise will be greatly missed.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicates that the governor equally commiserated with the family of the late Gbadegesin, staffers of the Ministry of Justice and the judiciary family in the state.

Governor Makinde prayed God to grant prince Gbadegesin Aljanah Firdaus and give his immediate family, the royal family of Oyo, civil servants in the state and members of the judiciary family in the state the fortitude to bear this loss.

Adebisi Iyabo

Politics

Ogun Trains OGSIEC Staff Ahead Of LG Elections

By Web News 954

Ahead of the Ogun State local government elections, the state government has urged the staffers of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, OGSIEC, to develop a high attitude to work and be compliant with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

The Permanent Secretary, OGSIEC, Mrs Mojisola Dosunmu made the plea during a one-day training programme for members of staff of the commission held in Abeokuta.

Mrs Dosunmu explained that the seminar was birthed in order to further encourage the staffers to gear-up in their attitude to work and reiterate adhering strictly to preventive measures of COVID-19 especially in their offices.

One of the resource persons and Director, Management Services and Zonal Administration, Mrs Idowu Kehinde, implored the staffers to cultivate the right attitude to work, while upholding the principles and ethics of the civil service to foster achievement of organizational goals set by the government.

Addressing the participants, Dr Olalekan Sodeinde from the Ogun State Ministry of Health, said COVID-19 was very much around and urged them to prevent the spread of the deadly virus by taking personal preventive measures seriously.

Dr Sodeinde stressed that the Ogun State government was taking laudable steps to stem the communal spread of the virus, by creating centers across the twenty local government areas of the state for free COVID-19 testing and home treatment packages for people with mild symptoms.

Francisca Irekpita

Education

Ekiti Cautions Against Use of Unauthorized Electronic Devices During WAEC

By Web News 855

Ekiti State Government has cautioned students writing the ongoing Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination, SSCE organised by WAEC against the use of unauthorized electronic devices apart from the ones provided by the examination body.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Foluso Daramola gave the warning while monitoring the ongoing WAEC examination in Oye, Ikole, Ekiti East, part of Ido/Osi and Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Areas of the state.

Mr Daramola noted that some of the personal electronic devices like phones, calculators, tablets, and laptop computers could aid examination malpractices.

He warned that any school that flouted government directive would be sanctioned especially principal of such school.

The commissioner  expressed satisfaction with the COVID-19 preventive arrangements put in place in all schools visited, as well the for the security mounted by officers and men of the Ekiti State Peace Corps who were on ground to prevent mercenaries and intruders from infiltrating the examination centres.

In all the schools visited, it was observed that all the Coronavirus safety items were on ground while students wore face masks.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Mr. James Owolabi also led a team to Ekiti Central Senatorial District of the state to monitor the examination. 

Kunle Adeniyi 

Assistant Director (Information) 

Ministry of Education Science and Technology Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

17th August, 2020

Education

Oyo Teachers’ Recruitment: 400 1st Class Graduates, 70,000 Others Jostle For 7,500 Vacancies

By Web News 1433

Over four hundred first class graduates are part of seventy thousand job seekers that applied for teaching appointment under Oyo State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM.

Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs Grace Oderinde who stated this in Ibadan at the commencement of the Computer Based Test, CBT, for the applicants said, there are seven thousand and five hundred vacancies.

Speaking with newsmen, Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Post Primary Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Mrs Grace Oderinde assured applicants that the recruitment would be merit based.

Mrs Oderinde however hinted that the state would give special recognition to the applicants with first class certificate noting that Governor Seyi Makinde showed empathy on why such graduates should be roaming the streets.

The chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT in the state, Mr Samson Adedoyin who expressed satisfaction with the arrangement put in place for the test, admonished the prospective applicants to put in their best.

Mr Adedoyin explained that the NUT had pushed for the decentralization of the exercise but agreed with TESCOM based on logistics.

Some of the applicants in an interview with Radio Nigeria expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination.

The applicants also lauded government for zero payment for the whole recruitment exercise.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored the exercise at the University of Ibadan, Distance Learning Centre, venue of the exercise reports that the exam was conducted in line with COVID-19 safety protocols.

Iyabo Adebisi

Education

Resumption: We will close non-complying schools – Ondo Govt.

By Web News 845

The Ondo State government has threatened to temporarily close down secondary schools that fail to adhere strictly to the protocols against COVID-19 as SS3 students resumed for the preparations of WAEC and NECO Examinations.

Radio Nigeria correspondent who monitored resumption of students in Akure the state capital reports that many secondary schools observed all preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Students were seen wearing face masks while hand washing buckets with liquid soaps were placed at strategic places in schools that have also been fumigated.

Infrared thermometers were also used at the entrance of the gates while classes were arranged to follow social distancing protocol.

Addressing newsmen during a tour, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Akin Asaniyan who expressed satisfaction with what he saw on ground, said some schools were yet to fully comply with the guidelines for resumption.

Mr Asaniyan said monitoring team would be going round the state to inspect and close down schools that fail to comply until they do the needful. 

Some teachers of secondary schools as well as the Senior Secondary Schools 3 students who spoke with Radio Nigeria expressed readiness and preparedness ahead of WAEC and NECO exams, promising to make the state proud when results are released.

Kayode Animasaun

Economy

Ekiti Government Orientates Newly-Appointed Officers

By Web News 918

Ekiti State government says it will continue to raise a crop of competent, efficient and effective officers whose desire will be to implement government policies and make service delivery their ultimate goal. 

Ekiti State Head of Service, Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi made this known while declaring open a week-long induction/orientation course for newly appointed Administrative Officers, Accountants, Auditors, Registrars of Cooperatives and Inspector of Taxes at the Staff Development Centre, Ado-Ekiti. 

Mr. Ajayi who described the course as very significant towards exposing the newly-appointed officers to the intricacies of government business, charged them to make the best of the induction meant to equip the officers with necessary skills and knowledge that would prepare them for the task ahead.  

The Permanent Secretary, Office of Capacity Development and Reforms, Mr. Oluwadare Ajayi advised the participants to work in support of the ideals of the Public Service and shun unethical practices.

Some of the participants, including Tope Adigun, Bolanle Ogundipe, Anthony Olatoye and Ayodele Alabi expressed their readiness to contribute their quota with vigour to the development of the Civil Service in the state.

Niyi Alade