NIGERIA AT 64: PREACH MESSAGES OF HOPE LOVE, FORGIVENESS – GOV. ABIODUN

NIGERIA AT 64: PREACH MESSAGES OF HOPE LOVE, FORGIVENESS – GOV. ABIODUN

Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has charged Nigerians to continue to preach messages of hope, love and forgiveness, especially in times of strife and division.

Governor Abiodun, made the call during the Special Jumat Service, to mark the 64th National Day celebration of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, saying the collective faith in God and undying hope for a brighter future have kept Nigerians strong, as well as resilient.

"As we gathered all over the country to celebrate with this special Jumat service, it is important for us to reflect on how far we have come as a people and more significantly, how much more we can achieve by aligning our efforts with the principles of peace, unity and justice, values deeply embedded in Islam", he said.

The Governor, represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, noted that the Special Jumat service was an opportunity to offer thanks for the progress the country had made and pray for intervention in areas the nation still was encountering challenges, informing that it was key to remember the importance of peace in nation building.

Abiodun stressed that under his leadership, the state had witnessed significant strides in infrastructural development, improved security and food initiatives, which he noted, had empowered farmers, to improve agricultural productivity in the state.

He added that his administration focused on job creation through various empowerment programmes and industrialisation efforts, which had in no small measure, provided employment opportunities for the youths.

Governor Abiodun pointed out that these achievements reflected on his commitment to ensuring that the state remains a vital player in Nigeria's journey towards sustainable growth and national prosperity, charging Nigerians to pray for guidance in their decision making, as well as the enactment of policies and programmes that would engender overall benefits to the nation.

Earlier in his sermon, Mufasir of Egbaland, Alhaji Taofeek Amolegbe, said life was full challenges, while efforts to face and conquer them would lead to independence, attributing the nation's major challenge to insecurity.

While stressing the need for more peaceful co-existence, love and unity among Nigerians, he admonished the leaders and citizens to always reflect on the wordings of the national anthem, particularly 'in brotherhood we stand and that truth and justice reign'.

In their separate remarks, The Olu of Ilaro and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, represented by the Adokun of Igan Okoto, Oba Mukaila Salako and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikirulai Adeyiga, congratulated the state and national governments on the 64th national day celebration, saying attaining independence was not easy, considering the factors surrounding it. 

They appreciated the efforts of heroes who fought for independence, calling on government to continue its contribution to nation building and initiate policies that would alleviate the sufferings of the citizens.

 

Idongesit Jonah & Temitayo Taylor,

Press Officers, Office of the Deputy Governor

 

LISABI: THE UPRISING’ MOVIE, A REMINDER OF EGBA IDENTITY - GOV. ABIODUN

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has described the movie, ‘Lisabi: The Uprising’, as a vivid reminder of the heroic exploits of courage, resilience and determination, which shaped the identity and ethos of the Egbas over the years.

Governor Abiodun, stated this during the premier of the movie at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, noting that from the trials of the past to the challenges of the present, the Egba people had stood united, overcoming every obstacle that came their way.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, added that Lisabi was a legendary Yoruba hero of the 19th century, known for leading a successful resistance against the then Oyo Empire and the high-handedness of the Alafia of Oyo.

He stressed that Lisabi's story resonates deeply with our current challenges and aspirations, reminding us of the power of unity and importance of standing up for our rights, saying our ancestors had passed down the traditions and values that define the Yoruba people, which would thrive for generations to come.

Governor Abiodun assured that his administration remained committed to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage which abound in the state, just as it understands the importance of history and storytelling in shaping identity, to foster communal living.

He urged people to draw inspiration from the bravery, patriotism and exemplary leadership of Lisabi, by taking ownership of development initiatives that ensure sustainability, educate themselves on their rights and responsibilities, promote active citizenship, peaceful coexistence and national identity.

While congratulating the Producer of the movie, Mr. Lateef Adedimeji, on the success of the work, Governor Abiodun commended the tireless efforts he put into preserving and promoting the rich cultural history of the Egba people, reaffirming that his administration places a high priority on cultural revival, social justice and community development, with a passion to harmonise the invaluable contributions of the citizens.

Earlier, Mr. Adedimeji said the premier and exhibition of the movie in Abeokuta became imperative, considering the uniqueness of Egbaland in tourism and the giant strides of the state government in creative art, culture and tourism, which were key focus areas under ‘ISEYA’ mantra.

He pledged support towards improving, promoting and showcasing the social cultural heritage of the state, enjoining stakeholders in the movie industries not to relent in showcasing the rich social cultural heritage of the country.

 

Idongesit Jonah & Temitayo Taylor,

Press Officers, Office of the Deputy Governor

 

GOVERNMENT ‘LL ENGAGE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS - OGUN DEP.GOV

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has restated state government's commitment at ensuring that health workers were deployed to public schools across the state.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele gave the assurance in Abeokuta, during the second quarterly meeting of state Taskforce on Primary Healthcare, saying engaging healthcare providers should be of utmost priority in schools, to enable them attend to various health needs and emergencies of the students, where some health challenges could be discovered.

          She urged the Commissioners of Health, as well as Education, Science and Technology to assess the data of health care and emergencies of various schools across the state, in order to make adequate manpower placement of health care workers to the schools.

Speaking, Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, expressed readiness to support the health initiatives, especially those related to school children on immunisation and other health needs.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, explained that the objective of the meeting was to review the achievements of the Board in the last quarter, discuss initiatives, challenges and way forward, in order to achieve a successful health care delivery.

She appreciated the commitment of the state government and development partners in ensuring adequate and affordable health care delivery in the state, saying the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration had priortised the health sector for the benefit of the citizenry.

Earlier in his presentation, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, highlighted some achievements recorded to include, implementation of Primary Healthcare Under One Roof, procurement of equipment with the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, among others.

The meeting had in attendance, representatives of development partners and other stakeholders.

 

Fatimah Alatishe,

Press Officer, Prim. Health Devt. Board

 

OGUN REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ACCOUNTABILITY, BOOSTS FISCAL PERFORMANCE

Ogun State government has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fiscal discipline, while achieving a 74 percent performance rate for its 2023 budget.

The Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary of the State Treasury, Mr. Tunde Aregbesola, made the disclosure while presenting the Citizens' Accountability Report that was based on Audited Financial Statement for the year 2023, during the Citizen Consultation Forum Meeting, at the Ministry of Finance's Conference Room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, highlighted the state's dedication to openness through Ogun State Fiscal Sustainability Programme (OGFSP).

Mr. Aregbesola, who emphasised that the Report underscores government's position at ensuring good governance, noted that the 2023 budget, tagged, "Budget of Continued Development and Prosperity", recorded significant increment, especially in education, health and infrastructure sectors, which he described as dividends of democracy for the citizens of the state.

"What is paramount to us is how to sustain the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) growth in the state, in order to finance the Capital Expenditure. In 2023, the state budgeted N198.749 billion for IGR and realized N146.016 billion, which is a 73 percent performance; this also represents a 22 percent increase in IGR, compared to year 2022", he said.

He added that the government had reduced debts and liabilities, saying the loan performance was only 44 percent, which was a decline of 41 percent to year 2022 borrowing.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Adesina Towolawi, urged participants to objectively assess the state's financial performance by highlighting areas of success and areas requiring improvement, stressing that achieving citizens' satisfaction is the heartbeat of the present administration.

Speaking on behalf of other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Mr. Damilola Shodiya, commended the state government for efforts in promoting openness, good governance, sustaining the gains of State Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) PforR, as well as engagement with citizens through the Citizens Accountability Report, acknowledging the positive impact of such programmes in fostering accountability.

Participants at the forum included representatives from Citizen Accountability Groups, NGOs, Community-Based Organizations (CSOs), Civil Society and the general public.

 

Bolaji Abiodun & Doyinsola Ajisebutu,

Press Officer, Min of Finance

 

OGUN STATE PARTNERS RENL  RUBBER ESTATES TO  BOOST AGRICULTURE, ECONOMY

Ogun State Government has expressed its readiness to collaborate with RENL Rubber Estates, to improve efficiency and profitability, while contributing to the state and nation's economic growth.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, made this known, while receiving RENL's team, led by Managing Director, Olivier Odoukou, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Hon. Owotomo expressed satisfaction with RENL's decision to tap into the state's agricultural potential and promised to consider their request for additional land.

He emphasised government's commitment to supporting businesses and capacity building for management staff and tappers.

In his remarks, Olivier highlighted RENL's objective to collaborate with the state government, invest in rubber plantations, and utilise expertise to contribute to the state's development, soliciting more land and capacity building for tappers.

Present at the meeting were representatives of the state government; members, Board of Directors, RENL, Princess Abioye Philips; Agricultural Technical Manager, Kwasi Hosi Dzigbodir; Cooperate Affairs Manager, Dayo Ikusika and Sola Adekoya from Ilushin Estate Limited.

 

Morolayo Fadairo,

Press Officer, Min. of Agric. & Food Security

 

TESCOM APPOINTS OVER 400 INTO TEACHING SERVICE, HARPS ON DILIGENCE

Another 486 interns, who have duly completed their two-year internship under Ogun Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel, (OgunTEACh), have been given permanent letters of appointment by Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).

          Speaking during the presentation at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Chairman in the Commission, Evang. Olalekan Ifede, said the exercise was in fulfilment of the promise of the state government to bequeath qualitative education to the state, stating that letters were given to qualified interns for full appointment.

"We are giving them appointment letters, like we have done in the past, following thorough verification of compliance level and diligence of interns from their school principals.

"It is a major requirement that they must have completed their two-year internship in schools where they taught, which also serves as their probation", he said.

He charged beneficiaries to remain committed, noting that it was not a time to relax, rather, see their appointment as a call for excellence.

Reacting, two of the beneficiaries from Ijebu North Local Government, Ayanfe-Ademola Adesola and Alabi Adedeji, expressed gratitude to government for promised kept, adding that the gesture was the motivation needed to do better.

The new appointments which was the fourth and last batch in the first series, brings the figures to 1,075 OgunTEACh interns already absorbed into teaching service by the commission.

 

Rasak Sekoni,

Press Officer, TESCOM

 

UBEC, JICANIGERIA TO COLLECT DATA IN PRIMARY, JUNIOR SCHOOLS IN OGUN

In order to block the loopholes in primary and junior secondary schools across the three Senatorial Districts in Ogun State, the Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC), in collaboration with Japanese International Corporation Agency of Nigeria (JICANIGERIA), set to collect data, understand areas of challenge in the education sub-sector and proffer solutions.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Programme Coordinator of Education, JICANIGERIA, Mr. Stephen Nwanya, stated that the exercise would enable the Japanese with support of UBEC, embark on learners’ oriented programmes that would find lasting solution to challenges being faced by learners.

"In the past, we have been focusing on building the schools' structures and teachers' development, but now, we are focusing on improving learners' outcomes. We are focusing more on Mathematics and science subjects in primary and junior secondary schools, which is basic education. We want to understand if they have enough laboratories, textbooks and equipment, among others, so that we can provide for the learners.

"JICANIGERIA has been focusing on other sectors of the economy since 2014 in Nigeria to include, infrastructures, health, power, agriculture, but recently, JICANIGERIA is now more interested in the education sector, so they needed to understand education landscape in Nigeria to see how they can help."

"JICANIGERIA intervention projects come in different forms to include, grant aid project, loan project, as well as technical cooperation project. We have been in FCT, Lagos, Nasarawa and Ogun States to know exactly what aspect of basic education, especially in Mathematics and science subjects to intervene", he said.

Responding, the Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, said qualitative education in the state was in the front burner of the present administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun, describing the initiative as a welcome development, which the learners would tremendously benefit form.

He stressed that SUBEB was ready to partner with the company in achieving desired results and to complement government’s efforts at ensuring that every child has access to quality education in the state, as part of its 'ISEYA' mantra.

 

Gafar Alabi,

Press Officer, SUBEB

 

WE’RE ENGAGING CIVIL, PUBLIC SERVANT AS ADHOC FOR EASY VERIFICATION

Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), has announced that it would engage Public and Civil servants in the state as Electoral Officers, Assistant Electoral Officers, as well as Returning Officers for electoral duties, to ensure accountability and effectiveness in the electoral process.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, during a media engagement in Abeokuta, noting that Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) holders would also be considered for lesser positions.

According to the Chairman, "it is a lot easier to verify the credentials of Public and Civil Servants when appointed for electoral duties. It also means that if there are any issues, it is easier and simpler to trace that person, as well as make accountability a lot easier", he said.

Osibodu described responses for the recruitment process was overwhelming, saying, "there has been loads and loads of applications, people want to take part in the electoral process and the Commission will do its best to recruit the best of them".

The Chairman noted that, "some applicants may not be considered as a result of too many people applying from a particular area; most of the people that would be recruited for the elections are people who will work in their local environment of residence".

In a related development, the Bureau of Code of Conduct has urged Public and Civil Servants to adhere to timely filling of Assets Declaration Form to avoid being convicted by law.

The Acting Director for the State Bureau, Mr. Austin Agbojei, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Commission, noting that failure to do so, could lead to conviction or being barred from political appointment for 10 years.

Agbojei said, "it is required by law for public office holders to fill asset declaration form when appointed into office and at the end of the tenure, inform the Bureau for clearance to avoid delay in processing or forfeiture of retirement benefits".

Responding, one of the Commissioners at OGSIEC, Mrs. Gbemi Onasanya, advised the Bureau to do more of public enlightenment in educating both Civil and Public Servants on the significance of asset declaration forms, as well as the penalty attached.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Commission, Engr. Rasaki Ojetola, appreciated the Bureau for the visit, promising prompt and timely response in collection and submission of the forms.

 

Damilola Akindele,

Press Officer, OGSIEC

 

OGUN ASSEMBLY MEMBER DISTRIBUTES 10,000 WRITING MATERIALS TO PUPILS IN IJEBU-ODE

          Ogun State House Assembly member representing Ijebu-Ode State Constituency, Hon. Bakare Olanrewaju, has distributed over 10,000 writing materials to all public primary schools in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, as part of efforts to support their studies.

While speaking in an interview with journalists after the exercise, Hon. Bakare said the distribution of the writing materials was aimed at ensuring that every pupil in public primary schools in the area have access to essential writing materials, such as notebooks, among other school items.

"This gesture is to support the Ogun State Government efforts and fostering a brighter future for the youth in the community. We want to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has necessary materials to succeed in their studies.

"The distribution of the notebooks to the primary school pupils is aimed at supporting the efforts of the state Government and fostering a brighter future for the youth in the community" the Lawmaker noted

Speaking, Assistant Headteacher, Comrade Ogundele Jamiu, Christ Church Primary School, Isiwo, expressed gratitude for the gesture, saying it would go a long way at motivating and inspiring the pupils to improve on their studies

One of the beneficiaries, St Augustine primary School, Master Folajimi Talabi said he appreciated the kind gesture of the lawmaker for giving them the writing materials.

 

Dare Majekodunmi,

ZIO, Ijebu-Ode

 

ACTIVITIES MARKING 64TH NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATION IN OGUN CONTINUE SUNDAY

Activities marking the 64th National Day celebration Ogun State will continue on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta beginning at 10.00am.

A release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi indicated that a Special Church Service that the low key independence celebration would climax on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, with a commemorative special parade by members of the Nigeria Police Force at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta by 10.00am.

According to the release, guests were expected to be seated 30 minutes before the commencement of the programmes.

 

 OGIS

 

COUNCILLORSHIP SCREENING TO COMMENCE MONDAY

All political parties participating in the forthcoming Local Government Elections in the state are to present candidates for the Councillorship and Chairmanship positions for screening between Monday, September 30 and Friday, October 10, 2024, at Commission's headquarters, beside the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, at 10:00 am each day.

A release signed by the Chairman, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, (OGSIEC), Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, stated that all candidates should contact their party secretariats to confirm their scheduled appearance at the Commission.

It added that candidates must bring their original credentials, as well as other statutory documents for screening and verification.

 

Damilola Akindele,

Press Officer, OGSIEC

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Mosunmola Feyisetan,

Editor, OGIS.

Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ogun State