OGSG EMPOWERS 160 WOMEN FARMERS WITH CHICKENS, OTHERS

 OGSG EMPOWERS 160 WOMEN FARMERS WITH CHICKENS, OTHERS

 160 women farmers from eight local governments area of Ogun State, under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) have received 480 chickens and 2,160 garden seedlings, to boost food production across the state.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, who stated this during the flag-off of the exercise, at OGADEP, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, said the initiative was to improve the livelihood of women farmers and enhance the well-being of the people.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, Hon. Owotomo noted that empowering women in agriculture with tools and resources would not only boost household income, but also increase the availability of eggs for consumption and reduce malnutrition, thereby improving nutrition, as well as build a healthier society.

"Your commitment to agriculture and resilience are remarkable. You are the backbone of our rural economy and through your efforts, Ogun State will continue to achieve food security and economic prosperity.

“The initiative will increase household income, with potential for families to produce an average of 30 eggs monthly to meet their nutritional needs, create the opportunity to sell surplus eggs, boost their overall well-being, as well as enable them to eat fresh, organic produce to ensure a better control of their diet with continuous access to animal protein in a sustainable manner", he said.

Remarking, the Acting Project Coordinator, VCDP, Mrs. Temitope Ajisafe, stressed that empowering women in the state, especially in the area of nutrition of every household, would boost productivity and healthy among families, adding that the categories of women beneficiaries included, nursing mothers, youths, adults and pregnant women.

She explained that each beneficiary was given three chickens, along with their feeds, varieties of home garden seedlings and fertilisers, urging them to adhere strictly to instructions on how to use them.

On her part, the Acting Programme Manager, OGADEP, Mrs. Victoria Shobande, said the chickens and seedlings distributed such as banana, orange, sweet brown potato, among others, were carefully selected because of their high nutritional value, imploring beneficiaries to nurture them well to fully enjoy the benefits.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mrs. Oluwafemi Olabiran and Mrs. Barakat Olubaje, from Ijebu East and Odeda Local Government Areas (LGAs), respectively, appreciated the state government, promising that each household would make good use of the item distributed to enhance their nutrition.

Beneficiaries were drawn from Odeda, Obafemi-Owode, Ifo, Odogbolu, Ijebu North-East, Yewa South, Yewa North and Ijebu East LGAs of the state.

Other seedlings distributed included, pumpkin, plantain, soursop, pawpaw, tomato and pepper.

 

Gbenga Moronfolu & Morolayo Fadairo,

Press Officers, Ministry of Agriculture & Food Security

 

SPORTS COMMISSIONER EMPHASISES ON EXCELLENCE, SAFETY AS OGUN CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR NYG

Ogun State contingent to the National Youth Games (NYG) has been tasked to strive for excellence in their respective sports and prioritise safety and well-being during the competition, in order to win laurels for the state.

The Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, gave the charge at Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, while addressing athletes and officials, representing the state participating in the eighth edition of the National Youth Games, on their departure to Asaba, Delta State, expressing confidence that Team Ogun would make the state proud by showcasing the talents and dedication of its young athletes.

Hon. Isiaka, who stated that the current administration was intensifying efforts to develop sports and youth development programmes in the state, submitted that with a strong contingent and a clear focus on safety and excellence, the Team is poised to make a significant impact at the Games

Emphasising the need for vigilance and caution, particularly in a new environment, the Commissioner noted that many of the athletes were teenagers, who were not familiar with the surroundings, urging the coaches and officials to ensure their maximum security at all times.

He appealed to the athletes to give their best to avoid disqualification and any act that could be an embarrassment to the state, assuring them of government's support during and after the Games.

In his remarks, the Acting Director of Sports, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade, commended the current administration for its unwavering support to the development of sports in the state, assuring that the calibre of young and enterprising athletes representing the state at the competition would surpass previous achievements.

On behalf of the young athletes, a sprinter competing in 100 and 200 metres race, Enilolobo Rebecca, appreciated government for providing modern facilities for their training and other morale-boosting support, promising to make the state proud in the various sporting events.

With over 300 young athletes and officials participating in the games, the state would feature in 28 sports including, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Rugby, Scrabble, Shooting, Squash, Abula, Darts, Gymnastics, Handball, Swimming, Badminton, Table-tennis, Para-Table-tennis, Athletics, Chess, Ayo Olopon and Judo.

Others are Deaf athletics, Para-athletics, Karate, Kung-Fu, Wrestling and Kickboxing.

 

Disu Ayobami,

Press Officer, Ministry of Sports Development

 

LG ELECTIONS: OGSIEC ENGAGES POLITICAL PARTIES ON ACTIVE PARTICIPATION

Active participation of political parties in the electoral process of voter registration and results collation is crucial to the success of the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.

Chairman, Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission, (OGSIEC), Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, stated this during a parley with the 17 registered political parties in the state, at the Commission's headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, pointing out that their input and cooperation in all stages of the Chairmanship and Councillorship elections would engender a seamless exercise.   

He reiterated the umpire's commitment to a continuous engagement with political parties for a credible poll, saying, "the essence of the gathering is to foster collaborations with political parties, we believe that by working together, we can create an inclusive, transparent electoral system that truly represents the will of the people”.

          The Chairman maintained that, "as the Commission Continues to gear up for the forthcoming polls on November 16, 2024, it is important that the highest level of integrity, fairness ++and professionalism is sustained, while ensuring electoral process is free, fair, credible and peaceful".

He urged them to campaign vigorously to convince the electorate of their capacity to do the job, adding that political parties should ensure their agents were on ground at the polling units to sign result sheets, in order to prevent rigging.

The Chairman assured them of adequate security, disclosing that the Commission was working assiduously with all security agencies, to checkmate any security breach towards ensuring a smooth electoral process.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary in the agency, Engr. Ojetola Olabode, emphasised the need to elect people of integrity towards the development of the society.

He enjoined political parties to cooperate with the Commission to ensure free, fair, credible elections, devoid of rancour, chaos and violence.

Appreciating the Commission for the political parley, one of the stakeholders at the meeting, Mr. Yinka Ola-Williams, said that the initiative would foster good relationship with political parties and engender a hitch-free exercise.  

 

Akindele Damilola,

Press Officer, OGSIEC

 

ENVIRONMENTAL INFRACTIONS: OGUN SEALS FIVE INDUSTRIES

As part of its efforts at ensuring environmental compliance, Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), has sealed five industries for environmental infractions.

The companies were, Nixim Paper Limited, Long Xiang Aluminum, both at the Sagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; New Shidai Manufacturing Limited, Mowe in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area and two unregistered companies operating illegally in Ogere axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Speaking, Chairman of the Ogun State Taskforce on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Alhaji Farook Akintunde, who led the enforcement team to seal the companies, explained that the companies were shut down due to petitions received from their immediate communities, complaining of incessant discharge of untreated waste water into the environment.

"This was confirmed by OGEPA which issued a Stop Work Order for them to stop production and correct the anomaly. Instead of obeying the order, they ignored it and continue to degrade the environment with the discharge of their harmful untreated waste water into their immediate communities.

"The state government was therefore left with no options than to shut them down in the overriding public interest and compelled them to stop their harmful environmental practice, as it was also discovered that they do not have Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP), which they must have and install to stop the incessant and harmful waste water discharge", he said.  

In his remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency OGEPA, Dr. Oluwadare Kehinde, stressed that complying with waste management regulations in the state was crucial to preventing water pollution and maintaining water quality standard.

 "OGEPA will not compromise on this as it will continue to demand from industries, best environmental standard, as enunciated in the Ogun State Green Book, which contains the laws guiding environmental practices in the state", he said.

For the two unregistered companies sealed along the three others, the Special Adviser said they must do proper registration with the state government and fulfil other operational obligations before they would be allowed to operate in the state.

 

Sakirat Kehinde-Ajala,

 Press Officer, Min of Environment & OGEPA