OGUN TO BEGIN IMMEDIATE RECONSTRUCTION OF ASERO FARMERS MARKET
In a bid to empower local farmers and curb exploitation by middlemen, Ogun State government has disclosed plans to begin immediate reconstruction of Farmers Market at Asero.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food
Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, who revealed this at a stakeholders' engagement with traders at the market, explained that government was committed to improving the livelihood of farmers and provide more conducive trading environment that would boost their sales.
While assuring that the traders would be given due consideration during allocation of the shops, Hon. Owotomo solicited for the support of the occupants, adding that government also plans to reconstruct a market each at Ijebu-Ode and Lusada in Ogun East and West Senatorial districts of the state, respectively.
"The market will be refurbished so that farmers can have a viable market and sell their produce at affordable rate to citizens of Ogun State", he said.
Gbenga Moronfolu,
Press Officer, Min. of Agric. & Food Security
AGRICULTURE OFFERS VAST OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, JOB CREATION - COMMISSIONER
Commercialising agriculture will offer vast opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation which can be leveraged on by youths in boosting food security and sufficiency in the state and the nation at large.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, made this known while delivering a keynote address at the Smart Agropreneurship Project (SAP) summit, organized by Assetrise, with the theme, “Commercialising Agriculture for Food and Income”, at the Ceremonial Building, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), saying, making agriculture a business venture was vital in transforming the sector.
Hon. Owotomo stressed that empowering youth in production of 1 million yam tubers in 2025 would not only increase food production, but would ensure food security, create direct and indirect jobs, as well as establish local and regional markets, among others.
"We must all ensure that we have food sufficiency as a country, have nutritious meals on our tables and most importantly, ensure that our food is affordable. This is possible if a lot of us go into agriculture by practicing farming", he said.
He reiterated that clustering and enclave development were strategic approaches adopted and promoted by the present administration in the state to ensure food sufficiency, explaining that youths who made decision to be new generation farmers should see themselves as essential contributors and ambassadors to the sustenance of life.
The Commissioner urged the youths to embrace farming as a business that would not only transform them financially, but would give them an edge over their contemporaries in other fields, commending Assetrise for promoting food sufficiency by engaging youths from FUNAAB.
Also speaking, Group General Manager, Assetrise, Oluwadurotimi Ojamamoye, informed that the project was designed to solve food insecurity in the country by encouraging youths to engage in commercial agriculture, charging them to tackle hunger and promote food sufficiency.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor, FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, highlighted the institution's role as a hub for food production, as well as its support towards ensuring national food security, expressing optimism that the initiative would enhance food production.
Speaking, a student, Oladipupo Gideon, acknowledged that the summit would further develop the sector.
Morolayo Fadairo,
Press Officer, Min. of Agriculture & Food Security
OGUN GOVT. WARNS PETROL STATIONS AGAINST UNETHICAL PRACTICES
Ogun State government has warned petrol stations across the state against engaging in unethical practices of adjusting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) meters to unsuspecting customers, as such actions would attract heavy sanctions.
Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, gave the warning during a meeting with members of the State's Monitoring Committee, at Oke-Moasn, Abeokuta, stressing that the present administration in the state would not condone any sharp practices that could shortchange the value of fuel purchased by motorists and other residents of the state.
Engr. Dairo stated that the team was set up to address inadequacies in transport fares and fuel, as well as to stop sharp practices by marketers, such as tampering with meters, to prevent an additional burden on people, who are already affected by the hike in fuel price and its attendant effects on the cost of transport fares and other economic activities in the country.
He stressed that failure of any union to comply with agreed resolution would be seen as an anti-government posture, tasking them to ensure that their members do not arbitrarily increase transport fares, while assuring the people of government’s commitment towards alleviating their plight during the economic downturn, as the Monitoring Team had visited some petrol stations, motor parks, and garages to ensure compliance.
Bukky Abdulsalam,
Press Officer, OGMoT
OGSG’s POLICIES, PROGRAMMES TO BOOST MSMEs YEILDING POSITIVE RESULTS – GOV.’s AIDE
Driven by the mission to boost Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) growth, the present administration in Ogun State has initiated policies and programmes, aimed at improving ease of doing business, creating access to finance, simplifying land acquisition and registration of business premises, as well as infrastructure across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Ogun State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency, (OgunInvest), Ms. Sola Arobieke, stated this during a panel discussion at a two-day SME Development Workshop and Stakeholders Engagement Programme, organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with Woodhall Capital, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, saying streamlined regulations, improved access to financing and enhanced infrastructure had empowered local entrepreneurs and driven economic growth.
Speaking on the topic, "Creating an Enabling Environment for Sustainable Growth", Ms. Arobeke, said OgunInvest provided guidance on accessing tax incentives at both the federal and state levels, adding that the state government had introduced initiatives such as, revenue harmonisation and tax reforms, including online payment of Pay As You Earn (PAYE), as well as other taxes.
She informed that OgunInvest serves as a centralised hub for businesses in the state to simplify the entrepreneurial process by providing streamlined access to land, permits and essential government services, noting that regular engagement with the Organised Private Sector (OPS) was a cornerstone of the state’s approach to fostering a supportive business climate, just as, “Breakfast with the Governor” sessions, was a forum to facilitate direct feedback, dialogue, share insights and challenges, with stakeholders, investors and business leaders, thereby enabling government to address concerns effectively and adapt its policies.
The governor’s aide highlighted the significance of the Ogun State Business Environment Council (OGBEC) in harmonising regulations across state at local government level, to engender a more business-friendly environment, empower local entrepreneurs and drive economic development, disclosing that to streamline the licensing process and promote entrepreneurship, the state’s Business Premises Portal had reduced its registration period from 18 days to mere minutes, while processing a construction permit was now seven days as against 51 days for residential applications and 14 days for commercial, even as Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) also facilitates global access to land purchases in the state.
On her part, Executive Vice-President of Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade & Export Development Division, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, expressed the bank’s dedication to fostering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) growth, to encourage competitive, export-grade products that meet global standards, thereby unlocking new trade opportunities and positioning local businesses for international expansion.
Contributing, founder of Woodhall Capital, Mrs. Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, noted that supporting SMEs in reaching their full potential is crucial in building a prosperous Africa, emphasizing that helping enterprises to produce high-value, export-ready products would not only open international markets for them but also transform them into key players in the global trade economy, lamenting that limited access to these markets and the current lack of value-added production capabilities were preventing SMEs from maximizing the benefits of trade opportunities.
In her remarks, Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development at Afreximbank, emphasised the importance of boosting SMEs’ participation in export value chains, pledging her company’s commitment to supporting the export development of SMEs.
Sesan Sodunke,
Press Officer, OgunInvest
OGUN INFORMATION MINISTRY CELEBRATES RETIRED DIRECTOR
Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy has celebrated a retired Director, Department of Public Enlightenment, Mr. Seyi Oladimeji, after 33 years of meritorious service and 60 years retirement age.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Waheed Adesina, who spoke during a send-off ceremony for the retiree at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, described Mr. Oladimeji as a man of peace, noting that his diligence had positively impacted and transformed the department where he served.
Mr. Adesina, who stated that the retired director was a strategist, visionary leader, disciplined and thorough-bred professional, who would be missed by management and staffers in the Ministry, advised him to take care of his health, as retirement could be a challenging period, enjoining Civil Servants still in service to emulate him, as he had immensely contributed to the success and progress of the ministry.
Earlier, General Manager, Ogun State Television, Mr. Tunde Kassim, acknowledged Mr. Oladimeji’s sacrifices and unwavering dedication to duty.
On his part, General Manager, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Mrs. Toyin Sogbesan, expressed joy at his achievements in the public service.
Contributing, a representative from the management of the Ministry, Mrs. Kemi Ewedairo-Yusuf, affirmed his passion and dedication to duty.
One of the officers in his Department, Mrs. Derinsola Salau, appreciated the retired Director for his good works, transparency and imparting knowledge to people around while in service, saying his contributions to the service were unquantifiable.
Toyin Odetola,
OGIS
IKENNE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO RECEIVE CERTIFICATE OF ODF STATUS TOMORROW
The Federal government team, led by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Joseph Utsev and the team from Clean Nigeria Use the Toilet campaign team, will tomorrow, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, present a certificate of Open Defecation Free Status to Ikenne Local Government (LG) Area of Ogun State, making it first in the state and second in South-Western Nigeria.
In a release signed by the Programme Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN) Mr. Sola Ogunbo, Ikenne Local Government attained the status in year 2023 according to National Task Group on Sanitation.
It indicated that the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, who is the State Lead Sanitation Ambassador would also grace the event at Eco Center, Ikenne Local Government at 10: 00 am.
The release enjoined invited guests to be seated 30minutes before commencement of the programme.
Taiwo Soremekun,
Press Officer, Ministry of Rural Development
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