OGUN GOVT. TO INCREASE NUMBER OF TEACH INTERNS

OGUN GOVT. TO INCREASE NUMBER OF TEACH INTERNS

 Governor Dapo Abiodun is committed to raising the bar of teacher recruitment in the State through the Ogun Teach Initiative, promising to increase the number currently pegged at 4,000 to 6,000.

The Governor made this known in his office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, while receiving the management team of Teach for All and Teach for Nigeria programme who were in the State for their retreat, saying the move would help to close the gap in Students to Teachers ratio in the State.


He added that his administration in line with the current economic realities had increased the wages of the Ogun Teach Interns in the State to N80,000.

"Till date, Ogun Teach has employed over 4000 teachers, we are about to employ another batch now, that will make that 5,000, I have promised to make it 6,000", he said.

Governor Abiodun said his administration would continue to absorb fellows of the Teach for Nigeria programme who met the necessary requirements, as the State was committed to become the reference point for the Teach for Nigeria programme in the country.

In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, Teach for Nigeria, Mrs. Molade Adeniyi commended the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government for his support at creating an enabling environment for the programme to thrive in the State.

 Mrs. Adeniyi noted that the mission of Teach for Nigeria, was to ensure that every child has access to excellent and quality education which aligns with the ISEYA mantra of the present administration.

She added that the Teach for Nigeria programme only recruits highly qualified, energetic and disciplined young men and women, who then go through a two-year fellowship, saying they were building leaders who are passionate about tackling the inequity in the education sector, and at the same time, passionate about giving quality education.

"When we think about our progress and achievement, you know we cannot but talk about the State government, they have provided an enabling environment for us to be able to do our work, they are always extra supportive, they are open to dialogue and discuss, so we are actually able to come to the table and talk about what the challenges are, what the problems are, what the solutions, and they really do give us their one hundred percent backing.

"So, for us, the open-door policy communication, the high level of integrity has always been top notch and therefore our partnership has been excellent all the way, and we look forward to partnering with the government more, as we continue to tackle the education inequity and ensure that every child gets access to excellent education", she said.

 

Obasan Oluwafunso,

Information/Public Relations Officer, Office of the Governor

 

OUR FINANCIAL POLICIES ARE HINGED ON TRANSPARENCY, SUSTAINABILITY - OKUBADEJO

In its efforts to foster continued economic development and empower citizens, the Ogun State government has reiterated its commitment to driving innovative, transparent and sustainable initiatives in policy formation and processes.

          This was made known by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, during a revenue meeting with Payment Service Providers, at the Ministry of Finance conference room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

          Okubadejo noted that various financial reforms have been implemented to attract investors, block leakages and fast-track business processes in the State, such as the Billing and Payment Management System (BPMS), digitisation of land acquisition, automated payment processes, Treasury Single Account (TSA), among others.

He added that the pilot agencies where these initiatives were activated, namely the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Internal Revenue Service and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, have recorded immense success in different perspectives.

Okubadejo stated that to further promote transparency and seamless services, more Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) would be onboarded to these platforms, including the Ministries of Environment, Industry, Trade & Investment, Health, Transportation, and Agriculture.

He said to achieve this feat, rests heavily on ensuring that civil servants played an integral part of the initiatives, as they were the ones who would ensure its sustainability.

          In his response, the CEO of ICMA, Mr. Lukman Buari, applauded the government for creating a level playing field for service providers and acknowledged the contributions of workers to the successes achieved in implementing the initiatives thus far, pledging the continued optimal delivery of their targets.

 

Bolaji Abiodun & Doyinsola Ajisebutu,

Information/Public Relations Officers, Min. Of Finance.


OGSG SOLICITS NSCDC'S SUPPORT TO FURTHER ENHANCE SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

Safe Environment has been described as one of the major parameters for ensuring desired educational standards, hence the need for Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to partner with security agencies to achieve security of lives and property in Schools.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, reiterated this, while receiving the new Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, in his office, Abeokuta, soliciting their support to further ensure a safe academic environment in all schools across the State.

Prof. Arigbabu noted that the government relies strongly on the experiences of security agencies like the Police Force, NSCSC and other security outfits to better educate learners on the necessary security tips needed to safeguard themselves in and around school premises.         

Arigbabu enjoined the Security Corps to map out strategies that could be adopted for school safety and protection, saying in their efforts to help restore discipline and safety in schools, the Ministry should be properly carried along.

"We look forward to how you can help us to further secure our schools. I must tell you that I have confidence in NSCDC, Police and others to help us do this", he said.

Responding, the new NSCDC Commandant in the State, Mrs. Remilekun Ekundayo, said the issue of safety in schools was very key in their action plan, promising to carry out needed sensitisation on how Students can speak out any time they were being molested or harassed.

 

Segun Obadimu,

Information/Public Relations Officer, MOEST


TEACHERS TASKED ON CURRENT TEACHING TRENDS

    Secondary School Teachers in Ogun State have been tasked with updating their knowledge of current trends that will enhance their teaching skills and improve the academic performance of students.

    Commissioner II in the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Hon. Moruf Adesegun, stated this during the monitoring visit of the Commission's team to several secondary schools in the State, following the commencement of the second term 2024/2025 academic session. 

    Hon. Adesegun emphasised the importance of thinking outside the box and adopting new teaching practices to improve the education system, saying, “As a teacher, you must equip yourself with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide our students in this process”.

    Contributing, the Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi, described teachers as sculptors who shape the lives of their students, emphasising that the moral values and training imparted in students would ultimately reflect in their future endeavors.

     She urged the management and staff at the schools visited to take their jobs seriously, adhere to the fundamentals of the teaching profession, ensure teamwork to achieve common goals, and take good care of their health by enrolling in the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme (OGSHIA) for their well-being.

     “We will highlight measures that will be taken to ensure that all teachers fulfill their obligation to enroll in OGSHIA. You will see how we will bridge the gap through an innovative approach, ensuring that no teacher is left behind in our journey”, Mrs. Ogunremi said.

     In his remarks, the Principal-General of Egba Division, Mr. Babatunde Ige, stated that the monitoring exercise aims to evaluate the preparedness of teachers for the new term, and to review all statutory records to guarantee critical information was captured appropriately, without witch-hunting anyone.

     In response, the Principals of Nawair-Ud-Deen Grammar School, Obantoko, and Muslim High School, Isolu, Mrs Rukayat Ojikutu and Mrs Adebisi Akindele, respectively, affirmed that teachers were ready and actively engaging in academic activities across all classes. They expressed their appreciation to the TESCOM team for visiting their schools, stating that the monitoring would boost their morale. 

    Other schools visited by the team include Orile-Ilugun Comprehensive High School in Odeda Local Government, Imala Grammar School, Idi-Emi High School, Olorunda Community High School, and Army Day Secondary School all in Abeokuta North Local Government.

  The team was accompanied by directors from TESCOM, the Zonal Secretary of Abeokuta North and several staff members from the commission.

 

Temitope Adewunmi,

Information/Public Relations Officer, TESCOM


GOVT TO EXPLOIT STRATEGIC PLAN TO ACTIVATE SPECIAL AGRO-INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING ZONES

           The Federal Government in collaboration with State Governments have initiated a strategic plan to activate the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in select States across the country.

 Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, who revealed this at a dinner to mark the grand finale at an SAPZ workshop, at Park Inn by Radisson, Abeokuta, said the initiative aims to promote agricultural industrialisation, ensure food security and boost economic growth.

Owotomo pointed out that so much efforts had been put in place in developing strategies towards boosting food security and agriculture industrialisation, adding that the State government was committed and would also be supportive to the SAPZ Programme.

"The State is strategically located and with strong agricultural heritage, we understand the profound impact that SAPZ will have on preventing urban migration, rural- urban transformation, job creation opportunities and enhanced socio-economic development across the State", he said.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan stated that the hosting of the event was an attestation to a shared vision of advancing sustainable agriculture and creating transformative opportunities for the people of the State.

Olabimtan enjoined all stakeholders to embrace collaboration, exchange ideas, strengthen commitment for a future, where agriculture would strive as a corner stone of development.

In his remarks, the National Programme Coordinator, SAPZ, Dr. Kabiru Yusuf, represented by the Financial Controller, Mrs. Temitope Olayiwola, applauded the State government for being supportive, noting that SAPZ would prosper in the State as target would also be met.

Also speaking, the State programme Coordinator and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye commended the State and Federal governments for their commitment towards the programme, assuring that all strategies adopted would be carried out.

 

Gbenga Moronfolu & Morolayo Fadairo,

Information/Public Relations Officers, Min. of Agriculture and Food Security


           REVITALISATION OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTRES GETS A BOOST

In a significant move to strengthen its healthcare system, the Ogun State Government and the World Bank IMPACT Project has held a mobilisation training and briefing programme with successful contractors for the 75 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) Revitalisation Project.

This was made known by the Executive Secretary, Ogun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola. According to him, the milestone event marked the official kick-start of the project, aimed at transforming the State's primary healthcare infrastructure, noting that the meeting serves as a platform for bringing together, stakeholders and contractors to familiarise them with the project's objectives, scope, and timelines, towards ensuring that all parties involved were on the same page, working towards a common goal of delivering top-notch healthcare services to the people of the State.

"The successful execution of the PHC Revitalisation Project is expected to have a profound impact on the State's healthcare landscape, by renovating and equipping primary healthcare centres, the government aims to increase access to quality healthcare services, particularly for rural and underserved communities, which will contribute to improved health outcomes, reduced morbidity and mortality rates, and enhanced overall wellbeing”, Ogunsola said.

Dr. Ogunsola's statement highlights Governor Abiodun's commitment to providing quality and accessible healthcare services to the people of the State, saying that the initiative was part of the Governor's efforts to strengthen the State's healthcare system, which had seen significant improvements. The project's focus on revitalising primary healthcare centres, aligns with the Governor's goal of ensuring the welfare, wellness, and well-being of citizens particularly for rural and under served communities, he further said.

In his remarks, the World Bank Consultant on Impact Project, Arch. Bolaji Anjorin stated that the contractors were keenly selected through a rigorous process in the area of documentation and budget, adding that the training would bring all stakeholders on the same page and keep them abreast of the aims and objectives of the project.

He further stated that the monitoring team which would comprise  World bank representatives, State Impact teams, Contractors and other monitoring officers would work hand in hand towards ensuring proper monitoring of the project, adding that it would give the State another significant transformation in its Primary Health Care System which would lead to better health care for its citizens.

Speaking on behalf of the successful contractors, Mrs. Delia Omatshola of Peculiar Peoples Management, appreciated the State government and the World Bank IMPACT Project for the award of contract of PHC Revitalisation, promising to deliver quality and good standard facility.

 

Segun Owotomo & Fatimah Alatishe,

Information/Public Relations Officers, OGPHECADEB

 

GROWTH MINDSET PANACEA TO CAREER DEVELOPMENT -PS

The Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Oyejola Oyeneye has advised members of staff of Ogun State Waste Management Authority, to handle public service duty with high priority and have a growth mindset to further improve their career.

Mr. Oyeneye disclosed this in his lecture at the Agency’s Management Budget Retreat for 2025 in Abeokuta, pointing out that continuous learning would enable them progress in their field and impact generations in a positive way.

He stated that people with growth mindset would always want to retry after failure, believing that challenges would make them grow. The Reforms boss added that they should embrace modern technology as changes occur on daily basis with different techniques, noting that their values would eventually became their destiny.

"The illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who could neither read nor write but those who could not learn, unlearn and relearn", Oyeneye quoted.

In his presentation, the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mr. Gbadegeshin Yusuf, highlighted their action plans for the year, which included staff training and supporting the agency’s strategic objectives, which was essential for continued success.

Responding on behalf of other members of staff, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Mr. Olatunji Egbemuyiwa said the aim of the programme was to set a new agenda for the year, as well as to challenge staffers to achieve the set organisational goals and objectives.

 

Oladele Opeyemi,

Information\Public Relations Officer, BPSR.

 

 

------------------------------
Oluwakemi Ogungbade,
Editor, OGIS.
Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ogun State

0/Post a Comment/Comments