OGUN ASSEMBLY SUPPORTS MOVE TO AMEND ABORTION LAW TO PROTECT RAPE VICTIMS
A gender-based group- Gender Development Initiative (GEDIN) has paid an advocate to the State Ogun House of Assembly on the need to amend restrictive abortion laws to protect victims of rape, incest, and those with underlining medical conditions.
Leading the team to an engagement with the Assembly is the Executive Director of GEDIN, Prof. Olubunmi Ashimolowo, saying that, unsafe abortion remained a leading cause of maternal deaths, despite one of the most preventable public health crises.
Prof. Ashimolowo noted that the need for safe abortion was not dangerous, but the restriction on abortion forced a lot of victims into secrecy, unsafe procedures, and unqualified hands.
"The impact is not just on individual lives, it overburdens our healthcare system, weakens our economy, and ultimately holds back our State's development.
Today, I will present concrete evidence on how unsafe abortion contributes to maternal deaths in Ogun State; the economic burden it places on families, hospitals, and our government," she said.
She revealed that, according to global statistics "unsafe abortions account for 13 percent of maternal deaths globally, with the majority occurring in developing countries", noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 45 percent of all abortions were unsafe, and responsible for 13 percent of maternal deaths
In Africa, nearly half of all abortions were performed under the least safe conditions, leading to severe complications.
Here in Nigeria, unsafe abortion accounts for 10-15 percent of maternal deaths.
The maternal mortality rate in Nigeria is 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, one of the highest in the world", she remarked.
She noted that South Africa’s choice of the Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996)
Legalized abortion services; while strengthening its reproductive healthcare, resulting in the reduction of maternal mortality by 91 percent within the first decade of implementation.
She added that the policy led to increased women’s workforce participation, boosting national economic growth.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, admonished the group to extend its advocacy to the National Assembly, as the restrictive abortion law is on the exclusive list, promising that the State House of Assembly would assist in giving necessary legislative backing in protecting genuine victims of rape and other vulnerable people.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minority Leader noted that all the relevant sections of the criminal code and penal code being operated in the country would require amendments to cater to the group's interest.
Jamiu Lawal,
Head of Media, Department OGHA,
OGHA SEEKS ENHANCED MANPOWER, EQUIPMENT FOR TRACE
Concerned by the need to further strengthen the enforcement of traffic regulation and compliance across Ogun State, the State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State Government to consider the recruitment of more manpower and the procurement of additional technological equipment to improve the operations of the State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) in road safety and traffic management.
The passage of the Resolution followed an extensive debate by the lawmakers on a Motion titled: “Urgent Need for Enhanced Manpower and Logistics Support for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE)”, at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Sponsor and Chairman, of the House Committee on Transportation, Hon. Wasiu Ayodele, said that the rising population of residents across the State as well as the influx of foreign investors that had continued to boost commercial activities in the State necessitated the recruitment of at least an additional 1,000 personnel, to further enhance the Corps' presence on the various roads across the State.
The additional manpower would help effectively in the enforcement of traffic regulations thereby promoting safe motoring; adding that the incidence of road and traffic crashes had warranted the need for the State to procure more trucks and technological equipment for the traffic agency to aid its efficiency and capability.
Other lawmakers including Honorable Yusuf Amosun and Wahab Haruna, explained that there was traffic congestion, especially within industrial corridors, including the influx of heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles; which required that more hands should be on deck to promote the efficiency of the corps; appealing to the State Government to explore private partnerships for funding, equipment and training support for the agency’s operations.
Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, applauded the contributions of his co-lawmakers to the motion, saying that the call for the recruitment was meant to strengthen the operational capabilities of the agency.
Jamiu Lawal,
Head of Media, Department OGHA,
OGHA SEEKS EXEMPTION FOR FIRST-LINE RESPONDERS FROM TOLL FEES, PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE OYAGBOLA
Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State Government to exempt teachers and essential workers, including healthcare professionals, first-line responders, emergency service personnel, and those in vital supply chains residing around the Toll-gate and playing critical roles in maintaining public health, safety, and welfare from paying toll fees at the Ijebu-Ode/Mojoda/Epe road during working hours on Monday to Friday and inclusive of Saturdays to Sundays in the case of Health Workers.
The passage of the resolution sponsored by the Minority Leader and member representing Odogbolu State Constituency, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, and supported by other lawmakers, sought to ensure financial relief on the part of the workers referred, who live around Imagbon, Imaka, Idiru, Itamakapo and Odonoko, this he noted was to encourage effective service delivery on the part of the workers within the rural communities.
In another development, the Ogun State Agricultural Advancement and Sustainability Law, 2025 scaled first reading, as the Clerk / Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakari Adebakin Sakiru read the bill for the first time before the State lawmakers.
Earlier, the lawmakers had observed a minute silence in honor of the late first Female Minister, Chief Mrs. Adenike Ebun Oyagbola, and the mother of the Minister of State for Health, Alhaja Fadilat Anike Salako, praying that almighty God grant them eternal rest.
The Assembly paid condolence to the families of the two illustrious daughters of the State, following the presentation of a member representing Yewa North 2 State Constituency, Hon. Wahab Haruna, and his Yewa North One counterpart, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju, who reported the deaths of the deceased during the plenary while speaking under personal explanation.
Jamiu Lawal,
Head of Media Department, OGHA,
DG LANDS CHARGES NEWLY RECRUITED OFFICERS ON COMMITMENT
The Director-General and Special Adviser, Bureau of Lands and Survey, Arc. Segun Fowora has called on the newly recruited officers in the agency to be proactive, innovative, and committed towards delivering exceptional service in Ogun State public service.
Arc. Fowora stated this during a Day of in-house Training and Orientation for both junior and senior officers, at Olusegun Osoba Press Centre, Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying that, the newly recruited should equip themselves with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to excel in their roles.
The DG Lands, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands, Princess Oyindamola Oyelese, called on the officers to learn about the Bureau's policies, and procedures, also collaborate with their colleagues to achieve the set objectives.
" Congratulations on your appointment to the Civil Service. We recognise that you have chosen a career path that is challenging yet rewarding and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way. As newly recruited officers, we expect you to be proactive and innovative. We are excited to have you join our team and contribute to the development of our Nation," he said.
In his remarks, Acting Surveyor-General, Surv. Oladele Ewulo, advised them to remain committed so to achieve success, saying that, the officers would enjoy benefits from the Government, such as competitive salaries, growth through training, and working with modern tools.
Also speaking, Director, of Administration and Supplies, Mrs. Olamide Sokoya, appreciated the Director-General of the Bureau and other Management Staff for their commitment to the development of the entire staff, calling on the newly recruited officers to be humble and work hard to achieve success.
In his lecture on "The Imperative of Professionalism in The Public Service" one of the Resource Persons, ESV. Lanre Osota, a former Permanent Secretary, represented by ESV. Olorunnisola Abiola, explained that to be professional, new officers must conduct themselves properly both at work and outside the work environment with a sense of responsibility, integrity, accountability, excellence, empathy, and personal development.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Mrs. Tobiloba Olanrewaju and Mr. Lanre Shittu, appreciated the management staff of the Bureau for the training and exposure, promising to imbibe what they have learned to use for the growth of the agency.
Passover Adeshina and Damilola Akindele
Information/Public Relations Officers, Bureau of Lands and Survey.
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