GOV. ABIODUN TASKS CEMENT COMPANY ON WASTE MANAGEMENT
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called on the management of Lafarge Plc, to use global best practices in disposing of industrial wastes, to safeguard the lives of the people in its areas of operation.
Governor Abiodun made the call when he received the management team of the company, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, frowned at the non-compliance of some companies on the laid down rules on waste disposal.
He urged the company to work on the Ewekoro plant and review activities that have negative impacts on the lives of the host community, advising the management to work in synergy with Ogun State Waste Management Agency (OGWAMA) and the Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA), to resolve the issues.
"It is important we work together and ensure that we are not doing business and making money, while the people are suffering. The impact of your activities goes beyond just mining. The blasting and mining affect several kilometers of households beyond the immediate environment and I am not sure how many households are affected; what structural damages have occurred in some of these buildings”, he said.
The Governor cited many complaints lodged at his office by residents of Ewekoro and its environs, recalling that, "There was a case where excessive water used in extracting limestone was released and it continues to flood people's farmland and the farmers came to the Ministry of Agriculture to complain that the action was destroying their means of livelihood”.
The state’s helmsman commended the company for its determination to improve the socio-economic development of the area through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), assuring that his administration would collaborate and strengthen relationships for the benefit of all.
On the deplorable condition of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos road, Governor Abiodun, informed that his administration had obtained permission from the Federal Government to put the road in good shape, appreciating the collaborative efforts of Lafarge and other industries in the axis.
Earlier, the Group Managing Director of Lafarge, Mr. Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, said the company in its 64 years of operation in the Ewekoro axis, had helped in boosting the economy of the area and contributed significantly to the economic growth of the state.
Mr. Alade-Akinyemi stated that the company, through its CSR had supported education, infrastructure and health, seeking continued fostering of a harmonious relationship between the company and the host communities.
Elijah Udofia,
Press Officer, Office of the Governor
OGUN HoS COMMENDS PUBLIC SERVICE RULES COMMITTEE FOR E-COMPLIANT REPORT
Members of the Review Committee on Public Service Rules (PSR) have been commended for making their recommendations e-compliant, in line with global best practices.
It would be recalled that a 9-man committee, comprising serving and retired Permanent Secretaries, as well as directors and deputy directors, was inaugurated in September 2023, to evaluate the current relevance of the PSR in addressing modern challenges faced by the Ogun State Public Service, identify any redundant or convoluted clauses that impede operational efficiency of the rules, among others and make necessary recommendations as appropriate, which they have done.
Ogun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, gave the commendation during presentation of the report of the Review Committee on Public Service Rules, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, promising to fast-track the presentation of the document to the State Executive Council for speedy approval, recommendations and implementation.
He promised that sensitisation workshops, seminars and human capacity training would be organised across all cadres of the Civil Service, especially the management cadre whose full enforcement of the report lies upon.
Earlier in his presentation, Chairman of the Committee, a retired Permanent Secretary in the state Civil Service, Alhaji Kehinde Ogunfowodu, disclosed that the report was in two folds, explaining that the first was the committee report, while the second, was the edited, all referenced, 250-paged reviewed Public Service Rules.
Appreciating the government for confidence reposed in the committee members, Alhaji Ogunfowodu, recommended that the document be implemented within the first quarter of year 2024 and be made readily available for every worker in the state at an affordable rate for effectiveness.
He further advised that photocopies during promotion examinations should no longer be tolerated, as the document could be floated online for a token to access the site, while original copies be made available for new entrants, urging government to organise orientation and sensitisation seminars, workshops, as well as trainings for all workers, among others, to expose the rudiments to them.
Omolara Osindele & Tunde Olayiwola,
Office of the Head of Service.
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAMME: MORE COMMUNITIES GET SOLAR STREET LIGHTS
Determined to harness the abundant sunlight Ogun State is blessed with, the state government, under its renewable energy programme, has embarked on the installation of solar-powered street lights in some communities across the three Senatorial Districts, to complement the existing national power supply.
Speaking during the installation at Araromi Aaya in Odeda, Ilobi Community in Yewa South and Oke-tako Orimolusi, in Ijebu North Local Government, the Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, said the initiative was to enable the citizenry enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
Ilori-Oduntan, who was represented by the Director Rural Electrification, Engr. Ismail Balogun, appealed to the residents to take ownership and make judicious use of the facility, assuring that rural communities in the state would continue to enjoy social amenities like those in urban centres.
Responding on behalf of other benefited communities, the Olobi of Ilobi Kingdom, Oba Saliu Adedokun, commended the present administration for the gesture, promising to continue to support Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration.
Taiwo Soremekun,
Press Officer, Ministry of Rural Devt.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PHC UNDER ONE ROOF BEGINS IN OGUN
The implementation of Primary Health Care Under One Roof (PHCUOR) has begun in Ogun State.
This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the state Primary Health Care Development Board, (OGPHECADEB) Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, during a sensitisation meeting with all cadres of health workers across the 20 Local Government Areas and the Primary Health Care (PHC) staffers.
Dr. Ogunsola explained that PHCUOR was a policy document, introduced by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and approved by the National Council on Health in 2011, to reduce fragmentation of all services under one authority, revealing that the reform was promoted by the Federal Goverment to integrate PHC structures and programmes at sub-national levels under one state-level body, which is the Primary Health Care Development Agency or Board.
He added that the policy would bring together health workers in all the 20 Local Government Areas of the state and the Primary Health workers, assuring a seamless communication and good working relationship between the workers in the headquarters and the local governments.
The Executive Secretary, who regarded PHC workers as service providers closer to the grassroots, underscored the need for them to be abreast of any reform in PHC service delivery system, promising that the Board would continue to ensure improved health care services across board.
Contributing, the Director, Health Care System in the Board, Dr. Esther Ogunsilu, while highlighting the pillars of the initiative, said the conceptual framework for implementing the PHCUOR include, Governance and Ownership, Legislation, Minimum Service Package, Repositioning, Systems Development, Operational Guidelines, Human Resources, Office Set-up, Funding Sources and Structure, among others.
Also speaking, his counterpart in the Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Thomas Solarin, urged the workers to always make themselves available to patients as and when due and be diligent, in order to achieve a better healthcare delivery to the people.
In his remarks, Chairman Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Mr. Babatunde Emilola-Gazal, who doubled as the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, described the PHCUOR policy as a welcome development which would give more encompassing health care delivery in all PHCs across the council areas, promising that all Local Government Chairmen would give their support to achieve success.
Fatimah Alatishe,
Press Officer, PHCDB
TEACHERS EMPLOYMENT 'LL BE BASED ON SUBJECT AREAS - OGUN EDUCATION COMMISSIONER
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu has said that the recruitment of another batch of teachers through Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (OgunTEACh) would be based on course of study of Interns, as advertised, to promote professionalism.
Prof. Arigbabu stated this during a courtesy visit of the executives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogun State Chapter, to his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying, schools in rural areas would also be given priority and any applicant that is not ready to teach in rural areas would not be considered.
"Concerning the recruitment of OGUNTEACh Interns, we are not going to employ somebody that studied Mathematics to teach Physics or Chemistry", he said.
The Commissioner stated that the present administration was passionate about moving the education sector forward and not leave any area untouched, promising that government was working tirelessly to secure schools across the state with appointment of security guards and construction of perimeter fencing.
Speaking, the State Chairman, NUT, Comrade Abiodun Akinola, pledged the group’s support to the present government in the state, soliciting for employment of more teachers in the sector.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner, during the courtesy visit of Ewa Asa Cultural Group, led by Omobabirin Oluwabusayo Ademidun, reiterated the continuous efforts of the Ministry for Subjects Associations, especially Yoruba subject, to make them more acceptable and sustainable, lamenting that indigenous languages were going into extinction because some parents discourage their children from speaking them.
Also, the Commissioner received the Accurate Creative Minds Foundation, promising to put in place, programmes and initiatives that tend to satisfy the yearnings of the youths, mostly on things that could help them to be more efficient and productive.
Ayoola Obadimu,
Press Officer, MOES&T
OGUN DECLARES ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CHOLERA OUTBREAK
In a continued effort to ensure zero tolerance for cholera outbreak and other waterborne diseases in Ogun State, the state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN), has taken sensitisation on the prevention of cholera outbreak to Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government, to promote proper hygiene among residents.
Speaking during the sensitisation, Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan, said the present administration was working assiduously to ensure a safer and cleaner environment by providing potable water to various rural communities.
Ilori-Oduntan hinted that a campaign of One House One Toilet would soon be launched, where any house found not having a toilet would be penalised, admonishing the people to desist from open defecation and indiscriminate dumping refuse.
Speaking, the Programme Manager, RUWATSAN, Mr. Sola Ogunbo, revealed that the local government was one of the council areas that recorded a cholera outbreak last year with 250 people affected, hence the need for the campaign to forestall future occurrence, stating that the sensitisation which commenced in Abeokuta North Local Government, would be a continuous exercise.
On his part, the Chairman Ijebu North Local Government, Hon. Omobolaji Odusanya, appreciated government for supporting the council area, charging residents to abide by the environmental laws.
Highlight of the event was the demonstration of hand washing by the Commissioner and other dignitaries.
Taiwo Soremekun,
Press Officer, Ministry of Rural Devt.
OGUN COMMISSIONER HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION
Education is a transformative power to break barriers, eradicate ignorance and foster understanding among various culture and communities, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, has stated.
Pro. Arigbabu, while fielding questions from journalists at his office in Abeokuta, in commemoration of the 2024 World International Day of Education, tagged, "Learning For Lasting Peace", said it was a momentous occasion that underscores the pivotal role that education plays in shaping a brighter and equitable future for the citizenry.
He noted that education is a key that unlocks doors of opportunities and paves ways for innovation, creativity and sustainable development, as well as a beacon of hope for equipping individuals with skills and insight needed to navigate the complexity of time.
According to him, ‘’education is a catalyst for social change, a breaker of shackles of inequalities and provides every individual, regardless of gender, race or background and chances to reach their full potential.
On this International Day of Education, let me reaffirm our commitment to ensuring quality education for all. Together let us strive to create an environment where every child has access to learning, where teachers are empowered and where education is a force for unity and progress".
Samuel Ogungbesan,
Press Officer, MOES&T
OGUN COLLEGE OF NURSING SCIENCES TO ADMIT CANDIDATES THROUGH UTME
Ogun State Government has disclosed that the admission process for candidates into its College of Nursing Sciences for 2024 and subsequent academic calendars would be done through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, who made this known in a statement, said government had demonstrated its resolution to foster the standardisation of nursing education by securing collegiate status for its erstwhile Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in 2021, through the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Dr. Coker revealed that the state had also secured accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in 2023, empowering the College to award Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), adding that it is now a requirement for prospective candidates to commence admission into the colleges through Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).
"Governor Dapo Abiodun has supported us continually in our resolve to reform the educational aspect of the nursing profession. Our rationale for this reform is founded on the pivotal roles nurses play in healthcare delivery. If we desire the best health outcomes, the schools that produce our nurses must offer nothing but the best form of education.
"This government will continue to ensure that only the best candidates gain admission to the campuses of our College of Nursing in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Ilaro; and more importantly, only the best students make it through the institutions. This would ensure that our Registered Nurses are highly productive anywhere they work, whether at home or outside the shores of the country", she said.
Dr. Coker further disclosed that only candidates with a minimum of five credits, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, at not more than two (2) sittings in West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) could apply for the OND/HND Nursing programme, while the UTME subject combination must be Use of English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
She further revealed that successful candidates, who meet the minimum cut-off marks, would be invited for a screening/interview by the College, adding that the high standards which the government had established in recent years would be sustained throughout the admission process.
While warning prospective candidates to be wary of fraudsters, the Commissioner stated further that government no longer conducts sales of entrance examination forms, advising them to visit JAMB website and select any of the three campuses of the College from the listed state Monotechnics.
Goke Gbadamosi,
Press Officer, Ministry of Health
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