LATE OPALEYE WAS A PATRIOT - GOV ABIODUN
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described late Major-General Ekundayo Opaleye (Rtd.), as a patriot, who epitomised courage, integrity, leadership and commitment not just to the Nigerian Army but to the country at large.
Governor Abiodun, who made this known during the burial ceremony of the late revered elder statesman, at the Green Legacy Resorts Hall, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, noted that his departure would leave a vacuum not only in the lives of his immediate family but also the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun noted that the late Maj. Gen Opaleye played notable roles while in active service of the Nigerian Army, among which were Military Administrator of old Ondo State, Corps Commander of the Nigerian Engineers, Commander of the Organisation of African Union's neutral military observer Corps in Rwanda, as well as his role in the country's peace agreement.
He informed that at retirement, the deceased continued to live a life of impact by playing a pivotal role in Owu Kingdom, where he was Balogun, alongside serving as a cabinet member of the Olowu in Council, pointing out that since he resumed office as Governor, General Opaleye remained supportive of his administration by giving wise counsel where and when necessary.
The number one citizen in the state expressed heartfelt condolences of the government and the people of the state to his widows, children, grandchildren and the extended family he left behind, praying that God grants them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and eternal rest to the departed.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olayide Adelami, who said the late military administrator in Ondo state introduced due process which the state still follows, described him as a committed Christian, father, diligent, urging the children and family members to emulate him.
Acknowledging the deceased’s humility, fear of God and contributions to the church’s development despite his position in the society, Most Superior Evangelist Olusegun Olarinde, in his sermon, noted that death is a debt, imploring people to be diligent and extend hand of fellowship to other people.
Also speaking, the only daughter of the deceased, Navy Cdr. Abiola Oluwole-Smith, described her father as a loving, caring, discipline, passionate, calm, a rare gem, and the only one who shares her woes and successes, saying the deceased was an embodiment of genuine love, honesty, humility and family man, who would be greatly missed.
Idongesit Jonah & Temitayo Taylor,
Press Officers, Office of the Deputy Governor
OGUN IS WITNESSING UNPRECEDENTED SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - DCoS
Several reforms and policies of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State are yielding bountiful results and transforming into the socio-economic development of the state and individual prosperity.
Deputy Chief of Staff (DCoS) to the Governor, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying the state would continue to witness monumental development in every sector of the economy.
Dr. Taiwo maintained that the magic wand of the present administration was encapsulated in the 'ISEYA' agenda, pointing out that the present administration had been deliberate and methodical in the formulation of people-oriented policies that would guarantee the prosperity of the citizenry.
"Our Governor has been deliberate in all his actions. Most times when he is out of the country, he is always busy chasing after investors for the development of the state, to place it on the global map”.
"For instance, our social well-being programme has improved the health care systems; more people now have access to qualitative primary health care and the housing scheme has brought about more housing units in every part of the state”.
"There has been an increase in agriculture and food security. The education sector is receiving robust attention; we have built confidence in our people to justify the mandate freely given to us by the people”.
"Again, legacy projects are being conceptualised and delivered to the people of the state in record time. It is no news that our International Agro Cargo Airport is now functional, with other components of all amenities that qualify an airport for an international standard. The Ijebu Ode- Epe-Mojoda Road has since been commissioned in the first term of this administration", he said.
The DCoS acknowledged the continued support of the people of the state, assuring that the governor was determined to transform the state with legacies that would touch the lives of the people and leave the state better than he met it.
Isaac Oseni
Press Officer, Office of the Chief of Staff
IGBOBI COLLEGE ALUMNI HONOURS GOV. ABIODUN'S AIDE
Igbobi College Old Boys Association ((ICOBA), has honoured the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, with an award of Professional Excellence, for his immense contribution towards the development of his profession and humanity.
Receiving the award, Mr. Olabimtan appreciated members of his set for nominating him for the award, promising to treasure it for life and continue to be proud of them and the school that had shaped their destiny, just as he would not relent in his commitment towards the overall development of the Association and also the school.
Speaking at the event, President of the Association, Mr. Femi Olubanwo, said the award was bestowed on individuals, who have demonstrated excellence in their different endeavours, thereby serving as living examples of the values instilled in them at Igbobi College.
He urged the award recipients not to see the award as their triumph but as a collective success that the Alumni Association represents, as well as the potential for greater laurels.
Kehinde Balogun,
Press Officer, Min. of Budget & Planning
OGSG COLLABORATES FG, IFAD TO ASSIST FARMERS WITH PoS MACHINES, OTHERS
Ogun State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government under the Valued-Chain Development Programme (VCDP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has empowered farmers with Point of Sale (PoS) Machines worth N10million, agricultural inputs, solar pumping machines and fertilisers, to boost food production in the state.
Flagging off the empowerment programme in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said the move was to assist farmers with essential incentives needed for dry season rice production.
Hon. Owotomo added that the programme would also witness inauguration of state Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF), matching grants with two bags of NPK fertilisers, one litre of selected herbicides and five solar-powered water pumps, which would be installed one per local government.
The Commissioner added that no fewer than 230 farmers would benefit directly from the programme, which would be cascaded to other farmers, in a bid to cultivate 50 hectares of rice farmland.
“The distribution of 40 PoS worth N10 million to the identified young people in the participating Local Government Areas is a means of empowering our farmers, especially women and young farmers to earn additional income through provision of financial services to other farmers in the rural areas, to further deepen their financial inclusion in the state”, he said.
He highlighted some achievements of the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration to include, reforms of agricultural land allocation to investors, distribution of planting materials to 150 Cassava Women Farmers, in collaboration with National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), capacity building of 12,000 farmers in sustainable agricultural investors, aimed at enhancing Ogun Food System, animal health programmes through control and prevention of incidence and spread of zoonotic diseases and disbursement of N50 million loan to Ijebu Development Initiative on Poverty Reduction, at Eriwe, Ijebu-Ode, among others.
On his part, the National Coordinator, VCDP, Dr. Fatimah Aliyu, represented by Mr. Nurudeen Lawal, said Ogun was one of the flagship states blessed with arable lands and skilful rural farmers, hence the need to empower them with inputs, towards ensuring best agricultural practices, to engender abundant food supply.
Earlier, the Acting State Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Temitope Ajisafe, explained that the objective of VCDP was to enhance a sustainable basis income and food security of poor rural households engaged in the production, processing and marketing of rice and cassava, stating that the 230 direct benefiting farmers were already undergoing training on good agricultural practices, while the inaugurated CAF was a forum that would bring together all stakeholders in cassava and rice productions at local government levels.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the newly inaugurated CAF, Mr. Kamorudeen Shokunbi and other beneficiary, Mr. Shittu Oladipupo, who applauded the state and Federal Government for alleviating the plight of farmers, noted that the support would keep them in business, soliciting for more modern agricultural equipment for easier and better cultivation.
Gbenga Moronfolu & Morolayo Fadairo,
Press Officers, Ministry of Agric. Devt & Food Security
OGUN CIVIL SERVICE HOLDS SYMPOSIUM ON RULES, REGULATIONS
Implementing code of ethics and conduct in Civil Service is crucial to providing guidelines for both workers and elected officials, while its effectiveness lies in complementing such with training and leadership abilities of different categories of officers for effective service delivery.
The Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi, stated this during a symposium organised by the Commission for its management staff with the theme, ‘’Strict Adherence to the Rules and Regulations in Treating Issues in Civil Service’’, at the Conference Hall, Obas’ Complex, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Engr. Odebunmi, explained that drifting from the concept and principles of the public service by civil servants as compared with the past, just as the real foundations in Civil Service should begin from Grade Levels 12 and 13 officers, who would cascade the training, necessitated the choice of topic and participants for the symposium, stressing that it was imperative to ensure that the workforce is improved upon, in order to enhance workers’ performance.
‘’The Commission agreed on a symposium where interactive sessions would take place and lead to a better understanding of the subject matter compared to regular in-house training by it in the past where lectures were only delivered to participants’’, he said.
While highlighting some ethical violations that could occur in the Civil Service of Ogun State to include, nepotism, corruption, conflict of interests and misuse of official resources, the Chairman urged participants to make the best out of the event.
Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour, who doubled as the moderator of the symposium, Princess Iyabo Odulate, noted the rules and regulations guiding the Civil Service were written to be studied, observed and implemented by the Civil Servants, advising participants to be diligent and upright in the course of discharging their duties.
In his remarks, the Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun (HoS), represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Jola Oyeneye, emphasised on the need for training the workers, disclosing that the HoS had secured several approvals that would facilitate capacity building for the workforce.
The interactive sessions had Permanent Secretaries from Bureau of State Pensions, Mr. Soji Adewuyi; Permanent Secretary and Accountant-General, Mr. Tunde Aregbesola and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Olumuyiwa Ogunsanwo, who spoke on Public Service Rules (PSR), Financial Regulations, Procedures and Process in the Civil Service and Law, Discipline and Consequences in the Course of Discharging Duties, respectively.
Other dignitaries at the event were former Head of Service, Elder Olusola Adeyemi; Commissioners in the Commission, Hons. Adebowale Ojuri, Nike Osoba, Gabriel Falola and Yusuf Adegbemiro; Permanent Secretary in the Commission, Mrs. Roseline Jacobs, among others.
Funmi Onafowope,
Press Officer, Civil Service Commission
CULTURE MINISTRY PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO LATE JIMI SOLANKE’S FAMILY
Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi has described the late poet, Pa Jimi Solanke, as an icon that cannot be forgotten in the annals of the state’s Arts and Culture industry.
Fagbayi, who led the management team of the Ministry on a condolence visit to the family, stated this at the Solankes’ residence, Ipara-Remo, described Pa Solanke as a renowned folklorist, dramatist and playwright, who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the theatre industry, adding that he was one of the finest creative artists in the history of Nigeria.
"I commiserate with the family for a good life spent by Baba. He was an icon that cannot be forgotten in Ogun State. The Ministry appreciates all he has done during his lifetime”, he said.
On her part, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, disclosed that Pa Solanke participated in all cultural activities of the Ministry during his lifetime, saying, "Baba lived well and he has left his legacy behind for upcoming generations".
Responding, the immediate younger brother of the deceased, Mr. Jide Solanke, appreciated the Ministry for commiserating with the family, assuring that the family would sustain the legacy left behind by the late icon.
The legendary poet and playwright would mostly be remembered by many for his television programmes, especially, ‘Story Land’.
Late Pa Solanke, who passed on at the age of 81, hailed from Ipara Remo in the Remo North Local Government Area of the state.
Kofoworola Idowu,
Press Officer, Ministry of Culture & Tourism
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS CHARGED TO PROMOTE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, ESCHEW MALPRACTICES
School administrators in Ogun State have been charged to promote academic excellence and maintain zero tolerance against any form of examination malpractice, that can destabilise the educational revitalisation agenda of the present administration.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Mariam Oloko, gave the charge while delivering a lecture with the theme, “Examination Malpractices: A Threat to Standard Education”, during a day capacity training and workshop, at Ota in Ado-Odo\Ota Local Government Area.
Mrs. Oloko said examination malpractice had become a global predicament that could pose a serious threat to the educational standard of any nation, saying, “The menace has become a norm in the society, as nearly every student has joined the bandwagon”.
Speaking, the Director of Education, Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Mrs. Mary Akinola-Okereafor, stated that Ogun was one of the few states in Nigeria that run free qualitative education in both primary and secondary school levels, adding that Governor Abiodun’s administration had ensured e-education and human capacity development a priority in the ISEYA agenda.
“Ogun State Education Revitalisation Agenda (OGSERA) which represents the totality of processes, procedures, projects, programmes, policies, innovations, ideas and activities purposefully designed to resuscitate, enrich, revitalise, give meaning and make teaching and learning advantageous for the benefit of all stakeholders among the learners”, she said
Also speaking, Board Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Lawal Adebola, while presenting a paper, titled, “Strategies for Achieving the Set Goals in Education Amidst the Current Socio-Economic Crisis in Nigeria”, stressed that the attainment of educational goals by individuals and the nation had significant impact on the socio-economic situation in the country.
Dr. Adebola added that the World Bank observed that achieving the goal could be hindered by some factors, such as prevalence of poverty, hunger, malnutrition, inter-tribal wars, religious crises, among others, advising that school curriculum should be reviewed to accommodate emerging issues such as, Artificial Intelligence and innovative education.
Contributing, the Zonal Education Officer, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, Mr. Akeem Bisiriyu, who appreciated government for formulating developmental policies and programmes, enjoined teachers to eschew any form of examination malpractices.
In their remarks, some of the participants, Mr. Kayode Ajibose and Mrs. Adebimpe Oluseyi, lauded the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the workshop, affirming that it had widened their horizon.
Tope Bankole,
ZIO, Ota
YNLG BOSS SEEKS DSS COLLABORATION IN TACKLING INSECURITY
As part of efforts put in place to ensure security of lives and property and to rid the area of crimes and criminal activities, the Chairman, Yewa North Local Government, Hon. Gabriel Ogunyomi, has called on the Department of State Security Services (DSS), among other security agencies, to collaborate with the council in tackling the increasing rate of insecurity confronting the local government.
Hon. Ogunyomi made the call in Ayetoro, during an interactive session between the newly redeployed Director of DSS, Mrs. Folashade Adekayaoja and stakeholders in Ayetoro, on how to reawaken people’s consciousness on security in the area.
Ogunyomi said security challenges in the area, particularly across the country, were high and could successfully be tackled with the support of government, the security agencies and residents, saying adequate security should not be compromised, as no meaningful development would thrive in any community bedevilled with criminalities.
"The security challenge is very high in the county and the government believes so much in security agencies and your outfit is relevant in nipping crime in the bud; you will agree with me that we have been working assiduously with all stakeholders in the council. l enjoin you to continue to support the present administration by collaborating with us where necessary, to achieve effective security strategy that will put the heart of people at rest and increase their trust in government", he said.
Also speaking, representative of traditional rulers, the Adokun of Igan-Okoto, Oba Mukail Salako and the Iyaloja General, Alhaja Yemisi Abass, urged the DSS to intensify more efforts at sustaining the peaceful co- existence among diverse ethnic groups living in the area, pointing out that other grey areas that might affect smooth working relationship would be looked into to achieve the desired results.
Contributing, the representative of farmers, Fulani community and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Yewa North, Mr. Jamiu Dada, Mr. Musa Abubaka, as well as Comrade Tunde Lawal, respectively, called for sustained cordial relationship, to promote smooth feedback mechanisms in fishing out bad eggs for the wellbeing of the people.
In her remarks, Mrs. Adekayaoja said the visit was to seek synergy between the Command and the people of the area in tackling crimes, assuring the residents of adequate security of lives and property, saying the Command would not relent at deploying a tactical approach in dealing with criminal elements in the area.
Lateef Akintunde,
ZIO, YNLG
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