OGSG, UNICEF STRATEGISE ON PROMOTION OF HEALTH, NUTRITION
Ogun State government has acknowledged the support and unwavering commitment of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), at ensuring optimal nutritional balance for the people, through effective partnerships that would reinforce the initiatives of the present administration.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Dada, stated this in Abeokuta, while declaring open the year 2023 Fourth Quarter Review Meeting on State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN).
Mrs. Dada revealed that the meeting would allow members of the Committee to reflect on achievements recorded since its constitution, find ways to address challenges and collectively explore innovative solutions, towards achieving the project objective.
According to her, "I am pleased to acknowledge the presence of esteemed stakeholders and particularly, UNICEF, which had contributed significantly to the advancement of all our goals on the promotion of healthy living among the citizenry. Your active participation and valuable insights are vital, as we collectively strategise and implement measures to enhance the nutritional well-being of our populace”.
"Today's gathering holds special significance as we discuss pivotal matters concerning food and nutrition in our state. Our collective efforts are crucial in achieving a high rating in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Nutrition Score Card. This underscores the importance of our shared commitment to promoting health and nutrition within our communities".
Mrs. Dada, who doubled as Chairman of the Committee, said Governor Dapo Abiodun led-administration was practicing zero-based budgeting, emphasising the need to set achievable targets and ensure clarity in the projects initiated, while desisting from budgeting for funds that would not be accessible.
Speaking, the immediate past Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Olugbenga Idowu, while giving an overview of the State Policy on Food and Nutrition (2016 version), noted that the document was of national significance and a guide towards effective actualisation of the project in the state, calling on members to ensure justification for their collective efforts.
Adding their voices, two standing committee members and representatives of the state-owned media houses, Adefowora Adesanwo from Ogun State Television and Mr. Wale Otayemi from Ogun Radio, expressed displeasure on people's attitude towards assessing information, calling on Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, as well as other committee members to leverage on the advantages of information dissemination through patronage, such as jingle production, television and radio appearances, among others.
Some of the recommendations at the meeting included, intensifying efforts in the creation of a state-owned Creche, six months Maternity Leave, creation of Local Government Committee on Food and Nutrition and need for a detailed costing template and others.
Kehinde Balogun,
Press Officer, Ministry of Budget and Planning.
MAXIMISING POTENTIAL OF RUBBER ’LL STRENGTHEN ECONOMY - COMMISSIONER
Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo has emphasised the need to maximise the potentials of the rubber sub-sector to strengthen the economy, boost employment opportunities and enhance foreign exchange.
Hon. Owotomo made this known at a meeting with the Managing Director, Divine Vision Cash Crop Farmers Limited, Evang. Oluwatosin Jeremiah and the Chairman, National Rubber Producers Processors and Marketing Association, Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Oladele MacDaniel in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He said rubber production contributes significantly to the economy by providing job opportunities and raw materials for agro-based industries, explaining that Ilushin Rubber Estate in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area was undergoing re-organisation to set the pace for rubber production in the state.
The Commissioner noted that government was fully aware of the importance of the sub-sector and ready to partner with genuine agricultural investors.
Earlier, Evang. Jeremiah stated that the company and others were in the state to identify where they could get a steady supply of rubber and establish a plantation, expressing determination to grow and promote the rubber value chain, towards improving Nigeria economy and secure global relevance.
He solicited government’s support for land to establish a rubber plantation, promising that his company would produce quality environmental-friendly products, in line with global best practices.
On his part, Mr. MacDaniel implored government to create avenue for giving out agricultural subsidies to rubber farmers, adding that Public-Private Partnership (PPP) should be enhanced to develop the sub-sector.
Gbenga Moronfolu,
Press Officer, Min. of Agriculture & Food Security.
OGSG URGES POULTRY FARMERS TO CULTIVATE MAIZE TO ADDRESS SHORTAGE
Poultry farmers in Ogun State have been enjoined to key into maize planting to address the problem of grain shortage facing the sector.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Bolu Owotomo, who gave the advice at a meeting with members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PANOG), Ogun State Chapter, at the Conference Room of the Ministry at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, noted that challenges in the sector were not peculiar to the state, hence the need for all stakeholders to look inward for solutions.
While assuring them that government was working on modalities to boost poultry farming, the Commissioner advised them to venture into other agricultural sub-sectors to maximise their output, assuring that government would continue to harness the vast arable farmlands to revitalise the agriculture, ensure food sufficiency and economic prosperity for the people.
Speaking on behalf of others, the Chairman, PANOG, Owode, Alhaji Yinka Lawal, commended government for releasing maize to the association at subsidised rate, calling for more collaboration to leverage agricultural potentials.
Morolayo Fadairo,
Press Officer, Min. of Agriculture & Food Security.
NITT ZARIA UNDERSTUDIES TRACE OPERATIONS
Commander and Chief Executive, Ogun State Traffic Control and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Commander Olaseni Ogunyemi, has disclosed that the agency was opened to sharing knowledge and vital ideas with related professional bodies to improve the transportation industry in the state and the country at large.
Commander Ogunyemi made this known in his office at TRACE headquarters, Ibara, Abeokuta, while receiving the 2023/2024 batch of students of Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), who came to the state for their field survey exercise, saying the Agency, among other dynamic measures, was committed to instilling road safety in students by taking advocacy campaign to secondary schools across the state.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, a Deputy Director in the Institute, Mr. Abdulhhakeem Badiru, disclosed that the purpose of their visit was to acquire knowledge, as well as expose students to the dynamic trends of traffic management, describing TRACE as a force to be reckoned with in traffic management and control in Nigeria.
He added that77 the institution planned to expose its students to the practical and theoretical aspects of transport and logistics industry, in order to keep them abreast of new developments in the industry, noting that the Agency was the most preferred destination for the exposure needed for the success of their programme.
Also speaking, a member of the team, Mr. Muhammed Issa, appreciated TRACE for the willingness to train them, promising to practice all they have garnered.
Temitope Akinbola,
Press Officer, TRACE
SAGAMU LG DISTRIBUTES FOOD ITEMS TO OVER 3,OO0 RESIDENTS
In accordance with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s aim of improving the living conditions of the vulnerable, Sagamu Local Government Area of the State has successfully distributed food items to selected 3,025 people from 15 wards.
Speaking with newsmen during the distribution in Sagamu, a House of Representative member, representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, Ogun State, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga explained that 35 wards in Remo Land benefited from the distribution of the package which included, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), people with disabilities, Muslim Societies, market traders and others.
"We have sent names to leaders of various wards to identify the vulnerable in their environs. We cannot satisfy everybody but I want to assure our people in Remo land that they should expect more very soon", she said.
Speaking on the rising cost of food items, she pledged that the Federal Government would continue to support farmers and other agricultural workers to increase food production for a pumper harvest.
On her part, Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, emphasised the importance of adequate diet, enjoining people to pray for the country to succeed.
In her remarks, the Iyaloja General of Sagamu Local Government, Chief (Mrs.) Olasonde Oduwaiye, commended government for the initiative, saying it was a relief from the economic situation in the country.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Toyin Awosanya from People with Disability (PWD) and Esther Osinowo, a trader, appreciated government for providing the package, praying that God would continue to bless the country.
Olusola Ayoola,
ZIO, Sagamu.
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