HoS CHALLENGES PUBLIC SERVANTS ON STRATEGIES FOR FOOD SECURITY
Public Servants should work directly with the public to provide solutions to challenges facing farmers and facilitate strategies to access single-digit credit facilities, provide rural infrastructures that would support agricultural production and ensure food security.
Ogun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, made this known while delivering a keynote address at a day retreat, with the theme, "Achieving Agriculture and Food Security in Ogun State: The Place of Public Servants", organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for the management staff of the Ministry, at Ijebu-Ode.
Mr. Fagbohun described the public service as the engine room of any administration, saying the administration had equipped Civil and Public Servants through training, seminars and symposia, among others, in order to be responsive to policy pronouncements of political leaders, interpret them and create concrete and tangible values for increased productivity.
He noted that the issue of food security was a global concern, in terms of food availability and utilisation, as individuals derived sufficient energy and nutrients from good feeding practices.
Mr. Fagbohun, who reiterated that the Prince Dapo Abiodun’s administration was people-focused and growth-oriented, which enabled it to have agricultural development as one of the key pillars of development of the state, said government, through various initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships was committed to boosting the agriculture sector, urging participants to implement the administration's developmental policies and strive to ensure its success.
Remarking, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owootomo, explained that the retreat was to brainstorm on the best ways in achieving food security through increase in food production, effective agricultural value-chain, access to inputs for the farmers and bringing youth and women into agriculture, among other things.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, said agriculture, as an important pillar of ISEYA agenda in the state, must be achieved, adding that it was expedient to intimate management staff with what was expected of them, while Key Indicator Performance needed to achieve food security and food sufficiency would be discussed by speakers during the retreat.
Omolara Osindele & Tunde Olayiwola,
Press Officers, Office of the HoS
ACHIEVING FOOD SECURITY IS CRUCIAL TO SURVIVAL – AGRIC. COMM.
Achieving sustainable agriculture and food security is crucial for the well-being and survival of communities and nations.
Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, stated this during a retreat organised for the management staff of the Ministry, with the theme, "Achieving Agriculture and Food Security in Ogun State: The Place of Public Servants", at Ijebu-Ode, saying the platform would give more insight into the activities of the Ministry and allow cross-fertilization of ideas.
Hon. Owotomo said the present administration, in line with federal government’s objectives, encouraged dry season farming to ensure all-year planting, adding that the state with support from the federal government, Development Partners and other stakeholders, was able to reach out to 500 farmers within one week, with inputs and other materials, needed for dry season planting.
He disclosed that efforts were on to encourage more youth engagement in agriculture through mechanised farming, appealing to all stakeholders to contribute towards achieving food security in the state.
Speaking on the theme, the resource person, Prof. Kolawole Adebayo, advocated the need for inter-ministerial collaboration between Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for a sustainable food system.
Highlighting factors undermining the attainment of economic, environmental and food security to include, striving for global domination by super powers and multinationals, political instability, as well as policy inconsistency among others, Prof Adebayo called on leaders to evolve initiatives that would drive economic sustainability and food security.
Contributing, the state Head of Service, Mr Kola Fagbohun, described the retreat as strategic, as it would allow every stakeholder to evaluate the mode of operation and re-strategize for better performance in all critical areas, maintaining that the management staff had the responsibility of working directly with the public, to provide solutions to challenges facing the farming community and admonished them to think out of the box.
On his part, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olaolu Olabimitan, represented by the Chief Estimate Officer, Mr. Musibau Elemide, advised that whatever decision taken must be in tandem with the overall vision of the state agricultural policy, realistic and achievable, just as knowledge gained by participants should be cascaded to operational officers in the Ministry to achieve desired goals.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, noted that agriculture was key in the ISEYA mantra of the present administration, disclosing that there was need to critically look at responsibilities of each department and what they intend to put in place to ensure delivery of the mandate.
Speaking on behalf of other participants, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye and Mr. Ibrahim Busi, appreciated the leadership of the Ministry for the programme, expressing optimism that the outcome of the retreat would greatly assist in achieving the state agricultural agenda.
Highlights of the retreat included presentations by various departments, aerobics, health talk, medical check-ups among others.
Gbenga Moronfolu & Morolayo Fadairo,
Press Officers, Ministry of Agric. & Food Security
OGUN, NEMSAS COLLABORATE TO STRENGTHEN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Health, has collaborated with the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), to further strengthen the state's capacity for emergency medical response services.
Speaking during the onboarding of the state National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System into NEMSAS in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed that the partnership would facilitate a steady decrease in maternal mortality and longevity of residents.
Dr. Coker noted that improving maternal and child health, which is one of the important tangents of the Coordinating Minister for Health's four-point agenda, would be possible where there is an effective emergency response, pointing out that it aligned with Governor Dapo Abiodun's goal of increasing the life expectancy of the people.
She said the initiative would enable the state respond to emergency issues within 48 hours and be funded by NEMSAS through the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA), adding that the onboarding process would lead to expansion of fleet of ambulances in the state, capacity training of responders, to ensure that critical care needed in the first 48 hours meets international standard.
"We have two of the busiest expressways in the country which are the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Ijebu-Benin Expressway. To get to Lagos from other parts of the country, you have to go through these highways. As a result, having an efficient emergency service and ambulance system in place is critical for us in Ogun, being the Gateway State. The good news is our Governor cares a lot about things that concern the health of our people. So, there will always be political will right from the top", she said.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that her Ministry would continue to advocate for the creation of an agency for the ambulance and emergency services in the state, saying this would lead to more efficient coordination and resource management needed to meet the needs of the people.
Speaking, the Head of Operations, NEMSAS, Dr. Doubra Emuren, said the programme aimed at ensuring that necessary structures were in place for the state to benefit from Basic Healthcare Provisions Fund (BHCP).
He commended Governor Abiodun's stride in facilitating tricycle ambulances, to aid emergency medical services at the local level, assuring that NEMSAS would complement government’s efforts by establishing rural services and maternal transport programme, for effective healthcare delivery.
Goke Gbadamosi,
Press Officer, Ministry of Health
OLD STUDENTS’ INITIATIVES, IN TANDEM WITH OUR SCHOOLS’ DEVT. PLAN - COMMISSIONER
Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology (MOEST), Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, has commended the developmental initiatives of Old Students Associations in schools across the state, which were in tandem with the agenda of the present administration, towards creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Prof. Arigbabu stated this during the commissioning and handing over of a school gate, constructed by Remo Divisional High School, Sagamu Old Student Association (RDHSOSA), Class of 1984, saying the Ministry had concluded plans to embark on beautifying all schools in the state, starting with the flagship schools.
Appreciating the Association for joining hands with the present government in providing the kind of qualitative teaching and learning enjoyed during their time as students to the current learners, the Commissioner assured of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration's passion for quality education in the state.
"This is one of the things that we intend to embark on as government in all our flagship schools, so that as you are entering from the gate, you will know that this is a school with a difference", he said.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ola Oresanya, described the gesture as laudable, advising members of the Association to also invest in innovative programmes for learners to meet up with global standards.
In his goodwill message, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, expressed satisfaction at the laudable project, praying for more blessings to do more.
Earlier, the Principal, Remo Division High School, Junior School, commended RDHSOSA 1984 set on the laudable project, promising to effectively manage the facility.
In their separate remarks, the President General, RDHSOSA and President, 84 Set, Prof. Oyinlola Oduyebo, as well as Engr. Oladipo Adekoya, respectively, commended government for awakening the Old Students Associations to give back to their alma mater, pledging not to relent in ensuring that the school remains conducive to teachers and learners.
Samuel Ogungbesan,
Press Officer, MOES&T
OGUN TO HOST 18TH EDITION OF NATIONAL COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION
Ogun State government through the Ministry of Transportation will be hosting the 18th edition of the National Council on Transportation from tomorrow, Tuesday, February 13 to Friday, February 16, 2024, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Abeokuta, saying the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his unrelenting effort to reposition the state as a key player in the innovative development of Nigeria transportation system, accepted to host the programme.
Engr. Dairo explained that the event would foster development in Nigeria’s transportation system, saying the Minister for Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali would be the special guest of honour, while all Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Transportation in the country and other stakeholders in the transportation sector would be in attendance.
"The state will play host to all transport experts, regulators, policymakers, investors and operators across the country, including federal and state Ministries of Transportation, federal agencies and parastatals within the transport sector, to discuss current transport issues, provide innovative and technological ideas which will culminate in the formulation and adoption of policies and common resolutions", he said.
Bukky Abdulsalam,
Press Officer, Ministry of Transport
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