MAY DAY CELEBRATION: OGUN TO MEET LABOUR UNIONS OVER NEW MINIMUM WAGE-ABIODUN

MAY DAY CELEBRATION: OGUN TO MEET LABOUR UNIONS OVER NEW MINIMUM WAGE-ABIODUN

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has promised to meet with labour leaders in the state with a view to decide on the new minimum wage that will be favourable to both the government and the workers.

Governor Abiodun, made this known during the year 2024 Worker's Day celebration and rally, tagged, 'People First', at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, saying his administration had always put workers’ welfare on its front burner

"On minimum wage, your ever-responsive administration has done a lot of work, which is aimed at arriving at a position that we can sustain, in line with our inclusive style of governance”, he said.

He reiterated that N128.3 billion had been paid for pensions and gratuities to both local and state government retirees in the state, while N2.8 billion for leave bonuses for the year 2023 and January to March 2024 and N13.4 billion outstanding deductions had been paid to workers.

While also noting that his administration paid over N8 billion as palliatives to state workforce and pensioners, Abiodun added that car and motorcycle refurbishing loans were increased by 100 per cent, informing that about 10,982 Civil Servants had benefitted from the loan scheme with about N1.3 billion disbursed so far.

Speaking, Minister of Labour and Employment, Barrister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, represented by the State Controller, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nnambi Enuah, restated the commitment of the present administration to continue to pursue policies and programmes that prioritise the rights of workers in the country.

She further said that the federal government, in order to mitigate the consequences of some of its recent policies, rolled out palliatives like the wage award, Presidential Constitutional Grant Scheme, grant for large manufacturers, loans for small and medium businesses and Consumer Credit Scheme, among others, urging workers to continue to renew their commitment and support to government at all levels.

Remarking, state Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, called on government to address unemployment and high cost of living in the country, commending Governor Abiodun for his leadership capability and unmatched response to the plight of the people in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy, implementation of the N10,000 transport allowance and the 40 percent increment in workers' basic salary.

Highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Best Friendly Governor Award to Governor Dapo Abiodun by Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Match Past by various unions in the state.

 

 Oluwafunso Obasan,

Press Officer, Office of the Governor

 

OGSG CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS IN 2024-2026 HCDP WORKPLAN

          In its determination to further create an enabling environment by laying a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth and development in the state, Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration has called on stakeholders in human-capital development Work plan to work collectively by scaling-up investment in people, thereby fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.

          Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, made this known at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, while engaging the Core Working Group (CWG) and Technical Working Group (TWG) of identified Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, during a two-day Human Capital Development (HCD), Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Joint Review of 2023 Performance and Validation of 2024-2026 Work Plan.

          Engr. Salako-Oyedele, who is also the Head, HCD and CWG, noted that the world was becoming more dynamic and complex in technological advancement, globalisation and demographic shifts which was a determinant of how people work, learn and live, affirming that for a thriving government in this environment, qualitative infrastructure that would engender right skills, attitude and values were necessary in recording success amidst emerging realities.

          She enjoined participants to integrate the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) indicators into the HCD activities and work conscientiously to improve on the health, education, agriculture, industry and social protection sectors in the state, hinting that the state’s sterling performance in the current HCD programme would enable it benefit in a new World Bank Assisted Programme, tagged, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Human Capital Opportunity for Prosperity and Equality (HOPE) to improve human-capital service delivery.

          Presenting the HDC 2024 - 2026 Work Plan, which include three thematic areas of Health/Nutrition, Education and Labour Force Participation, Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Olaolu Olabimtan, described the areas as key to National Development Plan (NDP) on HDC, meant to be incorporated into the state’s budget with proper Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) structure in place.

The Commissioner pointed out the need for the 2024-2026 Work plan be executed through fiscal discipline, developmental sustainability and quality service delivery, disclosing that enhanced monitoring and evaluation framework were successfully delivered in the state’s HCD areas, placing it among the frontrunners in the NDP.

          Contributing, the HCD Consultant for the South-West, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, commended Governor Abiodun for his political consciousness and unwavering efforts towards socio-economic development of the state which were yielding good results with improvements in education, whereby out of school children were back in schools, health and other sectors.

          He sensitised the Heads of Local Government Areas (HOLGAs) on the need to utilise their grassroots advantage to support the strong economic foundation, laid by the current government, in creating sustainable economic growth and development in the state.

          In their separate reports, Senior Special Assistant on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, Mr. Biola Odetola; Executive Secretary, state Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola and Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, as well as Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Tope Lasilo, reeled out achievements in their thematic areas, appealing for more funds and other working tools for effective service delivery.    

 

Soji Solarin,

Press Officer, Ministry of Budget & Planning

 

OGUN SEEKS PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE FOOD SUFFICIENCY

Ogun State government has appealed for continued private sector support in its agricultural development efforts to attain food sufficiency.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, made the appeal during a capacity building and farm input distribution for smallholder maize farmers across the state, organised by the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation, in collaboration with the state Ministry of Agriculture.

Hon. Owotomo noted that the exercise aligns with the present administration's efforts to support smallholder farmers in improving their productivity. He emphasised the need for the foundation to consider women farmers, especially in rural areas, as well as financial inclusion in their next intervention programmes to achieve food security.

He encouraged local and other investors to explore investment opportunities in the agriculture sector, reiterating government's resolve to continue to synergise with various development partners through different initiatives and interventions.

Earlier,  General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation , Mr. Oludare Odusanya, who explained that the farm input distribution to 500 maize farmers in the state was to provide succour amidst hardship, to enhance food production and increase the commodity's availability, hinted that over a million farmers in the agriculture value chain had benefited from their various interventions, reaffirming the Foundation's commitment to partnering both the state and Federal Government to boost food production in the country.

On his part, Chairman, Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Kokumo Olanrewaju, remarked that the distribution would significantly increase the production rate of the commodity.

Beneficiaries, who received items like maize, fertilizer, and insecticide, appreciated the organisers and called for sustainability of the initiative to empower farmers in the state.

 

Gbenga Moronfolu,

Press Officer, Min. of Agric. & Food Production

 

COMMISSIONER HARPS ON HUMAN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT TO STRENGTHEN HEALTH SYSTEMS

Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, has identified human-capital development of health personnel as integral part of strengthening the health system.

Dr. Coker made this disclosure during the Tailor-Made-Training (TMT) programme for selected middle and top managers in the health sector, organised in conjunction with Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, as well as Centre for Epidemiology and Health Development, Lagos, Nigeria, at Conference Hotel, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

She pointed out that the present administration’s massive investments in healthcare sector in the past five years would be justified with adequate training of health personnel, describing the selection process of participants as merit-based.

The Commissioner explained that participants would be trained on identifying challenges, proffering solutions and building skills.

"I am excited that this programme will sharpen the skills of our best members of staff across the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and facilitate in the health sector in the area of change management. These are the people that will ensure that healthcare delivery for our people is optimal and sustainable. I am grateful to our partners for collaborating with us to make this happen", she said.

Remarking, Project Director, Centre for Epidemiology and Health Development, Prof. Akin Osibogun, underscored the need for managerial and leadership training for health workers, to enable them plan, organise, implement, evaluate health programmes and rediscover some latent skills, by coupling their technical competences with social and managerial skills.

"This partnership is to ensure that citizens of Ogun State get better value from the invested resources by state government and be more efficiently utilised through improved managerial practices", he said.

One of the facilitators from Netherlands, Ms Esther den Hartog, urged participants to implement their change plans in their various MDAs, expressing confidence that the training would have positive impact on the health sector.

Reacting, some participants, Chief Medical Director, State Hospital, Ijaye, Dr. Bunmi Osinaike and Director, Nursing, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Sherifat Aminu, observed that quality leaders would be developed, while administration of health care sector in the State would also improve through the training

 

Goke Gbadamosi & Adeyinka Elujoba,

Press Officers, Ministry of Health

 

OGSG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO BUILDING HOLISTIC AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEM

Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its dedication to creating a comprehensive agricultural ecosystem that prioritises inclusivity, resilience, sustainability, gender equality, climate-smart practices and conservation initiatives.

          Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, made this declaration at the flag-off ceremony for input distribution and commencement of the 2024 planting season for farmers aggregated by the Ogun Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) Value Chain Development Firms (VCDFs), in Ijebu Zone.

The event, organised by OGSTEP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and powered by two VCDFs in the zone, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-VCDFs) and NEEPREE Ltd., aimed to empower farmers with resources, knowledge and support to enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, as well as ensure food security.

According to Hon. Owotomo, the state government had supported over 20,000 farmers through OGSTEP Agric, with significant investments exceeding N600 million, covering mechanisation services, training and capacity building, among others.

          He added that government had facilitated off-taker linkages for expected yields, with an estimated 107,000 metric tonnes of produce anticipated from last season's production.

Speaking, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Samuel Adeogun, urged farmers to make judicious use of the interventions to improve their output.

On his part, Project Manager, OGSTEP Agric sector, Dr. Oluseyi Olugbire, emphasised that the programme, which has over 1,000 farmers as beneficiaries, would support small-scale farmers with matching grants, to improve their livelihoods and create awareness about the initiative.

Beneficiaries, including a community farmer from Odogbolu, Imam Akorede Lawal and an AFAN women's group member, Ijebu-Ode, Mrs. Tosin Oguntola, commended the state government for the initiative, stating that it had significantly helped expand their farms.

The distributed inputs include high quality seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, mechanical services, as well as access to extension services, training programmes, market linkages and equipping farmers with skill to adopt best practices.

 

Gbenga Moronfolu,

Press Officer, Min. of Agric. & Food Production

 

Mosunmola Feyisetan,

Editor, OGIS.

Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ogun State.

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