Ogun News

SEEK FOR MORE KNOWLEDGE, OGUN COMMISSIONER CHARGES NURSING GRADUANDS

     Graduating students of Ogun State College of Nursing Sciences have been charged to seek for self-development, pursue further education and engage in research.

        Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, gave the advice while speaking during the first combined convocation ceremony of the College, at the Tele-Medicine Hall, Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, saying healthcare system in the country had provided the foundation upon which the graduands would build their careers.

        Dr. Coker emphasised the need to embrace new technologies and methodologies to nurture their skills for future endeavours, noting that the graduates from the College were among the best in the country, while highlighting their brilliance, innovation, and unwavering professional dedication.

        "As Nurses and Midwives, you are the backbone of our healthcare system. Your role is critical, not only in providing care but in leading change, advocating for patients and driving improvements in health outcomes. The knowledge and skills you have acquired are invaluable", she said.

The Commissioner expressed her gratitude to the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his unwavering support to strengthening healthcare and commitment to ensuring that the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) approved the accreditation of all state-owned Schools of Nursing and Midwifery, as well as their transition to the current collegiate system.

      The guest speaker, Head of Nursing Department, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Dr. Oluwabusolami Atekoja, who spoke on the theme, "Expanding Horizon, Retaining Brilliance: Computing Brain Drain At The Dawn Of A New Era", said Nurses should be treated with utmost care, describing them as the pillar of the healthcare system.

     Remarking, Provost of the College, Dr. Omotade Sodimu, pointed out that the school had significantly contributed to the development of education in the health sector and remains one of the oldest tertiary institutions in the state.

         In her reaction, the Best Graduating Student, Miss Busola Yakub, urged her colleagues to use their knowledge, skills and experience to make a difference and change the world for the better.

       "We must use our knowledge and skills to break down barriers, challenge the status quo and drive innovation. We must be the leaders, thinkers and problem-solvers that our world needs”, she said.

 

Yinka Elujoba,

Press Officer, Ministry of Health

 

CSDA, OGCARES TRAIN LGRC ON PROJECT DOCUMENTATION

Local Government Review Committee (LGRC) members, under Ogun Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OG-CARES), have been trained on project documentation and preparation for the next phase of disbursement for the execution of developmental projects.

Speaking at the training programme, organised by Community and Social Development Agency in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser in the state, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, highlighted state government's efforts in alleviating the negative impact of Covid-19 at the grassroots.  

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Development Partner Coordinator and Coordinator OG-CARES, Mr. Bayo Adenekan, the Commissioner charged participants to cooperate and support the community for the documentation of the projects to be executed within the community, imploring them to be proactive and expedite action on the projects in their communities.

        "We should not be foot-dragging with the implementation of the projects, as Ogun State is one of the best when we talk of provision of social infrastructure for its citizenry. Let us do our bits and leave the rest to God. This is a very salient assignment; we need to collaborate to be able to achieve and make this a success", he said.

       On his part, Acting General Manager, CSDA/ Project Manager OG-CARES, Mr. Rahman Adelaja, commended the state government and the World Bank for prioritising the welfare of its citizens, urging members of the LGRC to cooperate with the community for proper documentation and implementation of projects to be executed in the communities.

Responding on behalf of the LGRC members, Mrs. Adeola Koleade, appreciated both the World Bank and the state government for the provision of infrastructure to the community, promising their cooperation for the success of the projects.

 

Olayinka Kujore,

Press Officer, CSDA

 

OGUN STATISTICIAN-GENERAL ADVOCATES PRICE CONTROL MECHANISM ON COMMODITIES

Ogun State Statistician-General, Mr. Michael Ajayi, has advocated that introduction of a price control mechanism would help to drastically reduce increase in prices of food items and other commodities.

Mr. Ajayi, who made this known during a survey of markets around Ogun Central and Ogun East Senatorial Districts of the state by the Bureau of Statistics, noted that the hike in food items which was noticed shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, had not abated in the last 12 months.

Represented by the Director, Economic and Social Statistics, Mr. Bolarinde Abimbola, the Statistician-General stated that situations were similar in all markets, as the prices of staples such as rice, maize, garri, yam beans and oil have doubled or even tripled, saying the hike also affected other commodities such as electronics, clothing and toiletries.

He explained that the increase was due to various factors such as, currency devaluation, insecurity and low productivity in the agricultural sector, noting that arbitrary increase of commodities by traders due to their selfish gains, largely contributed to the hardship.

"Early last year, 2023, a plastic of ‘garri’ is sold for Five Hundred Naira, is now N1, 500.00, which represents an increase of 33.3 percent between January, 2023 to June, 2024", he said.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Arigbajo Market, Secretary of Egbejoda Market in Arigbajo, Ifo, Chief Akinbola Oludayo, commended the Dapo Abiodun-led administration for providing enabling environment for them to transact their businesses, calling on government to help curb the unlawful act of deliberately increasing prices of commodities by sellers in various markets in the state.

In her submission, the Iyaloja of Olabisi Onabanjo International Market, Chief Mrs. Oloruntele Ogunba, expressed worries over the drastic increase in the prices of commodities, saying the incessant increase in prices scare consumers away, while appealing to the government to provide lasting solutions to the situation.

A consumer, Mr. Ibrahim Gbadamosi while fielding questions from journalists at Egbejoda Market, Arigbajo, Ifo, affirmed that traders were major culprits of price hike, pleading with the government to introduce price control measures to curb the unlawful act being perpetrated by these sellers.

Other markets visited include, Lanfenwa Market in Abeokuta, Olabisi Onabanjo International Market, Ijebu-Ode, Remo and Siun Markets.

 

Pelumi Oduronbi,

Press Officer, Bureau of Statistics

Mosunmola Feyisetan,

Editor, OGIS.

Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ogun State.
_______________________________

JUNE 12: GOV. ABIODUN COMMUTES DEATH SENTENCE OF 45 INMATES, PARDONS 41

In commemoration of Democracy Day and prerogative of mercy, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commuted death sentence of 45 inmates to prison terms and granted amnesty to 41 others serving in different correctional centres across the state.

Governor Abiodun, who disclosed this during the 2024 Democracy Day, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, said government has a duty to uphold democratic values by consistently applying principles of mercy, justice, and the rule of law.

"This gesture signals a break from past grievances and a move towards a more inclusive and compassionate society where second chances are granted to deserving offenders’’, he said.

He informed that the inmates were remorseful of their crimes, acquired skills and certifications in the correctional centres, with several of them obtaining university degrees from the National Open University of Nigeria, while demonstrating verified good conduct during their imprisonment.

Governor Abiodun underscored the significance of the day, noting that it marks the triumph of democracy, power of the people and pursuit of justice and freedom, observing that the history of Nigeria’s democracy is one of struggle and perseverance.

"June 12, 1993, stands as a watershed moment in this journey. On that particular day, Nigerians transcended differences of tribe, gender and even the unique joint Muslim-Muslim ticket to speak unanimously through the ballot. Although the election was globally acclaimed as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, the military annulled its results, dashing the hopes raised by this democratic exercise’’, he said.

The state’s helmsman pointed out that the late Chief Moshood Abiola was one of the finest trailblazers from the state, just as his courage and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals remain an inspiration to the people, adding that his campaign slogan, “Hope '93”, was a national reawakening, rooted in faith and the limitless ability of Nigerians to face their challenges and resolve to contribute to nation-building.

In a lecture titled, "June 12: Defining Moment in the Democratic Development of Nigeria", the guest lecturer, a Public Affairs Analyst, Mr. Richard Akinnola, while giving a background to what led to the crisis, chided the nation's judiciary for succumbing to the military government in annulling the June 12 elections.

Akinnola, who described the June 12 elections as the best in the history of the nation, noted that the aftermath of the annulment led to killings of pro-democracy activists, just as it ushered in mutual mistrust among the citizens.

The guest lecturer said for democracy to thrive in the country, Nigerians must keep their leaders on their toes, while people should not forget those who sacrificed their lives for the democracy being enjoyed, condemning those who have been calling for the return of the military due to the current economic hardship to desist.

In his goodwill message, a pro-democracy activist and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the state, Dr. Niran Malaolu, eulogised Chief Abiola for paying the supreme prize for the nation to experience democracy, recalling that several Nigerians also suffered in the course of returning the country to democratic rule.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the Governor, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, said the celebration symbolises collective will of the people to choose their leaders in free and fair elections, as witnessed on June 12, 1993, just as it demonstrated the power of the people to engender change.

 

Elijah Udofia,

Press Officer, Office of the Governor.

 

DEMOCRACY DAY: ABIODUN CHARGES NIGERIANS TO REMAIN STEADFAST

In the spirit of celebrating Democracy day, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged Nigerians to remain steadfast and have trust in the current democratic process in the country.

Governor Abiodun gave the charge during the Democracy Day celebration prayers, at the family home of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Late Moshood Abiola in Gbagura, Abeokuta.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Prince Abiodun expressed pleasure that Nigerians were celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy on a foundation laid by the late Abiola, appreciating the federal government for setting aside the day not just to honour his memory but to also celebrate democratic rule in Nigeria.

The Governor assured that his administration would continue to honour the legacy of the late Abiola, especially as he was a prominent son of the state, just as he would not relent in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

While appreciating the federal government for formulating people-centred policies, towards achieving a better Nigeria, Abiodun called on the people to continue to support government, in order to take the country to an enviable height.

Earlier in his sermon, Mufasir Agura, Alhaji Daud Toriola, described Abiola as a courageous and generous man, who impacted lives of the people, commending the state government for playing a leading role in remembering the late business mogul and philanthropist.

Speaking on behalf of the late Abiola's families, Mr. Ameen Abiola, appreciated the state government for its unflinching support and renovation of the family house, commending the federal government for declaring June 12 as Democracy Day.

 

Idongesit Jonah & Temitayo Taylor,

Press Officers, Office of the Deputy Governor.

 

OGSG MULLS ACQUISITION OF OGUN-OSUN HYDRO PLANT

 Ogun State government has expressed interest in acquiring the Hydro Power Plant installed in the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority, to generate energy for the socio-economic development of the state.

The state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made this known when he received the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engr. (Dr.) Adedeji Ashiru and other members of the management team in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Governor Abiodun noted that acquisition of the Hydro Power Plant which had been abandoned for years, would help boost power supply in the state and improve its status as the industrial capital of the country.

"Electricity is a key enabler in the industrial revolution of our dear state, and one of the vision we have as a government is to ensure that Ogun becomes one of the states where the cost of energy will be the cheapest. I believe that if we are able to acquire this Hydro Power Plant, it will go a long way to support the actualisation of our vision", he said.

The governor pointed out that the Basin is fundamental to agriculture and food security in the South-West, as it provides adequate water supply for farmers within the region, saying the management of the agency was also key to checkmating perennial flooding in the state.

Earlier, Engr.(Dr.) Ashiru assured that the Basin would continue to enhance water resources management, promote agriculture and support infrastructure development within the region.

 

Obasan Oluwafunso,

Press Officer, Office of the Governor.

 

TOURISM: OGUN CALLS FOR STAKEHOLDERS PARTNERSHIP IN PROMOTING CULTURAL HERITAGE

The present administration in Ogun State has called on stakeholders, particularly investors, to partner and take advantage of the rich cultural heritage across the state to promote the tourism sector in the state.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi made this assertion, while speaking during 2024 Ojude-Oba Festival World Press Conference, at the Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode.

Fagbayi stated that the Ministry had consistently been involved in the co-sponsoring of the annual celebration of the Ojude-Oba Festival, as well as other cultural events across the state, assuring that this year’s celebration would not be an exemption, as it promises to be more elaborate, showcasing a true reflection of the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.

"I urge stakeholders in the culture and tourism sector to grab this magnanimous gesture, as government has created an enabling environment for your survival and thriving in the business, as well as support the' ISEYA' mantra and the 'Building Our Future Together' agenda of the present administration", he said.

Speaking earlier, Chairman, Ojude-Oba 2024 Festival Committee, Chief Olu. Okuboyejo, said the theme of the event, ‘’Peace, Unity and Harmony, Our Gifts’’, was carefully chosen to reflect the peace and unity which the festival tends to achieve among sons and daughters of Ijebuland.

On his part, the Coordinator and Baagbimo of Ijebuland, Chief Fassy Yusuf, informed that the annual event was a tradition which holds on the third day after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, noting that the Festival was beyond cultural displays and funfair but a period of socio-economic and financial upliftment of the town, before, during and after the Festival.

 

Funmilola Akinpelu & Kofoworola Idowu,

Press Officers, Ministry of Culture & Tourism

 

Mosunmola Feyisetan,

Editor, OGIS.

Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ogun State.
_______________________________