OGSG SET TO CREATE SMART CITIES – GOV. ABIODUN
Ogun State Government has said it is set to create smart cities through its regeneration schemes across all the urban centres in the state.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who made this known during the year 2024 World Environment Day (WED), with the theme, “Achieving the Smart City Agenda Through Climate Change Resilience and Urban Afforestation”, at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, saying climate change was a phenomenon which everyone should actively participate in for a safer society.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Governor Abiodun informed that his administration had implemented initiatives to enhance green spaces, promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions with over 100 hectares of land in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Ota and other locations, restructured to become environmentally friendly through public private partnerships.
The Governor stressed that it had become imperative to collectively ensure a safe environment, informing that his government was collaborating with urban planners, architects and relevant stakeholders to ensure this was achievable.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu-led government for establishing the Presidential Committee on Climate Action and the Green Economic Solutions, to oversee the nation's climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, saying it was aimed at achieving Carbon Neutrality in Nigeria by year 2060.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Oludotun Taiwo and his counterpart in the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPL Tunji Odunlami, commended the governor’s efforts in fostering a sustainable environment in the state, saying achieving a smart city agenda through climate change resilience and urban afforestation, requires collaboration of relevant stakeholders, as government alone could not shoulder the task.
The Director-General, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Dr. Zachariah Buba Yaduma, in his paper on achieving a smart city agenda, explain that achieving green infrastructure, certain things must be put in place, including urban forestry, management of parks in the cities and creation of open green space among others, stating that emission reduction from energy use and transportation, creation of data base, efficient energy use, good urban planning, adequate waste management amongst others, must also come to play.
Earlier, Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Ola Oresanya, said this year’s global theme was reviewed to reflect the peculiarity of the state’s ecosystem, adding that the event was an opportunity for the state to strengthen elements of strategic planning and enhance coherence among socio-economic and environmental policies.
He expressed the determination of the state to create a new line of economy through the green bond and other green financing mechanism for decarbonisation of extractive industries by converting municipal solid waste and biomass into refuse derived fuel and other alternative energy sources.
In her remarks, a global safety expert, Mrs. Dominga Odebunmi, commended the state government’s efforts towards promoting and enhancing safety, saying voluntarily embracing safety culture would help to reduce accidents, fire incidents, draw consciousness towards sustaining the environment, urging residents of the state to be alert to environmental issues, thereby becoming safety conscious.
Idongesit Jonah and Temitayo Taylor,
Press Officers, Office of the Deputy Governor
MRS. ABIODUN CHARGES BENEFICIARIES ON JUDICIOUS USE OF GRANT
Beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Agricultural Support Programme of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have been charged to judiciously utilise the grants disbursed to them in boosting food sufficiency and security.
Wife of the Ogun State Governor and state Coordinator of RHI, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, gave the charge during the disbursement and interactive session with 20 beneficiaries drawn from all the Local Government Areas in the state, at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, explaining that the exercise was in fulfilment of the promise of N10 million per state, of which each of the beneficiaries would receive N500,000 each, to boost food production in the state.
"The disbursement is in accordance with the directive of Wife of the President to support 20 women farmers from the state with N500,000.00 each to encourage women involvement in the agricultural sector", she said.
Earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, maintained that the event was in furtherance to government’s commitment to promote and empower women in the sector, towards ensuring adequate food production in the state and the country at large.
Hon. Owotomo added that achieving a sustainable development in agriculture plays a critical role in ensuring food sufficiency, saying that RHI was to assist women-farmers to strengthen the sector.
He admonished them to maximally utilize the gesture to meet the purpose it was meant for, advising them to form a cluster and register with Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, to further benefit from other government interventions to increase food production and improve their livelihood.
In their separate remarks, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Angel Adelaja and Permanent Secretary, Mr Samuel Adeogun, noted that the role of women in agriculture could not be over emphasised, promising to give necessary support to ensure that they were not left out in various intervention programmes, to enable them improve their agriculture business.
Responding on behalf of other female farmers, a fish farmer, Mrs. Elizabeth Kalejaye and a poultry farmer, Mrs. Temitope Kelani, applauded the initiative, enthusing that the money would be used to expand their businesses.
Gbenga Moronfolu & Morolayo Fadairo,
Press Officers, Min. of Agriculture & Food Security
OGUN HoS TASKS OGBC ON EXCELLENCE IN BROADCSATING
Ogun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, has tasked the management team of the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), to continue to promote excellence in broadcasting, in order to increase listenership and improve revenue generation.
Mr. Onasanya stated this during a courtesy call at his office in Abeokuta by OGBC management, led by its General Manager, Mrs. Toyin Sogbesan, saying with improved content and programmes, tailored towards crucial developmental issues, valuable knowledge and resources to foster awareness and empowerment of the citizens, the station would continue to excel in the broadcast industry.
While emphasising the need for effective dissemination of information on the various developmental programmes of the present administration in the state, the Head of Service urged the station to continue to bridge the gap between the government and the governed through effective feedback mechanism, to ensure a well informed and enlightened citizenry.
He described OGBC as a model station with strong antecedents in broadcasting excellence, commending the management for sustaining the legacies of the founding fathers, stressing the need for capacity building of staff to enhance their operations.
Mr. Onasanya appreciated Governor Abiodun for providing a 5 kilohertz cutting edge transmitter for the station, pointing out that the gesture had ushered in a paradigm shift in broadcasting, as against the epileptic performance of the past due to low transmission, thereby enabling the station to deliver quality service to the public.
Earlier, Mrs. Sogbesan, who commended government for the procurement of a transmitter which had improved the Corporation’s performance, pledging the station's readiness to always propagate government's policies and programmes. She solicited for more support to keep moving the station forward in terms of equipment, revenue generation and retainership, in order to be a reference point among competitors.
Omolara Osindele & Tunde Olayiwola,
Press Officers, Office of the HoS
OGUN FINANCE MINISTRY TRAINS STAFFERS ON WORK ETHICS
Officers in the junior cadre of the Ministry of Finance have been trained on rules of work and acceptable work ethics, as well as registry procedures.
While declaring the one-day training open at the Bureau of Statistics Conference Room in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Adesina Towolawi, stated that the training was informed by the need to provide junior staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their job performance.
Mr. Towolawi, who noted that the exercise was essential as it would translate to more effective job performance, urging participants to diligently pay attention to lessons garnered from the training and use them to improve their jobs delivery.
In his delivery, the facilitator, a Retired Permanent Secretary in the state Civil Service, Alh. Adebisi Osolase, highlighted discipline, loyalty, honesty, cooperation, dressing and neutrality, as the code of ethics of government business that every officer must adhere to, imploring them to recognise and perform their duties conscientiously and desist from unacceptable attitudes at work.
Speaking on behalf of other participants, Ms. Lucia Asimiyu, applauded the initiative of the leadership of the Ministry for organising the training, promising that they would apply all what they learnt towards improving their jobs.
Bolaji Abiodun & Doyinsola Ajisebutu,
Press Officers, Min. of Finance.
TRAINING IS GERMANE TO EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY, SAYS OGUN COMMISSIONER
Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, has reiterated that capacity building of staff is germane to effective and efficient service delivery.
Hon. Hamzat emphasised this at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, during an in-house training, organised by the management of the Ministry for senior officers in the Departments of Accounts, Internal Audit, as well as Inspectorate and Monitoring in the Ministry.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi, the Commissioner said the training would be cascaded to other staffers for positive impact on the ministry, as well as enhance their performance, saying it was paramount that staffers demonstrate dynamism and resourcefulness in their relevant fields.
He noted that the management was keen at ensuring provision of an enabling environment for workers, thereby producing potential leaders in each department of the Ministry.
In her presentation on “Efficient Resources Management in Nigeria: The Strategic Role of Sustainable Procurement, Contract Monitoring Procurement Audit”, the Director, Inspectorate and Monitoring, Mrs. Fola Sogbiyeju, pointed out that public procurement was acquisition of goods and services by Ministry, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), but more importantly was sustainable procurement, which considers the impact of the goods and services to the environment.
Also speaking on the theme, “Enhancing Efficiency and Effectiveness in the Administration of Public Resource: The Role of Internal Auditor”, the Internal Auditor, Mrs. Adebanjo Remi, said that the role of Internal Auditors cannot be over-emphasised in any agency, as they serve as financial security to government resources.
In their different presentations, Mr. Olusoga Ademola dwelled on the importance of managing stress and routine check-ups to prevent high blood pressure, as well as other health challenges that could hinder effective service delivery, while Mrs. Alinson Sekinat concluded the session by admonishing Auditors to embrace modern technologies in the discharge of their duties.
Some participants, Mr. Sunday Oduntan and Mrs. Olayinka Lawal, appreciated the management for the training, saying the sharing of learning experiences would further equip staff for higher responsibilities.
Abiodun Okuboyejo,
Press Officer, MLG&CA
GOV. ABIODUN'S AIDE THUMBS UP PRINCIPALS ON TALENT DISCOVERY
School Principals in Ogun State have been commended for their resilience in discovering and shaping the untapped potential of their students for a brighter future and development of the society.
Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, who commended the Principals in Abeokuta during the Southwest Block Meeting of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), organised by Ogun State Branch, described them as worthy leaders, visionaries and champions of education, saying their dedication, passion and commitment to moulding young minds were remarkable.
"As Principals, you are the backbone of our education system. You work tirelessly to create a nurturing environment that fosters growth, learning and exploration. Your impact goes beyond the classroom, shaping the future of our society.
"Every teacher is a dedicated professional, deserving of support and growth opportunities; embrace the challenges, celebrate the successes among your teaching force and always keep the students at the heart of everything you do", she said.
The Governor's aide, described the Principals as catalysts for change, driving innovation and progress, urging ANCOPSS to always remember that their roles were not just about managing schools, but to inspire others through their profession.
Speaking, the President of ANCOPSS in Ogun State, Mr. Adeniyi Adekoya, explained that the convergence was to deliberate on modern ways of carrying out their administrative duties for relevance and especially, for sustainability of the academic legacy that the South-West states were noted for.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 32 apprentices in various vocational trades in Remo axis of the state have been empowered with working kits, as a way of eradicating poverty and tackling unemployment rate among the youths.
The empowerment programme, organised by Peace Initiatives Network, was facilitated by Mrs. Soyombo, who admonished the beneficiaries to embrace vocational skills for their self-development, advised them to shun social vices.
Appreciating the facilitator and donors on behalf of other beneficiaries, Yemisi Olulowo and Olufemi Akinsanya, noted that the initiative was an answer to their prayers, as they were unable to acquire the equipment due to economic challenges.
Ayoola Obadimu,
Press Officer, MOES&T
TESCOM ENLISTS OVER 1,000 OGUN TEACH INTERNS
As part of efforts to address the shortage of teachers in public secondary schools in Ogun State, the state's Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM), has commenced the process of enlisting over 1, 200 new interns under the Ogun Teach programme to teach in public secondary schools across the state.
The programme, which started in 2021, had initially injected 2,000 interns into the teaching profession.
The Chairman, TESCOM, Evangelist Olalekan Ifede, while fielding questions from pressmen in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the shortage of teachers in public secondary schools was being addressed with the deployment of interns to teach in schools and improve the standard of teaching in the state.
Evangelist Ifede informed that the selection process was seamless and merit based, explaining that applicants were invited if the meet the prerequisite of the cut-off mark, pointing out that the programme had made positive impact by improving the teacher-student ratio, effective tutelage and better academic records, among others.
He advised the new interns to be diligent in their various schools, saying the 2-year internship would be a probation period for permanent employment by the state government.
Speaking on behalf of other interns, who had received their posting letters, Mr. Osukoya Emmanuel to Remo Secondary School, Sagamu (Snr) and Mrs. Oyebade Olatundun to Oronna High School, Ilaro, (Snr), appreciated the state government for the opportunity, promising to discharge their duties accordingly.
Gafar Alabi,
Press Officer, TESCOM
ITF, NERGP TRAIN 100 INDIGENES FOR IMPROVED ECONOMIC STATUS
No fewer than 100 indigenes of Ogun State, who were trained and empowered with start-up packs through the Industrial Training Fund - National Economic Recovery Growth Programme (ITF-NERGP), have been urged to make good use of the opportunity to improve their economic status, impact lives and contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola, made the appeal during the closing ceremony and distribution of start-up packs to beneficiaries of the programme, at the ITF Abeokuta Area Office in Abeokuta.
Aikulola said the skills acquired during the programme would enable the beneficiaries contribute meaningfully to the economy, reduce unemployment, curb idleness and serve as panacea to socio-economic challenges faced by the youths.
He charged the participants not to sell the start-up packs that have been given to them, stating that their effective utilisation would soon result in exponential income.
Recounting his experience of working as a barber, photographer and printer during his motivational speech, the Permanent Secretary urged the participants not to feel inferior to others, adding that the acquired skills if well harnessed, would improve their livelihood.
“I am particularly proud of the 100 beneficiaries from Ogun State for your dedication and commitment throughout this training programme. As you step out, you do so, not just with a certificate but with the confidence and skills to build a sustainable livelihood and by extension, contribute to the development of our great state and nation”, he said.
Aikulola, who reiterated government’s commitment to supporting and creating enabling environment for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, lauded the ITF and the Federal Ministry of National Budget and Planning for organising the programme.
Speaking, the Area Manager, ITF Abeokuta Area Office, Mrs. Bolanle Ajibade, explained that the three-month training programme would expose participants to two months of practical training and one month of internship, advising the 100 indigenes, who benefitted from the programme to use the knowledge gained to contribute positively to the development of the country’s economy.
She disclosed that artisans could register for another training programme, called Skill-Up Programme for Artisans (SUPA), via www.supa.itf.gov.ng.
In their separate interviews, some beneficiaries, including a sexagenarian, Mr. Olufemi Idowu-Onasile and a Creative Designer, Mrs. Ruqqayat Dairo, affirmed that the training had enabled them to earn income, adding that Nigerians, irrespective of age or academic qualifications, need to leverage different ITF programmes, in order to contribute to the growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The ITF-NERGP is a training and empowerment programme, implemented by the Federal Ministry of National Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with the ITF, which had trained 4,000 Nigerian youths on different vocations including, crop production, welding and metal fabrication, electrical installation and maintenance, carpentry (furniture making) and tilling.
Wale Osunbiyi,
Press Officer, Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment
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