OGUN FLAGS-OFF 2024 TREE PLANTING EXERCISE
The present administration in Ogun State has reiterated its cooperation with relevant stakeholders in afforestation to meet the target of planting two million trees this year.
Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, stated this at the flag-off ceremony of year 2024 planting exercise, at Area J4 in Ijebu- East Local Government Area of the state, saying agriculture and afforestation were of topmost priority to the present administration, towards ensuring food security in the state.
Engr. Oludotun, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Timothy Olatunji, underscored the need to checkmate ozone layer and erosion through provision of shelter, oxygen, source of income and beautification of the environment, among others.
He explained that farmers were allowed to plant farm produce like, maize and cassava in forest reserves because of the critical role they play in the agricultural sector, promising that government would continue to support afforestation in the state.
"They are our partners and we will continue to allow them (farmers) plant their crops in our reserves as long as they abide by our rules and regulations.
This includes planting of specified members of trees in the reserves and protection of same at all times", he said.
He enjoined residents of the state to replant at least, two trees, where one is cut, commending Omo Wood Processing Factory for embracing state government's vision of making various species of trees available in the area.
Speaking with newsmen at the ceremony, Administrative Manager of the Factory, Mr. Jacob Thomas, said his company would plant between 50,000 and 70,000 tree seedlings in more than 50 hectares of land already cleared for the purpose.
In their separate interviews, stakeholders, including Ijebu sawmills and timber contractors, farmers and community leaders, commended government for its support, appealing for distribution of free seedlings to boost productivity.
Other areas visited by the Permanent Secretary and top management staffs of the Ministry include, Ajebandele and Area J6 Forest Reserves.
Kayode Oduyebo,
Press Officer, Ministry of Forestry
OGSG APPLAUDS WAEC OVER 2024 WASSCE
Ogun State Government has acknowledged the ongoing 2024 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), as worthy of commendation.
Speaking during the monitoring of the examination exercise in some schools in Abeokuta axis of the state, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, reiterated that the state is known for the best and cannot settle for less in quality and standard teaching and learning.
Prof. Arigbabu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Oluwatosin Oloko, revealed that government introduced electronics attendance marking, as part of the measures to curb examination malpractices in the state, just as it invested hugely in education for desired improvement in the sector.
He expressed satisfaction with the comportment of Supervisors, teachers and learners, saying, "In Ogun State, we have no issue of examination malpractices because we have responsible teachers chosen as supervisors. Our learners are well conducted and everything is going well".
Speaking, Head of National Office, West African Examination Council (WAEC), Dr. Amos Danguy, explained that about 1,814,000 candidates registered for the examination this year, noting that the assessment was fair, satisfactory and free from malpractices.
He added that the examination body, in conjunction with Ministries of Education across the country is considering allowing schools that have facilities for computer-based WASSCE to do so, while those without facilities could continue with paper tests, enjoining parents to encourage their children to study hard for them to be successful in their academics.
"I want to encourage learners to read in line with WASSCE syllabus and to also maximise the opportunity of compilation of past questions and learning sites for them to be well equipped in answering questions", he said.
In his reaction, Principal, Abeokuta Grammar School, Abeokuta, Mr. Oludare Sorinola and his counterpart in Charis International College, Abeokuta, Dr. Mrs. Aderonke Onadeko, assured that the examination was well organised, with adequate and timely supply of examination materials, saying the students also behaved reasonably.
Other schools visited include, Baptist Girls' College and Sacred Heart Catholic College, both in Abeokuta.
Ayoola Obadimu,
Press Officer, MOES&T
FG EMBARKS ON PERMACULTURE GARDENS TO PROMOTE ECOSYSTEM, COMMUNITY WELLBEING
Federal government has embarked on cultivation of permaculture gardens across the country, towards enhancing ecosystem and promoting healthy living among the citizenry.
Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Isiaq Salako, who disclosed this while planting his 50th tree out of 100 trees he proposed to plant in 2024, established by Assalamalekun Foundation in honour of their late father, Alhaji Yunus Omotosho Salako, at a Permacultural Garden in Ajoda High School, in Ayetoro Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, said the objective of planting edible fruit trees across communities in Nigeria was to protect the ecosystem and improve the well-being of the people.
Dr. Salako said permaculture would help purify air and replenish oxygen in the atmosphere, reduce global warming, as well as beautify the environment, saying government was committed to planting 2 million trees yearly, in about 24 local government areas across the country, which would engage youths and lead to gainful employment in each locality.
"At every local government we are going to be covering about 10 hectares of land and there is going to be community forests. For a year, the Federal Government is going to support the nurturing of those trees, we will engage youths, we are going to be paying them some stipends to make sure they care for the trees and at the end of the year, we will hand over the trees to the community to continue to maintain them", he said.
The Minister disclosed that North-Central Permaculture Garden was located at the Federal Capital Territory, South-South Permaculture Garden domiciled in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, while that of the South-West was situated at Ajoda High School, Ayetoto, Ogun State, saying each 30 hectares of land would be acquired in each local government area across the country for community tree planting and monitored by members of the community.
While inspecting ongoing reconstruction of Oba Akinola, Joga-Saala Road and construction of ICT Centre, Ajoda High School all in Ayetoro, facilitated by the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi, the Minister lauded the present administration in Ogun State for the infrastructural development in the area and the state in general, especially the newly inaugurated Ilaro-Owode Road and the International Agro-Cargo Airport, urging the people to continue to support the present administration at all levels, so as to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
Lateef Akintunde,
ZIO, YNLG
Mosunmola Feyisetan,
Editor, OGIS.
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