Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan has described the Public Service sector as crucial and the foundation on which ‘ISEYA’, the State’s mantra stands, for the successful implementation of the 2021 budget and 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework.

Olabimtan made this description in Abeokuta at the inauguration of the Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the Public Service Sector, emphasising that without the Budget Enablers, comprising Public Service, Judiciary and Legislature, the policies, projects and programmes of government could not be effectively implemented.

According to him, monitoring and evaluation must be given priority from the outset to ensure the State gets value for money and expected outcomes in budget implementation, urging relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to give maximum commitment and sacrifice to ensure success of the Public Service sector.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry who doubles as the Vice Chairman, State Technical Working Committee on Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Dada called on members whom she described as ambassadors of the State government, to put in their best and work as a team to achieve success.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and the Chairman of the Public Service Sector, Alhaji Hassan Adekunle said the success of the Medium-term Expenditure Framework, depends largely on the sector, urging MDAs to make positive impact in the public service, ensure participatory representation, cooperate and support one another at all times.

Highlighting some of the committee’s terms of reference, Director on Monitoring and Supervision, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mr. David Onigbinde disclosed that being the repository of monitoring and evaluation of data for the relevant MDAs, it is expected to provide periodic framework, give technical coordination and guidance on activities undertaken in the sector, among others.

By Rofiat Lawal

Nigerians have been tasked to take advantage of the ongoing registration and Revalidation exercise of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to join the party which she described as a great party.

This call was made by Barr. Mokesioluwa Seun-Adedamola (Akesi) yesterday when she revalidated her APC membership Card in Ijebu-Ode Local Government.

“APC is a great party. I want to use this medium to enjoin everyone to join the Train and come out enmasse and register” she said.

Speaking with Pressmen after validating her Membership Card, Barr. Seun-Adedamola said the exercise was peaceful, and urged all individuals to register and revalidate their card in the ongoing registration exercise.

Akesi, who immediately after her membership revalidation visited Ijebu-Ode Local Government Council Boss, Engr. Olugbenga Olugbile and the APC Caretaker chairman, congratulated the Chairman on his recently celebrated 60th birthday and the achievements recorded so far at the helm of the Local Government Affairs.

Responding, the Council Boss, appreciated the kind gesture of the Barrister for visiting his office.

She also visited the Caretaker Party Chairman of Ijebu-Ode local Government, Mr Sikiru Adebayo, along with 15 Party Faithfuls from the APC Ward 11 (Itamapko). The Chairman advised Akesi to continue to tow her path of kindness and generosity for which she’s already known.

Highlight of the familiarization tour includes donation of 220 packs of “Akesi Rice” to Party Faithfuls across the Ijebu-Ode APC awards and presentation of self portrait to the Council Boss.

The Ogun State Government has again said that promotion and maintenance of Industrial production of Adire Textile for global recognition would be its priority, which would contribute immensely to the State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Technical Education, Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa made this known during his assessment tour to the Heritage Apparels Vocational Center, in Abeokuta, the State capital

Prof. Odemuyiwa, through his Press Officer, Mrs. Busayo Malaolu, explained that government is set to have a designed curriculum on demand driven trades in collaboration with the Industries to enable a good link between what is being taught and what is being done in the industries.

He stated that the essence of training was for the trainee to be self-reliant and employable through government certification that would be recognised in any organisation or industry, noting that such certification would qualify the trainee within and outside the State for employment.

He also affirmed that Heritage Apparels was due for government certification because its men, materials, modern machines and qualified trainers that can meet up with the global standards.

Welcoming the Special Adviser and his team, the founder and Chief Executive Officer, Heritage Apparels, Ms Abisade Adenubi said she was working as a trained and qualified lawyer before she found her way into fashion business due to her passion .

She maintained that her motive was to train the young ones for a sustainable trade and to create employment through the vocational centre, noting that there is a need to ensure that young ones acquire the vocational skills needed to provide capacity building in the industry.

Worried by the recent destruction of lives and property as a result of the farmers/herders’ crisis in the Yewa axis, the Ogun State Government has commenced the process of finding lasting solutions to the menace.

To this end, a government delegation comprising top government officials and representatives of security agencies were sent by the Governor to the affected areas on what government tagged, ‘Confidence Building Mission’.

Speaking at the Palace of the Olu of Ilaro, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, noted that though the farmers/herders’ clashes was a national problem, the State government is looking at ways of finding an enduring solution to it, stressing the need for the people to be vigilant by reporting strange faces and movements to security officials.

“Government is not happy with what is happening in this part of the State. We have come on the instruction of the Governor to see what can be done to address this crisis. Let me stress the need for peaceful co-existence among our people irrespective of where you come from. Though, this crisis is a national issue, government is putting security plans in place to secure the lives of our people in this area”, he assured.

Also speaking, his Information and Strategy counterpart, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile, appealed to the people not to take laws into their hands, but allow the security agencies and traditional rulers to handle the situation.

Odusile called for peaceful co-existence among indigenes and people from other ethnic groups, saying that an all-inclusive stakeholders meeting has been scheduled to hold soon, as he appreciated the Royal fathers for dousing the tension that arose from the herdsmen attack.

Responding, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, acknowledged similar challenges in other parts of the country, but added that it was becoming pronounced in the State in recent time, calling for immediate operation of ‘Amotekun’ Corps in the State, with involvement of traditional rulers in the selection of its operatives.

“The State Governor has done well by putting in place mechanism to address this problem. I want to plead with the Governor to commission the ‘Amotekun’ Corps. When doing this relevant stakeholder’s meeting, traditional rulers should be involved to recommend people who know the terrains. Round pegs should be put in round holes”, he advised.

He called for the meeting of traditional rulers to discuss the issue and advocated for the inscription of owner’s name on each cattle, maintaining that this would help in identifying the owner in event of destruction of farm by any cattle.

On his part, the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, who spoke in his palace traced the crisis to cattle feeding on farmers produce, calling for the creation of special area for the herders to graze their cattle.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AIG Sola Subair (Rtd), who later had a chat with newsmen said a joint security task force to be stationed in the affected areas would take- off next week, revealing that the ’Amotekun’ Corps is springing up soon.

Contributing, the State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Edward Ajogun, noted that policemen have been deployed to the affected areas, as government has given security agencies the wherewithal to bring peace to the areas.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Inter-ethnic Affairs, Prince Hadi Sani, who spoke in Hausa and Yoruba languages, pleaded with the people to be peaceful, saying no meaningful development could take place in a violent ridden environment.

The delegation in the course of the visit had a town hall meeting with the people of Oja Odan, Ibese and Ilaro, as well as the Hausa community at Dangote Cement Factory at Ibese, Kara and Abeokuta, where they appealed for calm and support in finding amicable solutions to the crisis.

The Member, representing Yewa North State Constituency II, Hon. Haruna Egungbohun who commended the efforts of the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at combating the menace of the herdsmen, solicited for continued effort to prevent the reoccurrence of loss of lives and property.

Some of the people who spoke at the meeting, called for the protection of farmers and their produce, assuring that they are ready to live in peace with their neighbours, regardless of their tribe or religion.

Ogun State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with an independent power plant operator, Lisabi Power Company to expand electricity distribution to major parts of Abeokuta metropolis.

The signing of the MoU, at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s office in Abeokuta, was conducted by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi and Viathan Engineering ,operators of the Power Plant.

Speaking on behalf of the power firm, the Chief Executive Officer, Habeeb Alebiosu, said the occasion was to consolidate on the company’s operations, in a bid to increase foothold and expand the capacity of electricity distribution to meet energy needs of the government and citizens.

“The MoU effectively speaks to consolidating on our operations here in Ogun State, naturally being the gateway in the southwest region. The overall objective is to increase our foothold, expand the capacity to meet the needs of government and its citizens”,Alebiosu said.

Also speaking the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy, Engr. Lolu Adubifa , described the event as historic agreement between the present-administration and VIATHAN, maintaining that the MoU signed would effectively double the capacity of the plant, to meet the energy needs of the people in Abeokuta Zone.

Adubifa added that government remained genuinely committed to making the State a preferred investment destination of choice in the country.

Commissioner for Health, Ogun State, Dr Tomi Coker has disclosed that the present administration would be working round the clock to make Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) a world standard teaching hospital.

Dr. Tomi Coker said this during the tour of facilities in the hospital, in company of the Chairman, Governing Council, OOUTH, Dr. Adekunle Hassan and his members in Sagamu,

The Commissioner assured that the Government has been making plans to return the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital ( OOUTH), Sagamu to its glorious era.

Coker said constitution of the Council with seasoned and renowned medical practitioners would help drive efficiency and reposition the institution to an enviable status, noting that the tour had afforded the 12-member Council the opportunity to identify key areas where development could quickly take place.

According to her, Ogun State is fortunate to have a Governing Council with a crop of people with diverse experience.

“We are confident that OOUTH would be returned to its glorious days in a way that it would in no time become a model in Nigeria”, she said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Dr. Hassan, said the Council would come up with ways to resolve the challenges on the short, medium and long terms, saying he would work in line with the vision of the State government, to ensure that qualitative healthcare services are achieved.

By Sinub Lawal

A federal lawmaker representing, Yewa North/Imeko-Afon, Federal Constituency, Hon Olaifa Jimoh has empowered 34 constituents with 25, 600 fingerlings fish and 1024 feeds, in order to sustain food sufficient in the State.

Hon. Olaifa, who was represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Mr. Wale Junaid at the programme, held at Afobaje Hotel, admonished the beneficiaries to maintain the investment on fisheries, so as to provide the state with abundant food security, especially within their respective households.

“Indeed, I have my constituents in mind, that’s more reason I am investing more on them, especially the food production, which I believe is major challenges in our country today.

“And the investment is majorly on skill acquisition for both men and women as well as the youths of of my constituency who are the ones who really need to be independent, and not to be chasing the political officer holders any moment they see them at their constituency Secretariats,” Olaifa said

He noted that he had trained over 45 youths and women at National Centre Agriculture and Mechanization, Ilorin, in Kwara State; 40 youths and women at School of Fish Soloist, Lagos; 34 youths and women on promotion and development of fisheries and aquaculture.

He further said that people of the constituency had been empowered with 25, 600 fingerling fishes, feeds that could take them to the point of harvesting, at Ayetoro, Yewa North/Imeko-Afon areas of the State.

Speaking at the event, the state Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Engr. Ganiyu Oseni represented by Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Olayinka Olaosebikan said that he was satisfied with the quality and quantity of the fishes and feeds given to the beneficiaries

He advised them to take the bull by the horn in managing the business, noting that it was a very lucrative business and see the empowerment as a political largesse while he appreciated the lawmaker

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Shade Adepegba, Augustine Adeleke, appreciated the lawmaker for the opportunity given to them, promising they would maximally leverage on it approach the business judiciously.

As part of efforts to ensure timely information dissemination of Ogun State government’s policies and programmes to the people, the Ministry of Information and Strategy, will spend the sum of N600,906,805.15 as total expenditure in 2021.

Commissioner in the Ministry, Alhaji Waheed Odusile made this known during the 2021 Budget Defence at the House of Assembly, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying necessary resources would be mobilised to achieve the mandate.

Odusile stated that its Capital expenditure amounts to N99,925,607.02, while Overhead cost is N174,713,613.55 with total personnel cost of N326,267,584.58, adding that N22,091,250.00 was expected to be generated in the fiscal year.

Odusile further explained that it was important for the Ministry to make use of the fastest ways of giving out timely information, hence the need to establish an online newspaper, to complement the use of conventional medium of disseminating information, noting that the Ministry has plans to purchase new equipment and vehicles, to enhance its activities.

“We want to ensure we give accurate information at the right time. Commencing online newspaper, people will get to know by the minute happenings in Ogun State. We will use this platform to reach out to people and when they have the right information, they will make right decisions”, the Commissioner said.

Odusile added that “the Ministry is like a mirror that reflects the government to the people through news and also reflects people as well to the government through feedback mechanism”.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Finance and Appropriation Committee, Hon. Olakunle Sobunkanla, urged the Ministry to work in synergy with the Chairman, House Committee on Information, adding that the Legislative arm of government would visit the Ministry to ensure funds and equipment were well managed.

In attendance from the Ministry, were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Communication, Hon. Remmy Hazzan, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abiodun Awere, Directors, among others.

Ogun State Government says it is committed to sustaining the eradication of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) and interruption of the Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus in border towns and the State at large.

To this end, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker assured the public that no outbreak of polio would be recorded in communities across the State, as it has begun the December round of Outbreak Response Exercise in Yewa North and Imeko Afon Local Government Areas.

Coker stated this, during a monitoring exercise to Oja-Odan town in Yewa North Local Government Area of the State, noting that it was a mop up exercise to immunise children against the virus.

“Why we came out is because there is an outbreak of Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio Virus in Benin Republic, a neighbouring country and we want to ensure that our children here do not catch it. This is a mop up exercise to ensure that children are immunised. We have gone to market to sensitise parents and caregivers to avail their children the opportunity of being vaccinated against the crippling virus”, Coker said.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola noted that the exercise which kick-started from December 12 would end on December 15, 2020, while Oral Polio Vaccine would be administered to children of zero to 59 months in the affected Local Governments.

He urged parents and caregivers to inform others who are yet to get their children and wards immunised to do so.

Dr. Ogunsola said that transit teams would move from house to house, while others would be at designated fixed posts, such as market places, schools and religious houses, enjoining all to support the State, in its efforts to ensure the wellbeing of children, by bringing them out for vaccination.

Speaking on behalf of the indigenes, Mrs. Kabirat Ogunsona and Christy Abel lauded the initiative and timely response of government to prevent outbreak, due to the proximity of the State to Benin Republic, promising to inform other parents and caregivers to get their children and wards vaccinated, while the exercise lasted.

Ogun State Ministry of Rural Development has presented a sum of N126.6billion, as total expenditure for the year 2021, to further enhance the provision of effective and efficient distribution of power supply, rehabilitation and maintenance of existing rural roads, as well as implementation of water projects in all the nooks and crannies of the State.

Commissioner in the Ministry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun revealed this while defending the proposal before the State House of Assembly, in Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta, said the amount would be used to execute projects, provide needed office equipment, payment of salaries and allowances.

Engr. Oludotun who pointed out that N181.6m would be spent on recurrent expenditure, while N4.18 billion earmarked for capital projects would be used for construction of 3km asphalt roads across the three Senatorial Districts, upgrading 280 km rural roads in 20 Local Government Areas, as well as provision of water facilities, upgrading and construction of motorised boreholes, among others.

The Commissioner also said the State Rural Water and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSAN), would gulp N1,120,665,217.82, out of which Personnel cost was N28.1million, while Overhead cost has N12.7million and capital expenditure at N1.8million.

He added that government through the Ministry has made giant strides in the provision of potable water supply for rural dwellers, assuring that the government would not relent at improving the living standard of the people at the grassroots.

In his response, the Chairman House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Olakunle Sobunkola, urged the management to ensure that the House was carried along in the execution of any of its project in their constituency, advising that it should also concentrate on rural projects.