As part of efforts to prepare ahead for the local government elections, the Ogun State government has charged the staffers of the Ogun state Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) to embrace attitudinal change towards work and be a Covid-19 compliant by wearing nose mask, washing of hands and uses of hands sanitizers at all times.

The Permanent Secretary, OGSIEC, Mrs. Mojisola Dosunmu made this known during a-day training programme organized for the staff and members of the commission, held at OGSIEC office, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, the State capital.

Mrs. Dosunmu said the programme was birthed in order to further encourage the staffers to gear-up to their attitude to work, as well as adhering strictly to preventive measures of covid-19, especially in their offices as the virus still very much within, noting that it was important to prevent ourselves from contacting it than be looking for the cure.

One of the resource persons, Mrs. Idowu Kehinde, Director, Management Services and Zonal Administration, implored the staffers to cultivate the right attitude to work, while upholding the principles and ethics of the civil service, as this would foster achievement of organizational goals set by the government.

She added that officers should be willing and ready to learn as well as be a team player at every point in time, saying this will enhance their productivity at the workplace, especially through working together as a team.

Also, Dr. Olalekan Sodeinde of the State Ministry of health, in his lecture said Covid-19 was very much within, noting that observing physical distance reduces the risk of contact with droplets from an infected person’s sneeze/cough.

Dr. Sodeinde admonished the staff and management of the Commission to always wear a face mask, wash their hands frequently with soap under running water, cough/sneeze into their bent elbow and maintain physical distance, saying that as far as there are no vaccines for the virus yet, the state government was taking laudable steps to stem the communal spread of the virus, by creating centers across the 20 local government areas of the state for free Covid-19 testing and home treatment packages for people with mild symptoms.

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.

Round of 16 clash of Champions League draw made in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday, December 14, 2020.

Chelsea will take on Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid in another tantalising matchup.

Liverpool will meanwhile face Manchester United’s Champions League conquerors RB Leipzig in the last 16 next year, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will also face Bundesliga opposition in the shape of Borussia Monchengladbach.

Bayern Munich, who beat PSG in the 2020 final, play Lazio in the knockout phase.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus will play Portuguese side, Porto, winners in 2004, while Real Madrid take on last season’s surprise quarter-finalists Atalanta.

Champions League Round of 16 draw
—————————————-

1. Borussia
Monchengladbach v
Manchester City

2. Lazio v Bayern Munich

3. Atletico Madrid v
Chelsea

4. RB Leipzig v Liverpool

5. Porto v Juventus

6. Barcelona v Paris
St-Germain

7. Sevilla v Borussia
Dortmund

8. Atalanta v Real Madrid

Teachers have been charged to adopt global best practices in teaching methods by embracing Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, wife of Ogun State Governor gave the advice while addressing teachers during the maiden edition of ‘Teachers’ Fest’ organised by the Orange Card Project in collaboration with Ogun State Government, at OgunTech Hub, along Kobape road, Abeokuta, said the Fest would encourage teachers in their noble profession to meet the demands of digital era.

“Just recently, the Computer Teachers Association of Nigeria (CTAN) was inaugurated, which is a good avenue to ensure that everyone get on board to adopt the 21st century education and this has come to stay. In spite of the challenges, we experienced during the lockdown, the teachers were always ensuring that, the students were still engaged to meet the new demands’’, Mrs. Abiodun said.

She further stressed that the State government would not relent in its effort to give adequate training to help them excel in their noble profession, appreciating the orange card project for the wonderful initiative to better the lives of teachers.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Card Project, Mr. Ladipo Oke said teachers should be the most valued people on the surface of the earth, commending them for embracing the idea to better their lives.

While lauding the State Governor for prompt payment of teachers’ salaries, which was one of the reasons for choosing Ogun State as the first State to benefit from the project, he promised that there would be more for teachers to benefit.

In her remarks, the President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mrs. Bosede Womiloju appreciated the present administration for the passion it has for the sector, making the State a force to be reckon with, noting that the Governor is ready to take education to the greater heights.

Two of the participants, Mrs. Adedayo Oluyemi and Mrs. Awobajo Ifedola appreciated the State government and Orange Card for the initiative, saying the programme was an eye- opener.

Men have been sensitised to go all out to counsel their fellow men against gender based violence, as Ogun State, the state in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) marked the grand finale of the 16Days Activism on Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls in the state.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape made this call at the commemoration of the 16 Days Activism on elimination of gender based violence held at Women Development Centre, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.

Efuwape, while reiterating the commitment of the state government to eliminate violence against women said that the 16 Days Activism was an annual international campaign that kick-started on November 25 and run till December 10 is an International Human Right Day, adding that the theme of this year’s campaign was “Orange The World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect and End Violence Against Women and Girls”.

She said ” it is pertinent to note that gender based violence has escalated to an uncontrollable level since the emergency of Covid-19 pandemic. However, the state government would not relent at punishing any offender caught, as it is no longer business as usual in Ogun state ”

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the governor on Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Oladapo Adeleye, in her goodwill message said that performance was never based on gender, therefore, men should give equal rights to their children, male and female, in the area of development and education.

She equally appreciated UNFPA for their continuous support to eradicate the menace of gender based violence in the state, saying they have been one of the strong partners of the Ministry in particular and the state in general.

The resource person, who delivered the lecture at the event, Mr. Olumide Igbodipe urged the Police to lend a helping hand to the Ministry of Women Affairs and its partners at eradicating this menace , saying full use of the Sex Offenders Register should be ensured to blacklist the perpetrators of this criminal acts.

By Adebola Lawal

The United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre(UN-POLAC) Foundation has bestowed the International Peace Advocate to the Ogun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Femi Ogunbanwo. The award confers on him the title of “Mayor of Peace”.

This is just as the Ogun Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Information Chapel conferred on him the award of the “Most Media Friendly Commissioner” on Friday, December 11, 2020.

Speaking at the 72nd celebration of Human Right Day at the Nigeria National Merit Award House, Abuja, Barr. Ogunbanwo said the awards was a call for a greater service for ensuring a peaceful c-oexistence among the people in the State in particular and Nation at large.

Ogunbanwo disclosed that the State government was not resting on its oars as efforts were in top gear at ensuring that relative peace is enjoyed in all nooks and crannies of the state, urging the people to continue to give their maximum cooperation to the government at all times.

The Commissioner was represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Kehinde Onasanya, at the NUJ Press Week award in Abeokuta who described him as an epitome of humility and hardwork whose open door policy has endeared him to all, including the Media.

Ogunbanwo, while appreciating the media for their supportive roles towards the propagation of the activities of the Prince Dapo- Abiodun led administration, congratulating the Ministry of Information Chapel of NUJ, Ogun on its Press week.

By Sola Adesola

His Royal Majesty of Remo Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi has Declared that the victory of Anthony Joshua, who on Saturday, December 12, 2020 defeated Kubrat Pulev as a feat which restated the doggeness of Sagamu, Remo kingdom and indeed

The Paramount Ruler of Remo kingdom, the homestead of Anthony Joshua in Nigeria said he was confident that AJ would defeat his opponent, becauase according to him, himself and the whole Traditional Rulers in the Kingdom had a Special prayer for him when they got in touch with him before the fight.

The Royal father of
Anthony Joshua’s extraction stated, “The victory once again restate the Nigerian spirit and the doggedness of Remo and indeed Sagamu heritage”

The Akarigbo of Remo Disclosed that the whole community was awake to witness the glorious moment. “I believe his best is yet to come. I say massive congratulations to him and his team from us all”, he chipped.

By Sola Adesola

In furtherance of its commitment to developing transportation system, Ogun State Government said it was set to transform and upgrade Parks and Garages across the State for better service delivery to the people.

Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo stated this while speaking at a One-day interactive session tagged ” Emerging Transport Sector Policy, organised for stakeholders within the Ministry.

Engineer Dairo said the interactive session became necessary to ensure that all the principal actors within the Ministry including, Traffic Compliance Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and the newly created Parks and Garages Development Agency (PAGADA), were abreast of international best practices in the transportation system, as well as being inclined with the vision of the present administration, to create synergy and cross-fertilize ideas, which would help develop the State transportation system.

He explained that the motivation that drives the activities of the Ministry was the vision of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to create a viable transportation system with safety, efficiency, and affordability.

This according to him would make it accessible for the people, saying this could be achieved through harmonious working relationships within the principal actors in the Ministry who were in charge of the formulation and implementation of policies. He said the government was working towards involving private investors to help put the garages in shape.

Earlier in his address, Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi declaring the programme open, said, the Vision of the State government was to create a transportation system that would further make life easy for the people of this state, demonstrated with the creation of the Ministry of transportation which has been the first of its kind in the history of the State.

In his remarks, Chairman Park and Garages Development (PAGADA), Barrister Habeeb Ajayi, expressed the readiness of the Agency to cooperate with other principal actors outside the ministry to properly implement the policies and programmes of the State government.

He said efforts would be put in place to ensure life got easier for the people, through an affordable, accessible and effective transportation system.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, says his administration would harness opportunities abound in the State, and put in place structures that depict a ‘new Ogun State’ in the next one year.

Governor Abiodun who stated this when he received members of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria (IOD), who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said he decided to focus on infrastructure, social welfare and wellbeing, education, youth empowerment and agriculture for people to enjoy dividends of democracy.

“We are currently constructing new roads and rehabilitating those that are in deplorable condition. We are also building new houses for our people at an affordable price, working towards repositioning our health sector. I am sure that in the next year when you visit again, you will see a new Ogun State”, he assured.

The Governor advocated for a synergy between the Institute, Federal and State governments, to entrench good governance in the public service, to improve service delivery.

“Find a way of partnering with the Federal and State Government, with a view to further entrench governance in public service, I want to say to you that in Ogun State, we are ready, willing and prepared to work with you’’, Governor Abiodun noted.

He said through its activities, the Institute has helped in developing professional standards of directorship and provide guidelines for Directors to fulfill their responsibility in creating wealth for the development of businesses and society.

Prince Abiodun pointed out that the present administration aligns with the mission of the Institute in good governance, which entails effective and responsible leadership, characterised by ethical values, responsibility, accountability, fairness and transparency,

Speaking earlier, the President of the Institute, Chief Chris Okunowo, acknowledged the administration’s efforts at industrialising the State, through the Ease of Doing Business, adequate security and upgrading of infrastructure across the State.

While describing the administration as a good example of corporate governance, Chief Okunowo commended the government for its human capacity development, noting that the Institute is ready to partner government in improving the capacity of the civil service and entrepreneurship development programme to further empower the youth.

The IOD President maintained that the dynamic approach in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and EndSARS protest, as well as the various interventions in the key sectors of the economy of the State, also reinforced the institute’s belief that the Governor was up to the task of governance.