OKEBUKOLA POURS ENCOMIUM ON AWOSIKA

Dr Peter Okebukola, former Chief Executive of the National University Commission (NUC) has said the appreciation of all Nigerians, indeed all Africans should go to High Chief Dr (Mrs) Winifred O. Awosika, OON and family for the courage, propelled by love of education to invest in the setting up of Chrisland University.

He stated Awosika would have otherwise invested the huge resources in setting up and running Chrisland in “enjoying life” with family and friends, holidaying in choice places across the world. They decided appositely in sowing for future generations of Nigerians.

He disclosed that the good reputation of a university depended not on the number of its students or the splendour and magnificence of its buildings, but on the quality of its staff and students and the quality of its contribution to knowledge and societal development.

Okebukola who expressed delight to present this lecture as Chrisland University graduated the first set of students, said he was thrilled at the choice of topic “Building a World Class University in Africa: The Role of Private Universities.”

The seasoned university Administrator believed it would provide a basis for developing a framework for making Chrisland University attain world-class status in the shortest possible time.

“The appreciation of all Nigerians, indeed all Africans should go to High Chief Dr (Mrs) Winifred O. Awosika, OON and family for the courage, propelled by love of education to invest in the setting up of Chrisland University.

“Surely, the Awosikas would have otherwise invested the huge resources in setting up and running Chrisland in “enjoying life” with family and friends, holidaying in choice places across the world. They decided appositely in sowing for future generations of Nigerians”, he stressed.

He prayed that God should grant them, especially the Chancellor and Chairman Board of Trustees, High Chief Dr(Mrs) Winifred O. Awosika, OON, long life and good health to reap the fruits of their investment.

Okebukola was convinced several generations of Nigerians would remember the Winifred Awosika family for investing in their future and the in the growth and development of Nigeria and Africa.

He emphatically stated that by the time the history of Nigeria is being written in another 100 years, a choice place awaited High Chief Dr(Mrs) Winifred O. Awosika, OON in that documentary.

He expressed his heartiest congratulations to Chief Awosika as she received the prestigious chieftaincy title, Mojila, from the Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo, while congratulating all members of the Board of Trustees and Council of this University on the maiden convocation.

He also congratulated all Chrisland University graduating students, “You will forever be the head and not the tail. God will make you shiny stars in your family, our country, our continent and in the world,” he added.

He said the university was exceptionally lucky to have attracted Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola who he described as a great scholar and top university administrator to steer the ship of Chrisland at this stage of its development.

Okebukola said
getting a skilled and scholarly lady as Vice Chancellor to nurture a young, under-five university would lower the risk of under-five mortality

The former university monitor stated the risk was further lowered with the lady Vice Chancellor as experienced as an academic leader in Nigeria’s premier university, University of Ibadan.

He believed Professor Babalola has done creditably in the few years she has spent leading Chrisland. “We have seen nothing yet as, by the Grace of God, she is poised to take Chrisland University to very great heights. It is to this height that the topic of this lecture would appear to navigate us.”

The Convocation lecture was graced by Professor O. Akinkugbe, the doyen of medicine and higher education administration in Africa, and chaired by Professor Nimi Briggs, a world-renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist.

PRESIDENT BUHARI WELCOMES SAUDI ENERGY COMPANY’S PARTNERSHIP WITH NNPC TO REVIVE REFINERIES

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Riyadh welcomed the commitment of Saudi energy company, Aramco, and Public Investment Fund (PIF) to explore areas of collaboration for investments in Nigeria, including partnership with the NNPC to revive the nation’s refineries.

According to a release signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistance to the President, Media and Publicity, at a meeting with the Chairman of Aramco and Governor of PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, on the margins of the Future Investment Initiative (FII), the President said Nigeria had a lot to learn from the expertise and professionalism of one of the world’s leading energy company.

Speaking on the need to improve the efficiency of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, President Buhari said it is noteworthy that Nigeria’s energy company would soon embark on a diagnostic assessment of refineries, pipelines, depots and other infrastructure across the country to ascertain the level of collaboration with the Aramco.

‘‘Nigerian officials are ready to collaborate with you, they will identify their priorities and invite you for a meeting in the country so that you can go round to inspect the refineries and other oil facilities,’’ the President told Aramaco’s chairman.

The release stated that in his remarks, Al-Rumayyan affirmed the company’s position to promote business investment opportunities through technology across the energy sector, noting its interest in Nigeria’s energy sector.

The President instructed the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and the Group Managing Director (GMD), NNPC, Mele Kolo Kyari to work with the Saudis and expedite the modalities for investments and collaborations in Nigeria’s oil and gas sectors.

The President also used the occasion to reaffirm Nigeria’s solidarity with Saudi in the aftermath of recent attacks on Aramco oil facilities, praising the kingdom’s recovery after the incident.

PIONEER GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE, BRIGADIER MOBOLAJI JOHNSON DIES

The first Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) passed on today, October 30, 2019 at the age of 83.

The late General who was the architect and builder of the state which remains the commercial capital of the Nigerian nation had battled ill-health for many years, and this was compounded by the death of his wife, Funmilayo a few years ago.

General Johnson, as an Army major, was first appointed the Military Administrator of Lagos Colony at the advent of the first military administration in 1966; and his first major act in government was the setting up of a committee to look into the possibility of creating a distinct state for Lagos.

The committee was headed by the late Dr Taslim Elias and comprised eminent citizens like Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Alhaji Femi Okunnu.

The committee, whose headship later changed to Alhaji Jakande when Dr Elias got an international appointment, recommended the creation of Lagos State, comprising the Lagos Colony and a chunk of the former Western region, namely Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe divisions of the state.

On the creation of Lagos State in 1967 by the Yakubu Gowon regime, Mobolaji Johnson was promoted Colonel and named the pioneer Military Governor of the new state.

His first cabinet comprised notable leaders of the defunct Action Group, NCNC and the NPC such as Alhaji Ganiyu Olawale Dawodu, from Lagos Division, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya from Ikorodu Division and Chief Senu B. Hundeyin from Badagry Division.

It is to General Johnson’s eternal credit that his administration built the Badagry Expressway and the Ikorodu – Itoikin single carriage way, the projects that launched Julius Berger construction company into prominence in Nigeria.

ABIODUN ADVOCATE INDIGENOUS TECHNOLOGY FOR NIGERIA

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has advocated for the development of indigenous technology to solve the numerous challenges facing Nigeria and other developing nations, instead of relying on the West.Governor Abiodun, who made the call at the third convocation ceremony of the Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, said that technology from advanced countries required much money with little results on the local economy.”In an attempt towards job creation, poverty alleviation and food security, technology that Ied to prosperity in the developed nations may not be appropriate in the developing nations, as these advanced technologies require so much from our people in terms of finance and technical know-how with little results. We must develop our own technology.”In achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, science and technology must be designed and made suitable for the resources of the particular group of people. there must be appropriate technology which relies on local skills and resources that fit into the peculiarity of the people,” he said.He said the establishment of the Institute was a deliberate strategy to develop the technical capacity of the State, adding that the school fits into the general plan of providing manpower for the development of the State.Prince Abiodun promised that government would continue to pay adequate attention to all public, academic institutions as a key component of his administration’s objective in education.The Governor lauded the efforts of the Rector, Dr Olufunke Akinkurolere, who he described as hard working, resilient and result oriented.He also appreciated the Institute for continuing to grow in leaps and bounds, adding that the construction of the 2,000-capacity twin lecture hall, would provide a conducive teaching and learning environment as well as make the school more viable.The Goverrnor offered automatic employment to the overall best graduating student, in the State Civil Service, Mrs. Adedokun Yetunde and offered cash rewards to 58 students with CGPA of 3.00 to 3.5.He charged the graduating students to put what they had learnt in the school to good use by proffering solutions to the many challenges facing humanity.In her address, the Rector of the Institution, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunke Akinkurolere, stated that the last five years of her leadership of the institution had imparted quality education on many of its students and produced skilled workers, policy makers, public servants and leaders who are making outstanding and laudable exploits in their respective fields.She disclosed that a Computer Science graduate of the School, emerged the winner of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Grant 2019, as his brilliant concept was chosen out of 200,000 entries all over the country, promising that the Institute would continue to be an incubation centre where innovative stars are born, nurtured and released to make a global impact.Dr. Akinkurolere opined that the convocation, would not only avail the school an opportunity to measure its productivity and growth, but a chance to appraise achievements and challenge both staff and students to raise the bar in academic and entrepreneurial pursuits.Ms. Adedokun Yetunde of the Department of Accountancy, with a 3.85 CGPA of the total 4.0, emerged the overall best graduating student with a cash prize of N100, 000.Highlight of the occasion was the award of certificates for the National and Higher National Diplomas to the 2,000 graduating students of the Institute.

ABIODUN SETS UP BUSINESS ADVISORY COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN PPP

In its resolve to maximize its set objectives on Public Private Sector Partnership (PPP), the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has said a Business Advisory Council would be set up.

According to the Governor, the Council would be saddled with the responsibilities of monitoring and evaluating the framework to actualise the agenda the Administration “considers fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun State.”

Prince Abiodun said the state government’s economic blueprint provided for a conducive and competitive environment for business enterprises to thrive.

He disclosed this, while addressing the mammoth crowd of labour leaders, activitists, unionists, students and market women at the OK Centre during the reception ceremony of this year’s 59th Independence Celebrations.

The Business Advisory Council, he said, would set clear predictable standard of engagement that would apply to all development partners.

He stated that a Public-Private Partnership office has already being created with the aim of ensuring that the business environment and partnership are system-driven, rather than being personality-driven.

“We are sincerely committed to a Public-Private-Sector Partnership approach, in ensuring our resolve to have a sound PPP approach.

“We now have a Business Advisory Council that comprises stakeholders and focuses on ensuring that the business environment remains conducive and competitive for investments to grow in Ogun State

“Also, in promoting our PPP agenda, we have created a Public-Private Partnership office, which would enable us set clear predictable standard of engagement that would be applicable to all our development partners.

“We believe that, in doing this, the business environment and partnership would be system driven, rather than personality driven,” he said.

Prince Abiodun also disclosed that the state government is committed to attracting and retaining investments and engendering the prosperity of its citizens.

The Governor state his government had signed into law the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency Bill (Ogun Invest), with the purpose of boosting the facilitation required to invest in the State.

“We are deeply committed to attracting and retaining investments, creating wealth, generating employment and engendering prosperity of our citizens,

“In this regard, we have signed into law Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency Bill (Ogun Invest).

“The purpose is to boost the facilitation required to invest in our dear State and commence operations e.g. land acquisition and ownership, community relations, statutory documentation, and linkages with the suppliers, especially farmers,” he said.

The governor further informed the people, especially the Small Medium Enterprises owners, of the government’s determination to boost their capacity as major producers of raw materials.

Abiodun assured them that he had engaged off-takers made up of big industries to which they could serve as distributors.

He intimated the people that the government would to provide incentives to them, and there would be established an Enterprise Development Agency to assist in the facilitation of all available intervention funds from the Federal Government.

“We have also established, by an Executive Order, Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency which is to strengthen the MSMEs and boost their capacities as major producers of raw materials and off-takers of the big industries as distributors, wholesalers and retailers.

“The Agency will assist in the facilitation of all available intervention funds from the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria and monitor compliance with all requirements in order to achieve its objectives. As these MSMEs thrive, big industries will flourish,” he said.

ABIODUN ASSURES OGUN PEOPLE A SECURED FUTURE

The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assure Nigerians not to give up on the Nigerian nation, saying that the future of the country was going to be great.

The Governor gave this word of encouragement in his at the 59th Independence Day celebration held at the M.K.O Abiola Stadiuum, Kuto, Abeokuta.

He said despite the socio-economic and security challenges, the resilience unwavering commitment to the nation as well as patriotism of the people of the country was still keeping the nation going.

Prince Abiodun, who paid glowing tributes to the nation’s founding fathers for their untiring efforts in seeing to the develoment and unity of Nigeria, said 59 years of nationhood was fraught with civil war, military rules and political upheavals.

“For our country to overcome her challenges, Nigerians must be patriotic, put behind ethnic differences and realise that we are Nigerians before any other affiliations.

“We should love our country and discharge with commitment whatsoever that is committed to our care,” he said.

He advised those seeking for greener pastures in other countries to stay back to salvage the nation, according him, it was exigent for both the leaders and led to join hands in the task of nation building the Nigerian nation

Governor Abiodun said, as partners in the Nigeria project, his administtation would tap into the vast natural resources and the great potentials abound in the State and maximise the benefits in order to make life more abundant for the people.

“No goverment has the monoopoly of resources to engender a wholesome and sustainable development. There is need for collaboration with other stakeholders, especially the Private Sector to build our State,” the Governor noted.

He said to achieve collaborative goals, his administration has among others; launched a job portal to register the unemployed; established Ogun TECHUB conceptualized to launch the State into the digital world; reposition the education sector.

He also added that the health institutions were receiving facelift with the rehabilitation and provision of modern equipment in hospitals across the State.

The Ogun State Governor stated that his administration was poised to turn around the State environment and improve the landscape by upgrading the State Master Plan, renew designated industrial hubs with the provision of power and good infrastructure catching on the availability of gas pipelines that in the State.

Governor Abiodun disclosed that the State now had a Business Advisory Coucil, while a Public Private Partnership Office has also been established.

Prince Abiodun, assuring the people of better days ahead, pledged that his administration would create an enabling environment for individuals to achieve their aspirations, as no one would, irrespective of ethnic, religious, social status or political affiliation would be unfairly treated

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS TASKED ON ACCOUNTABILITY IN GOVT BUSINESS

Electrical Engineers in the Ogun State Civil Service have been charged to discharge their duties with utmost sense of responsibility to enhance qualitative service delivery.

The Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishment and Training , Alhaji Kola Ogunlana who gave the charge during a one-day training for the Engineers in the State Bureau of Electrical Services also stressed the need for them to stay away from financial misconduct in order to leave the service unblemished.

Ogunlana in his paper titled ” Civil Service Ethics and Aspirations for Optimum Service Delivery” held for the engineers at the Conference room of the Civil Service Commission, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, said capacity building devoid of financial discipline would undermine efficient service delivery

He said public servants should stay away from public funds, adding that officers in the management levels should always pay special attention to section 12 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act and Ogun State Financial Regulations.

He warned that no officer should divert the revenue due to the state government to personal account at any given time, adding that they should not live above their income.

According to him section 6 of the code of conduct for public officers states that ” A public officer shall not ask for or accept property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done by him or her in the discharge of assigned duties “,.

In her speech, the Director, Administration and Supplies, Bureau of Electrical Engineering Services(BEES) Ms Omotunde Adeyemi said the purpose of the training was to ensure maximum service delivery of all engineers of the Agency in line with the vision of the government with regard to infrastructural development across the State.

Adeyemi stated that the theme which was carefully chosen to encourage officers to demonstrate unique attitudinal change while carrying out their official duties.

She promised that officers, who in the course of their official duties carried out unique attitude would be duly rewarded

In his response , one of the participants, Engr. Adelakun Sunday said he had never had such training since he joined the service over 16 years ago, urging the State government to sustain the gesture as it would affect their productivity positively especially with regards to qualitative services to the public.

The event which was declared open by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Kayode Ademolake, had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission, Mrs Ajibola, Heads of Departments and other Stakeholders in engineering sector.

OGUN TO STRENGTHEN ITS TOURISM DRIVE

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that efforts are in top gear to harness the potentials of the state’s tourism sector towards successful implementation of his “Building Our Future Together” agenda in the State agenda.

The Governor made this known during the celebration of the 42nd edition of World Tourism Day, with the theme: “Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All,” held at June 12, Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stated that, apart from the fact that the State owns interesting artefacts and historic sites, the numerous and long-lasting tourist centres and businesses across the State have continued to contribute immensely to the economy of the State.

The Governor stated that since the inception of his administration, structures have been put in place to support tourism activities.

He added that his administration was committed to developing all sectors of the economy and support all enterprises that have positive impact on the socio-economic factors of the state, describing tourism as an imperative pillar in good governance.

“Arrangements are in top gear for a partnership between our State and a special purpose vehicle organisation of bankers’ committee to establish entertainment village in the State. And it will be first of it kinds in whole Africa”, Abiodun said

In her speech, wife of the State Governor and the Special Guest of Honour, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun said tourism needed to be given a priority, being a source of revenue in the country, and a means of employment generation.

The First lady of the state enjoined youths in the state to key into job opportunities abound in the tourism sector.

Chairman, House Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon Yusuff Adejojo disclosed that the State and Country were endowed with numerous tourism potentials, noting if given much attention and prominence, it would go a long way in tackling the problem of unemployment in the State and Country at large.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism , Alhaja Selimot Ottun, stated that the essence of the World Tourism Day was to support changes in policy, business practices and tourism behavior towards attaining a more sustainable tourism and hospitality sector.

She added that the role of tourism in job creation was often undervalued, irrespective of the fact that it generates 10 percent of world jobs as included in sustainable goal for it’s potential to create decent jobs.

OGUN DEPUTY GOVERNOR TASKS WOMEN ENGINEERS TO BE ROLE MODELS

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has tasked the Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN) to be role models by encouraging younger girls to take up challenging careers like their male counterparts, describing engineering as a notable profession that is worthwhile.

Engr. Salako-Oyedele gave this charge while receiving in audience in her office Association of Professional Women Engineers (APWEN), led by its Chairperson, Engr. Omolola Banjo, commending the association for its interest in partnering with the State government in the areas of infrastructural development.

While pledging her readiness to support the Association boost the image of engineers in the State, she lauded the group for its various initiatives targeted at empowering the girl child in nation building, reiterating government’s resolve to encourage women participation in governance.

Earlier, Engr. Banjo congratulated the present administration on its laudable achievements during the first 100 days in office, adding that women in every sphere would continue to contribute to the success of the administration.
She said APWEN at the State and national levels would continue to partner the state government in actualizing its infrastructural development agenda by offering professional services.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the Association, Engr. Banjo pointed out that APWEN Abeokuta hosted the South West role model female engineers, where 10 girls were awarded scholarship up to university level, noting that secondary schools have been visited to give lectures to encourage the girl-child to study Engineering.

BETTER DAYS AWAIT INVESTORS IN OGUN – ABIODUN

n its renewed commitment to making Ogun State the investors’ delight, not only in Nigeria, but in the Sub-Sahara Africa, Ogun State government has assured that better days awaited investors by the establishment of the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNINVEST).

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun stated this in Abeokuta at the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State Branch, with the theme, ‘’The Manufacturing Sector: An Integral Part of Making Ogun State the Industrial Hub of Nigeria’’.

Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the Governor said his administration would ensure a conducive atmosphere to woo more investors, improve existing businesses and promote the growth of new investments in the State.

While informing that arrangements were in top gear to update Ogun master-plan to leverage on the gas pipeline that runs through the State, Abiodun noted that his administration has signed into law, the creation of Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNINVEST), aimed at providing one-stop-shop for big investors.

This, according to him, would further strengthen the ease of doing business, as the agency would be making available to investors, information on various natural and solid mineral resources, as well as business opportunities abound in the State.

‘’We have also created the Ogun State Enterprise Development Agency, to fortify the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and boost their capacities as major producers of raw materials and off-takers of the big industries as distributors, wholesalers and retailers”, he added.

Governor Abiodun noted that in the area of infrastructural development, the State was at the advanced stage of repositioning its industrial hub clusters, particularly in Agbara-Atan, Ota, Ewekoro-Ifo, Sagamu-Ogijo, Sagamu Interchange, Abeokuta-Kobape Expressway, as well as Ilaro-Ibese, among others.

He therefore called on manufacturers and other stakeholders to partner the State government for greater development.

In his goodwill message, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, assured MAN of necessary legislations that would facilitate investments, saying the Bill to eradicate water abstraction and borehole charges passed by the Eighth Assembly would be accented to by the Dapo Abiodun-led government.

Oluomo added that, the Ninth Assembly had also passed the Investment Promotion Bill, for ease of doing business, noting that Ogun State Safety Commission Bill, which has scaled through second reading would remove bottlenecks associated with opening businesses by creating a one-stop shop in the State.

In his welcome address, the Chairman, MAN, Ogun State Branch, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, commended the present administration’s strides in transforming the State, pledging that the association would continue to encourage its members to support government’s programmes and initiatives.

In his keynote address, President, MAN, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, said the AGM underscored the need for the State government to focus on addressing various challenges confronting manufacturers, calling on government to establish a more effective mechanism for consultation that would sustain relationship with manufacturing companies.