As part of efforts to improve service delivery in the teaching profession, the Ogun State government has advocated for the introduction of teacher’s lesson plans and notes on the State’s website.

According to a release by Adeniyi Akinbobola, Press Officer, TESCOM, the state government also suggested the integration of fishery and animal husbandry into the Curriculum of both primary and secondary schools in the State.

The Special Adviser on Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, disclosed this while declaring open the 2019 In-house workshop with the theme, Alleviating Parental Shortcoming in the Life of Schools: Principal’s Approach.

The workshop was organised by All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Ogun State Chapter, held at Adetola Odutola College Hall, Ijebu Ode.

Mrs. Soyombo said such introduction into the school Curriculum would bring life back to the classrooms, adding that hours wasted in writing lesson notes could be channelled towards other positive activities for students, as all hands must be on deck for the development of education sector in the State.

According to her, “lesson plan cannot work again in the present Information and Communication Technology (ICT) age, lets join hands together to see that we get teaching and learning in our schools to the next level. We cannot expect different results from performing same action all all times. I am very sure that Ogun teachers and Principals are fast learners and the best in the country”.

Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) Mrs. Mojisola Dosunmu, said with the present administration’s commitment to the education sector, the State would be better positioned to provide qualitative education, adding that all education stakeholders were adequately preparing for the next academic session.

Dosunmu said TESCOM also embarked on training of 1,500 public secondary teachers, as training and retraining of teachers could not be overemphasized for the development of education in the State.

While charging participants to take advantage of the training for the development of students and to promote inter-personal relationship in schools, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Mr. Olu-Ola Aikulola said the theme of the event was apt, as parents, guidance and principals should come together in shaping the future of the students for a greater tomorrow.

In her welcome address, President, ANCOPSS, Dr. (Mrs.) Womiloju Ayodele said the theme was carefully selected to instil in the principals, the need to ensure that the primary objective was to shape the students’ future for them to be useful to themselves and the society.

She admonished parents to be alive to their responsibilities in order to raise a generation of diligent, upright and brilliant students who would take the State to greater heights.

Business Operators and Residents of Odo-Sangoolu, along Ijebu-Ode-Epe Express road, Oba Erinwole Road in Sagamu Local Government Area of the State and Iperu Market roads have applauded the palliative and rehabilitation efforts of the Prince Dapo Abiodun led-adminstration, as the development would reduce untold hardship experienced on the roads.

According the Press Officer of the Agency, Kehinde Balogun, during the inspection tour of the zone by Officials of the State government, Adesina Adedeji, a transporter decried the poor state of the road, noting that the road had been neglected since the past eight years.

He called on the government to make the road top priority in its road construction plan, in order to revive the commercial activities and foster even development of the state.

Mr. Michael Bello, a petrol station owner, along Oba Erinwole road, said the deplorable road had been a nightmare for both residents and motorists, shutting them out of business whenever there was heavy downpour.

Also, a community leader, Lamidi Odulanwa, described the palliative work on the road as very apt and necessary, considering its importance to the promotion of commerce, as well as reducing the traffic gridlock on the major Lagos –Ibadan-Sagamu-Ore-Benin Express road.

“This is a very good and timely development and I say kudos to the new government for alleviating our suffering. We thank God for what we are experiencing now’’, he noted.

In Iperu town, Mrs. Grace Osinaike commended the State government for coming to their aid, noting that the palliative work should be extended to other bad portions across the town, as well as provision of incinerators to improve on refuse collection in the town.

Speaking earlier, the Engineer in charge of Iperu Market road, Engineer Lukmon Aworuru stated that culvert construction in Ilishan would commence immediately the rain subsided, promising to ensure de-silting of drainages to allow for easy flow of water that might destroy asphalt being laid.

The First Lady and the wife of Ekiti state Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has said she felt scandalised and and shocked beyond words to hear that I instructed security officers to shoot at students.

She said If she had met a group of protesting students, as a social justice activist herself, she would have listened to their complaints and addressed them. “I firmly believe in citizens’ rights to protest on issues of concern”, she added.

Mrs Fayemi said the casualties that were recorded did not take place while she was there. “There are eye witnesses, photographs and video footage to confirm this.” She explained.

Nontheless, the Ekiti First Lady stated she was deeply saddened that at least one fatality has been recorded, saying as a mother her heart bleeds. “All these students are my children, and no mother prays to weep her offspring.” She stressed

She extended her sincere condolences to the family concerned, and wished those who were still receiving treatment a speedy recovery.

Mrs Bisi Fayemi special message reads: Yesterday, September 10th 2019, there was a crisis at Oye town in Oye Local Government, Ekiti State, while I was on an empowerment and advocacy tour to engage with women across the State. The tour commenced on Monday September 9th, with visits to two local governments which were hugely successful and peaceful.

On September 10th, we were billed to visit three local governments – Moba, Ilejemeje and Oye. The first two stops were just like the ones before – peaceful with no incident. While we were at Ilejemeje, we received a call from our advance security team that students of the Federal University of Oye (FUOYE) were protesting a lack of electricity in Oye town. We were told that more information would be provided on the situation.

Shortly after we received word that the students had dispersed and the coast was clear for my visit.
When my convoy got to the Oye-Isan junction, we were met by a convoy of excited Okada riders who led us into Oye town.

We made a stop at the primary healthcare center along the road for me to present delivery kits to pregnant women. There was no sign of any trouble. We proceeded to the venue of my town hall meeting at the civic center with women in Oye Local Government.

The atmosphere was very peaceful, the women were singing and dancing and there was nothing to indicate that anything was amiss. I stopped at the tent erected for the mobile health clinic in front of the civic center to greet the elderly patients who were being attended to, and I also went to greet the beneficiaries of the Food Bank for the ederly project (Ounje Arugbo), who were assembled under another tent. I then proceeded into the hall for the program.

Half-way through our event, there was a disturbance outside. The FUOYE students (and possibly infiltrated by local thugs) had regrouped and were trying to get into the venue. The security officers prevented this from happening.

We finished our program, and by the time we got outside, we found that vehicles from my convoy and those of my guests that were parked outside the venue had been vandalised.

As we were driving out of Oye town, we encountered at least two road blocks that the students had mounted to prevent the movement of vehicles. I could see students/thugs throwing stones and large sticks at us as we drove by.

However, the casualties that were recorded did not take place while I was there. There are eye-witnesses, photographs and video footage to confirm this.
There are reports circulating that the crisis occurred because I refused to address the protesting students. This is totally false. I did not encounter any group of students when I got to Oye town. They had dispersed before my arrival, and when they regrouped I was inside the venue. It is possible, as I stated earlier, that the group that came to the venue trying to gain access with sticks and stones in hand might have included local hoodlums, but there was no way of telling the difference.

I am scandalized and socked beyond words to hear that I instructed security officers to shoot at students.

Yesterday morning, as I was driving past my office in Ado-Ekiti, a group of women were gathered there to protest. They are members of a Female Sweepers Association, who were protesting a cut in their monthly salary by the previous administration. They wanted me to help them. They were very polite and pleasant. I listened to them and promised to pass on their message to the appropriate authorities. These two protests happened on the same day. If I had met a group of protesting students, as a social justice activist myself, I would have listened to their complaints and addressed them. I firmly believe in citizens’ rights to protest on issues of concern.

I am deeply saddened that at least one fatality has been recorded. As a mother my heart bleeds. All these students are my children, and no mother prays to weep over their offspring.

I extend my sincere condolences to the family concerned, and I wish those who are still receiving treatment a speedy recovery.

The Obirinkete Tour has been suspended pending a review of what transpired yesterday. I thank friends and all members of the public who have expressed concern over this. God bless you all.

The Nigeria Police Force, Ekiti State Command has debunked the story making rounds on social media that the police shot at protesting student of Federal University, Oye Ekiti State.

A Press release signed by the state Police Publice Relation Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu (PPRO), said the story was baseless, unfounded and only intended to incite and create panic in the minds of peace loving people of Ekiti State and the general public.

The release stated that the students of Federal University, Oye/Ikole Campus led by their students Union Government simultaneously embarked on a protest against the total blackout on both campuses.

The protesting students took to the Federal High way away from the perimeter wall of the University and Blocked the Oye-Ikole-Lokoja Federal Roads, thereby causing the breach of Peace and grid lock to motorist plying that route.

He said the protesting students also invaded the office of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in Oye Ekiti and that It took the quick intervention of policemen deployed to the scene to prevent further damage of the office complex.

According to the release, the Police Officers and men at the scene pacified the protesting students, removed the blockade and peacefully dispersed.

However, according to his release, the protesting students turned around in their numbers and took their plight to Her Excellency, Erule Bisi Fayemi, The Wife of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State who was at an empowerment programme.

It stated that the protesting Students suddenly became unruly, hostile and took laws into their hands by vandalising the motorcade of the first lady of the state.

The release reads, “The protesting students did not stop at that, they also assaulted the policemen who where at the scene to maintain law and order and damaged Police Vehicle
found at the Scene. Investigation is ongoing to bring the perpetrators to book. Further statement will be issued in due cause”.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR has approved the promotion exercise for 2016/2017 conducted for Teaching and Non- Teaching Staff in the Public Secondary and Primary Schools in the State as well as the conclusion of the exercise for graduate teachers in primary schools.

2. The Governor also directed the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to start issuing the letters of promotion to the affected officers immediately.

3. He said his Administration would continue to accord priority to the welfare of workers. He acknowledges the invaluable contributions of teachers in reshaping and developing tomorrow’s leaders, in line with the premium this Administration places on the Education sector.

4. According to Prince Abiodun, education is the bedrock of our society and Teachers play key role in transforming the lives of our children and our Administration would continue to provide conducive atmosphere to enhance qualitative teaching and learning in the State.

5. The Governor congratulates the Teaching and Non- Teaching Staff in Public Primary and Secondary schools on this elevation and calls for a more focussed and diligent approach to their schedule of duties.

6 . “You should also see it as a higher responsibility and reciprocate the gesture by complementing the Administration’s resolve to restore the Education sector to its pride of place amongst the comity of states, in line with the Building Our Future Together Agenda of the present administration”, the Governor added.

In fulfilment of his promise to increase Agricultural produce and create employment opportunity in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun is set to launch the Anchor Borrowers Programme on Friday, September 6, 2019, at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Chairman, Anchor Borrowers Steering Committee, Prof. Bola Okuneye who disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abeokuta, stated that certificates would be presented to beneficiaries who had registered for the Scheme through the State’s Job Portal.

The Chairman, according to the Press Officer in the ministry, Damilare Olubayode has expressed satisfaction on the response of the people to the programme, saying no fewer than 5,000 applicants had so far registered for the Scheme, targeted at empowering 40,000 farmers.

He also revealed that more industries had indicated interest to off-take the produce and others to train the farmers.

He commended the people for the support received, particularly traditional rulers and communities who voluntarily released their lands for the programme.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has begun a nationwide consultation with the Traditional Rulers in its efforts to develop and reinforce effective strategies towards addressing security concerns in the country.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this today at the take-off in Ogun State while fielding questions with reporters after separate meetings with the Akarigbo of Remoland and the Awujale of Ijebuland.

The Vice President disclosed that the consultations would be done with traditional rulers across the country to ensure peace and security in their communities.

“As you know, there are many significant concerns all over the country; and of course there are concerns also in the South West. So, I’m here on the instruction of Mr. President to consult with the Kabiyesi, Governor Dapo Abiodun and other stakeholders on what to do to beef up security, and to generally improve the security architecture”, Professor Osinbajo stated.

The VP stressed, “of course, you know that the Kabiyesi are not just the traditional ruler, but also a very important part of the government. That’s why we are here to speak with him and to agree on a few modalities for beefing up security, ensuring that we are fully conscious of all that is going on around us, and just to be sure that peace and security reigns here and across the country.

“There are some who might want to cause instability and difficulties, but we are very confident that God helping us, working together as a nation, we will be able to overcome all our problems and set our country on the path of peace and prosperity,” he noted.

The Vice President further said the Federal Government, in collaboration with State Governments, has taken significant steps to improve security, while there would be further consultations with the traditional rulers.

Prof. Osinbajo noted that the governor of the state was committed “to ensuring there is peace and security and that everyone who lives in all our neighbourhoods, localities and communities live in peace with each other and that we maintain a high level of security.”

On the nationwide consultations with traditional rulers to improve security in their respective communities, the VP said, “we are consulting with many of the traditional rulers all across the country. But there are concerns in the South West.

I’ve started here in Ogun. We are also going to be in Osun State on Tuesday. We are also going to go round and see several other traditional rulers.

Primarily, they themselves want to participate. We’ve spoken at various times and they want to participate in improving the security architecture.

“One of the things that Mr. President has spoken about is the role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security in their own locality. As you know, they are the closest to the grassroots, to their communities.

He stressed, “one of the critical things that we expect is that even with our community policing efforts; we expect that there would be some interventions between the traditional rulers, the community police and some of the other efforts that they are making to improve intelligence to understand what is going on.

We need to know who is where and what exactly is happening all around, so that these can then be transmitted to the security agencies.”

“Having a wife like you is indeed a gift”. This were the exact words of the Ogun state Governor Prince Adedapo Abiodun as he poured encomium on his wife, Princess Bamidele Abiodun, on the occasion of her birthday today.

The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun used the occasion to thank Almighty God, her family members, those of her husband’s, her friends and well wishers on her face book account was mesmerised by her husband’s on her timeline who wrote: “Happy birthday to my gorgeous wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun”

He went on, “Dear, on your birthday, I want to remind you that you are special, not only to me but also to everyone who is privileged to know you for the amazing person that you are. People like her are hard to come by, but getting to have her as wife is indeed a gift.

He went ahead, “You make not just me, but our whole family complete every single day. I wish you the very best of this day, and more great years ahead.
Hearty Cheers!” he concluded.