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  • Abiodun approves release of 2021/2022 promotion results, leave bonuses in Ogun

    Abiodun approves release of 2021/2022 promotion results, leave bonuses in Ogun

    Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Friday in Abeokuta said he has approved the immediate release of results of the year 2021/2022  promotion exercise.

    Abiodun, who disclosed this during the year 2023 Public Service Day Celebration, also said he has approved the payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, said the action was important in order to appreciate the professionalism and enhance optimal performance in the public service.

    The Public Service Day celebration has the theme “Building Trust Through Service Delivery: The Pivotal Role of the Public Service”.

    Gov. Abiodun pointed out that his administration considered civil servants important partners in progress, saying their well-being and welfare were therefore sacrosanct.

    He commended the harmonious working relationship which had continued to exist between the government and the entire workforce in the state.

    “I, therefore, charge public servants to be dedicated and committed to the discharge of their duties, as the public service remains one of the avenues where integrity, as well as good legacy, are earned through adequate service delivery.”

    Earlier, the Vice-Chairman, Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Demola Badejo, had said the civil service in Ogun had always been in the forefront.

    Badejo explained however that there was the need for public servants to continue to uphold the rules guiding their operations, in view of its important role of government’s engine room.

    “I also implore the state government to continue to provide the necessary tools and welfare packages for public servants in order to enable them perform optimally.”

    Speaking on the event’s theme, the Guest Lecturer, Tajudeen Aremu, urged public servants to build trust in order to win the heart of their superiors and the public.

    Aremu, who is a former Oyo State Head of Service, added that ethics, accountability and service delivery were other key concepts towards building trust through service delivery.

    He listed anonymity, impartiality, objectivity and confidentiality as civil service ethics which would earn public servants more prestige and respect from their bosses, politicians and the public if put into consideration.

    “I urge public servants to learn how to dress modestly, be guided by the public service rules, as well as treat all matters as at when due,” the guest lecturer said.

    In his welcome address, the Ogun Head of Service, Mr Kola Fagbohun, said the annual public service day celebration was meant to celebrate the values and virtues of public service to society.

    Fagbohun described Abiodun as worker-friendly and purpose-driven, and praised him for his support and approval of this year’s celebration.

  • Egypt indicates interest in Ogun’s Agro Processing Zone – Abiodun

    Egypt indicates interest in Ogun’s Agro Processing Zone – Abiodun

    Egypt has indicated interest in Ogun’s Agro Processing Zone (APZ), Gov. Dapo Abiodun said at Abeokuta on Saturday.

    The APZ is located at the Gateway International Agro Cargo Airport, Iperu-Ilishan Remo part of the state.

    Abiodun told executive officers of the Ogun chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), at an interactive session that Egypt planned to have farm plantations in the zone.

    He said the North African country planned to plant crops, process the harvest and export finished products to Egypt.

    He added that representatives of the Egyptian government would visit Ogun soon to finalise details of the investment.

    “I met with the National President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in Abuja. He is working with a team of farmers sent by the Egyptian government.

    “Egypt has a food security programme and has identified Ogun as one of the states to partner with.

    “Representatives of the Egyptian government in agriculture will be coming to Ogun on May 16.

    “They have done their research and were convinced that Ogun is one of the states strategically located to invest in; to farm in; to process in and to export from,’’ Abiodun said.

    He assured that his administration was determined to encourage foreign and local investors in agriculture.

    He also assured AFAN that government would look into its proposal to start a state-owned Anchor Borrowers Programme.

    The core of the programme is to provide loans in kind and in cash for smallholder farmers to boost agricultural production, create jobs, and reduce food import bills.

    Abiodun also promised to also look into the possibility of appointing AFAN members into agriculture-related government agencies.

    Earlier, AFAN Vice-President, Mr Segun Dasaolu, said there were lots of opportunities and grants available for Ogun to exploit for the commencement of its own Anchor Borrowers Programme.

  • Ogun: APC welcomes Adebutu’s petition against re-election of Gov. Abiodun

    Ogun: APC welcomes Adebutu’s petition against re-election of Gov. Abiodun

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun says it welcomes the filing of petition against the re-election of Gov. Dapo Abiodun by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Oladipupo Adebutu.

    Adebutu and PDP filed a petition challenging the outcome of the March 18 election at the electoral petition tribunal on Thursday in Abeokuta.

    They joined INEC, APC and Gov. Abiodun as first, second and third respondents, respectively.

    They asked the tribunal to direct INEC to conduct fresh election in 99 polling units in 41 wards and in 16 of the 20 local government areas of the state.

    They alleged that elections were either not held and or were cancelled in the polling units listed because of disruption of the exercise and over-voting.

    They also asked the tribunal to order the fresh election to the exclusion of APC and Gov. Abiodun.

    Responding to the petition on Saturday in Abeokuta, APC’s Publicity Secretary in Ogun, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, stated that it was good that Adebutu had decided to toe the path of civility and honour as advised by the APC.

    He added that APC hoped that after filing the petition, Adebutu would desist from cheap blackmail, sponsored protests, incitements, false claims and propaganda.

    “We also take cognisance of his claims when he went to file the petition and wish to advise that he should not intimidate or stampede the tribunal.

    “His lawyers should advise him against ignoble attitude, knowing full well that a case is determined by extant laws, facts and evidence and not on fantasies and whims of any of the parties, no matter how plausible.

    “They have stated their claims. They should expect our response.

    “Suffice it to say that Adebutu who said he won the election is asking the court to disqualify Gov. Abiodun from a rerun if his prayer that election should be held in certain polling units is upheld,’’ he stated.

    Oladunjoye added that the APC would leave its lawyers to do justice to the petition.

    “While we leave our team of lawyers to do justice to issues raised in the petition, we advise Adebutu to conduct himself as a citizen of Ogun under the leadership of Gov. Abiodun.

    “Abiodun, by the grace of God and the benevolence of the good people of Ogun, remains the governor of our beloved state,’’ Oladunjoye added.

    INEC declared Gov. Abiodun as winner of the election on March 19, having polled 276,298 votes against Adebutu’s 262,383 votes.

  • Ogun guber poll: PDP, Adebutu drag INEC, APC, Gov. Abiodun before tribunal

    Ogun guber poll: PDP, Adebutu drag INEC, APC, Gov. Abiodun before tribunal

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun and its governorship candidate at the March 18 election, Mr Ladi Adebutu filed a petition against the outcome of the election on Friday in Abeokuta.

    Announcing the result of the election on March 19, INEC declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gov. Dapo Abiodun as winner having polled 276,298 votes against Adebutu’s 262,383 votes.

    In the petition filed on Friday, the PDP and Adebutu listed INEC, APC and Gov. Abiodun as the first, second and third respondents, respectively.

    They asked the tribunal to direct INEC to conduct fresh election in 99 polling units in 41 wards and 16 of the 20 local government areas of the state.

    They alleged that elections were either not held and or cancelled in the polling units listed because of disruption of the exercise and over-voting.

    They asked the tribunal to order the fresh election to the exclusion of APC and Gov. Abiodun.

    Petitioners’ lead counsel, Mr Goddy Uche (SAN) expressed confidence that the outcome of the petition would favour the PDP and Adebutu.

    He said the petition stood on four pillars that would knock out the result announced by INEC and expressed confidence that the tribunal will do the needful and do its best.

    “We have about three senior advocates in our team and a host of other lawyers.

    “We have up to four grounds, very solid ones. Our prayers are just that the right thing is done and the man who won is given the mantle of office,’’ he said.

    “We want the tribunal to declare that Adebutu won the highest number of valid votes cast at the election and satisfied the requirements of the Constitution.

    “We want the tribunal to declare that Adebutu ought to have been returned and is returned as the winner of the governorship election,’’ Uche said.

    Also addressing newsmen, Adebutu said: “we are here today in continuation of our pursuit of our democratic rights because we have had an election that we truly believe we have represented the people fairly.

    “The people have responded by voting fairly for us in an election we believe we won and we will continue to seek our mandate within the ambit of the law.’’

  • Diya: Gov. Abiodun takes over burial arrangements

    Diya: Gov. Abiodun takes over burial arrangements

    The Governor of Ogun State, Mr Dapo Abiodun, on Monday said that the state would take over the burial of Lt.-Gen. Oladipo Diya, to give him a befitting farewell.

    Abiodun said this during his condolence visit to the family at the late Diya’s residence in 31 Adekunle Fajuyi St., GRA, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    Recalled that Lt.-Gen. Diya died on March 26 at the age of 79.

    The governor said that Diya was a former governor of Ogun State in 1984 and was an illustrious son of the state, in whom they were specially very pleased.

    “His contribution to the state will be remembered for many years to come.

    “The least we can do to honour him and support the family is to take over and give him a befitting farewell and that is what we are going to do.

    “A committee will be set up that will comprise members of our cabinet and members of the family, to ensure that we give our departed son a befitting burial,” he said.

    Abiodun said that one of the lessons that could be learnt from the life and times of Diya was to absolutely put your trust and faith in God.

    “I learnt that when God is with you, and when your trust and faith is in God, man can sentence you but God will uphold you.

    “A sentence was pronounced on Diya’s life but God upheld him and he lived for many more years after that sentence.

    “So, for me, that is one of the take aways that I will remember from the life and times of Lt.-Gen. Diya, who we are going to immensely miss,” he said.

    The governor said that Diya was a soldier, a lawyer and a gentleman, who rose to the peak of his career by becoming the Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters.

    “He aslo became the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Div, he was the Commandant of the Nigerian War College, after which he became the defacto vice president of Nigeria.

    “His philanthropic intelligence and community involvement is such that we can not write the history of Ogun State without remembering him particularly or  where he comes from , which is Odogbolu LGA.

    “All of us in Ogun State will forever be grateful to the impactful life that he has lived,” Abiodun said.

    He offered his deep condolences to Diya’s family on behalf of the entire people and government of Ogun State.

    “Our prayer to the almighty God is to forgive his sins and grant recourse of his soul.

    “We pray that the Almighty God will give his wife, Mrs Josephine Diya, the children and entire members of the family the heart to bear the loss,” Abiodun said.

  • 2023: I‘ll unseat Abiodun with Amosun’s support, says Otegbeye

    2023: I‘ll unseat Abiodun with Amosun’s support, says Otegbeye

    Mr. Biyi Otegbeye, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship candidate in Ogun, says with the support of former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, he will defeat incumbent Gov. Dapo Abiodun in the forthcoming governorship election.

    Otegbeye, who claimed that he was enjoying the backing of Amosun for his candidacy, made the assertions on Tuesday while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta after securing a court judgment, which reinstated him as the ADC Governorship candidate.

    Recalled that Amosun, a serving Senator on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had openly declared his support for Otegbeye and the ADC, insisting that Abiodun must not return as governor.

    Otegbeye, condemning the alleged endorsement of Abiodun by traditional rulers in the state, said that Amosun’s endorsement of his candidacy overrides the “procured endorsements” by the governor.

    According to him, he has been procuring endorsement everywhere and two weeks after, I visited my paramount ruler, he received me warmly and prayed for me.

    “In truth, blood they say is thicker than water; there is no father that will disown his son.

    “I have seen the traditional institutions being bullied and so when he went around on the jamboree, getting the endorsements, we congratulated him.

    “But let’s see whether the endorsements he has been gathering will count. INEC will not count it; BVAS will not count it.

    “Let’s compare all those endorsements and put it side by side with Amosun’s endorsement, where he pointedly said he is supporting Biyi Otegbeye and ADC.

    “Amosun is a man of tremendous goodwill; this present administration is doing everything within its power to erase some of his (Amosun) accomplishments.

    “But that is not possible, because everywhere you go, you are going to see the footprints of Sen. Ibikunle Amosun when he was the governor of the state,” Otebejeye said.

    The Yewa-born lawyer admitted that the court processes had distracted the party and also cost them a lot of money.

    He, however, pledged that if elected, his administration would fix and repair all the “broken systems” in the state.

    According to him, let us now prepare for the 2023 elections by collecting our PVCs and be ready to exercise our democratic franchise by voting for ADC,” he said.

  • Honest cab driver gets free land during radio program

    Honest cab driver gets free land during radio program

    An honest cab driver burst into tears in a live radio studio in Abuja when a caller who identified himself simply as Abiodun promised to give him free land for a house in the Lugbe area of the capital city for his honesty in returning over N1.6 m forgotten in his cab.

    Sunday-Francis Adedokun broke into tears in the studio upon hearing Abiodun’s offer of a piece of land as a gift for his honesty. ” I am grateful,” he said

    Other callers applauded the display of honesty by Adedokun for returning $4,050 (US Dollars), which amounts to over N1.6 million belonging to a passenger.

    The incident leading to the bolt driver returning the money forgotten by his passenger occurred on June 10, 2022, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

    Adedokun’s display of integrity was celebrated during an anti-corruption radio programme, PUBLIC CONSCIENCE, produced by the Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, Wednesday in Abuja.

    “Try and stop the tears,” the lead anchor of the anti-corruption radio program, Adaobi Obiabunmuo, counselled Adedokun before shifting questions to other guests in the studio.

    Abiodun, the caller who offered the gift of land, had asked the cab driver if he lived in his own house or was a tenant. “I don’t own the place. I am a tenant”, he said.

    “I will give you a plot of land in Lugbe to build your house,” Abiodun said, turning the studio into some emotions.

    Two other Nigerians were also celebrated for their honesty and bravery.
    Police Constable Nura Mande found and returned the missing $800 to its owner in Katsina State, and a petrol tanker driver, Ejiro Otarigho, who risked his own life to save lives and property in Agbarho, Ughelli North, Delta State, was also celebrated for his bravery.

    Nigerians who called into the radio programme showered praises on the bolt driver and others for their act of integrity.
    Oscar, who called in from Area 11, AMAC, Abuja, said, ” I appreciate Adedokun and the other man in Delta state. We should try to learn from what they have done so that we can copy from them and be good ambassadors of the country.”

    Toba from Airport road, Abuja, said: “it is only two things Nigerians need for them to begin to deliver integrity – reward and protection.”

    A caller who goes by Amaechi Madubuike from Airport Road Abuja said, “I want to thank our brother and the tanker driver. I drove someone to a location, and she left N350,000 in my car. I had to drive back to where I dropped her and stayed there for more than six hours waiting. Eventually, the man came back, and he rewarded me with N20,000. I’m telling this story for the sake of others. People don’t return things because they don’t get appreciated.”

    In his reaction, the Communications Lead at Accountability Lab Nigeria, Prince Chimaraoke Chukwuka, commended the bolt driver, policeman and tanker driver for their honesty and selflessness.

    Chukwuka described the tanker Ejiro, whose wife was pregnant when he risked his life to drive away his burning truck from a busy area, as true patriotism.

    He called on the Nigerian media to give more credence to stories of the display of integrity by Nigerians.

    “it was a life and death situation for him (tanker driver), and he didn’t think of the pregnant wife, how they would survive if he didn’t make it. For me, I applaud the selfless effort that he has demonstrated, and this also proves that Nigerians are selfless people. We may not see it many times in the news because maybe some of these selfless acts don’t get to the media too quickly or just enough.”

    He called for citizens to become more active by participating in the next general elections and making the sort of change they desired in society.

    “Indeed, the society we are in is not the one we desire to have, and for it to change, citizens must begin to rise to the occasion. Do you have your PVC? If you don’t have it, get it. It’s high time we started voting for responsible leaders, who will show young people the way, who will lead by example, and help us build a more accountable society,” Chukwuka stressed.

    Sunday-Francis Adedokun revealed that it was not his first time returning forgotten items to his passengers. He said the lifestyle was part of his upbringing and called on other bolt drivers and Nigerians, in general, to always act honestly, without expecting reward and not minding criticisms from people.

    Ejiro Otarigho (tanker driver), when asked about his motivation for taking the maximum risk to drive away his burning tanker out of a busy area, had this to say: “the only motivation that was on my mind was that I never wanted to be the victim of anything that will kill people.
    “at that moment, if it happens and the tanker remains there, more persons will die, and properties will be destroyed. What came to my mind was to take the truck out of that busy area and go to a safe place close to the river. To be sincere, I never want to kill any single life, so I asked my motor boy to come down from the truck, and I was alone in the truck,” He narrated.

    Otarigho, however, urged Nigerians always to take decisions that favour the generality of the people rather than just themselves.

    Public Conscience is a syndicated weekly anti-corruption radio program used by PRIMORG to draw government and citizens’ attention to corruption and integrity issues in Nigeria.
    The program has the support of the MacArthur Foundation.

  • Gov Abiodun dares ‘Yahoo Boys’ in Ogun to come after him

    Gov Abiodun dares ‘Yahoo Boys’ in Ogun to come after him

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday said internet fraudsters, known as yahoo boys and other criminals have threatened to come after him, following his resolve to wage war against them.

    Abiodun on January 21, re-launched the OP-MESA, where he declared war on Yahoo boys as well as kidnappers.

    But, while speaking on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Abiodun said the criminals are feeling the heat of the newly relaunched security outfit.

    Speaking at the meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in Abeokuta, Abiodun said the criminals have decided to go after him because he had made life unbearable for them.

    He said, however, that he would continue to make life unbearable for enemies of the state.

    “After we launched our OP-MESA last week, I understand that they have been working extremely hard, infact, what I heard is that those criminals are now saying that Dapo Abiodun is making life unbearable for them and that they are going to also come after me. Well, let me assure you that I will continue to make life intolerable and unbearable for you and I’m waiting for you.”

    Speaking on the meeting with Makinde, Abiodun noted that kidnappings and other crimes are rampant at the border communities of the two states, hence, the need for a bilateral agreement.

    On his part, Gov Makinde said the joint security meeting “is the right thing to do and it is absolutely important we do it.”

    The Oyo governor said he and Abiodun had defied political party differences and pursued a common goal of fighting insecurity in their states.

    He insisted that state policing is vital to addressing insecurity challenges at the grassroots.

  • Abiodun gives automatic employment, N2m to 2 best graduating OOU students

    Abiodun gives automatic employment, N2m to 2 best graduating OOU students

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Monday, announced automatic employment and donation of N1 million each to the two best graduating students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

    A total number of 6,257 students graduated at the 30th and 31st combined convocation of the Ogun government-owned university.

    NAN areports that Iloka Ebuka of Faculty of Pharmacy graduated with cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 4.92 to emerge the best student in the 2020/2021 session.

    Also, Fatima Awolumate of Faculty of Agricultural Economics scored a CGPA of 4.82 to emerge the best graduating student of 2019/2020 session.

    Abiodun, while speaking at the ceremony, urged tertiary institutions in the country to use research and innovation to inspire practical and lasting solutions to the myriad of challenges facing humanity.

    He said that solutions should be sought for local challenges, stressing the need to encourage and cultivate the culture of innovation, ingenuity and technology among the youth.

    The governor, while congratulating the graduands, urged them to persevere in life and avoid the temptation of using short cut to success.

    “You must also understand that your education does not end here. In fact, you will be starting a new form of education in the school of life.

    “My advice to you is to find a good mentor to help you actualise your dreams. Do not work in isolation, but recognise the value of learning from others and the value of networking.

    “In the end, you will be defined by your commitments. These are the ingredients for success and fulfillment. Shortcuts do not take anybody to any good place,” he said.

    Abiodun urged the youth, particularly students, to emulate the best graduating students in learning and character of diligence and hard work.

    He said that his administration had approved the construction of a 1,600-bed space hostel in the university to ease the accommodation challenges being faced by students.

    Giving account of his stewardship, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunde, who is rounding off his tenure, highlighted some of the achievements since he assumed office.

    Olatunde said that the university had witnessed significant growth and development in its operation and administrative sectors.

    “Discipline is a major focus of this administration and it had been integrated as a culture.

    “We ensured that our students are well behaved and decently dressed by enforcing a dress code that enhanced the moral standard in this great institution,” he said.

  • Gov Abiodun reacts to killing of Ogun monarch, three others

    Gov Abiodun reacts to killing of Ogun monarch, three others

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has condemned the gruesome murder of Olu of Agodo, Oba Ayinde Odetola, and has directed security operatives in the state to immediately fish out the killers.

    Oba Odetola and his three aides were killed on Monday by yet- to- identified gunmen and their corpses burnt to ashes.

    Governor abiodun reacted to the dastardly act in a statement issued in Abeokuta and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Tuesday in Abeokuta.

    Abiodun vowed to bring to justice the perpetrators of the assassination of the traditional ruler and his aides.

    The governor described the incident as unfortunate, saying that politics, land and chieftaincy matters should not attract descent to self-help and killings.

    He declared that his administration would not tolerate a breach of the peace and harmony being currently enjoyed in the state.

    Abiodun sent a stern warning to those threatening the peace of the state, adding that government would stop at nothing to deal decisively with the perpetrators by prosecuting and meting out the full wrath of the law on them.

    “Security of lives and property tops our responsibilities as a government and we will not allow people to take laws into their hands,” the governor was quoted as saying.

    He also warned that parents and guardians should call their children and wards to order and no plea for clemency would be tolerated for acts of brigandage, murder and illegal conducts.

    “We have zero-tolerance for these ignoble conducts. Politics, land and chieftaincy disputes are no excuses for people to take laws into their hands. All hirelings, parents and guardians should call their wards to order.

    “OP-MESA, Joint Internal Security Task Force, Amotekun, vigilance groups, Police and NSCDC are not mere toothless bulldogs.

    “They are armed and deployed to strike agent provocateurs,” he said.

    The governor, however, commiserated with the family of the late traditional ruler and the residents of Agodo town, assuring them that the killers would not go unpunished for carrying out the heinous act.