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Tag: ABIODUN

  • Nigeria will not experience civil war nor break up – Governor Abiodun

    Nigeria will not experience civil war nor break up – Governor Abiodun

    Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun has expressed confidence Nigeria will not experience another civil war or break-up.

    He declared the socio-economic challenges confronting the country will also be eventually surmounted.

    Abiodun admitted though the country was going through difficult times, it would overcome all challenges at the end.

    He spoke when he hosted the League of Imams and Alfas in the state at his Iperu country home, as part of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    The Governor called on Nigerians not to give up but continue to have faith and trust in God, saying no problem is too big for God.

    “I have a mountain-moving faith in God because He alone can do the impossible.

    “This country will not break into two; nothing will happen to us in this country, we will not go into civil war, the unity of this country is non-negotiable, God will give us peace in this country, He will give us rest.

    “As a government, we will try our best, please continue to pray for us,” he urged the clerics.

    While advocating for religious tolerance among adherents of different faiths, he admonished Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of Prophet Ibrahim who was regarded as the Father of Faith by having absolute trust and faith in God.

    Abiodun submitted his administration in the last two years has been fair to all irrespective of religious beliefs, adding projects had been executed in each of the 236 wards of Ogun in line with the inclusive approach of his administration.

  • JUST IN: Ogun State Gov Abiodun suspends Abidemi Rufai over $350k wire fraud

    JUST IN: Ogun State Gov Abiodun suspends Abidemi Rufai over $350k wire fraud

    Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has suspended his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Special Duties, Abidemi Rufai, following his arrest in New York.

    TheNewsGurh had earlier reported how Rufai was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged $350,000 fraud.

    Abidemi Rufai, a former aspirant for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency of Ogun State, was arrested on Friday at JFK Airport in New York on a criminal complaint charging him with wire fraud for his scheme to steal over $350,000.

    The Governor, in a statement on Tuesday issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, reacted to the development and said the reports of his aide’s involvement in fraud is ‘disturbing’.

    The Chief Press Secretary said the ‘Governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full-grown adult’.

    He said; “We received the very disturbing news of the arrest of one of the governor’s political appointees, Mr Abidemi Rufai in New York over alleged unemployment benefits and fraud in the United States, this morning.

    “While the Governor cannot be held responsible for the actions of a full-grown adult, especially outside the jurisdiction of Ogun and Nigeria, he has since suspended the suspect from office to enable him to answer the charges leveled against him.

    “The Governor wishes to condemn any act capable of undermining his determination to institute an open, transparent, accountable, and morally upright behaviour in the State and in governance.

    “Gov. Abiodun remains committed to his agenda of building our future together and will not condone criminals either in his government or the state in general.”

  • Ogun gov gives best 2020 LASU graduating student bungalow, N2m

    Ogun gov gives best 2020 LASU graduating student bungalow, N2m

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has donated a two-bedroom bungalow and N2 million to the 2020 overall best graduating student of Lagos State University (LASU) Oladimeji Shotunde, an indigene of the state.

    The governor made the announcement during a celebration of Ogun academic laureates 2021, held at the Obas Complex, Abeokuta, on Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor also gifted Mr Ademola Adeeko, of Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, winner of 2020 African Union Continental Teacher’s Award, a two-bedroom bungalow.

    The governor announced that the state government would also set up an education endowment fund for Miss Faith Odunsi of the Ambassadors College, Ota, in Ogun, winner of Global Open Mathematics Tournament.

    He noted that the event was another symbolic confirmation of the status of the state, not only as the education capital of Nigeria, but as the intellectual melting-pot in Nigeria.

    Abiodun said that education remained one of the biggest industries in the state and one of the proudest legacies bequeathed to it by her founding fathers, promising that the government would sustain the legacy.

    “This is why immediately on assumption of office on May 29, 2019, we declared a state of emergency on education. It was a methodical and calculated approach to rescue the education sector from the dwindling fortunes inflicted on it by the indifference of the past.

    “What could have happened to the education of the state that produced the likes of Prof. Wole Soyinka, the first Nigerian and African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature; Prof. Thomas Lambo, the first professor of Psychiatric Medicine in Nigeria?

    He listed others produced by the state as Prof. Biyi Afonja, Professor of Statistics; Prof. Olikoye Ransome Kuti, the renowned Paediatrician; Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi, the first Professor of Medicine in Nigeria; Prof. Oyinade Olurin, the first female Professor of Medicine, Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, foremost Historian.

    Abiodun said that the present administration focused on infrastructure development, human capital development, provision of conducive environment, among many others, to redeem the sector and restore the lost glory.

    He assured the people that the state government would continue to put measures in place toward providing quality education necessary for the development of the state.

    The governor charged teachers, as important stakeholders, to continue to discharge their professional duties creditably beyond the new demands of COVID-19.

    He appealed to teachers to ensure that the children were adequately catered for physically, mentally and socially in preparation for future challenges.

    NAN reports that Soyinka; Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB); and Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, Professor of History, joined the event virtually.

    They commended the governor for recognising success, urging him to continue to take the state to greater heights.

    The governor also honoured 25 others for academic excellence.

  • Ogun students to get free data for e-learning – Abiodun

    Ogun students to get free data for e-learning – Abiodun

    Ogun Government is partnering with telecommunications service providers to provide free internet service to students for e-learning in public secondary and primary schools in the state.

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun disclosed this on Monday at the 2020 International Students’ Day, held at the Cultural centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.

    The governor said that the free data would enable the students to have access to learning materials such as digital textbooks, audio textbooks, among others.

    NAN reports that the state government had during the COVID-19 lockdown introduced a digital class for primary and secondary school students to aid learning during their stay at home.

    The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, said that the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic had made the adoption of virtual learning inevitable.

    The governor said that the deployment of smart phones and tablets for e-learning, coupled with the provision of free data would go a long way in assisting students in their learning even when they were not in school.

    Abiodun added that the new teaching method, aided by technology, would improve the standard of education and also increase students’ enrollment in schools.

    “During the lockdown when it was not possible for us to come to school, we introduced the Ogun digital class.

    “What we are doing now is to improve on that to the extent that more and more students will be able to benefit from it.

    “We are working on a programme through which telecoms providers will assist so that students can have free data to be able to access digital materials,” he said.

    Speaking on the theme of the celebration: “Harnessing The Articulacy and Vibrancy of Nigeria Student Leaders for Larger Politics”, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Matters, Adeyemi Azeez, said this year’s celebration was to harness the potentials of the students into the larger polity.

    Adeyemi noted that the present administration led by Gov. Abiodun had maintained a very good relationship with the students and recognised students as partners in progress.

    He added that the celebration was to mentor the students and prepare them for future responsibilities and improve on the good legacies laid by the forebearers.

  • #EndSARS : Ogun shut schools, suspends motorcycle operations

    #EndSARS : Ogun shut schools, suspends motorcycle operations

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has ordered the closure of all schools and the suspension of motorcycle operations in the state due to the prevailing situation surrounding the #EndSARS protests.

    Abiodun said this during a press conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday night.

    The governor said that the schools should be closed till Oct. 26, and that operations of motorcycles called ‘okada’ be suspended for Wednesday in the first instance.

    He noted that the blockade of highways and the molestation of innocent citizens going about their lawful businesses by protesters would no longer be tolerated in the state.

    He said that the state would deploy joint patrol teams of security agencies to ensure that there would be no threat to public security.

    He said that the state government had called for an increased security around the correctional centres and public buildings.

    “In spite of all the engagements and practical demonstrations of government’s commitment to address the demands of the protesters to bring an end to the agitation, the protest has since escalated into another dimension.

    “And very sadly, an officer with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) was killed earlier on Tuesday by a mob on motorcycles in one of the border towns.

    “The incidents in the state are not isolated cases, indeed there are worse and gory reports of disturbing developments in other states across the country, including jail breaks and loss of lives and property,” Abiodun said.

    According to him, as a responsible administration, we will consider many options that will include imposing a curfew on the state if the need should arise.

    ”However, in line with our focus, deliberate and measured approach, we had to take these decisions.

    “We are hereby requesting the youth groups to appoint leaders among themselves for a meeting with the governor for further dialogue.

    “We will be reviewing developments on a 24-hour basis and we will not hesitate to announce stringent measures as may be considered necessary.

  • Gov. Abiodun releases grants for projects in 20 LGs in Ogun

    Gov. Abiodun releases grants for projects in 20 LGs in Ogun

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, on Friday, says his administration has given grants to all the 20 local government councils in the state to immediately embark on, at least, three projects each in their respective areas.

    Abiodun stated this during the inauguration of 50 open market stalls at Ashero and a public toilet at Isale Ijeun, both in Abeokuta South Local Government area of the state.

    The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Afolabi Afuape, noted that there was no local government that had not embarked on a minimum of three projects.

    “Local governments are no more for paying salaries alone, but to bring more projects to the people.

    “There is no local government that has not embarked on a minimum of three projects, and when you multiply three by 20, it will give us 60. This is to complement the efforts of the state government.

    “When we were campaigning, we promised that our local governments would not just be salary-paying centres, but ones that would be functional, and that is exactly what we are witnessing today,” he said.

    Abiodun assured that governance at the local government level would be active again through empowerment and be alive to their responsibilities.

    He stressed that his government would ensure that people at the grassroots were not left out in its ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda.

    In his address, Mr Ayomide Somide, the Transition Committee Chairman, Abeokuta South Local Government, commended the governor for his efforts at ensuring equitable distribution of dividends of democracy to the nooks and crannies of the state.

    “The governor gave us the privilege to do these projects, like the way it used to be in the past. Local government administration is having a new face and part of his promises is to revive the local government.

    “These projects became the initiatives of the local government as a result of the challenges we are facing at Adatan market because of the traders trading on the road.

    “We are trying to decongest the Adatan market by bringing people here to come and trade.

    “The public toilet constructed at Isale Ijeun is to put an end to open defecation in that axis.

    “This is just the beginning. We have ongoing projects across the local government, part of which is the construction of a modern shopping complex at Itoku market,” he said.

  • COVID-19: Ogun schools, worship centres, others remain shut – Abiodun

    COVID-19: Ogun schools, worship centres, others remain shut – Abiodun

    The Ogun State Government on Friday set up a committee to fashion out guidelines for ”a safe reopening” of schools.

    The immediate objective is to ”allow certificate classes to resume and write their examinations,” although all schools remain shut for now, it said.

    It said available data and opinions of experts “continue to indicate that the fight against the virus is far from being won,” and therefore can “neither afford more fatalities or allow the rate of sickness to outnumber the capacity to manage the sick.”

    Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin ,said in a statement in Abeokuta that to date, 4,072 people have been tested out of which 898 were positive.

    Six hundred and nine of the cases have been successfully treated and discharged while 19 people have died,leaving 270 active cases.

    Government extended the current Phase of eased restrictions for another two weeks .

    In effect Monday to Friday are still open for businesses and other economic transactions with only Saturday and Sunday as lockdown days;

    • Commercial activities are not permitted on weekends
    • Churches and mosques activities will remain closed;
    • Observation of dusk-to-dawn curfew as directed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) i.e. between 10.00pm and 4.00am daily;
    • Wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory;
    • Only one passenger is still allowed for motorcycles and two passengers only for tricycles.
    • Taxi cabs and buses still have 60% limitation on their carrying capacity and the measure to arrest and impound any driver that contravenes this in our State is still in force;
    • The COVID-19 Task Force in markets must continue to ensure physical distancing, availability of hand washing facilities, and use of gloves and facemasks for traders;
    • Decontamination will continue in our markets and other public places;
    • Limitation of all gatherings to a maximum number of 20, is still in effect;
    • Gyms, event centres, cinemas, arcades, bars, casinos, nightclubs, swimming pools, barber-shops, spas, beauty Salons, and all public parks, including those in private residential estates, are still not allowed to operate;

    Restaurants are permitted to provide only take-away services and should also ensure that there are no more than 10-15 customers at a time with physical distancing measures in place. Guidelines for eat-in services are still being fine-tuned;

    All industries in Ogun State must continue to comply with the “Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines for Workplaces in Ogun State to Combat COVID-19” as issued by the Ministry of Health in conjunction with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments. Therefore, testing of staff for COVID-19 in all industries in the State must be sustained;

    The Task Force set up to conduct random spot checks on the premises of the industries, restaurants and other business enterprises to confirm compliance is still in operation.

    Other precautionary measures still in force in Ogun State are:

    Funerals and wedding gatherings should not be more than 20 persons, including family members and officiating ministers/priests;

    There will still be restriction on sports and recreational activities;

    Bank/Financial Institutions are to continue their normal operations as allowed in Phase two.

  • COVID-19: Again, Abiodun extends lockdown in Ogun

    COVID-19: Again, Abiodun extends lockdown in Ogun

    The Ogun State Government says it will extend the current lockdown in the state by another one week.

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun made this known while addressing journalists on Friday evening in Abeokuta.

    He said it had become expedient to further add another week to the lockdown in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

    He attributed the rise in the number of cases to the expanded testing capacity of the state, which is 450 per day, and stubborn residents who have continued to flout orders put in place to flatten the curve of the virus.

    He noted that the relaxation windows of lockdown would follow the existing pattern of Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays till May 24.

    “Consequently in view of the evidence of community transmission and poor compliance with the lockdown measures, we are constrained to extend the lockdown for another week till Sunday 24th of May.

    “The current pattern of lockdown, with relaxation windows from 7.00a.m. to 5.00p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday continue.

    “We must also bear in mind that the daily curfew from 8p.m. to 6a.m. and the ban on non-essential inter-state travel as directed by Mr President still stands,” he said.

    Abiodun, however, said the level of compliance with the lockdown measures would continue to be monitored.

    “Hopefully, there will be positive developments that will enable us further ease the lockdown at the end of this new lockdown period,” he said.

    The governor added that the extended lockdown came as a result of a public opinion poll which, according to him, had 53 percent in support of the continuation, while 43 percent wanted a review just as 4 percent were undecided.

    He urged residents to be compliant with all the laid down rules and regulations, saying it should be seen as a moral responsibility and civic duty.

  • Obasanjo storms Ogun governor’s office

    Obasanjo storms Ogun governor’s office

    Nigeria’s ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has paid a visit on the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

    The former president was spotted at Abiodun’s Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Obasanjo reportedly hits Abiodun’s office at 11:45 a.m. and left at exactly 12:45 p.m., after a closed-door meeting.

    The former president told newsmen that he came to greet the governor and wished him a Happy New Year.

    According to him, “I have come to say happy New Year to the Governor. I have not been here since he (Abiodun) got here as the Governor, so, I came to welcome him to the seat.

    “I also raised a few issues that I believe would be to the development of Ogun State in the area of education, agriculture, rural development, and other wonderful issues. We had a wonderful discussion,” Obasanjo said in a report by Vanguard.

    He said he had visited the governor to rub minds with him on how to move the state forward to greater heights.

  • Why I retained Amosun’s last-minute appointees – Abiodun

    Why I retained Amosun’s last-minute appointees – Abiodun

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday said despite obvious flaws, his administration elected to uphold all appointments made by his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in the twilight of that government. Rescinding such decisions would have been the ideal thing, the governor noted.

    Abiodun added that his administration chose to retain the affected workers, lest a contrary action would be interpreted as vendetta against his predecessor.

    The governor, who made this known while swearing – in new permanent secretaries, stressed that his administration remained committed to equity, fairness, justice and inclusiveness.

    He said: “It is important to make public that we received with great commendations the report of the Review Committee on the Appointments and Recruitments made by the immediate past administration between February and May, 2019 in line with the resolution of the immediate past House of Assembly.

    “Let me state that we very much agree with the recommendations of the Review Committee comprising eminent retired public servants, that many of the appointments and recruitments were fraught with non-adherence to the principles and laid-down traditions of the Public Service.

    “But in line with our administrations commitment to equity, fairness, justice and inclusiveness, we will not engage in any action or policy that may be viewed as vendetta. Rather, we will call on all to continue to put in their best for service delivery to the people of Ogun State.

    “As a result, despite some flaws, we have upheld all the appointments of Permanent Secretaries made in the twilight of the last administration. The appointment of these new Permanent Secretaries further strengthens the bureaucracy and the capacity to deliver on our promises.

    “In the same vein, I hereby direct that the Civil Service Commission and the Office of the Head of Service to come up with modalities for the regularisation of those newly employed between the same period covered by the House of Assembly resolutions with a view to normalising their appointments.”