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Ogun State

  • Chess Marathon: Guinness World Record holder, Tunde Onakoya appointed sports ambassador in Ogun state

    Chess Marathon: Guinness World Record holder, Tunde Onakoya appointed sports ambassador in Ogun state

    Current Guinness World Record Holder for the longest Chess Marathon in history, Tunde Onakoya has been appointed  Sports Ambassador in Ogun State by Prince Abiodun governor of the state.

    The Governor upon receiving Onakoya  on Thursday at his Oke Mosan office in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital, made the announcement, while also stating that an annual Chess Competition will be held in all parts of the state in honour of Mr. Onakoya.

    Abiodun, who was impressed with the achievement of the National Chess Master at the global stage, said this could not have been possible without determination and resilience and hard work.

    “I can see why you continue to be inspiration to many young people across the length and breath of this country. You have gone further by establishing a foundation called the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ because you are determined to tell your story and encourage other children and get them out of the slums and give them hope and future.

    “Today, we will be officially appointing you as our State Sports Ambassador. Coincidentally, Ogun State will be hosting the National Sports Festival in the next nine months or thereabouts and we are boasting that we are set to host the best National Sports Festival that has never been held in the history of this country and coincidentally, chess is one of the games that will feature in that event.

    “I have decided that because of you and in your honour, we will begin an Ogun State Chess Competition across the length and breath of the state. Since you are now officially our Sports Ambassador and our Chess Ambassador, we will leave it to you to design that competition from the local government all the way to the state level.

    “But we as your state, we will have a sponsor in the Tunde Onakoya Prize, for the winner of that competition,” the governor explained.

    The governor likened the travails of the Chess Master to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives, stating that his achievements in the face of difficulties is a testimony that life does not recognize where one comes from, place of birth or parent’s status in the society.

    He commended the longest Chess Marathon holder in the world, for his resolve to succeed without engaging in dubious activities, noting that with the feat, he has joined the league of illustrious sons and daughters who have done Ogun State proud in their chosen endeavours.

    Mr. Onakoya had earlier told the governor of his immense gratitude for the support he received from Nigerians in his march to stardom, adding that he felt proud to be a Nigerian.

    He also recalled his challenges while growing up, nothing that he saw chess as a way out of poverty and ability to think critically beyond the surface.

    “I am proud to be a Nigerian and from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, I felt highly honoured and happy in the way Nigerians all over the world supported me immensely to achieve this feats and the honour accorded me by our royal fathers and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, my state Governor,” Onakoya said.

  • Ogun judiciary staff suspends strike

    Ogun judiciary staff suspends strike

    Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Ogun on Tuesday said they have suspended their indefinite strike action which began on April 8.

    The union announced this through a statement in Abeokuta signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Adewale Adenekan.

    The union had embarked on the strike over the non-payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance by the state government.

    The statement said its National Officers and the Ogun JUSUN Executive Committee members had on Monday held a meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

    It said the meeting also had in attendance the state Chairmen of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC).

    “After the meeting with the representatives of the State Government, the authenticity of the union’s demand was established and the State Government realised its mistakes in the failure to involve the JUSUN executive in the negotiation process which led to the approval and implementation of the Peculiar Allowance.

    “The state government said this was because JUSUN is not a member of JNC.

    “However, the bone of contention is now the timing of the implementation of the union’s demand, putting into consideration the imminent announcement by the Federal Government of the new minimum wage which is expected on May 1.

    “This will be billed for implementation between May and June 2024 for both Federal and State workers,” Adenekan stated.

    “After much discussion on the matter, it was agreed that JUSUN’s demands should be treated together with the full implementation of CONJUSS alongside the minimum/living wage negotiation and implementation,” he added.

    The union further said it was equally agreed that JUSUN would be given a slot in the technical committee for the negotiation and implementation of the minimum wage in the state.

    It pointed out that this would give the union an opportunity to effect its dem ands, as well as the full implementation of CONJUSS and other benefits.

    “This is a very difficult moment for both the leadership and members of the union, but we believe this is a fair agreement that will benefit the union and its members in the long term.

    “In view of the above, the National Officers and JUSUN leadership of Ogun State, having reviewed the proceedings of the meeting, decided to suspend the indefinite strike action,” Adenekan said.

    The union thereby directed all its members to resume work by Wednesday.

    “The union will continue to engage the State Government towards the actualisation of its demands.

    “We look forward to continui;rovide our esteemed members with excellent and quality leadership,” it stated.

  • Ogun government begins sales of rice at discounted price to consumers

    Ogun government begins sales of rice at discounted price to consumers

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, at the weekend, commenced the sale of rice to civil servants in the state as parts of his commitment to the welfare of the workforce.
    The event took place at the ‘Oja Irorun’ Civil Servants Farmers’ Market at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
    Governor Abiodun, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya said the occasion was a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the state government at improving the living standards of workers in the state.
    The governor praised the dedication and the commitment of the workers to service, which he noted contributed immensely to the success achieved by his administration.
    “Ogun State civil servants’ dedication and hard work form the bedrock of the progress and prosperity of our dear state. Recognising this invaluable essence of workers to the actualisation of the policies and programmes of the state government, the administration has graciously approved the sale of high quality bags of rice at discounted prices exclusively to the workforce,” the governor said.
    Prince Abiodun urged workers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to take full advantage of the opportunity and embrace the good gesture by the state government.
    In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo appreciated the government for the initiative, which is one of the many interventions by the government to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal for the state workforce.
    The Head of Service, however, urged the workers to reciprocate the good gesture of government by remaining dedicated to duties and collectively work for the progress of the state.
    In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Isa Olude and his counterpart from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ademola Ahmed-Benco, appreciated the state government for the initiative, which they said, would restore the purchasing power of the people and promote the welfare of workers.
    The union leaders added that the gesture was a testament that the state has a caring and listening governor whom they are proud of, and charged the workers to reciprocate the gesture by effectively and efficiently discharging their statutory duties.
    Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Temitope Akintayo from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as well as Mr. Olabanji Sanni, from the Ministry of Environment, thanked the state government for putting the process into motion and promised to keep working assiduously towards effective service delivery.
    The bags of rice were handed over to the beneficiaries by Mr. Onasanya on behalf of the government while buses were also provided at no cost to convey the workers from the venue of the programme to a reasonable distance.
    It would be recalled that the Prince Abiodun-led administration has been made concerted efforts towards ensuring that the workforce and the entire people of the Gateway State are shielded as much as possible from the attendant effects of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government through various interventions.
    The interventions  include provision of monthly cash palliative, payment of peculiar allowance to deserving workers, provision of CNG buses workers and the citizens as well as the unprecedented payment of a robust end of year bonus to all civil/public servants of the State last December, amongst others.
  • Ogun Assembly passes Assembly Commission Amendment bill

    Ogun Assembly passes Assembly Commission Amendment bill

    The Ogun House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the State House of Assembly Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

    The passage of the bill followed  presentation of the Committee’s report by the Chairman, House Committee on Establishments and Public Service Matters, Mr Babatunde Tella at plenary in Abeokuta.

    Tella moved the motion for its adoption, seconded by Mr Adeyanju Adegoke and supported by all the members.

    The bill was later read and adopted clause by clause before the Committee of Whole.

    The Majority Leader, Mr Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion for the third reading of the bill, seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Lukmon Adeleye and supported by the Whole House through a unanimous voice vote.

    Consequently, the Deputy Clerk of the House, Mrs Funmilayo Adeyemi, took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers.

    The Speaker, Mr Oludaisi Elemide, directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to Gov. Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

  • Lagos to extend Blue Rail Line to Agbara in Ogun

    Lagos to extend Blue Rail Line to Agbara in Ogun

    The Lagos State Government is in discussions with its Ogun government to extend the Blue Rail Line further down to Agbara, an official has said.

    Mr Olasukanmi Okusaga, Director, Rail Transport, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (LAMATA), disclosed this on Tuesday in Lagos whilen inspecting the ongoing construction of the Blue Line Phase 2 project.

    The project is being handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

    He expressed satisfaction at the progress achieved so far and revealed ongoing discussions with the Ogunt government to extend the Blue Line further down to Agbara.

    “The project, which was awarded in 2023, is expected to be completed in three years.

    “It will include six stations in Festac, Alakija, Trade Fair, Volkswagen, LASU and Okokomaiko along with three bridges in Maza Maza, Satellite town and LASU. This phase covers 14 Kilometres.

    “There are also plans to construct a depot in Okokomaiko,” Okusaga added.

  • Assault: Ogun FA bans culprits for 2 years

    Assault: Ogun FA bans culprits for 2 years

    Ogun Football Association (FA) has imposed a two-year ban on the two persons involved in an assault against match officials at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta on Saturday.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the FA Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, on Sunday in Abeokuta.

    The culprits, who were said to have masked as fans of the club, are: Jamiu Makinde, popularly known as JAMAK, and Ajani Opadiran, popularly known as “Gbeke”.

    The football association condemned, in strong terms, the show of shame witnessed at the venue at the end of the game, describing it as barbaric, irresponsible and uncalled for.

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) match between Gateway United Football Club and Ikorodu City from Lagos ended 0-0.

    “Opadiran threw caution to the wind and assaulted the centre referee, while Makinde also joined the dastardly act, bringing the game into disrepute.

    “It took the intervention of the security operatives provided by the Ogun State Football Association to tame the miscreants and avoid casualties,” Majekodunmi said.

    He further stated that investigations had been conducted, while findings revealed that “Gbeke” led the attack in company with his partner.

    The FA chairman added that he (Gbeke) has been arrested while Makinde was currently at large.

    He, therefore, said that the duo had been banned from entering match venues across the state for the next two years.

    “A comprehensive report will also be submitted to the police headquarters, explaining why they are threats at sport venues,” he said.

    Majekodunmi warned football teams in the state not to associate themselves with either of them for the duration of the ban.

  • Gov Abiodun appoints new HoS

    Gov Abiodun appoints new HoS

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has approved the appointment of Mr Kehinde Onasanya as the new Head of the Service.

    This is contained a statement on Monday in Abeokuta by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi.

    Onasanya takes over from Mr Kolawole Fagbohun, who has retired after a meritorious service.

    ”Until his appointment, Onasanya was the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration.

    ”He joined the civil service as an Information Officer, GL. 08 on Dec. 2, 1993 and rose through the ranks to a Director on GL. 17. He was appointed Permanent Secretary on Oct. 2, 2020,” according to the statement.

    It indicates that Onasanya is a thoroughbred professional, media manager of great repute, and an astute administrator.

    ”He is a member of many professional bodies, including Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

    ”Since his appointment as permanent secretary, he has worked in many agencies, including the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration.

    ”He is a recipient of the prestigious Ogun State Award, in May 2006, and first runner-up the following year,” the statement read in part.

  • BREAKING: Ogun Gov loses former aide in ghastly motor accident

    BREAKING: Ogun Gov loses former aide in ghastly motor accident

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has described the tragic death of Prof. Joseph Odemuyiwa, his former Special Adviser on Vocational and Technical Education, as a great loss to the state and the education sector.

    Abiodun, in a condolence message on Tuesday in Abeokuta, described the passing of Odemuyiwa as tragic and sad.

    Odemuyiwa served as the governor’s aide during his first term in office.

    Odemuyiwa reportedly died in an accident on Tuesday, while on his way to Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State, where he was a lecturer.

    Abiodun noted that the erstwhile special adviser was a team player who contributed immensely to the success recorded by his administration in the vocational and technical education during his first term in office.

    “Prof. Odemuyiwa’s legacy as an educator and advocate will always be remembered and cherished.

    “He was a highly respected individual who made significant contributions to the success of our administration in vocational and technical education.

    “His sudden departure leaves a void that will be felt by many and will be sorely missed by all,” Abiodun said.

    He sympathised with the family and loved ones of the deceased while praying for the repose of his soul.

    “Please, accept my deepest condolences during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” the governor added.

  • Jubilation in Ogun state as Gov. Abiodun begins payment of N10,000 cash award to primary, secondary pupils

    Jubilation in Ogun state as Gov. Abiodun begins payment of N10,000 cash award to primary, secondary pupils

    The Ogun state government on Wednesday began the payment of N10,000 cash award to 100,000 primary and secondary school learners in the over 2, 000 public schools across the four divisions of the state.

    The 10,000 being disbursed to the students is in fulfilment of the promise made by the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to pay N10,000 to indigent pupils and students in the state’s primary and secondary schools.

    The commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, in the state, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu while speaking during the monitoring process noted that the payment was one of the strategies used by the governor to provide succour to parents as a result of the present economic situation in the country.

    Prof. Arigbabu noted that the gesture was meant to provide succour to pupils and their parents.

    He said: “In view of the economic realities in the country, the governor decided to provide succour to the people of the state using multiplicity approaches to achieve this.

    “He believes that another strategy that could be used which has never been used by any government before is the health and education sectors to reach the populace. Through the education sector, you can truly reach out to those who need the palliative.

    “We have over 2, 000 primary and secondary schools in all the four divisions of the state, and 100,000 learners in these schools would receive N10,00 each.”

    He emphasized that the government decided to pay through parents whose children are in public primary and secondary schools as the children do not have bank accounts due to their age.

    “As we meet and give the parents the governor’s message, they are receiving the alert for payment.The governor’s gesture is to support the parents in meeting their children’s needs,” he added.

    On how the children were chosen, the commissioner maintained that the process was objective, adding that it was easy to come up with the list of indigent students as teachers who are part of the school system were given the burden to find the indigent students as they are the closest to them.

    “That is why we have not involved anybody who is not in the school system. The school system is not political. Civil servants are not supposed to be politicians, so the principals and the teachers have selected these children based on the fact that they have always seen them to be indigent students.

    “How do they know them? These are children without shoes, some of them have torn uniforms, some don’t have enough exercise books, and some can’t even buy textbooks. There are a number of things they would have seen, some of them, it is these teachers that will be contributing money to the support system.

    “I can assure you that the children we have chosen are children that are indigent. To confirm that for you, a parent came to me, she said that her child in this school was chosen, but she has another child in another school that was not chosen. That is telling you that indigency is relative,” he said.

    He disclosed that 50,000 students of Ogun State origin in both public and private tertiary institutions have been captured to be paid N50,000 each.

    The payment, he said, has started with about 20,000 students to be covered by the end of the week.

    “In the tertiary level, we are giving out N50,000 to each student. We have captured 50,000 students from all the tertiary institutions whose details have been submitted to us after we wrote to the Vice Chancellors, Rectors and Provosts.

    “We are paying directly to the students to ensure that the money get to them. We started payment last week, and we have paid over 10,000 students, and before the end of this week, we would have paid 20,000, “the commissioner assured.

    Prof. Arigbabu also revealed that five exercise books would be given to 850,000 primary and secondary school learners, including those who did not benefit from the N10,000, adding that the governor was also preparing another package for the education sector.

    Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, who also monitor the disbursement exercise, opined that money would make a difference in the lives of those who really need it, noting that those who have received their alert have promised to make judicious use of it.

    Speaking in an interview, the Principal, Baptist Boys High School (Junior), Lasabi Olarenwaju, noted that some of the beneficiaries were chosen based on the inability of their parents to cater for their basic needs,adding that the gesture by Governor Dapo Abiodun would go a long way in helping the beneficiaries.

    Mrs. Odutayo Titilope, Principal, Senior School, Lisabi Grammar School, Idia-Aba, said 120 students were registered to benefit from the cash award.

    Alhaji AbdulRahaman, a parent whose child is in African Church Grammar School, appreciated the governor for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in meeting the needs of his child, while Mrs Funmi Alaka, a widow, appreciated Governor Abiodun for the kind gesture, saying the cash award would help her in getting some of the things needed by her daughter.

    Zainab Babatunji and Abosede Ashamu, whose wards attend Holy Prophets Primary School, said though they initially had doubt about the workability of the cash award, the fact that they have received the money is a testimony that it is not fake and the governor has the interest of the people at heart.

    Iyabo Kushimo, whose child attends Ebenezer Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Saje, Abeokuta, also confirmed the receipt of the N10,000 cash award, saying she would use the money to buy school sandals and use the other part to pay her child’s transport fare.

    Other schools visited by the Commissioner included, Abeokuta Grammar School, African Church Grammar School, Baptist Boys High School, Saje, Saje High School, Ebenezer Grammar School, Unity High School, Lisabi Grammar School, Idia-Aba, Ebenezer Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Saje, Holy Prophets Primary School, Adedotun, and Agunbiade Victory High School, Magbon, all in Abeokuta.

  • Hardship: Governor Dapo Abiodun unveils subsidized rice for residents

    Hardship: Governor Dapo Abiodun unveils subsidized rice for residents

    Following the high cost of food in the country, the Ogun State government has purchased 100 truckloads of rice to be sold at cheaper rates to residents of the state in order to cushion the effect of the rise in the prices of goods in the country.

    This special package was disclosed on Thursday by the governor Dapo Abiodun  while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abeokuta.

    According to Abiodun, rice would be subsidized and made available at the rate it was before the recent astronomical rise in the prices of the commodities.

    He, however, said the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable would enjoy free allocation.

    “We have decided to give our people foodstuffs like rice, garri, beans. I have ordered almost 100 trailers of rice, they will start offloading them tomorrow (today).

    “We have decided that the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable will be given the rice free of charge, while others will have to buy the rice at the price we formally bought it before the dollar rose very high so that it won’t be one-off and we can continue till the issue of the dollar is settled,” he said.

    Abiodun assured the people of Ogun State that President Bola Tinubu was fully in charge of the economy.

    “Everything we are experiencing at the moment is very transient, it will soon pass away. With the plan that he (Tinubu) has begun to implement, you will soon begin to see the change. We must remain very hopeful,” Abiodun said.