TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ogun

  • LG elections: Ogun APC bans unauthorised meetings

    LG elections: Ogun APC bans unauthorised meetings

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has placed an embargo on sectional and unauthorised meetings within the party by aspirants or their allies ahead of the Nov. 16 Local Government elections in Ogun.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday by the APC Party Chairman, Yemi Sanusi.

    ”The Party has absolute control over how it will prepare for the elections.”

    According to him, unless and until the party announces or calls for meetings, any person organising or attending meetings concerning the forthcoming elections does so at his own peril.

    “The party will exercise the full wrath of its disciplinary powers to punish any parallel or unauthorised meetings that undermine our strategy for the elections.

    “The party is also aware of its power to screen out any aspirant who does not conform to the party and its ideals,” he said.

    Sabusi said:” the state Executive Committee observed that certain persons have been calling for meetings of potential aspirants ahead of the Local Government Elections in Ogun.

    ”Elections are an organised and regulated civic activity, with political parties as frontline regulators of the process.

    ”The Nigerian electoral law does not permit independent candidates, so in the coming Local Government elections, APC will be the contestant, not any individual candidate regardless of that candidate’s perceived political status.

    ”The Party has absolute control over how it will prepare for the elections.

    “While we respect the right of party members to meet freely, the overall interest of the party outranks any individual interest.

    ”As such, all preparation for the forthcoming Local Government elections must be uniform and organised, under the direction of the party’s formal leadership in the state and in line with the party constitution, only the party chairman or a person designated by him, can call such meetings, not aspirants or their allies”.

  • Abiodun directs refund of recruitment fees to applicants in Ogun

    Abiodun directs refund of recruitment fees to applicants in Ogun

    Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has directed the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission to refund all administrative fees currently being charged in relation to the ongoing recruitment exercise into the state’s civil service.

    Mr Tokunbo Talabi, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), made this known in a statement issued on Thursday in Abeokuta.

    The governor directed the civil service commission is to refund all administrative fees, notwithstanding the fact that these are standard and historical fees that have been in place for decades.

    “These fees are charged by the civil service commission on behalf of third-party independent examiners who administer and supervise the Computer Based Test (CBT) ,” the government said.

    The government said it acknowledges the current economic situation in the country had also taken into consideration the ultimate aim of the recruitment exercise.

    “The aim is to alleviate the suffering of the citizens and create employment in the state.  This necessitates the directives to immediately refund fees paid along with a waiver for any new applications,” the government said.

  • Ogun assembly summons traditional ruler over land grabbing

    Ogun assembly summons traditional ruler over land grabbing

    The Ogun State House of Assembly has summoned the Olu of Obafemi, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Oba Taofeek Kayode, to appear before it on Wednesday regarding allegations of land grabbing.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Ethics, and Public Petitions, Oluseun Adesanya, issued the summon in Abeokuta on Monday during a committee meeting with representatives of the Agboro Latunde Community Development Association.

    The association was led by its Chairman, Olaseni Adeoye and the Secretary, Koyade Onitande.

    The community had accused the traditional ruler of forcibly taking possession of land belonging to some members of the community.

    Adesanya, in company of other lawmakers, explained that the invitation of the traditional ruler became imperative, as part of the quasi-judicial function of the assembly.

    The lawmaker also explained that it was important to give all concerned parties in the dispute a fair hearing in accordance with the principle of the rule of law.

    He further noted that petitions against the traditional ruler included allege cases of land grabbing, threats to life and actions likely to cause communal clashes in the Agboro Community.

    The committee chairman warned that the failure of the royal father to honour the invitation would prompt the Assembly to involve security operatives to take appropriate action.

    NAN

  • Ogun bars traditional rulers from signing MoUs on land

    Ogun bars traditional rulers from signing MoUs on land

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has issued three Executive Orders, an official said on Saturday in Abeokuta.

    Two of the three orders are establishing two new agencies, while the third restrains traditional rulers from signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on land in the state.

    Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr Kayode Akinmade, in a statement, listed the agencies as the Ogun State Mineral Resources Development Agency and Ogun State Landscaping and Recreation Agency.

    “In addition to the establishment of these two agencies, the third executive order restrains traditional rulers from entering into any form of agreement or MoU concerning mining activities or any other land matters in their domain,” he said.

    Akinmade said the Mineral Resources Development Agency would establish a working relationship with host communities in order to conduct geo-technical and geological surveys of solid mineral deposit within their domain.

    “The second agency is responsible for sustaining the achievement of the Ministry of Environment in the area of environmental regeneration and restoration and through the provision of parks, gardens and recreational centres state-wide to preserve the biodiversity and ecosystem of the environment,” he added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor’s aide said the three executive orders take an immediate effect.

    “Executive Order One is based on Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution which vests in the governor the exercise of executive powers of the state for the purpose of effective governance.

    “The agency shall, directly or through qualified third parties, conduct and establish working relationship with host communities and local governments for the conduct of geo-technical and geological surveys of solid mineral deposits within their domain.

    “It will conduct geo-technical survey of solid mineral deposits in the state and maintain relevant data in the sector, (and) organise the solid minerals sector to the best interest of the state.

    “To realise its objectives, the agency shall be funded through fees generated from regulatory agency, budgetary allocation, grants and financial intervention from both local and international development partners, as well as gifts, aid and other legitimate contributions,” he explained.

    Akinmade said Executive Order Two was on the basis of the Ministry of Environment starting a massive and aggressive tree-planting campaign to complement the beautification and landscaping programmes.

    ”This is to ensure environmentally sustainable, healthier and beautiful society, and the agency shall administer, maintain and manage all designated parks and recreation centres in the state.

    “For the purpose of realising its objectives, it shall be funded through budgetary allocation or monies received for services rendered, grants and financial intervention from both local and international development partners, as well as gifts, aids and other legitimate contributions.”

    He added that Executive Order Three bars traditional rulers in the state from entering into any form of MoU with reference to mining or any other land matters.

    “The State has observes the current trend in which miners and investors circumvent regulations and government oversight by encouraging traditional institutions to interfere with land management by entering into MoUs and other irregular legal arrangements.

    “Therefore, all forms of traditional institutions existing within the state are hereby with immediate effect barred from entering into any form of MoU or agreement with any individual, companies or organisations seeking land within any part of the entire state for purposes of mining or industry.

    ”They are to forthwith refrain from issuing any form of consent letters for mining across the state.

    “Any traditional institution or stakeholder in the institution who flouts this order shall be sanctioned in line with the provisions of the Kings and Chiefs’ Law and other relevant criminal statutes.

  • Ogun doctors threaten strike

    Ogun doctors threaten strike

    The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun chapter, says it will go on strike over poor working conditions at the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to the state government.

    The association’s chairman, Dr Kunle Ashimi, said at a news conference in Abeokuta on Friday that the ultimatum, issued on June 7, would expire on Thursday.

    According to Ashimi, members will have no choice but to embark on strike unless the government addresses their concerns.

    He mentioned the non-payment of the reviewed CONMESS salary scale and failure to recruit new doctors as some of the issues requiring government attention.

    He noted that despite ongoing discussions with relevant government officials, there had only been verbal assurances without official commitments.

    He, therefore, urged the citizens of Ogun to call on the government to take necessary steps to prevent the looming strike, which would disrupt healthcare services across the state.

    “The State Executive Council of NMA Ogun issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government on June 7, which will elapse on June 27.

    “This indicated that industrial harmony may not be guaranteed after this date as the pressure of work on the few doctors holding forth is yielding dire consequences.

    “Ongoing conversations with relevant government officers only came with verbal assurances but no official commitment yet.

    “Concerned affiliates of NMA Ogun have been engaging the government on the need to commence the payment of the reviewed CONMESS salary scale for doctors in the state in order to motivate and retain those who have not left and to attract new ones.

    “We use this opportunity to call on well-meaning citizens of Ogun state to impress upon the Ogun government to do the needful to avert any industrial action,” Ashimi said.

    The NMA chief said Babcock University Teaching Hospital witnessed a monthly electricity bill surge between N80 million and N100 million to N300 million.

    He called for concessions to be given to health institutions to prevent increased costs from being passed onto patients, potentially making healthcare inaccessible for many.

    “While we appreciate the zeal of the government to develop the energy sector, we appeal strongly that concessions be given to health institutions.

    “These humongous tariffs will eventually be passed on to our poor patients, thereby driving them further away from access to appropriate healthcare services,” he said

    On the Cholera outbreak, Ashimi said there were ongoing sensitisation programmes by the association in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and various media organisations.

    He stressed the importance of preventive measures and provided contact numbers as released by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, to report suspected cholera cases.

    He said the cases would be treated free of charge at designated facilities.

    “We use this opportunity to appeal to our people to imbibe preventive measures for the prevention of the spread of Cholera.

    “This includes avoiding open defecation, avoiding indiscriminate refuse dumping, washing hands regularly, washing fruits and vegetables well before consuming and treating water before consuming it, either by boiling or treating it with chemical purifying agents.

    “We advocate that where there is no wherewithal to do this, two drops of plain household bleach in a litre of water can be a good alternative.

    “We also implore schools to monitor food, fruit and snack vendors around the schools to ensure that they practice proper hygiene.

    “As well, schools should reintroduce handwashing stations like it was done during the COVID-19 period,” he said.

  • Landlord collapses, dies after argument with tenant over unpaid rent

    Landlord collapses, dies after argument with tenant over unpaid rent

    A landlord, Benjamin Apeh, has reportedly died after he collapsed during an argument with his tenant over unpaid salary.

    SP Omolola Odutola, the Public Relations Officer, Police Command, Ogun, in a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, said that the incident occurred on Sunday at Arigbabu Village, Sotubo in Sagamu local government area of Ogun.

    Odutola said that a suspected murder case was reported on Monday at 5:00 p.m., by the daughter of the deceased, Precious Apeh.

    According to the police spokesperson, the daughter of the deceased informed the police that her father had an argument with the tenant at 7:20p.m., on Saturday, over unpaid house rent.

    Odutola said that Precious Apeh further told the police that at around 6:30 a.m., on Sunday, she heard her father again arguing with the tenant, who threatened to kill him.

    ”During the argument, Apeh collapsed and was rushed to NNPC Hospital, Mosimi, but was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

    ”The suspect fled the scene, but efforts are underway to apprehend him,” the police spokesman said.

    Odutola said that the body of the deceased has been deposited at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Morgue, Sagamu.

  • Ogun: Senator Bajomo makes call for Yewa to produce governor in 2027

    Ogun: Senator Bajomo makes call for Yewa to produce governor in 2027

    Sen. Felix Bajomo, who represented Ogun West Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly,, says it is the turn of Yewaland to produce the governor of the state in 2027.

    Bajomo made the statement while delivering the keynote address at the Yewaland Development Forum(YDF)8th Distinguished Lecture Series, “Yewa’s Talk” and Investiture of Sen. Solomon Adeola(APC-Ogun West) as the Grand Patron of the Forum.

    The lecture titled “Yewaland: Harnessing Our Potential and Opportunities Towards 2027 and Beyond”, held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    Speaking as the Chairman of the Day, Bajomo said: ” We are talking about 2027 which is a transitional period. Time is key. We must not be careless

    “We tried before, but there were some hindrances. We are looking for someone that will take us to the promised land.

    “We are the next in turn. we are the one to do it. We will do the first and we will do the second term.

    “We shall achieve our goal, we can do it,” Bajomo, Past President, Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAN), said.

    According to him, Yewaland is not only talking about producing the next government, but the development of the state.

    In his opening remarks, Mr Wasiu Fagbohun, the President, Yewaland Development Forum, who noted that the association had morphed from Egbado, Yewa Union to YDF, said that the forum had contributed immensely to the development of the area.

    Stating that YDF had made significant progress with projects that had impacted lives in the area, Fagbohun called for more collaboration from illustrious sons and daughters of Yewaland for more life-changing interventions.

    Urging the people to come together to develop the land, Fagbohun said Sen. Adeola,Chairman ,Senate Committee on Appropriation, was a great son of Yewa ,who had done great things for the people of the area.

    The event was attended by various leaders in Yewaland including royal fathers, former and present commissioners, lawmakers, political leaders, academics , community leaders, market leaders, youth groups, among others.

  • Ogun judiciary workers commence indefinite strike on Monday

    Ogun judiciary workers commence indefinite strike on Monday

    The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Ogun Branch, says it will embark on an indefinite strike from Monday.

    This is contained in a statement issued and jointly signed in Abeokuta on Sunday by the JUSUN Chairman, Ajiboye Olanrewaju, and the Publicity Secretary, Mr Adewale Adenekan.

    The statement says the strike is to protest the non-payment of the 40 per cent peculiar allowance to members of the union by the state government.

    According to the statement, the union decided to embark on an indefinite strike after the expiration of the 14-day additional ultimatum it gave the state government to meet their demand.

    It noted the union had embarked on a five-day warning strike to protest the non-payment of the peculiar allowance to the state judiciary workers.

    “The leadership of the union had forwarded necessary documents requested by representative of the Ogun Government since Friday, March 8, to Gov. Dapo Abiodun.

    “The document was also copied to Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service, and Attorney-General of the state, including the approval by the National Salaries and Wages Commission to the NJC for payment of the peculiar allowance,” it read.

    According to the statement, the judiciary, as an independent body, is entitled to the allowance.

    “After due consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the JUSUN national leadership, we decided to give additional 14 days to the state government starting from March 18 to April 1 to allow it enough time to do the needful.

    “Every member of JUSUN in Ogun is directed to stay at their various homes beginning from Monday.

    “Please, don’t bother to come to the office until further notice from the leadership of the union,” it read.

  • EFCC arrests 74 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun

    EFCC arrests 74 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun

    Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 74 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun State.

    EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    Oyewale stated that the alleged fraudsters were arrested at Government Residential Area (G.R.A), Shagamu  in Ogun State following surveillance and intelligence  exposing their suspected internet-related  offences.

    “Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, three laptops, 124 mobile phones, one PlayStation 3 game, two motorcycles and other incriminating documents.

    “They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

  • Police arrest robbery suspect who allegedly killed a cop in Ogun

    Police arrest robbery suspect who allegedly killed a cop in Ogun

    A 35-year old suspected armed robber, who allegedly killed a policeman at Ifo in Ogun, has been arrested in Lagos, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, has confirmed.

    Fayoade told newsmen on Wednesday while parading the suspect and 59 others in Lagos, that the suspect also stole another policeman’s rifle in Abeokuta and was declared wanted with his gang members by the Ogun Police Command.

    He said that the suspect, simply identified as Seun and his gang had been terrorising Ogun and Lagos States respectively, claiming to be an engineer repairing computer and phones before he ventured into armed robbery.

    Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the parade, the suspect claimed he was doing well in his business until he met a friend called Bado, who introduced him to the robbery operation.

    He said their first operation was at Abeokuta, where they went to rob in a two storey building, adding that he scaled the fence of the building to have access into the compound.

    “I was the one who scaled the fence and opened the gate for others to come in. Immediately we entered into the building, a policeman guarding the building ran into the toilet.

    “We picked up his rifle and left the place. It was one of us called Michael, who took the rifle to his house.

    “Since I joined robbery, I have not killed before now. Our second operation in Lagos, we only collected phones and money.

    “We have robbed in Oshodi, Ikorodu and Ifo area of Ogun. We also collected vehicle from the owner at Abeokuta.

    “The motor was driven away by Bado who is our leader. I was introduced to Bado by one Amechi.

    “I have once worked with a politician at Mowe, but because he abandoned me and I have nothing doing again, that was why I decided to join robbery. I regret my actions,” he said.

    The suspect further claimed that he had only collected N210,000 from the proceeds of the three robbery operation he participated before his arrest.

    He appealed to the government to have mercy on him, assuring that if given the opportunity again, he will never return to armed robbery.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police said the suspect would be charged to court after conclusion of investigation.