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Tag: Ogun

  • Ogun raises concern over rising TB cases

    Ogun raises concern over rising TB cases

    The Commissioner for Health in Ogun, Dr Tomi Coker, has expressed concern over rising number of tuberculosis patients in the state.

    Coker said this at a news conference in Abeokuta on Tuesday as part of activities to mark the 2024 World Tuberculosis Day, which has “Yes! We Can End TB” as its theme.

    World Tuberculosis Day is annually observed on March 24 to raise awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease.

    The commissioner, therefore, said early detection of the disease is key, as it can be treated and cured using a combination of modern medicines.

    She assured government’s commitment to urgent actions toward addressing the situation through increased awareness and education, as well as access to quality healthcare services for residents, especially in rural areas.

    Coker said that the state government, with support from Federal Ministry of Health and partners, had been providing free treatment to TB patients across the 20 local government areas through a network of 623 government health centres and selected private and missionary facilities.

    She urged residents to report anyone who presents any signs of continuous coughing or other associated symptoms.

    She said “if you or anyone you know have cough lasting two weeks or more with or without sputum, associated weight loss, profuse night sweating, difficulty in breathing or blood-stained sputum, kindly visit the nearest government health facility for check, as this could be Tuberculosis.”

    In a separate interview, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Kayode Oladehinde, urged residents to be vigilant and be proactive in seeking medical help if they noticed any TB symptoms.

    He emphasised the need for good hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease, adding that “with collective efforts, the disease could be eradicated.”

  • Ogun says it’s paying N10,000 cash award to pupils, students

    Ogun says it’s paying N10,000 cash award to pupils, students

    The Ogun government says it has began the payment of N10,000 cash award to 100,000 primary school pupils and secondary school students in 2,000 public schools across the state.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun, Mr Lekan Adeniran, in a statement on Wednesday in Abeokuta said the gesture was in fulfilment of the promise the state governor made.

    “The governor had promised to pay N10,000 to indigent pupils and students in the state’s primary and secondary schools,” he said.

    Adeniran quoted Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, the state’s Commissioner for Education, as saying the payment was one of the strategies to provide succor to parents.

    He said Arigbabu, while monitoring the disbursement of the money in some schools in Abeokuta, noted that the gesture was as a result of the present economic situation in the country.

    “The money is meant to provide succor to pupils and their parents.

    “In view of the economic realities in the country, the governor decided to provide succor to the people of the state using a set of multiple approaches to achieve this.

    “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 N10,000 each,” the Commissioner was quoted as saying.

    Arigbabu said further that government decided to pay through parents whose children were 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 alerts for payment. The governor’s gesture is to support the parents in meeting their children’s needs,” he said.

    The Commissioner disclosed also that 50,000 students of Ogun origin in both public and private tertiary institutions had been captured to be paid N50,000 each.

    According to the statement, some of the schools visited by Arigbabu include
    Baptist Boys High School (Junior), Lisabi Grammar School, African Church Grammar School and Abeokuta Grammar School.

    Others included Saje High School, Ebenezer Grammar School, Unity High School, Ebenezer Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Saje, Holy Prophets Primary School and Agunbiade Victory High School, all in Abeokuta.

  • Police confirm 9 injured in Ogun gas explosion

    Police confirm 9 injured in Ogun gas explosion

    Nine persons were injured in a gas explosion on Saturday at a steel company in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The explosion occurred at Phoenix Steel Mills in Ogijo.

    Reacting to the situation in a statement on Sunday night, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, adding that victims of the blast were factory workers.

    Odutola added that the victims were taken to Rolayo Private Hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

    ” There was a case of an industrial accident that occurred at Phoenix Metal Company in Ogijo on March 9 at 9:38 p.m.

    “According to eye witness account, the explosion was attributed to a cylinder explosion which happened at the melting point area, affecting staff members who sustained injuries.

    “The explosion impacted nearby houses as window frames were reportedly cracked due to the vibration from the blast.

    “Community youths tried to attack the company but efforts by policemen and army detachment of 174 battalion in Odogunyan Ikorodu were visibly on ground to intervene.

    “The situation is under control and close monitoring; there is no indication for panic, whereas further updates will be communicated to members of the public,” she stated.

  • Peculiar allowance: Ogun Judiciary staff begins warning strike

    Peculiar allowance: Ogun Judiciary staff begins warning strike

    The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Ogun branch, on Monday began a five day warning strike over nonpayment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance by the state government.

    The state JUSUN Chairman, Mr Olanrewaju Ajiboye, who spoke to newsmen in Abeokuta, said that it embarked on the warning strike after several meetings with the government ended in a deadlock.

    According to Ajiboye, before the decision to embark on the five days warning strike, series of meetings had been held with the State Head of Service and letters had been issued to the state government but it ended in a deadlock.

    “What is happening here today is that we the judiciary Staff Union are starting a five-day warning strike to protest for the non payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance to judiciary workers by the state government .

    “After the warning strike, if the state government fails to do the needful, the union will proceed on indefinite strike by March 18.

    “In August 2023, Ogun state government commenced the payment of peculiar allowance to core civil servants in Oke-mosan, immediately we heard of it, we informed our national body.

    The union wrote three letters; one to the head of service, two to the governor directly.

    “The head of service has met with the union and stakeholders on the way forward, but reason given for the non payment was not tenable and not acceptable by the union. That is why we are proceeding on a five days warning strike,” he said.

    He disclosed that the union on February 3, held its congress at Isabo, where a 21 days ultimatum was issued to the government to do the needful, failure of which would lead to five days warning strike.

    “After the expiration of the warning strike, we will proceed on an indefinite strike,”.

    The Jusun chairman, however, appealed to the state government to look into the requests of the workers and do the needful.

    The courts were under lock and key with nobody allowed to gain entrance into the court premises.

     

  • Police arrests 7 suspected ritualists with human parts

    Police arrests 7 suspected ritualists with human parts

    The Ogun Police Command on Thursday arrested a seven-man gang that specialised in trading in human parts for rituals.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Olamutu, said that a human heart and two kegs filled with human bodies were parts of exhibits recovered from the suspects.

    The men arrested included Moses Abidemi, Oluwo Monday, Prophet Peter Akiwunmi Ifatosin, Jamiu Yusuf, Sheriff Agbai, and Osojieahen Alioneitoura,
    Alamutu said.

    Alamutu said the Divisional Police Office, Onipanu, received a report of a missing lady, Ms Sulaiimon Adijat on Jan. 9 who was invited out on a date by one Adebayo Azeez.

    “Despite frantic efforts to locate her whereabouts, the mobile phone has been switched off since the day she was reported missing.

    “Consequently, the Anti Kidnapping Unit of the command was drafted to unravel the mystery behind her disappearance and a technical based investigation was embarked on,” the CP said.

    According to him, the investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in money ritual known as ‘Oshole’ to produce N200m within seven days.

    “Oluwo Monday charged the duo of Agbai and  Alioneitouria N800,000 to prepare the materials for the ritual money.

    “Oluwo Monday, in furtherance of his criminal intention, later contacted one Peter, who was not new in the trade of human parts, to source for a lady between the age of  18 and 20 years.

    The CP said Peter was to deliver the lady’s mutilated body parts, specifically the head, two breasts, virginal and two wrists that would be used for the ritual.

    “However, on Jan. 10, Sheriff and Osojieahen collected the ritual money from Oluwo and travelled back to their location in Edo State.

    “Trouble started when Osojieahen used the ritual element as directed by Oluwo, and complained bitterly that it failed to yield the expected sum of 200 million in seven days.

    ” A search was conducted in the shrine of Moses on Feb. 3 and 10, where female handbags, two cement sacks containing human bones were recovered.”

    The CP said that all the suspects confessed to the alleged crime and their individual roles.

    He said that investigation was ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects.

  • Ogun CP expresses worry over rising cult killings

    Ogun CP expresses worry over rising cult killings

    Mr Abiodun Alamutu, Commissioner of Police in Ogun, on Saturday expressed worry over the frequent cult clashes that had claimed lives in the state.

    Alamutu, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Fergus Manger, said this while addressing students during the matriculation of Harvarde College of Science, Business, and Management, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta.

    According to him, the youth who are said to be the next generation of leaders are rather killing themselves and ruining their destiny.

    Alamutu, who said that the situation really called for concerns, urged the students to focus on their studies and shun any form of temptation to join this evil group.

    “It is unfortunate the rate of cult killings in the state and those involved are the youth, those of you who are expected to be the next generation of leaders.

    ” You have to stay away from joining confraternities because it is not a group that you can join and want to leave, no, they won’t allow you, rather they will come after you because they know that you have their secret.

    “You are here to study and you must do your utmost best so that you can grow up and be the very best in the society, which is the reason why your parents sent you to this school,” he said.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Prof. Onyemachi Ogbulu, said that the institution is an affiliate of the university.

    Ogbulu, represented by Prof. John Ogbonna, Director, Institute for Continuing Education of the university, warned the students to either be ready to conform with the rules of the school or be shown the way out.

    “This matriculation marks your formal admission into university as bonafide students. You must therefore face your studies, stay away from every form of distraction.

    ”The university won’t waste time to show you the exit if you will not conform to the university’s standards,” he said.

    The President of the college, Dr Adebayo Oluwatosin, also urged the the matriculating students to brace up for the academic challenge ahead, saying the school would not condone any act of lawlessness and unseriousness.

  • Ogun Speaker stops suspension of Oluomo by lawmakers

    Ogun Speaker stops suspension of Oluomo by lawmakers

    The Speaker, Ogun Assembly, Mr Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), on Tuesday overturned the decision of other lawmakers to suspend the impeached Speaker of the state assembly, Olakunle Oluomo (APC-Ifo1).

    Elemide had during plenary in Abeokuta stepped down a motion moved by Babatunde Tella (APC-Abeokuta North) and co-sponsored by five other lawmakers to suspend Oluomo for 14 legislative days.

    Tella, the Deputy Chief Whip, had opened the debate on the motion, stating that the House noted with serious concern and dismay the unwholesome attitude of the former speaker.

    The lawmaker explained that the attitude was detrimental to the physical, mental and moral well-being of the House, saying that the attitude was putting the image of the House in bad light and disrepute.

    “Further note is the fact that by taking this House to the court of law, he had shown a clear manifestation of an unfriendly disposition and disregard to the laws and statutes guiding the operations of this House.

    “The former speaker has breached the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act of 2018, Section 21 on Pre-action notice.

    “A person who has cause of action against a legislative House shall give three months written notice to the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative House disclosing the cause of action and relief sought,’’ Tella said.

    According to him, however, consequent upon the fact that Oluomo has refused to follow due process before taking this House to the court of Law, he has contravened the laws guiding the operations of this House.

    “He is guilty as he cannot claim ignorance being a former speaker of the same House.

    “Consequently, having been deemed guilty of the above as there is no record of three months notice being sent to the Office of the Clerk; an action that contravened the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act 2018.

    “I, therefore, in consonance with Order 10 Rule 71 (4) move that Olakunle Oluomo be suspended from the activity of this Honorable House for 14 legislative days,” he said.

    Other lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion included the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye (PDP-Odogbolu), Adegoke Adeyanju (APC-Yewa North 1), Oluseun Adesanya (PDP-Ijebu North East) and Waliu Owode (PDP-Ijebu East).

    The lawmakers explained that the former speaker’s activities were in violation of the rules and regulations of the House.

    Ruling on the motion, Elemide pleaded with the lawmakers to consider the state and the efforts of Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration in conjunction with the legislature in turning around the state for better.

    He noted that such efforts could only yield the desired results for the advancement of the state, when there is peace and tranquility in all spheres of governance, hence the need to suspend action on the matter.

    The speaker explained that although Oluomo had violated the regulations of the House, the present leadership would be magnanimous in always upholding the sanity of the institution, being the symbol of democracy.

    The Assembly had on Jan. 30 ratified the impeachment of Oluomo as the speaker.

  • 4 killed, 11 arrested in Ogun cult clashes

    4 killed, 11 arrested in Ogun cult clashes

    The Police Command in Ogun, on Monday, confirmed the death of some suspected cultists in cult-related clashes in Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incidents to NAN in Abeokuta.

    Odutola said that members of Aye group and buccaneer confraternity were killed during the weekend in cult clashes involving the cult groups.

    She explained that one Seun Elewode, a member of the aye cult group, was killed during a shootout between rival cult groups in Adeun area of Lafenwa, Abeokuta.

    According to her, on Feb. 4, around 10.45 p.m. in Oshungboye crescent in Akinolugbade, a suspected cultist was shot dead, while another was shot in the chest.

    ”A suspected member of the buccaneer confraternity was killed at Akinolugbade area of the town.

    ”Another suspected cultist, one Seun Elewode, a notorious member of aye cult group who just returned from prison was also attacked and shot dead at Adeun, Lafenwa in Abeokuta.

    “He was shot dead during a shootout at their hideout in a cool spot during a birthday party,” she said.

    Odutola added that 11 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings.

    Meanwhile, NAN gathered that four persons were reportedly killed, while several others sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries the cult clashes.

    The suspected cultists were reportedly killed in different parts of Abeokuta over the weekend when members of rival cult groups engaged one another in clashes.

    Those who died were said to include members of aye, eiye and buccaneer confraternities.

    It was also gathered that the clash started on Thursday when a suspected leader of eiye confraternity was shot dead in front of his house in Ijeja area of Abeokuta.

  • Ogun Assembly passes motion on regulation of explosives used in mining

    Ogun Assembly passes motion on regulation of explosives used in mining

    Following the Jan.16 explosion that rocked Ibadan from illegal miners’ stored explosives, Ogun House of Assembly passed a resolution on Thursday calling on regulatory agencies to enforce safety precautions in the handling of explosives.

    This, the house noted, had become necessary, especially bearing in mind the indiscriminate use of dynamites by miners in quarries in Ogun.

    The passage of the resolution followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Yusuf Sheriff (APC-Ado Odo Ota1) and seconded by Bisi Oyedele (APC-Ipokia) during plenary session on Thursday.

    Opening debate on the motion, the Minority Leader, Hon. Lukman Adeleye (PDP- Odogbolu), submitted that the Ibadan explosion that claimed lives and properties in neighbouring Oyo State remained worrisome.

    Adeleye explained that it had become imperative to address the potential dangers posed by numerous mining sites in Ogun and controlled mostly by unregistered foreigners who often disregarded environmental safety laws.

    The lawmaker added that the state’s Ministry of Environment and that of Industry, Trade, and Investment, should be mandated to enforce and ensure strict compliance with safety regulations in the mining sector.

    He noted that such proactive approach was crucial to prevent disasters and protect the lives and property of residents and public infrastructure.

    Other lawmakers, who contributed to the debate, corroborated Adeleye’s submissions and cited examples of various environmental infractions posed by illegal miners.

    Acknowledging that the mining sector was under the Exclusive List of the Federal Government, the lawmakers insisted that the state needed to put necessary measures in place to monitor and safeguard its people.

    They urged Ogun residents to report any unsafe mining practice or storage of dynamites in their vicinity to relevant government agencies.

    The lawmakers noted that the motion was a proactive measure to further put relevant government agencies on their toes to ensure the protection of lives and ensure environmental safety.

    Before the vote was taken, the Speaker, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide (APC-Odeda), implored all agencies connected with upholding safety measures to shun anything that could compromise safety, peace and tranquillity in the state.

    At least five persons were killed, while 77 others were injured when the Ibadan explosion occurred at Bodija, a residential area.

    The impact of the explosion was said to have been felt as far away as 15km from the scene of the blast.

    The explosion affected some structures at the state government secretariat and many other structures in the adjoining areas.

    It also destroyed at least 10 cars and left about 30 houses at different stages of destruction in its track.

    Oyo State government is interrogating a suggestion that the blast arose from explosives stored in Bodija by illegal miners.

  • Why we impeached Oluomo – Ogun lawmaker

    Why we impeached Oluomo – Ogun lawmaker

    The lawmaker representing Obafemi Owode Constituency, Hon Oludaisi Elemide has revealed what led to the impeachment of the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Kunle Oluomo.

    Oluomo was impeached on Tuesday, with Hon Oludaisi Elemide appointed as the new Speaker in his place.

    According to the lawmaker, Oluomo lied that the governor, Dapo Abiodun, was not giving the House any money.

    Kayode said members found out that the Speaker was not informing them that the governor had been giving them money.

    “We never wanted him, but the leadership of the party thought he was a former Speaker, so we should allow him to continue as a Speaker. We all agreed as faithful party persons.

    “Now the situation is: Oluomo will go everywhere; he will come to us as members and tell us the governor has not approved for us any money, the governor has not given us any money, and that we should manage.

    “We keep managing. We later found out that the governor had been giving us money. He takes a memo to the governor, the governor gives him money, and he comes back to tell us he did not give him any money.

    “Let me give you a good example of this: the quarters allowance. When we came back, the governor gave us money for renovation. Oluomo took the remaining one and embezzled it.

    “Now, 18 of us came together and said we cannot be the same. How can we manage our future? He keeps inciting members against each other. This is so bad we cannot take it anymore.

    “We have now changed the leadership of the House. The House is now under the leadership of Hon Elemide and we remain the same. He (Oluomo) should go and clear his name with the EFCC, he said.”