Residents Laud Free Medical Outreach in Iberekodo Community

Residents, market women, and community members of Iberekodo town in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State have commended a recent free medical outreach, describing it as a timely intervention that significantly boosted local healthcare access.

Organized by Nehemiah’s Vision, the programme offered comprehensive, cost-free health services. Beneficiaries received blood pressure checks, Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments, blood sugar tests, and professional doctor consultations, along with free prescribed medications.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mrs. Olapeju Ogunsola and Mrs. Funmilayo Soetan expressed deep gratitude to the organizers and appealed for similar outreaches to be regularly extended to neighboring communities.

In her welcome address, a Director at Nehemiah’s Vision, Nurse Iyabode Ilupeju, emphasized the crucial role of early detection in preventing sudden medical emergencies, urging residents to prioritize routine health checkups and strictly avoid self-medication to protect their long-term well-being.

Addressing local traders, Nurse Ilupeju encouraged the adoption of healthier habits, advising them to stay well-hydrated with water, eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and cut down on carbonated drinks.

The Iberekodo outreach is part of Nehemiah’s Vision’s ongoing monthly free medical screening initiative, which continues to reach various towns and communities across Ogun State.

ISEYA AGENDA REQUIRES COMPETENT WORKFORCE, EFFICIENT SERVICE - OGUN HOS

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka, has said that the ISEYA Agenda of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun required a competent workforce and efficient service that rested heavily on Statisticians and Statistical Officers, whose professional competence would determine the quality of information available to the government.

The HoS made the disclosure at the opening ceremony of a 2-day training programme, organised by the Bureau of Establishments and Training for Statisticians and Statistical Officers in the Ogun State Civil/Public Service, at the Ogun State Drugs and Health Commodities Management Agency hall, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, with the theme: ‘Strengthening Statistical Capacity For Effective Planning, Decision Making and Public Service Delivery’.

He noted that reliable statistical information was fundamental to governance, as it helped to identify public needs, set priorities, allocate resources judiciously, monitor programmes and evaluate outcomes, stressing that accurate and timely data were vital for informed decision-making and improved public service delivery, urging the participants to keep developing the requisite technical skills to collect, analyse, interpret and present data accurately, objectively and professionally.

The HoS stressed that achieving the objectives depended significantly on the competence, dedication and professionalism of the workforce, describing the training as an important step towards equipping officers for effective planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation.

 Saka, therefore, urged participants to uphold accuracy, integrity and objectivity, while they should also embrace modern statistical tools and digital technologies and ensure statistical findings were clearly presented to support informed decision-making across government policies, advising further on the need to apply the knowledge gained to improve data quality and evidence-based decision-making in their various MDAs and to collaborate with other cadres in order to advance institutional objectives and the vision of a more efficient and development-oriented service.

Earlier, Ogun State Statistician General, Mrs Omolara Adebayo, said that the Bureau of Statistics remained committed to strengthening the Integrated System of Administrative Statistics, ISAS across Ministries, Departments and Agencies, (MDAs) with support from the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, OGSTEP to ensure the systematic generation, management and timely availability of administrative data for planning, monitoring, evaluation as well as policy formulation.

Adebayo, enjoined officers to collectively strengthen a culture of data-driven governance, where decisions are informed by credible evidence and administrative data, saying the knowledge acquired would help improve statistical operations within their respective MDAs.

The training had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Civil Service Commission Mr. Jola Oyeneye and his counterpart from Service Matters, Mr. Oladipupo Ogunfowora.

 

Alero Funmilayo,

Information and Public Relations Officer, Bureau of Statistics

SG CHARGES MDAs/LGAs ON RELIABLE DATA FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

 Ogun State Statistician General, Mrs. Omolara Adebayo, has charged officers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs and Local Government Areas, on the need for reliable, timely and accurate administrative statistics for effective governance and sustainable development.

The charge was given in Abeokuta at a two-day training workshop for officers, themed: ‘Strengthening Data Integrity, Quality and Timeliness for Evidence-Based Planning and Development in Ogun State’, by the Ogun State Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the Ministry of Budget and planning and the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA), on the Integrated System of Administrative Statistics (ISAS), which focused on Capacity Building on Advanced ISIC Coding and Data Quality Management.

She described the Ogun State Integrated System of Administrative Statistics, ISAS as a strategic initiative for strengthening the coordination, standardisation and integration of administrative data generated across the State, noting that participants were drawn from MDAs and the 20 LGAs in the State in order to strengthen the collective capacity for the effective management and utilisation of administrative data.

Adebayo, said that the system provided an opportunity to improve the availability of reliable statistical information and reduce inconsistencies, duplication and fragmentation in data management, noting that administrative statistics from routine government activities remained a valuable source of information on public service delivery, economic activities, education, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and employment.

The SG, appealed to the Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics, DPRS officers and statistical focal persons in MDAs and LGAs to improve compliance with reporting schedules and give prompt attention to data requests, urging each institution to strengthen internal arrangements for data collection, validation and submission, while avoiding last-minute reporting in order to build a dependable system for timely quality data.

In her remarks, Director, Budget and Planning, Mrs. Funmilola Tade, said that the Integrated System of Administrative Statistics were designed to promote harmonisation, integration and standardisation of administrative data across institutions, with the aim of improving data quality, enhancing accessibility, minimising duplication and strengthening coordination for credible statistics.

She added that the workshop was timely, as it would deepen participants' understanding of the system, clarify institutional roles and promote practical approaches to processing, management, integration and dissemination of data, urging them to engage actively and share experiences for improved service delivery.

In his presentation titled, ‘Onboarding of MDAS/LGAs to Ogun State Integrated System of Administrative Statistics, OGS-ISAS’, Director, Censors and Survey, Bureau of Statistics, Mr. Kayode Oke, implored participants to ensure that MDAs and LGAs information and data management should not be personalised, rather they should be detailed and codified in the Ogun State Integration System of Administrative Statistics.

 

Funmilayo Alero,

Information and Public Relations Officer, Bureau of Statistics

GOV ABIODUN FLAGS OFF DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT, INPUTS, DEPLOYS 1,240 DIGITAL DEVICES TO FARMERS

  The Ogun State Government,under the leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme and other stakeholders, has reaffirmed its commitment to agricultural innovation, mechanisation and digital transformation as strategies for enhancing food security and boosting farmers’ productivity.

The commitment was demonstrated during the symbolic presentation of agricultural equipment and inputs, alongside the deployment of 1,240 digital devices to farmer organisations, as the state joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Food Day, themed “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow,” at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

Speaking at the event, Governor Dapo Abiodun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for placing food security at the centre of his Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the Federal Government’s emphasis on mechanisation, youth inclusion and agricultural modernisation was laying a solid foundation for increased food production and national prosperity.

The Governor stressed that achieving sustainable food security required a transition from traditional farming practices to climate-smart agriculture, supported by improved agricultural inputs, digital advisory services and access to affordable markets.

He maintained that innovation remained central to building a resilient food system capable of meeting the nutritional needs of the population and ensuring that no citizen went hungry.

Abiodun disclosed that his administration had completed 28 agricultural projects in the last two years across crop production, livestock, poultry and storage facilities, while providing direct support to more than 15,000 farmers, including thousands of women farmers.

He added that the state had also supported the cultivation of thousands of hectares of farmland and distributed fertilisers and agricultural equipment to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

As part of the interventions, a range of agricultural equipment was presented to support mechanised farming and improve efficiency across the rice and cassava value chains.

The equipment comprised eight threshers, eight farm tricycle trailers, eight tricycle-drawn cassava planters, 20 rice planters, eight reapers, 20 rechargeable chemical sprayers, 20 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, eight power trailers and 20 rice transplanters.

In addition, 10,400 cassava farmers were targeted for agricultural input support, with each beneficiary package comprising eight litres of herbicide, two litres of insecticide and 25 bundles of cassava cuttings.

Similarly, 2,810 rice farmers were to benefit from input distribution, with each package comprising 25 kilogrammes of rice seeds, two bags of NPK 15-15-15 fertiliser, one bag of urea, two litres of herbicide and one litre of insecticide.

The deployment of 1,240 digital devices to farmer organisations was another significant highlight of the intervention, reflecting the state government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve agricultural information management, extension services and farmers’ access to timely and relevant information.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said the administration of Governor Abiodun was advancing the state’s food security agenda through deliberate investments in youth empowerment, innovation and strategic partnerships.

Owotomo explained that interventions under the SAPZ Programme and other agricultural initiatives were designed to reduce production costs, strengthen farmers’ productive capacity and create employment opportunities across the agricultural value chain.

He emphasised that sustainable food security required the collective efforts of government, farmers, investors, researchers and development partners to establish a resilient agricultural system capable of nourishing the population while driving economic growth.

In his goodwill message, the National Programme Coordinator of the SAPZ Programme, Dr. Kabiru Yusuf, represented by the National Agricultural Expert, Dr. Louis Enaberue, observed that food security went beyond increasing agricultural production.

He explained that it also depended on sustained investment in farmers, access to quality agricultural inputs and equipment, improved technologies, digital agricultural services and reliable markets.

Yusuf further stated that, with the support of development partners, including the European Union and IFAD, the Federal Government would continue to strengthen agricultural value chains, enhance smallholder farmers’ productivity, promote agro-industrial development and create sustainable economic opportunities.

He commended the Ogun State Government for providing an enabling environment for the implementation of the programme and advancing initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

Delivering the World Food Day lecture, Professor Kolawole Adebayo of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, described the theme as both figurative and practical, stressing the urgent need for innovation to guarantee the sustainability of food systems and secure the future of food production.

He noted that Ogun State occupied a strategic position in Nigeria’s food security architecture, adding that the Ogun Farmers Information Management System and the SAPZ food bank were important initiatives supporting the state’s contribution to national food supply.

Professor Adebayo emphasised the importance of adopting innovative approaches that would strengthen agricultural information systems, improve food distribution and enhance the resilience of farming communities.

Stakeholders, including farmers’ associations and development partners, commended the state government for its agricultural policies and interventions. They also called for sustained investment in innovation, improved farming technologies and effective post-harvest management to address persistent challenges associated with food losses and climate change.

The celebration featured exhibitions of agricultural produce and innovative farming technologies, as well as the presentation of awards to outstanding farmers in the state.

The event underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation and technology in transforming agriculture, improving farmers’ livelihoods and building a sustainable food system for present and future generations.

WPRF 2026: Obasanjo Backs Hosting, Prays For Nigeria's Turnaround

Chief Bola Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Saturday, expressed support for Nigeria's hosting of the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) in Abuja, noting that the event would showcase the country's culture, creative potential and capacity to lead global conversations on responsible communication.

She made the remarks while hosting a delegation of the Ogun State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), led by its chairman, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, at her residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta.

The WPRF, which will take place from November 15 to 21, 2026 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, is being organised by the NIPR in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. 

The weeklong conference themed, "Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World," is expected to attract public relations professionals, policymakers, and business leaders from over 100 countries.

Addressing the NIPR delegation, Mrs. Obasanjo said the WPRF initiative is a laudable platform for enhancing Nigeria's global reputation.

She subsequently offered prayers for the organisers and participants of the forum, adding that the country would witness a positive turnaround through the global engagement.

She said, "As you gather in this season, may Almighty God send you admirers and destiny-helpers who will connect you to opportunities ordained by Jehovah. May He grant you the grace to exhibit more courage, skill, prudence and diligence, and strengthen you and all yours to remain strong and focused in all you do."

"You are doing this to encourage the youth, the less privileged, the downtrodden and the marginalised. When you serve humanity, you serve God, and Almighty God will not forsake you," she added.

Mrs. Obasanjo expressed optimism about the future of the country, noting that the global event would further spotlight Nigeria positively.

"Nigeria is a land flowing with milk and honey, and things will turn around for the better for us. May the fresh anointing of the Lord continue to keep you, uplift you, uphold you and strengthen you. May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength," she prayed.

Speaking on the significance of the visit, Mrs. Boye said the Ogun NIPR visited Obasanjo's wife to climax its roadshow tagged "Owanbe Season 2 on the Road for WPRF" and create awareness for both the global event and the chapter's signature end-of-year cultural event.

The chairman explained that the campaign was in furtherance of the chapter's sensitisation and mobilisation of relevant stakeholders in the state.

She said, "Our message today is simple but powerful: Ogun NIPR is taking its culture, hospitality, diversity and the spirit of celebration to the road as we mobilise support for WPRF 2026.

"The WPRF is the largest convergence of public relations and communication professionals from around the world. This is the first time Nigeria will be hosting it and over 3,000 delegates will be in attendance. We are going to show the whole world what Nigeria has to offer. It's going to be the boldest, biggest, brightest gathering ever in Nigeria.

"Let me not forget that the Customs, Immigration and Nigeria Police Force have made adequate provisions to ensure participants attending internally and externally have seamless passages."

On her part, the Chairman of the WPRF Committee, Mrs. Taiwo Akintomide, said she was hopeful that this year's edition would be a memorable legacy for Nigeria and the public relations profession.

"The WPRF offers Nigeria an opportunity to tell its story to the world, while also giving Nigerian practitioners an opportunity to listen, learn, connect and contribute to the global PR conversation," she said.

-END-

OGUN NIPR MOBILISES FOR WPRF WITH 'OWANBE ON THE ROAD' CAMPAIGN

The Ogun State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is set to take its campaign for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum (WPRF) to the streets of Abeokuta on Saturday, October 10, as it mobilises public relations professionals, government officials, corporate organisations and other stakeholders for Nigeria’s hosting of the global event.

The roadshow, tagged “Owanbe Season 2 on the Road for WPRF,” will commence at 8:00 a.m. from the Chapter Secretariat and proceed through major locations in the state capital, including Oke-Ilewo, Panseke, Omida, and other key commercial hubs in Abeokuta.

Speaking at the Chapter’s October Business Meeting, the Chairman, Mrs. Oluwaseun Boye, said the roadshow was part of efforts to ensure that Ogun State actively contributes to the success of Nigeria’s hosting of the international gathering.

“WPRF is not just another professional event; it is a global platform coming to Nigeria. Ogun NIPR wants our members and stakeholders to understand the vast opportunities it presents for professional development, high-level networking, knowledge exchange and enhancing Nigeria’s visibility on the global stage,” Boye said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Chapter’s WPRF Planning Committee, Mrs. Taiwo Akintomide, called on corporate organisations, government agencies, academic institutions, public relations practitioners and young communicators to participate in the roadshow and register for the forthcoming global forum.

She noted that broad stakeholder participation would help raise awareness of the opportunities presented by the WPRF and strengthen collective support for Nigeria’s role as host.

The awareness campaign is designed to generate public interest in the forthcoming World Public Relations Forum, scheduled for November 15 to 21, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, while also building momentum for the chapter’s signature cultural event, Owanbe Season 2.

Nigeria’s hosting of the WPRF is expected to bring together public relations professionals, academics, global communication experts and industry leaders from across the world to discuss the evolving role of strategic communication in addressing global challenges and strengthening public trust.

With the theme “Responsible Communication: The Voice of the World,” the forum will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, international networking and discussions on the role of ethical communication in an increasingly complex world.

To complement the professional focus of the Abuja forum, the chapter is also leveraging its cultural platform, Owanbe Season 2, to strengthen stakeholder engagement and celebrate Ogun State’s rich cultural heritage.

Scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, the event will be held under the theme “Ariya Galore: Celebrating the Spirit of Oneness.” It is expected to bring together professionals, business leaders, government representatives and other stakeholders for an evening that blends cultural celebration with networking and relationship-building.

By combining grassroots mobilisation, professional advocacy and cultural celebration, Ogun NIPR is seeking to deepen public engagement with the public relations profession while positioning the state as an active participant in the global communication community.

Ogun NIPR Media Team