RAAMP: OGUN GOVT. ISSUES STERN WARNING TO ERRING CONTRACTORS

The Ogun State Government has issued a stern warning to contractors handling various components of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), cautioning that any firm found lagging behind the agreed timelines or failing to meet required standards would face decisive sanctions.

Issuing the warning was the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor and Commissioner for finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, during a strategic meeting with contractors to review the progress of ongoing RAAMP projects across the State.

Okubadejo, stressed that the present administration would not tolerate delays or substandard execution of projects that were critical to the economic wellbeing of the people.

Describing RAAMP as a grassroots-focused intervention, the Commissioner noted that the project had directly impacted the heart of Nigeria’s economy by supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), farmers and rural communities, stating that the initiative represented tangible democracy dividends, as it was designed to reduce the cost of production and transportation for farmers, ultimately lowering food prices for citizens.

“When the cost of transporting farm produce from rural communities to markets is reduced, the overall cost of food items will naturally decline. This intervention is deliberate, from farm to market. We are intervening at the farm level, along the access roads and within the market system to ensure seamless movement of goods,” he stated.

Mr. Okubadejo emphasied that the State Government was determined to secure value for money, noting that RAAMP was a loan-funded project and must translate into measurable economic transformation. According to him, projects of this nature were essential to lifting citizens out of poverty by creating an enabling environment for enterprise and productivity.

He stressed that the government was focused on results, noting that contractors must strictly adhere to agreed standards and timelines or risk being blacklisted from participating in future projects, emphasising that the ultimate objective was economic development, job creation and sustainable growth.

Okubadejo added that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration would not pay lip service to development, citing ongoing infrastructure expansion across the State, including extensive road construction, rehabilitation and equipping of technical colleges and other strategic interventions aimed at empowering young people, stimulating economic growth, and extending development to rural hinterlands and farming communities.

Earlier, the Project Coordinator, Engr. Waheed Adejumo, explained that the meeting was convened to critically assess performance levels across project sites, noting that some contractors were progressing satisfactorily, while others required closer scrutiny to identify and address performance gaps.

He noted that RAAMP was primarily aimed at connecting rural communities to markets through improved access roads, thereby reducing post-harvest losses, increasing farmers’ incomes and improving living standards.“ With improved rural access, farmers can transport their produce more efficiently to processing centres and markets. This will significantly reduce post-harvest losses, boost earnings, and enhance the overall quality of life for rural dwellers,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the contractors, a representative of Ticktos Nig. Limited Engr. Shobola Moses and another from Motef Engineering Limited, Mr. Olaogun Monday, expressed appreciation to the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration for the trust reposed in them to execute the road projects, commending the Government’s commitment to infrastructure and rural development.

They assured the State Government of their resolve to strictly comply with approved standards and timelines, pledging to intensify efforts to ensure prompt and seamless delivery of all projects in line with contractual specifications.

ADDITIONAL PENSION BENEFITS: SUCCOR FOR RETIREES - PERM SEC

The Ogun State Government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, has brought succor to the lives of pensioners, who retired from the Civil Service from July 2nd 2025, when the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) became fully operational, by introducing Additional Pension Benefits to alleviate the fear of the retirees.

Permanent Secretary, Bureau of State Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo, disclosed this at A-day Public Enlightenment Programme, organised for the Pensioners on the Operation of the Contributory Pensions Scheme at Oba's Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The State Pensions Boss explained that Additional Pension Benefits (APD) was a pay-off payment that seeks to bridge the gap and cushion the effects identified between the Contributing Pension Scheme (CPS) and the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS).

 "It is a sustainable method designed to prevent pension crises and strengthen confidence in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), this benefit will be calculated using a graded percentage of a retirees Final Annual Emolument (TAE) based on years of service.

Also, retirees will receive between 116 percent and 280 percent of their final annual emoluments as an additional benefit, depending on the length of service and the payment will be made directly to retirees account at the point of exit,’’ she said.

Also speaking, a resource person, Professor of Aging and Retirement, Prof. Tope Omotayo, from Tai Solarin University of Education, enlightened participants that necessary documents must be properly kept for the process of the retirement benefits, advising them to live within their means and make use of the Additional Pension Benefits judiciously.

In his address, a former Permanent Secretary in the State, Mr. Adekunle Adegbite, appreciated the State Government for introducing the Additional Pension Benefits to the retirees to relieve the fear of retirement, saying Ogun State would be the first to do this in Nigeria.

Similarly, a representative of Pension Funds Administration (PFAs), Mr. Ismael Salau, said CPS was a secured programme, adding that there were two options for the retirees to get their monthly pensions, which includes; the Annuity and Programme withdrawal.

While explaining the options, he said Annuity refers to a situation where Insurance Company would be paying them monthly pensions while Programme Withdrawal is where the Pension Funds Administration would be paying them monthly pensions.

Contributing, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Engr. Olufisan Osiyale, said Ogun State was the first to introduce the APB, urging those that were present at the programme to enlighten those that were absent.

Some of the participants, Mr. Sorinmade Alani and Mr. Awoyemi Owolabi, appreciated the Government for the efforts being made to make life more meaningful for the senior citizens, promising to enlighten those that were not present at the programme.

 

Sururat Odusanya,

Information and Public Relations Officer, Bureau of State Pension

Relief for Retirees as Ogun Approves Additional Pension Benefit

The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the welfare of workers and retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) with the approval of an Additional Pension Benefit (APB) aimed at enhancing retirement security and closing existing gaps in the scheme.

The development was disclosed during a meeting chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, following strategic engagements between the State Government, labour unions, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs), and members of the Pension Fund Management Committees.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner emphasised that compliance with the CPS law is both mandatory and beneficial to employees and the State. He explained that the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and the CPS are fundamentally different, stressing that the administration of Dapo Abiodun remains committed to addressing identified gaps in order to safeguard workers’ interests.

He disclosed that the Governor had approved the introduction of the Additional Pension Benefit in line with existing laws. While gratuity was a feature of the DBS, he noted that the APB under the CPS is structured in a similar spirit but differs in computation. According to him, the benefit will be calculated using defined service-year brackets and applicable scale rates, which are generally more favourable to most retiring workers.

Mr. Okubadejo described the APB as the first of its kind in Nigeria, specifically designed to make the CPS more attractive and to ease fears surrounding retirement security. He said the initiative reflects Government’s proactive approach to pension administration and confidence-building among public servants.

He further explained that the APB would run for ten years as a compensatory measure for retirees whose accrued pension obligations were not promptly remitted by previous administrations, depriving them of potential investment returns. The benefit, he said, is intended to cushion the effects of those lapses and provide equitable financial relief.

On sustainability, the Commissioner noted that large lump-sum withdrawals often reduce monthly pension income. As a result, the Government plans to seek approval from the National Pension Commission to preserve pension contributions primarily for monthly payments, while the APB would serve as a one-off retirement benefit, effective from July 2025.

He urged relevant Ministries, PFAs and labour unions to strengthen service delivery, intensify public sensitisation and organise regular pre-retirement training programmes at least six months before workers leave service.

Earlier, Permanent Secretaries from the Bureau of State and Local Government Pensions, Mrs. Arinola Adetayo and Engr. Olufisan Osiyale, said the engagements were aimed at improving collaboration, resolving emerging challenges and ensuring smooth access to retirement benefits.

They described the CPS as a partnership among the employer, employee and PFAs, stressing that strong synergy remains essential for the success of the scheme.

Responding on behalf of labour unions, leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria — Mr. Ademola Benco and Mr. Akeem Lasisi — commended the Governor for what they described as a bold and worker-friendly reform.

They noted that concerns over the adequacy of monthly pensions under the CPS had persisted for years but expressed satisfaction that the APB effectively addresses those challenges.

Describing the initiative as innovative and unprecedented, the labour leaders pledged full support for the new retirement benefit structure, saying it reflects the administration’s strong commitment to workers’ welfare, dignity and long-term financial security in Ogun State.

OGUN STATISTICIAN GENERAL UNVEILS PLAN TO BOOST DATA-DRIVEN GOVERNANCE

The Statistician General of Ogun State, Mrs. Omolara Adebayo has revealed plans to focus on harnessing data to drive decision-making for the betterment of the people.

Mrs. Adebayo made this known during an interview session in Abeokuta, where she stated the imminent goal of the Agency was to make data collection effective in the State, saying the Bureau of Statistics would become a place where government, partners and citizens could confidently approach for research materials, data gathering for effective planning, thus, fostering the betterment of the people.

"I want us to move from what we have always known and get strengthened into the Integrated System of Administrative Statistics, ISAS, expand onboarding of other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs and ensure that the progress becomes permanent, ‘’ she said.

The SG added that reliable data collation was imperative for the State to effectively meet with the needs of the people, saying it would also serve as a guide for the Bureau to work with, disclosing further that the Bureau would introduce community engagement programmes that would include town hall data conversations, school outreaches and public-friendly dashboards (facts and figures).

Adebayo stated that the Bureau had equipped twenty one Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Areas (LGAs) with technological advancements in data collection through the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project, OGSTEP, adding that IT equipment and internet connectivity were deployed to enable seamless online submission of administrative data and make data collection a routine part of service delivery.

 

 

Funmilayo Abisola,

Information and Public Relations Officer, Bureau of Statistics.

DIGITAL ECONOMY: OGUN ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS ON POLICY FRAMEWORK

 Towards achieving a world-class Technology Transformation in Ogun State, stakeholders have been engaged to brainstorm on actionable policy framework that would strengthen Digital Economy.

The two-day workshop, which took place at the Ogun TechHub, was organised by the UK International Development, a Non-Governmental Organisation ; Tech4Dev, in conjunction with the Bureau of Information Technology (BIT).

Country Lead, Digital Access Program; UK International Development, Mr. Idongesit Udoh, said the scope of the workshop was to strengthen digital ecosystem, not limiting digital transformation to the cities alone but spread across remote areas of the State, breaking business barriers, unlocking Public-Private Partnership (PPP) opportunities, through various recommendations gathered from the participants towards achieving policy-driven digital economy.

 He said Ogun state had achieved milestone in digital transformation, but a lot of gaps needed to be bridged through public and private stakeholders that would enhance e-governance .

 "Two major reasons we are gathered here is to think global policy that will strengthen digital economy and ensure local implementation at all levels across the state,’’ he noted.

 Earlier, Special Adviser on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Dayo Abiodun, stated that it was expedient for Ogun State government to engage key players in public and private sectors to identify the gaps and business environment barriers, as well as presenting actionable recommendations to the government in order to ensure policy-driven digital economy in line with National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS).

 Dayo Abiodun, who was represented by the Director, Standard Regulations, Planning and Research, Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte, explained that bringing together public sector, which are majorly civil servants handling inflow and outflow of government transactions and the private sectors who were at the receiving end of its policies, was to brainstorm on how to improve on existing digital transformation, laws and best practices, as well as making recommendations that would enable government to formulate policy framework that would harmonise with the Federal Government action plan to taking digital economy in Nigeria to a world-class standard.

Also speaking, a Research and Policy Lead, Tech4Dev, Mr. Timothy Oliomogbe, stated that Tech4Dev is an NGO partnering Ogun State just like other states, to ensure that youths, women and People Living with Disability (PWDs) participate in digital transformation initiatives for self-reliance, Ease of Doing Business (EODB), in order to enhance local reality and international best practices.

 He emphasised that all the recommendations made at the end of the two-day workshop would be collated in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) and presented to Ogun State government without any alteration.

 

Olayinka Ezema,

Information and Public Relations Officer, (BIT)

Ogun Christian Pilgrims Charged On Conduct, Spiritual Focus in Israel

 

The Ogun state government has charged Christian pilgrims travelling to Israel from the State to remain spiritually focused, disciplined and law-abiding throughout the pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

 Governor Dapo Abiodun, gave the charge on Saturday, during a farewell service for the intending pilgrims at the Obas' Complex, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Abiodun, represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo stressed that pilgrimage to the Holy Land is not a leisure trip but a sacred period for spiritual renewal and deeper communion with God, urging the pilgrims to conduct themselves with integrity and decorum, as they represent the State and Nigeria at large.

The governor emphasised that unity, cooperation and strict adherence to laid-down rules were critical to the success of the pilgrimage.“Pilgrims must see themselves as ambassadors of the state and the country. Your conduct abroad reflects on all of us, and unity among pilgrims is key to achieving the spiritual purpose of this journey.

Also speaking, the Board Secretary, Mr. Ibiyemi Oduyemi , described the pilgrimage as a strictly spiritual exercise and cautioned pilgrims against distractions that could undermine its essence, advising pilgrims to dress modestly, eat moderately, remain with their assigned groups, obey the laws of the land and follow the instructions of tour guides throughout the journey.

He added that prayer should remain the central focus of the pilgrimage. and commended Governor Abiodun for his continued support for pilgrimage programme, describing the state government’s efforts as instrumental to a well-structured and seamless process.

A total of 172 pilgrims from the state, are expected to undertake the holy pilgrimage this year to Israel for 10 days