MAIDEN EDITION OF NIGERIAN DRUM FESTIVAL’S LOGO UNVEILED

          The Ogun State Government has unveiled the logo and launched the raffle draw of the maiden edition of Nigerian Drum festival which would hold between April 19 and 21, 2016 in Abeokuta.
          Unveiling the logo and launching of the raffle draw at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun stated that the event would foster the growth and unity of the country being the first of its kind in Nigeria and Africa at large.
          Governor Amosun, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga said the event would also promote cultural heritage and unity of the people as it would draw participants from the 36 States of the federation, apart from show-casing talents and skills on drum beating, drum dancing and performances.
          He stated that it would also enhance tourism opportunities in the State which in turn would create employment for the teeming youths.
          In his remarks, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Basorun Olumuyiwa Oladipo expressed optimism, that the Nigerian Drum Festival would turn around the face of Culture and Tourism not only in the State but in Nigeria and Africa, as it would promote cultural heritage of the country which other African Countries would take a cue from.
          ‘’Drum is a common factor that links tribes and ethnic groups with different cultures in Nigeria and the Nigeria Drums festival will be an avenue to showcase the different types of Drums’, Oladipo stated.
          He said the logo was unveiled to set the ball rolling and placed an official stamp on the planning and organisation of the festival, while the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism was perfecting plans towards the successful staging of the event.
          ‘’This is purely an initiative of the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism supported by the State Government and some stakeholders, but more stakeholders and sponsors are welcome on board, the more the merrier’’, Oladipo said.
          The Commissioner added that the raffle draw was launched to create awareness and promote the festival amongst the grassroots, saying that it would be an opportunity for buyers to win fascinating prizes to commemorate the Nigerian Drums Festival, 2016.
          ‘’This is part of the side attraction of the festival, there are other side attractions and they will be unveiled as time goes on’’, The Commissioner said.
          The event which had in attendance representatives of the Minister of Information and Culture Ms. Grace Gekpe, Secretary to the State Government Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Commissioner for Agriculture, Ronke Sokefun, her counterpart in Commerce and Industry Ministry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora and Head of Service, Elder Sola Adeyemi among others.

OPIC BEGINS DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN AGBARA ESTATE

          The Ogun State Property & Investment Corporation (OPIC), has embarked on a demolition exercise of all illegal structures on acquired land in OPIC Estate, Agbara.

          The Managing Director, OPIC, Mr Babajide Odusolu gave the order of demolition during an official tour to OPIC Estate, Agbara, where he inspected area 1,2 and 3 residential areas and the Agbara – Ijanikin Lagoon link.

          He lamented the illegal activities of private developers, block making industries and trailer park within the estate which had become a serious revenue leakage and economic sabotage to the State.

          ‘’Purchasing Government lands from land grabbers and speculators is economic sabotage. One of the cases investigated revealed that a victim who ought to have paid N400 million to the Government coffers choose to patronize the fraudsters, paying just 10 percent of what was payable to the Government’’, He said.

          He said that despite the efforts made via the mass media to warn and educate the public and the ‘’land grabbers’’ to desist from encroaching on Government lands, they remained adamant, stressing that victims of illegally acquired land and structures who might be found to have acquired the land unknowingly would be accommodated elsewhere while those found to have intentionally opted to defraud the Government would eventually be apprehended and handed over to the law enforcement agents.

           In a related development, occupants who were on virgin lands for one form of economic activity or the other have been advised to approach OPIC for registration to avoid confiscation of their properties, equipment and even prosecution.

          OPIC has warned that those who refused to register their economic activities while on the lands would equally be treated as economic saboteurs.

AMOSUN EULOGISES OYINKANSOLA COLE @ 60

          The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has felicitated with the General Manager of the Ogun State Printing Corporation, Mrs Oyinkansola Cole on her 60th birthday anniversary.
          The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga at the thanksgiving service organised to mark her birthday at the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos Mainland, Tafawa Balewa Cresent, Surulere, Lagos.
          Senator Amosun congratulated her as she attained the diamond age of 60, maintaining that her life has been ‘’full of God’s favour, divine grace, uncommon strength and perseverance’’.
          The Governor noted that Mrs Oyinkansola Cole had been a devoted Christian, who had contributed immensely to the growth of the Church and Christendom in general, saying that her contributions to her immediate community in Aiyepe, Odogbolu area and Ogun State at large remained unquantifiable.
          The Governor maintained that the celebrant since her appointment as the General Manager of the State Printing Corporation had turn-around the Corporation which had hitherto been moribund.
          Earlier in his sermon titled ‘’Power of Praise’’, the Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Diocese of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, Rt. Revd Isaac Ayobami Olawuyi charged Christians to  praise God in all situations and at all times, noting that ‘’giving praises to God open doors of opportunities’’.

OGUN SPEAKER UNDERSCORES ESSENCE OF TEAMWORK IN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS

       

 The Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraju Ishola Adekunbi, says a viable and vibrant legislature could only be achieved when there is a harmonious synergy between Lawmakers and the House of Assembly Service Commission which will in turn lead to improved productivity and quality service delivery.
          Adekunbi said this while playing host to the members of the Assembly Service Commission who paid courtesy call on the leadership of the House at the Assembly Complex, Oke- Mosan, Abeokuta.
          He assured the Commission of adequate support and cooperation in achieving the overall goal of the State legislature, stressing the need for the commission to redouble its effort especially in the area of capacity building and welfare of staff.
          The Speaker noted that the eighth legislature was committed to improving the quality of lives of the people through a better, viable but people -oriented legislation.
          Responding, the Chairman of the Commission, Barr. Adebayo Adesegun assured that members of the Board would give the necessary support to the honourable members to achieve more in terms of staff development, welfare and promotion amongst other.
          According to him, some outstanding issues relating to promotion and discipline had just been addressed.
         Meanwhile, Speaker Adekunbi has promised that Government will do all within its power to promote a crisis-free society through effective security network in all parts of the State.
          Adekunbi stated this while responding to the presentation of a member representing Yewa North II State Constituency, Hon. Rasaq Oduntan on the alleged invasion of farmlands in some communities within his constituency by Hausa/Fulani herdsmen leading to the destruction of farmlands and death of innocent people.
          The Speaker, who urged the people to continue to promote peaceful co-existence, promised that the State Government in collaboration with the State Command of the Nigeria Police would take proactive steps in addressing the menace of the herdsmen.
          He noted that all hands must be on deck to rid the State of crimes and criminality so as to consolidate on the success of the ongoing rebuilding mission of the State Government.
          Earlier in his presentation, Hon. Oduntan said that his constituents had been experiencing incessant invasions and destruction of their farmlands by herdsmen and in the process killing the farm owners.

ADHERE TO OGUN PHYSICAL PLANNING LAW, COMM. WARNS DEVELOPERS

Citizens of Ogun State have been urged to contribute their quota to the development of the State by supporting the Government in proper planning of the environment they would all be proud of.
The Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Bashorun Adebola Adeife made this plea while addressing newsmen after a sealing off exercise of illegal structures carried out at Ifo, Itori, Sango-Ota, Atan and Iyana Iyesi axis.
Bashorun Adeife said if all citizens obtain necessary documents before embarking on their projects and structures, there would be no need to seal off any premises, adding that the little levies paid into Government coffers would boost Internally Generated Revenue of Government which would be ’plough-back’ into the society through provision of infrastructure.
He therefore warned developers of illegal structures to desist from the act and conform with the State Physical Planning law.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Muftau Adetimilehin said there would not be need to seal-off structures if all developers obey the law which is meant particularly to avert haphazard development.

TRACE INTRODUCES COMMUNITY TRAFFIC-BASED SCHEME

Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has called on residents of the State to report any case of abandoned vehicles within their domain for immediate evacuation.
The TRACE Corps Commander/Chief Executive Officer disclosed this while fielding questions from newsmen in Abeokuta.
He said the Corps has introduced a Community Traffic Based Scheme which would involve residents’ participation at evacuating abandoned vehicles in the area.
He explained that the evacuation of abandoned vehicles would be a continuous process to ensure that there is no mobility crisis on the roads, citing some areas in Oke-Saje and Arinlese in Abeokuta and Sagamu axis which had been turned into parking lots and was recently cleared by the Corps Operatives.
‘’We are working in accordance with the Federal and State Traffic Laws that we can proceed to evacuate abandoned vehicles we come across within the major road’s in the State corridor’’, he explained.
He however implored motorists not to abandon their vehicles indiscriminately on the roads so as to aid free flow of traffic, advising traders to refrain from displaying their wares on the roadside in order not to obstruct traffic.

OGUN TO BENEFIT FROM GERMAN/OGUNCCIMA DUAL VOCATIONAL TRAINING

In order to meet up with the challenges of insufficient skilled labour and manpower for the growing industries across the State, the German and Ogun State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture is organizing a dual vocational training for teachers and students of Government Technical Colleges as well as apprentices from industries.

The Chairman, Ogun State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mrs. Doyin Ogunbiyi who made this known in Abeokuta while speaking with newsmen said the training is “dual” because the German Experts would be training the Government Colleges teachers and others from the Industries who will in turn train the students and other apprentices.

Ogunbiyi disclosed that the training which would cover Office Administration, Industrial Mechanics, Industrial Electronic and Technical Facility Management would last for one year with 3 months of theory and the remaining 9 months for practical sessions.

She added that internationally recognized certificate would be issued to apprentice who excel after the one year training saying it would have both OGUNCCIMA and GERMANCCIMA stamps on it.
She therefore called on all work force of Technical Colleges, Chambers and Associations, and staff of manufacturing companies in the State to take full advantage of the training for the industrial development of not only Ogun State but the nation at large.

On his part, the representative of OGUNCCIMA on the Board, Mr. Jare Oyesola revealed that the first phase of the training has registered 142 teachers, students and other apprentices, adding that the training programme would hold at the Government Technical Colleges located in Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode.