Over 300 Ogun Youths get N50,000 each, Decoration Kits to start business

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has underscored the importance of skill acquisition which he identified as a major driver of the economy. The Governor disclosed this on Saturday in Abeokuta while addressing over 300 youths who had just undergone decoration training under the Uplift Foundation program of the wife of the Governor, Dr. Olufunso Amosun. Amosun while congratulating the entire team of both the trainers and the trainees for the skills they have acquired promised to support them beyond the skills. The Governor who presented a cheque of N50,000 each, certificates of participation and training kits for all the graduands promised to set up not less than 10 trainees who can distinguish themselves in decoration business with at least N500,000 each. In her remarks, the wife of the Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Olufunso Amosun who is also the President of the Uplift Foundation enjoined the graduands to put to use all that they have learnt so that they can be self sufficient.  In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Youths and Sport, Mr. Afolabi Afuape and his counterpart in Education, Science and Technology Ministry, Mrs. Modupe Mujota, encouraged the youths to take their destinies in their hands. The Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Leke Adewolu and the member representing Ipokia Federal constituency, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade lauded the empowerment initiative of the wife of the Governor assuring that the program would be sustained. While appreciating the wife of the Governor, some of the trainees, Morakinyo Rebecca, Omosaye kolawole, Adetoun Adegoroye, Adejumo Ibrahim, Joakim Babatunde and Okeowo Bolatito on behalf of others said what they have learnt has opened their eyes to business. They commended the initiator of the programme Dr Olufunso Amosun for impacting the knowledge on them saying "this is a challenge for them and a way of encouragement."

FG Plans Two Additional Satellites to Boost NIGCOMSAT

The Federal Government is to establish two extra satellites to support the Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT).
Minister for Communication, Dr. Adebayo Shittu, who disclosed this yesterday, at the 6th regular meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT), holding in Abeokuta, said this is towards boosting the Telecommunications industry.
According to him, the Federal Government is committed to using Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) as a means of economic diversification.
This, he added, will help in the nation's economic recovery and massive employment generation for the teeming youths.
Shittu revealed that the country's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has increased from $32 billion in 2015 to $40 billion in 2018.
The minister commended Governor Ibikunle Amosun for using ICT as a veritable tool for development in the state. 
Declaring open the meeting, the governor stated that the state is committed to sustaining an ICT driven environment, adding that it will always play significant role in his administration. 
He said his government would continue to work to channel the energy of youths into technology, calling on participants to delebrate on initiatives that will make ICT serve as weapon of mass development rather than weapon of mass destruction.
The governor urged the council to come up with a control mechanism to checkmate and curb illegal usage of social media platforms.
This, he said, willl help the nation, especially now that the it is approaching the electioneering year.
In his goodwill message, Post Master General of the Federation, Barr. Bisi Adegbuyi, stressed the need for leveraging on technology and embracing its importance to solve human challenges.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Bunmi Adebayo, in his welcome address, commended the participants for their contributions, since the beginning of the conference.

KARA MARKET TO BE RELOCATED SOON – OGSG

            Relevant stakeholders have met to fine tune the arrangement for relocation of the old Oluwanisola Kara Market, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to the new location at Ogere, in Ikenne Local Government area of Ogun State.           Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa made this known while addressing pressmen after a meeting with the Kara market relocation Committee and other stakeholders, held at the Governor's office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.           Adeoluwa said the meeting was as a result of efforts and engagements of government with the market stakeholders, which spans about three and half years, disclosing that an agreement has been reached for the immediate relocation of the market to Ogere.           Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, said the relocation of the market will be a big game changer, as all farmers involved in food trade and government will benefit greatly from the market.           She explained that the market, built with state of the art facilities and occupied about 350 hectares of land, was the most developed modern market in Nigeria.           Some of the leaders of the market, the Seriki Kara, Oba Gbolagade Muritala Babalola and Alhaji Hamzart Seidu appreciated the State Government for building such an Ultra Modern market, which they confirmed was far bigger than the old space at Isheri.            While pledging to mobilise and ensure other traders at Isheri prepare for the movement to Ogere, the leaders noted that the place will be easier to operate, with the provision of basic amenities, especially, the availability of security and banks

Education takes lion's share as Amount presents N402 billion for 2019 Budget

The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has on Wednesday presented a sum of  N402.63 billion to the honorable members of the State House of Assembly at the hallowed chamber for the year 2019 appropriation bill which represents an increase of 17% compared to the 2018 budget.
The budget which was christened "budget of enduring legacies" has a sum of N254.055 billion allocated for capital expenditures representing 63.1% while the remaining N148.578 billion representing 36.9% is for recurrent expenditure.
Speaking during the presentation, Governor Amosun said the great emphasis laid on capital projects is due to the fact that his administration is still very much hungry for development with an assurance of working till the very last day in office to better the lives of the citizenry. 
The man steering the affairs of the state noted that the budget is to be allocated to the five cardinal programmes which are; Affordable Qualitative Education to take N88.579 billion (22%), Efficient Healthcare Delivery to take N22.547 billion (5.60%), Agricultural Production that will lead to massive Industrialisation to gulp N20.131 billion (5%).
Others include; Affordable Housing and Urban Renewal taking N53.147 billion (13.2%), Rural and Infrastructural Development and Employment Generation to take N82.539 billion (20.5%) with other sectors budgeted to gulp the remaining N135.687 (33.7%).
Speaking on the government's plan at financing the budget, the Governor said N161.24 billion will be from Internally Generated Revenue, N42 billion from the Federal allocation purse, N101.388 billion from capital receipt and N80 billion from other receipt.
While reviewing the 2018 budget performance, the Governor disclosed that his government has attracted almost 700 companies, developed the state in the areas of security, infrastructure, and ease of doing business amongst others.
According to the Governor, his administration has began to intensify efforts towards the completion of all ongoing projects in the state despite the six months remaining for the expiration of his government highlighting some of the projects to include the new Ogere International market, 250 bedded Modern Hospital, Digital Ogun State Television Studio, Ultramodern Judicial Complex, Central Business District known as City Centre, amongst other flyovers and road constructions spread across the state. 
In his words, "we'll construct 150km rural roads, we'll strengthen the support already given to the security agencies, we'll provide mini power grid for communities that have shown interest, we'll continue to extend necessary support to our local government areas for their successes, and we'll be showcasing all our cultural and human giants in the state ".
Earlier in his welcome address, the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Ishola Adekunmbi said the Assembly has been able to conduct it's legislative business till date without rancour or disharmony amongst members despite the heterogeneous nature of political party representation adding that the assembly in the outgoing year has been able to pass 21 bills.
The Speaker while thanking the Governor for his unprecedented moral and financial support to the legislature used the avenue to appeal to the Governor to consider the implementation of the autonomy Act for the legislative and judiciary arms of government to further strengthen democracy assuring that the House will work on the quick passage of the appropriation bill. 
In attendance at the presentation include the Secretary to the state government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Minister for Communication, Alhaji Shittu Adebayo, the Accountancy Doyen, Pa. Akintola Williams, member representing Ipokia Federal constituency, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, retired Heads of Service, elder statesmen, royal fathers and Commissioners.
Others include formal Military administrators of the state; captain Raji Rasaki, Rtd. Major Gen. Seidu Balogun, Rtd. Commodore Kayode Olofinmoyin, Rtd. Rear Admiral Oladele Joseph, Rtd. Colonel Daniel Akintonde, and Oladayo Popoola.

Past Administrators in Ogun thumbs up Amosun's visionary leadership

Former military administrators in Ogun State have lauded the present Governor,  Senator Ibikunle Amosun for his visionary leadership and sincerity of purpose in governance.
The state leaders who were at a special reception organised for them shortly after the presentation of the 2019 appropriation bill at the government house Oke-Igbein, Abeokuta on Wednesday gave thumbs up to the Governor and his team for the great development.
In their remarks, Retired Major General Seidu Balogun, Commodore Kayode Olofimoyin and Colonel Rasheed Raji noted with high tendency that all projects will be completed looking at the 2019 budget, committment, hardwork and determination shown in the Governor's performance.
They also emphasised the power of the masses at demanding continuity of projects from any new government saying the people have the right to call the leaders to order if he or she decides to abandon any project. 
Also in their contributions, Navy Captain Raji Rasaki, Group Captain Oladayo Popoola and Retired Colonel Daniel Akintonde expressed dismay with the way his government is getting the work done inspite of paucity of funds adding that the result of the project is an evidence of the Governor's doggedness.
They were of the hope that the government that will succeed this present administration will build on the achievements of the Governor.
In his response, the Governor commended those who have served as administrators in the state saying they have been an inspiration and support that has aided his government's performance.
He thanked them for their kind words, admonitions and advice saying the development witnessed in the state was because of the foundation laid by the founding fathers.
The Governor had earlier taken the former administrators, Royal fathers and other special guests on projects inspection tour shortly after the budget presentation.

Presidential Reconciliation Committee meets Aggrieved APC candidates in Ogun

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a reconciliation committee to Ogun State to meet with the 26 aggrieved All Progressive Congress (APC) State Assembly candidates to settle the crisis that emanated from the party primaries in the state. 
The Presidential Reconciliation Committee led by Hon. Princess Sandra while addressing the aggrieved candidates said we are here for peace assuring that whatever happens, all parties would be reconciled. 
Addressing the press after a closed door meeting which lasted for an hour, Engr. Adewale Adenaike who spoke on behalf of the committee said "we've taking the grieviances of all and we have agreed for consideration and resolution."
Engr. Adenaike added that the APC remains as one big family  irrespective of the differences and discords assuring that they have agreed to work together as a party.
He further assured that all the differences would be settled before December 1st, 2018 assuring that all grieviances would be settled. 
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of APC Ogun Central Senatorial district, Engr. Yomi Ademefun who represented the state Party Chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi presented the position of the state APC to the committee members where the party demands that the mandates of Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade and other aggrieved candidates for the State House of Assembly be restored. 
The Committee members consists Hon. Princess Sandra Oladele as the Chairman, Miss Kobla Oluwabukonla as Secretary and Engr. Adewale Adenaike as the state coordinator.