LAGOS-SAGAMU EXPRESSWAY CLOSURE: OGUN CHARGES MOTORISTS ON COMPLIANCE

The Ogun State Government has charged motorists and general public to observe and adhere strictly to the diversion guidelines on Lagos-Sagamu Expressway as specified by the Federal Ministry of Works and Power.

The State Commissioner for Transportation, Engineer Gbenga Dairo gave this charge today while reacting to the announced 72 hours closure and a temporary diversion of traffic on the road from outbound and inward Lagos by the Federal Ministry of Works and Power. 

The closure exercises which is contained in a notification letter signed by the Lagos Federal Controller of Woks, Engineer J.O Popoola and communicated to the Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engineer Gbenga Dairo indicated that the temporary closure is connected to the installation of a flyover cross beam at Mountain Top University, commencing from Monday, 28th December, 2020 to Wednesday, 30th December, 2020 with effect from the hours of 5.00pm and 6.00am daily.

The notice revealed that the traffic management plan indicated that diversion of the carriage way starts from 200metres before CH 16 + 540 and terminates after CH 16 + 540 every day.

Engineer Dairo therefore enjoined motorists and general public to cooperate with construction workers and follow simple traffic rules and regulations, stressing that safety and security services like the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Authority (TRACE), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police would be deployed to ensure compliance and enforcement of traffic guidelines as specified. 

While urging all road users to be careful and observant of the temporary traffic arrangements especially at this yuletide period, Engineer Dairo regrets any  inconvenience that the rescheduled traffic arrangements may cause.

Ogun CSC Conducts Entrance Exam For State Counsels, Others

   No fewer than 200 candidates comprising of applicants seeking employment into the Ogun State Civil Service, have sat for the first phase of the year 2020 public service examination conducted by the Public Service Competitive Entrance Examination Board of the Civil Service Commission.

   Speaking during the exercise, at the Staff Development Center, Abeokuta, the Chairman  of the Commission, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi said that the exercise was basically for those seeking employment for the post of State Counsel and regularisation of the employees that came into the Service through  jobs portal, saying the process would be based on merit.

   Odebunmi stated that the Commission is putting necessary measures in place in sustaining the process by establishing an examination body, that would conduct entrance examination in the State. 

   He appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for his steadfastness in ensuring that the welfare of the civil servants is well catered for, despite the economic hardship, noting that more graduates would be employed whenever vacancies are available.

Responding on behalf of the applicants, Barr. Tolu Onabolu appreciated the State government for the opportunity given to them, saying that it is a platform for them to practice their profession and deliver whatever assignment given to them. 

Also speaking on behalf of candidates employed through jobs portal, Miss Joy Ogbodo and Olalekan Olayode expressed gratitude for the advantage to serve the State, promising to        contribute their best  for the development of the Service. 

NUJ partners ADRON HOMES, set to deliver Media Estate to Members

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Information Chapel has secured a working synergy with the management of ADRON Homes and Properties to deliver housing units to members of the Union.

The arrangement which was sealed on Wednesday, during a meeting held at the head office of the company in Lagos had in attendance the leadership of the Union and that of the company.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Information Chapel, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju said, "Our members are willing and longing to have homes of their own and we know that government cannot do it all alone hence the need to join forces with a company like yours in making the members landlords".

While thanking the homes and property company for buying into the vision, the Chairman assured that the repayment arrangement for the housing units is solid because members' salaries are constant from government adding that other sister Unions and associations have also shown interest to key into the vision.

Responding, the Group Managing Director of ADRON Homes and Properties, who doubles as the Life Patron of the Union, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King said, "any focused and vision driven organization cannot survive, expand and make tremendous progress without the collaboration of journalists".

The GMD who revealed that the importance of media cannot be overemphasized said, "Nigeria Union of Journalists is not new to us, the Union is an household name assuring that the relationship between the duo would be mutual and beneficial".

While regarding the synergy as germane and very important, Aare Emmanuel King added that, "we have been having this discussion in bits before now, but now, we are set to concretize the plan and we would do it".

#EndSARS: I lost my leg to amputation after being shot by Police - Ogun Petitioner

...sold my uncompleted building for hospital bills

A petitioner, Apostle Anthony Olaoluwa Kusimo who appeared before the Ogun Judicial Panel of Investigation set up to receive and investigate complaints of victims on Police Brutality, Human Rights Abuses and Extra Judicial Killings by security operatives within the State has narrated how he lost his right leg to amputation after being shot by Police Officer identified as officer Moshood.

Apostle Kusimo, a 62 year old man while narrating his ordeal to the Panel at Magistrate Court 1, Isabo, Abeokuta said, "on the 9th of February, 2012, two police officers accosted me around Iporo Ake area of Abeokuta in the afternoon and one of them shot me and they both ran away". 

According to the petitioner, "I was rushed to the General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta by neighbors. After I have received some treatment, I was asked to go for X-Ray the second day, to my surprise, I got arrested at the hospital's gate by some officers of the defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad from Magbon, Abeokuta and was put behind counter for 37 days, tortured with hot iron and asked to confess that I was an armed robber which I refused".

Apostle Kusimo revealed that due to neglect and lack of proper care for the leg, it started producing maggots and smelling pus which later degenerated to the level of amputation in April 2012 adding that it was at the stage, when the smell was unbearable again that he was freed to go back to hospital.

"At this point, we had no money again to purchase drugs and pay hospital bills. I had to sell my uncompleted building which was ready for roofing for just N500,000 to take care of the medical bills", Apostle Anthony said requesting for government's support in terms of compensation for the money spent on his treatment and to take care of his family.

Another petition brought before the Panel was that of Mr. Gbenga Kehinde who was arrested on 7th October, 2017 along with his three friends at Emuren, Ijebu Ode and were taking to Magbon in Abeokuta where they were accused of stealing fish worth 63million naira from a farm in Ijebu Ode.

According to the petitioner, he and his friends spent almost three months in police custody with several daily torture from Inspector Adam Abubakar for an offence they did not commit.

The cases had been adjourned to 28th January and 1st February, 2021 respectively for further hearing and to get the accused police officers for their responses.

NUJ Awards: We'll continue to celebrate Excellence - Gov. Abiodun

.... as Osipitan, Odemakin bag Most Outstanding Information Officer's Award

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured that his administration would continue to support, appreciate and celebrate hard work, talents and excellence as this would spur, encourage and motivate others and bring about healthy competition.

Governor Abiodun who made this known at the Dinner and Awards night of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Information Chapel said this was to appreciate the officers who have distinguished themselves in their contribution to the Ministry, Government and State at large.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu at the Dinner and Awards night held at the O.K Events Centre, Ibara Housing, Abeokuta as part of activities lined up for the 2020 Press Week, Governor Abiodun thumbs up information officers for their role in positively projecting the image of the government charging them not to relent.

At the event, Mr. Femi Osipitan, attached to Ministry of Information & Strategy and Alhaja Waliat Odemakin, the sub-editor, Ogun State Information Service were awarded as Outstanding Information Officers, Male and Female categories respectively for the year 2020.

 

Presenting the Awards, the Chief of Staff to the Governor personally gave each awardees N50,000 cash backings  charging them not to relent in the discharge of their duties to the State while imploring them to do more by propagating the agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun which he said is anchored on the five cardinal points code named I.S.E.Y.A.

Speaking on the Award categories and the modalities for picking the most outstanding officers, the Chairman of the Union, Comrade Akinwale Olanrewaju said, "we made available nomination forms for all our members to fill who they believe deserve the awards, and those with the highest votes were compiled, scrutinized and adjured as truly deserving the awards".

In an interview with one of the recipients, Mr. Femi Osipitan, revealed that receiving Awards is a call to more work, promising never to relent in whatever value or virtues that were seen in him that earned him the victory as Outstanding Information Officer of the year while appreciating other information officers for the honour and privilege to be so awarded.

Other award recipients are Mr. Tunde Odunewu (Outstanding Photojournalist), and Mrs. Modupe Salabiu (Most Selfless Officer) while group awards such as Outstanding Unit (Print) and Outstanding Unit (Electronics) goes to Ogun State Information Service (OGIS) and Giant Stride respectively.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina and his counterpart from Ministry of Special Duties, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo were awarded the Commissioner of the Year and Media Friendly Personality respectively while Chief Oluyinka Kufile, Balogun Abidemi Rufai and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abiodun Awere bagged Media Friendly, Philanthropic and Outstanding Performance Awards respectively.