OGUN EMPOWERS INDIGENT FAMILIES OF MULTIPLE BIRTHS

The Ogun State Government through its Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has offered empowerment tools to some families of multiple births with triplets and twins selected across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

The tools include grinding machines, generating sets, hairdressing kits, printers and laptops, and many more.

          Speaking during the ceremony held at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Commissioner in the Ministry, Hon. Adijat Adeleye said attention was on the beneficiaries to improve their standard of living and enable them to take care of their children, especially in the present economic status of the country.

 The Commissioner charged them to make judicious use of the tools, and not to be sold, saying it would serve as a means of livelihood for the families.

 In her goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi pointed out that the empowerment programme was as a result of the present administration's commitment to the welfare of its citizenry, especially women and mothers.

 Appreciating the Governor and the Ministry on behalf of other beneficiaries, the family of Akiodu promised that the tools given to them would serve as a means of livelihood for the benefitting families, as they have been looking for ways to take care of their children.

UPLIFTMENT OF GATEWAY FOOTBALL CLUB TO PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE UNDERWAY

Plans are underway by the Ogun State Government to give necessary support to the Gateway United Football Club (GUFC), to gain promotion to the elite division of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL).

Just as the present administration is willing to renovate the dilapidated Muda Lawal Stadium in Asero, Abeokuta, to enable it regain its sporting facility status.

Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka revealed this while playing hosts to the members of the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, led by its Chairman, Mr. Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, saying it is high time GUFC gained promotion to the professional league.

Hon. Isiaka opined that the move would give the Club the much needed pedigree, thereby aiding its marketing potentials, assuring that the State government would ensure that the GUFC achieves success in all ramifications.

He charged SWAN members to collaborate with Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration to revamp the Sports sector in the State, saying it has a multiplying effect on almost all sphere of human endeavour, such as youth development, agriculture, economic development and many more.

The Commissioner said, "The Governor has charged us to look into how we can run an effective Sports Ministry. His body language is positive towards the development of sports, that was why he created the Sports Development Ministry, to show that he is very interested in sports".

Earlier in his address, Mr. Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji, pledged the support of the Association as partner in progress, calling for a Public-Private Partnership for GUFC, for better performance of the team, so as to gain promotion to NPFL, saying the government needs to work on developmental football in GUFC and other football academies to nurture young talents to global status.

While soliciting for the support of the State government on the renovation of the SWAN Secretariat, which he said would also serve as the Media Centre for the upcoming National Sports Festival, he pleaded with the Commissioner to resuscitate the Principals’ Cup, GATIG, Governor's Cup and other secondary school games, saying the competitions would help reduce cultism and other social vices in schools.

Ayobami Disu,

Press Officer, Ministry of Sports Development

ILADO COUNCILLOR-ELECT GETS CERTIFICATE OF RETURN

The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) has presented a Certificate of Return to Hon. Abosede Adeyemi, who emerged winner at the just concluded Councillorship bye-election in Ilado Ward 10, Odogbolu Local Government Area of the State.

This became imperative to fill the vacuum created by the demise of the former Councillor in the Ward, Hon. Olufemi Taiwo, in order to complete the term.

Presenting the Certificate at the Commission's Conference room in Abeokuta, the Chairman, OGSIEC, Mr. Babatunde Osibodu, congratulated the Councillor-elect for emerging victorious in the bye-election, admonishing her to see the new position as a call to serve and not for personal or selfish interest.

Osibodu charged Hon. Adeyemi to do projects that would outlive her, and also register her name in the minds of the people, in order to be elected to serve again.

The Chairman lauded one of the Commissioners in charge of the election in Ilado Ward 10, Mrs. Gbemi Onasanya, for an exceptional and sterling job, worthy of emulation, appreciating other Commissioners who assisted at ensuring a hitch-free process.

In her remark, Commissioner Onasanya congratulated Hon. Adeyemi, saying, "It is a good thing that women are beginning to have good representation in politics, who will represent them well, serve as the voice of the female at the grassroots level, uphold and protect their interest in the society".

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, OGSIEC, Mr. Oluwaseyi Sokoya, appreciated the Chairman for the confidence reposed in him, charging the Councillor-elect to serve with all diligence and sincerity of purpose.

In her acceptance speech, Hon. Adeyemi appreciated people of the area for their support, promising to be a good female representative to the people of Ilado, Ward 10 and promised to execute people-oriented projects, that would propel socio-economic development of the area.

Gov. Abiodun Appoints Former NUJ Chairman, Sam Oyeleye, 3 Others As Permanent Secretaries

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved the appointment of a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Ogun State Information Chapel, Mr Samuel Olugbenga Oyeleye as a Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Civil Service with three others.

The release from the office of the Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun revealed that the three others are; Mrs Roseline Oluwatoyin Jacobs (Director, Administration and Supplies, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Affairs); Mrs Kehinde Akinola (Director of Protocol, Bureau of Protocol and Ceremonies in the Governor’s office and Mr. Oladipo Foluke Ogunfowora (Director of Administration, Ogun State Television

Mr. Oyeleye, a level 17 officer was until his appointment, the Director of Information, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry of Information and Strategy.

The release further revealed that the appointment was based on merit, professionalism, inclusiveness, and seniority in the state’s public service in tandem with the provision of section 208 (c) of the 1999.

Mr. Fagbohun in the release disclosed that, the new appointees were carefully selected from the pool of Directors who were successful in the Ogun State Pipeline Leadership Development Programme conducted for Directors to be eligible for appointment into the position of permanent secretaries in the state public service.

The number one Civil Servant in the State urged the appointees to demonstrate more than ever before, dedication, diligence and selflessness on their new roles and relentlessly pursue excellence in service as they join hands with other stakeholders in actualising the Ogun State of collective dream via the ‘Building Our Future Together ‘ Agenda of the administration of Governor Abiodun.

VICTIMS OF ISHERI FLOOD GET RELIEF MATERIALS FROM FG

Victims of the recent flooding that occurred in Isheri Estate and its environs, in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have received relief materials comprising food items such as rice and groundnut oil from the Federal Government.

Flagging off the distribution of the items at Isheri, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, said the intervention was in line with President Bola Tinubu's 'Renewed Hope Agenda’, towards alleviating hardship and poverty among the people of the country.

Dr. Edu pointed out that the Federal Government would continue to complement and give maximum support to the State government in making life more comfortable for the people of the State, as well as restoring their means of livelihood which had been greatly affected by the flooding.

On her part, the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Funmilayo Efuwape appreciated the Federal Government for the gesture, affirming Prince Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of the people.   

She noted that the Federal Government's intervention had complemented various measures put in place by the State government to mitigate against flooding in the affected communities.

Efuwape applauded the prompt intervention of President Bola Tinubu's administration, noting that the efforts by the Federal Government would indeed encourage and renew the hopes of the victims.

Also speaking, the Director, State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Olawale Sonde, appreciated the Federal Government for its unwavering support to the State government towards the successful implementation of the intervention, assuring that the relief materials would get to the victims of the disaster.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Isheri Estates Community (ISECOM), Mr. Olugbenga Osobu, lauded the timely intervention of the Federal and State governments in addressing the plight of the victims, saying necessary solutions should be provided to address the perennial flooding in Isheri community.

GOV. ABIODUN LAUDS STAKEHOLDERS FOR PROVIDING SUPPORT

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State Chapter and the PR Primus Limited for their collaborative efforts at providing scholarship awards to the less privileged as government alone cannot make impact on the society.

Gov. Abiodun gave the commendation while presenting gifts to beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme at the 2023 'Your Image Awards' and Lecture as well as Magazine Launch, put together by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State Chapter in conjunction with the PR Primus Limited, held at the Park-Inn by Radisson, Kuto, Abeokuta.

Represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, the governor said the empowerment scheme was laudable as men of valour to assist the government to raise the less privileged, who will in turn raise other people in the future are needed at this point in time.

He appreciated the Public/Private Partnership (PPP) as advocated by him at work and called on all other stakeholders to join in driving and achieving the ISEYA mantra of his administration for the betterment of all.

According to him, Public Relations is a core managerial function that must be solely handled as such and charged the practitioners to have an ethical compass on how to run their affairs, as the respect that would be accorded to them depends on how they carry out their duties.

"I am in support of the educational initiative of the organisers. I appreciate you for what you're doing. I am happy that this is happening and I will continue to support such. I also appreciate you for making life more abundant for the beneficiaries and pray that God continue to rest the souls of the departed in whose honour the empowerment is being done", Gov. Abiodun prayed.

He described the Late former Head of Service, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu, in whose honour the award was given to students of his Alma Mater, the Egba Comprehensive High School, Asero, Abeokuta, as a thorough bred professional who proved his mettle as an astute administrator in the smooth transition of the last government to the present one.

Gov. Abiodun also called on those in active service to always put in their best in managing the image of the State, as the good portrayal to the outside world, especially investors is a corporate image of all.

On his part, the Olowu of Owu, who doubles as the Chairman of the day, HRM Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, said Public Relations is about building a good image in all things as exemplified by the choice of the awardees who have distinguished themselves in their chosen careers and the PR world.

He added that to coach, mentor and share people's feelings especially in pain and needs are PR functions and appreciated the organisers for the initiative of empowering the less privileged.

Earlier in a welcome address, the MD/CEO, PR Primus Limited, Mr. Akin Okudero, said part of the programme was to give back to the society through the empowerment scheme to immortalise two of their members, former Head of Service of Ogun State, Engr. Lanre Bisiriyu and a Mass Communication Scholar, Prof. Lai Osho, to honour them for their immense contributions to the professional body and the society at large.

While congratulating the beneficiaries, Mr. Okudero appreciated the partners for their support and solicited for more support in order to accommodate more people into the scheme.

Highlights of the event include presentation of plaques and certificates to some PR icons like the Towulade of Akinale, Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, Mr. Eddy Aina, Chief Segun Odegbami among others, while John Adesina and Habeebat Hamzat received scholarship awards in the secondary school category and Yusuff Edun as well as Nimotalai Ogunlaja from the Mass Communication Department of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Abeokuta, received that of the tertiary school awards in honour of Prof. Lai Osho.

Omolara Osindele & Tunde Olayiwola

Office of the HoS

FAMILIARIZE YOURSELVES WITH OGURPD LAWS, COMMISSIONER ADVISES PROFESSIONAL BODIES

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, TPl Olatunji Odunlami has advised professional bodies in the built industry to familiarize themselves with the Ogun State Urban and Regional Planning and Development (OGURPD) Law, 2022 for improved service delivery.

TPl Odunlami stated this while playing host to the Abeokuta Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in the Ministry’s Conference Room, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to him, the course of physical planning and urban development requires continuous exposure and deployment of new technologies and approaches, so that regulatory bodies can effectively respond to the demands of the sector.

“For us to respond adequately, we need to review where we are and see whether they are becoming relevant or defective to what we are witnessing in the sector. That is why we are inviting you to look at our laws, our regulations, and the way we do things if you see anything there, alert us. Our common interest is Ogun State, to ensure that our State continues to show that there are people who know what needs to be done in terms of physical development and are doing it,” the Commissioner stated.

In his remarks, the Chairman, NSE Abeokuta Branch, Engr. Ismail Adenuga thanked Governor Dapo Abiodun for the passage of the OGURPD Law 2022, saying the passage of the law was possible because there was a Commissioner who understood the importance of having legal backing to activities within the sector.

“This law will help us a lot in combating building collapse as there will be due monitoring of all the constructions going on in the State. Both NSE and Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) are ready to pool resources and work with your Ministry and its agencies to ensure that all your good plans for the State come to fruition”, Engr. Adenugba reiterated.