Senator Salisu launches Media Award for Ogun Journalists

ABEOKUTA -- The senator representing Ogun Central senatorial district, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu has given his approval to the setting up and funding of an annual award ceremony for outstanding journalists in Ogun State to be known as the SAS Media award. 

Salisu, who paid an unscheduled visit to the members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), at its secretariat in Iwe Irohin, Abeokuta also promised to immediately sponsor the installation of solar powered inverter to light up the Union's office.

"On the SAS media award for outstanding journalists during press week, I hereby support the motion. 

"Also, whether this place is outdated or not, this place needs to have maximum power. I am here as a Senator of journalists because this Iwe-irohin is the cradle of journalism. I also approve the installation of solar power, "he said

The senator, while briefing the newsmen on his 9 months sojourn at the 10th National Assembly noted that it is important for Nigerians to be patient with the current administration of Bola Tinubu, saying that the current challenges are dated.

He emphasized that the media must stand in the gap and to enlighten the public on government policies, which, according to him, will yield positive results soon. 

 "I acknowledge the challenges faced by Nigerians, I appeal for your commitment to continue enlightening our people. 

"It is crucial to strike a balance in legislative duty, especially during challenging times when we distributed aid to bring solace.

"These times demand a government with clarity, even in the face of inevitable pains, as they pave the way for future relief.

"Despite challenges in the oil sector, the government, under Bola Tinubu's leadership, is resolute in its clear direction. A collective show of support for the administration is imperative, and the positive impact of federal savings is now cascading down to states and local governments, "he added

Earlier in his speech, the NUJ Chairman, Comrd. Wale Olarenwaju appreciated the presence of the senator while seeking support for the welfare of journalists in the state.

YOUTHS TASKED TO LEVERAGE ON CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENTS

Youths have been tasked to leverage on technological innovations, constructive and meaningful engagements for nation building rather than resorting to violence.

 Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, gave the charge during a courtesy visit of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying the student body needed to be proactive in shaping the path of honest and effective leadership.  

          Mr. Okubadejo described the youths as crucial to shaping the future of the country, as they play integral role in national development, assuring the delegation of government's commitment to continue to provide social infrastructure, adding that efforts would be sustained to ensure citizens feel the effects of the state's development drive.

"Recognizing the higher stake the youths have is the success of our country. You need to use your voice responsibly with the potential impact of constructive engagement", he said.

Speaking earlier, the NANS Senate President, Segun Ekundina, lauded the state government for its educational initiatives and incentives towards the student body, citing the robust consideration given to them during the recent approval of a N5bn palliative.

He said the student body was proud to associate with the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun, noting that the governor was student-friendly in prioritising students’ welfare.

DS ADEGBENRO POLYTECHNIC MASS COMM STUDIOS BEST IN SOUTH WEST - NBTE

The Mass Communication Studios of the D. S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori-Ewekoro, Ogun State, have been described as the best in the South West and among the most sophisticated in the country. 

The representative of the Mass Communication Division of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Mallam Garba Dansabe stated this during the  exit briefing of the Board's accreditation visit to the Polytechnic, congratulating the Institution for her huge investment in the studios.

Dansabe said, "I personally have never seen such state- of-the arts studio equipment in any other Institution at resource inspection stage. I am very, very impressed". He noted that the studios will go a long way in assisting the students to appreciate graphic displays in their various specializations of journalism. 

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Institution's Governing Council, Ambassador Toye Okanlawon, attributed the success of the visit to the enduring power of the Almighty God, as well as inspiration and encouragement by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

 Okanlawon added that the Mass Communication Complex would be named after the late father of the State governor, Pa Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun, alias Baba Teacher. 

He revealed that putting the facility in place in less than a month was a huge task that made him become apprehensive, stating that “when the NBTE gave the Institution barely three weeks to prepare for the accreditation exercise, it appeared like an immovable mountain”.

"please permit me to register my profound appreciation to our amiable and amazing Governor, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun con, for his persistent exhortation and encouragement. Throughout the process of building and equipping the studios, he never let us down. 

“I also like to thank the Polytechnic Council members for their wisdom and understanding, as none of these would have been possible without their commitment and unflinching support. Most important, we appreciate the Almighty God for coming through for us", the Chairman stated.

In his remark, the NBTE Director of Academic Programmes, Architect Ngbede Ogoh, emphasized the importance of practicals in the Polytechnic curriculum, noting that “the Polytechnic’s huge investment in the Mass Communication studios as well as other laboratories in the Institution are worthwhile because practicals are actually the distinguishing features of Polytechnic education”.

Also speaking, a member of the Governing Council, Chief Mufutau Ajibola urged the NBTE to continue to work hand in hand with the Polytechnic, having in mind that "our common goal is to graduate students that will contribute positively to the Nation's human capital development”. Chief Ajibola also advised students and youths to shun bribery and other social vices capable of tarnishing their good names". 

The Rector of the Institution, Dr. Goke Rauf assured the NBTE that D. S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic was committed to a flawless implementation of the Board's policies in order to ensure quality service delivery for all stakeholders.

Thieves Cart Away Ogun Journalist's Car

... surveillance in high gear

A cream-coloured Toyota Camry (Pencil) belonging to an Ogun Journalist, Femi Onasanya, has been reported stolen. 

The Camry with the registration number FF 961 KRD,

Engine number: 5S08742 and 

Chasis No: JT2BG22K1XD339724 was stolen from the front of the journalist's residence overnight on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Speaking on the ugly development, Onasanya, a staff of the Ogun State Ministry of Information and Strategy, said that he parked the car outside his compound due to the ongoing construction of drainage system.

He added that he washed the car around 10pm on Wednesday in preparation for the following day. 

The journalist noted that the matter has been reported at the nearest police station and pleaded with the members of the public with any relevant information to reach him on 08084818609.

The perpetrators of this evil act are advised to have a rethink of their action and return the car as surveillance is already in high gear and anyone caught with the vehicle would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Thieves Cart Away Ogun Journalist's Car

A cream-coloured Toyota Camry (Pencil) belonging to an Ogun Journalist, Femi Onasanya, has been reported stolen. 

The Camry with the registration number FF 961 KRD,

Engine number: 5S08742 and 

Chasis No: JT2BG22K1XD339724 was stolen from the front of the journalist's residence overnight on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Speaking on the ugly development, Onasanya said that he parked the car outside his compound due to the ongoing construction of drainage system.

He added that he washed the car around 10pm on Wednesday in preparation for the following day. 

The journalist noted that the matter has been reported at the nearest police station and pleaded with the members of the public with any relevant information to reach him on 08084818609.

OGUN CIVIL SERVICE HOLDS SYMPOSIUM ON RULES, REGULATIONS

Implementing code of ethics and conducts in Civil Service is crucial to providing guidelines for both workers and elected officials, while its effectiveness lies on complementing such with training and leadership abilities of different categories of officers for effective service delivery.

The Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Engr. Tokunbo Odebunmi, stated this during a symposium organised by the Commission for its management staff with the theme, ‘’Strict Adherence to the Rules and Regulations in Treating Issues in Civil Service’’, at the Conference Hall, Obas’ Complex, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Engr. Odebunmi, who explained that drifting from the concept and principles of the public service by civil servants as compared with the past, just as the real foundations in Civil Service are Grade Levels 12 and 13 officers, who would cascade the training, necessitated the choice of topic and participants for the symposium, stressing that it was imperative to ensure that the workforce is improved upon, in order to enhance workers’ performance.

‘’The Commission agreed on a symposium where interactive sessions would take place and lead to a better understanding of the subject matter compared to regular in-house training by it in the past where lectures were only delivered to participants’’, he said.

  While highlighting some ethical violations that could occur in the Civil Service of Ogun State to include, nepotism, corruption, conflict of interests and misuse of official resources, the Chairman urged participants to make the best out of the event.

Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour, who doubled as the moderator of the symposium, Princess Iyabo Odulate, noted the rules and regulations guiding the Civil Service were written to be studied, observed and implemented by the Civil Servants, advising participants to be diligent and upright in the course of discharging their duties.

In his remark, the Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun (HoS), represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Mr. Jola Oyeneye, emphasised the need for training of Civil Servants, disclosing that the HoS had secured several approvals that would facilitate capacity building for the workforce.

The interactive sessions had Permanent Secretaries from Bureau of State Pensions, Mr. Soji Adewuyi; Permanent Secretary and Accountant-General, Mr. Tunde Aregbesola and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mr. Olumuyiwa Ogunsanwo, who spoke on Public Service Rules (PSR), Financial Regulations Procedures and Process in the Civil Service and Law, Discipline and Consequences in the Course of Discharging Duties, respectively.

Other dignitaries at the event were former Head of Service, Elder Olusola Adeyemi; Commissioners in the Commission, Hons. Adebowale Ojuri, Nike Osoba, Gabriel Falola and Yusuf Adegbemiro; Permanent Secretary in the Commission, Mrs. Roseline Jacobs, among others.

 

Funmi Onafowope,

Press Officer, CSC

Ogun Perm. Sec. Commiserates With NUJ Information Chapel Over Member's Demise

...Urges Resilience In Face of Grief

The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Environment, who was also a former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Information Chapel, Comrade Samuel Oyeleye had reached out to the leadership of the Chapel to commiserate with it over the demise of Comrade Olawunmi Fadairo who until her death, was a member of the union.

Comrade Oyeleye who visited the Chapel's Secretariat at Ministry of Information and Strategy, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta on Tuesday to sympathize with the Union over the loss said, "In this trying time, I send my condolences and I share in the grief of the union as life sometimes can be so unpredictable taking away the most valued treasure to ever walk the face of the earth, a human".

The Permanent Secretary admonished the Chapel's leadership and by extension the entire members that this incidence and period should not be allowed to weigh us down but serve as a stepping stone towards further understanding life and staying prepared for the best.

"As we sing 'it is well', may our lives forever remain gloriously colored with every shade of wellness", the erstwhile Chairman prayed.

Gift Samuel,

Secretariat Assistant.

NITT ZARIA UNDERSTUDIES TRACE OPERATIONS

Commander and Chief Executive, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Commander Olaseni Ogunyemi, has disclosed that the agency was opened to sharing knowledge and vital ideas with related professional bodies to improve the transportation industry in the state and the country at large.

Commander Ogunyemi made this known in his office at TRACE headquarters, Ibara, Abeokuta, while receiving the 2023/2024 batch of students of Nigeria Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), who came to the state for their field survey exercise, saying the Agency, among other dynamic measures, was committed to instilling road safety in students by taking advocacy campaign to secondary schools across the state.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, a Deputy Director in the Institute, Mr. Abdulhhakeem Badiru, disclosed that the purpose of their visit was to acquire knowledge, as well as expose students to the dynamic trends of traffic management, describing TRACE as a force to be reckoned with in traffic management and control in Nigeria.

He added that the institution planned to expose its students to the practical and theoretical aspects of transport and logistics industry, in order to keep them abreast of new developments in the industry, noting that the Agency was the most preferred destination for the exposure needed for the success of their programme.

Also speaking, a member of the team, Mr. Muhammed Issa, appreciated TRACE for the willingness to train them, promising to practice all they have garnered.

OGUN HoS REWARDS TWO WORKERS FOR DEDICATION

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, has appreciated two top Civil Servants, Mrs. Kikelomo Ajayi and Mr. Akinbobola Aduloju, from the Bureau of Local Government Pensions, with commendation letters for displaying passion, dedication, commitment and loyalty in the discharge of their statutory duties.

The Head of Service made this known in the presence of a retired Head of Service from the Oyo State Civil Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu and some Permanent Secretaries, while presenting letters of commendation personally signed by him to the duo in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to the Head of Service, the duo of the Director, Finance and Supplies and the Chief Administrative Officer, have been under his observation and assessment for a while and they had excelled in the tasks and undertakings set before them, thus, the open commendation to use them as examples of excellence and commitment in the Civil Service.

Mr. Fagbohun charged them to continue doing what is right and acceptable and not relent in pursuing excellence as people are watching them, and added that the commendation letter was a symbolic way of compensating them for diligence.

"Continue to be yourself. Don't fret when an allegation has been levelled against you, knowing full well that you're not guilty. Keep doing what you know how to do and don't relent in doing good", the HoS charged.

Adding his voice, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu thanked the HoS for presenting the document evidence of good performance to the duo, and appreciated the entire workforce of Ogun State, as it is a good step in the right direction, at a time when moral standard has degenerated so much in the country that Civil Servants are not exempted from the rot, but they kept their heads high within the available resources.

Responding on behalf of the duo, the Director, Finance and Supplies, Mrs. Ajayi, who was taken aback by the pleasant surprise said the kind gesture of the Head of Service would not be taken for granted and pledged more commitment and dedication to duty.

Omolara Osindele & Tunde Olayiwola

Office of the Head of Service