BOBAGUNWA EGBALAND CONGRATULATES GOV. ABIODUN AT 64, DESCRIBES HIM A RECORD BREAKER

The Chairman, Governing Council, DS Adegbenro ICT Polythenic, Itori, Ewekoro and Bobagunwa of Egbaland, Ambassador, Toye Okanlawon has felicitated the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun on his 64th birthday celebration which coincided with first year anniversary of his second term in office.

Ambassador Okanlawon in his congratulatory message described Governor Abiodun as a record breaker in economic transformation and the ‘Building our Future Together’ agenda, commending his unprecedented achievements in various developmental projects and commitments to the education sector.

‘’ Your Excellency, on behalf of the Council members, management, staff and students of DS Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, I am extending our warmest congratulations on your 64th birthday and the one-year anniversary of your second term in office. Your leadership and dedication to service and commitment to making life more comfortable for the people of our State are truly inspiring and we are grateful for all that you do for our institution.

‘’Your vision, under the ISEYA mantra has made positive impact on our State and we are confident that you will continue to lead with integrity and compassion. 

“We pray God Almighty will increase your wisdom, imbue you with good health and long life. Congratulations, sir’’.

Children's Day Celebration: Zooka Kids Organizes 2024 Edition of Talent Show For Children

... discovers Models, Performing and Creative Artists

Zooka Kids, a clubhouse which focuses on creative play and edutainment for kids ages 0-16 in Abeokuta has organized the 2024 edition of Talent Show as part of activities to celebrate the kids during the year's Children Day to showcase the gifts and talents that are inherent in them.

The Creative Director of Zooka Kids Club House, Mrs. Olamiji Shodunke while speaking with journalists on the reason for the yearly celebration revealed that "we are doing this because we have observed that there is nothing much here in Abeokuta that we do for our children. Our kids go to school and they study all the time and there is nothing that speak to their development in the social in a gifted manner".

Mrs. Shodunke added that the organization is committed to celebrating the gifts and talents of the children because according to her, "every child has greatness inside of them and if we don't help them to bring it out there is no way they'll be able to explore and express it".

The Creative Director disclosed that aside identifying and discovering talents and the gifts inherent in children, the event also serves as a means to foster unity and bridge the gap between children from high and low-income in the communities. 

The free admission Talent Show held at the fun clubhouse located in a serene environment of Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta had in attendance hundreds of children aged 5 to 16 from across various primary and secondary schools across the State. 

On their parts, Miss Lawal Oreoluwa, Miss Teniayo Shodunke and Mr. Olatomiwa Malaolu who participated in various competitions said, they had so much fun, calling on the organizers to continue as this will continually give the children the needed avenue to express themselves and relate better.

The trio enjoined other parents to register their children with the club house because the training they get at the Creative Art Academy builds their confidence and empowers them to follow their dreams.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to winners of different categories of performances; Performing Arts, Miss. Harmony Badejo (1st), Tanimonure Tijesutonifunmi (2nd), and Oreoluwa Lawal (3rd). For the Creative Arts competition, Mr. Olatomiwa Malaolu (1st), Abudulsalmi Yusuf (2nd) and Agemo Omokorede (3rd) while in Modelling competition, Miss. Zion Malaolu & Miss. Bella Adeoluwa (1st), Deborah Samuel (2nd), Emerald lme (3rd).

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, GERMANE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - OGSG

Ogun State Government, in collaboration with Federal Government and the World Bank, has underscored the importance of empowering women through its Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) with facilitation of shared service centre across the State.

This was revealed by the Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, during a review meeting with contractors and fabricators, on successful completion of the NFWP hubs, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Mr. Okubadejo said NFWP goes beyond providing financial aid but aimed at enhancing the livelihood and economic capability of women, adding that the new phase was necessitated by the need to encourage value addition to the production of their raw materials.

He pointed out that the first project cycle focused on identifying the most effective economic interventions for women with the establishment of Women Affinity Groups (WAGs), each group comprising 15 to 25 women with similar economic profiles from the same area, thereby facilitating a culture of saving and providing technical supports to the groups.

The Commissioner further noted that the project includes extensive training on business operations, basic profit and loss management, saving culture and maintaining cash registers.

 "The training is crucial because many women see cash flow but do not realise whether they are making profits, which leads to business failures. The saving culture enables women to lend to each other, with groups retaining 10 percent of their total contributions, transforming their lives and making them economically and financially independent”, he said.

In her remarks, the State Project Coordinator, NFWP, Mrs. Bolanle Fadairo, explained that the Project is a women's economic empowerment initiative, aimed at improving women's livelihoods in targeted areas. 

She disclosed that the project now focuses on collective livelihood grants, providing equipment, building business hubs and supporting three value chains which were cassava, maize and rice processing, along with tailoring.

Speaking on behalf of other contractors, the President of Tbag Associates, Mr. Goke Olateru, appreciated the state government for giving them the rare opportunity to be part of the life-changing project, promising to deliver on time without compromising quality.

FG APPROVES JANUARY, 2025 FOR NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

The Federal Government has approved January, 2025, as the official date for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged, “Gateway Games, Ogun 2024”.

In a communique released after the first National Council on Sports, at the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu State, the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Enoh, commended Ogun State Government for its commitment to the successful hosting of the festival.

Sen. Enoh noted that the National Sports Festival plays a vital role in national unity, while also increasing socio-economic growth for the sustainable development of the state and the country in general, calling on the Federal and state governments to bid and host national and international sports competitions, to fast-track the development of sports in the country.

While urging all key stakeholders to play active roles towards the successful hosting of the Gateway Games, the Sports Minister informed that the Council of Sports was in support of the establishment of Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF) for its attendant benefits in driving sports development in Nigeria.

Fielding questions from journalists shortly after meeting, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, who expressed the state government’s readiness to host the Festival.

He noted that the NSF embodies capacity to bring people together, foster teamwork, cooperation, instil values of discipline and perseverance, encouraging youths to embrace sports for socio-economic development of the state, adding that targeted funding and incentives were crucial for driving grassroots sports engagements and ensuring the sustainability of sports programmes.

“Through the power of sports, we have the opportunity to come together, forge connections and celebrate our shared humanity. We are leveraging on the “Building Our Future Together” agenda of the Governor, to leverage on sports development at the grassroots”, he said.

 

Disu Ayobami,

Press Officer, Ministry of Sports Development

Embrace Values of Discipline, Shun Acts Inimical to Your Career, Okanlawon Charges Students

New entrants of the D.S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori-Ewekoro, Ogun State, have been charged to pursue their academic goals by embracing the values of discipline and critical thinking.

Chairman of the Institution's Governing Council, Amb. Toye Okanlawon gave this charge at the 18th matriculation ceremony of the Polytechnic, enjoining the students to shun acts that are inimical to their careers.  

“Remember that knowledge is power, and you are the future leaders and innovators of our great nation. Today marks a significant landmark in your academic pursuit, and as you begin this new chapter, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you all”, he stated.

The Chairman lauded the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his firm commitment to education, saying, ‘’I want to commend your Excellency’s support for our institution in enabling us to provide quality education to our students.

He noted that the Governor Abiodun led administration’s policy initiatives had created a conducive environment for education to thrive in the State.

“Your recognition of the importance of technical education in driving economic growth and development is indeed nulli secundus” Okanlawon noted further.

In his welcome address, the Rector of the institution, Dr. Adegoke Rauf, said “the institution is not just a place of learning but also an untiring environment that fosters growth”, encouraging the students to seize the opportunities to expand their horizons and pursue their passion. 

He described education as a journey that extends beyond classroom walls, admonishing the students to get involved in skills that would further boost and enrich their career, as well as broaden their preservatives while helping them build life-long relationships.

 In his remark, the State Coordinator, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Mr. Akeem Abdulhammed, commended DS Adegbenro for its vast growth, emphasising the importance of higher education institutions adhering strictly to admission regulations.

MOTHERS ARE CUSTODIAN OF DIGNITY, HONOUR - CLERGY

Women have been described as custodian of dignity and honour, just as they play significant role in shaping the society and therefore should always ensure that their spiritual life is well balanced with the societal values. 

The lead Pastor, Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, gave this advice during a special service held at the church headquarters in Abeokuta, to commemorate Mother’s Day celebration, encouraging every mother not to allow ‘’technology, social media and people living in error infiltrate our values and culture’’. 

Achudume in his sermon taken from the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 32, equates mother to God, saying, ‘’just as God created and cares for His own, likewise, a woman cares for everyone around her. A mother is not just somebody that gave birth to children, she is a virtuous woman full of empathy and sympathy’’.

‘’The African woman honours humanity and she is a custodian of dignity and honour. Anyone can give birth but mothers care. Respect your husband as a priest, understand his divinity as well as his humanity. Be submissive and always speak with grace. Impact value, teach your children decency and respect. Teach your daughters on womanhood’’, he stated.

Also speaking during a panel session on different stages of women, the Wife of the Lead Pastor, Reverend Fola Achudume, frowned at the incessant rate of divorce in many marriages, enjoining every couple to embrace effective communication, shun envy and celebrate each other’s achievements.  

She implored women to go for medical check up to ensure that their cervices are in good condition to prevent pregnancy loss. 

HPV VACCINE: UNICEF, WOMEN JOURNALISTS VOWS TO ADVOCATE FOR SAFETY OF GIRL CHILD, WOMEN

The need to safeguard the health of every girl child and ensure they are immune to any form of diseases that could hinder them from unleashing their full potentials and growth should be tackled head-on. 

This call came to the fore at a one day Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Vaccine Advocacy Meeting organized by the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation in conjunction with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, South West States (NAWOJ B zone) in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. 

The Director of Programming, UNICEF, Mr. Rotimi Babalola in his address said if girl child could be immuned from diseases that could reduce their mobility and mortality, it would lead to all round development of a nation, as they are the major agent of human growth. 

Mr. Babalola pointed out that women Journalists were targeted 

for the HPV vaccine campaign in order to cascade the messages to various communities through their media platforms, as there is need for increased media awareness on HPV and the newly introduced vaccine to end cervical cancer among women in the country.

He charged them to be the agent of change in curbing the menace of HPV, as well as to dispel misinformation that comes with taking new vaccines. 

On his part the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, UNICEF, Mr. Sola Olanipekun said UNICEF partners with women Journalists in the South West to build partnership with media organisations to promote HPV Vaccine as it is going to be a routine vaccine just like others that had been in existence, saying it is part of child survival strategies where girls between ages 9 to 14 can get vaccinated at any health facilities be it private or public.

He added that they would take the jab and be safe from the deadly disease, while adult between the ages of 35 to 45 should ensure they get screened to know their status noting that early detection could safe life. 

During the technical session, the Oyo State Health Educator, Mr. Samuel Olarinde took the women Journalists through the state in which HPV stands in Nigeria, revealing that over 8000 women dies of cervical cancer every year, which puts the nation on the pedestal of worst hit, and it is the second most deadly common cancer among women. 

Mr. Olarinde pointed out that the virus could be contacted mainly through sexual activities and skin to skin contact, adding that it is advisable to take the vaccine for girls who are yet to start engaging in sexual activities, revealing further that the vaccine is free in any government health facilities. 

He concluded that by the year 2025, 90 percent of all eligible children should have been vaccinated, while those who clock nine years in that year should be taken to health centers to get vaccinated. 

Mr. Olarinde appealed to all the participants to intensify the campaign awareness on HPV in their various media platforms, so as to get the deadly disease eradicated from the society.

Responding, one of the participants, Mrs Aisha Cole from Lagos lauded the organisers for the programme for putting the health of every girl child on the front burner, promising to take the message to her domain and be a key advocate of the vaccine. 

It would be recalled that Ogun State Government had keyed into the HPV campaign last year, where all girls of school ages between 9 and 14 got vaccinated for free.

Taiwo soremekun,

Ministry of Information and Strategy 

SUSTAIN PEACE AND HARMONY, HoS TELLS MEDICAL PERSONNEL

Medical personnel in the Ogun State Civil/Public Service has been called upon to sustain the cooperation and harmony being enjoyed in the health sector, as the era of banging of tables has passed away,

The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya made the call while receiving the Executive Members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Ogun State Branch led by its Chairman, Dr. Adekunle Ashimi, on a courtesy visit to his office.

According to him, the state government under the friendly leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun should be commended for his passion towards the wellness and wellbeing of the practitioners as exemplified in the increment of budgetary allocation of health workers to 12%, as Ogun is one of the very few states gradually inching towards the WHO recommended 15%, as well as the standing approval to continuously employ health workers to maintain a threshold without going through the usual process for recruitment.

This, the Head of Service said is to ensure continuous replacement of workforce in the face of staff shortage with recruitment presently ongoing in the Hospitals Management Board and the Ministry of Health, while payment of hazard allowance to all health workers is not left out, all in a bid to address the JAPA syndrome being experienced in the sector.

Other interventions include palliative allowances extended to health workers, renovation of Primary Health Centres with construction of staff quarters and installation of solar system to create a conducive working environment for the workers, amongst others, with a charge on them to continue to put in their best to further move the State forward.

Earlier, the Chairman, Dr. Ashimi had tabled before the Head of service the challenges being confronted by them in the discharge of their duties, especially the brain drain in the sector.

The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development led by the Director, Urban Development, Tpl. Abiola Ayodele also visited the Head of Service in his office.

Omolara Osindele

Office of the Head of Service

ECONOMIC REVIVAL: OGUN FINANCE COMMISSIONER CANVASSES FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION

In a bid to address the pressing economic challenges in the country, Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, has beckoned on stakeholders at all levels to collectively drive the much desired paradigm change for the country towards sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

Mr. Okubadejo made the call during the 2024 KPMG Alumni Re-ignite event themed, "Reviving the Economy: Be A Change Agent", at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, noting that the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental crises, geopolitical tensions and technological disruptions were obstacles to socio-economic development that must be addressed.

He emphasised the pivotal role of individuals and business organisations as change agents, since government alone cannot revive the economy, pointing out that, "We have the power to influence and shape the direction of our economies. We must therefore leverage our collective knowledge, skills, and resources to drive positive change and create opportunities for growth and development".

Okubadejo underscored the importance of empowering youths and boosting the real sector through initiatives in agriculture, entrepreneurship and technology, which according to him, aligns with the state's economic agenda on real sector growth, investment attraction, poverty reduction, job creation, and food security.

Giving insights to the state's successful initiatives, the Commissioner outlined advancements in multi-modal transportation, infrastructure development, industrialisation and digital economy, as initiatives which had propelled the state, reiterating the present administration’s commitment to the economic vision of building a prosperous future through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and relentless execution of developmental initiatives.

Remarking, a Senior Partner at KPMG, Mr. Tola Adeyemi, who explained that the event provided a social opportunity for former members and current employees of the firm to interact with one another, informed that the organisation was committed to building individuals and businesses, in order to influence change and make a difference in the development of the nation, urging the alumni to make the firm proud in business, government and whatever walk of life they venture into.