Category: Impurse

By Bisade Ojoye

Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II on Friday, September 16 2022 at Ile-Ife, Osun state, unveiled an iconic retail outlet branded OjajaMore classified as a viable foods chain retail store dealing in groceries and other consumables.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to us by Otunba Moses Olafare, Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace.

Explaining the initiative at the commissioning ceremony held at the premises of the retail store located at the KM 10, Ife/Ibadan express way in Ile-Ife today, the Ooni stated that the establishment of OjajaMore was in fulfillment of his age long aspiration to redesign retail activities that would be gainfully driven by the Nigerian youths with a view to creating an enduring legacy for Africa in the global space.

“Today, I am exceptionally fulfilled to unveil the OJAJAMORE, one of the profound and timeless initiatives that I envisioned for the modernization of Ile-Ife, Osun State, and other Nigerian cities. It is a triumph and regeneration of retail economies, a reservoir of seamless opportunities for new agro-commodities markets significantly improving access to B2B value chains, a social sanctuary for groceries and other products, and an iconic global brand name that will leave indelible marks on young people through job creation, resolving commodity issues, and harnessing the integration of locally built flawless novelty digital transactions.

“A rethinking of our approach and values for shopping malls in Nigeria and for Nigerians need to be pioneered and readapted. The vision of OJAJAMORE as an indigenous entity with a modern continental outlook is to play a prominent role in people’s lives as a conduit that provides relatable experiences beyond traditional shopping while driving a robust economic culture. It will broaden the boundaries of business growth, increase efficiency, and incorporate value-added elements that will span a remarkable experience and instill a deeper bond in customers.

“The OJAJAMORE is part of my multichannel investment strategies, which will naturally serve the Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park, the OJAJA Arena (a 3,000-seat multi-purpose event center), the OJAJA Hostel (a 2,000-bed hostel facility at Obafemi Awolowo University), and other iconic facilities that I have built in Ile-Ife and the surrounding communities over the last six years. This was a promise that I made at my historic coronation six years ago, and I will stop at nothing to fulfil the truest vision of Ile-Ife as both a symbol of ancient and modern economic powerhouse”.

The foremost traditional ruler in Nigeria disclosed that he intended to use the new retail store initiative as his deliberate way of getting youths gainfully engaged.

“This is a job creation for the Nigerian youths. OjajaMore. It simply means where people (consumers) can pay less and get more. It is a combination of royalty and retail to create a different shopping perspective starting from Ile-Ife-The Source. The business is structured to allow personalized shopping to grow the retail business which is grossly underdeveloped in Nigeria due to reasons which include: proliferation of neighborhood stores and unorganized markets among others.

“While in Johannesburg, about 15 years ago on a business visit, I saw so many retail stores, I thereafter realized that as big as Nigeria is, there are only five (5) major malls. No single one in my hometown, Ile-Ife that is refined, classy and affordable.

“Like we have names of people branded into companies like this in developed countries, I initiated this project to build the confidence of our younger ones in productive business and investment activities, understanding that Youths are the real drivers of economic growth.

“We have started from Ile-Ife because charity begins at home, from here we will cover the entire South West and Nigeria with a chain of over 100 stalls within the next 24 months. It will be first of its kind in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.

“Beyond grooming young minds and serious minded youths in retail business, this initiative will offer over 100,000 direct and indirect employment to our youths across the country, thereby contributing in no small means to human development and capacity building. That’s my target”, Ooni stated.

On what Nigerians stand to benefit from patronizing the new outfit, the MD/CEO. of OjajaMore, Mr. Benedict Orioye explained that high-powered technology would be deployed to ensure that customers were treated with respect and royalty as part of value for their money, beyond what is obtainable in similar outfits nationwide.

Our focus is to have local content as items making up of at least 70 percent of items to be sold here, this is why we are dueling mostly on the farm produces. Everything you can think of in the farm will be sold in OjajaMore with decent packaging in line with global standard operating procedure for food handling.

“Aside from fresh and healthy farm produces, the mall will be filled with other retail items as obtainable in other malls around the world but blended with royalty. Our goods are going to be affordable and environment friendly as we have concluded plans to partner the university communities around us to ease the stress of students and other low income earners in shopping”, Orioye said.

In keeping with his unorthodox shift, the Ooni has said OJAJAMORE would be guided by the young people as they are heroically dedicated to one Nigeria whose greatness and prosperity they are inextricably connected to adding that has intentionally entrusted some of his initiatives and projects to some of Nigeria’s brightest young people.

Ooni had on the day of his official coronation in December 2015 dedicated his reign and the throne to the youth and he has consistently engage the youths to run and manage his projects.

Apart from Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore, a one time local fisherman from Ilaje Ese Odo area of Ondo state who was appointed MD/CEO of the OjajaMore by the Ooni, having discovered him as a well educated and super versatile young man with a Bsc Physics from Obafemi Awolowo University and currently studying for his MSc Business Admin at the University of Ibadan, the super dynamic monarch has also given an array of other brilliant and multi-talented Nigerian youths gainful job opportunities with a lot of them performing creditably well in their various engagements.

Makinde Covenant(DJ Smith) from Ile-Ife, a 3 hundred level student of Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University is the one in charge of YAKOYO AFRIKANA, an African restaurant which occupies the Gallery section of the OjajaMore established to promote the African heritage using the aspect of our diverse local food and cuisines.

There are several other Nigerian youths who have benefited from the Ooni’s G2G platform which he created 4 years ago to drive his Grass-To-Grace aganda for the youths. Ooni believed in the youth and has invested so much in them. The roll call of youths engaged in several business initiatives of the revered Royal father include amongst others: Oluwaseun Victor Badejo
a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, from Ile-Ife who is handling OJAJA PARK, a 25 billion naira model city project in Akure; a 30 year old Kamarudeen Adefajo, an indigene of Modakeke-Ife with an HND architecture is the one in charge of OjajaMews, another multibillion housing estate project located at Osogbo in Osun state; Engineer Fisayo, a graduate of Osun State Polytechnic has been made to carry out several successful constructions of the Ooni’s projects like the Ife Grand Resort and Industrial Park, the 3000 seaters multi-purpose event center called OJAJA ARENA, a 2000 bedded hostel facility OJAJA HOSTEL at the Obafemi Awolowo University, the OjajaMore all in Ile-Ife.

Others are: Former president of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Comrade Bello Shagari from Sokoto state is the MD/CEO of Royal African Young Leadership Forum (RAYLF) a platform set up by the Ooni in 2018 for showcasing and celebrating the talented young leaders who are already great but untapped assets for Nigeria. he studied Business Information Systems & Information Technology Middlesex University, London; Barrister Habeeb Whyte from Abeokuta, a Law graduate of the University of Ilorin is the
MD/CEO Olofin Products Ltd., a company which specialises in packaging everyday agricultural products for sale locally and exports. The company is owned by Ooni: Tomisin Olawale, a graduate of Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada was recently appointed as Director of Olofin Microfinance Bank, a one-time Ife Community owned bank which has been resuscitated by Ooni; An award winning Inya Sarah Lawal, who coordinates Ooni’s “Women Owned Micro Businesses” (WOMB); Olusola Owonikoko, who runs the Royal African Foundation (RAF) and Ibidapo Fashina, who runs the Royal African Medical Outreach (RAMO).

According to Ooni, “these young men and women, like millions of others, are a microcosm of his royalty, woven into the fabric of our modernization and industrialization even as history weighs heavily on their shoulders”.

While inviting individuals, groups, government and other corporate organizations in Ile-Ife and its environs to join him in the daily patronage of the iconic OjajaMore, the monarch who who is a Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) admonished government and the affluent Nigerians to always consider the Nigerian youth as the best partners in progress for the economic liberation of the country.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

Remo 1937 Rootage, a body of some indigenes of Remo land who pride themselves as the sons and daughters of Ife have begun to drum support for the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The spokesman of the group, Mr. Adewoga Ajayi described Tinubu as their own being the only Yoruba man contesting the presidency of Nigeria and that they would do all in their power towards ensuring his victory at the polls come 2023.

The group who buttressed their position with a Yoruba postulate, “Omo ni ki se idi bebere ka fi ileke si idi omo elomi” literarily meaning it is illogical for one to prefer another man’s child to one’s well behaved child, adding that Asiwaju has over the years, shown in his various moves, statements, intentions, deeds and efforts that he is truly a prodigious son of the Yoruba extraction. His humility, industry and accommodating spirit also speak volume of this. “He is indeed a bridge-builder who does not see boundary in terms of ethnicity and religious persuasion.

Members of the group believed that the APC flag bearer would protect and provide for the Yoruba as well ensure that the other parts of the Nigerian nation benefit enormously from his administration if elected as the president of the nation, because according them, he is a man of the people irrespective of divides created by geography of languages or government policies.

“There is so much bickering in terms of ethnicity, religious affiliation which are already threatening the cohesion of the Nigerian nation, hence we need a rallying figure, a leader who can calm down the nerves of agitators and halt all attempts to Balkanize the country, a man with nationalistic pursuit and pluralistic ideology, the ideal person is our own Asiwaju Bola Tinubu”.

Remo 1937 Rootage believed that Yoruba alone would not be able to win the election for Tinubu, they are therefore calling on people from other divides of the country, the Igbos,, Hausa and other tribes to join hands with the Yoruba to vote Tinubu as the president of the country.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine, therefore if Tinubu had in the past offended, or still offending anyone by his utterances or deeds, knowingly and unknowingly, they should please forgive him. His is human and therefore not absolutely perfect. In fact, no man is infallible. It is only God”, they pleaded.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

“It is unfair to compare Prince Dapo Abiodun with Ladi Adebutu. It is an unfair judgement because their bunches of kilometers apart. I’m like the proverbial door between the two of them and I can confidently tell you that Prince Dapo Abiodun is far far better”.

This was the submission of Prince Adesina Azeez Arole Bello, the Government Liaison Officer (GLO) for Sagamu Local Government during a recent exclusive interview session with our team in Sagamu.

Bello who was formerly a member of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said he had worked with Hon. Ladi Adebutu for several years very closely and that he knew and respected him so much as his boss but would unequivocally say, any day and anywhere that Prince Abiodun who is the incumbent Governor of Ogun State and the flag bearer of APC is far more resourceful than Adebutu, the Governorship candidate of PDP.

The Sagamu GLO who cut his political teeth decades ago when he first served as a two term Councillor in Shomolu Local Government said that the hallmark of efforts of any one elected into public office is service, opined that Abiodun has performed quite excellently as a governor.

Bello believed that the governor has ensured that all parts of the state has been carried along in his administration, saying that this even development system being adopted truly bore testimony to his all-inclusive governance.

“I am really proud of Prince Abiodun and I can say without mincing words, confidently too that has scored an excellent mark. I believe he has deservedly earned a second term, and I know, if given, he will do more in the service of the people of the state by intensifying his efforts towards making the state the envy of all other states in the Nigerian nation.

“Governor Abiodun has lofty plans of bringing about total development to the state and he has been working assiduously and conscientiously to attain this right from the beginning of his administration as his vision for the state could be seen in the improvement in Education, Health, Housing, Agriculture, Roads and other infrastructural facilities. He truly deserves another term”.

Bello was born on October 5, 1968 to His Royal Highness, Oba Sikiru Adesola Bello, the Ilupeju Legunse (V1) Sagamu, Ogun State and Olori Abeje Bello of Okoko Fame, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

He attended Baptist Primary School, Somolu, Lagos, where he was overall best pupil. He proceeded to Aladura Comprehensive High School, Anthony Village, Lagos where he was Labour Prefect. He had all his WASC papers in one sitting in 1986 and proceeded to Igbobi College, Lagos for his A ‘Levels the same year.

He gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife in 1988 and graduated in 1993 with BSc (Hons.) Political Science. He proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State where he obtained Masters in Public Administration in 2003.

Prince Bello began his political pursuit when he was elected as Councillor at Shomolu, Local Government, Lagos in 1996. Record had it that he was the only one among his peers reelected a second term as a result of his huge productive efforts in ensuring dividends of democracy for the people of his ward.

He had worked at different public offices and garnered experiences both here in Nigeria and United States of America. He served as Head of Protocol, Ogun state Liaison Office, Lagos from 2003 – 2004. He also worked as Parole Officer, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Dallas Tx, USA from 2005 – 2011. He is the CEO of Zebells Investment Auto in Dallas Texas, Tx, USA.

Prince Bello, for his resourcefulness had earned a number of honours and Awards nationally and internationally. He was honoured: Best Councillor in 1997; Outstanding Investment Award, he earned this for bringing the first Fanty/Fancy Carnival to Sagamu.

The Sagamu GLO who described his appointment as a call to service and that he would do all in his power to justify his appointment by bringing his variously earned experience to bear in his representation of the governor.

He told our team that as soon as he was appointed he began working harmoniously with the Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Ogbeni Afolabi Odulate who he described as fantastic and hardworking.

“I know my role as
Government Liaison Officer is mainly to complement the local government’s Chairman in service delivery to the people of the local government, in order for them to benefit from the dividends of democracy, hence the local government Chairman and I have formed a synergy that have started yielding positive results.

“We are brother and we have even strengthened the brotherly love since we started working together. He calls me ‘egbon’ and I call him my boss. I believe we owe the people of our local government a responsibility, that is to serve them by ensuring development in the nooks and crannies of the area. We understand we should be the ears and eyes of the state government to our people in service delivery. We promise to give our all in this regard”.

Speaking on his brother, Dare Bello who is still a member of PDP, Azzez Bello said he took him to PDP but he chose to remain in the party. “As an adult, Dare has the right to either follow me to APC or remain in the party. I cannot force him. I hate to dwell on such issues because my priority now is to deliver the goods to my people”, he asserted.

I am really challenged by my appointment. It is indeed pleasing working with Prince Dapo Abiodun. I think there is a chemistry here, because he means well for the people of the state and I have always been seeking for opportunity to serve my people. This explains why I live amongst them. With all sense of modesty, God Has been benevolent to me that I can afford to build a house in the GRA of Sagamu, but I have chosen to be with my people by building my house within their own. I love them dearly and share their pangs and pains as well as their aspirations and joy.

Ogbeni Afolabi Odulate described Azeez Bello as gentle and quite pleasant to work with, adding that since he has been sworn in as the GLO for Sagamu LGA he has shown a near impossible understanding which presented him as one truly committed to the wellbeing of the people, and I am convinced with him, things could only get better for us in Sagamu.

“Quite honestly, I have reasons to thank my Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his foresight in choosing a man who has come to truly compliment me and my team. A role Bello is a brother indeed.

By Tolulope Odugbemi

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested two teachers identified as Blessing Omowera and Sola Kalejaye for allegedly using human parts for ritual purpose.

According to the police, the duo allegedly collected the fingernails and blood of the pupils of Heritage Nursery and Primary School, Ondo town, Ondo State under the pretence of cleaning them up.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the state police command, Mr. Femi Joseph said Omowera worked at the nursery and primary school while Kalajaye was a teacher in a secondary school in the town.

He said bubble burst when one of the pupils got home and informed her father what the teacher did to her in the school, and the parents in turn reported the matter at the Command.

The Police Public Relations Officer explained that Omowera called the two pupils who are both 3-year-old and cut their fingernails under the pretence of cleaning them up for them, adding that as the suspect was cutting the finger nails of the pupils, she intentionally cut the hands of the victims to bring out blood. She then cleaned the bloodstained hand with a cloth.

The PPRO said, “we were informed that after the suspect, Omowera had cut the hands of the pupils, she cleaned up the blood with a cloth and took both the blood and fingernails away.
After she was arrested, she confessed that she was sent Mr. Kalejaiye who wanted to use them for ritual purposes.

He said Omowera’s confession led to the arrest of Kalejaye who, as at the time of filing this report has been in the Police custody, undergoing interrogation and will soon be charged like Omowera who has since been charged to court

The father of one of the pupils, Mr. Ambrose Akinnodi, called on the state government and human rights activists in the country to assist his family in ensuring that justice was done in the matter.

We gathered that the two pupils had been withdrawn from the school.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

The wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun has said that Physiotherapists play an essential role in our health care system.

The First Lady of Ogun State made this statement on Thursday , September 8, 2022 when she joined members of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy and the Ogun State Hospital Management Board on a health walk.

Mrs. Abiodun opined that their training enabled them to be able to address some of the most critical physical illnesses and disabilities.

The walk which is to commemorate World Physiotherapy Day 2022 will be followed by a seminar focused on the theme for this year, “osteoarthritis.”

The First said the walk turned out to be great fun, because according to her, participants had a chance to exercise their bodies.

She was joined by the Ogun State SSG, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Dr. Toyin Taiwo, the NDLEA Commander in Ogun State, Mrs. Ibinabo Archie-Abia , Director of Physiotherapy, Ogun State, Alhaji Abdulsuraj Olubamiro and executives from the Society led by Mrs. Funmi Akinlami .

By Bisade Ojoye

The Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) has fulfilled his promise of One Million Naira (₦1m) support to energize the transformers he recently donated to some Area Community Development Associations (ACDA) and Community Development Committees (CDC) in Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun state.

Disclosing this, the Director General of Yayi Campaign Organisation, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako said 7 of the 19 Area Community Development Associations/Community Development Committees that provided viable bank accounts in the names of their associations have been credited with One Million Naira (N1,000,000) each to energize the transformers recently donated to them by Senator Adeola.

“This is in fulfilment of the promise made to the ACDAs/CDCs during interactions with their representatives on Saturday, September 3, 2022 by Senator Adeola who is the Aremo of Yewa land and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance”, the statement added.

The ACDAs/CDCs already credited, according to Dr Salako are: 1. Agbara Area CDC. 2. Itele Awori Area Community Development Committee. 3. Joint CDA, kooko Ebiye, Atan-Ota, 4. Orelope Community Development Association, Ilaro, 5. Ayegbami Community Development Association, Ayetoro, 6. Ilara Ogundo Area Community Development Association, Ilara and 7. Oriolowo Community Development Association, Ilaro.

“The remaining 12 ACDAs/CDCs expected to receive their alerts as soon as they provide a viable bank account in the name of their association”, Salako stressed.

By Bisade Ojoye

The Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) has fulfilled his promise of One Million Naira (₦1m) support to energize the transformers he recently donated to some Area Community Development Associations (ACDA) and Community Development Committees (CDC) in Ogun West Senatorial District of Ogun state.

Disclosing this, the Director General of Yayi Campaign Organisation, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako said 7 of the 19 Area Community Development Associations/Community Development Committees that provided viable bank accounts in the names of their associations have been credited with One Million Naira (N1,000,000) each to energize the transformers recently donated to them by Senator Adeola.

“This is in fulfilment of the promise made to the ACDAs/CDCs during interactions with their representatives on Saturday, September 3, 2022 by Senator Adeola who is the Aremo of Yewa land and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance”, the statement added.

The ACDAs/CDCs already credited, according to Dr Salako are: 1. Agbara Area CDC. 2. Itele Awori Area Community Development Committee. 3. Joint CDA, kooko Ebiye, Atan-Ota, 4. Orelope Community Development Association, Ilaro, 5. Ayegbami Community Development Association, Ayetoro, 6. Ilara Ogundo Area Community Development Association, Ilara and 7. Oriolowo Community Development Association, Ilaro.

“The remaining 12 ACDAs/CDCs expected to receive their alerts as soon as they provide a viable bank account in the name of their association”, Salako stressed.

By Bisade Ojoye

The re-construction of Kemta-Ilugun-Somorin-Obantoko road in Abeokuta by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has reached 80 percent completion stage.

The 6.9km road serves as a major bypass linking Obantoko with Kemta-Idiaba.

Repair work on the road has already increased economic and social activities of the adjoining communities.

Sequel to the construction of the road, hotels, shopping complexes, private schools and modern buildings have been springing up in the area.

Residents of the area have been upbeat and happy that the construction of the road has become a reality after waiting endlessly for succour which did not come until Governor Abiodun came to their rescue.

Some residents said they had hoped that the location of the residence of Nobel Laurette, Professor Wole Soyinka in the area would spur the state government to do the road.  

The residents also expressed surprise that the road construction is being done without their houses being demolished because, the immediate past government of governor Ibikunle Amosun had earmarked some houses for demolition to pave the way for the road project.

An excited resident, Mr Abimbola Ogunmuyiwa, said the new road had brought development to the area in different dimensions.

“We are very grateful to the administration of Governor Abiodun for this particular road construction which has improved life in communities in this area in no small measure.

“Before this road was constructed, getting home after the day’s work was very difficult but now you are at the Federal Medical Centre within 10 to 15 minutes, unlike before when you spent hours.”

A journalist, Ernest Nwokolo, who lives at Ilugun, said the construction of the road has been a big relief to residents of his area, saying. “Though the road is not yet 100 per cent completed, it has been of tremendous help to the people and it has increased the value of properties in the area.

“I can say the construction of the road, one can now keep appointments because one does not need to wait for a very long time before getting vehicles to Idiaba and from there to other parts of Abeokuta metropolis.

“For those who drive their own vehicles, relief has come for them because it will now save them the money being spent on spare parts for repairs.

“Apart from saving the man-hours being spent before bursting out at Kemta Junction, the road has made the value of properties to appreciate. A plot of land that was being sold for N500,000 in 2018 is now going for N3million and above depending on how close it is to the main road. Some are sold for as much as N5million.”

The impact of the road is not only being felt by residents of the communities as people who commute daily from Osiele, Camp and Obantoko are now enjoying these dividends of democracy as the long man-hours being wasted in traffic on Obantoko-Asero-Adatan Road, is now over.

Dr Adewunmi Ayodele, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Osiele whose house is at Laderin, said the road has been a major relief for him and others living in the metropolis but working at either FCE or Federal University of Agriculture.

He said: “Before this road was constructed, I used to leave my house at Laderin by 6:15am and I won’t get to the office earlier than 8:30am due to the long hours spent on the deplorable Asero/Obantoko Road. But now, I can leave my house at past seven and get to my office earlier than before because, with this road, I just burst out at Somorin and off I go to Camp. It is a great relief for me and others working at Osiele and Camp axis.”

Also speaking on the impact of the road, a taxi driver, Mr Mudashiru Alao, commended Governor Abiodun for a job well done on the grounds that he can now carried passengers directly from Lafenwa to Osiele in a shorter time, unlike before when he used to spend hours in traffic.

Alao, who described the road as an outer ring road to Abeokuta from Idiaba to Somorin Obantoko, expressed delight that his income had increased because he now preferred to ply Lafenwa/Obantoko/Osiele directly without wasting too much time in traffic, stating that people should reward the good work by supporting Abiodun’s second term election bid.

By Our Reporter

Ogun State Government has projected
over 75% implementation status for its Health Plan for 2023, just as it reiterated its commitment to making healthcare accessible to all residents of the State.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker disclosed this projection while declaring open a 5-Day Workshop on the Development of the Annual Operational Plan (AOP) for the Health Sector organized by the state government in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Ijebu-Ode.

Coker said the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration had identified planning as instrumental to its drive towards addressing the gaps in the health needs of the people, saying this led to the unprecedented State Health AOPs developed in 2021 and 2022.

She noted the previous AOPs served as guiding light for activities and interventions of government health agencies, healthcare facilities, and development partners in the State, advocating that “smart planning” would ensure that the 2023 AOP records better implementation than the previous ones.

“Our administration has always upheld the tenet that health is a basic human right. This is underscored by the huge investment seen in the health sector over the past few years. We also recognize the significance of planning while striving to achieve universal health coverage.

“That is the reason for putting together and working in line with our AOPs since 2021. The state has been able to attain some milestones through these plans. Nevertheless, I want to charge all the stakeholders at this workshop to plan realistically this time around. This would ensure that we can achieve a minimum of 75% implementation status for 2023”, She said.

The Commissioner also charged Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers to scale up thier activities to ensure that the projected implementation status of the new AOP is achieved.

While appreciating the stakeholders, including health Programme Directors, coordinators, M&E officers, and partners for their contributions to the development of the AOPs, the Commissioner assured of the State Government’s resolve to improve the social welfare and wellbeing of all residents.

Earlier, the Director of Health, Planning Research and Statistics, Dr. Kayode Kushimo appreciated the Commissioner for her sterling leadership approach which brought about the development of AOP in 2020 for the health sector for the first time in the history of the state.

Kushimo assured that the 2023 development plan would further consolidate on the achievements of the previous ones without dropping the ball.

The state representative of UNICEF, Mrs. Florence Moloku expressed satisfaction with the State government for committing its resources to the development of Annual plans for the Health Sector, which she described as the reason for the series of award and laurels the Gateway State had won in the health sector.

The newly appointed Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat has sought the support and cooperation of the management and staff, to enable the Ministry to deliver on its statutory responsibility.

Hon. Hamzat stated this during his maiden meeting with management and staff of the Ministry, at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, assuring that he would continue to maintain a cordial relationship with members of the traditional institution and the Local Government administrators, to prevent communication gaps.

The Commissioner who appreciated the warm welcome accorded him promised that he would operate an open door policy and embrace suggestions that could move the Ministry forward, as this would go a long way in achieving the mandate of Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration.

Earlier in his address the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun said, the Ministry had resourceful, committed and loyal officers who were ready to sacrifice their time for increased productivity.

Fagbohun expressed optimism that the Commissioner’s pedigree and background in politics would enhance the activities of the traditional institution and Local Government administration.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in his drive to make life more abundant for the people of the State, has given 300KVA (33) to Isara and Oba towns in Remo North and Obafemi-Owode Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking at the handing over of the power transformer in Isara, the chairman of Remo North LG, Adedapo Odunsi, thanked the state governor for taking the community out of darkness which it had experienced for three years.

According to him, businesses in the area had suffered, adding that the residents of the town had to go extra mile to purchase fuel on a daily basis to sustain their businesses.

In his remarks, the Government Liaison Officer, Remo North LG, Abiola Ogundeko, noted that the lives, health, businesses and security of lives and properties of the community at large had been affected negatively due to the incessant power failure in the area.

“I’m using this medium to thank His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun for his magnanimity. This gesture would put an end to the hardship that had been inflicted on the lives, health, businesses, work and security of lives and properties of the community”, he said.

A resident of the community, Mrs. Dorcas Fajobi, lamented that they had experienced unstable power supply for years as a result of the poor condition of the transformer.

She expressed gratitude to the state government for putting an end to the total blackout which the people had suffered in the past.

In Oba community, residents were excited by the installation of the transformer.

According to them, the community had been thrown into the electricity blackout for almost a year due to the issue of a damaged transformer.

A resident and a frozen foods dealer, Mrs. Ife Akinsola, explained that the power outage had affected her sales negativity as she had to buy ice blocks from Abeokuta to preserve her frozen foods.

“I buy my frozen fish, chicken and turkey in small quantities and preserve them in a cooler. There are times some of the products would go bad due to lack of adequate power, which often resulted in great loss for me. I want to sincerely thank the governor for coming to our aid”, she stated.

Another resident, Mr. Abiodun Badmus, who also thanked the governor for his magnanimity said that several other businesses including: welding, hairdressing, tailoring, to mention a few, had suffered a great deal in the area, adding that the installation of the transformer would bring the community out of darkness.

Earlier in his remarks, the Olu of Oba/Eerin, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Adegun Sanyaolu, expressed his joy, saying that the governor did not only give the transformer, he also deemed it fit to install it at no extra cost.

“I thank the State Government for its generosity. As I speak with you, the engineers are on site installing the transformer at no extra cost. All the cables and other equipment.
On behalf of my people, I thank the governor for his timely response to our needs and we declare our unflinching support for him at all times.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

The Diocesan Bishop of Remo and the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, The Most Rev Dr. Olusina Fape has lauded the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun on the even provision of infrastructure throughout the length and breadth of the state.

He said the administration has ensured that the four regions of the state has been benefiting from the impact of its resourcefulness as a government.

Archbishop Fape statement read,
“We want to say that, in Ogun State, in all the four regions of the state, your impactful governance is being felt.

“You are not tribalistic. As you are developing Remo, you are developing Ijebu, Yewa and Egba.

“By the grace of God, the four years ahead will be better than the four years you are having now. And if God gives you the grace, we believe you will continue what you have begun, and Ogun State will never be the same again.

“Be assured, we are praying for you, and we know if God be for you, nobody can be against you, just relax, because your help is of the Lord who is able to keep watch over Dapo Oluwaseun Abiodun.

“On the agro cargo airport, I am so happy that I won’t have to fly from Lagos State, I will be flying from Iperu and when I think of what is happening in Atan-Agbara road, which was in a very terrible state before you came on board, sir, you have done well.

“In your own administration, you didn’t abandon the projects of your predecessor. Where they stopped, you have continued, that is governance, because government is a continuum.

“We thank you, God bless you.