As part effort to meet its COVID-19 vaccination target, the Ogun State Government through the Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHCDB), has begun an “Operation Campus Storm”, a ramp-up exercise aimed at reaching over 400,000 eligible youths in and outside tertiary institutions.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker disclosed this in a chat with OGIS correspondent during the exercise at Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, saying statistics in the State had revealed there was a huge vaccination gap in people of ages 18 to 25 years, hence the need to focus on them.
Coker, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Elijah Ogunsola, said the aim of the exercise was to have 70 percent coverage among students, as well as ensure their safety and protection from the virus before, during, and after teaching and learning periods.
“When we analysed our data, the statistics showed that the people of ages 18 to 25 have not been reached, so we have decided to focus on them in the next 15 days in our campuses. We have met with student leaders and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise”, she said.
The Commissioner added that the 15 days exercise which commenced on Monday, January 24, and end on Monday, February 7, 2022, would be extended to people outside tertiary institutions including, youths in communities, artisans, transporters, among others, urging residents to come out en-mass and be vaccinated.
Ogunsola who said that the present administration had prioritised the safety and well-being of the people, assured that the vaccine was safe and effective, noting that health workers had been adequately trained to administer vaccines at designated public and private facilities and other mobile posts in and outside campuses.
In his response, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, TASUED, Prof. Oluwole Banjo noted that the pandemic had affected the flow of teaching, learning, and the overall academic calendar, commending the present administration for the initiative of bringing vaccination sites closer to students, just as he advised them to make use of the opportunity to get vaccinated while on campus.
Also speaking, the President of the Students Union Government, TASUED, Mr. Rabiu Sodiq while appreciating the effort of the government for prioritising the health of students, assured of the support of his colleagues with a promise to inform others in their various communities.
All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced it would begin the sale of forms for aspirants vying for its national positions ahead of the National Convention from February 14.
National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, announced this in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said, “The APC CECPC at its 19th regular meeting on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the party’s National Secretariat considered and adopted the timetable/schedule of activities for the February 26, APC National Convention.”
According to him, the schedule of activities ahead of the party’s national convention is as seen below:
“Receiving of the interim report of the National Reconciliation Committee, January 31, 2022.
“Consideration and adoption of Reports of State Congresses – February 2, 2022.
“Inauguration of the State Executives – February 03, 2022.
“Sale of forms to all aspirants vying for National Offices at the APC National Secretariat, February 14, 2022.
“Submission of completed forms and accompanying documents at the APC National Secretariat on or before February 19, 2022.
“Publication of Sub-Committees – February 19, 2022.
“Screening of all aspirants vying for National Offices – February 20 – February 22.
“Screening Appeals to hear and resolve complaints arising from the screening exercise – February 23, 2022.
“Accreditation of all statutory and elected delegates to the National Convention – February 24 to February 25, 2022.
“National Convention to elect National Officers to the National Executive Committee – February 26, 2022.
“National Convention Appeal to hear and resolve complaints arising from the National Convention – February 28, 2022.”
APC scribe, at an interaction with Newsmen at the party’s National Secretariat, had earlier described as fake, reports that the party’s leadership had zoned its national chairmanship position to a particular zone.
Akpankudohede said the report should be disregarded, adding that there was no decision on that.
New national executive would be elected at the party’s National Convention to manage its affairs presently being managed by Governor Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC.
A UK based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Ark of Hope, in collaboration with Ogun State Government has given out sewing machines and cash gifts to some men and women in the State, as a means of enhancing cloth making venture and providing succour to the people.
Speaking during a financial and vocational empowerment programme in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Efuwape, said the empowerment would create employment opportunities and serve as a source of income for the beneficiaries.
Efuwape, represented by the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, Mr. Toyin Akinola noted that the theme of the programme “Creating Hope for the Hopeless” was apt, due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, charging the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the tools, in order to be self-reliant,
“I want you to see this empowerment as a great privilege. Please, don’t sell the tools because it can take you out of poverty, increase your source of income and make you relevant, if judiciously used”, she said.
In her goodwill message, the Director, Ark of Hope, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Shotubo, commended the government for its poverty eradication programmes, assuring that the NGO would continue to offer necessary support, toward boosting the economic power of the people.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mrs. Oluwaseun Akindele lauded the kind gesture and hand of fellowship extended to them, saying the opportunity would help improve their standard of living.
The welfare of workers, training and re-training, as well as provision of relevant modern equipment have been identified as panacea for achieving efficient service delivery, a former Ogun State Head of Service, Otunba Babatunde Osokoya has said.
Osokoya who is also the Chairman, Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries stated this in Abeokuta, when he led a delegation of members of the Association on a courtesy visit to the State Head of Service, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro, noting that the level of efficiency and effectiveness of any organisation depends on the quality and satisfaction of its workforce.
He said Ogun State Public Service had been in the forefront among its peers in the country, due to various achievements recorded in recent times, particularly in the area of education, agriculture, health and so on.
“The Ogun State Public Service, like its forebear, the Western State Public Service has always been in the forefront among its peers in the country. Please ensure that we retain the position”, Otunba Osokoya said.
The Association’s Chairman admonished Dr. Aigoro to continue to uphold, sustain and enhance the tenets and qualities of the State Public Service, in order to achieve quality assurance.
Otunba Osokoya who reeled out the contributions of the Association to good governance in the State to include, the resuscitation of the Public Service Forum, presentation of reports and documents on ways out of emerging societal challenges, among other, pledged the body’s readiness to make use of members’ vast experiences when necessary.
Responding, the Head of Service applauded the elders for the visit and promised to use their advice to take the Civil Service to a higher pedestal.
Ogun State government has declared war on kidnappers and fraudsters popularly referred to as Yahoo boys.
According to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Government will soon set up its own financial crimes agency to deal with internet frauds and illegal financial transactions, especially, those having to do with kidnapping, ransom taking and advance fee frauds.
The governor also disclosed that it is working with federal agencies and its Oyo State counterpart in the area of security along the border lines.
Prince Dapo Abiodun made these disclosures at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta during the launch of the state joint security outfit, code-named OP-MESA on Friday.
He said that his administration would not fold its arms and allow the state to be known for the wrong reasons.
“We will make Ogun State inhabitable for all criminals. The other day, I was in a meeting in Abuja and in attendance was the Chairman of EFCC, and sadly, he said to me that Ogun State tops the list on the ‘Yahoo Yahoo Boys’. In my response, I said I am not surprised because Ogun State is the education capital of this country and you will find such around educational institutions and he agreed with me.
“We have decided that we will set up our State Commission that will be targeted towards eliminating these sorts of financial crimes. Our state commission will collaborate with the Federal Commission so that we do not occupy that false place in this area.
We will like to occupy the first in many areas, but not in fraud and Yahoo Yahoo.
Also, he said he had declared war on the resurgence of kidnapping that reared its head on the link road between the state and its neighbours.
“Three days ago, I put a call through to my colleague in Oyo and we have decided that we are going to jointly collaborate in the area of providing security at the border posts between Ogun and Oyo states.
“He has decided that he will lead a team of his law enforcement architecture to Ogun State, so that we can have a meeting of minds and plan the way forward to take out these hoodlums. Ogun will not have a hiding place,” he said.
While affirming that OP-MESA was established to fight criminals across the state, he assured the people that members of the outfit would be picked to ensure they have the right discipline as well as ensure that they are committed to their assignment.
The governor further said that the launching of the outfit with fifteen vehicles, two armoured personal carriers and communication equipment would be done on a quarterly basis until the outfit reaches its desired number.
He enjoined the people of the state to take ownership of the outfit by collaborating with the personnel of the outfit for a more secured state.
“Today, we are launching OPMESA with a few equipment, in the first instance. We are providing them with fifteen pick up trucks, communication equipment, two armoured personal carriers; we will be providing them with this support every quarter, meaning that, in the next quarter, we give them another fifteen vehicles, another quarter, another fifteen vehicles until we reach the number that they require.
“I therefore enjoin our people to take ownership of this security outfit by collaborating with it and supporting it. Together, we shall make Ogun State a most hospitable and a conducive place of our collective dreams,” he said.
Abiodun who called on the private sector to embrace the OPMESA initiative, noted that his administration would continue to be responsive to issues bordering on security.
Governor Abiodun while noting that the outfit wasn’t peculiar to the state alone as it currently operates in twenty-six states of the federation, added that his administration was able to reactivate the outfit through a presidential consent sort by his administration after it was left comatose by the immediate past administration.
He noted that the outfit would benefit from the support of the security trust fund through donations and contributions from the government and the private sector, added that the OPMESA will compliment other security outfits in the state.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, comprising Lagos and Ogun State, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu commended the Ogun State Governor for reactivating the outfit and providing them with necessary equipment.
The two-star general said that he has no doubt in his mind that the state would become more secured with the support of the Governor.
The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole while noting that the equipment was another example of support that would enable them to discharge their duties diligently, pledged to make best use of the equipment.
The Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo in his remarks, appreciated the Govenor for putting more effort at maintaining the position of the state as the safest in the country.
The royal father called on the people to pay their tax, support the outfit by not hiding useful information.
The current protest at MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLYTECHNIC (MAPOLY) is moving to another phase as NANS Chairman, Comrade Kehinde Damilola Simeon, in collaboration with the students’ leaders of the polytechnic vowed to move to take the protest to the Governor’s office Wednesday morning (19th January, 2022).
It was publicly declared in front of the school gate by the NANS president that the school would remain on lock until the cause of the students were met. He said “The acting Rector of Mapoly, Dr Adeoye Odedeji is proving unperturbed and adamant and the student will not be intimidate by the nonchalant attitude of school acting rector.”
It was said earlier that the Ag Rector of Mapoly has threatened the students with his younger brother who is a top ranking DSS officer in the state. Therefore, the NANS chairman encouraged the students not to be afraid of this threat while pleading with the Ogun state government to look into the matters..
The NANS chairman also said that a lot of calls has been coming to him to betray the students, but he refused because he remained in the students’ struggle.
The student union president of the school (Comrade Babatunde Ganiyu Adeola (BABS)) also encouraged all concerned students of the institution to be at the igniting venue tomorrow so as to move in mass to the intended protest site..
The Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has monitored the level of compliance of the signing of undertaking forms by parents and students, as schools resume for the 2021/2022 second term academic session.
Commissioner in the Ministry, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu who spoke during the monitoring exercise to some schools in the State, emphasised the need to adhere to government’s instruction in order to allow students into classrooms for teaching and learning activities.
Arigbabu admonished learners to imbibe the spirit of excellence and good behavior for a hitch-free academic session, saying the government would not relent in providing free and qualitative education.
“We need parents, learners and everyone to be involved in the running of schools. The teachers are trying their best and we want you to help us achieve this feat. I look forward to see good ambassadors that would make the State proud in the nearest future. So, cooperate with us in building future and responsible leaders”, the Commissioner said.
In her address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, while speaking during the exercise in Remo axis expressed satisfaction at the level of compliance by parents and learners to the signing of the undertaking forms, positing that the government had put in place workable measures that would restore standard and discipline in schools.
Schools visited include, Anglican Girls Grammar School, Ijebu-ode Grammar School, Ijebu Muslim College, Adeola Odutola College all in Ijebu-Ode. Others are Remo Secondary School and Methodist Comprehensive College, Sagamu.
An Ogun West chieftain, Adele Olu of Ilaro-Yewa, Chief Abiodun Ilo has called on indigenes of the area to dive into the infrastructural strides of Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration, as nation building and community development cannot be done by government alone.
Ilo made this call while speaking with OGIS Correspondent in Ilaro, stating that individuals and groups, especially the youths, home and abroad would be mobilised to provide needed infrastructure that would engender the social economic growth of the region.
The Adele Olu noted that the idea was to complement government’s effort and fast track the development of Yewaland, saying “there is nothing bad if we are supporting the government in the provision of adequate and qualitative medical care, empowering the people, provision of potable water, electricity, among others”.
He described Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle as an inspiring, accommodating and hardworking Monarch who works for the progress of the area.
Super Eagles opened their Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a winning note, beating the most successful side in the competition, Egypt 1-0
The match lived up to the hype of what was expected from both teams that have ten titles between them.
Iheanacho’s fine strike in 30th minute made the difference in the keenly contested tie.
All Super Eagles’ players gave good account of themselves, from Moses Simon to Joe Aribo and Maduka Okoye who made a fantastic save of a goal bound shot from Mohammed Salah, every Super Eagles player played with intent and got a win that will now send shivers to other teams in the tournament.
Segun ShowunmiShowunmi exchanging a point of interest with Gov. Dapo Abiodun while Otunba Daniel listens smilingly
By Bisade Ojoye
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship Aspirant in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi has declared that he would slug it out with the incumbent Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun at the polls in 2023 if the people clamoured for him or the need arose.
He said this yesterday during the 10th Year Remembrance Service of the late father of former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Most Rev. Abraham Adebola Daniel in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Showunmi whose encyclopedic personage scores him in matters of public discourse, and spokesman for the former Vice President and PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said in any contest of that nature, there must be consultations and cost counting.
He stressed, “in the governorship race of any state, once the people tell you loudly that you should come out to contest, the next thing you do is consultation. After that, you have to count the cost and the financial implications of what you want to embark on. I am convinced that if the desire of the people remain as it is,I am sure myself and Dapo Abiodun will slug it out at the poll in 2023.”
Ogun Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele speaking at the occasion
A call has gone to all and sundry to join hands to promote peace and unity in Nigeria.
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun made the call during a special Jumat Service to commemorate the year 2022-Armed Forces Remembrance Day, at the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Abiodun noted that the labour of the past heroes in promoting peace and unity must not be in vain, saying “to ensure the progress of the country, everyone has a role to play”.
He noted that his administration was doing everything in its power to ensure even distribution of developmental projects in the State, provision of adequate security for its citizenry, stating the need to shun acts that could heat up the polity, cause discord and disharmony.
“It is crucial that everyone should be at peace with utmost rest of mind, this is why we are working assiduously to provide basic amenities and most importantly security of lives and property for the people of Ogun State”, he said.
Abiodun prayed for continued protection of the uniform men who are in the forefront in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Odusile, said it is imperative to remember the fallen heroes, calling on Nigerians to be more united, show love to one another and give recognition to families of the departed heroes.
Also speaking, the Chairman Council of Obas in the State, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Onirolu of Irolu, Oba Sikirulah Adeyiga, appreciated the concerted efforts of government at all levels in remembering the fallen heroes.
In his sermon, Sheik Taofeek Amolegbe, commended the government for the yearly celebration, praying for the fallen heroes, their families and those who sustained injuries in the cause of peacekeeping.
Prayers were also offered for the State Governor, the Armed Forces and Nigeria with special reading from the Holy Qur’an.
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