Ogun State government has restated the ban on indiscriminate parking of vehicles along the Sagamu Interchange – Abeokuta express road.
A statement in Abeokuta on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr Kunle Somorin said the renewed enforcement of the ban has been with immediate effect.
According to the statement, “this is not a new law but full enforcement of the existing road traffic laws”.
“Henceforth, no vehicle will be allowed to park on the shoulder or lay-by on that express road”
Somorin explained that the state government action had become necessary to reduce incessant cases of avoidable accidents and provide a safe ambiance for the Gateway City Gate along the axis.
“Consequently, the relevant agencies have been empowered to impound all vehicles parked by the shoulders of the expressway and arrest defaulters.
“With the directive, owners of articulated vehicles on both sides of the road were advised to remove them immediately to avoid impoundment and payment of fines,” the statement noted, adding that the notice takes immediate effect.
Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has been bestowed with an Award of Excellence at the Nigeria Cocoa Summit and Awards held at the Sandralia Hotel Abuja on Tuesday, 30th November 2021.
The Summit was jointly organized by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The Award of Excellence was in recognition of Governor Abiodun’s immense contributions to the Cocoa Economy of Nigeria through recent interventions approved for the Cocoa Sector in Ogun State such as:
Fulfilment of all pre-conditions necessary for the participation of Ogun State in the CBN Cocoa Development Initiative and other Cocoa support initiatives for Ogun Cocoa farmers and stakeholders; which included evaluation of all Cocoa producing sites in the State, as funded by Ogun State Government;
Designation of land in 10 locations for prospective investors in primary production;
Production and free distribution of 100,000 improved Cocoa seedlings to Cocoa farmers through Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and other channels in 2020 and 2021 under the Planting Materials Palliative Project of the State Government, and;
Credit linkage of 70 Million Naira for 117 Cocoa farmers in Ogun State under the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme.
Ogun State government will hold the second edition of its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Business Clinics between Thursday, December 9, 2021 and Thursday, January 20, 2022.
A release by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Industry, Trade and Investment, Chief Remi Ogunmefun stated that the business clinics would facilitate the establishment of new businesses, as well as increase the capacity and viability of existing ones in the State.
It indicated that the clinics scheduled to hold in five zones across the State’s three Senatorial Districts will commence in Abeokuta at the Centenary Hall, Ake on Thursday, December 9, 2021, while that of Ijebu zone comes up on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at the Colonel Daniel Akintonde Arcade Hall, Ijebu-Ode.
The Sagamu /Ogijo Zone clinic is slated for the Remo Royal Event Centre, Akarigbo Palace, Sagamu on Thursday, December 16, 2021. Also, for the Isheri/Akute Zone, the Business Clinic is billed for Green Gold Event Hall, Akute on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and would be rounded off on Thursday, January 20, 2022 with that of Ado-Odo/Ota zone holding at the Ado-Odo/Ota LGA Secretariat Hall, Ota.
The release enjoined residents of the State desirous of starting a Micro or Small-scale Enterprise or interested in the expansion of their existing businesses to register and attend the clinic close to their location.
Interested participants are to register online at https://msme.ogunstate.gov.ng or at the Department of Industrial Promotion, Block B, Room 328, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, State Secretariat, Abeokuta, any of the 20 Local Government Secretariats or any Micro Finance Bank within the State.
For further enquiries, the release urged interested participants or stakeholders to call coordinators of the programme on 08034552305, 08033762594, 08032087095, 08034205200 or 09030165208.
I was privileged to attend the grand finale of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola’s second term bid campaigns in 2014 in Oshogbo stadium where I saw a crowd that frightened me. I have been attending campaign rallies since 1999 but what I saw in Oshogbo was unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. I was sitting close to a friend and when I sought his opinion on what we are witnessing he told me that this is no longer rally but a movement.
After the Ondo Guber elections last Saturday November 26 2016 many commentators began to celebrate the so-called Buhari boys in Abuja who they said outsmarted Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I saw a calculated attempt to whittle down the well-deserved honour and glory the man has recorded even from his days at Mobil Producing Nigeria. Many half a penny commentators said that this may be the beginning of the end of the Asiwaju BAT’s phenomenon. Some said that BAT has been bruised.
I know enough history to conclude that success is not an event. I know that nobody makes it to the World Series overnight. I know the champions do not become heroes overnight. Throughout history I have known that history is not drawn on a straight line. This is the reason why I feel that those who tried to use the outcome of Ondo elections to get at Asiwaju BAT miss the point. They know nothing about Asiwaju BAT as a massive movement. They know nothing about BAT as a friend of the poorest of the poor. They know nothing about BAT as a bridge builder. They know nothing about BAT as a maker of leaders in Nigeria. They knowing about BAT as a friend of all and sundry. They know nothing about Asiwaju as a strategic thinker, fighter, and achiever. They know little about his committed, vast preponderance and deep-rooted friends across Nigeria. They know nothing about his deep connect with Presidents and leaders in Africa and the world. They know nothing about the men and women he has brought up across Nigeria as political leaders, Governors, Deputy Governors, Speakers, Senators, Reps, Commissioners, Ministers, LGA Chairmen, business men etc including Akeredolu and Alasoadura.
The low thinkers do not know that in 2012 he brought to the front seat, the man of history called Rotimi Akeredolu. Ah, Ah, I wish these people know this saga called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Oh, how I wish they know what I know? How I wish they had been close to this working history who showed me the freeways, byways, subways, highways and low ways of power. How I wish they know ten percent of what I know about this man of history. When it was difficult for people to understand this man he humbly released this statement to drive home his points.
Hear ASIWAJU BAT :’I set my goals and objectives in accordance with my vision. I study them and strategically execute them. My detractors discuss my successes and failure because they have nothing to execute. I am in the news more because I’m working, Nigerians discuss active men in the field.
Mentioning any negative news about me will double the wealth of any news media that published it. My name today is a financial market for journalist. Not even elected politicians get the publicity I am enjoying. My comrades , go and work till mentioning your name becomes a source of increased wealth for someone. Even my weakness create wealth for vendors’.
Andy Andrew tells me that “Everybody wants to reach the top of the mountain, but there is no growth at the peak. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life’s next peak”.
Niccolo Machiavelli teaches us that “The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him”Take a look around BAT and see the men and women around him and it is only when you know this that you will begin to understand this man.
Asiwaju is not without blemish. Asiwaju is not playing God. Asiwaju did not preach to us that he is the best God ever created. Asiwaju did not tell us that he knows it all. He never said so. Asiwaju is an ordinary mortal like everyone of us.
I pray that the East and the North will try to produce one person each like Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This country will be better for it. Let me say it once again that it is difficult for 20 – 30 people to gather anywhere in Nigeria without you discovering that one person may have been touched by Asiwaju magic. This is what makes BAT a massive movement.
Now, let me close with this” celebrate great men and women and you too will achieve greatness. The one who serve a people is their master. It is good to be important but it is more important to be good. I am celebrating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu today because I want to be a great man like him. Case rested!
Farmers in Ogun State have been charged to embrace strategic food preservation, to prevent farm produces from perishing, which would ultimately help them to maximise profits.
The State Head of Service, Dr. Nafiu Aigoro gave this charge in Abeokuta while playing host to the Management of the State Agro-Services Corporation, affirming that government was ready to collaborate with the farmers to achieve more successes in the agricultural sector.
Dr. Aigoro urged the Corporation to continue to support farmers across the State with inputs and mechanisation to improve their production, and find ways of blocking leakages, saying all hands must be on deck to deliver the mandate of making the State the food basket of the nation.
“The government believes you can do it better, that’s why your Board is there. Let’s put a stop to rotten farm produce, and find a way to preserve them from perishing. Strategic food preservation should be embraced to stop the leakages which are not good for the morale of farmers”, the HoS said.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Corporation’s Management, Mr. Lanre Adeyinka, appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for the appointment of Dr. Aigoro as the new Head of Service, saying the Corporation had keyed into various government programmes, which would turn around agriculture in the State.
In another development, Dr. Aigoro, has called on Muslim faithful to continue praying and supporting the Government in order to deliver more dividends of democracy to the citizenry.
Dr. Aigoro stated this in his office when Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Ogun State Circuit paid him a courtesy visit, charging the group to be a shining example of what Muslims should be and offer advise where necessary to move the State forward.
The Agura of Gbagura, Oba Saburi Babajide Bakre has pleaded with the Government at all levels as well as well – meaning people of Ogun State to come to the aid of victims of the fire incident that occurred at Lafenwa market where lives were lost and over 200 million worth of goods were destroyed recently.
The Monarch who made the appeal during his commiseration visit to the scene of the inferno, said the incident was quite unfortunate, calling on the people to always ensure safety first at anytime so as to prevent avoidable accident that may eventually lead to huge destruction.
Agura noted that though, the infernos occurred due to a petrol tanker that fell around 2: 00am and spilled its content into the market that eventually exploded, causing serious destruction of goods and equipment and affected the largest milling store in the area where Local rice is been processed.
While commiserating with the family of those who lost their loved ones and valuables in the incident, he prayed for God’s grace to abide with them so as to bear the irreparable loss. He commended the effort of the present administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun for his proactive measure at steming the fire from excallating
The monarch appealed to governor Abiodun to compassionately compensate the affected traders, saying only Almighty God could adequately comfort and compensate them, but noting that any token support from the government would invariably go a long in their lives.
Oba Bakre also lauded the effort of the present administration for putting in place programmes that promote youths development across the state but lamented over the disturbing increase in the activities of the miscreants among other criminal elements thronging around his domain particularly using Lafenwa under Bridge as their operating den for criminals possing serious danger to several communities in the area.
He called for an urgent intervention of the state government and proactive measures from all the concerned security agencies to rise to the occasion and end all sorts of criminalities being perpetrated in the axis.
The Monarch who was received by different group of traders both from market men and women led by Baba Oloja of Lafenwa market Abeokuta, Chief Musa Adeyinka, expressed appreciation to the monarch for his show of love and concern for their well-being at this trying time in Lafenwa Market. They prayed for God’s grace to continue to abide with him and that God should comfort all those who were affected one way or the other in the fire.
Mrs Ramotalai Daud, one the traders whose valuable were destroyed in the fire thanked the monarch and commended the state government for visiting the scene to assess the level of damage, appealing to government to support them with any financial assistance to alleviate their sufferings, saying the loss was too huge for them to bear considering the biting economy situation ravaging the country at the moment.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, ordered Kano state government to tender an apology to the dethroned Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, in two national dailies.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Anwuli Chikere, held that Sanusi’s forceful banishment from the state after his dethronement, was illegal, unconstitutional and in gross violation of his fundamental human rights. Consequently, it awarded damages against Kano state, in favour of the deposed Emir, to the tune of N10million.
It will be recalled that Sanusi, accused of disloyalty and insubordination was deposed as Emir by the Kano State government on March 9, 2020. The deposed Emir was initially banished to Loko village in Nasarawa State after his dethronement, later, he was forcefully moved to Awe town, where he was confined until March 13, 2020, when the court ordered that he should be granted his freedom.
Sanusi, who had since accepted his fate as the will of God, however approached the court to query the legality of his confinement in Nasarawa state. In the suit he predicated on section 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the former Emir, among other things, prayed the court to restore his rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria, (apart from Kano State).
Cited as Respondents in his suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020, were the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the State Security Service, Attorney General of Kano State and the Attorney General of the Federation. While adopting his final brief of argument, Sanusi’s lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, told the court that his client was not before it to challenge his dethronement. Mahmoud said his client was in court over the gross violation of his fundamental rights in relation to the harsh way he was treated after he was deposed by the Kano state government.
He said: “My lord, this is not a chieftaincy matter. The Applicant is not before this court to challenge the Respondents’ actions with regards to his removal as Emir of Kano, but the way he was bundled to Abuja and banished to a remote location”. Mahmoud decried that notwithstanding the status of his client is the society, he was subjected to such degrading treatment. He argued that it was clear from the way the former Emir was treated, that his rights were grossly violated, a situation that led him to seek the intervention of the court. He prayed the court to grant all the reliefs his client sought in the suit, among which included the declaration of his confinement in Nasarawa state as illegal. However, all the Respondents, through their respective lawyers, urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.
Counsel to the Inspect General of Police, Mr. Victor Okoye, further challenged the competence of the suit, noting that the instrument conveying Sanusi’s banishment was written and endorsed by an official of the Kano State Government. He therefore argued that the Applicant ought to have filed the case before a Kano state high court. Likewise, counsel to the DG of the DSS, Godwin Agbadua, urged the court to strike out the suit on the grounds that the alleged rights violation occurred in Kano, stressing that there is a Federal High Court in Kano, before which Sanusi could seek redress. On his part, the Attorney General of Kano State who was represented by Musa Mohammed, also challenged the jurisdiction of the court in Abuja to entertain the case. He urged the court to dismiss the suit in its entirety for want of jurisdiction and competence.
Reacting to the judgement, the Kano State attorney General, according to the lawyer that represented him in court on Tuesday, Abdulsallam Salleh, said they would study it properly and decide on the next line of action. “We will look at the judgement critically and consult with our client (Kano state government) on whether we will appeal against it on not”, Salleh told newsmen
Following the disastrous fire incident at Lafenwa Market on Sunday were some lives were lost and properties running Millions were consumed, Ogun State government has set up a 9-man committee to probe.
According to a statement by Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, in a letter dated November 29, compiled the names of members of the committee and its terms of reference.
The statement indicated that the committee would look into the causes of the incident and come up with ways to prevent future occurrence of such disaster.
The committee would be chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Femi Ogunbanwo while the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration in the Governor’s Office, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya would serve as Secretary.
Talabi stated that the terms of reference of the committee would include: determination of the remote cause of the fire outbreak; recommendation of immediate steps/actions for intervention of the government to forestall future occurrence; recommendation of medium and long term intervention of the government and recommendation of compensation for the victims of the fire incident to the government. The SSG, however, said the committee was expected to submit its report within two weeks.
Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Akin Adesanya; Commissioner for Transport, Engr. Gbenga Dairo; Commissioner for Rural Development, Engr. Oludotun Taiwo, and his Women Affairs and Social Development counterpart, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape.
Others are Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Mr Bayo Ayorinde and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the local government and the head of the State Task Force on Illegalities, Toyin Afolaogun, an assistant commissioner of Police.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday presented a sum of N351bn as the proposed appropriation bill for the year 2022 before the House of Assembly.
Abiodun, while presenting the fiscal proposal christened ‘Budget of Restoration’, said the main task of his administration next year is to increase pace of the implementation of its development plan as already designed and encapsulated in the ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda.
Adding that the budget for 2022 will also seek to sustain and improve on the gains so far made in the delivery of good governance to the people of Ogun State, Abiodun noted that the state under his watch, has begun moving very steadily towards full recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said his administration’s budget credibility as determined by performance in year 2021 was better than what Ogun has ever had in its history while noting that his administration was able to achieve 80% IGR as of September 30, 2021.
He said: “Judging from our Internally Generated Revenue, we were able to achieve 80% IGR as at 30th September of this year. A brief detail of this, indicates that out of the State IGR Budget size of N121, 806,876,775.63 this year, a sum of N73, 064,877,599.72 was generated as at Q3 September ending, translating to 80% proportional performance, as against 44% proportionate performance recorded in Q3 2020. This indicates an improved performance, owing to the digitalisation of our processes and the introduction of Central Billing System, amongst others.
“A further break down reveals that, out of a total estimation of N338.61Billion projected as total funding, comprising of expected inflows N121.81B as IGR; N58.87 Billion as Statutory Allocation/ Value Added Tax and N139.53 Billion as the Capital Receipts, respectively. As at September ending, Q3 2021, the actual total funding was N177.02 billion representing 70% of the prorated revenue target of N253.96 billion”, he stated.
The governor said that despite the economic constraints, his administration has made modest progress within the available limited resources in the outgoing year by carrying out people-oriented projects such as road re-construction and rehabilitation across the three senatorial Districts of the state; health care delivery; education sector revitalization; affordable housing projects; agricultural development; digital and technological revolution; better sports development; and, improved welfare of workers, among others.
While pointing out that three town hall meetings were held to have inputs of the people and shape the priorities of his administration in preparing the 2022 budget, Abiodun, said “the proposed appropriation bill would focus on completion of existing projects; projects with revenue potential; projects consistent with priorities articulated in the State Economic Development Strategy and projects that can enhance employment generation”.
The governor said that the estimated N350.74 billion for the year 2022 will be funded through the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) expected to generate N56.30b, while other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) estimated to generate N96.87 billion totaling N153.17 billion.
He added that N73.01b is expected from statutory allocation (FAAC and VAT), while capital receipt – internal and external loans, grants and aids – is estimated at N124.56 billion.
Abiodun, who explained further that 51 percent capital expenditure has been achieved in view of the need to drive his administration’s developmental objectives, said that recurrent expenditure for 2022 will gulp N154b, while capital an aggregate sum of N170b will made available for capital expenditure, which according to him is an increase of N10b over the sum approved for the 2021 budget.
Highlighting the proposed budget, the governor announced infrastructure to take the lion share of N77,775b, representing 22% of the total budget.
This was followed by education and health sectors with proposals of N56,071.21b and N35,073.51b, representing 16% and 10% of the total budget, respectively.
Abiodun, however, noted that N170billion allocated to capital expenditure is to chart economic recovery growth through investment in physical projects that will create enabling environment for investment, create employment and trigger redistribution of resources.
He added a total sum of N7.7b is provided for transfers to the Stabilization Fund to insulate and position the state towards unprecedented activities or economic shocks.
The governor thanked the Ogun State House of Assembly for its continued collaboration and cooperation within the ambits of the Separation of Powers, soliciting for its unflinching support to enable the the executive and the legislature collectively deliver on their promises in the coming year.
“Let me re-emphasize that the people of Ogun State expect that the 2022 Budget will contain only implementable and critical projects, which when completed, will significantly address current structural challenges of the economy, improve the business environment and accelerate economic recovery.
“I have directed all Commissioners, Accounting Officers and Heads of Agencies to be personally available for budget defence”, he stated.
Abiodun also appreciated the Ogun people for the trust and confidence they have reposed in his administration.
“We appreciate the invaluable support, cooperation, and prayers of all stakeholders. Our gratitude goes to our political class; our revered Royal Fathers, Elder Statesmen, our Religious leaders, Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Market Women and Men and indeed our Public Servants. We also thank our critics. As our supporters continue to motivate us, our critics are also challenging us to do more. That is the whole essence of democracy. I thank all of us”, Abiodun submitted.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade to provide the right leadership and also come up with innovative ways of improving on the administration of justice in the state.
The governor made this call in his office after swearing in the Senior Advocate designate as a member of the State Executive Council.
He urged him to provide the right kind of leadership for the Ministry of Justice and come up with innovative ways of improving the delivery and administration of justice in the state, saying there was little or no time for settling down but roll up his sleeves to commence work immediately.
“I agree that you have established yourself in private practice, like most of us in this Administration, but I must also let you know that I do not envy your role here. It is a different ball game in the public sector. Your position, going forward, puts you at a very challenging threshold, and if you like call it crossroads, in our quest to have a virile, disciplined, morally upright, peaceful and secured society, built on inclusiveness, accountability, fairness, equity, transparency, justice, and, obedience to rule of law. You are now a professional in Politics”, the governor said.
He stated Ogungabde, might have the requisite skills as a solicitor and advocate but he needed more than “intellectual endowments to drive the process as a decorated legal draftsman and well-grounded solicitor in a manner that would ensure a better future for all the good people, investors and those paths might cross Ogun State through your office in collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs)”.
He reminded the new Attorney General that the state is a trail-blazing State in Law, having produced more Senior Advocates in the country than many other States combined. “We have produced everything possible in the practice of Law, First Lawyer, First and Second Senior Advocates of Nigeria, First Female Senior Advocate, First Indigenous High Court Judge, First Indigenous Chief Justice of Nigeria and a Court of the International Justice at the Hague”
Gov. Abiodun who stated that the Ministry of Justice remained vital towards the attainment of the vision of his administration to create an enabling environment for Public Private Sector Partnership, added that he would continue to do all he could to support the Judiciary
The State Governor who also stated that his administration would continue to support other arms of government, added that his administration would continue to uphold the principles of separation of powers.
“As an administration, let me ensure the good people of Ogun State of our unwavering commitment to uphold the principles of separation of powers and noninterference.
“We will therefore continue to support, cooperate and respect other arms of government as co-travellers in this democratic process, all we ask is the continued cooperation of our people, their support and prayers at all times,” he said.
Abiodun, while promising that his administration would remain committed to the wholesome development of the state and total fulfillment of his electoral promise to the people of the state, noted that his administration would continue to strive to fulfill its electoral promise.
In her remarks, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu charged the new Attorney General to build on what was on ground as well as bring his own ideas, assured the Governor that he wouldn’t be disappointed with the appointment.
Responding, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade expressed appreciation to the Governor for the honour to serve the state of his birth, assured him and the people of the state that he would do his utmost best towards the overall development of the state.
Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo who is also the incumbent Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, Akarigbo was on Sunday Honoured with honorary doctorate degrees by the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, during the grand finale of its 12th convocation ceremonies.
According to the institution, Akarigbo who is the present Chancellor of the University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, was bestowed with the award as a result of his laudable achievements and immeasurable contributions to the development of education in Ogun State and Nigeria at large.
The honour was part of the programmes lined up in commemoration of the institution’s 16 years of establishment and 12th Convocation Ceremony.
In his acceptance speech, Akarigbo applauded the University, especially its acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Oluwole Banjo and members of the Senate, calling on them to uphold the dreams and ideologies for which the institution was created and work assiduously towards the advancement of education in Nigeria and entire Africa.
A total of 3,385 undergraduate students graduated with 50 making First Class; 1,409 with Second Class (upper division); 2,159 with Second Class lower division; 266 with Third Class, and one with Pass.
Out of 283 part-time students graduating, one was conferred with a first class degree; 92 in Second Class upper-division; 10 in Second Class lower division and 10 in Third Class while Four hundred and eighty-three (483) graduated in the postgraduate category.
Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun has said that Nigeria and other members of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCTA), stand to gain immensely from the agreement in the area of employment, wealth generation, food security and poverty alleviation.
Abiodun stated this at the 36th Annual General Meeting of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State branch, held in Abeokuta, on Thursday.
The governor, however, stressed the need for critical stakeholders in different African countries to come together to appraise and review process of the continental agreement.
“Our production base has continued to expand and we are harnessing the potentials of the manufacturing sector towards improving on policy formulations and programmes to internalize and mainstream African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCTA) into Nigeria’s Economic Development Plan.
“Interestingly, the results have remained positive, especially, in the area of employment generation, wealth creation, food security and poverty alleviation and consequently, the continued improvement in the standards of living of Nigerians.
“No doubt, AfCTA comes with immense benefits to member Nations. Nevertheless, it is important that critical stakeholders in different African countries also come together to appraise and review the process”, he pointed out.
He said that the MAN’s Annual General Meeting, with the theme, ‘The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement And Nigeria Manufacturing Sector – Maximizing The Gains; Mitigating The Draw backs’, is an important platform for a cross-fertilization of ideas for the development of the manufacturing sector which he said remained the redeeming feature for Nigeria’s economic survival.
Abiodun praised the Ogun state branch of MAN for being consistent in its commitment and determination to make the critical difference in its efforts to promote Made-in-Nigeria goods and to ensure that the ideals of industrializing the state comes into fruition.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the Federal Government has upped the ante on economic diversification and re-tooling the manufacturing sector for economic sustainability. By doing this, we will come up with improved and more practical recommendations that will make such international economic collaboration more beneficial to the manufacturing sector in particular, and, the nation’s economy in general”, the governor added.
He maintained that his administration has put in place policies and programmes for the Ease of Doing Business with the aim to harnessing the economic potentials of the state.
According to him, policies such as the Business Environment Council, Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS), establishment of the Industrial Parks and so on, had been put in place to make Ogun more attractive to investors.
Abiodun, therefore, called on investors to take advantage of various economy policies available and invest in the state.
On efforts to enhance transportation of raw materials and finished goods within and without the state, the governor informed the gathering that plans were in the top gear to begin the construction of the Sagamu-Ogijo road by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) using the tax credit scheme system.
He noted that his administration had in the last two years and four months prioritised construction of interstate and intra-state roads, saying over three hundred kilometers of roads have been constructed with particular attention on roads with adjoining states, particularly Lagos
Abiodun further noted that his administration has commenced the construction of the 20Km Agbara-Atan-Lusada road, assuring the road would be ready by the end of 2022.
He said that Unilever has shown interest in the construction of the already awarded road through the tax credit system, adding that Dangote Group has also accepted to fund the construction of the Sagamu Interchange to Ilaro road which is a major road connecting the eastern and western parts of the state.
The governor also disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service was planning to relocate some of its operations from Lagos State into the Agro Cargo Airport that will be ready towards the end of next year.
“Earlier this week, I received a letter from the Nigeria Customs Service requesting that we allow them have presence at the Agro Cargo Airport, that they will like to relocate most of their operations from Lagos State into that airport,” he said.
Abiodun, while lauding the President Buhari-led administration for upping the ante of economic diversification and returning the manufacturing sector to economic sustainability, added that under the watch of the president, the production base of the country has continued to expand.
In his address, President of MAN, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, represented by the Vice President, MAN, Southwest, Mr. Samuel Kolawole, said the meeting was an opportunity for the association to engage the state government in its policies, plans and directions on issues affecting manufacturers.
While appreciating the Ogun State government for its efforts at improving security and infrastructure for businesses to strive, he called for the establishment of more industrial parks and skill acquisition centres for training of the teeming youths.
The chairman, MAN, Ogun State branch, Mr. Seleem Adegunwa, noted that the Public Private Partnership initiative of the state government was yielding fruits as it enabled the private sector to collaborate with government in different ways.
DAILY DIGEST 