Category: Uncategorized

…increases quarterly pension payment to N1bn quarterly

By Bisade Ojoye

As part of efforts to address the plight of workers and pensioners in Ogun State, Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun on Friday released 2 Billion Naira for four months to offset part of Global Cooperative deductions, a debt profile inherited from the past administration.

He also promised to settle the rest of the deductions by releasing one billion naira quarterly until all the deductions made were defrayed.

Similarly, he released another 1 Billion Naira for state and local government pensioners’ gratuities.

The new gratuities is a 100 percent increment from the earlier quarterly payment of N500M he had earlier commenced last year.

Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Ogun State branch, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, disclosed these at a press conference after a meeting among the leaders of Labour, Pensioners’ Unions and Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

According to TUC Chairman, “we had a fruitful meeting with the governor today. This is a follow-up to other meetings we had before. In the meeting, we told the governor that workers were tensed up and restless due to non payment of their deductions, and the Governor agreed to do something about it.

“I am glad to inform you that he has directed the immediate release of N1bn for the payment of gratuities and that N1bn will be released on quarterly basis for the Pensioners. As at today, four months of global deductions has been paid and the governor also promised to do this on quarterly basis” he explained.

Lasisi also said the Governor had promised that promotion letters for 2O18 would be fully implemented by the new year while promotion entitlement for 2019 would commence by March next year.

Gov. Abiodun also assured workers of their promotion entitlements for 2020 from May or June next year.

The State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Chief Waidi Oloyede, appreciated the state government for the gesture and lauded the Governor for accepting to look into the monthly increment, saying that some of pensioners were collecting as low as N5,000, as monthly pension.

Secretary of the pension union, Dr. Bola Lawal in his contribution said, as a responsible union, its members would not embark on any form of protest without informing the government, noting that the last protest was done by an Association and not his union as ,”there is a difference between an association and a union”.

State Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSON) and Chairman Joint Negotiations Committe, Comrade Isa Olude, called for commitment on the part of the parties involved in order to build trust and avoid misunderstanding.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile, reiterated government’s commitment to the welfare of workers who are serving and Pensioners who had served the State meritoriously.

By Bisade Ojoye

The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, earlier this week visited one of the leaders of All Progressives Congress and former Governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who is in the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

The highly revered political and Doyen of Journalism, Aremo Osoba, who will gathered had travelled for a surgery on his knees was said to be recuperating very well following a successful operation surgery.

Prince Dapo Abiodun was there to wish him quick recovery and eagerly looking forward to receiving him back to the state.

By Bisade Ojoye

Delegation of the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II on Tuesday visited Fábrica do Samba to learn a little about Unidos de Vila Maria for Carnival 2022 in Brazil and to meet Afro Brazilian stakeholders ahead of his trip to unveil a Back-To-Home Project themed the “Precious of Our Ancestors”

The team had on Monday arrived Sao Paolo for the purpose of establishing more connections between Brazil and the African continent and to fulfill a ten-day schedule organized by Oduduwa Heritage Home Brazil, a cultural institute based in Rio de Janeiro, whose purpose is to strengthen ties and build bridges that facilitate cultural exchange between these two countries connected by fraternal ties for centuries.

The Ooni’s team
formed by two kings; Oba Joseph Adewole, the Ajero of the Kingdom of Ijero (Ekiti) and Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, the Alapomu of Apomu (Osun). The coordinator of the team is Comrade Moses Olafare, the Ooni’s Director of Media & Public Affairs while the Saagba of Ogbagi Akoko in Ondo State Highchief
Adekunle Sumbo and Prince Fagoroye Olokoba as members.

The team had earlier same day Tuesday visited the Afro Brasil Museum in Ibirapuera Park, where they had the opportunity to inspect the place where the schools in São Paulo develop their artistic projects to produce the parade of samba schools, a spectacle internationally known for its grandeur and luxury.

Received by Mr. Adilson de Souza, president of Unidos de Vila Maria, where the “Treasures of Our Ancestors” project will also be presented and the pre-launch of the “Back to Home” program. the Ooni’s team was able to know part of the project that is being developed by the school for the 2022 parade, when the theme “The World Needs Each One of Us”, will be presented by the carnival artist Cristiano Bara, who will perform his third job at the school.

According to the manager, receiving Ooni’s entourage opens up a range of exchange opportunities for partnerships, especially at a social level. “For us who represent Brazilian culture, it is very important, an honour to feel the presence of the Ooni here with us. We are happy because we can have the opportunity to know more about the Nigerian culture and open space for new partnerships, carrying out joint actions, with exchange of culture and actions that can serve as a mutual example between the two countries.

“Vila Maria School has a very strong social work and is available so that we can increasingly strengthen these ties with training between professionals, everything possible to enhance the carnival and the culture we defend”, said Adilson.

For Ajoyemi Osunleye, president of Oduduwa Heritage Home in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil said the visit of the Ooni’s team is another step towards consolidating the link between Brazil and Ile-Ife which is the source of the Oduduwa race, strengthening the ties between Nigeria and Brazil “Carnival is the largest open-air cultural festival in the world and we observe that, every year, black representation is present in the plots. Through this festival, we revisit history, our ties with Africa, our cultural and religious memories of Yoruba origin. Establishing this connection between Brazil and the African continent, more precisely Nigeria, has been a constant challenge and there, during the parades, it is when we feel totally connected, through the orixás, as children of Oduduwa”, says Ajoyemi. .

In the same vein, Moses Olafare, Director of Media at the Palace of the Ooni of Ifé, defended a greater cultural connection between the sister nations, so that the Brazilian people could better know their identity.

“We are on an important mission here as assigned by the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, which is to reconnect with true history. We are all children of Oduduwa and now, knowing the scale of this responsibility, be rest assured that the Ooni and all traditional rulers of Oduduwa Race worldwide will work together with you to strengthen these cultural, diplomatic, tourist and economic ties.”
Olafare said.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

The Executive Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Olusegun Ogunleye has commiserated with Pa Emmanuel Osibona father of the late Femi Osibona, CEO Fourscore Heights Limited, who died in the collapsed building in Ikoyi building on november 1, 2021.

The Chairman, during a condolence visit to the 91year old man on Monday, expressed deepest sympathy to Pa Osibona, on the sudden and gruesome death of the late Femi, who he described as one of the leading lights of the local government.

He urged the father who the Baba Ijo of Our Saviours Anglican Church, Ikenne, to take solace in God, the all-knowing, who gives and takes.

Prayer for the repose of the gentle soul of the deceased was offered by the Head of Local Government Administration, Ikenne Local Government, Engr. Olanike Ogunbona as she also prayed that God granted unto the father and all those left behind to mourn his death, the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Responding, Pa Emmanuel Osibona thanked the Council Boss and his entourage for the visit as he reaffirmed his unshaken trust and confidence in God, describing his son’s death as something known to God which he was not in a position to query.

On the Chairman’s entourage were the Vice Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Bolanle Fakoya; Councillor, Ward 2, Ikenne, Hon. Matanmi Idowu; and the Director, General Services and Administration, Mr. Olasupo Ogunyanwo.

By Bisade Ojoye

Alaperu of Iperu, Remo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo will today, Thursday, November 18, 2021 install the Chairman, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation and former Member of House of Representatives, Hon. Oladidupo Adebutu as the Seriki of Iperuland.

According to a release issued by Afolabi Orekoya, the Media Consultant to Hon. Adebutu, the conferment of Seriki of Iperuland on Hon. Adebutu was widely accepted by the sons and daughters of Iperuland without any controversy.

Seriki, is one of the foremost and very important Chieftaincy titles in Yorubaland and key in the structure of Iperu Traditional Council.

The nomination and installation of Adebutu as the Seriki is in appreciation of his unprecedented philanthropic gestures within and outside Ogun State. On many occasions, he has been described as a reputable human capacity builder whose impacts have been felt by all and sundry.

Prior to this installation as Seriki of Iperuland, Adebutu has been honoured by renowned and first Class Obas in Yorubaland all in recognition of his goodness to mankind and humanity; contribution to economic advancement and development without any form of solicitation.

Some of these high ranking Chieftaincy titles conferred on Adebutu include the Otun-Odole Oodua (of the Source) by the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Lisa Aje of Egbaland by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

He was also bestowed with the same title, Lisa Aje Ota/Aworiland by His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulkabir Obalanlege.

Honourable Ladi Adebutu is not one without honour in his home. He is Otun Ajagungbade of Remoland, a title conferred on him by the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo of blessed memory

By Olamide Yinusa

The leadership of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Ogun State CouncilI has described the sudden death of Comrade Soji Samson Amosu, Chairman of the union as shocking and devastating.

This was contained in a special release signed by Ayokunle Ewuoso, Secretary of the union on the passing of the union leader.

The release reads, “It is with heavy hearts but total submission to the will of God, we announce the passing of the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Comrade Soji Samson Amosu which occurred on November 14, 2021 after a brief illness”.

“His death is shocking, devastating. It is a collective grief to the Nigeria Union of Journalist in general and to Ogun State Council in particular. We pray God, in His infinite mercies will give members of the union and his nuclear and conjugal families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”.

He was born on June 22, 1968 to parents who are of Oke-Ore town Oke-Ore, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Amosu, a graduate of Mass Communication was elected seasoned with unionism having previously served as Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State council was elected as Chairman of the Council in 2019.

His election generated brouhaha in the anal of history of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as the National Executive Council, at the behest of the National President of the NUJ, Chris Iziguzo annulled it, consequence upon which he dragged the union to the National Industrial Court which eventually upheld his election and returned him and others elected to office in February 2021.

Amosu, before his death was on the staff of National Orientation Agency (NOA), died on Sunday.

They prayed that God, in His infinite mercies would give members of the union and his nuclear and conjugal families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

Amosu is survived by Wife and Children one who is a Medical Doctor

 

 The Chairman, Ijebu Ode Local Government, Alhaji Babatunde Emilola-Gazal has charged the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN), Ijebu District to uphold the tenets that established the institute.

Gazal gave the charge while hosting members of ICAN, Ijebu District Society during their courtesy visit to his office in Itoro.

He said ICAN is an institution saddled with the responsibility of raising experts in the accounting profession, thus the tenets that established it should be upheld to sustain accounting professionalism in the country.

He further advised to devise means of apprehending fraudsters, especially on the internet to ensure sanity in the financial sector of the country.

Earlier, Chairman ICAN, Ijebu District Society, Mrs. Taiwo Morenikeji FCA, gave a brief history on the establishment of the Institution far back as 1948, saying it has been able to produce world class professional accountants with the technical competence both in the private and public sectors, among whom are late Chief Dipo Dina and Otunba

By Bisade Ojoye

Ogun State has been placed on the 4th in revenue generation among the 36 states in the country.

The ranking according to the Statisense showed that Ogun generated N54.8b between January and June 2021.

The state which came behind Lagos, FCT and Rivers on the ranking, recorded a plus of 131.5% revenue increase in the months under review.

Reacting to the ranking, the Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, noted “this is the first time in the history of Ogun State that we’d be generating such an amount within just six months”

He attributed the feat recorded by the state to the current revenue generation drive by the incumbent administration led by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Okubadejo added that various economic initiatives capable of enhancing Ease of Doing Business being implemented by the administration, has begun to yield positive results.

By Olamide Yinusa

Social and cultural groups, as well as Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State have been enjoined to rally round the Central Planning Committee (CPC), 2021 Odun Omo Iganmode Afeleja, towards hosting a successful Celebration that would be ‘a December to Remember’.

Chairman of the Committee Aare Dele Bankole while seeking the support of the groups at the palace of the Olota of Ota explained that the potentials of the event would be used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ado-Odo/Ota and the Awori people in particular.

According to the Chairman, “the State’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is already committed to making this year’s Odun Omo Iganmode an Ogun State affair. We must therefore form partnership with the state government to showcase the cultural heritage of Ota-Awori Kingdom, which includes her foods, her dances, cultural practices and others socio-cultural attitudes to the whole world.

“I must also appreciate our action Governor, His Excelllency, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his deep interest in any lofty initiatives of Ogun West, particularly his desire to open up the entire State as pot-pourri of sorts for anything that attracts interest in the Gateway state, adding that Odun Omo Iganmode 2021 Festival would not be an exception.

“It was expected, by the conclusion of the celebrations on December 18th, Odun Omo Iganmode would have become a major tourist attraction in Ogun State and the entire Yoruba sub-nationality”, Aare Bankole said.

He noted that the moral and financial supports received so far from various groups and associations would go a long way to ensure proper planning and execution to the minutes details, saying that every arrangement would be centrally carried out, as no club would be expected to pay for canopy or chairs during the events”

“Clubs are expected to donate into the central purse for smooth preparations. All donations made are being publicly announced and same will be published in the official publication of the festival and on our official websites. I’m sure no club or society would want to be left out.

“Every arrangement will be handle by the CPC, so you don’t have to pay for canopies and chairs. I also wish to commend the contributions and various commitments of the sons and daughters of Ota/Awori both at home and abroad towards this year’s celebration”, he stated.

Corroborating the Chairman, a former member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Nurudeen Aina, implored the groups to cooperate with the committee, while the President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide, Chief Abiodun Omoroga advised that efforts on on publicity should be intensified, saying it was important to reach out to families, Olori Igas, Baales and other critical stakeholders in order to make the event a truly developmental and global one.

Chief Omoroga suggested that youths should be given recognition during the celebration, imploring members to inform successful sons and daughters of Ota -Awori Kingdom from far and near about the programme.

On his part, Alhaji Dagbure, representing club 15, charged the groups to be more committed to the celebration and to the development of Ota community, commending the committee for its transparency by announcing every donation being committed by the citizenry while advising that many more clubs and societies, as well companies should be contacted to be part of the events.

Also at the meeting, the President, Ota Gravity Foundation, Mr. Semiu Adeniran announced a donation of N300,000 in support of the festival, saying, “we, as a foundation, our support for any programme that will promote socio-cultural and development of Ota is unflinching”, encouraging other social and cultural groups to follow this initiative and make ‘Odun Omo Iganmode’ a tourist identity for Ogun State.

Breakdown of this year’s activities is as follows: Monday, December 13, Osugbo Prayer at the Palace; Medical Outreach and visit to Charity Homes; Tuesday, 14th, Youth Summit; Wednesday, 15th with Cultural Day; Thursday, 16th, Installation of Chiefs, while 17th is for Jumat Service. The Grand Finale will be on Saturday 18th and Thanksgiving Service at Living Faith Tabernacle, aka Winners’ Chapel on Sunday, December 19.

Meanwhile, members of this year’s various committees have decided to adopt transparency and accountability, while they pledged to support the Central Planning Committee (CPC) maximally

By Our Reporter

Sister to late Vanguard reporter, Tordue Salem, Elizabeth Jessica has berated the Nigeria Police over what she described as doctored report of how her brother was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

“I watched the doctored movie by Nigerian police and laughed” – Jessica, sister of late Vanguard reporter, Tordue Salem had said in her reaction to the Police report.

Salem, who was covering the House of Representatives, was found dead on Thursday, 29 days after he went missing in Abuja.

Police on Friday, paraded a 29-year-old commercial driver, Itoro Clement, suspected to be responsible for the death of the journalist.

Taking to Facebook on Friday evening, Mrs Kuraun expressed doubt about police investigation into her brother’s death.

“I watched the doctored movie by Nigerian police and I laughed. How can you knock someone down, and you will not know the date.” she wrote.

By Nkem Agwu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State, on Friday presented Certificates of Return to Professor Chukwuma Soludo and his deputy for winning the Anambra State governorship election held November 6, 2021.

Professor Soludo, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) and his
Deputy Governor-elect, Onyeka Ibezim were declared winners of the November 6 election by INEC.

The certificates were presented to the cerebral Professor who was formerly the Governor of the Central Bank of the Nigerian Nation and had his deputy in Awka, the state capital on Friday.

By Olufemilade Oyinade

Prince Dapo Abiodun has talked tough, warning that his administration would not hesitate to prosecute any official of the state government or contractor indicted for compromising standards in erecting structures that threatened life and property.

Abiodun added that if such official or contractor was found guilty of compromising safety and standards, he or she would be jailed.

Abiodun gave this warning on Monday during the Treasury Board Meeting on year 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2022 Budget held at the Obas’ Complex, Abeokuta.

“I am coming up with a law that will send workers in the building industry to prison. Workers in this agencies responsible for building control are susceptible to taking bribes. I am going to ensure that there is something in our law that will send head of building control agency to prison if a building collapses in Ogun State under their watch.

“The preoccupation of those responsible for building control should not just be revenue but to ensure due process and best practices in consonance with the State Building Control Regulations.

“If somebody was given approval to construct a storey building and you find out that the person has started decking for the second floor, you give him a stop order and penalty for exceeding the original approval. That is not enough; the penalty should be punitive. Yes, I want to see the money but, I am more concerned about the welfare, well-being and wellness of our people”, the governor said.

Abiodun declared that his administration has increased the Internally Generated Revenue and made more money than any other administration in one year at the end of September.

The governor, who equally said his government has grown the economy by 20 percent over last year, added that performance of 2020 budget was over 70 percent, saying “we will achieve 85 percent by the end of the year”.

He stressed the determination of his administration to sustain the trajectory recorded and also improve on it in the coming year.

Abiodun explained that his administration opted to support the call by some state governments to collect Value Added Tax, so as to ensure that those who generate VAT, collect and enjoy it, according to him, “the VAT campaign was in the spirit of restructuring and fiscal federalism”.

“We have made more money than any other administration in one year at the end of September. We have grown the economy by 20 percent over last year, already.

“Budget performance is over 70 percent now and we will achieve 85 percent by the end of the year

“We will collate MDA proposals by the end of the month and get the Exco approval to present the budget before the house. And we are hopeful that the needful will be done by the House – defence and synthesisation. By mid December, we should sign the 2022 budget into law”. Abiodun stated.

While stressing the need by the state to continue to think out of the box in order to generate necessary funds to power the development of the state, the governor, however, called for transparency and prudence in public spending.

“We must continue to think out of the box to generate the funds to power our development and the ‘Building Our Future Together’ Agenda. This is important because revenue generation is key to implementation of budget expenditure. More importantly, we must continue to be transparent and prudent in our spending, we equally need to be vigilant to ensure that funds appropriated are spent on projects for which they were allocated for and also block all leakages,” he added.

Abiodun called for evolving new methods of generating revenue by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, emphasising that no MDA would be expenditure-focused alone.

He charged the MDAs to be focused on blocking leakages and improve the revenue generating potentials of their respective agencies, saying that introduction of the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS) considered as part of avenues to improve the internally generated revenue of the state, would help to enhance operational efficiency, effectiveness and boost revenue generation.

The governor also charged the new Head of Service, Dr. Nofiu Aigoro, to lead all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the process of ensuring that the Budget 2022 document translated to a wholesome implementable and realistic programme and project that would increase the prosperity of the people.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, who disclosed that the Medium Term Expenditure Framework introduced in 2019 has become an improved model, adding that the state as at the 30th of September had attained 80% of its Internally Generated Revenue and 70% for budget performance.

On his part, the Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo noted that OLARMS had started to gather momentum with over one thousand five hundred applicants received so far.

He added that the Internal Revenue Service has been refocused for efficient tax return processing, tax payers service and enforcement.