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An advocacy group, `Coalition of More Women in Governance in Ogun’, on Monday, staged a protest to the Ogun Assembly to demand for more inclusion of women in the state governor’s cabinet list forwarded to the Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Dr. Abiola Akinyode, said that women in the state were disappointed with the number of women who made the commissioner-nominee’s list submitted to the Assembly by Gov. Dapo Abiodun.
Akinyode , who spoke at the Assembly’s complex in Abeokuta, said that the group would not accept the list, saying that there should be at least 35 per cent of women on the list.
She explained that the Assembly had passed a resolution sometime in October calling on the state government to give women 35 per cent affirmative in governance.
“On 35 per cent or more we stand. That is why we are here. Governance must have people’s face and it must be inclusive .
“Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) talks about gender equality and we want the governor to do the needful, ” she said.
Responding, Mr Olakunle Oluomo, the Speaker , commended the group for the peaceful protest.
Oluomo, represented by Mr Oludaisi Elemide, Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, noted that the Assembly actually passed a resolution on 35 per cent affirmative for women in governance.
The speaker noted that the resolution was an advice to the Executive and not a law, saying that the message of the group would be conveyed to the governor as soon as possible.
“I want to tell you that not only commissioners make the cabinet, we have Advisers and we also have consultants and we have more women in this regard,” he said.
Oluomo said the Assembly would do the needful as regards their demands.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that the governor on Thursday forwarded 18 names of commissioner-nominees which had only two women to the Assembly for confirmation.
Edited by: Adeleye Ajayi
(NAN)
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Saturday mourned the death of Dr Ore Falomo, the late Personal Doctor of late Chief MKO Abiola. Tinubu, in a statement signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, his media spokesperson, described Falomo as a physician and activist, who identified with the agitation for a better Nigeria, though he was not a politician. Falomo died early Saturday morning in Lagos after an illness. “I knew Dr. Ore Falomo very well as a physician and an activist. ‘ Though he was late Bashorun MKO’s Personal physician, he was part of the struggle for the revalidation of June 12. “He was no politician but he identified with us. He identified with our agitation for a better and progressive Nigeria. He was one of us. “He participated in Abiola’s political struggles and also felt his pains. He was one of those who saw Abiola last, some two weeks to his eventual death. “His death is a loss to the country, to the medical profession and to the progressives family,” Tinubu said. The former Lagos State governor explained that Falomo lived to rather advanced age and that he left behind good deeds and good children to continue to live after him. “Dr. Falomo lived and practiced in Lagos where his clinic is located, he would be deeply missed by all those who came in contact with him because of his good nature. “ I commiserate with his family, relations, friends, and associates. I mourn with the medical confraternity. “I mourn with Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dapo Abiodun and the government and people of Lagos and Ogun states. “May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord. May God grant his family the courage to live through his passing and the strength to continue with his good deeds,” Tinubu said. Edited by Felix Ajide
The Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan on Friday once again sustained its bragging right over perennial rivals, Crown FC of Ogbomosho courtesy of a 2-1 victory at the ongoing Gov. Dapo Abiodun Pre-Season tournament.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that the Oluyole Warriors once again beat the Ajilete Warriors in what could be defined to as state derby as both clubs are owned by Oyo State Government.
The last defeat to the Ogbomosho-based team by the Ibadan-based club came during the last state AITEO Cup finals played at the Adamasingba Stadium.
The Oladunni Oyekale-tutored Crown FC tasted the first defeat in the ongoing 12 clubs tournament as they played 2-2 draw against Kwara United before defeating Gateway United 2-1.
Shooting Stars were up in 2-0 in the first half courtesy of a penalty awarded in the 3rd minute and converted by Captain, Omololu Waheed, while Junior Ayobami doubled the lead in the 25th minute.
Crown FC, however, pulled one back after the first half ended 0-2 with highest goal scorer for the club, Sunday Odudu on the score sheet in the 56th minute of the game.
reports that the Gov. Dapo Abiodun Pre-season Tournament sponsored by Ogun State Government is ongoing at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode.
The tournament has 12 teams from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) participating.
The teams are Kano Pillars, Lagos-based MFM FC, Lobi Stars of Makurdi and Collins Edwin FC in the Group A, while Group B has Kwara United, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Gateway FC of Abeokuta, and Crown FC.
Teams in Group C consist of Bendel Insurance of Benin, Rivers United, Warri Wolves and Remo Stars of Ijebu-Ode.
KOJE/PDE
(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)
Crown FC of Ogbomosho Chief Coach, Oladunni Oyekale on Thursday said that he was impressed with the progress so far made by his team at the ongoing Gov. Dapo Abiodun Pre-season tournament.
Oyekale gave the assessment of his team on the heels of his team’s victory over the home team, Gateway FC at the match Day 2 of the tournament.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that the Gov. Dapo Abiodun Pre-season Tournament sponsored by Ogun State Government is ongoing at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode.
The tournament has 12 teams from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and Nigeria National League (NNL) participating.
The teams are Kano Pillars, MFM FC, Lobi Stars and Collins Edwin in the Group A, while Group B has Kwara United, Shooting Stars, Gateway FC, and Crown FC.
Teams in Group C consists of Bendel Insurance, Rivers United, Warri Wolves and Remo Stars.
The Ajilete Warriors had earlier played 2-2 against Kwara United at the opening fixture of the tournament.
Oyekale said that the pre-season tournament would help shape his team ahead of the NNL season.
“We thank God for the victory. I’m impressed with the team’s performance, though much need to be done to put our house in order ahead of the NNL season.
“That is the major reason we are here for the tournament. The team is progressing and I’m glad,” Coach Oyekale said.
Crown FC Media Officer, Tunji Alabi, described the performance of the team as superlative.
“It was a superlative performance by Crown FC this afternoon at the Main Bowl of the Dapo Dina International Stadium as we tutored Gateway United Football Club by 2-1.
“The very classic game saw both sides display good football artistry and maturity to the satisfaction of lovers of the football fans in the stadium.
“We had a compact midfield with Muazu Taiwo distributing accurate long passes to Sunday Odudu and Olaitan Fabode at the flanks.
“All efforts to put the ball at the back of the net was fruitless until in the 30th minute when Sunday Odudu chested a well-tailored pass from Moses Mustapha left footed goal put us ahead,” he said.
Alabi said that The Gateway United players showed much composure and full of energy with Oranmiyan James and Nicholas Egrigba firing from all angels on resumption to the last lap of the game.
“The quest to level up by the Dapo Abiodun lads paid off in the 50th minute when Tubor Karimo nodded home a well sized lob from Olaogun Sodiq to make the scoreline a goal apiece.
“The team got the second goal in the 60th minutes when a well-positioned Sunday Odudu fired the ball into the net after a goal mouth scramble, he said.
KOJE/WOJ
Edited by Wale Ojetimi
Flooding
Ibadan, Sept. 7, 2019 Following the recent alert by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) warning Nigerians of imminent flooding, many state governments are now putting in place measures to protect lives and properties.
The NIHSA, the agency responsible for issuing flood alerts in Nigeria, had accused state governments of failing to heed its previous warnings on floods released earlier this year.
But investigation by the Nigeria News Agency indicates a new resolve by states in the South West Zone to address more frontally the challenge of flooding and the annual loss of lives and properties.
In Ondo State, the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration has vowed that it would start demolishing structures built on waterways.
The state’s Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, said this after inspecting the recent damage caused by flooding in many parts of the state.
NAN reports that flood had washed away 600 hectares of rice farms in Eleyowo, Ogbese and some other towns in Akure North Local Government Area.
NAN reports that 373 rice farmers under the auspices of the Federated FADAMA Rice Association, had pooled resources to cultivate the rice farms
The group’s Coordinator, Mr Olayinka Labiran, said that the rice farms were expected to be harvested in October.
According to him, each of the farmers had at least one hectare of land acquired after obtaining loans from the Bank of Agriculture under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Scheme.
He said there was no hope of salvaging the rice because the farms had been completely submerged.
NAN also reports that no fewer than 10 houses and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by flood in different parts of Idanre Local Government Area of the state recently.
Ajayi, however, pledged that the state government would assist victims with relief materials while an amphibious excavator would be deployed to help channel waterways.
In Ogun, the state government has commenced the construction and rehabilitation of some roads in the states to ensure drainage systems were put in place to check flooding.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun, while on inspection tour of the Ashafa-Oke and Dehun roads, explained that when completed, the roads would go a long way in solving the challenges of perennial flooding in Ijebu-Ode.
“These roads here are roads that have accounted for a lot of flooding in Ijebu Ode area because of poor drainage facility.
“That is why we have focused on starting from here and once we are able to ensure that these roads are properly constructed with the right drainages, then we would have solved about 60 per cent of the issue of perennial flooding in Ijebu Ode.
“The rehabilitation work we are doing is not limited to Ijebu-Ode alone, work is also going on in Sagamu, Ado-Odo/Ota which are also flood prone areas in the state,” he said.
The Director of Flood in Ogun Ministry of Environment, Mr Ismail Adenuga however, stressed that there would be need for complete re-engineering of the drainage system of Ijebu-Ode to check the problem of flooding in the town in particular.
According to him, the state government will need ecological funds from the Federal Government for such a project.
The state government had nonetheless pledged to continue to assist victims of flood disasters with adequate relief materials.
The Director of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr Olufolarin Ige, told NAN in Abeokuta that government was committed to ameleorating the sufferings of flood victims.
Ige noted that the damage from the recent flooding in the state was extensive, adding that the National Emergency Management Agency would be involved for adequate support.
In Osun, the state government had also pledged to take proactive measures to tackle the flooding that had ravaged some parts of the state.
NAN reports that heavy rainfall in the state in the past few days had led to a rise in the volume of water in Osun river in Osogbo, the state capital.
As a result, many residents living close to the river bank had been displaced while properties worth millions of naira had been destroyed.
Some of the areas affected by flood were Gbodofon, Awosuru, Onitodunu Baruwa, Idowu Ajibola, Ibu-Amo and Oke Arungbo Estate.
Gov. Gboyega Oyetola, however, promised that his administration would further dredge the Osun River as part of comprehensive measures to tackle flooding in the state.
He urged residents living in flood-prone areas in the state to be vigilant by taking necessary precautions to avoid loss of lives and properties.
Oyetola, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said “ this admonition is as a result of the torrential rainfall in the state that resulted in the overflow of Osun River during which some areas within the state capital were flooded.”
The Ekiti Government, on its part, has commenced the execution of palliative measures to mitigate the grief of flood victims.
The Secretary to the State Government, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, said no fewer than 200 students of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, affected by the flooding were the first set to benefit from government’s intervention.
He added that efforts were on reach out to others while also seeking measures to proffer lasting solution to the recurrent flooding in the state.
NAN reports that no fewer than 410 persons had been affected in recent flooding incidents while properties worth millions of naira had been destroyed.
Some of the communities ravaged by flood due to several days of downpour included Ikere Ekiti, Ado Ekiti, Emure Ekiti, Ifaki Ekiti, Ikole Ekiti and Ise Ekiti.
In Oyo State, the establishment of the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP) is helping to address flooding, especially in Ibadan which has many flood planes.
NAN reports that the state had not witnessed any serious incident of flooding in any part of the state since the commencement of the current rainy season.
Mr Jonathan Adekunle, an official of the State Ministry of Environment, attributed the development to the proactive initiatives taken by the state government.
He said the ready support of the state government in the implementation of IUFMP and other ongoing intervention projects in the state was having positive impacts and making the state flood-free.
Adekunle also said the sensitisation campaign being carried out by the Ministry of Environment to provide residents with prior alerts about impending flood disasters and the need to clear drains and make waterways free was having positive impacts.
According to him, the workshops being organised by the ministry and related organisations had also contributed to change the narrative of incessant flood disasters in the state.
He gave an assurance that government was on red alert to take proactive steps to ensure that the entire state was protected against flood disasters.
The Kwara Government has also vowed that houses close to river banks and flood prone areas as well as those built on water ways would be demolished.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Amosa Al-Amin, said this in Ilorin while responding to the flood ravaging many parts of the country.
He said some areas in Ilorin as well as in five other local governments in the state had been identified as flood prone.
The ministry, he added, had commenced enlightenment campaign to educate residents on the danger in dropping refuse inside drains and water ways, especially during rainfall.
He appealed to communities located in and near flood plains and other vulnerable areas to relocate to safer locations.
NAN reports that flood in Odota, a suburb of Ilorin, last week ravaged more than 200 houses, rendering no fewer than 1,000 residents homeless.
(
Edited By: Mufutau Ojo)
2019: Ogun guber candidate challenges opponents to public debate.
Challenge
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Dec. 19, 2018 (NNN) The governorship candidate of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) in Ogun, Mr Adewale Omoniyi, on Wednesday challenged his opponents in the race to a policy debate.
Omoniyi, in a statement in Lagos, said the debate would enable the electorate to make an informed choice in 2019.
He said with the multi-faceted problems facing the state, it was imperative for candidates to debate on issues, their manifestos and implementation timeline.
The candidate therefore called on credible professionals and civil society organisations to take the lead and organise the debate.
“Our beloved state is currently troubled on every side and the people are in tears across the 20 local governments.
“They are in tears because of hunger, bad roads, joblessness, inability to send their children to school, lack of access to medicals, hostile government policies, among others.
“We are simply at a crossroad in the political history of our state.
“But we have the opportunity to redress the wrongs in March 2019 by bringing about a fresh government with ideas and capacity to change the narrative.
“That man is Adewale Omoniyi and the party is ANRP. Only the best should be saddled with such a huge responsibility of repositioning our state,” he said.
Omoniyi said the beauty of democracy is the power of choice.
“The electorate must be given the opportunity to make their choice through an open debate.
“I am ready to present myself and programmes to my people in Ogun State, and other candidates should be ready for such engagement,” he said
The News Agency of Nigeria (NNN) reports that Mr Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Adekunle Akinlade of Allied People’s Movement (APM) and Mr Gboyega Isiaka of African Democratic Congress (ADC) are among other prominent candidates in the race.(NNN)
BHB/AO/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
Group hails President Buhari’s open mindedness
Meeting
By Mustapha Yauri
Abuja, Jan. 8, 2019 (NNN) Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s meeting with Ogun Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, alongside the gubernatorial candidate of opposition Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adekunle Akinlade, as a positive development.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the group’s Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, said that the meeting was not necessarily a sign of President Buhari’s endorsement of the APM candidate.
Akinsiju said that Buhari had before now raised the hand of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dapo Abiodun, as his preferred candidate during a recent visit alongside former Ogun Governor, Olusegun Osoba.
“We are aware of some disquiet among APC members on seeing the picture of the President with Gov. Amosun and the APM candidate on the front page of national dailies after the weekend meeting at the Presidential Villa.
“But just as the Presidency has made it clear that the President would only back APC candidates, we don’t see the meeting as a contradiction of the stance.
“It in fact shows the acceptability that President Buhari enjoys across party lines as opposed to the recent stage-managed endorsement of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar by insignificant political parties and politicians with no real electoral value,’’ Akinsiju said.
BMO noted that a sign of the President’s wide acceptability was the fact that PDP governorship and National Assembly candidates in several parts of the country were running their campaign with posters bearing Buhari’s image.
“It is a known fact that there is no living politician with the cult-like followership and support Buhari has in some parts of the country as a result of his legendary integrity.
“It is not a surprise that several PDP candidates in Northern Nigeria have been openly canvassing for the President’s re-election.
“The question begging for answer is: why are these candidates not campaigning for Atiku Abubakar or put his image on their campaign posters?”
The pro-Buhari group pointed out that the trend of support for President Buhari among PDP leaders began a few weeks ago.
It added that trend of support began with the visit by governors elected on the platform of the opposition party in the South East Geo-political zone and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.
“Although the meeting was meant to be one where the governors were to show appreciation for Federal Government projects in the region, especially the contract award for the second Niger Bridge.
“The meeting also came at a time the political figures were at odds with their parties.
“On individual basis, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, had publicly left no one in doubt about his positive relations with the President whom he has hailed on several occasions for the infrastructural strides in the region.
“Similarly, his Enugu counterpart Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had been pictured wearing a lapel pin with President Buhari’s image.
“What is now left is for the governors and Senator Ekweremadu to be pictured with the viral 4 + 4 hand sign.” .(NNN)
AM/GOM/WOJ
==========
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Wale Ojetimi
Support
By Temitope Salami
Odogbolu (Ogun), Jan. 12, 2019 (NNN) Students of the Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu-Ijebu, residents and Hausa community of Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun on Saturday declared their support for the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari and all other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming elections.
They made the declaration while receiving the APC’s state governorship candidate, Mr Dapo Abiodun, who was on a campaign trip to the council area on Saturday.
With wild jubilations, the crowd vigorously endorsed the candidacy of Abiodun as governor and the re-election of President Muhammad Buhari in the coming elections.
Olamilekan Quzim, TASCE Student Union President, said that Abiodun deserved to be supported in order to be victorious at the polls.
Quzim added that the governorship candidate was a notable leader who had injected positively into the welfare of Ogun state students.
“Abiodun has made us believe he his contesting on the platform of APC not to come and embezzle money but to restore our lost glory, to wipe the people’s tears and put smiles on our faces,” he said.
Similarly, Alhaji Garuba Dankashi, Chairman, Hausa Political Movement in Ijebu, said that all Hausa were ready to give total support for Abiodun.
He also added that the community had also concluded plans to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari in the coming presidential elections.
“My people have no choice than to vote for Buhari and all APC candidates in the polls.”
Responding, Abiodun promised to deliver dividends of democracy to all and sundry promising that he would operate an open door administration where everyone’s input would be acknowledged.
The governorship candidate urged the people to vote for him and also cast their vote to re-elect president Buhari.
He promised to clear the 40 months salary arrears owed TASCE staff if elected, adding that he would ensure that students were adequately represented in his government. (NNN)
TDS/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf
Ambition
By Abiodun Lawal
Abeokuta, Jan. 14, 2019 (NNN) Mr Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday said that his ambition was not worth the blood of anyone in Ogun.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta by his spokesperson, Remmy Hazzan, the APC candidate said that he was in the race to win and serve.
“I would not want anyone to be killed or maimed for supporting me and my party.
“I have left the comfort of my highly successful local and international businesses to serve my dear Ogun people.
“I am confident of my local and global goodwill, connections and networks that can be put at the service of Ogun workers and people, indigenes and residents.
“I don’t want my people to be killed, injured or maimed, I don’t want to govern over families that have lost breadwinners or are physically challenged as a result of political violence,’’ he said.
Abiodun, quoting the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948, said “the will of the people shall be the basis of government, and this will be expressed through a democratic election that is free, fair and credible.’’
“I, therefore, call on candidates of all political parties to play by the rules. In the first place, we are all brothers and sisters. Violence is not the way to go.
“Our campaign has been issues-based and non-violent. That was the assurance we gave from the onset, that is the pledge we will keep to despite the unwarranted smear campaign from certain quarters,’’ he added.
The APC candidate, however, urged members of the public to protect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC).
“Keep your PVC to use, as your conscience desires a better Ogun State under a governor who will listen and who will be friendly to workers, farmers, students and all segments of the society.
“Those who have not collected their PVC should do so and timely too.
“ Those who want to buy your PVC are simply telling you that they don’t trust you to vote for them.
“They want to debar your rights to vote. Please don’t sell your rights,’’ Abiodun said. (NNN)
LKA/DEB/OJO
=============
(Edited by Debo Oshundun/Mufutau Ojo)
Support
Olawale Jokotoye
Abeokuta, Jan. 30, (2019) The South- West chapter of the Miyetti Allah, an umbrella body of cattle dealers association, in the nation, on Wednesday, declared support for the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhar.
Besides, the group endorsed the candidature of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the gubernatorial flagbearer of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the 2019 polls in Ogun.
The Chairman of theh association in the South – West, Alhaji Mohammed Kabir, made the declaration when Abiodun met with members of the group at Sabo Market in Abeokuta.
It was during Abiodun’s ward-to-ward campaign tour of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state.
“We hereby declare unwavering support for Buhari and Abiodun in their respective bids to contest for the presidency of the nation and governorship of Ogun state.
” We have mobilised our people to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and we all shall ensure that our votes are cast in their favour,” he said.
Kabir, who is also the Seriki Fulani of Ogun told the APC governorship candudate that the association was facing various challenges in the market
He requested for a face-lift of the market with provision of water for their cattle “when Abiodun becomes the governor”.
“Our greatest challenge, here, is the scarcity of water to feed our cattle.
“We will appreciate you will help us with a model that is in Lafenwa market, here, so that we can feed our cattle.
“Not only that, we need a modern market for our Association,” he said.
Responding, Abiodun, who had earlier addressed supporters at Totoro and Lafenwa areas, promised to look into the requests of the association.and do the needful, if elected governor of the state.
“If elected, my government will give equal treatment to all residents of Ogun regardless of their ethnic or religious leaning,” he said.(NNN)
OAJ/ DUA
Edited by Dada Ahmed
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