OGUN POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS: "TOO EARLY TO CALL IT A DAY" BY:- ADEGBOKIKI KAMORUDEEN

There is a new trend that is gaining prominence within the polity which is a source of concern to me. 

This trend has to do with direct or indirect open aspiration and/or contention for political positions which are strictly appointive, and at the same time which power to appoint also lies wholly with the executive governor of the state. 

Within the last few days after the inauguration of one has seen and heard people openly canvassing for someone who they think will protect their interests better to be so appointed into some key positions. If I have the opportunity, one would h

ave love to mention names. 

In fact, immediately the first appointment into the office of Chief Press Secretary was made, some individuals seems to have "lost confidence" in the process to the extent that some have started casting aspersions on the same governor they worked tirelessly to enthroned. The trend was not different (in fact, it's safe to say many people were grossly disappointed) when the names of Secretary to the State Government SSG and Chief of Staff names got to the public domain. 

While some of the leaders affected have found one excuse or the other to pacify their aggrieved followers, some are yet to come to terms why their "anointed candidate got schemed out of the key positions".

Whether we like it or not, this is the current reality on ground as far as Ogun State is concerned. The major challenge now is how some of this aggrieved set of people will be pacified or put under check so as not to cause disaffection among stakeholders who sees themselves as ones that sacrifices their resources (time, money, integrity, potential political positions etc). 

Like I said, this new trend if not properly managed could make or mar the new government. One, some will be wise enough not to make open complaints about this perceived marginalization "as e dey hot" they will be recruiting their contemporaries in this same category to either sabotage the government from within or otherwise against next election. 

Secondly, while some will make their reservations known in this regards, they will not wait until the next election before they begin to talk I'll of the government and it's activities. 

The next is that some will accept the decision of the governor and the party and move on but may stand a possible chance for easily buying into anything that will make them get their own pound of flesh. 

In all, I wish and pray that the governor gets his act right while looking forward to a government that will benefit all irrespective of political, tribal or regional affiliation.

Igbega Ipinle Ogun, Ajose Gbogbo Waa Nii. 

Comr. Adegbokiki Kamorudeen O

BREAKING NEWS: NOLLYWOOD ACTOR, DAGUNRO IS DEAD

Late Fasasi Olabankewin aka DAGUNRO

 Fasasi Olabankewin, popularly known as Dagunro in the Yoruba movie industry is dead.

According to sources close to the actor, the late Olabankewin had been dealing with an undisclosed ailment for the last few years.

Ademola Adedokun, Secretary of the Osun State chapter of Theater Arts and Motion Picture Producers Association of Nigeria confirmed his death.

Adedokun said Olabankewin died in Lagos after battling an undisclosed illness.

CREDITS: The Punch

JUNE 12: THERE IS NOTHING TO BE HAPPY ABOUT WITH ATIKU STOLEN MANDATE. BY SEGUN SHOWUNMI.

Segun Showunmi

     

After 20 years of democracy, the memories of June 12 1993 have refused to wane; we are at a point where we must soberly ask: what does June 12 represent? I hold the view that with the travesty that the 2019 presidential elections in Nigeria represents, we are right back to June 12. Whereas so much is being done to honor the memories of MKO Abiola with all sorts, ranging from GCFR, to a holiday on the anniversary, we may ask: does June 12 not mean free, fair, credible and transparent elections, where the outcome is acceptable to a great number or Nigerians and friends of Nigeria?

If that be the case, I think the baton of the ideals have passed on from Moshood Kashimawo Abiola to Atiku Abubakar. As it was with June 12 1993, so it is with February 23 2019, for on both dates the electoral wishes of Nigerians where fraudulently and criminally abridged by those who had a duty to ensure that whatever we wish to commemorate with June 12 1993, a bigger commemoration would have been a free, fair, credible, transparent and acceptable election.

Having not achieved that, our nation must accept that, rather than learn from history that real peace and development cannot occur when the critical ingredient, which is credible election, has not taken place and the legitimacy required to govern is suspect, we have seemed to remain perpetually on June 12 1993.

So, we may do whatever cosmetic plastering we like and play to the gallery all we like, the ghost of a stolen mandate, which is what June 12 1993 and now February 23 2019 represent, lives on. Whereas with June 12, we have lost the opportunity of a real remedy, in the case of February 23 2019, we can remedy the situation, beyond the court cases; we can have a special administrative panel review the entire process, examine the real circumstances mitigating against the dream of credible elections, ascertain those culpable and due for punishment, do whatever is required, but we must, with one voice, say Never Again!

Then and only then will the ghost of June 12, now fully reflected in the Atiku Abubakar Stolen Mandate, which really is a Stolen Future of the Nigerian People, be laid to rest. Until then, may the soul of our democracy, now on life support, survive, while that of MKO Abiola and the numerous martyrs Rest In Peace.

I cannot in good conscience say happy democracy day for indeed there is nothing to be happy about.

PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO'S "COSTLESS INVESTMENT" IN MY LIFE THAT'S BEEN KEEPING ME GOING BY DR. TOYOSI CRAIG

On my stay at the Nigerian presidential villa, president Olusegun Obasanjo noticed me because I was the shortest. On his way out, he came to me and asked where I came from. “I live in Abeokuta, but my grandmother is from Owu.”

He smiled and I thought it was because I was family.

“You can be here someday if you study hard in school and follow right instructions,” he said, before he lifted me up in his hands and continued, “I see hope.” Those words that cost him nothing were an investment in my life. They would keep me going when life got hard.

“You can be here someday if you study hard in school and follow right instructions”

After Abuja, my life outside school grew very quickly, partly out of desire and partly out of expediency. My outcast status was cemented as soon as I arrived back in school.

….paragraphs omitted intentionally

Nonetheless, Abuja gave me something I would not trade for popularity. There, I built friendships, true friendships with people who wanted to change the world; people who were on a quest to be relentlessly wonderful.

I had met Dayo Israel on that trip and we exchanged contacts. With him, I started my first non-profit organisation.

15 years later I paid the president a visit at home to share my story and how far his few words to that little boy he met in Aso villa had kept me going, against all odds.

President Obasanjo commended me for not giving up despite the numerous challenges I faced..

...This is an excerpts from "Toyosi meets the President", a Chapter in the book Ọmọ́tóyọ̀sí - the child of delight 

The book will be available in hard copies and online very soon

PHOTONEWS: IMAGES OF DEPLORABLE STATE OF OOUTH

DAPO ABIODUN BEMOANS DEPLORABLE STATE OF OLABISI ONABANJO TEACHING HOSPITAL. By- Olamide Lawal

Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured of a total overhaul of the state's Health sector.

The governor gave the assurance after  conducting an inspection of the medical facilities in the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

The governor, accompanied by his wife, described the state of the facilities as deplorable, lamented the neglect of the hospital over the years.

Prince Abiodun said his visit was informed by the outcome of the  meetings with the health sector heads who gave saddening reports about the only teaching hospital in the state.

 'This place is substandard. I will sit down and put together a team that will look at this place and recommend what we can do to get things working'. He promised.

The governor lamented the infrastructural deficits , lack of adequate medical equipments and dearth of man power as major challenges bedeviling the hospital.

 'I don't see how this place can produce doctors that would manage to look after patients. So, We have to go back to the drawing board. I understand that they have lost some accreditation which is not surprising based on what we have seen here'. The governor concluded.

Prince Abiodun pointed out that the dilapidated structures were inherited from the old state hospital assuring that his administration would ensure that the Healthcare of Ogun state citizenry is taken with utmost priority in his administration.

He emphasised that his administration would not take any sector of the state with levity.

Earlier, Chairperson, Medical Advisory Committee of the hospital, Dr Bunmi Fatungase who conducted the governor round the hospital facilities alongside the Chief Medical Director, Dr Peter Adefuye, had called for a total overhaul of the medical facility.

She observed that the hospital had been abandoned to itself since its upgrade from a general hospital to a teaching hospital. She said the hospital was basically designed as 100-bed but was made to accommodate 320-bed without any significant improvement on the facilities.

She advised that OOUTH, being the only state teaching hospital owned by Ogun state government should not be left in a state of mess.

GBENGA DANIEL BETRAYS EMOTION AS HE TAKES BACK ABEOKUTA CONFERENCE HOTEL PROPERTIES

Otunba Gbenga Daniel 

It was mixed feelings ladened with emotions when Otunba Gbenga Daniel takes over the multi-billion Naira business properties hosting the Conference Hotels, Abeokuta.

Otunba Daniel who visited the location of the said property in company of some aides and few associates could not hold back his emotions as the two term Ogun State governor was seen wiping his faces in a manner that suggests the embattled former governor was shedding tears.

Meanwhile there was speculations that the taking over of the property which has been under police siege for several years despite court orders in favour of Chief Daniel could have been influenced by the newly sworn in governor who enjoyed his kinsman's support at the last general elections.

Senator Ibikunle Amosun 

View of Abeokuta Conference Hotel .

Speaking on the matter, Mr. John Adenekan who is a close associate of the former governor says "OGD (as fondly called) didn't resort to tears over the property. Yes he was sad at the level of looting and destruction done during the takeover by Amosun's security men but he didn't cry as the investment is just one of the many God blessed him with.

In addition, Adenekan expressed his opinion that the new governor didn't have to intervene for Otunba Gbenga Daniel to recover his property saying "Oga simply went to the site and regained access immediately the vindictive former governor left. Afterall the police Amosun posted there had no legal backing ab initio, they simply left with their boss."

It will be recalled that former governors Gbenga Daniel and his successor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun were at loggerheads over the ownership of the land the hotel was being built among other issues which many observers within the Ogun State polity sees as mere power play on the part of immediate past governor.

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and Former governor Gbenga Daniel

9TH OGUN STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY GETS JUNE 10 AS INAUGURATION DAY

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has sent a proclamation notice to the State House of Assembly for the holding of the first session of the Nineth State House of Assembly on Monday, 10th June, 2019.

The notice dated 7th June, 2019 and signed by the Governor, is in accordance with sub section (1) of Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The proclamation notice partly reads: “Whereas, it is provided in Sub-section (1) of Section 105 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that the person elected as Governor of the State shall have power to issue a proclamation for the holding of the House of Assembly of the State after his being sworn-in:

Now, therefore, I, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, MFR, Governor of Ogun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the power conferred upon me by sub-sections (3) of Section 105 of the Constitution aforesaid, and all powers enabling me in that behalf hereby proclaim that the First Session of the Nineth Legislature of the Ogun State House of Assembly shall hold on Monday 10th June, 2019″.

The Governor had earlier sent a notice of proclamation for the dissolution of the eighth Ogun State House of Assembly on 7th June, 2019.

According to the notice, the Assembly of a State shall stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of four years, commencing from the day of the first sitting of the House.

” It is further provided in Sub-section (3)of the said Section 105 that the person elected as Governor of the State shall have power to issue a Proclamation for the dissolution of the House of Assembly of the State as provided in the said Section 105.

And whereas the Eighth Legislature of the Ogun State House of Assembly had the first sitting at its section on 8th June, 2015:

Now therefore, I, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, MFR, Governor of Ogun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Sub-section (3) of Section 105 of the Constitution aforesaid, and all powers enabling me in that behalf hereby proclaim that the Eighth Ogun State House of Assembly shall stand dissolved on 7th June, 2019″, the notice stated

Credits: OgunToday.

BIODUN AKINLADE AWARD FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO OUTSTANDING PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPIL

Luck ran into the school prefect of Baptist Day Primary School, Oke-Odan in Yewa South Local Government of Ogun State as the train of the Deputy governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele in continuation of the fact finding visit to public schools across the state.
Her Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, alongside Hon. Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq  among other party leaders and members of state Ministry of Education ducation visited Baptist Day Primary School, Oke-Odan, Yewa South Local Government.

While expressing government resolve to upgrade the physical and administrative structures within the system, the deputy governor assured the teachers in the state of good working conditions and reward for excellence.

The high point of the visit was the award of full scholarship throughout the secondary school to the Senior Prefect of the School, Isreal Joshua  at The Gem International Secondary School, Owode Yewa, by Hon. Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, after the assessement of the senior prefect outstanding performance.

The school headteacher thanked the visitors and promised the government the readiness of Ogun State teachers to be a partner in progress towards the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun led government.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: OGUN CENTRAL YOUTHS HONORS OLALEKAN ISHOLA

The delegates of youths in Community developments Associations (CDAs) in Ogun central senatorial district, comprising Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode, Ifo and Ewekoro Local government areas on Friday in Abeokuta honoured Engr. Tajhdeen Olalekan Ishola for his tremendous contributions to community developments in Ogun State.

The event which took place at Senator Gbenga Obadara hall Olomore in Abeokuta North Local government was witnessed by several Community leaders and dignitaries. The award of Excellence was given to Olalekan Ishola.

Ishola thanked the youths for the honours bestowed on him and promised to do more for community service. He charged the Youths to work and liaise with the management of Irorun Movement which he headed so as to design and plan for massive empowerment programmes for the self-sustainability.

TJ Ishola as he is fondly called then informed each community to start preparing for the Annual Community football competition which he would sponsor again by August.

NO DOUBT! OGUN PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT IMMENSELY FROM DAPO ABIODUN GOVERNMENT. BY QUDUS ABOLAJI

There have been rumours and apprehension making the rounds in the media space suggesting that governance in Ogun state is on standstill due to the pending appointment of Aides by the newly sworn-in governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. Some writers even went to the extreme, claiming that the Governor's failure to appoint Aides barely 7 days after his inauguration means he is displaying the traits of a governor that is ill-prepared for Governance. Nothing can be farther from the truth!

These impressions are not only misleading and untrue, they are also  unfortunately coming at a time when Prince Dapo Abiodun is busy attending to critical issues that borders on how to re-energize and strengthen governance structures as against what he met on ground with a view to giving the best to Ogun people who are just coming out of a draconian dispensation experienced under the last regime. The truth is that the Governor is preoccupied with preparing a solid ground for any government appointee to perform excellently and expeditiously when they are eventually announced.

It is true that some key appointments should have been made by now but the circumstances and booby traps created by the past administration must first be cleared. I see Prince Dapo Abiodun as a brilliant and discerning individual whose ability to identify and work with the best hands cannot be questioned. When they are finally unveiled, his appointees will ensure smooth running of the state affairs and daily operations. As an indicator, a quick look into the profile of his newly appointed Chief Press Secretary will give his detractors a clue as to what they should expect.

Lest we forget, Prince Dapo Abiodun was widely accepted by the majority, hence his landslide victory at the poll which saw him attracting over 25 percent votes in all the local governments across the state. Mischief makers are so quick to forget this laudable political feat and are yet to come to terms with the fact that he has a mandate that was duly given to him by the generality of Ogun people, having convinced them of his leadership capabilities and readiness to govern the Gateway state in a more productive and successful manner.

One has no doubt that in a short while, Ogun people will begin to benefit from his government which he has repeatedly promised would  be fair, just, equitable and inclusive. A careful look at his early moves will give everyone an impression that he is so keen on how to deliver on his promise which basically centers on giving Ogun State a focused and qualitative governance while creating the enabling environment for a public private sector partnership, which is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun.

As we move further, I urge Mr. Governor to remain focused and not be distracted by anyone or any group in his quest to impact positively on the lives of our people in Ogun State.

Qudus Abolaji writes from Abeokuta

NIGERIANS DON'T WANT TO DIE, BUT WE DIE IN DROVES ANYWAY - DAYO DASILVA

Photo Credits: Google

Yes! No one wants to die in Nigeria, whether rich or poor, not even the old and elderly. This reflects much in our timid and fragile life in which we all have become victims of our precarious society.

I am not saying people want to die in other countries, but the Nigerian case is a life lived in fear. Everyday, the prayer of an average Nigerian after what to eat and money to survive revolves round protection and security from God, thus "no one wants to die".

However, news of the death of an old school mate, who was a victim of poor medical care in Abeokuta, the death of a cousin who fell to the cold hands of hypertension and the death of a friend's wife who passed away during childbirth in a Lagos Hospital within a spate of two days, jolted me into reality, that people die after all, even as no one would like to die.

Not even those who committed suicide; they never intended to die, they were just victims of an illness, a mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood.

My worry is, why have we turned, a people with no conscience, compassion and patriotism for our country? How did we get to this low level, where our quality of benevolence and value for human lives have dropped tremendously? Why do we intentionally disrupt the system and society that we live in?

"No one wants to die", but people die daily while travelling on bad roads, they die in various hospitals due to lack of drugs, facilities and personnel; Curable common illnesses still kill our people; many die of hunger and poverty; we are threatened daily by militants, terrorists and armed robbers who kill at random because our Nation failed to provide jobs and good life for our people; ordinary pipe- borne water, the Nigerian Government can not provide; a whole lot of our people die due to ignorance because of our failed education system.

Most of these deaths are "appalling crimes against humanity" as they are caused by our man-made acts, thus avoidable.

The deaths are the resultant effects of bad leadership and failed followership which transcends the All Progressives Congress, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP conundrum. Simply put, It is the failure of Nigerians as a people.

When would our political office holders across various tiers of Governments realise that they are not necessarily the best in the society and the opportunity to hold positions is to serve, develop and improve humanity? Any political office holder is there for only a period of time and one day, they will become victims of the society they have created.

When would followers learn how to ask questions and revolt against political representatives holding the society to ransom?

Truly, we don't want to die but the disunity, signs of war and terror in the land today, would not spare anyone if allowed to continue.

"In the past, the poor cannot sleep because they have nothing to eat, but at present the wealthy cannot sleep because the poor are awake”.

"Life is transient, People die anyway, but we have the choice to sound the death knell on the Nation or improve humanity and build a society that will preserve you and me".

"It is in our hands to create a real essence of living and heal our Nation, Nigeria"!

EXCLUSIVE: HOW IBIKUNLE AMOSUN LED GOVERNMENT IMPOVERISHED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AREAS DURING HIS 8YEARS RULE - OGUN ALGON

The Ogun State chapter of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) during the regime of Ibikunle Amosun has accused the former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of diverting local govt revenue, fraud and misappropriation of local government funds during his 8 year tenure as the governor of Ogun State.

This was contained in a release made available to our correspondent yesterday when the association reacted to the suspension of all local government elected officials and appointees by the Hon Suraj Adekumbi led House of Assembly over allegation of fraud and misappropriation of funds.

In a release signed by ALGON, it was revealed that the administration of former governor Amosun starved all the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of funds, diverted all revenue of local governments and LCDAs, diverted local government allocation of the 20 local governments for over 32 months.

It was also revealed that former governor Ibikunle Amosun defrauded the local government by taking 40% of their allocations all in the name of joint project account with no projects to show in many of the local government except in few local government in ogun central (Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South and Obafemi Owode).

ALGON Ogun chapter also accused the speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Suraj Adekumbi of being selfish and self centered by leading a rubber stamp assembly of illegality.

The association expressed concern how Speaker Adekunbi who "know for a fact that the Government of Senator Ibikunle Amosun failed to fund but starved the LGAs and LCDAs to it's present poorly position" will go ahead and pronounce suspension of the duly elected council administrators.
Part of the statement reads ". That the Ogun state House of Assembly led by Rt Hon Ruraj Adekunbi connived with the Government of Senator Ibikunle Amosun to take away all revenue belonging to the LG and LCDA which create inability to generate revenue for the needed development for LG and LCDA, the statutory revenue includes:

i. Signage
ii. Park and Garages
iii. Tenement rates
iv. Market ticketing
v. Land use charges
vi. Mask and many others"
The group of Local Governments bosses revealed further that they received only paltry sum of N2, 000,000 monthly which was only paid for seven months in the entire thirty-two months spent so far.
The ALGON later call on the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to withhold his assent to the bill and House of Assembly resolutions allegedly seeking to suspend the elected officials at the grassroots.