DAPO ABIODUN: RESTORING THE DIGNITY OF GOVERNOR'S SEAT

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR. 

His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR is gradually restoring the dignity attachable to the seat of power in Ogun State.

Gone are the days when the citizens wake up to just hear a certain government policy and programs has either been newly enacted, reviewed or abolished.

His slogan #AjoseGbogboWaaNii could not have been better expressed than the practical steps DA is taking in carrying out the business of government.

Setting up of different ad-hoc committees in other to ascertain the true position of things in some of government Parastatals and Establishments is a pointer to the fact that everyone in the state will have opportunity of inputs in policy formulations of government.

The Transport Committee, The Project Review Committee, The MAPOLY, MAUSTECH and Ogun Poly Committee among others have not only restored normalcy in those key areas of governance, it has afforded individuals with ideas, suggestions and opinions on how things can better be done to make their inputs.

 Doing the right thing the right way is surely restoring confidence of both the residents as well as those who have their business interests within and around the state.

"Slow And Steady Wins The Race"

RESEARCHER ADVOCATES FOR BREADFRUIT AS SUBSTITUTE TO WHEAT FLOUR

Breadfruit Fruits and Bread made with various percentage of High Quality Breadfruit Flour Inclusion  

A food scientist, Mr. Tijani Akeem Olumide has urged the government and stakeholders in the country to take advantage of the potential in breadfruit crop as the needed alternative to cassava for domestic consumption and industrial use.

Tijani, a Doctoral student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), stated that the usage of cassava as wheat flour is getting to the tipping point, adding that adoption of breadfruit to serve that purpose and more is the way to go.

According to him, successive administration in the country have been worried about the high cost of wheat flour which is the major component of confectioneries such as bread, pastries, biscuits, spaghetti among others, he added that there is need for enhanced public education on the benefits of the crop.

The food scientist who is a Research Officer with National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), lamented that despite Nigeria being the largest cassava producing nation in the world, "About 90 per cent  of the cassava produced in Nigeria is used for the production of traditionally fermented food especially garri and fufu with less than 10 per cent of industrial application for the production of starch, chips, animal feeds, glucose, fructose syrup and high quality cassava flour, with all these multiple uses of cassava it is doubtful if the quality of flour required by the millers could be met."

Picture of Outcome for recent researched inclusion of High Quality Breadfruit Flour (HQBF) 

Making his report known on his social media page, the food scientists averred further that," It is a known fact that the high cost of wheat flour which is the major component of confectioneries such as bread, pastries, biscuits, spaghetti etc has become a great source of concerns for successive governments.

Despite various efforts by past administrations of President Olusegun Obasanjo nand President Goodluck Jonathan to get the inclusion of cassava flour to 40% in 2015, report shows that the nation has yet significantly reduced the importation of wheat flour to the desired level.

Olumide noted that "the high cost of wheat flour led to the need for partial substitution of wheat flour with high quality cassava flour and other gluten free flour."

Noting that the fears of major stakeholders, farmers, processors, millers and master bakers regarding the acceptance of cassava-bread by the consumers especially those with contempt for cassava as a poor man’s food has not been adequately addressed thus, he said this is still leaving a very wide gap for finding a better substitution of wheat flour.

The doctoral student who possesses a  BSc in Food Science and Technology and MSc in Food Processing And Storage Technology stressed that several studies have reported the potentials of composite flour technology as a means of reducing the dependency of wheat for the production of bakery products and encourage the use of locally grown crops as flour for the production of baking products, adding that this leads to saving foreign exchange and diversification of Agricultural produce in food processing.

He noted that breadfruit current total yield production in Nigeria is about 10million metric tones with potential to exceed 100million metric tones with improved agricultural practices and this is capable of meeting the desired needs in contents and volume.

In his recent research work, Olumide with 16 international publications and several local presentations to his credit shows that high quality breadfruit flour that is unfermented, white, smooth and odourless can be included up to 20% and the sensory evaluation was as good compared to even 5% cassava flour inclusion.

ANJORIN DYNASTY OF OTA RAISES ALARM OVER IMPOSTOR USING FAMILY NAME TO GAIN PUBLICITY

HRM Oba (Prof.) Adeyemi Obalanlege, The Olota of Ota 

The Anjorin Family of ISOLOSHI COMPOUND of Ota in Ado-Odo Ota local government of Ogun State have raised alarm over alleged "name dropping" of yet to be identified individual(s).

In a statement made available to the public by the spokesman of the family, Prince Wale Anjorin expressed concern how the name of their patriach Alhaji H T Anjorin (now late) find its way into the congratulatory message published in the brochure to celebrate the 1st Coronation of Oba Professor Adeyemi Obalanlege as Olota of Ota.


In the statement, the family wondered how the imposter came up with nonexistent Isoloshi Ruling House used in congratulating the monarch.

The family therefore dissociate itself from any attempt to drag the peaceful and respected name of The Anjorin into any coalition with anybody.

Late Alhaji H T Anjorin 

READ FULL STATEMENT

DISCLAIMER!!! 

The attention of the family of Late Alhaji Hassan Taiwo Anjorin has been drawn to a congratulatory message published on page 83 of the Brochure to celebrate the 1st Coronation Anniversary of Olota of Ota purportedly from our late sage, Alhaji H. T Anjorin for Isoloshi Ruling House.

We'd like to state here categorically that;

1. The ruling house name "Isoloshi Ruling House" for which the old man was said to have felicitated on behalf is NON EXISTING.

2, The message in the said publication is the making of mischief makers whose motive is not clear to us.

3. We'd like to emphasis that the said publication DOES NOT come from the old man, as he was on sick bed since April which eventually led to his death on the 3rd of July, 2019.

4. All efforts made to reach the Publicity Committee on the just concluded event to find out how they came about the publication was not successful as no one was able to ascertain who inserted it.

5. We therefore find it our own prerogative to put things in the right perspective to not mislead the general public, hence, this rejoinder.

Thank you.

Mr. 'Wale Anjorin,
08023489458
Ishokorun Court,
Isoloshi Compound,
Osi, Ota, Ogun State
For Alh H. T Anjorin Family.

IN PLACE OF RUGA: DAPO ABIODUN PROFFERS WIN-WIN SOLUTION By: Divine Oyindamola Osas

A Modern Cattle Ranch

The ideology behind the initiative of Governor Dapo Abiodun's Ranching in Ogun state ought to be met with resounding applause through out the country. This should be implemented in place of the national peace threatening rural grazing area (RUGA) proposed by the Federal government. The attendant condemnation, outcry and rejection of the policy especially four of the six geopolitical zones of the country are enough testimony its in-  acceptability in the country. What is not hidden is the challenge the incessant clash between  the nomadic herdsmen and rural farmers in the country with respect to security of investment in both divides.

The Federal Government , the farmers, the herdsmen and by extension, the whole country would not only find succour in the idea put forward by Ogun State government but would ensure sustainable peace.

The modern ranching as proposed in  Ogun,  if successfully executed would address the deficit of ideas and imbalance noticeable in RUGA. It would completely eradicate the mutual suspicion of an ethnic domination and annihilation from the ownership of historical lands.

Governor Dapo Abiodun (middle) flanked by Irish Dairy Milk Executives

Many commentators, policy formulators, nationalists, consider  RUGA  dangerous for not limited to three reasons.

 First, it is condemned as act of nepotism as its established stylishly confer special status on  category of Nigerians, Fulani herdsmen, outside their native land.

Second, it would accord to those “special” citizens privileges and advantages not accorded to other Nigerians, contrary to section 42 of the Constitution.

  Thirdly, the critics consider it  offensive to  the sensibilities of other  nationalities who are naturally disadvantage in one form or the other economical but not fend for through government intervention.  For example, ideology opines that the seasonal movement of the herdsmen from northern part of the country is caused principally by the factors. The availability of greener pastures in the southern part of the nation as well as the prevalent of tsetse flies in the north at drought which usually lead to high infestation of "typanosomiasis " , a disease termed sleeping disease in cattle husbandry that affect the humped herds.

It is argued that if crude oil pipe could be laid from the southern part to a refinery in the northern part of the country to serve Kaduna refinery, given the avalanche of landed property in the northern part, well funded irrigation initiative should suffice at providing enough irrigation for the cultivation of pastures for the consumption of the cattle.

Let's not forget STILL that pastoral agro-ecosystem is a private entity and appropriating grazing areas for this course hold no
economic advantage to the state, it only vies to enrich and strengthen a particular sect of Nigerians

Whatever other truly improved system of exploiting the pastoral agro-ecosystem as practiced by the Fulani herdsmen up  north, it seems it seldom can indict sedentarized tendencies and rarely can it be less intensive than ranching. All hands should  be on deck as we urge all well meaning sons of the state to embrace this scheme as it promises to enrich the vaults of the state. The advantages are numerous;

1. *BEEF PRODUCTION*:

 This would improve the quality of the beef in the market but  reduce cost of  beef. Good for the citizens and enriches the pockets of the states.

2. *DIARY/MILK PRODUCTION:* The availability of quality milk, as it  encourages the production of diary products like *_condensed milk, yogurts, cheese and ice cream_*. All of which when sold produces returns to the state Government and makes things easier for the citizens.

*3. EMPLOYMENT:* The absence of a reliable data bank, and  renewed census by  the Federal Government, rendered her prostrate on actual status of the  unemployed hands to match it with  capable labour, hence its efforts has always been like throwing stone into a well and then listening to hear the sound and how long it took it to resonates before determining the depth of the well.

 But,  with this modern ranching initiative the state Government would be seen as taking care of her own as the workforce needed in running it is widely vast.
_These and many  more, like the production of cow hides, buttons, calcium, and even manure for farmers from the cow's dung would readily available as raw material.

Besides this would  go a long way to show  a thinking and proactive head in the seat of leadership for the Ogun state people, a man who is interested in making the state better than what he met, a progressive thinker and trouble shooter.

 Ranching has always been an alien word from the developed western world. We hear of cowboys not Fulani herdsmen, and no better time to act than now, now when we are about to be ordered to give up our lands, now when unemployment in the country is at its peak.

JAGUNMOLU APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVISER ON HOUSING

Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi

Former House of Representatives aspirant under African Democratic Party, Hon. Jamiu Akande Omoniyi, FCA has been appointed as the Special Adviser on Housing to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

In a statement signed by the Chief Secretary, Mr. Kunle Somorin and made available to the press, the popular Joga Orile born politician was the Ogun West Senatorial District Campaign Director for Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation (DACO) during the last general election.

The 50 year old Joga chief, Jagunmou is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) who started his working career with Berger Paints Nigeria PLC in 1994 where he rose to become Credit Controller. He was Regional Director (North) Abbey Mortgage PLC. In April 2009, he resigned to float his business conglomerate C2Q Holding. The Estate development arm of his company has delivered homes to 5,000 Nigerian families in Abuja and Lagos.

While reacting to the appointment, Chief Jamiu Akande Omoniyi noted that it is a call for him to serve the good people of Ogun State.

MEET NEWLY APPOINTED KEY OFFICIALS FOR GOVERNOR DAPO ABIODUN

Dapo Okubadejo

The Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo is a Partner & Africa Head of Deal Advisory & Private Equity at KPMG. He is an expert on Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Project Finance, Investments, Private Equity and business transformation. With about 28 years of professional experience, he has acted as Corporate Financial Adviser to many foreign and local investors in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dapo started his professional career in Arthur Andersen in 1992 and spent over a decade where he rose to the position of Senior Manager and consulted for more than 40 companies in oil & gas, consumer goods and financial services on many projects in Assurance, Business Strategy & Planning, Financial Restructuring and Business Transformation.

In 2006, Dapo was promoted to the KPMG partnership as an Equity Partner and rose to become the Head of Deal Advisory & Private Equity for West Africa and Africa in 2009 and 2012 respectively. He was elected to the KPMG Nigeria Policy Board in 2017.

Dapo is a recognized expert on Africa business and investments landscape and has been invited as a resource person, faculty, panelist and moderator at many international conferences, seminars and fora such as the World Economic Forum, Harvard Business School Africa forum, London Business School Africa, among others. He has written many articles on investment opportunities in Nigeria and Africa, Doing business in Africa and Private Equity in Nigeria and has delivered many lectures on corporate finance, business valuations, IPO and private equity.

Dapo and his team have won many international awards and recognition, the latest of which is the 2018 Global Financial Advisor award by the Private Equity Africa organization for the second consecutive year.

Dapo Okubadejo holds a 2nd Class Upper Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria in 1990 & as a UK FCO Chevening Scholar, holds a Master of Finance degree in International Finance with Distinction from the University of Glasgow, UK in 2003. He is a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) from the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, USA. He qualified as an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria in 1996 and became a Fellow (FCA) in 2006. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. He is an alumnus of the Global Executive Leadership program of INSEAD, France as well as the Lagos Business School, Gordon Institute of Business Studies (GIBS) South Africa, London Business School UK and Harvard Business School USA, where he attended several leadership and management development courses.

Rt. Hon. Tunji Egbetokun 

The Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun was Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly between 2008 and 2011. He had also served in the capacity of Senior Special Adviser, Political and Intergovernmental Affairs between 2011 and 2014. Before then, he was Secretary to the Obafemi Owode Local Government.

Mrs. Modele Sarafa

The new Special Adviser on Information, Modele Sarafa-Yusuf, is an award-winning media practitioner with a cumulative 32 years of experience in journalism and Marketing Communications. She has varied experience contributing to, and leading, corporate marketing and internal communications. Sarafa-Yusuf is a respected leader of sponsorships and public relations departments and a Concept developer and coordinator of marketing campaigns which effectively reinforce and build brand image.

The first woman sportscaster in Africa, and a 1996 Nigerian Media Merit Award winner, she has been described as one of the best sportscasters that Nigeria ever produced.
In 16 years of journalism with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Modele was not only a sports broadcaster, she was also a columnist for magazines, a guest writer for newspapers, a script writer for television shows and a producer of documentaries and programmes for radio and television: in fields as diverse as business, culinary, current affairs, crime, and education.

Between 2007 and 2011, she was Globacom’s Head of Sponsorships (West Africa), at which time she led a team of very talented people on projects such as the Glo CAF Awards, The Lagos International Half Marathon, The Glo Premier League in Nigeria and Ghana, and the first-in-Africa relationship with Manchester United FC among others.

Before then, she was Marketing Communications /Sponsorship Manager with Globacom at the inception of the company in 2003.

Between 2012 and 2013, Modele was Director of Marketing at the prestigious American University of Nigeria, and upon retirement, she returned to her first love: the world of journalism. She currently produces and anchors arguably Nigeria’s highest rated TV personality interview program: "View From the Top". She also works as an Independent Communications Consultant for several organizations.

Modele has a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Ife and a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Lagos.

OLALEKAN Olude 

Award winning entrepreneur and technocrat with expertise in building and backing enduring companies across African, Olalekan Adeniyi Olude, the new Special Adviser on Job Creation and Youth Empowerment started his career as a Technology Analyst with Goldman Sachs, arguably the largest investment bank in the world. He holds an OND in Electrical Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, a BSc in Computer Science and Engineering. Olude is an alumnus of Lagos Business School and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. His forte is building pan-African businesses and his strength lies in maximizing outcomes for people. Until his appointment, Olude was co-founder and Executive Director at Rovedana Limited, a business process outsourcing company that provides employment to more than 2000 Nigerians across different industries and specializations by upscaling them and placing them into employment with over 100 companies. He was also a co-founder of Jobberman Limited, the leading job site in sub-Saharan Africa and was a founding partner of the African Talents Company in South Africa – a pan African Executive Recruitment Company with offices in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania.

The new Special Adviser on Housing is 50-year-old Jamiu Akande Omoniyi. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA). He started his working career with Berger Paints Nigeria PLC in 1994 where he rose to become Credit Controller. He was Regional Director (North) Abbey Mortgage PLC. In April 2009, he resigned to float his business conglomerate C2Q Holding. The Estate development arm of his company has delivered homes to 5,000 Nigerian families in Abuja and Lagos.   

Babatunde Olaotan

Hon (Otunba) Babatunde Olaotan, the Special Adviser (Government House) was born September 13, 1972, in Ilaro Ogun State.  He obtained a 1997 Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Accounting at Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and Higher National Diploma (HND) from the same institution in 1999. After a brief stint at First Bank of Nigeria, he was appointed by the Yewa South Local Government as Supervisor for Agriculture. In 2004, Babatunde Olaotan was in Manchester College of Professional studies, where he studied computer and information technology. He started his working career with NWSG Company in the United Kingdom (UK) before relocating to the United States of America in 2007, where he studied Nursing at Camtech International College Newark Delaware USA. He also worked at Cadia Rehabilitation Wilinton and Regal Height Nursing Home.
He became the Personal Assistant on Political matters to the Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola (Yayi) in August 2015.

HBO is also the Personal Assistant to the new Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dr Dapo Abiodun. He was the Deputy Director, Contacts and Mobilization for Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organization. He served as the Chairman Transport committee for Prince Dapo Abiodun Pre- Inauguration activities.

Ojo Emmanuel 

Emmanuel Adediran Ojo is a New Media expert with specialties in New Media Analytics and Digital Marketing. His extensive experience spans over nine (9) years. He hails from Imeko, in Imeko Afon Local Government area of Ogun state. A seasoned professional in the development and deployment of strategic media engagement, Emmanuel Ojo has extensive knowledge of new media trends, tools and analytics platforms and he often deploy same in strategic communication, monitoring, reporting and digital analysis. igital and social media landscape. This unique skill facilitates his significant ability in tracking, monitoring, and analyzing public and personal reputation in a unique form. In his career so far, he has worked with different online groups. He is a resourceful and savvy online specialist who is not only able to oversee various social media channels, but is also able to contribute to its daily content offering and audience conversion.

Ojo was the Head of New Media department at Infostrategy Limited He was also part of the media intervention team for National Identity Management Commission's, (NIMC) public sensitization on National Identity Number (NIN) project in 2013/2014.

He is a thoroughbred perception manager with proven skills in Public and Political Communication especially in the Ogun state political terrain. He once served as a member of PDP Presidential Online Media team in 2015.

Ojo holds a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management Studies from the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta. He also bagged a Second Class Upper division Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Business Management from Crescent University, Abeokuta. He has attended various Business development and New Media Marketing Trainings and Work Shops across the country and beyond.

Emmanuel Ojo is a recipient of 17 Awards of recognition from various social and professional bodies. In 2013, he was invited into the Junior Chamber International, Nigeria Noble House as a JCIN Ambassador.

Until his appointment, he was the Assistant Media Director for Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organization - DACO and also served as the Secretary, Media and Publicity Sub Committee for the governorship inauguration ceremony.

E-Signed
Kunle Somorin
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

MACABRE DANCE OF DESPERATE APM MARAUDERS. By Prince Ibraheem Adegbokiki

Prince Ibraheem Adegbokiki 

Since the emergence of Prince Dapo Abiodun  as the Governor of Ogun State, the desperados and marauders had not woken  from their political slumber.  Ogun APC's victory seems  a mirage to them still. Their political inferiority  Imbues  with excessive mouth diarrhoea  simply because of APC membership civility which granted them the audacity to move  freely in town contrary to what it could have been if their party had won. The leadership style of a despot showcases, fear, intimidation, suppression and brute as witnessed in the eight years administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun FCA, the runs contrary to what true leaders reflect while in power; respect, empathy and loyalty  but not surrogacy with indoctrination.

They refused to realize that All Progressives Congress in Ogun State had been under the peaceful auspices of  experienced, throughly-bred and seasoned politicians. Ogun State citizens now enjoy relatively peace in all the nooks and crannies of the 20 Local government areas.

Despite their unlimited violence, unprovoked attacks, unnecessary bigotry and egoism against their perceived political opponents during the last electioneering campaign, the supporters of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State had never launched any attack against them but rather allow many of them who are doing businesses with government to continue. Many APC members are even astonished.  Why should Governor Dapo Abiodun allow Akeem Adeosun, Jango, Ẹsẹ Murphy, Wale MTN and others APM biased, transport Union leaders, who mostly supervised the attacks and  unleashed violence against Ogun APC members,  continue their usual economic activities in transport Unions without impediment?

Many of the APM members and their apologists are unnecessarily embittered about their colossal loss in the last election. They didn't expect the catastrophic failure.  They put all hopes on the anticipated victory at the poll  as last hope, what a state of oblivion, to have forgotten that,  no single  man rules forever!

 Unfortunately, God Almighty is greater than all  Emperors put together with their antics. Only God enthrones and dethrones. This calls for deep retrospect for all who find themselves on the corridor of power because power is very transient. The same electorates who elected you can also reject in response to  your style of leadership.

Ipso facto, it is never unlucky for APM members to stop their macabre dance and face the reality. They can do better in the next election, if they start their preparation now. Politics is not a do or die game.

PIA writes from Oke Ogun, Abeokuta North