OGUN STATE INFRASTRUCTURES: "WE NEED HELP". As Governor Dapo Abiodun Pleads African Finance Corporation For Supports

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has welcomed the plan by the African Finance Corporation (AFC) to partner with the State Government to reconstruct the all-important Atan-Lusada-Agbara Road in the country's biggest industrial hub located in Ado-Odo/Otta Local Government Area and Agbara-Igesa Local Council Development Area of the State.

Governor Abiodun also declared a state of emergency on flood-ravaged Isheri North on its border with Lagos State by the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and other affected areas in the State.

According to the Governor, the Isheri flood problem was beyond the State and the deplorable state of the Atan-Lusada-Agbara Road, which plays host to over 70 industries manufacturing various consumer goods being distributed across the country, “is worse than a nightmare whenever it rains.”

Notable industries in the axis include GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Unilever, Nestle Plc, Beloxxi Group, Procter & Gamble, Sunsteel Industries Ltd, Cometstar Manufacturing Company Ltd, GZ Industries, Drury Industries Limited among others.

"I stopped by at Isheri where we have lots of Estates and the state of road infrastructure is deplorable. Currently, the place is totally flooded, and the entire estates have been submerged. I told the flood victims that this place requires us to declare a state of emergency, and we are actually going to do that because the problem is beyond the State," the Governor said, when he received a four-man team from the AFC, led by the Senior Director, Mr. Taiwo Adeniji, in Abeokuta.

Prince Abiodun said that his government had since realised that the biggest issues for the people of the state was the state of infrastructures, especially the state ecology and bad road network.

"The area is mixed with industrial and residential estates. There is a lot of development going on there and people have abandoned their houses - beautiful houses. This is because the roads are non-existent, there are no drainages, houses are built on flood plains, so we need help," he pleaded on the flooded Isheri Estate.

He said the State had a lot of infrastructural challenges, being the as it was the closest to the biggest economy in the country, adding that the task now was how to provide water, electricity, good roads and other amenities to those who choose to live and invest in the State.

He commended the financial institution for showing interest in partnering with the State to address the deficiency in infrastructure, saying that he was happy with the choices of roads which the Corporation indicated interest in.

Residents, commuters and motorists plying the Atan-Lusada-Agbara route have for over six years been lamenting the hardship they are facing as a result of the poor state of the roads that spread across the areas.

Also, the industries in the Atan-Agbara axis noted that the deplorable state of the roads has become a major hindrance to productivity, which had not only become a nightmare but a threat to their existence as goods worth hundreds of millions of naira are lost to frequent accidents on the roads.

Efforts to get the Ogun State Government to do palliative works on the road had so far yielded no result. Transporters on the route also groan in pains, as the lifespan of the vehicles plying the route have been drastically reduced while human lives are put at risk as they travel through.

The Governor added that his administration was poised to make roads in the state motorable for ease of doing business and for the people and goods to move with relative ease.

"I am happy you have mentioned in particular, Agbara. It is the biggest industrial hub in the country, but the state of roads in the area is totally and unbelievably terrible. It is bad and I am glad the road is of interest to you. We have received a number of proposals on that road, but this is a credible offer coming from the African Finance Corporation (AFC)," Governor Abiodun stated.

By the new arrangement based on the State Government's Private-Public Sector Partnership, also to be fixed by AFC is the Ijebu Ode-Epe road.

The Governor noted that he was pleased that, “the Ijebu Ode-Epe Road is a road that is an alternative road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. These two roads are of concern to us too. Once these roads are reconstructed, it will free up the volume of traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, especially with the population explosion in that corridor," he said.

In his remarks, the Senior Director, African Business Corporation, Mr. Taiwo Adeniji, said the Corporation in partnership with the private sector, focuses more on roads, power, telecommunications and heavy industry projects and was currently developing infrastructures in 28 African countries. He noted that his visit was to see how the Corporation could help in developing infrastructure that could assist in driving more development in Ogun State.

Throwing more light into AFC programmes, Adeniji in an interview said, "we focus on roads that have commercial viability, the roads that can pay for themselves. Atan-Agbara and Epe-Ijebu-Ode Roads are some of the roads that can be done on Public-Private Partnership basis.

"Africa Financial Corporation brings in its technical capacity and the finance to fix the roads and the users pay a token amount. We intend to engage with the industries within the industrial areas and discuss these roads with them. We will be transparent, we will let them know how much the roads will cost and how it is going to be paid for.

“We think that would be a better arrangement than the current situation where the roads are impassable. We have done similar projects in other African countries and the people there are better for it," he concluded.

E-signed 

Kunle Somorin

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun

BUKOLA OLOPADE AND THE JAC MOTORS MARATHON: REPOSITIONING OGUN ON THE WORLD MAP THROUGH SPORTS.

Until this year after eight years, Ogun State has lost track on the progress made in Sports and Youth  Development. 

Here is a state that hosted the Youth World Cup, All African Games among many other world class events.
No doubt, not only that the state was able to develop it's sporting facilities, several talents were discovered both locally and internationally.
There is a man that has his name directly attached to the success recorded while registering the state on the Sport's  World Map Bukola Olopade

Bukola Olopade was able to administer the state ministry of Youth and Sports for good eight years (you can imagine what level of experience and exposure he would have gathered). It is safe to say, he has become the best Youth and Sport administrator Ogun State has ever produced using sport and other developmental activities to engage the youths.
As stated earlier, the gains recorded over these period went down the drain, the government refused to fund the ministries as expected, the facilities were abandoned to rot away, while the state owned contingents, including the Gateway Football Club (the state owned football club) were at their lowest performance.

Owning to the hostile sociopolitical environment that trailed the immediate past administration, Ogun State lost the best opportunities to have consolidated on previous administration's investment on sports as a catalyst to economic growth.
Thankfully, OZO (as Bukola Olopade in fondly called) didn't stay too far from home, he stayed just at the backyard (Lagos) helping the state to develop it's sporting activities.

As a seasoned sport administrator that he is, he rejected several offers to work on full time appointment from many states stating that he cannot "stay too far away from home".
One thing you cannot take away from him is his capacity and passion for Youth development through sports.
The organizer of Access Marathon in Lagos that is now worth several millions of dollars in investment has chosen Ogun state to organize yet another MARATHON RACE.

Come 2nd November 2019, THE JAC MOTORS ABEOKUTA MARATHON RACE 2019 will berth in Ogun state, kick starting another round of prosperity for the state and the people. Not less than 1,000 has registered to be part of this race. Doing the economic calculations of this singular events, apart from engaging people actively, the small and medium businesses in and around Abeokuta will definitely count their blessings. The hospitality industry and the tourism will be the major beneficiaries.
Undoubtedly, the wait is over as Ogun State is going back to its rightful position as Sports Tourism Destination in Nigeria and Africa at large.

God Bless JAC Motors
God Bless Nilayo
God Bless Abeokuta
God Bless Ogun State.

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY FRIENDS: NIGERIA TRULY DESERVES SPIRITUAL CLEANSING - By Adedamola Adetayo

A social media analyst Mr. Adedamola Adetayo has joined the fold of people calling for spiritual cleansing of Nigeria's many woes.

Adetayo in an "Open Letter" shared on his facebook page wondered how successive government has failed to position the country into glorious path.

The writer lamented  that the people should "be realistic enough to know all these problems didn't just pour down on us and they won't go away, not even if we gathered all our clergies to take over all the leadership positions in the country"


Read Full Text:


Dear Friends

Please allow me write just one of the things harassing my mind so I can go back to my hibernation in peace!

Those who know me personally know that I contend with a multitude of mind-bending pressures that task my supreme effort of Willpower. It has been very tough. But you see, even in my own personal struggles, excruciating as they are, they pale into insignificance when placed side-by-side the misery i see all around the society and the country as a whole!

I have always convinced myself that very surely, we have offended some people because what we are going through as a people can't be "ordinary eyes" as our people will say!

Dr. Reuben Abati, inspite of himself and his recently crooked history, once told us that there were demons in Aso Rock that kind of manipulate the occupants there and by extension our leaders at the various levels and tiers of Government!

I think that man can't be too far from the truth!

Yes, we have CORRUPTION!
Yes, we are grossly unruly and Indisciplined!
Yes, we have leaders who are blinded by greed and followers who are stupidly docile!
Yes, we even know very well that our country runs on poor political and fiscal structures!
Yes, these problems didn't start today!!!

But in all of these, have we ever attempted to be realistic enough to know all these problems didn't just pour down on us and they won't go away, not even if we gathered all our clergies to take over all the leadership positions in the country?

I think we need to ASK HARD QUESTIONS. We need to STOP and review. We are not heading anywhere!

Imagine!

In 1998, Obasanjo was just within inches of his life. He came out,  got installed as President and right under our noses he did exactly what Abacha did, may be even worse! He became an emperor and was going to do 3rd term. A man that was just lucky to be alive!!!

Jonathan came under uncommon Grace. It was Providence but he became the almighty and all powerful President and C-IN-C of this same Nigeria. An Ijaw man from the same long-suffering Niger Delta. What did he do. He was dancing in Kano and Ibadan hours after Nyanyan bomb blast in Abuja and about the same time news of Chinook came! What changed in Niger Delta or about the multitude of injustices in Nigeria?

The other day we saw the Bauchi state Governor importing a wife from God-knows-where and able-bodied family men, Exco of a State lined up at the airport to receive them!

One Governor was said to have appointed three separate SAs to his three wives.

Rochas Okoroacha opened a brand new Ministry of Happiness for his sister!

The one in Kogi is a complete story entirely

In Ogun and Lagos states, the Governors are practically missing!

Look at the effrontery of Bola Tinubu and Ibikunle Amosun. How can men be so blinded by material things???? These weren't even yours, you practically tool them off the common wealth of the same suffering people!!!!

The last time President Buhari visited that NASS, jokingly and playfully, he started the 4+4 sign and the thing went viral!

Yesterday, at the same NASS, the man has told you jokingly and playfully that he had caught COLD!

Right on cue, we have started to hear of one Madam Minister that will soon move into za oza room as it  has become cold room!

It's a rumour now of course but you can be sure it will soon be a reality right under our noses!

In all of the troubles of this country, does it even make sense at this troubled state of our National life?

If Buhari eventually does that at 75year of age shouldn't we then be convinced that truly snakes have hands as our Elders will say?

No, these things are so rampant, so regular, so consistent, so audacious and get so mind shattering, they can't be Naturally!!!!

Surely, no man or group of men can be so callously insensitive to millions of people!

There is something controlling these people and ultimately controlling our lives!

I tell you, OUR PROBLEM IS SOCIAL AND SPIRITUAL!

We are a people that sold millions of slaves!
We are a people that broke faith with our ancestors!
We are a people disconnecting with our spirituality, culture, language and values!
We are a people with a confused identity, a people who have abandoned their familiar paths and taken to strange paths!

We are a people who have completely missed our way!!!

We are a people being expertly railroaded and manipulated into destruction!

We must realise this and we must STOP AND REVERSE!

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.