DAPO ABIODUN HOSTS MEDIA TEAM: REITERATES COMMITMENT TO CITIZENS WELFARE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE. BY-ADE BASH

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed warm appreciation towards  members of his new media team for their contributions to his election as the Governor of the State.

The Governor expressed his gratitude when  the team paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Iperu-Remo, Ogun state.

Abiodun described the role of the media team as instrumental in his campaign and his eventual victory in the gubernatorial election.

He said: "You have all demonstrated the high level of commitment to the cause of our state and the vision we envisaged for the development of Ogun. You can best be described as " The Coalition of the Willing. You pasted our posters in the hearts of the people when some people were tearing them."

Describing the team as formidable, he said they stood against all oppressions from the then opposition and sold his campaigns to the hearts of the people.

"When people believed to be working for the opposition were pulling down our campaign bill boards and defacing our posters, you were all persevering and steadfast. Rather than took to violence, you took the project as  personal projects and eventually worked for success.

“I thank you very much for persevering, I thank you very much for being there despite all odds, even when it was most challenging. I understand how challenging it can be when  you are contesting against an incumbent government.

“Despite the limited resources you had to cater for the the needs of the campaign, you never deterred nor despaired. You were not motivated by financial or pecuniary gains. Some people were thinking I was paying you so much money, and that I was spoiling you with money. You have demonstrated a high spirit of sportsmanship and fair play in our polity, which I encourage people to emulate," he said.

The governor, however urged the team to keep working for the development of the state and continue to promote the programmes and policies of the government.

He promised that the cardinal programmes of his government were fundamental to the economic of the people of Ogun state.

On plans for job security for the unemployed graduates, he disclosed the opening of a job portal where industries coming to the state will employ Ogun indigines, who are skilled and competent.

He added that the government has resolved to revive the agric sector where 10,000 farmers will be given lands and supported with loan facilities in order to position Ogun state as the agricultural and food hub of the nation.

Meanwhile, Mrs Adebisi Olaotan, on behalf of the team appreciated the governor for identifying with the team.

She however, urged the governor to continue inspiring the team to work more in the interest of the state.

FAMILY HEAD BEGINS SEARCH FOR CUSTODIAN DESIGNATE, WARNS AGAINST RELEGATING RITES

Yoruba people in the  South-Western part of Nigeria have been cautioned to stop relegating their family traditional rites and customs as this could have serious negative implications on the society.

This warning was given by the traditional leader of the  ILO clan, Chief Olaiya Ilo while urging Master Adeoluwa ILO and his parents(Mr Ade Ilo) to come forward to embrace the rites and initiation of the family.

The family leader who explained that running away from such rites of their forefathers would amount to wilfully flouting traditional injunctions, assured that anyone with useful information to the whereabout of the child and his parents would be duly compensated.

According to him, "Master Adeoluwa is simply to be initiated as the next custodian of the Ojengbe family cult, which means protection, blessings and long life for him, his family and the quiet community of Ikereku Idan, a border town between Ogun and Oyo State.

Chief Olaiya Ilo said the cult had been without a custodian for some time, and this would not allow peace and normalcy with the spirit of their forefathers.

He explained that "Master Adeoluwa ILO, aged 5 years is the grandson of one of the Elders of the  Family. The Oracle when consulted stated that the Custodian when found must not be allowed to delay in the performance of the rites of initiation  as this might have severe repercussions, if not done".

"Doing this is without any harm, but not doing it could lead to severe repercussions", he said.

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