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Tag: Ogun State

  • Abiodun bows to pressure, cancels N25,000 COVID-19 test for SS3 students

    Abiodun bows to pressure, cancels N25,000 COVID-19 test for SS3 students

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Monday succumbed to public outcry over the N25,000 fee payable for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) test for all returning SS3 boarding students in the state.

    The Abiodun administration had come under heavy criticism for creating a near pandemonium situation in Ogun State over the introduction of N25,000 fee for COVID-19 test over the weekend ahead of students’ resumption today.

    Parents, unionists, religious leaders, business people, politicians among others rejected the state government’s policy which made the N25,000 COVID-19 test fee compulsory for the returning SS3 students.

    Reacting to the matter on Monday evening, Abiodun made frantic effort to justify his administration’s position, but ultimately bowed to the public pressure and rescinded the policy.

    “After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.

    “Consequently the State Government has therefore stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We therefore enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

    “Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.

    “The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

    “The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart,” the governor cringed.

    Abiodun laboured emphatically to establish the genesis of the matter and the eventual decisions taken in the best interest of the state.

    AccordIng to him, “In line with the Federal Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open our schools on the 4th August 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.

    “In our pre-opening engagements with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all over the country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the safety of everybody concerned.

    “The state planned and provided testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their arrangements to get COVID tests. The two State owned laboratories have a capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number of boarding students, the statement from Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling points in some of our health facilities.

    “These private laboratories have been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the state government.”

    Abiodun also used the occasion to announce “the provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.”

    He appreciated the cooperation, support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in the state, expressing hope that “this phase will end soonest.”

  • COVID-19 Test for Students: Joint decision of proprietors, parents – Ogun Government

    COVID-19 Test for Students: Joint decision of proprietors, parents – Ogun Government

    The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has clarified the requirements for operations of boarding facilities in the secondary schools in the state as part of the overall requirements for the reopening of schools for SS3 students on August 4 as earlier announced by the government.

    Abiodun, in a statement in Abeokuta on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, Ronke Soyombo, said the clarification has become necessary to remind the general public, particularly parents and operators in the education sector, of government position, which is based on the guidelines jointly developed and agreed by parents, private school owners, government representatives and other stakeholders.

    The statement said: “Ogun State is arguably the state with the highest number of schools (public and private) operating boarding facilities in the country with students’ population drawn from far and wide.

    “In view of this and the need to avoid community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic amongst our children in the boarding facilities and invariably the state as a whole, additional requirements for opening of boarding facilities in all the secondary schools in the State were agreed.

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    “A key additional requirement is presentation of certificate of negative COVID-19 test before a student is admitted to the boarding facility in both public and private schools in the state.”

    However, the statement identified the following implementation details that should be noted.

    “The government will bear the full costs of the COVID-19 Test for all the boarding SS3 students in the state-owned public schools.

    “All private school owners are also expected to ensure that all their boarding students are certified COVID-19 test negative before being admitted into their boarding facilities.

    “To further assist the private schools, Ogun State Government has negotiated a huge discount in the cost of COVID-19 Test with some healthcare service providers.

    “However, private school owners and parents are free to engage any other service provider of their choice provided that the service provider is certified by NCDC as COVID-19 Test service provider.

    “Indeed, certificate of negative COVID-19 test from other locations across the country will be tenable provided, as usual, it is from an NCDC certified centre and the test has been performed within 72 hours of the date of resumption.

    “Only boarding facilities directly operated by schools will be allowed to operate to enable government monitoring of such facilities for compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

    “Parents and school owners are enjoined to work together to ensure that health and safety of our students is of paramount consideration at all times. Should any private school owner and parents desire a waiver of COVID-19 test requirement for boarding students, a joint representation of the school owner and the parents should be made to the government and this shall be considered on a case-by-case basis,” the statement said.

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    Soyombo emphasised that the COVID-19 test for boarding students is just one of the measures jointly developed and agreed with the parents, school owners, health experts and relevant government agencies and warned that government would not shirk in its responsibility of protecting all citizens and residents of Ogun State.

    “And these include students in our public and private schools. Amongst other such initiatives, government has commenced distribution of facemasks to all the schools in Ogun State – public and private – for the use of returning SS3 students and their teachers,” the statement noted.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ogun revises 2020 budget from over N449b to N280b

    Ogun revises 2020 budget from over N449b to N280b

    The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Wednesday signed Today into law the Revised 2020 Appropriation Bill, which reduced the state’s budget from 449.97 billion Naira to 280 billion Naira.

    In a statement by the Governor, the revision of the Budget which was presented to Abiodun by the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, was due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “I appreciate our Lawmakers for taking State matters as a priority of office. This, the Executive will work to compensate with a focus on critical sectors that impact positively on our people”, Governor Abiodun said.

  • COVID-19: Ogun –  Gov. Abiodun reopens worship centres Aug 14

    COVID-19: Ogun –  Gov. Abiodun reopens worship centres Aug 14

    The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has announced that worship centres would tentatively reopen across the state from August 14.

    Giving an update on strategies his administration was employing to combat the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Abiodun explained that the decisions were reached after rigorous deliberations.

    According to him, “After rigorous deliberations by the related committee, I can announce that worship centres will tentatively reopen on Friday, 14th August, on the condition that they adhere to agreed guidelines, failing which we shall not hesitate to impose severe sanctions on erring centres.

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    “These are on the use of face masks and hand sanitisers; distancing; and provision of medical, toilet and hygiene facilities including Veronica buckets.

    “Others include: Muslims should perform ablution at home and go to mosque with personal praying mats; certified medical personnel to check worshippers’ temperature before admittance to venues; handshakes, hugs and air conditioners to be avoided in all centres; provision of isolation rooms, as well as digital cameras to record services, in each centre; and adequate medical support to be provided for sick persons.

    “Other measures are: duration of services not to be more than an hour and a half, while intervals in the case of multiples should be of the same duration; constant sensitisation on COVID-19, its dangers, preventive measures, and especially the susceptibility of the elderly, to be included in sermons; and large worship centres (with more than 200 worshippers in a given service) to further pursue concurrence with Ogun State Government Committee, towards ensuring ventilation and effective entry and exit management procedure and the avoidance of item sharing during Holy Communion.”

    The governor said it’s worrisome that Ogun State, like Nigeria, has been witnessing an increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

    He noted that despite his administration having screened over 10,000 persons and also tested about 5,611 people as at July 28, the state has 1,326 confirmed cases; out of which 1,068 have been discharged; while the state has an unfortunate record of 23 related fatalities; with 227 active cases.

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    Abiodun urged the residents of Ogun State to adhere to advisories rolled out by health authorities.

    On the reopening of schools, the governor said despite having initiated e-classes for students, “we understand the uniqueness of physical classes, so we have made available Risk Assessment Forms on ogmoest.org to public and private schools to evaluate readiness for the adoption of the Federal Government’s resolve to allow SS3 students resume on 4th August to prepare for SSCE (to begin on the 17th).”

    He added that “a mandatory virtual training is also being organised for school staff on decontamination, medical equipment, toilet facilities, flexibility of closing times, and special requirements for boarding schools.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Gov. Abiodun solicits NASS support to  take over Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta road

    Gov. Abiodun solicits NASS support to  take over Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta road

    The Ogun State Goverrnor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has solicited the support of the National Assembly for the takeover and reconstruction of the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta and the Sagamu-Ikorodu roads, by Ogun and Lagos State Governments.

    Prince Abiodun made the call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when he received the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who paid him a courtesy visit.

    The Governor, who informed the Speaker of the current deplorable condition of the roads, added that the takeover of the roads would enable the two State Governments put them in proper shape, thus taking the load off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and bring succour to users.

    He described Agbara and its environs as the industrial hub of the State, but decried the poor condition of the Agbara-Atan-Lusada road, noting that some industries may be forced to exit the area, if the road was not fix on time.

    “The Agbara-Atan-Lusada road is in a very deplorable condition. Not only that, the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway and the Sagamu-Ikorodu roads are also very bad. I want to call for the support of the National Assembly in taking over or construction by the Federal Government. Our people are really suffering on these roads,” he said.

    Governor Abiodun informed the Speaker of the House that his Administration was currently constructing the Ijebu Ode-Epe Road, which would serve as an alternative route to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, for those going to the Northern and Eastern parts of the Country, as well as open up the axis for economic activities.

    The Governor said government was trying to tap from the State’s advantaged location, by providing security, infrastructure and making health accessible, saying the State was able to manage and curtail COVID-19 by providing well-equipped Isolation centres and a molecular laboratory.

    He described the Speaker as one of the longest serving members of the House and a grassroots politician who has distinguished himself by being a worthy representative, not only of his Constituency, but the whole of the Southwest.

    Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, said he was in the State to see things for himself, listing road infrastructure as one of the areas where the House would collaborate with the State Government.

    “I am here to see things for myself. I have heard of the development that is going on in this State, despite scarce resources. I want to commended the Governor for what he has done, especially in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

    “I know the Governor very well. He moves at a very quick pace. With him as the Governor, Ogun State will receive a facelift. So I am here to extend a hand of fellowship as there will be the need for partnership and collaboration particularly on road projects,” the Speaker noted.

    He opined that for the Government to make more development strides in the coming years, the Governor may need to rejig his plans, as the Coronavirus has negatively affected every facet of life, calling on the people to rally round him to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

    Photos:

  • Ogun Assembly passes 2020 Appropriation Amendment Bill

    Ogun Assembly passes 2020 Appropriation Amendment Bill

    Ogun State House of Assembly has passed the 2020 Appropriation (Amendment) Law which seeks to reduce the annual budget from N450 billion to N280 billion resulting in 38 per cent reduction of the initial budget.

    The passage of the bill titled: “H.B. No. 050/OG/2020 – A Bill for a Law to amend the Year 2020 Appropriation Law,” was consequent upon the presentation of the report of Ogun State House Committee on Finance and Appropriation by the Chairman, Olakunle Sobunkanla, at a plenary presided over by the Assembly Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo, in Abeokuta.

    Sobunkanla thereafter moved the motion for the adoption of the report, seconded by the Minority Leader, Ganiyu Oyedeji, and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote.

    The Assembly later considered the bill clause-by-clause before the Assembly Committee of Supplies, after which the motion for the third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by a member representing Odeda State Constituency, Oludaisi Elemide, after which the Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo, did the third reading.

    Responding, Oluomo directed that the clean copy of the bill be transmitted to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his assent.

    Meanwhile, two bills including Ogun State Energy Board Law, 2020 and Ogun State Safety Commission Law, 2020 scaled the first reading, as they were read by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service before the lawmakers.

    By Idowu Sowunmi

  • Ogun: Gov. Abiodun approves appointments to statutory boards and commissions

    Ogun: Gov. Abiodun approves appointments to statutory boards and commissions

    Ogun state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved appointments into seven state statutory agencies and commissions.

    The appointments was disclosed on Thursday in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin, who stated that the exercise “was in order to strengthen the machinery of Government and deliver on his “Building Our Future Together” Agenda”.

    According to the statement, the list is the first batch of appointees into statutory agencies, Boards and commission in the State, while other appointments will be made in due course.

    The commissions whose boards were named include those of the State Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission and Teaching Service Commission.

    The rest are those of the Housing Corporation, Health Management Board, State Agro Services and that of the State Bulk Purchase Corporations

    “Governor Abiodun enjoins the appointees to see their appointments as call to service for the development of the State and its people. He also challenged them to see their appointment as an opportunity to improve the lives and conditions of those who need it most”, the statement read.

    Somorin stated further that the appointees were drawn from major political blocks in the State in consonance with the inclusive governance philosophy of the Government which emphasises a leadership paradigm shift, to a focused and qualitative governance and to create the enabling environment for a public-private sector partnership, that is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun.

    The appointees and their commissions are:

    1. Ogun State Civil Service Commission

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi         Chairman

    2          Hon. Adebowale Ojuri           Member

    3          Olusegun Fagbayi       Member

    4          Gabriel Ayinde Falola Member

    5          Miss Nike Osoba         Member

    1. Ogun State Local Government Service Commission

    S/N            Name   Position

    1          Ms Bukky Onabanjo   Chairman

    2          Hon Lukman  Olufemi Adiro Member I

    3          Koye Ijaduoye            Member II

    4          Yusuf Adegbenro       Member III

    5          Babatunde Rufai         Member IV

    1. Ogun State Teaching Service Commission

    TESCOM

    S/N      NOMINEE

    1          Evang. Lekan Ifede    Chairman

    2          Olanrewaju Majekodunmi      Member

    3          Aderibigbe Tella         Member

    4          Hon. Joseph Adeleke  Member

    5          Deola Akintonde        Member

    1. Ogun State Housing Corporation

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Chief Yemi Sanusi      Chairman

    2          Olawale Ojo    GM

    3          Abidemi Alimi            Member

    4          Adeniyi Edun Member

    5          Adebayo Aladejobi Shuaib     Member

    6          Ademola Balogun       Member

    7          Omitaomu Ekundayo  Member

    8          Olumide Soyemi         Member

    1. Ogun State Health Management Board

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Dr. Kunle Solako        Chairman

    2          Alh. Wasiu Isiaka        Member

    3          Onaolapo Isaac Olawale         Member

    4          Mr. Dele Tinuoso        Member

    5          Sunday Akintona        Member

    6          Awofeso Hazeemat Abimbola            Member

    7          Dr. Bankole Osisanya Member

    8          Salami Mojisola Ayodele        Rep Zonal

    9          Bimbola Majekodunmi           Member

    1. Ogun State Agro Services Corporation

    S/N      Name   Position

    1          Chief Kehinde Adebanjo        Chairman

    2          Hon. Ajibola Ogunsiji Member

    3          Ogundalu Felix Olufemi         Member

    4          Princess Oshiyemi       Member

    5          Chief Remi Onasanya Member

    6          Sunday  Kojeku          Member

    7          Bidemi Ogunseye       Member

    1. Ogun State Bulk Purchasing

    S/N      NOMINEE

    1          Engr. Anthony Ojesina           Chairman

    2          Kehinde Olaleye         Member

    3          Dele Erisan      Member

    4          Mutiu Bankole            Member

    5          Mojisola Sangonuga    Member

    6          Bimpe Sonubi Member

    7          Jamiu Asimi    Member

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Abiodun Appoints Selimot Ottun as Ogun New Head of Service

    Abiodun Appoints Selimot Ottun as Ogun New Head of Service

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Alhaja Selimot Olapeju Ottun as the new Head of Service in the state.

    Ottun’s appointment was coming after the former Head of Service, TPL Amope Ajibola Chokor, bowed out of the public service of Ogun State over the weekend.

    An accomplished psychologist, community development expert and administrator, she becomes the fifth woman to occupy the office and the 17th Head of Service since the creation of the state.

    While wishing Ottun success in her new assignment, Abiodun said he believed that she would put her vast knowledge in the management of the state’s civil service to good use in her new assignment.

    Ottun comes into her new position with impeccable pedigree and service record.

    Until her appointment, Ottun was Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration. She previously served as Permanent Secretary at Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism between 2015 and 2019.

    A 1985 graduate of Psychology from University of Ibadan, the new Head of Service also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Development from Pan African Institute of Development, Bua in Cameroon.

    Ottun had coordinated many Community Development and Gender Programmes for the state government and was also the state Director of the United Nations Gender Development Programme between 2009 and 2015.

    The new Head of Service has over the years proven to be an asset in different leadership roles she was saddled with. She’s also known to have used her network and creative ingenuity to adapt to changes in public sector management.

    Ottun is happily married and she is the President of Remo Secondary School, Sagamu 1973/78 set.

  • Senator Amosun mourns Prof. Akin Ogunpola 

    Senator Amosun mourns Prof. Akin Ogunpola 

    The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Senator Ibikunle Amosun CON, FCA, has received the news of the death of elder statesmen, Prof. George Akinola Ogunpola, with heartfelt sympathy.

    Senator Amosun described the Professor’s demise as the loss of an eminent citizen, an erudite scholar, a seasoned administrator, and a committed community leader who made invaluable contributions to the educational development of Ogun State.

    “I recall his sagacity in the management of free Primary Education Programme when he served as Commissioner for Education during the administration of Chief Olabisi Onabanjo in Ogun State from 1979 – 1983

    “He was a highly committed community and political leader in Owu kingdom, Egbaland and Ogun State. Prof. Akin Ogunpola remained a model. He was a cerebral leader who devoted his life to serving the people in all ramifications”, Amosun said.

    Senator Ibikunle Amosun visits the residence of the Ogunpolas in Abeokuta

    According to the Senator, Prof. Ogunpola was reputed for always lending his voice on national and international issues, particularly in the area of educational development, adding that his wise counsel on the socio-political development of Ogun State would be greatly missed.

    “We are delighted to acknowledge and immortalise his socio-economic contributions through the naming of Akin Ogunpola Model School in Ewekoro Local Government after his person in 2016 (during his lifetime)”, the former Governor added.

    Senator Ibikunle Amosun however, prayed that Almighty God will grant Prof. Akin Ogunpola eternal rest, and give his entire family, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

     

     

  • Ogun moves to improve standard of education, inaugurates committee

    Ogun moves to improve standard of education, inaugurates committee

    The Ogun State Ministry of Education has inaugurated a 13-member committee tasked with the responsibility of developing ideas that will improve the standard of education in the State.

    This step in the state’s education sector was Wednesday announced by the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo who said the committee was saddled with responsibilities of overseeing the management side of schools, to support and challenge schools’ senior leadership team, setting of strategic direction in schools, creating a robust accountability, ensuring financial probity among others.

    Stressing the commitment of the state government to ensuring quality and efficient schooling, Soyombo stated that the School Based Management Committee would help in bridging the gap between the government and the people, and design programmes towards restoring the lost glory and standards of schools in Ogun.

    In her remark, she said “we are committed to ensuring newly appointed committee members are up to speed and effective in their roles as quickly as possible. We would provide a number of services to support you from the start”.

    According to the Special Adviser, the State government had achieved a lot within its first year in office, including the renovation of primary schools, payment of running cost and the introduction of Ogun Digi-class.

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    Reiterating the goals set for the inaugurated committee in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Abosede Ogunleye said the committee was inaugurated to ensure improved educational standard, as well as help students realise their full potentials.

    The Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Alhaji Adekunle Adegbite while giving an acceptance speech, described the occasion as a good intervention, promising to do all within their capacity to support the present administration at ensuring qualitative teachings and learning in schools, while also canvassing for support from individuals, Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Old Students Association, Royal Fathers, Community Leaders among others.

    Source, Press, Ogun Ministry Of Education