Motorists plying the busy Lagos-Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode road would soon heave a sigh of relief as palliative work will begin on the failed portions of the road next week Monday.
The palliative work on the road is expected to be completed in the second week of December this year as Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun commended Presodent Bola Tinubu for swift response.
Speaking after inspecting the failed portion of the road in Sagamu, Minister of Works, Mr. Dave Dr. Umahi lamented the deplorable condition of the road, which has caused untold hardship to motorists.
He stated that he came to inspect the road and see what immediate measures could be put in place to bring relief, assuring that the federal government would fix it before the end of the year.
The Minister, who was conducted around the failed portions by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said: “I am not here on my own; I am directed by Mr. President, sequel to our meeting with him, that I should come and do all that is necessary on this road so that the suffering of our people can come to an end.
“The governor has shown me the terrible three spots. Governance is all about the people, and that is what Mr. President is committed to doing. For this one, I’m here with the Lagos and Ogun Controllers of Works. We have constituted an action committee to liaise with your own team, the Commissioner for Works, Environment, and Transport.
“In an emergency situation like this, we have to look around for a competent contractor, and not only a competent contractor; we have to also look for a contractor who is close to the location where we want to intervene, and luckily for us, we have seen Hitech.
“We have procured the palliatives for the two carriageways, 60 km by 2, which totals 120 kilometers, and I want to assure you that by the directive of the President, latest by Monday, you will see action.
“It is my pleasure to direct that immediate palliative measures for the entire 120 kilometers on the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode, Ore-Benin road be completed not later than the middle of December.
“We are also going to install solar lights throughout the entire 120 kilometers, and we are going to push everything to ensure that by the 15th of December, 2024, Governor Dapo Abiodun will come and commission the road on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Speaking earlier, Governor Abiodun narrated the numerous complaints he received from motorists about the deplorable condition of the road and the efforts of his administration to carry out palliative measures to make the road motorable.
Abiodun, who commended President Tinubu for being a listening leader who cares about the welfare of his people, also commended the Minister of Works for taking his assignment with a high sense of responsibility.
He assured the people that with the flag-off of the rehabilitation work by the Minister, the people of the 17 southern states and indeed all Nigerians would begin to enjoy a smooth ride on the road within the shortest time.
Governor Seyi Makinde has presented a supplementary budget sum of ₦79,337,000,000.00 (Seventy Nine Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Million Naira) under the 2024 fiscal year to the Oyo state House of Assembly for legislative consideration and approval.
The Speaker, Rt. Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin disclosed this while reading a message from the executive on the floor of House during Tuesday’s plenary sitting.
The supplementary budget scaled through first reading and was subsequently committed to the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation, Budget and Economic Planning for further scrutiny.
Recall that Oyo state is currently implementing the 2024 Appropriation budget sum of over N438.4 billion which was approved by the House of Assembly and subsequently assented into law by Governor Makinde.
According to the governor’s message to the House, the supplementary budget would enable realigment of the recurrent and capital expenditure for the services of Oyo State in the year ending or the 31st day of December, 2024.
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man, Faisal Audu, in connection with the murder of a hunter, Saheed Awolesi, in Sagamu.
Awolesi had gone hunting on the night of October 5, 2024, but failed to return, prompting his family and the hunters’ association to search for him. According to the state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, Audu was arrested by officers from the Ibafo Police Command after being found with Awolesi’s phone and motorcycle.
When detectives called the hunter’s phone, it was answered at the police station, confirming the suspect’s connection to the case. Audu later confessed to the murder during interrogation, admitting he had killed Awolesi and stolen his possessions. He led police to the location where Awolesi’s body was found, showing signs of violent injury.
The body has been sent to a Sagamu mortuary for autopsy, while investigations continue. This case is reminiscent of a 2022 incident in which a motorcyclist was killed and his bike stolen in Abeokuta South.
The Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has shared how he endured mockery after his marriage cra-shed.
According to his Imperial Majesty, when his marriage crashed, many people mocked him and said there was no respect for a king who had no queen.
He further revealed he was sleeping and waking up alone, which pùshed him to call on God and asked questions like, ‘who did he offend’.
The monarch claimed that God assured him to put his mind at rest and fast forward to now, he has queens everywhere in the palace.
He said, “When my marriage broke and I became single, many people mocked me and said there is no respect for a king that has no queen. I was sleeping and waking up alone. I called on God; I asked questions: who did I offend? I never did evil to anyone. He told me to put my mind at rest. Look at me today. There are queens everywhere in the palace”.
In December 2022, the second wife of the monarch, Olori Naomi surprised many when she announced the end of her 3-year marriage to the Ooni on her Instagram page.
Following the crashed marriage, Ooni moved on from her to marry 6 wives: Olori Mariam, Olori Elizabeth Akinmuda, Olori Tobi Phillips, Olori Ashley, Olori Ronke, and Olori Temitope, in the space of three months.
A 30-year-old man, Motunrayo Olaniyi, has allegedly stabbed his newlywed wife, Olajumoke, to death at Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The incident was said to have occurred on Friday after a heated argument between the couple.
The Lagos State Police Command, while confirming the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Saturday stated that Motunrayo stabbed the 25-year-old wife multiple times during the altercation, locked her in the room, and set it on fire.
He added that the suspect also inflicted wounds on himself after committing the act.
A team of policemen who arrived at the scene were however said to have extinguished the fire and after that discovered Olajumoke’s lifeless body with abdominal wounds.
The statement read in part, “A distress call was received on October 4 at Ikorodu Division that a newly wedded couple, one Motunrayo Olaniyi, aged 30, and his wife Olajumoke, aged 25 years, allegedly engaged in a domestic scuffle in their room at Amazing Grace Estate, Elepe, Ikorodu.
“In the process, the husband reportedly stabbed the wife to death, locked her in the room, and set it ablaze, while he inflicted wounds on himself.
“Police from the Ikorodu Division responded to a distress call and put out the fire. They found Olajumoke’s lifeless body with abdominal wounds.”
The police spokesperson further stated that Olaniyi was rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital where he was treated and discharged before being taken into police custody.
According to him, a preliminary investigation later revealed that the suspect stabbed his wife during the altercation and inflicted minor wounds on himself.
“The corpse has been deposited at Ikorodu General Hospital morgue for autopsy. Investigation is in progress”, he concluded.
Alhaji Hamzat Kolayode Iysau, President of Oyo Artisans, on behalf of Artisans in the State congratulates Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi on his installation as the Asiwaju of Ona Ara, a prestigious title bestowed by the Ona Ara Local Government Traditional Council in recognition of his invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Oyo State.
According to Alhaji Hamzat Kolayode, he described Chief Sanusi as visionary businessman, philanthropist, and community leader, who has made remarkable strides in various sectors.
“He is a community leader who has continue to contribute greatly to the advancement of the state, among other things, we recognise his investments in education through the Ibadan College of Arts, Science, and Technology (ICAST) and the establishment of the Ilaji Hotel and Resort have boosted tourism, and youth development in Oyo State. His initiatives, such as the Ilaji Soccer Academy, have empowered numerous youths with opportunities to pursue football careers internationally”
“Chief Sanusi’s dedication to his community is evident through his infrastructure projects, such as providing electricity and constructing durable roads in areas like Ona Ara and beyond. His unwavering commitment to improving living standards for residents has earned him respect across Oyo State”
“As he steps into this new role as Asiwaju, the Oyo Artisans reaffirm their support for his visionary leadership and express our gratitude for his relentless efforts in fostering progress and empowerment across the state” he stated.
The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has vowed that the State Government will begin the payment of N70,000 minimum wage immediately the committee concludes its final consequential adjustment.
He made the disclosure today at a ceremony held in Ibadan in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day.
“Negotiation on consequential adjustment will start next week. I have extended wage award for the next 3 months
“If negotiation on consequential adjustment ends within the three months, we will drop the wage award and start paying minimum wage”.
Alhaja Abegbo Lawal on behalf of No Woman no Nation Renewed Hope has felicitated with Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, as he becomes the Asiwaju of Ona Ara.
The conferment which was done by the Traditional Council of Ona Ara Local Government led by His Royal Highness Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland on Saturday, 5th October in Akanran, Ibadan.
According to the group, this great honor is a recognition of Chief Sanusi’s dedication and commitment to Ona-Ara development and Oyo State by extension.
The foremost market leader in Oyo State, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje has congratulated Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, the Jagunmolu Olubadan of Ibadanland, on his installation and decoration as Asiwaju of Ona Ara by the Traditional Council of Ona Ara Local Government by His Royal Highness Oba Tajudeen Ajibola, Otun Balogun of Ibadanland.
According to a statement by her media office, Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje described the Honor bestowed on Chief Dotun Sanusi as a reward for hard work which is well deserved.
“I congratulate our leader, and father Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi the new Asiwaju of Ona-Ara Local Government, the award is a well deserved one, and timely, it shows that there’s reward for hard work, most especially serving others”
“Chief Dotun Sanusi has been committed to the development of the Local Government since he started his business there, and his impact has been felt far beyond the local government, we market leaders recognizes this and we felicitate with him on this new role, and pray that may Almighty God grant his heart desires, especially as his vision to govern Oyo State right”
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the construction of 12 blocks of 900 smart classrooms in four schools in each zone across the state.
The four benefiting schools are Abeokuta Grammar School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta; Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode; Remo Secondary School, Sagamu; and Yewa College, Ilaro.
The governor also approved Monday, October 6, 2024, as a work-free day to enable teachers to celebrate the day.
Governor Abiodun made the announcement at this year’s Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
The governor also announced the absorption of 1,000 OgunTeach scheme interns into the State Teaching Service Commission, bringing the total to 5,000 since the inception of the administration.
Speaking further, the governor said approval has been given for the renovation of all special schools and an increment in the feeding allowance of pupils in special schools to make them feel a sense of belonging.
Abiodun, who acknowledged the contributions of teachers in molding the character of future generations, agreed to pay transport allowances to all public school teachers in place of the work-free days currently being enjoyed by other state government workers.
While noting that his administration has repositioned the education sector to serve the people better, he listed the Ogun Digitalized Multimedia Lesson Plan, where teachers would be equipped with the necessary resources to deliver effectively with centralized and digitized lesson plans, and the construction of the Central Education Management Information System (EMIS) for data gathering, analysis, and presentation, as part of the achievements in the sector.
Other achievements, according to Governor Abiodun, include the approval for the Ogun State Education Intervention Fund, the successful conduct of the BECE with the introduction of OMR (Optical Mark Reader) sheets, and the installation of ICT facilities in preparation for the flag-off of Nigeria Learning Passport for e-contents.
On why his administration did not access the 2020 UBEC funds, the governor said: “You recall that when I assumed office, this state had not accessed the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 funds. Shortly after I assumed office, we paid the counterpart funding for those four years, and we accessed the funding. The current one we are implementing is for 2018 and 2019.
“What I noticed is that most of the contracts were abandoned because of inflation; the pricing was not realistic. That was my number one observation.
“My second observation was that despite all these interventions, every now and then, you would see an Ogun State school in the news. You would see Ogun State learners sitting on 9-inch blocks and learning in schools without roofs, despite the fact that we have accessed UBEC or SUBEB funding.
“I realized that something had to be wrong, and what was that? I realized that the schools that are being thrown up were not the worst of the worst schools.
“We put a hold on the program, and I set up a task force headed by the Head of Service, and I mandated them to go around the nooks and crannies of the state and identify the worst of the worst schools so that we are no longer embarrassed.
“I am glad to tell you that the exercise has now been completed, and I had to personally call the UBEC Chairman and tell him that we had to rework our work plan, and that work plan has to reflect our peculiarities in Ogun State. We must not have schools that are not conducive for academic planning anymore.
“I am pleased to announce to you that the new work plan for UBEC that reflects our peculiarities has now been approved. So, two things we will be achieving: all the abandoned schools and abandoned projects from the 2018 and 2019 plans will now have a methodology for rewarding and completing them, and the 2020 work plan will now reflect the worst of the worst schools.”
While calling on all to reflect on the profound impact of education on individuals and the pivotal role of teachers in shaping not just the lives of children but the entire nation, the governor acknowledged the immense challenges in the teaching profession, noting, however, that despite the obstacles, teachers remain unwavering, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive.
“We believe that education is the bedrock of any meaningful socio-political and economic development, and teachers are the architects of that foundation. As Nelson Mandela rightly stated, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting educators through our ‘Building Our Future Together’ Agenda. Investing in education is an investment in the future of Ogun State. That is why we continue to improve teachers’ salaries, fund training programs, and ensure that every classroom is well-equipped,” Governor Abiodun assured.
In his opening remarks, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, noted that the theme of this year’s celebration aligns with the administration’s policy of engendering a new social order not only in the education sector but the whole state, appreciating teachers for their steadfastness in discharging their duties and the state government for repositioning the education sector.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Comrade Felix Agbesanwa, noted that the Dapo Abiodun-led administration has been mindful of teachers’ welfare through regular payment of salaries, promotions, and both foreign and local training for teachers.
He appreciated the present administration for recruiting more teachers through the OgunTeach scheme, renovating schools, and bringing sanity to the schools through the signing of undertakings by parents and students.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state, Comrade Sewakanu Oladipupo, said the day was set aside by the United Nations to celebrate the immense contributions of teachers in nation-building, adding that despite the present economic crunch, the administration has made the welfare of teachers and the education sector a priority.
The Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Evang. Lekan Ifede, in his goodwill message, described Ogun teachers as the best in the country, while his counterpart from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, lauded Governor Abiodun for investing heavily in the education sector over the last five years, which has shown in the performance of learners in various examinations and other academic activities.
Highlights of the celebration included the awarding of cash prizes to teachers, schools, and administrators who performed excellently in the previous academic year.
