Oyo Approves Funds for The Take off of Amotekun

…Keys into FG’s National Development Plan

Oyo State Government on Tuesday approved the sum of N59, 783, 437.50 (Fifty nine million, seven hundred and eighty-three thousand, four hundred and thirty-seven Naira and fifty Kobo) as grant for the take-off of the State Security Network Agency, codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’.

This was disclosed after the state’s 19th virtual executive meeting, where the executive council approved the fund for the procurement of 3000 units of uniforms, combat boots, lanyard, baseball hats, security belts and worsted socks.

It will also cover the production of logo for the personnel to serve as identity and distinguish them from other security agencies in the State.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, while disclosing the outcome of the meeting, said “further on the establishment of the State Security Network, codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’ and for effective take off of the agency, the State Executive Council has approved the procurement of 3000 units of uniforms and accoutrements such as combat boots, lanyard, baseball hats, security belts, worsted socks, production of Amotekun and Oyo State logo for 3000 Amotekun corps to be recruited into the agency at a total sum of Fifty nine million, seven hundred and eighty three thousand, four hundred and thirty seven naira and fifty kobo.

“The uniforms and accoutrements which will be given to each recruited Amotekun Corp will serve as a form of identity for the corps and will distinguish them from other security agencies in the state.”

Olatubosun further stated that the council also approved funds for re-accreditation of Adeoyo Maternity at Yemetu in Ibadan as a full fledged teaching hospital, as the accreditation initially gotten was withdrawn for failure to have necessary equipments in place, saying it was in conformity with the present administration’s passion to revitalise the health sector in the State.

He said the hospital would henceforth serve as residence training and gynaecology centre to add value to the iconic health institution and improve the image of the State, adding that the move would lead to procurement of medical equipment for the teaching hospital at the cost of Seventy-five million, eight hundred and seventy-seven thousand and six hundred Naira (#75,877,600.00).

“In pursuant of this lofty goal, the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria has visited Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital and the team has notified the state government of their intention to give re-accreditation to Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital.

The equipment to be procured includes six hydraulic delivery beds, two theatre electronic/automatic tables and one Laparoscope plus one hysteroscope. Others are one Colposcope, two CTG, two Ultrasound, four Angle Poise Lamps and one bowl anaesthetic machine.

“Summary of the equipment for re-accreditation of Adeoyo Maternity Teaching Hospital at a total cost of N75,877,600.00, the facility is expected to be ready for reaccreditation before the end of the year 2020.”

The Commissioner also informed journalists that the State government, through the Executive Council, has keyed into the federal government’s preparation for a long-term plan tagged “Nigeria Agenda 2050” and a medium-term national development plan 2021-2025 which he said would succeed the Vision 20:2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020.

He said the decision is consistent with the development process as obtained in countries like China, South Korea, India and Malaysia. He hinted that preparation for the State Plan 2021-2041, the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) and Medium-Term Budget Framework (MTBF) would commence from August 2020 and span a period of 133 days at a total sum of N83,571,725.00.

The University of Ibadan Ventures Limited (Consultancy Service Unit) has also been appointed as the consultant to support the process.

According to Dr Olatubosun, “the plan will be anchored on six strategic thematic areas, namely, Economic Development, Human Capital and Social Development, Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Resources Mobilisation and Financial Management, Security, Governance and Service Delivery.”

“The plan is to emphasise on the development agenda of the current administration as encapsulated in the Roadmap to Accelerated Development of Oyo State.”

“In line with best practices, the State would adopt an all-inclusive and participatory approach to preparing the home grown State Development Plan.

“In order to enhance the broad-base ownership of the implementation of the Plan, key stakeholders with include all MDAs, Local Government Areas, Local Council Development Authorities, Civil Society Organizations, the Academia, Research Institutions, DAWN Commission, Development Partners like UNICEF, DFID-PERL among others.

Petrol price to increase as PPPRA raises ex-depot price

Since last week, there has been insinuation from different quarters that the petrol price might go up soon owing to series of meetings held throughout last week by the stakeholders in the sector on the need to review the price so as to fill the gap exiting between the returns on investment and cost.

Recently, N138.62 was approved by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) as ex-depot price for a litre of petrol, and with the current reviewed price, Nigerians will have to pay more for petrol.

Many filling stations in Lagos were shut on Tuesday in anticipation of the price hike. National Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Abubakar Maigandi told newsmen last night that the PPPRA raised the depot price from N132/N133 by N6 per litre.

#RevolutionNow: DSS re-arrest Bakare in Osogbo, launch manhunt against Sowore

Today, protesters under the banner of RevolutionNow trooped out to protest against insecurity, economic crisis and other problems bedeviling Nigeria under President Buhari.

However, it was learnt that the RevolutionNow Protest Organized by Omoyele Sowore was meted with stiff resistance today by the Security Operatives as more than 30 Protesters were arrested.

Meanwhile, Olawale Bakare that was arrested along with Omoyele Sowore last year when they began the Revolution Now Protest in August and charged for treasonable felony has again been rearrested by the secret police agents in Osogbo. It was gathered also that they have launched manhunt against the convener of the RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.

#RevolutionNow: Army Disperses Protesters in Lagos

Today, protesters under the banner of RevolutionNow trooped out to protest against insecurity, economic crisis and other problems bedeviling Nigeria under President Buhari.

However, it was learnt that the RevolutionNow Protest Organized by Omoyele Sowore was meted with stiff resistance today by the Security Operatives as more than 30 Protesters were said to have been arrested in Lagos, Abuja, Ondo and others. Details later.

COVID-19 Palliative: Conditional Cash Transfer Kicks Off in Lagos

….Beneficiaries Receive N10,000 For The Month Of May And June.

Following the enrolment of eligible residents of the State for the first phase of the Cash Transfer initiative of the Federal Government, each of the beneficiary households of the Conditional Cash Transfer policy, which kicked off in April this year, received the sum of N10,000 for the months of May and June 2020.

The conditional Cash Transfer policy, an initiative of the Federal Government to the most vulnerable and indigent of the society was officially flagged off in Lagos today at Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the State.

The initiative, which will be administered through the designated household caregiver, who will in turn utilise the money for the better living of the household, was flagged off by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke and top federal government functionaries.

The Commissioner lauded the efforts of the Federal Government, through the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, for their support in the establishment of the cash transfer unit in Lagos State while also expressing her gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment and enormous support in making the implementation a success.

Arobieke noted that the process of enrolment of beneficiary households commenced in April 2020 with the most vulnerable, aged and indigent citizens identified.

“It is of the essence to mention that the process of enrolment of about 8,147 households captured by the State Cash Transfer Office was approved by the Governor and commenced in the month of April to fast-track a conditional Cash transfer to beneficiary households in order to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and vulnerable”, Arobieke explained.

While noting that the beneficiaries were painstakingly selected by the Cash Transfer Office in six pilot Local Government Areas and validated through the issuance of identification cards in order to partake in the exercise, the Commissioner appealed to those that have not registered to key into the programme in order to benefit from the palliative measures.

“I will like to appeal to Lagosians that this is a continuous exercise and in case you are yet to be captured in this batch, there are more opportunities that would be cascaded to the rest of the Local Government Areas in the State”, she said.

The National Programme Coordinator of the Scheme, Dr. Temitope Shinkaye, who was represented by Mr. Mohammed Abdullah at the event, stated that the programme focuses mainly on the poor and vulnerable in the country as identified through a combination of geographic and community-based targeting mechanism.

He stated that the programme facilitates the transfer of N5000 per month to the identified beneficiaries, noting that payment is made every two months to eligible households selected from the national social register while the programme also offers capacity building to beneficiaries for empowerment on self reliance.

Abdullahi disclosed that beneficiaries are also trained on life skills and micro-business development in order to engage in viable business activities that will sustain them in future.

He thanked the Lagos State Government for its support and commitment in registering vulnerable households in the State, stressing that it has helped to incorporate them into the Federal Government National Social Register for the vulnerable.

The Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mr. Oluseyi Valentino expressed gratitude to the State Government for choosing the Local Government as the flag-off point for the initiative.

He expressed his appreciation to the Federal and State Governments for the laudable initiative, expressing confidence that it will help to alleviate the suffering of the poor and most vulnerable.

The Household Uplifting Programme (HUP), otherwise known as Conditioner Cash Transfer, was introduced in 2016 as one of the four social investment programmes anchored by the Federal Government to tackle poverty and hunger, focusing on a more equitable distribution of resources to the vulnerable population, including the aged and physically challenged.

Dele Adeola Lauds The Approval of Iseyin/Ogbomosho Road, Assures Constituents Of More Projects

The honourable member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency while granting an interview to the CREW of Oduduwa News commends the approval of the reconstruction of Iseyin/Ogbomosho Road project.

Dele Adeola said, “the approval of the construction of Iseyin/Ogbomosho road is a blessing to Ogbomosho, Iseyin, Oke-Ogun and the entire Oyo North Senatorial District. It is a jinx breaking project by Makinde-led administration having been neglected for a decade as this will open up the agro-economic area of the zone, it will bring unity to the Senatorial District, allowing more investors to invest in the zone. Particularly, linking investment opportunities from the Northern part of Nigeria and Oyo North region.”

“I really commend the governor for the giant stride. You will recall that at the inception of my administration as a Representative from the zone, we had a debate at the State Assembly on the need to reconstruct the road and we passed a resolution urging the executive arm to open more roads in the state, rehabilitating the damaged ones and the completion of abandoned road projects.”

“We cannot overlook the economic importance of the road which includes improvement of agricultural activities, establishment of more agro-allied industries along the road, opening up of market opportunities for the northerners and international communities and lastly the creation of jobs for the teeming youths of the state.

I was highly delighted when I heard its approval, it has been a long dream and if this is coming up at a time I am representing my people, I feel so happy that the total transformation and integration of Iseyin into the economic hub of the State is now a reality.”

The Honourable, while appreciating his constituents for the trust reposed in him, on behalf of Iseyin and the entire Oyo North Senatorial District thanks the Executive Governor of Oyo State for the approval of the laudable project. He however expresses his confidence in Seyi Makinde-led administration and vows to uphold his vision in achieving a new Oyo State.

Okeho Robbery: 3 More Gang Members Arrested By Police

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three more armed robbers that burgled a First Bank branch in Okeho, Oyo State.

This was made known by the State Public Relations Officer, SP Fadeyi. You will recall that last month it was reported that a team of armed robbers attempted to rob a First bank branch in Okeho, Kajola Area of Oyo State but was foiled by the youths of the area. It was reported that the armed robbers used dynamite and gas cylinder to break the door of the bank.

It was also gathered that the armed robbers while trying to escape the scene having noticed that some irate youths in the area were pursuing them had an accident along the way and three of them were arrested and set ablaze immediately by the angry mob. Meanwhile, it was learnt that one person and a police officer were killed.

The State Police Chapter earlier reported that they have succeeded in arresting 3 members of the team that robbed the bank. The recent arrest would make the total number of the arrested gang members to be six.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Fadeyi hereby assures the populace that efforts are ongoing to ensure that all those who participated in the robbery are brought to book in due time.

NUC Begins Assessment of Universities For A Possible Resumption Date

National Universities Commission (NUC) has begun the collection of data to assess the readiness of all universities for a possible resumption date for academic activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive secretary of the Commission, Abubakar Adamu Rasheed disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the ongoing contributions of Nigerian universities to national response to COVID-19.

Represented by Deputy Executive Secretary Academics, Dr Suleiman Ramon Yusuf, the NUC boss stated that efforts are also ongoing in finding solution to Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike and reopening of universities.

You will recall that last week, NUC released a statement urging all Universities to submit prepared documents showing their readiness to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols if the universities should be allowed to resume.

COVID-19: PTF Lauds Oni For Donating PPEs, Medical Supplies

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has commended the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,Ojaja II for donating four motorised modular fumigators (two each to the PTF and the FCT) to help combat the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.

At the National Briefing by the PTF on Monday, the task force Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also mentioned the United Nations (UN) Basket and European Union for praise.

According to him, they have delivered a second tranche of PPEs, medical supplies and equipment to aid Nigeria’s response to COVID-19.

“The PTF wishes to thank all Nigerians that continue to respond to call for involvement in the National Response,” Mustapha said.

“In this regard, we thank the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for donating four motorized modular fumigators (two each to the PTF and the FCT).

“In the same vein, we want to appreciate the UN Basket and European Union for delivering the second tranche of the PPEs, medical supplies and equipment.”

I will be recalled that the Ooni had 3 months ago flagged off the charity project of locally modular motorized fumigators which he intended to distribute free of charge to the government and revant institutions across Nigeria with a view to complementing the efforts of government in the ongoing fight against the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic.

In fulfillment of his this promise, he has physically toured the Southwest and crisscrossed the other 5 geopolitical zones on the country through his Ooni Covid-19 Intervention Team(OCIT) donating 2 fumigators to each of the 36 states climaxed last Thursday with his delegation donating 4 fumigators to the Federal Government of Nigeria received y the SGF and the PTF Chairman, BOSS Mustapha, represented by Permanent Secretary, SGF office, Sir Olusegun Adekunle.

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