₦airaland Forum

My administration augments federal allocations to Ogun LGs even to meet obligations for first-line charges-Abiodun


Ogun State Government on Tuesday, said that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has often had to augment the funds allocated to local governments in the state from the Federation Account to enable them to meet their obligations.

The government, in its reaction to a letter credited to the Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Mr Wale Adedayo, alleging zero revenue allocation to local governments in the state since 2021, said it had never tampered with local government funds.

It wondered how adding to the funds allocated to the local councils to enable them to meet their obligations amounted to hijacking their funds.

It said that funds meant for local governments in the state are being handled by the constitutionally recognised Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC).

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the state governor, Mr Lekan Adeniran, the government said that JAAC members ensure that the third tier of government gets the required allocations for optimal performance.

It noted that the latest meeting by the JAAC was held last week, and was widely reported in the media.

At the meeting, which was held at the Conference Hall, Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, over N5bn was shared among the 20 local government areas, out of which over N2 billion went into paying teachers.

"Between May 2023 when the Governor was sworn in for the second term and July 2023, the JAAC shared among 20 local governments N4.531b, N4.444b and N4.497b respectively on first line charges and just last week N5.2b was shared among the local governments for the month of August "the statement said.

The JAAC, according to the statement, comprises major stakeholders in local government administration, including the Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Accountant General of the State, Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, all 20 local government chairmen, one representative from each of the four Traditional Councils in the state, representative of SUBEB, NULGE, local govt pensioners, retired primary school teachers, Local Government Service Commission, Local Government Pension Commission and NUT.

It has the mandate to meet every month to ensure that allocations to local governments are discussed and properly presented for fund allocation.

At such meetings, the state government makes full disclosure of the receipt from the federation account.

First-line charges, including local government staff salaries and pensions; primary school teachers' salaries and pensions; healthcare workers' salaries and pensions and emoluments for traditional rulers are tabled for discussion and fund allocation at the JAAC meetings, the statement said.

The statement added that this same pattern has been followed since Prince Dapo Abiodun took over the leadership of the state in 2019.

Governor Abiodun, the statement said, recently directed the local governments to identify critical roads that required government attention in their domains, with some already commissioned.

In the same vein, many schools have been rehabilitated, while others are undergoing renovation.

"In addition to these, the state government also disburse funds to all local governments for developmental projects periodically," the statement added.

Ogun police arrest 116 suspected cultists

Men of the Ogun State Police Command, at the weekend, arrested 116 suspected cult members in the Ifo area of the state.

The cultists, 70 males and 46 females, who are members of the Aye Confraternity, were arrested by the command's Anti-Cultism Squad at Galaxy Hotel, Ibogun Road.

They were picked up at about 0142hrs.

According to a statement by the command, the police had a security report on the activities of the cultists in the area, and that they would be having their initiation and anniversary ceremonies.

Following the report, the Anti-Cultism Squad was drafted to the scene, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Items recovered from them include four axes, seven cutlasses, anniversary invitation cards, banners, axes, illicit drugs, and cannabis.

The statement said: "Today 26/08/23 at about 0105hrs, based on intelligence received on the celebration of the 20th anniversary of , a.k.a Aye Confraternity, Ifo Forum, the Commissioner of Police directed the Tactical Unit and men from Ota Area Command to the scene.

"Surveillance was mounted and over 300 cult members were sighted. These included female invitees gathered for the celebration to mark Aye Day in Ogun State.

"On sighting the team of policemen who had already cordoned off the scene, they fled in different directions and 116 suspects were arrested, including 70 males and 46 females.

"Exhibits recovered from the scene during operation include four axes, representing the symbol of their confraternity, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, cultist anniversary banner among other recoveries."

The suspects have been taken to the Eleweran police command headquarters and are currently undergoing interrogation.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr Abiodun Alamutu warned that cultists and other criminal elements should stay clear of the state.

He said the police command under him will not tolerate any criminality in whatever guise, adding that all formations in the state have the mandate to comb all dark spots to rid the state of criminals.

Appointments: Between Gbajabiamila and the merchants of falsehood

By Seyi Bakare

FALSEHOOD is not a noble tactic, but some people don’t care. And the reason is not hard to see: ambition, vaulting ambition. People who want to have anything by force, especially political power and privileges, do not care whose name is soiled, whose family is wrecked, and whose reputation is tainted: their preoccupation is self-interest writ large. And that, quite simply, is why the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, is currently the subject of acerbic attacks by certain political actors. These naysayers have literally allocated preternatural powers to the distinguished public servant and consistently lay at his doorsteps, blame for their inability to occupy appointive office at the moment. They do not care for the fact that, as our elders say, positions come at the time destined (makan makan loye’ekan), and that “the position that has reached the people of Iwo will still reach the people of Ede.” Clearly, everybody cannot be a minister. But it has become a fad for anyone who lobbied for ministerial position but did not get it to blame it on the Chief of Staff!



Such people, to read what their foot soldiers publish daily in the media, believe that it is Gbajabiamila, and not the president acting in consultation with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governors and other key stakeholders in the polity, that appointed ministers and board chairmen, etc, etc. They are deliberately attacking Gbajabiamila, spreading falsehood against him just to discredit him and threaten his position simply because they missed out on the ministerial and other lists. The polity, they proclaim with vigour, has become Gbajanised, except that this so-called Gbajanization has no basis in reality!!

Happily, though, Nigerians are not buying the falsehood, and that’s why sociocultural groups like the Arewa Youth Forum and Ohanaeze Youth Movement have called on Nigerians to ignore the accusations thrown at Gbajabiamila over the constitution of boards of government agencies. The youth groups in a statement by their leaders, Kabiru Yusuf, Nwabueze Obi and Ekwem Eucharia, said those attacking Hon. Gbajabiamila are just envious of progress of President Tinubu’s administration, and spreading lies to derail the Renewed Hope Agenda. They therefore appealed to Nigerians to ignore the detractors, saying that the Chief of Staff is well experienced and capable of carrying out his duties.

Fake news has a way of gaining traction where left to fester. It is no surprise, then, that the lawmaker representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, James Faleke, has had to disclaim the falsehood that he got a directive from President Tinubu to compile a new list of persons for appointment as board members of government agencies and parastatals. Faleke, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, made the denial in a post via his Twitter account, putting a lie to the claim that President Tinubu rejected a list of board members submitted to him by some aides and ordered him to compile a fresh list of APC members who worked for his victory. With this clarification, you would think the merchants of falsehood would cut the President and his able Chief of Staff some slack. Alas, that’s decidedly not the case!


No one who is familiar with Gbajabiamila’s antecedents as a public servant with a sterling record and a stickler for truth, fairness and due process would entertain the absurdities ascribed to him for a second. The Surulere, Lagos-born politician cum technocrat comes to the present assignment fully qualified. He had been in the House of Reps for two decades (2003-2023), boasting a record of unblemished service. As lawmaker par excellence, he held many sensitive positions, including that of Leader of the Opposition, an era during which he gave such a good account of himself, articulating his opposition to oppression, bad governance and maladministration with unique candour. And when eventually he assumed the position of Speaker in the last dispensation, he used the position to build unity and love across political tendencies, leaving imperishable legacies on the sands of time.



In any case, throughout his sojourn in public service, he has been a very close and loyal disciple of the president. Indeed, one of the sterling qualities that made him head and shoulders above his peers was that he was a bridge builder par excellence, a force for competence, integrity and people-centred lawmaking. Gbajabiamila commanded such a level of respect from his colleagues that he was often referred to as a Speaker of Speakers and a leader of leaders. He welded together, new and old members of the Green Chamber, many of whom transited to the Senate while some emerged as ministers, placing Project Nigeria above partisan pursuits.


In appointing the distinguished lawmaker as Chief of Staff, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took his track record and the actualization of his Renewed Hope agenda into consideration. The National Assembly, let us recall, is a strategic organ of the democratic state; it serves checks and balance functions over other arms of government, performs oversight functions, makes laws and appropriates money to various ministries and parastatals. The 360 members of the Green Chamber and the 109 members of the Red Chamber represent the people of Nigeria. They screen and approve ministers before their assumption of office, and they invite ministers and their lieutenants to the legislative chamber for questioning over issues that need clarifications. It is a no-brainer, therefore, that any government that wants to succeed needs somebody who understands the workings of that arm of government, and pray, who is better suited for that role than a former Speaker, a lawmaker of two decades standing?


As Chief of Staff, Gbajabiamila’s job is a very challenging one. He should be allowed to do his job in peace. Casting needless aspersions on him won’t cut it. It’s too early to seek to derail the Tinubu administration with blatant falsehood. The media should be wary of the desperadoes planting negative stories against an innocent public officer. Fairness is more than a slogan.

Bakare sent this piece from C27 Winning Clause Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja

ÒMÌNIRA Ọ̀DỌ́ VANGUARD, OGUN STATE.

PRESS RELEASE

..., ..... Of August, 2023.


The Òmìnira Ọ̀dọ́ Youth vanguard reiterates our support for Hon. Ladi ADEBUTU, the Ogun State People's Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 governorship election and legitimate winner of the elections.

Hon. Ladi ADEBUTU is a seasoned administrator, lawmaker, politician, and philanthropist who has over the years demonstrated his love and commitment to the betterment of the people of Ogun State. We strongly believe that our great party, the People's Democratic Party, and our candidate, with the amount of undeniable facts and evidence before the tribunal, will end up victorious at the election tribunal.

In the same vein, we condemn the incessant media attacks, both in print and new media, believed to have been sponsored by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Dr. Dapo Abiodun on the person of Hon. Ladi ADEBUTU. To set the records straight, it was Dr. Dapo Abiodun who orchestrated the largest vote buying across all sectors in the just concluded 2023 gubernatorial elections in Ogun State.

We urge our party members and teeming supporters to continue to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, as we are sure of reclaiming our mandate through the tribunal, which is set to deliver its judgment on September 4, 2023.

Thank you all, and God bless.


E-Signed;

COKER Oluwapelumi.
CONVENER

PDP/Adebutu's case against Abiodun pack of lies, distortions, says APC, gov in final written address

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the March 18 governorship election in Ogun State, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, are on a wild goose chase at the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal, as their petitions rest on inconsistencies and distortions, Governor Dapo Abiodun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have said.

Abiodun and the Ogun State Chapter of the APC made this submission in their final written addresses as respondents in the case brought against them, arguing that the petitioners did an awful job and failed to prove their case.

This, they said, was because Adebutu and PDP presented tutored and unreliable witnesses, relied on documents that contradicted their witnesses' case, and presented experts whose testimonies and documents lacked probative value.

They argued that Adebutu and PDP who are accused of vote buying with credible evidence, have unclean hands and could not receive equity with those unclean hands.

They further said that out of the 87 witnesses of the petitioners, 38 stated they were polling unit agents but did not tender any evidence to prove their claim, adding that the 49 who testified as voters testified the same thing word for word, making the same mistakes, thereby creating a situation where the tribunal ought to hold that their depositions were too obvious to be coincidental and were therefore unbelievable and of no probative value.

Arguing that the petition itself was based on provisions of the Electoral Act that do not support the margin of lead principle, Abiodun/APC contended that while the Margin of Lead principle is rooted in section 134 of the Electoral Act, the petition is based on sections 24, 47, 51, and 62 of the Electoral Act.

Relying on the Supreme Court verdict in Oyetola v. Adeleke, they argued that the petitioners did not prove overvoting, as Adebutu did not tender the BVAS machines for any of the 990 units complained about and did not even tender any BVAS machine.

Again, while noting that the petitioners expressly stated that Governor Abiodun was "duly sponsored" by APC, the respondents said Adebutu did not present any evidence to back his forgery allegation against Abiodun, and that at the governor's request, the Tribunal summoned a WAEC official who produced a certified copy of the same certificate that the governor submitted to INEC.

They further said that while the petitioners claimed that Governor Abiodun should not be Governor because he had been convicted in Miami, USA, they provided no judgment in evidence of the alleged conviction.

Arguing that non-qualification is different from disqualification, Abiodun/APC said that even if such judgment exists, it relates to events that purportedly happened 37 years ago, whereas a disqualifying conviction must occur within the last ten years preceding the candidate's election.

They added that while the petitioners claimed that Adebutu and PDP scored the majority of lawful votes after APC's unlawful votes are deducted and their own excluded votes added, they never proved the unlawful votes credited to Governor Abiodun or the source of their excluded votes, even as the figures in the petition (63,015 and 35,228) conflicted with the figures in their witness' report (62,998 and 34,368)

Finally, while indicating that the petitioners provided no admissible evidence to prove their allegations of vote-buying against Governor Abiodun, the respondents drew the tribunal's attention to the massive and proven details of vote-buying conducted by Adebutu during the election, which had been established in two police investigation reports and for which Adebutu (now at large) and other PDP chieftains are standing criminal trial.

ICPC ranks Ede Poly 1st in Osun on Ethics & Integrity Compliance Scorecard

The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State has been adjudged as 1st in the recent ranking carried out by Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission(ICPC) on Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) among MDAs in Nigeria.

The Polytechnic moved from a score of 50.45% in the year 2021 to 71.1% in 2022, with a ranking of 101 out of 404 MDAs and 1st in Osun.

This feat, therefore, has elicited huge applause and commendations from across the country and within the Polytechnic community on the quality leadership and prudent inclination of the management team led by the Rector, Engr. Dr. Man Yahaya Sani.

Meanwhile, the Rector, in his reaction through a congratulatory message to the Polytechnic Community signed by the Protocol, Media and Public Relations Officer, Sola Lawal, admonished the entire Polytechnic community to be patriotic and diligent at all times.

He urged them to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently in accordance with extant laws of the land, advising them to be prudent and follow due process in their day-to-day activities.

The Rector, also enjoined the entire workforce of the institution to sustain the tempo of excellence and accountability as the hallmark of the school and work assiduously as good ambassadors of the Polytechnic.

He, then used the medium to commend the Chairman, Anti corruption and transparency unit, of the school, Engr. Goddy Enwerem, for his efforts so far in ensuring openess and accountability in all strata of the institution and total eradication of every form of infraction in the system.

Channel your complaint about Abeokuta-Ibadan road to FG, Ogun govt urges Obong of Calabar


The Ogun State Government, on Friday,said the Obong of Calabar, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Abasi, directed his attack on the deplorable state of the
Abeokuta-Ibadan road at the wrong quarters.


The Obong, who is the Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), had on Thursday lamented the poor state of some roads in the state.


But the state government, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Works, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, said the road in question belongs to the Federal Government.


He said that the Dapo Abiodun administration in Ogun State had been giving quality and adequate attention to all roads in the state, whether federal, state or local. This, he said, had led to the rehabilitation of over 400 roads.


Besides, according Akinsanya, the contract for the rehabilitation of the road has been awarded to Kopek, which has already started work from the Ibadan end.


He added that the state government started working on the road from Adatan in Abeokuta but the Federal Government directed the State Government to stop construction at Moore Junction because it asked KOPEK to take over the road.


Akinsanya noted that the state government was yet to receive major refund from the federal government on the money expended on federal roads.


He listed some of the roads to include; Ijebu-Ode-Mojoda-Epe, Lafenwa-Rounda (to be extended to Alamala), and Atan-Lusada-Agbara road, adding that part of the Sango Ota-Abeokuta road had been done, especially the Sango Ota area.


The statement reads: "On Thursday, the Obong of Calabar and Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), His Royal Majesty, Edidem Abasi, was reported to have lamented the deplorable condition of roads in Ogun State. Narrating his unpleasant experience on the way to the university to attend some of the activities marking its 30th convocation ceremony, the Obong called on traditional rulers in the state to use their offices to appeal to Governor Dapo Abiodun to pay attention to the roads.


"The Obong reportedly stated this at his lodge within the university campus when he played host to three traditional rulers in the state, namely the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Matemilola, and the Ajalaye of Ilogun South, Ijebu Northeast, Oba Emmanuel Olusanu.



"Without necessarily joining issues with His Majesty, there is a need to make a clarification. The road about which the revered traditional ruler spoke, namely the Abeokuta-Ibadan road, is a federal road. We are aware that it is residents of Ogun State that inhabit the area but there is still a need to set the records straight. "Interestingly, the road in question has now been awarded by the Federal Government to Kopek Nigeria Ltd.


"To be sure, the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government in Ogun State has, in line with his ISEYA agenda, been giving quality attention to all roads in the state regardless of their ownership status.



"For instance, the Atan-Lusada-Agbara road being rehabilitated by the Ogun State government is a federal road, just like the roads in Sango-Ota which are receiving adequate attention. Others include Epe-Ijebu Ode road, Siun -Kobape-Abeokuta road .



"It is important to recognize that because of the way Ogun as a Gateway State that borders Lagos, Oyo, Ondo and the Republic of Benin is configured, it has many federal roads which the State Government are also working on.The Ogun State government has had to repair many of them and awaiting refund from the Federal Government.



"The Obong, a Federal Government appointee, directed his plea to the wrong quarters. It is the Federal Government that has authority over the road.



"On Ogun State’s part, the state government has been able to do over 400 kilometres of roads across the state. Indeed, there would still be work left to do if the Ogun State government devoted all its resources to reconstructing federal roads in the state. They are that extensive.


"Our revered traditional rulers are urged to seek clarifications and make investigations into issues so that they do not direct their grievances at the wrong authority and make statements that may put government in bad light.


"The Obong of Calabar should plead for the immediate release of funds to Kopek rather than making sweeping allegations against the Ogun State government."

Adeniyi Sanni’s murder: Abiodun commiserates Sen. Adeola, family members, calls for swift action to nab perpetrators

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has condoled the Senator representing Ogun West senatorial district, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, over the killing of his aide, Adeniyi Sanni, on Saturday in Lagos, calling for an immediate and discreet investigation to unravel the assailants and bring them to book.

The governor, in a statement issued by his media office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Sunday, also sympathized with the family of the deceased, describing the killing as cruel and barbaric, adding that such a heinous act can never go unpunished.

He extolled the virtues of the slain aide while alive, saying his exemplary record of diligence, creativity and loyalty while serving his principal would be sorely missed.

"The cold-blooded murder of Niyi Sanni, one of the closest aides of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the Senator representing Ogun West senatorial district on Saturday was bestial, inhuman and barbaric to say the least; it was a very sad development in our polity.

"By his record, the late Sanni was very diligent and loyal, a very responsible and reliable Nigerian, who was cut short in his prime by enemies of humanity.

"On behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, I deeply commiserate with Senator Adeola and colleagues of the late aide in the office, as well as family members he left behind. May God in his infinite mercy grant them the necessary strength to bear the irreplaceable loss, as I pray God to rest the soul of the departed.

"I also charge security agencies to quickly move and deploy all their apparatus in intelligence gathering as a matter of exigency to fish out every individual behind the dastardly act and make them face the long arm of law," the statement read.

Ede Poly emerges 6th best Polytechnic in Nigeria by 2023 Webometrics ranking

The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, has been ranked the 6th best Polytechnic in Nigeria by the 2023 ranking of Webometrics, going by its degree of academic excellence and stable academic activities among other considerations.

The ranking analysis indicated that the citadel of learning, which proudly parades over 80 PhD holders with global academic reckoning, performed better than many notable universities in Nigeria.

Recall that two students from the Polytechnic recently clinched second and third positions respectively in the Students' Projects competition organized by the Committee of Deans of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, in which they were selected to represent the South West zone in Abuja.

In a congratulatory message to the polytechnic community by the Rector of the school, Engr. Dr. Man Yahaya Sani, signed by the institution's Protocol, Media and Public Relations Officer, Sola Lawal, mnpr, a copy which was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, the Rector commended the resilience, doggedness and total commitment on the part of members of staff since he assumed the mantle of leadership on Monday 2nd January, 2023.

He added that the enviable feats the schools had attained since then were total reflection of the collective efforts of every member of the Polytechnic community, and a testament to spirit of cordiality and cohesion among management, members of staff and students alike, urging them to sustain the tempo.

Engr. Dr Man Yahaya, also used the medium to appeal to the students to take their studies serious and be a good ambassadors of the institution wherever they found themselves in future.

He said, management is committed to providing enabling environment for learning and the students must reciprocate the gestures for the upliftment of the institution.

August 4, 2023.

The Editor
Punch Newspaper

Dear Sir,

RE: DSS GRILLS OGUN SSG OVER BALLOT PAPER PRINTING, COVID-19 FUND
Our attention has been drawn to an unethical report by Mr. Daud Olatunji and published in The Punch of Saturday, August 4, 2023 titled DSS grills Ogun SSG over ballot paper printing, COVID-19 fund
The highly misleading report whose author is notorious for unethical journalism, has left us, like many other avid readers of your publications wandering, if this is The Punch that we used to know.

Superflux Nigeria Limited, a security printing company, where Mr Talabi once held sway as Director had earlier issued a statement, which was widely used in both the print media and various online platforms, describing as barbaric and spurious, allegations that the company was contracted to print ballots papers by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) as well as money laundering, and in the process linked the SSG to the frivolous allegations.

The company in the said statement also frowned at being tagged as conduit for money laundering, siphoning COVID19 funds, saying such allegations are clearly handiworks of mischief makers and traducers who were hell bent to tarnish the reputation of the company before it's numerous customers and that of it's former Director, who is presently the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi.

It was against this backdrop that Mr Talabi petitioned the DSS and subsequently visited the service to defend his petition and provide more clarification.

It is then worrisome and shocking the way the report projected a petitioner as an accused person, as the reporter knew that it was the SSG who actually submitted a petition to the security agency asking for investigation of the baseless, evil and politically motivated allegations against him by faceless people. His visit to DSS office to speak to his petition did not last more than 40 minutes.

Why your reporter has chosen to mislead his editors with the report full of contradictions may not be unconnected with the information among the correspondents circle that he has been promised the slot of Chief Press Secretary by political opponents who are obviously day dreaming of unseating the present Administration in the state.


We are aware that last year, The Punch, unusually, was forced to do a retraction based on the complaint of the Ogun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) against a report filed by this same unethical journalist. We are also aware that, on another incident, the management of The Punch placed the same reporter on suspension for weeks.

It now seems he has damned the management and ready to go for the broke since he has assurance of employment and regular compensation by his political sponsors.

Sir, we urge you to investigate yet another sub-standard report by Mr. Olatunji and take corrective steps to save the reputation your newspaper organisation has made over the decades; probably when Olatunji has not entered elementary school.

Sincerely,

E-signed

Adegoke Oyebade,

Information Officer,

Office of Secretary to Ogun State Government

Ballots printing allegations, Superflux threatens legal action, says it's barbaric

A leading security printing company, Superflux Nigeria Limited, has described as barbaric and spurious, allegations that the company was contracted to print ballots papers by the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) and in the process favoured certain candidates in the just concluded 2023 general elections.

It also frowned at being tagged as conduit for money laundering, siphoning COVID19 funds, saying such allegations are clearly handiworks of mischief makers and traducers who were hell bent to tarnish the reputation of the company before it's numerous customers and that of it's former Director, who is presently the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi.

The company, averred that it's response became necessary in the interest of the teeming members of the public who have deep trust in it's longstanding integrity as well as it's esteemed partners who understand the excellent reputation of the company.

According to the statement signed by the company 's Managing Director, Gabriel Okwonko, contrary to dangerous rumour making the rounds about being used to siphon COVID-19 funds, the company generously donated millions of naira to various beneficiaries during the pandemic, in line with the conviction on its corporate social responsibility.

The statement added that a sum of Twenty Million naira was donated to Ogun State, the transaction it said was doctored by mischief makers to look as if money was sent to the company from the state's purse, wondering why adversaries of it's former director would come up with such lies for the purpose of blackmail.

The statement read:"To address these absolutely false allegations, obviously being cowardly peddled by faceless fellows, we wish to state as follows:

"Our Company is extremely mindful and jealously guards the responsibility the nature of our business puts on us as a corporate entity in the interest of our esteemed customers and the general public.

"Contrary to the false and malicious allegations making the rounds, we state emphatically that our Company has NEVER and will NEVER be used as a conduit for money laundering or a vehicle for syphoning public funds or any illegitimate funds at all.

"We find the false allegation that our Company retained ballot papers in the 2023 elections for the use and benefit of a particular candidate both disturbing and astonishing; as it is totally false in all ramifications.

"For the records, our Company states categorically that it was not contracted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), (the agency in charge of electoral affairs in Nigeria with mandates to conduct elections) to print ballot papers for ANY elections during the 2023 electoral period.

"We therefore did not print any ballot paper for for Ogun state and as such the opportunity did not arise. Therefore, the false claim by the pliable section of the media that we produced extra ballot papers and fed a parallel channel is not only baseless and false, but also aimed at achieving sinister purposes.

"We state without fear of contradiction that Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, our erstwhile director resigned in June 2019 to pursue other causes of interest to him and his resignation was accepted by our Board of Directors who wished him well in his endeavors.

"We further find assertions of being used as a conduit for syphoning COVID19 Funds, a fund meant to support and rescue the world at the time of an explosive pandemic that claimed lives and brought businesses as well as daily life to a grinding halt, totally appalling, illogical, barbaric, extremely distasteful and blatantly false.

"In actual fact, our Company as a responsible corporate entity had, despite the low business tempo of the business environment, decided to support various communities and institutions in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. As a very humane company and being socially responsible, we have in recent past, embarked on various projects, interventions and donations. One of these is the N20 million donation to Ogun State Covid 19 Funds on April 6, 2020, which the hack writers and their collaborators found convenient to omit because of their evil intention.

"In the same vein, another two million one hundred thousand naira was donated in the same manner and for the same purpose but different beneficiary on April 9, 2020.
All donations made by us were naturally debited in our accounts but, in their mischief, the fake news peddlers presented them as collections/credits.

"We find objectionable, the intrusion into our privacy and we are resolved to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book and our legal advisers have been briefed accordingly; and surely appropriate steps will be taken against these criminals.

"Finally, we thank our customers for their continuing support and hereby warn the peddlers of malicious falsehood to desist from circulating these spurious allegations as we shall not hesitate to take legal steps in the interest of our reputation, business and integrity".

Ogun: WAEC presents certified true copy of Abiodun's certificate to tribunal

An official of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC ) Mr Fasasi Sarafa, on Friday appeared before the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta metropolis, to present the certified true copy of governor Dapo Abiodun's WAEC certificate to the panel.

The examination council was subpoenaed to tender Abiodun's O level certificate following allegation of certificate forgery levelled against the governor by one of the witnesses called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the course of proceedings at the tribunal.

All counsels to the respondents expressed no objection to the certificate tendered, but counsel to petitioners, Gordy Uche, SAN, said he had reservations concerning the copy of certificate brought by WAEC in comparison with what was earlier submitted by counsel to Governor Dapo Abiodun.

In his reaction, counsel to Dapo Abiodun, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, applied to tender the two copies of the certificate, which is the scanned copy earlier submitted and the CTC brought by WAEC, urging counsel to petitioners to view the documents with high level of objectivity.
He, also informed the court that the 2nd respondent was ready to open his case, adding that he would close his case between Tuesday and Wednesday next week as he applied for an adjournment for his client to have enough time to prepare witnesses.

Meanwhile, a witness, Alowolodu Jimoh, an APC ward collation agent from Sagamu, appeared before the panel to testify in favour of his party and alleged that electoral process was disrupted by hoodlums who were opposed to the use of BVAS at his polling unit. The witness was cross examined by counsels to respondents.

Under cross examination by the counsel to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Olumide Ogidan, who asked him if the election was free and fair, the witness answered in affirmative, he, however, posited that the process was disrupted by opposition to use of BVAS in some polling units which made all parties in the election to be awarded the score zero by INEC.

On his part, counsel to the 3rd respondent, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, asked the witness to show the tribunal his INEC agent card, which was tendered and subsequently marked as an exhibit RA4.

In it's ruling, the tribunal admitted the scanned copy of the subpoena issued on WAEC, and marked it Exhibit RA1 while the original acknowledged copy was admitted and marked Exhibit RA2. The Governor’s result as produced by WAEC was marked Exhibit RA3.

Tribunal therefore, adjourned till Monday, 7th August, 2023.

NIPSS Course Participants Laud Ogun Industrialisation Policies

The Study Group One, Senior Executive Course 45 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has commended the economic policies of the Ogun State government pointing out that the legal environment has greatly influenced industrialisation, provided tax breaks as well s duty- free imports.

The Lead presenter of the group, Col. Ibrahim Yusuf stated this while presenting a report of the Local Study Tour of Ogun State at a ceremony held at the Institute in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

Col. Yusuf who noted that part of the objectives of the study was to discuss the strategic environmental, historical perspective and trends in industrialisation, energy security and climate change in the state, affirmed that it has a favourable legal environment for energy security as seen in the state’s energy policy which aims to enhance energy efficiency and promote renewable energy source.

According to him, the Ogun State has done well in the promotion of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution plan through the creation of enabling environment and supporting impressive progress in enhancing domestic resource mobilisation through the strengthening of tax administration and other innovations which has led to a substantial increase in internally generated revenue.

Col. Yusuf also observed that the growing involvement of the private sector as well as partnership with development partners, including multilateral and bilateral institutions would provide valuable technical assistance, financial support and knowledge exchange opportunities which would foster sustainable development in the state.

He said: "Ogun State prioritizes industrialisation, energy security and sustainability. The state seeks to promote renewable energy and form partnerships to enhance energy security. While the state is vulnerable to climate change impacts like flooding and extreme heat, the government has taken proactive steps to address climate change's immediate and long-term effects by protecting agriculture and livelihood."

He, however, stressed the need to put in place a legal framework to address climate change.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Institute, Professor Ayo Omotayo, described the report on Ogun State as objective pointing out that the economic policies of the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration had impacted positively on industrial growth.

In his speech, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described NIPSS as the apex centre for policy, research and reflection for a better Nigeria pointing out that the recent visit of the course participants to the state had enabled them to have first-hand information on the policy drive of his administration in the area of industrialisation, energy security and climate change which was the theme of their study.

The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mr Kolawole Fagboun accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration, Mr Kehinde Onasanya at the event, said the state would continue to attract meaningful investment based on the creation of enabling environment and infrastructural development as encapsulated in the ISEYA mantra

Prince Abiodun, however, charged the Institute to foster a strategic partnership with Oba Sikiru Adetona's Institute for Governance Studies in the advancement of leadership skills, good governance and national development.

According to the governor, the Oba Sikiru Adetona Institute for Governance Studies situated at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago iwoye should be explored to enable civil and public servants as well as other interest groups to benefit from the quality of training and knowledge offered by the NIPSS.

Fuel Subsidy Removal: Abiodun Assures Labour Of More Palliative Measures

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured labour unions and residents that his government is intensifying efforts to ameliorate people's sufferings occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal.

The governor made this known while responding to the demands of the labour unions, who were on a peaceful protest at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi said the state government had never taken the welfare and well-being of the people of the state for granted, noting that all hands are on deck towards making life more bearable for them, particularly at present.

The state helmsman highlighted some of the immediate measures put in place to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal to include, cash palliative of N10,000 for each public servant and pensioner, approval of hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel, approval of peculiar allowance for public servants, immediate release of 2021 and 2022 promotion letters, and many more.

He added that to ensure the palliative measures go around all strata of the society, his administration approved immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners, while the modalities for the commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable were in top gear, as Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government were to work out off-duty for 20 per cent of their staff, to ease the effect of the fuel hike.

"What we are waiting for now, are the resolutions of the meeting between the Federal Government and the labour unions. As soon as a decision is reached, we can then take it up from there. We are not unaware of the momentary pains that come with fuel subsidy removal," the governor said.

Presenting a letter to the governor, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Chapter and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrades Hammed Benco Ademola and Akeem Lasisi, respectively highlighted some of their demands to include, immediate implementation in good faith of the resolutions with labour congress jointly signed with government and TUC, immediate reversal of all anti-poor policies of government on the recent hike in the price of fuel, school fees and Value Added Tax (VAT), as well as fix the local refineries, among other things.

They pleaded with the state government to act fast on their requests for the overall interest of the people of the state.

Fuel Subsidy: We Have Taken Ownership Of Tinubu's Economic Framework, Says Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said the 36 states have taken ownership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's framework on ameliorating the plight of the people and have begun the implementation of the same.

Prince Abiodun made this known in an interview during the two years memorial service of his father, Dr. Emmanuel Adesanya Abiodun at St. James' Anglican Church, Iperu-Remo.

The governor pleaded with Nigerians to be patient with President Tinubu's administration, saying, "This too shall pass, and we will all be better for it."

Abiodun, while noting that the resultant effect of the removal of subsidy is hard on the people but good for the economy, noted that the federal government action would save the country over N4 trillion and allow the government provide people with programs and projects that would better their lives.

"We have shown that we are very deliberate. We have demonstrated that we feel the pains of our people, and we have done that by being very proactive.

"We sat with the President because he took the decision to remove the fuel subsidy in the best interest of this nation. It was a cancer that was causing this country over N4 trillion as of last year and would have caused over N6 trillion by the end of this year. And he took that bold step to remove it so that we can use that much money toward things that people can see, feel, and touch; things that will be of direct benefit to the common man.

"Like I said earlier, this is just a process of transition. Mr President under his leadership have provided us with a framework. I mean the governors as to what we need to do in our respective states, and we in Ogun State have taken ownership of that framework, and we have begun the implementation of the same.

"We were in Benin Republic recently. In Benin Republic, fuel prices are about N900 to N1000 per litre.

"So Nigeria was busy subsidizing all her neighbours; so he decided to remove subsidy. With that removal, there has been an attendant increase in transportation fares and high costs of food prices, and things have been a bit difficult for our people," he said.

The governor said that his administarion, in line with the president's mandate, has started with the payment of N10,000 transport allowance to civil servants and pensioners.

He also confirmed that he recently had the opportunity of riding an electric-powered motorcycle during his trip to the Benin Republic with President Tinubu, reiterating that Ogun State would soon launch its E-mobility program which would make transportation more economical and affordable for the people of the state.

"We recently began the payment of N10,000 transport allowances to all civil servants and even pensioners. We are a promise-keeping administration. I believe that we have taken very clear and decisive steps that demonstrate our sincerity of purpose.

"I was in Benin Republic yesterday (Tuesday) with the President and I actually rode a bike that is an electric motorcycle, an exact replica of the one that is coming here. I will be launching maybe in two to three weeks," he said.

Governor Abiodun at the service described his father as a peaceful man, whose ministry was teaching and touching lives people.

He added that he has no doubt that his father has gone to join the Saints.

Earlier in his short exaltation, the Vicar, St. James' Anglican Church, Iperu -Remo, Rev. Shadrach Ajileye, said that Dr. Emmanuel Abiodun in his life time, served God and mankind diligently, noting that his death was a great loss not only to the church, but the society as a whole.

According to the cleric, it is imperative for all to impact positively on the lives of others, just as Dr. Abiodun did, adding that what one does while alive would determine how he would be remembered.

Ogun keeps promise, begins payment of N10,000 palliative to civil servants



Ogun State Government has commenced the payment of N10, 000 palliative to civil servants in the State, reports by civil servants in the state have shown.



The move is sequel to the announcement made by last week by the Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while rolling out palliative interventions following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.



Disclosing this on Monday, civil servants who spoke on the development expressed delight that the promised palliative fund had started hitting their accounts, saying that this showed clearly that Governor Abiodun is very much concerned about the plight of the people, especially state workers, following the harsh economic climate occasioned by the withdrawal of subsidy on petrol.



They expressed optimism that the state government would continue to prioritize their interests at this critical period.

NSF'2024: Abiodun Inaugurates LOC, Says Ogun Ready To Surpass Past Editions

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Monday inaugurated a 16-man Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 22nd National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2024.

Speaking while inaugurating the LOC at the Governor's Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun noted that the state is more than prepared to surpass previous editions and the achievements recorded during the last festival held by the state in 2006.

The governor noted that his government is ready to continue to put in place world-class sporting infrastructure across the length and breadth of the state.

Abiodun who also disclosed that the festival isn't about the competition or the performances, noted that the state under his watch is ready to showcase the talent, culture, potential and unique sense of hospitality of the people of the state.

"We are determined to put in place world-class sporting infrastructures across the length and breadth of the state, thus underscoring our determination to ensure that we host a very befitting sports festival to the admiration of all stakeholders in the sector and around the world

"For us in Ogun State, this festival isn't just about the competition and performances, even though we would love to host and win every medal.

"We want to host a National Sports Festival that will showcase the talent, our culture and potential of our great state as well as a very unique sense of hospitality of our people," he said.

Governor Abiodun while noting that the National Sports Festival brings together the energy, and creativity of youths in the country and also serves as a platform for them to showcase their diverse talents and potential, added that hosting the festival is a testament to the commitment of his administration to empower the next generation by offering them the opportunity for growth and self-development.

The state helmsman while urging members of the committee to embrace the responsibility given to them with a deep sense of purpose, noted that their attention to detail, effective planning and seamless execution would be the magic they would need to host a remarkable edition of the festival.

Earlier in his response, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee and former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in the State; Bukola Olopade commended Governor Abiodun for bidding and winning the right to host a successful National Sports Festival.
He acknowledged Governor Abiodun for being the first governor in the country to ensure that all its athletes at the last National Sports Festival in Delta State went home with cash rewards irrespective of winning or losing.

"You have achieved two seconds to none already when our athletes came back from Delta State and you announced the reward to the athletes. I know I speak authoritatively when I say that has not happened before in this country where every participating athlete got something to take home despite the fact that they didn't come back home with medals. It has never happened before.

"The second thing you've achieved is to put together your Excellency the aficionados of sports today in Nigeria, the gentlemen and women that are assembled here before you today are literally the best brains and minds in sports today in Nigeria," he said.

L-R: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports; Dr. Yusuff Quudus,Vice Chairman, Ijebu-Ode Local Government; Dare Alebiosu,former Nigerian Sprint Queen; Falilat Ogunkoya(MON), Chairman, National Sports Festival Local Organising Committee; Bukola Olopade, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Co-Chair of the Local Organising Committee; Adetilewa Adebajo,the Secretary of the committee and Chief Executive Officer, Sporty Connect; Dr. Kweku Adedayo Tandoh,Modele Sharafa- Yusuf and a Retired Civil Servant with the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports;Dr. Ademola Are during the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state in 2024.

Late Gen. Diya Was A Great Patriot, Says Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the contributions of the former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya to the sanctity of the country's territorial integrity as legendary.

President Tinubu who made this known during the final burial service for the late military boss held at the Cathedral Church of St.Paul, Diocese of Ijebu South West, Odogbolu, Ogun State, noted that the life of selflessness and diligence of the late Gen. Diya would remain a reference point for coming generations of military officers.

The President, represented by the Governor of Ogun State; Prince Dapo Abiodun also noted that the late military tactician was articulate and was widely recognized for his strategic thinking and ability to make swift and effective decisions.

"Although it is painful that we lost General Oladipo Diya to the cold hands of death, his eventful, remarkable and impactful life will continue to give us satisfactory succour and the assurance of a paradise for our great compatriot.

"While we deeply mourn the passage of this great Nigerian, we must not fail to consciously celebrate General Diya's life of bravery, discipline, courage, integrity and patriotism.

"General Diya's contribution to the sanctity of Nigeria's territorial integrity as well as his effort towards curtailing several uprisings that threatened the corporate entity of Nigeria are legendary.

"Indeed his life of selflessness and diligence in the service of the military elite remains a reference point for coming generations of military officers and a sort of scholarship material in academia," he said.

Tinubu commended the leadership and tactical prowess of the late Diya which he said greatly contributed to the success of peace missions and gave him accolades both locally and Internationally, even as he noted his implementation of reforms that included improving training programs and welfare for soldiers while in the service of the nation.

Earlier in his message titled; "The end of a fulfilled life", the Bishop of Ijebu South-West Anglican Diocese, the Rt. Revd. Dr. Babatunde Ogunbanwo who read from the Acts of Apostle, chapter 13 verse 36, described the late Chief of General Staff as a patriot who lived a good life, stood for the right things and also cemented his footprints in the history of the country, adding that he served his nation faithfully.

Ogunbanwo also disclosed that the late Lt. Gen. Diya was a Nigerian Hero who was not celebrated during his lifetime, saying that he was bold, disciplined, honest, kind-hearted and never corrupted himself while serving the country.

The late Gen. Diya died at the age of 79. During his lifetime, he held several command positions, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 83 Division, Nigerian Army; Commandant, National War College; Military Administrator of Ogun State; Chief of Defense Staff under General Ibrahim Babangida and the Chief of General Staff under the military government of General Sanni Abacha.

Abiodun Sends Names Of Commissioner-Nominees To Ogun Assembly

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has forwarded names of commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly.

This was confirmed on Friday by the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo.

Oluomo said that the Assembly received a correspondence from Governor Abiodun requesting the confirmation of commissioner-nominees.

According to a statement by the Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr Deji Adeyemo, the Speaker received the governor’s letter dated 27th of July, 2023 requesting the confirmation of the nominees by the lawmakers.

The governor’s correspondence reads: "I write once again to congratulate Mr. Speaker for your re-election into office as Rt. Honourable Speaker of the 10th Assembly and subsequent inauguration of all members of the Honourable House. I appreciate the Honourable House for the support and cooperation enjoyed during the first term of our administration.

"In furtherance of our mission in building our dear State together, Mr. Speaker, please find attached, the list of nominees for the post of commissioners for your consideration."

The statement clarified that as of the rule, the Speaker would announce the names on the list to the lawmakers at the next plenary day slated for Tuesday, 1st of August, 2023.

Ogun APC to PDP: Stop Circulating Fake Videos, Materials

The Ogun state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the state’s chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its minders to stop circulating "fake videos and materials in a desperate bid to mislead their fast disappointed and depleting camp".

A statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday quoted the APC Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, as saying that, "It has been brought to the attention of our party that the defeated and disheveled Ogun state PDP and its minders have been circulating some fake videos and materials that they claimed to have been submitted to the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta.

"The fake videos and materials are being circulated in a desperate bid to mislead their fast depleting and disappointed camp. Without any equivocation, we wish to say that the comical action of the Ogun state PDP is akin to cowards who die many times before their death.

"We wonder why the PDP would resort to sharing doctored videos and materials after it has gone to the tribunal. Is it that the PDP has seen that its wishy-washy petition is heading for the rocks, hence its resort to these theatrics? Is it that the party no longer has faith in the Tribunal, hence the resort to cheap blackmail?

"In any case, who procured and presented the so-called evidence that they are gloating about? Is it not a witness procured, influenced and paid by the same party and it’s candidate? Pray, is it not said that he who pays the piper dictates the tune?

“The so-called expert is not more than someone hawking his evidence or a mercenary who would fight any man's battle for a fee as it were, gives evidence in court to justify his predetermined position and fees collected from the petitioners; and more importantly to ensure the balance of his fees is paid.

“The touted report is therefore tainted. It is obviously not the product of an independent, impartial, detached and professional analysis; as he is already an interested, sponsored and compromised party whose preoccupation is to conceal the truth and work towards the interests of his principals, in this case, the petitioners.

The Ogun state APC urged the PDP to desist from unethical circulation of fake and concocted videos and materials, a practice which the PDP has been known for before, during and after the 2023 general elections .

"Rather, the PDP should prevail on its leader and defeated governorship candidate, Mr. Ladi Adebutu, to return home to honour Police invitation and defend the damning allegations of money laundering and vote-buying hanging on his neck and for which he has been charged to court by the Federal Government ," the party said.

Ogun Tribunal: Gov. Abiodun has excellent O Level results, PDP star witness admits

The star witness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oyejide Sukanmi, on Thursday admitted before the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, that Governor Dapo Abiodun, performed excellently well after sighting the West Africa Examination Council(WAEC) result belonging to him.

Recall that the PDP and it's governorship candidate in the March 18 gubernatorial poll in the state had alleged that Abiodun forged his WAEC result, thereby should be disqualified.

The star witness, under cross examination by the counsel to the governor, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, was asked to read out the content of Governor Abiodun's WAEC certificate, which he did and specifically commended the brilliance of the governor.

He, however, said there were certain controversies surrounding the authenticity of the result as claimed by his party, in which he was asked to present a contrary certificate as a proof of the claim but failed to do so.

On the issue of documents tendered by the star witness,counsel to Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) Dr Remi Olatubora, said it should be taken as tendered since several documents have followed that pattern, the position that was maintained by both counsels to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

On the video evidence the star witness tendered to claim disruption of voting process, he agreed after being cross examined that it was downloaded from the websites of Arise and Channel Television.

When asked if he knew the type of camera used to produce the video recording, he answered that he did not know.

In the same vein, counsel to INEC, Onyechi Ikpeazu, asked the star witness if he agreed that the video recording was edited and that while the electoral process lasted for almost six hours, the video lasted for just 16 minutes.

Also, it was discovered after thorough scrutiny of the video evidence that a name in Delta State, 'Sapele' was repeatedly mentioned.

The star witness was then asked about the party in power in the state, in which he answered, PDP, the counsel, therefore, put it to him that those thugs in the video must have been sent from Sapele, which he disagreed.

Another witness invited by the PDP, Samuel Oduntan, an expert in Statistics and Digital Forensics from Kaduna, in his report presented figures that were at variance with figures in the exhibit submitted by PDP (Exhibit 453) especially on number of PVCs collected in some polling units

His report clearly contradicts PDP's claim of over voting in some polling units, as he admitted that he found some inaccuracies in some other claims by PDP with his report.

Tribunal, in reference to the Electoral Acts, then deferred ruling to the final Judgment, as it admitted the Certificate of Compliance and Flash Drive as exhibits of the Court respectively.

It also directed that the Video recording should be played in the open Court for the Lordship alone.

Students' Projects Competition: Ede Poly to represent South West in Abuja

Students from the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, Odunlade Olumayowa Agboluaye and Adeyeye Peter, who came second and third respectively at the Zonal Students' Projects Competition, organized by the Committee of Deans of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology (COMPODET) are about to represent the zone in Abuja.

While Agboluaye represented the National Diploma(ND) category from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, with project titled: Construction of Digital Display Board with SMS, Peter participated in the Higher National Diploma(HND) category, from the Department of Computer Engineering Technology, and presented a project titled: Design and Construction of ARDUINO NANO Trainer.

This was contained in a memo signed by the Dean, School of Engineering Technology of the school, Engr. Dr. Dauda Adekunle Folarin, the copy which was made available to newsmen by the institution's Protocol, Media and Public Relations Officer, Sola Lawal, in Ede on Thursday.

According to the memo, the two students were expected to represent the South-West Zone with Dean, School of Engineering Technology and their Instructors at the National level which is expected to hold between 4th and 8th August, 2023 in Abuja.

"The School of Engineering Technology appreciates the Management of Federal Polytechnic, Ede for sponsoring the competition.

"LONG LIFE COMPODET
LONG LIFE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, EDE
LONG LIFE NIGERIA", the memo read in part.

In his reaction, the Rector of the institution, Engr. Dr Man Yahaya Sani attributed these fits to hard work and total commitment on the part of the entire workforce within the school.

He, therefore, charged them to redouble their efforts and sustain the academic excellence which the citadel is known for since its inception.

The Rector also advised the students to make sure they clinch the first position in the forthcoming competition as the institution is always ready to reward excellence.

Ogun: PDP's star witness presents controversial electronic 'evidence',

In continuation of the proceedings at the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta metropolis, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday called it's star witness, who came with some downloaded electronic materials.

The star witness, Oyejide Sunkanmi, appeared before the panel with electronic evidence which purported to show alleged disruption of electoral process as claimed by PDP earlier, as well as printed materials presumed to have contained evidence of crime committed in Florida by Governor Dapo Abiodun and attendant jail term.

In their reactions, Counsel to Respondents raised strong objections on the originality and authenticity of the electronic materials, particularly the purported video, presented by the PDP's star witness as evidence.

They queried the materials on the ground that in the first instance, the star witness admitted in his written statement that he was not the originator of the materials, rather, the purported evidence was downloaded. They argued that a video that was captured by someone else could not be tendered by the star witness, as to do so would be to accept inadmissible hearsay evidence.

Respondents counsel further argued that the authenticity of any document being tendered must be established , which was the essence of the legal requirement that such documents must be covered by a certificate of compliance.

The respective Counsel added that at no time were downloaded evidences being considered and acceptable in the court of law, and that in this instance the video was not pleaded or listed and that the transcript of the video which the witness had attached to his Certificate of Compliance was not even mentioned at all in the witness’ statement on oath. This was even as the Counsel to Petitioners assiduously encouraged the tribunal to accept the materials as evidence.

At the end of the day, the letter written by the PDP and the witness' voters card was admitted as an exhibit of the Court.

With respect to the pictures tendered, top up cards, and Florida Metropolitan Police Jail Incident Record, the Tribunal marked them with Exhibit Numbers while Respondents’ counsel reserved their objections for the final address stage, as had been the case for other contentious documents.

Ruling on the admissibility of the video was reserved to be delivered on Thursday.

Abiodun calls for police support in flushing out kidnappers, cultists, set to launch surveillance drone

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Wednesday said efforts are being made by his government to flush out kidnappers, cultists, and land grabbers.
Consequently, the state government has concluded arrangements to launch its surveillance drones, to be performed by the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Governor Abiodun spoke when he received the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 2, comprising Ogun and Lagos states, Mr Ari Mohammed Ali, who paid him a courtesy call in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Prince Abiodun noted that kidnapping, cultism, and land grabbing are serious security challenges facing the government that must be tackled headlong.
He said: "Very soon, we will be inviting the Inspector General to our state because we want to launch our Surveillance Drones. We believe that with the use of drones, we will be able to reduce the number of blind spots that we have in the state because as of now, there is no way, even if we deplore the entire police in Ogun State, we can not cover all the blind spots in the state.
"When we deplore these drones, particularly, along the known occurrences, it will allow men of the Command to respond to distress calls as soon as they identified where the crime has been committed.
"Also, I would like to plead with you for some of your men to assist us in this anti-cultism fight. We are prepared to provide them with the required logistics as the former CP will be overseeing the different units of Anti-cultism, kidnapping, and Quick Response Squad.
The governor, who solicited the cooperation of the AIG in breaking the backbone of land grabbing, said, when arrested, the culprits prefer being taken to Zone 2 to avoid being prosecuted.
He said: "I want to solicit your support in ensuring that we break the back of this land grabbing. I understand that there are instances where land grabbers are arrested in Ogun State and they are brought to Zone 2 for questioning.
"I expect that they take them straight to the Commissioner of Police first and only if the CP in his wisdom believes that the case should be transferred to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, then it should be transferred to the AIG because what we found out in the past is that they do this to avoid been properly prosecuted.
"They believe they can come to Zone 2 and play some games. When they are left off the hook, they come back again to terrorise the people. Most of the land grabbers are repeat offenders. So I want you to help us to look into this so that we can ensure that the land grabbers do not escape the long hands of the law."
Prince Abiodun assured of logistics support to the police to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.
Prince Abiodun emphasized that as a state with the highest number of industries in the country as well as educational and religious camps, coupled with having the busiest federal highway, a lot of pressure is put on the security architecture, hence his administration is collaborating with neighbouring states in patrolling major roads, particularly at the border areas, to reduce attacks from hoodlums.
He said for the state to sustain its position as the industrial hub of the country, his administration would ensure that incidences of security infraction are nip in the bud, expressing the hope that with AIG Ali's rich experience and background in operations, insecurity in the state would be a thing of the past.
Speaking earlier, AIG Mohammed Ali, said he came to familiarise himself with the state, adding that his Zone was ready to take the fight to all land grabbers, kidnappers and cultists disrupting the peace of the state.
He appreciated the governor for his past assistance to the zone and called for more support from the state government to enable his officers and men to carry out their duties more efficiently.

Subsidy removal: Abiodun Approves N10,000 For Workers, Pensioners
...workers to have reduced working days

Ogun State government on Monday announced a series of palliatives for civil servants, pensioners and the people of the state to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on fuel.

Top on the list of palliatives is the approval of N10,000 for civil servants and pensioners every month, according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi.
The government also approved hazard allowance for health and medical personnel, while food palliative was also approved for the most vulnerable citizens.

The statement reads: "In line with the current realities in the country and commitment of Ogun State Government to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of the good people of Ogun State, the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the following measures for immediate implementation:

"Cash palliative of N10,000 for each public servant including pensioners to enable workers to cope with the economic shocks occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy for 3 months in the first instance with effect from July 2023.

"Approval of hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel in the State.

"Approval of peculiar allowance for public servants in the State.

"Immediate release of Letters of Promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022.

"Payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the State.
"Immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners.

"The Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to work out modalities of ensuring that 20% of their staff strengths are off-duty daily to ease the effect of the recent increase in fuel price among public servants.

"Commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable (rice, garri, beans, maize etc)."
The statement noted that Gateway Trading Company has been directed to ensure the establishment of distribution outlets across the state, while items must be sold at the rate obtainable before the fuel price increase.

"The State is also establishing a commodity exchange to ensure optimization of current and future investment in the Agro-allied sector of the economy in line with President Tinubu’s war on food insecurity," the statement added.
Also, fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.

The statement also reiterated the commitment of the state government to the implementation of the Energy Transition Strategy with the launch of electric motorbikes and tricycles.

Other measures include the commencement of conversion of State Mass Transit buses to CNG including staff buses and current public transportation buses in circulation to reduce the cost of transportation by charging rates comparable to what was obtained before deregulation, acquisition of additional new CNG buses to ease transportation in the State charging fares comparable to what obtained before the fuel subsidy removal, immediate Road Infrastructure Intervention, with all the local governments working with Community Development Associations and Community Leaders to submit three roads that require immediate intervention as part of the palliative programmes and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through Special Schemes to boost production capacity and employment generation.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/07/subsidy-removal-abiodun-approves-n10000-for-workers-pensioners/amp/

I did not know INEC has lawyer- PDP's subpoenaed witness tells Ogun Tribunal
...claims to represent electoral umpire

A subpoenaed witness called by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Eze Desmond, from GRA Road, Sagamu, who claimed to be an ad-hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that he was not aware that the commission has a lawyer.

Desmond made this declaration when being cross-examined by the counsel of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, who objected to the documents tendered by the witness but reserved his objection to his final address.

The witness was responding to a question put to him by Osipitan, who queried how he got the contact address of PDP's lawyer who he claimed he approached upon receiving a subpoena to appear before the tribunal.

Osipitan, while cross-examining the witness also asked about how he got the subpoena and the address he used, to which he responded that it was addressed to him personally and not through INEC.

The witness, who was a corps member said he completed his mandatory service year on May 18th and that he didn't inform INEC about the subpoena and his intention to appear before the panel as an ad-hoc staff of the electoral umpire.

When asked about his experience on the issue of alleged violence where he worked, he said he did not witness any, contrary to what the document he tendered indicates.

Also, a witness of the PDP, Bamidele Aiyedun, from Ikenne, to the dismay of many admitted that there is something wrong in his statement of oath.

Another subpoenaed witness for PDP, Oristhefe Okotipi, who claimed to have worked for INEC as an ad-hoc staff during the gubernatorial poll could not mention the serial numbers of the booklet used for the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

He couldn't also provide any evidence that confirm that he truly worked for INEC, as he admitted that the commission was not in the know of his appearance before the tribunal.

Meanwhile, all the counsels to the respondents expressly objected to those documents tendered before the tribunal by the PDP's subpoenaed witnesses. They however, reserved their objections to their final addresses.

Awujale walked Daniel out of his palace!


I wish to state that I was disappointed, though not surprised, by the developments at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland earlier today, Thursday, June 29, during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the royal father as part of his activities in consulting and interfacing with critical stakeholders in the State.

Prominent indigenes of the State led by a former Governor and elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, had earlier visited the palace and later left for the MKO Abiola Stadium to receive the President and follow him back to the palace. But shortly after he left, a former governor and Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel who was not officially invited to welcome the President, walked in and went straight to the living room of the Awujale where, quite naturally, there was a sitting arrangement for dignitaries with accompanying name tags. Daniel wasn't on the protocol list of Awujale to receive the President. That was the reason no seat was reserved for him. But he gate-crashed and imposed himself on the palace.

The seats were in the order of protocol, namely the Deputy Governor, who represented the Governor at the event, followed by Baba Olusegun Osoba, then the Akarigbo of Remo and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, among others. But to the surprise of everyone, including the paramount ruler of Ijebuland, the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, who is the host, Daniel audaciously removed the tag attached to the seat specially reserved for Baba Olusegun Osoba and sat on the seat. The unconscionable move left everyone present completely stunned.

Swiftly, and to the admiration of many, Baba Awujale, in his no-nonsense manner, called Daniel to order.


But, taking the fully deserved royal rebuke as an affront, the Awujale urged him to walk out of the palace. Daniel angrily stormed out of the palace and the compound to wait for the entourage of Mr President, which he eventually used as a face-saving tactic to come back into the palace.



I was personally watching him from my vantage position at the palace when the President eventually arrived, and the senator couldn't find a befitting place to sit among the dignitaries. But for the intervention of Governor Dapo Abiodun who asked one of his staff to organize a sear for him, he would have stood up throughout the event. Even at that, Daniel still looked terribly dejected and obviously angry and could not get the impulse of the tongue-in-cheek statement made by the President about him that day. Dapo Abiodun hasn't seen anything compared to his treacherous behaviour toward President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the Alliance for Democracy days and when he eventually assumed office as the PDP Governor of Ogun State.


Yes, that is always the fate of charlatans, who seek to run a deadly race to the top without any recourse to decency and ethical standards.
As an Oba, I felt diminished by Daniel's utter lack of decorum. Having experienced his political perversity for eight years and knowing his unstable disposition in the larger national politics, I was not, as I asserted earlier, shocked by his shameless public show. Gbenga Daniel typically aspires towards all that is dark and devious.


With his arrogant move to denigrate a revered personality like Aremo Osoba and treat old age with such contempt, Daniel exposed himself as an irritant and desperate power monger.

Ogun: Tribunal rejects PDP's pleas for reexamination over inconsistent statements

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta metropolis, on Wednesday rejected the pleas of the counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Mr Gordy Uche, SAN, seeking reexamination for his witness after certain inconsistencies were discovered in her statement.

The party, had called a witness, Mrs Shittu Omobolanle, from Makun, Sagamu, to appear before the panel and testify in it's favour based on her experience in the gubernatorial poll of March 18, 2023.

Meanwhile, in her statement, the witness gave her polling unit number as 27-20-14-020, whereas, her voter’s card indicates 27-20-14-004 as her PU number.

Counsel to Governor Abiodun, Kehinde Ogunwunmiju, SAN, pointed out the discrepancy during cross examination, when he asked her to read out the numbers on the two documents. Subsequently, the petitioners' counsel - Gordy Uche SAN - attempted to get her to explain the reasons behind the inconsistencies.

Uche SAN argued that opportunity for reexamination should be freely granted to enable his witness explain the facts behind the two numbers, citing the Evidence Act and other authorities to substantiate his stance.

In their reactions, counsels to respondents vehemently objected to the argument, on the ground that there was no ambiguity whatsoever in the two documents.

They equally cited relevant authorities, including that of the Supreme Court in Natasha v The State, to buttress their positions that reexamination can only be allowed along the line of argument of the petitioners' counsel if there was any ambiguity in the issue sought to be reexamined. In his response to the objection, Uche SAN agreed that reexamination was truly limited to ambiguities only but argued that the discrepancies in the witness’ written statement and voter’s card were an ambiguity within the meaning of the Evidence Act.

Replying on points of law, Ogunwumiju SAN clarified that the issue in question was not an ambiguity. He invoked legal authorities and judicial decisions defining ambiguity to mean unclear answers. He explained that what occurred during cross examination was a contradiction by the witness not an ambiguity and that re-examination cannot be used to improve the faulty evidence of a witness. Supporting Ogunwumiju, counsel to APC - Chief Afolabi Fashanu SAN - urged the Tribunal to take judicial notice of the fact that documents speak for themselves. Together, the respective counsel urged the tribunal not to allow the pleas for reexamination as canvassed by the petitioners' counsel.

The tribunal, in it's ruling completely agreed with lawyers to respondents, that the matter at hand was unambiguous and therefore, disallowed the prayer for reexamination as pleaded by the PDP.

In a related development, similarities were also discovered in the statements tendered before the tribunal by Omobolanle and another PDP's witness from Ikenne, Awotubo Olalekan, when compared with witnesses' statements earlier submitted before the panel.

Ogun: Tribunal dismisses PDP's objection, as counsel steps down subpoenaed witness

The governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Tuesday dismissed an objection raised by counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gordy Uche, SAN, to the effect that under cross-examination, the petitioner's witness must not be asked to answer questions on documents he did not author.


Counsel to the 1st Respondent(INEC) Dr Remi Olatubora, had put questions across to a witness called by the PDP, Hon. Aina Adewale, from Sagamu, based on the similarities of his witness statement with two others, Sowande Seun, from Sagamu and Ademola Adekunle, from Abeokuta North.

The similarities, according to INEC's counsel were to the extent of word for word and omission for omission, hence, the need to question the witness thoroughly with the aim of ascertaining his veracity and accuracy.

However, in an objection to the application, the petitioner's counsel said tribunal should not allow his witness to be questioned on documents which he did not author, quoting copiously section 67 of the evidence act and other decided authorities.

In his response, counsel to INEC, Olatubora, prayed the panel to discountenance the objection, arguing that points raised by the PDP's counsel and his position on the points of law were irrelevant to the issue under review, relying on section 223 of the evidence act. He argued that the Evidence Act allows him to cross-examine a witness in any manner that tests the witness’ credibility and veracity.

He added that in line with the provision of that section of the evidence act and in line with the spirit and letter of the 1999 constitution, which places high premium on fair hearing, his position as the counsel to INEC confers the right on him to cross examine the witness to test his veracity and knowledge.

Adding to Olatubora’s position, Gov Abiodun’s lawyer, Professor Taiwo Osipitan SAN added that one of the statutory purposes of cross-examination is to discover who a witness is. He added that in that regard, asking a witness to compare his witness statement with the witness statements of other witnesses is allowed because it give the witness the opportunity to explain why his evidence is completely the same with the evidence of a witness from somewhere else, while also giving the Tribunal to discover whether the witness is a copycat or other form of unreliable witness.

Counsel to APC, Otunba Kunle Kalejaiye submitted that PDP’s lawyer had not shown to the Tribunal whether the question asked of the witness was scandalous, immodest, offensive, or of any other nature prohibited by law. He joined the other lawyers to ask the Tribunal to overrule the objection.

The tribunal, therefore, overruled the objection raised by the counsel to PDP, making reference to it's previous rulings on similar objections.

In another development, counsel to the PDP, was made to step down the appearance of a subpoenaed witness, a supposed INEC staff, who he claimed worked as a presiding officer during the March 18th governorship poll, after counsels to INEC raised objections to such testimony, citing the fact that the statement of the witness was only made yesterday and served on Respondents yesterday.

Trial continues in Abeokuta.

Alleged cutting of sacred tree in Ede; a blatant lies from traducers, ignore it-Timi

The Timi of Ede Land, Oba Dr. Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa the 1st, has described as untrue and complete falsehood the news making the rounds on different social media platforms that a sacred tree was about to be cut in Ede, with attendant human sacrifice, hence, the need for curfew.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media & Publicity to the first class monarch, Dapo Akinyele, the copy which was made available to newsmen on Tuesday, in Ede.

Oba Laminisa added that such dangerous lies are from the enemies of the town with the motive of creating fear in the minds of the people, saying the original notion behind the lies was to disrupt the peace of the ancient town and give it a bad name.

"Please, kindly disregard the ongoing dangerous lies making the rounds on the social media platforms. I want to confirm to you that there is no such plan by anybody in anyway. Ede remains a peaceful abode for anybody irrespective of tribe or status.

"The lies are coming from the enemies of Ede who are hell bent to disrupt the serenity and calmness of our land and thereby create unnecessary confusion, obviously, they have failed woefully in that regard.

"I hereby, enjoin every resident of Ede to go about their normal business activities unhindered and without any fear whatsoever", Oba Laminisa said.

The monarch also used the medium to thank all his subjects for the rousing welcome accorded him from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

July 17, 2023.


PRESS STATEMENT

*“Face your criminal charges and stop sounding like broken record”*
*- Ogun APC tells Adebutu, PDP*

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state has advised the defeated governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ladi Adebutu, “to be man enough to face the criminal charges preferred against him by the Federal Government and stop sounding like a broken record.”

Reacting to a press conference addressed by Sikirulai Ogundele, the Ogun state Chairman of the beleaguered PDP in Abeokuta on Monday, the APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, said, "The PDP has nothing new to say. We have gone through the porous press statement and we cannot find anything more than the trite excuses, false claims and contradictions of the defeated candidate who has been on the run from the law since his invitation by the Police.”

The party added, “By now, even the media would be tired of the monotonous noise of these losers. A party, whose candidate has shunned Police invitation, fled the country and attempted to stop his trial, is unabashedly making false accusations and preemptively blackmailing the Police. The desperate press conference was held after the court has thrown out same spurious claims canvassed”

“When the Police invited the suspect, he fled abroad and told the Police he was going for medicals and his return could only be determined by his doctor. Then he told the public that his life was threatened and he has therefore fled to an unknown destination.

“Few weeks after, he approached the court and filed a motion stopping Police from 'inviting', 'interviewing' or 'detaining' him over allegations of votes-buying through the printing and distribution of 200,000 pieces of Verve ATM cards preloaded with N10,000 credit and totaling N2 billion. He also wanted the court to ask the Police to defer the trial till after the conclusion of his petition at the Tribunal in Abeokuta.

“In the process of serial lies and contradictions, Adebutu has even lied under oath, committed perjury and he certainly has a date to keep with the law. For someone who kept boasting that his father’s money can do anything, the recent meaningless press conference is perhaps an indication that money has failed him in buying the law.”

The party advised the Ogun state PDP and its defeated governorship candidate to stop wasting their time on a lost battle but rather “concentrate their energies and resources on defending themselves of the weighty criminal charges hanging round their necks, and to which many of their conspirators have confessed to.”