It’s A Shame Senate Was Invaded While Ghanaian Lawmakers Were Visiting – Hon. Oladele


Oladele stated that the attack took place in the full glare and despite the heavy presence of all security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the the Department of State Services, not to mention the National Assembly’s internal security agents.


Following the invasion of Senate Chambers and the snatching of the Senate Mace during plenary by an unknown criminal gang allegedly led by the suspended Delta State Senator, Ovie Omo-Agege, a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Crimes, Hon. Kayode Oladele has called on the Federal Government and all security agencies in Nigeria to wake up to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties, especially as the 2019 general elections is fast approaching.
Oladele stated that the attack took place in the full glare and despite the heavy presence of all security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the the Department of State Services, not to mention the National Assembly’s internal security agents.
Noting that the hoodlums were able to gain entry into the premises of the National Assembly despite the strict procedures for securing a gate pass and finally beat the security agents to enter the hallowed chamber where the plenary was going on, Oladele wondered whether the security agencies are capable of stopping a terrorist attack on the National Assembly.
Oladele, who spoke with The Eagle Online on Wednesday, strongly condemned the incidence, which he described as barbaric, shameful and infamous.
He also stated that it is a desecration of the hallowed Chambers and an assault on Nigeria’s nascent democracy.
According to Oladele, what Nigerians did not know about the incidence was that it happened in the full glare of Ghanaian parliamentarians who came to visit the National Assembly and observe our plenary.


Oladele further stated: “When some members of the House of Representatives visited the Ghanaian parliament a couple of months ago, they came back with inspiring reports and I believe that was what motivated the Ghanaian lawmakers to also visit Nigeria and watch our parliament in session.
“Unfortunately, what was presented to them today was not a true representation of what we stand for as a Nation, neither did it represent the image of our robust democracy.
“I pitied the Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as he struggled for words to explain the ugly incidence to the visiting Ghanaian parliamentarians at the plenary when the House hurriedly convened after the invasion.
“It is shameful, unimaginable, disingenuous and represents an intolerable impunity of the highest order.”
Oladele stated that following the widespread condemnation of the attack by Nigerians and the subsequent arrest of the principal suspect, Omo-Agege, who allegedly facilitated the invasion, it is obvious that the senator is on his own and may have probably resorted to self help following his suspension from the Senate.
While calling for the perpetrators and their cohorts to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, he, however, commended the Federal Government for not only condemning the invasion but also for ordering the security agencies to immediately unravel the circumstances surrounding the breach of security that led to the incident.

THE QUEEN'S COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2018 OPENS

By Wole Elegbede

The Royal Commonwealth Society, organisers of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, says this year's edition of the event is now opened to participants.

The society is accepting essays, stories, scripts and poems on the theme 'Towards a Common Future' from those aged 18 and under, across the Commonwealth of Nations. Deadline for submission of entries is 1st June 2018.

According to a compendium on the website of the organisation, “the competition prides itself on providing a platform for young voices, helping to develop written English skills and acting as a vehicle through which young people can learn about the Commonwealth”.

The society provides material resources such as flyers, posters, students pack and schools' briefing which are available on the society's website https://thercs.org/youth-and-education/the-queens-commonwealth-essay-competition/resources/

The society has also appointed judges from around the Commonwealth to work on the entries and determine the winners in the junior and senior categories of the competition.


* Elegbede is a Nigerian Journalist based in Abeokuta, Ogun State

Posted by Wole Elegbede

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has disclosed that a total of 304 firms have either established new plants or expanded the existing ones in the last seven years in the state as 148 of such firms have each invested between $200 million and $2 billion, while remaining 156 have invested between $50 million and $200 million.

The governor added that over 50 high networth individuals in terms of personal income tax are now remitting their taxes which are in excess of N10 million each to the State government as against the two persons wrongly quoted by Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), saying government intends to cover more high networth individuals in the coming years as N10 billion internally generated revenue is being targeted monthly.

Speaking in Abeokuta on Tuesday at the Press Conference heralding 2018 Ogun State Investors’ Forum – “Consolidating the Grains, Accelerating Growth”, Governor Amosun said he had embarked on giant strides in industrialising Ogun state through provision of an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and the efforts are yielding fruitful results as many companies as well as foreign direct investments trooping in.

According to him, Ibikunke Amosun-led administration and 2018 Investors’ Forum that starts next week Tuesday, predicates on economic growth and development, sparing three key areas agriculture, industry and technology that drive the consolidation of the gains and acceleration of desired growth, adding that his administration had been able to change economic narratives of the state from core civil service state to an economically buoyant state.

“In the manufacturing sector in Nigeria, we have diversified the economy for us to grow in Ogun state. The first thing, we have demonstrated thus with the investors and entrepreneurs. We have created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

“So, about 148 Companies have established shops and invested between 200 million dollars and 2 billion dollars in the last two years. Everyday, new investors come to us in a bid to establish their businesses here in Ogun State. But we want to take development and growth in Ogun state beyond the industrial hub of the country.

“When we came on board, we came with five cardinal programmes and thank God today, Ogun state is out of the doldrums. Things are now taking shapes. In the comity of states, in terms of IGR, Ogun State is second in position. Initially, upon assumption of office in 2011, we were generating N730 million as IGR monthly but now, we are knocking N7 billion monthly. We have the potentials. We have large expanse of land. With agriculture, we want to leverage on value chains.

“Our aim is to consolidate all gains and to accelerate growth. We want to concentrate on what we have achieved. We want to exploit specific growth. We will collaborate with investors and entrepreneurs. In totality, we are looking at human endeavours. Of all these giant strides, we are proud of these developments in Ogun state”, Governor Amosun said.

Earlier Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry declared that the World Bank Reports on Ease of Doing Business as well as Manufacturers Association of Nigeria surveys showed that 75% of foreign direct investments that came to the country between 2016 and 2017 were domiciled in the state.

He added that investments which were made in terms of security, infrastructure and other economic variables needed for economic growth and development were provided, and that helped drive the State economy to the current lofty height and more investments would also be made to consolidate gains already recorded and accelerate further economic growth and development.

By Wole Elegbede

Ogun State government is set to distribute 3.3 million long lasting insecticides treated net across the state in March, 2818.

The exercise, according to the state government is targeted at reducing malaria across the state.

State health commissioner, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye who made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta, said the distribution exercise will start in the middle of March till the end of the month.

Ipaye explained that every household is being targeted with at least one long lasting insecticides treated net per two persons.

The state distributed 1,500 treated nets in 2017, and 2.6 million in 2014.

The commissioner also said that the mass vaccination against measles will come up between March 1 and 13.

Copied from OGSG Media By Wole Elegbede

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has commissioned a 85 KWP Solar Hybrid Mini Grid at Gbamugbamu village, in the Ijebu-East Central Local Council Development Area of Ogun state, saying it will supply power to 487 households.

Speaking during the commissioning, he said the project, which is in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and German Government, under the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), is in line with his administration's rural infrastructural development agenda.

Amosun said the project will be of great benefit to the Small, Medium and Micro businesses in and around the community, enjoining the people to collaborate with investors to bring dividends of democracy to the area.

While appreciating the Mohammadu Buhari led Federal Government, for including Ogun State in the pilot scheme of the rural electrification project, he noted that the provision of stable power supply will improve the educational, economic and health sectors of the nation at large.

In his remarks, the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, represented by the Minister of State for the ministry, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, said the project will improve the lives of the people.

He assured that the Federal Government would continue to engage the private sector for the benefit of Nigerians.

Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga, who supervised the project, disclosed that the commissioning signified a landmark achievement of the state government for the rural dwellers, adding that the project will be replicated in other rural areas of the state.

The European Union representative, Kurt Cornelius, the German Consul General in Lagos, Ingo Herbert and the United States Consul General in Lagos, John Bray, unanimously said the project will definitely bring great development to the community.

Speaking on behalf of the people of the community, the Baale of Gbamugbamu, Mr. Adekunle Fayomi and the Chairman, Ijebu East Central Local Council Development Area, Barr. Adebayo Osikomaiya, thanked the government for the gesture, expressing optimism that it will not only attract investors but also assist existing ones to thrive.

By Wole Elegbede

Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his state is planning to execute some projects in Ogun State.

He let the cat out of the bag today at the burial service of his Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry. Mr. Deji Tinubu, nephew of Chief Bola Tinubu, a leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

A sports broadcaster, Deji passed away last Thursday, January 25, 2018, after slumping in a novelty match in Epe, Lagos State. He was formerly Special Adviser on Sports and Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission.

Premium Times quoted Ambode as telling the gathering: "The last time I spoke with Him (Deji Tinubu), I told him about some new projects I wanted to execute in Ogun State, and he was very excited with them. He told me he would come and see me 2018 but now he is no more". He did not disclose the nature of the projects.

Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was reported to be at the service.

Ambode's projection may point to provision of enabling environment in Ogun State during the ongoing administration of Senator Amosun. Due to the removal of encumbrances that hamper investment inflow, Ogun State has improved remarkable on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index, moving from 37th position in 2010 to 5th in 2014. Ogun State is the industrial base of Nigeria, attracting the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country 2017.

The Ogun State government is ensuring that the quality of life is markedly improved for our people, wherever they may live, whomever they may be, invested in and produced this feat!  

Before our time, such epochal coordinates were wasted by their own governments of terror and thuggery.  

An inordinate gubernatorial candidate from another planet and financier of own dear ODE SUNMONU. It is no surprise that our success would turn their fowl bellies inside out. Alas! How they quibble and whine like brats of a wasted heritage. They opine odiously that they couldn’t see the MITROS rice.  

Sure, you cannot see the TECHSUMMIT. So to them the TECHSUMMIT is another fraud.

The Ogun State government is ensuring that the quality of life is markedly improved for our people, wherever they may live, whomever they may be, invested in and produced this feat!  

Before our time, such epochal coordinates were wasted by their own governments of terror and thuggery.  

An inordinate gubernatorial candidate from another planet and financier of own dear ODE SUNMONU. It is no surprise that our success would turn their fowl bellies inside out. Alas! How they quibble and whine like brats of a wasted heritage. They opine odiously that they couldn’t see the MITROS rice.  

Sure, you cannot see the TECHSUMMIT. So to them the TECHSUMMIT is another fraud.

Channelled by Wole Elegbede

In line with its commitment to the welfare of its workforce, the Ogun State government will on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 commence payment of the latest tranche of workers' co-operative deductions.

This exercise will cover four months for state workers and two months for local government employees, as part of the state government's monthly support for the third tier of government.

According to a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Adewale Oshinowo, the state government had pledged to prioritize workers' entitlements once the finances of the state improved.

"As you well know, the Ibikunle Amosun government is worker-friendly. This informed its decision to increase the salaries of workers which nearly doubled the monthly wage bill in the state. It is a testament to the value this government places on its workforce that it pays the highest salaries to workers in the entire federation," Oshinowo said.

The Commissioner recalled that when the state government received the Paris Club Refund, it expended the entire sum on workers' entitlements.

Oshinowo, who described the Civil Service as the engine room of government, solicited its unwavering co-operation in the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State, noting that the improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue, which has now put the state in a better position to offset part of the deductions, was a product of such co-operation.

He said government would clear the balance of the deductions once the state returned to an even keel financially.

"While we will not abdicate our responsibility to the overwhelming majority of indigenes who are not in the public sector, we will continue to oil the engine of government for smooth operation and enhanced efficiency," the statement concluded.

By Wole Elegbede


OGUN State led in the National Examinations Council’s November/December Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE, results. The results which were released after 38 days of conduct of the examinations is a great departure from the past during which results were released between 80 and 90 days after the administration of the last paper. 

Vanguard newspaper quoted the registrar of the Council, Professor Charles Uwakwe, who announced the results in Minna said the early release of the results was due to the "renewed efforts of the Council towards efficient service delivery". 

An analysis of the results showed that Ogun State fielded 5,687 candidates and led the 36 states and Abuja by recording 91.42 per cent pass followed by Akwa  Ibom with 1,118 candidates which recorded 87 per cent pass while Oyo State with 8,513 candidates came third recording 86.90 per cent pass.

Zamfara State fielded only 230 candidates and recorded 12.90 per cent pass to come last.

The result is a reflection of the of the success of the Mission To Rebuild (MITROS) programme of the Senator Amosun-led administration in the state in the area of education. One of objectives of the programme which is Affordable Qualitative Education has continued to engender first class performances at all levels of education in the gateway state.

MOST MEMORABLE DAY OF 2017: THE DAY AMOSUN SAVED AREGBESOLA'S AIDE

By Wole Elegbede

Character is like the proverbial Rome which is not built in a day. Overtime, it mirrors and reflects the true picture of man to the world. Today, in Nigeria, the character of some people speak for them and it is the basis of their success. You often can not stop such people because they are driven by virtues that endear them to the society.

The governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun is one of the few Nigerians that has character speaking for them. He's one of those described by William Shakespeare as being made of a "sterner stuff". My perception of him is of a person who, if he's committed to a cause for the common good, he won't waver in pursuing that cause, no matter whose ox is gore. In Yorubaland, the lexicon "Omoluabi" is used to describe such a person.

The nexus between character and Senator Amosun is linked to the day which may count as the most memorable day for the nation in 2017. You may be wondering why looking back at the past? My take is a review of the past is a good venture especially the positive angle of the past. Looking back and using the past to build the future has always been the orientation of savvy-minded people. A few days ago, I read an article in Nairametrics, a resource based publication in Lagos, with the title "6 salient points to pick from Uzoma Dozie's 2017 Year Review" and I marvelled at the takeaways.

But if Uzoma Dozie's perception does not jell, we can at least take a cue from a Yoruba proverb which says "Arise l'arika, arika ni baba iregun, ohun ti aba se lo ni, oro itan ni lo la". The proverb could be summarised thus: Whatever we do today is a subject of history tomorrow.

Of the 365 days in 2017, I gave the most memorable day to the 24th of April. Ede, a sleepy town about 180 kilometres southwest of Oshogbo, capital of Osun State, had been thrown into mourning a day before (on Sunday, April 23, 2017) following the sudden death of an illustrious son of the town and political heavyweight, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. The Senator was a two time senator, a former governor of Osun State and an aspirant in the state's governorship election scheduled for this year. Rumours had spread like wild fire in the town and beyond that Adeleke was poisoned because he was believed not to be in the good books of the governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, to run for the office of governor.

The event of April 24, 2017 which was set aside for Islamic prayers and burial of this scion of Ede, turned out to be partly eventful and dreadful. The occasion was dreadful because irate mourners on ground for the prayers sighted a former adviser to Governor Aregbesola, Ms Idia Babalola, and they wanted her to leave. This woman is believed, like the late Senator Adeleke, to be nursing the ambition of becoming the governor of Osun State, whether rightly or wrongly. Appeals by some governors at the venue for the woman to stay felt on the deaf ears of the mourners and suddenly, hell was let loose. It was as if melting magma was spewed out of the belly of Ede, the home town of the Adelekes. However, the eventful, memorable and cherished side of the whole matter is that it was Senator Ibikunle Amosun that saved the hapless woman. Casting the mind of the readers back to the headlines of that day will demonstrate the good deed Senator Amosun had done. There were headlines like "How Amosun Saved Aregbesola's Aide From Death"; "Amosun prevents angry crowd from Iyching Aregbesola's aide at Adeleke's burial"; "Incredible! Governor Amosun swings at one of the thugs who tried to harm Babalola"; "Governor Amosun warns another attacker to stay away"; "Governor Amosun cleared the way for the embattled woman", etc.

There is no doubt this act by Senator Amosun was a good one. Better still is to take home a lesson from the act. The lesson to take home is about the courage of Senator Amosun. It reminds one of the famous quote of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late sage and former Premier of Western Region: "Life itself does not matter but the courage you put into it". Senator Amosun had put his own life and the lives of members of his team on line to save the life of Ms. Babalola from certain death.

The downside of the episode is that up till now there has not been a public show of gratitude to the nicety of Amosun by the Osun State government. I wouldn't know whether a letter of appreciation was written to Senator Amosun by his Osun State counterpart. My thinking is that since Senator Amosun publicly prevented a situation which could have thrown the state into another lamentation, such a letter of appreciation or statement on the part of Osun state government should have been made public.

From the above, it should not be surprising that the profile of Senator Amosun has continued to soar high in the Nigerian political space because of his "Omoluabi" attributes. Another lesson here is that no amount of antics by Amosun traducers can erase or submerge the integrity in the man. What is unacceptable is to shrug off the positive deeds of anybody on the altar of jealousy, hatred and politics of bitterness.

*Elegbede, a public affairs analyst, sent this piece from woleogunstate@gmail.com.

uglyafonja:
We don't know or eat Ofada rice here in SE and SS....

We only know Ebony agro or ebony gold...

Ofada rice is meant for only Afonjas

How about perboiled rice, Oga uglyafonja? I read in Elegbede's story that MITROS rice produced by Ogun State consists of two types of rice- Ofada and perboiled rice. I also read somewhere else that a 50kg of perboiled rice sells for N11.5K. Not too bad. At least they are producing something in Ogun state. Some states no fit pay salaries.

MITROS RICE: MEETING THE FOOD NEEDS OF NIGERIA

By Wole Elegbede

It was not by coincidence that the nation's top manager of the economy was in Abeokuta on December 22, 2017. The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele had been on ground to witness the dawn of a velvet revolution- the launch of Mitros Ofada rice, one of the deliverables from the stable of the current administration in Ogun state.

Emefiele has been a leading exponent of self-sufficiency in food production in Nigeria and a campaigner especially for increased yield in the production of rice. To somebody like him and others who understand the trajectory of Nigerian economy, the development in Ogun State can not be underestimated.

The administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun is anchored upon a guiding programme termed "Mission to Rebuild Ogun State" (MITROS) with five cardinal objectives. The one objective that is relevant to our discourse here is: Increased Agricultural Production and Industrialisation. As part of the efforts to fulfil its mission and contribute its quota to the food needs of Nigeria, the administration had embarked on this project. The state's rice farm is located in Iggua. It has a processing mill in Sawonjo while the packaging facility is based in Asero, Abeokuta.

With its launch a few days ago, MITROS rice, which consists of two types of rice (Ofada and perboiled), has become a reality. It demonstrates that the administration's agenda is not an ordinary political statement; it has translated into a development initiative that will help reduce poverty and put food on the table. Senator Amosun puts it succinctly: "For us in Ogun State, we cannot afford to sit back and watch our people suffer unnecessarily due to food insecurity. The availability of food is synonymous with the survival of society as a whole. Our past efforts at tackling poverty in all ramifications will amount to nothing if concerned efforts are not taken to ensure food security to people at all income levels. This is why today is a significant day, not just for Ogun State but for Nigeria as well. The Mitros Rice Mill, the first of its kind in Ogun State, will create jobs for our farmers. From now on, they will no longer need to travel far and wide in search of milling facilities".

The significance of the day was aptly demonstrated by the presence of the representative of the President Muhammadu Buhari, the Governor Of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Self Sufficiency in Rice and Wheat Production. Under the Federal administration of President Buhari, agriculture has been given a pride of place in view of the unpredictable fortunes of the oil industry. The administration recognises that the diversification of the productive sector of the economy through the development of agriculture would put Nigeria in a better stead to cope with the vagaries of the oil market that have hampered the country's economic growth.

Both Bagudu and Emefiele painted a graphic picture of MITROS rice as they emphasised that its production will create job opportunities, booster the naira against foreign currencies and help to grow the economy.

With MITROS rice, you can not but marvel the rising profile of Ogun State. The state exhibits indisputable records as one of the leading states in the country with positive impact on the national economy. It is amazing that Ogun state alone attracts 75 per cent of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Nigeria. This was an issue of curiosity when sometime in March, 2017, the United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria Laure Beaufils inquired from Senator Amosun what he did to attract so much to the state. Today, Ogun State remains the industrial power house of the nation.

The celebration of MITROS rice by a national newspaper sums it up: "It was another giant stride by Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in the agriculture sector as the state launched what it called Mission To Rebuild Ogun State, MITROS Rice in Abeokuta".

The above capture by the Leadership newspaper is only stating the obvious as it is superlative.

Elegbede, a Public Affairs analyst, wrote from woleogunstate@gmail.com

BREAKING NEWS: ‘YAYI’ OGUN GOVERNORSHIP AMBITION HITS ROCK AS TINUBU WITHDRAWS SUPPORT!

December 21, 2017

There is a clear indication that Yayi governorship ambition in Ogun State has hit the rock. This is as a result of the withdrawal of support by the APC National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Some people are saying that President Muhammed Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may have spoken to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to stop Senator Solomon Adeola nauseating actions in Ogun State and concentrate his efforts in Lagos West where he is elected as a Senator.

Many close associates of Asiwaju Tinubu confided in this reporter that the APC National Leader has asked ‘Yayi’ to forget his governorship ambition in Ogun State for a return ticket to Senate in 2019. However Yayi is said to be unhappy about this instruction and he wanted a clear assurance that he will be returned unopposed to the senate from Lagos West.

This assurance may be difficult to procure now for two main reasons namely: the poor attitude of Yayi to the Lagos West constituents that he abandoned after his election in 2015 and the fact that the battle for Lagos West is now a tough one between Obanikoro, a former PDP Chieftain who recently defected to APC and Aregbesola, the current Governor of Osun State.

Yayi we understood is already lobbying elders of Lagos West with a sum of N200m. This has filtered into the ears of the youths who are spoiling for a showdown with the elders. Currently Lagos West is in turmoil due to Yayi ambition and his crafty political nature. Things have fallen apart and the center can not hold in Lagos West.

A clear evidence of the current travail of Yayi is confirmed from the fact that Yayi has been avoiding his supporters in the last two weeks and has refused to honour invitation to any social function in Lagos and Ogun States. Yayi is currently in a state of confusion especially on how to tell his supporters that his ambition to become the governor of Ogun State has hit the rock.

You have to wait until the completion of the structures before you can pass any reasonable judgement. But for now the Ogun State government has given the community something to cheer and this is about the development of the area.

Posted by Wole Elegbede

The sleepy town of Ipokia suddenly turns to buzz of activities following the decision of Amosun-led administration to site the new poly there (Photos)

New Ogun State Polytechnic: Amosun turns sleepy Ipokia to education city

By Wole Elegbede

On 15th September, 2017, the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun did the incredible. He laid the foundation stone of the new Ogun State Polytechnic in the sleepy town of Ipokia in Yewa South Local Government area of the state. The people of the Ipokia, including the traditional rulers and elites of the entire Yewa/Awori district, were held spell bound by the awesome development.

Amosun had pronounced at the event that the gesture was in fulfilment of his electoral promise in the governorship campaign that led to his re-election in 2015.

As usual, social media miscreants playing the cards of the opposition were engrossed in morbid display of hate, red herring, pretty jealousy and outright lies.

First, they queried why should Amosun embark on another capital intensive project when many such projects, especially road projects are yet to be completed by him. Secondly, they said it an attempt to hoodwink the Yewa/Awori people to vote for Amosun's preferred candidate in the next election in 2019. Thirdly, that the new polytechnic will never materialise.

However, less than three months after the ground breaking event, the level of development at the site of the polytechnic has not only debunk the lies, it has proved that the governor is reliable with outstanding performance.

Amosun's lofty programme in the area of education is not a one-off thing. The administration has pursued with vigour one of its cardinal objectives with regard to education namely "Affordable Quantitative Education". This superlative achievement in education has been arrested to in some quarters of no mean standing in our nation. While speaking on the approval of the upgrade of MAPOLY to Moshood Abiola University of Science and Technology (MAUSTECH) recently, the Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission, Professor Rasheed Abubakar, described Ogun State as the education capital of Africa.

It is not a bad idea that Amosun, in his wisdom, has allowed the Ogun West district of the state to share part of the glory. From a sleepy town, Ipokia is being turned into an education city with all its apparent domino effects.

The following photos have brought home the graphic details of the irreversible developments on the site of new poly.

tolu24:
you are not that gullible and you are collecting his money, one thing am very sure of is that the guy is giving amosun sleepless night.

People that collect money from him are his clowns who wants the money to make a living. The twale sirs, the rodents who don't even possess voter's card.

stormm:

Who is Sule Ogunleye?

Sule Ogunleye is the same Yayi. I understand his name change was occasioned by a fraud he committed while he worked at The Guardian. This was subject of a debate in another thread few days ago.

Mynd44:
Loooool.

Keep writting facebook posts when the entire party has been snatched from Amosun by Yayi.

Must also explain why Amosun sees Yayi everywhere including his dreams . He sacked Labor leaders cos of Yayi, closed a market cos of Yayi…..

Talmbout he is from lagos yen yen yen yen like a child. Go do some real politics uncle!

Yayi is on ground because of the money he throws around. I dey laugh o. Ogun State indigenes are not that gullible brother.

�

Yayi's Promoter, Ade Sunmonu Oje, exposes another Tekobo Politician Like His Paymaster


By Duro Ilesanwa


Ade Sunmonu Oje is one of the promoters of the dare-devil project by a Lagos-based politician, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Yayi who is bent on becoming the governor of the near-by Ogun State after spending his entire political career in Lagos State.

Yayi and others like him, including Mr. Jimi Lawal and Senator Olorunmbe Mamora, have been been given a tag that has caught the political landscape of Ogun State like wildfire. Next time you hear the lexicon "Tekobo", do not be aghast wondering What does this mean? It's a sobriquet calved by observers in Ogun State to give true meaning to these wandering politicians who have been used in Lagos State and will become adulterated products in Ogun State.

The latest dish from the pot of Ade Sunmonu Oje who many observers believe is a hired hand of Senator Yayi representing Lagos West in the Upper Chamber of National Assembly, is the tirade against a fellow Tekobo politician like his pay master.

He wrote and I quote:


"30 Hidden Facts/Secrets About Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi Lawal (Jimi Lawal).

.... Reasons why he is not fit to become a governor or hold any public office.

1. He was the former managing director of the now defunct ‘wonder bank’ Alpha Merchant Bank who was convicted for a massive bank fraud in absentia in Nigeria, divorcee in the United States of America, believed to be wanted there for tax matters.

2. Not many homes in Nigeria, have fully recovered from the bitter memories of the agony the mismanagement of Alpha Merchant Bank, under Lawal, wrought. One instance was the sad story of Chief Michael Omisade, former chairman of the National Bank of Nigeria and director at Alpha. Omisade, co-founder of the bank with Lawal, whose law chambers undertook the task of incorporating the bank, suffered from stroke in the aftermath of the distress that hit Alpha in 1993.

3. The tragedy swept away the multi-million naira investment of the lawyer in the bank and threw him into an indisposed state from which he never recovered. He died so ill and wretched and so was the story of several other victims of his criminal act. Those who managed to survive wallow in anguish, rendered helpless to pick up the pieces of their lives while the scar remained permanent and has refused to heel.

4. El-Rufai was said to have worked with Lawal some years back at Alpha Properties. When ei-Rufai became minister of the FCT, it was payback time for an old friend who needs to be rehabilitated haven squandered the money he stole from Alpha Merchant Bank while in sojourn in America. El-Rufai made Jimi Lawal his consultant on land matters. His exploit in Abuja resulted in a N1bn stormy scandal that rocked el-Rufai’s tenure as FCT Minister.

5. Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi Lawal crept into banking and national prominence in 1988 when he became the managing director of Alpha Merchant Bank and within seven months of operation, he posted a magical profit of N7m. There and then he became industry toast, hailed as the whizz-kid the Nigerian Banking industry has been waiting for. The ‘turn-around expert’ who would engineer the much needed change the industry needed, as at that time, from the grips of some first generation banks that have stagnated the industry.

6. No sooner had the story of Lawal’s ingenuity made headlines that his streaks of scandals followed and since then, he never knew peace.

7. Barely two months after Alpha took off, on 4 August 1988 specifically, two of its shareholders fired a petition to Abdulkadir Ahmed, then Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, alleging forgery against Lawal. The shareholders, A.O. Ilori, a lawyer and I.O. Odefisayo, a chartered accountant, in their letter titled, “Fraudulent Practices at Alpha Merchant Bank Limited”, accused Lawal of falsifying the information in his curriculum vitae that he submitted to the CBN and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

8. In the CV, the Alpha boss claimed to be a Master of Business Administration, MBA, product of the City University Business School, Barbican, London. He also wrote that he was a Departmental Manager at the Foreign Exchange, Bills/Credits Department of the Union Bank in London.

9. The petitioners declared that Lawal did not possess an MBA from City University, neither was he a manager at Union Bank. The banker, they stated, was a mere supervisor at the London bank, a position that did not qualify him to be approved by the CBN as Executive Director in any bank in Nigeria.

10. “The obvious implications of these fraudulent practices,” Ilori and Odefisayo alerted, “is that the CBN has not only been deceived by Jimi Lawal in approving his appointment as an Executive Director on the basis of the purported qualifications and working experience, but it further constitutes a fraud on innocent shareholders at whose expense Jimi Lawal has taken benefits by way of remuneration and perquisites of office.”

11. From another end, a suit also came against the erstwhile Alpha Bank managing director. Jide Zaid, a lawyer in Omisade Chambers, headed to court to file a suit against Lawal, alleging forgery and threat to his life. This suit confirmed the talk abroad then that all was not well between Lawal and Michael Omisade, whose chambers did the incorporation of Alpha Merchant Bank.

12. Omisade’s chambers, on 10 August 1988, wrote to Alhaji H.T. Ashiru, Principal of Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, which Lawal claimed to have attended between 1970 and 1975 and bagged seven papers in the West African School Certificate examinations, for confirmation.

13. Ashiru’s prompt response gave the lie to Lawal’s claims.

The Principal wrote:

“Mr. Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi Lawal attended Ijebu Muslim College, Ijebu-Ode, and was in Class Four in 1975. In fact, we discovered that he repeated the class in 1975 and was advised to withdraw at the end of the session in November 1975 when he was unable to gain promotion to Class Five.

14. In another letter dated 12 July 1988 by Omisade Chambers to Mrs. A.A. Fashina, then Principal of King’s College, Lagos, her reply was:

“We have carefully gone through our records and discovered that at no time was there any student by name Shakiru Olajimi Adebisi Lawal. Moreover, I wish to confirm that King’s College has never run a part-time programme for either WASC or HSC course.”

15. Lawal had claimed in his CV that he did a part-time HSC programme at King’s College, Lagos, from 1976 to 1977 where he obtained four GCE “A” Level passes. From City University School, London, where Omisade Chambers had written to concerning Lawal’s claim of an MBA came another disclaimer on 21 July 1988. Kate Adam, Course Secretary for the school’s evening MBA programme, wrote back to state that although Lawal had begun the university’s part-time MBA degree course in September 1983, he was not awarded an MBA because he withdrew and did not complete it.

16. When Zaid also requested from Union Bank in London to clarify Lawal’s status while he worked there, the feedback was another shocking expose:

17. “Mr. Lawal was employed by this branch as a Supervisor (Documentary Credits) from June 1984 to August 1986, and not a departmental manager. Supervisory positions are not on the senior management cadre of this bank nor of the bank as a whole.”

18. Lawal’s claim of being 31 years old when he emerged Alpha’s managing director could not but also come into dispute.

19. The controversial banker was born in September 1959. Effectively, he could not have been more than 29 years when he became Alpha’s MD in 1988. This was a year shy of the 30 years minimum age requirement that the CBN prescribed for anybody aspiring to be managing or executive director of a bank.

20. He was convicted by Zone 2 of the Failed Banks Tribunal on 19 March 1996. Lawal, with Chief Udensi Ifegwu, a non-executive director of Alpha Merchant Bank, and two other managers of the bank were found guilty of running Alpha Merchant Bank aground through unethical banking practices.

21. According to the facts of the charge, No. FBFMT/L/ZII/IC/95, Lawal conspired with Udensi, a major shareholder in the defunct bank, to perpetrate some underhand deals that eventually contributed to sinking the bank. Both Udensi and Lawal later jumped bail and fled the country to avoid trial.

22. They were subsequently tried and sentenced to terms of imprisonment in absentia.

23. By 1993, Alpha Merchant Bank had totally failed in its operations and it collapsed. The bank was unable to fulfil its obligations to its numerous customers and shareholders. Lawal and Udensi were also believed to have ploughed depositors’ money into the AlphaSofitel, a hotel project which eventually flopped.

24. In all cases of the numerous transactions that pushed Alpha Merchant Bank over the precipice, Lawal did not carry along the bank’s shareholders.

25. While Alpha Merchant Bank was going down, the former banker was secretly building a honey nest for himself and his family in the United States.

26. Through a stock account at Paine Webber INC., in New York, he acquired several high-yield stocks from Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Citigroup, Union Carbide e.t.c.

27. Lawal resettled in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Francesca Wachukwu and his three children.

28. In the USA, he purchased a mansion at 1870 Childress Drive by way of lease-to-buy in 1996, using a front named “Dirk Twine”.

29. He settled down to operate a travel agency, Pax Travels Inc. According to court documents, Lawal started Pax Travels with $50,000.

30. He was also president of Concept Property Development Corporation, a company he claimed in court documents never traded before it was liquidated.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1667267276666929&id=100001510198043

TWO OGUN OPPOSITION ASPIRANTS (GNI AND ADEOLA) FIGHT DIRTY

By Duro Ilesanwa

The heat being generated in the march towards 2019 governorship election in Ogun State has taken a heavy toll on two governorship aspirants who are in opposition to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ogun State- Prince Gboyega Isiaka and Senator Olamilekan Adeola

While Isiaka, an experienced governorship aspirant who unsuccessfully vied for the seat two times in the past, belong to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Adeola, a serving Senator representing Lagos West in the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly is yet to ascertain his membership of APC in Ogun State.

The two aspirants were budding friends when the going was good. The marriage between them was born out hatred for the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, whose vision of seeing through the deceit and chicanery of the two aspirants is very clear. Both wanted Amosun to rail road them for the exalted office of governor without minding the questions about their character, integrity and ancestry.

The bubble burst when a group that calls itself Ogun West Consultative Forum under the Chairmanship of Chief Kayode Ajibola released a resolution of the group endorsing Senator Adeola to represent Ogun West in 2019 governorship election in the state. Adeola's endorsement by the group had raised more questions than provide the necessary answers in the quest of Ogun West district to produce the number one citizen of since the state was created 41 years ago. Other members of the group that pride itself as Yewa professionals include but not limited to Professor Tope Popoola of FUNNAB, Chief Seem Adigun (Sokopao), and Chief Sapon Oke of TASUED.

It was alleged that the controversial group had invited some Ogun West aspirants to an interactive session only to broach the idea of screening and endorsement of the aspirants after the aspirants had left the session. Among the aspirants who honoured the invitation:

1. Prince Gboyega Isiaka
2. Senator Olamilekan Adeola
3. Chief Tolu Odebiyi
4. Chief Kola Lawal
5. Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi
6. Hon. Abiodun Akinlade

The information that was to come afterwards had blackened the smoke of confusion and cast irredeemable doubt over the agenda of the forum. One observer queried : "What do u expect when Yewa City Club, of which Yayi is a member, suddenly transformed into Ogun West Consultative Forum?" with the hatch tag of "#Ourmumudondo".

This shows that out of the aspirants that attended the interactive session, only one may be aware of the hidden agenda while the rest were victims of deceit.

The Ogun West Consultative Forum's endorsement bait can be seen as part of the scheme to enhance the chances of Senator Adeola who is confounded with ancestral questions and political relevance in Ogun state having risen to the pinnacle of his political career as a Senator in another state (Lagos). Adeola and other Lagos-based politicians like Senator Olorumbe Mamora and Mr. Jimi Lawal bent on riding the roughshod over the political field in Ogun State by contesting for the office of governor have been tagged "Tekobo", to depict them as "used and adultrated" politicians from Lagos State.

The roforofo fight over Adeola's endorsement had led the GNI Believe Movement to distance their principal from the said endorsement. A press release by the movement was published by Premium Times thus:

"A governorship aspirant under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, from Ogun West Senatorial District in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, has denied participating in a screening exercise aimed at presenting a consensus candidate by the zone.

"He said he was invited to the session to share his thoughts on the best way for the zone to go in realising its desire for the zone to produce the next governor.

"Mr. Isiaka added that he was surprised that after the session he started reading (in the news) about screening and endorsement of a consesus (sic) candidate which he said never took place nor included in the agenda of the meeting he attended.

"The aspirant said it was a fundamental right of any group of people to ”endorse, adopt and or even present any aspirant for election and he has no issue over that.”

"The two-time governorship candidate declared that it was wrong mentioning his name amongst the participants in a “screening process that never happened.”

”The session was called interactive not screening; and the purpose was meant to be fact-finding and proffering solutions not for endorsement or whatever name it is called,” Mr. Isiaka declared".

From the above, it can be seen the endorsement has generated dust which may end up blinding the vision of Senator Adeola to see the hesitation of the people concerning his desire to occupy the governorship office in the state.

MISCHIEVOUS ALLEGATION OF ABANDONMENT OF CHINESE POWER EQUIPMENT: AMOSUN ON TOP OF POWER SUPPLY IN
OGUN STATE

By Wole Elegbede


Mischief makers will not be allowed to have field day in Ogun State. Recently, some sections of the social media were inundated with stories by fictitious writers that the governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun left a power equipment imported from China by the previous administration of former governor Gbenga Daniel to rot for political reasons.

The said power equipment, kept at the parade ground of fallen heroes and heroine of the Armed Forces at the governor's office in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, were meant to booster the power supply by a nearby Power plant to offices at the government secretariat.

These mischievous writers queried why the equipment should be abandoned by Amosun since government is a continuum. Explanations by officials of the Amosun-led administration had shown that the allegations were unfounded. Not only were the imported Chinese power equipment obsolete, they will be costlier to manage.

While all this was going on, little did the governor's adversaries realised he is on top of the power supply in the gateway state.

Sometime ago, the administration signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Lisabi Power to build an Independent Power Plant (IPP) in the State.

To the glory of God, the IPP is being commissioned today, according to this story in The Nation newspaper. I qoute: "The Ogun State government will today switch on the 15 Megawatts (MW) power plant it built with Lisabi Power an Independent Power Provider (IPP) through a Public Partnership Programme (PPP) arrangement.

The government said the power plant will end interrupted power supply at the government secretariat, government quarters, public hospitals, and other government establishments.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite, announced this yesterday while hosting the executives and members of Egba Economic Summit (EES), led by its Chairman of Programmes and Economic Development, Tokunbo Odebunmi.

The commissioner said the government will start with the distribution of 5MW tomorrow.

In a statement by the Head of Media in the ministry, Mr. Ayokunle Ewuoso, the commissioner said government facilities, including the Government House, commissioners’ quarters, water corporation, modern shopping malls, street lights, legislative quarters and the deputy governor’s home will benefit from the first phase.

He said: “On November 1, we are switching on the first phase of 5MW of the power plant, but the whole thing is still going to 15 MW, eventually. The power plant had been test-run for three to four weeks before it was switched off on October 1 because we found out that the cable had been damaged by yet-to-be-identified persons. This has been fixed and we are assuring that on November 1, the energy plant will start work fully.

“We are also doing the power system for Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and Ota. We have qualified about 12 IPP contractors and they are going to get their money over 15 years.”

Adegbite, who said the power plant, which has its generation at Onijaganjagan in Ifo Local Government Area and its power house at Oke-Sokori in Abeokuta North Local Government Area, would also serve the palaces of kings in Abeokuta metropolis.

The commissioner added that more people and organisations would be considered in the distribution by the time the power plants is upgraded to 15MW.

Odebunmi hailed the government for its unprecedented infrastructural development across the state".

http://thenationonlineng.net/ogun-inaugurate-15mw-power-plant-today/


Elegbede, a is a Public Affairs analyst, sent the piece from woleogunstate@gmail.com

Amosun and the challenge of rumour mongering

By Wole Elegbede


The exemplary image of the governor of Ogun State, Senator, Ibikunle Amosun, continues to pose a serious threat to his detractors and adversaries that they can not sleep again. Day and night they must orchestrate plans to rubbish his image but all to no avail.

The challenge that Amosun faces from detractors makes me to remember the favourite quote of Joyce Brothers :"A strong positive self-image is the best preparation for success".

Rome, the saying goes, was not built in a day. Senator Amosun did not create a positive image for himself overnight. This is something he has built over the years and it is quite exceptional and commendable.

One is not just waking up to reckon with the governor's wonderful spectacle in Ogun State. In a write-up not too long ago, I wrote: "Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has continued to demonstrate exemplary leadership in governance. Amosun, fondly called SIA by his numerous supporters, is in his second term of office. 

He continues the tradition of embarking of laudable infrastructural projects across the gateway state which endear him to the citizenry. In spite of conjectures and innuendos that the governor will not complete the projects as promised, SIA is leaving no stone unturned to deliver the projects to the good people of the state". Herein lies the "sin" Amosun committed against his enemies.

The governor has a "stubborn" motive to take Ogun State to a greater height socially, economically and politically. If Amosun's principled stance to follow this path is considered as stubbornness by his detractors, then the people of the state will expect him to ride on.

When a couple of months ago, rumours emerged from the mill that Amosun impregnated a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who had twins for him, all men of reason, conversant with the governor's pedigree, will dismiss such rumours with the wave of hand.

As the rumours of impregnation was fizzling out, a new falsehood emerged specifically in the social media. The story was concocted that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) stormed the residence of Amosun where foreign and local currencies are stashed in a vault. But the EFCC in a statement by the spokesperson of the commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, denied ever visiting Amosun's house. Not only that, the commission added icing to the cake that Amosun was neither under surveillance nor investigation.

A vista into Amosun's background will show the picture of a man with good upbringing and impeccable character; the same kind of attributes exemplified by the late sage and Premier of old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Like Awo, Senator Amosun's frugal lifestyle is worthy of emulation. He's not the kind of man that will scurry after wealth and women considering his virtuous background and commitment to the challenges of office.

Today, the height of chicanery and display of reckless falsehoods against Amosun by rumour mongers will make the late sage turn in his mausoleum and his words would be remembered: "While many men in power and public office are busy carousing in the midst of women of easy virtue and men of low morals, I, as a few others like me, am busy at my desk thinking about the problems of Nigeria and proffering solutions to them. Only the deep can call to the deep.”

Surely, Amosun's message to the rumour mongers is embedded in the above Awo words.

*Elegbede, a public affairs analyst, sent this write up from woleogunstate@gmail.com

Wonders, people say, will never end.

Recently, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State went off course and open his mouth wild to say something. So, the territory of Oyo State is small and he now wants to expand his empire to Ogun State. Otherwise, what concerns him with supporting a governorship aspirant in Ogun State?

Ajimobi spoke at a birthday party in Ibadan, asserting that a Tekobo politician, Senator Olamilekan Adeola who represents Lagos West in the Senate is the next governor of Ogun State in 2019. They say Ajimobi must have had some champagne at the party warranting him to talk anyhow.

It is unbecoming of a responsible governor to speak that way, especially when your own roof is leaking with Ibadan Chieftancy palavar which you have not been able to handle with dignity.

Well, we in Ogun State will not allow his wishes to happen. He should continue to mislead the young man. His wish is like building Castles in the air. We admonish him to stay off Ogun politics so as not to get his fingers burnt. Like the Yoruba proverb "Oro agba bi o se lowuro, o pe titi, a se lo'jo ale" (the words of the elders will always come to past in the long run).

I can not possibly imagine someone serving in political offices and reaching the top of his career in a state and then turning to another state with the intent to go and occupy the most exalted office there. In this case, Senator Olamilekan Adeola was a two time House of Assembly member under Tinubu in Lagos State from 2003 to 2007 and 2007 to 2011, a member of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015 and a Senator from 2015 till date. For this man to be attempting to abandon his constituents in Lagos who had placed a trust on him and invested time and energy by voting him into power will beat the imagination of the most apolitical individual. He claimed to come from Joga, then Isaga, later Pahayi, a village near Ilaro, all in Ogun West Senatorial District, where his provenance is in serious doubt. Amosun has very little to play in this matter. It is the people of Ogun state that will decide whether an outsider should be allowed to rule over them. Trusting their fecundity, I do not think they will allow this to happen.

I saw this interesting post this morning on the Facebook page of Rasaq Oladosu and I thought I should share it here for Nairaland readers. Read on- Wole Elegbede


"It will intrest this forum for Senator Adeola to shed light on the PAYE tax on Ogun State border towns with Lagos State and residency rules that made former Governor Fashola cooperate with Ogun State and Governor Amosun by remitting taxes paid by those Ogun residents working in Lagos State. Governor Ambode on assumption of office pulled out of this cooperation by stopping this remittances to Ogun State. It's now being alleged by unconfirmed reports that the deal between you and Governor Ambode is to use this supposed remittances as funding for your Gubernatorial ambition in Ogun State rather than remit it to Governor Amosun in the spirit of "Owo abu lafi nse abu lalejo" . Can you please shed more light on this and efforts you've made to convince Governor Ambode to continue to remit this taxes to Ogun state as an intending citizen of Ogun state after your tenure at the senate."


That's the post by Oladosu. You may wish to get more details from the link below.
https://m./522305617878988?view=permalink&id=1356598097783065

AMOSUN, ONANUGA AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN OGUN


By Wole Elegbede


The relationship between governors and their deputies in Nigeria may be dicey as it is sometimes contentious. The two executives in the corridors of power are elected into office in a joint ticket under the constitution. It is expected that the two personages will function in conformity with the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and cooperate in the overall interest of the state.


In some situations, the relationship between governors and their deputies do work out as expected. In others, it is less than cordial. In the latter case, governance is trampled upon on the altar of ego, ambition and enlightened self-interest of the actors. Naturally, this breeds dirty politics, with debilitating effects on democracy and the welfare of the people.


There appears to be a misunderstanding amongst concerned Nigerians about the role of Deputy governors in the ongoing democratic experiment, though such role is defined by the constitution. Under Chapter 6, Part 2, Section 193 of the 1999 constitution with the title "Executive Responsibilities of Deputy Governor and Commissioners", the role of the deputy governor is defined as follows: "The Governor of a State may, in his discretion assign to the Deputy Governor or any Commissioner of the Government of the State responsibility for any business of the Government of the State, including the administration of any department of Government".


The Deputy Governor shall also assist the governor to coordinate the activities of government and advice "the governor generally in the discharge of his executive functions, other than those functions with respect to which he is required by this constitution to seek advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body"


From the above, it could be discerned that there is no specific role for deputy governors under the constitution. This is as far as the constitution wants the Deputy governors to function. For not providing a specific role, the framers of the Nigerian constitution may have something in mind: To prevent a struggle in the steering of the ship of the state between the governor and the deputy governor. According to an old English phrase, a ship can only have one captain. This phrase has been explained succinctly by Gordon Tredgold: "When it comes to leadership, I often hear the phrase a ship can only have one captain, because when we have more than one we can end up with two different destinations, which can then lead to confusion, conflict and failure". However, a constitution is made for the people for the betterment of society and not the other way round. The governors of each state in their wisdom may decide to give specific functions to their deputies in as much as such functions do not contradict the constitution.


While nothing is wrong with the above old English phrase, Ogun State has learnt from another phrase: Two heads are better than one. The governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is the chief exponent of this virtue and it has been applied with vigour to deliver dividends of democracy to the people. Working together in governance and respecting their joint ticket and the constitution, Senator Amosun and his Deputy, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, have continued to steer the ship of the state in the right direction.


Little wonder when Chief Mrs. Onanuga recently celebrated her 57th birthday, it turned out as a superlative celebration. It was marked at the weekly state executive council meeting in order to showcase her loyalty which has provided a basis for good governance, stability, development and progress of the state.


Speaking at the meeting, Senator Amosun said: "History will speak of her selfless service towards engendering development of the state". Others who spoke at the meeting included the wife of the governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Olufunso Amosun, Secretary to the state government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, Head of Service, Mr. Abayomi Sobande, and they all emphasised the attributes of the celebrant- selflessness, humility and sincerity of purpose.


Responding, Chief (Mrs.) Onanuga described the governor as her mentor in leadership while her husband, Chief Biodun Onanuga assured the governor of his wife's continuous support towards the success of the administration.


Governor Amosun and his deputy could be seen from the lenses of many observers as builders of democracy and development in Ogun State. They were elected into power on the basis of five cardinal objectives spelt out in the document "Mission to Rebuild Ogun State". The five cardinal programmes of the administration are: Affordable Qualitative Education; Efficient Health Care Delivery; Increased Agricultural Production and Industrialisation; Affordable Housing and Urban Renewal; Rural and Infrastructural Development cum Employment Generation.


Undoubtedly, the duo have ensured that every executed projects conform with "Ogun Standard" to demonstrate the high ethical and international standards of things done by government. In continuation of efforts to consolidate quality and affordable education, the governor, his deputy governor and other relevant members of the cabinet undertook a trip to Ipokia the day the deputy governor's birthday was marked. Choosing to go to Ipokia for an important function rather than retire to a party had sent the message that they were ready for a call to duty at anytime and that the administration did not play to the gallery by marking Madam Deputy Governor's birthday at the state's executive chambers. The trip was undertaken to flag off the relocation and construction of projects of the newly relocated Ogun State Polytechnic in Ipokia. This was in fulfilment of one of the promises of the administration to relocate the polytechnic in the town after the conversion of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta (MAPOLY) to Moshood Abiola University of Technology (MAUTECH) early this year.


There are certain occasions that Senator Amosun may not be able to attend due to other engagements. One is elated to see Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga attend such functions either in the state or national level. If a governor like Senator Amosun will allow his deputy to attend meetings with other state governors or the National Council of State meeting at the Presidency in Abuja, it shows the quality representation by her deputy as well as the level of trust and confidence reposed in her. To be sure, there are some governors who do not allow their deputies to represent them at such high level functions.


On the whole, the onus is on both the governor of a state and the deputy governor to ensure healthy and robust relationship between them. Here, Amosun and Chief (Mrs.) Onanuga have done well. Mrs. Onanuga has demonstrated loyalty at all times while Amosun has extended high regard to her. The bond in Ogun State is clearly a success story and a model in the reign of governors and deputy governors under the current democratic dispensation.


* Elegbede, a public affairs analyst, sent the write-up from wolegunstate@gmail.com

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https://plus.google.com/108650802687830530724/posts/JGaD5iShd9j

LAGOS POLITICIANS AND THE TRUE MEANING OF TEKOBO

By Durosita Ilesanwa

The "Tekobo" slang is not new in Yoruba diction. In those days, it was used to depict second hand goods that had just arrived in Yoruba hinterland from Lagos.

Our people in Yoruba land are always attracted by goods from Lagos, being the main commercial city in Nigeria and the major port of call in West Africa for ocean-going vessels. The goods that came to be known as Tekobo were modern and attractive but had been used and disposed.

I can't remember the last time l heard of the parlance "Tekobo" until it resurfaced in Ogun State in the past months but this time a different fashion. The parlance has been used in the context of politics by the gladiators that introduced it to the state's political space.

My feeling is that the introduction of Tekobo is aimed at a particular meaning. But what we've seen in recent weeks is a misconception or deliberate slanting of what it is meant to portray. The latter being the handiwork of politicians or their henchmen who are fond of colouring issues to favour them. Remember this Yoruba proverb "Ta ni o mo'gbon ka fe ran si mu, ka wa ti" (who does not know that once the meat is inside the month, it disappears).

In a recent newspaper interview, a political figure was asked his opinion about "Tekobo" which had entered into the political lexicon of Ogun State. He snapped back quickly: "We are all t'Ekobo. Anybody who wants to reach the peak of his profession cannot lock himself up in Ogun State. If Obasanjo had locked up himself at Owu, he wouldn't have reached the peak of his career in the Army and elected President of Nigeria. I found myself keeping the legacy of Egba and Ogun State alive by finding myself in journalism. The first newspaper was founded in Abeokuta. If I had stayed in Abeokuta to continue producing community newspaper, I wouldn't have able (sic) to become the General Manager of Herald newspaper".

That's the conception of Tekobo that has been flying about in recent weeks in some newspapers and the social media. It is a narrative that conceives of a Tekobo as an indigene of the state who became a success after pursuing a career outside the borders of the state. So, once you go outside Ogun State and return as a success, you're a Tekobo. No sir. That's a misunderstanding of the slang. For example, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and people like him who became great while pursuing their career outside the state cannot be regarded as a Tekobo in the true sense of the word.

Another meaning of Tekobo being brandied about now is if a person had lived in Lagos and came back to play politics in Ogun State. The person cannot be regarded as such because at the point of entry, he was fresh and had not occupied any political or elected office where he lived. In essence, politicians like Chief Olusegun Osoba, Chief Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun cannot be seen in the true sense of Tekobo.

The real Tekobo is a politician who had occupied elective or political office in Lagos State and then turned around 360 degrees to aspire for such office in Ogun State. The likes of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Senator Olorunmbe Mamora and even Mr. Jimi Lawal who galvitate towards vying for the prime political office in Ogun State (the governorship) fit the proper description of Tekobo politicians.

We are not mumus (gullible) in Ogun State. It is as if my parents knew what will happen in the political future of our dear state at the time I was born 35 years ago in that sleepy quarters of Ona Osi, Ilaro, when I was given the name of "Durosita", meaning stay outside. Politicians who had spent their political career to the pinnacle in another state should "durosita" (stay outside) the politics of Ogun State. And like my surname "Ilesanwa" (We're contented in our house) suggests, such inordinate politicians should realise we don't need them to be contented in Ogun State.

https://www./ogunstateyouthsummit/permalink/1867399726609885/

Biafra: Lai Mohammed reveals where Nnamdi Kanu may be

Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has rejected claims that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is being held by the Nigerian Government.

Mohammed’s claim is coming days after the Nigerian army, under the ‘Operation Python Dance II’ invaded home of the IPOB leader and clashed with members of the group in Umuahia, Abia state capital.

Ever since the clash, the whereabouts of Kanu has remained unknown.

Reacting to the claim, Mohammed told reporters that, “He (Kanu) is not being held by government at all.”

According to him, Kanu has “crossed a line” with his agitation for Biafra and that he (Mohammed) suspects the IPOB leader could be hiding.

Biafra: Lai Mohammed reveals where Nnamdi Kanu may be - Daily Post Nigeria
http://dailypost.ng/2017/09/27/biafra-lai-mohammed-reveals-nnamdi-kanu-may/

I have read the report. If I am to take the interim Chairman of Arewa Community in Ogun State, Sheu Uthman, up on a part of what he said, it is not a bad idea to preach peace. He did not abuse any organisation or person or tribal group. The man asked the Arewa people in Ogun State to shun violence. This is good for us (the residents) of the state because violence leads to destruction of lives and property.

I have read the report. If I am to take the interim Chairman of Arewa Community in Ogun State, Sheu Uthman, up on a part of what he said, it is not a bad idea to preach peace. He did not abuse any organisation or person or tribal group. The man asked the Arewa people in Ogun State to shun violence. This is good for us (the residents) of the state because violence leads to destruction of lives and property.