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Gov. Oyetola inaugurates FG’s 774,000 special public works in Osun
Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, on Monday inaugurated 774,000 Federal Government Extended Special Public Works Programme in Osogbo.
Oyetola said that the public works initiative was in line with Osun’s Development Agenda, aimed at guaranteeing and securing a better future for the teeming youths in the state.
“This programme, through a short-term response to the rising spate of unemployment in our country, deserves to be commended for its ambitious coverage and transparent recruitment process.
“With 1,000 beneficiaries drawn from each of the 774 local governments in the country, this programme further mobilises our young people to contribute to societal development.
“This will earn a modest income within the space of three months, in the first instance.
“Again, this programme communicates the readiness of President Muhammadu Buhari to address the urgent need to provide economic empowerment for our teeming youth population”.
Represented by his deputy, Benedict Alabi, Oyetola said that the administration was resolute in its efforts to equip young people to be competent contributors to the growth and development of the state.
The governor said the administration would not relent in its efforts to continue to seek creative ways of providing employment for the people, particularly the unemployed youths.
“In many ways, this programme aligns with our administration’s agenda of equipping our young people to be competent contributors to the growth and development of our state.
“All our existing programmes, including the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), Post-COVID 19 Recovery Plan, are already being recalibrated for employment generation and better service delivery.
“We shall not relent in our efforts to continue to seek creative ways of providing employment for our youths and our people”, Oyetola added.
In his remarks, Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for being committed to the welfare and well-being of the citizens.
Aregbesola was represented by Adekunle Ige, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state.
He described the Federal Government’s initiative as one that would fast track the quest to ensure quick recovery of the nation’s economy, which was hitherto lost to the adverse socioeconomic effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Also, Malam Abubakar Fikpo, the Acting Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the initiative.
He said that the President’s noble intent gave birth to the national employment scheme to minimise the scourge of poverty and unemployment among the citizenry.
Fikpo, who was represented by his Deputy, Malam Ismail Yekini, reassured the capacity of the NDE to successfully execute the programme.
“This is a significant scheme designed to combat mass unemployment rate and alleviate poverty in our dear country. “With this programme, the scourge of poverty and joblessness will be drastically reduced.
“We commend President Buhari for the confidence he has in NDE to implement the programme.
“We assure him of our capacity to deliver as we are conscious of Mr President’s commitment to use the scheme to mitigate the adverse effects of the global Coronavirus pandemic”, he added.
Axxela Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s leading gas and power portfolio company, has announced another impressive safety milestone.
The company has now achieved 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury (LTI), surpassing the previous 7 million man-hours LTI milestone achieved in 2023.
The landmark achievement further affirms its strict adherence to best practices and safety standards across its assets management, operations, and people practices.
Commenting on this milestone achievement, Bolaji Osunsanya, the Chief Executive Officer of Axxela Limited, expressed his satisfaction with this recent achievement, “We are proud of this significant safety milestone, which underscores our deliberate focus on maintaining the highest standards in our environmental, health, safety, and quality management system. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our entire team, who continuously strive to create a safe and secure working environment for everyone.”
Osunsanya continued, “Achieving 8 million LTI-free manhours is not just a statistical feat, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to operational excellence and the well-being of our direct and indirect workforce. It reinforces our position as a leader in our industry and motivates us to aim even higher, ensuring that safety remains at the core of our operations. We make good to say it propels us forward with renewed vigor and confidence in our journey towards sustainable growth and excellence.”
John Okoro, Head of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) in his remarks, “Maintaining a safe working environment is not merely a priority for us; it is a core part of our corporate culture that has been embedded into all our processes. This achievement also echoes the effectiveness of our safety protocols, training programmes, and effective oversight of our project management. We are not resting on our laurels but will remain dedicated to our cause to uphold stringent standards of safety performance and ensure that every service provider, partner, employee, and other stakeholders return home safely to their loved ones.”
Axxela remains ever-alert to reducing the risks within its operations. The company views the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the environment as a top priority as governed by its water-tight Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality (EHSQ) management system. It continues to subscribe to national and global standards while embracing innovative strategies to help staff live safer and fuller lives at work and beyond.
About Axxela
Axxela Limited (Axxela) is the pioneer private sector developer of natural gas solutions and captive power development in Nigeria; a company co-owned by Helios Investment Partners LLP and Sojitz Corporation. Axxela is a designated natural gas shipper on the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), and a member of the West African Power Pool (WAPP), delivering natural gas to about 200 industrial and commercial customers via a vast network of natural gas infrastructure.
With over 360km in natural gas pipeline infrastructure built, Axxela provides unique energy solutions primarily through its subsidiaries: Gaslink Nigeria Limited, Gas Network Services Limited, Central Horizon Gas Company Limited, and Transit Gas Nigeria Limited.
By Matthew Denis
All is now set for the commencement of the Orientation Course programme for 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One set of Corps Members.
The prospective Corps Members are to access their call-up letters on their dashboards today.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Prospective Corps Members are to report to their various Orientation camps between Wednesday, 26th and Monday, 1st July, 2024 while the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to hold on Tuesday 2nd July, 2024.
In addition to the above, the Director General, Brigadier General YB Ahmed advised all the Prospective Corps Members to be security conscious as they travel to their Orientation Camps. He also appealed to all parents and guardians to ensure that their wards do not travel at night.
The Director General wishes all the Prospective Corps Members and other camp officials journey mercy to the Orientation Camps.
Ogun state Pilgrims have started returning to the country after having successfully completed this year’s Hajj.
The first batch of the State’s 934 pilgrims to this year’s annual pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia started arriving yesterday, while others are expected today, June 26.
Governor Abiodun in a statement on Tuesday, described their stay in the Holy Land as worthwhile as it was in fulfilment of one of the five pillars of the Islamic religion.
He praised the pilgrims for their peaceful conduct, adding that Ogun State did not suffer any casualty, despite the huge number of deaths recorded this year.
Prince Abiodun called on the pilgrims to let the spiritual journey strengthen their faith and connection to the Islamic tenets.
“On behalf of the good people of Ogun State, I welcome our dear pilgrims back home. Your successful completion of the Hajj is a testament to your devotion and commitment to your faith. We are proud of you and grateful for your safe return.
“Our government is ready to continue providing logistics support to our pilgrims for seamless and spiritually enriching experiences during the Hajj,” he said.
It would be recalled that Prince Abiodun paid the shortfall of N119,560,712.70 in the pilgrims Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) as a result of unexpected vagaries in the foreign exchange rates.
While NAHCON used N1,252.01 per dollar to calculate hajj fare (BTA inclusive) to give $500 as BTA to each pilgrim, the CBN released BTA at N1,530.86 per dollar, which gave each pilgrim $415 instead of $500 earlier proposed.
Going by this development and in order to give each pilgrim $500 at the new exchange rate of N1,530.86 per dollar, the differential to be paid for the State’s 934 pilgrims stood at N119,560,712.70.
Axxela records 8 million man-hours with no lost time injury
NYSC commences orientation camp for Batch B corpers today
