South West
NGF working with FG, security institutions to stem insecurity – Fayemi
…As students bodies charge NGF Chair to rally colleagues
By Mike Adebayo, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has assured Nigerians that an end is in sight for the insecurity being experienced in the country, especially kidnapping of students in some states.
Dr Fayemi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the Forum was already working collaboratively with the Federal Government and all security agencies to stem the tide of insecurity nationwide.
The Governor disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday when he received in audience executive members of Federation of Ekiti State Students’ Union (FESSU), the National Female Students’ Association of Nigeria as well as students’ union leaders of higher institutions in the state.
Dr Fayemi, during the marathon meeting, reiterated his administration’s commitment at ensuring that anybody found culpable in criminal tendencies are brought to book, adding that no room would be allowed for impunity of any kind in the country.
He used the opportunity to warn students and youths to shun all forms of criminal tendencies, adding that it is heartbreaking to find students arrested for kidnapping fellow students in order to get ransom.
The Governor disclosed that the NGF under his watch had visited some of the northern states of Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna where female students have been abducted and met with the governors to look at how the Forum can assist security institutions there to retrieve abducted students.
He explained further that it is the sole responsibility of the states to undertake the responsibility of security and welfare of the citizens not minding the limitations that governors do not control the security apparatus of their states even as Chief Security Officers in their respective states.
Speaking further, Dr Fayemi disclosed that as a result of the emergency declared by the governors last year, about 30 states of the federation have signed the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act into law within the last ten months.
He added that his administration has encouraged other states and even universities to set up gender-based laws and anti-sexual harassment committees as well as sexual assault referral centres to look after victims of sexual assaults, harassment of whatever kind to stem the tide in that area.
The Governor promised to continue to form synergy and collaborate with students and students bodies to ensure their welfare and safety wherever they may found themselves in all parts of the country.
“It is a time all of us are concerned about the issue of insecurity and I must thank you for going beyond your immediate issue as students to raise the question that is agitating the minds of all Nigerians, security, particularly security of our girl child. I have had cause over the last month or two to visit Kankara, Jangebe in Zamfara and go to Kebbi where our female students have been abducted and meet with the governors, look at how we can also assist security institutions to retrieve these abducted children. Not to mention what has been happening particularly in Kaduna state over the last few months.
“Clearly, government has a lot to do to protect our citizens, the first responsibility we have in the constitution of Nigeria is the security and welfare of citizens. And if we are not able to achieve all of that, then, we would be said to be failing in our duty and since we don’t want to be seen as failures, I want to reassure you that as governors, we are working collaboratively with the federal government and our security institutions to really stem the tide of insecurity.
“At the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, we declared an emergency against gender-based violence from June 10, 2020, I directed all states to enact laws against gender-based violence and there is a whole range of it, sexual harassment, defilement of children and domestic violence. And at the time we declared that emergency, we had 14 states that had signed into law, the violence against persons prohibition act, today, we have 30 states, many in the northern part of Nigeria that had not signed it last year and have now signed it.”
Earlier, the National President of Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU), Comrade Awolola Charles and the President of Female Students Association of Nigeria, Comrade Modupe Adetiba expressed their unreserved appreciation to Governor Fayemi in his effort at ensuring students are well positioned to achieve their hearts desire for greatness.
They noted the worthwhile achievements of the governor in the area of payment of WAEC and JAMB fees of secondary school students, payment of school fees for Law School students in the last three years as well as payment of scholarship and bursary awards to all Ekiti students among others.
They also called on other states governors to emulate the stand of Ekiti state by domesticating the gender violence and sexual harassment policies of the state to leverage on the tide nationally.
By Sodiq Adelakun
Members of the Old Students Association of Odogbolu Grammar School’s 1979/84 set gathered on Friday, June 28, to commemorate significant milestones and reaffirm their commitment to supporting their alma mater.
The occasion marked 45 years since their admission to the school and 40 years since their graduation.
Speaking at the 40th-anniversary press conference, The Alumni President, Bolade Ogunfodun (BOT) emphasised the association’s dedication to giving back to the institution that shaped their formative years.
Highlighting their contributions over the years, President Ogunfodun announced the completion of a block of renovated classrooms, the provision of 120 new ironed chairs, and support for sporting activities among others.
“The essence of our reunion is to give back,” President Ogunfodun stated, reiterating the alumni’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational facilities and opportunities at Odogbolu Grammar School.
Among the distinguished alumni present was Prof. Adebola Osipitan, a former president and head boy of the 79/84 set, who spoke passionately about the alumni’s broader impact.
He revealed that the association has been creating welfare and job opportunities for members’ children and extending assistance to students and teachers alike.
“We began our efforts while some of us were still students, Our approach has always prioritised collaboration over pressure, laying a strong foundation for the association’s enduring structure,” Prof. Osipitan said.
Meanwhile, former students gathered to reminisce about their alma mater, recalling tough but transformative discipline, coordinated efforts among peers, and other formative experiences that shaped their lives.
In response to the reunion, Vice Principal Mr Oyibo expressed gratitude for the alumni’s commitment to their school and praised their initiative in launching projects aimed at benefiting current teachers and students.
…Says Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport nears inauguration
By Omobolaji Adekunle
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade has said the inter-state rail system is strategic for the development of the South West region.
Akinmade made this known while speaking on the topic ‘Regional Integration and Development: The case of Ogun State’ at the Western Post 2024 annual retreat in Abeokuta.
He explained that upon the assumption of office of Governor Abiodun in 2019, he strategically came up with idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management System, which connects the State with others in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
Hon. Akinmade noted that with railway interconnectivity, development in the southwest would be faster as the movement of people and goods is made easier.
“The inter-state rail system that cuts across the states in the Southwest have been efficiently explored by Ogun State for effective connectivity in the region. Presently, the state has more rail stations than any other States; there are five different stations within the stretch of Lagos and Ibadan alone.
“With an efficient rail system, an indigene of Ado-Ekiti can secure employment in Ogun State, get to office everyday from Ekiti and return at the closing hour around 5pm, and before 7pm he will be back in Ado-Ekiti.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” he said.
The Special Adviser stated that oil exploration would soon commence in the state and that it would put the region on a more viable economic footing.
He reassured that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo airport would be inaugurated soon, saying that it would be the best in the West Africa corridor with the largest runway and apron.
Akinmade stated that the airport would bring great relief to thousands of manufacturers operating in the State to get imported materials with ease and also transport their finished goods to the rest of the world without facing the traffic snarl in Lagos.
He explained that the airport would serve as a potent regional development tool and means of connectivity among the states of the region and with the rest of the world.
“Our government is presently working on a dry port at Kajola, which will sufficiently complement the Agro-Cargo Airport in the area of importation and exportation of raw materials and finished goods by manufacturers, and by implication serve as a better alternative to the Lagos Port that is often characterised by heavy congestion,” said Akinmade.
The Special Adviser disclosed that the government had constructed over 500km of roads across the State to make mobility easier and connect other States more effectively, adding that the roads had made regional integration possible considering the strategic location of Ogun State in the region.
“Of profound interest is the recent resolution by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to start oil exploration in Ogun State and make the State an oil-producing State, which in the next twelve months will begin to unfold and put the region on a more viable economic footing.
“Our administration has invested heavily in agriculture to ensure food security, and just last week, the Governor allocated expansive lands to state lawmakers for the purpose of aggressive mechanised farming. It may interest you to know that our State is presently the largest producer of poultry products and cassava in the country.
“Imbued with unwavering commitment to speedy development of the State and the region at large, through his ISEYA mantra, which encompasses : Infrastructure, Social Welfare and Wellbeing, Education, Youths Empowerment and Job Creation and lastly Agriculture, Prince Dapo Abiodun, upon his assumption of office, strategically came up with very brilliant idea of speedy development through the concept of Multi-modal Transport Management system, which connects the State with other states in the region through air, water, rail and road and as well gives access to the rest of the world.
“That is the type of regional integration we are institutionalising in the State so that individuals in any of the States in the region can freely interact, transact and relax in the State without hindrance,” said Akinmade.
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is set to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme, targeting thousands of young farmers across the agricultural value chain.
Adeleke disclosed that nothing less than 1,000 hectares of land will be allocated to each local government for the programme.
This was contained in a statement signed by Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke assured stakeholders that farm inputs, tractorisation and issue of food security are being addressed by his government.
The Governor said his plans for the agricultural sector is robust and all inclusive , adding that “the state is now set for implementation of various programmes in the sector.”
He said, “We take Agriculture very seriously. Our government decided to first focus on bridging the infra deficit to strengthen connectivity between rural and urban areas. We first focused on building the roads and bridges as a condition to empower the agricultural sector in the area of transportation and market linkages.
“Now that we have made enormous progress in the infra sector, we are now set to roll out specific programmes for the agricultural sector. I have set up an implementation committee on the recommendations of our food security committee.
“The Committee which is to be chaired by my Special Adviser on Agriculture, Hon Olaniran Akanfe has the mandate to put into effect the suggestions and proposals in the food committee report. Other members of the committee include Olusola Omole, Dr Alaba Towoju, Dr Olu Olajide, Hon Moshood Yakub, Hon Alexander Kehinde Oloke, Adelowo Adekunle Saburi, Kolade Tunde (TISKO) and Engr Badmus Bukola Mikail. The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture is to serve as the Secretary of the Committee while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Tola Faseru serves as overall Coordinator.
“As we kickstart the implementation of the food security committee, our government is to launch the Osun Young Agropreneurs Incubation Programme which is to target thousands of young farmers and agropreneurs across the agricultural value chain.
“The programme will include at least 1,000 hectares of Land per local government; provision of land clearing and tractorisation; availability of inputs; guaranteed offtaking; all season irrigation farming; integration of hydroponic farming; integration of precision farming and emphasis on gender balancing and inclusivity.
“My Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Faseru is to chair the Action committee which will have representatives from ALGON, traditional institutions among others. Other members of the action committee will include Permanent Secretary , Ministry of Land; Surveyor General of the state; Director Agriculture services at the Ministry of Agriculture; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth; President, Osun Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Mr Adegoke Taiwo Kamal; a representative of farm equipment leasers and Hon Hezekiah Olabamiji Oladele(HOB).
“I have also directed the Commissioner to host a meeting with real farmers on our various farmlands in the state. The Commissioner is to meet genuine farmers to strengthen our partnership as we launch various programmes within the sector.
“On tractorisation, this is another piece of good news. The state has acquired some tractors while the Commissioner has been directed to negotiate a leasing deal with the tractor hiring association. We are also repairing existing tractors.
“For those into plantation farming, we are raising seedlings across the crop sectors. We are starting with cashew and cocoa.
“More importantly, our government is working on reviving the cocoa industry as well as supporting agro processing through public private partnership. We welcome investors and partners in this critical sector,” the statement added.
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