The Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun has expressed optimism towards the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island and Olokola in Ipokia and Ogun Waterside local government areas of the state respectively.

The Governor noted that the state would soon be given frontier status and join the league of oil-producing states in the country.

Prince Abiodun stated this during the presentation of the year 2024 Appropriation Bill christiened “Budget of Sustained Growth and Development” at the Ogun State House of Assembly.

The Governor said, “Discussions are ongoing regarding the exploration of oil in Tongeji Island, Ipokia Local Government Area, and Olokola, in Ogun Water-Side Local Government Area, respectively. We are confident that very soon, we will be given frontier status and will soon join the league of oil-producing states.”

Abiodun also disclosed that his administration in preparation for its new status as an oil producing state has established the Ministry of Mineral Resources saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the general administration and operation of the natural resources that abound in the state.

He also disclosed that his administration has established the Ministry of Energy to take advantage of the constitutional amendment that allows sub-national governments to participate in the energy sector.

The Governor, who also disclosed that an Education Summit would be held in the first quarter of  2024, said that numerous challenges facing the sector would be considered with a view to repositioning education in the state.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has officially launched the groundbreaking 1st NPF Open National Mixed Martial Arts Championship that held on the 2nd and 3rd of December 2023 in Abuja at the MoshoodAbiola National Stadium, Abuja.

In his address during the inauguration on Saturday, December 2, 2023, the IGP underscored the significance of this championship in not only enhancing policing services but also contributing to the broader development of sports in Nigeria. The event was poised to foster collaboration and mutual respect among participating agencies, showcasing the commitment of law enforcement to community policing.

As part of the preparation for this championship, the Force conducted a comprehensive 2-day seminar titled “Sensitisation on the Rules and Regulations of Mixed Martial Arts.” The seminar brought together athletes and officials from the Police, Para-military, and other law enforcement agencies, along with representatives from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Development.

The IGP called on all participating athletes and agencies to showcase their best performances while adhering to the rules and maintaining the spirit of sportsmanship.

The competition will feature various categories, including the Beginners Mixed Martial Arts events, highlighting a combination of grappling, striking, and ground fighting.

By Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta

The Ogun State government has shut three companies in the state for various environmental infractions.

The companies shut down include Robust International PTE Limited, Ruili Recycling Limited, Mowe, also in Mowe and Star Pipe Limited, Sagamu.

Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya while announcing their closure said, “Ruili Recycling- pet bottles recycling company was found guilty of discharging its wastes and storm water into their immediate environment especially in the premises of Christopher University which exposed the students to avoidable danger as well as its refusal to obtain a drainage approval to properly channel the unwanted water to appropriate place.”

“Aside from this, the company was also discovered to be burning all its solid wastes within its premises contrary to the state’s Environmental Laws thereby exposing its workers and residents of its immediate communities to toxic and hazardous pollution as well as operating in a filthy environment,” the Commissioner said.

Oresanya stated that the company illegally demolished a fence bounding them with the same Christopher University so as to reclaim some portion of land and subsequently divert all storm water to the premises of the institution as well as their failure to heed government’s directives for proper remediation.

He emphasised that the state government will not fold its hands and watch the two industries expose the students of the institution and residents of their immediate communities suffer from their careless environmental infractions while they feel unconcerned.

For Star Pipe Limited, Sagamu, Oresanya said the company was shut after they refused entreaties to install effluent treatment plants into their facilities as they discharge raw and hydrochloric acid into their immediate environment.

This he said has led to contamination of ground water of these communities which has made the water unsafe and unhygienic.

The Commissioner added that the three companies will remain shut until they correct all the lapses detected as the state government is not interested in closing them down but for them to operate according to the best global environmental standards which the state government has adopted.