From Kunle Idowu, Abeokuta

The Ogun State Chapter of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists,NUJ was yesterday thrown into jubilation when one of its members,Mr Kehinde Onasanya was inaugurated as the 20th Head Of Service in the state.Speaking on the occasion,the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun explained that his administration would continue to fulfil all promises made to the public service by ensuring the provision of adequate working tools for the workforce.

At the inauguration which took place at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan ‘Dapo noted that the appointment of Mr, Onasanya symbolized a call to greater service. Prince Abiodun said that his administration would continue its commitment not only to the service but also to the broader development of humanity.According to him, the civil service is the backbone and the engine that drives the policies and the bridge that connects the aspiration of the people with the actions of the government.”As you are all very aware, civil service is the bedrock of our administration, the engine that drives our policies and the bridge that connects the aspiration of the people with the actions of the government.”It plays a crucial role in ensuring effective governance, effective service delivery, and the implementation of government programmes and initiatives.”As an administration that understands and acknowledges the role of the civil service, we remain guided by the principles of merit, character, competence and capability in the appointment of top civil servants,” he said.”Let me also use this opportunity to assure all our great workers of Ogun State that our administration will never renege on our promises,we will continue to fulfil all our promises made”We will continue to ensure the provision of policies and adequate effective working tools as well as a conducive working environment for the well-being, effectiveness, and efficiency of the Ogun State Public Service,” he said.Governor Abiodun challenged the new Head of Service to raise the standard of the state public service and urged him to tread the path of excellence his predecessors were known for.”I charge you to start raising the standard of the public service from the point where Mr Kolawole Peter Fagbohun left off while treading the path of excellence that all your predecessors are well reputed for.”By your appointment, you are now the standard bearer of the proud legacy as bequeathed by our forebears in the public service,” he added.In his remarks, Mr. Onasanya, while appreciating the governor for being a man of equity and fairness, assured that the civil service under his leadership would continue to support his administration.He called on workers in the state to embrace the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme, promising to gravitate towards improving the service.Onasanya promised that he would continue to ensure discipline and improve the ethical standard of the service in tandem with the state government’s agenda to grow its internally generated revenue.Governor Abiodun approved the appointment of Mr. Onasanya as the new Head of the Service on Monday, April 8.Onasanya took over from Mr. Kolawole Fagbohun, who retired after a meritorious service.Until his appointment, Mr. Onasanya was the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State government has issued the last warning to tanker drivers operating across the state over their failure to colour-coat their water tankers to indicate if they are carrying clean, safe-drinking water or industrial water in line with the Enugu State Water Sector Law of 2023, saying the timeline and extension date set for the implementation of the law had since elapsed in March.

At a meeting with the leadership of tanker drivers in Enugu over the weekend, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the government was committed to protecting members of the public against exploitation by some dubious tanker drivers who fetch unclean water from unhealthy environment and sell to residents as safe-drinking water, adding that the state had already constituted a taskforce that would from time-to-time stop and inspect water being conveyed by the tanker drivers.
While reading the riot act to the association of tanker drivers in the state against the backdrop of consistent damage and sabotage of water facilities in the state and the severe punishment awaiting erring drivers, the SSG said despite efforts by the Governor Peter Mbah administration to make water available to the capital city which is already successful with its extension capacity cutting across sub-urban areas, the government had no intention of running tanker drivers out of their livelihoods as they could still be creative in their approach.
According to him, the water law prescribes that every water tanker must bear either sky-blue colour to reflect clean drinking water or yellow colour to reflect industrial water.
He described as unacceptable a situation where drivers sell industrial water fetched from streams as borehole water from the Ninth Mile, warning that drivers not only risked having their tankers confiscated but also the arrest and prosecution of offenders.
“One of the provisions of the water law has to do with the colour-coating of your tankers to reflect who’s carrying drinking water and who’s carrying industrial water. It is important because some tanker drivers fetch water from anywhere and sell to people as drinking water and these are families and people’s children drinking the water.
“The governor will not condone that anymore. We will not. We know how to check for this. There’s going to be an enforcement team that has the backing of the Ministry of Water Resources that will randomly stop tankers after you must have colour-coated the tanks in line with the law to check the quality of the water. So, the sky-blue colour for drinking water with a bold inscription, “Drinking Water Supply” written on it. And the yellow colour for industrial water with a bold inscription showing it’s industrial water,” he added.
Prof Onyia, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, noted that enough time had been given to tanker drivers to repaint their tankers, explaining that the policy was to protect members of the public against gross exploitation and unsafe water capable of causing water-borne disease.
Reacting to the frequent destruction of water facilities and other public utilities, the SSG said that a joint taskforce had already been set up to deal with those perpetrating acts of  economic sabotage against the state, urging people involved in the dastardly acts to desist as those caught would have themselves to blame.

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Government has begun online registration for student indigens in tertiary institutions across the country for the payment of the year 2024 Bursary allowances
The Commissioner for Education, Hon. Wemi Jones, while speaking at the event held at the Ministry of Education headquarters in Lokoja on Monday,  described Gov Usman Ododo as one that matches his words with actions in ensuring that education is made a sustainable tool for development.

He disclosed that over 5700 students had, within two days, applied to be beneficiaries, and urged the students to take advantage of the gesture in funding their education.
The Commissioner encouraged every student of the State in tertiary institutions across the country to log into the portal to enable them benefit from the scholarship, assuring that the process is seamless and transparent.
Jones explained that the State Government was committed to planning and adequately funding education in the State, using the State strategic plan with adequate budgetary provision.
While pointing out that the State under former Gov. Yahaya Bello surpassed the UNESCO requirement for funding education, he disclosed that the State under Gov. Ododo was committed to sustaining and improving on the education legacy it inherited from the past administration.
“The establishment of two State Universities by the last administration under former Gov. Bello, was made with the intention to satisfy students from the State seeking admission to study their courses of Choice.
“The legacies of former Gov. Yahaya Bello will be sustained in the education sector. I urge students from the State to visit the existing portal for Bursary application to be able to access it from any part of the country,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Kogi State Scholarship Board, Mr. Raji Afolabi, assured of a very transparent process, saying the registration process would close by the end of April.
He explained that the Board would, after the registration, develop a budget for the categories of persons that would benefit from the scholarship.
Towards being part of the scholarship beneficiary, he urged prospective beneficiaries to register by visiting https://scholarshipboard.kogistate.gov.ng
The Board Chairman called on the National leadership of NAKOSS to help in mobilizing their members towards taking advantage of the Ododo Student Support 2024.
In his remarks, Oladele Nihi, Special Adviser on Students and Youths Affairs, expressed his appreciation to Gov. Ododo for matching words with action, adding that the fulfillment of the Governor’s promise underscored the present administration’s love for Youths and Students.
Oladele lauded Gov. Ododo for placing priority and premium on welfare of Youths and Student Affairs since his assumption of office.
“Gov. Ododo does not want Finance to impede the activities of the Scholarship Board. He has by his action to match words with action promised to ensure that all the budgetary provision needed for the Board to carry out its function is released,” he said.
On his part, NAKOSS National President, Jeremiah Elukpo, described the Scholarship scheme for Kogi State Students in tertiary institutions across the country as unprecedented.
“Let me use this medium to appreciate Gov. Ododo for his steadfast initiative. We are pleased with the seamless process for the pre-qualification stage,” he said.