NEWS
Ogun: Abiodun Threatens to Punish Traditional Rulers Selling Government Land
From Kunle Idowu, Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun yesterday accused some traditional rulers in the state of selling lands belonging to the state government, noting that henceforth, anyone found engaging in such acts will be dealt with.
He warned that his administration would take disciplinary action against any person found selling land in its forest reserves and plantation across the state.
Governor Abiodun stated this at the Statutory Meeting of the state’s Council of Obas, held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He described the actions of the people, including some Obas who sell government land, as unpatriotic.
He said: “We will continue to seek your support in the area of lands. Sadly, cases have been reported to us here in Abeokuta about some of our monarchs who have taken upon themselves to allocate government land, government forest reserve, plantations to others. They’ve been allocating and selling government lands.
“I have found this very difficult to believe. I consider this extremely unpatriotic that our monarchs will now begin to allocate such lands to others, and worse still, in some of the areas, the land is being allocated to non-Ogun State indigenes
“Our Kabiyesis are colluding with people from outside Ogun State and give our land to them in our plantations and they are coming there, deforesting them. They are destroying the plantation. They are planting Indian Hemp there. I was completely heartbroken when I heard this news, and when we actually verified, it was true.
“As a responsible state government, we will not have any choice but to take disciplinary action against any person found culpable of such an act; any person, be it Kabiyesi or any person.
“Because this land does not belong to me, it doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to our collective patrimony; it is our collective property that we own as a state. It is our commonwealth, and we should endeavour to ensure that we do not engage in such acts capable of tarnishing the image of the royalty and the throne.”
Governor Abiodun who intimated the monarchs of his administration’s efforts at bringing in more investors to invest in the State, said the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Ogun State Dry Port at Kajola would be signed between the state government and a private investor before the end of the year, while discussions on the use of the Cargo Airport by Beninoise investors had been held with that country’s President.
“It means in Ogun State, we will now have a dry port that will now enable all of us, including our industries and manufacturers, to now ship their goods from anywhere in the world to Kajola. This Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between now and Christmas.
“Last week, I met with the President of Benin Republic. He shared with me the fact that the government of Benin Republic has heard so much about our airport, sent delegates and determined as a government that they want to be the first customer to export from our airport.
“They have decided that all their agro produce will be brought down from the Benin Republic to our airport and will be exported to the rest of the world from our airport.”
On his administration plan for the health sector, the governor noted that the state government has decided to concession the 250-bed hospital in Abeokuta.
According to the governor, the state does not have the capacity to run the hospital, hence the decision to allow others to handle its day to day activities.
“We are going to be signing the Memorandum of Understanding on the 250 Bed Hospital right here in Abeokuta.
“We realize that the state will not be able to run that hospital because as it is, our tertiary hospital, OOUTH, costs the state almost N300 million every month in salaries alone. We appreciate the fact that the state is not in a position to run that hospital the way it needs to be run.
“From what we have seen and done, if that hospital is properly run, medical tourism will be attracted to that hospital.
“So, the state has adopted a template that we will be the landlord owning that property, and others should come and take the concession of that property and run it professionally.
“Before the end of the year, we are also signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the Afrexim Bank and the medical group that has agreed to take over that hospital, complete it and operationalize it professionally,” he added.
Prince Abiodun expressed gratitude to the Obas for their support during and after the governorship election.
He called on them to continue partnering the government in the area of security by providing intelligence reports that would help security agencies to perform optimally for the socio-economic development of the state.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, acknowledged the partnership between the state government and the traditional institution that has brought about peace at the grassroots, calling on them to continue to support the government in bringing development to every part of the state.
The Chairman, Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, lauded the state government for its developmental stride in all parts of the state, appreciating the governor for his magnanimity to the traditional institution.
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fix the internal crisis in the party as the PDP is capable of fixing the country.Makinde, who spoke yesterday at the inauguration of the Board of Governors and Unveiling of Roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI), said that as the nation approaches 2027 for another general election, it was clear that the PDP has the capacity to provide direction for Nigerians.
The Oyo State Governor, who was the special guest at the occasion, asked rhetorically, “What would you want to be remembered for? This is a question every politician who has had to serve at any capacity in our great nation should ask themselves. Because players would come and go.”The situation is so dynamic, but you have to be remembered for something.”From 2019, I’ve been benefitting from PDP. So, I want to say thank you to our great party, and all the stakeholders gathered here today, for giving me the opportunity to get not one, but two mandates, back to back, under this umbrella.”The only thing I can promise you is that since I have fetched water from that well I have been drinking since 2019, I will not pollute the well when it is time for me to exit that position.”The journey to this day has not been all smooth, but I’m thankful that we are able to overcome all the obstacles along the way.”On the PDI, Makinde said that with inauguration of the institute Board of Governors, the PDP is moving a step closer to defining the ideology that the party stands for, and cementing what the party as a whole will want to be remembered for.He said, “Let me especially thank all the people that are members of the party that has put aside grievances, and played a role in the re-establishment and revitalisation of the PDI” recalling that the institute was formed during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”So, one will take a pause and say okay, what happened during the 16 years of PDI in power nationally? “You can see that with the PDI, there is a pivotal rule, and during those years, we can rightly refer to as the golden years, because since we are working through the plan, we got debt forgiveness, we were interacting with everybody around the world, we were not in pariah relations,” he said.He called on members to rally round the party and set aside their differences, saying there was need for true reconciliation and unity to wrestle power from the APC in Ondo State, whose governorship election has been slated for November 16, 2024.In his contribution, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, noted that parties are built on ideas, philosophies and policies, stressing the need to move away from building ideas on self and ambition.Sakari said: “We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party. We cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts from. This is the foundation that is important. “Let us desist from talking about who is running for councillor, or who is running for governor, or who is running for president in 2027. Let us talk about what PDP is. What does PDP represent? What are the issues and policies that we must take into account?”This is what is important for us. This is what Nigerians outside want to know. This is what is important.”Earlier the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb Umar Damagum ,who was represented by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Hon. Umar Bature, said there needed to reposition and unite the party to play its opposition role.
From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu has expressed profound sadness over the sudden death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who, until his passing, was Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army.Describing the death of Lagbaja as a great loss to the Nigerian Army, the military, and the entire nation, Governor Otu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, said: “The late Chief of Army Staff’s untimely departure is a devastating blow and a monumental loss not only to the military but to our nation as a whole.
”Lamenting the painful death of Lt. General Lagbaja while acknowledging his bravery, Governor Otu noted that “he was known for his unwavering commitment, exemplary leadership, and dedicated service to Nigeria. Throughout his distinguished career, he played a crucial role in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and enhancing the security of our citizens.”The governor praised the fallen Chief of Army Staff and his strategic vision, saying: “His relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of challenges was inspiring to all who served under him.”As the nation mourns the loss of Lagbaja, Governor Otu urged Nigerians to celebrate the late Chief of Army Staff’s legacy of courage, bravery, and dedication, adding that “Lt. General Lagbaja’s service to Nigeria will forever be remembered, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of military personnel.”On behalf of the government and the good people of Cross River State, Governor Otu extended his deepest sympathies to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Army, adding: “May his soul rest in peace, and may we find solace in the memories of his service to our nation.”
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday said the Media has a duty to hold the elected and appointed officials accountable and ensure that they do their work in a manner to strengthen democracy and not weaken it.He said in any thriving democracy, the roles of the government and the media are intertwined, both essential in serving the public interest.
Saying the alignment enables us to achieve common goals that benefit society at large. Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation Hon. Mohammed Idris handed down this during the 20th All Nigeria Guild of Editors Conference at the Banquet Hall in Yenagoa the state capital.He said in the room are many veteran journalists who played very important roles in ushering in the age of enduring democracy in Nigeria. “I salute your individual and collective efforts not just at that time, but even right through to today, as we celebrate a quarter of a century of unbroken democratic experience”.This year’s theme which was titled:”Economic Growth and Development Strategies in a Resource-Rich Country” had in attendance media moguls across the federation.According to the president, “Indeed, our roles are most effective when they are not adversarial but cooperative.By viewing each other as allies in nation-building, we can create an environment where transparency, accountability, and mutual respect thrive. Together, the government and the media can empower citizens, strengthen democratic institutions, and build a more informed and resilient society”.”As editors and media managers, your role in national development cannot be overemphasized. You are the custodians of public perception, the gatekeepers of information, and, importantly, the voice of the people. You have the power to shape narratives that inspire, inform, and engage Nigerians positively and productively. We count on you to report truthfully and to engage constructively to help the public understand not only what this government is doing but also why we are doing it.With a united effort from government, citizens, and the media alike, we can build a resilient, diversified economy that offers security, opportunity, and hope for all Nigerians”.In his opening speech, the host governor senator Douye Diri said, the significance of the media in democratic governance has been recognised since the 17th century. Speaking as the fourth pillar of democracy, the press educates, informs, and entertains, shaping public agenda and debate. Democracy relies heavily on the press to thrive.According to Diri, as ethnic nationalities and diverse interests vie for attention, “your work serves as a beacon of hope, promoting understanding and unity. In these turbulent times around our nation and the world at large, your role as guardians of truth is more critical than ever”.He said integrity remains the cornerstone of the profession, building trust with the public and fortifying the foundations of a healthy democracy.“Economic Growth and Development Strategies in Resource-Rich Country,” your theme for this conference, is both relevant and timely. Therefore, we implore you as editors and influential voices, to advocate for policies that prioritise sustainable development and empower local communities.In his goodwill message, the former governor also of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba urged the NGE before they leave to set up a committee to look into the crisis brewing in the NUJ, “they are supposed to hold their annual conference but some people are saying that the president has overstayed his tenure and they took him to court. “You are the only united group after the NPAN to intervene in that crisis brewing in the NUJ”.In his speech, the chairman of conference Chief Nduka Obaigbena said, the time is hard but Nigeria journalists are harder so they have to be tough to cope with the time.He said, Nigeria needs to be fixed first if we want to get it right, saying that it is the first thing to do and work hard to ensure that we also protect our Industries.”Are we going to protect Dangote refinery from cheap imports? If Dangote fails then we all have failed. If we are going to use whatever means to deal with the oil mafias, we should keep our refinery alive. If you say you want to stop monopoly then the four refineries must work””Let that four refineries be completed with Dangote so that they can compete. We challenge the Minister of information to get the refineries working. Everybody is feeling the pains in the country”.In his welcome address, the president of Nigeria Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba said, the biggest threat to media survivors today is availability of resource materials. Saying they are here because they recognize the critical role that both a strong economy and a resilient media sector play in fostering a prosperous, informed and democratic society.”Today, as editors, we stand at a crossroads where our decisions, priorities and strategies will shape the future of our country and journalism. The growth of our nation’s economy directly influences every sector, and our industry is no exception. A strong economy fuels consumer spending, drives innovation, and creates opportunities for media organizations to expand and thrive. Yet with opportunities come new challenges.”Media organizations face mounting pressure to adapt to modern trends while staying financially viable and maintaining journalistic integrity. Now, we thought the only challenge facing the media will be adapting to modern trends. But the biggest threat to media survivors today is availability of resource materials to produce our papers or to broadcast on our TV stations.”The growth of our nation’s economy directly influences every sector, and our industry is no exception. Today’s economic landscape demands that we be agile and innovative.”Many media houses are devising different ways to survive. However, as we exploit these strategies, we must keep sight of our mission to provide accurate, trustworthy and independent information to our audiences.”Sustainability is about more than economic survival. It’s about preserving the values and principles that make our profession a pillar of democracy. And there is a constitutional guarantee for that.Section 22 of our constitution challenges us to hold the government to account despite the poverty in our profession today because we are struggling to meet demand conditions.”The Constitution builds on us to hold the government to account. So at the same time, we must consider how we as editors can contribute to broader economic growth. We know that reliable media support informed citizens, foster accountability and encourage investments in democratic institutions.”An informed public is empowered to make decisions that spur economic growth, create jobs and promote sustainability, in this our work is essential not only to our audiences but also to our economic and social fabrics of our country.”
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