Ogun State Governor as announced a N5 billion intervention fund to mitigate the effects of growing living costs and inflation in the state

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Recognising the concerns raised by our citizens regarding the increase in food prices and shortages, along with the depreciation of the naira, our administration has planned a series of initiatives aimed at relieving the burden on all our citizens during this trying period. These initiatives will be implemented in phases and will focus on the following sectors:

Education Sector:

1. We will provide a minimum of five exercise books to all 850,000 students in our public primary and secondary schools.

2. A one-time education support grant of ₦10,000 will be given to at least 100,000 pupils in our public primary and secondary schools.

3. We will provide an education grant of N50,000 each to the 27,600 indigent students in various tertiary institutions nationwide.

Health:

1. We will offer insurance health cover to over 70,000 beneficiaries, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, market women, and members of the informal sector.

2. Under the Ibidero Scheme, pregnant women will receive free prenatal care, an additional ₦5,000 per birth, and free postnatal care in the state hospitals and primary health care centres.

Agriculture:

1. Food palliatives, including rice and other food items, will be provided to approximately 300,000 households across the state.

Civil Service:

1. We will start clearing the backlog of inherited deductions in the civil service. For this purpose, ₦500 million will be allocated monthly towards outstanding deductions.

2. It is important to note that we have been consistently paying a ₦10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the past 8 months.

These immediate interventions across all sectors of the state economy amount to approximately ₦5 billion. We are confident that we will overcome this temporary economic situation. The sacrifices we make now are necessary for a better future.

We would like to express our gratitude to our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continuous efforts in navigating the complexities of our nation’s economy. We acknowledge his dedication to steering the ship through difficult times, and we appreciate his leadership.

TASUED Student Arrested for Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Cultism

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An undergraduate student from Tai Solarin University of Education, Abdul-Azeez Ibrahim, was arrested by the Ogun State police for alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and cult activities.

Abdul-Azeez, taken into custody last Saturday in Ijebu Ode, is believed to be the hitman and weapons handler for the Neo-Black Movement of Africa, commonly known as ‘Black Axe’.

According to a brief statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on his verified X account, explained that the suspect is an extra-year student at the university.

“Police arrest suspected armed robber, cultist, and kidnapper in Ogun State.

“Ogun State Police Command, on 27th January 2024 at about 2.30 am, arrested one Abdul-Azeez Ibrahim, aka Butcher, in the Ijebu Ode Area .

He is the hit man and armorer for the Neo Black Movement of Africa, aka Black Axe, in Ijebu Ode. He is an extra year student of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State”, he wrote.

Adejobi assured that the Ogun State police command would soon provide details to the media regarding the case.

Photographs of Abdul-Azeez surfaced, displaying various weapons like double-barrel guns, locally crafted English pistols, and a garment suspected to be an outfit used during the group’s operations.

Ogun State Man Arrested For Macheting Brother Over Sex Demands

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A man identified as Ibrahim Salisu has been detained by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly macheting his elder brother, Malaimi Yellow, to death over alleged segxwal demand.

The incident happened in the Araromi Street, Sango-Ota area at about 11:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29.

The victim, a 54-year-old man, had allegedly been demanding sex from his younger brother. Due to Yellow’s ceaseless segxwal demands, the younger brother killed him with a machete.

When the Ogun State Police Command arrested Salisu, he admitted to the crime.

The police have since taken the victim’s body to the Ifo General Hospital Mortuary, where an autopsy is expected to be performed.

The spokesperson for the command, Odutola Omolola, told Punch that the case will be transferred once the preliminary investigation is completed.

Governor Dapo Abiodun assures Ogun residents of infrastructure development in 2024

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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has called on the people of the state to embrace the year 2024 with renewed hope as his administration is working hard to make life bearable for them.

Abiodun, while congratulating the people for making it into the New Year, said his administration would redouble its efforts towards meeting their needs, pledging to do so with sincerity, humility and integrity.

He also promised to govern with unwavering dedication, equity, inclusiveness and accountability, as well as upholding the rule of law.

The governor, who gave the promise in his New Year broadcast to the people of the state, noted that 2023 had been a challenging year for many Nigerians because of the precarious economic situations in the country.

He, however, lauded the people for remaining steadfast despite all odds.

Abiodun, who emphasised that his government had achieved significant milestones, covering substantial grounds across the state, said: “In 2023, we faced numerous challenges, but together, we were resolute, focused, and we emerged united and stronger. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to you, the good citizens and residents of Ogun State for your unwavering support, cooperation, resilience, and unflinching loyalty.

“All ongoing projects would be completed while new frontiers would be opened under the ‘ISEYA’ mantra, even in the face of global socio-economic challenges.

“We have prioritised the provision of the required infrastructure, particularly in the transportation sector. We have constructed or rehabilitated over 500 kilometres of roads across the state, thus ensuring improved transportation and connectivity. Our commitment to equitable development is evident, as these works are spread across our 20 local councils in the state.

“We have also embarked on our multi-modal transport master plan, encompassing land, air, water and rail modes of transportation. The Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport project, initiated a little over two years ago, is set to commence passenger and cargo operations in the first quarter 2024. This world-class airport and economic enabler will provide over 25,000 job opportunities.”

He noted that power supply is being enhanced and expanded to improve electricity, while the state remained the first in Nigeria to deploy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuelled buses, which has resulted in reduced transport fares.

He also announced the restoration of water supply to major towns, especially Abeokuta and its environs, as the results of complete rehabilitation of Arakanga waterworks and pipeline reticulation.

On healthcare delivery, the governor said over 100 primary healthcare centres in 100 wards were renovated and equipped, among others.

Abiodun, who further disclosed that over 60,000 women had been empowered through various intervention programmes, said over 1,200 classrooms had been reconstructed, 5,000 teachers recruited, and thousands of desks and chairs provided to make the learning environment conducive.

Igbesa community Of Ogun State protests alleged forced acquisition of land by Chinese

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Land owners in Igbesa town, Ogun State, have protested against alleged forced encroachment and acquisition of their lands by the management of Guangdong Free Trade Zone, largely occupied by Chinese companies,

They alleged that their houses, farms and other amenities were being demolished in the process.

The protesters marched peacefully along Captain David Road in Igbesa with placards expressing their grievances against the Chinese companies.

They claimed that the companies systematically encroached on the lands, using armed policemen, soldiers, operatives of the Department of States Services (DSS), and thugs.

According to them, the companies took over lands beyond what was officially allotted to them in 2007.

A large number of Mobile Police officers were deployed to stop the action. However, the presence of journalists covering the event appeared to have restrained them. Consequently, the officers addressed the protesters, urging them to be peaceful as they expressed their grievances, which they said the company would look into.

Addressing newsmen, chairman of the Igbesa Community Association, Solomon Ajose, said: “Our community was approached in 2007 by an entourage, led by the former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Badru Salimot, to solicit for a large expanse of land for industrial purposes.

Though they promised to develop road networks, provide electricity, pipe borne water, job opportunities and other amenities, our people in Igbesa were sceptical and refused to cede their lands to them for acquisition.

“They left Igbesa afterwards to Ejila-Awori, a nearby community, to negotiate. There, 12 villages gave them 400 hectares of land, which they fenced up and later abandoned, owing to the topography of the place and its inaccessibility. This made them come back to Igbesa, where some of our people betrayed their good conscience and gave about 250 hectares to them.”

Ajose corroborated his assertion with survey maps, indicating areas acquired by the Chinese and the vast lands belonging to the community, which were not originally ceded but formed parts that are currently encroached.

He added: “What they claim to be the lands allocated to them cannot be verified from the Ogun State Bureau of Lands and Survey, neither are they gazetted with the State Ministry of Justice.”

Corroborating, the first chairman of Igbesa Community Association, Owolabi Kehinde, said: “In addition to what Ajose said, in 2007, Governor Gbenga Daniel sent a delegation to Igbesa, led by the Deputy Governor, with Alhaji Gbenga Isiaka in the delegation, to ask the community to release part of their land for the establishment of the Guangdong Free Trade Zone, which we resisted at first. But after a lot of consultation, we decided to lease part of our land.

“A survey was carried out, resulting in the release of about 225 hectares of land from Igbesa, and about 400 hectares from Ejila Awori. Afterwards, enumeration was carried out and compensation paid.

“In 2017, to our dismay, the Guangdong management started extending beyond their allotted space into our farmlands and houses, demolishing every structure found on the land. We confronted them peacefully but our cries fell on deaf ears, resulting in peaceful protests by our people from time to time.

Rather than the management listening to us, they resorted to using police officers to hound and arrest our people, particularly Ajose, who was picked to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, dragged to court, and after several appearances, he was discharged and acquitted.

“At the moment, they closed the only access road to Ajure Imota from Igbesa, stopping residents from accessing modern amenities, including banking, hospitals, schools, and others. Chemicals from their factories have destroyed our major source of water, killing all the aquatic lives, and making it undrinkable.”

During a visit to the company, one Ajayi Kabir, who introduced himself as the representative of the Group Managing Director, said the GMD was not on seat to attend to newsmen.

He promised to organise a meeting where the management would respond to allegations by the community.

Save your daughters from cervical cancer with HPV vaccine – Ogun begs parents

The Ogun State Government has appealed to parents and guardians to save their daughters from cervical cancer by ensuring they receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This is as the Ogun State Government commences the statewide HPV vaccination on Tuesday. Speaking with newsmen ahead of the HPV vaccination exercise, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, urged parents to disregard the rumour that the vaccine would make their daughters infertile. According to her, the vaccine is mainly to protect them against cervical cancer, which she said is currently the only cancer that could be prevented with a vaccine. Coker disclosed that the HPV vaccine is targeted at girls between the ages of nine and 14. Urging parents to make their daughters available for the vaccine, she said: “We are starting our HPV vaccination campaign on the 24th of October. This is targeted at our daughters between the ages of nine and 14. This is the vaccination against Human Papillomavirus, which is the cause of cervical cancer in 95 percent of cases. Cervical cancer is the only cancer that has a vaccine against it. It will be a travesty if, perhaps, any of our daughters in 50 to 60 years’ time end up with cervical cancer because we, the parents, have chosen for them to have this cancer. “My appeal to parents is to allow their daughters to take the vaccine. I am a parent myself. I have one daughter and she took the vaccine at the age of 12. She’s now 26.” She also added: “I’m appealing to you to ignore the videos that have gone viral, giving misinformation. The HPV vaccine doesn’t sterilise, and it does not render our children infertile. Rather, it keeps them safe and prevents them from ending up dying from cervical cancer.”

Ogun banks shut down as robbers send ‘notice of attack’

Commercials banks in Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun State have refused to open for business over fear of being attacked by armed robbers.


Sources said the banks have since Monday down tools following letters allegedly sent to some of them by the suspected robbers.

The fear of the bankers were not unconnected with the way some of the banks were robbed some years ago, with lives lost to gunshots.

At the moment, Report gathered that the banks have insisted on not opening their branches except the Ogun State Government assist the police with armoured personnel carriers to be mounted close to their branches.


Some residents of Ijebu-Ode told our correspondent anonymously that many had been travelling to places like Sagamu, Abeokuta and others to deposit or withdraw money.

A Point-of-Sale (POS) operator, who identified himself as Salam, lamented that the development portends “great danger” for him and others in the business in Ijebu-Ode.

“We withdraw money from banks to pay our customers and we also deposit in the bank when we have large sums of money in our kitty. If the banks are not opening, it will negatively affect us. In fact, it is affecting me already. I’ve been going to Sagamu to make withdrawals. It is bad,” Salam lamented.


The DPO of Igbeba, Ijebu-Ode, CSP Musiliu Ishola Doga, confirmed that the banks do not open.

Doga, however, debunked the rumour that armed robbers sent letters to the banks.

According to him, the police were on 24-hour patrol of all Ijebu-Ode metropolis, wondering why the bankers would refuse to open for business because there are no armoured personnel carriers stationed around them.

“It was a rumour that a letter or message was sent to the banks. None of them can confirm that message. It was just a rumour as far as I am concerned. But we are doing our own job. We are doing our own patrol and we shall continue to engage the bankers in meetings, to ensure them that we are up to the task. But I think they willingly don’t want to open the banks.


“If there are no armoured personnel carriers, does that mean there are no policemen in the town? What is the attachment of armoured personnel carriers, are they not policemen? It is good they are not complaining of not seeing police. Police is everywhere. They are not complaining of no police, they are now complaining of armoured personnel carrier. I don’t know what is the work of the armoured personnel carrier that police cannot do. Mobile policemen, conventional policemen, we are all on the street as I speak with you. That is the fact of the issue,” Doga explained.

In his advice, the DPO appealed to the bankers and members of the public not to nurse any fear over the matter.

According to him, the police is ready to protect lives and property, saying they are capable of handling the situation.

“The bankers and the people should not panic. We, the police, are ready to protect lives and properties. We are on 24 hours duty. There is no problem. We are capable of handling the whole situation,” he assured.

Also, the Ogun State Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, corroborated Doga’s submission, saying: “They are just entertaining fear where there is none; even the Area Commander and the DPOs have told them that there is no need to fear. Why should they be afraid because there are no Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC)? Even if the APCs are working, is it not the police that will operate them?

“The police are on ground to provide adequate security for lives and property. They are the ones that know why they are entertaining fear. We have assured them of their protection and our presence everywhere in Ijebu-Ode and everywhere in Ogun state. There is no reason to be panicking,” Oyeyemi stated.