NAWIS beacon of hope for younger generation – Aiyedatiwa

May 3, 2024

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has described Association of Nigeria Women in Sports (NAWIS) as a beacon of hope to younger generation and enjoined them to maintain the link across various sphere of the society.

The Governor added that as people United by love through sports, they should keep the passion and do more in transmitting same to young ladies through constant communication, encouragement, enlightenment and mentorship.

Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Special Adviser on Gender, Mrs Olamide Falana, stated this at the 12th Annual Conference of Association of Nigeria Women in Sports held in Akure ,the state capital with the theme: “Dynamics of Gender and sports participation: The place of Women in sports in Nigeria”

He urged the association to keep in mind that the future is female, adding that the future of sports lie in the women strength and collective capacities .

According to the Governor, “Women can insist and build a more gender balanced sporting world that we will be proud of.

“Women have faced challenges such as lack of access to training facilities, limited funding and resources, discrimination and unequal treatment compared to their male counterparts.

“These barriers have hindered the development of women’s sports in Nigeria and have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in the sporting arena.

Despite these, records showed that women are doing well above their male counterparts.

“We are forever proud of Miss Tobi Amusan OON, a gold medalist, who has also succeeded in attaining the title as the first ever Nigerian world champion and World Record holder in 100 metres hurdles.

In her address, founder of NAWIS, Prof. Florence Adeyanju said the association was founded with the aim to build formidable women and girls to help them develop their career through sports.

She appreciated the Association of Women in Sports in Nigeria for choosing Ondo, our sunshine state as the venue for such an auspicious event, saying it will surely go into the anals of our history as a sports loving state.”

While speaking, National President of NAWIS, professor Olufunke Suleiman reiterated that the association was established by Professor, Florence Adeyanju to protect and build formidable women and girls and help them develop their career through sports.

She added that it was also to protect the interest of girls and women and also to protect them against any form of harassment and help them attain their desired goals in their choosing career.

In her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Association Of Nigeria Women in sports, Ondo State chapter, Princess Adejoke Adebusoye , said the 12 annual national Conference of the association is more than just a meeting of minds, saying it is a celebration of achievements, knowledge, innovation and collaboration.

She urged members of the association to take advantage of the gathering to make new connections, adding that it’s a moment to broaden their horizons and embrace the wealth of expertise that are around.

The chairman of the event, Prof. Olugbenga Ige while declaring the conference open, said there are enough strength in women, adding that women in sports are very fantastic.

He added that it’s pertinent to continue to encourage girls in sports to enable them to continue excelling in their career.

According to him, the Conference is meant to bring out the best of the association and I’m very sure that when the recommendation of this conference will be out , it will benefit women immensely”, he stated.

GOV AIYEDATIWA UNVEILS E-LEARNING PLATFORM FOR YOUTH TRAINING

May 2, 2024

Urges young graduates to embrace skill acquisition, entrepreneurship

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering the growth and prosperity of young people in the State.

The Governor made this assertion during the flag-off ceremony of the Public Service Training Institute (PSTI) Youth Empowerment Programme and the unveiling of the Institute’s e-Learning Platform for training at Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore local government area of the State on Thursday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who congratulated the youths in Ifedore for being the inaugural beneficiaries of the e-Learning programme, encouraged young people to pursue self-employment through skill acquisition for lasting empowerment.

He emphasized the importance of seizing training opportunities and highlighted the significance of knowledge economy driven by quality education and technology, urging youths to prioritize technological skills.

Emphasizing his administration’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, the Governor reiterated the provision of essential support for young individuals to generate wealth and make substantial contributions to the state’s advancement.

“Our administration recognizes that government alone cannot drive economic growth. It is through proactive collaboration with communities through the empowerment of our youths that we can unlock the full potential of our economy,” stated Governor Aiyedatiwa.

Highlighting the achievements of his administration in the past 120 days, Governor Aiyedatiwa outlined initiatives such as grants for young entrepreneurs, tech skills training for over 600 individuals, and ongoing recruitment efforts in key sectors like health and education.

The Governor announced plans to establish new model technical schools in Ondo State and reiterated the state’s commitment to hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Festival later in the year, providing a platform for youth to showcase their talents and innovations.

Commending the efforts of PSTI in training and capacity building, Governor Aiyedatiwa pledged continued support from his administration and urged the Institute to maintain its dedication to service delivery.

Earlier, in his remarks, Olumide Asere, the Director General of PSTI, emphasized the imperative for Nigerian youth to ready themselves for a competitive future by taking proactive steps now.

Acknowledging the role of youth as the foundation of any society, Asere emphasized the program’s specific focus on youth development and skill acquisition, with notable support from the state government.

Also, Mr. Bayo Philips, the Head of Service, urged the youths to aspire to become job creators and emphasized the importance of hard work in achieving their goals.

Those in attendance included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Wale Akinlosotu and the Alara of Ilara-Mokin, Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti.

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
May 2, 2024.

FUEL SCARCITY: ONDO GOVT INTERVENES, AS MARKETERS ASSURE OF IMPROVED SUPPLY

May 1, 2024

Marketers urge residents against panic buying

Today, the office of the Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources rounded off meetings that commenced on Monday, April 29 with the leadership of Independent and Major Petroleum Marketers in Ondo State.

The State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, had directed an immediate intervention in the fuel shortage within the state which culminated in these meetings.

The government officials sought and secured the support of the marketers, and true to their commitment the fuel situation has started recoding some improvements this evening, Wednesday, May 1.

The marketers advised members of public to avoid panic buying as the issue of logistic creating the hiccups in the supply chain would be resolved very soon.

I’LL CONTINUE TO TAKE YOUR WELFARE AS PRIORITY, GOV AIYEDATIWA ASSURES WORKERS ON MAY DAY

May 1, 2024

2015 gratuity to be cleared soon; promotion to be fast-tracked
Recruitment into health, education, other sectors to continue
Gov appoints ex-NULGE leader as Special Adviser on Union Matters

Ondo state Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration will continue to promote industrial peace and operate an open and transparent governance, with the welfare of workers as a major priority of his administration.

The Governor stated this while addressing workers during the celebration of the 2024 Worker’s Day at the Gani Fawehimi Freedom Arcade, along Igbatoro road in Akure, on Wednesday.

Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed his delight in celebrating his first Workers’ Day as the Governor of Ondo State, emphasizing the importance of the event amidst preparations for the upcoming gubernatorial election in the State.

Reflecting on the state’s record of industrial peace, the Governor said the modest achievements of his administration could not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of workers.

The Governor said: “In demonstration of our commitment to the welfare of workers in the State, our administration is giving priority attention to the following, among others:

i. regular payment of salaries and pensions, steady payment of gratuity and payment of backlog of salaries. This has brought relief to both serving and retired officers;

ii. regular promotion of workers with financial backing is being prioritised. This is to keep motivating our workers for quality service delivery. The promotion exercise for the current year is ongoing and I have given the Head of Service the go ahead to commence next year’s promotion exercise before the close of the year to enable eligible workers get their 2025 promotion letter at the beginning of year 2025. This approach will make it possible for retiring officers to get their terminal promotion early enough to process their terminal benefits as appropriate;

iii. full implementation of the workers’ Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, ORANGHIS. The Scheme has provided access to quality and affordable healthcare services for all workers in the State. Our administration is also considering the inclusion of pensioners in the Scheme as doing so will provide them access to affordable necessary healthcare in their retirement years;

iv. monthly commitment of N200million for steady payment of inherited arrears of gratuities in addition to the special provision of over N1.2Billion to clear arrears of gratuities up to 2014. Efforts are also underway to settle arrears of year 2015 gratuities in one fell swoop in the course of the current year. Of course, I consider this and the monthly steady payment of outstanding gratuities more meaningful than the unsustainable interim arrangement of N10,000 Wage Award to each pensioners;

v. the steady recruitment into the State Public Service has been given priority attention as our administration has given new approval for the recruitment of the following categories of officers and the processes have commenced: Over 1,000 personnel in the health sector; and 2,000 personnel in the education sector.

vi. the upward review and payment of hazard allowance to health workers in the State and review of salaries and entry point of Medical Doctors are being implemented;

vii. implementation of tutors’ elongation of service from 35 to 40-year length of service and from 60 to 65 years of age respectively, has been approved to shore-up the dwindling staff strength in our public schools.

“I want to assure our workers and the generality of our people that Nigerian economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is on the way to recovery. With the ongoing economic reforms coupled with the tenacity of Nigerians, let us be optimistic that things would fully turn around for the better, very soon.”

The Governor, at the event, announced the appointment of a former President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Bola Taiwo, as his Special Adviser on Union Matters.

In separate remarks at the ceremony, labour leaders in the state, including Comrade Victor Amoko, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Clement Fatuase, praised Governor Aiyedatiwa for his unwavering support to Ondo State workers. They commended the administration’s efforts in education, security, infrastructure, and healthcare, citing various commendable programs and interventions.

Earlier in his remark, Mr. Bayo Philip, the Head of Service, urged workers to exert their utmost efforts, assuring them that the governor is committed to improving their wages through the implementation of various measures.

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
May 1, 2024.

Ondo state governor makes new appointment on workers day

May 1, 2024

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has appointed Mr Taiwo Bola as his Special Adviser on Union matters.

Comrade Bola Taiwo was President of NULGE in Ondo State for two terms.

Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the appointment during his speech on workers’ day celebration held at the Gani Fawehimi freedom arcade Igbatoro road Akure.

New minimum wage takes off May 1, FG declares

May 1, 2024

The Federal Government says although the Tripartite Committee On National Minimum Wage is yet to conclude its negotiations, workers will not lose anything as the new minimum wage will take effect from May 1, 2024.

The Minister of State Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, stated this on Wednesday while addressing Nigerian workers at the May Day celebration in Abuja.

She said it is regrettable that the new national minimum wage is not ready before today, but that a wide consultation is ongoing to ensure that the document is out together as soon as possible.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have at various times called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to hasten the upward review of wage awards. Of late, the Organised Labour demanded N615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers to cope with the many economic realities and high cost of living in Nigeria.

The labour unions said the current minimum wage of N30,000 can no longer cater for the wellbeing of an average Nigerian worker, lamenting that not all governors are paying the current wage award which expired in April, five years after the Minimum Wage Act of 2019 was signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The Act is to be reviewed every five years to meet up with contemporary economic demands of workers.

Tinubu Lauds Nigerian Workers

Meanwhile, President Tinubu has lauded the contributions of workers in Nigeria to the growth of the country.

He gave the commendation in his address to the workers presented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at an event to mark the 2024 Workers’ Day in Abuja.

He said the Federal government is opened to receive the recommendations of the committee on the new national minimum wage.

He assured that the reform agenda of the current administration is geared towards the progress of Nigeria.

Lawmaker expresses disappointment over 2024 JAMB results, urges parents, guardians to wake up

May 1, 2024

The recently released 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) have revealed a concerning trend. According to the data, the overall pass rate was only 24%, indicating a 76% failure rate. This is a significant drop from the previous year’s pass rate of 60%. These results have sparked disappointment among stakeholders, particularly Hon. Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, the Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Hon. Ogunmolasuyi has expressed his disappointment over the overall performance of candidates in the UTME. He has called on parents to take a more active role in monitoring and guiding their children’s academic pursuits. He emphasized the importance of limiting distractions and creating conducive home learning environments.

Additionally, Hon. Ogunmolasuyi believes that the government should play a more significant role in providing quality education and motivating teachers. He stressed the need for government intervention, such as increasing the education budget, implementing teacher training programs, and improving school infrastructure, to ensure teachers are adequately equipped and motivated to impart knowledge effectively.

In light of these results, Hon. Ogunmolasuyi has called for a collective effort from all stakeholders, including parents, government officials, and educators, to address the education sector’s challenges. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in improving the quality of education in Ondo State and Nigeria.

In his address, Hon. Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi expressed deep concern over the implications of the high failure rate on the future of education in Ondo State. He underscored that the alarming number of candidates who did not meet the required threshold is a clear and urgent indication of underlying issues that demand immediate attention.

Hon. Ogunmolasuyi underscored the need for parents to prioritize their children’s education and ensure that they are academically prepared and emotionally and psychologically supported. He urged parents to actively engage with their children’s educational journey, providing guidance and encouragement to help them succeed, thereby empowering them with the crucial role they play in their children’s education.

Furthermore, Hon. Ogunmolasuyi stressed the importance of government intervention in addressing the education sector’s challenges. He called on the government to prioritize education and allocate adequate resources to improve infrastructure, enhance teacher training, and provide necessary student support systems.

The Majority Leader also underscored the need for teachers to be motivated and appreciated for their hard work and dedication. He emphasized that teachers play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s future and should be adequately supported to perform their duties effectively.

Hon. Ogunmolasuyi reiterated his commitment to working with all stakeholders to address the issues affecting the education sector in Ondo State. He called for a collaborative effort from parents, government officials, educators, and the larger community to ensure that every child in Ondo State has access to quality education and the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Hon. Ogunmolasuyi’s statements underscore the critical role of education in societal development and the need for concerted efforts to enhance the educational sector. He remains committed to supporting specific initiatives aimed at improving education in Ondo State, such as the provision of free textbooks to students, the establishment of more schools in rural areas, and the implementation of a comprehensive teacher training program.

Signed:
Hon. Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi
ODHA Majority Leader
Owo Constituency 1
Chairman, Southwest Majority Leaders

FG Approves Salary Increase for Civil Servants

May 1, 2024

The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25% and 35% in salary Increase for Civil Servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures

The Salary Structure is the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

It will be recalled that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases which involved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS)
for Universities.

For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involved the
Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

The Health Sector also benefitted through the Consolidated Medical
Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).

A statement signed by the Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Emmanuel Njoku said the increases take effect from 1st January 2024.

The Federal Government has also approved increases In pension of between 20% and 28% for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme in respect to the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures with effect from 1st January 2024.

Credit: NTA

RE: ONDO BUDGET DOCUMENTS SHOW GOVERNOR AIYEDATIWA SETS ASIDE N5 BILLION TO RENOVATE DAYCARE CENTE BORROWED N18 BILLION IN THREE MONTHS

April 30, 2024

The attention of the Ondo State Government has been drawn to a publication of Saharareporters.com with the above caption: The Ondo State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget wishes to profoundly appreciate Saharareporters for their diligence and bringing this error to our notice in time.

The Five Billion Naira (N5b) provision was actually meant to reflect the expected drawdown from the Nigerian for Women Project (WORDLD Bank Supported) which had earlier been captured under the Capital Receipts of the document referred to by Saharareporters. The N18 Million reported on the Nigerian for Women Project is meant for the renovation for Daycare Project.

This is a regrettable Printer’s interpolation error that occurred during the process of preparing the document for publication. This error would have remained almost undetectable were it not for the eagle eye by Saharareporters because the Ondo State Budget System is e-based and the correct figures are reflected on the portal as shown below (www.ondobudget.Org).

Hence, at the operational level, this error will not materialize and almost impossible to detect. The Ministry take full responsibility for this error and we have immediately set in motion the machinery to have the error corrected.

We also took note that the report mentioned the sum of N18 Billion loan procured in just three (3) months. This loan is an AFD facility for the reticulation of water from Owena Dam to Akure, Ile-Oluji, Idanre, Ifedore and environs that will provide clean water for about 1.2m people. The project started in 2017 and the N18 Billion mentioned was part of what should have been released to Ondo State in 2023 but was delayed due to stringent of World Bank Process. The said loan has not been assessed as the procurement process according to Word Bank Standards is ongoing

Furthermore, the fund has a separate account, which is not subject to the control of State Officials except those people prior approved by the World Bank before the advent of Governor Aiyedatiwa. The full details of this could be seen in our first Quarter year 2024 Budget Report on https:ondobudget.org/materials/ONDO%20state%20Q1%20BUDGET %20APPRAISAL%20cri.pdf

We look forward to having robust engagement and collaboration with all relevant stakeholders on the journey to making Ondo State a reference points in transparent Budgeting.

Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan
Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,
Ondo State.
April 30, 2024.

Aborowa, Henry Abiodun drafted back to help rescue Sunshine Stars

April 30, 2024

The Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye has appointed former Team Manager of Sunshine Stars, Gabriel Aborowa as Sunshine Stars’ Technical Director,

Also, former Sunshine Stars Head Coach, Henry Abiodun has been appointed as a Technical Consultant to Sunshine Stars.

Both appointments are with immediate effect.

The Commissioner directed both appointees to join the technical team set up earlier to reposition both Sunshine Stars and Queens.

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