TNN.ng: Amosun

Ogun Sacks Six Over "Offensive" Examination Question

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<b>ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - The Ogun State Government has fired at least six officials of its Ministry of Education over an "offensive" Senior School English Language summary passage which formed part of questions set by an examiner.</b></div>
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An examiner, Adegbenro Joel, was alleged to have prepared the English Language exams questions for the third term academic session of the State Unified Examination in public secondary schools.</div>
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The exam had a summary passage that took a critical look at the alleged negligence of education by government.</div>
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The controversial summary passage read: </div>
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There is no arguing about the fact that the government is merely paying lip service to the development of education. It is true that a lot of money is being spent on education sector but, with little or no impact felt by the people, except where we want to deceive ourselves. </div>
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Many schools run by the government which were formally known for academic excellence have suddenly lost their prestige and are living on past glory. No wonder many parents and guardians are threateningly left with only one option, to withdraw their wards from these schools to other ones that are better managed.</div>
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Governor Ibikunle Amosun reportedly got infuriated after his attention was called to the passage, and allegedly ordered the sacking of the officials of the ministry directly in charge of that examination.</div>
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Reliable government sources said those fired over the development include an acting Permanent Secretary, Folashade Oresegun; three Directors including, Ganiyu Odunsi, and a Deputy Director, curriculum and evaluation, simply identified as Mr. Majekodunmi.</div>
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The examiner, who is a teacher at Mayflower School, was also sacked, our sources said.</div>
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Other sources said the dismissal of Messrs Oresegun and Odunsi was later converted to compulsory retirement while the four other affected officials remain dismissed.</div>
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When contacted, the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, said he was not competent to comment on the matter.</div>
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He said: "the issue is a civil service matter, the best person to comment is the state Head of Service. Please call Head of Service".</div>
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But when contacted, the Head of Service, Modupe Adekunle, said: </div>
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I am aware that not all of them were dismissed, some were terminated, some compulsorily retired. </div>
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When the issue came up, the state government put in the necessary process, a panel was set up to investigate and based on their recommendations, the civil service commission has to decide. It is a decision that has been related to the affected officers. </div>
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The normal process was that a panel was set up, the report forwarded to the Civil Service Commission for the civil servants, the Teaching Service Commission, for the teachers. </div>
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The decision was in line with the civil service rule, due process was followed to the letter.</div>
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Ogun Sacks Six Over "Offensive" Examination Question

ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - The Ogun State Government has fired at least six officials of its Ministry of Education over an "offensive...

Late Oba Sijuwade Was A Great Monarch - Amosun

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<b>ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned the exit of first-class Yoruba monarch and foremost traditional ruler in Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II.</b></div>
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In a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the governor described the transition of the Chairman of the State of Osun Traditional Council as "lamentable, but also worthy of celebration, because his life truly ran its full course."</div>
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"Oba Sijuwade was a great monarch. He joined his ancestors at a time when his wealth of experience in all spheres of life was mostly needed to guide the younger generation," the governor said.</div>
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Amosun commiserated with the governments and people of South West, particularly the State of Osun and the traditional institutions in Nigeria on the loss of the highly revered king of Ile-Ife, the cradle and source of the Yoruba.</div>
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He urged them to take solace in the fact that the late paramount ruler led an exemplary life and "his regal footprints are endured on the sands of time."</div>
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Amosun prayed for the eternal repose of the soul of the late king.</div>
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Late Oba Sijuwade Was A Great Monarch - Amosun

ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has mourned the exit of first-class Yoruba monarch and foremost tradi...

Buhari's Delay In Appointing Ministers Heightens Tension In South-West APC

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<b>IBADAN, NIGERIA - Tension is reportedly mounting in the four states under the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West over the refusal of the governors to put cabinets in place more than two months after their inauguration.</b></div>
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The three states of Lagos, Oyo and Ogun have been operating administrative activities with skeletal appointive personnel and the civil service, 69 days after the governors' assumption of office, while Osun State has been without a cabinet for about nine months, after the re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.</div>
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He was sworn in for his second term on November 26, 2014.</div>
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Lagos State has appointed only the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), same with Ogun State. Osun State has SSG and Chief of Staff while Oyo State has not made any appointment.</div>
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In Ogun, Osun and Oyo states, all the aides of the governors have been relieved of their appointments. Apart from Lagos, none of the governors has official media aides.</div>
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The scenario in the said states is a replay of the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari who has committed himself to piecemeal appointment of his cabinet.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.tribuneonlineng.com/cabinet-appointments-tension-south-west-apc">Tribune</a></b>, however, gathered that the South-West situation is a direct fallout of Buhari's delayed  decision on appointments, with the governors said to be waiting on him for the federal appointments that would accrue to their states and possibly filling them before making their local appointments.</div>
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The issue of ministerial nominees is said to be at the heart of this wait-and-see game, with Saturday Tribune being told by sources close to the governors that they (governors) and party leaders who would make the appointments want to see those who would go to the centre before sharing what is available at home to others.</div>
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The confusion reportedly created by Buhari's refusal to follow the usual practice of governors nominating appointees from states for federal positions is said to have further forced the party leaders, elders and governors to be circumspect on the appointment issue.</div>
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It is reportedly being reasoned that the ruling party in the zone might witness serious unrest if certain camps and their nominees already penciled in for federal appointments eventually fail to land the projected appointments with nothing for them to fall back on at home if the major appointments are done before their projected appointments materialize at the centre.</div>
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Buhari's perceived unpredictability, coupled with what an insider described as "undisguised decision to be his own man" is said to be serving as a restraint on the governors and party leaders in making major decisions on who should have what in their domains.</div>
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Despite the state leadership being mum on the official reason(s) for not constituting cabinets, <i>Saturday Tribune</i>'s checks revealed a deep seated frustration and disquiet among party faithful who worked for the party's victory in those states and are expecting to be rewarded with appointments.</div>
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Though the list of commissioner-nominees in one of the said states is said to have been ready for a while, it could not be reportedly sent to the state House of Assembly due to political considerations occasioned by the delay from the president's end.</div>
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In the said state with a super-SSG and a political leadership with a near final say, the fate of a certain projected nominee for ministerial appointment is said to be one of the major considerations, tying down the hands of the decision makers to send the compiled list to the state Assembly.</div>
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Although originally a citizen of a neighbouring state, the said projected ministerial nominee once held a political appointment in the state where he is reportedly being packaged for an appointment at the centre.</div>
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Those packaging him for a certain ministry in Abuja are said to be seeking a nexus between him and the projected commissioner that would hold similar position in the state.</div>
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His failure at the centre could occasion a change of strategy at his adopted home state.</div>
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One of those expected to be appointed a commissioner in one of the said states told <i>Saturday Tribune </i>in near exasperation that "they (the decision makers) should do what they like. I don't even really care about the whole thing again. Those who worked for the party in rain and sunshine are expecting their local leaders to get appointments for some benefits to also come to them. Everywhere is just quiet. Nobody is saying anything to anyone. They are waiting on Abuja and Abuja is not ready. Our supporters are becoming weary and unhappy. Our leaders like listening to sycophants. If they want to know what is going on now with the party, let them try and conduct local government election".</div>
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In another state where the governor also won re-election, party members are reportedly miffed with the zero accessibility of the governor since he was sworn in for a second term.</div>
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Apart from incessant travel, the governor is said to be ruling the state practically all by himself using the civil service and this has reportedly not gone down well with members of the party eyeing political appointments.</div>
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The implementation of the 2015 budget is also said to be witnessing low performance in the absence of key government functionaries in the affected states.</div>
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The preparation for next year’s appropriation which should have commenced has reportedly not taken off in any of the said states, given the absence of economic teams.</div>
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It was learnt that the frustration and anger of party faithful over the issue is mainly anchored on the deafening silence from the end of the decision-makers.</div>
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Lagos State House of Assembly leadership recently expressed its readiness to work on the commissioners’ list once sent in by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.</div>
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Governor’s spokesperson, Habib Haruna said recently work was on-going, on the list.</div>
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Another frustrated party man said "in one way or the other, everyone spent money on the election. Spending may differ in sizes, but some people should not make it look as if they spent all the money in winning the elections".</div>
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Buhari's Delay In Appointing Ministers Heightens Tension In South-West APC

IBADAN, NIGERIA - Tension is reportedly mounting in the four states under the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in ...

Outstanding Deductions: We'll Remit Before End Of July - Amosun

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<b>ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has promised to pay the seven-month deduction arrears, being owed civil servants in the state, by the end of this month.</b></div>
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The deductions were made from the workers salaries and expected to be remitted to their cooperative societies.</div>
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Amosun said this on Saturday at the State's Ramadan Spécial Iftar, with the theme, "Sustaining the gains of 2015 elections; Muslims on call", held at the Arcade Ground, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.</div>
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At the programme, attended by Islamic leaders and faithful in the State, the governor said he was irrevocably committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to the people by completing all ongoing projects.</div>
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He, however, solicited the continued prayers for the success of his administration in the face of the current economic realities in the country.</div>
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The governor added: "This time, we need prayers from the good people of the state to sustain the tempo of our programmes and policies. We have started and we are determined to work more.</div>
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"As a government, all ongoing projects in our three senatorial districts would be completed without leaving any unattended to. We have promised to offset deduction arrears by the end of July.</div>
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"This administration will not rest on its oars. Let me assure you that we will not fail in fulfilling all campaign promises. We have started and we are determined to work harder this second term."</div>
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Amosun explained that careful planning had helped the State to improve on its Internally Generated Revenue even before the allocation from the Federal Government account to states began to dwindle.</div>
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The governor called on Muslims to use the Ramadan season to show love, affection and kindness to others without any form of segregation.</div>
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He said: "We have based everything on planning. The bar of IGR we were able to raise helped us in achieving the development we can see thus far in spite of the economic reality in the nation.</div>
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"It behoves on all Muslims to use this Ramadan season to show kindness and affection in order to make its purpose fully realised."</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/ill-remit-deduction-arrears-before-july-ending-amosun/" target="_blank">The Punch</a></b></div>
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Outstanding Deductions: We'll Remit Before End Of July - Amosun

ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA - Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has promised to pay the seven-month deduction arrears, being owed civ...

Governor Amosun Keeps All Guessing Over Political Appointments

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLdo-cK8qIVd2ZzPx7l1dMuUoEstuePf9hMMhkXCPp7VH4KyqNOTNbKLFzfcGdQkrOcbAFt2tVPNrhv9Fx20WvDQc3PEl3CGNzou0Y3zhnrB62Mvz2KLT7Z5HlAJT69BkVUj0TLBeDzfz/s1600/Amosun+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLdo-cK8qIVd2ZzPx7l1dMuUoEstuePf9hMMhkXCPp7VH4KyqNOTNbKLFzfcGdQkrOcbAFt2tVPNrhv9Fx20WvDQc3PEl3CGNzou0Y3zhnrB62Mvz2KLT7Z5HlAJT69BkVUj0TLBeDzfz/s1600/Amosun+0.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has continued to keep the list of his proposed cabinet members and other political appointees secret, two weeks after he was inaugurated for second term in office on May 29 and dissolved his cabinet.</b></div>
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There are reports that many personalities are lobbying for various positions and have grown restless over Mr. Amosun’s disposition. They now wait anxiously for the announcement.</div>
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Meanwhile, majority of the former commissioners and political office holders still attend Mr. Amosun’s functions. It is not certain if they were invited on official capacity or if they are acting to promote themselves for vacant positions in Mr. Amosun’s cabinet.</div>
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Some of the lobbyists and godfathers who sent either their names or names of their candidates spoke to <i>PREMIUM TIMES</i> under the condition of anonymity to protect their interest. They said they do not know their fate and continue to anxiously wait for the governor.</div>
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As at the time of this report, the governor has only been able to re-appoint the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa. Mr. Adeoluwa is regarded as one of the close associates of the governor.</div>
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Mr. Amosun said Mr. Adeoluwa was re-appointed because he performed creditably.</div>
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“The only reason for your re-appointment was because you worked well. We have to continue to demonstrate that we mean well for our people by giving them things that will make life more comfortable,” the governor said.</div>
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Governor Amosun Keeps All Guessing Over Political Appointments

The Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, has continued to keep the list of his proposed cabinet members and other political appointees...

Governors Against Local Government Autonomy Milking LG Funds - Amosun

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EXKust1YF4qlAaCMAMQL9iFSOz90cJY9t6Alnn3UDiA1RyZunARTzKtpv-KdYR-J4foLFk5izToIj4urCYQjOXEkgO2_bHfKJ1qiEjjjSBeVOb_itUJtuGhOnvpuyrmyg75Q3___WbMA/s1600/Amosun+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EXKust1YF4qlAaCMAMQL9iFSOz90cJY9t6Alnn3UDiA1RyZunARTzKtpv-KdYR-J4foLFk5izToIj4urCYQjOXEkgO2_bHfKJ1qiEjjjSBeVOb_itUJtuGhOnvpuyrmyg75Q3___WbMA/s1600/Amosun+0.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday gave his strong backing for the autonomy of local governments in the country, saying that any governor opposed to it must be benefiting from his state-local government joint account.</b></div>
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Speaking to newsmen on his first working day in office after a tour of the ministries in the Governor's Office, the governor said: "I support President Muhammadu Buhari on this local government autonomy. We are creating Local Council Development Areas. We are waiting for the new State House of Assembly to be inaugurated because this outgoing Assembly could not have completed it if they had opened discussion on it.</div>
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"By July, all local government chairmen will be completing their three years tenure in office and we are going to conduct LG elections and creation of the LCDAs. That is what we want to do.</div>
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"The autonomy issue is in my interest. Some governors said that granting autonomy to LGAs is not going to favour them. Those governors that the autonomy thing will not favour are  those governors that deduct from local government allocation from the federal allocation."</div>
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Affirming that there was nothing tempting to attract anyone towards the local government funds, he said: "Truly, what is coming from the Federal Allocation is no longer enough. There is no money. For me, this development will even put more challenge on the LGs and LCDAs. If they want autonomy, let them take their autonomy.</div>
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"If they can't pay salaries, they won't come back to me. If they can't pay teachers or embark on developmental projects, they know that they are the ones that cannot pay and not the state.</div>
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"Our traditional rulers are there when they are having their JAAC meeting. For me, I want them to have the autonomy, even as I speak now, the allocation from the federal account is grossly inadequate."</div>
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Governors Against Local Government Autonomy Milking LG Funds - Amosun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State yesterday gave his strong backing for the autonomy of local governments in the country, saying t...

Ogun State Governor Amosun Dissolves Cabinet

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-sMAQWCykuZAZN0UR3aeNhwqMMudhzufWDKLiVrzd2Z2xw0XnIlxit3Qq7eIOTgvAVp3xl_AxE39qxxN5cN8Du6tOGX0OKIC5WDz1VuKP09J9YJg7GJorKpbpOdar8vfrQF6BJcverTi/s1600/Amosun+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-sMAQWCykuZAZN0UR3aeNhwqMMudhzufWDKLiVrzd2Z2xw0XnIlxit3Qq7eIOTgvAVp3xl_AxE39qxxN5cN8Du6tOGX0OKIC5WDz1VuKP09J9YJg7GJorKpbpOdar8vfrQF6BJcverTi/s1600/Amosun+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday dissolved the State Executive Council.</b></div>
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The dissolution which is coming four days to the expiration of the Governor's first term in office will affect the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Consultants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants, and Personal Assistants.</div>
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Addressing members of the extended Executive Council inside the Council Chambers, Oke-Mosan, Amosun thanked the political appointees for their support, co-operation and devotion to the accomplishment of the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.</div>
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He commended members of the Council for being part of the team that has laid the foundation for a new Ogun State and added that posterity will be kind to them for their hard work.</div>
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Amosun prayed that God should bless the outgoing members of the Ogun State Government and grant them success in their future endeavours.</div>
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During the final meeting of the Extended Council, members took turn to relate their experiences in the last four years and thanked God and Senator Amosun for the opportunity given to them to serve.</div>
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The outgoing officials have been directed to hand over to the most Senior Civil Servant in their respective Ministries, Department and Agencies.</div>
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Senator Amosun who was re-elected on April 11, 2015 will be sworn-in for a second term on May 29, 2015.</div>
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Ogun State Governor Amosun Dissolves Cabinet

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday dissolved the State Executive Council. The dissolution which is coming four...

PHOTO NEWS: Buhari Takes Amosun On Farm Inspection

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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k_NimID_0PnCWLqNi5LwSaHyltDOCRiersaON4N_5qVhyJOJmc6uiuJOSSk1XCDEw1DZ5D_jPrULg6AbkBjujhpbkwf0hbwBvZTwy_hjiRQHJMl9GsqLwgFMj9Fs_a38k0PbY75H-2_3/s1600/GMB+Amosun1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6k_NimID_0PnCWLqNi5LwSaHyltDOCRiersaON4N_5qVhyJOJmc6uiuJOSSk1XCDEw1DZ5D_jPrULg6AbkBjujhpbkwf0hbwBvZTwy_hjiRQHJMl9GsqLwgFMj9Fs_a38k0PbY75H-2_3/s1600/GMB+Amosun1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle, was today taken on an inspection of the farm of the President-elect, General Muhamadu Buhari, in Daura.</b></div>
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Buhari took Amosun round the farm during the latter's visit to the President-elect in his hoemtown, Daura in Katsina State.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNYCV53VbDCecUCU6xoUklIRGdK8UCOx-7aB-7ZmparZsf62l8Ot1BbmTSRkZbJYhi70lJUpdh86ywUSPiITgCjvplIpHDD_u2ippdfa76XkkxEPspKWW8GwU02v0DXjMfCHCmfZEAfot/s1600/GMB+Amosun2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNYCV53VbDCecUCU6xoUklIRGdK8UCOx-7aB-7ZmparZsf62l8Ot1BbmTSRkZbJYhi70lJUpdh86ywUSPiITgCjvplIpHDD_u2ippdfa76XkkxEPspKWW8GwU02v0DXjMfCHCmfZEAfot/s280/GMB+Amosun2.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphen5tXDXsYfn0Xtu3y189sISk4t1T2Gh66J5QDGiW40ealGYmOF4tfYLAA6VVZYtn78ieIb9vUANhD1PdIVkgsw2CAHWsTAM24DxERkNz7oJxY3Au7z3TgVu5vpcAC2b9giDJt3BrodkY3/s1600/GMB+Amosun3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphen5tXDXsYfn0Xtu3y189sISk4t1T2Gh66J5QDGiW40ealGYmOF4tfYLAA6VVZYtn78ieIb9vUANhD1PdIVkgsw2CAHWsTAM24DxERkNz7oJxY3Au7z3TgVu5vpcAC2b9giDJt3BrodkY3/s280/GMB+Amosun3.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3sXaRkbvVCPxVXWp07DBPziRGVsewB0frTrXbnPqu_jkxIDGVG5Y1ZpF89pc_pb66-lfb-6O7lY8Pm2b0vDuEMWe4r7bG5n6oMvb3FvKjvOMta8lCv04e-j1NCDcZpP2xOcacakgyUZo/s1600/GMB+Amosun4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3sXaRkbvVCPxVXWp07DBPziRGVsewB0frTrXbnPqu_jkxIDGVG5Y1ZpF89pc_pb66-lfb-6O7lY8Pm2b0vDuEMWe4r7bG5n6oMvb3FvKjvOMta8lCv04e-j1NCDcZpP2xOcacakgyUZo/s280/GMB+Amosun4.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
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PHOTO NEWS: Buhari Takes Amosun On Farm Inspection

The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle, was today taken on an inspection of the farm of the President-elect, General Muhamadu Buh...

Amosun Is A Conservative In Progressives Camp, Says Kaka

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<b><i>Senator Gbenga Kaka, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, failed in his bid to return to the Senate. Speaking with KAMAL TAYO OROPO, he highlighted factors responsible for the shortcomings of his party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last elections.</i></b></div>
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<b>After so much expectations, the SDP failed abysmally at the polls in Ogun State. What would you say is responsible for this?</b></div>
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Candidly speaking, there were a number of things that went wrong. The first one is that the SDP came up as a child of circumstance, and in the course of building it, the people of Ogun State embraced it at the first instance. But unfortunately, those who hold the party at the national level took a fatal decision without consultation with anyone of us in Ogun State - they adopted President Goodluck Jonathan. Of course, the wind of change in the country was totally against the return of Jonathan; that is just the truth.</div>
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So, they took that costly decision, and we had to cope and live with that unfortunate unilateral decision, since we are standing on that platform. Then, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elements in Ogun State also capitalised on that flaw by the national leadership of the SDP, by going on the social media, before and on the day of election, saying that the candidates of the SDP had all stepped down for them. Attempts to dispel the claims proved insufficient in view of the unfortunate pronouncement by the SDP national leadership.</div>
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Then beyond this, the fact that as a young party without any financial assistance from anywhere other than from within us, those who were using financial inducement to coarse the electorate to vote, that is to vote APC and PDP, did so effectively; raising between ₦1,000 and ₦5,000 in exchange for thumb printing.</div>
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And of course, the fourth is the rigging that went into the whole thing. Results were manipulated but I don’t want to emphasise on that, since we have other precedents. So, the cumulative of all these were responsible for the result we obtained.</div>
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<b>How do you react to the impression that only former Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Deputy Governor Segun Adesegun and yourself, are the only known grassroots politicians in the SDP fold?</b></div>
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You know, at the death of an elephant, you would see all manner of knives. So, what has happened has happened. I'm not sure that this particular impression could be a factor, because those of us in the SDP are men of integrity. There could be element of truth in that impression. However, one factor we cannot remove is the gullibility of the electorate. Once the electorate is gullible and ready to exchange their votes for peanuts, there is nothing anybody can do about it. For instance, I can tell you there is a community, a rural community, where I constructed 4.2 kilometres of tarred road and a bridge running into nearly ₦100 million and yet the only vote we gathered from there was just seven. So, that means, either the rigging was perfectly done or the people were contented with the ₦2,000 in exchange for the tarred. Before that bridge, they were passing through this local bridge made from palm trees. I saw it and felt for them and I went in there to ensure the bridge is constructed. Really, in a situation like this, there is nothing anybody can do.</div>
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<b>But how sure are you that the outcome is not a reflection of people's acceptability or actual level of popularity of the contestants in that election?</b></div>
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I gave you about four or five different reasons, it would be wrong one good factor was responsible. But I’m sure it is wrong to say it is the popularity or not. For example, there is no way you can quantify the wind of change at the national level that wanted Buhari. Beyond that, as a Muslim, I just believe that, that is the way God wanted the whole thing to go.</div>
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So, saying that some people are more popular than others is not the issue. I have contested and won election before, and I have participated in the state government. I waited for eight years before coming back again to contest and I won. If I am not popular they would not bring me back and it wasn’t once, it was twice. So, if the people decide that they wanted a change, whether for good or bad, they have taken their own decision.</div>
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<b>Politically, where does the outcome leave you and your colleagues in SDP?</b></div>
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It is too premature. Yes, there could be plan B, C or D, but the future is powerful and it is also uncertain. It is difficult to say what is going to happen in the next couple of months. However, I don’t know of all others, but for me, I am a core progressive and I will not be in any party that is not progressively inclined. I don’t think I can cohabit with certain categories of politicians.</div>
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Right now what we have is confusion in the polity with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the PDP gravitating towards a two-party state, with marginal political parties. But when you look at the APC and the PDP, they are still products of no ideological orientation, in the sense that within the APC today - when you look at their governorship result - more than 50 percent of those returned were from the PDP. The muddling would go on until we are able to get a clear-cut direction and then, we will know which one is progressive and which one is conservative.</div>
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As for us aligning with any party, every time we are open. But we will wait, and I will wait as a person and then see where I want to be and even then, decide if I will be able to continue in politics. Personally, I don’t mind bidding politics a farewell.</div>
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<b>A number of colleagues you started with in the days of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ogun State, are still with the state government. Don't you think you are still perfectly at home, regardless of the electoral loss?</b></div>
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Yes, I perfectly understand what you mean. But if you look at what is happening in APC, whether in Ogun State or elsewhere, you find a lot of PDP people, you find defection right, front and center. That is telling you that the sorting is still a continuous process. So many people with PDP inclinations, including Amosun himself. Don’t forget that the governor was originally PDP; thorough and thorough, and he is still a conservative, whether we like it or not, in the progressive camp. But since we now have Saul becoming Paul, anything is possible in politics. So, there could be opportunity for conservative to become progressive, there could be opportunity for progressive to become conservative too. For example, the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, may his soul rest in peace. He was of the extreme left and gravitated to the extreme right. So, nothing is impossible, we just try to contribute our own quota and leave the rest. Some of us gravitate to political ideology for exigency purposes.</div>
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<b>What would you say is going on in the mind of Chief Osoba right now?</b></div>
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I can tell you, he would feel fulfilled as a leader. He has absolutely nothing to regret. He fought for principle and he has done his best. He should feel satisfied with his effort.</div>
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<b>What if Governor Amosun extends the hand fellowship to your group?</b></div>
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That is just a mere conjecture for now; it is better we wait. We are not in hurry, we would wait and see the way things are going to play out. So, with or without the governor extending hands of fellowship, politics is free exit and free entry. If we resolve to join the party, nobody can stop us from doing so. And if we decided to say: 'no, there are certain conditions that were not yet met', it is all well and good. Whatever decision we take, would be a collective one.</div>
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<b>How would you react to insinuations that Chief Osoba must have misled some of you?</b></div>
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We are adults. If somebody is misleading you, you must have given your consent to that person to so mislead you. If you are not convinced, there is no reason you should be where you are at any point in time. However, with the knowledge of hindsight, one may feel that, 'yes, maybe some things might have been done differently'. But then, that is another thing entirely. But to say somebody misled somebody, is out of the question.</div>
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We all saw what was on ground. We know the difference between right and light. As such the decision we took was by choice. That kind of bucks passing cannot hold water any time, any day. There was no running away from the fact that something was wrong within the party (APC). A bad decision is naturally better than no decision at all.</div>
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So, if a decision is taken and it didn’t work out as desired, that does not mean somebody was misled somewhere.</div>
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Amosun Is A Conservative In Progressives Camp, Says Kaka

Senator Gbenga Kaka, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, failed in his bid to return to the Senate. Speaking with KAMAL TAYO OROPO, h...