A total of 60 students benefitted from 5kg garri support package aimed at improving their welfare and cushioning the impact of the prevailing economic challenges in the country.

The initiative by AMREC was in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security under the Renewed Hope National Accelerated Garri Programme of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

Speaking during the presentation of the items, Director of AMREC, Prof. Jacob Olaoye, explained that the programme was designed to provide students with essential food items to help them remain focused on their academic activities despite the current economic realities.

Olaoye noted that the initiative reflected the commitment of the university and its partners to promoting student welfare and ensuring that students receive the support needed to excel in their studies.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo, commended the supporting organisations for the intervention.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged students to maintain responsible behaviour capable of attracting more partnerships and opportunities to the university.

Also speaking, the Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Festus Adeosun, appreciated the federal government for supporting the initiative and appealed for the inclusion of more food items in future distributions to enhance the programme’s impact.

He emphasised that welfare initiatives played a significant role in creating a supportive and conducive learning environment for students.

A beneficiary, Miss Grace Olumide, a 500-Level student of the Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, described the support as timely and beneficial.

She conveyed appreciation to the organisers, stating that the garri packs would help students maintain the energy required to concentrate effectively on their studies.

The event underscored FUNAAB’s continued commitment to student welfare and academic success.

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He also announced that his administration would make available 100 brand new 18-seater Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for the use of transporters in the state to cushion the effect of the hike.

The governor, who made this known in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in a meeting with transport unions on how to ensure fair transportation pricing in the state, also said that the federal government would make available 20 CNG-enabled buses and 500 conversion kits to the state government during the week.

Prince Abiodun also announced the inauguration of an enforcement committee, comprising the State Police Commissioner, his counterpart in the Department of State Security Service, DSS, the Traffic Compliance Agency, TRACE, and heads of transport unions, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Transportation and Trade and Investment.

He said that the meeting was called because of events over the last week, including fuel scarcity, which is already abating, and the associated increase in the pump price of the product.

Abiodun noted that there had always been an astronomical rise in transport fares anytime there was a slight adjustment in the pump prices of fuel.

According to him, the federal government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was not unmindful of the impact of the recent hike in the pump price, adding that the government was putting in place measures to lessen the impact on the people.

“The plans that we have as a state government, our plans are to, in the first instance, make 100 buses—100 18-seater buses—available to our transport unions. These will be 100 brand new CNG buses, and these buses will be branded buses, not no-name buses. We are talking about Toyota Hiace buses that we will give to you under a purchase agreement.

“We will make them available to you, and you can pay in instalments over a period of time. You have demonstrated commitment and seriousness, and we are confident that when we give you these buses, you will utilize them responsibly and pay back on time.

“The Federal Government has also started an Energy Transition Programme through the Presidential CNG initiative, and I can confirm to you that the Presidency has confirmed that they are making 20 buses available to Ogun State in the first instance—20 CNG buses. We will be getting those buses in the next week.

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“They are also making 500 CNG conversion kits available to Ogun State for the immediate conversion of vehicles to CNG-enabled.

“I have been assured that the conversion kits, which is the first batch of 500, will reach us in the next five days. You know that we have a conversion center in Ogun State. We are a major conversion center for the Southwest, and we will begin the conversion of vehicles in accordance with how we agree in terms of scheduling who will come first and what vehicles we will begin to convert,” he said.

Governor Abiodun, while disclosing that the federal government is gradually leaving the business of sales and distribution of petroleum products to the private sector, noted that there was no need for transporters to increase transport fares by over 1000% when the price of PMS was just increased by 30%.

“We’ve seen in the past that when there is a change in pump prices by maybe 10%, we have noticed that our transporters also naturally increase fares because the cost of their operational equipment—be it motorcycles, tricycles, trucks, or buses—is impacted.

“What we’ve noticed is that when there is a change in the pricing of petroleum products by 10% to 20%, the impact that we see play out at times is like 2000%, and we want to dialogue to ensure the people are not stretched.

“The change in price is about 25% or 30%, so if pump prices have changed by like 25% to 30%, we should not see a difference in transport fares that is more than 25% or 30%,” he said.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, while reminding transporters that fuel is just a component of their transportation cost, urged them to do all within their power to ensure that the people of the state are not over-stretched.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abiodun Alamutu, on his part, disclosed that the increase in PMS isn’t such that should warrant the remarkable increase in the cost of transportation and called on transporters in the state to look at the possibility of having a more friendly transport fare regime.

Speaking on behalf of the transport heads, the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners Association of Nigeria, ACOMORAN, Prince Samsudeen Apelogun, commended Governor Abiodun for revolutionizing the transport sector with the establishment of the Ministry of Transportation and the introduction of the E-mobility programme.

He promised to call the stakeholders together and come up with a more friendly transport fare that is within their control.

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The governor stated this on Tuesday while declaring open the 18th National Council of Transportation conference, holding at the June 12 Cultural Center, Abeokuta.

Speaking on the theme of the conference ‘Enhancing innovations And Technologies For Sustainable Transportation: Tackling The Energy Challenges’, Governor Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner For Transportation, Engr. Oluenga Dairo, said that the theme of the conference was apt as the nation was facing a serious energy challenge occasioned by the removal of  fuel subsidy, which has a spiral effect on cost of transportation and other associated utilities.

He noted that ever before the federal government rolled out plans for the Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, project, Ogun State had taken the initiative by rolling out the CNG compliant vehicles to support green environment, fight against global warming and ease the transportation burden faced by the public.

Prince Abiodun added that other alternative sources of energy,  which include electric trucks and motorbikes will soon be launched in the state.

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He said that the Multi Modal Transport Master plan of the state had created a vista of opportunities for residents and travellers and had enhanced business developments across all strata with a Cargo Airport at Iperu, an Inland Dry Port at Papalanto to cater for the material needs of the ever growing industrial cities across the state and beyond.

He enjoined delegates to build on the potentiality inherent in cross fertilization of ideas, innovations, technologies, noting that at the end of the conference, states across the country would have developed a new model in arresting the energy crisis and the nation would be the better for it.

In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Michael Oloruntola, expressed appreciation to the state government for hosting the conference, saying that the choice of Abeokuta was symbolic, as it had the cultural and historical tapestry that brought everyone together as a nation.

Oloruntola said that the conference sought to uphold the prioritization of innovative technologies that enhanced affordability, accessibility, safety, security and environmental sustainability.

He urged that deliberations at the conference should tilt towards sustainable transport development which would enhance the welfare of Nigerians vis – a-vis creating job opportunities and stimulating economic growth.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Transportation, Dr. AbdulWaheed Olanloye, said that discussions on the urgency of embracing innovative technologies that promote sustainability in addressing the energy challenges facing the transportation sector  could not have come at a better time than now.

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The meeting, to be hosted by Governor Dapo Abiodun, will have in attendance Commissioners in charge of Transportation in the 36 states and the FCT, their permanent secretaries, Transport Secretaries, Director of Planning Research and Statistics and other stakeholders.

The Guest of Honour is the Minister For Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali.

The theme for this year’s edition is ‘Embracing Innovations and Technologies For Sustainable Transportation: Tackling The Energy Challenges’.

Commissioner for Transportation in Ogun State, Engr. Olugbenga Dairo, in a statement at the weekend, said  the programme was an  avenue to foster  development in the  Nigeria transportation system being  a yearly event.

“The National Council on Transportation is a national and yearly event geared at developing transportation system in Nigeria.

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“I am delighted to inform you that His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, Governor of Ogun State in his unrelenting effort at repositioning the State as one to reckon with in national transportation innovative in the country, has graciously accepted to host this year’s National Council on Transportation which is the 18th Edition of it , from Tuesday 13th  February to Friday 16th February 2024 at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto Abeokuta.

“The  State will play host to all transport experts, regulators, policy makers, investors and operators across the country, including federal and state ministries of transportation, federal agencies within the transport sector to discuss current transport issues, provide innovative and technological ideas which culminate in formulation and adoption of policies and common resolutions,” Dairo said.

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The governor said that all attempts to distract his administration had failed, noting that the Supreme Court victory marked an end to court shopping by his political adversaries.

Prince Abiodun stated this in an interview with journalists at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Remo, on his arrival from Abuja.

He called on the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ladi Adebutu, and other political adversaries to get ready for their re-run in 2027.

“We hope our opponents who have been making a lot of noise about a re-run can prepare for a re-run in 2027.

“Now, this victory marks an end to this court shopping for adversaries and for us, it is the final victory in this journey that started in 2018.

“We will now keep our eyes further focused on the ball. All attempts to distract us have failed,” he said.

Governor Abiodun also promised that his administration would now focus more on sustaining it’s legacies, adding that the people of the state would begin to experience the good programmes his administration had for them.

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“We will now focus on sustaining our legacies, the foundation of which we laid since we assumed office in 2019 and in the coming weeks, you will see some of the goodies that we will be unveiling for the good people of the state,” he said.

Prince Abiodun expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting his political journey, his team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, national and state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Abdulahi Umar Ganduje and Chief Yemi Sanusi for their support.

Governor Abiodun also praised the five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court, for affirming the choice of the people of the state.

“Today, the Supreme Court has affirmed our victory, which was earlier affirmed by the tribunal and then the Appeal Court, but our adversaries were not satisfied. They proceeded to the Supreme Court and yet again the five-man panel led by the Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro affirmed the wishes of the generality of the Ogun State people.

“We thank them because once again, they’ve demonstrated that they are the hope and the last one of the common man.

“We want to appreciate the tribunal who laid the foundation for today’s victory. The Appeal Court further built on that foundation and all the judges of both court and, of course, now the Supreme Court led by Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro,” he said.

Secretary to the state government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, ascribed the victory to God Almighty.

He said that while the governor placed his trust in God, the opposition put theirs in money.

Member, House of Representatives, representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, noted that the victory had finally put an end to the belief of the opposition that they could unseat the incumbent, adding that the developmental strides of Governor Abiodun was certain to continue till 2027.

State chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, commended the Supreme Court for ensuring that the verdict of the people was not taken away by money mongers.

Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, thanked God for the victory and the truth that was made known at the Supreme Court.

Akinmade said that money was put to shame, while those who placed their trust in God earned a well-deserved victory.

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This was just as it assured all stakeholders that their interests had been captured in the project, adding that the construction of the dry port would expand the internally generated revenue for the state, reduce transport and transaction costs, and attract various infrastructure and regional development projects, amongst others.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner For Transportation, Olugbenga Dairo, during a chat with pressmen in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Dairo, who said efforts had reached advanced stage in actualising the Dapo Abiodun administration’s vision for the envisioned dry port at Kajola, Papalanto in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state, said that the government was determined to make Ogun,  Nigeria’s first investment and business destination.

He disclosed that the approval given to the state government by the federal government to develop a dry port followed its strategic identification in the state’s Multimodal Transportation Master Plan.

Tracing the origins of the project, the commissioner said: “In 2021, His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun directed us to put together a strategic Multimodal Transportation Master Plan for Ogun State.

“This, we did in conjunction with experts from the prestigious Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) and support from the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (UKFCDO).

“We were very mindful of the aspirations of His Excellency on the economic and industrial development for the state, and so we deemed it critical to plan for an airport and a dry port.

“The airport is nearing completion, and our congruent plan is to develop a dry port that will receive goods from Apapa and Tincan dry ports.

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“The good news is that we have got the Federal Government approval to develop, and we are not resting our oars on other processes towards this realization.

“The proposed site has been satisfactorily assessed to be proximate to both the NRC narrow and standard gauge rail lines. It is a flat land good for a dry port, and there are Lafarge and Dangote cement factories within its catchment area.

“We are having constant engagements with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Shippers Council, ICRC and recently, we visited the Nigeria Railway Corporation Oyingbo, Lagos and engaged  the Commissioner for Police and Nigeria Civil Defense in that station, on the way forward.”

Speaking further, Dairo said that Governor Abiodun, being a private sector person who had operated in various international institutions, understood best practices and appreciated keen focus on policy development and project delivery, was promoting international best practices to make Ogun State the best destination for investors.

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The buses, according to the state’s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Gbenga Dairo, were to operate ahead of the introduction of the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, along the axis.

He said they would be operating from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Mondays to Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays with bus stops at Mowe, Ibafo, Magboro, Arepo, and New Garage in Berger.

According to the commissioner, transport rates on the CNG powered buses ranged from N200 to N400 maximum.

The commissioner said every necessary arrangement had been concluded with all the stakeholders, including transport unions and local government officials, for the smooth take-off of the scheme.

“Expectations are quite high, the services are much anticipated, and the timing of start of operations with Christmas activities at the RCCG camp much valued by commuters.

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“Commuters along that axis are encouraged to patronize these buses as they are convenient, safe, and  affordable with promises to give an endearing smooth experience while on the road,” Dairo said.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, while announcing the deployment of CNG Technology and E- Mobility as a better alternative and viable means of transportation in the Gateway State with the launching on October 30, of 17 converted vehicles in the maiden scheme, said it was a cost-effective transportation system with little impact on the environment and a direct response by his administration devised to mitigate the adverse impact of fuel ‘subsidy removal’ on transport costs experienced by commuters in the state.

He said the scheme, which started along Adatan to Ita-Oshin corridor in the Abeokuta metropolis, would be extended to other towns and cities in the state.

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Dairo had successfully ejected himself from an aircraft that came under “intense ground fire from bandits” in Zamfara, last week.

The president’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said Buhari, who was briefed on the successful operation by the nation’s defence forces to rescue the Nigerian Air Force pilot, said he was pained by news of the air crash.

He said: “I was shocked by the devastating news of the air crash but felt much relieved, following the successful ejection by the pilot and his eventual rescue.

“May the injured pilot recover at the earliest time.’’

Source: NAN

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