ABIODUN SIGNS OGUN INVESTMENT PROMOTION AGENCY, 3 OTHER BILLS INTO LAW
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed into law a bill to have a one stop shop for investors wishing to establish their companies in Ogun State.
The bill was presented to him for assent by the leadership of the State House of Assembly Friday. It is known as Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of Ogun State, 2019
Three other Bills were also signed into law by the Governor. They are: Ogun State Legislative Fund Management Law, 2019; the Magistrates’ Court (Amendment) Law, 2019 and the Customary Court (Amendment) Law 2019.
Governor Abiodun signed the Bills in the presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon.Olakunle Oluomo and all other members at a caucus meeting held at the Governor’s Office, Abeokuta.
Gov. Abiodun lauded the lawmakers for passing the Bills which are for the interest of the people within the first 100days of the inauguration of the 9th Assembly.
The Governor said the lawmakers also did well by passing three other resolutions as he also appreciated them for pproving his request for N1.5bn loan to facilitate the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme aimed at producing 40,000 agroprenuers, saying that it would enable the State participate actively in national economic growth.
He noted that agriculture was one of the sectors which his administration intended to revolutionised.
“The Anchor Borrowers’ Programme is one of the programmes under our agricultural sector which is one of our pillars of our vision. We are committed to the revolution of that sector. We see the sector as one that will ensure, apart from food security, employment opportunities to our unemployed youth.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria will provide the loan which will be used in assisting the outgrowers for clearing the land and other logistics. Our new agriprenuers would be provided free seedlings and paid allowances until their first harvest, while we supply the extension services,” he said.
While informing members of the State Legislature what his administration had been able to do in the last 100 days, Prince Abiodun said sectors like education, health, infrastructure, Information technology, security, agriculture and employment had been on the front burner. He assured the legislators that all parts of the State would be touched in terms of development.
While pledging that his administration would be inclusive, the Governor appreciated the lawmakers for the Bills they brought forward and the resolutions, noting that it underscored their commitment to complement the Executive arm of Government.
“I join you in appreciating God for the 100 days or productive days. Count yourselves lucky to be the representatives of our people. You are not better than others, but God has chosen you at this particular time.
“I really appreciate the relationship that we have. It has been mutually beneficial between the executive and the legislature,” he submitted.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Hon. Oluomo, said the passage of the Bills and resolutions was to mark their 100 days in office and to use the opportunity of signing the Bills by the Governor to hold a caucus meeting with him.
“We are marking our 100 days in office after inauguration. To benchmark it, we passed some Bills and resolutions and brought them for the Governor to sign.
“We have the amendment to the Magistrate Court Bill and the Customary Court Bill. The two are to bring Justice nearer to the people so that cases that have up to N250,000 cost can be handled at the Customary Court level.
“The other one is the Bill to establish the Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency which is a one-stop shop for ease of doing business in the State, while the last one is the House of Assembly Fund Management Law which will make the State Assembly accountable for every Kobo received from the Consolidated Account,” he explained.
Oluomo described the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature as cordial. He said apart from the four Bills, the lawmakers also passed resolutions, calling on the State Government to adopt the Beijing Affirmative Action by appointing thirty five percent of women into political offices, ten percent of youths and also the appointment of people with disabilities into political positions.
The Speaker said the Legislature would continue to accord other arms of government due respect, enjoining the people to continue supporting government to enjoy the benefits of democracy.
From Rejection to Record-Breaker: LASU’s Best Graduating Student Thought She Had Failed in Life
In an inspiring twist of fate, Miss Isioma Nwosu, who once believed she had failed in life after missing out on her dream course, emerged as the Overall Best Graduating Student of Lagos State University (LASU) for the 2023/2024 academic session with an astounding CGPA of 4.93.
Nwosu, a graduate of Biochemistry, captivated the audience with her moving valedictory speech at LASU’s 28th Convocation Ceremony, held at the university’s main campus in Ojo.
“I thought I had failed in life,” she confessed, recounting the heartbreak of not gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery—her lifelong ambition.
After finishing secondary school as her set’s valedictorian in 2019, Nwosu faced a major blow: she scored just two points below the cut-off mark to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The setback forced her to retake UTME, a decision she said left her humiliated and defeated.
“A valedictorian writing UTME again? It was a bitter pill to swallow,” she recalled.
When she eventually reapplied to study Medicine and Surgery—this time at LASU—fate again dealt her a curveball. She was offered Biochemistry, a course she admitted she had “never heard of” until that moment.
“My heart broke a second time. I couldn’t embrace the course at first,” she said.
But through perseverance, and the encouragement of her lecturers and friends, Isioma not only embraced Biochemistry—she excelled beyond all expectations, finishing top of a graduating class of 11,917 students.
“Dreams Can Be Delayed, Not Denied”
In a stirring message to fellow graduates and aspiring students, Nwosu urged young people not to abandon their dreams in the face of rejection or redirection.
“Never be afraid of having big dreams. Your dreams are the seeds of greatness. You are resilient, capable, and prepared for the future,” she said.
She also stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with “friends of value, vision, and ambition.”
VC Urges Graduates to Shape Their Legacy
In her address, LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, praised the class of 2023/2024, reminding them that they hold the pen to write the next chapter of their lives.
“You’ve demonstrated excellence in both character and learning. Now use that knowledge to drive meaningful change,” she charged.
The university awarded diplomas, degrees, and certificates across various disciplines, celebrating not just academic success but stories of resilience and transformation—none more powerful than that of Isioma Nwosu, who turned disappointment into distinction.
NAPS Applauds Progress on Bill to Abolish HND-Bachelor’s Degree Dichotomy
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), under the leadership of Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, has expressed strong support for the bill seeking to abolish the longstanding disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) holders and Bachelor’s degree graduates.
The bill, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, is seen as a crucial step toward promoting educational equality and ensuring that all Nigerian students receive fair recognition, regardless of their institution or degree type.
In a statement, NAPS reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for polytechnic students’ rights and called on lawmakers to expedite the process to ensure the bill becomes law.
“As an association, we have always championed the interests of polytechnic students. The passage of this bill will be a major milestone in our efforts to secure equal opportunities for all graduates,” Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide stated.
He emphasized that under his leadership, NAPS has made significant strides in pushing for reforms that benefit its members. He also urged all stakeholders, including the government, educational institutions, and civil society organizations, to rally behind the bill to create a more inclusive and equitable education system.
NAPS reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting the bill’s passage and expressed optimism that it would pave the way for a brighter future for all Nigerian students.
Meet Eniola Olushola, the newest MSc sociologist from the University of Oye Ekiti
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
Eniola Olushola’s career journey demonstrates the impact of ongoing education and deliberate self-improvement in meeting the constantly changing requirements of the modern industry
Eniola has consistently proven his ability to deliver innovative solutions and drive impactful change through a unique blend of humanitarian expertise and executive leadership training
Eniola Olushola began his academic pursuits with a bachelor’s degree from a prestigious university in Nigeria and later earned a master’s degree in sociology from the Federal University of Oye, Ekiti, driven by a growing interest in sustainability and environmental stewardship
The accomplishment bolstered his expertise in addressing multifaceted humanitarian and environmental issues within industrial settings, firmly establishing him as a leading authority in his field of expertise
Eniola Olushola has demonstrated a consistent commitment to self-advancement, recognizing the essential function of leadership in navigating the complexities of today’s fast-paced business landscape and humanitarian issues, and has acquired the necessary expertise to effectively cater to the changing needs in Nigeria and Africa
Additionally, his outstanding leadership is unmatched and his contribution to society is significantly substantial to be overlooked
Eniola Olushola has emerged as a leader with a deep understanding of African resourcefulness needs and the ability to drive innovation, foster growth, and lead with purpose through his transformative experiences in a highly competitive global environment
Eniola Olushola’s relentless pursuit of education demonstrates his dedication to amplifying his positive influence on our society. Through ongoing upskilling, he has empowered himself to address evolving business needs with ease
His acumen in top-tier programs reflects his commitment to balancing academic rigor with practical leadership
Eniola Olushola has achieved something remarkable at the academy and really deserves big congratulations.
Oluwaseun Fabiyi a seasoned journalist writes from Lagos.
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