NEW YEAR BROADCAST DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR IBIKUNLE AMOSUN CON, FCA, ONTHURSDAY, 1ST JANUARY, 2015. For the fourth time in the last four years, I have the pleasure of wishing all the good people of Ogun State a happy new year. I pray that the New Year 2015 which began a few hours ago will bring each and every one of us personal and collective fulfillment . As we usher ourselves into the new year, it is of utmost importance that we raise our voice in praise and gratitude to Almighty God, our creator, for His protection, mercy and grace over us in the past years. We ask for Gods continued blessing, favour, mercy, protection and guidance as we go into Year 2015. 2. My dear good people of Ogun State, let me at this point express sincere appreciation to you all for your continued support, cooperation and prayers which have been of tremendous assistance for all we have been able to achieve as a Government and State. There is no doubt that our dear State has witnessed remarkable development in all facets of its socio-economic life in the last 43 months. 3. Even our opponents agree that Our “Mission to Rebuild” Ogun State has been faithfully implemented. Ogun State has continued to feature in the news for the right reasons. Our efforts to make positive changes in the standard of living of our people, the way government business is conducted and how the world perceives us have been noticed in the right quarters. In one of such recognitions for our State, the World Bank in its 2014 ‘Doing Business in Nigeria report listed Ogun State as one of the five most improved States in our country. 4. This first class categorisation contrasts sharply with the 2010 report of the same Bank in which our State was labelled as a failure. The new disposition of the World Bank to developments in our State has found expression in the way industrialists are trooping into the State to site multi-billion dollar factories. As at the last count, 55 new industries had berthed in our State. This development has increased the rate of economic activities with huge potentials for employment opportunities, wealth creation, poverty alleviation and increased Internally Generated Revenue necessary for funding people-oriented projects, policies and programmes. 5. Between last year when I presented a New Year Message to our people and now, we have sustained all the policies, programmes and projects that I reeled out which have continued to make positive impacts in the life of the citizenry, we have equally rolled out some new ones. For example, our Homeowner Charter programme in which many landlords now obtain valid documents for their property at heavily discounted rate has been successful with 10,000 Certificates of Occupancy already distributed to beneficiaries. Also, the Orange Valley Estate, the first fully serviced gated community in Ogun State has been commissioned, thereby raising the standard for estate development in our State. 6. In the same vein, the Farmers Market, Oja Irorun, which provides a veritable platform for farmers to bring their produce to a place where they will have access to ready buyers, has been commissioned last month. Our Administration has also introduced the use of Green House farm technology for the growing of pepper, tomatoes and vegetables across the State, with a view to improving yields and easing the burden of farmers. Also, to further enhance easy access to information by our people, we have commissioned the OGBC FM digital equipment. 7. Our education and health facilities continue to get better as 12 out of the 15 Model Schools being constructed are nearing completion and will admit students in the New Year. The General Hospitals as well as other health facilities are being refurbished and re-equipped. New health officials are constantly being recruited. 8. Some of the roads and flyovers being constructed are already completed and being used by our people, even when we yet to officially commission them. The state of our security in Ogun State continues to attract commendation as the Government continues to work with the security agencies to ensure that our multi-border nature remains a source of strength. In the area of information and in our quest to be responsive to our people, we have commissioned the new OGBC FM Digital Studio. 9. Dear good people of Ogun State, while our Administration is determined to continue to bring development to our State, I need to inform and sensitize you about the economic challenge that is currently confronting our nation. Since the beginning of the second quarter of last year, all the 36 States have been battling with dwindling allocation and irregular payment of money due to them from the Federation Accounts. The unfortunate consequence for us in Ogun State is that our workforce had to collect for the first time since May 2011 their salaries later than usual in November 2014. I am happy to report to you that we have been able to resolve that crisis and December salaries have been paid with a 10 percent End of the Year Bonus for our workers and also our pensioners. Once again, we have all demonstrated the spirit that makes our State greater than others. 10. The New Year 2015 even poses a unique challenge, especially the first quarter which is of great importance to our continued development as a State. On the political plane, elections are slated for February, 2015 which we hope will be used to demonstrate to the world that our democracy has come of age. We also believe that the coming election will usher in fundamental positive changes in the management of our national resources. As for us in Ogun State, the February election offers us the opportunity to solidify the on-going move to take our State to the next level by sustaining the present trend of development. 11. Therefore, I enjoin all of us to continue to be steadfast in prayers for our fatherland, for our State and our Government. We need to pray for the sustenance of our growing democracy. Nigeria has gone through a lot of political upheavals in the past. We must therefore call on God to help us achieve peace, security and development across the nooks and crannies of our nation. In addition, we must not fail to perform our constitutional duties as responsible and patriotic citizens by actively participating in the electoral process. This process starts from the voters registration and then, to voting on election days. It does not stop at that. We must also ensure that we protect our votes. We must avoid participation in and encouragement of any form of electoral malpractice, fomenting trouble and spreading of malicious rumours. We all owe it a duty to ourselves and to our God to maintain peace and ensure the credibility of our electoral process. We have voluntarily chosen democracy as the system through which we will be choosing our leaders and we cannot feel unconcerned in the process of making that choice. May God help us all. 12. Dear people of Ogun State, 2015 will definitely bring us greater development. It also means we must be prepared than ever before to support and sustain the development process. We must be prepared in mind, soul, spirit and body. We need to make more sacrifices, persevere and be more steadfast. We cannot afford to be caught unawares by the socio-economic and political development across the world. We need to ensure that our State is not put in reverse gear or thrown into crisis through deliberate manipulation by those who continue to deploy malicious rumour, mudslinging, name-calling, deliberate mis-information among our people on the pages of newspapers, television, radio and the social media. I assure you that as a Government, we will always be on the same page with you in terms of provision of necessary, factual, honest and genuine information. 13. As we go into the New Year, let me restate our unreserved commitment and unalloyed dedication to the successful accomplishment of the “Mission to Rebuild” Ogun State. We will leave no stone unturned in developing Ogun State and improving on the lives of our people. 14. This is not a task for an individual or group. It is a duty for all of us. I enjoin you to continue to support, co-operate and pray for us to realise the Ogun State of our dream which will continue to be the pride of present and future generations. As we celebrate, let us use the opportunity of this festive period to reflect on the journey before us. We must map out improved and more workable strategies to accomplish individual and collective objectives. Without doubt, our tomorrow will be better than our today. 15. My good People of Ogun State, before I end this address, I must extend our deep appreciation to our Royal Fathers, Religious leaders, Party Leaders and Elders, Financial Institutions, Development Partners, Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Societies, Professional Bodies, Trade Associations, Community Development Associations, the Private Sector, our dedicated and committed Public Servants, our loyal Party members, Labour Unions, students, members of the Press, and all well-meaning groups and individuals for their unalloyed support and cooperation in the just ended year. While thanking you all for the support and cooperation extended to our Administration in the last 43 months, we solicit for more and assure you that we will continue to justify the confidence reposed in us. 16. I cannot end this address without mentioning the contributions of members of the two other arms of Government – the Legislature and Judiciary – in our collective Mission to Rebuild Ogun State. They have been worthy partners and together we will continue in our quest to bequeath a lasting legacy to the good people of Ogun State. 17. Once again, on behalf of the Government of Ogun State, I wish you all a happy, prosperous and fulfilling 2015. It is my sincere prayer that God in His infinite mercies will continue to be with us all. 18. I thank you all for listening and God bless. Senator Ibikunle Amosun CON, FCA Governor of Ogun State, Nigeria Thursday, 1st January, 2015.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 17:30:12 +0000
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