Ogun State

Details: Category: States; Published on Friday, 23 July 2010 13:41; Written by Admin; Hits: 6045

Ogun State Profile

Official website: http://www.ogunstate.gov.ng

Nick Name: The Gateway State

On 3 February 1976, the territory now called Ogun State was carved out of the old Western State by the military administration of General Murtala Muhammed. The new State was made up of the former Abeokuta and Ijebu provinces of the former Western State, which itself came into being when it was carved out of former Western Region in 1967.

Ogun State is otherwise known as the Gateway State. This is in recognition of its pioneering role in education, medicine, law and divinity, on the one hand, and its strategic position as the link by road, rail, air and sea to the rest of the country from Lagos.

Population: 3,486,683 projected for 2005. 49% male and female 51%.

Major Towns: Abeokuta (capital), Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro

Location and Size: Ogun State is entirely in the tropics. Located in the Southwest Zone of Nigeria with a total land area of 16,409.26 square kilometres, it is bounded on the West by the Benin Republic, on the South by Lagos State and the Atlantic Ocean, on the East by Ondo State, and on the North by Oyo and Osun States. It is situated between Latitude 6.2°N and 7.8°N and Longitude 3.0°E and 5.0°E.

Climate: The climate of Ogun State follows a tropical pattern with the raining season starting about March and ending in November, followed by dry season. The mean annual rainfall varies from 128cm in the southern parts of the State to 105cm in the northern areas. The average monthly temperature ranges from 23°C in July to 32°C in February. The northern part of the State is mainly of derived Savannah vegetation, while the Central part falls in the rain forest belt. The southern part of the State has mangrove swamp.

Topography/Ecology: The geographical landscape of the State comprises extensive fertile soil suitable for agriculture, and Savannah land in the north western part of the State, suitable for cattle rearing. There are also vast forest reserves, rivers, lagoons, rocks, mineral deposits and an oceanfront.

Natural Resources: Ogun State is blessed with many mineral deposits in commercial qauantity. The list includes bitumen, kaolin, phosphate, bauxite, granite, limestone, crude oil and such others.

Ethnic Group and Tradition: Ogun State indigenes belong to the Yoruba ethnic group, comprising mainly the Egba, the Yewa, the Awori, the Egun, the Ijebu and the Remo.

Religion: The two dominant religions in the State are Christianity and Islam. A small proportion of the people still practice traditional religion

Political/Administrative Structure and Organisations: The State has 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) each headed by a Chairman, as enshrined in the Constitution. It is divided into four Geo-political Zones, three Senatorial Districts, nine Federal and 26 State Constituencies.

lnfrastructure: Two major expressways pass through the State from Lagos to the Northern and Eastern parts of the Country, namely, the Lagos-Ibadan and Sagamu-Benin Expressways, while the third one from Sango-Ota to Abeokuta is under construction. Another Trunk "A" road links Abeokuta to Ibadan. There is also the Ota-ldi-Iroko Road and the Sagamu Intercnange, Ilaro-Ohunbe Road which leads to the rest of West African countries. Most urban centres have water works but only Abeokuta has adequate water from the source. Other major settlements have between 25per cent and 70per cent of their present demand. Rural areas are generally poorly supplied. with only about 50per cent having access to potable water.

The only source of power in the State is the national grid owned and operated by the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria ltd, successors to the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA). These are the Gateway Broadcasting Corporation made up of GTV and Gateway Radio (AM & FM), the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Abeokuta and Ijebu-Ode, as well as the Paramount FM of the FRCN.

Economic Activities: Agriculture is the main occupation of the people, providing income and employment for a large percentage of the population. The State is blessed with a conducive climate that supports cultivation of a variety of crops such as yam, cassava, maize, rice, plantain, beans, vegetables and citrus fruits such as orange, paw-paw, pineapple and so on. The main cash crops produced in the State are cocoa, cashew, kola nut, oil palm and palm kernels, rubber and coffee.

Famous native sons and daughters: Ogun state has a good number of who is who in Nigeria. Abeokuta is the birthplace of the former president of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo, who also has a large farm in Ota. The former Anglican Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, is also a native of Abeokuta. Ogun State has also produced many of the most important Yoruba leaders, politicians and musicians in Nigeria, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief MKO Abiola, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Oladipo Diya, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Iyalode J A Aromire, Dr. Gbolabo Oyede, Sir G.O Adenuga-Taiwo, Chief Peter Olakeinde Sogbesan, Chief Kuforiji Olubi, Prof Ola Rotimi, Prof Olikoye Ransome Kuti, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof Onabamiro, Dr. Tai Solarin, Dr Efunbo Dosekun, Otunba Subomi Balogun, Chief Oba Otudeko, Chief Mike Adenuga and Chief Gabriel Yemi Adetayo. Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, an industrialist, corporate lawyer and philanthropist.Prince Oyedele an industrialist. Sunday Adelaja, the founder and pastor of the Embassy of God Charismatic church in Kiev, Ukraine was also born in Ogun State, Prof. Oluyemi Adeola Banjoko, Special Adviser to The American president and the british prime minister on African matters (Manchester, U.K).

Ikenne Remo, a major town, is home to many prominent sons and daughters of Ogun State and has over the years evolved to become the political and intellectual 'mecca' of the state. With Chief Obafemi Awolowo's home and rich library resources open to the public and history researchers; Dr Tai Solarin's Mayflower School (acknowledged to have groomed business, religious and political leaders) and ofcourse the annual Ereke Day festival attracting tourists from within and without the country.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo is revered as one of the founding fathers of Nigeria, along side Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe and Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto. He was Premier of the Western Region from 1954 - 1959 after which he became the opposition leader in the Federal House of Representatives. He built the educational,political and business infrastructure upon which the Western States have built and thrived.

The State is also reputed to have produced the highest number of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria in the annals of the legal profession since independence to date. The Senior Advocates of Nigeria included Late Chief Sowemimo, Chief Fatai Atanda Williams, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Prince Bola Ajibola, Kehinde Sofola, Abayomi Sogbesan, Chief Okenla, Kehinde Onafowokan, Pa Abraham Adesanya. The living ones include Chief GOK Ajayi, Chief Olanihun Ajayi, Chief Idowu Sofola, Mr. Kayode Sofola and a host of others.

For a more detailed information about Kano State, visit http://www.ogunstate.gov.ng

THE EXECUTIVE (2007 -2011)

Otunba Gbenga Daniel - The Executive Governor of Ogun State
Alh Salmotu Badru - Deputy Governor
Mr Gbemi Onakoya - Secreatary to the State Government
Chief Oladipo Odulate - Head of Service
Chief Abayomi Majekodunmi - Chief of Staff
Mr Soji Akin-Bankole - Deputy Chief of Staff
Mr Kehinde Sogunle - Hon Commissioner for Finance
Mr Bukonla Olopade - Hon Commissionerr for Sport
Akogun Kola Onadipe - Hon Commissioner for Water Rescrs. & Rural Development
Chief Kola Sorinola - Hon Commissioner for Special Duties
Aare Tunde Alabi - Hon Commissioner for Local Govt. and Chieftaincy
Prince Lekan Tejuoso - Hon Commissioner for Community Development
Dr Abiodun Oduwole - Hon Commissioner for Health
Omooba Gbenga Osinowo - Hon Commissioner for Commerce and Industry
Prince Adesegun Adekoya- Hon Commissioner for Works
Prof Segun Awonusi - Hon Commissioner for Education
Ms Jokotade Odunuga - Hon Commissioner for Women Affairs
Dr Adeleke Adedoyin - Hon Commissioner for Environment
Mr Akin Osibajo - Hon Commissioner for Justice
Alh Alli Ajibode - Hon Commissioner for Forestry
Mr Kayode Samuel - Hon Commissioner for Information
Dr Kunle Salako - Hon Commissioner for Housing
Ms Yosola Akinb i- Economic Adviser

SENATORS

Senator Iyabo Olusola Obasanjo-Bello – Ogun Central
Senator Ramoni Olalekan Mustapha – Ogun East
Senator Felix Kolawole Bajomo – Ogun West

HOUSE OF REP

Hon Kayode Jelili Amusan – Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda
Hon Dimeji Sabor Bankole – Abeokuta South
Hon Olakunle Kazeem Salako – Ado-Odo/Ota
Hon Adewusi Babatunde – Yewa North/Imeko Afon
Hon Alhaji Alli Adelani Ajibode – Yewa South/Ipokia
Hon Prince Olumuyiwa Bamidele Obadina – Ifo/Ewekoro
Hon Chief Segun Osibote – Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside
Hon Oduwaiye Gbenga Aremo – Ijebu-Ode/Ijebu North East/Odogbolu
Hon Dave Salako – leoluji Okeigbo/Odigbo/Ikenne/Remo North/Sagamu

STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Hon. Olatunji Samson Egbetokun (Speaker) – Obafemi/Owode Consistuency
Hon Remi Adewale Hassan (Deputy Speaker) – Odogbolu Consistuency
Hon Pelumi Adeboye Olusola - Remo North Constituency
Hon Joseph Folorunso Adegbesan - Ago Iwoye Constituency
Hon Olawale Hassan Alausa - Ijebu Ode Constituency
Hon Femi Nosir Isiaka - Sagamu 1 Constituency
Hon Abiodun Oluseyi Moses - Sagamu 11 Constituency
Hon Ayo Olugbenga Edward Odugbesan - Atan Constituency
Hon Maruf Musa - Ogun Waterside Constituency
Hon Sunday Olusola David Kojeku - Isokan Constituency
Hon Olufemi Job Akintan - Yewa North Constituency
Hon Durotolu Oyebode Bankole - Yewa South Constituency
Hon Odunleye Abiodun Odunjo - Ota Constituency
Hon Ajayi Michael Fasinu - Ado/Igbesa Constituency
Hon (Rev) Abiodun Mathew Adebayo - Idiroko/Ipokia Constituency
Hon Salmonu Adeleke - Imeko Constituency
Hon Fasiu Adewale Bakenne - Abeokuta South I Constituency
Hon (Mrs) Titi Oseni - Abeokuta South II Constituency
Hon Lukmon Olufemi Adiro - Abeokuta North Constituency
Hon Emmanuel Soyemi Coker - Odeda Constituency
Hon Adekunle Shefiu Adegboyega - Ewekoro Constituency
Hon Johnson Oludiran Tunde Fatoki - Ifo 1 Constituency
Hon (Mrs) Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo - Ifo 11 Constituency
Hon (Barr) Omosanya Isaac Solaja - Ikenne Constituency
Hon Adetokunbo Akeem Salami - Ijebu East Constituency
Hon (Dr) Babatunde Adetokunbo Oshin - Ijebu North Constituency

THE JUDICIARY

Hon Justice O.O Jacobs - Chief Judge of Ogun State
Hon Justice A.O Lokuko-Sodipe
Hon Justice N.I Saula
Hon Justice O.A Ogundepo
Hon Justice O.A Adesida
Hon Justice P.A Onamade
Hon Justice M.A Dipeolu
Hon Justice O Mabekoje
Hon Justice M.A Ojo
Hon Justice O.A.M Onafowokan
Hon Justice A.A Akinyemi
Hon Justice O.O Majekodunmi
Hon Justice N.I Agbelu
Hon Justice H.O Solanke