The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adegboyega Adefarati

  • Lawmaker gives varsity ambulance, empowers constituents

    Lawmaker gives varsity ambulance, empowers constituents

    Lawmaker representing Akoko Southwest/Akoko Southeast in House of Representatives, Dr. Adegboyega Adefarati, has donated an ambulance to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko. Presenting the ambulance, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ige, Students Union leaders, dean of Postgraduate School, lauded the lawmaker for his kind gesture. The vice chancellor thanked him for his donations, including (boreholes) to the university. He described the gesture as commendable, and first in the history of the university, and that his father brought the university to the community. Ige lauded the late Governor Adefarati for his magnanimity during his days as vice principal and governor. He described the donation as a relief to the university, and the donor as a reliable and responsible representative. He encouraged everyone to contribute to development of the university and Akungba community. As part of the lawmaker’s contribution to youth development, 50 laptops were given to students and youths; N50,000 bursary was awarded to 1,000 students; and N100,000 to 100 widows as fi. The student union leader appreciated the lawmaker for his generosity.

    Lauding him for proper representation, one of his constituents appreciated Adefarati for facilitating employment for over 50 people.  The registrar and university community lauded the lawmaker for his interventionist remembrance in terms infrastructure and other amenities.

    Read Also: Tinubu orders 24-hour aerial surveillance, tightens security cordon over Kwara, Kebbi forests

    Congratulating the celebrator, the President described the lawmaker as “a patriotic Nigerian whose decades of service as a teacher and banker, combined with political experience, have contributed to national development and democratic consolidation,” the statement read.

    He noted that Adefarati as Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Productivity and Employment, saying the legislator has helped foster industrial harmony between government and labour unions.

    President Tinubu also acknowledged the Ondo lawmaker’s advocacy for stronger legislative interventions in infrastructure, youth empowerment and economic expansion, adding that his voice in the National Assembly has remained “consistent, credible and impactful.”

    Marking the 60th birthday of the lawmaker began with a holy Communion at the Diocese of Akoko Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Chapel of Peace, Adefarati Estate, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State. The holy Communion was administered by Reverend Stephen O. Owo, Vicar-in-Cahrge, Venerable O.O. Oyediran, Archdeacon of Akungba Archdeaconry, Rt. Rev. J.O.B. Bada(JP), the Lord Bishop of Akoko Diocese, who in his sermon admonished the celebrant and the congregation to live a life that counts, celebrates what is left rather than celebrating the past.

    Amongst the dignitaries that graced the occasion are: the Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Ali Olanusi, Engr. Babatunde Adefarati, MD. Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Ojo, DIG Afolabi, Hon. Abiodun Ogunbi aka,Onireason, and Charles Fasuba.

  • Ondo battles deforestation, enrols farmers in reserves

    Ondo State government is waging war against deforestation and illegal farming in its forest reserves across the state.

    Already, it has commenced registration and documentation of encroacher farming in the forest reserves.

    State Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati said the registration is being handled by Deltech International investment concepts limited, an expert in forest management.

    According to him, the organization would manage and regulate all activities of encroachers in the forest reserves.

    Adefarati said the move was aimed at protecting the flora and fauna in the forest reserves as well as guide against deforestation and global warming.

    The Commissioner lamented that a larger proportion of the state government forest reserves has been lost to illegal farming activities.

    Read Also: ‘Ondo, Ekiti political, cultural ties remain solid’

    He said the registration and documentation became imperative to stop further depletion of the forest reserves and restrict their activities.

    His words” government decides not to eject them out rightly because of their means of livelihood and that of their families have been tied to their farms in the forest reserves.

    Adefarati said efforts were being made to regenerate depleted areas of the forest reserves by planting economic trees, and ensure effective monitoring of the reserves.

    He warned against building permanent structures in the forest reserves, maintaining that new encroachers would not be tolerated while those not captured during the registration would be ejected.

    Some vital information required from the farmers during the registration exercise include their names, size and location of their farms, types of crops being cultivated among others

  • Ondo flags off ‘School on the Ridges’ scheme.

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday flagged of ‘ School on the Ridges programme’ tagged ‘Agricbusiness’ for secondary schools in Ondo State.

    At the event, thousands of cashew and oil palm seedlings were distributed to secondary school students.

    Flagging off the programme tagged: ‘Schools at Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Akeredolu, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati, said the programme became necessary to redirect the psyche of the students aimed at making agriculture a money-making venture.

    He urged students from the nine schools selected from the three senatorial districts in the state for the flagg-off to key into the programme with seriousness.

    The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Agriculture and Agribusiness, Akin Olotu noted that agribusiness was introduced to discourage the belief that poor people go into agriculture.

    He said one hectare was set aside by each of the overall 90 schools selected for the programme

    Olotu informed the students of the importance of agriculture and the new dimension to the business which is currently at low ebb in the country.

    Read Also: Ondo seeks Fed Govt’s help to tackle ocean surge

    The agric expert revealed that post-primary school students are being encouraged to see agric as another veritable and lucrative means of generating revenue.

    According to him, the programme was designed to prepare the students towards doing business outside the classroom.

    He urged teachers to desist from using agriculture as punitive measure in instilling discipline in students, noting that this always undermined the psyche of students in seeing agriculture as a good venture.

    Olotu disclosed that the flag-off is the Phase I of the programme which has been segmented into three phases.

    He added that schools would use the programme as a means of generating revenue in addition to subventions being received from government.

    Oyemekun Grammar School, Stephen Ojo said what the schools needed was encouragement and support by the government in entrenching modern agriculture in secondary schools in the state.

    He charged the state government to make the programme a mechanized one, saying most students don’t have the strength to practice the old cutlass and hoe system of farming.

    Olotu however assured that the Ondo State Agribusiness and Development Centre would appoint monitoring officers to supervise the projects in each of the participating schools to ensure survival of the seedlings.

    Stakeholders at the even were led to the already cleared farmland by where they planted the Brazilian species of cashew seedlings brought by the state Ministry of Agriculture for distribution.

    Among the beneficiary schools are St Peter’s Unity Secondary School, Akure, Imade College,  Owo. Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure, Erinje Grammar School, Ode Erinje.

    Community High School, Kiribo, Gboluji Grammar School, Ile Oluji, Ireakari Secondary School, Idoani,  and Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure.

  • Ondo APC to Buhari: You deserve second term

    Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday inaugurated the new Executive Committee (SEC) that would pilot the affairs of the party.

    The event was coordinated by the state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ifedayo Abegunde, Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Adegboyega Adefarati and other state officials in attendance.

    Adetimehin at the occasion lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for its courage in tackling various challenges confronting the country with sincerity and utmost dedication.

    According to him, the integrity of Buhari especially on zero tolerance for corruption is unprecedented.

    Adetimehin said” the long period of looting spree and pillaging of the country under the corruption-infested administration of the former President Goodluck Jonathan cannot be curtailed within four years.

    He said “It will be in the interest of the country to return President Buhari and the ruling APC to office for another four year after 2019 election”.

    The chairman recounted the “unwholesome” activities and crises that characterized the political atmosphere during the last executive committee right from its inception especially during the gubernatorial primary and election in 2016.

    Adetimehin said” the then leadership of the party displayed a condemnable act of sabotage and gross indiscipline by engaging in anti-party activities in order to deny the party and its candidate the deserved victory which had been ordained by God.

    The chairman commended the National Electoral Officers saddled with the responsibility of various congresses in the state for their excellent job.

    He acknowledged the manner they conducted themselves within the confine of the electoral guidelines of the party, stressing that they went about their duties diligently without fear or favour.

    Read Also: Breaking: Buhari reluctantly signs 2018 budget

    Adetimehin also hailed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for providing conducive atmosphere and the template for sanitizing the system which facilitated the free and fair conduct of the exercise.

    He urged members of the new Excos to be dedicated to their responsibility especially with the 2019 general election, stressing that he would be committed to the harmonization of the ruling party for its greatness.

    The chairman also appealed to party members that defected to other political platforms or got involved in anti-party activities to return to the APC through proper channels.

    According to him “we would continue to uphold the tenets of fair-play, decency and respect for members dignity at all times, while operating an open door administrative policy to move the party forward”.

  • Ondo establishes 2,000 hectares of cocoa plantation

    The Ondo State Government has established about 2,000 hectares of modern cocoa plantation to boost cocoa production and revenue in the state.

    Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, made the disclosure while speaking with the News men on Wednesday in Akure.

    Adefarati said the government had nursed 500,000 modern cocoa seedlings for the plantation, which he said could be harvested just after three years.

    The commissioner, who explained that work had also commenced at Ajugbere Forest in Owo Local Government area of the state, said the state government was looking for interested partners to assist the state in archiving its objectives.

    “Right now we are trying to cultivate a modern cocoa plantation, most of the trees we have now are old.

    “But what we are trying to put in place now is another variety of cocoa that can be harvest just after two to three years of planting.

    “The 2,000 hectares of cocoa plantation is capable of bringing back the lost glory of Ondo State, which was known as the highest producer of cocoa in the country.

    “I strongly believe that when the plantation starts to function at optimal level, it will increase the activities of cocoa and state’s revenue.

    The commissioner, who identified fermentation as the major problem affecting cocoa production, said the state government gave out fermentation boxes to registered farmers to improve the quality of their cocoa beans.

    According to him, the government has embarked on campaign to sensitise farmers on the need to ferment their cocoa for at least a week before drying it.

    “If fermentation is done in a proper way, it will improve the quality of cocoa beans and our produce will be accepted at international market.

    “In view of this, government has distributed some fermentation boxes to registered farmers across the state,” he said.

    Adefarati also disclosed that the state government had cultivated about 15,000 hectares of cassava for production of ethanol at Ose Local Government area of the state.

    According to him, the government procures about 50,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to make it available and affordable all year round to farmers in the state.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly sacks council chiefs

    “For the first time in five years, the state government has been able to procure 50,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser.

    “We are not going to give farmers cash loan but we are going to encourage them by supplying them with farm inputs and seedlings,” he said.

    Adefarati also explained that government gave 14 tractors to 14 different farmers in the state for farming activities on hire purchase at a subsidised price.

    He said since 2010 till date, these farmers are still owing government over N50 million.

    “We are going to retrieve all the tractors back to the ministry very soon. We are not going to buy tractors anymore because when you buy and give to farmers, they don’t appreciate it.

    “We will not buy tractors for individual farmer again unless they form themselves into groups and we can only stand as collateral for them if they want to buy from vendors,” Adefarati said.

    NAN

  • Ondo to partner relevant stakeholders to disease-free meat

    The Ondo State Government has expressed readiness to partner with relevant agencies and organisations to ensure access to disease-free meat in the state.

    Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, the Commissioner for Agriculture, stated this while receiving representatives of the Food and Agricultural Organisation in his office on Wednesday in Akure.

    Adefarati said that adequate control of diseases in animals was crucial to human health, noting that most of the diseases affecting humans could be traced to animals.

    According to the commissioner, the state government is determined to ensure that animals brought into the state or slaughtered for human consumption are free of diseases.

    Read Also: Expectant mother, five others die as building collapses in Ondo

    “I want to assure you that the state is ready to partner with FAO and other interested agencies to ensure adequate sensitisation on disease control and hygienic meat in the state,” Adefarati said.

    Earlier, Mrs Nifesimi Ogunkua, Associate Professional Officer ( Programme ), who led the FAO team, said they were in the state for an awareness and sensitisation campaign on Rinderpest disease eradication among cattle breeders.

    The highlight of the visit was the presentation of some mini radio sets to the commissioner for distribution to members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and slaughterhouses.

    Ogunkua said the radio would enable them to listen to national radio programmes on disease control and eradication.

    NAN

  • Ondo vows to clamp down on illegal abattoirs

    Ondo vows to clamp down on illegal abattoirs

    Ondo State Government has vowed to clamp down on illegal abattoir and meat slab operators in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, made this known on Tuesday in Akure while sealing off the premises of an illegal abattoir in Shasha Market on Akure/Owo Expressway.

    According to Adefarati, the abattoir owned and operated by one Alhaji Sambawa, is located close to a public toilet and the expressway, making the meat unhygienic for consumption.

    The commissioner explained that several warnings had been issued to the operator “but he turned a deaf ear”.

    Adefarati, who noted that more than 70 per cent of the diseases that affect humans come from animals, said that government would do everything possible to safeguard the health of the people.

    Read Also: Ondo APC spokesman loses mum

    “The meat on their slab here is not safe for consumption as it can be easily contaminated because of the closeness to public toilets and the expressway.

    “The operation contravenes the law of the state. It causes us a loss of revenue aside from the danger it poses to the public, and we will not fold our arms and watch them kill our people.

    “We, therefore, warn all owners of illegal abattoirs and meat slabs operating in unhygienic environments to close shop or face the wrath of government.

    “We also urge all unregistered private abattoirs to register with government for approval before slaughtering animals for sale,” the commissioner said.

    NAN

  • Adefarati’s son, Agagu’s brother, others in Ondo commissioners’ list

    Adefarati’s son, Agagu’s brother, others in Ondo commissioners’ list

    The son of a former Governor of Ondo State, late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Adegboyega and the younger brother of late Governor Olusegun Agagu, Femi, were among the commissioner nominees presented to the state House of Assembly by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday.

    Other nominees include a media consultant, Yemi Olowolabi, who is the former Chief Press Secretary to late Agagu, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Taofiq Abdulsalam, Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko Northwest local government area of the state, Rasheed Badmus, former Commissioner for Natural Resources, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, ex- Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in Akure North, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye and Mrs. Omowumi Olatunji-Edet.

    Ojogo Donald, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, Funso Esan, former Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, Alhaji Olurimisi Ismaila, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Bayonle Ademodi, Lola Fagbemi, seasoned banker and hotelier, Otunba Timehin Adelegbe and Kola Olawoye completed the list.