The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Agboola Ajayi

  • Ondo communities, oil firms hold talks on sea incursion

    The Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC) is saddled with the task of developing the oil-rich communities of Ondo State has met with stakeholders in the coastal communities of Ilaje Local Government Area to discuss the issue of inclusive participation in the affairs of the community for sustainable development.

    The meeting which took place at Molutehin Town Hall in Molutehin community had in attendance traditional chiefs, women and youths from the eight communities along the coastline.

    All stakeholders had the opportunity to speak on issues that are bothering them. The aim was to proffer solutions to such bottled-up resentment.

    IRDC was set up by the state government as go-between among the oil companies and its host communities so as to create an environment for peace, growth and development.

    Recall that the state government recently set up a delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi that provided relief materials, through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for some communities affected by sea incursion.

    Addressing the meeting, the Chairman of IRDC, Prince Adekunle Omomowo thanked the government and the oil companies for giving them the opportunity to interface with members of the communities.

    He also praised the people for embracing peace despite their numerous challenges.

    Omomowo assured the host communities that the state government and the oil companies were more determined to prioritise their welfare.

    He, therefore, pleaded with the people to continue to support every peace initiative.

    Omomowo, however, enlightened the people on the role of IRDC and the GMoU existing among the host communities and the oil companies.

    He said: “We are here to create awareness, and to let you know what GMoU is. What is the role of IRDC? For the purpose of emphasis, GMoU is an agreement between the oil-producing communities and the oil companies operating in their land while IRDC is an organisation that interface with the oil communities and the oil companies so as to ensure that the GMoU that exists among them to  be  fulfilled.”

    Omomowo promised to build on the legacy of his predecessors by engaging the oil companies to provide infrastructure, social welfare scheme for the aged, youth empowerment and building of mother and child hospital for safe delivery, among others.

    Chief Ilemobaye Mese, on behalf of traditional chiefs expressed grievances on the activities of the oil companies which he said had rendered them homeless without any compensation.

    He noted that none of the GMoUs that exist among the oil companies and the oil-producing communities has been implemented, saying the youth were equally neglected in the area of employment.

    Mese called on the state government to come to their aid by prevailing on the oil companies to embark on sea embankment and pilling so as to reduce the trend of sea incursion.

     

  • Akeredolu, Monarchs hail Ondo Speaker over ‘excellent’ representation

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and traditional rulers in Ifedore local government have lauded the good representation of the speaker of the State Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun.

    Oleyelogun is the lawmaker representing Ifedore Constituency in the state.

    Akeredolu spoke at Igbara-Oke, headquarters of the local government during the empowerment programme for 200 widows and phyically-challenged sponsored by Bamidele Oleyelogun International Foundation(OIF).

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi lauded the speaker for his excellent and proactive representation at the parliament.

    He said the gesture had assisted in improving the lives of  his constituents.

    Akeredolu used the occasion to advise the beneficiaries and other eligible voters in  the council area who have not collected their permanent voter’s cards to do so in order to enable them participate in the 2019 elections.

    The governor said their vote was their right to elect leaders of their choice.

    Read Also: Ondo youths rally support for Buhari, Boroffice

    He pointed out that the present administration in the state was doing everything possible to empower women, noting that many women-oriented programmes including Micro-credit facilities, empowerment and skills acquisition were being put in place to better position of women and give them their rightful place in the scheme of things.

    Akeredolu disclosed that all the ongoing projects in various communities in Ifedore  will cut across all wards in the local government,  adding that government would continue to do its best to put smiles on the faces of the people of the state.

    At the event, beneficiaries were presented with cash, foodstuffs such as rice, poundo yam,  semovita, spaghetti, bathing and washing soaps and toiletries, among others.

    Oleyelogun who is also the chairman,Conference of Lawmakers in the Southwest explained that the gesture was borne out of his desire to care and cater for the needs of widows in the local government area.

    He said “My quest to alleviate the suffering of the widows arouses my interest in my past experience in supporting them in the little way. I am proud to say that my long years of investment in the lives of the less privileged people was part of what inspired me to set up Oleyelogun International Foundation (OIF).

    The Deputy National Chairman of the Speakers’ Conference said the objectives of the foundation was to build the family and the nation.

    Oleyelogun urged all well-meaning members of the society to rally support towards putting smiles on the faces of widows and less-privileged.

    He also listed some of his achievements in the local government to include payment of WASC registration fee of 49 selected students for 2017/2018 session,  skills acquisition and vocational training for 100 participants , supply of laboratory/scientific equipment and computer among others.

    Some traditional rulers including Adapogun of Ipogun, Oba Ojo Raphael; Asarun of Isarun, and Oba Joseph  among others said all rulers in the local government were solidly behind the Oleyelogun.

    They added that they had endorsed the Speaker for another term in the State Assembly to sustain development in the constituency.

    The royal fathers who described Oleyelogun as a transparent representative, appreciated Akeredolu for the good work he had done in the local government.

    They promised their unflinching support to his administration for more developments.

    Beneficiaries appreciated Oleyelogun for alleviating the sufferings of  the widows in the council area, describing him as a selfless leader who is passionate about improving the lives of his constituents.

     

     

  • 2019: Constituents demand return of Ondo Speaker

    Apparently satisfied with the performance of the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun, the people of Ifedore local government area of the state have demanded that he should retain his seat at the parliament after 2019 elections.

    The constituents including the royal fathers, Youth, and women groups endorsed Oleyelogun who is also the Chairman, Conference of Speakers in the Southwest for another term in office.

    According to them,” We are happy about the proactive representation of the incumbent Speaker, whom they described as worthy son.

    The monarchs particularly sought the cooperation of other aspirants in Ifedore local government to step down for the Speaker to prevent the local government area from losing out the number three position in the state.

    The royal fathers hailed members of the State Assembly for believing in Oloyelogun by electing him as their leader.

    They also appreciated Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his Deputy Agboola Ajayi and the Party chairman, Ade Adetimehin for trusting the leadership of Oleyelogun in leading a critical arm of government.

    Ifedore constituents believed in the dictum that “there is no point changing the winning team”,stressing that there was peaceful coexistence between Executives and Legislative arm of Government  in the State.

    Read Also: Ondo Monarchs to BEDC: We are disappointed

    They also praised Akeredolu for appointing their son as Commissioner of Health, Adviser on Transport and Special Assistant.

    The Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi represented the governor at the Oleyelogun International Foundation (OIF) held at the weekend which empowered more than 200 widows, aged women, Physically challenged and women group across all the wards and town in Ifedore local government.

    Akeredolu commended various ongoing developmental projects ongoing in Ifedore, while appreciating the speaker for ensuring harmonious relationship with the state governor especially on various developmental projects.

    Oleyelogun at the event rendered his score cards with documentary and pictorial evidence.

    Some parents testified that Oleyelogun was sponsoring their children even in private higher institutions with laboratory equipment, renovation of health centers and youth empowerment annually.

    He thanked his constituents for the confidence reposed in him, stressing that as Deputy Leader of Conference of Speakers in Nigeria he would accept the request of the people to serve again.

  • Ocean Surge: Ondo cries out, seeks FG’s aid

    …says problem beyond us

     

     

    Ondo State Government Tuesday made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to come to its aid on the incessant surge from Atlantic Ocean.

    The development has caused damage at Ayetoro community in Ilaje local government area of the state as more than 25 buildings including the only secondary school in the oil producing community have been submerged.

    Similarly, over 200 persons are now homeless.

    The Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, who represented the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, made the appeal after inspecting the damage caused by the surge in Ayetoro.

    Read Also:Flood sacks hundreds in Ondo riverine community

    Agboola, accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde, Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Funso Esan and the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Gbenga Edema, sympathised with the residents, particularly with those that are directly affected by the sea incursion.

    He lamented the loss of houses and property to the disaster, urging the Federal Government to do more in the protection of the oil producing community.

    The Deputy Governor, a former member of the House of Representatives and chairman House Committee on NDDC said only modern technology could put an end to the crisis.

    He said “I remember when I was at the House of Representatives, I personally led member of the NDDC to this community and I also traveled to Netherlands to look at the modern technology which we felt it would have been able to solve the problem.

    “As I am here now, you should know that Ondo State is here, the SSG is here, Chairman Ilaje local government is here, we are all here.

    “As a matter of fact, the Governor would have been here personally but he is away with Mr. President in Netherland. He directed us to be here today to express our feeling, to assess the level of damage and look for best way to prevent future occurrence.

    “Certainly you can see this has gone beyond Ondo State government. We will make noise and let the whole world knows that Ayetoro is in danger, Ondo State is in danger and the federal government should rescue this oil producing community.

    “Probably what they did in Lagos will solve this problem. Look at Eko Atlantic city, this was able to stop this sea incursion and people are able to drive freely and not only this, they are even building houses on top of the sea.

    “Like what the community said, they are about three kilometers away now, a lot of houses have been eroded, children cannot go to school. So we are worried but we are assuring our people that we will not relent on our efforts to stop this disaster”.

  • Akeredolu donates 10 Navy speed boats

    The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has appealed to repentant militants who submitted their arms and ammunition during the ongoing amnesty programme to be patient with the state government.

    Akeredolu, who was speaking during the presentation of 10 speed boats to the Naval Operational Base in Igbokoda Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, restated the commitment of his administration to ensure that the repentant armed bandits are incorporated into the federal government amnesty programme.

    He said the new speed boats, purchased by the state was part of the efforts to enable the security agents to properly man the waterways.

    The governor, who noted that the speed boats that would complement the naval officers’ gun boats and will enable them to maneuver their ways into the shallow creeks when chasing criminals, promised that his administration would continue to give necessary support to the security operatives in order for him to achieve his aim of making the state investors-friendly.

    It will be recalled that on November 9, 2017, Akeredolu proclaimed amnesty for militants, who are willing to drop their arms and ammunition and also promised them that they would be incorporated into the federal government amnesty programme.

    The State Amnesty Committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, worked tirelessly to ensure that the armed bandits dropped their weapons within the 21 days stipulated for collection and documentation of arms and ammunition.

    Since then, the ex-militants have been nursing the fear of being short-changed.

    While addressing them, Akeredolu said he was aware of their worries, assuring them that the state government would fulfill its own part of the bargain.

    His words, “I know they have been crying because of their own perspective that we have not delivered on our words. The amnesty programme does not begin with the state and it will not end with the state government.

    “Ours is to ensure the baby is delivered and we have delivered you (baby) to the federal government.

    Read Also: Akeredolu urges Senate to confirm Magu as EFCC chair

    “We won’t relent on our efforts to ensure that you are all incorporated into the programme. The whole issue is now in the hands of the Federal Government because we have done our own part.

    “For those who submitted their guns, we won’t deceive you. We want our people to understand and our leaders must talk to them.

    “We are committed to see that you are part of the Federal Government amnesty programme. We are appealing to you to be patient.”

    Speaking earlier, the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, lauded Akeredolu for making the state safe for investors, adding that the amnesty programme has not only brought peace into the state, but has also reduced the rate of crime in Ogun and Lagos states.

  • Akeredolu expresses commitment to South West integration

    Akeredolu expresses commitment to South West integration

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State  says his administration is committed to the integration and  socioeconomic growth of the South West Zone.

    Akeredolu made this known at a  Youth Regional Integration Summit  in Osogbo on Wednesday.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, said  one of the cardinal programmes  of his administration was  job creation for the youths and women through sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship.

    He also said his administration was committed to achieving the vision by creating an enabling environment that would  attract investors to the state and  across other south west states.

    Read also: Akeredolu approves committee on first year anniversary

    The governor revealed that his administration  had taken practical steps to make the dream a reality by signing an MoU with the NDDC for the construction of the road linking the southern senatorial district to Epe-Ibeju Lekki in Lagos State.

    “Other roads connecting our states to our neighbours in Ogun, Lagos and Edo States are receiving considerable attention,” he said.

    Akeredolu stressed that he had also put in place measures to  ensure  that the state  did not become a haven for miscreants and other deviants.

    He noted that the fresh amnesty programme had yielded positive result by reducing  the rate of crime in the coastal areas of Ogun, Lagos and Ondo.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which  began on Tuesday,  ends  on Wednesday.

    Dignitaries at the event  organised by the Osun government included  Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as well as  representatives of Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti governors.

    NAN

  • Amnesty: militants laud Buhari, Akeredolu

    Amnesty: militants laud Buhari, Akeredolu

    A militant group in Ondo State, the United Sea Wolf Avenger, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for incorporating militants in the state into the Federal Government Amnesty programme.

    The group, in a statement by its leaders, General Deji Ehinmowo and General Secretary, Akinfemi Raymond, appealed to the Federal Government not to extend its Amnesty programmes.

    The state Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, had on November 9, during the proclamation of Amnesty armed youths issued a 21-day ultimatum to ex-militants in the state to surrender their arms.

    The group also commended Akeredolu for his commitment to the Amnesty programme and the development of the riverine community of the state.

    It appealed to the governor not to extend the Amnesty programme, claiming that the “21 days window’’ was enough to the militants in the various camps to surrender their arms.

    Read also: Amnesty: Epe kidnappers surrender arms in Ondo

    “Following the 21 days ultimatum for the submission of arms by militants in the riverine area of Ondo State which ended on November 30, the United Sea Wolf Avenger appeal to the governor not to extend the date because people have turned the exercise to trade.

    “It is regrettable that people who cannot handle ordinary cutlass have suddenly become militants through the amnesty window.

    “Twenty-one days is more than enough to move arms from camps to submission centres within the state.

    “The truth is that anybody that is complaining of time should be asked, what had he doing for 21 days. Most camp leaders that are complaining now waste their time looking for arms to purchase to fortify their newly born camp.

    “Further extension will make a mockery of the whole exercise and also belittle the brilliant flag off speech of Mr Governor, that after 21 days; anybody found with arms will be dealt with according to the law.

    “The real militants have already submitted their arms and captured, those left behind are amnesty traders, those that pay N100,000 and above to camp leaders,’’ it said.

    The group equally commended the Amnesty committee headed by the state Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi, “for the diligent way it handled the programme.’’

    NAN

  • Constitution amendment will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy – Akeredolu

    Constitution amendment will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy – Akeredolu

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Thursday said the proposed constitutional amendment process, on completion, would help in strengthening the nation’s democracy.

    Akeredolu said this when receiving members of a group — Friends of Democracy on the Proposed Constitutional Amendment– in his office, in Akure.

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, said that the proposed amendment, if passed into law, would enhance good governance and strengthen the system.

    He called for amendments that would strengthen the judiciary, particularly on pre-election matters, to fast track justice delivery system.

    The governor stressed the need for the public to be involved in the amendment through the engagement of the State Houses of Assembly, for true federalism to be achieved.

    Earlier, the leader of the team, Sen. Olorunimbe Mamora, said that 23 proposed constitutional amendments had been passed by the National Assembly for consideration.

    Mamora said that the group was to ensure state governments were carried along in the constitution amendment process.

    Some of the proposed constitutional amendments border on the issue of local government financial autonomy, strengthening of governance institutions, financial autonomy for the Houses of Assembly and presidential assent to bills.

    Others are issue of immunity for lawmakers, authorisation of expenditure, and time for submission of ministerial and commissioners nominees and their portfolios, to enhance efficiency of Houses.

    Also proposed for amendment are constitutional provisions relating to determination of pre-election cases and strengthening of the judicial system to fast track justice delivery, among others.

    He said the team’s visit to the South-West geo-political zone of the country was to engage the governors and the State Houses of Assembly on the process.

    Mamora said the members of the team had visited Ogun, Oyo and Osun states.

    He said that other members of the team were assigned to visit other geo-political zones of the country.

    NAN

  • APC clears Ubah, 11 others for Anambra election

    APC clears Ubah, 11 others for Anambra election

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday cleared all the 12 aspirants to participate in the Anambra State governorship primary.

    The party holds its governorship primary on August 19.

    The Chairman of the APC screening panel, Agboola Ajayi, said all the 12 aspirants are eligible to participate in the exercise

    Ajayi, who is also Ondo State deputy governor, spoke while presenting his committee’s report in Abuja.

    He said all the aspirants are capable of representing APC in the November 18 governorship election in the state.

    He said the aspirants complied with the guidelines and promised to support whoever emerge the party’s candidate for the governorship election.

    The party’s National Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso, who received the report, congratulated the aspirants for qualifying to participate in the primary.

    He also commended the aspirants for their maturity, saying “so far we have not received any report of violence among all the aspirants. We urge you to carry on and we are very hopeful that one of you will eventually emerge the next governor of Anambra State.”

    Speaking with journalists after he was cleared for the primary, Senator Andy Uba assured that he would remain with the APC irrespective of the primary election’s outcome.

    He said Governor Willie Obiano “must park his load and go because APC will win Anambra.”

    “We have all signed an undertaking to support whoever wins at the primary,” he said.

  • Akeredolu to Investors: Leave Lagos, Come to Ondo

    Akeredolu to Investors: Leave Lagos, Come to Ondo

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday urged investors in the country and outside the shores to bring their investments down to his state, instead of concentrating their investments in traffic-ridden and human congested Lagos State, saying that “my state is blessed with abundant resources”.

     The governor made this known in Akure, the state capital while welcoming the delegation of Federal Government Industrialization and Economic Diversification team led by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani to his office.

     The Governor said Ondo state would be ready to partner with investors so that the State can become the hub of economic activities in Nigeria.

     He said, “According to the Nigerian Police Force and Department of Security Services (DSS), Ondo state is the 3rd most secured state in the country, therefore, i want to urge investors in the country to come and explore untapped resources which are abundant here.

     “We have them in their numbers here, let them come. The rain in here is not much while the harmattan is not harsh. Ondo has the second highest reserve of bitumen in the world. Ondo sustained the Western region before independent and during the first republic because of the Cocoa from Ondo state.

     “The Federal government should also build a sea port in Ondo state. The Atlantic Ocean that passes through Ondo State is the deepest in West Africa. Also, from Araromi in Ilaje is about 45 minutes drive to Ibeju/Lekki in Lagos. So, investors should prefer Ondo state that is free without any traffic to Lagos that is over-congested and has no land?” Akeredolu said.

    The governor further said that the state is well placed and situated to connect other states across the country for economic and business activities because those coming from the eastern part, the north and other Niger/Delta States passes through the state while going to Lagos for business transactions.

    Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Usani said federal government set up an initiative that focuses mainly on Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors in order to explore the opportunities in states in the country.

     He said moribund industries would be revived and that agriculture would be made attractive not only to farmers but the youths.

     Reacting, the Minister said “we are here in view of the Presidential initiative that focuses on the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The Federal Government want to work in conjunction with states so that various moribund industries could be revived towards jobs creation and economic development.

     The Minister said the agricultural sector will be prioritised in the sense that incentives will be provided to interest Nigerians with special consideration for the youths. He promised that something visible will be done for Ondo state before the end of the current financial year.`

     He commended Akeredolu for his response to the scheme, stating that of all 10 states selected for the first phase, Ondo state was the first state to be visited because the state is the most forthcoming.

     Partners in the Initiative include the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), Ministry of Mines and Steels Development, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

     Others are Bank of Industry, Ministry of Niger Delta affairs and the New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).

     At event were the Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde ,the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the head of service ,Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investment, Mr. Boye Oyewumi and numerous top officials of the state government.

    Others on the delegation of the Federal were the representative of Minister of Mines and Steels Development, Mrs Onyeku Okeke, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters, Mrs Fola Oyeyinka, National Coordinator, Senior Investment Corporation, Dora Akugbulo and many others.