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Tag: Aiyedatiwa

  • ‘Why Ondo is unlucky to have Aiyedatiwa as governor’

    ‘Why Ondo is unlucky to have Aiyedatiwa as governor’

    • Govt: allegations false

    Director-General (DG) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council in Ondo State, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, has slammed the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, saying it had one project since it came to power last December.

    Olafeso said the state was unlucky to have Aiyedatiwa as governor.

    He spoke on a day that hundreds of PDP members defected into the All Progressives Congress (APC) and pledged allegeance  to the governor.

    The PDP Campaign Council DG, who spoke in an interview with reporters in Akure, alleged that palliatives given by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were stolen in Ondo State.

    He said Ondo PDP was back and better positioned to win the November 16 governorship election.

    Olafeso said: “For the last two weeks, we have committed ourselves to ensure structures of the party across the state are brought to the awareness of the people with all our commitments towards the November 16 governorship poll.

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    “Our party is back, better. No matter what anybody is seeing, we can see the unity and steadiness we put into place for the campaigns. We will be visiting the entire units, wards and local governments.

    “Our message is very simple, our people are no longer able to pay school fees, children are dropping out of schools, there is no business, even the palliatives given by the President were stolen in Ondo State.

    “There is no project in Ondo State, apart from Governor Aiyedatiwa saying Ondo State is lucky to have him. But I can tell you people that Ondo State is not lucky at all. We want to rewrite history, we are confident Agboola Ajayi will be a better option to lead the PDP revolution to bring better life for our people.

    “APC has pushed Nigerians to the wall. They have stolen enough.  Nigerians are the owners of this country, not APC; we are ready to kick them out with their incompetence and inability to run a very blessed state for our people.”

    But Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Wale Akinlosotu, said opposition parties could not hide their admiration ‘’for what the governor is doing and the steps he is taking to improve people’s lives.’’

    The commissioner said the governor’s initiative to involve people in his government had yielded good results for the state as well as earned him accolades within the short time he had spent in office.

    Akinlosotu added: “This is why the governing party in the state, All Progressives Congress, has been receiving defectors across parties, particularly from the Peoples Democratic Party, ahead of the November governorship election.

    “On infrastructures, Governor Aiyedatiwa has been building roads with a view to saving lives, giving people comfort, ensuring easy movement of food from rural areas and attracting investors to the state. ‘’New roads are coming up in different areas and contractors are back to site where we had uncompleted projects.

    “Parents are full of happiness over the governor’s payment of N550million as 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for eligible public secondary school candidates.

    “Those in the informal sector, including struggling entrepreneurs, petty traders, artisans and peasant farmers, are not left out, as Governor Aiyedatiwa approved over N2billion as soft loans, which they can assess to grow their ventures.”

  • Aiyedatiwa releases 100 hectares for 1,000 housing units

    Aiyedatiwa releases 100 hectares for 1,000 housing units

    Ondo State Government has released 100 hectares to the Federal Housing Authority for the building of 1,000 housing units.

    They are to be built in Akure, Ikare, Ore and Ugbo.

    Lands and Housing Commissioner Mr. Akinwumi Sowore, who made this known at a news briefing in Akure, said the houses were to be built in partnership with the Federal Government.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa commiserates with TVC correspondent

    He said the ultramodern new governor’s lodge, which was begun by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was 90 per cent complete.

    Sowore said the renovation of the deputy governor’s lodge and the presidential lodge were 55 and 100 per cent complete.

    He said: “Our ministry is in charge of acquisition of land and payment of compensation, resolution of disputes and management of government land.

    “We also have the online title search through the design of barcode on 1,825 issued, digitalised and indexed Certificates of Occupancy (CofO), which is linked to an e-archive database solution.’’

  • Aiyedatiwa flags off Health Insurance Scheme for informal sector, private workers

    Aiyedatiwa flags off Health Insurance Scheme for informal sector, private workers

    Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has flagged off health insurance coverage for the informal sector and workers working in private organisations in the state.

    Under the scheme artisans, traders, farmers, commercial transport operators, and private sector workers would be covered under the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS).

    Governor Aiyedatiwa, who spoke at the flagging-off ceremony in Akure, said the inclusion of the informal sector and private workers was to show his administration’s commitment to ensuring access to affordable healthcare for all residents of the State.

    He said affordable health care was a fundamental human right and a critical indicator of human development.

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    He said: “I am delighted that we have been able to create a sustainable source of funding that lowers the financial barriers to healthcare for our residents. It is on this premise that I stand to usher in a breath of fresh air in our healthcare delivery system designed for those in the informal sector.

    “Our painstakingly conceptualized vision as an administration rightly accommodates qualitative and accessible healthcare delivery to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3.8 that pointedly strive to achieve the global theme of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).  Our administration once again has demonstrated political will in line with the need to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”, he said.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa praised the leadership of the organized labour unions for their support in implementing the scheme for public servants.

    He said over 46,740 residents have benefitted from the Abiyamo Maternal and Child Health Insurance Scheme, which covered antenatal care, delivery, and other essential services for pregnant women and children under five.

    He urged all political leaders, philanthropists, and individuals to enroll in what he termed “this life-changing programme. Together, we can improve our health indices and ensure qualitative healthcare delivery across Ondo state.”

    Ondo Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, said the scheme has encouraged healthier and more productive public service.

    The director-general of Ondo State Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC), Dr. Abiodun Oyeneyin, said Ondo state would be among the top five states with the highest health insurance coverage in the country by the year 2027.

  • Aiyedatiwa appoints 344 additional aides

    Aiyedatiwa appoints 344 additional aides

    • US-based appointee declines offer

    A United States-based chieftain of the All Progressives  Congress (APC), based in Gbogi Emmanuel, has rejected an appointment as a Special Assistant to the Ondo State governor,  Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Gbogi was among the newly 344 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants appointed by Aiyedatiwa.

    He was initially appointed as Chairman of the Transition Committee for Akoko South South LCDA but was later dropped.

    In a letter addressed to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Gbogi said the appointment came as a surprise, saying he was not consulted about his willingness or availability.

    He explained that he returned to his business commitments in the United States, where he resided after his appointment as LCDA Caretaker Chairman was dropped.

    Read Also: Tinubu accepts Ngelale’s indefinite leave request

    Gbogi stated that the circumstances surrounding the removal of his name from the initial announcement made him believe that his contributions were no longer valued in Aiyedatiwa’s administration and the party.

    He said it was later revealed that he was the only person that suffered such fate in the whole of the state.

    According to the letter, “The subsequent replacement led me to believe my contributions were no longer valued in your administration and the party. I felt this decision was a clear indication that my presence was no longer needed.

    “While I appreciate the offer, I fear that this new appointment, which is a political strategy to recruit ward canvassers ahead of next Governorship election but cunningly decorated as Special Assistant to the Governor may be perceived as a demotion, and I cannot in good conscience accept a role that may be seen as beneath my capabilities.”

  • US based rejects Aiyedatiwa’s appointment as Special Assistant

    US based rejects Aiyedatiwa’s appointment as Special Assistant

    A chieftain of the All Progressives  Congress(APC) based in the United States of America, Hon. Gbogi Emmanuel, has rejected his appointment as a Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    Gbogi was among the newly 344 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants appointed by Aiyedatiwa.

    He was initially appointed as Chairman of the Transition Committee for Akoko South South LCDA but was later dropped.

    In a letter addressed to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Gbogi said the appointment came as a surprise, saying he was not consulted about his willingness or availability.

    He explained that he returned to his business commitments in the United States, where he resided, after his appointment as LCDA Caretaker Chairman was dropped.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa appoints 344 additional aides

    Gbogi stated that the circumstances surrounding the removal of his name from the initial announcement made him to believe that his contributions were no longer valued in Aiyedatiwa’s administration and the party.

    He said it was later revealed that he was the only person that suffered such fate in the whole of the State.

    According to the letter: “The subsequent replacement, led me to believe that my contributions were no longer valued in your administration and the party. I felt this decision was a clear indication that my presence was no longer needed.

    “While I appreciate the offer, I fear that this new appointment, which is a political strategy to recruit ward canvassers ahead of next Governorship election but cunningly decorated as Special Assistant to the Governor may be perceived as a demotion, and I cannot in good conscience accept a role that may be seen as beneath my capabilities.”

  • Aiyedatiwa appoints 344 additional aides

    Aiyedatiwa appoints 344 additional aides

    Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has appointed additional 344 aides as Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants.

    The appointments, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniran, were in continuation of efforts to enhance governance and service delivery to the people of the State.

    The statement said the appointments spread across the 18 Local Government Areas, 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and 203 Wards in the State.

    Aiyedatiwa, in the statement, urged the new appointees to bring to bear their wealth of experience as well as dedicate themselves to serving the people of the State. 

  • Aiyedatiwa demands proof of bribery allegations against deputy, commissioner

    Aiyedatiwa demands proof of bribery allegations against deputy, commissioner

    Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged the Luwoye Ruling House of Erekiti Community to show proof that his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, demanded bribe to impose a king in the community.

    Aiyedatiwa, who threatened to institute legal action against the family, demanded an apology from the family.

    The governor said his administration has remained consistent in not imposing anybody as king in any community and would not do so for Erekiti’s vacant stool.

    He said this administration would succumb to any cheap blackmail and attempt to malign the good names of his Deputy.

    In a statement by the Head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abooluwa Famakinwa,

    Aiyedatiwa said the publication was an abuse of the good intent and political will of his administration to assist communities fill their vacant stools.

    He said his Deputy and the Commissioner were perfect gentlemen with clean track records, proven integrity, and good reputations that traditional authorities in the State could testify to.

    The statement reads in part: “It is on record that they neither receive thank-you gifts nor were ever involved in any bribery allegations.”

    “We also want to state that the re-appointment of Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro was a result of the confidence reposed in him by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Obas in the State.”

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa demands proof of bribery allegations against Deputy, Commissioner

    “We, therefore, give the publisher of the malicious story seven days to either come forth publicly with evidence or retract the story and apologise publicity, in at least two national dailies or face the full wrath of the law.

    “Those upholding the claim for three Ruling houses have come forth with documents to substantiate their claim but the Luwoye Ruling house, instead of coming up with documents to substantiate their claim has resulted in cheap blackmail and maligning the images, reputation, and names of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Olajide Owolabi Adelami, mni and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro.”

    “Government takes exception to this insensitivity and abuse of opportunity by the Luwoye Ruling House and demand that they right the wrong done by this publication.”

  • Aiyedatiwa demands proof of bribery allegations against Deputy, Commissioner

    Aiyedatiwa demands proof of bribery allegations against Deputy, Commissioner

    Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the Luwoye Ruling House of Erekity Community to show proof that his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, demanded bribe to impose a king in the community.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa, who threatened to institute legal action against the family, demanded an apology from the family.

    The Ondo Governor said his administration has remained consistent not to impose anybody as king in any community and would not do so for Erekiti vacant stool.

    He said this administration would succumb to any cheap blackmail and attempt to malign the good names of his Deputy.

    In a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity Unit of Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abooluwa Famakinwa, Aiyedatiwa said the publication was an abuse of the good intent and political will of his administration to assist communities fill their vacant stools.

    Read Also: ‘How Aiyedatiwa is mobilising communities’ support for votes’

    He said his Deputy and the Commissioner were perfect gentlemen with clean track records, proven integrity and good reputation that traditional authorities in the State could testify to. 

    The statement reads in parts, “It is on record that they neither receive thank- you gifts nor ever involved in any bribery allegations.”

    “We also want to state that the re-appointment of Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro was as a result of the confidence reposed in him by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Obas in the State.”

    “We therefore give the Publisher of the malicious story seven days to either come forth publicly with evidence or retract the story and apologise publicity, in at least two national dailies or face the full wrath of the law.

    “Those upholding the claim for three Ruling houses have come forth with documents to substantiate their claim but the Luwoye Rulling house, instead of coming up with documents to substantiate their claim has resulted in cheap blackmail and maligning the images, reputation and names of the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Olajide Owolabi Adelami, mni and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro.” 

    “Government takes exception to this insensitivity and abuse of opportunity by the Luwoye Ruling House and demand that they right the wrong done by this publication.”

  • ‘How Aiyedatiwa is mobilising communities’ support for votes’

    ‘How Aiyedatiwa is mobilising communities’ support for votes’

    Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Community Engagement (Ondo Central), Mr Oluwafemi Fadairo, has said the governor has begun mobilising support from communities by focusing on infrastructural development at the local level.

    He said the governor planned to focus more on developing local communities due to years of neglect.

    Speaking during an interview with reporters in Akure, Fadairo said Aiyedatiwa approved installation of 1600 solar-powered light as well as sinking of 54 boreholes for communities across the three senatorial districts.

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    He said the governor also approved 20 km of roads in each of the 18 local governments.

    He hoped Governor Aiyedatiwa would win the November election due to his achievements.

    Fadairo said: “Governor Aiyedatiwa is doing well to alleviate sufferings in the communities. He has been in the saddle of this government not up to a year. I believe his four years will surpass the eight years of some past administrations because he has a listening ear.

    “The atmosphere in the state is calm because of his leadership by example. These are the things I have been able to do in the past two months as SSA community for Ondo Central.

  • Aiyedatiwa on the firing line

    Aiyedatiwa on the firing line

    • By Steve Otaloro

    The remarkable ascent of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the 6th democratically elected Governor of Ondo State, is a testament to the unpredictable nature of destiny. His extraordinary journey, marked by unexpected twists and turns, serves as a poignant reminder that true power lies not with individuals, but with a higher authority that elevates and humbles with equal measure. This phenomenon is perfectly exemplified in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s life, as he navigated treacherous political landscapes to emerge victorious, culminating in his historic inauguration as Governor of Ondo State.

    Born with a divine name, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s life has been a testament to the power of faith and perseverance. His humble beginnings and rise to greatness are shining examples of God’s divine plan. As the Deputy Governor, he faced numerous challenges, including orchestrated attempts to impeach him. However, the judiciary’s intervention and God’s grace saved him from the brink of removal.

    Aiyedatiwa’s relationship with his late boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, was built on mutual respect and cordiality. This, however, attracted envy and persecution from some politicians who sought to malign him. Despite the tribulations, Aiyedatiwa remained calm, composed, and forgiving, exemplifying the biblical teaching in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s sole misstep was being poised for ascension to power, a circumstance that sparked intense power struggles within the APC in Ondo State. Various factions vied for his position, seeking to capitalize on the recuperating Governor Akeredolu’s critical health situation, which fueled speculation about his potential resignation or a tragic outcome. These factions aimed to swiftly impeach Aiyedatiwa, thereby positioning themselves for a seamless transition to the governorship.

    Despite being at the epicenter of this power play, Governor Aiyedatiwa remained steadfast and composed, undeterred by the intrigues surrounding him. He continued to discharge his duties as Acting Governor with unwavering dedication, even as trumped-up charges were brought against him in an attempt to impeach him at the House of Assembly. His calm demeanor and focus on governance stood in stark contrast to the turmoil brewing around him, a testament to his leadership mettle.

    The power play within the APC in Ondo State sought to undermine Aiyedatiwa’s position, but God’s will prevailed. His eventual swearing-in as Governor on 27th December 2023, was a testament to divine providence. Aiyedatiwa’s retention of most of his persecutors in his cabinet demonstrates his commitment to forgiveness and unity.

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    When Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa assumed office, the APC primary election in Ondo State was just around the corner. Despite the short notice, he confidently entered the race, undeterred by the skepticism of many who doubted his chances. As a sitting governor, he faced naysayers who believed he couldn’t catch up with his opponents, who had a significant head start of several months, with some even beginning their campaigns two years prior. However, Aiyedatiwa remained calm and composed, ultimately securing a resounding landslide victory in the APC primary.

    Now, as the APC standard bearer, he is poised to contest the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State. His impressive track record of delivering democratic dividends will undoubtedly be a significant factor in his favour, earning him the right to claim a well-deserved victory. With his proven performance and commitment to the people, Governor Aiyedatiwa is well-positioned for a successful election outcome.

    As the APC standard bearer in the November 16 governorship election, Aiyedatiwa’s performance in office will be his strongest selling point. The opposition party’s massive defections to APC in Ondo State are a clear indication of his acceptability and the democratic dividends he has brought to the people of Ondo State.

    Governor Lucky Orimisan  Aiyedatiwa’s story teaches us to accept the will of God in guiding our lives. As the Bible says, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Aiyedatiwa’s election victory come November 16, 2024, is a foregone conclusion, for he deserves to continue providing dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State. As the Bible says in Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.”

    • Otaloro is Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Director, Media & Publicity wrote from Akure, the state capital.