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Tag: Akeredolu

  • Rainstorm victim to Akeredolu: pay my gratuity

    ONE of the affected victims in the last weekend rainstorm that ravaged Akoko communities in Ondo State is in despair.

    The man, Abudu Umar, a pensioner from Afin-Akoko, told The Nation that only the assistance from the Ondo State government could give the required succour him.

    No fewer than 20 houses were ravaged by rainstorm at Afin in Akoko Northwest Local Government.

    The victim, a septuagenarian, meritoriously worked in the state local government service for almost 25 years and retired on level eight about nine years ago.

    However, his gratuity of about N2 million is yet to be paid by the state government.

    Read also: Over 500 buildings affected as rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ondo

    The rainstorm that blew off his house has added to his predicament.

    Umar said: “Myself and family members have since the devastating rainstorm been squatting in a neighbour’s house because of unaffordable cost of building materials. I can’t afford the re-roofing of my ravaged house.

    The senior citizen, who was in tears, urged Akeredolu in his usual trait of showing passion for the downtrodden to order immediate payment of his unpaid gratuity to avail him the opportunity of putting his house back in shape.

    A market survey in Akoko area revealed high prices of building materials. Artisans are also charging exorbitant prices for workmanship due to emergency demands by victims of rainstorm.

    For example, a bag of cement jumped from N2,300 to N2,600 and a packet of roofing nails increased from N1300 to N1500. Roofing sheets and planks are on the high side and unaffordable.

    The Chairman, Akoko Northeast Local Government, Rafiu Eniayewu, who affirmed that he had gone round and saw the impact of the damages, urged the Federal Government through National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) to assist the affected victims.

  • Akeredolu to rename OSUSTECH after Agagu

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said that the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) would be renamed after former Governor of the state, Late Olusegun Agagu.

    Akeredolu disclosed this during a thank-you tour to Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo Southern Senatorial District.

    He explained that the two newly-elected House of Assembly members representing Okitipupa 1 and 11 constituencies, Akineogunde Akinfomide and Akinwumi Emmanuel would move the motion for the renaming of the University to Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa.

    According to the governor, it is a decision that can only be taken by the House of Assembly and they would move the motion as their first assignment.

    He said“You know we have Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba and it won’t be bad to have Olusegun Agagu University in Okitipupa.

    “When we came on board, we noticed that the University lacked infrastructural facilities, a good road network and other areas which we looked into and fixed.

    “The project would have been added to the museum of abandoned projects, hence the need for the major upgrades by this administration”.

    Akeredolu who thanked the people for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the election, lauded them and sought for their continued support for the party.

  • ‘Akeredolu should reconcile with aggrieved APC members’

    INDIGENES of Ondo State in the United Kingdom (UK), who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to reconcile with estranged members of the party ahead of 2020 governorship election.

    The indigenes, under the aegis of UK APC, Ondo State Chapter, hailed Akeredolu and APC supporters for the victory during the polls.

    A statement signed by its chairman Chief Dare Adeyeye, Secretary Olu Esho and Publicity Secretary Prince Fola Olagbegi, called for more commitments on the part of party members to facilitate the success of Akeredolu’s administration.

    It expressed the need for the governor and party executives to reconcile aggrieved members to guarantee a formidable party ahead of next year’s governorship election.

    According to the group, the fall-out of 2016 governorship and 2018 National Assembly/state primary election created a crack among party supporters, which must be mended now in the interest of the party.

    They were, however, delighted with the infrastructural growth across the state, especially road construction, rehabilitation of schools, establishment of new hospitals and agricultural revolution.

    The statement also urged new legislators to respect the party supremacy and align with the executive to diligently serve the people.

    It hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and APC National Leader Bola Tinubu for their courage and determination which gave the party success.

  • Akeredolu, Ooni, Ade-Ojo, others for Ondo Man of the Year award

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Lekkoil Nigeria Limited, Dr Adeleke Adedipe, has emerged the 11th Ondo State Man of the Year.

    Adedipe came out as the overall best among 10 other nominees selected for this year’s edition, scoring the highest votes to defeat the three runners up in the online selection process. The award presentation is to take place at the International Event Centre, Igbatoro road, Akure, on April 6, and will attract eminent personalities within and outside the country.

    While extolling the virtues of Adedipe, the coordinator of the programme under Hero Magazine International and Nigerian Outstanding Award platform, Dr Sunday Akinbiola, hailed the awardee for his developmental strides in Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole.

    According to him, his empowerment drives and philanthropic disposition to the people were significant. He said Adedipe was selected for the honour because of his “striking attributes of hard work, development initiative and philosophy of giving back to the society thereby making him a worthy ambassador of the state.

    Akinbiola said the award platform was designed to publicly celebrate excellence, reward exceptional accomplishments, salute positive personal character and industry, honour the outstanding career achievements of illustrious sons and daughters whose performances have made significant contributions in private and public sector.

    Some of the past winners of the award were Senator Ajayi Boroffice, President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Emeritus Prof. David Ijalaye (SAN), Prince Rotimi Ibidapo, Dr Tunji Abayomi, and the Executive Director, Power Holding Company Nigeria Limited, Ife Oyedele, among others.

     

  •  Akeredolu to visit Ondo’s 18 LGs

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State is to  embark on a week-long visit to all the 18 local government areas of the state from Monday

    The purpose the visit, according to the governor, is to enable him to, once again, interact with the people of the state.

    “This again is another opportunity for me to meet and interface with the good people of Ondo State. The visits will avail us the opportunity to talk and reflect on our activities and achievements in  the last two years and to chart a new course for the future,” Akeredolu said.

    The Governor and his team visit three local governments each day of the week, beginning with Irele, Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government areas on Monday.

    It will be be the turn of Okitipupa, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji local government areas to host the governor on Tuesday, March 19.

    Governor Akeredolu will Ondo West, Ondo East and Idanre local government areas on day three of the program, while the team will visit Ifedore, Akure North and Akure South local government areas on the fourth day.

    The Governor will visit Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East and Akoko South-East local government areas on the fifth day.

    The program will be rounded off with visits to Akoko South-West, Ose and  Owo local government areas on the sixth day.

  • Akeredolu sets up panel over Ondo community violence 

    ONDO State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has approved the constitution of a five – man committee of Inquiry to look into the remote and immediate causes of the violence that engulfed Oba Akoko community in Akoko South West Local Government Area during the House of Assembly election.

    Akeredolu, during his visit to the town on Monday, vowed to set up a panel of inquiry to find out the immediate and remote causes of the incidence and determine the cost implication of damages done to public and private property.

    In a memo by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Gbenga Ale, the committee is to be chaired by Dr. Femi Awani. Mr. J. T Olayeye will serve as the Secretary. Other members include Mr. Isaac Orimoloye, Mr. Tade Ijagbemi and Victor Olatoyegun.

    The committee has two weeks to submit its report to the governor.

    The terms of reference of the co1mmittee include: “To look into the remote and immediate causes of the crisis in Oba – Akoko during the Saturday, March 9, 2019 House of Assembly election.

    “To determine the extent of damage done to public and private properties and place cost on them, to determine the role of any individual, group and corporate body in the crisis and to recommend appropriate disciplinary actions against all culprits and to make such other recommendations which the committee may find necessary. “

    Some political thugs invaded the police station in the town, set up born fires on the streets and destroyed vehicles and houses of opposition after voting ended last Saturday.

     

  • Akeredolu laments violence in Ondo community

    •Corps member dies in boat mishap

    ONDO State Governor  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has visited the crisis-ridden Oba-Akoko, Akoko Southwest Local Government, following the bloody violence, which erupted in the area at the weekend.

    He was accompanied by Commissioner of Police Undie Adie.

    The governor, who expressed displeasure at the level of devastation at the Divisional Police Station and its barracks, wondered why the perpetrators of the dastardly acts could embark on such height of criminality and lawlessness.

    Akeredolu yesterday said the state government would set up a panel of inquiry to find out the immediate and remote causes  of the incidence, which claimed two lives, to determine the cost implication of damages done to public and private property.

    The governor called on police and other security agencies to enforce government directive to restrict internal human and vehicular movements in the town.

    At the palace of Oloba, Akeredolu regretted that despite the several phone calls made to Oba Nurudeen Adegoroye to prevail on his people to maintain peace and order, the people rebuffed sense of reasoning.

    The Commissioner of Police had earlier briefed the governor on how his men at the station were overpowered by irate mob, whose actions were politically-motivated after they had illegally blocked all entries into the town.

    The CP, who, however, confirmed the arrest of some hoodlums, who engaged in various forms of electoral offences, assured that there would be enough reinforcements to restore peace and order.

    The DPO, Mayegun Adewale, who conducted the governor and the CP round the station and other strategic places in the town, said the hoodlums were not only youths as being claimed.

    He said the sporadic shootings by the criminals showed the calibre of firearms with them and the fact that they were well-coordinated for the attack.

    The Senior Special Assistant(SSA) to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, said distressed calls came to combined teams of  Security Agencies, of plans by the hoodlums to destroy electoral materials, including ballot boxes and result sheets used for State Assembly election in parts of  Akoko Southwest Local Government Area.

    He said the security personnel had to embark on a fierce security operation to dislodge the miscreants before the electoral officials and  materials used in the election could be rescued to the Collation Centre in Iwaro-oka.

    In another development, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member who served as one of  the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad- hoc staff has reportedly lost his life in a boat mishap at Agadagba-Obon in Ese- Odo Local Government Area on Saturday.

    Sources said the Corps member, identified as Ibrahim, hailed from neighbouring Osun State.

    It was learnt that the speed boat he boarded was returning from Arogbo ward 2 and capsized at the  river bank in Agadagba -Obon after election duty on Saturday.

    Two other corps members, who sustained injuries, were said to be receiving treatment at the hospital.

    The deceased was said to have not used life jacket as at the time of the mishap and all efforts to rescue him alive failed.

     

     

  • Akeredolu laments ‘bloody’ violence in Ondo community

    Disturbed by the bloody violence which erupted in Oba-Akoko,Akoko Southwest Local Government of Ondo state, on Saturday, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has visited the crisis-ridden community accompanied with the State Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie.

    The governor who expressed displeasure at the level of devastation at the Divisional Police Station and its barracks, wondered why the perpetrators of the dastardly acts could embark on such height of criminality and lawlessness.

    Akeredolu on Sunday said the state government would set up a Panel of Inquiry to find out the immediate and remote causes of the incidence which claimed two lives, to determine the cost implication of damages done to public and private property.

    The governor called on police and other security agencies to enforce government directive to restrict internal human and vehicular movements in the town.

    At the palace of Oloba, Akeredolu regretted that despite the several phone calls made to Oba Nurudeen Adegoroye to prevail on his people to maintain peace and order, the people rebuffed sense of reasoning.

    The State Commissioner of Police had earlier briefed the governor on how his men at the station were overpowered by irate mob whose actions were politically-motivated after they had illegally blocked all entries into the town.

    The CP who however confirmed the arrest of some hoodlums engaged in various forms of electoral offences assured that there would be enough reinforcements to restore peace and order.

    The DPO, Mayegun Adewale who conducted the governor and the CP around the station and other strategic places in the town said the hoodlums were not only youths as being claimed.

    He said the sporadic shootings by the criminals showed the calibre of firearms with them and the fact that they were well coordinated for the attack.

    The Senior Special Assistant(SSA) to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo said distressed calls came to combined teams of Security Agencies, of plans by the hoodlums to destroy electoral materials including ballot boxes and result sheets used for State Assembly election in parts of Akoko Southwest Local Government Area.

    He said the security personnel had to embark on a fierce security operation to dislodge the miscreants before the electoral officials and materials used in the election could be rescued to the Collation Centre in Iwaro-oka.

  • No victor, no vanquished on Supreme Court’s verdict, says Akeredolu

    •APC sues for reconciliation

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has described as victory for democracy, the judgment of the Supreme Court, which struck out the case instituted against him by Olusegun Abraham.

    Abraham came second in the keenly contested September 3, 2016 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Ondo State.

    Appreciating the Ondo people and APC members for their steadfastness throughout the period of the litigation, Akeredolu called on Abraham to join hands with him in the task of building a new Ondo State.

    The governor, in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Orientation Yemi Olowolabi, said there was no victor, no vanquished.

    He said: “The victory is for everyone who wants the best for Ondo State and Segun Abraham is one of us. In other words, we are all winners.”

    The court, yesterday in Abuja, thrashed the suit filed by Abraham in which he was challenging Akeredolu’s victory on the party’s governorship primary.

    The apex court held that in line with the provision of the fourth alteration, especially Section 285(11) of the 1999 constitution, Abraham failed to file his case within the stipulated 14 days after the cause of action, thus statute barred.

    Akeredolu, therefore, dedicated the victory to the people of Ondo State, who he described as ever progressive.

    But, the state APC yesterday described the judgment as a watershed in the quest for genuine reconciliation in the party.

    Its chairman, Ade Adetimehin, noted that there was no victor; no vanquished,” stressing that the two parties belong to a family.

    The court decision, he contended, came at a critical moment when the party is exploring every democratic and lawful means to ensure enduring reconciliation of the parties within its fold.

    Adetimehin said the judgment created the elusive opportunity for Akeredolu and Abraham to unite for the state’s growth.

    “Besides, the governor can now concentrate on policies that will further promote and enhance the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State,” he argued.

    The party stalwart warned followers of the two leaders to desist from fanning the embers of disunity.

    Adetimehin assured that machinery for reconciliation would be set up after the election on Saturday to place the party on a new and stronger pedestal.

    He hailed the duo for exhibiting a high sense of restraint and maturity while the case lasted in court.

     

     

  • Civil servants hail Akeredolu over workers’ welfare

    Ondo State civil servants yesterday expressed appreciation to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for always promoting their interests.

    They hailed the governor for refusing to politicise the civil service.

    According to them, Akeredolu deserved commendation for doing a lot to alleviate the pains his administration inherited from the immediate past administration.

    Head of Service Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu spoke the mind of the workers at an expanded meeting the civil servants held with the governor in Akure.

    He said: “It is on record that no worker is harassed or intimidated by Akeredolu’s administration. The person who alleviated our pains by constantly paying our salaries deserves our commendation.

    “He has substantially paid our salary arrears. Promotion of civil servants and other benefits are not left out. We are bold to say that Akeredolu is fulfilling all his pre-election promises to Ondo State civil servants.”

    The Head of Service, however, promised the workers’ continued support for Akeredolu’s administration.

    Akeredolu said workers’ welfare was not what a responsible government should politicise.

    Stressing that a labourer deserves his wages, the governor said no condition would make his administration “return the state civil servants to Egypt, where they would be owed backlog of salaries.”

    The civil servants, however, hailed the governor when he broke the long-awaited news to them.

    He promised to pay their leave bonuses and their remaining one month arrears.

    The governor thanked the workers for their support to his administration and promised that deserving civil servants would earn their promotion.