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Tag: Akeredolu

  • Akeredolu to Fayose: you can’t stop me from election campaign in Ekiti

    The Ondo State government yesterday faulted the statement credited to Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, castigating Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

    Fayose had accused Akeredolu of bringing 150 policemen to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, last Friday, to instigate the gun attack in which four persons, including an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Opeyemi Bamidele, were injured.

    He repeated the accusation that Akeredolu planned to use Ondo State’s two months’ allocation to fund the electioneering of the APC governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    A statement by Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, said: “Ordinarily, we would have ignored all the deliberate lies and falsehood, but we felt that we would not be the public, if such lies were not debunked.

    “For the information of the doubters, Governor Akeredolu, even if provoked, cannot debase his personality to a level that he will sacrifice the interests of his people for pecuniary gains.

    “Instead of engaging in hypocritical activities, like eating at motor parks and cutting ponmo (cow hide delicacy) at the market square, Akeredolu is currently applying the public resources for the betterment of the lives of the people of the state.

    “So, it is interesting to state that Ondo is witnessing massive infrastructural development in all sectors of the state. On Monday, at the State Executive Council (Exco) meeting, a number of projects were approved for execution. That’s how development is moving in Ondo State.

    “Governor Fayose and his boy should be reminded that the Akeredolu-led administration has performed creditably well in the last one year and few months.

    “On last Friday’s gun attack in Ekiti, we would like to refer Fayose to a statement by the Ekiti State police spokesperson Caleb Okechukwu, who cleared the air on the issue. Investigation by the police had revealed that the shooter was a police officer brought from Lagos by an Ekiti politician.

    “For this revelation, we believe that the Ekiti governor and his cohorts will now bury their heads in shame.

    “We, therefore, call the security agencies in the country to take note of the false accusation levelled against Akeredolu by Fayose and his town crier, who, only a few years ago, wrote a detailed report about the devious activities of his master.

    “It is also important for Lere and his boss to know one very important fact that unlike his boss, we are committed to the progress and peaceful co-existence between the state and Ekiti. I mean, weren’t we one before October, 1996? The seed of discord Fayose is trying to plant between the two states will not germinate, no matter how cunning he is.

    “We will love to state here categorically that Governor Akeredolu reserves every right to show support for the candidate of his party in Ekiti State, just as Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and the rest are showing support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    “There is no law that prohibits Fayose and the PDP from making issues out of this because of the smell of defeat that has overwhelmed them.

    “Fayose also tried to rewrite the sad incident that occurred last Friday, claiming that the tear gas canisters that hit a taxi driver was fired by the policemen that accompanied the thugs from Akure.

    “Residents of Ekiti and those who were present during the incident knew that the pandemonium that greeted the shooting at the APC secretariat necessitated the tear gas canisters fired by the policemen.

    “Please, note that the policemen who fired the tear gas canisters were duly drafted to the secretariat by the Ekiti State Police Command to forestall the breakdown of law and order…”

     

     

     

  • NBA presidency: Akeredolu makes case for women

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) is drumming up support for women lawyers to run for Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidency. Women, he said,  should be given a chance to vie for the exalted post.

    “We have to allow them to grow,” Akeredolu, a former NBA president, said.

    He spoke after being honoured at a Professional Bar Dinner organised by the Ibadan branch of the NBA at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre Ibadan at the weekend.

    The governor was inducted as the branch’s patron for his contributions for its development and growth.

    Akeredolu served as secretary and chairman of the branch.

    He said: “We must produce a female President of the NBA. We should allow them to grow. If I see a woman campaigning for the Presidency of the Bar, I will definitely support her and campaign openly for her.”

    He praised the branch for the recognition, adding: “I thank the Bar for the post humous award given to the former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, late Rt. Hon. Michael Adesina Adeyemo, a consummate Bar man and ambassador of the legal profession in politics. He went to politics on the verge of becoming the Secretary of this branch.”

    The branch Chairman, Mr. Akeem Agbaje said the dinner was an annual event and that the branch decided to honour those who have made it proud in recent years; members who were elevated to the Customary Court Bench were also honoured.

    Those honoured at the event included: Justice T. M. Abdul-Ganiyu, Justice M.Oyekwajo, Justice Olatunji Daniel, Justice S. A. Akitoye, and the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Mukhtar L. Abimbola.

    Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) in his dinner speech on ethics and culture at the Bar said: “I implore that all local Bars set up ethics, culture, decorum and dressing committees to ensure that good standards are kept and maintained. I also recommend an Ethical provision from the Indian Bar which is, another commonwealth jurisdiction.

    “Indian Lawyers are strictly enjoined to ensure that they drop briefs when a client desires the Lawyer to engage in any unethical practice. This means that the desire for success should never tempt a lawyer to engage in untoward practice. After all, when the Lawyer gets into trouble, the client quickly abandons him for another lawyer at the same or even lesser fees.

    “We must not only focus on the discipline and punishment of erring lawyers, but encourage the setting up of a Bar Standards Board. Such a Board will ensure that the profession is practiced at the highest quality level. Lawyers should be required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to maintain and improve their skills.”

  • Ibadan NBA honours Akeredolu

    CONSEQUENT upon his sterling leadership qualities and selfless contributions to its progress, the Ibadan, Oyo State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), recently appointed Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), as its patron.

    The induction ceremony, which was the climax of the 2018 Annual Professional Dinner of the branch, held on Thursday night, at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre in Ibadan, with several dignitaries in attendance. In his address, Chairman of the Ibadan chapter, Akeem Agbaje, described Governor Akeredolu as deserving of the honour based on his contributions towards the growth of the branch, saying his choice for the position was unanimously endorsed at its general meeting .

    He described Akeredolu, a former secretary and chairman of the branch, as a legal giant who has paid his dues towards the advancement of the profession. “He is a man of outstanding qualities; even in his student union days, his qualities were recognized. Even at the branch, and at a very young age, he became one of the leaders whose sterling qualities endeared him to many. Subsequently, became the NBA president unopposed.

    “One thing you can’t take away from him is his passion for his people and the masses, which is second to none. He is a leader who is swift in responding to his members’ problems and has done that consistently for several years both in his private and professional capacities,” Agbaje said. In his acceptance speech, Governor Akeredolu thanked the leadership of the branch for the honour, and described the day as a special one in his life.

  • APC chief drums support for Akeredolu, Adetimehin

    A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Timothy Felder Olatunji, has urged members to support the Ade Adetimehin-led Executive Committee (exco) in Ondo State.

    Olatunji, who hails from Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local Government, described the process leading to the emergence of the exco as transparent to strengthen the party.

    Olatunji, a senatorial aspirant, in a statement enjoined members “to ignore moves by desperate politicians to cause disaffection in the party.”

    The statement said: “While congratulating our amiable Chairman of APC, Mr. Adetimehin and other members of the newly-elected Executive Committee of our great party as they take over the mantle of leadership, may I say that no process could have been more transparent than what brought the new party leadership in.

    “I consider this an ample opportunity that must be celebrated by well-meaning members of our party, especially as we inch towards 2019 general election. No doubt, Adetimehin, an engineer, is a tested and trusted party man, who has demonstrated a great deal of loyalty and hard work. I, therefore, have confidence in him and his team to take the party to the next level.

    “I use this medium to congratulate our governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, for the leadership and determination to unite the party.

    “At a time like this in the life of our party, all that is required is support for good leadership as exhibited by Akeredolu and Adetimehin. Both men have strived to bring together members of the party by creating platforms for participation in governance and party activities.

    “May I, therefore, use this medium to call on all stakeholders in the party to unite and remain supportive of the governor and the party leadership as we march towards the national convention aimed at completing the chain of the credible processes that had been achieved at the ward, local and state levels.”

  • Community policing best for Nigeria, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has said community policing is the best strategy to tackle security challenges in the country.

    The governor hailed the police for establishing three area commands in Ikare, Oba-Ile and Okitipupa, saying they had improved security of life and property in the state.

    Akeredolu spoke in Akure, the capital, while hosting the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Zone 11, Oshodi Glover.

    The governor, who endorsed the Community Policing Strategy, noted that the strategy is the best approach for effective collaboration with local communities to achieve tight security.

    Akeredolu congratulated Glover on his promotion as a DIG, describing him as a diligent and hard working officer, whose tenure as assistant inspector general (AIG) in the zone will be remembered for his professional disposition.

    The governor said Glover’s positive attitude to his job culminated in effective policing of Ondo State.

    The DIG informed the governor of his promotion and transfer from the zone, saying the development made it mandatory for him to show appreciation for Akeredolu’s cooperation with the police.

    The DIG noted that the collaboration between the police and the Akeredolu administration resulted in making Ondo the most peaceful state in the zone.

    Glover was accompanied by Police Commissioner Gbenga Adeyanju, while the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Security Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo and Chief of Protocol Officer to the Governor Tosin Ogunbodede, were on the chief host’s team.

  • Ondo set to join rice producers, says Akeredolu

    Efforts by Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to make the state a major player in rice production have received a boost.

    The governor has also pledged to assist farmers to assess loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to enable them cultivate 500 hectares for rice production.

    Akeredolu, who spoke when management of the Sunshine Rice Mill, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Akeem Alade, gave an update on activities of the firm at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the capital, assured farmers that nothing will hinder his administration’s plan to put the state in the league of mass rice producers.

    The governor told the management of the rice mill to visit his office for intervention in case the firm had issues with CBN.

    He said: “If you have problems with CBN, you should let us know for necessary intervention.”

    Akeredolu promised to provide infrastructure, including roads and electricity, among others, to aid the firm.

    The governor said Sunshine Rice Mill, when completed, would not only add economic value to the state but also provide jobs for youths in the 18 local government areas.

    Sunshine Rice Mill is one of the projects the government is promoting to stop importation  and encourage local production.

    Alade said the equipment for the 120 metric tonnes per day rice mill would arrive in the next two months.

    He added that about 250 farmers had been projected to access the CBN Agro Borrowers’ Scheme to scale up their production in rice farming to feed the mill.

  • Akeredolu: salaries, allowances consume 90 per cent of state’s income

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday lamented a situation where 90 per cent of the N5 billion monthly allocations of the state were spent on salaries, allowances, gratuities and pensions.

    He said it would be difficult to meet other obligations, such as employment of primary school teachers, building of roads, classrooms and other infrastructural projects.

    The governor spoke at Owode-Obaile in Akure North Local Government during the inauguration of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) ultra-modern resort, constructed by the Ondo State leadership of the union.

    He hailed NULGE President Dr. Olubunmi Eniayewu and his team for initiating projects that impacted on local government workers.

    Akeredolu said his administration released N200 million regularly to offset backlog of gratuities and give car loans to workers.

    The governor, justifying his statement on his administration’s inability to pay workers’ leave allowances until the state is buoyant, which caused protest at the May Day celebration in Akure on Tuesday, said it was the right of every Nigerian to protest or disagree with government’s decision.

    He said he would act in the interest of the state.

    Akeredolu said: “We earn about N5 billion every month, N4 billion goes for salaries and allowances. How do we address shortage of teachers in primary schools? How do we build classrooms? How do we provide transformers for communities without electricity? The majority want their roads built. The present state is depressing.

    “It is unfortunate that some people now refer to our state as a civil service enclave where governance has been reduced to payment of salaries, allowances, grants and subventions.”

    He added: “So, you can shout, you can protest. It is your right, you can remain in the sun for days, but I will not change my style in the interest of the majority. We are paying salaries regularly, workers must not be selfish, allow us to take care of others.”

    The governor said of over six million people, workers constituted only two per cent, stressing that it would be unreasonable to spend monthly allocation on workers at the expense of others.

    Eniayewu said the recreational facilities would facilitate training and retraining of workers through seminars and entrepreneurial skills acquisition.

    The union leader, who hailed Akeredolu for promotion of his members, enjoined the government to approve the promotion of local government workers, who had been due since January.

  • Farmer hails Akeredolu for agric revolution

    A farmer, Dotun Owanikin, has hailed Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his agricultural policy.

    Owanikin, who reviewed the agric policy of the administration, described it as productive.

    Owanikin, also a lawyer, praised the “Youths on the Ridges’ programme launched by the government, stressing that it was targeted at youths to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty, particularly among youths.

    He said: “Governor Akeredolu is focused and pragmatic in his approach in tackling unemployment and by extension, poverty among youths.

    “The programme is a right step in the right direction, as it teaches our youths agric-business, which will enhance their earnings.”

    Owanikin said considering the topography of the state, all types of agriculture were practicable.

    He said: “The nature of our soil permits the practice of all forms of agriculture. They can plant cassava, vegetables and grains in the northern area of the state. Cocoa, palm produce, plantain, banana and other crops thrive in Ondo Central. It is commendable that Akeredolu is tackling unemployment.”

    Owanikin advised unemployed youths to embrace the programme.

  • Oyo Speaker’s death: Ajimobi, Akeredolu visit family

    Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, on Saturday led high powered state delegations on a condolence visits to the family house of the late Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Michael Adeyemo. The visits came on the heels of the sudden demise of the speaker who died of heart attack at the Jericho Hospital, Ibadan at the early hours of Friday.

    The state declared a three-day mourning period, with effect from Monday, April 30 – Wednesday, May 2, 2018, with a directive that flags be flown at half mast during the period. Adeyemo, 47, who was on his second term representing Ibarapa East State Constituency, was the first person to attain such political height in the history of Lanlate land, Ibarapa region of the state.

    Prior to his position as Speaker, he was Deputy Chief Whip of the House, member of Fund Allocation, Works and Transport, Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Appropriation and Public Finance committees of the 7th House of Assembly. The late Speaker was the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Conference of Speakers and also the Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, among Speakers of the States’ Houses of Assembly.

    On Ajimobi’s del;elation to Lanlate was his deputy, Moses Adeyemo, wife of the governor, Florence Ajimobi, the Secretary of the State Government, Olalekan Alli, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gbade Ojo, Oyo APC chairman, Akin Oke, the Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Fatai Buhari and the Executive Secretary to the Governor in charge of Administration, Soji Eniade.

    The governor who refused to utter any word at every place visited for the fear of betraying emotions however penned down his pains in the condolence register opened at the Adeyemo’s residence in Lanlate. “Adeshina Michael Adeyemo’s demise is the greatest lost of the APC administration in Oyo State. He was a brilliant, eloquent, intelligent, diligent and most patriotic Speaker I ever met. He contributed immensely to the success of this administration. He is a peacemaker, bridge builder and a great son of Lanlate, Oyo State”,  Ajimobi wrote in the condolence register.

    Akeredolu, who visited the Ibadan home of the Speaker in company of some alumni of Akin Olujimi & Akeredolu Co. led by the  former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adebayo Ojo expressed grief at the sudden death of the lawmaker. Late Adeyemo aged 47, a lawyer was with Akin Olujimi & Akeredolu Law Firm  before he joined politics.

    According to the Ondo governor, the late Adeyemo led a robust legislative house, resulting to good governance in Oyo State during his lifetime. As the deceased will be missed by the people of Oyo State, Governor Akeredolu askd them to take solace in the fact that his contributions to the development of the state will not be forgotten in a hurry. The governor urged all Nigerians to continue to pray for the Adeyemo family at this trying period.

    Meanwhile, Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the death of the Speaker as a colossal tragedy. He paid glowing tribute to Hon. Adeyemo, whose sudden death was a rude shock to Oyo State and the country, saying “he was hale and hearty, full of life, when last I saw him recently. He was his usual self, active, effervescent, exuding infectious enthusiasm. The late lawmaker was a politician with a difference He will be missed.

    “During his political career, he brought his deep convictions and discipline to regional, state and community levels and was ready to always offer his best to the development and stability of the state. His major political ambition was to serve his people. He was a pillar in the political structure of Oyo and had used his office to better the lot of the people. I pray that God repose his gentle soul and give everyone concerned the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Aregbesola stressed.

  • Ondo’ll  partner only credible investors –Akeredolu

    In its bid to partner credible investors on the avalanches of  investible potentials in Ondo State, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration has again played host to another investor, Transnet National Port Authority, with interest in the maritime sector. Akeredolu, who led the state government team during the week to receive the investors at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, stressed the importance of port development to the state and described it as a veritable means of utilising the potentials of the state’s coastline.

    He said: “Port development, as we know is not something that is easy. I is one of the most complicated form of development anybody can go into.

    “What makes it so complicated is the cost for developing it. For sea port development, the feasibility studies and others will cost billions of naira.”

    Akeredolu however, asked the investors to meet with the management of Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), who would profile them appropriately.

    Earlier, the TNPA Leader,  Dr. Kana Mutombo, informed the governor of the capacity of his compny to effectively handle projects development for the state.

    He explained that the South African company could also organse funds and was ready to start work as soon as the state government gave the go-ahead.