The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akeredolu

  • Akeredolu to INEC: be impartial

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral and fair to stakeholders in the discharge of its activities.

    The governor, who spoke in Akure, the capital, when he hosted the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Rufus Akeju, urged the commission to see all parties as equal.

    Akeredolu said: “This will go a long way to create trust and believability in the electoral body by Nigerians.

    “When each political party is treated without fear or favour, the nation’s democracy will compete favourably with what is obtainable in the developed nations.”

    The governor urged the electorate and political parties to cooperate with INEC to enable the commission achieve hitch-free polls in 2019.

    He stressed the importance of the electoral body to the growth of democracy in Nigeria, saying the REC should discharge his responsibilities with integrity, truth and conscience.

    Akeredolu pledged his administration’s readiness to partner with the commission for credible electoral processes.

    Akeju said the priority of the INEC is to ensure that people’s votes count.

    He assured Ondo State residents, especially the political parties, of a level-playing field.

  • Akeredolu: we will make our youths employers of labour through agric

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has promised to make the state’s youths employers of labour, if they embrace modern agricultural practices.

    He advised youths to develop the right attitude and embrace agriculture to create wealth for themselves and employ other people.

    The governor, who spoke at the kick-off of “Youth on the Ridge” at the Federal College of Agricultural in Akure, the state capital, told the participants that modern agricultural practices have become attractive.

    “Youth on the Ridges” is an agricultural programme designed by the Akeredolu administration to engage 18,000 youths in the state in various agricultural vocations.

    Akeredolu said: “This programme envisages real development for the youth. A successful participation in it assures self-reliance. Our ultimate aim is to transform participants into employers of labour.

    “The embarrassing rate of youth unemployment is unacceptable. It is evident that Nigeria is experiencing serious economic challenges. A situation in which about 60 per cent of our youths are unemployed is deplorable.

    “More heart-corroding is the reality of their being unemployable. These are young men and women who, ordinarily, should constitute the workforce in a growing economy. Our dear state is not immune from this scourge.”

    The governor expressed concern that despite the prevalence of numerous economic opportunities in the state, majority of the youths were still wallowing in abject poverty.

    He said: “A society which allows a class which represents a sizeable chunk of its population to wallow in misery and abject want will experience stunted growth.”

    Suggesting a way out of the situation, Akeredolu said: “All aspirations towards development will remain a mirage until youths are engaged positively and productively.”

    He added that his administration was conscious of the debilitating effects of the acute privation of the youths and thus designed “Youth on the Ridges” as a revolutionary intervention to mitigate the current hardship.

  • Security: Akeredolu donates 10 speed boats to Navy

    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.

  • Akeredolu urges Senate to confirm Magu as EFCC chair

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has urged the Senate to confirm Ibrahim Magu as the substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Akeredolu, represented by his deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, spoke yesterday in Akure when he hosted a team from the commission’s zonal headquarters in Benin City.

    He said the Senate should resolve the issue of confirming the appointment of Magu, for the benefit of the country.

    The governor said Magu had been in acting capacity as chairman for more than two years.

    He said EFCC, under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, had achieved a lot in fighting corruption more than the previous governments.

    “To fight corruption is more difficult than the fight against Boko Haram.

    “With the record of billions recovered by the commission, it means God is with this country.

    “With the level of massive looting in the past, I believe there is hope for Nigeria to get to greater height,’’ Akeredolu said.

    Hailing the commission for its achievements in the last two years, he advised it to extend its offices to states.

    This, the governor said, would enable EFCC to recruit workers with apparatus to aid it to fight corruption at the state and local government levels.

    The EFCC Zonal Head, Benin office, Mr. Mallafia Yakubu, had called for the support of the government in the fight against corruption.

    He said corruption had led to underdevelopment and employment.

    “We want to join hands with the government to fight corruption, as the commission cannot do it alone,” Yakubu said.

    He solicited the support of the government on the need to sponsor programmes at the grassroots, to highlight the damage corruption had caused.

  • There’s no killer vaccine in Ondo State –Akeredolu

    There’s no killer vaccine in Ondo State –Akeredolu

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said that killer vaccine does not exist in any part of the state.

    He asked parents and other  stakeholders to join hands with his administration to prevent the outbreak of measles in the state.

    Akeredolu spoke yesterday during the flag-off of the 2018 measles vaccination campaign in Idanre.

    According to him,  his administration has released the sum of N16.7 million as  counterpart fund for this year’s edition of the measles vaccination campaign.

    He said the release  of the money demonstrated  government’s resolve to join hands with the Federal Government to reduce childhood mortality, especially the ones caused by measles.

    “Measles is still one of the killer diseases which we must strive to eradicate,” the governor said, and described   immunization as the most cost-effective intervention to nip in the bud the rate of mortality associated with the viral illness.

    He added that the ongoing campaign against measles was for the benefit of all children between the ages of nine months and five years.

    Akeredolu said: “The 2018 measles vaccination campaign is, therefore, double-edged; an opportunity of a booster dose for children who might have had the routine measles immunization at nine months of life, as well as an opportunity of measles vaccination for eligible children who might have missed the previous dose at nine months of life.

    Phase one of the campaign is beign  carried out in  10 local government: Odigbo, Ilaje, Okitipupa, Irele, Ese-Odo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Ondo West, Ondo East, Ifedore and Idanre .

    It will end  on Thursday, March 13, while phase two will begin on Thursday, March 15, in  Akoko North-East, Akoko North-West, Akoko South-East, Akoko South-West, Ose, Owo, Akure North and Akure South .

    It ends  on Tuesday, March 20.

  • Akeredolu hailed over appointment of 52 women

    Akeredolu hailed over appointment of 52 women

    ONDO State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been hailed for being gender-sensitive and facilitating the appointment of over 52 women into various political offices within the last one year in office.

    His wife Betty, who spoke at the celebration of the 2018 International Women’s day yesterday at the Event Centre(Dome)Alagbaka, Akure, was optimistic that more are still coming.

    The founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria(BRECAN), who listed the appointees, reiterated her own agenda to promote the cause of women and the  girl-child by helping them to realise their potentials.

    Mrs. Akeredolu used the occasion to organise Girls’ Summit with secondary school girls across the state with over 2,000 in attendance.

    According to her, “We have been able to train over 250 secondary school girls on Solar Renewable Energy and training of over 100 of their colleagues on Information Communication(ICT), where each of the girls were given free tablets for their post training activities.”

    On women empowerment, Mrs. Akeredolu said the governor had been rendering support aimed at encouraging women in the state to pursue their dreams and transform their lives.

  • Fayemi, Akeredolu, ARG leaders, Awolowo-Dosunmu, others mark Awo’s birthday in Ekiti, Ogun

    Fayemi, Akeredolu, ARG leaders, Awolowo-Dosunmu, others mark Awo’s birthday in Ekiti, Ogun

    ADo-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital and Ikenne, Ogun State, came alive yesterday as progressives under the aegis of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation celebrated the posthumous birthday of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, led a cast of political stalwarts, who came to celebrate the day with local progressives in Ado-Ekiti.

    They told a crowd of audience, who thronged Eagle Hall, Ikere Road, Ajebamidele, that all Yorubas must sustain the ideals of Awolowo, which made the Southwest to stand out as a beacon of development.

    Members of ARG, All Progressives Congress (APC) and their admirers had earlier in the day staged a public walk to mark Awolowo’s 109th birthday from Okeyinmi Roundabout to Ajebamidele, venue of the public lecture in a carnival-like fashion.

    At Ikenne, eminent Nigerians, including Prof. Banji Akintoye, former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, ex-Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko also marked the 31st posthumous birthday of late sage with a call on the nation’s youth to learn from Awo’s leadership example and exemplary lifestyle.

    Fayemi used the Ado-Ekiti event to sound a battle cry that the APC was poised to win back Ekiti State in the July 14 governorship election and implement the four cardinal policies of Awolowo, which was in operation when the progressives were in power.

    The former Ekiti State governor regretted that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has obliterated the four cardinal policies, which include free education, free health services for children, pregnant women, aged, job creation and rural growth.

    The minister, whose rumoured governorship ambition has been trending for the past few months, said the July 14 election represents a good opportunity to return the APC to power to restore the Awo-inspired legacies for the good of the people

    Akeredolu, who was chairman of the occasion, said the APC is the party that still promotes Awo’s legacies, noting that the first Premier of the Western Region was being celebrated for pioneering the development of his race.

    Oshun, who was represented by an ARG leader, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, said the body would work hard to ensure that Awo’s legacies remain alive, adding that the Yoruba would continue to celebrate the late political legend.

    A guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Alade Fawole, regretted that many of the contemporary political office seekers lack germane ideas to lead because they haven’t groomed themselves by reading and getting exposed to ideas that would make them better leaders.

    Fawole, in his lecture titled: “Obafemi Awolowo and transformative politics: Sustaining the worthy legacy,” urged politicians to emulate Awolowo by developing ideas that would change the society for better.

    Akintoye, Mimiko, Dr. Awolowo-Dosunmu, at the Ikenne event, urged the youth to be determined, courageous and have vision, if they aspired to effect desirable change in the leadership problems Nigeria has been  contending with for decades.

    The programme, titled: “Awo Conversations” at the  Efunyela Hall, was organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation as part of efforts to inculcate in the youths  the enduring legacies of selfless service of the first Premier of the old Western Nigeria.

    Akintoye, who chaired the occasion, berated the country’s leaders for being so selfish with no thought for the people’s welfare and growth.

    He said selfishness on the part of the leaders at all levels of governance informed the prevalence of hardship and suffering among the youths.

    Also, Awolowo-Dosumu, who is the foundation’s Executive Director,  said the programme was organised to enable youths be in a better position as citizens to make informed choices on issues that affect them.

    She explained that the youths have been denied inspiration, sense of dignity and belief in capacity for greatness, saying they should be equipped adequately with skills that could assist the country  attain greatness.

    For Dr. Olusegun Mimiko,  the youth must be determined, have clear vision born out of knowledge and experience and be ready to make sacrifices to actualise their political ambition.

    Other dignitaries at the Ikenne gathering were Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, Rev. Kayode Oyediran and his wife, Rev. Tola.

    Others included Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rise Networks Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, , President, Arewa Youth Forum Alhaji Yerima Shettima,   Dr. Jumoke Yacob-Haliso, Dr. Adedara Oduguwa, Senator Femi Okunrounmu and others.

     

  • Fayemi, Akeredolu light up Ekiti as ARG marks Awo’s birthday

    Fayemi, Akeredolu light up Ekiti as ARG marks Awo’s birthday

    •APC ’ll restore Awo’s legacies after July 14 poll, says minister

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, came alive yesterday as progressives under the aegis of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) celebrated the posthumous birthday of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, led a cast of political stalwarts, who came to celebrate the day with local progressives.

    They told a crowd of audience who thronged Eagle Hall, Ikere Road, Ajebamidele, Ado-Ekiti, that all Yorubas must sustain the ideals of Awolowo, which made the Southwest to stand out as a beacon of development.

    Members of ARG, All Progressives Congress (APC) and their admirers had earlier in the day staged a public walk to mark Awolowo’s 109th birthday from Okeyinmi Roundabout to Ajebamidele, venue of the public lecture in a carnival-like fashion.

    Fayemi used the occasion to sound a battle cry that the APC was poised to win back Ekiti State in the July 14 governorship election and implement the four cardinal policies of Awolowo, which was in operation when the progressives were in power.

    The former Ekiti State governor regretted that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has obliterated the four cardinal policies, which include free education, free health services for children, pregnant women, aged, job creation and rural growth.

    The minister, whose rumoured governorship ambition has been trending for the past few months, said the July 14 election represents a good opportunity to return the APC to power to restore the Awo-inspired legacies for the good of the people Fayemi said: “If we remember, for the past 11 years (since 2007), we have been celebrating Awolowo s birthday. What is most important is that those of us behind whom God has given the opportunity to lead, must pay our dues and help our people in Yoruba land.

    “Awolowo has done a great deal and that is why we are celebrating him since he died in 1987. He is still being celebrated in Ikenne today like we are doing in Ekiti.

    “Pa (Ayo) Fasanmi once told me that Awolowo wished he had been born in Ekiti because then his largest followers were from Ekiti and he knew everyone in the state.

    “If he was alive today, he would have been in APC as his political party. This is because this party was founded on Awo’s political ideals. We are Awolowo’s descendants in Ekiti.

    “We know Awolowo for what we call four cardinal points, from the days of the Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) – these are: free education, free healthcare for children, pregnant, old and disabled, job creation and rural development.

    “If you remember, all these points were what we ensured when we were in power in Ekiti; sadly they are no more in the state.

    “In conclusion, don’t let us not lose hope, just like Governor Akeredolu has said, all these ideals of Awo, we will ensure we do all we could to return them to Ekiti.

    “I appreciate the ARG for celebrating late sage Awolowo. In truth, all of us who are of Yoruba race, it is high time we took up our role as leaders. We are the leaders of the black race.”

    Akeredolu, who was chairman of the occasion, said the APC is the party that still promotes Awo’s legacies, noting that the first Premier of the Western Region was being celebrated for pioneering the development of his race.

    He said: “We are celebrating what Awolowo stood for, which is the advancement of the Yoruba and African race. Ours is pureness of heart. Awolowo has played his part. It remains us to play ours.

    “We cannot all forget the immense contribution of Awolowo, especially among the Yoruba race. Afenifere song was composed by Awolowo. The song says that we the Yorubas are the light of the black race. May God not allow us to draw ourselves backwards.

    “When Awolowo was incarcerated in those days, Hubert Ogunde counselled us to have a rethink in his popular song ‘Yoruba Ronu.’

    “Celebrating Awo’s legacy would make us remember the great contribution of our great forbears. I urge all Yorubas to have a rethink and reunite. We must all work together for our progress.”

    ARG National Chairman Hon. Wale Oshun urged the people of Ekiti State to vote APC at the next governorship election, describing the party as “the baby of Afenifere”.

    Oshun, who was represented by an ARG leader, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, said the body would work hard to ensure that Awo’s legacies remain alive, adding that the Yoruba would continue to celebrate the late political legend.

    Oshun said: “Every society reveres it forbears. We all talk about Awolowo. His works shall not perish. We are here to celebrate Awolowo so we won’t forget his legacies.

    “APC is the party that we the Afenifere have embraced. It is the party that can assist the Yoruba race to the promise land. We enjoin all people to vote for the party in Ekiti.”

    A guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Alade Fawole, regretted that many of the contemporary political office seekers lack germane ideas to lead because they haven’t groomed themselves by reading and getting exposed to ideas that would make them better leaders.

    Fawole, in his lecture titled: “Obafemi Awolowo and transformative politics:

    Sustaining the worthy legacy,” urged politicians to emulate Awolowo by developing ideas that would change the society for better.

     

  • Akeredolu gets 21-day ultimatum

    Akeredolu gets 21-day ultimatum

    Some ex-militants in Ondo State, who surrendered their weapons  in November, have given a 21-day ultimatum to the government to redeem its pledge of empowering them or see them in action.

    They addressed reporters at Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, decrying the “politics” being played with the amnesty programme initiated by the Federal Government.

    They said the government neglected them and gave their slots to party leaders, ward chairmen and other office holders.

    Their leader, ‘General’ Bowei Felix, said they would take up governments on the issue.

    They vowed to go back to the creeks after 21 days.

    “We are ready for any eventuality as long as we have been deceived to drop our weapons. Let the Army be on ground as we will fight with the last drop of blood for our rights, we are so determined,” they said.

    The ex-militants called on governments, as well as Amnesty International, to do the needful within 21 days, by giving their members mandated slots and pay other benefits in line with the programme.

    But the Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi, said the exercise was in phases, stressing that the second phase will come up this week.

    He noted that majority of those clamouring for empowerment may not really be ex-militants, who surrendered.

     

  • Akeredolu, Oyegun and 2019 polls

    Akeredolu, Oyegun and 2019 polls

    GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu caused a stir during a recent radio programme tagged ‘Meet the Governor’ when he declared that the Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led presidential reconciliation committee was not needed in Ondo State. It seemed to many commentators that the animus carried over from the November 2016 Ondo governorship poll had not ended, a bitterness that was reported to have reflected in the then governor-elect’s victory speech that November. In response to a question by his interviewers on the reconciliation effort directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the governor controversially declared: “(Tinubu) has no business coming to Ondo State since there was no crisis…All is well with APC in Ondo State; we are waxing stronger. Olusola Oke (a rival claimant to the throne) has just returned to stay longer, so Asiwaju Tinubu has no reason to come here. Where there is peace, you don’t need a peacemaker so you don’t create more problems. The Presidential reconciliation committee is not needed here in Ondo State; there is peace in Ondo APC.”

    On Tuesday, however, Mr Akeredolu issued a clarification that suggested his statement was misinterpreted, not misquoted. Here is how he interpreted what he said on the radio, according to his spokesman: “He (Akeredolu) wishes to make it clear that the Asiwaju Tinubu-led reconciliation committee is welcome in Ondo State at any time. The committee will, however, find that it has no work to do in the state, as there is peace and stability in the Ondo State APC. The Governor never doubts the ability of Asiwaju Tinubu to successfully carry out this onerous task of uniting our great party and putting it in good stead for the task ahead. The Governor does not deny the legitimacy of Senator Ajayi Boroffice’s position as the senator representing Ondo North senatorial district. The point (the governor) made was that he knows of only two APC senators in the state, who are currently working with the state government for the upliftment of Ondo State.”

    How this clarification rebutted the original ‘twist’ he alleged was given his statement is not quite clear. Perhaps he meant to say that in suggesting that Asiwaju Tinubu did not need to come to Ondo to reconcile warring groups, he did not say it with a sneer. Well, if it was not said sneeringly — and the tenor of that statement is indeed open to many interpretations — the statement at least echoed elements of the gaffes idiosyncratic to him. The governor speaks candidly, sometimes offensively and even disparagingly. And it is clear that if he had been more reflective, he really should have been able to say what was on his mind in a more diplomatic and sensitive way without compromising his beloved candour.

    Hear Mr Akeredolu when he responded in 2016 to questions relating to his refusal to acknowledge the same Asiwaju Tinubu in his victory speech: “On the names that were mentioned in my speech when expressing gratitude, and that I didn’t specifically thank Bola Ahmed Tinubu: I thanked the President and the leader of our party profusely for the leadership which he showed leading to this election. I also thanked our indefatigable chairman for standing by the truth and for his position on this matter that led to this election…Party structure to the best of my knowledge is very clear. You have the leadership of the party and that is represented by Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. After the election, a chief executive emerges, he becomes a leader of the party, you don’t have to personalise and be looking for leaders all over the place. If we have to do that, then I will have to mention 36 or 37 leaders. So I believe the leadership as represented by the President covers all leaders and that tells me it would include Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it would include even Baba Akande, Onu, and so many leaders. But President Buhari is the leader of the party.” After all, did the president himself not insist during a cocktail that the APC did not have two national leaders?

    Regardless of his offensive candour, the often impatient Mr Akeredolu is absolutely entitled to embrace or objurgate whomsoever he likes, and to play his politics to suit both his private philosophy and his person. Indeed, he has stretched this freedom liberally to now fully embrace, idolise and propagate the person and worldview of President Buhari. At a rally to mark his first year anniversary, and in the presence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, the governor threw in his lot with the president with this fawningly insinuative statement: “Here in Ondo State, we are supporting Buhari for a second term, and nothing can change that. We are with Buhari and Oyegun. I have to commend members of the state House of Assembly for tolerating me. I also thank Ade Adetimehin, who is the only chairman of the APC in Ondo State. Any other one is a counterfeit. Anybody who wants to fight should fight. This is not a hidden support; we are declaring it openly. I am one of the governors that will give everything it takes for him (Buhari) to secure a second term in 2019. I am open and frontal about my support for his second term.” Mr Akeredolu obviously knows which side his bread is buttered.

    It seems, after all, that Ondo is actually in need of some reconciliation. But let that pass. If the pugnacious governor says he does not want to be reconciled with anybody, he is free to nurse his bellicosity and keep his daggers permanently drawn. Alas, since the exit of Obafemi Awolowo, the Southwest has apparently grown enamoured of trifling and mediocre politics. Their lodestar used to be their unmatched fondness for regicidal politics, even in Chief Awolowo’s time; now, it is obsession with enervating factionalism. One governor is building an estate named after the president; another reports his leading traditional ruler to the president; and yet another now swears to sink or swim with the same president. You would think the lionised president had propounded some earthshaking political philosophy or built an unparalleled administrative system such as the world has never known.