The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

  • Re: “Let Akeredolu rest in peace

    Re: “Let Akeredolu rest in peace

    Sir: I read with utmost disbelief and dismay the editorial published on Wednesday, July 9, by The Nation newspaper on the issue of a coroner’s inquest relating to the death of former Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

    For clarity, let us revisit the press statement issued by the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State. The release, headlined “Ondo AG Confirms Receipt of Petition Seeking Coroner’s Inquest”, stated unambiguously:

    “The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, has confirmed that his office has received petitions from concerned groups requesting the invocation of the Coroners Law of Ondo State in relation to the death of the former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Dr. Ajulo affirmed that citizens have the right to request the invocation of the Coroners Law, which is designed to address public concerns surrounding deaths considered unnatural or controversial. He emphasised that under the law, any citizen or group who reasonably suspects foul play or has lingering questions about a person’s death has the legal right to demand a coroner’s inquest.”

    How does this simple, clear, and legally accurate statement translate into the Ondo State Government “planning to exhume the late governor’s corpse” as the editorial suggests? Nowhere in the statement was it implied that the state government had concluded on taking up the inquest or that the administration was on a mission to politicise the unfortunate demise of the former governor.

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    What Ajulo did, and rightly so, was to confirm the receipt of petitions, as any responsible attorney general is obligated to, and to reassure the public that due process, guided strictly by law, will be followed should the coroner see merit in the petitions.

    Truth must remain sacred in journalism.

    The late Governor Akeredolu deserves our respect in death, but that respect cannot and must not be used as a shield against lawful processes anchored on public concern. The Ondo State government, through its attorney-general, has done nothing wrong in acknowledging petitions and reaffirming its commitment to due process.

    The Nation must rise above partisan impulses and ensure the standards for which it is known.

    Yomisaint Adebayo,Ministry of Justice, Akure, Ondo State.

  • I am with you on your agitation for a new minimum wage – Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has stood behind workers in the country in their demand for new minimum wage.
    In a statement signed by the commissioner for information and orientation, Yemi Olowolabi said Governor Akeredolu explained that the N18,000 currently being paid as minimum wage to workers in the country is unrealistic.
    He spoke against the backdrop of the present economic realities in the country, noting that he had “always believed that a labourer deserves his wage.”.
    ” N18,000 is too poor. The wage that workers get is not something that can take them home. How much is N18, 000? It is nothing. Quite a number of us spend more than that in a month for recharge card”.
    Governor Akeredolu noted that this had always been his position even before becoming a governor. He, however, called for a balancing of the equation, as the challenge of salary payment has left many administrations in the cold as they lack funds for other equally important government businesses.
    “irrespective of the tiny percentage on government’s payroll, there must be bureaucracy to keep the government going. So, how do you balance it? What do you set aside for Infrastructure, Schools, Health and so many other competing interests?
    “But we’ve said, look, whatever is left, we must keep adjusting because it appears you cannot explain to workers. Nobody is prepared to listen to me, that, look over 80% of our revenue goes for salaries alone.”
    For the Governor, labour leaders should educate their followers on the position of things at the inception of his administration and now, especially for the fact that he has not owed them a month in the last 22 months.

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    Arakunrin Akeredolu drew the attention of the state workforce to the fact that no other government has done the number of kilometers of roads his administration has done in two years, apart from other feats recorded in school renovation and construction as well as accelerated rural water supply.
    “i must appreciate the Federal Ministry of Water Resources which is now telling other state governments to take a cue from us. It’s a showcase to the country.
    “We’ve today repaired close to 700 boreholes all over in nine out of the 18 local government areas. We are going to all the local government areas soon. Despite all these efforts, we firmly believe that workers in Ondo State are entitled to their salaries. We are going to look for money. We’ll pay”.
    The Governor also used the medium to speak on efforts to industrialize the state. To this end, a development partners summit, tagged “develop Ondo 2018” aimed at bringing together critical Stakeholdeers to fashion out a 25 year development plan to enhance the prosperity of the state is billed to take place in Akure, the state capital next week.

  • Ore flyover: Contractors move to site, set to begin construction

    Work is set to begin on the proposed Ore flyover which was flagged -off by Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, during his one year anniversary.

    Already, the contractor handling the project, Craneburg Construction Company, has moved its equipment to the site provided by the community.

    Addressing reporters during the Governor Akeredolu’s visit to the site on Friday, the Regional Manager of the construction company, Dany Mansour, said the project will be completed in one and half year.

    Mansour hinted that the company was ready to begin the construction process. He appreciated the people of Ore for the cooperation the company has received from them so far.

    Governor Akeredolu said he was at the site to see for himself the equipment that has been moved to site by the contractors and to see the level of the preparedness of the contractors.

    He assured that his administration will construct the flyover, which he explained was designed to ease the discomfort constantly experienced by travellers on the road.

    The governor explained that the flyover would benefit not just the people of Ondo state, but other road users traveling to the eastern and northern parts of the country, noting that the project will also benefit people in the community by engaging them to work on the site during the construction of the flyover.

    Speaking earlier, the Olore of Ore, Oba Johnson Obatomide thanked Governor Akeredolu for fulfilling his promise and bringing succour to the people of Ore and the state in general.

    The monarch stressed that the immense developmental stride of the governor has endeared him to the hearts of many people in the community.

    Oba Obatomide assured the governor of the cooperation of the people, especially property owners whose structures will give way for the construction of the flyover.

    According to the monarch, the Ore Junction of the Lagos /Benin expressway has recorded many deaths. He expressed delight that the move to construct a flyover in the dangerous spot will save lives and ease traffic congestion on the road.

    In a similar development, the governor also visited the Ore industrial hub where five companies have already signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with the state government.

  • Akeredolu distributes 45, 000 cocoa seedlings to farmers

    Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, yesterday distributed 450,000 high yielding cocoa seedlings and 25,000 Brazilian jumbo cashew seedlings to farmers across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    The governor declared that the state would be returned to its leadership position in the country as the leading producer of Cocoa.

    The event, which witnessed a huge turnout of farmers, was held at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA)

    Governor Akeredolu assured that his administration will help farmers to easily access bank loans to ease the stress of finance.

    He noted that the distribution of the cocoa and cashew seedlings was a partnership initiative between the state and the Federal Government.

    The Governor urged the youths to learn the rope of farming and return to basic, stressing that only agriculture can take the country out of economy problems.

    Akeredolu said his administration deliberately put in place a programme that would drive the Federal Government’s Cocoa Rebirth Initiative in the State.

    He said: “It is our desire that other tree crops like cashew, oil palm, rubber, kolanut, coconut etc, will witness similar development in the State.

    “Essentially, our Cocoa Rebirth Initiative is addressing the production and distribution of improved cocoa varieties with early maturity of between 18th and 24th months, high in yield production, and tolerant to harsh weather conditions

    “ I am happy to inform you that these improved varieties are produced from the five seed gardens in the State

    “  I wish to also emphasise that the good quality of our cocoa seedlings brought about the partnership of the State with the Federal Government for the distribution of hybrid cocoa pods to all the Cocoa Producing States in the country

    “We have embarked on the rehabilitation of old and moribund cocoa farms while also venturing into new plantation development. A good example is our resolve to establish the 2000ha model cocoa farm at Ijugbere Camp, Ilale via Owo.”

    The governor disclosed that his administration was embarking on massive training of cocoa farmers in modern techniques and principles of cocoa production coupled with the use of modern fermentation and Sun drying equipment.

    He said the government is promoting local consumption of cocoa and chocolate drinks through sensitization of the citizenry on the health and wealth benefits of cocoa.

    He said: “It is our view that cocoa and chocolate would be incorporated into the national School Feeding Programme.

  • 100 days in office: Akeredolu gets passmark

    100 days in office: Akeredolu gets passmark

    The Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, gave Gov. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, a pass mark for for performing beyond expectation within 100 days in office.

    Mrs Morenike Alaka, the Caretaker Chairperson of the council area, made this commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa.

    Alaka said that Akeredolu had brought real governance to the masses in the state, especially those at the grassroots.

    Akeredolu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who emerged winner in the Nov. 26, 2016 governorship election, was inaugurated as the sixth executive governor of the state on Feb. 24.

    She said that the governor swung into action by paying the salaries of civil servants, who were being owed several months of salaries by the previous administration.

    According to her, the state is now wearing a new look, as Akeredolu has completed most of the state road projects abandoned by the past administration.

    “The Akeredolu administration has brought a fresh breath and succour to the masses of this state in 100 days.

    “Commercial activities have become active, as civil servants now receive their salaries as at when due and some of the arrears owed by the past administration have been paid.

    “Put politics aside, sincerely, this government has performed well in just 100 days in office,” she said.

    The chairperson also lauded the wife of the governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu for inaugurating the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) to detect and treat breast cancer in women.

    She also hailed her initiative in skill acquisition programme, which she said, would go a long way to better the lives of the women.

    Alaka urged the residents of the state to continue to cooperate with the present administration and pray for its success.