Ondo State Government at the weekend signed Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a private power company, Alagbaka Power Limited to boost power supply in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde,while signing the PPA said the project was part of the efforts of the Akeredolu-led administration to solve problems of power supply in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Utilities, Engr. Tunji Light Ariyomo said the company would site a 15mw gas-fired power generation plant in Alagbaka GRA, Akure, the state capital and would feed all government facilities within the GRA as well as some government owned residential estates in Alagbaka and Ijapo areas within the state capital.
Ariyomo explained that the governor is passionate about seeing power problems solved as soon as possible with a view to making the state investors preferred .
The Managing Director/CEO of the power company, Victor Adedeji explained that the signing of the PPA is a mandate that they should begin operations.
He disclosed that they would move to site immediately and begin installation of the equipment needed for power generation and distribution to captive zones.
Adedeji, who was accompanied by the company Legal Adviser, Olawale Aro, said within a period of 18 months, the plant would be ready for operations.
Ariyomo described the event as an epoch making exercise in the state capital, Ariyomo, said it brings to two the number of PPAs activated by the Akeredolu administration.
He recalled that another state sponsored generation source is coming to the southern part of the state which will improve energy availability and uninterrupted power supply for the people of Igbokoda and environ.
Elders Forum of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Akure South local government area of Ondo state on Thursday expressed concern over intractable factional crisis within its stakeholders.
The two factions is led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde and that of Chief Akin Olokunboro/Afe Olowookere group.
Observers noted that the timely intervention of the governor would assist in harmonising party supporters that are presently in conflict.
In a statement signed by 18 APC elders, the group noted that the stakeholders had earlier mandated some party leaders to reach out to aggrieved members,but alleged that the committee failed to approach the two feuding .groups but only one faction.
The forum noted that the crisis which happened during the last May APC victory congresses in the local government was yet to be resolved.
It urged the governor to do the needful for genuine unity among members of APC in Akure South Local government.
Besides,the APC elders decried the the way councillorship candidates were selected in the local government without due consultation.
The group urged Akeredolu to call Abegunde to order in order to sustain peace within the ruling party in the local government for its victory in future elections.
There was confusion at the Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat on Friday when a trigger-happy Mobile Policeman (MOPOL) opened fire as the party’s flag bearer, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, arrived to a tumultuous welcome.
Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele and three other party members were hit by the bullets fired by the unidentified cop.
Bamidele who was hit on the arm in the orgy of shooting was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital at the time of filing this report.
Fayemi, his wife, Bisi, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, deputy governorship candidate, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde and other senior party figures escaped being killed.
They had all accompanied Fayemi from the Akure Airport to Ekiti State where they were received by unprecedented crowds of party supporters and residents in Ikere-Ekiti and Ado-Ekiti.
The shooting which happened at about 5.00 pm happened as Fayemi and members of his entourage were making their way out of the party secretariat to continue the rally round the town.
The MOPOL officer who fired the gunshots was overpowered and disarmed by angry party members and given the beating of his life but was later saved by his colleagues from being killed by the angry mob.
Party members alleged that he was a fake MOPOL officer sent to disrupt the rally calling on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the shooting incident.
The culprit was trying to keep the surging crowd at bay when he suddenly opened fire but lost control by shooting sporadically in a wrong direction.
Party leaders carried Bamidele and other victims from the scene.
The angry party men disarmed the policeman and descended on him and smashed his head with sticks and other dangerous weapons before being rescued and taken to a safe custody.
The incident caused pandemonium at Ajilosun area of Ado-Ekiti as residents scampered to safety to avoid being hit by stray bullets.
The entourage was received by the state APC executive led by the Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe.
Before the shooting fiasco, Akeredolu and Fayemi, while addressing party leaders and members, declared the readiness of the APC to rescue Ekiti from poverty, hunger and underdevelopment.
Akeredolu applauded the party members for putting behind them the post primary crisis, saying with the crowd he saw today that Ekiti remains the stronghold of the APC.
Akeredolu said: “Fayemi has returned with full force to reclaim the land. He needs your support and this task shall be achieved in the mighty name of God.”
Fayemi said: “We are here to work for Ekiti and our party leaders and this we are going to do together because it is a collective responsibility”.
“We are going to work with everybody, including those who just decamped to our party, because we are one big family in APC.
“We shall win by the grace of God. Our case was like the case of a ram who moved backward to garner more strength. We are here to rescue Ekiti and it is a task we must achieve”.
Adeyeye, who joined the APC on Tuesday after twelve years in the PDP, said “Fayose is politically dead and buried.”
“I have returned home and my mission is to ensure that we killed Fayose politically by burying him.
“We shall mobilize well to achieve this task and by the grace of God, this is a must-win and must accomplished task for all of us.”
Earlier in the day, massive crowd trooped out in their thousands to welcome Fayemi into the state as the motorcade passed through Akure, Iju, Itaogbolu in Ondo State before the train reached Ekiti State.
There was a massive lockdown at Oke Osun, Odo Oja Oke’kere areas of Ikere where thousands of party faithful had gathered to welcome the flag bearer. The convoy arrived Ikere township at about 3.00 pm.
It took another one hour for the train to reached Ado-Ekiti where mammoth crowd was waiting to receive Fayemi and his team. They arrived the state capital at about 4.00 pm.
Enthusiastic residents held placards, banners and flyers with Fayemi’s portraits.
Fayemi was also welcomed by the Hausa, Ebira, Igbo and Urhobo communities, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), market women and commercial motorcycle riders.
Traffic was at a standstill along Ikere Road in Ado-Ekiti for about three with party members holding party on the highway.
Situation in Ado-Ekiti was calm as party members and other residents expressed surprise at the shooting incident.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has urged members to continue to coexist in unity and harmony in other to prevent internal crisis within the party.
This was the resolution of the party leaders in Akure North and environs at a ‘Unity Meeting’ organised by the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, on Wednesday in Akure.
Yusuf-Ogunleye, while speaking at the meeting, said the forum followed the directive of the governor to ensure that all those that defected were welcomed back by leaders in each ward.
“As a sitting commissioner representing Akure North, I have to organise the meeting and to make my people to know the achievements of the governor and what he intends to do for the people in the area,” he said.
Also speaking with newsmen after the meeting, a Second Republic senator, Olorunimbe Farukanmi, said the forum was crucial to the development of the party in the local government as elections were approaching.
Farukanmi praised the commissioner for deeming it fit to organise such a meeting to foster unity among members.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, said he was impressed as the forum provided an opportunity to meet many people he had known when he was in the Peoples Democratic Party.
He urged members to continue to support the Akreredolu-led government in other to move the state forward.
The Chairman of the party in the local government, Joshua Eleti, received some defectors from the Alliance for Democracy into the party.
Eleti promised that there would be equal opportunity for everybody, irrespective of the time they joined the party.
Former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Kenneth Olawale, and former AD Chairman in the state, Makinde Oguntona, were among dignitaries at the meeting.
Others were Mrs Omowumi Edet, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Yemisi Aladesaye, former Chairman of the defunct ANPP, and Mrs Funke Adu, Iyaloja of APC in Ondo State.
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) Ondo State Command, said it arrested more than 60 suspects and secured the conviction of 10 people for various crimes within 100 days in the state.
Mr Awili Pedro, the State Commandant of NSCDC, announced this on Friday during the commissioning of the divisional headquarters, ‘B’ Division of NSCDC in Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Reports say that the building is donated to NSCDC by the Iju Community in Akure North area.
“Since my assumption of duty 100 days today, the command has held four press briefings and paraded over 60 suspects for various crimes, including vandalism, petroleum products adulteration and diversion.
“Others are destruction of farm products by herdsmen, robbery, child abuse and trafficking, obtaining money under false pretence (419) and operation of private guard company without valid licence, to mention a few.
“Within this period, we have recovered vandalised petroleum products, telecommunications and power equipment such as high tension cables, solar batteries and transformer accessories, including vehicles recovered from robbery suspects.
“Most of these suspects are now facing trials and about 10 convictions have been secured within three months,” he said.
Pedro said the command established quick response units of the corps on Ondo road in Akure and Uso and Emure-Ile communities which would be commissioned soon with the approval of the state government.
He appreciated the state government and leaders of other sister agencies such as Brigade Commander, Director of DSS and Commissioner of Police for their positive interventions towards dislodging kidnapping and terrorist elements in Ondo North Senatorial districts and other parts of the state.
“We enjoyed this synergy and unity of purpose in these operations that we are also a part of. It is our determination to continue to work in tandem with these sister agencies in making Ondo State a safe haven.
“It is equally important to stress to this community, the need to collaborate with our personnel posted to work in this facility and indeed in the state.
“We need timely information to enhance our effective service delivery,” he said.
In his speech, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, called on individuals to support government and security agencies in the state to eradicate crime in its 18 local government areas
Akeredolu, who was represented by Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, Secretary to the State Government ( SSG ), appealed to NSCDC to fulfill its core mandate of protecting and securing both the civil population and government infrastructure and assets.
“The commissioning of a divisional headquarters ‘B’ Division of NSCDC in Iju will go a long way in facilitating the peace, tranquility and security of the state as a whole and Akure North local government area in particular.
“Since the entrenchment of peace and security is germane to the prosperity of a people, all hands must truly be on deck in supporting the extension of government security apparatus and services to the ancient town of Iju and its environs.
“To this end, I deem it appropriate to admonish the ‘B’ division of the NSCDC to hit the ground running, by carrying out the duties effectively.
The Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said that his major priority in office is to make the state the number one destination for investors in Nigeria by the year 2020.
Speaking during the Inauguration of the board of the State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) on Thursday in Akure, the state capital, Akeredolu said the state has no reason to rely on federal allocation from Abuja before she could meet her commitments to the people if the large deposits of mineral and agricultural resources in the state are well annexed.
The Governor said Nigeria spend N300bn annually on importation of bitumen despite the fact that the state has the largest deposit of bitumen in Nigeria which is processed, can reduce pressure on our naira and boost the nation’s foreign exchange.
Speaking on several investment opportunities in the state, he said he established ONDIPA to ensure that corporate organizations and businessmen and women interested in doing business in the state do their transactions without any hues.
The governor also declared that his administration has dedicated 150,000 hectares of land to boost cocoa, oil palm and cassava plantation in the State.
Akeredolu also announced that the first company for Bitumen Exploration and Processing in Nigeria would commence operation in the state before the middle of 2018.
In his word, Akeredolu said: “We are the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria. We are the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria. We have the largest deposit of limestone in Nigeria; let me inform this gathering that Ondo has the largest deposit of bitumen in Africa and second in the world.
“I want to use this opportunity to announce to this gathering that the first company for Bitumen Exploration and Processing in Nigeria will commence operation in our state before the middle of 2018.
“We are the largest producer of oil palm and cashew nut in South West. We have dedicated 150,000 hectares of land to boost cocoa, oil palm and cassava in Ondo State. We have major cash crops; maize, rice, soya beans, citrus, plantain; coffee, cowpea; we have the highest load of granite in South-west. We have large rubber plantations in Ondo. We have oil and gas; we are the 4th largest producer of oil and gas in Nigeria, we can use gas to power electricity.
The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. David Oloyeloogun (left), the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi (middle) and the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, during the launch of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) held at the International Culture and Event Centre (DOME) – Photo credit: Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye.
“We are also the hub of tourism. The Smoking Hills and golf resort at Ilaramokin is the largest in Nigeria and the third largest in Africa. The longest hill on the continent of Africa is here. Ebomi Lake Tourist Centre is here. The International Culture and Event Centre (DOME) where we are hosting this event is the biggest in South West.
“The popular igbo olodumare is in my town at Okeigbo and to the glory of God, the largest palace in Africa, the Olowo palace domicile here in our state. From Lagos to Akure and Akure to Lagos now take 25 minutes by air.
“We now have Air Peace flying our once moribund airport every day. Overland Airline has increased the frequency of its flight from Akure to Abuja to three times daily. I am sure many of you fly Air Peace to Akure today. So why can’t you come do business here?
“Furthermore, to ensure that inter-state movement is made easy, Ondo State just signed a memorandum of understanding with Niger/Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the construction of 45km Araromi-Epe road to be completed before the end of 2018,” he stressed.
Assuring the investors of their safety in the state, Akeredolu said “ONDIPA means business. The mandate of ONDIPA is to ensure that private sectors have no problem doing businesses in Ondo State. Today, you do not need to go to ministries to register your business and process papers; ONDIPA will do everything for you.
“I want to assure investors that whatever Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) we sign with you will be fulfilled with sanctimonious attention. We would not compromise integrity. In three years, I want to see Ondo being the number destination of investors in Nigeria.
I want to export our cash crops and mineral resources to reduce pressure on our naira to boost our foreign exchange. My office is opened to investors. ONDIPA is open. The office of ONDIPA is even beside my office,” he stated.
Established by the House of Assembly of Assembly, (ONDIPA)is saddled with the responsibility of managing the State’s investment promotion and multilateral cooperation; structured to meet all corporate best practices to ensure seamless integration of potential investors, development partners and investments into the growth and development of the state’s economy.
The Agency, which has the Governor as its Chairman, has the Special Adviser to the Governor on Development and Investment, Mr Boye Oyewumi is to act as Vice-chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Others members of the board of the agency are the state Commissioners of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture, the Vice-President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Mrs Cecilia Akintomide, CEO, Delta Africs, Engr. Olu Odumakinde who are both indigenes of the state.
In his speech, Oyewumi said he and his team shall be focusing on Investor and sector Targeting/Marketing, Promotion of Tourism, Business facilitation and Partnerships with Multilateral and Donor Organizations and most importantly, Management of the state economic zones aimed towards creating jobs, transfer of technology/skills, reduction of capital flight and value chain improvements, Import substitution, Industry/Economic Diversification, Infrastructure development and most significantly, Improvement of Internally generated revenue.
Oyewumi said to get the goals and objectives of ONDIPA achieved, sectors such as Agriculture, Information technology, Oil and Gas, Energy and Mining, Tourism, Manufacturing and Agro-allied industries and Transportation sectors would be prioritised.
Several investors and corporate organizations who thronged the International Culture and Event Centre (DOME) where the event took place declared their readiness to partner the state government.
An investor, Mr Yomi Adewumi who is the CEO of Investment Technology Limited, a firm specializing in Mining and Processing said his company would be investing $3m dollars in the state. He thanked Akeredolu’s administration for creating an enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state.
Present at the event was the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi and his wife, Secretary to the state Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, members of the state executive council, permanent secretaries and several other government functionaries.
Others present were the first Professor of Investment Promotion in Nigeria, Professor Adesoji Adesugba, representatives of the British Department for International Development (DFID), Nigerian Investment and Development Corporation, Bank of Industry, Kaduna State Development and Investment Corporation, David Lukadu, Yewande Sadiqu, Mohammed Afeez respectively.
Also present were the representative of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Mr Omolola Adegbenga, Lagos lawyer and human rights activists, Mr. Femi Falana, Executive Director, Energy Renewal Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, Director General, National Emergency Agency (NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha amongst others.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday urged investors in the country and outside the shores to bring their investments down to his state, instead of concentrating their investments in traffic-ridden and human congested Lagos State, saying that “my state is blessed with abundant resources”.
The governor made this known in Akure, the state capital while welcoming the delegation of Federal Government Industrialization and Economic Diversification team led by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Usani to his office.
The Governor said Ondo state would be ready to partner with investors so that the State can become the hub of economic activities in Nigeria.
He said, “According to the Nigerian Police Force and Department of Security Services (DSS), Ondo state is the 3rd most secured state in the country, therefore, i want to urge investors in the country to come and explore untapped resources which are abundant here.
“We have them in their numbers here, let them come. The rain in here is not much while the harmattan is not harsh. Ondo has the second highest reserve of bitumen in the world. Ondo sustained the Western region before independent and during the first republic because of the Cocoa from Ondo state.
“The Federal government should also build a sea port in Ondo state. The Atlantic Ocean that passes through Ondo State is the deepest in West Africa. Also, from Araromi in Ilaje is about 45 minutes drive to Ibeju/Lekki in Lagos. So, investors should prefer Ondo state that is free without any traffic to Lagos that is over-congested and has no land?” Akeredolu said.
The governor further said that the state is well placed and situated to connect other states across the country for economic and business activities because those coming from the eastern part, the north and other Niger/Delta States passes through the state while going to Lagos for business transactions.
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Usani said federal government set up an initiative that focuses mainly on Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors in order to explore the opportunities in states in the country.
He said moribund industries would be revived and that agriculture would be made attractive not only to farmers but the youths.
Reacting, the Minister said “we are here in view of the Presidential initiative that focuses on the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. The Federal Government want to work in conjunction with states so that various moribund industries could be revived towards jobs creation and economic development.
The Minister said the agricultural sector will be prioritised in the sense that incentives will be provided to interest Nigerians with special consideration for the youths. He promised that something visible will be done for Ondo state before the end of the current financial year.`
He commended Akeredolu for his response to the scheme, stating that of all 10 states selected for the first phase, Ondo state was the first state to be visited because the state is the most forthcoming.
Partners in the Initiative include the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), Ministry of Mines and Steels Development, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
Others are Bank of Industry, Ministry of Niger Delta affairs and the New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).
At event were the Deputy governor of the state, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde ,the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the head of service ,Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Investment, Mr. Boye Oyewumi and numerous top officials of the state government.
Others on the delegation of the Federal were the representative of Minister of Mines and Steels Development, Mrs Onyeku Okeke, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Economic Matters, Mrs Fola Oyeyinka, National Coordinator, Senior Investment Corporation, Dora Akugbulo and many others.
The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has approved the appointment of Honourable Ifedayo Abegunde as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
Chief Olugenga Ale was also named as Chief of Staff to the Governor.
According to a statement from the office of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, other appointments approved by Governor Akeredolu include:
SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT, SSA , ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY PLANNING — MR. JONES OGUNMUSIRE
Member of the House of Representatives representing Akure North/South Federal Constituency, Ifedayo Abegunde, has said he would not defect from the party despite losing the ticket to contest the Ondo Central senatorial election.
In the primary election, Abegunde lost to a former Commissioner for Finance, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, with 811 votes to 778 votes.
During the counting, 105 votes were reportedly voided; a development which caused ripples between the two contestants and their supporters.
In a statement by his campaign group, Abena Campaign Organisation (ACO), it said the leadership of the party resolved to recount the votes in Abuja where Abegunde was also said to have lost with seven votes to Alasoadura.
It said, “Abegunde was invited to Abuja by APC leadership, but the votes were counted in his absence. He later learnt through the former Ekiti State governor, Engr. Segun Oni, who is the Deputy National Chairman of the party that he lost the election to Alasoadura.
“Despite his loss, Abegunde has no plan to leave APC, but we believe the lawmaker was cheated, while his commitment and loyalty to APC was not appreciated especially with what he passed through with the declaration of his seat vacant by the Appeal Court for joining APC from the Labour Party (LP).
“The question is: why was the recounting of a primary election that held in Ondo State taken to Abuja without representation of the contestants?”
A close aide of Abegunde, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, affirmed that the lawmaker would not defect from APC or challenge the result in court, stressing that the Akure-born politician would remain a leader of the party.
The representative of Akure North/South in the House of Representatives, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, yesterday urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members to elect credible leaders at the ward congresses in Ondo State.
Abegunde spoke during a two-day tour of wards in Akure North Local Government – Oba-Ile, Bolorunduro, Ogbese, Ita Ogbolu, Igbatoro and Iju.
He sensitised the people on the need to sustain peace and unity in the party.
At Oba-Ile, the Akure-born politician hailed the people for turning out during the APC membership registration, explaining the benefits of being members of the party.
Lamenting the deplorable state of roads in the town, Abegunde said the rehabilitation of the road connecting Oba-Ile to the Owo/Ilesa road and that of Bolorunduro were included in this year’s budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He decried the high rate of unemployment in the country, blaming it on the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration.
Abegunde said parents should educate their children to prepare them for future challenges, promising to register over 200 students for the National Examination Council (NECO).
On the forthcoming congresses, Abegunde urged members not to be intimidated by any group in the party, adding: “Do not allow yourselves to be intimidated during the congresses. Some people have been planning to intimidate you, but do not worry; I will be with you on that day. We will ensure that your voice is heard and your desired result will be achieved.”
He assured the people that no candidate would be imposed on them, adding that credible leaders would be elected in wards.
Assuring Nigerians of a better standard of living, if the APC takes over governance at the centre, Abegunde urged them to take their destinies in their hands and vote out the PDP in 2015.
At Ogbese, the people thanked Abegunde for giving the community a transformer. At Ago Ado, they thanked him for giving them a borehole.
An APC chieftain in the area, Mr. Saka Yusuf, said the massive turnout showed that they were ready for a change.
Senator Olorunnibe Farukanmi said the meeting with the wards was to enable them understand the processes of the coming congresses.
Other APC stalwarts with him were Adebola Omeye, J.B Opedun, Mrs. Atere, Mr. Isaac Adu, Otunba Gbotimo, Idowu Otetubi, Dr. Jossy Abegunde and Akinola Olaleye.
