Tag: Lucky Aiyedatiwa

•APC chieftain hails governor

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private investor for the injection of N15billion to establish the Young Ranchers Agricultural Cluster Development Programme.

The youth-oriented agriculture initiative will be established in each of the three senatorial districts.

According to the MoU, the investors will cultivate five hectares in each of the three clusters with the state- owned higher institutions as pilot beneficiaries.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in a statement, said the initiative would focus on practical farming for young people and practical training for students in agriculture and agric related operations.

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“Besides training of the students, each of the three institutions to be used as hosts also stands to benefit a percentage from the proceeds of the operations,” the statement said.

The first Deputy President of Odua Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ODUACCIMA), Otunba Olumide Araoyinbo, has congratulated Aiyedatiwa on his inauguration as the seventh democratically-elected governor.

Araoyinbo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former majority leader of Ondo State House of Assembly, described Governor Aiyedatiwa’s inauguration as a new era for the people of Ondo State.

He said the governor had proved to his doubters that he was prepared to transform the state and usher in a new era of prosperity.

Ondo State Governor Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has reappointed Kayode Ajulo and Isaac Omowunmi as commissioners.

Ajulo served as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, while Omowumi served as Commissioner for Finance in the just ended first year of Aiyedatiwa.

A statement by Aiyedatiwa’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the governor also approved the appointment of Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti as Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The statement said the governor made the appointments shortly after he resumed office.

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It said Dr. Fasoranti was the chairman of Ondo State Hospitals Management Board.

Others who were reappointed as Special Advisers to the Governor were Johnson Alabi, an engineer, Dr. Seun Osamaye, Comrade Bola Taiwo and Prof Simidele Odimayo.

According to the statement, “the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, has been elevated to the position of Special Adviser, Infrastructure, Lands and Housing.

•Governor: I’m in a hurry to perform

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa says he is in a hurry to justify the fresh four years mandate given to him by the electorate.
He said the state had witnessed progress in infrastructural development, provision of social amenities and public buildings, adding that he kept on the front burner, the social well-being of the people.
He spoke yesterday after he was sworn in as the seventh governor of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa, who promised to prioritise people’s welfare, particularly the most vulnerable, the poor, the sick and the marginalised, said his administration would work with interested investors and development partners to ensure Port Ondo became a reality.
He said he would facilitate investors to explore the state’s large deposits of bitumen for local use and export purposes, thereby generating huge revenue to the state.
The governor said his administration would invest in the state’s social investment scheme, to reduce the level of poverty in the state and ensure the most vulnerable in the state were taken care of, in order to feel the impact of government.
Explaining his plan to do away with the REDEEMED Agenda of the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa unveiled a new Development Policy Thrust tagged: ‘O’DATIWA O’ DIRORUN’, which translated to ‘OUR EASE’.
The governor said the seven-point pillar was carefully designed to drive sustainable development and improve quality of life for the people.
He said he would consolidate on the state’s record as one of the safest and most secure states in Nigeria.
He promised to continue to uphold the rule of law, promote an independent judiciary and efficient administration of justice in the state.

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Aiyedatiwa said: “We will improve agricultural productivity, enhance access to markets and credit for farmers, invest in rural infrastructure and promote the development of the blue economy. We shall be intentional about our urban renewal policy in a manner to instigate influx of more investors.
“We will invest in research and development, enhance access to technology and infrastructure for businesses, promote the development of special economic zones and industrial parks and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
“We will prioritise investment in health care infrastructure, enhance access to quality health care services, improve the quality of health care services through training and capacity building and promote health education and awareness.’’
He said: “This component of our policy thrust is to ensure our citizens have access to quality health care services and that our state becomes a model for efficient health care delivery. Recently, we have extended Ondo State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme – ORANGHIS beyond the public servants to accommodate people in the informal sector such as artisans, traders, market women, farmers, commercial transport operators and private sector workers. We hope to consolidate more on this valuable and beneficial health scheme.

“We shall focus on power generation and distribution, promote the use of renewable energy and enhance access to affordable energy for our citizens. We will ensure our state has a reliable and efficient power supply, driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for our citizens.
“We will also work assiduously to ensure our ongoing Independent Power Plant Project at Omotosho is completed in record time for the benefit of our people.
“Our vast army of able, energetic and willing youths and adults are capable of putting this state on the path of prosperity if properly directed. We shall create a conducive environment for them to unleash their potential and talents. To achieve this, therefore, they must be stimulated through employment, capacity building, sports and income generation. We will promote youth entrepreneurship, encourage innovation and creative economy among the populace.
“We shall provide a level playing field for all to maximise their God-given potential, while creating an enabling environment for all to optimise the countless opportunities that abound in our state. Let me assure you that nobody will be discriminated against on account of political, cultural, religious, gender or ethnic propensities.’’
Aiyedatiwa expressed sadness that his predecessor, Akeredolu, was not alive to witness his inauguration as governor of the state.
Security was beefed up around Akure metropolis and Akure Township Stadium where the event was held.
Vehicular traffic was diverted from major streets in Akure.
Many residents of the state stormed the stadium to witness the event.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who paid tributes to founding fathers of the state, said he was pained that “this great leader, who saw tomorrow, is not here with us to witness and savour this auspicious occasion, which marks the fulfilment of what God spoke through him.”
Wife of Governor Aiyedatiwa, Oluwaseun, proved naysayers wrong as she was present at the event alongside her children.
Aiyedatiwa’s wife has been absent from the state for some months before her husband emerged governor in December 2023.
She did not return to play the role of a governor’s wife.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has freed 43 convicts to celebrate his inauguration.
He ordered outright release of eight persons, who were previously incarcerated.
The governor commuted death sentences on 15 inmates to various prison terms, while 20 other convicts serving life imprisonment have their sentences adjusted to more lenient terms.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been sworn in as the Governor of Ondo State, commencing his first full four-year term following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in December 2023.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday, February 24, at the Ondo State Sports Complex in Akure, the state capital, two months after Aiyedatiwa won the governorship election under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Detail shortly…

Traditional rulers in Ondo State have petitioned Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on the inclusion of some communities in Ilaje Local Government Area as part of the proposed Ijebu State.

 They rejected the inclusion of any part of Ilajeland in the proposed Ijebu State before the National Assembly.

 They spoke when they visited Aiyedatiwa to present their petition contained in communique issued after a meeting of the Ilaje Council of Obas.

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Chairman, Ilaje Council of Obas, Oba Segun Williams Akinyomi, the Amapetu of Mahin, told reporters after the meeting that their visit was to prevail on the Governor  and the Federal Government to ensure security of their people and caution security agencies making territorial claims for Ogun State to desist from creating crises in the area.

 Oba Akinyomi alleged that Maseyin village under Atijere in Ondo State was last month invaded  and burned by Makun Omi people of  Ogun State.  The monarch claimed that some hired armed hoodlums invaded the Ilaje community of Eba and burnt properties while claiming to be working for the Ogun State Government.

•Nothing to worry about petitions against my victory-Gov

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that there was nothing to worry about the petitions filed against his victory in the November 16th, 2024 Ondo governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won in all the 18 local government areas of the state to defeat his closet rival, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP).

Three political parties, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the PDP have filed a petition at the tribunal to challenge the victory of Aiyedatiwa.

Aiyedatiwa, who spoke after the inaugural sitting of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Akure, said he was confident that the people voted overwhelmingly for the right candidate.

He said his victory at the election was historic and a true reflection of the people’s will.

The governor said: “The election was free, fair, and credible. The people of Ondo State made history by ensuring that, for the first time, a candidate won in all 18 local government areas. That alone speaks volumes about the trust and confidence they have in my leadership.

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“And, you know, learning is continuous. Even though I’m the governor, I still also want to hear what is going on in the judiciary arm of government, particularly in this election petition. Having the legal professionals and the very competent justices on this panel, it’s an exercise for me. I just want to witness it and be part of it. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Meanwhile, over 150 witnesses are expected to testify before the tribunal.

  The PDP said it would call 43 witnesses, the Independent National Electoral Commission said it would call 19 witnesses, Aiyedatiwa would call 32 witnesses while the APC and Adelami would call 20 and 35 witnesses respectively.

 The petitioners are asking the tribunal to invalidate the election because the election results did not reflect the wishes of the electorates and the APC candidates were not qualified for the polls.

However, the respondents asked the tribunal to dismiss the petitions saying the issue of qualifications had been determined at the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.

 Speaking at the inaugural sitting, the Chairman of the panel, Justice Nelson Ugubu, urged Counsel to parties in the suit to cooperate with the panel.

He assured all parties of fair hearing and appropriate justice based on the prevalence of Constitution.