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Tag: Mimiko

  • Mimiko’s aide resigns over Jegede’s choice as candidate

    Mimiko’s aide resigns over Jegede’s choice as candidate

    •Accuses governor of impunity

    A Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Ondo State Governor on Political Affairs, Otito Atikase Thompson, yesterday resigned his appointment to protest the choice of ex-Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 26 poll.

    In his letter of resignation to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, he said: “I hereby wish to notify you of the resignation of my appointment as a senior special assistant (SSA) to the governor on Political Affairs and express my appreciation for the opportunity to serve the people of the state in that capacity.

    “I have observed with concern that since you left your former party, the Labour Party (LP), to join the PDP, most of us in the Old PDP as you prefer to address us, have been treated with disdain in the affairs of the party and government as conquered politicians with no regards for our political careers and future.

    “The culture of consultations, dialogue and debate with which we were nurtured is banished in this new arrangement and the party organs and structures deliberately collapsed to let you have your way like a potentate.

    “You made unilateral choices for the party and the state in the national leadership of the party but sooner often act inconsistently with such decisions contrary to the image with which Ondo State is known.

    “Your recent unilateral choice, declaration and imposition of a governorship candidate on the party from your Central Senatorial District to succeed you after an unprecedented eight years in office, which is offensive to the political psyche of the people of our state, is completely unacceptable.

    “On my consultations with the majority of our party leaders and members, including those who will falsely tell you, all is well, I am convinced that while remaining a member of our party, the best option is to join other compatriots within the party to do what is right in the choice of Senator Alli Modu Sheriff as our national chairman and Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni as our governorship candidate.”

  • Johnson: Mimiko has hijacked Labour Party

    Johnson: Mimiko has hijacked Labour Party

    Kolawole Johnson, who just resigned as the Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State, spoke with LEKE AKEREDOLU on Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s alleged plan to impose a governorship candidate on the party. 

    Why did you resign as the LP Chairman?

    This question reminds me of 2014 when we decided to stay back to ensure the party was not buried by the same people that are battling for its soul today. The answer then was that it was principle and that has not changed today. Principle! I have read different versions of report that gave reasons for my resignation. Some partly correct while some are mischief per excellence. A revered friend sent me one and I replied. He was furious because he knew what transpired, he was aware of the drama for weeks before it finally ended with my letter. He expected me to be angry but I kept smiling because I knew I have done my best to the satisfaction of my conscience, my faith and my creeds. I expect sound minds to read between the lines. The reason is well spelt out. I said and you can quote again: “It is with a sense of strong character which determines moral purpose and set of things we choose or avoid, that I tender my resignation letter today”. The elders will say, ‘Kaka ki Kiniun se akapo ekun, wan yaa se ode won lotooto ni. I leave you to interpret that. I have raised my voice in the public space to speak on certain matters, will I turn back to say they were no longer so? No! You must have some measure of respect for your words. Perhaps you know, it is expected of you at some levels to see more, hear more but talk less. So, I will not go into some details in order not to give room for some folks to think we are pained. No, I am actually glad with my head high that I stood for what I believe to the end. I am proud of that. Though many stakeholders are actually angry at my decision to quit, but I had to at that point. It was becoming too deadly and wisdom is profitable to direct. I don’t know if you were at the venue of that stakeholders meeting on Saturday, July 30.  They never and can never accuse me of betrayal.

    But, it was rumoured that your executive at the state level was sacked. how true is this?

    Let me laugh in Spanish. That is to show how pained they are. I informed the national body of my decision to resign and dropped my letter few days after. My letter was duly received by the national secretariat on the 28th of July. The photocopies of the letter are here for you. Can you see the date? Well, I am not surprised because you know where you got that version of innuendoes. Are you expecting anything better? When governors’ aides start writing releases for another political party, then, you shouldn’t be surprised. When some of you called to ask why I was not at the stakeholders’ meeting of July 30, I informed them of my resignation and sent the letter to them but added a caveat that it is only for proofs and nothing more. Dissolving the body long after my exit should not be a surprise anyway. I, Kolawole, resigned willingly. If stomach ulcer ( Etanu ),  will not allow some folks to take in that peacefully, I forgive them wholeheartedly.

    Governor Mimiko was alleged to be plotting to impose a candidate on the party, ahead of governorship poll. Is this true?

    Let me remind you that I was not present at that particular meeting. Infact my absence was responsible for its abrupt end. I would resigned some few days before the meeting and I was trying as much as possible to ensure my exit does not lead to crisis so I had to maintain an expressible silence. Of course, those expressing that fear know what they’re talking about and I am sure your people would have gotten more information about it from them. I learnt one of the elders in the meeting alleged that the fellow to be used resigned that same week or thereabout. Now, let me take you back to the interview I granted some months ago. I said and I quote “ I don’t know their definition of anti-party. You belong to a party openly. yet, you are still fighting dirty to plant yourself in another party claiming you want to have a fall back option.” I threatened to even write the PDP to report the anti-party activities. So, the people at the stakeholders meeting are aware of all of these and more. Perhaps some of them have been spoken to for possible support for a certain individual who was in the governor’s cabinet but working to run under Labour Party. But, nobody would doubt the fact that I would have resisted that vehemently as the sitting chairman. Like a revered elder told me that he would rather work for the number one than staying with a second option that will mess him up. Infact, the drama that led to my exit was not without the intrigue of their plot. it’s all about the game.

    However, let me be clear, having that option in the face of the lingering crisis in their party is not a crime but the way they are going about it is inhuman. I hope they know that the master trapper can also be entrapped.

    Do you think the LP will bounce back in the state?

    That is one question we should leave to time. However, note this; the true owners of the party shall lay hold on her some day. I strongly believe in the ethos of Labour Party. Leaving the Alliance for Democracy to Labour Party was a good experience; the progressivism spirit is alive. That is why we are bent on having a party and not someone’s chess board. My only fear now is that most of our members who have laboured so hard to keep the party alive in the past two years have vowed to quit and seek refuge elsewhere.

  • ‘Mimiko, Fayose zoning pact won’t work’

    ‘Mimiko, Fayose zoning pact won’t work’

    A factional group within the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to remain defiant against the “zoning within zoning” arrangement being championed by  Governors Ayodele Fayose and Olusegun Mimiko to elect the party’s national chairman.

    The group, led in Oyo State by top supporters of Prof. Taoheed Ladoja and the zonal factional chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, said the position of the two governors was not bidding on the party.

    According to them, the decision of the two governors was self-serving and not in the party’s interest.

    Sighted with Adedoja at the Oyo State PDP Secretariat were party leaders like former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin, former PDP state Chairman Mr. Yinka Taiwo and Secretary Alhaji Bashiru Akanbi, former Minister for Special Duties Elder Wole Oyelese, two former Speakers of the state House Assembly Maroof Atilola and Asimiyu Alarape and others from the state’s six geo-political zones.

    Adedoja, who admitted that though he was present at the meeting in Akure jointly presided over by Mimiko and Fayose, said nothing would stop him from going on to contest the national chairmanship position.

    In a chat with The Nation yesterday, he said the party’s position is supreme “and it is on that position we stand”.

    Describing the position of the two governors in Akure as inconsequential, Adedoja said he was qualified to occupy the national chairmanship seat, having been tested as a politician, who had connections across the Niger and speaks the mind and language of the North.

    He said: “Even as I am speaking with you, our campaign train is now in Warri, Delta State. And we are already having the support of the North. I am much favoured  because of my pedigree and we have made our position known even at the Akure meeting that we are not for  zoning within zoning arrangement. That is for the two governors and not for the party.

    “We have the party members behind us and we shall prevail over them. All we know is that the position of the party’s national chairman has been zoned to the Southwest. Today, as I am speaking , there are four contenders in the race, my humble self from Oyo State, Chief Bode George and Jimi Agbaje from Lagos State and Professor Tunde Adediran from Ekiti State.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Mimiko seeks protection against militants  

    Mimiko seeks protection against militants  

    Ondo State has urged the military to assist in protecting its creeks against incursion by miscreants.

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko made the appeal yesterday in his office in Akure when the  General Officer Commanding (GOC),  2 Division, Major General  Kasimu  Abdulkarim, visited him.

    He noted that his administration has been enjoying support and cooperation from the military, adding that the cordial relationship between the military and the civil society has been unprecedented.

     The governor added that the synergy among the different security agencies contributed to the peace and growth in the state, stressing that numerous reputable organisations continued to organise their conferences in Akure, the state capital.

    Despite the nation’s security challenges, Mimiko, who hailed the military for its efforts at restoring peace, admonished it to keep going stronger.

    He promised that his administration would continue to support the military, noting that the government empowered widows of the fallen heroes through micro-credit facilities.

    Maj.-Gen. Abdulkarim said the visit was part  of his familiarisation tour of  states under his command.

    The GOC hailed the governor for his continued support, even as he  assured the people of  security.

  • Give us college of education, monarch urges Mimiko

    Give us college of education, monarch urges Mimiko

    The traditional ruler of Alade-Idanre in Ondo State, Oba Olusegun Ayodele Akinbola, the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, has urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to establish a college of education in his domain.

    The monarch made the appeal while celebrating his 21st coronation anniversary in Aladeokun palace, Alade-Idanre.

    He said the journey has not been so easy in the past 21 years of his ascendancy to his ancestor’s throne.

    He, however, noted that “like lightening, the years have come and gone with their attendant vicissitudes”.

    Oba Akinbola said: “About four years ago, Governor Mimiko laid the foundation that would transform Alade Market into a regional one. We appeal to the governor to speed up the completion of the market and inaugurate it before the expiration of his tenure.”

    He thanked his community for giving him the opportunity to serve them.

    Recalling how he ascended the throne in 2005, Oba Akinbola, who was a lecturer at the Department of Dramatic Arts of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife Osun State (formerly University of Ife), said he was on sabbatical leave when he received a letter of appointment as a monarch in his community, saying he did not lobby for the royal position.

    “I was on sabbatical leave preparing to go to the United States of America (USA) when I got a letter of appointment  as a monarch in my community without lobbying for the royal position,” he said.

    According to him, Alade-Idanre town is one of the communities that make up Idanre Kingdom, which is  one of the major kingdoms in Ondo State.

    He revealed that the town was founded in 1928, but with a special characteristic of being a religious community in which all the indigenes are Christians.

    Oba Akinbola said Alade-Idanre is a distinct town with its history, culture and tradition.

    He revealed that the town was founded in 1928,  adding that the community is one in which majority of the indigenes are mainly Christians. Interestingly, the founder of the town was a prominent Christian leader.

    There are no mosques or any other traditional worship centres.

    The town links Akure, the Ondo State capital with Idanre where the popular Idanre Hill is located.

    Oba Akinbola said there was serious crisis between Christians and Muslims at Oke-Idanre town after which the town was founded by the late Pa John Akinbola, who was his grandfather.

    According to him, the people of Alade were living in Oke-Idanre before the crisis between Muslims and Christians. The Christians agreed to vacate the town and look for a new settlement, hence their movement to the present day Alade town.

    “My grandfather, who was a prominent Christian leader, then suggested that Christians should vacate the town for the Muslims and he led them to where we are now.

    “The name Alade was given to it because that was the name of the market our people left behind at Oke-Idanre and they felt the town should be named after the market.

    “After the town was founded, the late Bishop S. C. Phillips of the Anglican Communion was invited to pray over the town and he laid the foundation of the palace of the town. Those who were Christians were coming from different parts of Idanre land and today we have a fairly big population and we relate as brothers and sisters because of our common religion.

    “Bishop Vinning was later invited to organise the town. So, we can say that the town was set up by two renowned Anglican Priests.

    “Although there were attempts to introduce new religion by those who later came to join us in recent time, we did not encourage their idea because we have a history which we need to protect. We practice Christianity and we are known for that.”

    He said it was Bishop Phillips who formally pronounced the location of the town and made all necessary arrangements for its recognition by all agencies of government, adding that the traditional ruler of the town now has a prescribed authority within his domain like other traditional rulers in Yoruba land. Indigenes of Alade are predominantly farmers and traders.

    Oba Akinbola said the first set of settlers in the town facilitated the founding of markets and schools, adding that he had also facilitated the establishment of schools and medical centres.

    He revealed that prominent indigenes of the town are making efforts to facilitate the establishment of a tertiary institution in the town in order to boost its economy.

    Oba Akinbola said: “In the past 21 years of my reign, Alade town has transformed from the insignificant town it was to a large one populated by strangers who reside in it because of its peace and hospitality.”

    He said:  “The state and Federal Governments should make their impacts felt in the town through provision of infrastructural facilities to enhance the living condition of the people.”

    At the occasion, cultural dancers entertained guests that included traditional rulers among who were Owa of Idanre land, Oba Fredrick Aroloye, Deji of Akure land, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and Oba Francis Omokanjuola Apata, the Olupe of Ipe-Akoko, among others.

    Governor Mimiko was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Dr Kola Ademujimi, while the Chairman/Chief launcher of the day, Segun Oni, the former Ekiti State Governor was represented by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Publicity Secretary in Ekiti State, Mr Taiwo Olatubosun.

  • APC urges Mimiko’s govt to account for cocoa project

    APC urges Mimiko’s govt to account for cocoa project

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration to account for the money spent on its cocoa revolution programme into which over N2 billion was allegedly committed.

    The party claimed that N300 million was released by the Federal Government over three years ago in aid of the programme.

    The party, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro,  noted that since the government has been in the saddle for almost eight years now, the mandate given to him by the citizenry authorised him to administer the state in a responsible and God-fearing manner as he would be held accountable someday.

    The APC contended that as the administration has less than six months left, the moment of accountability has come, beginning with the agricultural sector.

    The statement said: “We hereby challenge the governor to tell the people of Ondo State when the Cocoa Revolution programme will now begin to yield result, at least to give a measure of succour to alleviate the current economic hardship in the state.

    “There is need for the people to know when the cocoa trees will begin to bear fruits and when the much advertised Ondo State chocolate, the byproduct expected from the Cocoa Revolution programme that was massively launched with great funfair some three years ago will be on the shelves?

    “We hope the programme has not been a deceit that promotes the concept of the more you look, the less you see. One would expect the much-talked about Cocoa Revolution Programme to spread across all the 18 local governments in the state by now and not a ‘one spot, one man, one family, one town show’, an act of deception.

    “If the people being deceived don’t know, the deceiver himself knows that he is deceiving the people. The good thing, however, is that you can only fool all the people some of the time, as you can never fool all the people all the time.

    “As we approach the end of the tenure of Dr. Mimiko, let us remind him that November beckons, the day of reckoning is finally here, because he will account for all the alleged fictitious programmes and projects that were embarked upon, but not executed by his government”.

  • Mimiko squandered N38b inherited from Agagu, says ex-Speaker

    Mimiko squandered N38b inherited from Agagu, says ex-Speaker

    Ondo State House of Assembly ex-Speaker Victor Olabimtan yesterday accused Governor Olusegun Mimiko of allegedly squandering the N38 billion he inherited from the Olusegun Agagu administration.

    Olabimtan, who is a governorship aspirant of the APC in the forthcoming governorship election, said there was no record of positive achievement recorded by the PDP-led Mimiko administration despite the huge amount of money he inherited from the Agagu government.

    Rather, he said the governor had incurred huge debt for the state with nothing substantial to show for it.

    The aspirant added that for the almost eight years he has spent in office, Mimiko failed to construct even a kilometre of road in Ondo South and North senatorial districts.

    The former speaker said his quest to govern the state was borne out of desire to effect the adequate change, saying; “The governor took over in 2009. I say it with all emphasis at my disposal that he has not constructed one inch to what Dr. Agagu constructed in Ilaje land (in the southern senatorial district of the state) up till now.

    “Ask anybody in Ondo State, ask anybody in Ilaje. Is that not a failure? Today, Akoko land in the northern senatorial zone has the worst road network and before he came in, those roads were okay.

    “This (Mimiko) government, I make bold to say, has not constructed up to 200 kilometres since they came on board almost eight years ago; and you tell me it’s not a disaster.

    “That was a government that inherited N38 billion, in liquid cash, apart from the assets inherited and as at the time Agagu was leaving in 2009, oil sold for $58 a barrel and during the tenure of the incumbent governor, it rose to about $120 per barrel.

    “If you go to Ondo State today, you can’t see what this money has been used for and that is why the people of Ondo State are clamouring for change. We cannot continue like this, he said.”

    On his plans for the state, he said: “We are going to revitalise the civil service and provide incentives to make the civil service a productive one. We are bringing integrity into the governance of Ondo State. We have designed our manifesto, which I called ‘My pact and covenant for Ondo State’.”

    “We are going to revitalise the Olokola Deep Blue Sea Port in partnership with the Federal Government. We are bringing integrity into the governance of Ondo State.”

     

     

  • APC faults Mimiko’s campaigns of calumny against Buhari’s govt

    APC faults Mimiko’s campaigns of calumny against Buhari’s govt

    The Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted the public to alleged “campaigns of calumny” by Governor Olusegun Mimiko to incite the citizenry against the APC-led Federal Government.

    The party noted that Mimiko, conscious of his fading popularity, embarked on false dissemination of distorted information to project the Buhari administration as responsible for the hardship in Ondo State.

    A statement by APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said: “In the last three weeks, the state government’s media organs (OSRC & Orange FM) had been awashed with propaganda, churning out provocative jingles aimed at inciting the people against the APC-led Federal Government.”

    The pro-government media houses, with intermittent jingles, accused APC government at the centre of creating hardship for the people through unfavourable economic policies.

    According to the statement, “instead of Mimiko addressing the massive corruption and the unprecedented syphoning of the nation’s resources by the former President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration, the governor had shifted blame on President Buhari’s government.

    “Ironically, the government is assiduously working to better the lot of the citizenry and reposition our economy that had been battered by the past PDP administration as being responsible for the nation’s woes.

    “If Mimiko had utilised the N14.6 billion bailout funds he got from the Federal Government in paying workers, managed the hundreds of billions of naira received in the past seven years from the Federation Account and if the state finances had not been opaque to accountability and due process, perhaps we wouldn’t have found ourselves in the hardship to warrant doling out food items (rice and beans) to indigenes of Ondo State by his administration as if the people were beggars.

    “Let us reiterate it that the food palliative embarked upon by Mimiko was not motivated by act of kindness or concern for the people but for political expediency; a well-calculated political move to placate and hoodwink the people so they can support his party in the governorship election.

    “Mimiko’s political odyssey has shown a consistent record  of elaborate deceptions, cunning and perfidy whenever an election is approaching. His goal has always been to cajole and change the mind of the people to vote in his party’s favour.

    “The good news, however, this time around is that the people are better informed of this latest move to malign the APC-led Federal Government as coming from a dangerous demagogue, who is desperate to win people’s sympathy for his party in the coming election.”

  • PDP CRISIS: MIMIKO IN SECRET TALKS WITH SHERIFF

    PDP CRISIS: MIMIKO IN SECRET TALKS WITH SHERIFF

    • Governors split again
    • Sheriff calls stakeholders meeting this week

    Fear-stricken  governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are beginning to worm back to Senator  Ali Modu Sheriff after a Federal High Court on Thursday declared him the authentic chairman of the party.

    Hours after the court’s ruling, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State held a secret meeting with Sheriff in Abuja, although some other PDP governors remain opposed to Sheriff leading the party.

    Some members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PDP have also made a U- turn to woo Sheriff who is said to be disposed to convening a stakeholders meeting later this week.

    The Nation gathered that  Governor Mimiko met with Sheriff on Thursday night in Abuja as part of the effort to “move the party forward.”

    Sources said Mimiko’s action was predicated on the fact that he needed Sheriff, who has been recognized by the court as the authentic chair of the party, to push the candidature of his (Mimiko’s) choice, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) for the state governorship election later in the year.

    Mimiko, sources said, pledged loyalty to Sheriff, but canvassed reconciliation in the party.

    A top source said, “The meeting was a follow up to the decision of the court that Sheriff is the authentic chairman of the party.

    “It was secret but fruitful. Don’t forget that Mimiko is also the outgoing chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.

    “In all honesty, the governor also spoke on how to keep the party united.”

    Responding to a question, the source said: “Mimiko actually said he will abide by the Rule of Law on the crisis in the party.

    “You know Ondo chapter of the PDP will soon hold its governorship primaries. He does not want the crisis in the party to have spiral effect on the choice of candidate in Ondo as the case with Edo State.”

    A separate source said PDP governors have broken into two camps on account of the court ruling.

    Queuing behind Sheriff are the governors of Taraba, Gombe, Enugu, Cross River, and Ondo.

    Those against are those of Rivers, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Delta, Abia, Akwa Ibom

    The governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, has thrown himself into the job of reconciling the two factions.

    A party stalwart said: “We are experiencing a division among our governors because of the ruling of the court. Some are insisting that the party should abide by the rule of law and engage Sheriff.

    “Some of the governors said the party should save itself from Sheriff by going through the legal battle from the lower court to the Supreme Court.

    “But Governor Dickson is preaching dialogue and reconciliation to both sides because the time element is important for PDP. We need to put our house in order before the 2019 poll.

    “If Sheriff sticks to his mandate till 2018, we will be divided and shall remain unprepared for the next election. Alternatively, most of our leaders will leave the party.

    “Even members of the BOT, who should resolve the crisis, have broken into camps. Some BOT members are now with Sheriff.”

    There were indications last night that Sheriff might convene a stakeholders meeting this week with a view to reconciling with all those opposed to him.

    Another party leader said: “Sheriff is already waving the olive branch. He will call a stakeholders meeting next (this) week to reunite the leaders of the party.”

    Justice Okon Abang on Thursday declared Sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of PDP.

    He declared the judgment of the Port-Harcourt division which recognised the Makarfi-led caretaker committee as “unlawful, illegal and without foundation in law to stand.”

    He said: “The Makarfi-led caretaker committee, as an apostle of impunity missed their way to Port Harcourt to get a judgment; that judgment cannot stand.

    “The Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court cannot make an order to neutralise the effectiveness and potency of orders of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

    “As at the time the Makarfi-led committed found their way to the Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court, the or­ders of the Lagos division of the court was still subsisting.

    “The Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court therefore has no business to have dabbled into the issues of PDP leadership in the light of the subsisting orders issued in Lagos by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

     

  • CAN awards Mimiko, Osemawe, Akinadewo, others

    No fewer than ten illustrious indigenes of Ondo State have bagged awards from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ondo West Local Government chapter.

    The body last week conferred awards of meritorious services on the eminent indigenes for their contributions to Christianity, the state and humanity.

    Among the awardees were Governor Segun Mimiko; Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; Supreme Prelate of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Elder Dr Israel Akinadewo; Baba Ijo of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Ondo, Chief Olusola Gilbert.

    Others were Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Revd George Lasebikan; a council member of Wesley University, Ondo, Chief B. F. Adeniji and others.

    At the ceremony, which took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Power Sanctuary, Ademulegun Road, Mimiko bagged meritorious contribution to the Social Infrastructural Development; Oba Kiladejo got the dynamic royal father of peace and harmony award while Akinadewo, who is also Secretary of Lagos CAN, was conferred with the Grand Commander of Christ Army (GCCA) award.

    Lasebikan, Gilbert and Very Revd Chief B. F. Adeniji, a Council member of Wesley University, Ondo got various other categories of awards.

    Chairman of CAN, Ondo West Local Government, Primate Elijah Salami, said that the ten outstanding awardees were selected based on their individual contributions to Ondo Kingdom at their various capacities.

    After the church service, friends and well- wishers hosted a reception for Akinadewo.

    He received the award on the same day the General Evangelist of the church, Elder Prof. Joseph Otubu was installed vice president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja.

    Otubu is the first white garment cleric to be elected to the elevated post.