Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has nominated Femi Adekanmbi, Segun Ayerin, Dayo Awude and Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju as commissioners.
Their names have been sent to the House of Assembly.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, in Akure yesterday, said Mimiko’s decision followed the constitutional power he enjoyed vide Section 192 of the 1999 Constitution.
A member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, Afe Olowookere, has appealed to Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, to complete the Owena Multipurpose Dam located at Igbara-Oke in Ifedore local government before the end of his tenure.
The lawmaker, who spoke inaugurating a motorised borehole project at Igbalaye community, off Oke-Aro in Akure, said the Dam, when completed, would serve all the six local governments in the central senatorial district of the state.
Olowookere, an All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, expressed displeasure that the project, which started during the late Governor Olusegun Agagu’s regime has been abandoned by Mimiko despite having attained a 70 percent stage of completion.
Olowookere noted that Mimiko has no cogent reason to abandon the job despite the trillions of naira that accrued to the state since he took over in 2009.
He said: “This is a project that started under the late Dr. Agagu’s administration and has reached 70 percent completion. Since the Dam was constructed by the federal government, the water treatment plants have been constructed, thus remaining the delivery through reticulation by the state government to towns and villages in Ifedore, Akure South and North, Idanre and Ondo on the central senatorial district.
“If this has been achieved, there would have been no need for digging of borehole anywhere in the Central senatorial district of the state. We all have the duty therefore to call on Mimiko to complete this project before the expiration of his tenure.”
An Akure-based businessman, Chief Folorunso Sunday Idowu, has canvassed the need for the town to produce the next governor of the state.
Saying this would be in the interest of equity and justice, Idowu alleged that the state capital has been marginalised in the power equation of the state for many years.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to him by members of the Akure Youth Council from Iju, Oba-Ile, Ijare and Ilara towns who were led by Mr. Tuyi Adekanbi, the businessman maintained that though Akure has the highest number of voters and is the state capital, it has never produced the governor of the state in
He said: “I have said this before and I will repeat it here. It is high time all well-meaning indigenes of Akure rose up to the marginalisation of Akure by supporting one of our own to become the next governor of the state. It is funny how Akure is the state capital with the highest number of voters and yet, has never produced the state governor.
Noting that the politics of the state must reflect equity and fairness to all parts of the state, he called on the people of Ondo State to support an Akure indigene to succeed Mimiko, saying a situation whereby the majority is being denied access to power must be stopped.
He added, “I have had some people talk about the governorship elections being zoned according to the three senatorial districts, but that cannot be right. Ondo State has five districts namely Okitipupa/Ikale Division, Ondo Division, Akure Division, Owo Division and Akoko Division. Of all these divisions, only Akure has not produced the governor and I believe that our time has come to achieve that.”
The Ondo State House of Assembly has approved the government’s proposal to take a N7billion loan from Zenith Bank Plc for the completion of all ongoing projects.
The House yesterday observed that the loan was necessary to allow the government complete its projects and embark on new ones.
The Speaker, Mrs Jumoke Akindele, also cancelled the previous resolution dated August 4, which earlier enabled the government borrow N7 billion from Access Bank Plc.
Mrs. Akindele declared that “the resolution dated August 4, which enabled Ondo State to borrow N7 billion from Access Bank Plc is withdrawn, cancelled and of no effect whatsoever.”
According to her, “the Ondo State government is hereby allowed to borrow N7 billion from Zenith Bank Plc to finance ongoing capital projects.”
The majority leader and member representing Ondo West II, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, moved the motion to cancel the previous resolution and give a new resolution to the government to secure N7 billion loan from Zenith Bank Plc.
The Minority Leader, Mukaila Musa representing Owo 11, seconded the motion.
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has built 50 caring heart mega schools since he assumed office in 2009.
Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said the aim of the mega schools is to emplace social integration among pupils.
He said the government has embarked on the renovation of 97 primary and 240 secondary schools.
“N200 million was released for the State Library Board to purchase modern and relevant textbooks in core subjects to improve and encourage reading culture.
“The usage of free school shuttle bus was inaugurated on June 12, 2012 to reduce the burden of extra spending by parents.
“To this end 90 free shuttle buses are available across the state, with 44 in the Central Senatorial District, 24 in the Southern and 22 in the Northern Senatorial District.
“Before the inception of this administration, students’ bursary was N5,000 and scholarship N20,000 but it was reviewed to N10,000 and N100,000.”
AHEAD of this year’s Best of Nollywood awards slated for December 12 in Akure, Ondo State, the award organisers have unveiled the list of entertainers who will be slugging it out in the various categories.
Unveiling the nominees for this year’s awards, Governor Olusegun Mimiko said that he is a fan of Nollywood.
“I wish I have more time to see your films and be more familiar with the stars of Nollywood. But what I know is that Nollywood has proven to be a major export commodity in our country. When our economy rose to five hundred and ten billion dollars and we became the biggest economy in Africa, Nollywood contributed about 7.2 percent. So, this is a very big industry and we are happy to contribute to it,” he said.
The governor also pleaded with the movie makers to represent Nigerian positively through their movies.
“You have more opportunities, than any other aspect of the Nigerian economy, to brand Nigeria appropriately and your canvass is very wide. You can use our culture, you can use contemporary event, you can tell the bad side of this country but at the end of the day it must be with a mindset to rebrand Nigeria to what we hope to be,” Mimiko added.
The event, anchored by veteran Nollywood actor, Segun Arinze, was held at the newly built International conference center in Akure.
Among the nominees of the 2015 edition of the BON awards are Odunlade Adekola, IK Ogbona, Fathia Balogun, Mike Omoregbe, Gabriel Afolayan, Stephanie Linus, Ini Edo, Hilda Dokubo,Kunle Afolayan, Lancelot Imaseun, Omowunmi Dada and Tayo Sobola.
This year’s BON award will hold on December 12 this year at the newly built International conference center, Akure, Ondo State.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Represntatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) and OlusegunMimiko (Ondo) yesterday hailed the appointment of Prince Adeyeye Ogunwusi as the Ooni-elect.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (media) Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki wished the Ooni-elect a long and peaceful reign, sound health and many years of service to his people.
Saraki said: “I am particularly delighted that the approval of your appointment by the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, came at a time when the youthful zest, experience, and knowledge of global best practices, which you possess in abundance are needed to move the traditional institution and most especially, the revered throne of the Ife Kingdom, to the next level.
“I have no doubt that your present assignment would greatly enhance the bond of unity that exists among the Yoruba as well as contribute immensely to the growth and development of our dear country.”
Dogara in a statement by Mr Turaki Hassan, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, urged the Ooni-elect Ogunwusi to emulate and build on the good work of the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
“Oba Sijuwade left an indelible mark in the history of Nigeria as a peacemaker and a bridge between different people of the country.
“The legislature is open to the wise counsel and invaluable support of the new Ooni in its quest to effect change and reposition our dear nation for enduring peace, security, accelerated growth and development.
“As you ascend the glorious revered throne of your fore-fathers, I join your family, the good people of the historic kingdom of Ife, friends, protégés and well-wishers to ask God to guide, guard and give you wisdom to lead.”
Governor Ambode advised him to see his appointment as a call to service and upliftment of humanity.
Ambode’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna.
Ambode charged the Ooni to-be to remain courageous in his decisions, urging him to see the unity of the Yoruba race as a priority.
He also congratulated Oghunwusi’s family members saying they would have to bear with the demands of the job and support him morally, physically and spiritually.
Mimiko’s congratulatory message, was issued by Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, in Akure.
The governor prayed that the Ooni’s tenure will bring more progress and unity to Ife Kingdom in particular and the Yoruba nation in general.
Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has criticised the judgment of the Rivers State Election Petition Tribunal which nullified the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike.
The tribunal sitting in Abuja on Saturday sacked the Rivers State Governor of the PDP and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct fresh election in the state in the next three months.
Mimiko, who is also the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor’s Forum faulted the three-man tribunal on the grounds that its judgment was too hasty as it came less than 48 hours that both parties submitted their written addresses.
He added that the tribunal did not wait for the judgment of the Supreme Court over the issue of its jurisdiction before passing the judgment.
He said, “Our mindset is that tribunal judgment can go either way, but the Rivers own is particularly embarrassing. We all know the circumstances surrounding the Rivers State tribunal. You recall now that for unjustifiable course that tribunal was not allowed to sit in Port Harcourt, it was taken to Abuja, and somewhere along the line the chairman of the Tribunal got changed.
“Now we challenge the jurisdiction of the Tribunal and it has gotten to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will give judgement in the next few days. The Abuja Tribunal continues to sit. On Thursday, nine written addresses were adopted.
“The adoption of the written addresses was done at 1pm on Thursday. In the course of that trial, the litigants; both plaintiffs and defendants called more than 100 witnesses, documents that were presented as exhibits were more than 1,000.
“We are talking of more than 100 witnesses and 1,000 documents were admitted, we are talking of nine written addresses. None of the addresses were less than 40 pages.
“The adoption was on Thursday, around 1pm and Friday around 2pm, barely under 24 hours, notice had been issued that judgement was ready, that judgment was given on Saturday. This sequence and turn of event assault the sensibilities of lawyers that really believe in justice.”
“Remember the issue of jurisdiction which is fundamental is bound to give judgment this week. The question is why could the tribunal not have waited? Wait for the Supreme Court judgment which would naturally impact on their own outcome. Let the Supreme Court rules that they do not have jurisdiction ab initio.”
He expressed confidence that the PDP would get favourable judgement at the appeal court.
Mimiko said the party would soon meet to deliberate and take position on the election matter.
“However, if elections are held 100 times in Rivers State, PDP will still win, it is PDP’s territory,” Mimiko said.
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has intervened in the rift between the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo and the dethroned Eze Ndigbo, Sir Gregory Ilehohika.
Ilehohika was dethroned by Oba Aladetoyinbo after he allegedly insulted the Akure monarch.
A closed-door meeting was held at the conference hall of the Governor’s Office.
Mimiko, a source said, apologised to Oba Aladetoyinbo for the “unruly” behaviour of the Eze Ndigbo.
He said the Igbo leader could not go against the tradition and customs of the land as there was no basis for such attitude.
The governor thanked the youth and praised them for their maturity and peaceful disposition.
The youth, who were represented at the meeting by their President, Tuyi Adekanmbi, told the governor what happened at the palace and Mojeere market where some Igbo traders allegedly beat up the Deji’s emissaries.
Adekanmbi assured the governor that Akure people were peace-loving and would continue to allow peace to reign.
He, however, cautioned that such peaceful disposition should not be taken for a granted.
Oba Aladetoyinbo gave three conditions for peace.
He said the dethroned Eze must apologise for his unruly behaviour in at least three national newspapers and on air.
They must write a letter of apology to the Deji and his council and the title, “Eze Ndigbo”, must be reviewed and replaced with a non-controversial honorary title.
Oba Aladetoyinbo added that the Eze should not wear any crown and must comply with earlier directives given at the palace.
The monarch, who refused to speak with reporters after the meeting, said a truce could then be brokered after these conditions are met.
Mimiko praised Oba Aladetoyinbo for accommodating everyone and promised to reach out to him soon.
At the meeting were the Deputy Governor, Lasisi Oluboyo, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Rotimi Adelola, Chief of Staff (CoS) Kola Ademujimi, Chief Olu Falae, and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Eyitayo Jegede.
the Akure National Union (ANU), Ibadan chapter, has asked Governor Olusegun Mimiko to take disciplinary actions against the Eze Ndigbo, Sir Gregory Ilehohika.
The group in a statement by its President, Prof Abiodun Ayodele, said: “It is unbecoming for Iloehika to ridicule the Deji.
“We call on Governor Mimiko to order Iloehika to apologise to the monarch for his insolence and disrespect for our traditional institution.
“We do not query the need of our people to live in peace with other ethnic groups in Akureland, we frown at Iloehika’s act which, in our estimation, amounts to spitting on the face of all Akure sons and daughters on account of his wealth.
“We love and respect our Igbo brothers and sisters, as well as their rights to do businesses and live well in our land. Of a truth, the Igbo have lived in Akureland for decades and one almost cannot distinguish between them and us as we inter-marry and jointly promote the land.
“We, however, will not condone any act of insubordination to our traditional ruler or what we stand for as a people,” the union said.