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Tag: Mimiko

  • Fashola, Mimiko laud MTNF skills project

    Fashola, Mimiko laud MTNF skills project

    With the inauguration of facilities donated by the MTN Foundation to four technical colleges under its Youth Skills Development Project (YSDP), the governors of Lagos and Ondo states, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and Dr Segun Mimiko are optimistic that more youths will be gainfully employed.

    The foundation, which is the Corporate Social Investment vehicle of MTN Nigeria, upgraded the workshops of technical colleges in Ondo, Lagos, Kaduna and Sokoto.

    The beneficiaries’ schools are: Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Lagos, Government Technical College, Owo, Ondo, Malali Government Technical College, Kaduna and Government Technical College, Farufaru, Sokoto. While Ondo and Lagos have been inaugurated, those in Kaduna and Sokoto are to be launched this or next month.

    The MTNF YSDP intervention project involved the refurbishment of laboratories in the beneficiary schools in six skill areas: electrical installation and maintenance, instrumentation mechanics, refrigeration and air conditioning, furniture design and construction, plumbing and pipe fitting, fabrication and welding. The laboratories have also been fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and furniture installation.

    In addition to the facility upgrade, the foundation trained the teachers and students on the use of the equipment and will provide one year post-handover technical support to the colleges.

    At the inauguration of the project in Government Technical College, Ikorodu, Fashola thanked the foundation and other partners for complementing government’s efforts to reinvigorate technical education. He lamented that foreigners usually get jobs that should be taken up by skilled Nigerians, a situation he said would be reversed if technical and vocational education gets the requisite attention.

    “The importance of technical and vocational schools cannot be overemphasised because they provide the country with the requisite skilled workforce in every conceivable vocation. We are happy that MTN Foundation believes in the idea of revamping technical schools around the country,” he said.

    Similarly, Dr Mimiko of Ondo State said MTNF’s investment in TVE would contribute to improving the country’s economy.

    “MTN Foundation has identified an important aspect of education that is required to move the economy of the nation forward and they are complementing government’s efforts to uplift this sector of education. Your assistance is commendable and it would lead to the building of capacity for students making them competent and employable,” he said.

    The Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie, said the YSDP is aimed at improving entrepreneurship skills of young people.

    He said: “Youth Skills Development Project was conceived from MTN’s recognition of the importance of empowering the Nigerian youth. The project is aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts to raise the level of entrepreneurial skill acquisition as this will boost technological advancement, which MTN also recognises as a major driver of socio-economic development.”

     

  • Mimiko disburses N75m to communities for self-help projects

    The Ondo State government has disbursed N75million to 21 communities across the state to embark on community self-help projects.

    Over 600 community projects were executed in 300 communities during the first term of the present administration.

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko, while distributing the cheque to representatives of the communities in Akure, the state capital reiterated his administration’s determination to uplift the standard of living of the people in rural communities by providing basic infrastructure that will add values to their lives.

    He noted that Community Change Champions (CCC) have been trained to oversee proper usage of the facilities.

    The governor promised that government would continue to assist willing communities to execute projects that are people-oriented. Such projects, he said would help to reduce rural-urban migration and boost the economy of the communities.

    Mimiko, however, urged the traditional rulers to support government in its bid to transform the socio-economic landscape of the state.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperative Services, Clement Faboyede enumerated the projects so far executed to include basic health centers, town halls, classroom blocks, skill acquisition centers and cottage industries among others.

    He thanked the governor for prompt release of funds to the ministry to execute people-oriented projects across the state.

     

  • ‘Ondo candidate for NDDC board okay’

    ‘Ondo candidate for NDDC board okay’

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has been urged to ignore those kicking against the nomination of Dr. Benson Enikuomehin for the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Former Ilaje Local Government Council Chairman Prince Benjamin Okunomo accused the agitators of being biased and selfish. He said the Orosanye Panel did not indict members of the commission’s dissolved board, on which Enikuomehin served, of any wrong doing.

    Okunomo said: “The panel recommended the then board for dissolution because members of the management team could not work together. Prominent members of the said board, including Senator Tunde Ogbeha and Mr. Joe Jakpa, were reappointed on the last board and the chairman, AVM Larry Koinya, has been appointed chairman of the Governing Council of a federal institution.

    “The current nominee for the position of Managing Director of the commission was also a leading figure in the dissolved board. If it can happen elsewhere, why not in Ondo State?”

  • Mimiko names boards’ members, others

    Mimiko names boards’ members, others

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday announced the heads of key government organisations and appointed some aides.

    Dr. Bakitta Bello is the chairman of the Teaching Service Commission. Members are Dr. Niyi Ikuemelo, Princess Kemi Oluwatuyi, Mr. John Akindutire and Mr. Adeola Ayelomi.

    The state-owned printing outfit, Owena Press, is chaired by Mr. Bode Betiku with Mrs. Titi Omosowon as a part-time member of the board.

    Otunba Ade Adeniyi is the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Members are Alhaja S.O.K. Ogunmodede, Mr. Akinsun Akinro and Chief Bailey Arohunmola.

    The State Development and Property Corporation is headed by Dr. Akin Olowookere with Mr. A. Adaniken and Mr. Joshua Adebusuyi as part time members.

    The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) Chairman is Pastor Adeoti Marcus. Members are Alhaji Kasali Busari, Prince Olu Falolu, Dr. Tayo Olujuyigbe and Chief Mrs. Ebisemiju.

    A lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, is the part-time chairman of the Ondo State Radio-Vision Corporation. The part-time members are Mrs. Bisi Adanri, Mr. Bayo Egbayelo, Mrs. Kehinde Adewole-Ali and Mr. Gbenga Aro.

    The Ondo State Electricity Board is chaired by Pastor Segun Ayerin with Mr. Duro Owasanoye, Mr. Idowu Adewunmi, Comrade P. I. Odejimi and Mr. Olugbenro Dare as part-time members.

    The State Micro Credit Agency is headed by Mrs. Banke Sutton. Members are Comrade Lawrence Awogun, Mrs. Tolani Isiaka, Dr. Lanre Adeleye and Lady Lydia Olafunmloye.

    Mr. Shina Fadamitan is the chairman of the Ondo State Waste Management Board. Members are Mrs. Joke Akande, Mr. Ayodeji Alade and Chief Omimi Ajama. Mr. Taye Ogunleye is a part-time member.

    The State Hospital Management Board is chaired by Dr Niran Okunrinboye. Members are Dr. Adedeji Kehinde, Pharm. Dele Odewumi, Mr. Femi Okunjemiruwa and Mr. Johnson Akinlosotu.

    The Ondo State Scholarship Board is chaired by Mr. Dayo Awude. The part-time members are Elder J. O. Adewunmi and Mr. Olusola Edema.

    Mrs. Yetunde Adeyanju is the Chairman of the State Development Company.

    Mr. Olu Ogidan is the chairman of the State Law Review Commission, with Yemi Alao, Dapo Ikudaisi, Thompson Akinyemi and Ope Fadoju as members.

    The Ondo State Agric Input Supply Agency is headed by Mr. Ayo Abiola. Members are Mr. Olabanji Amuda, Chief Mrs. Aduke Olugboji and Mr. Seye Adegboye.

    Mr. Dare Aliu is the Chairman of the Ondo State Advertising and Signage Agency. Members are Mr. Bisiriyu Ogungbemi and Mr. Kayode Olatunji (part-time).

    The Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency is chaired by Mr. Bolanle Olafunloye. Mr. Rueben Akintunde is the chairman of the State Pensions Board, with Mr. Ayodele Adegbite as a part-time member.

    The State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) is headed by Pastor Johnson Ogunyemi. The part-time members are Mrs. Ruth Edu, Mr. Omotehinse Olumide, Mr. Richard Kekemeke, Dr. Francis Igbasan and Mr. Abosede Brown.

    The former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Unions, Mr. Dayo Fadahunsi, is now a Special Adviser.

    Mr. Banji Kuroloja, Mr. Rotimi Olasogba, Mr. Oladunjoye Oyewunmi, Mr. Ade Samuel Pelemo, Mr. Wole Akinjo, Mr. Folasade Tinubu and Mr. Bisi Adegoke have been appointed Senior Special Assistants to the governor.

    Mr. Abiodun Omonijo, Mrs. Funmilola Oluwadare and Mr. Olajide Akinfe have been appointed Special Assistants.

    The name of Apostle I. P. Peremini has been sent to the House of Assembly as a nominee to the State Civil Service Commission.

  • Group begs Mimiko to release white paper on Ile Oluji crisis

    A  Community Development Association (CDA) has appealed to the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, to release the government’s white paper on the inquiry it ordered into the two-day crisis which rocked Ile-Oluji in May this year.

    Speaking in the town during the inauguration of national patrons and elected officers of some chapters of Ile-Oluji National Union (INU) in the country, the President-General of INU Worldwide, Chief Moses Adewakun, said the community was “growing in apprehension on the delay of the white paper on the judicial commission set up by the Ondo State Government to find out the immediate and remote causes of the riots which took place on the 27th and 28th May 2013.”

    According to Adewakun, the people of Ile-Oluji kingdom appreciated the fact that the state government set up the commission to find out what brought about the crisis, adding that it was also pleasing that the government gave two weeks to the commission to submit its report, which it met.

    He said, however, that four months after the submission of the report, the expected white paper was yet to be released.

    Adewakun said, “All right thinking people of Ile-Oluji are really worried about this development and are praying that our amiable governor listen to the voice of reason and make hay while the sun shines. We implore the governor to do something very quickly to address this matter.”

  • ‘Immortalise ex-minister’

    ‘Immortalise ex-minister’

    The former Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Lawrence Omowole, has urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to complete the abandoned projects started by his predecessor, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

    He said it was the best way to immortalise the late Agagu.

    Agagu’s remains will arrive in the state tomorrow from Lagos and will be laid-in-state at the Democracy Park in Akure, the state capital, and the Civic Centre in Iju-Odo, Okitipupa Local Government.

    Oba Omowole, who is the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom, described the late Agagu as a pragmatic leader, who would be missed by the people.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Akure, the monarch said the late Agagu was a great politician, whose impact was felt in all sectors during his tenures as a minister and governor.

    He urged the Mimiko administration to complete all road projects started by the late Agagu’s administration, particularly in the coastal areas.

    Oba Omowole said Mimiko’s visit to the late Agagu’s family in Lagos less than 24 hours after his (Agagu’s) death showed that the era of political bitterness was gone in the state.

     

  • Mimiko warns NURTW members

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) against fomenting trouble, following the union’s National Secretariat’s order for the Ondo Chairman, Comrade Olayori Oladutele, a.k.a. Die the Matter, to step aside from office.

    Mimiko gave the warning in Akure, the state capital, at a meeting with NURTW leaders.

    He said he would not allow anybody or group to disrupt the peace in the state and urged security operatives to deal with anyone found causing trouble.

    Oladutele was told to step aside, following the allegation that the state NURTW chapter issued fake receipts to members daily for the payment of union fees.

    Other members of the state executive were not affected.

    In a letter signed by the National Secretary, Comrade Clement Wecko, the national body directed the State Vice-Chairman, Comrade Ajisafe Omobomi, to take over the union’s affairs, pending investigation of the allegation.

     

  • Mimiko lied about Olokola Free Trade Zone, says PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday said the Governor Olusegun Mimiko administration is not responsible for the conceptualisation and development of the Olokola Free Trade Zone (FTZ).

    It was reacting to the governor’s comment that the development of the free-trade zone was “an attestation to his investment-friendly administration”.

    In a statement by its Publicity Director, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, PDP said: “It is common knowledge and backed up by documented facts that the PDP administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu developed the plan and executed the development of the Olokola FTZ.

    The party said: “Had Agagu remained in government, the business district would have commenced operations about three years back. Today, due to the lack of initiative and poverty of ideas by the Mimiko administration, the FTZ remains on the drawing board, with many blue chip companies recently pulling out of the venture.

    “Mimiko’s years in governance has been characterised by falsehood and desecration of hallowed standards. They have been years of unmitigated mismanagement of public funds.

    “For over four years, the people were denied information about the financial records of the state. We were not told how much money accrued to the state and how it was spent. We saw contracts awarded for the construction of existing roads, such as the Oba Adesida Road, to the tune of N7 billion and at the end of the day, the only justification was the placing of movable concrete embankment on some sections of the road.

    “The Mimiko administration inherited N58 billion from the Agagu administration, but blew it away and went ahead to incur a massive debt, which the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) confirmed in its declaration last week.

    “We appreciate the Dangote Group’s desire to site a refinery in the state and make it clear that the plan has nothing to do with the indolent administration in Ondo.”

     

  • Mimiko and South-west economic integration

    Prof Jide Osuntokun’s admonition to Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, governor of Ondo State to eschew from the politics of the South-west Regional Economic Integration (SREI) and join his colleagues in jointly developing the region’s economy through SREI in his Thursday, August 1, column shows how concerned the respected educationist must be about the well-being of this great idea. In the column titled “Appeal to Mimiko on S/West Economic Integration” the former ambassador, who is a repository of the nation’s history, told the governor, in case he was not aware, and those of us who have no idea, that the South-west regional economic integration has a long history. Professor Osuntokun said that “…stretching from Ilupeju, Mushin to some parts of Bayelsa, and including the present five states controlled by the ACN, Ondo State…Edo state…and Delta…, it enjoyed planned development arising from the tremendous agricultural resources and the vibrancy of its people…,” among other things.

    Professor Osuntokun was apparently worried, and rightly so, and as any discerning person of Yoruba extraction should be, that the South-west regional economic integration is being threatened by what appears to be a deliberate exclusion of Ondo State by its chief of state. The regional economic integration is probably the single most important, most effective economic initiative capable of rapidly transforming the socio-economic wel-lbeing of the people and leap frog the region into modernity as we know it. It is an initiative whose time is well overdue especially in light of the current global economic trend in which the much bandied mantra of the world as one global village is only in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and not much on trade.

    As ICT is forcefully opening and expanding the business space among nations, these nations, especially the developed ones, paradoxically, are also ganging up and closing their markets against those they consider outsiders for more competitive advantage. And this is why we have clusters of nations in relative close proximity with each other with such names as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the European Union (EU); BRICS comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) even though the latter do more talking than trading as there’s hardly anything to trade with among these underdeveloped countries.

    Although Mimiko said on several occasions in the run up to his re-election that he doesn’t have to be in the same political party with his brother governors to embrace the region’s economic integration, which in theory, may be right. The opposition political parties even sort of agreed with him then. But I disagree. Aside from the fierce and bitter electoral battle which may have dampened his enthusiasm for the regional economic integration agenda, as a brutally calculating, Machiavellian political operative, the personal political road Mimiko has chosen to travel and his intended political destination makes it counter-intuitive, if not counterproductive for him to embrace the economic integration agenda. Mimiko’s political rivals in the region will be better served if they listen to what he is NOT saying rather than what he says.

    Mimiko’s political predilection has no room for regional economic integration agenda, it seems to me. He cares nothing about the progressive political party, even though “progressivism” is his self-described political ideology. Neither does he care that much for the conservative political philosophy that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represents. The real political interest of the Ondo chief of state is to grow and nurture his Labour Party to where it can have some traction in some states in the federation, most especially in the South-west, where this party can be leveraged with whoever happens to be in control at the centre in order to advance his personal political relevance and opportunity. The other leg of this mid- to long-term goal is for his Labour Party to act as a bulwark against the progressives in the South-west, which ultimately will lead to the first end goal of gaining more political relevance and opportunity, and for his party to be seen, at least in the South-west as the alternative ‘progressive’ party just in case the progressives drop the ball. In an environment where political parties are built around personality and/or a handful of people because the country’s politicians are still largely at the very rudimentary stage of political, if not human evolution, it should be clear why Mimiko should prevaricate on the economic integration agenda.

    Mimiko must also dilly-dally on this all-important regional economic initiative because a coterie of his current political associates and bedfellows would be absolutely hell-bent against this idea, not because it lacks merit, but because of the collective political vendetta they have against a former National Leader of the party that controls the South-west except Ondo, who, they believe, will take the credit for the success of the economic integration when they’re currently too busy trying to cut him down to size. He cannot afford to invite the ire of these people and that of Jonathan Gullible whose bidding in the South-west he now must do.

    There is no doubt that the road to the regional economic integration destination would be bumpier and therefore more strenuous if any of the component part of the South-west region is not on board the integration boat, most particularly Ondo State because of its unique place in this integration matrix. Ondo is relatively more strategically positioned because of its contiguity to all the South-west states except Oyo. It shares boundaries with Edo and Kogi states to the east and north respectively. Its coastline is almost a stone throw to Lagos, the economic nerve centre of the nation, a coastline that also extends to the South-south geo-political region. More importantly, the state is the second richest after Lagos in the South-west. Its financial wherewithal can be brought to bear and effectively utilized in bankrolling some projects that are very critical to the economic integration agenda, which must of necessity, be situated in the state for the overall benefit of the South-west region and its people.

    Rather than the South-west governors and Dipo Famakinwa’s commission, which is saddled with actualizing the regional economic integration agenda waiting for the Ondo State governor to change his mind and embrace this important initiative, they should just march on and set aside the state’s own piece of the puzzle for now until, hopefully, the Supreme Court decides in their favour in the on-going electoral litigation to reclaim Akeredolu’s mandate. What is even more important is for the progressives to keep the South-west under their political control into the foreseeable future. An initiative of this magnitude would need about a couple of decades of uninterrupted political control to grow into full maturity otherwise it would be quickly jettisoned if another party takes control of the region. The only way Ondo can participate in this initiative is for the progressives to gain political control of the state, otherwise, sitting around and waiting for Mimiko to do the needful for posterity by embracing this agenda would be like Waiting for Godot.

     

    • Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com.

     

  • Mimiko: no plan to impeach my deputy

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday debunked a report that there were plans to impeach his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, for alleged ineffectiveness.

    Speaking with reporters in his office in Akure, the state capital, Mimiko urged the public to disregard the story.

    He denied directing the House of Assembly to begin the impeachment process, adding that there was no plan to replace his deputy.

    According to a report published by some national newspapers (not The Nation), the Assembly has set a machinery in motion to impeach Olanusi for alleged non-performance owing to his ill health.

    The report said the governor was concerned about his deputy’s health and had told Olanusi to produce the person that would replace him.

    The Septuagenarian was said to have nominated his son, a development the governor was allegedly opposed to.

    Mimiko, who just arrived from Abuja, said: “I have been receiving messages, calls and heard the report on BBC Hausa Radio Station that we are planning to replace the deputy governor. There is no such plan.

    “Nobody is planning to impeach my deputy. He is part of this administration and is very active. He still has a lot to offer the present administration and the people. I urge the public to disregard the report.”

    Olanusi, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state chairman, has been Mimiko’s deputy since the administration began its first term on February 24, 2009.