Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) have received the Lion’s Club’s Melvin Jones awards.
Aregbesola received the award in Ile-Ife, Osun State, while Mimiko received it in Osogbo, the state capital.
Aregbesola said if government at all levels and private organisations partner in key areas, Nigeria and Africa will be great.
•Imoke, Afe Babalola, Ita-Giwa, Oshun extol Olayinka’s virtues
Governors Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) yesterday visited their Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, to condole with him on the death of his deputy, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka.
Mrs. Olayinka died of cancer on Saturday at the St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos. She was 52.
Ajimobi, who was accompanied by his wife, Florence, described the late Mrs. Olayinka as “a lady of substance, who lived an exemplary life and achieved much for her age”.
Mimiko, who was accompanied by his wife, Olukemi, and some top officials of the Ondo State Government, described the deceased as “a strong pillar in the Fayemi administration”, adding that her death was a great loss to the state and the nation.
He said the late Mrs. Olayinka was active in the struggle that led to the enthronement of the Fayemi administration.
Mimiko said death is inevitable and will come at God’s time. He urged women to check their breasts regularly to detect any abnormality early.
Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola also visited Fayemi on Sunday evening.
He said Mrs. Olayinka had gone to rest with the Lord and urged Ekiti people to support the governor and the deceased’s family.
Aregbesola said only God can fill the gap her death has created.
Signing the condolence register at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, he said it was “such a pain to lose a polished, smart and diligent person like Mrs. Olayinka”.
Aregbesola said: “Conscious of the transience of life, we are consoled by the fact that her short life was very eventful and successful. We pray for eternal bliss in the bosom of God and the grace of God for her family.”
Aregbesola and Fayemi visited the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, around 10pm on Sunday night to condole with him.
Legal icon and founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) said the late Mrs. Olayinka served Ekiti people with all she had.
Babalola said ABUAD is working in partnership with a foreign university to establish a Department of Pharmaceutical Science and carry out researches on a possible cure for cancer.
Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke, in his condolence message, said: “Although words seem inadequate to express the sorrow felt by her loss, we must focus on the memories of her good works and life-long achievements.”
Senator Florence Ita-Giwa described the late Mrs. Olayinka as “a down-to-earth, dedicated and people’s politician, who was humble and knowledgeable”.
In a statement, she said: “Mrs. Olayinka was one of the few women that ventured into politics at a time when Nigeria needs independent and strong-willed women to help in nation-building. On the few occasions that I met her, I saw a very humble and totally committed woman, who worked very well and cooperatively with her principal.
“I commiserate with Fayemi, who lost a partner in the development of the state, and the good people of Ekiti, who bestowed a traditional title on me. I pray that God gives them a good replacement for her. I call for more opportunities for women in politics, not only as deputy governors, but as governors.”
Chairman of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) Adewale Oshun urged the government to provide effective and efficient health care services for the masses.
Oshun described the late Mrs. Olayinka as a courageous woman, who preferred to be treated in a Nigerian hospital although she had other choices.
He said: “We are all in God’s hands, but those in government should ensure that our medical services are of international standard.
“Funmi believed strongly in Nigeria and that must have informed her decision to be treated in the country. With her death, you can see that sometimes we pay heavily for what we believe in.
“Funmi was the first ARG chairman in Ekiti State. She was a principled fighter and a very loyal person. All we can do is pray for her family as well as the good people of Ekiti State.”
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Lagos State said the party has lost “a priceless jewel and a courageous woman of class and beauty”.
In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, ACN said: “The death of our beloved Deputy Governor of Ekiti State is like a dagger in our hearts. The pain is deep and our wounds will take years to heal.”
The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, also commiserated with the governor.
In a statement, the institution’s spokesman, Mr. Ade Adeyemi-Adejolu, described the late Mrs. Olayinka as “a warm, humble and brilliant woman, who displayed an astute sense of purpose”.
In her honour, flags in the institution were flown at half-mast, programmes were rescheduled and the monthly staff prayer meeting on Monday was held with soberness.
The Rector, Mrs. Taiwo Akande prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has assured workers that the ongoing verification for primary school teachers is not aimed at retrenching them.
Mimiko gave this assurance yesterday during a visit to one of the verification centres at St Peter’s Demonstration Primary School in Akure, the state capital.
He said the exercise was meant to restore dignity to the civil service.
The governor said the exercise would rid the system of ghost workers and ensure prompt payment of salary.
He urged the teachers to cooperate with the government officials to make the exercise a success.
Mimiko: “The verification is not to retrench workers. We promised you during our campaign that we will not sack any worker. I assure you that what we are doing is for our good.”
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday inaugurated a Welfare Services Management Smartcard, tagged Kaadi Igbe-Ayo.
He said the programme would enable the government know every resident of the state as well as achieve its policies.
The ceremony was held at the Gani Fawehinmi Arcade ground in Akure, the state capital.
Mimiko said N950 million was spent on the project.
He said: “In my inaugural speech at the commencement of my first tenure in 2009, I said I want to know all of you by name. I want to know where you live and what you do for a living. I want to be able to talk to you one on one. I want to know the exact number seeking employment and their qualifications. I need to know these and many other things to catalyse the joint processes and mechanism for the realisation of our collective dream.
“The overall functional purpose and relevance of what we have come here to inaugurate today lie in the possibility of using the Kaadi Igbe Ayo as the electronic vehicle to achieve the above stated policy goals. Our gathering today is to formally introduce a universally game-changing concept in the fields of democracy, governance and commitment to service.
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has reappointed Dr. Kola Ademujimi as his Chief of Staff (CoS).
Ademujimi, a medical doctor and politician from Idanre, was the CoS before the last State Executive Council was dissolved a month ago.
The graduate of the University of Ibadan (UI) has been involved in politics since he left private medical practice.
He is a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, former Chairman of the State Housing Corporation and a foundation member of the Labour Party (LP).
The Ondo State governorship contest has moved from the ballot box to the court room. Correspondent DAMISI OJO writes on the litigation and the challenges that will confront Governor Olusegun Mimiko, if he survives the legal hurdles.
Five months after, the October 20, 2012 governorship election is inconclusive in Ondo State.
Five political parties – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Accord Party (AP) and People for Democratic Change (PDC), initially filed petitions before the State Election Tribunal sitting in Akure to contest the victory of Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the poll.
They complained that the election was rigged in favour of the Labour Party (LP) candidate.
However, before the pre-hearing stage, the petitions of the CPC, Accord and PDC were struck out on technical ground by the tribunal, chaired by Justice A. Kaka. But the tribunal has to contend with the petitions of ACN, its candidate, Olurotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and that of his PDP counterpart, Chief Olusola Oke.
Akeredolu has closed his case after presenting huge documentary evidence to back his claim that the poll was characterised by massive rigging..
Akeredolu brought 80 witnesses to testify that the election was manipulated in favour of the governor.
Already, witnesses called by PDP’s candidate, Oke, have been appearing since last week to fault the same election.
Later, the tribunal will give its judgment on whether Mimiko actually won the election or not.
But there is no vacuum in the exalted office. On February 24, Mimiko took the oath of office administered by the Chief Judge, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi for a second term in office.
The governor excited listed his achievements in the last four years, promising to build on them in his second term.
However, many people have disputed the achievements. They say that Mimiko has not fully justified the confidence reposed in him by the people.
According to the Coordinator of the Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (MGGEL), Mr. Kunle Bello, Mimiko’s stay in power for a second term may be short-lived.
He hinged his claim on the fact that the LP administration is unpopular, stressing that it did not win the last governorship election.
Bello asked Mimiko to reflect on what he promised in 2009 and how he had failed to fulfil the promises.
The coordinator said the promise to create jobs has become a tall dream, adding that the Arigidi Tomato Paste Industry, Okeluse Cement factory, Olokola Free Trade Zone, Okitipupa Oil Mill, Oluwa Glass Industry and other companies owned by the state are in distress.
He said that unemployment had soared in the state because these companies have been on their knees.
The spokesman of the PDP in the state, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, shared this sentiment.
Fadaka said the fortunes of the state have continued to dwindle since February, 2009 when the present government came on board.
He said: “The present government has been celebrating the management of the economy of the state from credit to debit.”
A political analyst, John Olaoye, described the past four years of LP administration as retrogressive and traumatic for the masses.
He said many projects were abandoned, lamenting that industries that should provide jobs for the army of unemployed indigenes are moribund
Olaoye complained that the government had embarked on projects that have no impact on the citizenry. He said the huge amount of money being allocated to the state regularly was being wasted on frivolities.
“Ondo is an oil-producing state. Therefore, the people are full of expectation. Today, unemployed youths have become ‘Okada’ riders.
“The road networks in the state are in bad shape.Many roads are in deplorable condition.”
Observers pointed out that within the past four years, there was no road construction; not a single kilometer built on a virgin land, except mending and patching in few areas.
Besides, there are some abandoned projects initiated by former Governor Olusegun Agagu, which his successor has not completed.
Mimiko is conscious of these lapses. He has promised to take governance closer to the people in the next four years. He has assured the people of a better deal.
Mimiko said: “We will ensure the completion of all outstanding projects; we will also unveil a new stream of programme that would improve the quality of our people”.
The governor said his administration would focus on job creation through innovative and durable programmes that would engender sustainable livelihood.
He said the government would undertake a 30 MW independent power project in Ore to provide electricity. Mimiko said this will attract investors to the state.
On the controversial international events centre, ‘The Dome’, Mimiko promised to deliver the project this year as part of efforts to boost tourism.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko has said he deliberately engaged architects in his efforts to beautify Akure, the Ondo State capital, because of their eyes for aesthetics and to correct the metropolis’disorderliness.
He spoke during the Institute of Architects’ quarterly dinner and investiture at the Government House Ground, Akure.
The governor said his administration’s urban renewal strategy was based on his experience as a minister while working with renowned architects at the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.
He said: “Architects are wonderful and special people. They are the best visioners, while other professionals just actualise their visions. Architects conceptualise something, which is hitherto not in existence, and create it in physical form that will be admired by all.
“They are not only scientists, but artists, whose contributions have made very significant contributions to the modest achievements of our administration in the last four years.”
Mimiko said his urban renewal programme centred on the majority of the people because they desired a cleaner environment to live and do business to avoid any form of disease.
He said he is determined to touch and add values to the lives of the people with his programmes and policies aimed at fighting generational poverty.
To simplify access to land and building approvals, the governor said his administration had created a bureau comprising professionals, who are major stakeholders in real estate development.
The team, according to him, will carry out one-stop processing of all papers relating to approval for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).
The governor said residents were pleased with his urban renewal programme even when some of their houses had to be demolished in the process.
He explained that his administration made it a duty to pay adequate compensation to owners and occupants of buildings marked for demolition whether they had approved plans or not, before rolling out the bulldozers.
He said occupants of houses marked for demolition were happy with the efforts of his government to create a dual-carriage way within Akure town aimed at decongesting Oba Adesida and Oyemekun roads.
He said: “This was so because owners of the affected buildings were carried along in the entire project from conception and they were adequately compensated, while their tenants and shop owners were also paid to relocate.”
The completion of the project, he said, had improved of Akure’s aesthetics and increased the values of buildings in the area.
The Dome project, the governor said, would be completed before the end of the year. The project, according to him, would be the biggest in-door capacity hall in Nigeria,
Earlier, the National President, Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Mr Ibrahim Haruna, said the urban renewal efforts of the governor had turned Akure into wonderful scenery, beautiful and constantly eliciting smiles from happy residents.
Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has called on the Nigerian military to assist in defending the nation’s democracy.
He reiterated his government’s continuous partnership with security agencies to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.
Mimiko made this statement in his office in Akure when he hosted the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Ahmed Tijani Jibrin.
He appreciated the noble role played by the military and other security agencies during the October 20, 2012 governorship election in the state, which paved the way for peaceful conduct of the election that was devoid of bloodshed and rancour.
He noted that democracy as the bedrock of the nation’s development must be well protected through the collaboration of the military and civil society.
The governor also stated that his administration would continue to support the families of the fallen heroes with loans and credit facilities, stressing that youth engagement in productive ventures would continue to be prioritised with a view to ensuring peace and development across the state.
Earlier in his address, the GOC, Major-General Jibrin, thanked the state government for the support given to the Army, particularly in the area of logistics to enable its officers carry out their duties effectively.
He assured that the military will not relent in protecting the nation’s democracy and also reiterated their unalloyed loyalty to civil authority and dictates of the constitution of Nigeria.
SIR: I wish to draw the attention of Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to the deplorable condition of living on Agunbiade Avenue Street, opposite St. James’ Grammar School, Lipakala Junction, Rainbow, Ondo in Ondo West LGA. The condition of the road is very bad.
For almost 30 years now, there have been recurrent problemsof flooding on this street due to the inability of easy flow of water whenever it rains – through the water channels, or drainages and also due to the narrow nature of the bridge through where this water flows especially, the one at the main road beside Lipakala’s House on the main road along Adeyemi College Road, near St. James’ Grammar School, Ondo.
About two years ago, the Mimiko-led administration made deliberate efforts to widen the channels through where the water flows. Unfortunately, this has not solved any of the perennial problems.
This reason for this was that, when this water channel was done, it was abandoned without adequate plan for it to be made into a proper water channels with walls and access roads for inhabitants of the streets where residents live. This has forced many residents and home owners to flee the area, which now look like ghost streets.
The incessant flooding has made people to abandon these houses, and made the street look so much in despair with overgrown fields on the streets.
The remaining residents on Agunbiade Avenue as well as the adjoining streets are now pleading with the state government to urgently come to their aid. As stated earlier, the case has been on for a long time without any solution. In actual fact, an 80-year-old woman died inside her house a couple of years ago at night, due to flooding that caught her unawares in the middle of the night.
The residents are now pleading with the government to come and finish the abandoned work they started and find a lasting solution to flooding in this area, before the whole street is wiped off.
• Akinyele Akinkuolie,
Ondo
•Appoints CPS
Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday dissolved the State Executive Council (SEC).
The dissolution, which came less than 24 hours after the governor took his Oath of Office, affected commissioners, chairmen and members of boards and parastatals, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and others, who have served in positions other than statutory commissions.
The dissolution excludes appointees, whose tenures are not tied to the expiration of the governor’s first term.
Mimiko thanked the affected political office holders for their service.
He said: “I have always said the good work we did was as a result of the effort put in by members of the council and other people in positions of responsibilities.
“Through our collective effort, rich debates, engaging arguments, agreements and sometimes disagreements, we have provided responsible and dedicated leadership to the people. Diligence has been our watchword and I am grateful to you all.”
Also yesterday, Mimiko appointed Mr. Eni Akinsola as his Chief Press Secretary.
Akinsola, an International Relations graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), was a human rights trainer, educator and campaigner before veering into journalism. He was appointed Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Mimiko in 2009.