Ondo State Governor and Visitor to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has expressed confidence in the push by the school to be one of the leading institutions in Africa. He urged its management not to rest on its oars in placing the institution among the top 10 in the country.
The governor spoke last week, at the eighth convocation of the university.
Represented by his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, the governor expressed joy that the school has moved from 31st to 18th position in the Webometrics ranking. This, he said, is the reward of the support his government gave the school, adding that the school’s prudence in managing resources and members of staff’s hard work led to the success.
Akeredolu said: “The government of Ondo State is proud of Adekunle Ajasin University an institution that has become a force to be reckoned with in its 19 years of existence at a period other universities are struggling to make name.
“It is gratifying that graduates of this university are winning laurels and making waves globally. I would like to charge them to push further so that AAUA would be established as a global champion.
“The time is now for everybody, including corporate organisations and wealthy individuals, to join hands with government in funding education because government alone cannot fund education.
“As a government and proprietor to this university, we will contribute and continue to do our best to sustain the achievements of this great university. We will like to appeal to stakeholders to seek time-tested and creative ways that have been used by world-class universities and deploy similar strategies in building the university.”
The governor, who appreciated the support of the school alumni, added that universities all over the world drew support from their alumni bodies.
The governor congratulated all the 5,252 graduands, especially the 31 students, who graduated with First Class, wishing them the best in their future endeavours.
The pro-chancellor and chairman of Governing Council, Dr Tunji Abayomi, listed the various steps taken by the council to improve the fortunes of the institution. He thanked parents and other stakeholders for showing understanding and support during the recent increment in the school fees.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, promised that the management would continue to make inputs that would make the university stand tall among its peers.
He pledged that staff members would be given assistance and support needed to improve on their skills and welfare.
Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the 31 First Class graduands, including the Overall Best Graduating Student, Ebenezer Olorunwa Komolafe, who finished from the Department of Science Education with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.74.
Also, a businesswoman and philanthropist, Mrs Siju Iluyomade, was honoured with the Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa).
The Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said that his major priority in office is to make the state the number one destination for investors in Nigeria by the year 2020.
Speaking during the Inauguration of the board of the State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) on Thursday in Akure, the state capital, Akeredolu said the state has no reason to rely on federal allocation from Abuja before she could meet her commitments to the people if the large deposits of mineral and agricultural resources in the state are well annexed.
The Governor said Nigeria spend N300bn annually on importation of bitumen despite the fact that the state has the largest deposit of bitumen in Nigeria which is processed, can reduce pressure on our naira and boost the nation’s foreign exchange.
Speaking on several investment opportunities in the state, he said he established ONDIPA to ensure that corporate organizations and businessmen and women interested in doing business in the state do their transactions without any hues.
The governor also declared that his administration has dedicated 150,000 hectares of land to boost cocoa, oil palm and cassava plantation in the State.
Akeredolu also announced that the first company for Bitumen Exploration and Processing in Nigeria would commence operation in the state before the middle of 2018.
In his word, Akeredolu said: “We are the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria. We are the largest producer of cassava in Nigeria. We have the largest deposit of limestone in Nigeria; let me inform this gathering that Ondo has the largest deposit of bitumen in Africa and second in the world.
“I want to use this opportunity to announce to this gathering that the first company for Bitumen Exploration and Processing in Nigeria will commence operation in our state before the middle of 2018.
“We are the largest producer of oil palm and cashew nut in South West. We have dedicated 150,000 hectares of land to boost cocoa, oil palm and cassava in Ondo State. We have major cash crops; maize, rice, soya beans, citrus, plantain; coffee, cowpea; we have the highest load of granite in South-west. We have large rubber plantations in Ondo. We have oil and gas; we are the 4th largest producer of oil and gas in Nigeria, we can use gas to power electricity.
The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. David Oloyeloogun (left), the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi (middle) and the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, during the launch of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) held at the International Culture and Event Centre (DOME) – Photo credit: Maxwell Adeyemi Adeleye.
“We are also the hub of tourism. The Smoking Hills and golf resort at Ilaramokin is the largest in Nigeria and the third largest in Africa. The longest hill on the continent of Africa is here. Ebomi Lake Tourist Centre is here. The International Culture and Event Centre (DOME) where we are hosting this event is the biggest in South West.
“The popular igbo olodumare is in my town at Okeigbo and to the glory of God, the largest palace in Africa, the Olowo palace domicile here in our state. From Lagos to Akure and Akure to Lagos now take 25 minutes by air.
“We now have Air Peace flying our once moribund airport every day. Overland Airline has increased the frequency of its flight from Akure to Abuja to three times daily. I am sure many of you fly Air Peace to Akure today. So why can’t you come do business here?
“Furthermore, to ensure that inter-state movement is made easy, Ondo State just signed a memorandum of understanding with Niger/Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the construction of 45km Araromi-Epe road to be completed before the end of 2018,” he stressed.
Assuring the investors of their safety in the state, Akeredolu said “ONDIPA means business. The mandate of ONDIPA is to ensure that private sectors have no problem doing businesses in Ondo State. Today, you do not need to go to ministries to register your business and process papers; ONDIPA will do everything for you.
“I want to assure investors that whatever Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) we sign with you will be fulfilled with sanctimonious attention. We would not compromise integrity. In three years, I want to see Ondo being the number destination of investors in Nigeria.
I want to export our cash crops and mineral resources to reduce pressure on our naira to boost our foreign exchange. My office is opened to investors. ONDIPA is open. The office of ONDIPA is even beside my office,” he stated.
Established by the House of Assembly of Assembly, (ONDIPA)is saddled with the responsibility of managing the State’s investment promotion and multilateral cooperation; structured to meet all corporate best practices to ensure seamless integration of potential investors, development partners and investments into the growth and development of the state’s economy.
The Agency, which has the Governor as its Chairman, has the Special Adviser to the Governor on Development and Investment, Mr Boye Oyewumi is to act as Vice-chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Others members of the board of the agency are the state Commissioners of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture, the Vice-President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Mrs Cecilia Akintomide, CEO, Delta Africs, Engr. Olu Odumakinde who are both indigenes of the state.
In his speech, Oyewumi said he and his team shall be focusing on Investor and sector Targeting/Marketing, Promotion of Tourism, Business facilitation and Partnerships with Multilateral and Donor Organizations and most importantly, Management of the state economic zones aimed towards creating jobs, transfer of technology/skills, reduction of capital flight and value chain improvements, Import substitution, Industry/Economic Diversification, Infrastructure development and most significantly, Improvement of Internally generated revenue.
Oyewumi said to get the goals and objectives of ONDIPA achieved, sectors such as Agriculture, Information technology, Oil and Gas, Energy and Mining, Tourism, Manufacturing and Agro-allied industries and Transportation sectors would be prioritised.
Several investors and corporate organizations who thronged the International Culture and Event Centre (DOME) where the event took place declared their readiness to partner the state government.
An investor, Mr Yomi Adewumi who is the CEO of Investment Technology Limited, a firm specializing in Mining and Processing said his company would be investing $3m dollars in the state. He thanked Akeredolu’s administration for creating an enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state.
Present at the event was the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi and his wife, Secretary to the state Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, members of the state executive council, permanent secretaries and several other government functionaries.
Others present were the first Professor of Investment Promotion in Nigeria, Professor Adesoji Adesugba, representatives of the British Department for International Development (DFID), Nigerian Investment and Development Corporation, Bank of Industry, Kaduna State Development and Investment Corporation, David Lukadu, Yewande Sadiqu, Mohammed Afeez respectively.
Also present were the representative of the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Mr Omolola Adegbenga, Lagos lawyer and human rights activists, Mr. Femi Falana, Executive Director, Energy Renewal Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, Director General, National Emergency Agency (NEMA, Alhaji Mustapha amongst others.
The Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, says his administration has zero tolerance for indiscipline and corruption.
Akeredolu made this known during the swearing-in ceremony of interim caretaker committee chairmen in the 18 local government councils of the state.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, warned the new appointees that his administration would not tolerate indiscipline or compromise on anything.
He appealed to the chairmen to carry out legitimate revenue drive to run the councils effectively.
“Your appointment is critical at this time of economic recession because the local government is the closest to the people. I enjoin you all to key into the cardinal points set up by this government to drive the administration.
“In the next two weeks, we will embark on massive construction of primary school buildings across the 18 local governments.
“Go to your councils and implement projects to touch the lives of the people; do your best.
“I advise you, the local government is the most sensitive, so you go there to promote yourself or ruin yourself,’’ the governor said.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Gani Omoluka, the Owo Local Government Caretaker Committee Chairman, expressed his appreciation of the present administration.
He pledged to work hard to justify his position and work together with the people to move the local government forward.
NAN reports that an Ondo High Court in Akure had on Friday dissolved the executives of the 18 local government councils elected during the April 23, 2016 local government election.
Aide of the outgoing Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Oluwole Babalola has lauded Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, incoming governor of the state for identifying Mimiko’s achievements as a big challenge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mimiko’s tenure will end on Friday and Akeredolu will be sworn in as the new governor of the state.
Speaking with NAN in Akure on Tuesday, Babalola, the Special Assistant to the governor on Civil Society Matters, said “Akeredolu is sincere enough to acknowledge Mimiko’s achievement as tremendous.’’
“He is starting on a right footing. Identifying Mimiko’s good work as a challenge will put him in a good stead to surpass his predecessor’s achievement.
“He has formed various committees to take appropriate steps that will enable him to hit the ground running,” he said.
Babalola said that the outgoing administration would continue to pray for the incoming one irrespective of political differences.
“If Ondo State gets better, we all get better irrespective of our political affiliations. We use the same facilities, our wives go to the same hospitals and markets,” he said.
Babalola said that Mimiko’s achievements and policies had been able to bridge the gap between the privileged and the less privileged.
He said all the schools in the state whether mega or not had the same facilities.
