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Tag: Olusegun Agagu

  • Akeredolu to rename OSUSTECH after Agagu

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said that the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) would be renamed after former Governor of the state, Late Olusegun Agagu.

    Akeredolu disclosed this during a thank-you tour to Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo Southern Senatorial District.

    He explained that the two newly-elected House of Assembly members representing Okitipupa 1 and 11 constituencies, Akineogunde Akinfomide and Akinwumi Emmanuel would move the motion for the renaming of the University to Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa.

    According to the governor, it is a decision that can only be taken by the House of Assembly and they would move the motion as their first assignment.

    He said“You know we have Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba and it won’t be bad to have Olusegun Agagu University in Okitipupa.

    “When we came on board, we noticed that the University lacked infrastructural facilities, a good road network and other areas which we looked into and fixed.

    “The project would have been added to the museum of abandoned projects, hence the need for the major upgrades by this administration”.

    Akeredolu who thanked the people for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the election, lauded them and sought for their continued support for the party.

  • I will beat Mimiko mercilessly, says Alasoadura

    The lawmaker representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Chief Tayo Alasoadura has boasted that he would beat the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko in the coming senatorial election.

    Mimiko is contesting the seat under the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) while Alasoadura, the incumbent Senator is of the APC.

    At a media parley in Akure, the state capital on Saturday, the lawmaker who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum resources(Upstream) said” I am a strong grassroots politician who had visibly impacted on my constituents. I am working hard and confident of overwhelming Mimiko and other candidates.

    Alasoadura said” Mimiko has never won real election in the state, the one he won on February 23,2009 from Benin after 22 months in the  tribunal was a mandate from the court as against the one given by the people to late governor Olusegun Agagu on April 14,2007 which was reversed

    “The second election he won in 2012 was through the power of incumbency both from Abuja and in Ondo state.

    The lawmaker who listed several achievements he had recorded in the last four years said his reelection would give him more opportunity to provide for his constituents as a ranking senator.

    According to him, “I am a core progressive, I only defected to PDP because Yoruba race was totally marginalized then we were short-changed, I joined PDP at that early stage with Agagu and there was monumental progress all around during that era.

    Read Also: I will continue to serve you better – Mimiko

    “After six years in the PDP, I retraced my step and returned to my political root as member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and in 2014, I decided to go to the Senate and fortunately I won.

    Alasoadura said he had sponsored three bills and many motions especially that of the upgrading of Adeyemi College, Ondo to University of Education status.

    He disclosed that a sum of N2b was approved for the take-off of the institution in the 2018 budget.

    The former Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, Forum of Finance Commissioners in Nigeria, said he had secured employment for many graduates in the military, police and Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) while many people-oriented projects were delivered in many communities within Ondo Central District.

    Alasoadura added that it was through his letter to the presidency that the rail line going through Ore-Benin will now be extended to Ondo-Akure-Owo-Benin route.

    On agitation for restructuring of the country, the senatorial candidate said he would only subscribe to any system that would encourage devolution of power, where local government would be autonomous and excessive power at the centre decentralized.

    He urged the people to support Buhari and other APC candidates in order to be victorious at the polls next Saturday.

    The lawmaker lamented that Agagu his visible achievements had to leave office unceremoniously, because of the defects in the nation’s judicial system.

  • ‘Emulate Tinubu’s political Virtues’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Adeniyi Ayodeji on Saturday urged progressive politicians to emulate the virtues of the former Lagos state governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    He pointed out that he left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) because he valued the selfless way the APC leader played politics of inclusion.

    Besides, Ayodeji said he was fascinated by the political ideology of the ruling APC, which gingered him to move from the PDP to APC to work with other progressives elements in the country.

    Ayodeji, a United States (US) based Geologist and House of Representatives Aspirant for Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency spoke with reporters in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    The aspirant who is the former Vice- Chairman,Idanre local government under late Dr Olusegun Agagu’s PDP’s administration, said” I admire the political structure massively built by Tinubu and his investment in human capacity through which many people rose to higher level.

    Read Also: Group hails Tinubu for direct primary

    “Since I left Nigeria over a decade ago, I have been watching with keen interest the progressive traits of the APC stalwart (Tinubu) in area of improving the lives of the masses”.

    The National Assembly Aspirant lamented that Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency presently occupied by Bamidele Baderinwa (White)have been denied good representation at the lower chamber in Abuja due to alleged low performance.

    He assured his constituents that if elected, he would liberate his constituents through various empowerment programmes that would transform their lives.

    Ayodeji noted that the gale of defections from APC to PDP would not affect the victory of the ruling party in 2019, stressing that those who moved out of the party were formerly in the PDP and nothing has changed.

    He encouraged politicians against spending huge amount of money to aspire for political positions, stressing that the development was aiding low performance of political office holders.

    The Idanre-born politician pointed out that the lawmakers that returned to their former party (PDP) had ulterior motive which was based on selfish interest rather than that of the masses they were to represent.

  • OSUSTECH matriculates 1,000 fresh students

    OSUSTECH matriculates 1,000 fresh students

    The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa, is to matriculate 1,000 newly admitted students on March 8.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile, told our reporter on Thursday in Okitipupa that the matriculation would hold at the university’s permanent site.

    The university is the third of such state-owned institution established by the Gov. Olusegun Agagu, who hailed from the area.

    The state boasts of Adekunle Ajasin University at Akungba Akoko and the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo.

    He said the institution which hitherto operated only the Faculty of Sciences now has two newly accredited faculties – Engineering and Agriculture.

    “We are fully set for the matriculation of over 1,000 students who passed and are still undergoing the screening exercise and have completed their admission process into the institution.

    “We were running just the Faculty of Sciences now we have two more faculties – Engineering and Agriculture – recently accredited by the National Universities Commission ( NUC ),”  he said.

    NAN

  • Akeredolu’s wife urges Child Rights Act implementation

    The Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, said she would partner with relevant institutions in advocating the implementation of the Child Rights Act.

    Akeredolu said this on Thursday in Akure in a message to the 10th Anniversary of the enactment of the Ondo State Child Rights Law.

    The governor’s wife was represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ajewole Ajayi.

    She urged all stakeholders across the state to assist the government in protecting the rights of the child physically, emotionally and psychologically from any form of abuse.

    Akeredolu said that anyone caught using children for immoral purposes, hawking, and trafficking would be sanctioned and prosecuted in the Family Court.

    She appreciated the late Ondo State Gov., Dr Olusegun Agagu, for signing the Child’s Rights Act into law.

    Akeredolu noted that the Act specified the rights of the child, duties of parents, government and care-givers.

    “Ondo State Government, in recent years, has rendered services in consonance with the Child Rights Act, aimed at enabling every child to develop his or her talent and potential in a climate of peace, equality, and respect for human dignity.

    “The present administration will strengthen its effort toward partnering with Non-Governmental Organisations, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, religious institutions as well as the media to advocate for the rights of the child in Ondo State,” she said.

    In a remark, the Director, Child Department, Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Oluwaniyi Ogunleye, said the Child Rights Act was enacted in the state on March 23, 2007, to protect the rights of children and assist them to develop and become responsible adults.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were presented to people who contributed to the enactment of the law, including a posthumous award to the late Agagu.

     

  • Dignitaries pay tributes to Agagu at first year remembrance

    Dignitaries pay tributes to Agagu at first year remembrance

    FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Friday, led other dignitaries to extol the virtues of the late Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, at a remembrance service and lecture to mark the first anniversary of the latter’s death.

    At the memorial service held at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan and a lecture at the International Conference Centre (ICC) of the institution, Obasanjo and other dignitaries, including former President of Botswana, Festus Gontebanye Mogae; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and business mogul, Oba Otudeko, described the deceased as a great man who left indelible legacies on the sands of time.

    The former president recalled that Agagu was one of his ministers who dedicated his public service life to humanity during his tenure as a minister and later as governor.

    He said: “His death was an unexpected happening; if I had  ministers that served loyally and conscientiously, Olusegun Agagu was one of them, although when I wanted to hang on him as minister, he saw it as a greater service to humanity. We are here to celebrate the achievements and the great work he left behind.”

    Speaking on the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Obasanjo described the virus as an issue of great magnitude that African governments must tackle quickly.

    In his keynote address, former President of Botswana, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, who was represented by the country’s Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Myon Bouang, said it was difficult to pay tribute to a titan like the late Agagu, describing him as a strong and principled man with a tenacity of purpose.

    He said: “His professional and academic achievements cannot be over-emphasised. When he was the Minister of Power and Steel, he increased power generation from 1425 megawatts to more than 4000 megawatts. When he was governor in Ondo State, more than 1,200 kilometres of roads were tarred, while he also constructed more than 1,200 blocks of classrooms and 203 standard basic health centres.”

    Also extolling Agagu’s virtues, Tambuwal stated that the deceased had the ability to successfully develop the environment and the people.

    Represented by Chief Olusola Oke, the Speaker said: “Transparency in governance and the parameter set out in this aspect were the guiding principles of Agagu in governance. The people of Ondo State will continue to remember him.

    “He opened the state to the coastal city and education regained its lost glory during his time as governor. Under him, teachers were trained and retrained. He developed the state’s rural areas; he did not run a government of   hypocrisy and self personal praises. Agagu planted a seed that is yet to germinate by providing a good legacy for the upcoming generation.”

    The deceased’s wife, Mrs. Olufunke Agagu, sobbed profusely as dignitaries poured encomiums on her late husband.

    Earlier at the memorial thanksgiving service, the presiding cleric, Rev. G. L Lasebikan, said Nigeria has lost a dear one who is irreplaceable.

    In his vote of thanks, son of the deceased, Feyi Agagu, thanked the guests for their love and support, while promising that the family will continue to sustain the legacies left behind by their father.

    The Olusegun Agagu Foundation was also launched at the event for which over N20 million was generated.

  • Gbenga Oguniya chickens out?

    Gbenga Oguniya chickens out?

    Gbenga Ogunniya was once a powerful politician in Ondo State. He wielded a lot of influence in the government of the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu when the latter held sway as governor. He was also popular among the youth in the state. As a matter of fact, his name was touted as a possible successor of the then Governor Agagu. Such was his awesome prospects in politics until recently when he left the scene without a trace.

    Having spent two terms in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Ogunniya’s third term hit the rocks when an election tribunal sacked him in 2008. His return bid also failed in 2011.

    The Ondo-born politician, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had his ambition cut short by the candidate of Labour Party, Senator Ayo Akinyelure. Ogunniya has since recoiled into his shell and reports say the PDP chieftain in Ondo State might have dumped politics.

  • Ex-FRSC chief decries state of Akoko roads

    Ex-FRSC chief decries state of Akoko roads

    Former Corps Marshal/Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Dr. Olu Agunloye has decried the deplorable state of the Ikare-Ajowa road in Akoko, Ondo State.

    Agunloye, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), said the road has been under construction since the tenure of the late former Governor Olusegun Agagu, which is over 10 years ago.

    He threatened to sue the contractors handling the project.

    Agunloye said: “This road is in a very deplorable condition. Its current state is dangerous. It combines incessant dangers from road traffic crashes with serious health hazards arising from inhaling heavy dusts, which may lead to acute health conditions in the short run or lung cancer in the long run.

    “It is also hazardous to non-road users as well, especially children and the elderly, who inhale heavy doses of dusts daily from their bedrooms. The road, especially from Imo-Arigidi to Ikaram is not vehicle worthy or people-worthy by public safety standards.

    “The dusty road has not only painted floors, bedrooms, wardrobes and drawers brown in several homes; it has sent several of our people to hospitals and some to early graves.

    “The situation has become significantly tragic for the Imo-Arigidi, Erusu, Ibaram, Iyani and Ikaram communitie, as many residents have died of asthma and bronchitis.

    “It is wrong of the contractor to open up the entire stretch to dust for over a year, irrespective of whether or not the government is aware of its careless but dangerous action.

    “We have noted that it may be correct, as most people say, that the government has been insensitive about this road and the plight of the people, but the construction company has not shown any professionalism and is liable in the face of the law.

    “I wonder how the neglect got to this level and what the government expects the people of Akoko to do. It is indeed embarrassing!”

  • Tight security as Agagu begins final journey home

    Tight security as Agagu begins final journey home

    There was a tight security in Iju-Odo, Ondo State, as the final burial rites for the former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, commenced at St Paul Anglican Church on Friday.

    Scores of police men were sighted on the Okitipupa-Iju-Odo road, monitoring vehicular movement.
    Also sighted were officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
    There was also a heavy security presence at the country home of the late former governor as well as the Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and Iju-Odo Civic Centre, both slated as venues for the reception.
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the church was also filled to capacity even as the corpse of the former governor was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
    After the initial confusion that trailed Thursday’s crash of an Associated Airline plane conveying Agagu’s casket, some family members and top Ondo State government officials, the family resolved to continue with the burial programme.
    At least 13 persons died in the crash while six others were seriously injured.
    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, had on Thursday announced the decision to continue with the burial programme after meeting with the Agagu’s family.
    “We have just consulted with the family and they had decided to go ahead with the burial,” Alabi said.
  • My daddy was hypertensive — Feyi Agagu

    My daddy was hypertensive — Feyi Agagu

    Mr Feyi Agagu, the first son of the late Dr Olusegun Agagu, a former governor of Ondo State, on Saturday said his father was hypertensive.

    NAN reports that Agagu, who returned from United States on Thursday, reportedly slumped in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he was having a meeting with Ondo indigenes on Friday evening.

    “He just had a medical examination, which showed that he had a little cholesterol, and was hypertensive.

    “There is diabetics in our family, but it’s nothing major; it was just something he had been dealing with for the past 10 to 15 years. So, there was no inkling that something was about to happen,” Agagu said.

    According to him, his mum has lost her best friend and her husband. He confirmed that his father passed away in Lagos on his way to St Nicholas Hospital.He added that his father had the usual illness that comes with age, “so there was no stand out cause for his passing”.

    “He lived a simple but a fulfilled and happy life. He left amazing memories and fantastic legacies behind.

    “I will miss the friendship, I will miss the advice; he was pretty much anything any wife, son or daughter could ask for in a father.”He was a mentor to many, a brother, a benefactor; I’m sure a lot of people will miss him,” he said.

    Agagu said the family had just returned for their annual two and a half weeks family vacation and during that time his father showed no sign of illness.

    “I guess when it’s time to go, when your maker comes to get you, when he brought you, he did not ask anybody, so he can take you when he sees fit,” he said.

    He said that arrangements for the burial were yet to be made. In his response to the development, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former Governor of Osun State, said he was “grieved”.

    “We met in politics and he remained a very nice senior colleague and when he came back two days ago, we talked about a meeting tonight,” Oyinlola said on Saturday.

    He said that he would miss everything about his late colleague, who was the perfect gentleman, who always cared for the welfare of others.

    “I asked him if he would be coming to Ibadan and he answered no, he then invited me to meet on Saturday in Lagos, unfortunately that was not to be,” he said.

    Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos, described the late Agagu as an unassuming, brilliant and hardworking governor, who served the nation meritoriously. (NAN)