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Tag: Olusegun Mimiko

  • Fire guts Ondo governor’s office as Sheriff visits Mimiko

    Fire guts Ondo governor’s office as Sheriff visits Mimiko

    The visitation of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff to the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko was early disrupted Wednesday as the multi-billion naira Executives’ Chamber of the governor’s office was gutted by fire.

    The PDP Chairman, who arrived the state at exactly 1:15 pm was expected to address the party leaders and journalists in the same executives chamber’s office.

    Sheriff was still in a close door meeting with Mimiko in his main office three minutes after he arrived when the incident occurred.

    This was said to have been caused by power surge from the ante-room of the governor’s office.

    Journalists and PDP leaders, who were waiting for Sheriff at the Executives chamber’s office discovered the fire outbreak but their efforts was not enough to quench the fire.

    However, as the information reached the governor, he quickly left the office with his guest to the Government House which is about two kilometers to his office. Workers were seen rushing out of their offices for safety.

    Officers of the Fire Brigade Services and the State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Gboye Adegbenro arrived the scene 20 minutes after the incident occurred.

    The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, while confirming it said it was a minor incident and had been put off by the fire officers.

    According to him, “we have a power surge at the ante room that the links to the State executives chamber of the governor’s office.

    “Our fire officers responded promptly and put off the fire. Work is now back normal at the governor’s office.

    Akinmade said he decided to address reporters in order to discourage people with insinuation by putting the record straight.

    “It is a general things that power surge occurred. Of recent, I think CBN office in Calabar was on fire and even the fire secretariat in Abuja was once on fire.

    “Thank God that our fire fighters were able to be on ground to prevent the incident from being escalated.

    The Commissioner however said he could not ascertain the level of damage of the fire incident.

    At the Government House, Sheriff said he was in the state to consult with the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman ahead of the PDP Convention slated for May.

     

     

     

  • How we can move forward as a Nation- Mimiko

    How we can move forward as a Nation- Mimiko

    Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has reiterated his belief in constitutional change as the only guarantee for progress in the country.

    He said the only change that Nigeria needed now is the change in its constitution with a view to galvanizing visible national development.

    Governor Mimiko while speaking to party faithful in his office on Wednesday said contrary to the widely publicized change mantra of the federal government, what Nigeria needed at this crucial moment is to restructure the nation’s polity so that the federating units would be able to harness their abundant resources and create wealth for their people.

    According to him, the present constitution which left the States and local governments at the mercy of the federal government will continue to jeopardize national unity and development.

    He explained that his administration has remained focused in its vision to add values to the lives of the people in the areas of healthcare, education, infrastructure and urban renewal among others, noting that the empirical evidences had justified the successes of the programmes.

    The Governor said his government has been able to fulfil his promises to the electorate, adding that  his government has been able to transform the state from what it used  to be when he took over power about seven years ago.

    Mimiko mentioned that through his administration’s giant strides, the state has been able to benchmark for Africa in various sectors, adding that the government’s achievements in the health sector for instance earned the state world attention and a permanent world focus.

    According to him, government is also focusing on Agriculture which he said is presently paying off as youths in the state are daily being engaged.

    He said the concentration of his government at improving lives of the people at the grassroots also made it possible for government to understand the needs of the people at that level hence the its ability to make a great impact at the grassroots, this he said is evident in the cult -like support the government enjoy from the people at the level.

  • Governors to Fed Govt: pay your debt

    Governors to Fed Govt: pay your debt

    Governors have told the Federal Government to pay up its debt to states to boost liquidity.

    This decision was taken yesterday at the meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in Abuja.

    It was the first meeting of the forum in this post-May 29 dispensation when many new governors were elected.

    Yesterday’s meeting  reviewed the cash crunch in the states –  as a result of which many have been unable to pay salaries for many months.

    The governors may have jettisoned the proposal by All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors  after their meeting on Tuesday night that they expected a bailout from the Federal Government.

    The governors will meet with the President next week, it emerged at the meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

    Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari told reporters that they resolved that the Federal Government should pay for the various federal projects executed by the states.

    “Instead of asking for a bailout, let us look for how the Federal Government can settle that backlog for us so that we can move forward. Nearly all the states are being owed by the Federal Government.

    “Some of the states are being owed about N10 billion, some N20 billion, with a state like Lagos being owed more than N50 billion. So, if we can get that done, then most of the issues can be resolved in earnest,” Yari said.

    Lamenting the poor state of the national economy, the governors observed that the problem of unpaid workers’ salaries was not peculiar to the states, adding that some Federal Government agencies also owed their workers.

    Yari is optimistic that the planned meeting with the President will provide a lasting solution to the cash crunch.

    “We discussed that extensively. And we are trying to see that we find a lasting solution. We are seeing the President to sit down with him. As we are, the Federal Government is also in the same problem because some of its agencies were not paid salaries for six months.

    “So, it’s not only states that are owing. It’s the problem of the entire nation, not only states. We are going to work in synergy and keep our fingers crossed. We will meet with the President so that we can get a lasting solution to this problem,” he added.

    The communique released by the governors after the meeting said the governors ratified Yari’s election as chairman of the Forum for a term of one year, renewable after expiration.

    They also planned a retreat at a future date to discuss how states can become more viable and to identify means of improving governance.

    The Forum pledged to work with the President and support him in the running of the government.

    It also sympathised with states and victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeastern congratulated the Muslim community on the Ramadan.

    Governors at the meeting were Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), who has been elected as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Umar Ganduje (Kano), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Ifeanyi Ugwanyi (Enugu) were also there.

    There were also Governors Willie Obiano (Anambra), Mohammed Abubakr (Bauchi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Idris Wada (Kogi).

  • Why I refused to join Mimiko’s camp, by Adefarati’s son

    THE son of the late Ondo State Governor, Adebayo Adefarati, Gboyega, has explained why he refused to join Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s executive council, despite several entreaties.

    Gboyega said he refused to join Mimiko’s camp because he knew the governor as a man who will never stand by his word.

    He spoke with reporters shortly after organising a rally for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West.

    Osinbajo, who was on a  tour of the state, visited Okeagbe, Arigidi, Oka, Isua, Owo, Ore and Okitipupa.

    He also visited the Adefaratis in Akungba, accompanied by Rotimi Akeredolu,  Paul Akintelure, Bola Ilori, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Victor Olabintan and Ifedayo Abegunde, among others.

    Osinbajo said: “Let us protect our votes; we should stand by our votes. We must ensure they count the votes in our presence before leaving the polling units.”

    Osinbajo’s convoy was received with jubilation and praises as market women, artisans and students warmly showed their support for the APC with shouts of “change”.

    The younger Adefarati said no amount of sweet words or dollars being shared would garner votes for President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He said Akoko had been the bedrock of progressives in the state, adding that it would be a landslide victory for Buhari in the state, particularly in Akoko.

    “We have never lost Akungba-Akojo to Mimiko, even when the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was not strong in 2011, we still won the wards in Akungba.

    “Even though our party lost the governorship election in 2012, we gave our party 1,800 votes to Labour Party’s 400 in Akungba.

    “So, our people are yearning for change, forget about the endorsement, it is just names or associations that are endorsing not members. Associations cannot vote but members will vote.

    “We have been meeting the people who are the members of these associations and their reactions are that they want change.

    “Mimiko cannot deceive them anymore, they were deceived in 2007 when Mimiko claimed to be part of the Southwest progressives. In 2011, he deceived the masses with cosmetic projects. In 2012, he lied to them but this time around, our people cannot be deceived again. I knew him since the days of my father’s administration. When he invited me, pleading that I should join him, I said to my people Mimiko is not a man who can stand by his word.”

  • Ondo PDP panel submits report

    Ondo PDP panel submits report

    The eight-man reconciliation committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State yesterday submitted its reports to Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    The committee was set up on January 10 to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

    The Deputy Governor, who is also the chairman of the committee, Alli Olanusi, submitted the report to Mimiko.

    The submission was witnessed by the state chairman, Chief Clement Faboyede and his deputy, Fatai Adams, Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi and all members of the committee.

    The governor said the conflict within the party was envisaged because of the merger between two strong parties, the old Labour Party (LP) and the old PDP.

    He assured that the report would be utilised to  strengthen the party.

  • Mimiko presents N130b budget

    Mimiko presents N130b budget

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko presented yesterday a budget of N130billion to the House of Assembly for consideration.

    The budget estimate, according to the governor, was reduced by 23 per cent compared to last year’s budget of N168billion.

    He hinged the reduction on the prevailing economic reality in the country and the “global economic downturn”.

    Mimiko said N77 billion was budgeted for Recurrent Expenditure; N53billion was earmarked for Capital Expenditure.

    The analysis of the budget estimate showed that the economic and social sectors have the lion share, with 30 per cent of the budget allocated to the sectors; law and justice have the least share with 0.66 per cent.

    He said the government’s functions have been classified on sectoral basis for better understanding and in line with international best practices and proposed N16billion for  the economic sector, N9.1billion for social services, N11billion for environment and regional development, N0.35billion for law and justice, N2.69billion goes to administration and N13.7billion for debt servicing.

    Mimiko said efficient management of public fund would ease the state of the present economic pressure.

    The governor said the state University of Medical Sciences would take off this year in Ondo, while the federal polytechnic recently approved by the Federal Government would also take off in Ile-Oluji.

    He said the government would commit huge resources to the two projects.

    Mimiko said the local government election, which was suspended five years ago because of what he called “legal encumbrance”, would hold in the 18 local governments.

    Before the presentation, a lawmaker representing Owo Constituency 11, Olatunji Dairo, who was suspended rejoined the Assembly.

    Dairo, the former Chief Whip, was suspended last October for an undisclosed “sin”.

    He appeared before the committee set up to probe him and was recalled yesterday to join his colleagues.

    Dairo thanked Mimiko and the Assembly for reinstating him.

  • 4,000 teachers promoted

    4,000 teachers promoted

    The Ondo State government has presented letters of promotion to 4,000 teaching and non-teaching staff of public secondary schools.

    It said the recruitment of another 1,500 teachers will be completed before the end of next year.

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko presented the letters of promotion to the beneficiaries at the launch in Akure, the state capital.

    Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Aderotimi Adelola, the governor said the ceremony was in fulfillment of his promises to prioritise the welfare of workers, particularly payment of salaries and prompt issuance of letters of promotion to deserving staff.

    He reiterated the commitment of the government to the rapid development of education in the state, adding that various projects that elevate the education sector will continually be implemented.

    Mimiko told the beneficiaries that their promotions are in recognition of their good deeds and they should reciprocate the gesture by ensuring that they contribute their best to the society.

    He urged them to rededicate themselves to excellent teachings in schools to afford students the best chances to excel in their national or international examinations.

  • Southwest’ll vote Jonathan in 2015, says Mimiko

    Southwest’ll vote Jonathan in 2015, says Mimiko

    Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has expressed optimism that the Southwest will vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 presidential election.

    According to him, it is irrelevant if the All Progressives Congress (APC) fields a Yoruba as its presidential running mate.

    He spoke at the Presidential Villa after the launching of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) and the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN).

    He said that the Southwest voters are politically savvy enough to cast their votes based on issues instead of ethnic considerations.

    He said: “I am saying this with all sense of humility, of enlightenment especially in appreciation of issues of politics, in terms of long history of progressive political engagement, you give it to Southwest that they know their onions.”

    Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam decried the frequent cross-carpeting of politicians who lose their aspirations for elective offices.

    According to him, such acts were inimical to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

    He was responding to the recent defection to the opposition APC of two prominent politicians in his state, ex-Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom, and former PDP Chairman, Barnabas Gemade.

    He said: “You see that Nigeria’s politics is rather funny. People have no principles and ideologies, they just go into politics for what they can get. I find that very unfortunate. The Minister in question has been a great beneficiary of the PDP. And the most transparent primary was held in Benue state that is why no one is complaining about the primaries.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ondo PDP supporters protest

    Ondo PDP supporters protest

    •Insist on primaries

    Hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters from the 10 wards in Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State converged on Akure, the state capital, yesterday to protest the “imposition” of candidates by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Their counterparts in Owo Local Government also carried out a similar protest in the town.

    The aggrieved party loyalists, who marched on the party secretariat, accused Mimiko of favouring consensus to impose his candidates on the party.

    The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Ondo PDP rejects Mimiko’s imposition; “No Primaries, No Victory for PDP; “PDP constitution give no room for consensus”.

    They were, however, restricted to the secretariat by the police.

    The Owo PDP Chairman, Kehinde Lawal, said the party constitution does not give room for consensus but only primaries.

    He said primaries were the secret behind winning elections, warning that any consensus arrangement would only divide the party and make the party fail.

    “Mimiko and his followers are welcome to PDP and if anyone wants to represent our party that person must subject him or herself to primaries.

    “This is not Labour Party (LP) being managed by a group of people. PDP is not Jonathan and Mimiko’s property and they must allow the aspirants who paid millions to the party to participate in the primaries.

    “If truly they are on ground, why are they afraid of primaries? On Saturday we shall hold our primaries and anyone who wants to become PDP candidate must participate in the primaries.”

    The PDP supporters urged the leadership of the party to work in line with the provision of the constitution to safe guard the legacy of the party.

    They insisted that all local government executives, ward chairmen and opinion leaders should be carried along in the decision-making process, even if there is room for consensus.

     

     

     

  • Ondo PDP aspirants slam panel for bias

    Ondo PDP aspirants slam panel for bias

    •Lawmaker indicts Mimiko

    Fifty three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly aspirants in Ondo State have accused members of the screening committee of compromise.

    They alleged that the five-man committee connived with Governor Olusegun Mimiko to disqualify them.

    The aspirants wondered why the committee cleared Mimiko’s “candidates”, who joined the party less than a month ago and disqualified those who had been in the party for more than a decade.

    The aspirants described the committee‘s action as “voodoo politics” aimed at circumventing a court ruling that sacked the caretaker committee purportedly appointed by the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).

    The aggrieved aspirants, in a statement in Akure yesterday, vowed to fight the injustice.

    The statement said: “You will recall that our party is going through a trying period caused by the defection of the governor and his insistence on taking every space in the party.

    “Following the pronouncement of the national body and in compliance with the election guidelines as approved, a screening committee for the House of Assembly was appointed.

    “We filed in our documents and submitted the necessary papers and credentials requested of us. We equally attended the screening and provided every document demanded.

    “To our dismay, the committee members checked out of their hotel abruptly and left our provisional clearance certificates in the hotel’s lobby.

    “We were denied clearance on the ground that we have no tax receipts and NYSC discharge certificates. All the people on the governor’s list were expressly cleared.

    “Even those who had Ordinary National Diploma (OND) on the governor’s list were cleared.

    “Over 90 per cent of us are university and polytechnic graduates with our NYSC discharge certificates or exemption certificates duly attached to our nomination forms.

    “We have it on good authority that the committee members left their hotel rooms at 9:40pm after the screening was concluded and came back at 12:22am.”

    “We shall not allow this injustice go unchallenged.”

    The lawmaker representing Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Akintoye Albert, accused the governor of manipulating the screening.

    At a briefing in Akure, the state capital, Akintoye alleged that Mimiko connived with the committee to manipulate the exercise in favour of his “aspirants”.

    He urged the NWC to institute a new screening committee in the interest of peace and development.

    “If this issue is not addressed urgently and if the recommendation of the screening committee is accepted by the NWC, I foresee danger.

    “I foresee PDP losing the state. It is our collective desire that President Goodluck Jonathan wins in Ondo State and that PDP lawmakers dominate the House of Assembly.”