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Tag: Ondo people

  • Akeredolu assures Ondo people of better future 

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has returned to the country after a 10-day investment tour of Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia.

    Speaking with reporters on arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Akeredolu expressed optimism that his interactions with investors and the business communities in the two countries would begin to manifest on the ongoing investment drive of his administration.

    The governor said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Dubai Port Authority on the Port of Ondo at the instance of the private office of a member of the Dubai Ruling Family, His Highness Sheikh Dalmook All Maktoum and the UAE Under Secretary for Foreign Trade and Economy, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Saleh.

    REad also: Akeredolu signs MoU with UAE firm

    Akeredolu said the investment potentials of the state have earlier been showcased at the Annual Investment Forum of UAE in Dubai, which Ondo State attended for the first time.

    He said the MoU with the Dubai authorities would accelerate the initiative of his administration on a Deep Sea Port, which stakeholders, including the Nigerian Port Authority, have endorsed as a veritable venture to reposition the maritime sector in Nigeria.

    Describing the Dubai partners as world class in Port Business Development, the governor said the multiplier effects of the interest would materialise very soon with a floating dock

     

     

  • Akeredolu to Ondo people: ‘We can rise out of this dust’

    Akeredolu to Ondo people: ‘We can rise out of this dust’

    Mr. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN) mounted the saddle as Ondo State sixth executive governor yesterday with a charge to the people to dust themselves up for the task of rebuilding the state.

    “We can rise out of this dust and build a new Ondo State where honesty, prosperity and confidence can once again be our self-identity,” Akeredolu said, moment after he took the oath  of office  in succession to Dr. Olusegun  Mimiko.

    Watching with rapt attention from the stands were thousands of people from all walks of life including politicians, clerics, traditional rulers and the masses.

    National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun was there as were former interim chairman of the party, Chief Adebisi Akande; APC national leader ,Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senate President  Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker  Lasun Yusuf and eight governors.

    “We can pull ourselves by the bootstraps and shake off our current frustrations and disappointments,” Akeredolu said.

    “We must recognise the need for a cohesive platform, indispensable to an effective and efficient implementation of policies and programmes of both government and party, respectively.

    “Divergence of opinions is integral to party politics. We are bound to disagree as politicians but we must cast aside bitter recriminations and destructive predilections.

    “Democracy thrives on infinite multiplicity of ideas. Popular participation is one of its fundamental norms. The subordination of individual preferences for the collective will is essential if we are to avoid anarchy. Party supremacy should be respected at all times. This should not be difficult for us to accept if we are truly desirous of bringing about positive change in the lives of our people.”

    He paid tribute to the people for picking him ahead of other contestants in the last election.

    He particularly acknowledged the role played by President Muhammadu Buhari in his emergence as governor, saying: “Today’s celebration would, perhaps, have been impossible without his steely disposition to always stand against all acts not in consonance with decency, probity and justice.”

    Of party chair, Oyegun, the governor said: “This exemplary leader behaved like a true elder, whose sagely presence in the village square not only professed rectitude but acted it, resolutely, affirming nobility of the human spirit. Our party benefitted, tremendously, from his vast experience in public service. We are eternally grateful. The verdict of history shall be kind to him.”

    Akeredolu  also acknowledged Tinubu and others leaders of his party.

    He hailed ex-Gov.Mimiko  for “his several years of service to Ondo State.”

    He said he came with “ a message of hope, a clear agenda of prosperity and a vision of life abundant,” pointing out that  “the greatest expression of faith in our ability is to be strong enough to look upon our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to remake our society to align with our highest ideals.”

    “We listened to the voices of our people in the course of our campaigns to all the nooks and crannies of the state. We heard them loud and clear through their votes. We witnessed, first hand, the deplorable conditions under which they exist. To those who cast their ballots in favour of our programmes, your trust is not misplaced. We are determined to make the difference with the specific mandate of redemption liberally handed over to us. Those who expressed other preferences are no less patriotic.

    “Before long, their anxieties will be addressed, realistically. All of us will be involved in the reconstruction project. The collective interest of the state must be our paramount focus. Consequently, we stand before you to pledge, with the guidance of God and our resolve not to renege on our promise, that your welfare shall form the basis of all our activities.

    “To achieve this, the main mission of our administration is therefore to lead a patriotic, highly inspired and competent team to rescue the ship of our state. We intend to help rebuild our economy, resuscitate damaged infrastructure, restore hope and return our state to a prosperous land. We are determined as an administration to break down the barriers that have made stagnation possible. We will break down the barriers to honest leadership, to comprehensive development, to physical growth and social security.

    “These, we intend to do through the promotion of transparent leadership, rule of law, extensive consultation, quality and accessible public utilities and social security; all in a sustainable manner.”

    The governor   arrived the venue 11.18 am, in the company of his wife, Betty, shortly after the Deputy  Governor,   Ajayi Agboola, was sworn-in by the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Tayo Osoba.

    Akeredolu,wearing  a white  guinea brocade agbada,a  blue cap and black shoes went straight to the pavilion reserved for the  APC leaders.

    On sighting Tinubu, the governor removed his cap as a show of respect for the APC leader and soon, the duo were locked in a warm embrace to the applause of the crowd.

    He then proceeded to inspect a guard of honour mounted by the police.

    The administration of the oath of office on him by Justice Osoba followed at exactly 11.35 am.

    As early as 8.am, the Akure Township Stadium, venue of the ceremony had been filled to capacity by well-wishers.

    Adding glamour to the occasion were different   cultural troupes, including the Owo Cultural group, from the home town of the new governor, the APC, Kiribo and Abode cultural groups.

    Other witnesses to the historic event were the governor’s aged mother, Grace; Governors  Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Godwin Obaseki (Edo);Yahya  Bello (Kogi);Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi).

    Others were former Ondo State governor Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; former Ekiti State governor, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo; former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola who represented former President Olusegun Obasanjo; and APC National Vice Chairman, Southwest, Chief Pius Akinyelure.

    The roll call also includes Senators Gbenga Ashafa, ýOlusola Adeyeye, Dino Melaye, Ajayi Boroffice, Tayo Alasoadura, Isiaka Adeleke, Yele Omogunwa, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, Friday Olemija, Mayowa Akinfolarin, and Victor Akinjo.

    The traditional institution was represented by the Olowo of Owo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi;  Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo; Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi; and  Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan.

    The Ooni of Ife sent a delegation.

    Also present were Solid Mineral Development Minister  Kayode Fayemi; Information Minister Lai Muhammed; Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu; Agriculture Minister Audu Ogbeh; Labour and Productivity Minister Chris Ngige; Ondo APC, Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke; his Ekiti and Oyo state counterparts, Jide Awe and Akin Oke respectively; Engr. Ade Adetimehin, Chief Rotimi Ibidapo, Dr. Bode Olajumoke, Pius Olupitan, Engr. Funso Kupolokun, and Ayo Afolabi.

     

  • ‘Akeredolu’s victory for Ondo people’

    ‘Akeredolu’s victory for Ondo people’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Saka Yusuf, has said no group can lay claim to the victory of the APC governorship candidate Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in the just-concluded Ondo election.
    Yusuf, who was reacting to a published story accredited to the former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, that defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were responsible for the victory.
    The party chieftain, who spoke with reporters in Akure, the state capital, said the credit for the victory should go to the people who voted for Akeredolu.
    Yusuf noted that the PDP defectors are in two blocks, adding that they include the Akokos and the Ikale.
    He said the Akoko Southwest has always voted for the APC, because of their love for the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati and his son, Gboyega.
    He added that the Ikale axis has always been the stronghold of the PDP, particularly Okitipupa, and that it has never been won by the APC, despite the presence of defectors in that local government.
    Yusuf admitted that the defectors added value to the party, but that it was the people that made the victory possible.
    He said: “We have three reasons why we won the election: The credibility and acceptability of Akeredolu, the desire to align with the Federal Government by our people and the poor performance of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s government.
    “How are you expecting a governor to win in a civil servant state when workers are being owned seven months salaries.”

  • Why Ondo people must reject PDP, by group

    A group under the Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Progressive Youth League (PYL), yesterday called on the people to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, in the November 26 governorship election.

    The group warned that any attempt to vote PDP would be an extension of Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s “third term’s agenda”.

    In a statement in Akure, its coordinator, Comrade Adebowale Akinlosotu, said the APC was the best alternative for the people of the Sunshine State.

    Akinlosotu, who noted that “the APC is one big happy family”, said the youth were strongly behind the candidacy of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

    He stressed that the APC and its candidate were on a mission to restore the lost glory of the Sunshine State and rescue it from the claws of political vampires.

    Akinlosotu said Akeredolu “is a man of his words, who will serve the interest of the people and bring succour to the society”.

    “Our party, the APC, was formed on the threshold of vision, sincerity, patriotism, integrity, discipline and commitment. We urge all the good people of Ondo State to come out en masse and vote APC in the forthcoming governorship election.

    “We express deep regret that the state’s goodwill had been exterminated and the economic resources had been squandered for the past seven and half years of this present administration under the watch of Governor Segun Mimiko and the members of his cabinet.

    “We are urging the good people of Ondo State to reject Mimiko and anybody in his cabinet, who is willing to take over the state as it will only amount to a colossal disaster and economic doom,” the statement reads.

    The group assured the people of Ondo State that they would witness quality and positive changes, if APC is elected in the forthcoming election.

    It explained that the APC manifesto is a unique document and covenant with the people.

    He promised that APC government would address the issues of agriculture, entrepreneurship, knowledge and education, technology, industrialisation, infrastructure, social amenities and welfare among others, if given the mandate.

  • Vote wisely, activist urges Ondo people

    Vote wisely, activist urges Ondo people

    Lagos lawyer Yemi Omodele has advised the people of Ondo State to resist any attempt by the out-going governor , Dr. Segun Mimiko, to impose a candidate on them during the November governorship election.

    Omodele advised the people to vote for a candidate who will  serve  them and make good use of the resources to correct what he described as the “anormalies that have bedeviled the state in the last eight years”.

    He  told reporters in Lagos that those who have been imposing candidates on the people do so for selfish reasons.

    The lawyer, who is also an indigene of the state, said: “the people of the state are hereby advised to and persuaded to vote wisely and vote for a credible candidate. They should avoid voting based on successor  or incumbency but vote on who has plans and focus for the state now and in the nearest future. They should shun politicians with sugar coated mouths and those who make  promises that cannot be fulfilled. Those who share rice, salt, money and the likes primarily to get their votes should be jettisoned.

    “A candidate who is willingly and ready to render selfless services for the state should be the one to be elected.”

    The activist accused the present administration of the state of having failed the people pointing out that the government has not done enough to improve their lot in terms of performances.

    “Poverty keeps on growing in the state just as the rich are getting richer, the poor are getting poorer. Workers salaries are not paid as at when due while the debt profile continue to grow in spite that the state has resources to make it shine above others.”

    Omodele accused Mimiko of not doing enough in the area of education and implementing segregation education policy to the neglect of some communities.