The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo State Governor

  • Akeredolu wants FG to dualise Isua/Okene road

    Akeredolu wants FG to dualise Isua/Okene road

    Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has urged the Federal government to dualise the Isua-Akoko/ Okene road because of its economic importance to the state.

    Governor Akeredolu said the road, being the link between South West to the federal capital territory, Abuja will serve a great interest if dualised.

    The governor spoke at the exco Chamber of the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital while playing host to the minister of Power, Works and Housing,  Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

    The minister was on official inspection of federal roads in the state.

    Governor Akeredolu who lauded the federal government for investing so much on infrastructure than any other administration pleaded with the federal government to complete all ongoing projects in the state.

    He particularly said dualizing the Isua-Akoko /Okene Road will boost the economy of the state and also help to ease transportation in the area.

    He said “the Federal government  is doing a lot but there are so many things to be done, the Federal Government  have spent quite a lot on infrastructure,  far more than any other  administration, building infrastructure

    “The Ipele /Ifira / Isua  to Okene Road is very important.  I wish it could be made a dual carriage way,  it is important to the economy viability of Ondo State,  it is also good for commuters, coming from Abuja to Ondo State ”

    The governor also frown at the over four years of total blackout in the southern Senatorial District of the state comprising six local government.

    He wondered why the whole community would be thrown into darkness when the electricity body can deal directly with individual, saying anyone who refused to pay for elect consumed can be cut off from the system but not the whole community.

    The governor who noted that power is crucial to economic development, urged the Federal government to intervene into the situation.

    Fashola appreciated the state government for giving the federal government lands for the housing unit schemes which is ongoing in the state.

    He informed the governor that Federal government has concluded plans to commence work on the Akure/Ado express road.

    According to the minister, the federal government is concern about connecting roads between states, saying the main concern of the government is on highway.

    The former Lagos state governor also hinted that the federal government has concluded arrangement to ensure that gas is adequately supply for the Omotosho power plants.

    He said “we have concluded plans to commence work on Akure /Ado Ekiti high way,  so as to connect you to Ado Ekiti your neighbouring state

    “As far as power is concern, we are working to increase the gas supply in Omotosho power plant, your state owns the power plant

    “I like to thank your state for giving us land for the housing,  most of the people who will be working in the construction sites will be residents of the state,  by that,  the federal government is helping the state government  to create employment,  and stabilize the economy”

    Fashola also promised that the Federal government will soon offset the claims of state government over their investment on federal roads.

     

  • ‘Ondo Monarchs are suffering in silence’

    ‘Ondo Monarchs are suffering in silence’

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been urged to treat traditional rulers in the state with dignity they deserved during his present administration.

    The Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun noted that monarchs as custodians of culture and tradition should be accorded recognition and proper welfare.

    Oba Olanipekun,who is the Chairman, Akoko Northwest Local Government Traditional Council, described the eight years of the last administration as ‘not too rosy’ for traditional rulers in the state.

    According to him, monarchs in the state were owed eight-month stipends, noting that the situation became more precarious when communities are no more paying homages.

    He lamented that they were suffering in silence, but could not go on strike like civil servants and other professional bodies.

    Speaking to our correspondent, the monarch said; “we cannot be going cap in hands to our wealthy subjects or politicians when we are no beggars. That is the reason while it is imperative for the state and local governments to provide special welfare package for the royal fathers.

    Oba Olanipekun cited the case of his colleague, the Olojo of Ojo,Oba Micheal Adewale who allegedly collapsed at the swearing in ceremony of Governor Akeredolu.

    He stressed that if not for the timely intervention of Akoko Northwest local government chairman, Sola Aladetimhin, who rushed him to the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owo,the situation would have been disastrous.

    The Arigidi Akoko monarch said four other traditional rulers in the local government are also sick without access to health facilities because of poverty.

    Zaki urged Akeredolu to support local government autonomy to make the local councils viable, while the statutory five percent from federal allocation should be given to traditional rulers for their upkeep.

    He also pleaded with the Governor to have regular interactive sessions with royal fathers to clear vital issues that would ginger development in the state.

    The traditional ruler advocated for spliting of Akoko Northwest local government with 27 Monarchs into three local government for effective administration.

    Oba Olanipekun noted that majority of them were finding it difficult to maintain their palaces and vehicles because of the current recession in the country.

  • Mimiko dissolves council of Obas

    Mimiko dissolves council of Obas

    • Appoints new chair

    Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on Tuesday dissolved the state’s Council of Obas led by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

    He consequently appointed the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh as the new chairman.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade said: “Governor Mimiko CON, has formally dissolved the State Council of Obas and appointed Olukare of Ikare-Akoko Oba Akadiri Momoh as the new Chairman.

    The appointment takes effect from Monday, February 20.

  • Osinbajo, Ambode, Mimiko, others attend RCCG Holy Ghost Congress

    Osinbajo, Ambode, Mimiko, others attend RCCG Holy Ghost Congress

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo and his wife, Oludolapo; Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode and his wife, Bolanle; Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and his wife Olukemi; Speaker, Ekiti state house of assembly, Kola Oluwawole and Chief judge of South Africa, Mogoeng Mogoeng were on Friday present at the Redemption Camp on km46, Lagos Ibadan Expressway, for this year’s Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), with the theme; ‘Complete restoration’.

    The one week long congress which began on Monday, December 5, ended will end Saturday, December 10.

    It was a gathering of millions of worshippers from all over the world.

    In his sermon on Friday night, The General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, spoke on the topic, ‘Complete restoration’.

    The Cleric explained that complete restoration is a process.  He said every Christian is entitled to miracles,  noting that those who are not born again cannot get miracle, because miracles comes from God and God is holy.

    Reading from Ezekiel chapter 3, verse 7 to 10, Adeboye said; “Whenever God wants to begin the process of restoration, He remembers the forgotten and miracles are bound to follow. God also he visits the person and something miraculous happens

    “Anytime God want to do something there must be a noise; When God arrives, there must be a shaking; nakedness is covered; shame is ended; the  wind blows, and whenever the wind blows there will be miracles,” he said.

    The Cleric assured that the blessings of God makes rich and adds no sorrow. “When a miracle comes from God it is clean, with no string are attached and there will be divine protection. “When you are child of God your future is secured. Whatever is available to Jesus is available to you,” he said.

  • FG fixes boarding fare ahead of Abuja-Kaduna rail commissioning

    FG fixes boarding fare ahead of Abuja-Kaduna rail commissioning

    As President Muhammadu Buhari prepares to commission the completed Abuja-Kaduna rail project, the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi on Thursday, fixed boarding fare for passengers who intend to ply the route.

    The Minister, who was accompanied by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun, former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Oni, and other party chieftains in Abuja, stated that the project has been finalized and ready for commercial operation.

    Amaechi said passengers who intend to board executive and economy seats would be charged N900 and N500 respectively.

    On perimeter fencing, Amaechi disclosed that the contract has been awarded and work will soon commence at the terminals.

    “When we get money, we will start fencing. The contract has been awarded and we are looking for money but we will soon get money and we hope to start fencing in the next two – three months.

    “We are expecting new locomotives and when it comes, we will then make arrangement in next year budget to buy more coaches so that we can have one of the trains stopping in all the stations and the other doing Kaduna – Abuja,” the Minister said.

    In his remark, Oyegun admitted the project was initiated by the past administration but far from completion.

    He added that aside from other additional considerations, the project also gave attention to the disabled persons who may want to access the service.

    “Within one year of the present minister, under direction of the president, he set every other thing in place that makes it a railway line. It is functional, ready to roll. It will start rolling commercially,” Oyegun said.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Engr. Fidet Okhira said the service will ease pressure on the roads, increase easy delivery of goods and services.

    He expressed optimism that before 2017, the railway corridors will also witness fast development.

    Okhira said: “This will project will also take a lot pressure off the roads, the roads will last longer and accidents will reduce. You cannot quantify all these in naira and kobo.

    “Rail infrastructure brings development. In less than a year you will see industries and estates spring up along the rail corridor because there is means of transportation.

    “Right now, we are moving three trains of fertilizers from Lagos to Kaduna for Flour Mills. We started moving for Lafarge from Gombe to Kafanchan and Kaduna. We are still talking with the petroleum suppliers to partner with us.

    “Presently we have a few customers we move petroleum products for with our pressurized tanks. We also use some to move our diesel across our stations. We use over 15 trucks of diesel a month.

    “On Abuja to Kaduna, we will have parcel wagons but not huge loads. We have 20 rail wagons and open wagons.”

     

  • Mimiko’s aide, others join APC

    Mimiko’s aide, others join APC

    Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Political Mobilization, Hon. Mosunmola Awotula, popularly called iron lady has led hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Irele local Government.
    While speaking on behalf of the Decampees, Hon. Mosunmola said the PDP is a party of broken promises, which has inflicted pains on the people of the state.
    She noted that Governor Mimiko has played his last card and can no longer deceive and cajole the people of the state into voting for the PDP.
    “We are the strong leaders of the PDP in Irele, I have been a woman leader in ward 2, after that I became organising secretary before Mimiko came to PDP.
    “When Mimiko defect to PDP, he rendered us, the executive members useless and refused to carry us along in the scheme of things,  that shows that Mimiko is a selfish leader,” she said.
    Also explaining why they left PDP, one of the leaders, Hon. Ikuemelo described the PDP is a dilapidated building, saying they left the party before it will collapse on them.
    He said the PDP in the state will soon become a dead party with no strength within the sunshine state.
    The community Chief Said with their exit, there is no PDP in Irele local Government anymore.
    He assured that the APC will become Victorious in the coming November 26 governorship election.
    Engineer Ade Adetimehin assured the defectors of equal treatment, saying no founder, no joiner.
    He enjoined them to preach the gospel of APC and mobilize others into the party.
    The APC chieftain said the defector must work together with leaders of the party in the area to ensure that APC win the community in the coming election.
    Among the decampees were Ayaki of Irele land, Chief Olorunda Ikuemelo, PDP Vice Chairman in ward Four, Dayo Olajide, Comrade Ademuwagun Fakomogbo, Comrade Soji Olowotimehin and Madam Aderotoye Abike.
    Others included Akinbamiro Ojuetimi, Olayinka Moyo and Comrade Adebayo Adegoroye.

    They were received into the APC by the deputy chairman of the party in the state, Engineer Ade Adetimehin.