The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo state

  • Estranged APC aspirants urge Osinbajo to accommodate them

    The 180 aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who obtained nomination forms for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries in Ondo State have urged Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to re-accommodate them in the ruling party.

    The group, last year, sued the party at the Federal High Court in Akure for failing to conduct primary elections for the 2018/2019 election year.

    The crisis was almost consuming the party as leaders felt disenchanted with the non-conduct of the elections.

    However, early this year, the national body set up a reconciliatory committee, which met with the aggrieved aspirants at the Governor’s office, and recommendations were made.

    But the group, in a letter to the Vice President, signed by former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kenneth Olawale, said till now, the recommendation had not seen the light of day.

    Read Also: APC restates confidence in Oshiomhole

    The same situation was said to have been applicable to the reconciliation committee set up by the state leadership.

    The letter reads: “Subsequently, a meeting was held in Akure, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, and attended by other national leaders of the party and the aggrieved aspirants, and it was agreed that the pre-election suit pending in the Federal High Court be withdrawn. The VP then urged the aggrieved aspirants to work for the party’s victory with a promise to compensate them. Consequently the case was withdrawn and the aggrieved aspirants worked for the party’s victory.

    “We were expecting the vice president’s team to fulfil its part of the agreement, which included but not limited to compensations in lieu of costs incurred by these aspirants in the build-up to the primaries which were not allowed to hold.

    “However, we were surprised that the party’s leadership has not deemed it fit to allow further communications between us since we fulfilled our own part of the agreement inspite  of several letters we wrote to the appropriate authorities.”

    The group pleaded with Osinbanjo and his team to take appropriate actions in the interest of the party, stressing that the same disruptive pattern was already playing out in Imo, Rivers, Osun and Zamfara States.

    “We beg you to please honour the understanding, we sought from the aggrieved aspirants in Ondo State since the case in court is withdrawn, the presidency has the capacity to accommodate all 260 aggrieved APC aspirants from Ondo State.”

  • Chevron facility fire: Anxiety grips Ondo community

    Since April 18 when fire broke out at Chevron facility on an oil-well located in Ojumole community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, there have been apprehensions over its environmental and health hazards. DAMISI OJO reports that at a meeting between Ojumole community and Chevron, the oil firm promised to ensure that the well-being of members of the community would be its topmost priority.

    On April 18, fire broke out on an oil-well located between two communities in Delta and Ondo states. Expectedly, the situation had sparked heated disagreement between Polobubo leadership and the oil multinational, over the designation of the facility on fire.

    While the community identified it as Ikpalapkala-Bou oil-well, located in their Ijaw community in Delta State, Chevron is said to have maintained that the facility is Ojumale oil-well, which it said is located in Ondo State.

    Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has said it’s doing everything possible not to ignite communal crisis between the Ijaw of Polobubo in Delta State and Ilaje of Ondo State. It added that it has been playing safe, dealing with both sides equally, even as it said it is not its duty to determine who owns the land on which the facility is located.

    Members of Ojumole community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have urged the oil-producing company to ensure that immediate measures were taken to ease the negative effect of the fire on the environment and the health of the people.

    Responding, the oil firm assured that safety of lives of the people in the host communities of Ilaje Local Government Area would be its topmost priority.

    It said contrary to allegations of neglect of the people of Ojumole community in Ilaje Local Government Area, the organisation maintained that no effort would be spared in enhancing the lives of the people.

    The General Manager of the oil firm, Mr. Esimsje Burkin, an Engineer who addressed the six-man ad-hoc committee on fire incident set up by the Ondo State House of Assembly said CNL has been supportive of the communities in its area of operation and sensitive to their plights.

    Recall that the fire incident occurred on April 18, 2019 at Ugbo llaje Ojumole, Oil Well in Ilaje Local Government Area.

    While commenting on the fire incident that occurred at Ojumole field in NNPC/CNL JV’s Western Niger Delta area of operation, the General Manager said the company was currently working with Emergency Response contractors to safely put out the fire as quickly as possible.

    He said due to the peculiar terrain of the well’s location, there was the need to create an access path to the slot leading to the well head.

    This, according to him, would enable the heavy equipment and men required to safely put out the fire gain access to the well location.

    He said the oil firm would continue to keep all stakeholders, including the government, regulatory agencies, media and community leaders abreast of efforts of the company aimed at putting out the fire.

    His words: “A joint investigation visits (JIV) by a team made up of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders and the company, was carried out on Saturday, April 20, to ascertain the extent of the spill, impact on the environment, if any and cause of the spill.

    “The JIV to the site of the incident by a team made up of regulatory agencies, community stakeholders and CNL, determined that the fire incident was caused by third party interference. There were protective mechanical components and installed barriers on the well head, which were tampered with by oil theft.

    “As a result of the third party activity that led to uncontained release of hydrocarbon from Ojumole Well with resultant fire incident, the hydrocarbon has been burning continually. Residue of oil is collected while the water and gas in solution have been the source of the fire”.

    Chevron GM, however, said the company placed the highest priority on the health and safety of its neighbouring communities, workforce and protection of the nvironment and its assets.

    The Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun enjoined Chevron to consider the safety of lives and social well-being of the people by ensuring that the fire was put out as quickly as possible.

    According to him, members of the House had been having sleepiness nights over the ugly incident.

    Oleyelogun urged the oil company to find lasting solution to the fire as an unbiased umpire.

    Dr. Akin Akinruntan, who spoke on behalf of the community also urged Chevron to pay due compensation of 2.5 billion dollars to those communities that are within eight kilometers radius to the fire-ravaged area, among others.

    He, however, reeled off possible health hazards that are likely to ravage the lives of the people who are already out of their fishing business, if something urgent is not done.

    Other agencies and stakeholders that made their contributions at the meeting were DPR, NEMA; community and youth leaders, among others.

    The six-man ad-hoc committee on fire incident set up by the state House of Assembly, however, adjourned the meeting till after Chevron returns from the site of the affected oil well.

  • Olowo stool: No consensus candidate yet, says contestants

    Contestants to the vacant stool of Olowo of Owo in Ondo State said on Monday that there was no consensus candidate yet to the throne as being reported in the media.

    No fewer than 14 princess of the Eleweokun Ruling House have already signified their intention to occupy the throne left behind by the departed Olowo, Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi.

    The princess, who has obtained nomination forms from the Senior Omoolowos included that of Olateru-Olagbegi, Ajike and Ogunoye Royal Linages.

    Read Also: Late Olowo, a rare gem, says Akeredolu

    At a briefing in Owo, the princes of Ogunoye, including Aragun, Adekola, Alamuren and Adelotan, objected to the decision of the royal linage to present a consensus candidate to Senior Omolowos and kingmakers.

    The aggrieved princess said the fact that 14 of them have obtained nomination forms showed that they did not agree with the position of the head of the family that have adopted Prince Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye as the sole candidate.

    The Head of Ogunoye Royal Linage, Chief Olutokun Ogunoye, had said the linage adopted Prince Ogunoye as the sole candidate for the throne.

    He said: “Ajibade is the choice of Ogunoye family. Before we picked him, we consulted Ifa oracle in three different places and they were unanimous on the choice of Ajibade.”

    But, the aggrieved princes said the decision was taken without due consultation with other members of the family.

    According to them, the decision to pick a consensus candidate was stalemated during the meeting and the meeting became rowdy, when a section of the family wanted to foist a candidate on them.

    Aragun, who spoke on behalf of other princes, said the royal linage has no role to play in the selection of Olowo.

    They emphasised the role rested on the Senior Omoolowos headed by Ojomoluda and the kingmakers.

    The aggrieved princess, however, pledged to support Gbadegesin if the Senior Omoolowo and the kingmakers choose him as the next Olowo of Owo.

     

     

     

  • Olowo’s stool: Family gets consensus candidate

    The Ogunoye Royal Linage has selected a consensus candidate from the 12 interested contestants to the throne  of Olowo of Owo in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    This is coming five days after the stool of Olowo was declared vacant.

    The Ogunoye Royal Linage is one of the two linages comprising the Elewokun Ruling House. Others included Ajike and Olateru-Olagbegi.

    At news briefing  in Akure, the state capital yesterday, the Head of Ogunoye, Chief Olutokun Ogunoye, said the linage has picked Prince Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye as the sole candidate for the throne.

    The linage also insisted that it is their turn to produce the next Olowo of Owo as other linages have produced monarchs of the town.

    According to him, only two linages have since 1888 contested for the Olowo chieftaincy stool whenever the stool is declared vacant.

    He said it is Ataneneye comprising Ajike and Olateru-Olagbegi and the Ogunoye that have ruled the town. He said other members of the Elewokun, including Orimolade, Adara and Aladetohun have gone into extinction.

    The Head of Royal House, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Adafin Ologede, said Ajibade emerged out of the 12 princes that showed interest in the stool.

    According to him, “Ajibade is the choice of Ogunoye family. Before we picked him, we consulted Ifa oracle in three different places and they were unanimous on the choice of Ajibade.

    Read Also: Selection for new Olowo to begin soon

    “We picked Ajibade because he is educated, exposed and vibrant. We want a king, who will be acceptable to the people of Owo. He will be able to use his contact for the development of the town.

    “He is a young man who can move around especially during Igogo and Ogun festivals. He will be able to move around to bring development to the town.

    Ologede noted that Ajibade was two years old when his father ascended the throne and  lived many years in the palace,stressing that he understands the custom and tradition of Owo kingdom.

    He said in spite of the fact that many of the aspirants have accepted the decision of the royal linage, the family head said they would reconcile any of the aggrieved members to present a common position to the kingmakers.

    He emphasised that the royal house would produce the next Olowo because the other houses including Ajike and Olateru-Olagbegi, who belonged to Ataneye Royal Linage, have produced Olowo for more than 82 years while the Ogunoye had only 36 years.

  • Fed Govt plans big for cocoa revolution as NEXIM disburses N20b

    The Nigeria Export and Import Bank (NEXIM) has said it has plans to reverse the dwindling production and processing of cocoa in the country.

    The plans, it was learnt, are parts of Federal Government’s drive to harness the potentials in the Agricultural sector.

    NEXIM’s Executive Director for Business Promotion Stella Okotete spoke at a stakeholders’ forum, tagged: Nigerian Cocoa and the World, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    She said the bank’s intervention through single-digit interest funding of cocoa farmers and investors would ensure that the produce meets international market standard.

    Okotete said the interaction would enable stakeholders to brainstorm on the challenges of cocoa production and exchange ideas on possible solutions to the challenges in the sector.

    The bank chief noted that it would also bring out the benefits of the sector, not only those within the value-chain but also for the entire country.

    She said: “We are currently availing funds to cocoa processors and producers in the entire value chain at a single digit.

    “Currently, we are one of the TFIs that have the lowest interest rate in terms of financing.

    “The stakeholders’ interactive session in Akure is actually to address the challenges that cocoa farmers as well as producers and processors are having. We believe that from this interaction, we would be able to gain more in-depth knowledge of their challenges and proffer solutions.”

    Okotete said NEXIM had been working on how to ensure that loan seekers are not discouraged with the rigours and bottlenecks of securing loans in the country.

    The bank chief said the plan to accept moveable assets was being examined.

    She added: “At the last stakeholders’ engagement we had in 2017, we were able to identify some of the big challenges that women and youths experience and we came up with the Women and Youth Export facility. This is currently addressing inadequate collateral for loans.

    “In this product, we are willing and we have the board approvals to accept collateral registry certificate to form part of the collaterals. These will take into cognisant moveable assets.

    “So, the issue of trying to collaterise your loans has adequately been addressed.

    “When we came in 2017, we actually didn’t have cocoa exporters in our books. As of today, we have been able to disburse nothing less than N10 billion to cocoa exporters and we are currently processing another N10 billion. We are hopeful to have more applications from cocoa farmers to access our single digit of nine per cent.”

    Lauding NEXIM’s move for coming to the rescue of cocoa producers and processors, Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Gboyega Adefarati said the global market for the produce was huge and growing at an average of 30 per cent per annum and must be optimised for the benefits of all.

    Reeling out the potentials of Ondo State as the largest producer of cocoa in the country, Adefarati said: “Nigerian cocoa is currently experiencing low and declining yields due to inconsistent production patterns, pests and disease attacks, age of farmers and farms, land tenure system and weak linkage between producers and exporters.

    “To tackle this challenge and promote synergy between cocoa farmers and processors, the sector must be rid of bad eggs adopting sharp practices to destroy the prestige of the country among producing countries.”

    One of the stakeholders at the forum and Chairman of Klick Connect, Chief Alex Ajipe, stressed that efforts must be made to first identify the factors affecting the decline and lack of interest in cocoa production before embarking on exportation.

    He said: “If nothing is done urgently, we might slip from being in the seventh position to probably ninth or 10th. And it will continue to go like that until we take a proactive step.”

  • Ondo flags off mini-grid in oil community

    Ondo State government has flagged off the Ugbonla solar mini-grid power project under the phase 1 of the Ondo State Electricity Improvement and Access Scheme.

    The construction of the hybrid solar mini-grid power plant is aimed at solving power problem of Ugbonla town in Ilaje local government area of the state.

    Represented by the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr Tunji Ariyomo, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu noted that his administration embarked on the Coastal Off grid Energy Access programme to ameliorate the suffering of the people in the southern senatorial district who were either never connected to or have simply been cut off from the national grid for several years.

    Ariyomo called on the people of Ugbonla to join hands with the administration to make the project a success.

    According to him, fishermen and fish sellers can now look forward to using electricity powered coldroom and kiln to preserve or dry their fish which is safer for consumption and healthy living.

    He said: “Governor Akeredolu has affirmed that his administration will relentlessly pursue all legitimate activities to ensure the issue of power supply to our people and businesses remains a top priority.

    “That’s why the state has been vigorously engaging private investors to partner with it in generating power for some off grid clusters in the state.

    “We have done similar projects at Aboto, Igbobini, Gbagira, Ebute Ipare and the Gari processing SME cluster near Igbatoro in Akure North local government.

    “We know the mighty importance of electricity in these isolated communities in Ondo South and how this had negatively affected productivity.

    “In the communities that we  have completed, pupils and students in those communities can now study at night and this is greatly impacting their academic performances.

    “So, our people in Ugbonla will likewise experience many such positive impacts on their businesses and improved social life.

    “It is our target that Mr. Governor will be  able to commission this project in the next two months as the power service provider would have completed the project by then.”

    Read Also: No hike in Ondo institutions’ fees, says govt 

    The Special Adviser subsequently charged the people to guard the equipment as their personal property by preventing vandals form having access to them.

    In his address, the MD of the power company, Mr. Ayo Ademilua assured the people that the Phase I of the project would be ready in August for use in the community.

    He explained that after the Phase I, the Phase II would commence after estimating the real-time power consumed by the town with a view to scaling up the wattage.

    The traditional and spiritual head of the town, the Imperial King of Zion, Oba (Dr.) Mobolorunduro Ogunfeyimi (JP), Atarioye Ajigbade Lene II, assured the Governor of the cooperation of the community.

    He said the community gave the landed property being used by the power company for its facilities free.

    According to the monarch, in an effort to assure security for the power facilities, he has approached the head of the Naval base, L. S Umaru (D) which is close to the facilities for assistance.

    He further assured the power company of the readiness of his people to pay for power consumed as at when due.

    The royal father also thanked Ariyomo for keeping his word on  the mini-grid project for Ugbonla and commended the governor for his ability to identify capable hands for critical sectors.

  • The furore over cannabis and c

    There is no doubt that there is so much to know and fully appreciate in this dangerous engagement.

    I have in the past few weeks read fascinating, indeed tantalising articles, about how legalising cannabis, and making Nigeria a global player in the cannabis trade market would, ipso facto, turn our country into a global economic Eldorado. For its proponents, all Nigeria has to do is put appropriate laws in place to checkmate abuse as if  the trend in Nigeria is not to abuse every, and all, laws. I challenge them to prove that Nigeria is in the quagmire it is in today because of lack of laws. What one single law have Nigerians not abused and, even if there were any, aren’t there enough lawless security operatives to turn the other eye?

    I am not exactly getting involved in the debate; rather, I am yielding this column today, to one who should know, a medical doctor to boot, with decades of hands-on experience in the  handling of  the deleterious consequences of drug use/abuse. He is my dear aburo, the seminal Dr Dokun Adedeji, Director-General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM), as he takes us through the other side of the story.

    Lately, much dust has been raised about the economic opportunities inherent in the increasing global trade in cannabis. This debate had engaged the global players in the economy. The local fire was inflamed in Nigeria during our preparations for the General elections last year by one of our presidential candidates who campaigned on the promise that if he won, he would make Nigeria, a global player in the cannabis trade market.

    The temperature of the debate was increased last week when it was publicly stated that Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State governor, with the NDLEA Chairman as part of his entourage, was in Thailand to study and advocate for Nigeria’s participation in the global cannabis market with Ondo State acting as the driver of the initiative.

    There is no doubt that there is so much to know and fully appreciate in this dangerous engagement.

    CADAM – Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry – an NGO involved in various activities in preventive, treatment and rehabilitation and aftercare services to curb the frightening increasing trend in substance abuse in our nation, is greatly disturbed by this intention of the Ondo State Government and is for many reasons.

    I will come to that presently.

    But first, some facts about the present situation of drug/substance abuse in Nigeria and the efforts made over the years by the government, local NGOs and international agencies to curb or eliminate this scourge.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was established in 1989 through Decree 48 now Laws of the Federation 1990 charged to do the following – eliminating the growing, processing, manufacturing, selling, exporting and trafficking of hard drugs of which cannabis is a significant component. That Law has not been amended in any form to the best of our knowledge.

    Just recently, worried by the increasing involvement of our teenagers and youths in the use of dangerous and sometimes prescriptive drugs, with the attendant consequences of destructive practices amongst them and in the general population, the federal government inaugurated a Presidential Commission, PACEDA (Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse), to engage the various stakeholders in the society and thereby find a way to significantly deal with this societal menace.

    From our experience and interactions with this Committee, we are glad to say that a great work has been, and is being done.

    We must not truncate their intervention through this unnecessary distraction that seems to concern itself with economic benefits at the detriment of the social and personal health of our nation and its teeming, vulnerable youth population.

    It is important to highlight some frightening statistics that should worry every Nigerian about this growing epidemic.  We are, indeed, in an epidemic, and we better face that reality and team up with the federal government through PACEDA and all other agencies and bodies working in this drug prevention area.

    Recently, Prof. Moji Adeyeye, the Director-General of NAFDAC, told a shocked nation that over 70% of the youths in Kano State are on drugs!

    Let us also state that the codeine ban does not now seem to be the desired first approach. Before the ban, codeine-containing cough syrups were available for less than N1,000 but today, this same medication can be obtained by users for anything fromN5,000 to N10,000! We have just driven its sale underground and the market is booming to those who know where to purchase.

    It is a known fact from surveys that 90% of abusers are teenagers and young adults aged between 15-29. Most unfortunately and from our field experiences, the age of use is coming down even to as young as nine year olds!

    80% of substances traded in and used in Nigeria is cannabis/marijuana. And this is with its illicit growth and use. We can only then imagine what will happen when an unrestrained growth is permitted. How much of official deterrence is possible with the growing trend of various criminal activities that are stretching the capabilities of our law enforcement agencies?

    The following facts can be obtained from the 2018 UNODC Report published recently –

    • About 15 million Nigerians use drugs – this probably represents the total population of Ghana, Togo and Benin put together.
    • The above translates to about 14% of the population.
    • The South-West Region comprising of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Ondo States account for about 22% of drug use and 14% of cannabis use.

    Lagos State accounts for about 33% of all drug use and 20% for cannabis. Oyo State – 23% of all drug use and 15% for cannabis. Ondo State has 17% of all drug use. Osun State 14% and Ekiti State, 12%.

    This is therefore not the time to join the global bandwagon of cannabis trade. The consequences of this action will hurt us in the future coming on the heels of the dangers of the present unchecked trend.

    There is no doubt that there are medical benefits of cannabis but all these are done under controlled environment and for specific ailments or purposes.

    Some of the constituents in cannabis like cannabinoids THC ( tetra hydrocannabinol) cannabinol(CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD) – used in the treatment of childhood epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders, cancers, anxiety, etc are still being researched even as they are being used. That should be the direction of engagement in our opinion.

    It is known that about 10 States in the USA have legalised the use of cannabis for recreational purposes and Canada did the same last year.

    Many of these states are beginning to register an emergency room increases in the reported cases of psychoses. Colorado has reported about 40% increase. Every care is needed to understand the trend and therefore protect the future of our young population. The future is more pregnant for the growth and development of our Nation than the immediate pecuniary benefits of today. Whoever sows the wind will reap the whirlwind.

    We in CADAM do not think that with the present situation, we should tinker with what we have not properly researched and articulated an evidence-based approach.

    The global cannabis market offers about 32 billion dollars potential according to the BDS and ArcviewMarket research. About 23 industries ranging from medical to pharmaceutical and others, are angling for a part of the groovy train but a lot of work need to be done here before we jump into the ocean of seeming opportunities. We must learn to swim first!

    We are pleased by the immediate intervention of the General Buba Marwa led PACEDA in the debate.

    Nigeria can ill-afford to join the global fad without understanding what the consequences may be, particularly with the precarious state of our own local drug/substance use situation.

    In conclusion, as indicated in our proposal presented to PACEDA during their visit to Lagos State in April 2019 and to various state governments we have approached to partner with in their various initiatives to combat this menace, we are again stating publicly that we are against any surreptitious moves to ‘legalise’ the growth, production and consequent use of cannabis without any template to counter its consequences.

    We are willing to partner with the federal government, the state governments (as we are already doing with Lagos State), the local governments, every other local and international agencies to combat the menace of drug and substance abuse.

    Nigeria is in an epidemic and we must all work together to save the soul of our nation and the lives of our young population who look up to us for the safety of their future.

  • Keep vigil on your children, Akeredolu begs Parents

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday said the National Children’s Day celebration had provided an opportunity to reiterate his administration’s commitment to the promotion of children rights.

    He said it also reflected on the role and responsibilities of government towards the actualization of these rights in the past four years as well as set an agenda for improvement of their wellbeing for the next four years and beyond.

    The governor said it was pertinent to note that the past four years had been very challenging and rewarding in the efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerian Children.

    According to him, the National Campaign on Ending Violence Against Children, launched on 15th September 2015 with the aim to galvanize action to end violence against children by the year 2030 was followed by the Commemoration of the End Violence Against Children campaign in 2016.

    He said “Gladly many States have followed up with their own campaigns to end violence against children. Furthermore, at the Federal level, priority actions on Violence against Children have been developed to guide Ministries, Departments and Agencies to develop interventions to respond to Ending Violence against Children.

    “These efforts have earned Nigeria the honour of being acclaimed a Pathfinder Country on Violence against Children by the Global Partners on Ending Violence Against Children.  Similarly, the End Child Marriage launched in November 2016, was followed up with the development of a National Strategy to End Child Marriage.

    Read Also: Why we are in Thailand, by Akeredolu

    “In the same way, the Home Grown School Feeding Programme initiated in 2015 has continued to improve the nutritional intake of children especially in States where the programme is operational and has helped to enhance school enrollment considerably as well as create jobs, promote agricultural activities for food products and sales outlets.

    “We will continue to expand this progamme to reach all eligible children nationwide. As we launch into the Next Level within the next four years, we hope to provide the appropriate environment for children to attain their full potential.

    “We also plan to improve immunization coverage and interventions to eliminate communicable and non-communicable diseases for children as measures of reducing infant mortality.

    Akeredolu expressed dismay on how some children at all levels of education attainment were engaging in unwholesome practice which is considered a medical disease, stressing that majority of them  now experience mental health challenges, temporary or permanent absence, and eventually become school dropouts.

    He said other consequences include increased violence and crimes, HIV/AIDS, rape, and secret cult activities amongst others which impacted negatively on healthcare delivery system, socio – economic indices and general wellbeing of our citizens.

    According to the governor “This administration is very concerned about the impact of drug and substance abuse.  As Government and parents, we are desirous of building a better future for our children because children of today are the leaders of tomorrow and if we allow drugs or other ills to destroy our children today, we are destroying our future,”

    Akeredolu urged all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Civil Society Organizations, International partners, Religious leaders, Traditional rulers, the teachers and most importantly, parents and adolescents themselves to work together in commitment to address the challenges of drug abuse  to avert the consequences of this social menace and secure a better future for our children and the Nation.

  • Akure community insists on producing next Speaker

    Indigenes of Akure, the Ondo state capital on Saturday insisted that the slot for the next speaker of the  house should be reserved for their most qualified son in the state Assembly.

    They maintained that nobody can deny them the states’ number three position in the next Assembly, stressing that it is their right to claim the position.

    Speaking under the aegis of Akure Rebirth Group (ARG), members lamented that the state capital had not had its fair share in the political configuration of the state despite its ever increasing population and voting strength at every election.

    No fewer than six lawmakers are currently jostling for the position already zoned to Ondo Central Senatorial District.

    Among the top contenders are the incumbent Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun, from Ifedore local government and Sunday Olajide representing Akure South.

    Group coordinator, Fanibuyan Olamide said since the return to democracy in 1999, Akure had continually clamored for a fair dealing and treatment in the sharing of major political positions both at the Federal and State levels.

    They argued that it was a matter of fairness and social justice to allow an indigene of the ancient city to become the next speaker of the Assembly.

    According to the group “Few weeks to the take-off of the 9th Assembly, there is no need to play ethnic card but to come to term with realities and qualities of what it deserves.

    “It is expedient to state that the entire Akure community is resolute in her bid to support Hon. Sunday Olajide to clinch the position of the speaker which is zoned to the central senatorial district.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill Akure Anglican Church bursar

    “The Akure community recognizes the selection of a speaker as an exclusive business of the Honorable members which should be devoid of any external interference.

    “It is however imperative for the community to call the attention of the Honorable members to what is just, equitable, fair and of good quality, which will further enhance and prompt good representation and a purpose-driven Assembly.”

    It said Akure was interested in the speakership of the Assembly and had not conceded it to the incumbent speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, as erroneously claimed in the media.

    ARG declared that Akure community was resolute in presenting one of her best and finest with an intimidating and impressive records to lead the Assembly.

    The group said: “It is worthy to set the record straight that the position of Akure on this matter was well articulated by the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo  Aladelusi, during a thank you visit by the Governor to the good people of Akure at the St. Thomas’s event centre.

    “The Deji did not mince words in his speech before the large gathering which had Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Religious Leaders, Opinion and community leaders as well as party faithfuls in attendance.

    “It is therefore illogical and ridiculous for anyone to go against the collective interest of Akure people for selfish reasons and pecuniary gain just like the biblical Esau.”

    The group countered the argument that Akure could not produce the next speaker because of the position of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) being occupied by one of her indigenes.

    It added that the SSG was an appointee of the governor,saying”the prerogative of the Governor in this wise has nothing to do with the election of principal officers at the Assembly,” the group emphasised.

     

  • Ondo expect your best, Akeredolu tells new judges 

    ONDO State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Monday in Akure swore-in four judges of the state high court, with a call on them to always live above board.

    The new high court judges, the governor said, were found worthy and suitable for appointment after consideration by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    According to Akeredolu, the new high court judges represent some of the state’s best and finest materials at the Bar and from lower bench.

    He added that Justices Gilbert Bamidele Olupitan, Olajide John Abe, Ademola Enikuomehin and Tope Adedipe came to their new positions with wide and varying experiences for the benefit of Ondo State and her citizens.

    Akeredolu told the new judges to make sobriety, continence and general disposition towards rectitude their hallmark.

    The governor added that Ondo State would not accept anything short of their best.

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    “It is in this light that we continue to insist on having the best occupy the Bench,” Akeredolu said.

    The governor, while decrying the recent challenges thrown up by the incursion of strange elements into the judiciary, stressed that a judge must be a shining light to the society because his conduct and behaviour reflects the public image of the judiciary.

    He said: “The average citizen must be able to perceive the intervention of the Bench as credible, regardless of the outcome. Litigants must leave believing that justice has been done.

    “The future of the judiciary and indeed the nation depends, to a large extent, on how our judges perform their duties, effectively.