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Tag: Ondo state

  • Rainstorm again wreaks havoc in Ondo communities

    Barely four days after rainstorm devastated valuables at Ugbe, Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state, two other neighboring communities of Ikare-Akoko and Supare-Akoko at the weekend lost properties worth several millions to the same natural disaster.

    Findings revealed that over 500 houses were affected in the two communities, apart from that of Ugbe-Akoko.

    In Supare-Akoko the home town of the former deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the only 10 downpour laced with whirlwind devastated more than 500 houses.

    Residents particularly house owners were in tears because of an incalculable losses occasioned by the rainstorm.

    The development was the same in Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko Northeast local government.

    An eye witness, Mr Aliu Ehinju Anobi from supare-Akoko said when the rainstorm started, people started running helter-sketer for their lives.

    According to him, over 70 percent of buildings in the town were ravaged.

    Read Also: IG vows to unmask Ondo Anglican bursar’s killers

    Ehinju Anobi listed Police Station, Old Palace, Schools and many churches being badly devastated.

    He said at Ikare-Akoko, the situation was even worse than Supare-Akoko as houses especially at Igbede  and Ishakunmi, were affected because of house demolition to pave way for dualization of Ikare road.

    A community leader from Ishakumi in Ikare, Akoko, Chief Oluke Olamomiara described as a disaster, stressing that many are now homeless.

    He said the rainstorm consumed also many valuables, urging government to come to their rescue especially now that building materials are too costly.

    The Olisupare of Supare-Akoko,Oba Kasali Adedeji who went round the affected places in the community sympathized with his subjects.

    He called on the state government and National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) and well to do citizens to assist  the people who could not afford new houses now.

    Chairman, Akoko Northeast local government, Rafiu Eniayewu assessed the damages in the two communities and assured victims of government assistance as it was caused by natural disaster.

     

     

  • Akeredolu a failure in Nigeria educational development – NANS

    The Nigerian Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu as the worst performing governor in the area of educational development in Nigeria.
    NANS national president, Danielson Bamidele Akpan made this known in a press conference on Wednesday.
    Akpan said it has become imperative for the leadership of the students’ body to examine and analyse critically certain political leaders whose actions in recent times have made life unbearable for the  citizens under their watch.
    The full text read below;
    “It is no longer news that the government of Ondo State under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a supposed Senior Advocate of Nigeria is today championing an agenda that takes education out of the reach of the poor.
    “Without any dubiety, before his emergence as the Executive Governor of Ondo State, education since 1999 under Governor Adebayo Adefarati through Olusegun Agagu and Olusegun Mimiko was free from primary to secondary level.
    “However, a governor who claimed to have fought alongside others during his days at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife against the reversal of the great benefit of the Awolowo education policy is today making education, an exclusive right of the rich, thereby creating class differentials amongst the people he governed over.
    “Education in Ondo State is now fully commercialised. Secondary school Students who hitherto enjoyed payment of WAEC/NECO fees under the past admistrations now have additional burdens placed on their parents by the insensitive Akeredolu anti-education government that have scraped the payment of WAEC/NECO fees for SS3 students. This deliberate policy by past democratic administrations have now been abolished and the hopes of many families dashed.
    “Let it be known to the entire public that undergraduates of state owned Tertiary Institutions in Ondo State are daily dropping out of school due to increase in their various school fees which their parents certainly cannot afford.
    “How can we explain that a supposed progressive government, increased arbitrarily, fees of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko from 33,000 to 150,000? Students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo has their fees increased from 63,000 to 108, 000 while those in Ondo State University of Science and Technology has their fees inceased to 200, 000 from 70, 000.
    “Lest we say that the Akeredolu government did not only defraud students at the School of Nursing but breached their trust by deceiving them into paying higher fees in exchange for Nursing degrees awarded by the University of Medical Sciences established by the immediate past administration of Olusegun Mimiko. We know as a matter of fact, that since the increment, the students from the school of nursing have been made to understand that their certificate will remain the same despite the agreement reached with the government to award them degree certificate from the  University of Medical Sciences haven paid the new tuition fees forced on them for that purpose.
    “Today, Governor Akeredolu is globally junketing with tax payers money in order to create awareness for legalisation of hard drugs and narcotic use. What a confused Chief executive! For once, we should be worried that it takes someone who purchases, uses and is addicted to hard drugs to know it’s economic prospects without caring about lives and its negative impact on the society.
    “For a governor who has refused to make education a top priority to now lead an advocacy for legalisation of banned drugs that distorts thoughts and stability reveals his level of denigration of governance.
    “Isn’t it a pity that in  a state where education is more or less an industry and a pride, Governor Akeredolu has proven that he is on seat to retard the progress of the youths by encouraging the plantation of cannabis(Indian Hemp) against the pursuit of knowledge? This obviously is the height of his incompetence and insensitivity to the needs of the youths.
    “We condemn in totality the managements of the state owned institutions who joined the governor in this inglorious journey, for example, the Vice-Chancelor of Adekunle Ajasin University who implemented a policy of no school fees, no test about two weeks ago which was vehemently resisted by the students that lead to the closure of the Institution. To this end, NANS will resist any form of intimidation, oppression or threat to the life of any of our member who are resolute in pursuing their rights and privileges.
    “We also use this medium to call on UNESCO, other national and international agencies including progressive minded and well meaning individuals to prevail on Governor Akeredolu who have threatened kill and maim our members who will come out and protest against his obnoxious education policies cum commercialization of education in Ondo State.
    “Let it be known that NANS is relentless in her pursuit of total reversal of all fees increased by the cannabis indulging governor of Ondo State.
    “We refuse to buy into this life threatening advocacy of addiction and retardation through promotion of hard drugs. We demand that Governor Akeredolu subject himself to a clinical drug test to determine his mental state.
    “While appreciating the support and endurance of Ondo Students in peacefully demanding for reversal of the obnoxious and satanic increment in their fees, we wish to as a matter of honour, in respect of on-going final rites for the revered Olowo of Owo kingdom who passed on, put on hold our proposed mass protest against the increments until immediately after the traditional rights scheduled for this week. This unjust education policy will surely be challenged and we shall do so upon the completion of late Olowo’s passage rights.
    “We challenge Governor Akeredolu to a public debate with NANS where he can lay bare his educational policies for Ondo people. We are constantly embarrassed by his seeming threat to wipe off Ondo students for daring to speak out against his anti- educational policy. We view his threat as a test of our resolve to once again lay an irrefutable claim to our heroic struggle for the enthronement of the democratic rule he’s today diminishing without his active participation. We would have reported him to his professional colleagues who side by side fought with us and defended many of our victimized leaders under the military but understanding that he’s now a suspended member of the highest bar gathering in Nigeria.
    “Another option would have been to report him to his political party, the All Progressive Congress, under whose platform he governs the state but we are also reliably informed that he has been suspended for various offenses, therefore we are left with no other option than to face the unrepentant oppressor of the students.”

    The Nigerian Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu as the worst performing governor in the area of educational development in Nigeria.
    NANS national president, Danielson Bamidele Akpan made this known in a press conference on Wednesday.
    Akpan said it has become imperative for the leadership of the students’ body to examine and analyse critically certain political leaders whose actions in recent times have made life unbearable for the  citizens under their watch.
    The full text read below;

    Read Also: Obaseki sets world-class target for Edo varsity

    “It is no longer news that the government of Ondo State under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, a supposed Senior Advocate of Nigeria is today championing an agenda that takes education out of the reach of the poor.
    “Without any dubiety, before his emergence as the Executive Governor of Ondo State, education since 1999 under Governor Adebayo Adefarati through Olusegun Agagu and Olusegun Mimiko was free from primary to secondary level.
    “However, a governor who claimed to have fought alongside others during his days at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife against the reversal of the great benefit of the Awolowo education policy is today making education, an exclusive right of the rich, thereby creating class differentials amongst the people he governed over.
    “Education in Ondo State is now fully commercialised. Secondary school Students who hitherto enjoyed payment of WAEC/NECO fees under the past admistrations now have additional burdens placed on their parents by the insensitive Akeredolu anti-education government that have scraped the payment of WAEC/NECO fees for SS3 students. This deliberate policy by past democratic administrations have now been abolished and the hopes of many families dashed.
    “Let it be known to the entire public that undergraduates of state owned Tertiary Institutions in Ondo State are daily dropping out of school due to increase in their various school fees which their parents certainly cannot afford.
    “How can we explain that a supposed progressive government, increased arbitrarily, fees of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko from 33,000 to 150,000? Students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo has their fees increased from 63,000 to 108, 000 while those in Ondo State University of Science and Technology has their fees inceased to 200, 000 from 70, 000.
    “Lest we say that the Akeredolu government did not only defraud students at the School of Nursing but breached their trust by deceiving them into paying higher fees in exchange for Nursing degrees awarded by the University of Medical Sciences established by the immediate past administration of Olusegun Mimiko. We know as a matter of fact, that since the increment, the students from the school of nursing have been made to understand that their certificate will remain the same despite the agreement reached with the government to award them degree certificate from the  University of Medical Sciences haven paid the new tuition fees forced on them for that purpose.
    “Today, Governor Akeredolu is globally junketing with tax payers money in order to create awareness for legalisation of hard drugs and narcotic use. What a confused Chief executive! For once, we should be worried that it takes someone who purchases, uses and is addicted to hard drugs to know it’s economic prospects without caring about lives and its negative impact on the society.
    “For a governor who has refused to make education a top priority to now lead an advocacy for legalisation of banned drugs that distorts thoughts and stability reveals his level of denigration of governance.
    “Isn’t it a pity that in  a state where education is more or less an industry and a pride, Governor Akeredolu has proven that he is on seat to retard the progress of the youths by encouraging the plantation of cannabis(Indian Hemp) against the pursuit of knowledge? This obviously is the height of his incompetence and insensitivity to the needs of the youths.
    “We condemn in totality the managements of the state owned institutions who joined the governor in this inglorious journey, for example, the Vice-Chancelor of Adekunle Ajasin University who implemented a policy of no school fees, no test about two weeks ago which was vehemently resisted by the students that lead to the closure of the Institution. To this end, NANS will resist any form of intimidation, oppression or threat to the life of any of our member who are resolute in pursuing their rights and privileges.
    “We also use this medium to call on UNESCO, other national and international agencies including progressive minded and well meaning individuals to prevail on Governor Akeredolu who have threatened kill and maim our members who will come out and protest against his obnoxious education policies cum commercialization of education in Ondo State.
    “Let it be known that NANS is relentless in her pursuit of total reversal of all fees increased by the cannabis indulging governor of Ondo State.
    “We refuse to buy into this life threatening advocacy of addiction and retardation through promotion of hard drugs. We demand that Governor Akeredolu subject himself to a clinical drug test to determine his mental state.
    “While appreciating the support and endurance of Ondo Students in peacefully demanding for reversal of the obnoxious and satanic increment in their fees, we wish to as a matter of honour, in respect of on-going final rites for the revered Olowo of Owo kingdom who passed on, put on hold our proposed mass protest against the increments until immediately after the traditional rights scheduled for this week. This unjust education policy will surely be challenged and we shall do so upon the completion of late Olowo’s passage rights.
    “We challenge Governor Akeredolu to a public debate with NANS where he can lay bare his educational policies for Ondo people. We are constantly embarrassed by his seeming threat to wipe off Ondo students for daring to speak out against his anti- educational policy. We view his threat as a test of our resolve to once again lay an irrefutable claim to our heroic struggle for the enthronement of the democratic rule he’s today diminishing without his active participation. We would have reported him to his professional colleagues who side by side fought with us and defended many of our victimized leaders under the military but understanding that he’s now a suspended member of the highest bar gathering in Nigeria.
    “Another option would have been to report him to his political party, the All Progressive Congress, under whose platform he governs the state but we are also reliably informed that he has been suspended for various offenses, therefore we are left with no other option than to face the unrepentant oppressor of the students.”

     

  • Akeredolu, firms launch two new solar grids in Ondo

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Saturday inaugurated the 85kw Igbatoro Onigari solar mini-grid power project in Akure North.

    He also launched the pilot of  a scalable 45kw cabin-type mini-grid power project in Gbagira town in Ilaje local  government area of Ondo  State.

    Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Public Utilities, Tunji Light Ariyomo, the governor hailed the duo of Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in  the Niger-Delta (PIND) and A4 and T Power Solutions for the success of  the Gbagira project.

    Ariyomo also revealed that another development partner, Community Energy Social Enterprise has recently completed about 85kw solar plant in Akure North local governmrnt area to be completed soon.

    The Special Adviser said the Gbagira power plant now brings to five the number of successfully completed community power interventions by  the Akeredolu-led government in the past two years.

    He explained that “the Ondo  State government just last year provided off-grid solar intervention in Ebute-Ipare, Aboto and Igbobini towns through another private firm, Messrs R. R. Reynolds. Today, we are delighted that PIND and A4 and T Solutions have continued this serious business of providing quality 24 /7 electricity for  our people using alternative technology.”

    Read Also: FG to dualise Akure-Ikere road – Akeredolu

    According to him, there are other ongoing power projects in other parts of the state including the state capital city, Akure.

    He said: “Another private firm is building an independent power plant (IPP) that will service government-owned establishments and government-owned residential estates in Akure while another company is building an IPP around Igbokoda to service the community and adjoining areas as well as the university campus in Igodan Lisa.”

    Commending the people of the state for their cooperation and support for the Akeredolu-led administration, the special adviser appealed to the people of the host communities to jealously guard the facilities

    He said “We wish to appeal to the people to support all these initiatives by ensuring the protection of the facilities.”

    The governor’s aide however, implored the beneficiaries of the power projects to ensure prompt and regular payment of their bills.

    He said “We therefore appeal to the people to ensure prompt payment of their energy bills. It is only by so doing that the respective private companies can recoup their investments and be able to remain in business,” Ariyomo said.

    The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom Oba Fredrick Akinruntan commended Akeredolu on the giant stride, saying the various projects being executed in the Southern senatorial district are laudable.

    He pledged the continuous support of the people for the administration.

    The monarch said with the advent of the IPP in the community, the socio-economic nerves of the community would experience meteoric development.

    According to him, the community would guard jealously all the power facilities and ensure prompt payment of their bills.

  • $500m modular refinery project for Ondo

    A private company, Crown Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, who are  into refining  crude oil to premium petroleum products, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with the Ondo State government to build a refining facility in the state.

    When fully operational, the refinery would absorb no fewer than 2,000 workers. The refinery is estimated to be worth $500million.  It will be designed to process both imported paraffinic and Nigerian crude into finished petroleum products,

    The proposed project will have an initial capacity to refine about 30,000 BPSD, but is expected to be scaled to 60,000 BPSD within the next five years.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the organisation, Kazeem Adeleke, said the project is expected to be completed within 36 months.

    According to him, “We are going into the business of refining crude oil, Ondo State government would provide the enabling environment and incentives to support us as we actualize this vital investment.”

    Apart from the project having the capacity to refine crude oil, it will also be producing 120,000 tons of base oil and 25,000 tons of lubrication oil on a yearly basis.

    Read also: Dangote to boost local refining to 1.095m

    Adeleke said the company would also provide several infrastructural projects in the state and would create massive employment opportunities for indigenes of the state. He disclosed that about 170 hectares of land would be used for the refinery.

    The MoU was signed on behalf of Ondo State government by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ifedayo Abegunde,while  Kazeem Adeleke signed for the company.

    Adeleke said they had approached many states to site the investment, but found Ondo State more suitable because of its human and material resources and readiness to provide enabling environment coupled with incentives to support actualization of the investment. Besides, he noted the relative proximity of Ondo State to oil fields.

    Adeleke said the signing of the MoU marked the commencement of the project, expected to be completed in 36 months.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who expressed delight on the coming of the investment into the state, said his administration was friendly with any investment capable of bringing development to the state.

    He noted that more investors are willing to come for business transaction in the state because of its peculiarity.

  • ‘Gbajabiamila best choice for Speaker’

    A Lawmaker-elect, Musiliudeen Akinremi, has said he supports Femi Gbajabiamila to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives because “Gbajabiamila will usher in development and render quality services”.

    Akinremi, in a phone interview yesterday, said the support Gbajabiamila is getting will ensure that the House performs well by passing quality bills, enjoying harmonious relationship, robust leadership and quality debate.

    The lawmaker, who won his election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Ibadan North Federal Constituency, said: “The Gbajabiamila declaration on Sunday, which was attended by the majority of the ninth Assembly members, has shown that he will enjoy our support and confidence in the green chamber.

    “Such development will foster seamless and timely passage of quality bills and amendments to existing ones, to quicken the next level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari. With his experience spanning 16 years, Gbajabiamila will provide good leadership.”

    The new APC lawmakers across the six states in the Southwest last Friday pledged their allegiance to the party’s decision on house leadership structure.

    Led by their National Coordinator, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo (Ondo State), and Akinremi, the lawmakers-elect, who met at Ibadan Business School, Bodija, said Southwest deserved the position of Speaker.

    They said as loyal party members, they had no objection to the party’s position on selection of the House leadership.

    They said: “We had a fruitful deliberation during the meeting, which lasted over three hours. We all agreed on the party’s supremacy and the need to support the success of the President Buhari administration when inaugurated on May 29.

    “We agreed to abide by the consensus arrangement of the party in choosing the House leadership. We pledged to protect the party’s interest, especially on the need to make APC stronger ahead of the 2023 general election in Yorubaland.”

  • 350 NGC’s host communities for development

    The Managing Director, Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) Mr Babatunde Bakare has said that the organisation would continue to develop a robust and sustainable relationship with its over 350 host communities in the country to enhance business growth.

    Bakare gave the assurance during the official inauguration and hand over of a Basic Health Centre to the Oniparaga community in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Represented by the NGC General Manager, Support Services, Mrs Mariam Emmanel-Ate, Bakare said the wellbeing of the community was paramount to the Social Corporate Responsibility thrust of the company.

    According to him, the company had a Metering Stations located in 11 states in the country noting that by implication, its pipeline transverses over 350 host communities.

    He said “We present to you this fully equipped Basic Health Centre as a token of our appreciation and our contribution to the development of Oniparaga community.

    “As a company, we shall continue to solicit for your co-operation and assistance in the maintenance of peace and support for our business growth aspiration in the interest of the community and Nigeria in general.

    “NGC will always encourage and appreciate communities that promote peace, dialogue and understanding in the resolution of issues. This is the hallmark of our community relations engagement process,” he said.

    Bakare urged the people to make judicious use of the multi-million Naira health facility project.

    The Chairman, Odigbo Local Government, Mr Tunde Ikumawoyi thanked the NGC and the people of Oniparaga for ensuring that the project materialised.

    He assured that the project would be put into proper used by the primary healthcare department of the Council.

    Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Ondo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Francis Akanbiemu described the facilities as the best in the local government.

    While appealing to the NGC and the NNPC for a continuous support Francis promised to deployed qualified staff to man the facilities.

    Oniparaga’s monarch, Oba Adetokumbo Aderopo who described the project as a milestone said the faculty would go a long way in improving on the health of the people, pleading that the facilities should start operation in earnest.

  • Why we need Security overhaul in Ondo, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said that the state security apparatus needed total overhauling in view of the emerging position of the state in investment and industrialisation.

    He spoke while receiving the report of the first Ondo State Security Summit held in January 2019.

    Akeredolu assured that the report would be looked into by the State Security Council, State Executive Council and Ondo State House of Assembly to have a Security Policy Document for the state.

    The governor who acknowledged that Ondo State was relatively peaceful however said the peace being enjoyed in the state would further be improved when the Security Policy Document comes into operation.

    Akeredolu appreciated the Committee Members, the Resource Persons and the Lead Speaker at the summit, Professor Olufemi Odekunle for efforts put into the assignment.

    The Chairman of the Committee, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Administration and Policy Planning, Mr. Jones Ogunmusire had informed the governor that the summit had over 500 participants that cut across the entire strata of the society both within and outside with fourteen Resource Persons who led robust deliberations on the summit theme and sub-themes.

    The Chairman said that the report came in two volumes which included the one that distilled the various contributions from the public in form of memoranda and the second being the compilation of the presentations made by Resource Persons.

    While thanking the governor for the confidence reposed in the committee, Ogunmusire expressed optimism that the security architecture of the state would improve considerably in view of the integration of a Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism to constantly measure the performance indicators of the state in terms of sustainable peace and development.

    Some members of the committee present at the Report Presentation Ceremony were: the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr. Deji Akinwalere.

  • Ondo APC: My case still intact, says Abraham

    The first runner-up in the 2016 governorship primaries in Ondo state, Olusegun Abraham has urged the citizenry to remain hopeful on his matter in court.

    According to him, justice can be delayed, but not denied.

    In a statement in Akure, the state capital on Sunday by his Special Assistant on political matters, Olatunde Azeez, the All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart urged the people in the state to ignore moves by some people to discredit the judiciary.

    Already, the  Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had rejected the request of  Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to stop the proceedings and termination of the suit by the runner-up in the 2016 governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Olusegun Abraham.

    Abraham is challenging Akeredolu’s emergence as APC’s candidate in the 2016 governorship polls.

    The petitioner in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/788/2016 was seeking the nullification of APC’s September 3,2016 governorship primary from which Akeredolu emerged as the party’s candidate on the ground that it was allegedly manipulated.

    One of the counsel to the respondent, Olumide Olujimi explained that the case had been struck out by the Supreme Court on March 5, on the ground that Abraham approached the court, 28 days after the primary election instead of the stipulated 14 days.

    Read also: Ondo East APC leaders seek political autonomy

    However, the Presiding Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba rejected the report filed by Akeredolu’s counsel, Akin Olujimi(SAN) for lack of merit because the affidavit was not attached to it.

    The Judge said before taking a decision, he wanted to study the judgment, even though, he said it was not made available in the court.

    Besides, he said he would examine the ground in which the case was terminated by the Supreme Court, when Abraham’s witnesses had been mounting the box and cross-examined by Akeredolu’s lawyers.

    He, therefore, adjourned the case to May 28 for continuation in a way of granting the prayers of one of the counsels to Abraham, Phillip Emmanuel.

    Emmanuel had earlier sought for an adjournment to study the recent Supreme Court pronouncement saying it had ‘overruled’ itself in a related matter on March 27,  that had to do with the new Electoral law in Ekiti state.

    Abraham said many lawyers across the country were studying the purported ruling of the Supreme Court with the consciousness that it would not give verdict that would be contrary to the constitution of Nigeria.

    According to him, from all indications, what Supreme Court struck out may be the Akeredolu’s case of preliminary objection which the fourth amendment forbids any court to entertain.

    He expressed the belief that the Judiciary will continue to be trusted to save Nigeria’s democracy.

  • S’ West leaders must change tactics to actualise restructuring, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said the Yoruba race needs to be more tactical to actualise the call for restructuring.

    Fayemi urged the proponents of the policy in the region to change strategy and reach out to other regions on how to actualise the dream of Nigeria being restructured economically and politically.

    Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday at the opening session of the 2019 National retreat of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

    Fayemi said: “There are those who entertained fear on this issue of restructuring and whether this is legitimate or not, we must reach out to them, because we are not an island onto ourselves.

    “We don’t need to be shouting on the roof top before we get it, but if we want to do it alone, the agitation will fall,” he warned.

    Expressing regret over voter apathy in the southwest, Fayemi said a situation where the total number of votes cast in all the states in the region was less than 50 percent of the total registered voters is worrisome.

    “In the last presidential poll,  Ekiti registered 909,000 voters , only 381,000 voted, 0sun 1.67million , only 737,000 voted, Ondo, 1.8m registered , 586,00, Oyo, 2.7m registered , 891,000 voted, 2.36m registered  in Ogun, 605,000 voted and Lagos with 6.3m, only 1.56m voted,” he stressed.

    He said whatever might be the reason for the low turnout of voters must be critically examined to properly correct the situation.

    “This might be caused by deficit of trust or fraudulent multiple registration, but whatever the case was, as long as we remain a constituent part of this country, ARG should reflect on this and act appropriately.

    “If it was as a result of deficit of voter education, then the ARG and governments need a lot to do.”

    Fayemi said the Yoruba Academy and the DAWN Commission should also help look into issues that directly affect the region including voter apathy, influence of religion, economic development among others.

    Also speaking at the event, Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu and his Osun State counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola, said all the distinguishable traits of the southwest region initiated during the old western region must be brought back in the interest of the zone.

    The Osun governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Akinola, said: “The Yorubaness in us and those things that separated us from others are our developmental drives, our intellectual rigour, our brilliance, circumspection  and those values however, have  not really taken us to where we deserve”.

    Read also: We have recorded success against Boko Haram – Army

    Oyetola also appealed to the southwest governments to  leverage on its human capital in the diaspora and bring them home for the benefit of all.

    Akeredolu, represented by Commissioner for Regional Integration, Prof Bayonle Ademodi, added that the southwest is also facing serious economic and political crises that needed to be addressed.

    “We have to be really worried that the instability and insecurity in the Sahel has started affecting us and we need to get worried.

    “We knew we had  to think outside the box in the southwest on how to bring our own paradigm and we thought of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to work on how to put us back on the right track.

    The National Chairman of the group, Hon Wale Oshun, reiterated the issue of restructuring and advised that it should be taken back to the front burner to benefit the Yoruba race.

    “The Yoruba people are progressive people. We are lovely and we care for each other. We are welfarists and we remain the same despite out stand in the just concluded governorship and legislative elections.

    “All we want as a people is to ensure that our interests at the national level are protected and that we get a fair deal in the scheme of things”.

    Oshun, however, expressed feat that Yoruba language is fast going into extinction due to paradigm shift caused by globalisation and laxity on the part of some parents.

  • Akeredolu pledges to rehabilitate PHC facilities, inaugurates medical equipment

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reiterated the determination of his administration to rehabilitate Primary Healthcare Facilities for proper classification according to the Minimum Service Package (MSP), guidelines of the Federal Government.

    Akeredolu made the pledge in Akure on Friday while inaugurating the second phase of Minimum Medical Gadgets for Primary Healthcare (PHC), System.

    He explained that the state government was not resting on its oars in fulfillment of the MSP pillar of Primary Healthcare Under One Roof (PHCUOR), policy of the Federal Government.

    “The policy is aimed at ensuring that certain basic medical equipment are available in each of the categories of PHC facilities.

    “For the sake of emphasis, the equipment to be inaugurated are necessary to improve diagnostic and therapeutic capacity of our PHC to respond to health needs of our citizens within the state,” he said.

    The governor said the PHC system, which was hitherto viewed as unfit for patronage by many for lack of modern tools and equipment, was revitalised due to the governor’s efforts in improving the sector.

    Read also: ‘Birth registration a tool for national devt, says Akeredolu’s wife

    According to Akeredolu, our government truly understand the potentiality of a healthy and virile PHC system to the morbidity and mortality indices of mothers and children in the country.

    Also, Dr Wahab Adegbenro, the state Commissioner for Health, described the inauguration as part of the government’s doggedness in reducing the incidence of child and maternal mortality in the state.

    According to him, the ‘Agbomola’ concept, the state tactical approach toward curtailing peril-natal, childhood morbidity and mortality, encompasses the deliberate strengthening of our primary health facilities and our health workers to deliver minimum quality services.

    “As part of the drive toward realising the objectives of ‘Agbomola’, we are here today to commission some vital medical equipment for use by primary healthcare workers”, he said.

    He noted that the gadgets were procured with taxpayers’ money worth millions of naira and would be handed over to the 18 medical officers of health/primary healthcare coordinators.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the equipment include: 300 units of each of children ambu-bags, baby weighing scales, blood pressure apparatus, stethoscopes, as well as penguin suction devices.

    Others are: 60 adult ambu-bags, 301 angle poise examination lights, and 18 anti-shock garments. (NAN)