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Tag: Ondo state

  • ‘I’ve not stepped down for anybody’

    A former Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Olabimtan yesterday debunked the report that he had withdrawn from the senatorial race.

    The former speaker said he was still pursuing his aspiration to unseat the incumbent, Prof Ajayi Boroffice.

    Four eminent sons of Akoko, including Boroffice, two lawyers – Dr Tunji Abayomi and Nat Adojutelegan – as well as Olabimtan are jostling for Ondo North senatorial ticket.

    In a statement, Olabimtan said: “It has come to my notice that some unscrupulous propagandists are spreading fake news that I have withdrawn from the race to clinch the Ondo North senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently stepped down for another candidate. This news is as fake as its mongers and purported beneficiary.

    “All my life, I have never been driven by selfishness; rather, my focus has always been the common good of all. I am, therefore, in this race not for self-aggrandisement but to further make myself available for God to use as He pleases.

    “The belief that God will do everything for man is as untenable as the belief that man can do everything for himself. It is based on a lack of faith. We must learn that to expect God to do everything while we do nothing is not faith but superstition.”

    Olabimtan noted that instead of joining the bandwagon of those complaining about the poor representation at the National Assembly, he was putting himself forward to make positive change in Ondo North Senatorial District.

    He said though the journey had been arduous, but the overwhelming support from the people encouraged him to move on.

    The former Speaker expressed appreciation for the support and efforts of his political leaders, supporters, followers, associates and well-wishers, promising not to disappoint them.

    He said: “I am still very much in the race. The ‘step-down’ rumour is the imagination and wishful thinking of some desperate elements.”

  • ‘We are dying of hunger’, Ondo Pensioners cry out

    Pensioners in Ondo state have pleaded with the labour leaders in the state to help them fight for their outstanding entitlements.

    The state NUP chairman, Chief Raphael Adetuwo, said the unpaid entitlements have subjected pensioners to untold hardship in the state.

    Adetuwo hinged their outcry on the recent directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to governors on payment of salaries and pensions.

    He added that old age hazards and poverty are bitter experiences among them.

    Read Also: My plan for Ondo North, by aspirant

    The senior citizen disclosed that pensioners are yet to be paid pension and gratuities since 2012, adding that the 33 per cent pension increase has not been approved by the state government since 2014.

    He said “15 percent pension increase paid to state pensioners in 2012 is yet to be paid to the local government pensioners including primary school pensioners

    “Arrears of monthly pension as a result of delay in the payment of monthly pension after retirement are yet to be paid since 2012. Gratuities to state pensioners who served Federal Government between 1972 and 1976 are yet to be paid.”

    The NUP chairman, who accused the state government of shirking away from those financial responsibilities, urged the labour leaders to come to their aid.

     

  • Akeredolu hails Oyetola over victory

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has rejoiced with the Osun State Governor-elect, Adegboyega Oyetola on his historic triumph in the just-concluded Governorship election in the state.

    A statement signed by Yemi Olowolabi, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Akeredolu described Odetola as a complete gentleman whose distinguished career in private and public service largely accounted for his success at the polls.

    His words: “Over the years, you have proven your mettle in the fields of Accounting, Insurance and Business Administration in the private sector and you have also served the people of Osun as Chief of Staff for nearly eight years with an unblemished record.

    Read Also: Akeredolu to fix Owo-Ikare road

    “Clearly, this is why the people prefer you to other contestants for the coveted office. I have no doubt in my mind that you are equal to the herculean task of taking Osun State to the next level”.

    Akeredolu also praised the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting credible election in Osun notwithstanding pockets of hiccups.

    He also commended Osun State citizenry for voting for continuity in the state of the living springs and urged them to do more for President Muhammadu Buhari in the next year’s presidential election.

  • Partial Presidential primary in Ondo

    The Presidential Primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took place in many wards in Ondo state, but in some wards, it did not hold.

    Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Idanre Local government, noted that party loyalists converged in some wards.

    The state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin described the exercise as successful.

    Read Also: My plan for Ondo North, by aspirant

    Some other party members lauded the exercise.

    It was however gathered from other councils’ area that the exercise did not really hold at all.

    A source within the party who spoke on condition of anonymity, said fund was not released from the national headquarters for the conduct of the primary.

  • Falae, an advocate of unity – Alasoadura

    As the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Chief Oluyemi Falae clocked 80 years on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo state capital, the lawmaker representing Ondo Central District, Chief Tayo Alasoadura has described the Olu of Ilu-Abo as a leader who has the interest of Nigeria at heart.

    Alasoadura charged Chief Falae, to remain committed to the vision of nation building through community service involvement, and mentoring of  new set of leaders for the community and the country at large.

    In his congratulatory message through his Media Aide, Dayo Joseph described Falae as an epitome of peace and unity in the country.

    The chairman, Senate committee on petroleum resources(upstream) recalled numerous achievements recorded by Chief Falae during the Fourth Republic as Presidential Candidate and recently as National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Read Also: Falae: Why I visited Obasanjo

    The lawmaker prayed God to grant him sound health in order to do more for the nation most especially at this challenging period.

    He said “Your modesty, humility and political sagacity contributed in no small measure to the successes recorded by your party in 1993 and  Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999 Presidential election. You are, indeed, an advocate of togetherness devoid of ethnic or religion sentiment.

    Alasoadura prayed God to grant the former Minister of Finance and worthy son of Ondo State, long life and prosperity.

    The Iju-Akure North born politician said the enviable heights attained by the former SGF would spur many youths in Akure to struggle further to reach higher level in their various endeavours.

  • Ondo to get cancer treatment centre soon

    The Ondo State government has said it had concluded arrangement to establish a Cancer Treatment Centre (CTC).

    At the maiden technical meeting of the Cancer Control Advisory Committee (CCAC), the governor’s wife Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu said the CTC is a dream come true for her.

    As a cancer survivor, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said she dedicated her life to fighting the disease and was passionate about starting a treatment centre that would be affordable and sustainable.

    She said a committee was set up to join the fight against the disease by using the treatment centre as a model.

    Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu noted that with government input and private participation, the level and rate of morbidity and mortality associated with cancer would be reduced.

    According to her, the establishment of the centre is a victory for the women of Ondo State as they will no longer die needlessly due to cancer.

    To get a better deal for the residents, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said there should be participation of the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as international and local donor agencies.

    The governor’s wife identified late presentation for cancer treatment as a major factor militating against successful treatment of cancer.

  • APC elders to Akeredolu: resolve factional crisis in Akure South

    The Elders Forum of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State yesterday expressed concern over intractable factional crisis among its stakeholders.

    The two factions are led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde and the Akin Olokunboro/Afe Olowookere group.

    The party elders urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to resolve the crisis before it causes further damages.

    A statement by 18 APC elders said the concerned stakeholders set up a committee to contact aggrieved members for a resolution, adding that the committee contacted only one faction.

    The forum noted that the crisis, which started during last May’s APC victory congresses in the local government had not been resolved.

    It urged the governor to ensure genuine unity among APC members in the local government.

    The forum also decried the way councillorship candidates were selected without due consultation.

    It urged Akeredolu to call Abegunde to order to sustain peace within the ruling party in the area and work for its victory in future elections.

  • Govt pledges fair infrastructural distribution

    The Ondo State government yesterday promised that the current infrastructure development will be spread to various communities for the benefit of its citizenry.

    The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Emmanuel Igbasan, spoke in Akure, the state capital, when he hosted members of the State Coalition of Civil Societies (CSC).

    He said this could be attested to with the renovation of dilapidated public schools in the three senatorial districts.

    The commissioner said the government had begun the construction/rehabilitation of roads, bridges and culvert across the state, adding that the restoration of electricity to the southern senatorial district, which had been without power supply for 10 years, had begun.

    According to him, the state of the nation’s economy has been responsible for the sub-optimal allocation of resources to government at the sub-national levels.

    Igbasan said despite the prevailing situation, the Akeredolu administration was determined to improve the quality of life of the residents through judicious use of resources.

    On budget preparation, the commissioner said next year’s appropriation will be an expression of the people’s needs and aspirations from government, and not the other way round.

    He added that the government had adopted an inclusive budget preparation process where stakeholders in the three senatorial districts would be involved.

    Igbasan described Akeredolu as a man of integrity, accountability and vision, who is poised to open up all economic potentials of the state for the development of the people.

  • ‘Bring succour to Akoko residents’

    Youths in Akoko area of Ondo state on Wednesday pleaded with the state government to upgrade infrastructure facilities in the area especially the deplorable roads situation in its four local government areas.

    At a meeting comprising 15 socio-cultural groups, the youths lamented that the area had been neglected for long, stressing that bad road situation had led to incessant kidnapping and armed robbery where many indigenes had fell victims.

    The Akoko youths used the forum to assess the Senatorial Aspirants jostling for the 2019 elections in the Northern District and supported a business expert, Prince Foluso Adefemi for his leadership virtues.

    They maintained that their support for Adefemi was because of his passion to develop Akoko area and its people.

    Under the aegis of Akoko Conscience Group, [ACG] they noted that the Senatorial Aspirant, who is a former APC governorship aspirant in the state stood tall among others in the district for 2019 election

    The Youths leaders described Adefemi’s Senatorial aspiration as a paradigm shift in Akoko politics because of his unmatched political records and youthful advantage.

    Speaking to reporters after the endorsement at Akungba-Akoko,the National Coordinator and General Secretary of ACG, Victor Ajayi and Olawale Ojo said they would mobilize for the aspirant to guarantee his victory.

    Read Also: Battle for Akoko-Edo federal seat hots up

    They said” We endorsed Adefemi because of his credibility, we reached a consensus to give our unalloyed loyalty, support and endorsement to any candidate that met the required criteria we set three months ago by Akoko Youths for the next person to occupy the position in 2019 for the District”.

    “After collating the result of an independent private investigation and mock assessments carried out exclusively on all the aspirants for the senate seat, Adefemi emerged the first among equals”

    They coalition said it  was unprecedented in the history of Ondo North  District for an aspirant to get an acceptable recognition and endorsement form almost all the youths in Akokoland.

    The AGC Leaders said they had started consultations with all political stakeholders in the district to mobilize support for him ahead of 2019 polls, stressing that the Aspirant had been spending his resources to develop the Youths.

  • The absence of Justice Saliu of the Federal High Court in Lagos Monday stalled the trial of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Ondo State Clement Faboyede.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) arraigned him and the party’s 2015 campaign director in the state Modupe Adetokunbo for alleged money laundering.

    Read Also:PDP governorship aspirant urges unity to protect ancestral lands

    Justice Saidu is said to be away for the annual judges’ conference in Abuja, which is held as a precursor to the new legal year.

    October 26 has been fixed for their trial.

    EFCC accused them of receiving N500million in cash from Owolanke Michael ahead of the 2015 general election.

    Faboyede was accused of making N500million cash payment to the Ondo PDP Election Committee.

    The prosecution said the defendants committed the offence on March 27, 2015, thereby contravening Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, punishable under Section 16(2).

    Faboyede and Adetokunbo pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned on June 29 and were granted bail for N50million each with one surety in like sum.

    The sureties, said the judge, must either be federal or state civil servants not below level 15 or landed property owners within the court’s jurisdiction.

    The sureties were directed to deposit the title documents and two passport sized photographs each at the court’s registry.

    The defendants were also ordered to deposit their international passports at the court’s registry while the prosecution was given a week to verify the sureties’ documents.