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Tag: Ondo state

  • Ondo establishes 2,000 hectares of cocoa plantation

    The Ondo State Government has established about 2,000 hectares of modern cocoa plantation to boost cocoa production and revenue in the state.

    Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, made the disclosure while speaking with the News men on Wednesday in Akure.

    Adefarati said the government had nursed 500,000 modern cocoa seedlings for the plantation, which he said could be harvested just after three years.

    The commissioner, who explained that work had also commenced at Ajugbere Forest in Owo Local Government area of the state, said the state government was looking for interested partners to assist the state in archiving its objectives.

    “Right now we are trying to cultivate a modern cocoa plantation, most of the trees we have now are old.

    “But what we are trying to put in place now is another variety of cocoa that can be harvest just after two to three years of planting.

    “The 2,000 hectares of cocoa plantation is capable of bringing back the lost glory of Ondo State, which was known as the highest producer of cocoa in the country.

    “I strongly believe that when the plantation starts to function at optimal level, it will increase the activities of cocoa and state’s revenue.

    The commissioner, who identified fermentation as the major problem affecting cocoa production, said the state government gave out fermentation boxes to registered farmers to improve the quality of their cocoa beans.

    According to him, the government has embarked on campaign to sensitise farmers on the need to ferment their cocoa for at least a week before drying it.

    “If fermentation is done in a proper way, it will improve the quality of cocoa beans and our produce will be accepted at international market.

    “In view of this, government has distributed some fermentation boxes to registered farmers across the state,” he said.

    Adefarati also disclosed that the state government had cultivated about 15,000 hectares of cassava for production of ethanol at Ose Local Government area of the state.

    According to him, the government procures about 50,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to make it available and affordable all year round to farmers in the state.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly sacks council chiefs

    “For the first time in five years, the state government has been able to procure 50,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser.

    “We are not going to give farmers cash loan but we are going to encourage them by supplying them with farm inputs and seedlings,” he said.

    Adefarati also explained that government gave 14 tractors to 14 different farmers in the state for farming activities on hire purchase at a subsidised price.

    He said since 2010 till date, these farmers are still owing government over N50 million.

    “We are going to retrieve all the tractors back to the ministry very soon. We are not going to buy tractors anymore because when you buy and give to farmers, they don’t appreciate it.

    “We will not buy tractors for individual farmer again unless they form themselves into groups and we can only stand as collateral for them if they want to buy from vendors,” Adefarati said.

    NAN

  • Ondo Assembly dissolves 18 LG Caretakers Committees

    The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday dissolved the caretaker committees in the 18 local government areas of the state.

    The House Speaker, Bamidele Oloyelogun, announced the dissolution on Tuesday at a plenary, following the expiration of additional six months tenure of the caretaker committees.

    The News men reports that the assembly had earlier approved an elongation of tenure to councils from Oct.4, 2017 to April 3, which apparently ends on Tuesday.

    Oloyelogun asked the caretaker chairmen to handover to the Directors of Local Government Administration in their respective council areas.

    Also, the House unanimous expressed its displeasure over the continued closure of the state owned university, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko for over four months.

    Read Also: Ondo APC supporters accuses chair of causing crisis

    The House Majority Leader, Olusegun Araoyinbo, who moved the motion and seconded by Mr Deji Iroju, said that the university Vice-Chancellor, the Governing Council chairman be summoned to explain reasons for the closure.

    The speaker said that he was worried over long period of staying at home by students of the university.

    According to him, if not quickly addressed, it can affect the standard of education which the state has been maintaining over the years.

    Oloyelogun said that Ondo remains one of the states with high level of education standard in the country, adding we will continue with the legacy.

    NAN

  • Ondo FRSC cautions Motorists against recklessness.

     

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, has advised passengers to caution drivers against reckless driving during the ongoing Easter festivities.

    The Deputy Sector Commander and Head of Operation, Olusegun Ogungbemide gave the advice while speaking with reporters in Akure, the state capital.

    Ogungbemide said that it had become imperative for FRSC to advise members of the public on the necessity of cautioning drivers against reckless driving in view of the spate of carnage on the road.

    He said that the command had always admonish and encourage passengers not to keep quiet in the face of reckless driving.

    His words “It is not just about drivers alone, members of public also have responsibilities as a passengers in any vehicle they are.

    “Passengers need to admonish drivers tactfully anytime they are going reckless without distracting them. It is their responsibilities to advise drivers to keep to safety rules.

    “Data available to us has confirmed that passengers are always  the victims anytime there is crashes while drivers, most of the time, escape unhurt.

    “That is why passengers should always be proactive anytime  they are in transit so as not  to allow their life to be wasted by any reckless drivers, especially, during this season.

    Ogungbemide, who said that command had sensitised various stakeholders in respect of up coming easter season, explained that FRSC had deployed men of the corps to critical areas of the state, especially highways, to ensure smooth easter season.

    According to him, the command has stationed emergency ambulances in most critical areas such as Akure, Owo and Ikare Akoko axis in case of crashes”

    He added that his men were working day and night to make sure that crashes do not happen and eventually if it happened, our men are expected to be there within 15 minutes to rescue the victims.

    According to him, the command has removed vehicles parked on obstructions on the highways.

  • Akeredolu appeals for adequate funding for universities

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Friday appealed to stakekeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to help bridge the funding gap of government-owned universities, for sustainable economic development.

    Akeredolu, who was represented by Dr Omowunmi Ilawole, his Special Adviser on Education, made the appeal at the 1st Foundation Day Lecture of the Ondo State University of Science and Technology ( OSUSTECH ) in Okitipupa.

    The lecture was titled: “University Funding and Nation Building: Bridging the Gap between the Gown and the Town.’’

    He explained that the dwindling resources being experienced in Nigeria of recent had made it impossible for government to solely fund university education in the country.

    “If the stakeholders in Education do not support the government in funding university education, it will be impossible to bridge the gap between the gown and the town,” Akeredolu said.

    Meanwhile, the guest lecturer, Dr James Kayode-Naiyeju, blamed the slow pace of development in Nigeria on poor funding of Universities.

    The don said that most developed countries had much stake in funding universities, which he noted, was the panacea to nation-building.

    According to him, Nigeria, as a signatory to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ), is still unable to meet the organisation’s recommended 26 per cent allocation of the total budget to Education.

    Dr Kayode-Naiyeju, a former Accountant-General of the Federation, said that a country was classified as developed when it is able to provide qualitative life for its citizenry.

    He stated that institutions of higher learning which were the midwives of human-capital development, had tremendous roles to play in nation-building by enriching science, engineering, technology, humanities and the arts, and providing value-based education to students.

    “Universities dedicated to learning, teaching and research are essential building blocks of any civilisation, and are increasingly becoming significant economic institutions.

    “Universities, therefore, need to meet their full economic costs of teaching and conducting research, which include costs of academic and non-academic staff, training of postgraduate research students, equipment, fieldwork and laboratory services.

    “Funding has remained a critical factor in the provision of functional education that can lead to national transformation.

    “Inadequate funding puts university management under stress and strain, leading to rampant crisis in the system, resulting in strikes by academic and non-academic unions,” he said.

    The don, however, said that government should show commitment to budgetary allocation to education, through its agencies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund ( TETFUND ) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation ( NDIC ), among others.

    He also said payment of tuition fees, corporate social responsibility, commercial activities on campuses, commercialisation of accommodation, endowment funds, consultancy services and part-time programmes, were other ways of funding education.

    Earlier, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile, the Vice-Chancellor, OSUSTECH, said that university funding had been a centre-point of discourse and had yet to be laid to rest.

    He said that the government and stakeholders in the educational sector should brainstorm and come out with a logical conclusion on university funding for the country to stand tall in the comity of nations.

    NAN

  • We are marginalized, Ilaje indigenes tell Akeredolu

    Residents of Ilaje, the oil-rich community in the coastal area of Ondo state on Wednesday said they were being marginalized by the state government particularly in the area of basic amenities.

    President of ‘Egbe Omo Ilaje’ the Umbrella body of all sons and daughters of Ilaje community, Prince Raphael Irowainu made the remarks at the inauguration of new executives of the group in Igbokoda, headquarters of the Ilaje local government.

    According to him, being an oil producing community, they were lagged behind in the area of education, health and social amenities among others.

    Irowainu pointed out that the community had remained in darkness for over 20 years.

    Besides, he said structures in most primary and secondary schools in the area were dilapidated.

    He said: “Egbe Omo Ilaje is an umbrella body for all Ilajes in respective of political affiliation and kingdom because we are not a political group.

    “We have been politically marginalized, we are also aware that we are economically marginalized, and in terms of infrastructures we are not favoured at all by the state government.

    ” For over 20 years, Ilaje communities have been in total darkness. Ilaje with its local government status does not have General Hospital. What they are referring to as General Hospital here is an annex of the General Hospital, Okitipupa because it is being controlled by its Chief Medical Director(CMD).

    “As big as Ilaje local government, there is no judicial presence, no judicial division. We are seriously marginalized.If you go to the riverine areas, with over 250 communities, there are no health centres.

    “We are going to engage the government constructively, we are not going to be violent as  a matured group,we will pursue our concerns legitimately. We are not a militant group.

    “Education sector is even worst, If you go to the riverine area, schools have  no teachers, no facilities, We will ensure that these things are addressed.”

    The President blamed political and traditional leaders for the level of insecurity in the area, adding that they groomed youth as militant groups.

    Irowainu appealed to  leaders in the area to desist from encouraging thuggery and militancy in the best interest of the community.

    According to him,” There are lot of factors responsible for the insecurity level in this area. The political leaders are involved, the traditional institutions are deeply involved , the corporate individuals are also involved.

    “They engaged these guys as body guards, they pay them and even engage them during elections to cause problems.

    “We are going to dialogue with community leaders on the need to desist from these acts.If you are creating nuisance, you should know the implications”.

    He  said the group under his leadership would serve as a veritable platform to champion the course of Ilaje nation and protect the rights and interests of all sons and daughters of the community.

     

     

  • Akeredolu remains Ondo Governor – APC

     

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state on Friday reacted to the verdict of the Supreme Court on the commencement of hearing in a case filed against the outcome of September 3, 2016  primary in Ondo State by an aspirant, Dr. Olusegun Abraham.

    The party in a statement by its Director of Media&Publicity, Steve Otalorilot noted that some political

    confusionists have started misinterpreting the apex court’s verdict as outright removal of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from office and to be replaced with the applicant, Abraham.

    The party said “it is unfortunate that this group of people decided to confuse members of our party and the good people of Ondo State in favour of their leader.

    “Without prejudice to the judgement handed down by the Supreme Court, every member of APC is convinced that the primary was free, fair and transparent.

    “It is established that the authentic party register was used at the primary, which was adjudged free, fair and acceptable by the party which would still form the basis for the application of the plaintiff”.

    However, the statement urged all APC members and the citizenry to remain calm and refused to be confused on the court verdict, which is a mere permission to begin the hearing of the case itself.

    According to the statement”it is pertinent to let our members and people of Ondo State to know that the governor is unperturbed being a legal luminary who understands that the Supreme Court verdict only permits him to open up his defence and put the record straight.

    “The veracity of the matter is largely on Akeredolu’s side considering the avalanche of evidence in his favour.

    It said “Akeredolu’s character, popularity and conviction on the fair conduct of the primary prompted other contestants in the primary to congratulate him when he was declared winner.

    “It is also clear that the apex court’s verdict is a sheer approval to commence hearing of a case that has not begun.

    “Nevertheless, Abraham is currently alone on this legal journey as all other contestants in the primary have been working towards strengthening the party, while the national leadership of the party as well as our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is already working with Akeredolu and our party (APC) for successful implementation of all his people-oriented programmes.”

    The APC said the current unity among members of the party was a strong indication that” Abraham is standing alone in his illusion, trying to whip up a dead horse”.

     

  • Ondo Football Agency workers protest 20 months unpaid salaries

    The workers of the Ondo State Football Agency ( ODSFA ) on Thursday protested over 20 months unpaid salaries by the agency’s management.

    The News men report that ODSFA is the body in charge of Sunshine Stars FC of Akure.

    The peaceful protest that took place at the gate of governor’s office, Akure, saw the workers carrying placards to show displeasure with the way the agency is being run by the management, especially the civil servants seconded to the agency.

    Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Due to unpaid salaries, workers’ marriages have broken up’’ and “ODSFA pay our 20 months unpaid salaries’’.

    Others are “Our past leaders in ODSFA have put our lives in danger due to unpaid salaries’’, Arakunrin ( governor ) save our souls’’ and “Two workers have died due to 20 months unpaid salaries’’.

    The Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, while addressing the protesting workers promised to relocate his office to the agency on Monday and look into the issues raised by the workers.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye said most of the problems in the agency were caused the by the past managements of the agency, but noted that government was a continuum.

    The commissioner said government had taken steps and moving to ensure that the monthly subvention of the agency was increased to ensure some of the problems faced were settled.

    “The governor has directed the commissioner for finance to look at it and I have met the finance commissioner today, and as soon as the finances increased, the monthly subvention for ODSFA will be increased.

    Read Also: Herdsmen’s kids, others to be immunised in Ondo

    “We will meet with you by Monday to find a lasting solution. We are not here to deceive you, most of the reasons you are here was part of last administration’s fault.

    “Immediately they lost elections, the salaries of players were increased, creating problems for the incoming administration,’’ he said.

    However, Samuel Patani, a staff of the agency and leader of the protest, said some of his colleagues had died due to unpaid salaries for several months.

    Patani said that monies being sent to the agency were only being used to cater for Sunshine Stars and other workers were neglected.

    “We have two, three workers lying in the hospital that needed to be operated on, but they don’t have money to pay, one of them is having enlarged prostate, we don’t want him to die.

    “The management always claim that the money coming in is small, and we always tell them to consider us as we have obligations to meet too.

    “Our children are dropping out of school, we want government to help us and look into our situation,’’ he said.

    Patani noted that the last government owed the workers 14 months, while the current government is owing six months salaries.

    NAN

  • Ondo to partner relevant stakeholders to disease-free meat

    The Ondo State Government has expressed readiness to partner with relevant agencies and organisations to ensure access to disease-free meat in the state.

    Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, the Commissioner for Agriculture, stated this while receiving representatives of the Food and Agricultural Organisation in his office on Wednesday in Akure.

    Adefarati said that adequate control of diseases in animals was crucial to human health, noting that most of the diseases affecting humans could be traced to animals.

    According to the commissioner, the state government is determined to ensure that animals brought into the state or slaughtered for human consumption are free of diseases.

    Read Also: Expectant mother, five others die as building collapses in Ondo

    “I want to assure you that the state is ready to partner with FAO and other interested agencies to ensure adequate sensitisation on disease control and hygienic meat in the state,” Adefarati said.

    Earlier, Mrs Nifesimi Ogunkua, Associate Professional Officer ( Programme ), who led the FAO team, said they were in the state for an awareness and sensitisation campaign on Rinderpest disease eradication among cattle breeders.

    The highlight of the visit was the presentation of some mini radio sets to the commissioner for distribution to members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and slaughterhouses.

    Ogunkua said the radio would enable them to listen to national radio programmes on disease control and eradication.

    NAN

  • ‘Ondo to spend N50b on road rehabilitation’

    Ondo State government has said it had earmarked about N50 billion in the 2018 budget for rehabilitation of roads in the state toward making them free of potholes.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Yemi Olowolabi said this in an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Akure.

    Olowolabi said that the people of the Ondo state were happy with the achievements of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration in the past one year.

    The commissioner noted that work had commenced at Idanre road in Akure, after the first anniversary of the present government in the state.

    “Contractors are on site at the 4.1 kilometers Ikare township road dualisation while work is ongoing at various roads inaugurated by the governor during the first year anniversary,” he said.

    Olowolabi, however, noted that work was slow in the A Division to Oke Obere dualisation in Akure because lots of property would give way for the project.

    The commissioner assured that compensation would be paid to the affected property owners.

    He stressed that there was no local government in the state that the state government had not touched with developmental projects in the last one year.

    The commissioner said the current government in the state was prepared and focused to serve the people by bringing development to their door step.

    “This government is focused, committed and planned any action to be taken in moving the state forward.

    “Whatever developmental projects that will be taken by the government in the next four years will be in accordance with its blueprint which will serve as a working guide.”

    NAN

  • No Autonomy, no election: NULGE, other stakeholders vow

    The National Union of Local Government Employees NULGE, and other stakeholders in the local government administration on Monday said there will be no general elections in the country,if the long agitated local government autonomy was not granted.

    Rising from its one-day emergency meeting in Akure, the Ondo state capital,the tripartite of NULGE,Civil Society Organisation, (CSO)and Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO)from the Southwest States urged the remaining State Assemblies yet to pass the two bills on local government autonomy to do so without delay.

    According to NULGE National President,Ibraheem Khaleelim “as major stakeholders especially on the two bills for local government autonomy,we will continue our agitations until we are successful”

    “Democracy is about participation and dialogue is key in any public discourse,that is why we embarked on this forum”.

    The NULGE President maintained that no governor could exist without the mandate of the people, stressing that they would go back home to sensitise the people on the need for the governor, who still need their votes to remain in office.

    A leader of the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Akomolafe Pius said the third-tier administration must be in place as a government closer to the people.

    He urged the State Assemblies and other relevant bodies against playing politics with the two sensitive bills, noting that it was long overdue.

    Also, the National Coordinator, Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People(CDRP)Comrade Amittolu Shittu said the forces against the autonomy would be resisted.

    He declared that both the National Assembly and Federal Ministry of Finance would be picketed by the stakeholders, stressing that democracy would derail,if local government is killed.

    NULGE President in Ondo state, Dr. Bunmi Eniayewu stressed that they would re-double their efforts and ensures that the two bills were passed in the state.

    According to him “We have sensitized the people and as soon as the public hearing is concluded, the state assembly will ratified the two bills.