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Tag: ONDO

  • Akeredolu enjoins Ondo people to persevere

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has enjoined residents to persevere and  live peaceful with one another.

    Akeredolu, in his Easter message yesterday, said the celebration of the passion of the Jesus Christ calls to mind his perseverance, even in the face of provocation.

    The leading APC ticket contender said: “Easter is a period in which we are called into sober reflection of the importance of the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. It is the time to recollect the selfless sacrifice of love that Jesus Christ made on the cross of Calvary.

    “The death and resurrection of Christ placed great emphasis on the importance of peace and perseverance. Easter celebration points to the need to imbibe these virtues to make our world a better place.”

    According to him, there was need for Ondo State residents to imbibe the spirit of selflessness and patriotism, adding that it’s only through a collective effort that growth and development could be achieved.

    He hailed leaders of religious organisations for their contributions and steadfastness, which, he added, have led to the relative peace and tranquility being enjoyed in Ondo State.

  • Ondo govt, BEDEC reach agreement to end blackout

    Ondo govt, BEDEC reach agreement to end blackout

    The deteriorating power situation in some parts of Ondo State may soon become history, following the agreement reached by the state government and the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDEC), the outfit responsible for power distribution in the state.

    According to the Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the state government has taken charge and commenced the process of returning power to the affected areas, as it met with officials of the power distribution company with agreements already reached to end the power crisis.

    The government was represented at the meeting by the Secretary to government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, the Chief of Staff to the, Dr Kola Ademujimi,  Attorney General, Mr Eyitayo Jegede and chairmen of the affected local councils.

     Briefing newsmen in Akure, the state capital, Akinmade, said, following the submission of the power outfit that power distribution was suspended to the affected areas because of the failure of consumers to pay for services rendered, government posited that it is unfair for the entire communities to bear the brunt of those who failed to meet their financial obligation to the company.

     “The company said some people in the communities affected have been  owing huge amount of money before they  took over from PHCN and  needed to recover the debts. But government position was that the innocent consumers who have been diligent in payment should not bear the brunt of the inability of others to pay,” Akinmade explained.

     He mentioned further that it was agreed that power would be  restored  to the affected communities,  following which  a committee would be set up to reconcile the accounts and facilitate payment of all due debts to the power distribution company.

    He explained that the debtors are expected to pay 50% of their agreed debt upon reconnection and further payment made thereafter.

    The government further  agreed that BEDEC reserve the right to pull out of any community where its staff may experience molestation or any form of physical attack in the course of ensuring compliance with the resolutions of the meeting.

     “Government will monitor compliance of the terms of agreement by various communities once it is signed,” Akinmade assured.

  • Ondo is under developed, says Olabimtan

    Ondo is under developed, says Olabimtan

    Former Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly and governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Victor Olabimtan has called for honesty and transparency as the basis for good governance.

    Olabimtan, who spoke on a private radio station, Adaba FM, Akure said it was the lack of these three ingredients that brought untold hardship on the people, in spite of the state’s natural resources.

    He urged the people to reflect on the antecedents of the aspirant.

    The retired educationist said there is no zoning in the constitution, but averred that fairness, equity and justice dictate that the Ondo North Senatorial District should produce the governorship candidate.

    According to him, the South produced late Olusegun Agagu who spent six years in office, and the incumbent Dr Olusegun Mimiko is from Central who will spend eight years by February 2017.

    He decried money politics, stressing that it is bad for democracy as there are no visible developments in places where politicians buy the conscience of the people.

    Speaking on how to curb crimes in the society, especially kidnapping and robbery, the former Speaker said government should provide employment and improve on the provision of amenities such as electricity for industrialisation and motorable roads for easy movement of people, goods and services from one place to the other.

    He said his experience when he was kidnapped was that the young lads,some of whom are graduates were unemployed.

    Olabimtan said his government would respect and accord civil servants all their rights and priviledges and take care of their welfare such that they will be comfortable to do their work diligently.

    He debunked the notion that he does not have money to compete with others in the primary, but explained that he has no money to bribe people to vote for him.

    The politician stressed that it is not the amount of money spent that determines who wins, but God and the people, adding: “I have good track record which will give him an edge in any competition”

    Olabimtan said if he wins the election, his cabinet will be made up of 50 per cent of youths aged 50 and below and elders aged 50 and above.

    He added that 40 per cent of the position would be allocated to women.

  • Crisis over council poll in Ondo

    Crisis over council poll in Ondo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are quarelling over the proposed local government elections in Ondo State. Correspondent DAMISI OJO examines the bone of contention and its implications for grassroots administration. 

    Eight years ago, the elected local government administration was dissolved in Ondo State by Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Since then, grassroots democracy has been stalled. The councils have been at the mercy of caretaker committees set up to run them.

    The Adedayo Omolafe-led Committee of Council Chairmen inaugurated by Agagu sued Mimiko for the dissolution of the democratic structures. The case is still in court.

    For seven years, Mimiko turned a deaf ear to the agitation for council polls. But, as the government is winding up, he suddenly changed his mind. The governor directed the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission(ODIEC) to conduct the poll, few months to the governorship election. On April 23, voters will choose new local government chairmen and councillors, who will run the councils for the next three years. This will be the first time in nine years that such election will be taking place.

    Mimiko has inaugurated members of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission. It is headed by Prof. Olugbenga Ige.

    The last council poll was conducted in December 2008. But, the elected officers only spent few months in office because they were sacked by the governor. The embattled council chairmen and councillors, who were mainly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenged their dismissal in the court. But, they lost out at the High Court and the Appeal Court. The matter is still pending at the Supreme court.

    Mimiko had hinged his refusal to hold another poll on the litigation. Thus, the sudden change of mind by the governor has raised suspicion, not only among party chieftains, but also among the generality of the people.

    The opposition parties are  worried. They believe that the governor is setting a trap for them, ahead of the governorship poll. They said one of the major claims of Mimiko was that the pending case on the local government election had rendered him incompetent to conduct the poll since he was sworn-in 2009. They became more cautious because the litigation is not yet over at the  Supreme Court.

    Already, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) have distanced themselves from the poll.

    The APC Chairman, Hon. Isaac Kekemeke, described the election as illegal and a sham, maintaining that it is a trap. He accused the members of ODIEC of partisanship, saying that they are PDP members.

    Kekemeke said: “Our participation or otherwise has been thoroughly discussed at the Central Working Committee, the state executive committee and the expanded executive.

    “The conclusion reached was that the election is a sham meant to trap our party. It is an illegal ‘election’ about to be conducted when there is a subsisting case on the matter at the Supreme Court.

    “Besides, Mimiko’s ODIEC is composed of LP/PDP card carrying members. Worse still, this LP/PDP government is highly deficient in character, integrity and fairness that it cannot be trusted to midwife any free and fair process”.

    A House of Representatives member from Akoko South West/Akoko South East, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, said the poll will be a fruitless exercise. He said: “Governor Olusegun Mimiko has concluded plans to write the results from his Alagbaka home and if the APC participates or not, that does not change anything. So, I will advise the party leaders not to allow our members to participate in the election”.

    Also, the SDP, led by Chief Olu Falae and Dr. Olu Agunloye, who are allies of the governor, explained why it will not participate in the poll.

    The party said the preparation by the government indicated that the ODIEC was not independent and therefore, could not be fair in the conduct of the election.

    The Chairman of the SDP, Korede Duiyile, said  no credible opposition party will participate in the election.

    The SDP leaders alleged that the composition of the electoral body favoured the ruling PDP.

    Duyile added: “We believe that, as a principled political party, the SDP should not participate in the election because it would be more of an appointment exercise rather than an elective process.”

    Agunloye described the poll as a waste of resources and another way of compounding the hardship in the state.

    According to the former minister, conducting an election when workers have not been paid for over four months is not a wise decision.

    CNNP said its withdrawal became inevitable, owing to the abnormalities in the government’s decision to conduct the poll, seven years after Mimiko became governor.

    It said its decision was hinged on the prevailing poor state of the economy that has rendered government machinery incapable paying salaries of workers regularly.

    The CNPP advised the PDP-led government to use the money earmarked for the election to pay workers’ salaries  and retirees’ allowances.

    But, the PDP Chairman, Mr. Clement Faboyede, described the APC and others parties, who are boycotting the poll, as cowards.

    He said the PDP was already coasting to victory, judging by its popularity among the people.

    Faboyede said the opposition parties were only crying foul and afraid of participating in the elections because of losing out completely to the ruling party.

    He said the APC has no political relevance, adding that it caanot match the PDP at the polls.  He added: “There is no APC in Ondo state as far as I am concerned? and they are only clamouring on the case before the court which was not instituted by them.

    “The sacked local government chairmen had gone to the court demanding for reinstatement but now they are pleading for compensation since the matter had been taken to the Supreme court.”

    Faboyede said the PDP has started mobilising grassroots people for the election, urging other parties to take a cue. He said nothing would stop the ODIEC conducting the exercise.

    Mimiko is not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that his right man emerges as the next governor. One of his strategies, according to sources, is the conduct of local government polls.

    The source said: “Since last year, he has been appointing so many people as political aides. As at now, he has over 120 Special Assistants.

    “Majority of them have no offices and they are not delegated for any special assignments, but they are just collecting salaries and they have been directed by the governor to start mobilizing for the party ahead of governorship poll.

    “He is also conducting the local council poll so that he would be able to plant is loyalists in the grassroots ahead of the gubernatorial poll”, the source disclosed.

    Opposition parities have been commended for boycotting the exercise. A stakeholder, Mr. Femi Obada, said: “There is no how APC and other parties participate in the poll and win a council or ward because the ruling party has power over members of the ODIEC”.

  • Walk for victory in Ondo

    Walk for victory in Ondo

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will tomorrow storm Akure, the Ondo State capital, for the APC Youth League Walk to Victory.

    Minister of Solid Mineral and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi is expected to be the guest speaker.

    Minister of Transportation and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi will chair the occasion.

    A statement by the Zonal Coordinator, Adeoye Aribasoye and the state coordinator, Adebowale Akinlosotu, said Jigawa State Governor Muhammad Abubakar, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong and Nasarawa State Deputy Governor Sillas Ali Agara will also attend.

  • Two buried alive in Ondo for alleged N130,000 theft

    Two buried alive in Ondo for alleged N130,000 theft

    Two robbery suspects have been reportedly buried alive by two siblings at Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State for allegedly stealing N130,000.

    The siblings-Omoniyi Alaleran and Oluwaseun Enikuomehin- accused Igbekele Orisabinole and Ogbaro Erinbo of stealing their mother’s money.

    The siblings have been arrested by the police and transferred to the Special Investigative Bureau at the police headquarters in Akure, the state capital.

    It was gathered that their mother, Mrs. Ogunnuga, lost N130,000 and accused Orisabunole and Erinbo of stealing the money.

    She told her children who tortured the duo to confess and bring out the missing money.

    The deceased were said to have claimed innocence of the offence but the brothers refused to accept the pleas.

    After the torture, the suspects allegedly led the deceased inside a bush, dug a pit and pushed them inside and covered the pit up to their necks.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the incident occurred at Omonira Street, Igbokoda on March 12.

    Joseph said: “We have almost concluded investigation on the matter. The suspects will be charged to court very soon.”

  • Ondo to pay two months salary arrears

    Ondo to pay two months salary arrears

    The Ondo State government is working hard to pay two months salary arrears, Chris Kolawole, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, has said.

    He spoke yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    Kolawole attributed the delay to the nation’s economic downturn.

    “Ondo State is part of Nigeria; whatever affects the nation affects the state, the global dropping in oil prices is also affecting the state’s allocation.

    “The situation has affected us so much in the sense that salary is falling in arrears.

    “Nonetheless, the government has done so much in terms of trade and commerce to boost the economic potential of the state,’’ he said.

    Kolawole told NAN that the state had completed computation of its work force to rid off ghost workers in the system.

     

  • ‘I’ll make Ondo less dependent on federal allocation’

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Dr. Segun Abraham has said that his administration would focus on projects that would generate revenues and make the state less dependent on federal allocations, if elected.

    Abraham spoke at rallies in Akoko North East and Akoko North West local governments. He also held partisan meeting with stakeholders Ikare and Oke-Agbe communities.

    He was accompanied to the meetings by Prince Olu Adegboro, former Commissioner for Health Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, Ralph Adetimehin, a former woman leader of the Alliance for Democracy, Mrs. Grace Animola, and Hon. Austin Pelemo.

    Abraham said he has been strategising on how to govern the state effectively.

    The aspirant said he was different from politicians who only talk about setting up industries without having any idea on how to go about it.

    He said he had discovered ways to produce tea through bamboo leaves, oil and milk through cocoanut, fruits and others vegetables.

    Abraham said these are projects that can fetch the state billions of naira and also create job opportunities for the people.

    He promised  to fight the infrastructure battle in the state.

    Abraham said: “I have told my people how we can make billions out of fruits and vegetables that we are wasting here in this state.

    “Many people don’t know that this bamboo that we throw away, we can make tea from it. People don’t know that we can make milk from cocoanut. And they don’t know that oil produce through cocoanut has been rated as the best oil in the world. These are businesses that can fetch us billion of naira.

    “I have explained to my people how we can reduce the amount spent on the construction of infrastructure by 50 percent. Not only the construction of the industries, but by introducing the diffusion of technology and management to to our people.

    “It is a very shameful when people say we are unemployed when our infrastructural development is less than 30 percent.

    “The infrastructural industries can  take about 80 percent of the youths by providing employment for them.

    “So, I am going to train the youths on how to construct our industries, train them on road construction by using local materials, using local raw material, we build schools and create foods that we can eat and export.

    “I can tell you, within 24 months, this state will be looking for more employee. Not only that, the state will also have excess in their accounts. We will change our status from third economy to first economy”.

    Abraham charged the party chieftains in the two councils to double their efforts by ensuring that their federal constituency produce the next governor of the state.

    He lamented that the area has been marginalised in the political circles, particularly when political offices are being shared among the  two federal constituencies in the northern senatorial district.

    Abraham, who is from Ikare-Akoko, noted that the zoning  favours northern districts. He said other constituencies in the district should be magnanimous and support them in producing the next governor of the state.

    The APC chieftain said: Owo/Ose federal constituency had produced a governor and senators on several times, Akoko South West/Akoko South East had also produced a governor, senator, Chief of Staff and Ambassador but we have not produced anything.

    “It was right to claim for it because from natural justice, people know that it belongs to this constituency. I even believe that they would not even contest with us. In an idle situation, where there is love, they should be supporting us but in politics, if you don’t ask for your right they will not give it to you”.

  • 50 for governor in Ondo

    No fewer than 35 chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are warming up for the primary election in Ondo State, it was learnt yesterday.

    Also, 15 chieftains are struggling for the ticket in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).The governorship election will hold on November 26.

    Party sources said the two parties are set to release the guidelines for the shadow polls.

    The PDP aspirants are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), his Environment counterpart, Sola Ebiseni, former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Hon. Kingsley Kuku, former House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Dare Emiola, Hon. Bakitta Bello and Hon. Saka Lawal. Others are Mr. Rotimi Jegede, Prince Nekan Olateru-Olagbegi, Mr. Bamiduro Dada and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.

    The APC aspirants include  Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Dr. Segun Abraham, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Alhaji Jamiu Ekungba,  Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose,  Awodeyi Akinseyinwa Apata, Hon. Sule Akinsuyi, Olakunle Osunyikanmi, Odunayo Akinrinsola, Foluso Adefemi and Bukola Adetula.

    Others are Foluso Adefemi, Mr. Dele Alade, Prince Derin Adesida, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, Olubunmi Agbaminoja, Sola Iji, a lawyer, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Senator  Tayo Alasoadura, Ayodele Adegbonmire, Light Ariyomo, Niran Oladunni, Paul Akinterinwa, Ayo Akinyelure, Olusola Oke, Ife Abegunde, Akinyinka Akinnola and human rights activist and lawyer Dr.Tunji Abayomi.

  • ‘Why power should shift in Ondo’

    ‘Why power should shift in Ondo’

    Hon. Niran Sule-Akinsuyi, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State, was a member of the House of Assembly in the Third Republic. He was the Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati and Commissioner for Special Duties under Governor Olusegun Mimiko. In this interview, he speaks on the push for power shift in the Sunshine state. EMMANUEL OLADESU met him in Lagos. 

    How far has Ondo fared in the 40 years?

    After going through the teething problems of take off, with the provisions of necessary administrative infrastructure, 40 years ago, we were privileged to have a visionary government, three years later, in the Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin administration. You remember that it was the old Ondo State that then included Ekiti State. By the way, we observed the non-inclusion of our sister state, Ekiti, in the anniversary celebrations. Ekiti is part of our story and part of our creation in 1976, I believe we have a lot to do together and we can exploit our closeness under a mutually beneficial economic and social-cultural relationship and partnership.

    So, the efforts to put the state on a sound footing was much and the resources so little. During the Ajasin era, there were giant steps taken to industrialise. But, subsequent political years and the military period did not follow these foot steps. The inability of subsequent administration, including the military interventionist to follow in this direction and sustain the industries led to their present moribund state. For example, I know as a fact that Oluwa Glass Industry in Igbokoda has been lying prostate before 1999. I recognised the efforts of the government of Adebayo Adefarati to have it resuscitated. I know about the efforts to settle some debts to bring the factory back to life. But, it is sad to note that 12 years on, nothing has changed. Today, we cannot open our books and say that this is what we have generated as revenue from the industry or lay claim to any jobs created. For me, I think these are shortcomings on the part of our government. More importantly, we lost what could have been the most significant event in the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the creation of the state – The Nine billion dollar Dangote Refinery to be located within the Olokola Free Trade Zone in Ondo State and acclaimed to be the biggest in Africa with 400,000 barrel per day capacity  that would save the country the problems of petroleum product importation. The refinery would have opened Ondo State as a new frontier of development for Nigeria and attracted investments from multinationals, with the prospect of job creation for thousands of our youth.?

    But, you were the Commissioner for Special Duties when the project was stopped….

    I was not in government when the project was conceived and dropped but what I can tell you is that we have not heard the last word on the matter. I believe we spoke the wrong language to the investors, but what has happened was not the right punishment for that anomaly. Investment is based on returns and attraction is the word. We failed in this regard and the investment has been relocated to another environment. But, development of a refinery and fertilizer plant at Olokola is still possible and this we intend to pursue and facilitate.

    Does that mean the state government didn’t handle the matter the way it should?

    Yes, I guess so because several factors influence investment. I believe the concept and design including the business case and transaction dynamics must have been prepared favouring Olokola and with Ondo State in mind. I mean the relative peace in Ondo State compared to other parts of the Niger Delta.

    But, within the Olokola free trade zone that the refinery was supposed to be located, there were supposed to be other business concerns. What happened?

    These projects are linked together. The petrochemical and fertilizer plants and other industries related to the operation of the refinery must have been packaged together under the deal meant to see Nigeria exporting petroleum products and fertilizer. It is the loss of a life time opportunity and I know that, by the time our people wake up to these realities and realise the gains that would have come with the establishment of these industries, our library will not be able to contain questions that will be asked. Our children too will ask us questions that we may not be able to answer but the development of a new refinery with ancillary industries is still possible in that region of Ondo State as I mentioned earlier.

    That means they must have all been relocated together….

    Yes. Definitely?

    What is your view about the Mimiko administration?

    I know that at the very beginning of the administration efforts were made to structure programmes meant to improve the living standard of our people – a combination and social and economics development programmes. You will agree with me that 7 years on, a greater part of our energy has been concentrated on the provision of social and political amenities. When you spend too much time and energy on social services, you must be sure of your financial strength. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to achieve economic growth. If you are not productive and you concentrate on provision of social services, of course, there would be increase in the poverty level around you and the people may not be able to afford the luxury of recreation being provided, apart from the problem of sustainability. For instance, the preference for a shopping mall on the site of Owena Motel, one of the legacies of our founding fathers that I mentioned earlier, is a wrong choice.

    In any case, by fact and reason, a state property has been converted in the name of a shopping mall. Also, by fact and reason, the shopping mall belongs to Owena Motel and any position to the contrary will be difficult to explain. The motel is a going concern with revenue, staff and assets. The valuation of the motel in the shopping mall venture would determine this position that the motel owns the mall. Definitely the last word has not been heard on the process that led to the conversion of the motel.

    Is that not the failure of government?

    It depends on your definition of failure of government. I know as a fact that we have a lot to do to meet the yearning and aspirations of the people of Ondo State. Today, we are celebrating social services and political programmes, not much value has been added to the God given natural and mineral resources endowment and deposit in our state. Remember, you need a strong economy to sustain social programmes and political actions, especially now that we are witnessing economic downturn.

    Ondo seems to have moved from the camp of the progressives to the other side….

    I am not bothered about which political divide we have found ourselves. What is worrisome is the fact that the supply of leadership has suddenly dried up from our state and we are now like orphans. The system is operating minus us politically today.

    What is the way out?

    Leadership emerges in an environment of trust and in Ondo State, we have to create that environment so that we can have a leader that we all can trust and respect. This new season and the approaching political climate offers hope and opportunity to search and enthrone a leadership imbued with courage and on whose shoulders we can build towers. It is not about politics alone. A society must have a leader at every point in time, somebody that can call situations to order. The governorship election fixed for November 26 is an opportunity for us as a state to remedy some of these problems, particularly the ones about leadership.