₦airaland Forum

As the 2-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program organized for BEMORE Empowered Initiative Ambassadors comes to an end, an expert in Renewable Energy has lauded the Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF) on its efforts towards achieving some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Senior Advisor, Sustainable Energy Access Unit, Nigerian Energy Support Program, Olumide Fatoki, gave the commendation in Abuja in a chat with newsmen at the end of the TOT program for BEMORE Empowered Initiative Ambassadors organised by German International Cooperation (GIZ), under the aegis of Nigerian Energy Support Program (NESP), with support from BAAF.

Fatoki, who was one of the resource persons at the just concluded training program, appreciated the Initiative and its founder, Her Excellency Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of Ondo State Governor, for bridging the gap in the attainment of Goals 5 and 7 of the SDGs in Nigeria.

In his own words, “First and foremost, I will say a very big thank you to the initiative and the people who started it. Because, most times, when you look around, you do not see such kind of initiative that can really help young people to find their path in life, especially young women.



“You will see that, in line with the sustainable development Goal 5 which targets gender equality, and Goal 7 which targets access to clean energy, and in the light of what these girls are here to learn, BEMORE is a very good initiative. It empowers girls to know how they can contribute their own quota in improving access to electricity, and also gives them the ability to train other people, thus increasing manpower and solving the problems confronting us. Kudos to the organizers,” Fatoki said.

Highlights of the program were seminars on topical subjects like engineering, energy efficiency, energy management, women in renewable energy, applications of renewable energy, and leadership development, including a practical session of solar electricity installation and an excursion to the GIZ PV system and presentation of certificates to the participants by the Program Director of NESP, Duke Benjamin.

While recounting their experiences and lessons learnt during the program, some of the participants expressed gratitude to Ondo State First Lady, also known as Mama BEMORE, for the privilege to be trained by experts in renewable energy, promising not to let her down.

EIt will be recalled that the annual BEMORE Summer Bootcamp for Girls Naija has so far trained over 700 girls in Solar technology, information and communication technology, and other life-enhancing skills since 2017, with the 2019 edition coming up later in August.
source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Expert-lauds-Betty-Anyanwu-%E2%80%93-Akeredolu-Foundation-on-its-efforts-towards-SDGs-attainment

In a renewed effort to reposition and ensure effective traffic management in Ondo State, the government has entered into partnership with Ondo Investment Fund company to manage the transportation system in the state .

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport, Mr Tobi Ogunleye during a briefing in his office in Akure, yesterday said the ministry has discovered over the years that there were difficulties in having effective and result oriented traffic enforcement in the state.

He said, “not because the ministry didn’t have enough personnel but lacks some basic facilities to carry out its duty effectively”.

The Special Adviser stressed that in order to find a way of repositioning the ministry’s operation, they decided to go into Public Private Partnership (PPP) as approved by the state government.

According to him, “the 2017 executive order that proscribed the blockage of streets for parking and social activities still stands, with the new project tagged ‘Ondo Easy Drive’ come to effect from today, our officer will come out in full force to enforce the law”.

Ogunleye noted that the partnership will create employment for hundreds of youths by joining the Sunshine Traffic Control Officers also known as ‘Takun Takun’, noting that the officers will be equipped with all the gadgets needed to aid their jobs.

“There will be provision of prerequisite road marking, towing vehicles, operational bikes that will make their job more effective . The “Ondo Easy Drive “operation will be extended beyond normal civil service hour and to the weekends.

“The new partnership will live above sentiment and it will also reduce undue pressure on me because the investor will be just and be fair to all”.

He therefore urged the commercial taxi motorists to make use of the dedicated lane provided for them, saying henceforth any offenders will be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

He frowned at the indiscriminate trading on the main road urging traders to desist from any trading that will violate traffic laws in the state.

The manager of the partnering company, (Ondo Investment Fund), Mr Jimmy Dabomi said his company is in partnership with the Ministry of Transport to rehabilitate all the existing motor parks in the state.

He added that they will also create new motor parks with roads marks, there will be on parks and off parks, saying the enforcement will be a departure from the past.

“Our officers will be working round the clock to ensure there is peace and tranquility around Akure metropolis, in the next few weeks our operation will be extended to Ore and other major towns in the state,” he said.

Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has saved the state of N463Million by reconditioning thirty broken down and unserviceable vehicles instead of buying new ones.

Akeredolu, who inherited a lean purse, engaged the services of an automobile company, Logical Ideas Limited, to recondition serviceable and unserviceable vehicles in all ministries, extra-ministerial departments and agencies.

While handling over the vehicles, the chairman of the company, Mr. Oluwole Okunnuga, said the state government saved N463million on the thirty reconditioned cars.

He said the government spent N65million only on the 30 Toyota vehicles, adding that the same number would have cost a whooping sum of N528million if new ones were purchased.

Okunnuga explained that each of the reconditioned vehicles cost an average of less than N3million, saving the state from acquiring the lowest cost brand new of N15Million.

He stressed that the vehicles, though not brand new, are better than fairly used ones and have a warranty of two years on the replaced brand new engines.

In his goodwill message, the state Commissioner for finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, described the reconditioning of the Vehicles as cost-effective and a reflection of a transformational leadership.

In his address, Governor Akeredolu said his decision to refurbish all government vehicles was taken due to paucity of funds and cost effectiveness, considering the skyrocketed and outrageous cost of procuring brand new vehicles.

The governor said the company was engaged to carry out a total overhauling of 284 vehicles in phases, adding that the move would save the state government a huge amount of money that otherwise would have been spent on new vehicles.

He said: "The vehicles we are receiving today is a clear evidence of prudent and logical decision at this time when there is paucity of fund in the state in particular and Nigeria in general

"It is first of its kind in the history of this state and it is in tandem with our electioneering campaign to think a new and act a new."

The governor, who called for the cultivation of maintenance culture among the users of the vehicle, stressed that there will be reward for any driver who handles the vehicle attached to him very well while those who do otherwise will be sanctioned.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
2nd August, 2019

� Nguher Gabrielle Zaki
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Akeredolu-Saves-N463M-On-30-Reconditioned-Vehicles

No fewer than 10 girls from the BEMORE Empowered Initiative of Ondo state first lady, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, are currently undergoing advanced training on renewable energy in a Training of Trainers (ToT) program for the BEMORE Empowered Initiative’s 2019 Summer Boot Camp.

The 2-day TOT program, which focuses on “Best Practices in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency”, is organized by the German International Cooperation (GIZ), under the aegis of Nigerian Energy Support Program (NESP), with support from Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF).


GIZ implements the Nigerian Energy Support Program, financed by the European Union and the German Government, which has been operating since 2013 and is currently in its second phase (2017-2021).

GIZ, which has registered offices in Bonn and Eschborn, Germany and NESP, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria offers customized solutions to complex challenges in more than 120 countries around the globe. GIZ runs more than 160 projects on energy, among other things.

Earlier in the training, the NESP Advisor (capacity development and private sector collaboration), Sharon Kaburuk, enumerated the objectives of the training to include:

*Increasing skills and capacity of trainers (including instructional methods) to adequately train other young girls,

*Promoting gender parity and encourage women inclusion in the energy sector,

*Keeping up with best practices and international standards for renewable energy and energy efficiency, and

*Exploring, learning and building a career in clean energy.

Speaking with newsmen at event holding at the NESP Abuja office, the Program Lead (Renewable Energy) of Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF), Bassey Obeten, who doubles as the BEMORE Technical Coordinator, said BAAF targets capacity building of the BEMORE Ambassadors who will inspire other young girls that would be participating in the forthcoming “BEMORE Summer Boot Camp 4 Girls Naija” slated to hold in Ondo state in August.


Obeten expressed optimism that the training will expose the girls to new knowledge on renewable energy, and will give them the ability to take on big tasks in renewable energy, and at the same time mentor others in the field; which he said will guarantee sustainability of the BEMORE program.

Some of the participants who spoke to newsmen at the event, expressed gratitude to the founder of BEMORE Empowered Initiative, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, for her foresight and for finding them worthy to be part of the training program.

Experts on renewable energy engineering and management, BEMORE technical partners are resource persons at the training program.
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Mrs-Akeredolu-partners-GIZ-to-train-young-girls-on-renewable-energy

Sunshine Queens Fc of Akure during the week picked maximum points away from home in an Elite league tie played at the Kaduna township stadium against debutant, Kaduna Queens.

Patricia Innocent scored first for the Ondo state sponsored side in the 44th minute to give Sunshine Queens the deserved lead which only lasted few minutes as Kaduna Queens equalised via a spot kick to end the first half 1-1

On resumption into the second half, Sunshine Queens intensified efforts in search of a winner which never came until the 79th minute when Akudo Ogbonna superbly slotted home to send Sunshine Queens technical bench into a wild jubilation.

With few minutes left, the home team mounted pressure on the visitors but were denied an equaliser as Sunshine Queens defence line exhibited experience and calm in denying Kaduna Queens attackers.

With the result, Sunshine Queens now top group C temporarily with four Points from two matches, having played a goalless draw at home in their first league game against Nasarawa Amazons.

Kaduna Queens are at the bottom of the group having failed to pick a point from two matches played so far, losing 3-0 to Bayelsa Queens and 2-1 against Sunshine Queens FC.

Kaduna Queens Head Coach Usman Shuaib in his post match interview commended his players for putting up a good fight against a more experienced Sunshine Queens FC

“Its sad we lost at home, but we are taking the positives from the game and we’ll start preparing in earnest against our next opponent”

Sunshine Queens Team Manager, Mojisola Adekanye who spoke with newsmen attributed the win to hardwork and determination

“We had a game plan before we arrived Kaduna, and I’m glad it all worked out as planned, the result is a clear reflection of determination and hard work”.
Source
https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/nwpl-sunshine-queens-pick-three-points-away-from-home/[/quote]

Members of Sukuna Community, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have demanded that Chevron Nigeria Limited pay them N5bn damages following the alleged explosion of the oil firm’s Ojumole Oil Well near their community.

The community members, who claimed that the oil well exploded and went up in flames on April 18, 2019, said they were severely affected as all the efforts by the company to stop the fire did not succeed until about two months after.



They claimed that apart from the shock they suffered from the sudden loud explosion and the thick smoke that enveloped their community, their farmlands and water were also allegedly polluted in a bid by Chevron to put out the fire.

In a pre-action letter dated July 30, 2019 written to Chevron through their lawyer, Ige Asemudara, the community members demanded that the oil company should pay them N5bn for their loss, failing which they would go to court.

They also demanded a comprehensive medical examination of every member of the community and treatment of any ailment which any of the community member might have suffered from the incident.

They also demanded that Chevron undertake an immediate clean-up of their environment.

The lawyer said the community briefed him that “despite the enormity of this unfortunate occurrence, your company was very nonchalant, looked away and insensitively delayed any intervention making it possible for the fire to spread to other oil wells within the Ojumole field.”

He said, “Our clients suffered great discomfort, material losses, health hazards, pains, imposed darkness, environmental pollution and degradation for well over two months as the fire raged until it was put out at about 1:00pm on the 30th day of June 2019. As we write, the bad effect of the injurious fire still lingers.

“Whilst our clients were counting their losses directly occasioned by the avoidable fire, they were stunned that in a bid to put out the fire, more havoc was wrecked on our clients’ farms, ponds, compound, field and other parts of the environment as the debris and remains evacuated from the burnt field were deposited on them.

“Without the permission of our clients or any lease or sale in that regard, your company erected a huge platform on our clients’ land upon which your helicopters now land and you do other activities thereon.



“Irked by these sad developments, our clients made several efforts to communicate with your company in order to be able to find an amicable and just way of resolving the issues, it was all without success. Sadly, your company has failed, refused or perhaps neglected to approach our clients for a solution to the problems created by your actions and to restore our clients to the healthy and happy condition of life they enjoyed before your illicit acts.”

Asemudara said the community gave Chevron 14 days to meet their demands, failing which they would sue.

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has bagged the 2019 best ICT Infrastructural governor of the year.
The award was in recognition of his relentless effort at transforming Ondo state into technology and innovation destination choice of young entrepreneurs.

Presenting the Africa Digital Award at 2019 Nigeria Impact Chief Executive Officer Forum in Lagos, the awardee, “ICT Watch Magazine” applauded the wisdom of Arakunrin Akeredolu in citing Akure Tech-hub in the heart of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with population of over 20,000 Science & Technology students.

According to ADA, the hub will not only expose the upcoming entrepreneurs to emerging technologies but connect them with the rest of the world at no cost.

Another star digital project that earned the governor this award was the establishment of five ‘Digital Village Projects’ (DVP) across the state to tackle the problem of high rate of youth unemployment.

This is in addition to the upgrading of all operations of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) to serve as infrastructural backbone for the State Integrated Financial Mgt Information System (SIFMIS) to ensure accelerated govt businesses & transactions.

Receiving the award, Arakunrin Akeredolu said the theme for this year’s award “connecting the unconnected” was in line with the vision of his administration to make internet services available & affordable to the rural dwellers.

According to the Governor, internet facilities will no longer be seen as luxury as his administration has just approved broadband internet services for the use of civil/public servants in the state to boost their productivity.

Represented by the SSA to the governor on ICT Hon. Olumbe Akinkugbe who was accompanied by some of his management team, the Governor explained that his administration is tackling the issue of security challenges facing the state with ICT.

He therefore challenged youth to take full advantage of hubs available in the state to expand their financial & economic frontiers.
Source
https://www.nairaland.com/5334393/governor-akeredolu-bags-ict-infrastructural#80827855

TCC NEWS

Infrastructure funding is a prerequisite for expanding the economy and lifting people out of poverty, and for any government to embark on industrialization, it must make plans for these expenditures in its annual budget. But when a country’s spending plan exceeds its revenue, it results into borrowing either from domestic or external sources to finance critical infrastructure projects contained in its budget, a move when pursued diligently could shore up its economy and create jobs.

Domestic debts are funds sourced from borrowers within the country, while external debts are foreign obligations payable to lenders outside the country. Although it is worrisome for a country’s debt to continue rising, it is more worrisome when the amount spent to service debt accounts for greater proportion of revenue. In Nigeria, not only is debt service taking a bigger chunk of the nation’s revenue, the size continues to increase as revenue maintains a downward spiral further undermining Nigeria’s capacity to pay off its obligations.

A searchlight beam into Ondo state debt portfolio shows the state is Nigeria’s least indebted state in the south-west sub region and eighth across the country having recorded a total domestic debt of N56.96 billion as at March 31, 2019, according to the latest state debt data obtained from the Debt Management Office (DMO). This places the state among Nigerian states with the lightest debt burden. Ondo ranked eighth least indebted state in the country, leading 29 others in the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Ondo state government under the leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, has rewritten the economic history of the state for good through industrialization and partnership with foreign investors who are expertise in converting raw materials into finished products.

While debt is tamed at one end, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is being grown aggressively at the other, making the state financially stable and boosting domestic investment.

Ondo state significantly increased revenue generated within the state from N8.68 billion in 2016 to N10.93 billion in 2017 and N24.79 billion in 2018. The low IGR in 2016 suggests that the state could hardly cover her recurrent expenses and at such was unable to pay up her expenses and workers’ salaries. During this period, the only option left for Ondo state was to borrow. In 2015, the state borrowed $50.2m and $49.53m in 2016.

According to National Bureau of Statistics, Akeredolu’s led administration with the tremendous increase on the state IGR, Ondo state becomes the only state in the Southwest Nigeria that made progress in the unemployment rate statistics between July to September 2018 compared with the same period a year earlier.

The unemployment rate in Ondo state dropped in the third quarter (Q3) of 2018 to 14.2%. This represents 1.17 percentage points lower when compared with 15.4% recorded in the corresponding period of 2017. Ondo state is rated among the 9 states of the federation that were able to curtail unemployment in the review period even when the economic index worsened in twenty-eight states including the federal capital territory.

Further data analysis by the nation’s statistics bureau show that Ondo state added 122,708 fresh job within the one-year period under review, boosting the number of employed persons, which comprises those engaged in full-time jobs and the underemployed, in the state from 2.02 million in Q3 2017 to 2.14 million.

The unbridled desire of the Ondo state governor towards boosting the state economy through industrialization and Agriculture has really paid off in the state economic growth and employment rate. As one of the established industries, Wee-Wood Afforestation company from China, inclined in combating desertification, encroachment and Land degradation, has presently, employed 1000 youths at Wee-Wood Nigeria, Limited Omotosho in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. which speak loud in the State

While on the other hand, Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, wood processing, Cassava- Ethanol Plant and textile company situated in Ore is said to generate 20, 000 job opportunities in no distant time. Also to encourage farmers, Ondo-Linyi buys Cassava proceedings from local farmers in Ondo state which invariably increases the farmer’s standard of living as well as generating more funds for the Ondo state government.

Genevieve Alozie
TCC NEWS
Source
https://www.facebook.com/190007574969529/posts/409490643021220/

The Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Diaspora Innovation Institute, USA.

With the MoU, the university will enjoy research benefits from the Carnegie Foundation in America which in turn will help create wealth from waste for the youth in Ondo State.

The cheery news was disclosed by the Chief Engagement Officer of Diaspora Innovation Institute, Prince Akin Ojomo during a chat with our correspondent.

Ojomo said plans have reached advanced stage to introduce a waste management and integration project at FUTA to teach youths how to create wealth from waste.

By this collaborative venture, he explained that the University and Carnage African Diaspora will make Ondo State a centre of excellence in creating wealth from waste.

The Diaspora Innovation Institute, a United States based diaspora engagement and Thinktank at the City University of New York, USA recently signed a Partnership Agreement with a South African institution, African Centre for Global Learning (Pty) Ltd ACGL operating a world class facilities to promote global Digital training, and exchange programmes for youths in Nigeria and South Africa.

During the event which took place in Midrand, South Africa, the Principal Consultant of the project, Mr Felix Lombwa of ACGL expressed his excitement about the program especially the partnership to attract youths from Nigeria which he said would provide a great opportunity for States to invest in the people especially the Youths.

The Training program includes; Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things IOT, Robotics and so on which forms the basis of the Fourth Industrial Revolution 4IR.

In his response, the Chief Engagement Officer for Diaspora Innovation Institute, USA, Prince Akinwale Ojomo who was in South Africa for the Agreement signing expressed his optimism about the program and being the partner in Nigeria to pre-qualify, screen and facilitate travel documents for participants. He further stated the benefits that will accrue to the Corporate and State Sponsors which include but not limited to having a well digitally trained citizens with current Digital Transformation Knowledge, Entrepreneurial and Self reliance skills.

In addition, he called on State governments to sponsor participants for the program as this would mean investing on the Youths to support policy challenges, innovative government, efficient service delivery and creation of Innovation Hub in the State.

The partner from Nigeria was conducted round the facilities and assured that the participants will learn under a secured environment.

Finally, ACGL, the Training firm is located in Midrand, Gauteng Province which is a safe and learning business district of South Africa. An estimated 1million youths will be trained in Africa within the next 10years .

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has extolled the virtues of veteran journalist and accomplished writer, Eric Teniola on his 70th birthday.

Governor Akeredolu described Teniola's contribution to knowledge in the country as enormous.

The Governor said Ondo State is proud of the landmark contributions of the Idanre, Ondo State-born journalist, who he said has done well in his chosen career.

The governor spoke at the 70th Birthday reception party and book Launch of the erudite journalist, held at the Regency Hall, Otunba Jobi Fele Way, CBD, Ikeja - Lagos, on Tuesday.

Arakunrin Akeredolu joined other dignitaries across the country to celebrate the illustrious son of the sunshine state who combined his 70th birthday celebration with a book launch.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
30th July, 2019

� Nguher Gabrielle Zaki
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Akeredolu-Celebrates-Eric-Teniola-at-70

The management of the National Youth Service Corps in Ondo State has commended the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for his intervention in giving the orientation camp in the state a face-lift.

The State coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs Grace Akpabio who led the management team on a "Thank You" visit to the Governor at the Governor's office, Alagbaka, Akure on Monday, commended the Governor for always keeping to his words.

She hailed Governor Akeredolu for having the love of the youths at heart and for his continuous support towards them.

The NYSC coordinator appreciated the Governor for the perimeter fence which is being constructed at the Orientation camp presently.

She also thanked the Governor for the giving the NYSC an utility Vehicle .

Mrs Akpabio said the Corp members in the state which were represented by a few of them at the Governor's office were also part of the delegation to wish the governor a happy birthday.

Responding, Governor Akeredolu who said he was at the camp on an inspection visit when the facility was still in a dilapidated state, assured the NYSC management that he would be at the camp soon.

He said his administration will see to the provision of a canopy to provide shade for youth Corps members during their weekly Community Development Service (CDS)

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
29th July, 2019

� Nguher Gabrielle Zaki
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/NYSC-Commends-Akeredolu's-Interventions

As part of his administration's commitment to building young Entreprenuers and attracting massive investment into Ondo State, the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has declared that the state is prepared to host the sixth edition of Africa's Young Entreprenuers Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) 2019 Convention.

The Africa's Young Entreprenuers is a platform with a vision of successfully developing Africa’s budding entrepreneurs through mutual networking, and with established captains of industries.

The A.Y.E brings learning, resources and business acumen, with the aim of developing young entrepreneurs within the age of 18 - 45 with 12.6 million members in 20 African Countries.

Receiving the delegation of the A. Y. E, led by the President, Summy Francis, at the Governor's Office, Alagbaka, Akure, Governor Akeredolu said the state will cooperate and host the coming convention of the organisation, billed to hold on Saturday, December 14th, 2019.

Akeredolu said he is particularly interested in the building of young entrepreneurs and the far reaching effects on the people, especially the young ones.

He said the A. Y. E projects was concerned about giving back to the people and reaching out to the poorest of the poor so as to make them self reliant in the future.

Arakunrin Akeredolu informed that the state had also gathered a number of young entrepreneurs under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programs.

Speaking earlier, the President of A. Y. E, Francis, said the convention, when hosted by the state, will boost the economic activities and also provide opportunity for young Enterprenuers and students in the state.

While informing that the theme of the convention is "Enterprenuership intervention for poverty eradication", Francis said the only way to stop the spread of poverty, especially among young people, was to empower them.

He highlighted some of the program of the organisation, which included the Enter Cycle Fund for Grassroot and SMEs, as a means of helping young SMEs and Enterprenuers grow their ideas and Bussiness.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
29th July, 2019
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-Set-To-Host-Over-6-000-Young-Entreprenuers

LOTANNA ANUFORO
TCC NEWS

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services are in high demand globally. As the world embraces digital technology, it is imperative for the youth to get equipped with the needed skills to command relevance in the economy.


The Akeredolu-led administration has consistently demonstrated its commitment to driving growth and development in the State by initiating schemes and programs targeted at training youths in the areas of information and communication technology.


Recently, Ondo State’s Information Technology Agency (SITA), in collaboration with the Premier Hub Innovation Centre in Akurer, organized a training at the digital village

The program covered electric, building and automobile training. It was organized as a follow-up program on the first successful program in the Digital Village.
The Digital Village projects are programs set up across the State to train over 90 youths monthly with a view to drastically reducing unemployment in the State. According to the Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and Chairman of the State Information and Technology Agency, Olumbe Akinugbe, the ICT Reource-based centres are furnihshed with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
As stated by the South West Regional Manager of American Tower Company (ATC) Mr. Michael Ogunfowora, Ondo State is the first and only State in Nigeria to establish five Digital Village projects within a year, ranking high in digital literacy programs across the Country.
Another outstanding leap in bolstering ICT skill among youths of the State is the collaboration between the Offfice of Innovation and Partnerships (ION), Ondo State and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), to organize a career path program for unemployed youths in different enterprises within the State. Successively, data science classes are organized for select participants, to further enhance their skills.
Conjointly, a partnership between ION and Facebook will have the team from Facebook train young owners of small and medium sized Enterprises on the use of social media platforms and tools for practical business growth.
This dynamism by the State Government to equip youths with ICT skills has been lauded in various quarters. The ingenious approach to tackling unemployment, poverty and restlessness by facilitating ICT trainings have gone along way in curtailing these menaces.

Lotanna Anuforo
TCC NEWS
Source
https://www.facebook.com/184814325798055/posts/347258516220301/

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The world body also conceives health as the ability of a biological system to acquire, convert, allocate, distribute and utilise energy with maximum efficiency.

Armed with the above definitions, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu rolled up his sleeves to introduce pragmatic policies and initiatives with the sole purpose of building a strong healthcare system aimed at promoting the general wellbeing of the people of Ondo State, as well as serve as the foundation for the all-round development of the state.

Because of his belief in the faultless, agelong maxim that “health is wealth,” the governor has broken down the barriers that had hitherto drawn back the progress of the Sunshine State to create a virile platform for comprehensive development, physical growth and social security of the entire state.

Amid approbation by the people of Ondo State, Akeredolu had in 2017 flagged off the polio national immunisation exercise at the state specialist hospital, Akure, to give assurance of a healthy, fruitful and productive energy to future generations.

Right before the dignitaries who attended the occasion, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, senior government functionaries, religious leaders, representatives of non-governmental organisations and chairmen of the 18 local government areas, among others, Akeredolu vowed that his administration would ensure that polio is kicked out of the state. Consequently, the governor directed that machinery should be put in place to ensure that all eligible children were reached by vaccinators for the immunisation exercise.

From the available record, measles, described as deadly disease, kills no fewer than 800,000 children globally every year. It was for this reason that Akeredolu waged a virulent war against the deadly infectious disease.

So, the 2018 edition of the war against measles, according to watchers of governmental activities in Ondo State, achieved a reverberating success, as about 700, 000 children between the ages of nine months and five years were immunised against the disease.

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, reiterated the success recorded from the vaccination exercise. He was excited that none of the 203 political wards in the state was left unvisited in the campaign against the measles eradication.

The State Specialist Hospitals in Akure and Ondo city also got a huge dose of Akeredolu’s intervention as he upgraded the two health facilities to teaching hospitals. To make the environment of the specialist hospital, Akure, more conducive and friendly, all the bad roads within the hospital were equally fixed and asphalted.

In what looks like democratising funding of healthcare delivery, Akeredolu has unveiled the state’s contributory health scheme as part of plans aimed at giving quality healthcare delivery system to the residents. The idea behind the contributory healthcare scheme, according to the governor, was to pool fund from the citizens and use it to procure medicare service to those who needed it.

Akeredolu had said: “A greater percentage of our indigenes find it very difficult to access good health care largely due to poverty. Qualitative health care lies within the reach of the rich, leaving the poor to helpless and hopeless. It is on record that many have gone to the great beyond before their time because of this.

“As part of our commitment to the health of people of the state who massively voted for us, the Bill on this Contributory Health Scheme was signed into Law on 6th February, 2018, barely within 72 hours of our arrival in office.”

No doubt, all residents of the Sunshine State, irrespective of their religious and political proclivities are bound to benefit in no small measure from the scheme whose major intentions are to protect and guarantee the poor and the vulnerable physical access to quality and affordable healthcare services, among others.

Aware that the provision of accessible and qualitative healthcare and social service would not be complete without qualified personnel to drive the novel idea, the governor mandated the state Ministry of Health to recruit more medical workers.

Akeredolu’s approval for the recruitment for more health workers came during his quarterly meeting with members of the State Task Force on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation in Akure. The governor wanted the new health workers to replace retiring medical personnel and enhance the delivery of medical services.

A further quest to place Ondo State in the global healthy community has yielded fruitful results following the governor’s move to secure a $6 million (about N2.1 billion) worth of new medical equipment from MedShare, a United States-based non-profit organisation in Atlanta. Akeredolu ordered the 20 container loads of the new medical equipment from MedShare to strengthen the state’s healthcare sector. A few months after the state governor partnered with MedShare, Ondo State secured up to 50 container loads of equipment to equip all its hospitals and health centres with new state-of-art medical facilities.

So, it was a celebration galore on June 24, 2019 at the Central Medical Store, Akure, when Akeredolu flagged-off the distribution of the first batch of the state-of-the-art biomedical equipment to all the health facilities in the state. The four containers offloaded as of the time the governor distributed the equipment and other consumables contained over 250 sophisticated electric bed, 50 stretchers, intensive care unit beds and monitors, delivery beds, surgical instruments, incubators and infusion pumps, among others.

The attempt to ensure that no part of the Sunshine State is shortchanged in accessing the robust healthcare services gave birth to the move to approve five additional Mother and Child Hospitals for the three senatorial districts of the state.

This is besides the introduction of free healthcare service for expectant mothers and children from age zero to five years.

Critical observers labeled the various pro-health initiatives put forward by Akeredolu as laudable and the right step. Mr. Kayode Sule, a lecturer with the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, and Mrs. Olayinka Aderigbe, a private health practitioner based in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, scored the governor high. They both expressed the strong belief that with the governor’s dream of creating all-round development through investment in the health sector, Ondo State is unarguably set to tread the path of industrial growth. The observers hinged their belief on the fact that a healthy man is an undisputable asset for the development of his community. According to them, the multiplier effects of Akeredolu’s deliberate investment in the Sunshine State health sector will be unquantifiable.

By Fisayo Falodi

Falodi is the Press Secretary (Print) to Governor Akeredolu.

Source
https://www.nairaland.com/5328405/governor-akeredolu-ondos-state-health#80734675

As part of efforts to bring government closer to the people, governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has said that his government was prepared to create a compact Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, in the next few months.

Akeredolu said the LCDAs which are to fast track the development of the grassroots would be given speedy approval by his administration.

He stated this at the weekend while receiving reports of the Committee on Creation of Local Council Development Areas at his office in Akure.

Akeredolu had on March 21, 2019 constituted the committee to take memoranda from communities seeking LCDAs.

He explained that his government was determined to accelerate all-round development of the people at the grassroots level.

While appreciating members of the committee for a good job done, Akeredolu said he would subject the report to a thorough scrutiny before presenting it at the state executive council meeting for ratification.

The governor said he was aware that the task the committee undertook was not the easiest anybody could do because of the seriousness the people attached to the issue of local government creation.

“We will look into this and make sure that in few months, we create the LCDAs. It’s usual we still subject it to scrutiny before exco looks at it,” he said.

Submitting the report, the chairman of the committee, Lanke Odogiyan, said his team received 94 memoranda requesting for 105 LCDAs.

Odogiyan added that the committee sieved through the huge documents to remove the chaffs from the grains.

Odogiyan said: “After collating the requests and dissecting them, we embarked on a statewide public hearing which afforded sponsors of memos the opportunity to defend and present their memos.

Source: http://leadership.ng/2019/07/29/ill-create-compact-lcdas-in-ondo-akeredolu/[/quote]

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said his administration would in the next few months create Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) for the development of the grassroots.

Akeredolu said his government was determined to make necessary moves that would accelerate all-round development of the people at the grassroots level.

He, however, assured the people of the state that the government would not create LCDAs which number would be more than necessary.

The Governor spoke in his office on Friday while receiving the report of the Committee on Creation of Local Council Development Areas led by the Chairman, Prince Lanke Odogiyan.

Arakunrin Akeredolu expressed the appreciation of the state government to the chairman and members of the committee for a thorough job done.

He said he was aware that the task they undertook was not the easiest anybody could do because of the seriousness the people attached to the issue of local government creation.

Akeredolu said: "We will look into this and make sure that in few months, we create the LCDAs. It's usual we still subject this to other people to look before exco looks at it."

The governor had on March 21, 2019 constituted the committee to look into the possibility of creating LCDAs in the state.

He said his decision was hinged on genuine economic development of the people.

According to the governor, the exercise would ultimately benefit the people and restore their dignity and pride as prime producers, and not as incurable consumers of other people's ideas and products.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
26th July, 2019

the Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has called on the judiciary to fast-track rape cases and enforce necessary punishment on the perpetrators in order to serve as deterrent to other randy men.

Akeredolu made the call during a ‘Walk Against Rape’ carried out across the length and breadth of the state on her directive.

Mrs. Akeredolu who led the Walk in Akure, the state capital, as part of the advocacy strategies to combat the menace, called for a stiffer penalty for the perpetrators of such act, saying enough is enough.

The ‘Walk Against Rape’ which took off at the palace of the Deji of Akure kingdom featured representatives of women associations, law enforcement agencies, political office holders, school children, and passionate individuals holding placards with several inscriptions about rape.

Arabinrin Akeredolu who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Titi Adeyemi, noted that the Walk is being done across the 18 local government areas of the state simultaneously.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “No mercy for Rapist; Rape and Rot in jail; Judiciary, fast-track Rape cases, delay adds salt to injury; stop sexual abuse of minors; do not hide rapists, speak out” among others.

Deji of Akure kingdom, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo, addressing the participants in his palace, assured of his support in the fight against rapists through traditional method.

He noted that any suspected perpetrator should be brought to his palace to drink traditional oath water before being handed over to the security agents.

He, therefore appreciated the steps taken by Mrs. Akeredolu towards protecting underage girls against sexual abuse in the state.

The only female lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Favour Tomomewo, said that the time to enforce anti-rape law is now, saying there is no more mercy for rapists.

The Special Assistant to Mrs. Akeredolu on Media, Miss Tobi Fademi, urged journalists to use their professional tools in fighting the menace in the society, by propagating information about rape and the punishment attached.

Personalities who coordinated the Walk which had female Political officials, in attendance included including the Special Assistants to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr. Henry Akingbemile, on Gender, Research and documentation Mrs. Tope Daniyan, on online media, Mr. Rowland Ihedioghara, and the Personal Assistant to Mrs. Akeredolu, Mrs. Elizabeth Akpan.

The DEJI of Akure oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi has commended the state Governor Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for his initiatives to do a concrete pavement of Mojere market otherwise refers to as Ilesha garage.

The traditional ruler gave the commendation while on a visit to the market to see the level of works done in the in the premises

Deji who was represented by Aro of Akure Chief Anthony Falowo said the popular Mojere market has contributed alot to the economic development of Akure in particular and Ondo State in general especially through auto spare parts dealers

He used the forum to appreciate the concerns of Mr Governor for traders in the market over the deplorable state of the road network in the area

The visit of the traditional ruler coincided with that of inspection team of Ministry of works and infrastructure led by the commissioner Hon Saka Yusuf Ogunleye

Speaking while inspecting the progress of work done so far the commissioner assured the traders that the government is committed to making life better for all in the state.

Hon Ogunleye who said although the construction work may somehow disrupt the market activities appealed for calm as the disruptions would be for a short time

He therefore called for understanding, perseverance and sacrifice on the part of those who engage in one trading activity or the other within the premises

Also speaking the permanent secretary ministry of works and infrastructure Engr Taiwo Otun said the little delays being experienced on the project was due to incessant rainfall in the last few days.

According to him the design of the project would be strictly followed. Art work and channelisation are in progress and standard will not be compromised.

The permanent secretary said the walkways would be asphalted while the entire premises would be concretized adding that parking lots would also be provided

The work on Mojere market , which had not received attention by past government , was a directive of Mr Governor Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN following his visit to the market few months ago

The project is being handled by Direct Labour Engineering unit (DILEU) of Ministry of works and infrastructure

Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) among others, are to be honoured by marketing communications firm, Alphagrace Media Resources, organisers of the Hall of Grace (HoG) awards.

The others are, Air Peace Chairman Allen Onyema, a lawyer, Rev Esther Ajayi and entertainment icons TUFACE Idibia and Funke Akindele.

According to a statement, the Emerging Entertainer Award will be given to Tobi Bakare of the Big Brother Naija (BBN) fame.

The statement by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Rupert Ojenuwa, quoted the firm as saying that it unveiled its Man of the Year after deliberations and feedback from its board and Nigerians.

The event holds on Sunday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Thursday promised to recruit more health workers in order to improve primary healthcare delivery in the state.

This is just as the Govenor also said campaign on polio Immunization is a gospel that must be spread.

Akeredolu stated this at the 2019 second quarter meeting of the state Taskforce on polio eradication in Akure, the State Capital.

He charged stakeholders in the health sector not to be tired of spreading and actualising the gospel of immunisation.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to give quality healthcare delivery by investing on the basic necessities.

According to the Governor, "we are here because we know that prevention is better than cure and that efficient use of vaccines against preventable diseases are the only sure and effective way of securing the future of our children, particularly those that are under five years of age from all the deadly and dreadful preventable diseases, including the popular Poliomyelitis.

"We should all continue to build upon our collective stand and strong belief that immunisation is a gospel we must not be weary of spreading and actualising.

"One wrong step in the planning and implementation of immunisation activities can cost the state the limbs or lives of hundreds of thousands of our future leaders,"

Akeredolu also revealed that the state had conducted Outbreak Response (OBR) I and II and Reactive Yellow Fever Vaccine Campaign (RYFVC) in May,June and July respectively.

He disclosed that "immunisation data showed that there is a marked improvement in the coverage of all the antigens as compared with the result of the first quarter of the year.

" The Penta-3 coverage for the quarter under review (April-June 2019) is 79 per cent as compared with 76 per cent in the first quarter 2019,".

End

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Thursday promised to recruit more health workers in order to improve primary healthcare delivery in the state.

This is just as the Govenor also said campaign on polio Immunization is a gospel that must be spread.

Akeredolu stated this at the 2019 second quarter meeting of the state Taskforce on polio eradication in Akure, the State Capital.

He charged stakeholders in the health sector not to be tired of spreading and actualising the gospel of immunisation.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to give quality healthcare delivery by investing on the basic necessities.

According to the Governor, "we are here because we know that prevention is better than cure and that efficient use of vaccines against preventable diseases are the only sure and effective way of securing the future of our children, particularly those that are under five years of age from all the deadly and dreadful preventable diseases, including the popular Poliomyelitis.

"We should all continue to build upon our collective stand and strong belief that immunisation is a gospel we must not be weary of spreading and actualising.

"One wrong step in the planning and implementation of immunisation activities can cost the state the limbs or lives of hundreds of thousands of our future leaders,"

Akeredolu also revealed that the state had conducted Outbreak Response (OBR) I and II and Reactive Yellow Fever Vaccine Campaign (RYFVC) in May,June and July respectively.

He disclosed that "immunisation data showed that there is a marked improvement in the coverage of all the antigens as compared with the result of the first quarter of the year.

" The Penta-3 coverage for the quarter under review (April-June 2019) is 79 per cent as compared with 76 per cent in the first quarter 2019,".

End

The Wife of Ondo state Governor, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu has called for legislations that would ensure stiffer penalties for rapists, child abusers and predators.

Mrs Anyanwu Akeredolu spoke in Akure, the state capital during a “Walk Against rape” to raise awareness about the increase in rape cases in Nigeria.

The walk is coming on the heels of the high rate of rape and child defilement incidence in Ondo state which has been a concern to Mrs Anyanwu Akeredolu.

The awareness walk which began from the Deji’s palace at Oja oba to A division police station in Akure had personalities from the Ministry of Women Affairs, FOWOSO, BRECAN, BAAF, among others in attendance.

The Governor’s Wife who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs Titi Adeyemi said all hands must be on deck to nip rape in the bud in society.

She further said the sensitization programme should serve as a deterrent to perpetrators of the social vice in the state saying the office of the first lady is ready to bring all cases of rape in ondo state to a logical conclusion.

The Deji of Akure,Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi also assured that Akure kingdom would synergise with government and relevant non governmental organizations to eradicate rape and child defilement in the state.

Stakeholders including Special Assistants to the wife of the Governor on Gender, Research and Documentation, Tope Daniyan, Social Media, Roland Iheloghara described the awareness walk as apt in eradicating the scourge of rape in Ondo state.

The Special Assistant to the wife of the Governor on Media, Tobi Fademi said the awareness campaign was held simultaneously in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-first-lady-leads-march-against-rape--Says-enough-is-enough

THE Ondo State Government recently announced a debut of a mass transportation scheme to be known as Sunshine Express to provide an alternative transportation system which is perceived to be easier and affordable for the citizens of the state.

TO show its readiness and eagerness for a quick take off of the scheme, government has already procured a fleet of 200 buses out of which 50 has arrived the state and awaiting the rest in a matter of days. Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Transportation, Mr Tobi Ogunleye, who made the announcement, disclosed that the transport scheme would be jointly managed by the state government and a private firm and it will operate in both intra and inter-city routes.

THIS initiative by the government is therefore highly commendable considering the numerous benefits that will accrue to the people of the state when the scheme fully becomes operational. First, it will no doubt bring a great relief to the people who had been living under the exploitative tendencies of commercial transport owners. This is because the scheme is conceived primarily as a welfare oriented programme and as such, its charges will be moderate and affordable. Second, the economic benefits are better imagined as the conceivers of the scheme have said it would create an initial 300 jobs for people who will work as drivers, clerical officers and cleaners. Taking 300 unemployed adults off the streets in one fell swoop is by no means a great respite from the scourge of mass unemployment ravaging our society.

A similar scheme known as Owena Mass Transit was created by the first civilian administration in the state under the leadership of the late Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin. The motive then was employment and cheap transportation for the people of the state. The scheme, just like other blue chip companies established by the Ajasin regime, thrived and outlived that government until it became moribund due to negligence and neglect by succeeding administrations occasioned by corruption from those managing them.

THE HOPE therefore calls on the government and handlers of this new scheme to be wary of the mistakes of the past and avoid such in order to make it an enduring venture. This is because government business is generally considered to be an avenue for corrupt practices to the illicit benefit of the few. Government’s decision to run the scheme in partnership with a private firm is in order but such a firm must be given free hands to operate with bureaucratic and administrative bottlenecks not serving as stumbling blocks to its smooth operations.

WE also call on the owners of the company (both government and the private partner) to study other states especially in the South-East, South-South and North-Central where similar mass transit schemes have been successful for decades and still thriving till date with a view to learning new strategies from them.

THUS, Sunshine Express should operate on responsible, accountable and transparent business principles characterized by commitment and discipline as obtained in other climes. This is because, Ondo State government cannot afford to disappoint the people having waited this long to see their state’s mass transit scheme come up again as a result of the giant strides taken by the current administration to revive it.

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said the South West must not lose sight of its place in the history of development and its monumental contributions to the development of the country and Africa in general, particularly the establishment of the first Television Station in Africa.

The governor said the South West had taken the lead in various developmental achievements, which were first of their kinds in Africa.

Governor Akeredolu spoke on Tuesday while receiving in his office, the Alumni of the Western Nigeria Television, led by Ambassador Yemi Farounwi.

The Governor lauded the move by the Alumni to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Television broadcast in Nigeria and Africa at large.

He thanked the alumni for ensuring that history are put in the right perspective, adding that it is a worthy course.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Ambassador Farounwi said the lack of history must not be allowed to distort the monumental contributions of the South West towards the development of the country.

He said the WNTV's alumni are coming together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Television broadcast in Nigeria and Africa as a whole as a way of putting history in its proper perspective.

According to the former ambassador, such celebration, which will highlight the achivements made by the Western Nigeria of Old, would also motivate the younger generation to do more.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
23rd July, 2019

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has approved the employment of 30 persons with disabilities to the civil service as he promised to continue to demonstrate empathy and compassion for those living with disabilities in the state.

Akeredolu, while inaugurating the board of agency for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities, said the inauguration of the board was first of its kind in the state since the agency was established on June 14, 2011 as an administrative arm.

He said his administration would leave no stone unturned in giving a better voice to the special people to enable them contribute their quotas to the development of the state.

The newly inaugurated Board has Mr. Sanmi Olorundare as Chairman. Other part-time members are: Mr. Akintade Toba; Mrs. Ademeko Busayo; Mr. Adenibuyan Success and Adigbo Olanrewaju.

The governor revealed that the constitution of the board is to strengthen it with all its full complement of personnel to help the agency achieve more by reaching out to the special people in every nook and cranny of the state.

Akeredolu noted that the special people were not useless in anyway, no matter their condition, and that there is ability in disability, stressing that his administration since it came on board has been trying its best to give a pride of place to persons with disabilities through various ways including appointment of a Special Assistant on Special Persons, among others.

Also, as a sign of recognition of persons living with disabilities in the state, Governor Akeredolu announced free healthcare services for all members of the group in the state hospitals.

Other areas the present administration has been giving people with disabilities a sense of belonging included release of annual subvention, presentation of recommended glasses to correct their eyes defect and sunscreen cream to protect their skin from sun burnt and cancer, celebration of International Day for Persons with Disabilities, and sponsorship of their elections, conferences, seminars and workshops.

The governor also charged them to continue to remain peaceful and law abiding so that they can continue to enjoy government’s support.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Titi Adeyemi commended the governor for the uncommon recognition given to persons with disabilities in the state, describing the development as first of its kind.

On his part, the new chairman, Sanmi Olorundare appreciated the governor for giving the group a sense of belonging saying Akeredolu is the first governor that would not discriminate against persons with disabilities.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has disclosed that his administration is totally committed to saving the lives of children in the state because they form an important aspect of the society.

Akeredolu who disclosed this at the flag-off of the 2019 National Immunization Plus Days emphasised that, “immunizing a child is like protecting the future of the country, which the children represents.”

The Governor promised to always support the immunization programme, urging the state Primary Health Care Development Agency to extend the road show to the markets for people to understand the importance of the exercise.

Akeredolu said, “This is as important as ever because immunizing these children is like saving the life of the child. This is important than any other person, because you don’t know what the children will turn out to be. That’s why it is very important to us.”

He appreciated the state’s Primary Health Care Development Agency for its good works, which he said has ranked it well in the comity of states in the country.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu, informed the governor that the Agency in the state recorded over 300 in terms of performance in the last quality assurance survey that was conducted.

He thanked the governor for the huge support given to the Agency, which he said, has made the immunization and other health programmes at the primary health care level to be very effective.

The Immunisation Day was marked with a road show within the state capital.

The efforts of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration to promote functional education are already yielding fruits.

Two students of St. Peter's Unity Secondary School, Akure, the Ondo State capital, Aro Elizabeth and Ojo Victor, who represented Nigeria at the OKSEF-International Science Fair in Turkey, came second among 27 nations in the South Science Fair that took place between June 10 and 19, 2019.

Similarly, two students of Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, also in Akure, have qualified to represent the country in the Enterprenuerial competition at Houston Texas, USA in September this year.

Other participants from Dominion Science, Owo, Greater Tomorrow Primary School, Ikare-Akoko, Greater Tomorrow International College, Arigidi-Akoko, Model Secondary School, Oba-Ile and Model Secondary School, Akure also won trophies, Gold Medals and other gifts.

Speaking at the Governor's Office during the formal presentation of the trophies won by students from the state at various national and international competitions, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu, thanked Governor Akeredolu for the opportunity given the students to participate in the national and international competitions through his approvals.

He urged the people of the state to continue to support the Akeredolu administration to deliver dividends of democracy to the people through the promotion of functional education.

While receiving the state contingent, Governor Akeredolu specially commended them for doing the state proud.

The Governor promised to give scholarships to all students who won trophies and awards for the state in the various national and international competitions.

Governor Akeredolu, who assured the students of the state support until they attain the greater height they deserve, admonished them not to relent in their efforts but continue to keep the flag flying.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
17th July, 2019

Sequel to the recent incessant cases of sexual harassment against minors in Nigeria, Ondo state inclusive, the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has declared enough is enough war against the dastardly act.

In her quest to provide adequate intervention, Mrs. Akeredolu has therefore convened stakeholders’ meeting at the Rotunda hall government’s house ground Alagbaka to fashion out way forward to curtail the ugly trend in the state.

At the meeting were the Human Rights Commision, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, Women and children-based NGOs, Forum of the wives of State Officials, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi, female Political office holders, representatives of the Nigerian Police, NAFDAC, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation, BAAF, parents of some victims of sexual harassment among others.

The two cases that serve as catalysts for the prompt intervention were the defilement of two girls in Irele and Owo local government areas of the state last week, age 6 and 7 respectively.

Mrs. Akeredolu who condemned the ugly development in strong term, expressed readiness to synergise with appropriate stakeholders in ensuring that assault against minors, especially rape is eradicated in the state.

She advocates massive awareness campaign against the trend, assuring that the meeting will produce a logical and convincing conclusion to curb it.

“What we have done today is to set the pace, this meeting is to send a very strong signal, that it is no longer a business as usual; government will continue to look at us seriously that we are committed to end or reduce the incidence of rape that is almost an epidemic in Ondo state.

“As the first lady of Ondo state and the mother of all, I said I can no longer take it anymore”. She noted.

Reacting to the two recent cases, Mrs. Akeredolu enjoined parents not to endanger the lives of their children, especially girls in the name of religion, and to also ensure that children are in school at the appropriate hours.

The only female lawmaker in the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Favour Tomomewo said women need to rise up against the trend, adding that there is a need for aggressive awareness to encourage people to report cases of rape and defilement without fear of intimidation.

The commissioner for Women Affairs on her part stressed the need for strong collaboration with relevant ministries, agencies, and local governments, saying that the issue is becoming so alarming.

The meeting brought to the limelight, the newly inaugurated Ondo State Gender-based Violence Response Squad with a commitment to appoint representatives in all the local government areas of the state who will be sending distress calls to the concerned authorities in case of minors defilement and rape incidents.

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) on Thursday, hailed the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, over his enhancement of the professionalization and recognition of teaching profession in the state.

The board, particularly, commended the Governor over the recent appointment of three Tutors - General and the prompt payment of teachers salaries.

The Registrar of the Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede gave the commendation on Thursday, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Governor's office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.

He also lauded the governor over the massive renovation of schools in the state and other numerous achievements he has recorded since assumption of office.

The JAMB boss said the board was ready to commence the construction of a mega Computer Based Test Center in Akure to address the inadequacy in the number of available approved centers in the state.

Oloyede disclosed that the land earlier allocated to the board for the construction of the CBT center lacked the technical facilities required by JAMB for efficient service delivery of the Mega CBT centers.

He, therefore requested the state government to approve the present location of the board in Alagbaka, Akure, to cover the vacant adjacent plots behind it for the immediate construction of the proposed mega CBT centers.

Oloyede said "We are happy with the numerous achievement you have recorded since assumption of office as the governor of Ondo State. On our part, we are not expecting anything less, given your antecedent as a fire - brand attorney and as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association

"The Secretariat of the NBA is named after you because of your contribution to the legal profession before, during and after your tenure as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association

"For those of us in the education sector, we appreciate your intervention in solving some protracted disputes affecting tertiary education in Ondo state."

Responding, Governor Akeredolu said the CBT mega center is not only important to JAMB, but also to the state and the youths who are prospective JAMB candidates.

The Governor said the state has no other option than to grant the request of the board and approve the use of the land for the construction of the Mega CBT centers.

Arakunrin Akeredolu commended the Registrar for the good work he has been able to do at the board since he assumed office.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
18th July, 2019
Source
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/JAMB-commends-Akeredolu's-contributions-to-development-of-teaching-profession-in-Ondo

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Thursday visited the Ago Alaye and Araromi Obu in Odigbo Local Government, where communal clashes broke out on Tuesday over a land dispute .

The governor, who was in the town to access the level of destruction, was accompanied by the commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie, the Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General Zakari Logun Abubakar and other security chiefs.

Governor Akeredolu was conducted round the Ago Alaye community where he accessed, first hand, the destruction and burning of houses.

It will be recalled that Akeredolu had on Wednesday ordered a twenty-four hour curfew on Ago-Alaye town as part of the measures to prevent the escalation of the violence.

The governor visited the Palace of the Ajobu of Araromi Obu, HRM, Oba Aderemi Adelola , where he assured the monarch of maximum security of lives and properties of the people of the town.

He said government is ready to take action on Ago Alaye community if the violence persists.

Governor Akeredolu, who said security forces are on ground to maintain peace and order, commended the Ajobu of Araromi Obu for maintaining peace in the community, particularly by appealing to the people against a reprisal.

Akeredolu said: " When we heard about the disturbance at Ago Alaye, we made our decision to make sure that total curfew imposed on Ago Alaye is in place. Luckily for them they have deserted the place

"I have heard that you called your subjects that there should not be any reprisal. You have maintained peace within Araromi community. We thank you for that . We will not allow miscreant to disturb the peace in this community. "

Governor Akeredolu, who later addressed the youths in the town, vowed that the perpetrators of the criminal acts will be brought to book.

He said government will not fold its arms and allow criminals perpetrate crimes by unleashing terror against a whole town.

The Governor urged the youths to cooperate with the security agents on ground and also help them in course of their investigations so as to apprehend everyone involved in the unfortunate incident.

Arakunrin Akeredolu, however, pleaded with the youths not to embark on any reprisal attack, urging them to continue to promote and maintain peace in the town.

The Ajobu, who thanked the Governor for visiting the town, assured him that the people will continue to remain calm and cooperate with the security agents.

Earlier, the Governor visited the rubber plantation, the Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited, to assure the operators of adequate security of the lives and properties of the company and its workers.

Governor Akeredolu, who was received by the Managing Director of the factory, Philips Carty, said the company is important to the state because of its contribution to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

He said: "This is an unscheduled visit. When I got to Ago Alaye, I decided to come here and see. I learnt since the unfortunate incident, the factory has shut down

"I felt we should come in and tell you that we have put enough security around and there's no reason for you to be afraid. You can go ahead and do your bussiness. This factory is important to us."

Governor Akeredolu later visited the Palace of Abodi of Ikale land, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile, where he pleaded with the traditional rulers in Ikale land to call their people in Ago Alaye to order.

The governor said the state government will urgently set up a commitee to look into the involvement of the two sides of the conflict.

He warned that his administration will not tolerate criminality under any guise, stressing that whoever is found culpable in the Ago Alaye crisis will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
18th July, 2019

� Blessed Michael

pursuant to the
commitment of Governor Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN to put smiles on the faces of the people through the provision of infrastructural facilities , the Ondo State commissioner for Works and infrastructure Hon Saka Yusuf Ogunleye has pledged the support of the state government to the Nigeria security And Civil defense Corps NSCDC.

The Commissioner stated this while on inspection of some ongoing roads in Akure and environs including the office of the NSCDC.

At the state headquarters of the NSCDC in Alagbaka the commissioner said that Ministry of works and infrastructure will provide line drains to check the flood that often affect their office complex whenever it rains

Similarly at the Southwest headquarters of the NSCDC where construction of office accommodations were on going the Commissioner promised to facilitate the Construction of access road to the site to ease their movement

According to him, the government appreciate the roles of the security Agencies in the state especially the NSCDC at tackling security challenges and would do everything possible to make the Officers comfortable

While thanking the Commissioner for the visit the Commandant of Ondo NSCDC command Mrs Christiana Abiakam Omanu said. the government of Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has been very supportive to the command in terms of logistics needed to do their assignment.

She therefore said the command would do all within its power to combat crime and criminality in the state
as well as protect the life and prosperity of the citizens.

At Isharun, in Ifedore local government area where the Commissioner inspected the ongoing township road , he expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far

He however told the Contractor handling the project to accelerate the spate of work so as to deliver on time.

Responding, the managing Director of CIMA Resource Nigeria Limited, the construction company handling the road, Engr. Kofi Mohammed said the Contract would be delivered soon noting that standard will not be compromised.

The team of inspection to Isharun included the speaker Ondo State House of Assembly Hon David Oleyeloogun, special Adviser to Mr Governor on lands works and infrastructure Engr Raimi Aminu, the permanent secretary ministry of works and infrastructure Engr Taiwo Otun and a team of Engineers from the ministry.

Ayo Falana
Head Media unit.
Min. of Works and infrastructure

PRESS STATEMENT

As part of the efforts aimed at strengthening his media team, the Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has approved the following appointments:

Ojo Oyewamide----Senior Special Assistant
(Media and Publicity)

Dapo Aruwajoye ---Senior Special Assistant (Broadcast Communications).

The appointments are with immediate effect.

Both appointees are graduates of English Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Oyewamide started his career as a Journalist with the then Comet Newspaper. He also had a brief stint with National Mirror before joining Daily Independent Newspaper as the Ondo State Correspondent before his appointment. He is the current chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, State Council of the NUJ.

Aruwajoye, who holds a Masters Degree in Media and Globalisation from the Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom, was Press Secretary (Electronics) to Governor Akeredolu. He had worked in Channels Television and Continental TV before joining the governor's media team.

Governor Akeredolu congratulates the new appointees and charges them to discharge their duties diligently.

Segun Ajiboye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor