₦airaland Forum

To the residents of Ikare Akoko, Oke-Alabojuto represented a long tale of myth which could not be fathomed and to travellers on the Owo/Ikare/Kabba road, it was a death trap which sent fear down their spine.

There used to be a myth around Oke-Alabojuto, the hilly portion of Ikare-Akoko township road. No native believed the famished and destructive rocky hill could be leveled.

But the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led government has shattered the myth. The hill could be leveled, after all. Oke-Alabojuto has now become Isale-Alabojuto.

Before it was leveled, the hilly road had consumed several lives and destroyed uncountable valuable properties through auto-crashes, making residents to live in fear for decades.

The age-long nightmare has now ended for the people of Ikare and motorists plying the road.

It is now the dawn of singing a new song in Ikare Akoko. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has changed the dreadful story about the notorious and slippery road. The woes have been thrown into the realms of history.

The Oke Alabojuto sad scenes have been changed to joyful and memorable ones. The once fearful hill is fast becoming a tourist centre as residents throng to the place to snap pictures for social media and memoirs.

When the governor told the people that the hill will be brought down to pave way for the dualization of the town, they never believed him.

Most of them said he had come to tell the old story again. It is one tall ambition of building a castle in the air. To them, the idea remained a project in the pipeline and will never see the light of the day.

There have been tales of mysteries surrounding the dreaded hill.

Most indigenes believed there are spirits that made the hill their habitat and would harm anyone that dared to level it. In another manner, some said witches and wizards were not ready to be appeased and as such, whoever attempted to level the hill would be severely dealt with by the Queens of the dark.

As a matter of fact, a chief in the town once said that he was flogged in his sleep when he appealed to market women to leave the roadside for their businesses when one of the past administrations attempted to start work on the project.

Another myth said the hill was having a big sea of water underneath and any attempt to level it would lead to a disastrous flood which will eventually wash Ikare away.

In their quest to find a solution to the problem, the people resulted to spiritual warfare. Traditionalists, Imams, Alfas, Pastors were called to seek the face of God but at the end, their prayers were answered when Governor Akeredolu said he was going to make Oke Alabojuto a valley.

Buy today, all these have continued to remain fable stories. They can be likened to some of the fairy tales in ‘Alice In The Wonderland. The doubting Thomases have continued to throng the site of the once notorious hills to see what determination can achieve.

Aketi has changed the narratives. The people are now happy. At least they can now sleep with their two eyes closed. There are no more fear of waking to mourn, no more fear of articulated lorries killing scores of market women. There are no more stories of vehicles falling and rolling on the hill. Those that are used to Ikare now know the difference.

Vehicles are being parked at both sides of the dual carriage way with a free flow of traffic, while residents of Ikare are now happy.

The Olukare of Ikare Akoko, Oba Akadiri Saliu Momoh IV, said he is happy this is coming at his own time.

His words: “I received the news with joy. Everybody in the town was very happy about the new development, because they knew the project was going to put a stop to the recurring needless accidents on the road.

“The construction of the Oke Alabojuto road is a wonderful thing to happen to the people of Akokoland and Nigeria in general, because the road links Ondo State to other parts of the country.

“We do appreciate the governor’s determination to permanently arrest our fears about this road. Our major concern, before the construction of the road by Akeredolu, was how to put a stop to the countless deaths on the road.

“Most vehicles, especially trucks and other big lorries would lose control and crash while ascending or descending the road due to break failure or other mechanical faults. And these resorted to loss of lives and properties.”

Also, the Olokeruwa of Okeruwa, Ikare-Akoko, Chief Dele Akerele, said casualties on the road reached a scary height when about five crashes, all resulting in fatalities, occurred within one week.

He said: “The days of wailing and gnashing of teeth over auto crashes and deaths on Oke Alabojuto are finally over.

“I feel very delighted that something good is coming to my town. Before the current state government started the constructing of this road, there had been series of fatal accidents. In fact, there was a week in which five fatal accidents were recorded on this hilly portion of the road.

“Our people are also delighted to see this road being constructed. It is a miracle, because it appeared that we have lost hope on the possibility of the community attracting the attention of the state government to put an end to the perpetual fear of losing lives to avoidable crashes on the road.”

Chief Dele Akerele was full of praises while speaking on the road. He said deaths on the road reached a dangerous height when accidents was becoming a daily affair.

He is now happy that the days of wailing and gnashing of teeth over auto crashes and deaths on Oke Alabojuto are finally over.

Other residents of the town have also commended the state government on the road, saying it has put an end to the countless deaths resulting from incessant accidents. They described the construction of the Alabojuto hill by the Akeredolu government as a blessing to the people of Ikare-Akoko, its environs, motorists and commuters alike.

A trader at the popular Oja Oba Market in Ikare, Mrs Khadijat Mohammed, said the construction of the road has brought smiles on the faces of traders as their worries are gone.

Mrs Khadijat said, “Before now, we used to worry about our safety anytime we came to this place to sell. It was only after we returned to our homes at the end of the day that we knew the cup had passed over us. We thank God the hill has been brought down by the governor”.

Victoria Kolade, another trader, said market women at the market were always the victims of the accidents occasioned by the dangerous nature of the road before it was reconstructed. Victoria posited that the construction of the Okealabojuto hill has brought great relief to the traders. She stated that the fear of being the next victim of accident on the hilly section of the Ikare Township road prevented most traders from coming to do business in the market before the construction of the road.

A community leader in Akoko, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani said with the construction of the road, Ikare has become a good place to live in.

Alhaji Kilani stated that the fear of getting caught in accidents has now becoming a thing of the past.

The veteran journalist said whether the people like it or not, Akeredolu”s name will forever remain indelible in the sound of history of the Sunshine State.

According to him, the prevalence of accidents resulting in deaths of many innocent souls in Ikare has been thrown into the dustbin of history.

“Oke Alabojuto is now safe. Ikare will no longer witness deaths due to accidents resulting from the hilly nature of the Alabojuto Hill”.

Source :https://citadelng.com/breaking-oke-alabojuto-myth/

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has assured a conglomerate of Chinese Investors desirous of establishing a 3-multisector business investments in Ondo State of conducive environment.

The governor who said Ondo State was open to credible investors gave assurance that with the avalanche of resources in natural, agrarian and minerals, any investment in the state would bring geometric returns.

Arakunrin Akeredolu said the hub for the three core business areas which include, Industrial, Agricultural and Herbal Medicine Production will be sited in each of of three Senatorial Areas of the state after considering nearness to raw material needs.

The governor who recalled the facilitation of his administration through which investors from the Chinese City of Lynin operating about seven different companies at the Ore Industrial Hub said the new investors would have in Ondo State a home like no other place.

Earlier the leader of the 14-Man Business Delegation who spoke through a Chinese interpreter Mr. Steve Jing Changsheng said the divergent economic potentials of Ondo State informed their interests in the Sunshine State.

He said the proposed Industrial Hub would include Manufacturing, Oil and Gas and particularly the production of Gas Cylinders for domestic use.

Mr. Changsheng also said that the Agricultural component of the investment hub would centre on meat production not for local consumption but for export, adding that the investors on Chinese Herbal Medicine was prepared to establish a production hub in state to tackle some intractable ailments giving the global community some concerns.

The Deputy Governor , Hon Agboola Ajayi led a number of the State Executive Council, Management of Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, ONDIPA with Permanent Secretaries of some strategic Ministries to join the State Governor to receive the visiting Chinese Investors.

Source :https://citadelng.com/we-are-open-to-credible-investors-says-gov-akeredolu/

The Ondo State Government has taken delivery of three brand new factory built ambulances and medical consumables to intensify the fight against Lassa fever disease in the state.

The items were received on behalf of the state government by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro on Saturday, 15th June, 2019.

The medical items including the three ambulances were donated to the state Government by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Healthier Niger Delta initiative of the commission.

Dr. Adegbenro who described the donation as a welcome development said it will assist the government to continue to fight Lassa fever in the state.

While appreciating the NDDC for the kind gesture, the commissioner said that the fact that the cost of treating a patient of Lassa fever is as high as N1.6M necessitated that the state sought help from agencies.

He said ” The government is doing a lot. Right now we have an Infection Disease Hospital (IDH) in Akure which is built to tackle diseases including Lassa fever. At FMC, Owo which is currently our treatment center, we now have a mobile laboratory that can do diagnosis for us in real time. Before now, we use to go to Edo everyday to take sample and you know that’s alot of money

“In the area of follow up because we have to follow cases up. We monitor them and their contacts either primary, secondary and tertiary contacts. They have to be monitored. Our system is such that there are some officers that routinely go out to monitor contacts and do contact tracer because any primary, secondary or tertiary contact with a confirm case of Lassa fever would have to be monitored for 21 days before we let them off the hook

“So, it’s a lot of money that government is spending on Lassa fever and that’s why we are very grateful to NDDC for coming to our aid because, some few months ago when we had this issue, we wrote to many organizations to come to our aid but, thank God NDDC responded and they have responded very well. “

Dr. Adegbenro who noted that the state government has been fighting lassa fever in the state, stressed that the government would intensify the fight against the disease with the medical items that have been received from the NDDC.

“We have been fighting lassa fever but with greater vigour now, we can fight Lassa fever. With these three ambulances donated, we can move now, we can take cases from where they are because we have designated numbers that people can call when they suspect cases. ” He added.

The wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has restated the unwavering commitment of the Akeredolu-led administration to delivering the dividends of democracy to Ondo State women. She made this known during an interactive session with Iyalojas from across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State which held on Thursday at the Government House, Akure.

The First Lady noted that the State Governor is working with sincerity of purpose towards making Ondo State an economic powerhouse through massive road construction and industrialisation.


The Iyalojas who came in their number, appreciated Mrs Akeredolu for her many empowerment programs including FOWOSO, BEMORE Summer Bootcamp, BRECAN and so on. They also lauded the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN for his love for women stating that this reflects his attributes as an ideal leader.

The grassroot women, therefore, promised undiluted loyalty and cooperation to the administration of Akeredolu and his second term agenda.

Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the women, the State secretary of the group Mrs. Toyin Akinmoyo, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to express their minds freely.

Also present at the interactive session were the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, the SSA to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi, Chairman Okitipupa Local Government Area, Major Morenike Alaka, former Chairman, Akure South, Comrade Margaret Atere and Supervisory Councillor, Odigbo Local Government, Eucharia Nwamara.

Source :https://citadelng.com/ondo-state-apc-iyalojas-pledge-unwavering-support-for-akeredolus-administration/

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated a 15-man committee for the take-off of the National Commission for Secondary Education.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono, while setting up the committee in Abuja, charged the members to work out modalities for the smooth take-off of the commission.

The law establishing the commission was signed in 1999 but was never implemented.



Echono noted that the commission would have a trim but an efficient workforce.

According to him, the law setting up the 20-year-old commission must be reviewed by the committee.

“President Muhammadu Buhari approved the secondary education commission to fill the identified gap because we have TETFund for tertiary education and UBEC for the basic education.

”The secondary school education was seen as an orphan but this commission will help fill the gap. The primary function of this commission is to set standards and ensure education meet the needs of our country as well as global competitiveness.”

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry serves as the chairman of the committee, while other members include Dr Lami Amidu, Director, Basic Education; Mrs E.O. Adedigba, Director, Technical and Science Education; Mr C.O. Ogbede, Director, Education, Planning, Research and Development.

Others are Mr Anwalu Kolo, Director, Human Resources; Mrs O.O. Ajibade, Director, Legal Services; and staff from agencies under the ministry.

Source :https://citadelng.com/fg-inaugurates-panel-for-secondary-education-commission/

The Progressives Congress Governors’ Forum, Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum and Nigerian Governors’ Forum on Wednesday congratulated Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila on their election.

Lawan was on Tuesday elected Senate President while Gbajabiamila was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.



The All Progressives Congress governors in separate congratulatory messages to the duo said they deserved to lead to both chambers of the 9th National Assembly.

Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Bagudu, who is the leader of the forum, said in the congratulatory message to Lawan, “I have the pleasure to write on behalf of all our progressive governors to congratulate you on your election as Senate President.

“It is indeed a testament to your faith, leadership qualities but also the strength of your character, patience and interpersonal relations capacity.

“As APC governors, we look forward to close working relations with you to strengthen the capacity of our party, and all our elected representatives to move our dear nation forward.

“While looking forward to an early opportunity to meet you and strategise on how we can accelerate the process of delivering on all our campaign promises, please accept our hearty congratulations and the assurances of our highest regard.”

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, Seriake Dickson, in a statement, urged the new National Assembly leaders to ensure that the rights of Nigerians were defended and protected.

In the statement by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Daniel Alabrah, the Bayelsa State governor said what transpired in the National Assembly on Tuesday was democracy in action.

He said, “On behalf of the PDP governors, I congratulate the new leadership of the National Assembly. I urge them to strive to defend the independence of the legislature and to protect the rights of Nigerians.”



The chairman of the NGF, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said Lawan and Gbajabiamila’s election would benefit the country.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the Ekiti State governor said the lawmakers had “paid their dues in their respective callings and in the National Assembly where they have earned the respect and admiration of the majority of members as well as Nigerians as very distinguished and patriotic citizens who can be trusted with leadership at high levels.”

Fayemi added, “Neither a rubber-stamp legislature nor a cantankerous one is good for our development as a nation.

“I have no doubt in the ability of the new leadership to strike the right balance, by putting the country and the people first, so that the peace, progress and prosperity that Nigerians want can be achieved.”

Also, South-West APC expressed its delight over the election of Lawan and Gbajabiamila, saying the ranking lawmakers would not disappoint.

APC South-West Zonal Publicity Secretary, Karounwi Oladapo, in a statement on Wednesday, advised the National Assembly leaders to heed to the progressive ideals of APC to move Nigeria forward.

The statement stated, “It is particularly noteworthy that throughout the electioneering for the exalted office, the refrain was Gbajabiamila’s competence, brilliance, leadership qualities and commitment to the vision and ideals capable of evolving development programmes to build a new nation.

“We also want to praise his colleagues across party lines who believed that his vision should be a collective vision to take Nigeria to the Next Level.”

As part of deliberate plans to have an accurate database for its land bank in order to ensure an effective and improved agricultural practises, Ondo State Government has commenced forestry mapping and registration of farms in all government reserves across the state.

According to a press release signed by Head, Press and Information Unit Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture, Prince Bolu Ajijo, the exercise which will be in phases will be carried out in the following Government’s Reserves and Camps, – Akure Ofosu-Bisi, Ajagusi 1(13/13), Ajagusi- 2, Malato. Idanre-Labuwa, Ubi- 1, Ubi- 2. Ofosu-Elebesere, Erinjo- 1, Erinjo- 2.

In line with government directive, all Traditional rulers, Olus, Baales, Camp Heads and Farmers in the government reserves and farm settlements are expected to be on ground to give a helping hands to the consultant, Orbital Solutions Global Services Limited which government contracted to handle the job.

The consultant, employed high technology and geospatial data to drive agricultural markets.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati had introduced the consultant that will be in charge of the scientific management of the government reserves and farm settlements, Mr Adewale Adegoke to the Olus, Baales and Camp Heads at an interface with the farmers in the government reserves.

Adefarati who at the meeting which took place at the Fadama Hall ministry of agriculture intimated the farmers of government’s decision to carry out forestry mapping enjoin them on complete the registration of their farms saying government will need the database for its landbank for an effective agricultural practises.

At the meeting, Adegoke directed each Camp Heads and the farmer to be on the spot allocated to each of them in order to have an effective exercise that will stand the test of time.

Source :https://citadelng.com/odsg-commences-forestry-mapping-farms-registration/

As parts of efforts to bring development to Igbara-Oke, the Olowa of Igbara-Oke kingdom, HRM, Oba Dr. Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede, and the Council of Chiefs, received into the palace, team of investors who arrived Igbara-Oke with the desire to build Hospital of Excellence and Ultramodern Agricultural Settlements. The team from Legacy Initiative International and Nigeria-Vietnam Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

The leader of the team, who is the Grand Patron of Legacy Initiative International, Chief Dr. Kenny Martins, said the team is prepared to establish Hospital of Excellence and Agricultural Processing Settlements in Igbara-Oke. He said their visit came as a result of their desire to build these two projects in a peaceful environment, and seeing the serenity of Igbara-Oke, they are convinced to have arrived at the right place.

According to him, the hospital will serve many purposes for the citizens of the country and the need to travel abroad for medical treatment will be minimised. “It will be a world class hospital that will handle most cases many people traveled abroad for”. He said the organisation has approached President Muhammadu Buhari for waivers on the equipment they will bring into the country for these projects.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Onigemo of Igbara-Oke kingdom, High Chief Sunday Aiyegbo said Igbara-Oke is a town that is opened for development of many kinds that is of human benefits. He said the town is relatively peaceful, and has 13 Satellite towns that are viable socially and economically. Chief Aiyegbo also reiterate the participation of Oba Agbede at the United Nation’s Agricultural Summit in July, 2018 and efforts of Igbara-Oke sons and daughters towards supports given to investors that has partnered Igbara-Oke in diverse areas.

In the same vein, the Publicity Secretary of Igbara-Oke Council of Chiefs, High Chief Lade Ogunsakin welcomed the team on behalf of the Council of Chiefs and assured them of necessary supports towards the actualization of these projects.

Also, the President of Nigeria-Vietnam Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oye Akinsemoyin, said their plan is to make Igbara-Oke the Food Basket of Ondo State, with the introduction of new approach in Agriculture. He said Vietnam is the largest buyer of Nigeria cashew, and the country is ready to work with Igbara-Oke. “I have also pledged my support for this project with the mandate to work with Igbara-Oke in this Agricultural revolution”, says Akinsemoyin.

In his response, the Olowa of Igbara-Oke kingdom, HRM, Oba Dr. Francis Adefarakanmi Agbede, who expressed his joy towards these projects, said the town is prepared and fully ready to provide the landed properties for these projects. He said the major trade of the people of the town is agriculture, and he see this as another opportunity that must not pass the town by.

He therefore urged the people of Igbara-Oke to see this as another kind to development to be embraced, which will put Igbara-Oke on the global map in the areas of Health care delivery and Agriculture. He also assured the team of maximum support and cooperation,

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to remain committed in ensuring the equitable distribution of Nigeria’s commonwealth to correct past injustices.

The party, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, to commemorate celebration of June 12 Democracy Day, equally urged Nigerians to protect the country’s hard-earned democracy.

The ruling party further assured that the APC-led government will continue to commit itself to the finest ideals of democratic values and ethos through its progressive actions and programmes.

“The president Buhari-led APC government has, once again, demonstrated its avowed commitment to correct past injustices and celebrate heroes and heroines that paid the supreme sacrifice for the democratic freedom that we all cherish and enjoy today.

“In correcting past injustices, the APC-led government is also committed to equitable administration of our commonwealth for the benefit of all Nigerians. The world over, democracy, in its various forms and with its inevitable imperfections, remains the most representative system of government. This government will continue to commit itself to the finest ideals of our democratic values and ethos by its progressive actions and programmes for our people and our great country.

“We, hereby, urge all Nigerians to continue to appreciate the importance and significance of today’s (yesterday’s) occasion by continuously guarding jealously this hard-earned democracy, over which so many of our compatriots paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Issa-Onilu said.

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said it is a tragedy that the country is celebrating Democracy Day under the Buhari administration.



The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan,said the Buhari-led Federal Government has allegedly desecrated the country’s values and corrupted the electoral process, so as to remain in office.

The opposition noted that the Ppresident and the ruling APC cannot be superintending over the celebration of Democracy Day, when they are over-burdened by the guilt of the allegedly “questionable presidential electoral victory.”

position, emasculation of free speech among others.

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note how president Buhari’s address clearly shows a disregard for the tenets of democracy as he (Mr. President) has no clear commitments or assurances on fundamental issues of constitutionality, rule of law, separation of power, justice, fairness, free speech and rights of citizens, which are the hallmarks of democracy.

“Under his watch, for which the country now has an unprecedented 766 election petitions, including against the presidential election.

“President Buhari did not express any form of remorse for the barefaced constitutional violations, assault on institutions of democracy, particularly the legislature and the judiciary; human rights violations, assault on the media and the general siege mentality in the polity under his watch.

“It is sad that, on a day like this, Mr. President dwelt on false performance claims and had no soothing words for millions of compatriots who have been subjected to the worst form of economic misery, that they now resort to suicide and slavery mission abroad.”

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has upgraded the status of the State Accountant-General to a Permanent Secretary.

According to the letter signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu, it stated that “you are to see this change in nomenclature as an appreciation of your dedication to duty and hardwork, which must be sustained”.

The Governor who had earlier in several forum lauded the Permanent Secretary/Accountant-General, Mr. Laolu Akindolire, for judiciously managing the financial resources in the state observed that he has been very transparent, resilient and hardworking.

Mr. Laolu is a graduate of Higher Institute of Finance and Economics, holds a Master of Economics (Specialization in Finance) in Svishtov, Bulgaria, Europe.

He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria (CPA), Full Member of Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM), Certified Financial Consultants-Institute of Financial Consultants (U.S.A./Canada), Fellow, Institute of Financial Consultants (FIFC) (U.S.A./Canada), Member, International Consortium on Governmentally Financial Management, Washington DC, U.S.A., Fellow, Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Fellow, Certified National Accountant (FCNA) and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI).

He joined the Ondo State Civil Service as an Accountant in 1989 and was appointed the State Accountant-General in 2017 and is now appointed as Permanent Secretary.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has received the committee report of the takeover of Bethel College of Education, Ijare by the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said the development would help address the agitation for government owned tertiary institution in Ijare and its environs.

Arakunrin Akeredolu who called for a special training centre at making teachers' education more impactful on teaching and learning processes, said its curriculum should be more pragmatic and result oriented to accommodate positive behavioural learning outcomes that would evaluate the competence of teachers in training before their graduation.

The governor equally advised that courses like Child and Learning Psychology and Practical Teaching should be made intense to address the current needs of learners and the society.

Arakunrin Akeredolu used the occasion to assure of his administration determination to continue to support all efforts at revamping and improving the standard of education in the state.

He appreciated the Proprietor of the College, General Joshua Omosebi who the governor described as a revered leader for having the interest of his people and community at heart in all his philanthropic gestures.

He therefore enjoined the authority of AAUA to expedite actions on the take-over process by putting the place to good use starting from the next academic session of the university.

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The Federal Government has unveiled an emergency phone service for farmers to aid them in accessing expert advice on planting, herbicide application and other agricultural practices.

The programme is a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.



Speaking during a one-day sensitisation programme on the National Farmers Helpline Centre in Lagos on Monday, the General Manager, NAERLS, Akeem Lawal, said the project was an intervention programme aimed at making up for the shortfall in the agricultural extension agents.

He said the number of extension agents assisting farmers in the country was too small.

“For now, we have one extension worker to more than 4,000 farmers in many states, whereas the recommended rate should be one extension agent to about 400 farmers. There is no state that has that in the country.

“The states cannot employ up to the number of extension agents that will service the farmers because they cannot afford it. So this is to leverage Information and Communications Technology such that the farmers can use the phones which they have to call the helpline and receive responses to their challenges.”

He described the initiative as “a new thing,” saying, “There are only two other countries that do it in Africa, Kenya and Ghana.

“We started it about four years ago but it did not go online because of bottlenecks but we are there now and we are hoping that the Nigerian Communications Commission will licence a line for us, maybe with a shortcode of four digits so that when people call from any line it will reach us.

“But now, we have two normal GSM lines which people can call and table their problems.”

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has emerged the chairman of the South West Governors' Forum.

Governor Akeredolu emerged Chairman at a Special Security Meeting of Governors from the South West region, held at the Ondo State Governor's Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

The meeting was held to address the growing spate of insecurity in the South West Region.

The Governors announced their decision to hold a regional security summit that will bring all critical stakeholders together to brainstorm on how to stem the tide of insecurity in the region.

The meeting was attended by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde; Odun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN.

Akeredolu's emergence as Chairman of the South West Governors' Forum followed a unanimous decision by all the governors from the South West.

Speaking after the Special Security meeting, the host Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, said the DAWN commission has been directed to coordinate the summit aimed at further promoting the developmental agenda of the South West region.

He said the DAWN commission will also look at all modalities that will help to stem the tide of banditry, kidnapping and insecurity in the zone and also look into the national agenda and response.

“There's urgent need to stem the tide of criminal activities and banditry in our region and as leaders, we must be proactive in our approach to addressing the issue," Governor Akeredolu said.

He stated further that a consulting firm, KPMG has been appointed to review the tenure of the Group Managing Director of Oodua investment company, which has all the South West State Govenments as shareholders.

Source :https://citadelng.com/akeredolu-emerges-chairman-south-west-governors-forum-set-to-hold-security-summit/

The organised labour has called on the government to conclude negotiation on the new minimum wage implementation this week because labour leaders will be attending the 2019 International Labour Conference scheduled for Geneva, Switzerland, between June 10 and 21.

The President of the Trade Union Congress, Bobboi Kaigama, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview that both parties had been working behind the scene on what to present when negotiation begins.

He said, “Behind the scene, our people are working on the assignment. When we sit, we will bring our thoughts together. By the end of the week, most of us will not be around because we will be travelling out of the country for the International Labour Conference. We must conclude before we travel. We are working to ensure that the major work is concluded before next week.”

Asked if a few days would be enough for a detailed work to be done before the time, Bobboi said he was hopeful since both parties had been doing a lot since the committee was inaugurated.

He added, “Detailed job will be done because we have already been working behind the scene. It is just a matter of making presentations and agreeing on issues involved and making them available to the government. Both teams have been doing their home work. We will expedite actions on our proposals. I am not the chairman of the committee, but on the side of labour, we want to make sure that we conclude the job before the end of this week.”

Source :https://citadelng.com/labour-wants-minimum-wage-negotiation-completed-this-week/

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture, has embarked on an aggressive campaign against malaria in some riverine communities in Ondo State whose environment is prone to breeding mosquitoes.

Tagged: Roll back malaria programme, the event was scaled up with awareness lecture on the dangers, causes and prevention of the deadly disease in Ugbo, Ilaje council area of the state. The General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs of Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, noted that it is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by the company to better the health of the people. Brikinn pointed out that NNPC/Chevron Joint Venture would continue to partner with the Federal and state governments in the drive to eliminate malaria in the nation.
Brikinn said: “CNL places the highest priority on the health and safety of its neighbouring communities, workforce and protection of the environment and its asset.” Health Sommissioner in the state, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, who lauded the oil company for the intervention programme, said it would tremendously help to reverse the scourge of malaria in the state.
Adegbenro said: “The programme would complement the health insurance scheme embarked upon by the state government to ensure the people have access to quality and affordable healthcare. “We are almost through with the one percent consolidated fund that is coming from the Federal Government. A lot is happening in the health sector and very shortly everybody will enjoy free healthcare with any financial embarrassment.”
Also, coordinator, Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRPA, Mrs. Edna Ohunayo said the gesture will soon take place in Owo. Ohunayo noted that the annual initiative had been beneficial to people of the area, whose environments are prone to breeding mosquitoes causing malaria.

Source :https://citadelng.com/chevron-embarks-on-campaign-against-malaria-in-ondo-communities/

The organized labour in Kogi state has described the payment of December 2018 and January 2019 salaries to state workers and pensioners as a huge relief.

A statement by the NLC chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka, and his TUC counterpart, Ranti Ojo, said the payment of the two months arrears to workers and pensioners would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the workers and pensioners.

The Labour leaders commended the state governor, Yahaya Bello, for keeping to his promise to pay the outstanding salary arrears to workers and pensioners in the state.

They however appealed to government to sustain the current tempo of payment to enable it settle all outstanding salaries in due course.

The statement also called for improvement in the percentage salary paid to teachers and local government workers, stressing that any percentage short of what was agreed with Labour will not be acceptable.

According to the statement, the loyalty of organized Labour to the government is unequivocal, stressing that the only concern of Labour was the welfare and well being of workers and pensioners

Source :https://citadelng.com/kogi-labour-lauds-gov-yahaya-bello-on-payment-of-salary-arrears/

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what?

former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, has criticised the leadership style of his successor and incumbent National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.

According to him, Oshiomhole lacks the temperament and capacity to run a political party.



Odigie-Oyegun stated this in his response to a communique issued by the South-South APC State Chairmen, who blamed him for allegedly being the cause of conflicts within the party.

The Deputy National Chairman (North), Lawal Shuaibu, had in a May 28 letter, asked Oshiomhole to resign for allegedly running the APC like a private fiefdom.

He had alleged that many decisions attributed to the National Working Committee were personal decisions of the national chairman but imposed on the party without formal meeting.

But in defence of Oshiomhole, the six state chairmen who asked Shuaibu to apologise to the national chairman within seven days, blamed Odigie-Oyegun for the troubles in the party.

They claimed that it was the problems created by Odigie-Oyegun, that fuelled the unfortunate situation.

However, in a statement by his Public Affairs Adviser, Ray Morphy, in Abuja on Sunday, Odigie-Oyegun said the claims of the state chairmen were “ludicrous and infantile.”

He described the statement as an attempt to justify the failings of the party under Oshiomhole.

He said, “Oshiomhole fails because he lacks the temperament that is required to run a political party. He lacks the capacity to manage the different interests and tendencies that constitute a political party.


“He engages his mouth before engaging his mind, so he offends party members. So, how does that constitute traps by Oyegun, the erstwhile chairman?”

Odigie-Oyegun said Shuaibu in his letter had confirmed that Oshiomhole was running the party without recourse to the NWC.

He added, “He acts in direct opposite of decisions taken by NWC. No minutes of NWC meetings which, in any event, take place outside the party secretariat.

“How would you not have crises in states with the confusion that Oshiomhole created when he gave the states freedom to choose their methods of choosing candidates for elections?

“Much of the crisis in states arose out of sheer incapacity on the part of the current chairman. How does this Oshiomhole’s incapacity become traps by Oyegun?”

Giving reasons for the crisis in the party, Odigie-Oyegun said many party men were disappointed because of the unfairness and injustice meted to them during the primaries.

“Only a bad carpenter quarrels with his tools. Indeed Oshiomhole is degrading and demarketing the party. Rather than seek to bring more people on board, he is chasing people out of the party with his agbero style of engagement,” he added.

But reacting, the Akwa Ibom State APC Chairman, Ini Okopido, said the six South-South APC state chairmen issued the communique stating their position on the matter in order to save the party from disintegration.

He said, “Anybody that loves the party should be interested in strengthening it. Anybody who wants the success of the party and the government should believe in building a solid foundation.

“It is under that atmosphere that the party can bring dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”

For the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Yahaya Bello, factional APC leaders and discerning political watchers, there are interesting days ahead the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State.

Recently, there were bribery claims and counter-claims, in which the state factional APC chairman, Haddy Ametuo and other notable members of the faction were accused of selling out to the faction loyal to Bello, who is seeking a second term ticket.

But with the subsisting court case instituted by Ametuo’s faction, seeking reinstatement as the authentic APC state exco and buoyed by the Supreme Court’s recent sacking of all elected APC members in Zamfara State, Governor Yahaya Bello may have been forced to come down from his high horse, if latest developments in Kogi APC is anything to go by.

With over three years of irreconcilable differences and the attendant running battles between the two factions, where the Ametuo-led exco controls the party, while Bello controls government, recent reports indicated that Bello had reached out to the other side.

Said to be jittery over possible reenactment of the Zamfara scenario in Kogi, North Central APC was said to have reached out to the factional chairman to reconsider his hard stance against Bello.

All this is happening in the midst of allegations that Ametuo, alongside former Senators Dangana Ocheja and Mohammed Ohiare, as well as Mohammed Audu, son of late Prince Abubakar Audu may have already sold out to Bello.

The quartet was alleged to have been prevailed to sheathe their swords, support Bello’s second term ambition, as well as withdraw the case filed by the Ametuo-led faction.

At the said meeting, the embattled governor was said to have gone down on his knees, entreating for the withdrawal of the pending case in court, and the endorsement of his ambition by the Alex Kadiri-led Kogi Elders Forum, known for its uncompromising stance on issues affecting Kogi people’s development and welfare. They were said to have indicted Bello over non-performance and maladministration during his first term. However, all those implicated in allegations of ‘settlement’ have denied it.

Audu’s son, Mohammed, said such allegations couldn’t be true, especially as he condemned Bello’s attitude towards the Audu family.

An angry Mohammed said: “The claims were products of hallucination that could only be induced by excessive use of hard drugs. It is only someone under the influence of hard drugs that would conjure reports that I was in a meeting to endorse Governor Bello’s second term bid.

“How can I stoop so low to endorse, let alone work for the re-election of a governor that has refused to pay salaries and pensions, despite the massive inflow of funds and aid to the state in the last three years?

“This is a man who has not deemed it fit to honour my late father, who laboured for the office he is occupying today. Governor Bello once promised to name the state university after my late father, in whose first stint as democratically elected governor in 1992, the idea of a state university was mooted. He has failed to fulfil his pledge, three and half years after assuming office. He has not even deemed it fit to name a single street after him… I am not a prodigal son.”

Similarly, Ametuo explained: “It is true the governor invited us for a meeting, but we have not even met. Why didn’t the person behind the allegation put his name to it? That’s to tell you it is fake news. For more than three years now, we have been left out in the cold. Efforts to make the governor recognise us and give us our dues, as authentic party executives did not yield any result.

“And now that he said he wanted to meet with us, we have agreed to meet with him. We don’t even have an idea of what he’s going to tell us. Let it be clear that there is no way I will cooperate with opposition parties to make my party lose everything in Kogi State, including the 2019 governorship election…”

The factional chairman disclosed that the Alex Kadiri-led Elders Forum had also agreed to meet with Bello after the Sallah break.

Asked if his faction was having a rethink and probably contemplating withdrawing the pending case or dropping the demand for reinstatement as the authentic exco, Ametuo responded in the negative, saying, “Bello’s faction should be prepared to meet us in court on June 3…”

While it is not certain who will blink first or what will be traded between the two factions, what is clear is that the Ametuo faction presently holds the ace.

Reinstating the Ametuo exco would be akin to Bello toeing a dangerous path that could likely bury his re-election bid.
The Ametuo faction, an offspring of the Audu Faleke camp, has not hidden its opposition to Bello’s second term bid.

Furthermore, some members of the camp are leading aspirants, hoping to displace Bello in the jostle for APC ticket in the August 2019 gubernatorial primaries.

Head or tail, the governor surely has his hands full. An anonymous source in the Audu/Faleke camp said any horse-trading between Ametuo and Bello will be a “non-issue,” as the group had concluded plot to deny him the ticket.

A Governor And His Many Battles
The political furnace blazing in Kogi seems to be making Governor Bello seriously uncomfortable. Last week, he had a bad day in office.

First, his attempt at shepherding traditional rulers to the Presidential Villa on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, which had to do with his quest for a second term, reportedly hit the rocks. The royal fathers were turned back because they were not scheduled.

Bello had allegedly mounted pressure on the traditional rulers to do his bidding in the run-up to the November polls.

The Governor has also been in a running battle with Kogi judiciary. The state House of Assembly, accused of acting as an extended arm of the executive, failed in its recommendation to remove the state chief judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah. And last week, Bello dismissed Justice Ajanah from an official function. Followers of goings-on in Kogi’s socio-political space attributed Bello’s grouse with the head of judiciary to the fallout from the long-drawn impasse, in the governor’s bid to unseat the Chief Judge.

Ajanah and the state judiciary, however, challenged the resolution to effect the ouster of the Chief Judge. And a judgment was given in Ajanah’s favour.

Bello’s various moves may not be unconnected with the Supreme Court’s recent verdict, which annulled APC’s victory in Zamfara and Rivers States, while declaring PDP the winner.

Few days after the February 17, 2018 APC mega rally held at Confluence City Stadium, Lokoja, which had the immediate past national APC chairman, John Oyegun in attendance, the internal wrangling in the state chapter of APC took a new dimension, as Bello was accused of opening a new secretariat and announcing the constitution of new state executive to pilot the party’s affairs in acting capacity.

The Acting chairman, Ahovi Ibrahim, inaugurated members of the appointed state executive. The new secretariat was commissioned by Oyegun, but as a campaign office for President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ametuo, who was earlier confirmed by APC national leadership as the authentic state party chairman, accused Governor Bello of disregarding party’s decision.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu Aketi, SAN, has met with the incoming state lawmakers in the state ahead of their inauguration today.

The Governor met the lawmakers at the Elizade University, Ilara-mokin in Ifedore Local Government, Area of the state on Sunday during an induction programme .

The State House of Assembly would, later today, elect its principal officers for the 9th Assembly, which has 8 returning members and 18 new members.

The governor promised to work with any officer elected and also assured of his cooperation with the State House of Assembly.

He explained that the Legislative and Executive arm of government needed to be in harmony for the state to move forward, and to ensure that the people reaped the dividends of democracy

"I will work with you, and am always prepared to work with you. But I will always demand that whatever we do, we should be reasonable

"Whatever comes from your collective wisdom, I am ready to work with them. Find a way to work as one because there is a lot to be done for our people.

"The last Assembly did extremely well in Legislative functions. We are ahead of many states in laws passed. I believe that this coming Assembly will surpass what the last did because many of you are promising," he said.

According to Arakunrin Akeredolu "the House of Assembly building will be renovated because it is important, and we believe in it, so maintain it when it is done."

He further advised the lawmakers to be patient because the state must prioritize its spendings in view of limited funds.

"In the past four months, our FAAC allocations have dropped, but we have been able to manage due to the steady increase in the IGR, which used to be N700 million but has now increased to N1.5 billion monthly.

"Even the contractors working on road projects in the state are due for payment, but we must prioritize even as I have prioritized for the sake of the state," he said.

Source:https://citadelng.com/ill-work-smoothly-with-you-akeredolu-assures-incoming-state-legislators/

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StillX10:
good luck

For us

BREAKING! Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammad Tanko, swears in Vice President Yemi Osinbajo And President Muhammadu Buhari He shall Be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria till 2023 #TheInauguration

StillX10:
we are in trouble for another four years

don't get it triwsted, You can only be in trouble for another four years not '' We''
Because this another year '' We'' be a favour one for us

APC is always at the top

Yes ooo.. He still remain our President for another good 4years either Atiku like it or not is on changeable

President Muhammadu Buhari submitted his asset declaration forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau on Tuesday, meeting the May 28 deadline the bureau set for public officers to make their end of tenure declaration.

Buhari will be inaugurated for a second term on Wednesday (today) for another four years.

By constitutional provisions, the declaration is mandatorily to precede his oath-taking today.

“The duly completed forms were submitted to the Chairman of the CCB, Prof Mohammed Isa, on behalf of the President by Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant, Household and Domestic Affairs”, the Presidency said last night in a statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu.

The President claimed not to own new property than the assets he declared in 2015 when he began his first term.

The Presidency said, “The forms, as signed by the President and sworn to before a Judge of Abuja High Court, showed no significant changes in assets as declared in 2015 by him.

“There are no new houses, no new bank accounts at home and abroad and there are no new shares acquired.

“The chairman of the CCB commended the President for leading by example by declaring his assets in accordance with the law.”

The PUNCH recalls that Buhari in 2015, through a statement by Shehu, mentioned the assets he had declared at the CCB before assuming office.

On the list released in September, 2015, Buhari stated that he had N30m in his bank account before he assumed office in May of that year.

In addition to owning 270 cows, 25 sheep, five horses, birds and economic trees, there were five houses in Kaduna, Daura, Kano and Abuja. He said the Daura houses were made of “mud.”

He also owned a plot of land each in Port Harcourt and Kano; farms, an orchard and some cars.

The President operated an account with Union Bank, but the statement said he neither owned a foreign account nor any company/factory.

Among the property declared were shares in Berger Paints, Union Bank and Skye Bank.


The Presidency had said further, “The retired general uses a number of cars, two of which he bought from his savings and the others supplied to him by the Federal Government in his capacity as a former Head of State.

“The rest were donated to him by well-wishers after his jeep was damaged in a Boko Haram bomb attack on his convoy in July 2014.”

For Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Presidency stated that he had, “A bank balance of about N94m and 900,000 United States Dollars in his bank accounts.”


The houses owned by Osinbajo back then were listed as “four-bedroomed residence on Victoria Garden City, Lagos, and a three-bedroom flat on 2, Mosley Road, Ikoyi; two-bedroom flat on Redemption Camp along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and a 2-bedroom mortgaged property in Bedford, England.”



The Presidency added, “Apart from his law firm, known as SimmonsCooper, the vice-president also declared shareholding in six private companies based in Lagos, including Octogenerium Limited, Windsor Grant Limited, Tarapolsa, Vistorion Limited, Aviva Limited and MTN Nigeria.”

Source :https://citadelng.com/asset-declaration-i-have-no-new-houses-shares-buhari/

President Muhammadu Buhari and 29 governors who emerged victorious in last elections will, today, take oath of office for a fresh four-year term.

This was even as Nigerians gave kudos and knocks to president Buhari; during an assessment of his first term.

Acting Chief Justice of the Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Mohammed, will administer the oath of office and oath of allegiance on Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Eagle Square in Abuja, in a colorful ceremony, which the Federal Government has promised would be low-key.

Eagle Square is wearing a new look, as all is set for the swearing in ceremony, which will begin Buhari’s second term.

In 29 states, governors would also take the oath of office. Some of them will be starting their second term in office, while some others are in their first terms.

Governors who are taking oath of office today are: Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia),

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Adedapo Abiodun (Ogun), Darius Ishaku (Taraba) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).

Others are Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullai Gandu- je (Kano), Aminu Tambuwa (Sokoto), Mohammed Mattawale (Zamfara), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Mohammed Bala (Bauchi), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Solomon Lalong (Plateau), Ahmadu Finitri (Adamawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).

Governors who will also take oath of office are Aminu Masari (Katsina), Muhammad Yahaya (Gombe), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Muhammad Badaru (Jigawa), Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa).

Governors Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Willie Obiano (Anambra) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) are still in office.

Meanwhile, vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has thanked God for sustaining democracy for 20 years in Nigeria.

Obi said this, yesterday, in Owerri, during an inaugural lecture in honour of Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, at the Ahajioku Convention Centre, Owerri.

He advised Ihedioha on the need to cut the cost of governance and concentrate on education and other infrastructure, and added that the fact that democracy has stayed uninterrupted,in spite of many lapses, was proof that it had come to stay.

He thanked all those who were part of the growth of democracy in the country and reminded Nigerian leaders that democracy is more than just a name.

“The beauty of democracy is not in the name, but, in what our people now commonly call ‘democracy dividend,’ which we are yet to experience fully in Nigeria.”

He pointed out the inability to achieve free and fair election and enthronement of the rule of law as our greatest failing.

In its reaction to the president’s Monday interview, the PDP said resort to blame game and alleged false performance claims, further confirmed that his administration failed in effectively managing the affairs of the country, in the last four years.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, yesterday, noted that it is accepted globally that all critical sectors of the country performed abysmally in the last four years, because of the alleged incompetence of All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

Besides, the PDP said “president Buhari’s diatribe against the National Assembly and its elected leadership further confirms his disdain for constitutional democracy, rule of law and the Principle of Separation of powers; as entrenched in our Constitution.

“Mr President’s personal attacks on the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, were totally uncalled for and spoke volumes on his disposition about democracy.”

Source :https://citadelng.com/new-dawn-as-buhari-29-govs-take-oath-for-fresh-4-year-term/

The Federal Capital Territory is looking set to host dignitaries when President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will be inaugurated for second term on Wednesday.

Although the Federal Government said most activities meant for the inauguration had been moved to June 12, a day that has been declared as the country’s new Democracy Day, Buhari and Osinbajo will still be inaugurated at the Eagles Square, Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday.

The government is currently busy giving the FCT a facelift ahead of the event.

Our correspondent reported that workers of Julius Berger Plc were seen re-painting the white walls of the City Gate on Sunday.

They were also seen hoisting new national flags on many poles erected at the City Gate and some other locations on the busy Airport Road.

Similar activities have been carried out at the Eagles Square, venue of the inauguration.

Members of the Presidential Inauguration Committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, had on Friday inspected facilities at the venue.

Men of the Nigeria Police Force as well as the military and para-military agencies have also been carrying out daily rehearsals at the venue.

When our correspondent visited the facility on Monday morning, people were seen putting finishing touches to the arrangements being made there, including decorations, while the rehearsal was also going on.

New national flags and those of the ruling All Progressives Congress have been hoisted at the venue.

Portrays of Buhari and Osinbajo were also seen adorning the venue.

Traffic is expected to be diverted from the major road leading to the venue located in the Three Arms Zone in the early hours of Wednesday as the event has been slated for 8am.

As part of activities lined up for the inauguration, Buhari had on Friday led top government officials, who are Muslims to the National Mosque, Abuja for a special Jumaat service.

On Sunday, Osinbajo also led government officials, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps and traditional rulers who are Christians to an interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, also on Saturday had an interaction with some women as part of the inauguration programmes.

Buhari’s first term will expire on Tuesday, having been inaugurated for the first time on May 29, 2015.

The President had asked his ministers to continue working till Tuesday (today) when they will be expected to hand over to the permanent secretaries in their ministries.

Source :https://citadelng.com/abuja-set-for-buharis-second-term-inauguration/

The Ondo State Oil Producing Area and Development Commission appropriation bill 2019 of N11.732,415,818.99 was yesterday passed into law by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

The appropriation bill was unanimously passed into law after its second and third readings by the House.

This year’s budget had the proposed capital expenditure of the sum of N10,074,716,724.53k while the recurrent expenditure gulped N1,657,699,094.46k out of the total budget.

Presenting the recommendations of joint committees on OSOPADEC,the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Sunday Olajide, said the proposed budget aimed at bringing more succor to the generality of the citizens of the state in the riverine area.

He explained that if the project revenue is realized, some ongoing projects by the commission will be completed within the fiscal year.

Olajide recommended that the executive arm of government should ensure the management team of the commission is well guided by their provisions of the budget in the course of implementation.

The joint committee emphasized that the ongoing projects that are near completion should be given the much needed attention with a view to completing them soonest.

He called on the management of OSOPADEC to embark on Internally Generated Revenue drive as provided for in relevant laws.

Meanwhile, the House adopted resolutions on standing order for southwest legislature, fire incident at Ugbo ,llaje Ojumole Oil Well operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) for year 2019 to 2021

Also during the plenary session, three bills and a request for confirmation of appointment of members of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission were stepped down.

The bills and a request for confirmation of appointment were presented by the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to be passed into laws.

Ondo State Internal Revenue Service(ODIRS) will soon embark on census to capture over one million tax payers. Already, the service has captured about 400,000 tax payers out of over a million taxable adults in the state.

The Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, Mr Tolu Adegbie disclosed this in an interview with The Hope yesterday in Akure, the state capital.

Adegbie explained that the state with about 3.9 million population among which 50 percentage are youths below 18 years has close to a million taxable adults.

According to him, the state will soon conduct a census of taxable adults to get the exact figure of her taxable adults.

He said that there are different categories of taxable adults, saying that it is not all taxable adults that could pay tax.

He noted that some are exempted by law like the Pastors, Imams and the Pensioners whom he said do not earn salaries.

His words:”The figures we focus on is how many people are paying taxes. The population of the state is about 3.9million and 50 percent are youths who are below 18years

.”We are looking at 3.9million people divided by two, that is about 1.9million people, so, if you say from1.9 million, a million is removed for some people who are exempted and the unemployed graduates, the number of people expected to pay taxes should be close to a million”, he observed.

According to Adegbie, the law permits the state to generate its tax identification numbers for people, saying that it is then it could be said they have been captured.

He declared that the state had been operating the Joint Task Board (JTB) where only 50,000 people were captured while they were not the only people paying taxes.

” We have a payment platform that records the payment each person made which gave the number given based on our tax clearance certificate”, he added.

The Chairman, who reacted on the position of the state as the ninth position in IGR said the state will be among the top five before the end of next year.

According to him, performing well is not a magic but must be carefully planned stressing that the impact of the newly recruited revenue officers would fully be felt next year.