₦airaland Forum

F3dan:
I am a Kogite, which I believe you are too. Please kindly point out what the Governor has done in the past 3 years that deserves reelection.

124 ACHIEVEMENTS OF YAHAYA BELLO IN KOGI STATE

1. Reduction of ghost workers
2. Sanitation of civil service workers in the state
3. Democratic Humanist
4. Security Engagement
5. Payment of three months salary abandoned by his immediate predecessor
6. Epitome of power shift
7. Epitome of inconclusive electoral reform
8.Detribalised governor
9. unifier governor
10.Breaker of ethnic jingoism
11.Provision of 200 utility vehicles for security operation.
12. Freedom of expression in the state
13. Destruction of intelligence gathering at the detriment of criminals
14. Best governor in security programne
15. Restore confidence to local and foreign investors
16. Farmers are now more confident than ever before.
17. Father of new direction agenda
18. Youth Ambassador in governance

19. Purchased over 500 motor cycles as security outfits to reduce crimes

20. Construction of Army forward operation at different places in the state

21. Training of forest guards

22. Recruitment of thousands of vigilante Corps to enhance security

23. Provision of free Toll Lines to enhance good information

24. Creation of dialogue and cooperation platform for peace between the herdsmen and farmers.

25. Training of security personnel

26. Establishment of health plus prpgramme

27. Renovation, remodelling and reequipping 21 primary health centres in all the 21 local government.

28. Provision of free maternal and newborn health care services

29. Saving of 168 patients with life threatening issue

30. Procurement of assorted custonerized paediatric drugs for the state

31. Adoption of Clorhexidine gel for umbilical cord care

32. Prompt payment of counterpart fund to partners

33. Addressed the menace of quackery in the health profession

34. Enhanced the state sustainable Drug supply system

35. Unparalleled response to medical emergency situation

36. Introduction of PPP (Public Private Partnership onto the health sectors.

37. Having the likes of performing and hardworking aides as Asuku Jamiu, Abubakar Ohere, Abdulmalik Abdulkarim, Professor Ahmed Adam, etc in his government.

38. Establishment of Confluence Advance Medical Diagnostic and Imaging Centre ( CAMDIC)

39. Give facelift to the College of Nursing, Obangede

40. Renovation of Zonal hospital in Kabba (Kogi West), Idah ( Kogi East) and Okene (Kogi Central).

41. Construction of cottage hospital in Kpareke

42. Massive renovation and construction of new hostel and clinics at the School of Nursing Obangede,

42. Construction of administrative block at the School of Health Technology, Idah

43. Strengthening of the State Action Committee on HIV/AIDS

44.Established modality of workplace Diagnosis to prevent workplace Deaths as a result of unknown or lately discovered health condition

45. Unprecedented agricultural revolution in the state just as in the Agricultural Renaissance Policy of the Federal Government to ensure good security and promotion of non oil sector for economic transformation.

46. Encourage Youth to key into farming through orientation, sensitisation, mechanisation input subsidiary

47. Facilitating loans for farmers to encourage mechanization and improved production of food.

48. Clearing of 1000 hectares of land across the state which were allocated to youthful farmers with farm inputs and agric machines services.

49.. Procurement of 375 Fergus Tractors with complete implements, three quantities each for Mini Harvesters, Planters, Broom Sprayers, Rice Reapers and other similar equipment to enhance agricultural activities and boost production.

50. Procurement and assemblage of 1500 Tillers which were distributed to small scale farmers in 2017.

51. Along the value chains, Agriculture has created about 20,000 jobs for Kogites, thereby depopulating the unemployed demography in the state.

52.. Contributed in no small measure to the cultivation of 3000 hectares of rice and 5000 hectares of cassava in the state.

53. In order to bridge the gap in vegetable production using the advantage of the nodal location of the state, the State Government has established a state of the art greenhouse Farm at Osara to produce tomatoes and other vegetables.

54. Keying into the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (ADS) through payment of the State’s counterpart fund. the Ministry of Agriculture has constructed 500 fish ponds as a pilot scheme and have been handed over to over 1000 youth across the state to own and operate.

55. In a related development, over 300 youth will also be empowered in Akpata Ega in Idah Local Government where 400 ponds have already been constructed. This is being replicated in all the Senatorial Districts in the state. The main scheme is targeting 10,000 youth across the state.

56. In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the State Government took delivery and distributed 76btruck-load of inorganic fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized rate to boost soil fertility.

57. As the leading producer of Cassava in Nigeria and coupled with the guaranteed security of investors, Kogi State has been able to attract the biggest ethanol company in Nigeria known as Unicane. The company uses cassava as its main raw materials, thereby sparking massive production of the crop. Kogi farmers have never been richer.

58. The Federal Government must have seen the seriousness of the State Government in promoting agriculture when it nominated the latter as the pioneer state for the National Egg Production Scheme. 135 youth are empowered with N4.2 million each to support their poultry farms.

59. The Omi Dam success story is a massive testimony of the achievement of the Yahaya Bello-led administration in agriculture. The scheme is positioning the state as the rice detination of Nigeria. The State Government has also empowered hundreds of youth to grow rice in the riverine areas of the state.

60. Thousands of farmers across the state have benefitted from the Anchor Borrowers Scheme of the Federal Government.

F3dan:
Echocho is shooting himself in the foot, the goodwill he has enjoyed is deceiving him.

No one is deceiving anybody , but because of the little he as done Gov Yahaya Bello deserve the second term

aolawale025:
In his view. Kogites know better

Of course And his ready to do better than before

Good

Senator-elect of Kogi East Senatorial District, Alhaji Jibrin Isah, has backed the second term ambition of the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

According to the lawmaker-elect, he arrived at the decision after taking time to think about the welfare and progress of the people of his constituency and the entire Kogi people.

In a statement he personally signed yesterday, Isah said, “I am wholeheartedly endorsing the bid of my friend and brother, Yahaya Bello, for a second term in Office as Governor of Kogi State. I have taken a while to make this decision because the welfare and progress of the great people of my Kogi East Constituency and Kogi State as a whole lie in the balance.”

“I am a man who has poured his life into the pursuit of the overall best interests of my people and state. For many years, first as a professional, then as a businessman and lately as a politician, I have dedicated myself to achieving this objective.

“In the process, I have become intimately acquainted with the peculiarities of our state, the challenges of her people and the perfidies of her politicians.

“I have experienced firsthand the character and leadership of several past occupants of Government House, Lokoja and I can attest that Governor Yahaya Bello stands out for trustworthiness, forthrightness and commitment to good governance”.

The Senator-elect noted that he would rather have Governor Bello preside over the affairs of Kogi State for the next four years “than any of the other individuals who have shown interest in the job”.

He continued: “I admit that no society has ever found Plato’s Philosopher-King, that prototypical ruler who by a perfect blend of knowledge, intelligence, reliability and simplicity is the epitome of good governance. Leaders may emerge who display his ideal attributes to a lesser or a greater degree, but none can achieve his perfection.

“Governor Bello is no Philosopher-King, but I have observed that he possesses a sincere desire to lead well, a disposition to serve the people and the political will to take difficult decisions and follow through on them.

“His Excellency has shown great promise in his first term and I am convinced by his track record that he remains our best option towards a brighter future for our state from amongst those who present themselves and meet the legal requirements to run for the position of Governor of Kogi State.

“Governor Bello’s Economic Blueprint , which was unfolded during the last Kogi State Economic Summit is being pursued, resulting in various partnership arrangements, meant to harness the abundant natural resources, and equally revive some of the hitherto vibrant government enterprises, in the state , in order to create employment opportunities for all categories of Kogites.

“It is thus my considered opinion, after due consultations with my followers and stakeholders, that for the Kogi State Gubernatorial Elections in November, 2019 our incumbent Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, remains the best candidate. We shall give him our unalloyed fidelity and strong support. I call on all lovers of our state to join me in this worthy endeavour,” he stated.

Naira Marley after court order. Source: Channels
Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, says the anti-graft agency is not after musicians and entertainers in the country.

He made this known while speaking on Wednesday during an interactive session with artists, comedians, and On-Air-Personalities (OAP) at the EFCC Headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.

Advertise With Us
Magu said the aim of the interactive session is to address the impression that the EFCC is after musicians in the country.

The EFCC boss also spoke about the ordeal of popular musician, Afeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, who was arrested by the EFCC in Lagos on his birthday, May 10.

Naija Marley who was arrested with Zlatan Ibile and three others was arraigned in court on an 11-count charge bothering on credit card fraud among others.

Apparently, Naira Marley has been remanded in the Ikoyi prison pending when the court will resume the hearing for his bail application on May 30.

While speaking, Magu said: “Let me use this opportunity to emphasize that we have no issues with any member of this very important sector of the country.

“I have said it in the past and I will also like to restate, that the EFCC does not go after any innocent person. Our mandate is to rid Nigeria of any form of economic and financial crimes, and internet fraud is not excluded.”

He further stressed that “there is always intelligence report that our officers get and investigate before effecting a warrant of arrest, and we don’t arrest innocent people”.

Magu confirmed that he had earlier in the year constituted a Task Team with the responsibility of getting rid of cybercrime from the Nigerian society. He noted that his move was prompted by the concern for the increasing cases of internet fraud.

“This Task Team has since swung into action, and the outcome of what you have is the increasing cases and report of EFCC operatives rounding up internet fraudsters across the country,” he added.

Communities in Ojumole, where Chevron Nigeria Oil well has been in flame for the past 35 days, have demanded compensations of N2.5 billion for the damages done on the people and their lands.

They made the demand yesterday during a public hearing before the ad-hoc committee set up by the State House of Assembly on the fire incident.

Reading the submissions of the communities, Dr. Akin Akinruntan noted that the fire had had devastating effects on the people in the communities.

Akinruntan said the oil company had refused to take reasonable steps at putting out the fire.



He also called for Ondo State government’s intervention in the interest of the communities.

But, the General Manager, Policy, Government & Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria, Mid-Africa Business Unit, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn, explained that efforts are being intensified to ensure that the fire was put out.

Brikinn attributed the fire incident to the outcome of criminal activities on the Chevron facilities.

He maintained that the oil company would work in line with appropriate laws and regulations, noting that the company would meet with representatives of the affected communities.

Addressing reporters at the end of the hearing, Chairman of the House Ad hoc committee, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan, said the house would embark on visiting the site to have on the spot assessment in the affected communities.

Speaker of the House Bamidele Oleyelogun promised fair hearing to the stakeholders.

He expressed displeasure over the nonchalant attitude of the oil company to the affected communities.

The Ondo state commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Haruna Gagara has declared that drug abuse poses a great problem to the Nigerian children, the government and the society at large.

He made the declaration at a one-day sensitisation and anti-drug abuse ambassador competition organised by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for students of the state as part of activities marking the 2019 National Children Day celebration held at the Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium, Akure.

The Commandant who spoke on the topic “Drug abuse among children :Addressing the challenges ” affirmed that drug abuse threatens the sustainable growth and development of the future leaders.He called on all stakeholders to play a key role in waging war against the menace in the country.

He believed that if concerted efforts are made towards the eradication of the ugly trend in our society, it will go a long way in saving the children and protecting our future.

According to him, some years ago, drug abuse was seen as a scourge among youths, particularly those in the higher institutions but recently children below the ages of 13 have been found to abuse drugs such as tramadol, codeine, cannabis, alcohol among others which called for urgent action.

He listed stages of drug abuse to include experimental, occasional/social use, regular use and addiction stage which its consequences are physical, psychological and social.

Gagara called on parents, particularly mothers to improve on the level of parental care, schools authority should improve on teaching, guidance and counseling ,government to formulate policies that will discourage the act while religious organisations should preach against It.

Speaking on the health implications of drug abuse for children, the Programme Officer, Non Communicable Diseases, State Ministry of Health, Mrs Kofoworola Jegede said drug abuse lead to high risk behaviours and all forms of communicable diseases which can lead to death noting that the best thing children can do for themselves is to focus on their studies and shun negative distractions.

The Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi explained that the present government in the state is taking the bull by the horns to ensure that the menace of drug abuse is eradicated in the society.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Alaba Adeyemi noted that the event is one of the series of programmes preceding the children day coming up on 27th May, 2019 dedicated to celebrate and address issues affecting children worldwide with emphasis on local and regional peculiarities.

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has signed the Health Insurance Agency Bill into law.
The governor also signed into law the Youth Development Commission Bill and six other bills for the benefit of the state.

Speaking shortly after signing of the bills at the Government House in Lokoja, the governor said some of the bills are from the executive while others are from members of the assembly.

He noted that the bills will improve the revenue generation and quality health care delivery at the grassroots, pledging to deliver on his campaign promises.


At a press conference held on Monday, the Executive Director of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr Abubakar Yakubu, said the re-enacted state primary healthcare law will revolutionise the health sector in the state.

The signing of these bills will make it a total of forty (40) bills that have been passed and assented to by the State House of Assembly.

Ondo State Government has restated its resolve to continue to provide enabling environment for private businesses to thrive especially in the agribusiness sub-sector.

Commissioner for Agriculture Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati made the promise during a working visit to Igbajo Agro allied Farm Limited, a large scale agribusiness farm at Igbajo, Ondo West Local Government area of the state.

Adefarati who was accompanied on the visit by the Ag. Permanent Secretary Segun Odusanya and some management staff was very impressed with state of the art facilities on ground after a tour of the farm.

According to Adefarati the promoter of the farm deserved every assistance from the state Government and other institutional agencies especially ONDO state Ministry of Agriculture and Bank of Agriculture in order to reach its full potential.

The facilities on the farm include, a blossoming Oil Palm Plantation, Giant Six Pen’s or (bird houses) housing between 5,000 to 20,000 birds a Ranch with at least 60 cows, Goatry, Piggery, Dams, Feed Mills, Staff Hostel

Other facilities at Igbado Agro Allied Farm Limited that seat on a very large expanse of land include a Nine Holes Golf Court, Night Club and a hill with over 545 steps to get to the top.

The poultry section of the composite farm with installed full capacity of 45,000 birds but currently housing 30,000 burds is producing a minimum 500 crates of eggs per day making it the biggest farm of its kind in the state.

To Adefarati the farm which currently has a minimum of 100 persons on its employment is a partner in progress as it has contributed immensely to the State Government jobs creation and and poverty reduction efforts, a major campaign promise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led Administration.

Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Segun Odusanya who commended the management of the farm for a job well done said this is the kind of business the will love to assist and partner, promising that the Ministry will do all in its power to assist the venture with the needed expertise to realise its full potential.

On why a medical doctor go a full scale commercial farming worthy Millions of Naira, the promoter of the agribusiness Dr Jibayo Adeyeye attributed it to passion, desire to create job and value chain addition to the landscape.

Dr Adeyeye the Special Adviser to ONDO State Governor on Health said he singlehandedly financed the farm he started almost eight years ago following his inability to secure an Agriculture loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria and Bank of Agriculture.

Jibayo whose farm consummed between 40 to 50 tons of maize per week especially in the production of feeds lamented the inability of farmers to take maximize the opportunity by going into large scale farming of maize because there are ready made off takers.

He expressed his commitment to partner the state government in order to grow and develop the agriculture sector and by so doing helping his farm to achieve its full potentials.

In what was described as unique occasion in the life of his administration, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Monday in Akure swore-in four judges of Ondo State High Court, with a call on them to always live above board .

The new High Court judges, the governor said, were found worthy and suitable for appointment after consideration by the National Judicial Council.

According to Governor Akeredolu, the new High Court judges represent some of the state's best and finest materials at the Bar and from Lower Bench.

He added that Justices Gilbert Bamidele Olupitan, Olajide John Abe, Ademola Enikuomehin and Tope Adedipe, came to their new positions with wide and varying experiences for the benefit of Ondo State and her citizens.

Reeling out the qualities of a judicial officer, Akeredolu told the new judges to make sobriety, continence and general disposition towards rectitude their hallmark.

The governor added that Ondo State would not accept anything short of their best.

'It is in this light that we continue to insist on having the best occupy the Bench," Akeredolu said.

The governor, while decrying the recent challenges thrown up by the incursion of strange elements into the judiciary, stressed that a judge must be a shining light to the society because his conduct and behaviour reflect the public image of the judiciary.

He said: "The average citizen must be able to perceive the intervention of the Bench as credible, regardless of the outcome. Litigants must leave believing that justice has been done.

"The future of the judiciary and indeed the nation depends, to a large extent, on how our judges perform their duties, effectively.

"In effect, judges are called upon to carry out their adjudicatory duties to all and sundry in the society without fear, favour or ill will."

As judicial officers, the governor urged the new judges to be beyond reproach.

He added that their ways might not be pleasing to the crooked, but must, however, be held in great reverence by even the most unscrupulous in the community.

As people living within the people, the governor is of the strong belief that the judges' callings remove them from common practices because their words were always measured.

The governor said: " A judicial officer exudes an aura of invincibility. He possesses a rare but real power of life and death.

"Any individual with these awesome powers cannot be allowed to indulge in usual observance of ordinary mortals. He is special, therefore, the exaction must be intense."

� Olawale Abolade

I we let you know dawn

The Provost of Adeyemi College of Education, Dr Samuel Akintunde has described the oath taken by students as a legal bond between them and their institution.

He stated this recently at the matriculation of new intakes into the college.

According to him, it is important that the students should imprint it in their minds that they are liable to receive appropriate sanctions for any act found to be antithetical to the oath they have taken.

Akintunde encouraged the students to complete their registration early, so that they will not miss any papers as examinations would start soon.

The provost therefore warned the students against indiscipline in form of rape, drug abuse, cultism, fighting/assault, indecent dressing among others saying the college management has zero tolerance for all these.

He enjoined them to work hard for excellent results so that they can favourably and confidently enter into the highly competitive labour market as students are representatives of not just their various households but ambassadors and representatives of the College.

In another development, the provost enjoined the students of NCE in the college to comport themselves wherever they are either, collectively or individually, so that they do not bring the worthy name of the college into disrepute.

He charged them to give adequate attention to their studies, saying the College will not tolerate any form of indiscipline.

He posited that offenders will face sanctions . While advising them to abide by the rules and regulations of the college.

Speaking earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof Eyitope Ogunbodede, who was represented by the Dean Faculty of Education of OAU, Prof Ademola Adeleke said that the main objective of the matriculation exercise is to acquaint the students with the fundamental principles, norms and culture of the institution.

He added that these core values have projected the image of the institution as a center for learning and character moulding of the students.

Ogunbodede further added that the core values also depict the vision of the institution which is to nurture a high international standard.

According to him, the motive of the students in the College is to be groomed in learning and character to make them intellectually sound, emotionally stable, morally upright and properly fit to take up positions of responsibilities wherever they find themselves.

Responding, a matriculant from tha Geography Department, Miss Fatima Musa expressed joy and promised to abide by the College rules and regulations so as to achieve all goals.

Also speaking, from Economics Department, Mr Ajibu Ahudu promised to shun all bad groups and promote the good name of the college.

The Medical Social Service department of University of Medical Science Teaching Hospital Complex (UNIMEDTHC), Ondo has been advised to always handle every medical social problems that is associated with Indigent or non-indigent patients illness and other disabilities with uttermost priority.

The Chief Medical Director of the University, Dr. Oluwole Ige, gave this charge during an interactive session with journalists staring the significance of saving life as the core of any health workers.

Ige said the Medical Social Service department of the Teaching Hospital would institute social intervention in patients brought to the hospital on emergency by non-relatives like FRSC, Police and other people making arrangements to inform the patient relatives about his or her condition so as to quicken their medical treatments.

The CMD urged the department to handle every social problems that is associated with patient’s illness and any other disabilities with care, saying they should institute case work service professionally and provide immediate assistance to indigent patients in order to support their treatment and rehabilitation.

Ige stressed that officers should endeavor to conduct the Means Test without prejudice so as to determine patient’s ability to fund treatment or settle medical bills and interface with hospital management appropriately.

He further added that contact tracking and tracing of absconded patients should be conducted professionally for record purpose, and to recover hospital revenue.

Ige advised the personnel in the department to facilitate the admission of economically disadvantaged patients, reviewing patients with other health team members and after proper counseling of patients on their various diseases through a Mean Test and sourcing financial support for indigents to get treatment.

However, in his reaction the Head of the department Mr. Akeem Lawal noted some challenges confronting them saying that means of identification of accidents victims so difficult let alone sourcing for their relatives during emergency.

He called on the general public, philanthropists in the state, NGO and religious institution to come on board to their aid and raise funds in order to support the indigents in the teaching hospital to settle their medical bills.

Dami, What are you driving at because you dont have point

Yes oooooooooooo, Aketi is moving higher Ondo state is getting better

Ondo state government has approved new retirement age for alll categories of staff in the state-owned tertiary Institutions.

The four tertiary institutions in the state like Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko(AAUA), Ondo state University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) Ondo and the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo(RUGIPO) are to enjoy the new age retirement.

In a letter addressed to all heads of the institutions, the Attorney General and state commissioner for Justice, Kola Olawoye SAN, said the new retirement age was approved by the State Executive Council Meeting held on Monday 6th May, 2019.

He disclosed that a new retirement age for Professor has been pegged for Seventy (70) years, while other academic staff will now retire at the age of Sixty-Five (65).

The new retirement age for non-academic staff in all the institutions has also been fixed for Sixty-Five (65) years.

The commissioner for Justice added that the new retirement age takes immediate effect.

The Chairman, Joint Action Committee of SSANU, NASU, NAAT in OSUSTECH, Comrade Temidayo Temola while commending the state government,described it as a welcome development.

Comrade Temola added that the new retirement age would reduce human flight from institutions in the state.

He noted that it would bring about stability on campus , saying ” there will not be open heaven litigation over retirement age.”

Source:https://citadelng.com/ondo-govt-approves-new-retirement-age-in-tertiary-institutions/

The investment drive of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, in the last two years in the saddle, has started paying off.

The state has, in fact, joined the club of industrialized states, a feat which had looked near impossible since after the administration of the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin who was the first civilian governor between 1979 and 1984.

Akeredolu Akeredolu’s determination to change the narrative by ensuring that a solid economic and industrial platform was laid started a year after he assumed office when he embarked on an investment trip to China.

The tour gave birth to the popular Ore industrial Park.

As at the last count, no fewer than five companies are ready to begin operations in the Ore industrial hub.

Akeredolu has, indeed, turned Ore to a beehive of activities. The companies that have sprung up after the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Linyi municipal government of Shandong province of China include a paper mill, an ethanol plant, a medium density fibre board, a high-density fibre board, a plywood firm and a textile company. Conducting newsmen round the companies described as ‘the Akeredolu wonders in Ore’, the Business Development Manager of Wewood Limited, Mr. Sun Peng, said, “The ethanol plant is at about 95 percent completed and set to roll. The ethanol factory is almost ready at 95 percent completion.

“The ethanol factory is billed to convert cassava to ethanol. It has the capacity to convert cassava to edible form, used by pharmaceuticals, breweries and food processing industries.

“We are expected to begin test-running the machines any moment from now.

“About 1,000 people have been employed for the ethanol factory. The plant is also expected to indirectly provide jobs for more than 10,000 people, particularly cassava farmers and traders”.

Peng added that a special species of cassava was being planted in – between the Gmelina to be used to feed the ethanol plant. In order not to starve the company of raw materials, the state government, in partnership with Weewood, embarked on aggressive afforestation by allocating 10, 000 hectares of land for the planting of G-melina while over six million trees have been planted on 3, 000 hectares under phase one of the project. Inside the ethanol factory’s warehouse, several thousands of bags of dried cassava were waiting to be fed into the machines, while more than 10 trailer-loads were waiting to discharge their cassava consignment.

Also, the WinWin Textile factory in the industrial park has kick-started the production of textile thread with over 300 workers. The Nigerian Manager of WinWin Textile, Ahmed Adeyinka, said the textile is already producing polyester sewing thread.

“We planned to move to the next stage of producing textile materials like lace and Ankara among others”, Adeyinka said.

“Presently, we have 300 people working for us. We produce all kinds of sewing polyester thread for the local market. In a couple of months from now, the factory will begin to run at full capacity with the production of textile materials of all kinds.”

Of significance too is the Weewood Plywood/HDF factory. Tasty Time refutes fire outbreak at its factory The company produces high-quality fibre board plywood.

They are already in high demand in local markets across and outside the state. Waste woods are processed into high and low density fibre. Very soon, the state is expected to earn foreign exchange through the export of the product.

With the over 85 percent completion of the paper mill factory, the Business Development Manager for Weewood, Peng said, “On completion, the paper mill is expected to employ more than 3, 000 direct staff and offer more than 4, 000 indirect jobs to those who will be in the supply and marketing chain!!

“By the time the paper mill factory goes fully into operation, paper products can be bought right here in Ondo, without anyone going to Lagos”.

It was gathered that long before the machines for the paper mill began to arrive Nigeria, Weewood had started planting the trees that will form the primary raw materials for the mill.

Today, the almost 10,000 hectares of land allocated for the project has starter yielding result, as the trees have started to grow. One of the workers in the factories said, “The governor deserves commendation for this initiative.

This is a win-win situation for Ondo State and its people. The company will employ our people on the farm to plant the trees, it will also go on to employ our people in the factory and other auxiliary jobs that would be created.”

At the ethanol project, it was observed that farmers, businessmen and women were already reaping from the indirect jobs created.

A cassava farmer in the area, Shehu Oladapo, who spoke with newsmen, said, “I thank Governor Akeredolu for this initiative. Farmers like me now have a ready market for our cassava. It has encouraged us to increase the number of hectares that we will prepare to grow cassava for the next planting season”.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the Ore Industrial Park is fashioned after that of Linyi municipal government of Shandong province in China. One of the governor’s aides, who was on the tour, submitted, “If the experience of the Linyi’s economy, which is based around wholesale markets and an annual trade volume of 40 billion RMB (US$5 billion), is anything to go by, the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has set a standard by which governance would be measured in the country”.

Despite the fact that the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was yet to make a public declaration to run for a second term in office, the people of Iju, in Akure North Local Government Area have begun mobilizing for the governor's reelection.

The Okiti of Iju, Oba Amos Farukanmi disclosed the resolve of his subjects at the Government House Chapel in Akure when he led his people to worship with the Governor.

Oba Farukanmi who is the eighth monarch to have led his community to worship in the chapel since the programme began some weeks ago stated that his people was resolutely committed the second term of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as Governor of Ondo State.

The monarch said the decision was unconnected with the transformation agenda of Governor Akeredolu which was being felt across the state including his domain where all moribund boreholes have been rehabilitated to provide them with clean water.

The Royal Father who used the occasion to table the needs of his community before the governor, said his people would be eternally grateful if the stool of Okiti can be upgraded, get the community’s township roads rehabilitated and the road linking Iju with Ise-Ekiti constructed and also intervene in the boundary dispute between the community and Ikere-Ekiti.

Oba Farukanmi emphasized that his people were convinced of the governor's sincerity to transform the state, hence their commitment to work for his reelection in the interest of all.

Responding on behalf of the governor, the Special Adviser on Education, Dr Olawumi Ilawole restated the commitment of Governor Akeredolu to the overall development of Ondo State but solicited the support and cooperation of the people.

Also the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi who responded to Oba Farukanmi’s request for the upgrade of Okiti to a Grade A status, hinted that plan was underway to phase out Grade D from the Obaship rating structure in Ondo State.

Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Preacher, Venerable Festus Olushongbe challenged Nigerians to beware of questionable prophets like the biblical Balaam who disobeyed the voice of God by cursing the Israelites for personal gains.

Thanksgiving by Oba Amos Farukanmi and his people and a session of intercessory prayers for Iju , Ondo State , the Governor with his family and Nigeria rounded off the service.

The BEMORE Empowered Foundation has announced that the BEMORE SUMMER BOOTCAMP, 4GirlsNaija 2019 will be held between 11th and 29th, August, 2019.

The bootcamp will take place Elizade University Ilara-Mokin and the Public Service training institute, Ilara-Mokin.
For the period of the camping, the participants will be trained in different life changing and empowerment skills, including solar power panels making techniques, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills, graphic and fine arts, and making of household needs and toiletries.

Apart from the empowerment skill training, the girls will also be tutored in personal care and development lifestyles and physical participants.

The wife of the Ondo State governor, Chief Mrs. Betty Anyanwu- Akeredolu, through her non-governmental organisation, BEMORE Empowered Foundation, organise the training camp for girls selected from secondary schools across the State to attend the summer boot camp.


In the last two years, no fewer than one thousand girls had taken part in the summer bootcamp.

A BEMORE Girl, Tolu Ehinmosan had represented the Foundation at Energy Globe Award Finalist in Iran while another four: Oluwatosin Ebiseni, Faridat Oladele, Ogochukwu Michael and Ebunmi Oluwagbamila are billed to participate in the Technovation Challenge holding at Silicone valley, California, USA later in the year.
Source:https://citadelng.com/bemore-summer-bootcamp-2019-registration-commences/

President Muhammadu Buhari is to launch the Clean Nigeria Campaign to end open defecation, which has posed a great challenge in the country, by 2025.

To be known as “Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet,” the date of the launch of the initiative is yet to be determined.


But it is coming as Nigeria inches towards being the number one open defecation country in the world once India is declared open defecation-free later this year.

Buhari tasks varsity administrators to avoid waste of…

The plan was revealed by the Minister of Water Resources, Suliaman Adamu, who alongside his colleagues Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Finance, Zainab Ahmed and the Federal Capital Territory, Bello Mohammed, briefed State House correspondents after the 10-hour meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Buhari in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adamu said Nigeria has a road map to end open defecation 2016-2025, as he noted that out of the 774 local government areas, only 10 are open defecation free.

He said: “Ten out of 774 local governments are very dismal but it is work in progress. But we have also made some progress as 20 to 21,000 communities in the country today are open defecation free.

“The problem is we still have 47 million people practising open defecation and Nigeria has been moving up the ladder since 2012 from being number four or five in the world to having the ranking of number two.

“India is number one but India has been working to end open defecation. In the last four years, they have taken over 500 million out of open defecation. And India plans to declare itself open defecation free by October 2019.

“Once that happens, Nigeria will become the number one country in the world that practices open defecation. You will all agree with me that this is an honour we do not want to have.


“So council approved a number of measures including the fact that Mr President will launch the Clean Nigeria Campaign on a day to be decided. So our campaign is ‘clean Nigeria, use the toilet.

“The president and cabinet members are to become ambassadors of clean Nigeria campaign by providing the needed leadership and commitment for successful implementation of the campaign.

“We also hope to create a clean Nigeria movement and to harmonise ministerial activities so that we have a seamless approach regarding sanitisation in the country.

“We are also requesting for an annual budget of N10.6 billion to be approved, this is not money that will be taken out of budget alone. We will also have contributions from development partners, the corporate world including leveraging on corporate social responsibility, grants and to mobilise Nollywood, youths, children, women etc.




“It will come with an executive order to give effect to the Clean Nigeria campaign. All ministries are to establish specific budget lines and work plans for implementing their sector-specific activities to end open defecation and improve sanitation in the country.

“The campaign will also involve state governments and households. We intend to use community-led sanitation and hinging more on behavioural change rather than doling out money.”

Also speaking, Kachikwu said council also approved two memos for Ministry of Petroleum. It approved a fire service truck at the cost of N420 million inclusive five per cent VAT for Nigerian Content Monitoring Board (NCMB) 17 floors building headquarters in Bayelsa

ALASOADURA.

The lawmaker representing Ondo Central, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura has said his greatest achievements are the inclusion of Akure and Ondo town in the railway project and the sponsoring of a bill on the upgrading of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo to university status.

Speaking with newsmen, the APC senator, who is the Senate Committee Chairman online Petroleum Resources (Upstream), said: “I was able to lobby the Federal Government to include Akure and Ondo among areas that would benefit from the railway project from Lagos to Calabar, as well as sponsoring the passage of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, PIGB.

“My greatest joy is that the rail project of the federal government that supposed to go from Lagos to Ore- Benin to Calabar, after several lobbying and consultations with President Muhammadu Buhari, minister of transport, senate committee on land transportation and other stakeholders, I’m very happy that the railway project will now include four of six local government areas in my district”, the Senator explained

According to the former Ondo Commissioner for finance, “Akure and Ondo will now benefit from the project,which will be from Lagos to Ore to Ondo to Akure to Owo to Benin to Calabar. Ondo West, Ondo East, Akure South and Akure north councils will benefit and it will boost economy of our people and the state.

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised that before his tenure comes to an end, the Oyo State Police Command will continue to enjoy the administration’s support in the area of provision of security equipment.

The governor was represented by the Special Adviser on Security, Segun Abolarinwa, at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the police headquarters on Wednesday when the Zone 11, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Leye Oyebade, visited the state.



Abolarinwa said the governor was committed to security in the state.

“Our administration has laid a good foundation in the area of security in Oyo State. I am sure that the incoming government will toe our path, because nobody would want to destroy something good.

“On Friday, we will make more contributions by presenting bulletproof vests, walkie-talkies and other useful equipment to the Oyo State Police Command,” he said.

The AIG told the stakeholders that new strategies for crime-mapping must be devised in order to tackle the dynamic nature of crimes in the zone.

Oyemade said, “Policing is everybody’s business. We must be ready to use our energy and resources. We need a technical platform to address security.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has donated 10 operational vehicles to the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army to curb crime in the state.

While presenting the vehicles to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Dan Muhammed, the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, said the cars were donated to the security agencies to check crime at flashpoints identified across the state.

OSUN : OYETOLA , ADELEKE , OTHERS KNOW FATE TODAY

The Court of Appeal in Abuja will today deliver judgments in three appeals and a cross-appeal filed against the majority judgment given in March 22, 2019 by the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal.

The court sent the hearing notices to parties yesterday.

The tribunal had, in the majority judgment given by two of its three members, upheld the petition by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the governorship election held in the state on September 22 and 27, 2018, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

The tribunal’s majority judgment reversed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Adegboyega Oyetola and declared the PDP and Adeleke winners.

Oyetola, APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) filed substantive appeals, seeking the setting aside of the majority decision. Adeleke filed a across-appeal, challenging a portion of the decision.

At the hearing of the appeals on April 24, Oyetola, the APC and INEC prayed the five-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Jummai Sankey, to set aside the majority decision of the tribunal, uphold their appeals and dismiss the October 16, 2018 petition by Adeleke and the PDP.

They equally urged the court to dismiss the cross-appeal filed by Adeleke, on the grounds that it is unmeritorious.

Wole Olanipekun (SAN),who argued the appeal by Oyetola, fault

ed the reasons given by the tribunal in reaching the judgment appealed against, arguing that the decision was not supported by the evidence led by the petitioners.

He urged the court to void the judgment because Justice Peter Obiorah, who wrote and delivered it, did not participate in all the proceedings of the tribunal.

Olanipekun noted that “the judge, who did not sit, came to write the leading judgment and reviewed the evidence of the February 6, 2019 proceedings where he was absent”.

“Adjudication is like video watching. It cannot be done by proxy. The judge cannot analyse the evidence of a witness, whose demeanour he did not observe. The judgment should be declared a nullity on this ground alone,” Olanipekun said.

Olanipekun, who said he and some named senior lawyers were at the tribunal on February 6, 2019, faulted the argument by lawyer to Adeleke and the PDP that it was not clear from the record of proceedings, whether or not Justice Obiorah was absent on the particular day.

He argued that the judge’s failure to sigh at the end of the proceedings on February 6,2019 was enough evidence to justify the appellant’s claim that Justice Obiorah was absent on the day in question.

Olanipekun also faulted the tribunal’s cancellation of results in 17 polling units in the state, and noted that the petitioners did not tender any result of the election before the tribunal.

“If there was no result before the tribunal, the tribunal could not have cancelled what was not before it. Since no single result was submitted and could not have been cancelled,” he said.

He argued that the tribunal went beyond its powers by annulling results in the 17 polling units to justify the judgement it gave in favour of the petitioners.

APC’s lawyer Akin Olujinmi (SAN), arguing the party’s appeal, contended that the tribunal was wrong to have allowed the petition, which was incurably incompetent.

“The 1st and 2nd respondents sought to be declared winner of the election, held on September 22, 2018, which was declared inconclusive. They also asked the tribunal to void the rerun election held on September 27, 2018, because they believed it was unlawful.

“You cannot say you should be declared a winner on the election that you said was unlawful and void,” he said.

Olujinmi accused the tribunal of exceeding its jurisdiction when it engaged in amending the petitioners’ reliefs to make them grantable.

“No tribunal has the jurisdiction to reframe, amend or formulate reliefs for the petitioners.

“On realising that the reliefs could not be granted, they (members of the tribunal) amended the reliefs and granted it by themselves.

“We are saying the tribunal has no power to amend a petitioner’s reliefs. The much they ought to do, on realising that the reliefs could not be granted, was to have dismissed the petition.”

He faulted the tribunal for holding that the petitioners proved their case of non-compliance in respect of the polling units where it voided results.

Olujinmi added: “The tribunal was wrong. They cannot use the allegation of non-compliance directed at the election of September 27 against the election of September 22.

“The tribunal relied on certified true copy of Form EC8A, which they said were dumped on the tribunal. This was what they still relied on to nullify results in the polling units in which they said malpractices were proved.The so called non-complaince did not affect the result of the election,” Olujinmi said.

He argued that the tribunal went outside its powers and contravened Section 140(2) of the Electoral Act when it engaged in the deduction of votes from the outcome of the election to arrive at the decision it gave.

INEC’s lawyer Yusuf Ali (SAN), who argued in a similar manner, contended that the tribunal erred in its majority judgment, particularly as regards non-compliance.

He noted that the tribunal, having found that accreditation was properly done and that all witnesses agreed that the votes scored were not affected by the omissions noted in some result sheets, ought not to have voided any results.

citing Section 134 (b) of the Electoral Act,Ali argued that non-compliance means not compliant with the provision of the Act, not an act of omission on the part of INEC officials, which is not contrary to the provision of the Act.

Ali also argued that since the tribunal held that the petitioners did not prove over-voting and non-compliance, it ought not to have turned around to void votes in some polling units.

On why INEC did not call it witnesses at the tribunal, Ali said it was unnecessary because the petitioners did not discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law to warrant INEC to call fresh witnesses.

Ali added: “There is no law that said INEC must call witnesses. Since the petitioners could not discharge the responsibility of proving their declarative reliefs, there was no need for INEC to have called its own witnesses.”

Lawyer to Adeleke and the PDP, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), faulted the three appeals and the arguments proffered by Olanipekun, Olujinmi and Ali.

Ikpeazu argued that the tribunal was right in its decision to have declared Adeleke and his party winner.

He faulted the argument that Justice Obiorah did not participate in all the proceedings of the tribunal, arguing that there was no sufficient evidence to that effect.

Ikpeazu urged the court to dismiss the three appeals and uphold the judgment of the tribunal.

Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), who argued Adeleke’s cross-appeal, urged the court to allow his client’s appeal and reverse the portion of the judgment, where the tribunal rejected the evidence of the petitioners in relation to six polling units.

Ogunwumiju argued that the tribunal wrongly excluded some of its evidence, because while it called 23 witnesses to prove its allegation of non-compliance in 23 polling units, the tribunal only upheld 17 where it voided elections.

Olanipekun, Olujinmi and Ali argued that the cross appeal was incompetent on several grounds and urged the tribunal to reject it.

At the conclusion of proceedings that lasted over eight hours, Justice Sankey said judgments would be reserved till a later date.

She told parties that the date of the judgment would be communicated to them by the court’s Registry.

Other members of the court’s five-man panel are: Justices Abubakar Datti Yahaya, Ita George Mbaba, Isaiah Olufemi Akeju and Bitrus Sanga.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki that “he is not above the law”.

Acting spokesman of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

The spokesman was reacting to a statement, “EFCC Stop Witch-Hunting Saraki credited to Saraki’s media aide, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu.

According to Orilade, the EFCC has taken note of the reactions of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to the Commission’s inquiries regarding his earnings as Kwara State governor.

Recently, the commission had begun investigation into the Senate President’s activities while he held sway as the governor of Kwara.

“While it is his prerogative to ventilate his views on the matter as he deems fit, the commission takes great exception at the desperate attempt to cast a slur on its investigative activities by portraying Saraki as a victim of persecution.

“Furthermore, the agency finds the attempt by the Senate President to tie our inquest to his International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) appointment and his approaching life out of power as misleading.

“This is knowing too well that the background to our current inquiries reaches several years back.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC is obligated by law to enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space and has supremely pursued this duty without ill-will or malice against anyone.

“It is in the interest of the public and for Saraki’s personal good, that he is not only above board, but be seen at all times to be so,” he said.

In the days of the late Adekunle Ajasin as the first Executive Governor of Ondo State between 1979 and I983, he established many industries that unfortunately were no more functional.

Successive administrations did not deem it necessary to sustain the projects as all the companies became moribund.

However, topmost campaign promises of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is also an Owo indigene as Ajasin, was to transform the state through industrialisation.

The governor also promised to revitalise abandoned industries and even establish new ones.



After he assumed office in 2016, the governor made good his campaign promise by negotiating with some foreign investors on the need to invest in the state.

He also visited some foreign countries, including China, United Arab Emirates and United States of America where he lobbied some investors to come and invest in the state, which he said is blessed with abundant mineral resources, especially bitumen and crude oil.

These mineral resources are capable of attracting both foreign and local investors; hence the continuous drive of Governor Akeredolu for industrial and economic development.

However, the vision for investment drive of Akeredolu is gradually materialising within the two years of his taking over the mantle of leadership.

No fewer than five new companies are ready to begin operations in Ore Industrial hub, Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area.

Available records show that Oluwa Glass Company and the Okitipupa Oil Palm were the pride of the state at that time. But four decades on, the sites of the companies are overgrown with weeds.

Sadly, the once-beautiful and buoyant state became a shadow of itself. It now depends on the paltry monthly allocations from the Federation Account, almost three quarter of which goes into the payment of salaries of workers.

However, the state is gradually coming back to life in terms of commerce and industry and gradually occupying a place of pride in the country in general and the Southwest region in particular.



Already, five companies, including a paper mill, ethanol plant, medium density fibre board, high density fibre board, ply wood and textile companies have sprouted from the mustard seed that was planted when the state signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Linyi Municipal

Government of Shandong Province of Peoples Republic of China.

Determined to ensure a solid economic base for the state, Governor Akeredolu had embarked on an investment tour to China in June, 2017.

That tour has given birth to what is now known as the Ore Industrial Park.

Governor Akeredolu had earlier inaugurated the 10,000 hectares forestation project, where Gmelina Arborea has been planted on 1,500 of the 10,000 hectares.

The industrial revolution in the state has taken a very strong foothold with the ethanol plant at about 95 per cent completed and set to roll.

According to the Business Development Manager of Weewood Limited, Mr. Sun Peng, special specie of cassava is being planted in-between the Gmelina which will be used to feed the ethanol plant.

While conducting reporters round the factory recently, Mr Peng said the ethanol factory is almost ready, with works at 95 per cent completion, saying that “we were expected to begin test-run of the machines before the end of April.”

Already, about 1,000 people have been employed to work in the ethanol factory for direct jobs. The plant is also expected to provide jobs for more than 10,000 people, particularly cassava farmers and traders.

Local farmers are excited about a ready and lucrative market for their goods as cassava, which is the major item for the production of ethanol will be sourced directly from them.

Shehu Oladapo, a cassava farmer in Odigbo Local Government Area said: “I thank Governor Akeredolu for this initiative. Farmers like me now have a ready market for our cassava. It has encouraged us to increase the number of hectares that we will prepare to grow cassava for the next harvest season.”

The WinWin Textile Factory located inside the park is another factory which has commenced production of textile thread a few months ago.



With 300 workers already employed, WinWin Textile has helped to ease the problem of unemployment on the people, especially the residents who, for the first time, found a worthwhile venture outside the civil service.

According to Ahmed Adeyinka, the Manager of WinWin Textile, the textile factory is, at present, producing polyester sewing thread.

He said the factory will move to the next stage of producing textile materials such as lace and Ankara, among others.

“Currently, we have 300 people working for us. We now produce all kinds of sewing polyester threads for the local market. In a couple of months from now, the factory will begin to run at full capacity with the production of textile materials of all kinds,” Adeyinka said.

Peng said: “The Wewwood Plywood/HDF Factory has also commenced production. Young men and women, who would have been roaming the streets, are busy with one task or the other. The company’s products, high quality fibre board plywood are already in high demand in local markets across the country, while the state is being positioned to earn foreign currency through the export of the product.”

He added that the paper mill factor will, on completion, employ more than 3, 000 direct workers, while many more are expected to benefit from jobs created down the value chain.

He said the paper mill, like other factories in the Ore Park, is structured to create more indirect jobs for the residents, adding that “long before the machines for the mill began to arrive at

the shores of the country, Weewood commenced preparations by planting the trees that will form the primary raw materials for the mill.

“At present, the almost 10,000 hectares of land allocated for the Weewood afforestation project by Governor Akeredolu is beginning to yield the expected result, as the trees continue to grow into maturity.

“The governor deserves commendation for this initiative. This is a win-win situation for Ondo State and its people. The company will employ our people on the farm to plant the trees, it will go on to employ our people in the factory and other auxiliary jobs that would be created.”

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Yemi Olowolabi who led reporters to the industrial park said: ‘The Ore Industrial Park is fashioned after that of Linyi Municipal Government of Shandong Province in China. Investors under Shandong group have made good their promise to make Ondo State a model for one-stop industrial park in the country.

“The administration of Governor Akeredolu has set a standard by which governance would be measured in the country with the elaborate investment and the revenue that will accrue to the coffers of the government.

This is in addition to the jobs that will be generated through the project,” Olowolabi said.

Source:https://citadelng.com/residents-excited-as-industries-sprout-in-ondo/

75,000 Ekiti pupils benefit from FG’s school feeding – Osinbajo

The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo yesterday disclosed that a total of 75,000 pupils of Ekiti state are benefiting from the home grown school feeding programme of the Federal Government.

Osinbajo said the programme initiated by the President Mohammadu Buhari’s-led administration, was aimed towards shoring up school enrollments in the country and a tremendous help in job creation and poverty reduction among Nigerians.

The number two man spoke in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday during the official launching of the school Feeding Programme, held at St. Michael’s Primary school, explained that the policy is a flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government, remained one of the four cardinal objectives of the empowerment and social investment policy of President Buhari-led administration.

Osinbajo, who commended Governor Kayode Fayemi for keying into the programme, said : “The aim of this government is to provide food to our students to make them focused in schools and solve the problem of malnutrition in our children.

Reeling out the benefits of the programme, Osinbajo said: “9.3 million pupils are benefiting in over 56,506 Primary schools across this country. 190,000 farmers are supplying material, 767 cows are killed weekly and 7.3 million eggs are consumed weekly via this policy.

Osinbajo stated that the policy has also helped in improving the capacities of some people, especially the vendors to be able to feed their families.

Earlier, the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, described the policy as very significant in the lives of the people, commended the FG for the initiative.

He said the programme was an initiative of President Buhari, but was being anchored through the office of the Vice President.

Fayemi stressed that the state places high premium on the policy, because it pays attention to our vulnerable population.

Fayemi disclosed that 2000 vendors had already employed to supply food in the 905 primary schools in while 75,000 pupils in primary one to three are to benefit.

NEW RULES TO PROTECT LOCAL GOVT FUNDS FROM GOVERNORS.

Local governments financial autonomy is set for a major boost courtesy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

The agency yesterday banned banks, governors, financial institutions, public officers and other stakeholders from tampering with the statutory allocations of Local Government Areas from the Federation Account.

It also said all erring individuals and companies will face international and local sanctions.

Some of the sanctions are:

Likely blacklist of erring governors and the Chief Executive Officers of the affected banks;shutdown of any erring bank; and watch-list of violators in 160 countries where they cannot transact business or pay bills.

The agency has imposed a daily N500, 000 cash transaction limit on all the 774 local governments.

But one of the major highlights of the new guidelines, which will become effective from June 1, borders on the restoration of the financial autonomy of local governments.

Each local government is now free to spend its funds judiciously without taking directives from governors who have hijacked the monthly allocations of the third tier of government under the guise of State Joint Local Government Accounts.

The complete copy of the guidelines has been released to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Chief Executive Officers of all banks and other financial institutions.

A statement by the Acting Chief Media Analyst of the NFIU, Mr. Ahmed Dikko, explained the steps taken to protect local government allocations.

The statement said: “The NFIU requests all financial institutions, other relevant stakeholders, public servants and the entire citizenry to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the guidelines already submitted to financial institutions and relevant enforcement agencies, including full enforcement of corresponding sanctions against violations from 1st June, 2019.

“Having realised through analysis that cash withdrawal and transactions from the State Joint Local Government Accounts (SJLGA), poses biggest corruption, money laundering and security threats at the grassroots levels and to the entire financial system and the country as a whole, decided to uphold the full provisions of Section 162 (6) (of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended which designated “ State Joint Local Government Account into which shall be paid allocations to the local government councils of the state from the federation account and from the government of the state.”

“The amount standing to the credit of local government councils of a state shall be distributed among the local government councils of that state” and not for other purposes. As far as the NFIU is concerned the responsibility of the account as a collection account is fully reinstated.

“In addition, taking such measures was necessitated by prompting reasons on the NFIU to respond to threats of isolating the entire Nigerian financial system by other International financial systems due to deficiencies in our anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing implementation and measures.

“Therefore, it is no longer possible to allow the entire system to suffer the deliberate and expensive infractions or violations by public officials and/or private business interests.”

The Ondo Cassava Revolution

As Ondo State government looks beyond the Sunshine State being a civil service state to one that can be reckoned with as industrial through agricultural intervention it tagged Cassava Revolution ( CASSAREV), some men have keyed into the agenda.

It is on this rare row of men that Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe belongs. Ajipe is CEO, Klick Konnect Network, the agency whose tools have been at the forefront of the government ‘s efforts in this regard. The brilliant mind has been delivering, and reeling out the templates towards attaining, to the fullest, the Ondo industrial drive.

Klickonnect Networks is putting smiles on the faces of the people through this great initiative, and its CEO, Ajipe, is putting in place creative templates for attaining a working and lasting industrial drive.

Recounting the state of affairs before the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu government took over the mantle of leadership in the state, Ajipe said no government has shown commitment towards Ondo State industrial development after the era of the late Pa. Adekunle Ajasin. According to him, the Cassava Revolution, which is a value chain program, is designed to explore the many advantages of cassava.

He observed that most of the things Ondo was known for, like the Oluwa Glass Industry, the Ceramic Industry, the Tomatoes Industry, have gone moribund due to the insensitive nature of successive governments.

On the cassava to Ethanol Factory, which is another first of its kind in the state, Ajipe said the factory will consume 350-400 tonnes of cassava and provide direct employment for 500 people. Other initiatives on ground include the Ondo Linyi Industrial Hub Phase 1 and Ondo Linyi Phase 2 projects which will bring about a truck assembly plant to Ondo and ACAVAT, a training institution which will train people on technology.

Ondo has set the pace in it’s industrial drive by being the first to establish a textile mill factory, a paper mill factory that produces paper pulp; while it is also the first to sign a city-by-city agreement with China . The administration has also remained the first to allocate 10,000 hectares of land to Wewood as part of a renewed agenda for agricultural development.

With these strides, the administration is proving that good governance is possible in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Arakunrin is showing the world that Ondo is a safe place for investment. When the person at the helm of affairs is one of unquestionable character, it becomes easy for people from different parts of the world to come and invest in his domain.

Interestingly, Ajipe, trained at FUTA and is a revenue consultant to Ondo State Ministry of Natural Resources, is a project manager with great pedigree. Hence, the prospects of this initiative are visible.

At full implementation, Cassarev is expected to see to the establishment of an ethanol factory and contribute to human capital development in Ondo as farmers while truck loaders among others will benefi.

Farmers are expected to supply not less than 400 tonnes of cassava daily to keep the factory in operation. Klickconnect is also encouraging Ondo people, especially youths, to get involved in cassava farming by registering them and facilitating no interest loan.

Okay let's wait and see

ON SPORTS:

SUNSHINE BEAT TOURISTS IN CLOSE NPFL ENCOUNTER.

Ondo State team Sunshine stars got a close 2-1 victory over visiting Wikki Tourists of Bauchi State in Nigerian professional football league (NPFL) clash played at the Ondo State Sports Complex yesterday.

Switzerland bound Franklin Sasere broke the deadlock inside the first quarter of the game as he benefited from a melee to slot the ball beyond the visiting team’s goalkeeper before Anthony Omaka doubled the host lead.

Omaka converted Sunshine’s second after inform substitute, Kolade Adeniji, who had come in for Ajibola Otegbeye placed a precise pass in the path of the supporting striker who hit a one timer to beat Wikki Tourists’ safe hands to send the home supporters into rapturous celebrations.

The Visitors however cut the lead through talisman Umaru, who turn in defender Chigozie Obasi before hitting the back of the net from close range.

All efforts by the Coach Kabiru Dogo led side to extend their lead proved abortive as Sasere and Omaka got wasteful in front of goal despite support from Adeniji,Obasi, petite striker Fuad Ekelojuoti and creative midfielder Dayo Ojo.

On the other side the defending duo of Kehinde Adeyemi, Olalekan Gabriel, and Goalkeeper Ayo Ojo withstood any possible comeback from the visitors to ensure Sunshine Stars recorded maximum three points in the NPFL Showpiece.

World Press Freedom Day: The Media as a tool for sustaining Democracy

Today, as the world celebrates the Press Freedom Day, it is important to call to heart the need to accept journalists and other media practitioners as an essential and indispensable part of our developmental processes as humanity.
The media has aided the democratization of information; with painstaking consistency, exploring technological innovations and creative approaches to presentation, feed backs etc. The media has evolved, ensuring that everyone is a part of the social scene and not just remote recipients.

The theme for this year is Media for Democracy: Journalism and elections.
The press has played immeasurable roles in our Social and Educational development, from bringing distant information closer to everyone during elections, interpreting obscure and complex issues for easier comprehension and guidance of all, igniting dialogue on essential issues, keeping tab of actions of the government and stakeholders at various levels etc.
The media remains at the forefront in the fight for true democracy. Threat to journalism is a threat to Democracy and Security of the State.

Goal 16 of the sustainable development goals (SDG), tasks the society on Peace, Justice and Strong Institution. To this, it is significant to mention the efforts of the Ondo State Government in the investment in technological innovation and infrastructure, which has aided the tasks of the journalist during recent elections. Through the establishment of a citizen’s feedback toll free, call centre, for sensitive data and information gathering during elections and after, while reducing the contact time of journalists, especially in volatile areas, without compromising any required detail.
Freedom requires all voice to be heard. Elections can be transparent and free of violence. These are desired features of a civilized society.

The media also can explore innovative and diplomatic approaches in their tasks, without compromising her responsibility to the society.
Cheers to press freedom.
Cheers to a more harmonious and prosperous Ondo State.
Signed: Ondo State Office of Innovation and Partnerships (ION).

source:https://citadelng.com/world-press-freedom-day-the-media-as-a-tool-for-sustaining-democracy/