MTN Nigeria Communications Plc said it has secured the requisite regulatory approval to list its shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) today.

In a statement, the telco said it is “pleased to announce that it has received approval to list on the Premium Board of The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The listing is set to proceed on 16 May 2019 and will be done by way of an introductory listing.


“The listing by introduction means that the shares of existing MTN Nigeria shareholders will be listed without an additional public sale of shares. From this point, all MTN Nigeria shareholders will be free to trade their shares on the NSE. ”

Its CEO, Ferdi Moolman confirmed the approval and listing date.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm that the official listing via introduction of MTN’s shares on the NSE will take place on Thursday May 16.

SOURCE: https://thenationonlineng.net/mtn-lists-today-at-nse/

Seun, the son of Nigerian Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has reacted to a statement by the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on the economic value of Marijuana in the State.

DAILY POST recalls that Akeredolu urged the Federal Government to beam searchlight on the medicinal cannabis industry as part of measures to diversify the country’s economy.

The Governor who is currently in Thailand alongside the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Rtd. Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah for Medicinal Cannabis Extract Development Program stated that the multi-billion dollar industry if harnessed, will help to create thousands of jobs for youths.


According to Akeredolu, Ondo State which is known for her fertile land for the cultivation of cannabis will make judicious use of Thailand’s program, which he said is centred around exploiting the possibility of medicinal cannabis.

Reacting, Kuti making reference to Akeredolu’s statement said ‘afrobeat is about to switch homebase’

Alongside the post made by Akeredolu, Kuti on his Instagram page wrote: “Ehn Mr. Excellency sir, if you want me to move to your state, just say so. This beating about the bush is unnecessary.

“Afrobeat is about to switch home base you all. Just imagine one good joint for my back ache then better Ondo pounded yam to heal my stomach pain.”

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2019/05/15/seun-kuti-reacts-akeredolu-plans-grow-marijuana-ondo/

Men of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have apprehended no fewer than 17 suspected criminals across the State.

The mass arrest according to the police was in connection with the launch of operation “Puff Adder” in the state.

Among those arrested and paraded at the State headquarters of the police in Akure, the Ondo State capital were suspected armed robbers, cultists and rapists.

According to the Commissioner of Police in the State, Undie Adie, “Two persons, Umoru Mohammed and Ibrahim who specialized in robbing people of their valuables by posing as customers only to promise paying through online were nabbed.

“Another suspect is Tunde Akinwumi aged 20 and Tunde Akinboyewa (25) who were arrested for raping a teenager, Joy Akinnobun (18) and a minor, Ilori Faith who were rescued by a good Samaritan from further molestation.”

The Police boss said efforts were on to apprehend the other fleeing suspects, adding that the arrested culprits were already assisting detectives in the ongoing investigation.

Adie also disclosed that a gang of armed robbers invaded the granite site of Crunberg Construction Company Nigeria Limited at Omifon village, Ore in Odigbo Local Government and attacked the two-night guards, before carting away the company equipment.

“The suspects, Abubakar Ibrahim (24) of Omifon village and Mohammed Bello (25) who came from Kwara State were picked at sweet mother street, Ore and they confessed to the crime after interrogation by the police.

He further stated that, “Sola Tosin, Lamidi Lucky, Ojo Are were arrested while attempting to disposes one Shaibu Success of his motorcycle with registration number, KAA 045 VS within Owo, Akure and Ose towns.

Items recovered from the hoodlums were one locally made single barrel gun, three GSM phones, one packet of cigarettes and other dangerous weapons.”

The Police boss stated that the suspect would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Ore, a town in Ondo State, is known to be theatre-of-war during the Nigerian Civil War. When Rotimi Akeredolu was elected as governor of Ondo State, he promised to transform the rustic town into an industrial hub.

STEVE OTALORO writes that Ore town has become an insdustrial hub as promised.

The mention of Ore town will send chills down the spine of so many people who were active participants of the great battle that took place there in the late 60s. It is a town where thousands of Nigerians were mowed down in a reckless and wanton manner during the Nigerian Civil War.

Ore town was a theatre-of-war where the Nigerian troops and their Biafran opponents confronted each other in a fierce battle for the gain of Nigeria’s soul and territories.

The sleepy town of Ore was historically known as the battle ground where the Biafran soldiers’ advancement into Lagos was halted by the superior and sophisticated weaponry power and tactical maneuvers of the Nigerian forces during the civil war.



The battle was so fierce that it lasted for so long, almost unending. It was a defining moment in the war history, one which prevented the Biafran soldiers from gaining access to overrun the Western region of Nigeria, particularly, Ibadan and Lagos that were the seat of the Western Region government and Nigeria’s federal capital, respectively.

This battle epitomised the defeat suffered the most by the ravaging Biafran Army which, consequently, led to the prevention of the Biafran troops from gaining further territorial leverage after they had captured the Midwestern states.

Ore is a gateway town, situated in a vantage position between the Western and the Eastern parts of Nigeria. The historic town was so important to Nigeria’s continuity that it could sway victory to the enemy if captured during the civil war by the Biafran soldiers. The Nigerian Army has a real test and fierce battle for the soul of Nigeria at Ore. The Biafran Army which could not withstand the firepower of Nigerian troops retreated and the war was eventually restricted to the Eastern side of the federation.

Vestiges of the civil war are still evident in this town and in our history till date as “o le ku, ija ore” was coined as a Yoruba maxim in describing the great military battle at Ore during the Nigerian civil war.

In spite of the significance of Ore in the history the country and its strategic gateway location between the Western and the Eastern axes of Nigeria, Ore remained a very semi-urban town with poor infrastructure to support its huge population that comprised people from different parts of the country who have found a home in the town as traders and farmers.

Also, Ore’s potential as a viable transit gate between the western and the eastern parts of Nigeria is another reason that its population is booming. The town has, however, been growing organically from its modest beginning after the civil war without no concerted effort by successive federal and state administrations to address infrastructure deficit of this this historic town. More importantly, to develop it into a functional city with full options of infrastructural development that will support her ever-teeming population after the civil war.

Ore now enjoys the attention it deserves since the inception of the administration of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). Governor Akeredolu has made true his promise of making Ore, a once-theatre-of-war town into becoming one of the industrial hubs of Nigeria.

Akeredolu gave hope to Ore town as it joins the league of industrialised areas of the country. It is a common sight passing through Ore to see massive constructions of overhead bridges and link roads on the expressway to Lagos, Benin and Ondo town. These will serve as infrastructure support baseline for Ore as an industrial hub.



When these multi-billion Naira constructions are completed, it will put an end to the traffic jam on the popular Ore Junction and adequately ease the flow of traffic on the notorious transit axis of Lagos-Benin-Ondo Road in Ore town that was partially caused by the location of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) deport at the entrance of the expressway in Ore.

In his determination to ensure the realisation of Ore as an industrial hub and as a solid economic base for Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu has embarked on an investment tour to China at the inception of his administration in 2017. That tour gave birth to an entirely new industrial park, now called Ondo Linyi Industrial Park, situated at Ore. The park is an offshoot of Linyi Municipal Government of Shandong in China where Akeredolu signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Linyi Municipal Government of Shandong Province of the People’s Republic of China in 2017.

Since that MoU was signed, many Investors from the Shandong Province of China have made good their promise to set up different industries in this park.

Already, Linyi Industrial Park in Ore is bubbly as human and vehicular traffic are common features of the landscape of this once-empty space in the woods. Different companies have set up plants and warehouses while many other companies are undergoing construction.

A paper mill, a textile company, an ethanol plant, a medium-density fiberboard, a high-density fiberboard and plywood factories and a host of other agriculture products-based companies have commenced production at the Ore Industrial Park.

With the completion of the paper mill, the ethanol plant, the plywood factory and other industries, they will provide combined efforts in excess of over 20,000 direct jobs while many more double that figure are expected to benefit from jobs created down the value chain for residents of the state.

The choice of Ore as the nation’s industrial hub was apt and a decision well thought out by Akeredolu because the town is strategically located between the western and the eastern gateway of the country.

The people in the community are mostly settlers. The land is devoid of the activities of the notorious land grabbers who often prevent ease of doing business in some other traditional settlements.

The proximity of Ore to Lagos ports through the proposed bridge by the Akeredolu’s administration over the Atlantic Ocean to Lekki in Lagos is the icing on the cake that makes Ore town the perfect location for the nation’s next industrial hub where thousands of hectares of land are in abundant and waiting for development.

Sooner than later, Ore will become an industrial hub.

Many established companies in Nigeria are now taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the Ondo State government in assisting prospective businesses in securing land free to establish their factories upon request. More than 50 existing companies in Nigeria have made inquiries on how to relocate their companies to Ore and be part of the industrial revolution going on in Ondo State.

No doubt, Akeredolu has, through his performance indices across the nook and cranny of the state, etched his name in the history of the state as a visionary leader; one with inexorable desire for the growth and development of his people.

SOURCE :https://thenationonlineng.net/ore-from-theatre-of-war-to-industrial-hub/

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is in Thailand with the NDLEA boss to learn how to legally grow cannabis and make revenue for Ondo state

- Akeredolu says the plan is to ensure that his state cultivates cannabis to help in the health sector

- The governor argues that apart from the revenue it would generate, it would also provide employment for thousands of youth The governor of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Tuesday, May 14, confirmed that he was in Thailand with Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah, the head of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NLDEA).

The trip, Legit.ng learnt, was for the Nigerian team to undergo a study of how to legally grow cannabis for medical purposes.

Akeredolu said his vision was to ensure that farming it officially to earn revenue for Ondo state. Akeredolu and Mustapha Abdallah in Thailand for the training.

According to the governor, with an estimated $145 billion to be made from the cannabis farming in 2025, Ondo, being the hot bed of its cultivation would be shortchanging itself if it does not partake in the farming.

“We all know that Ondo state is the hot bed of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria. We know how to grow it and it thrives well in the Sunshine state. With an estimated value of $145 billion in 2025, we would be shortchanging ourselves if we failed to tap into the legal marijuana market.

Akeredolu speaking in one of the sessions in Tahiland Credit: Rotimi Akeredolu Source: Twitter “Our focus now is medical marijuana cultivation in controlled plantations under the full supervision of the NDLEA,” he said while imploring the federal government to take it seriously as it is a thriving industry that would create thousands of jobs for the country’s youth and spur economic diversification.

SOURCE: https://www.legit.ng/1238273-governor-akeredolu-ndlea-visit-thailand-plan-legal-cannabis-farms-ondo.html

The Ondo State Government has said that it recorded 800 cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis infection in the state.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who stated this during the biennial general meeting of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners, Ondo State chapter, held in Akure, capital of the state, also noted that tuberculosis had posed a serious challenge to the health sub-sector in the state.


The meeting was themed, Emerging trends in communicable diseases: Drug-resistant tuberculosis as a case study.

The governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Sunday Abegunde, said his administration had made the health of the people one of its top priorities.

He added that the state government had built a public health laboratory and an infectious diseases hospital where tuberculosis and other infectious diseases were being treated.


He said, “Tuberculosis has been a great challenge in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria where about 400,000 cases have been diagnosed. Out of these cases, about 20,000 are drug-resistant. Ondo State has 16,000 cases, with 800 cases being drug-resistant.

“The gestures of some non-governmental organisations and international partners have gone a long way to complement the efforts of our administration in reducing the burden of tuberculosis in the state.”

In his remarks, the state chairman of the NAGGMDP, Dr Iyanda Busari, lamented the dearth of qualified doctors in government-owned medical centres. He called on the governor to improve the condition of health care facilities in the state.

“More doctors are still needed in our health facilities to meet up with the health needs required by the people of Ondo State. We need the assistance and commitment of the governor,” he pleaded.

Source: https://punchng.com/ondo-records-800-cases-
of-drug-resistant-tuberculosis/

The committee set up for the public hearing on creation of local council development areas has commenced the state wide public hearing tour around major local governments in Ondo state.

The theme for the event is ‘’…bringing government and development nearer to the people.’’ The venue for first day of the public hearing is Akure city hall, where spokesperson for proposed LCDAs in Akure South, Akure North and Ifedore local government were ably represented to adopt the memorandum, discuss the affected local government areas, and state the population, and infrastructures of their various proposed LCDAs with.

The event was graced with the presence of the paramount ruler of Akure Kingdom, the Deji of Akure, HRM, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II, The Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Abegunde, Commissioner for Youth and sport, Hon. Isiaka Yusuf, Founder, Elizade University, Pa. Michael Ade Ojo, Top Royal Fathers in the local government, Top Regents, Religious leaders and other top Ondo state political appointees.

The Chairman of the Committee, Prince Adelanke Odogiyan welcomed participants and stressed that the essential purpose of creating the LCDAs is to bring governance closer to the people. He further stressed that the LCDAs when created will have the opportunity to own their government so that they can enjoy the dividends of democracy better.

Adoption of the memorandum by various spokesperson from the proposed LCDAs was chaired by the secretary of the committee on creation of LCDAs, Mr. Deji Akinwalire. The proposed LCDAs will be comprising of some towns, settlement, hamlets and villages.

In Akure North, the proposed LCDAs are as follows: Akure North East (Headquarters at Ala), Akure North (Headquarters at Iju-Itaogbolu), Akure North Central (Headquarters at Ilu Abo), Akure North (Headquarters at Isokan), Ogbese/Igbatoro (Headquarters at Oba-Ile).

In Akure South, the proposed LCDAs are as follows: Ajapada (Headquarters at Erekesan), Oyemekun (Headquarters at Ipinsha), Akure South East (Headquarters at Oda town), Akure South West (Headquarters at Adofure), Akure East (Headquarters at Ijoka), Oyemekun East (Headquarters at Oke-Ogba), Akure Central (Headquarters at Oke-Lisa), Akure South (Headquarters at Oke Isikan), Akure West (Headquarters at Aponmu).

In Ifedore, the proposed LCDAs are as follows: Ifedore Central (Headquarters at Ilara Mokin), Ijare (Headquarters at Ijare Town), Ifedore West (Headquarters at Igbara-Oke)

Various questions were asked and corrections made by the committee members.
The event ended with the Chairman reassuring the spokesperson of the various proposed LCDAs that their memorandum will be critically looked at and necessary actions will be taken.

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.”

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.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has assured that all primary and secondary schools in the state would soon open Red Cross unit in their respective schools to inculcate values of humanitarian services in their pupils.

He gave the assurance while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, led by its National President who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

The Society decorated the governor as its Patron during the visit for his commitment to the development of the global humantarian organisation.

Also, Red Cross presented Humanitarian Icon Awards to the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu and Prof. (Mrs) Olutoye, the Olori of Alani of Idoani, for their immense contributions to the promotion of the Society in the state.

While describing the Red Cross as a reputable organisation people grow up with, Arakunrin Akeredolu commended all members of the Society for their commitment to saving lives and other humanitarian services.

The governor, who stated that Red Cross has been part of him in many ways, specially appreciated the Society for the honour done him.

Akeredolu equally honoured the memory of the former governor of the state, Late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and the current Olori Alani of Idoani, Prof Olutoye, for their immense contributions to the promotion of the Society in the state.

He assured the Society of his administration’s commitment to give necessary support to it to be able to render more humanitarian services to the people.

Earlier, the National President of the Society, represented by the National Finance and Property Management Adviser, Mr. Oluyemisi Adeaga, appreciated the state government for the age-long established relationship.

Also, Mr Sunday Adeniyi, Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Ondo State Branch, lauded Akeredolu for his passion to ensure a liveable society in Ondo State.

Adeniyi also requested for a bus, and a monthly subvention, to tackle mobility and financial challenges respectively.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/values-of-red-cross-ll-be-taught-in-schools-akeredolu/

Ahead of the 2020 governorship election in Ondo State, the state Chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, has called on all the people and members of the party to allow continuity in governance of the state to give way for rapid development of the Sunshine state like Lagos state.

He explained that Lagos was witnessing massive growth because the lagosians allow the progressives government to be in control of the state since 1999, a system, Adetimehin wants ondo state to adopt by sustaining their support for the APC-led administration in the state.

Adetimehin gave the advice on Thursday during a media chat with online journalists in Akure, the state capital.

The Ruling Party’s Chairman who pointed out that what the present government had done in the last two years was more than the previous government in term of road network, industrialisation and many other things said people must allow continuity to reign for better developmental across the state.

Adetimehin noted that “I believe that If all the industries started work fully people will value us more than the way they look at us. if it is well sustain I believed ondo state will not only rely on allocation that comes from Federal Government monthly.

“Governance is continuum but the people play the game didn’t believed in it all they believed is that all I can do to benefit my own selfish interest but the cooperate interest is bigger than individual interest,” he said.

“As a chairman and I am not speaking on behalf of anybody or talking about individual candidate but am talking as cooperate, if APC can continue the state will move faster in term of development”.

“Adefarati as a program to industrialise Ore in Odigbo Local Government area, he want to place Ore as a market hub for the entire south west but along the line the government was change that is the end of the project.

“Agagu came on board with another beautiful idea, Olokola free trade zone shortly when left that ends that regime and Mimiko came on board instead to continue with that again he started with his own mega schools and mega market.

“And this present government has embark on road networks and more than seven industries has been established in the state especially in Ore by the present government.

Adetimehin who said that APC in the state were one family urged party leaders to come together and solve all the problems internally.

He therefore, appealed to journalists in the state not to allow themselves to be used by any politician in other to cause problem in the state.

“I knew the role journalist played in the society and I value you, it will pay us to work together for the development of our dear state because you in the position to proclaim our potential to the world,” he opined.

On the face-off between the state government and Students Unions, Adetimehin pledged the commitment of the party to amicable resolution of the misunderstanding surrounding the new tuition at the state tertiary institutions.

Adetimehin explained that “The party will look into it. This is the home of free education but i can assure you, we will look into those issues between the students and the government. The party will wade in.

The APC Chairman said “If the government has been like that of Lagos state, we won’t find ourselves in this kind of mess. The overhead cost in the state owned tertiary institutions is much, but Government will not relent to be responsive to the yearnings of the students”.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, has urged members of the party to close ranks, and work together in the interest of the party.

Adetimehin also said, in a statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Mr. Alex Kalejaye, that the State chapter would not condone any act of indiscipline from its members.

The APC Chief spoke at the State Secretariat in Akure, when he received delegation

of leaders of various political parties from Akure North Local Government Area, who hinted on their plan to defect to the ruling party.

Adetimehin said, “the party is bigger than any individual or group. I expect, therefore, that everyone must subject himself to the dictates of the party for its overall development”.

The party boss argued that the strength of every political party lies in its members to subsume personal interest and emphasis that of the party.

“We must learn to work together and observe the laid down organisational ways of doing things”, he stressed.

He admonished party faithful to be stable in their political life, and always learn how to agitate for their right within a system without defecting.

Also speaking, leader of the group, and chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Akure North Council area, Hon. Omotayo Fifo, told the APC State leadership that the group appreciates the performance of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led government in the State and resolved to join the ruling party.

Omotayo assured the party that the various parties and their members would work harmoniously with the existing structures and leadership.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Wednesday called on government at all levels to consistently invest in the health sector, especially, the primary healthcare aspect of the sector because of its direct importance to the people.

He asked the governments to assist viable research proposals which touch on improvement of medical practice in the country.

Akeredolu, who spoke during the Silver Jubilee Award Ceremonies of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, urged the governments to encourage medical personnel to attend programmes designed for capacity building.
The governor added that environment should be made conducive and friendly to enable students of medical sciences and other health personnel to acquire necessary capacity and training to solve related problems.

He said: “Their training should not stop at mere award of certificates. Our curricula must aim at addressing the challenges faced by the people in our environment.”

While congratulating the Faculty of Basic Medical Science on its remarkable achievements, especially, for sustaining the tradition of excellence in training and research, Akeredolu called on those entrusted with sacred duty of service to the public to renew their dedication for more positive results.

The governor said: “I am delighted to know that the Faculty contributed, immensely, to the development of the teaching and practice of Medicine since inception.

“The number of graduates, postgraduates and research experts produced in the various field of Medicine is sufficient cause for celebration. The boldness with which the members of this Faculty put forth their claims on positive contributions should challenge stragglers.

“This reality should serve as a wake-up call for other institutions where serious research endeavours have been relegated for extraneous activities which do not add value to the academia.”

While receiving the Faculty’s Silver Jubilee Award on behalf of Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu praised his immediate predecessor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who he said contributed immensely to the state primary health care development.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/lets-make-investment-in-primary-healthcare-our-priority-akeredolu/

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Tuesday charged lawyers to integrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) into the legal profession to promote proficiency in the discharge of their duties.

Akeredolu gave the charge at the 2019 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA,Section on Legal Practice, held at the International Culture and Events Center, the Dome, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The theme of this year's conference is "Value Added to Legal Practice". The governor explained that the introduction of technology in the legal practice would save cost as well as improve practice and service delivery.

Akeredolu who noted that the step would also afford the bench, the bar ,proficiency and better leverage, however said that artificial intelligence could never replace the practitioners but rather assist them and add value.

He further described as archaic, a situation where lawyers take boxes of books and files to court for reference, instead of a digital library.

Governor Akeredolu said "Technology will certainly assist with the things that are repetitive. We cannot run away from technology, it is good," he said.

Earlier, the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Hon. Justice Tanko Muhammed, encouraged legal practitioners to be fair to their clients by upholding the ethics of the legal profession.

Represented by Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the CJN enjoined lawyers to always strive to add value to the profession through critical examination and analysis of the quality of services being rendered to their clients for the development of the society.

According to him, the theme 'Value Added to Legal Practice' all encompassing but not limited to probate practice, labour law, identifying strength, weaknesses, and the opportunity and threat to valued added legal practice, which would further give opportunity to legal practitioners to analyse and improve the quality of their services and their revenue.

The event was attended by the Oyo State Governor-elect, Mr Seyi Makinde; some Justices of the Supreme, Appeal, Federal and State High Courts, Chairman of NBA, several Senior Advocates of Nigeria and some Royal Fathers including the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba, Dr. Victor Kiladejo.

The Federation of Muslim Women Association, (FOMWAN), Ondo State Chapter, has seized the opportunity of the Ramadan to pay a courtesy visit to the government house, Akure.

During the visit, the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu -Akeredolu, thanked the women for their prayers for the State describing them as partners in progress.


" I want to thank you for your prayers and for always supporting this administration. I am happy to relate with you because we have a lot of things in common as it relates to women generally.

"The present administration also share the idea of impacting the lives of the citizens regardless of who you are. Regarding your coming programme, we shall discuss to choose a date that will be convenient for both of us. "

Led by the State FOMWAN Chairperson, Alhaja Amirat Aminat Akinpelu, the Federation thanked Mrs Akeredolu for being a role model to all women in the State. They noted that the First Lady has been impacting the lives of women across the State positively.

While explaining that FOMWAN is an umbrella body for all Muslim women, Akinpelu lauded the effort of Arabinrin towards bettering the lives of women and girls in the State through her different empowerment programmes and urged her to attend the association conference scheduled to hold soon at Okitipupa.

Also commending the effort of the First Lady, the South-West Zonal Coordinator of FOMWAN, Alhaja Rafat Momo explained that they chose to come now because of the month of Ramadan which is a special month.

"We chose to come during the month of Ramadan because it is a month of mercy when we can offer prayer and supplication to Allah and to pray for the State.

"We are also here to appreciate you for all the good works you have been doing in the State especially for women. Though, we have an award for you to appreciate your good works but we want to liase with you for appropriate date when you will be free."

In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs Titi Adeyemi, stated that their coming attested to their love for Governor Akeredolu's administration and appealed to them to team up with the working governor who is doing a lot for the citizens of the State.

Also speaking at the visit was the former Akure South Local Government Chairman, Comrade Margret Atere, who urged the women to show more commitment to Mrs Akeredolu because of her evident interest in uplifting women. She noted that the only way to reciprocate her kind gestures is to support the present administration.

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 realized 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) 8 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.”

In furtherance of its plan to rename the State owned University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa after the late sage and former governor, Dr Olusegun Kokumo Agagu, the State Executive Council has approved a bill which changed formally the name of Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa to Olusegun Kokumo Agagu University of Science and Technology.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had announced in March during a statewide ‘Thank You Tour’ at Okitipupa that his administration would immortalise Dr Olusegun Agagu by renaming the State owned institution after him.

The bill will now be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for passage into law.

The Governor has been applauded by many in the State and beyond for honouring Dr Olusegun Agagu, saying it’s a honour well deserved.

As part of proactive measure to forestall any breach of public peace, particularly, in Government Reserved Areas exclusively planned for residence, Ondo State Government has placed embargo on the building of new hotels, night clubs, or beer parlour joints in Alagbaka and Ijapo estates in Akure, the capital city.

The commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, who briefed the press after the State Executive Meeting held on Monday, 6th May, 2019, said the move was to ensure peace and tranquility.

He explained that the two estates are full residential areas and henceforth government will no longer approve the construction of new hotels or night clubs.

“For those who have secured approvals for the building of hotels in the past two years but have not commenced construction, such approvals are no longer valid.”

Also, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lola Fagbemi disclosed that Council as well approved Prince Richard Oluwadurotimi Ayodele as the Onise -elect of Ise-Akoko.

Dalexicographer:
Do you live in Ondo??

YES!

OndoFirstBorn:
Ondo state outrun thirty-five other states in the country in the accrual of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2018, latest states IGR data by the National Bureau of Statistics have shown.

Ondo grew its IGR by more than double to N24.79 billion in 2018 from N10.93 billion achieved a year earlier, causing the state to jump 11 steps to become ninth-highest revenue- generating state of the federation after Lagos, Rivers, Ogun, Delta, Kano, Kaduna and Edo state which sustained their positions.

Lagos generated N382.2 billion as revenue in 2018, representing a 14.4 percent increase compared with N333.97 billion realised in 2017.

Rivers recorded a 26 percent growth in its IGR to N112.8 billion from N89.5 billion, while Ogun raised N84.55 billion as IGR in 2018, about 13 percent higher than N74.84 billion recorded in the previous year.

As a result, the combined revenue received by the three states accounted for 52 percent of the total revenue of N1.10 trillion generated by all the Nigerian states in 2018, which is 17.8 percent more than N936.47 billion recorded in 2017.

The total growth was driven by increases in the IGR of thirty-two states that recorded growth, even as four other states comprising Osun, Benue, Cross River and Abia recorded worse revenue performance in the review year compared with 2017.

Osun’s IGR fell the most to N10.38 billion from N11.73 billion. Benue followed closely with a 9.55 percent decline to N11.22 billion from N12.4 billion, Cross River was down by 3 percent to N17.55 billion from N18.1 billion, while Abia recorded a marginal drop of 0.55 percent to N14.83 billion in 2018 compared with N14.92 billion received in the previous year.

However, the revenue generated by each of the four states in 2018 was more than Yobe, Kebbi, Taraba, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Ekiti, Borno, Katsina, Gombe, Nassarawa, Zamfara, Jigawa and Bauchi.

Yobe recorded the lowest IGR of N4.38 billion. Kebbi trailed with a total internally generated revenue of N4.88 billion, while Taraba generated the third-lowest revenue of N5.97 billion in the country in 2018.

Also, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja generated N65.52 billion as IGR in the review period.


https://businessday.ng/lead-story/article/ondo-records-fastest-igr-growth-as-nigerian-states-generate-n1-1tn-in-2018/

AKETI IS A WORKING GOVERNOR. ALL OTHER IDLE GOVERNOR ARE THE WORKS OF MERE MEN. ONDO STATE TO THE WORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLD!

People of Aaye community in Ifedore local government area of Ondo state now have cause to rejoice as the sunshine state first lady, Her Excellency, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu rolls out plans to attract remarkable development in the area.

This is coming from the familiarity visit of the first lady to the community which according to her was prompted by her pleasant knowledge that the community is under the leadership of a twenty-year-old regent.

Speaking to the people of Aaye community during the visit, Mrs Akeredolu revealed that the Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu foundation (BAAF) will as a matter of urgency and importance commence a need assessment exercise in the area through focus group discussion method to generate data and other useful information which she said would be veritable tool to engage and lobby relevant government agencies, donor agencies and other development partners. She also expressed optimism that Aaye community will be transformed in no time.

In her address, the regent of Aaye community, HRH Taiwo Oyebola Agbona, welcomed the first lady and her entourage to her palace, and hailed Mrs Akeredolu for her innovative ways in driving women empowerment in Ondo state. While calling for a more progressive society in which women are recognized and empowered, the beautiful young traditional ruler also used the opportunity to call for government's attention to the communities problems, including bad roads, lack of market, youth unemployment, social protection and economic infrastructure for women.

Ondo state first lady who was accompanied by the members of Forum for Wives of Ondo state Officials, FOWOSO, BAAF members, and the chairman of Ifedore LGA, distributed some SOLAYO birth kits to expectant mothers, free medication, alongside health sensitization.

The Central Bank of Nigeria said contrary to the prediction of Nigeria Governors’ Forum that the country could go into recession in 2020, the country would grow at three per cent.

The Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Dr Joseph Nnanna, said this while representing the Governor of the apex bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, at the presentation of the 2019 Regional Economic Outlook by the International Monetary Bank.

At the forum, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Ministry of Finance, Dr Mohammed Dikwa, said there was no plan by the government to control the country’s population, which the United Nations Fund for Population Activities put at 201 million on Sunday.

Nnanna said the country would likely grow at three per cent but added that the growth rate was not good enough because of the high population growth of 3.2 per cent.

He said, “Are we going to witness increased inflation or are we sliding back into recession? My answer is no. We are making smooth progress towards growth and by the end of 2019, all things being equal, we are likely going to have between 2.8 and three per cent Gross Domestic Product growth rate.

“But is that adequate? My answer is no. Three per cent GDP real growth rate is not enough for Nigeria where our population growth rate is 3.2 per cent. So, per capita growth rate is still negative, but definitely, we are not going through the era of 2016 when we had a recession. That won’t happen. Hopefully, not under the CBN’s watch.

“We will grow, unlike in 2016 when we slid into recession. We are going to maintain the policy interest rate in real terms.”

Dikwa, on the other hand, said there was no immediate plan to control the population of the country.

He said, “As of now, the government is not even sure to make any policy to control population growth. We won’t have much problem with the population growth for now; but if the need be, the government has every right to look into it and make consultations for us, including state governments, on what to do.”

In a similar development, the CBN revealed its plans to withdraw naira notes deemed unfit for use from circulation.

Emefiele disclosed this during the unveiling event of the Clean Notes Policy and Banknotes Fitness Guidelines in Lagos.

He said, “The CBN also intends to embark on a project that will enable the mop up of the mutilated banknotes from circulation. Furthermore, the bank will continue to embark on sustainable institutional reforms and enact policies that will promote efficient currency management in Nigeria.”

According to him, some policy measures are being pursued by the CBN towards promoting effective and efficient currency management in Nigeria.

He said the CBN had registered eight companies to carry out cash-in-transit and two cash processing companies to operate in Nigeria

In its bid to ensure children in Ondo State get adequate nutrition and attain their full potential, Agricultural Development Project (ADP) in collaboration with UNICEF has organised a meeting to review counseling on infant and child feeding practices in the state.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the opening of the programme, Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF in Akure, Mrs Ada Ezeogu noted that her organisation is interested in nutrition of women and children for proper development.

According to her, Unicef is particular about the first one thousand days of the child from pregnancy until the child is two years adding that that is when nutrition has the greatest impact on their physical and brain development.

“We realised that agricultural extension workers cover a lot of rural communities, they are already interacting with women and since we already have them as work force , we thought it will benefit the state if we collaborate.

“These women will preach exclusive breastfeeding in the communities and adequate and timely complementary feeding for our children so that in that period when women are pregnant up to the time they have their children and children are two years they can get adequate nutrition which will ensure they grow to their full potential,” she explained.

While saying the collaboration is an opportunity to work and reach more women in the communities, Ezeogu said the state will benefit maximally on the development of the children.

Also speaking in an interview, the Project Coordinator of ADP, Mr Babasola Adeniyan said the meeting is the Monthly Technology Review Meeting (MTRM) to update the knowledge of the key staff of the project.

“This month’s edition is unique in the sense that we are doing it with the ministry of agriculture. The significance is the fact that they linked us up with UNICEF that is funding the meeting.

“UNICEF is also providing resource persons who will train our core staff who we refer to as subject matter specialists who will in turn go to our various zones in Okitipupa, Ondo, Owo and Ikare to train our frontline extension agents who will go to the field to train women on how to breast feed their babies.

“There are sets of activities we are to conduct jointly which is to help collect some data on the field in respect to infant and baby nutrition which they will use to monitor infant mortality in the state,” he stressed.

He said that the collaboration which began last year is a continuous one adding that ADP is ready to continue until Unicef is satisfied with the work.

Adeniyan called on the participants to give the activities the seriousness it deserved adding that to whom much is given much is expected saying they can not afford to disappoint Unicef.

The two-day programme which began on Monday ended yesterday.

Governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna) and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) are contesting for Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman.

But there are indications that a Southwest candidate may get the job since the outgoing chairman, Zamfara State Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari, is from the North.

El-Rufai is, however, said to have insisted on getting the slot and he is yet to agree to step down for any of his colleagues.

The NGF has had six chairmen in the last 20 years when the nation returned to democracy.

The past chairmen are Alh. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa, 1999 – 2004), Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, (Akwa Ibom State 2004 -2006), Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo 2006 – 2007), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, (Kwara 2007- 2011) Rotimi Amaechi ( Rivers from 2011 -2015) and Abdulaziz Yari(2015-2019).

According to sources, the NGF poll will hold on May 22 in Abuja ahead of the last National Economic Council meeting for the outgoing governors on May 23.

It was learnt that the governors have started consulting one another on who to elect as their chairman because of the tasks ahead of them, including the need to sustain a harmonious relationship with the President; payment of N30,000 minimum wage and the effects on states’ economy; increasing security challenges; and seeking a new formula for the funding of the Universal Basic Education(UBE).

A governor from North-central said: “Many governors are interested in leading the NGF, but the intrigues have left us with two choices – el-Rufai and Fayemi.

“While some do not want el-Rufai for having his fingers in too many pies, others feel his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari may add value. Most governors in the opposition parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are opposed to him.

“But Fayemi is rated as a liberal leader who has built bridges across all parties. He is also regarded as a governor who has the ears of Buhari and members of his ‘kitchen cabinet’.

“I think most of us prefer Fayemi to El-Rufai whose leadership style can be likened to that of an headmaster. He is also an academic with an international profile. But in politics, anything can change overnight.

“When we meet on May 22, we will look at all options and choose the best out of the two governors.”

A governor from the Northeast said: “We have a challenge at hand because the outgoing NGF chairman is leaving a big vacuum.

“The truth is that we have never had a successful NGF chairman like Abdulaziz Yari, who is a goal getter. He bailed us out many times by sourcing for funds from the President.

“Governors across all parties were at home with Yari because he succeeded in persuading President Muhammadu Buhari in approving the release of almost N2 trillion to states, including N713.7 0billion special intervention funds to states, London-Paris Club refund and other special funds.

“ The Zamfara State governor might have security and political problems at home and he is probably in a tinder box in his state but he has offered leadership, which is acceptable to all governors across the parties in the country.

“I think he wields much influence in the Presidency and he could assist a state at the press of a button. Most of us were surprised that he is having issues in his state.”

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/governors-el-rufai-and-fayemi-in-race-to-succeed-governors-forum-chairman-yari-of-zamfara/

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State wishes to rejoice with the State workforce as it celebrates Workers’ Day.

The party commends the State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, for promoting harmonious working relationship between the government and its members.

The party regards the State workforce as the pillar on which implementation of government policies rest. It therefore calls for more sincerity and further commitment on the part of the workers to ensure the public derives maximum benefits from such policies.

We further wish to assured that the APC will never shy away from supporting quality welfare package for the workers, believing that no government can succeed without the effective cooperation of its. workforce.

It is for this reason that Ondo State Government is among the first few states to announce its willingness to consider implementation of the new minimum wage.

We congratulate the State NLC on its recent election, and emergence of a new dynamic team, under Comrade Sunday Adeleye, to pilot the affairs of the chapter in the next four years.

Alex Kalejaye
State Publicity Secretary

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/may-day-ondo-apc-tasks-workers-on-sincerity/

The decision of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration to create Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) has received a massive reception from communities in Ondo state.

The Committee for Creation of LCDA had so far received 78 memoranda from different communities for the creation of local council development area in the state.

Report says, individual leaders and communities had submitted strong seventy-eight memoranda to justify the need for the state government’s committee to approve their requests.

One of the committee members disclosed that “78 memoranda calling for creation of LCDA(s) in Ondo State have been received by the committee set up by Government”.

“The decision of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi SAN administration to create Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in Ondo State has received widespread support and interest among the people and communities in the existing 18 Local Govt. Council of Ondo State as 78 memoranda calling for creation of LCDA(s) have been received by the committee set up by Government to make recommendation for the establishment and creation of the LCDA”.

“Thursday 25th of April, 2019 was the last day for submission of Memoranda to the committee. The sponsors of the memoranda received by the committee cut across cultural,social and Political interest in Ondo State”.

The member said, “the people of Ondo state by the quality of presentation in Memoranda submitted to the committee are United and determined to make the creation of LCDA in Ondo State a success. The Committee on LCDA creation is set to start work on the request this week”.

SOURCE: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-Govt--Receives-78-Memoranda-for-LCDAs

Ondo State Government has charged Chevron Nigeria Limited to priortise safety of lives and properties of citizens following a recent fire outbreak at Oju Imole Oil Field in Ilaje Local Government area.

Reports have it that the inferno started on Thursday.

The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, while receiving the delegation from Chevron in his office in Akure on Monday before visiting the scene of the incident, called on the company to deplore all necessary resources to ensure the fire was put out on time and forestall recurrence of such incidence.

Ajayi said the company must act fast to ensure that the community was safe again for the residents as ”they do not have any other home.”

He that the oil deposit in their community should be a source of blessing to them rather than a source of worry.

The deputy governor stressed the importance of the oil producing areas to the economy of the state.

The leader of the Chevron delegation, Mr Brikinns Esimaje, said the company was doing everything possible to put out the fire as well as address both the immediate and remote causes of the inferno.

Esimaje said the visit would allow them to work with government in the interest of the host community’s safety.

”The reason for coming here is to really have a face to face discussion with government and to update government on the incidence,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Funso Esan, said the news of the inferno at Oju Imole Oil Field broke out during Easter holidays and government had been working hard to ensure the safety of residents.

Esan said the meeting with Chevron would allow government to iron out certain issues on safe operation of the company in the state.

SOURCE: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-Govt--charges-Chevron-on-protection-of-residents%E2%80%99-lives-after-Oil-field-fire-outbreak

Find below a summary of the performance of Ondo State through the recently released figures by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

• IGR

The Ondo State IGR in the last 4 years are as follows:

2015 - N10.09bn

2016 - N8.68bn

2017 - N10.92bn

2018 - N24.78 bn

The 2018 IGR figure corresponds to a massive 126.83% increase from the previous year (2017).

It is the Highest Year-on-Year IGR Growth among all the 36 states of Nigeria in 2018.

Obviously, the Ondo State Governor - Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) 'AKETI' - has the almighty formula of boosting the IGR of the state. Other State Governors must enrol in AKETI's School of IGR Performance.

It is no rocket science to deduce that the Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration has been able to achieve this initiative bold reforms aimed at blocking loopholes, sanitizing the Board of Internal Revenue, introduction of automation amongst others.

• UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

According to the figures just released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Ondo State is one of the 9 states in Nigeria that recorded a reduction in unemployment rates despite an increase in the National unemployment rate.

- Ondo State Unemployment in Q3 2017 was 15.4%

- Ondo State Unemployment rate in Q3 2018 is 14.2%

Ondo State is also one of the 6 states that recorded the highest gains in net full time employment in Nigeria between Q3 2017 and Q2 2018.

The increased IGR and optimal utilisation of state resources has enabled the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration to carry out its most basic duty in a civil service dominated state like Ondo State - payment salaries as and when due. He has not default in the payment of salaries since assumption of office about two years ago. He has also offset 6 months out of the 7 months arrears owed by the previous administration.

To cap it all, the Ondo State Government under AKETI is also partnering reputable private sector investors on his Industrialisation Agenda for Ondo State in a bid to make Ondo State the industrial and commercial nerve of the Southwest and possibly the nation.

Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu is doing well in Ondo State. We must commend him for these positive feats. We must also not forget to call him out when he errs.

OCEANMORGAN:

I am here laughing at some Governors, even Samuel Ortom too.

Why laughing?

The Governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and Benue have assured workers in their states of their readiness to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage

- Governor Fayemi said his government would pay the new minimum wage for effective and efficient service delivery

- His Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, said his government is not against the new minimum wage and urged the federal govt to look into the revenue allocation sharing formula

- Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, said consultations would soon begin towards successful implementation of the new wage

- On his part, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara said his administration was committed to paying the new minimum wage The governors of Ekiti (Kayode Fayemi), Ondo (Rotimi Akeredolu), Kwara (Abdulfatah Ahmed) and Benue (Samuel Ortom) have assured workers in their states of their readiness to pay the N30,000 new minimum wage. They made the disclosure at different fora on Thursday, April 26, The Nation reports.

Legit.ng gathers that Fayemi, speaking at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Delegates’ Conference in Ado-Ekiti, said the welfare of the workers had always been his concern. Fayemi, who was represented by his chief of staff, Biodun Omoleye, asserted that his government would pay the new minimum wage for effective and efficient service delivery.

On his part, the Ondo governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, spoke during the inauguration of Sunday Adeleye as the state’s NLC chairman.

Akeredolu, who was represented by the Ondo state head of service, Toyin Akinkuotu, however, pleaded with the federal government to review the present revenue sharing formula to enable states cope with the new increment.

He said: “We are not against the new minimum wage and if we are not against it, we are in support. “Our prayer is that the federal government should look into the revenue allocation sharing formula, by giving more money to states and local governments to enable them to implement the new minimum wage.”

The Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, made his own stance at the JS Tarka Foundation, Makurdi while opening the Benue state NLC Council Delegates’ Conference. According to Ortom, if funds were available, workers deserved even more than N30,000. The governor said consultations would soon begin towards successful implementation of the new wage. He, however, implored the federal government to review the Revenue Allocation Formula in favour of states, in order to facilitate the smooth implementation of the new wage.

Also, Abdulfatah Ahmed, the governor of Kwara, stated that his administration was committed to paying the new minimum wage.

The governor’s senior special assistant on media and communications, Dr Muyideen Akorede, said: “In this regard, the government set up a committee headed by the head of service, Mrs Modupe Susan, to work out the modalities and sources of revenue for the payment, months before the president signed the new minimum wage into law.

“The committee is expected to submit its report to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed next two weeks.” Ahmed added that civil servants were not being owed any salary arrears by the state government.

However, the governor said the state government is owing junior secondary school teachers and local government workers some months’ salaries.

According to the state government, the teachers and council workers are in the payroll of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress warned all its state chapters against accepting any renegotiation for downward review of the already signed minimum wage law of N30,000 from governors.

The national president of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, made the declaration in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state, as he presided over the election of a new leadership of the labour organization in the state.

SOURCE: https://www.legit.ng/1235355-4-states-declare-readiness-pay-minimum-wage.html

MORE PHOTOS

The Manager of Ondo State Industrial Hub, Chief Alex Ajipe has said that the hub would generate no fewer than 20,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities when working at its full capacity.

Alex Ajipe revealed this when he hosted the First Lady of the state, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu at the hub in Omotoso, Ore Expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The industrial hub, which is called Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, came into being by signing of MOU between Linyi City in Shangai Province of China and Ondo State Government.

Ajipe, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Klick Konnect Networks, said that no fewer than 15 different companies were already sited in the hub for operations which included wood processing, textile company, exploration and agriculture. "At the moment, we have textile mill which is producing sewing thread, polyester embroidery and it will soon start to produce fabrics, lace and ankara.

"There is wood mill specialising in producing ply wood and an agro allied chemical company which is 60 per cent completed.

"Also, there is cassava ethanol plant which is only awaiting to be connected with electricity for operation. "This will require one million tons of cassava every year and it means more money for cassava farmers. "In fact, the company is ready to assist those cassava farmers in getting multiple harvest," he stated.

The manager added that before the end of 2019, an automobile assembly would arrive the hub for assembling different forms of vehicle.

"Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the state governor, on behalf of the state government, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)with Dolphing Company of China to have Chinese mall, where over 100 businesses have subscribed to in producing different wares.

"We are expecting an automobile assembly to arrive in some months to this time in assembling different vehicles here in this industrial hub,"he noted.
According to him, the hub will have a training centre, to be called African College of Agriculture Vocational and Technical Studies, where interested people could acquire needed manpower technology.

Responding, Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu said she was in the hub with her team, FOWOSO, to be witnesses to industrial giant strides of the state governor.

The First Lady described the state governor as a man of purpose, of high integrity and vision who meant well for advancement of the state. She added that Akeredolu was working to develop Ondo State, taking it to the next level.

Mrs. Akeredolu urged women to think of they could do to benefit from the industrial hub, considering that the various companies would need farm produces for their operations. She asked FOWOSO team to inform others what they had seen and observed,saying they had seen reality and not paid advertisement or social media events.

The First Lady, therefore, lauded Mr Ajipe, for keying into the state governor's vision and bringing it into manifestation.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/ondo-industrial-hub-to-generate-20000-job-opportunities/