Towards safeguarding the health of residents of the state and ensuring they enjoy qualitative health care services, the Ondo State Government has closed down eight health facilities for various offences.

It also warned seven facilities for non compliance to rules of practice and engaging in unprofessional conducts.

Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro while reading the riot act to violators during a monitoring exercise of the Ministry in Odigbo Local Government stated that government will not relent in its efforts in sanitising the state health sector, noting that it is prepared to deal with those who will not make meaningful contributions to development of the sector.

Adegbenro while speaking further, frowned at the unprofessional conducts of some of the hospitals visited, and noted that government will continue to ensure quackery becomes eradicated in the sector.

He noted that the action of government was not to witch hunt, victimise or send any one out of job, but to ensure that minimum standards are put in place by Healthcare providers to avoid jeopardising the lives of patients.

He enjoined those interested in the health profession to get trained at accredited institutions and be certified adding that any unlicensed facility will be closed down and perpetrators prosecuted.

He also admonished patients and their relatives to always look out for the practising license of any facility they are to patronize.

However, he warned them to be careful of putting their lives in the hands of quacks who can worsen their health situation rather than improving it.

Also speaking, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Dipo Durojaye said government was ready to provide all the needed support to flush out quackery in the sector and advised those interested in practising, to pursue their career at institutions accredited by the Government and Professional bodies.

He further warned professionals who repeatedly fail to comply with the minimum practice standard or indulging in unprofessional conducts to desist, threatening that they will have their centres sealed off .

The Director Hospital Services, Ministry of Health, Dr Richard Adesoji who led the team to most of the facilities visited, lamented the high rate of quackery in the sector.

Dr Adesoji revealed that many of the facilities visited are not registered and those registered are not renewing their licenses.

While advising those that want to open health facilities to visit the Ministry and start on the right note, he warned that the government will not rest on its oars until the state is ridden of quacks.

Facilities closed down in Odigbo includes; Phobia Medical Clinic Ore, Tommydex Specialist Medical Clinic Ore, Pima Annex Ore, Ndubisi Hospital annex Ore, Oluyemi Medical Clinic Ore, Sister White Community Clinic Ore, Kenkos medical Laboratory Ore & Model Medical Laboratory Ore.

Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Why-ODSG-shuts-8-health-facilities-%E2%80%93-Adegbenro

The Ondo state Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary schools (ASUSS), Comrade Dayo Adebiyi has enumerated some of the requests and challenges confronting the system in the state.

This is just as a Principal from Ondo state, Alhaji Arogundade Suleiman Jimoh, has emerged the 2019 Best Principal of Secondary school in Nigeria

Arogundade who is the Principal of Oroke High School, Akungba Akoko in Ondo State, was decorated in Abuja at an occasion to celebrate this year’s World Teacher’s day.

Speaking earlier on this year’s theme of Teacher’s Day, “Young Teachers: Future of the Profession”, the Ondo state Chairman of ASUSS, Comrade Dayo Adebiyi lamented that shortage of manpower in the secondary schools in the state was not good for education development of the state.

Adebiyi confirmed that, “the man that would be given the award and decorated with the 2019 best Principal of secondary school is Alhaji Arogundade Suleiman Jimoh, the Principal, Oroke High School, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State. We rejoice with this devoted member of ASUSS who is being identified for National recognition.

The ASUSS chairman noted that “employment of More Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff: The daily disengagement of personnel from the teaching service of Ondo State ‘is taking its toll on classroom delivery and other essential services like security in our secondary schools. We, therefore, call on the government of Ondo State to recruit more teachers and security guards in our schools.

Adebiyi opined that “all our members are tired of having to keep paying to TRCN without receiving any service from the organization for instance, many of our members have certificates of registration and professional licence for which they have paid. Seminar and workshop which the council promised to organize for them have never for once been done.

The TRCN must wake up and start doing the needful now.”

Water is essential to the wellbeing of citizens; it is rather unfortunate that its accessibility was as low as 4% (percent) to the entire population of Ondo State at the inception of this administration.


Drinking water comes from a variety of sources e.g public water systems, private wells, or bottled water.


Ensuring safe and healthy drinking water may be as simple as turning on the tap. It is important to know where drinking water comes from, how it’s been treated, and if it’s safe to drink.


Research has shown that half of the Ondo State's hospital beds were filled with people suffering from a water-related disease between 2015 to early 2017 In developing countries, about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. 1 out of every 5 deaths under the age of 5 is due to a water-related disease.
Clean and safe water is essential to healthy living. Contaminated water can cause many types of diseases, such as Cholera, Guinea worm disease, Typhoid, and Dysentery. These were some of the major problems facing the people of Ondo State before Akeredolu got to office.


In the quest of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu administration’s commitment towards providing potable water supply across the State he has rehabilitated 750 boreholes in 300 communities through the Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA.


This agency is setting a New Direction for the provision of adequate, safe and accessible water in rural and small towns across the state and also achieving tangible benefits to health for Ondo State citizens.


Through this projection, the Ondo State Government is aiming to meet the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goal Six which centers on Water and Sanitation with an impressive percentage of performance before the year 2030.


Consequently, the Ondo State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWASSA, is daily making significant progress in water accessibility delivery to citizens of Ondo State through On-the-Spot Borehole Rehabilitation, inventory and needs assessment across the 18 Local Government Areas irrespective of the technical and geological challenges.


The actual increase in the percentage of access to safe water supply through KAMOMI AKETI Accelerated Water Scheme is now 9.3%, thereby bringing the proportion of water access to 13.3% in less than seven months. This followed the declaration by Governor Akeredolu to provide potable water for all the communities in the state through Rural Water Supply and Sanitation, RUWASSA.
Governor Akeredolu’s KAMOMI AKETI initiative has been applauded across the country. Presently other State Governors have started such projects in their various states, while the federal government has imbibed this great initiative of the Akeredolu led government.


The ondo state Governor Akeredolu’s administration is measured by these eight factors Participation, Rule of Law, Transparency, Responsiveness, Consensus Oriented, Equity and Inclusiveness, Effectiveness and Efficiency, and Accountability.


Governor Akeredolu has been lauded in all the communities of the state for his good governance by being ultimately accountable to the people of the State. They described his leadership as a positive move towards changing the face of Ondo state.


Akeredolu said it was the duty of his administration to continually deliver projects and the projects he initiated will never be abandoned.
He however urged that the communities will reciprocate the gesture by cooperating with the government to make sure those boreholes in their various communities are not destroyed.

PRINCESS EIGBOKHAN ORIH
TCCNEWS

Ok

Charleys:


Commissioned a borehole with two taps.

Bit please.

This is just one out of many the Governor did. He has commissioned a lot of projects.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described former Chief of Defense Staff, General Akani Akinrinade Rtd as a selfless leader whose contribution to enthronement of democracy in the country could not be forgotten.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, stated this at an event to mark the 80th birthday of the octogenarian held at International Conference Center, University of Ibadan in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to him, Gen. Akinrinade was a member of the Pro-Democracy advocacy group, NADECO, who fought for the democracy that Nigeria has being enjoyed since the year 1999 uninterruptedly.

‘Just like Moses who chose to suffer with the Israelites despite being conferred with Egyptian Prince hood, Gen. Akinrinade left his comfort zone in the military to join the NADECO chieftains in the trenches for the enthronement of democracy’,

“That Nigeria has enjoyed uninterrupted democracy since 1999 showed that people of the country valued the contribution of the likes of General Akinrinade’, the governor said.

While appreciating the past roles of the hero, Akeredolu said his continuous intervention in the nation’s polity would always put those in authority in check.

The occasion also had in attendance other officials of the Ondo State government including the Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, his counterpart in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Tall Oluwatuyi and the Special Adviser on Political matter Hon. Victor Olabimtan among others.

Ondo government has expressed willingness to engage the services of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the fight against insecurity in all parts of the state.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu who disclosed this when he received leaders of the group in Akure, said his confidence in the ability of the organisation to fight crime is not in doubt.

The government recently launched the state security outfit named “Amotekun” comprising men of the various security outfits with a view to curbing criminal activities in the state.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, who received the OPC leaders, stressed that the state government had resolved to partner the group as a leading member of the state security outfits (Amotekun) for the purpose of community policing.

“Governor Akeredolu who is the chairman of South West Governors’ Forum convened the South West Security meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State few weeks ago where it was resolved to jointly finance a security outfit to tackle the incessant case of kidnapping, armed banditry, herdsmen attacks and other criminal activities in the region.

“It was there that it was first agreed upon that the security outfit must enlist the support and participation of our brothers in OPC under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, in order to assist the police in their quest to get rid of organised crimes in the grassroots, our forests, our villages, towns and cities. The community policing policy will also include other local security outfits like Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters.

“I am happy to also inform you that our governor has already blaze the trail by procuring hundreds of vehicles and over 250 motorcycles for the takeoff of the Amotekun outfit, which I am sure, some of it will be allocated to your group, OPC as operational vehicles among other incentives to assist you in doing the job which you have volunteered to undertake for our people with all loyalty, dedication and faithfulness.

“The gods of our land shall be with you and keep you safe throughout the tough task,” he stated.

Source: https://www.sunnewsonline.com/insecurity-ondo-partners-opc/

Worried by the menace of traffic challenges, especially in akure the state capital, Ondo State government has launched a new initiative known as Easy Drive.

The initiative is to ensure compliance to traffic rules, use of the pedestrian bridge and end roadside trading, indiscriminate parking among others.

Despite the efforts of successive administrations, in Akure the state capital is still faced with traffic challenges.

These include indiscriminate parking, take over of parking lots and walkways by petty traders and other private business concerns, as well as non-use of approved and designated car parks.

To put an end to these challenges, the state government decided to partner a private concern, easy drive.

The state government also held a sensitization rally on the new rules of engagement.

From the long stretch of road from ilesha garage to oja oba, special adviser to the Governor on transportation, tobi Ogunleye enlightened the people on why they must use only designated parks, and the pedestrian overhead bridge.

He insisted that thoroughfare along the dividers under the pedestrian bridge also had to be closed to ensure sanity of movement along that axis of the road despite concerns by traders at Erekesan modern market.

The governor’s aide who enforced the relocation of some street traders warned that it would not be business as usual for defaulters.

The manager of Eazy Drive, Folajimi Dabo assures that Ondo State said the initiative is not to inflict pains on

Motorists but ensure sanity on the road for greater economic productivity.

The sensitization rally is expected to be replicated at arakale and other areas with serious traffic challenges in Akure.

About 250 youths have graduated from the Ondo State Digital Villages.

The graduates are currently into digital marketing and work independently.

Making this disclosure was the Chairman of State Information Technology Agency, Mr. Olumbe Akinkugbe.

Represented by the Director of Engineering and Information Technology Infrastructure of the Agency, Mr. Innocent Akinkugbe said the Digital Villages located in five local governments are part of measures to solving unemployment among youths.

He said the project is an attempt to brigde digital divide and check rural urban migration. This is because IT facilities are rare in the rural areas.

According to him, youths are leaving the rural areas so that they can have access to these facilities. The project is an attempt to bridge this gap and also connect the unconnectables.

He said since it was a developmental project, “we partner with a foreign company; a telecommunications firm. They brought big containers that were fitted with computers and air conditioner.

“These containers were placed close to ATC stations because we get power supply from those stations. CCTV are also there to monitor the activities going on around there.”

Akinkugbe said they first started with two stations. When our partner saw the output, they approved the other three locations for us.

“We flagged off the centre at Uso but now we have four more centres at Iju/Itaogbolu, Akungba, Okitipupa and Ondo.

The youth have gotten IT skills to enable them get at an IT company. They can now use the skills acquired to make a living.”

He stated that huge sum of money has been expended on the project ranging from getting the site ready, buying the computers and paying the consultant.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Mrs B.M Omotola said that digital village project is sponsored by American Tower Company as a form of giving back to the society.

“It is a corporate social responsibility. ATC in conjunction with Ondo state is trying to wipe out the digital divide noticed among our youths.

“It is to reduce Internet illiteracy among our youths. They brought us containers containing twelve PCs. It has AC with 24 hours Internet facilities. American Tower Corporation”. She explained.

She disclosed that the agency wants to leverage on the project and start coding.

“We want to be doing IBM and be issuing certificates at the end of the training. If any of the trainees can get their hands on the IBM certificate, they can get job anywhere.

“At the onset of the project, we wrote to the local government chairmen to give us names and they did”.

What seemed inconceivable for some skeptics in seeing how the Akeredolu led administration could effectively employ the micro credit agency as a platform for massive economic growth in the grassroots and development is now coming into fruition.

Through the Ondo State Micro credit agency, Artisans, youths, market men and women in Ondo state are in for a good time , as the present administration has left no stone unturned in its bid to ensuring a better life for all
The Ondo state micro credit agency was conceived and tailored as a grassroots economic outfit, which was   designed to meet the credit needs of low-income groups across the 18 local government in the state.

Against the stringent conditions usually imposed on low-income earners in the state, the micro credit scheme was designed to provide credit facilities to them without any backbreaking conditions attached.
Under the Ondo state micro credit agency, various scheme such as the Apalara Scheme, which was designed to enable market women access improved loan offers, as well as other empowerment scheme.

Under the Apalara scheme, the state governor has   distributed loans worth N550 million to market women, entrepreneurial groups and cooperatives societies in the state.  Market women received N357.5 million (65 per cent) of the loan, while male traders got N192.5 million (35 per cent). Other schemes includes, the special transformative artisan repositioning scheme, the Yam Farmer Empowerment scheme, the Widow Resettlement and Empowerment Loan scheme and the Special Intervention Programme.

Through the successful running of the scheme, the Ondo State government has successfully increased the purchasing power of the citizens of Ondo State, it has also enhanced the quality of life of the targeted groups and families ; also it has seen to a great deal of improved artisans product as a result of the access to loans which has boosted their production rate





Amudipe Marcus
TCC NEWS

The Ondo state governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu's accountability, integrity, prudence and transparency has been described by the people of the state as responsible for the unbeatable achievements recorded within a period of his two and half years in office.


Is no more news that, the Akeredolu administration inherited a huge debt to the sum of N38.57 billion by the immediate past government. Which led to its inability to pay salaries as at when due.



However, the good news is that Governor Akeredolu has cleared 90 percent of the debt and Ondo state is currently rated as the lowest debt free state in the south west zone of Nigeria while number 8 in the country.


The Civil service all over the world is known to be charged with the responsibility of carrying out government policies, providing services to the public and keeping the machinery of government running in any given society.


One of The importance of Civil Service as a government institution is ensuring that government policies result in tangible services for the population,as the Civil Service is also known to help in the generation of revenue for the government.



In Ondo state, the governments have introduced reforms aimed at ameliorating the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service as well as making sure that every civil servant gets their salaries as at when due.


Meanwhile The local government outstanding salaries paid by this present administration from the month of August 2016 to November 2016 varies. L.G staff was 4,163,469,918.12 Naira.

While from August 2016 to November 2016 SUBEB ( PRY SCH. ) got 2,893,545,829.29 Naira.


L.G pension was also paid the outstanding salaries of 1,570,025,538.50 Naira from August 2016 to November 2016.

In 2017 the ondo state government paid leave bonus to all the core civil service, the judiciary and TESCOM the sum of 1,053,483,267.80 Naira.

No doubt Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is the man for the job in Ondo state.

PRINCESSS EIGBOKHAN ORIH
TCCNEWS

The Ondo State Head of Service, Mr Dare Aragbaiye says Workers in the State Public Service should have positive attitudinal change work and exhibit good leadership style that would bring back the dignity and lost glory of Public Servants in the state.

Mr Aragbaiye made the call during an interactive meeting with the Workers of the State Development and Property Corporation in Akure, the state capital in continuation of his reorientation meetings with Workers in government establishments.

The Head of Service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretaries of the Department of Establishment and Training, Mr Victor Olajorin and the Department of Service Matters, Mr Bayo Philip charged the Workers to support the Political Leadership of their various organisations for the overall benefit of the people of the state.

He said Workers should be conversant with the policy trust of the present administration and key into it in order to achieve proper implementation of its policies and programmes for the good of the people of the state, noting that the success of any government is determined by the attitude and commitment of its workforce.

The number one Civil Servant in the state declared amnesty for Workers who will freely come to submit vital information, government documents and Properties in their possession under the acronym ‘DLL’ “Drop it, Leave it and Let it go”, saying that any Worker found guilty through scrutiny would be sanctioned.

He equally charged Public Servants to acquaint themselves with their schedule of duty, exhibit good character and integrity, imbibe timeliness and punctuality, maintain corporate dressing and avoid drunkenness at work, fraudulent practices, irregular promotion and certificate forgery, adding that they should intimate themselves with the rules and regulations guiding their jobs as contained in the Workers handbook.

Earlier in his remarks, the Board Chairman of the Corporation, Architect Gabriel Aderomilehin commended the Head of Service for the initiative to reposition the state civil service for better service delivery which he said is long overdue.

Architect Aderomilehin noted that the Board had concentrated on changing the mindset of the Workers, restore discipline among the cadres, instill financial probity, improve the asset base of the Corporation and the Workers welfare.

He said the Corporation would soon workout modalities to implement its enacted policy to re-enter the undeveloped government land to generate revenue for the government.

More photos

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, at a Meeting with the World Bank on Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) held in Abuja on Wednesday, 18th September, 2019.

RAAMP is saddled with the responsibility of improving rural access and agricultural marketing while strengthening the financing and institutional base for effective development, maintenance and management of rural road network.

Ondo State is one of the states set to Benefit from this World Bank assisted project .

Ahead of 2020 governorship election in Ondo state, politicians have been asked not to play politics with the ongoing screening of the local government workers, pensioners and primary school teachers in the state.

The President of the Nigeria Union local government Employees (NULGE), Mr Bola Taiwo, stated this on Wednesday in Akure, Ondo state capital, while condemning the alarm raised by some politicians over the ongoing screening exercise.

Taiwo who noted that the screening exercise was in the best interest of the workers and pensioners, assured workers in the state that the exercise would not be used by the present administration in the state to retrench any worker.

He explained that the screening was organised to know when the workers joined service and when they would retire so that government would plan for them.

On the logjam over the implementation of the 30,000 minimum wage, the NULGE President expressed reservation over the failure of both government and the organised labour to agree on a new salary table before signing into law of the new wage.

The NULGE boss said, “politicians should not use workers’ welfare to play politics against Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; the screening for primary school teachers, local government workers and their pensioners is not to witch hunt anybody.

” The screening exercise was organised to know the numerical strength of local government workers and primary school teachers to enable government plans for the workers.

Ondo State House of Assembly has pledged to support every move that will generate employment and promote the wealth of the masses for sustainable livelihood.

The Chairman house committee on commerce and industry, Mr Rasheed Elegbeleye made the pledged when he led the committee on familiarization visit to the Ondo State Micro Credit Agency(OSMA), Ondo State Investment Promotion Agency(ONDIPA), and the Consumer Protection Council(CPC),all in Akure.

Elegbeleye who is also the Minority leader of the house assured the committee’s necessary support towards alleviating poverty in the state.

He informed that the visit became necessary to know how best they can collaborate with the agencies, known how their challenges can be tackled to ensure industrial revolution in the state.

He commended the effort of the state government in terms of industrialization ,advising that all the moribund industries in the state should be revived to generate employment and boost the economy of the state.

The Chairman stressed the need to strengthen the CPC to enable it delivered its mandate of protecting consumers interest effectively.

Corroborating Elegbeley’s words, the Vice Chairman of the committee, Mr Festus Adefioye posited that people at the grassroots should always be considered in the scheme of things so as to contribute their quotas to the development of the society.

While saying that the industries that are springing up in the state when fully in operation will be an enduring legacy, he assured the 9th assembly’s readiness to support such effort.

Source: https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/we-ll-support-moves-to-generate-employment-odha/

Education as we all know remains the only veritable tool of socio-economic development, and the only legacy worth bequeathing to our children. This realization was the only thing needed for the government and administration of Ondo State to put in place proper and sustainable foundation for the educational system in our state to foster even development.
Upon his inaguration as the Executive governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has made public his vision in the critical area of educational development. Worried about the parlous state of education in the country and more so in Ondo State, with the national embarrassment of increasing failure figures at external examinations such as those conducted by WAEC,NECO and JAMB Akeredolu, has affirmed that his administration will make a paradigm shift.

In that wise, education will be made free and compulsory at the primary and secondary school levels. All public schools will be restored to their former glory.
Arakunrin Akeredolu has stayed true to his promise of making basic education easily accessible, attractive and affordable to the good people of Ondo state, bridging the gap between the rich and the poor in terms of qualitative learning at the basic level.
About 700 public primary schools in Ondo State have been renovated, while another 314 projects would be awarded very soon in various primary schools, including agricultural materials, sporting equipment and 77 containerized toilets.
Not resting on these achievements, the Ondo State government has paid N3.7 billion as counterpart funding for basic education, which was matched by the Federal Government through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to revamp the primary education sector.

Boosting teachers’ morale, the state government recently rolled out promotion letters to 1,800 primary school teachers in the state. They were promoted after a rigorous screening exercise carried out by SUBEB.
Asides from these aforementioned projects, under the state ministry of Education, Science and Technology, there has been numerous moves by the state government to see that educational services in the state are top notch from the basic level of education to the tertiary level.
Part of these moves are, attending the mid-year UNICEF meeting in Benin; Welcoming the delegates from Northumbria University, who trained some selected primary and secondary school teachers for science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education implementation in Ondo State
Also is the partnership with Quickens Computer Limited in collaboration with Unity Bank in repositioning the educational sector.
These intentional and highly commendable strides of the Ondo State government has not gone without yielding positive results for the state at large.
There has been an increased registration of students in the state primary school across the 18 local government compared to the previous years.

Also, the state has recorded brilliant performance in different competitions across the country between May 2018 to May 2019. The Ondo state contingent to the National Science and Technology Fair which was held in Abia state on the 7th to 10 of October 2018 clinched the first position among other states of the federation, Also the Ondo stage delegates to the Science Teachers Association Of Nigeria emrgered victorious in Kaduna. The NTA/ETV National Science and Technology Expo was the Ondo state students emerging second position among it's counterparts from other states.
To mention a few, the Ondo state government, led by Arakunrin Akeredolu has done more within the last two years to see to the advancement of Education, Science and Technology in the state. Kudos must be given to him for his commitments and great dedication to using Education as a tool for national development and sustenance in the state.

Amudipe Marcus
TCC NEWS

More pictures

...Targets 500 Bed Medical Facility

The determination of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration to provide first-class health facilities for the people of Ondo State has taken another giant leap with the commencement of the construction of a modern world-class teaching hospital at the former State hospital in Akure, the state capital.

Already, the Critical Care Unit complex has been constructed and will be used as the temporary Accident and Emergency ward to allow for the demolition and construction of a two-storey complex at the current A & E building.

Similarly, a new building has been constructed for the Children Emergency ward, which was never in existence since the establishment of the hospital.
The Akeredolu administration has also began the reconstruction of a 16-year old abandoned structure at the hospital, which is projected to be used for surgical outpatience and stroke ward.

Addressing Journalists after inspecting the ongoing construction at the facility, Governor Akeredolu said his administration is upgrading the health facility from a 150-bed to a 300-bed hospital.

Arakunrin Akeredolu also hinted that he has given a directive that houses very close to the hospital should be valued, as his administration is ready to acquire the buildings and compensate the owners.

He said apart from the fact that it is very dangerous living very close to a hospital, the acquisition will enable government to expand the facility and build a modern world-class Teaching hospital.

Akeredolu said:”All of us have toured this facility and I’m sure you remember what we met on ground here . Since we came on board ,things have changed here including the road network and a number of buildings here have been renovated, but we have just started

“The important thing is that we are building a new medical ward, a two-storey building and it will be so big. Very soon, by next month the frontage will go down and it will allow for a modern medical world-class facility here.
“It is taking us a lot to arrive at making this place a world-class teaching hospital . We know that the University of Medical Sciences needed to have a befitting hospital . Instead of building new ones or concentrating in one area, we decided to have a multi-sector hospital.

“This place used to be a 150-bed hospital and it will be 300-bed when we complete it.
"I have looked at the buildings that are too close to the hospital and I have asked that they should be valued so that we can acquire them and compensate the owners .

”Our target is to have a 500-bed teaching hospital . A number of buildings around will have to go and we will pay compensation and expand the hospital to make it big.”

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
10th September , 2019

Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Akeredolu-Commences-Construction-of-World-Class-Teaching-Hospital-in-Akure

Imo-born
The Imo-born Ondo state First Lady, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has commended Imo women for their remarkable efforts in nation building.

She gave this commendation in Lagos during the 2019 August Meeting of Imo State Town Unions Development Association, Lagos (ISTDAL) women’s wing, held at the Basketball Court, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.


In her goodwill message, the Sunshine State First Lady, who was represented by the Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Social Media, Rowland Onyeukwu, observed that the theme of the event, “Empowering Women to Build Lasting Legacies” was timely, as it was in line with some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She further opined that the theme, if judiciously handled, would address goals 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the SDGs, which are; “No Poverty”, ” Zero Hunger”, Quality Education” and Gender Equality”, respectively.

Mrs Akeredolu identified ISTDAL as partners in progress with her office, as they share similarities in women empowerment. She cited her BEMORE Empowered Initiative and Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials (FOWOSO) as two notable platforms that are committed to making women and girls attain their maximum potentials and be relevant in the society.


She also commended ISTDAL, an apex sociocultural umbrella organization of indigenes of over 500 town unions of Imo state based in Lagos, on their efforts in nation building, admonishing them to remain focused, because their efforts would reflect in the growth and development of our dear country, Nigeria.

Lagos State First Lady, Her Excellency, Dr (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in her goodwill message, considered the theme of event as appropriate, since the role of women in nation building cannot be over emphasized. According to Mrs Sanwo-Olu, empirical studies confirm that women make a significant impact in shaping society.

The First Lady of Lagos state, represented at the event by the wife of the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Dr Mrs Igbokwe, commended the organizer of the event for what she described as a “laudable event”, and expressed optimism that women will see the bigger picture and understand how pivotal they are to the future of our society and our nation when given the right opportunity.


Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, who also was the chairman of the occasion, Barr. Uche Onyeagucha, pointed out that Imo women in Lagos have through their annual August meetings continued to play supportive roles in the state.

He also used the opportunity to call on Imo sons and daughters to join hands with the Imo State Governor in the task of rebuilding Imo state.

The event featured march-past by the member unions, choreography by ISTDAL women, cultural dance, cooking competition, exhibitions, lectures, and award presentations.

Some notable dignitaries at the event were: Senior Special Assistant to Imo State Governor, Liaison Officer, Lagos, Mr Anthony Abili, Special Assistant to Imo state Governor on Lagos liaison office, Mr Nato Chikwe, and Prof Mrs Mopelola Omoegun, Former Dean of Education, UNILAG.

Ondo State Government will continue to create credit facilities for market women across the state to boost their trading

Commissioner for women affairs and social development, Mrs Titi Adeyemi during her meeting with iyalajes/ iyalojas commended them for their patience and promised tha all their challenges are being addressed

Mrs Adeyemi urged them to keep supporting the Akeredolu administration

The Iyaloja general of ondo state, Chief Mrs Iwalola Adefemiwa congratulated the Commissioner, on her appointment, describing her as a round peg in a round hole

She thanked Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his support to the entire market women in the state.

Haaa

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has solicited the support of the Ondo State House of Assembly on the speedy passage of it’s bill into law.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Hon. Olumbe Akinkugbe while playing host to the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology in his office said quick passage of bill will enable SITA delivers on its mandates to the residents of the state as well as meet its revenue target.

The SSA explained that SITA has done a lot to put the name of the state on digital world map.

He listed some projects by the agency that has made the state proud to include Digital Village Project (DVP) Software development and upgrading of the state residency cards.

According to him, the Agency has equally facilitated the training of some industrialists, artisans & civil servants throughout the state with a view to improving productivity through the application of digital technology.

He therefore expressed the believe that quick passage of the bill into law will greatly assist the agency to implement all government policies on ICT and effective management of telecommunication infrastructure in the state.

Responding, the house committee chairman on Education, Science and Technology Hon. Toluwani Borokinni representing Akure South Constituency 1 assured the agency of accelerated passage of the bill considering it over all importance to the development of the state.

He commended the agency for its relentless efforts at increasing the public interest in the digital technology through Akure Tech Hub and software development.

Hon. Borokinni said the familiarization visit was aimed at interacting with the management of the agency with a view to taking stock & identifying its area of needs.

Welcoming the lawmakers, Permanent Secretary of the agency Mrs. Bunmi Omotola attributed the success achieved by the agency to dedication to duties by the staff.

She pledged the support of the management & staff of the agency at all times that will lead to actualization of govt policies on ICT.

Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo has reiterated his commitment to work with all media organisations based in Ondo State, for adequate media coverage of government activities.

Mr. Ojogo stated this while playing host to members of the Federated Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, in his office in Akure, today.

He said he will not look down on any indigenous media houses in the state, adding that he would institutionalise information management by carrying everyone in the media world along.

The Information Commissioner stated further that media is an important aspect of government, stressing that it would be needed to propagate achievements of government to the people.
He, therefore, assured the Federated Chapel of his cooperation and giving them the necessary recognition they deserved in the scheme of government activities.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Chapel, Mr. Bayo Adediran said the Federated Chapel consist of community newspapers and magazines in the state. He congratulated the Commissioner on his redeployment to the Ministry of Information and Orientation, stressing that his redeployment to the Ministry has brought symbiotic Information processing, management and dissemination since the Commissioner came on board.
He added that the Commissioner has written his name in gold due to his philanthropic nature, especially when he paid the hospital bill of a mother who delivered triplets, but was detained at Federal Medical Centre in Owo due to the inability of her family to pay the medical bill.
He added that the state based newspapers and magazines practitioners are well informed and responsible people in the pen profession.
Mr. Adediran solicited support and patronage from the government in the area of advertisement placement and promised that the Chapel would cooperate with the Commissioner to make his work easier.
Also speaking, the Publisher of TRACE MAGAZINE, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan appreciated the Commissioner for hosting them despite the short notice.
Mr. Adeniyan urged the Commissioner to use his office to ensure that the State based newspaper publishers are carried along in government activities, in areas of patronage and recognition .
He further stated that whatever patronage they get from the government would go a long at boosting the economy of the State, because their production processes take place within the state.
Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo has reiterated his commitment to work with all media organisations based in Ondo State, for adequate media coverage of government activities.
Mr. Ojogo stated this while playing host to members of the Federated Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, in his office in Akure, today.
He said he will not look down on any indigenous media houses in the state, adding that he would institutionalise information management by carrying everyone in the media world along.
The Information Commissioner stated further that media is an important aspect of government, stressing that it would be needed to propagate achievements of government to the people.
He, therefore, assured the Federated Chapel of his cooperation and giving them the necessary recognition they deserved in the scheme of government activities.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Chapel, Mr. Bayo Adediran said the Federated Chapel consist of community newspapers and magazines in the state. He congratulated the Commissioner on his redeployment to the Ministry of Information and Orientation, stressing that his redeployment to the Ministry has brought symbiotic Information processing, management and dissemination since the Commissioner came on board.
He added that the Commissioner has written his name in gold due to his philanthropic nature, especially when he paid the hospital bill of a mother who delivered triplets, but was detained at Federal Medical Centre in Owo due to the inability of her family to pay the medical bill.

He added that the state based newspapers and magazines practitioners are well informed and responsible people in the pen profession.

Mr. Adediran solicited support and patronage from the government in the area of advertisement placement and promised that the Chapel would cooperate with the Commissioner to make his work easier.

Also speaking, the Publisher of TRACE MAGAZINE, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan appreciated the Commissioner for hosting them despite the short notice.

Mr. Adeniyan urged the Commissioner to use his office to ensure that the State based newspaper publishers are carried along in government activities, in areas of patronage and recognition.

He further stated that whatever patronage they get from the government would go a long at boosting the economy of the State, because their production processes take place within the state.

SOURCE: https://www.ondoevents.com/2019/09/03/i-will-not-look-down-on-ondo-based-media-outfits-says-ojogo/

The Nigerian German institute (NGC), Ministry of Labour and Office of Innovation and Partnership (ION) to hold “Career Path” training in Akoko, Owo and Ose areas of Ondo state.

SOURCE: https://twitter.com/Innovate_Ondo/status/1168856101376405504

The Ondo State Government on Monday took bold steps to make the critical failed sections of the Isuada-Ikare junction area of Owo – Benin / Ikare xpress road passable for motorists.

In making the intention real, the Ministry of Works has deposited loads of boulders there to stabilise the almost 3-meter deep gorge which makes vehicular movement impossible.

Required equipment was also deployed at the spot to remove three trailers stucked therein which had caused other road users to find makeshift alternatives on both sides of the road.
It also evacuated deposits of mud/ unsuitable materials at the edges of the section of the road,which had been making the surface slippery.

Speaking on the development, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, who visited the scene with some top officials of the Ministry, said the palliative measure was to ease the burden imposed on the people of our people, who use the road due to the emergency situation on ground.

“The grader will also clear the overgrown weeds to enable us have a look at the side drains to ascertain wether it will be repared or be removed and construct new ones. This situation was caused by the heavy volume of water spilling to the main road due to d existing drains that are fully silted.

He said the immediate palliative measure was to get the road in a condition where it can be motorable again, though the road belongs to the federal government .

“The steps being taken are to provide immediate relief for our people. This spot if not repaired now can degenerate into a more serious situation. We cannot watch the road become a death trap for our people before taking action.This is just the beginning, tomorrow, officers of the Ministry will be here to continue working to improve this unacceptable scenario here.”

Permanent Secretary, Engineer Taiwo Otun said the area needed to be channelised to allow free flow of water, adding that the state Ministry of Works would leave no stone unturned to secure the road against artificial problems, which should have been prevented.

Source: http://www.ondoevents.com/2019/09/03/odsg-intervenes-in-impassable-area-of-owo-ikare-road/

PRINCESS EIGBOKHAN ORIH TCC NEWS

Education has been said to be the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world and the function of education helps humans to think intensively and critically.

Education is also the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. With these facts as a tool the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has over time repositioned the education sector of the state.




Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has ensured that no Government owned school will be neglected under his watch and his administration is working tirelessly to ensure that his vision as the leader of the State is felt in all sectors and sub-sectors of Education in Ondo state.



Akeredolu is concerned about building and improving the educational sector, creating better classrooms for the students across the State.



In Ondo State most of the primary schools, has installments of modern toilets, good water, sanitation and hygiene are taught in schools, provision of solar to provide lights for classrooms, fencing of primary schools, have been made available.


Governor Akeredolu belive that there is no investment greater than education so whatever was invested in the youths was done for the future.



Akeredolu has always assured the people of Ondo State that the next stage of development in education will be in the areas of employment.


the rebirth of Ondo State Education Endowment Fund, OSEEF, was targeted at bridging the funding gap in the education sector.



The Governor believes it is imperative that his administration re-engineer the economy and place it on a trajectory of sustained growth.


However, for Ondo state to achieve this, Governor Akeredolu administration understands the fact that sustainable development can be accomplished through robust partnership. Therefore, his focus is to ensure rapid growth, development and sustainability of the economy.


this present Government has developed the Blueprint to Progress a policy document which encapsulates the five cardinal programmes of this administration.



The Ondo State Governor said under his leadership there has been regular release of subventions to tertiary institutions in Ondo state, appointments of teachers as directors in TESCOM, regular promotion of non-teaching staff and both completed and on-going construction and renovation of schools in all the senatorial district and local governments in Ondo state.


So Many schools have benefited from these initiative e.g Community Primary School, Ayepe Iwaro Oka, St Michaels African Primary School Oyara-Isua, Adeolu Public School Okeogun Owo.


He urged the people to take advantage of all the opportunities that abound in the sunshine state.

Newly employed Ondo State indigenes into Federal Establishments have been advised to always justify the hardwork ethical values of the Sunshine State.

Speaking at a ceremony to present them with their Letter of Employment at the Governor’s Office in Akure, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, urged the new employees to be dutiful and committed to the service of their fatherland.

The governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale advised the beneficiaries to be focused in the day to day discharge of their official assignments so as to make their careers in the Federal Public Service excellently rewarding.

He used the occasion to commend the facilitator of the employments, Hon Folake Olasehinde-Vicente and urged other appointees of government to continually use their offices for the well-being of their people.

Presenting the beneficiaries, Hon Folake Olasehinde-Vicente who is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs said the development was part of her services to the state while on the board of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.

Hon Olasehinde-Vicente regretted that despite the innovative and entrepreneurial potentials of the nations’ youths, they were still being faced with disproportionate socio-economic barriers.

While appreciating Governor Akeredolu for the opportunity provided her to continue to serve the people, the former legislator used the occasion to call for appropriate legislation to reorient the youths at removing all barriers working against the realisation of their potentials.

In his remarks the Oludogun of Idogun Oba Barakare Olorunimbe commended Governor Akeredolu for his untiring commitment to the development of Ondo State and for working assiduously for the potential utilisation of the state young population.

Speaking on behalf of the seven beneficiaries Mr Hassan Garba promised to be good ambassadors of the state.

Black out is a normal thing in our Airport. Op should rather say we should share our black out experiences

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has paid over N4 billion arrears of gratuity owed Pensioners by the immediate past administration in the state.

Members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ondo State Chapter led by its Chairman Chief Raphael Adetuwo said this during a courtesy visit to the state Head of Service, Mr Dare Aragbaiye in his office in Akure.

Adetuwo who commended the Akeredolu administration for the gesture said that the state government has not defaulted in the monthly payment of pension to its members since its inauguration in 2017.

He appealed to the state government to commence the implementation of the approved 33% pension increase for Pensioners which their counterparts at the federal level have been enjoying since 2014.

Adetuwo enjoined the state government to increase the allocation for the payment of gratuity to Pensioners at both the state and local government levels in order to enhance prompt payment of gratuity to workers immediately after their retirement, lamenting that so many of the retirees have died before the payment of their gratuity.

Responding, the state Head of Service, Mr Dare Aragbaiye charged Pensioners to join hands with the state government to block all leakages of pension fund so as to alleviate the plight of their members in the state by exposing all the members that are still collecting the pension of the dead ones among them.

Aragbaiye said members of the Union should desist from colluding with serving Officers of the government who are extorting money from other Pensioners for the purpose of facilitating payment of their gratuity, saying that the state government would no longer tolerate such corruption in the system. “l know that when people are retiring they contribute money to give Officers to process their gratuity and pension, this is ungodly”

He charged the Union to lead the fight against the syndicate that collect 10% from their members to process their retirement papers and fast track payment of their gratuity, adding that the body should openly condemn and expose those behind the pains being experienced by Pensioners in the state.

SOURCE: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/08/akeredolu-pays-n4-billion-to-pensioners/

The Ondo State government says it has concluded arrangements to establish a single largest cocoa estate in Africa on 2,000 hectares of cocoa plantation at Ijugbere, in Owo Local Government area.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, who disclosed this on Thursday in Akure at a media briefing, said it was a deliberate plan to further grow the cocoa industry in the state.

He said that government had embarked on giving free cocoa seedlings to farmers so that the state could regain its lost glory in cocoa production and for the farmers to understand the premium placed on agriculture by government.

Adefarati said that this had led to the expansion of farm settlements, improvement in farmers’ yields and repositioning of Ondo as the Number One cocoa producing state in Nigeria.

“The present administration commenced free distribution of improved cocoa seedlings across the state in 2018, with over 400,000 seedlings and it has distributed over 250,000 cocoa seedlings and thousands of oil palm, coconut and kolanut seedlings this year.

The commissioner expressed the state government’s commitment to boosting agricultural activities and encouraging youths to embrace agriculture.

He said government had concluded plans to commence the production of over 500,000 improved cocoa seedlings, 50,0000 cashew seedlings, 40,0000 oil palm seedlings, 10,0000 coconut seedlings and 5,000 kolanut seedlings.

Adefarati further disclosed that government had also commenced replacing old cocoa trees, with long gestation period, with improved seedlings.

The commissioner commended Governor Akeredolu for giving most of t agricultural sector deserved attention.

According to him, rehabilitation is already ongoing at the Sunshine Fisheries Farm, with an annual production capacity of five million juveniles, which had been abandoned for more than 11 years.

Adefarati also said that the hitherto moribund Akure semi-automated abattoir had been resuscitated and was now operational with full workforce.

According to him, statistics shows that not less than 70 cows are being slaughtered daily at the abattoir, aside other related auxiliary profit-oriented services which the facility is rendering to meat consumers.

He said farmer’s registration was ongoing in government reserves and farm settlements across the state to ensure wholesome agricultural practices and guide against encroachments.

Aside creating an enabling environment to have near accurate data of farmers in government reserves, the commissioner said that the exercise would also increase revenue generation from the farm settlements.

Source: https://www.von.gov.ng/ondo-to-build-africas-largest-cocoa-estate/