₦airaland Forum

Ondo APC to Olanusi: behave like a statesman



The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) on Thursday denied the allegation by former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi that President Muhammadu Buhari lost in Ondo state due to the anti-party activities of the leadership of the ruling party.

Olanusi at a forum of the Concerned APC leaders in Akure, the state capital on Tuesday accused Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of compromising the election because of the NWC’s decision to endorse the three incumbent Senators as automatic candidates, which prompted his alleged sponsoring of opposition Action Alliance(AA) candidates.
A statement by APC’s Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro said the former deputy governor has never been on the same page with the party leadership in the state, stressing that he is not competent to comment on the affairs of the party in the state.
Besides, the party faulted the claim that the governor allegedly diverted the fund disbursed to Ondo state by the national leadership of the party for the 2019 general election and financed AA candidates in the state.

It said” With these statements, Olanusi’s group had brought to fore their secret apathy against Akeredolu who refused to do their biddings. We should be reminded that Olanusi claimed huge amount from the present APC-led government in Ondo State to offset his accumulated salary arrears over his removal from office by the previous administration.


“He refused to acknowledge the governor’s quick response to his plight, rather, he countered the effort with contempt. When he demanded for more money and was denied, he became dissatisfied and turned himself into a critic of the APC’s government,he claimed to be its Board of Trustees (BoT) member at the national level.

” We have it on record that he is planning ahead of the 2020 to present an unpopular governorship candidate for election in the state,but he doesn’t have to heat up the polity over such clandestine moves that will die on arrival”

The statement emphasised that the party leadership in the state would not succumb to the group’s cheap blackmail and lies flying around.

It said “We are advising Olanusi and his group to desist from constituting themselves as enemies of the party they claimed to belong.The former deputy governor particularly should behave as a true statesman and member, APC’s Trustee.

The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) on Tuesday said it has begun verification of the 2018/2019 Federal Government’s projects in the northeast.

Ms Grace Michael, the Principal Communication Officer of the commission, in a statement in Maiduguri, said that the exercise was designed to ensure that the projects were executed in line with the budgetary provisions.

“FRC embarks on the verification to ensure that budgetary provisions as appropriated to the Federal Government’s Projects across the six geo-political zones are well spent”.

She disclosed that a team of officials of the commission had on Monday verified projects at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Maiduguri.

Michael listed the projects to include renovation of radiology department; doctor’s offices, renovation of male and female wards as well as procurement of office furniture and equipment.

Others were construction of female students’ hostel; renovation of drug abuse and rehabilitation ward, purchase of electroencephalography machine with video components and construction of Accident, Emergency (AE) unit.

The statement quoted the Team Leader, Alhaji Zailani Muhammed, as saying that the projects had reached about 100 per cent completion stage.

Zailani described the level of work done as top notch and commended the Medical Director, Dr Ibrahim Wakawa, of getting his priorities right.

He assured of the commission’s support to establish synergy between the Hospital and National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), to facilitate interventions for the establishment of Psycho Social Support center.

According to her, the commission also inspected the completed fencing of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) headquarters, Maiduguri; construction of one-storey concrete cell facility block with stone coated and decked under roof for inmates.

Some residents of Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State, have called on the newly elected House of Assembly members in the state to focus on addressing challenges bothering on infrastructure, education and environment for the development of the area.

They made the call in separate interviews with The Hope at the weekend, while reacting to the outcome of the just concluded general election in the area.

Hope reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ogundeji lroju and Samuel Aderoboye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winners of the poll for Odigbo constituencies 1 and 2 respectively.

A resident of Odigbo, Mr. Victor Akintola said not much was done by the member representing Ogigbo constituency 1 in his first team, adding that the community suffered massive infrastructure decay due to neglect.

He urged the House Assembly member to take proactive steps in bringing government closer to the people through meaningful projects especially the inter city roads that need rehabilitation, to ease traffic congestion, especially during rush hours.

He said: “Very little attention was given to the constituency in the area of development in his first team, particularly on projects that will improve the standard of the area.

“He should focus more on projects that will add value to our people; engage youths and women on meaningful empowerment programmes.

“Nigerians are getting wiser day by day, if he works hard, it will determine his political movement after the next four years,” he said.

Another resident of Ore, the headquarter of Odigbo, Mrs Esther Uche also urged them to address inadequate power supply in the area saying Ore is a commercial hub that needs regular electricity.

Uche, who noted that residents of Ore had been totally neglected from enjoying the dividends of democracy, called on lroju as the deputy speaker of the House to come to the rescue of the residents.

Also, Abass Yekini said no nation could gain meaningful development without the involvement of the economic sector and business operators.

His words “The government in the past paid little attention to the “bread winners“ of the economy, particularly the business operators.

“The lawmakers should join hands with the executive to develop Ore and its environs. Also partner the council to create a conducive environment for business to grow.”

The only lawmaker-elect on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Tomide Akinribido, has vowed not to leave his party for other political party.

He said that he cannot defect to any political party irrespective of any situation.

The lawmaker-elect stated this in an interview with The Hope in Akure.

He promised to remain focus in his legislative duty and not involve in partisan politics that will deny his constituents of dividends of democracy.

Akinribido said his constituents have reposed high confidence in him to showcase his leadership capacity which he has seen as a call to service and promised not to let them down through quality legislature that will impact on their lives..

His words: “l cannot defect to any political party irrespective of any situation, House is not about political affiliation but on how to represent constituency, impact positively on the lives of people and work as one for the development of the state.

“Defection cannot affect me in anyway. l don’t think it can affect me in anyway”

When asked if he will not see it as an intimidation being the only ZLP member in the House, the lawmaker-elect said there is no party politics in the House as he explained that every member will close rank to ensure the House has robust session for the benefit of people and the state in general.

He assured to give his best to ensure the 9th Assembly has robust legislature that will bring development and greatness to the state.

According to him” l was not elected to show political affiliation but to impact on people.””

He promised to kick start his legislative duty by sponsoring bills that will benefit the lives of people particularly the empowerment of youths across the state.

He pledged to focus on bills that will promote economic and infrastructural development in the state.

As families throughout Ondo State and Nigeria at large gather to honor mothers today, the Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has restated the need for a gender balanced society.

She made this known during a service organised to mark the 2019 Mothering Sunday at the Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Owo.

Appreciating all women who have played important roles of mothers in our lives, including the commitment of foster and adoptive mothers who have taken on the responsibility of caring for children who are less privileged around their communities, the mother of the Sunshine State, Arabinrin Akeredolu, noted that gender balanced society is important for societal development.

She stressed that the call is on for the gender-balanced society as it is essential for economies and communities to thrive.

While commenting on the sermon by Very Rev R.O.A Agboola, the First Lady urged husbands to be more attentive to the needs of their wives.

“Marriage is a partnership. Our husbands should not relegate their wives to mere domestic slaves. Men should also help their spouses.

“Women subjugation is a mere societal construct. If society could make us believe that women are inferior to men, we, the inhabitants of present day Nigeria, can also correct this false notion.”

Earlier in his sermon, titled Christian Family, Very Rev. R.O.A Agboola called on the congregation to always commit their families into God’s hands as this, he concluded, would help to ensure peace and prosperity in their homes. He also lauded the First Lady for her numerous contributions to women development within Ondo State.

Highpoints of the event featured the conferring of the honour of Mother of the Priest on Arabinrin.

The industrial data base exercise currently being carried out by the Federal Government across the 36 states of the federation is aimed at tackling the challenges facing industrial sector in the country.

A consultant to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Industrial Matters, Mr. David Emaediong disclosed this at a seminar held for industrialists at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo State capital .

Emaediong, who sensitized industrialists on data base said the purpose of conducting the exercise was to know problems they are facing and how to tackle them for industrial growth.

He said that challenges of manufacturer, differ from one to another as well as from one state to another.

“There are some resources Ekiti state have that other states do not have. There are some resources that Ondo state have that other states do not. So what government wants to do is to identify these and see how investment and resources could be properly channeled for adequate development.

Explaining further, Emaediong observed that while an industrialist may face financial constraint, another indusrialialist’s problem may be accessing raw materials for production or electricity.

His words: “Government wants to know how to invest, and find out what is wrong with the industries. At times you might see an industry and think the major problem is finance, it might not be, it may be other psychological issues”.

Emaediong, who said that the data base was a continuous excercise urged industrialists to ensure that they get themselves enrolled so that they can benefit from the Federal government’s initiative on improving the industrial sector in the country.

The State Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialist (NASSI) Greatsheyi Akintunde said the essence of the seminar was to bring different industrialists together and help create a data base.

He also noted that the essence was to help government create an industrial policy where all challenges of industrialists would be addressed.

According to him, the exercise would offer lots of opportunities from foreign investors coming to the country to have a data to work with.

A Cassava processor Mr Kolawole Gabriel Ajiboye urged government to assist them in the area of rural road accessment saying that the road leading to his farm is not accessible.

He also mentioned electricity which he said is a major challenge as he spent much on fuel to power his generator which according to him negatively affects his production.

Also, a locust beans processor Ajoke Kolade appealed that government should empower the small scale Industrialists coming up who she said have the ability to work but had no capital to do so.

A Resource Management Consultant and Micro Business Advisor, Mr Fessy Olabode presented a paper titled “An insight into available Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Opportunities in Ondo State at the seminar.

The industrial data base exercise currently being carried out by the Federal Government across the 36 states of the federation is aimed at tackling the challenges facing industrial sector in the country.

A consultant to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on Industrial Matters, Mr. David Emaediong disclosed this at a seminar held for industrialists at the weekend in Akure, the Ondo State capital .

Emaediong, who sensitized industrialists on data base said the purpose of conducting the exercise was to know problems they are facing and how to tackle them for industrial growth.

He said that challenges of manufacturer, differ from one to another as well as from one state to another.

“There are some resources Ekiti state have that other states do not have. There are some resources that Ondo state have that other states do not. So what government wants to do is to identify these and see how investment and resources could be properly channeled for adequate development.

Explaining further, Emaediong observed that while an industrialist may face financial constraint, another indusrialialist’s problem may be accessing raw materials for production or electricity.

His words: “Government wants to know how to invest, and find out what is wrong with the industries. At times you might see an industry and think the major problem is finance, it might not be, it may be other psychological issues”.

Emaediong, who said that the data base was a continuous excercise urged industrialists to ensure that they get themselves enrolled so that they can benefit from the Federal government’s initiative on improving the industrial sector in the country.

The State Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialist (NASSI) Greatsheyi Akintunde said the essence of the seminar was to bring different industrialists together and help create a data base.

He also noted that the essence was to help government create an industrial policy where all challenges of industrialists would be addressed.

According to him, the exercise would offer lots of opportunities from foreign investors coming to the country to have a data to work with.

A Cassava processor Mr Kolawole Gabriel Ajiboye urged government to assist them in the area of rural road accessment saying that the road leading to his farm is not accessible.

He also mentioned electricity which he said is a major challenge as he spent much on fuel to power his generator which according to him negatively affects his production.

Also, a locust beans processor Ajoke Kolade appealed that government should empower the small scale Industrialists coming up who she said have the ability to work but had no capital to do so.

A Resource Management Consultant and Micro Business Advisor, Mr Fessy Olabode presented a paper titled “An insight into available Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Opportunities in Ondo State at the seminar.

Dilapidated buildings: ODSG goes tough, recommends 16 buildings for demolition
The ondo state government in its commitment to safeguarding the lives of its people goes tough on dilapidated and partially collapsed buildings in the state.

Speaking during a monitoring exercise in Akure embarked on by the Ministry of pyhysical Planning and Urban Development, the State Commissioner, Prince Solagbade Amodeni made it clear that lives of the people will not be put at risk going by their ignorance of the grave danger of living or carrying out businesses in dilapidated and partially collapsed buildings.
While at the premises of a partially collapsed building at Continental road off Nepa road in Akure, Prince Amodeni, directed the enforcement squad of the ministry to issue a Quit Notice to residents of the building and recommended the house for demolition after red-marking it.

He maintained that the ministry will continue to move round the city to ensure that houses like this are recommended for demolition, adding that adequate sensitization will not be stopped to let the people know that houses in this condition are no more habitable as it gravely endangers the lives of its occupants.

The Commissioner advised occupants of houses in such condition to value their lives and seek for shelter elsewhere saying the state is not ready to suffer loss of lives of its citizens.

Engr. Stephen Olumilola, a staff of the ministry who was also on the monitoring team stated professionally that the house is failed structurally as it has cracked to its foundation. He said the structure cannot be salvaged and will soon collapse totally but advised that it be demolished and possibly rebuilt.

He posited that the residents should vacate the building, as the rainy season which is approaching will aid the collapse of the house thereby trapping the residents.

Director Monitoring and Enforcement, TPL Oyewole Folaranmi who was also on the team confirmed that 16 dilapidated houses have already been marked for demolition and Quit Notices issued to the occupants after due sensitization on the need for such. The 16 houses are around Oyemekun road, Gbogi street, lgboliki, odi- olowo, lsolo, Ijomu and Oba-ile areas.

President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Abuja assured Christian leaders in the country of his commitment to leave Nigeria better than he met it in 2015.

Receiving the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, the President affirmed that his administration will continue to address important national challenges including security, economy and corruption.

CAN leadership was at State House to congratulate President Buhari on his re-election, and the President told them the outcome of the just concluded polls underscores the trust Nigerians have in the present leadership in the country.

‘‘We will continue to strive for peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs.

‘‘In the area of allocation of political offices, our focus will be on merit and national spread such that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging.

‘‘We remain resolute in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and efforts to bring back all those in captivity and other victims of kidnappings will be intensified,’’ the President said.

Commending the important roles religious bodies have played in the last four years of the administration, President Buhari pledged to continue supporting several programmes anchored by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), geared towards peace, tolerance, unity and harmony in our country.

In his congratulatory message, the CAN president prayed God to grant President Buhari ‘‘everything it takes to perform hundred times better than’’ his first term, stressing that the organisation had the success of this administration at heart.

Rev Ayokunle welcomed the President’s pledge to run an inclusive government in a speech shortly after his re-election, noting that the gesture would give all in the country a sense of belonging.

The leadership of the Christian body in Nigeria also called for ethnic and religious balance in the selection of leadership of the ninth National Assembly.

While appealing to the President to task security agencies to be more proactive in their duties, the CAN leader made a passionate request for deliberate and relentless efforts to free Leah Sharibu, other Chibok girls and Nigerians in captivity of insurgents.

The ondo state government in its commitment to safeguarding the lives of its people goes tough on dilapidated and partially collapsed buildings in the state.

Speaking during a monitoring exercise in Akure embarked on by the Ministry of pyhysical Planning and Urban Development, the State Commissioner, Prince Solagbade Amodeni made it clear that lives of the people will not be put at risk going by their ignorance of the grave danger of living or carrying out businesses in dilapidated and partially collapsed buildings.

While at the premises of a partially collapsed building at Continental road off Nepa road in Akure, Prince Amodeni, directed the enforcement squad of the ministry to issue a Quit Notice to residents of the building and recommended the house for demolition after red-marking it.

He maintained that the ministry will continue to move round the city to ensure that houses like this are recommended for demolition, adding that adequate sensitization will not be stopped to let the people know that houses in this condition are no more habitable as it gravely endangers the lives of its occupants.

The Commissioner advised occupants of houses in such condition to value their lives and seek for shelter elsewhere saying the state is not ready to suffer loss of lives of its citizens.

Engr. Stephen Olumilola, a staff of the ministry who was also on the monitoring team stated professionally that the house is failed structurally as it has cracked to its foundation. He said the structure cannot be salvaged and will soon collapse totally but advised that it be demolished and possibly rebuilt.
He posited that the residents should vacate the building, as the rainy season which is approaching will aid the collapse of the house thereby trapping the residents.

Director Monitoring and Enforcement, TPL Oyewole Folaranmi who was also on the team confirmed that 16 dilapidated houses have already been marked for demolition and Quit Notices issued to the occupants after due sensitization on the need for such. The 16 houses are around Oyemekun rd, Gbogi street, lgboliki, odi- olowo, lsolo, Ijomu and Oba-ile areas.

THE two-year-old legal battle for the seat of Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, finally came to joyful end at the Supreme Court penultimate week with the apex court ruling in favour of the governor.

OLUSEGUN Abrahams had gone to court to challenge Akeredolu’s candidacy shortly after the governorship primaries on September 3, 2016. The move was anchored on his rejection of the outcome of the primary from which Akeredolu emerged as the governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress (APC ) party saying the election was fraught with irregularities.



IN a unanimous verdict, the court threw out the case on the grounds that it was statute barred and was lacking in competence. The apex court noted that while the law required the plaintiff, Dr. Olusegun Abrahams, to file his case within 14 days after the party’s primary, he only did so after 28 days.

OF course, Abraham did that which is expected of a civilised and robust politician by approaching the court for help because he was aggrieved by the way Akeredolu emerged as APC’s governorship candidate.

OBVIOUSLY the legal tussle involving two stalwarts of APC in the state may be a contributory factor to the party’s poor outing in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections in the state. Contrary to the predictions of bookmakers, the party lost Ondo State to the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party in the presidential election and also lost two of the senatorial seats that were up for grabs.

IT would have been a mystery if the party had gone into the titanic electoral battles as a divided house and returned without the scars and bruises it now carries. But now that the apex court has delivered its judgment, it is in the interest of the state and the party that Akeredolu and Abrahams bury their hatchets for good in the interest of the state and their party, APC.



CONVINCINGLY and prior to judgment day, the governor had displayed an amazing amount of maturity, stoically refusing to be dragged into any controversy concerning the case. The most he said upon being prodded in the matter was to tell the enquirer that it was in court. We want to commend the duo for exhibiting a high sense of restraint and maturity while the case lasted in court.

GOVERNOR Akeredolu, described his victory in the two-year legal battle as one for the entire progressive family of the Sunshine State, including Abraham, his challenger, expressing his appreciation to the people of the state and the APC for standing by him and his government while the legal tussle lasted.The victory no doubt, is for all Nigerians who believe in the rule of law and democracy,” he said. He added that there was no victor or vanquished in the matter. “The victory is for everyone who wants the best for Ondo State, and Segun Abraham is one of us. In other words, we are all winners,” he added.

NOW that the legal tussle is over, it is our opinion that the governor can now settle down and concentrate on policies that will further promote and enhance the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo state.



THE yarning of party faithful is the urgent constitution of boards and parastatals to show appreciation to diligent party members.

PAUCITY of funds should not be an excuse. This is the time to compensate party members who have toiled for the party in power.

A formidable machinery for comprehensive reconciliation should be set up immediately without further delay, to place the party on a new chart while followers of the leaders should desist forthwith, from fanning the embers of disunity.

THE HOPE believes that the judgement would strengthen the peace and unity in the party as everybody would be willing to come and work together to move the party forward and make the Sunshine state a place of pride. It is therefore necessary for all stakeholders to put behind them and look forward for a virile political party .

The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu Aketi SAN, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are present at the ongoing Bola Tinubu Colloquium.

The annual event, which is the 11th in the series, is ongoing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Other dignitaries at the event include APC state governors and members of the President’s cabinet, as well as traditional rulers among others.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the re-arrest of the self-proclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Justice Binta Nyako gave the order in a ruling on Thursday after revoking the bail granted to the IPOB leader.

She explained that the court gave the order because Mr Kanu had failed to appear in court after his bail was granted in April 2017.

The judge also ordered that trial would continue in the absence of the IPOB leader and directed that a bench warrant be issued for his arrest.

She ruled that the trial must continue one way or another and directed that a fresh date for the continuation be given by parties so that the matter would continue in Kanu’s absence.

Justice Nyako, thereafter, adjourned the case till June 18.

She gave the orders while ruling on an application filed before the court by the prosecuting counsel, Mr Magaji Labaran.

Mr Labaran had urged the court to try Kanu in absentia in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act since he has failed to make himself available for trial.

He also asked the court to revoke the bail granted to the IPOB leader for failing to comply with his bail conditions which included making himself available for trial.

Justice Nyako had granted Kanu bail on health grounds on April 25, 2017, and asked him to present three sureties, one of whom must be a serving senator, a Jewish religious leader and a highly respected person who must own a landed property in Abuja.

The judge warned the IPOB leader against granting press interviews, holding rallies or being in a gathering of more than 10 persons while on bail.

She had also warned him that the bail would be revoked if he flouts any of the conditions.

The newly elected members of the Ondo State House of Assembly will today Thursday be presented with their Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to the INEC in Ondo state the Certificates of Return would be given to all the 26 lawmakers-elect at Akure head office of the commission by 10:am.
The elected lawmakers are, incumbent Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun, from Ifedore constituency; his deputy, Ogundeji Iroju, representing Odigbo constituency 1; Oluyede Feyide, representing Ose constituency; Hon Jamiu Sulaiman Maito, representing Akoko North-West constituency 1; Felemu-Gudu Bankole, Akoko South-West State constituency 2 and Kuti Towase, representing Akoko South-East;

Others include Prince Abayomi Babatunde Akinruntan, Ilaje State constituency 1; Hon Sunday Olajide, Akure South State constituency 2; Simeon Toluwani Borokini, Akure South constituency 1;

Elegbeleye Rasheed from Akoko North East; Taofik Mohammed, Akoko North-West 2; Akogun Olugbenga Omole, Akoko South-West 1; Abiodun Faleye, Akure North; Torhukerhijo Taiwo, Ese-Odo and Akingbaso Festus, Idanre and Tomomewo Favour, Ilaje 2;

The rest are Festus Adefiranye, Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo; Ademola Edamisan, Irele; Aderoboye Samuel, Odigbo 2; Akinrogunde Akintomide, Okitipupa 1; Babatunde Ayetowa, Okitipupa 2 and Oladiji Landmark Olamide, Ondo East; Akinribido Tomide, Ondo West 1; Wale Williams, Ondo West 2; Oluwole Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, Owo 1 and Adeyemi Olayemi, Owo 2.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, had the majority of the lawmakers having won 23 of the total 26 seats at the poll conducted on March 9, while the opposition PDP and ZLP won two and one seats respectively.

The two seats won by the PDP are, Akoko North-East and Idanre, while the ZLP won only Ondo West 1.

Meanwhile, out of the total 26 lawmakers that would form the 9th Assembly, only eight ( members were re-elected while the remaining 18 members are freshers.

Supporters of Mr Segun Abraham, an aspirant to the office of the Governor of Ondo State in 2016, had erupted in jubilation when the Supreme Court in its judgement of March 23, 2018, gave them the first major victory in a legal battle against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

About one year and five months earlier, Abraham, who was the first runner-up in the September 3, 2016 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, had filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking an order nullifying Akeredolu’s emergence as the governorship candidate of the party ahead of the November 26, 2016 governorship election in the state.



Akeredolu, as the APC candidate, had gone ahead to win the November 26, 2016 election.

But Abraham, whose suit continued after the poll, had urged the court to, among others, declare that the primary, which produced Akeredolu, was held in violation of provisions of the APC’s Electoral Guidelines for Governorship primary election 2014.

He said the primary also flouted the party’s constitution and was therefore invalid and incapable of validly producing Akeredolu as the party’s governorship candidate.

The suit faced its first test when Akeredolu proceeded to the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the Federal High Court’s order permitting the plaintiff to serve him with the papers filed in the suit through substituted means.

The governor lost at the Court of Appeal and subsequently went to the Supreme Court, which also dismissed his appeal in its March 23, 2018 judgment.

After the apex court’s verdict, Abraham’s suit surmounted another legal obstacle of a preliminary objection.

Ruling in favour of Abraham, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the preliminary object in a ruling of November 9, 2018.

The suit, at the level of the Federal High Court, also survived another legal attack anchored on the new provisions of the Fourth Alteration to the Constitution, which introduced the time limit within which a pre-election case, like Abraham’s, should be filed and decided.



But by the time the matter got to the Supreme Court, the new constitutional provision had been interpreted by the apex court to be applicable to all pre-election cases that preceded the 4th Alteration to the Constitution.

Therefore, it was to the disappointment of Abraham and his supporters that the Supreme Court, on March 5, 2019, dismissed the suit on the grounds that it was not filed within 14 days of the arising of the cause of action.

By this development, all the efforts Abraham had put into pursuing the suit for over two years, which was about half way into Akeredolu’s tenure, turned out to be a labour in vain.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Wednesday granted permission to the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to serve their petition challenging the outcome of the February 23, 2019 election, on President Muhammadu Buhari through substituted means.

This came after the petitioners complained in an ex parte application that they had been unable to serve their petition on Buhari personally, one week after filing the petition before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja.



The ex parte application was filed before the Court of Appeal on March 25, 2019, about one week after the petitioners lodged their case at the tribunal in Abuja on March 18, 2019 to challenge Buhari’s victory in the presidential election.

In the ex parte application sighted by The PUNCH after it was heard and granted on Wednesday, the petitioners stated that they had served copies of their petition and the accompanying court processes on both the Independent National Electoral Commission and the All Progressives Congress – the first and the third respondents to the petition- respectively.

But they said “it is impracticable and impossible” to serve the petition on Buhari personally, “given the impregnable security and protocol” at the Presidential Villa, also known as Aso Rock, where he resides.


Praying for an order permitting them to serve Buhari through the national secretariat of his party, the APC, the petitioners stated in their application that an attempt by a bailiff of the Court of Appeal to personally serve Buhari with the petition was abortive.

The affidavit which they had filed in support of the ex parte application read in part, “The petitioners/applicants, upon filing the petition, have served the 1st and 3rd respondents (INEC and APC) with the petition, but it is impracticable and impossible to serve the 2nd respondent (Buhari) personally with the petition.

“The 2nd respondent is currently the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and lives in and carries out his duties from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and personal service of any process on him is impracticable and impossible given the impregnable security and protocol attaining his office as the Head of State.

“An attempt by the court bailiff to serve the petition and other processes personally on the 2nd respondent was abortive because of security issues and hurdles in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.”



They noted that Buhari “is a member of and was sponsored as candidate for the election by 3rd respondent, whose office (National Secretariat) is at No. 40 Blantyre Street, Wuse II, Abuja.”

They therefore contended that service of the petition on him “can only be effectively and conveniently made” on the President “by delivering same to the 3rd respondent through any of its senior officers or officials at its office at the APC National Secretariat.”

The petitioners’ counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), supported by others including Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Mr. Gordy Uche (SAN), moved the application before a three-man bench of the Court of Appeal on Wednesday.

The three-man bench which sat in a “pre-hearing session” of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, granted the request contained in the petitioners’ application shortly after the application was moved by the petitioners’ lawyers on Wednesday.

Granting the application, Justice Abdu Aboki, who led the panel and delivered the lead ruling, made an order permitting the petitioners to serve Buhari, who is the second respondent to their petition, through any senior official or an officer of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Wuse II area of Abuja.

He said, “it is in the interest of justice” to grant the prayers in the petitioners’ application.

Meanwhile, with the petition filed by Atiku and the PDP, there are now a total of four petitions filed before the tribunal to challenge Buhari’s victory.

The four petitions are on display at the premises of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, venue of the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal.

Atiku and the PDP’s petition filed on March 18 was marked CA/PEPC/002/2019.

Another of the petitions was filed on March 7 by Hope Democratic Party and its national chairman and presidential candidate, Chief Ambrose Owuru.

The other petition with number CA/PEPC/004/2019 filed on March 19, was by Pastor Aminchi Habu and his party, the Peoples Democratic Movement.



The fourth petition was by Geff Ojinika and Coalition for Change, who both contended that “the election was vitiated by substantial non-compliance with mandatory statutory provisions which irregularity substantially affected the election such that the 1st respondent (Buhari) was not entitled to be returned as the winner of the presidential election.”

The petitioners, who all complained that the February 23, 2019 election was marred by irregularities, joined INEC, Buhari and the APC as the respondents.

Students of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Akure Study Centre have commended the Federal Government for signing the Amendment Act 2018 of the university.

The students who spoke in separate interviews with The Hope affirmed that the amendment act will allow those who are eligible to be mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme to go for the programme and those who are reading Law to proceed for further training in the Law School after graduation.



According to a post-graduate student of the university, Mr. Oluwasegun Olaoye, it is a good development as the school will be recognized like other conventional universities.

“The school has been viewed as a part time school with no privilege of participating in NYSC. Meanwhile, the university is not substandard to others going by the programmes and study materials among others”, he said.

Also speaking, a 100 level student, Sarah Olakunle believed that the development will add value to the university.

“A lot of secondary school leavers who did not gain admission into conventional universities have opted for NOUN for university education. NOUN is a suitable school not only for the working class, but also for admission seekers who are tired of writing JAMB. Likewise, the working class needs the certificate to upgrade themselves”, she stressed.



A final year student of the university , Abiodun Lawal who noted that NYSC certificate is one of the requirements for getting employment, therefore commended the Federal Government for strengthen the university to provide Open and Distance Learning opportunities to millions of Nigerians.

Reacting to this, a law graduate, Mayowa Adegoroye averred that it is a great news for the law students who have been expecting changes in the law guiding NOUN establishment.

“We, the law graduates have been expecting this, the law school programme is very important for us because it will enable us to acquire more knowledge as a lawyer”, he stated.

To Courage Babatunde, a 300 level student, the joy of having NYSC experience and serving one’s nation cannot be over-emphasized. She therefore commended the Federal Government for the development.


It would be recalled that the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Mohammadu Buhari recently signed the NOUN amendment Act 2018.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the university, Prof. Peter Okebukola recently said at a news conference in Lagos that with the amended act, the university is now placed at par with all recognized universities in Nigeria under the various provisions of higher education in Nigeria universities.

On behalf of the National Executive Committee and members of Aquinas College, Akure Old Students’ Association (ACAOSA) both in Nigeria and in the diasporas, I wish to heartily welcome his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredotu, SAN to this auspicious occasion of the commissioning of ACAOSA projects in our great ALMA MATER. It is also my privilege to welcome all our distinguished invited guests as well as Aquinarians who have travelled far and wide to be a part of this celebration.

Most significantly, his Excellency is an Aquinarian and so it gives us so much joy and pride that one of us, is indeed by the grace of God, in such an exalted position and so eminently qualified to perform the commissioning of ACAOSA projects in the school.



Aquinas College, Akure was founded in 1951 in the then forest, appropriately named Igbo-Oliki, and present in our midst today are some of the pioneer students – the Trailblazer§.

The school started as a Catholic Missionary school, but the Federal Government takeover of schools in 1976 with the profound reality of that action is what we have and also witness today.

Your Excellency Sir, please allow me to briefly go down memory lane and acquaint you with some salient points about our Alma Mater ACA, which will clearly illustrate her rich history and the results of the essence of sound education in a conducive atmosphere to build the mind, body and soul. Aquinas College, Akure has always excelled in Academics, Sports and Discipline.

In Academics, ACA is primus interpares in Akure, Ondo State, South West and the Nigerian Federation then and we believe so even now. We have the singular honour of being the only secondary school in Nigeria to have produced so far three (3) National Merit Award winners. They are Professor Oluwafeyisola Sylvester Adegoke, a world renowned Geologist, Professor Francis Abiodun Oluwole, a world acclaimed Nuclear Physicist and Professor Oyewusi Gureje an eminent authority and a distinguished Psychiatrist in UCH, Ibadan.



The above are in addition to so many others like Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, HRH Luyi Rotimi the Olujigba of Ijigba, Akure, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, His Grace Emmanuel Chukwuma and so many highly successful, renowned and distinguished old students in various and often diverse fields, be it in Government Services, Business circle, Military and other endeavours of life just too numerous to mention at this juncture. We have in equal measure, produced so many Rev. Fathers and other members of the Clergy. In short, ACA has trained us ALL to be the best in our individual calling.

In Sports, ACA was the only secondary school in Nigeria to send an athlete to the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. Aquinarian Ajayi Akinkuotu represented Nigeria as a member of the 4 by 400 meters relay team at that Olympiad. The school won the National Grier cup in the Athletics



Competition for secondary schpols in the Federation at the 1968 edition hosted by Hussey College, Warri.



In Football, ACA won the THERMOGENE/OMITOLA CUP in the football competition among secondary schools in the then Western Region in 1970 and 1971. Many of our students played football for the Nigerian National Team as well as for prominent football clubs like Water Corporation, Ibadan. Our current students are still winning Laurels for Ondo State.

Discipline and adherence to the principle of INTEGRITAS provides us with the moral compass to Excellence in all we do. The neatness and the orderliness of our performances made ACA win “March Past” for over a decade.

3.0. WE HAVE OBSERVED THE DECAYING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE SCHOOL COUPLED WITH THE STUDENT POPULATION EXPLOSION.

Over the years, the school population has exponentially exploded without a commensurate attention to improve/upgrade the infrastructure. It is in the light of the above that the Old Students’ Association decided on a gradual intervention to revive the old glory of the school by providing the necessary tools and enabling environment for these children to attain their potential in whatsoever field of endeavour they so choose. This institution is endowed with so much raw talents crying for the opportunity to bloom and blossom.

While ACAOSA as a body, individual sets and other Aquinarians have had several interventions in the school in the past with the provision of computers, Table Tennis Boards, Health Facilities, Classroom Renovation, Water Borehole with Generators, Scholarship Schemes, White Marker Boards etc, we deem it appropriate to call the attention of his Excellency to the following major achievements.

4.0. MAJOR INTERVENTIONS

4.1. HENRY OGIRRI MULTI-PURPOSE HALL

This Hall was conceptualized in 1996 and the foundation was laid in 1997 by a few concerned members of ACAOSA led by late Chief HENRY OGIRRI and Architect Dele Olowoyo who was at a time the Lagos State Chairman of ACAOSA.

It was designed to provide adequate facility for ideas to germinate and also enrich the social life of the students and neighbours in the finest tradition of Town and Gown interaction. The Building Committee was initially headed by Late (Engr.) James. Olusoga (the Olisa of Akure) who contributed so much of his resources both financially and otherwise to the progress of the project. Later on, the Building Committee was reconstituted with late Colonel M.V.K. Kikiowo as the Chairman which operated on a Direct Labour System. Serious work on the project actually commenced in 2001.



May the souls of Engr. Chief James Olusoga and Colonel M.V.K Kikiowo rest in peace (Amen).

Contributors to this project have been wide and varied over the past two decades as can be imagined. This involved all the branches of the Association and its members and I cannot recall all of them at this time butsufficeto list the following:

Chief Henry Ogirri (Late)

High Chief (Engr.) James Olusoga (Late)

Architect Dele Olowoyo Colonel M.V.K Kikiowo (Late)

Engr. Akin Odumakinde ProfO. S. Adegoke Dr. Daniel Lambert-Aikhionbare Engr. Charles Osuntuyi

Branches at Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Ekiti, Europe, North America and Benin City. ACACommitteeon60thAnniversaryled byProf.J.S. Ojo

The current day value of this Hall is estimated at Sixty Million Naira (N60,000,000.00).

At this juncture, I will like to pay a special tribute to Engineer Akin Odumakinde who has all this while contributed heavily but anonymously to the project. It is my pleasure now to unveil him for a round of applause.

It is also appropriate at this juncture to mention a few things about the man, Late Aquinarian (Chief) Henry Ogirri of the 1956/60 set after whom this Hall is named in celebration and remembrance of his dedication to the cause. He was a brilliant student and an ace footballer during his student days. Chief Henry Ogirri was very passionate about all matters ACA as he helped conceptualize and midwife the foundation of this befitting multi-purpose School Hall. He spared no effort in resources and connections to bring the dream to fruition. Unfortunately he died suddenly and prematurely in an automobile accident in Lagos while he was Deputy Director General at the Nigerian Stock Exchange. He was also at a time the Chairman of ACAOSA Lagos branch. We miss him tremendously but consoled by the fact that he has ascended to take a higher responsibility for his Creator. May his soul continue to rest in peace (Amen).



4.2. RENOVATION AND RE-EQUIPPING OF THREE (3) LABORATORIES PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY.

Given the particular emphasis placed by the Catholic Mission then on Science Education early in the development of the school, ACAOSA has not been impressed with the decadent status of these facilities and therefore decided to intervene. These facilities have now been renovated and re­equipped. The Renovation/Re-Equipment of the Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories is geared towards providing the necessary tools and environment for the students to attain their potentials.

This project was sponsored by all our branches including the newly established Europe chapter which is about two (2) years old.

The cost of this intervention is about N 14,000,000.00 (Fourteen Million Naira).

3.1. ACAOSA REQUEST

Your Excellency, while we are very much aware of the limited resources available to the State and the widening need for intervention in very many areas, we want to seize this opportunity to inform you of our request fortheupliftment of our school for the benefit of the current students.

3.2. MASSIVE INTERVENTION IN THE SCHOOLS INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AND HUMAN RESOURCES.

3.3. CONTROL AND RATIONALIZATION OF THE SCHOOL POPULATION FOR EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING.

3.4. RETURN OF SCHOOL TO THE MISSION.

We want to appeal to you sir, that you look kindly into giving back some schools, ACA INCLUSIVE to willing proprietors. This will help free some needed resources for the government while providing the atmosphere for the religiously affiliated schools and others to allow the private sector unleash their proven potential as demonstrated in the past. Examples of such states like Lagos, Edo, Anambra and others can provide the guiding templates to fine tune and domesticate an Ondo State version. We promise to “Walk the Talk” with you and other stake holders like the “PTA”, Teachers Union etc as you provide the necessary leadership and Roadmap that will be of benefit to our children and children’s children.

We wish to inform your Excellency that ACAOSA has been in dialogue with the Leaders of the Mission Schools and we can report that we are now ready to meet you, Sir, once we get an appointment to discuss further on the Return of School to the Mission.


Your Excellency, once again sir, we thank you for your support and we appreciate the honour of your presence on this epic occasion.

Finally, your Excellency, we welcome you most heartily and invite you to commission our modest contribution to lifting the educational standards particularly at Aquinas College and Ondo State in general.

Address of Mr. Smart Ladi Fadayomi, ACA 62/66 set National President ACAOSA at the commissioning of the Henry Ogirri Multipurpose Hall donated to Aquinas College, Akure.

Why did Akoko Northeast people vote against APC candidate in the last House of Assembly election?

I will give you a preamble. What happened in Akoko Northeast was a phenomenon. It happened not only here but all over Nigeria and it affected nearby all parties. Where you can see a sitting governor losing an election, where you can see a sitting governor sponsoring a candidate to replace him and failed, where you can see a Senate President losing his ward or losing his senatorial district, we are developing politically. That is, it is no more business as usual. It is now clear that you cannot say I will win election, this position, I can retain it. It is now about how you serve your people. It is about how you deliver the dividends of democracy to your people. That is why you see some relatively unknown people winning at the expense of incumbents in their constituencies, in their senatorial districts and in their states.



So, coming to the issue of Akoko Northeast Local government, the occupier of that seat is spending two terms of eight years and there is the idea of rotation in the area. Some people felt the person is almost spending eight years in that position and want another son to go there. Ordinarily, Akoko Northeast supposed to be two constituencies because in Akoko Northwest we have two constituencies and Akoko Northeast is bigger when you talk of the land mass, the population and so on. It is supposed to be two constituencies and instead they have only one and because of this the people who are not from where Fatai Olotu comes from felt they too want one of their own to go there. This is largely responsible for his failure in the election.

Another factor is this mantra going round, “Otoge” It is now everywhere. That is where you see a man being in position for several years and people want another man to go there.

In Akoko Northeast, some people said the incumbent did not connect with the people in the community. Maybe he is not a grassroots person . That one is a factor. If you are not a grassroots person in politics you may have problem. When we talk of grassroots politician, Adedayo Omolafe in Akure is a case study.



He was the chairman of Akure South Local Government and since he left that position he has been with his people. He has been involving himself in all what they do there. If they do Akure Day, you will see him there. If the market women are doing something, he will be there. Not only that, he has been taking part as committee member in all what Akure as a community is doing.

So when the election came, people who have been hearing about his name but did not know him voted for him. This factor is very very important if your people are doing anything you must be involved.

Another factor that is responsible for APC and Fatai Olotu losing that seat to the PDP was that he failed to execute any project throughout his eight years in office. The road leading to his house is bad and not motorable and nothing was done. There is nothing stopping a serving member of a House of Assembly to have a bore hole in his area, even in his house and make it available for people in that place to fetch without hindrance. If he has done that those people drinking that water will want to vote for him. But where you cannot point to one viable project that you do and people will benefit from, they may refuse to vote for you.



You mean the people voted against non – performance?

Yes, that is what I am saying. When you don’t do anything for the people they will vote against you and that is why the people are now telling the winner of the election to take a cue from the present occupier and try to amend his way.

But some are saying the people voted against Fatai Olotu of APC because of Dr. Olusegun Abraham?

This is not true, If this was to be true, the margin would have been too much. It is not Segun Abraham factor that made them voted against APC. If it has been the other candidate that APC picked earlier, I mean, Banji Adewumi, he would have won with a landslide. This is what the people were saying. The people never voted because Segun Abraham was contesting the result of the APC governorship primary with the Governor. If they don’t vote for APC and Abraham win that case, will he, Abraham, seat in a House controlled by the opposition? No, Abraham’s issue was not a factor at all. Even if it was a factor, it was never a serious factor. The personality and non – performance of Olotu was what people voted against.

So Akoko is not against Governor Akeredolu?

Yes, Yes, Akokos are never against the governor. See what is happening here, especially the Oke Alabojuto project. If people who have not come home for the past three years now come around and see what is going on here, they will marvel. There was a time, and with all modesty, there was a man in Ikare here which the people nicknamed “Sokedile”. When the man was in position, he said he would bring down the hill and they gave him the name “Sokedile” and he never did that. Tell me, as a reporter, you yourself have been in this town for over ten years and you know how many people have lost their lives due to accidents there. I could remember when we were in the mosque one Friday and an accident occurred and we could not pray that day. A lot of accidents had taken place there and claimed lives of many innocent people.

We thank God for what is happening in Ondo State now, particularly, what Akeredolu is doing. I am not a praise singer. He is a man that doesn’t want to know what happened in the last administration. He doesn’t witchhunt. If he is a man after vendetta he will be concerned with probing Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and won’t face what he is supposed to do. Mimiko awarded that contract and Akeredolu is doing it. Look at how many months they have been on that project. I know there will be evaluation every now and then. He will be reviewing the cost of the contract many times otherwise the contractor would have stopped.



Look at what he has achieved today. If this man doesn’t believe in continuity, the project would have ended up in the pipeline. Akeredolu believes in continuity. If it were to be another person, he will just be running after Mimiko, calling him names and leave things undone.

It is on record that no single project is abandoned by Akeredolu. This one alone is enough to say the governor is very serious about developing the state.

In the pipeline now are some rural roads, I am not campaigning for him. Look at what happened before, two bridges collapsed on the Iku/Oba road. Immediately I wrote that story, the following week, he Akeredolu, mobilized men of the Ministry of Works to the place and today the bridges had been completed and already in use. I was there during the last House of Assembly election and I can testify that it is now being used.

So, the people did not vote against Akeredolu in Ikare or any other place in Akoko. It was the wrong candidate APC presented they voted against.

In the Presidential and National Assembly elections, the APC lost many seats to the PDP in the state. Does this mean APC has lost the grip of Ondo State politics?

We cannot use that one as a parameter in our dear Sunshine State. Look at what I said. Akinyelure might have won in the Central Senatorial District because of Adebayo Omolafe factor in Akure. In that district Alasoadura of the APC came second. So it doesn’t mean.

A fortnight later you saw what happened. Things changed, ordinarily if APC has lost grip of Ondo State politics, PDP should have won automatically. PDP would have gotten twelve or thirteen seats. If you want to use the National Assembly and Presidential elections, PDP should have won convincingly. The party has two senators and four members of the House of Representatives, if that yardstick had worked, the party should be boasting of not less than twelve House of Assembly seats by now.



Look, it happened in 2015, when Buhari won in this state, Mimiko now went back to his political war chest and within a fortnight, he invited all stakeholders, he invited Obas, market women and the people that be, which Akeredolu also did, and appealed to them on the need to support him in the House of Assembly election. House of Assembly is the engine room for the governor and this is where the power of Ondo State government lies. So, that is the issue. The APC has not lost control of the state politics.

We are aware of Akeredolu exploits in infrastructural development, workers’ welfare and others. What do you think the governor is not doing well now and needs to do better?

Well, to be a governor is not an easy task. It is only when you are there that you will know that it is not easy. I am not a government worker or salary earner but I have children and relations who are in the state government pay roll. There was an arrears of unpaid salaries for up to seven months when he assumed office and he has paid six out of them. Similarly he promised not to owe workers any salary and he is keep that promise to date.

He has been paying as and when due. Where he cannot pay before the month ends, he will pay within a week of the following month. Civil servants cannot say he has reneged on that promise.

Anyway he should reshuffle his cabinet. He should bring together all party members. He needs to reshuffle his cabinet and put in some members of other camps in APC, Dr. Olusegun Abraham, Senator Ajayi Boroffice and whatever camp the party may have been divided into. He should bring them together.

To be precise sir, you are advising the governor to reconcile all aggrieved members of APC in the state.

Yes, he should bring together all aggrieved members, because that one affected the chances of the party in the last election in many states in the country. It affected Oyo, it affected Ogun, it affected Rochas Okorocha in Imo State and he needs to put this house in order before the next gubernatorial election in the state.

Photos: Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the launching of N250 million 150 bed space modern hospital at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo on Saturday 23rd March, 2019.

2019 World Water Day: Mrs Akeredolu charges stakeholders to complement government’s efforts in water, sanitation and hygiene

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has made a clarion call to stakeholders in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to continue to support government’s efforts in addressing the water challenges in Ondo state.

The Ondo State First Lady made this call during an occasion organised by Association of Water Well Drillers, Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP), Ondo state chapter, to mark the 2019 World Water Day in Akure, Ondo state.

The 22nd of March every year is set aside by UN-Water, a sub-agency of the United Nations that focuses on water and sanitation issues, to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources; hence the event hosted by AWDROP.

Speaking on the year’s theme, “Leaving No One Behind”, Mrs Akeredolu encouraged stakeholders in WASH to consider marginalized groups like women, children, and disabled people, who are often overlooked and who sometimes face discrimination as they try to access and manage the safe water they need.

Mrs Akeredolu, who spoke through her media aide, Rowland Onyeukwu, stated that there has been a 23% increase in the provision of safe water in rural areas of the state, by the present administration and restated the Akeredolu-led government’s resolve to ensuring 100% potable water supply to all communities in Ondo state. She also thanked AWDROP for their noteworthy contributions towards WASH projects in the state and charged the people of the state to protect and preserve the WASH facilities provided in their localities. While congratulating a community in Ifedore that had provided a community water borehole facility without waiting for the government to do so, she encouraged other communities to do likewise.

In his remarks, the state chairman of AWDROP appreciated Mrs Akeredolu’s continuous support towards the association and WASH, and called for the general public to patronize the association, while decrying the prevalence of quacks and foreign expatriates in the water borehole drilling profession in Nigeria.

Highlight of the event was the free distribution of table water in the area by the association.

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday declared that the design for the construction of Akunnu - Ikaram - Oke Agbe - Afin - Ogbagi - Irun in Akoko North West Local Government Area of the state is ready.

The Governor said leaders in the community would be invited to a meeting relating to the construction of the road very soon.

Governor Akeredolu drop the hint at Oke Agbe, the headquarters of Akoko North West Local Government during his Thank You Tour to the area.

Governor Akeredolu described the Local Government as the home of progressives.

He appreciated the people for supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last state assembly election.

The Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetona who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers in the local government thanked the Governor for appointing credible people from the local government.

� Blessed Michael

The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Alumni Association is set to launch a N250m hospital facility fund to ensure that students, staff have access to affordable and qualitative healthcare services come this Saturday March 23,2019.

This was contain in a press release signed and made available to newsmen in Owo by the Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Mr. Banjo Alabi Esq.

According to the statement, “The Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, by his activities has opened a new template for leadership and the goal of leadership is to meet needs and solve problems. The essence of leadership is service.

He said as part of the support for the visionary leadership of Mr Governor, the association is ready to partner with the government to deliver dividends to democracy to the people.

“Health is wealth is a famous proverb which means that health is everything and its importance is more than wealth. If one maintains his/her health, he gets everything in life very easily”.

With the hospital in place, he explained that students, employees, members of their families and willing members of our host communities will be registered for the Managed Care/Health Insurance Scheme via the Tertiary Institution’s Social Health Insurance Programme.

Alabi further said the main objective of the Insurance scheme is to ensure access to affordable and qualitative healthcare to the students, staff and family, members of RUGIPO host communities as well as the public who enrol in the Scheme.

“The scheme will provide primary and secondary health care for our students and never again will parents worry for the health care of their children and wards registered in the programme”.

He also disclosed that the school Governing council will be working with Ondo State Development and Investment Agency (ONDIPA) on Our Light Up RUGIPO initiative, which is to provide alternative and sustainable power energy that will provide RUGIPO 24 hours supply and eliminate millions of naira spent on diesel every year.

“The executive order of Mr Governor to our council : Namely : “Retool: Reconstruct & Reposition Ondo State Polytechnic , Owo ( RUGIPO) and make it a leading research institute committed to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology is on course”.

The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Alumni Association is set to launch a N250m hospital facility fund to ensure that students, staff have access to affordable and qualitative healthcare services come this Saturday March 23,2019.

This was contain in a press release signed and made available to newsmen in Owo by the Chairman Governing Council of the institution, Mr. Banjo Alabi Esq.

According to the statement, “The Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, by his activities has opened a new template for leadership and the goal of leadership is to meet needs and solve problems. The essence of leadership is service.

He said as part of the support for the visionary leadership of Mr Governor, the association is ready to partner with the government to deliver dividends to democracy to the people.

“Health is wealth is a famous proverb which means that health is everything and its importance is more than wealth. If one maintains his/her health, he gets everything in life very easily”.

With the hospital in place, he explained that students, employees, members of their families and willing members of our host communities will be registered for the Managed Care/Health Insurance Scheme via the Tertiary Institution’s Social Health Insurance Programme.

Alabi further said the main objective of the Insurance scheme is to ensure access to affordable and qualitative healthcare to the students, staff and family, members of RUGIPO host communities as well as the public who enrol in the Scheme.

“The scheme will provide primary and secondary health care for our students and never again will parents worry for the health care of their children and wards registered in the programme”.

He also disclosed that the school Governing council will be working with Ondo State Development and Investment Agency (ONDIPA) on Our Light Up RUGIPO initiative, which is to provide alternative and sustainable power energy that will provide RUGIPO 24 hours supply and eliminate millions of naira spent on diesel every year.

“The executive order of Mr Governor to our council : Namely : “Retool: Reconstruct & Reposition Ondo State Polytechnic , Owo ( RUGIPO) and make it a leading research institute committed to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology is on course”.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has pledged that the present administration would strive to complete the ongoing construction of the Idanre-Akure road project .

The Governor made this known while meeting with the people of the local government as part of his tour of all the local government areas in the state.

It would be recalled that the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), lost the Constituency to Festus Akingbaso of the PDP.

He described as unfortunate, the attitude of the people of the community to vote out the party’s candidate despite government’s numerous achievements in the town.

Akeredolu mentioned some government’s projects in the local government to include; road constructions completed and ongoing, renovation and construction of Schools, provision of motorized boreholes as well as the Alade water scheme among others.

“We have done so much for you which we believed should earn a good return for us.

“Either you voted for us or not, we are going to complete this road project, it is your right to have it and it is our own duty to do it, but it is imperative we learn how to show appreciation over government’s efforts”, he said.

Earlier, State Chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin who hailed from the local government, had earlier appealed for forgiveness on behalf of people of the town over their performance during the just concluded House of Assembly election.

He said the Governor and party Chieftains have been moving round local governments to appreciate the people for their massive support for candidates of the party during the Assembly election, but regretted that the case was different in Idanre.

“We have benefited more under this present administration in terms of good road networks, provision of potable water, schools rehabilitation and lots more.

“It is unfortunate that we lost in Idanre, but Sir, that does not mean that we do not love you. The people have promised to make up for their error with handsome votes for the party during subsequent elections”, he promised.

Also, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Yemi Olowolabi described what happened during the election as unfortunate, despite the fact that no administration has ever done much for Idanre like the Akeredolu-led government.

However, he said leaders of the party have had conversations across various quarters and communities in Idanre kingdom and have collectively resolved that come next year, their votes and support for the Governor will be total.

“We have apologized and have resolved to forge ahead in support for the APC-led government and beginning from this moment, we have embarked on house-to-house sensitization and reports indicated that our people are remorseful and are ready to move forward”, he said.

Similarly, the Owa of Idanre, Oba Frederick Aroloye thanked the Governor for his love for the local government which is evident in the number of various departmental and life-changing projects witnessed in the town.

He promised that people of the ancient town will reward him handsomely during the forthcoming election in the state.

Caretaker Chairman of the local government, Biyi Ayannuola who also lamented the party’s loss in the House of Assembly election, promised a better outing during subsequent polls.

He thanked the Governor for his giant strides in the local government which included; road constructions, rehabilitation of many schools with perimeter fencing and repair of over 130 boreholes through the Water and Sanitation Agency (WATSAN) across the local government area among others.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured the people of Ondo city that within the next one year, a Teaching Hospital complex would be sited and completed in their domain.

Akeredolu gave the assurance when he led leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to Ondo West local government in continuation of his thank-you visit to local government areas across the state for supporting the party’s candidates in the just concluded House of Assembly election.

He explained that a standard Teaching Hospital would have been located at the General Hospital in Ondo, but added that lack of space made it impossible.

Governor Akeredolu also expressed his administration’s determination to ensure that the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) is sustained for it to achieve the purpose for which it was established.

Akeredolu explained that apart from the numerous road projects constructed by the present administration in the local government it has also rehabilitated a good number of Schools which had attracted more pupils back to school.

He solicited for the people’s continued support in future elections and declared that APC was ready to do more for the people of the area.

Earlier, Ade Adetimehin, Chairman, APC, Ondo State, thanked the people for their support in the recently concluded House of Assembly election, and enjoined them to support the party in any forthcoming election.

Also, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, congratulated the Governor over his victory at the Supreme Court and during the just concluded House of Assembly election, saying the victories would afford him the opportunity to concentrate more on the business of governance.

Represented by Lisa of Ondo kingdom, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin, he appreciated Akeredolu for the laudable projects executed in the area and appealed for the commencement of operations at Omotoso Power plant to solve the erratic power problem experienced in the area.

In Ondo East local government, the governor also thanked the people for their loyalty and support for the party during the last House of Assembly election.

He said besides the Bolorunduro-Fagbo and the Bolorunduro-Expressway road construction executed by the present administration, his government has also excelled in the area of rehabilitation and reconstruction of schools with the promise to do more.

Akeredolu assured that most of the roads in the local government which falls under the Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP), would soon be constructed to enable farmers bring their farm produce to various markets within the community.

Caretaker Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Akinkuotu Adewale congratulated Governor Akeredolu over the triumph of the party, having won majority Seats and expressed happiness over the peace that reigned before, during and after the election.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State on Thursday explained why his administration decided to create Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

He hinged the decision on genuine economic development of the people.
According to the governor, the exercise will ultimately benefit the people and restore their dignity and pride as prime producers, and not as incurable consumers of other people’s ideas and products.


He told critics that his administration considered the decision most expedient at this stage because of the degree of amity existing in Ondo State.
The governor said: “The people of Ondo State are, evidently, not in competition among themselves. The degree of amity existing in our state makes our space attractive, not only for economic activities but for other socio-cultural existence.

“An effective system of administration at the local government level ensures collectivisation of ideas and labour for production of goods and services. Every locality must be ready to convert its peculiarity to strength.

"We must be able to determine the factors which support the viability of a locality to exist as a political unit beyond mere politics”
Akeredolu, who spoke at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Akure, while inaugurating the Committee for the creation of the LCDAs, expressed the hope that the exercise would further deepen the already existing robust interactions among the people of the state.

Governor Akeredolu, besides expressing his conviction that real quest for socio-economic development of the country compels the inclusion of local government administration in the political calculus, dismissed the insinuations in some quartets that the decision to create the LCDAs was political.
He said: “Local governments must not be products of unprofitable gerrymandering which only compounds the socio-economic problems.”

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has disclosed that his administration has reconstructed over 700 Public Primary Schools across the state.

Akeredolu said the move was to strengthen the education sector and make school environment conducive for both teachers and the pupils.

The governor spoke at St. James' Primary School, Oda town where he commissioned the newly constructed and the renovated blocks of classroom with modern toilet, play group equipment and ICT center.

The head teacher of the School, Mrs. Morayo Adegbite appreciated the Akeredolu’s administration for the great work done in the School.

She revealed that since new structures have been put in place with other playgroup facilities, enrolment has improved significantly in the school.

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Global TB Ambassador and wife of the President of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has called on Nigerians to test themselves for Tuberculosis (TB), being one of the world’s most deadly diseases.

She said the clearest danger signal is two weeks of uninterrupted cough, and confirmed that the disease is treatable and curable, and with proper diagnosis and treatment, patients can overcome the disease and live normal lives.

“We should not be caught unawares. Once you notice a cough that has refused to go after two weeks, visit a health facility and consult a doctor”

She was speaking during an outreach programme at Kpebi village, Kuruduma on the fringes of the Federal Capital Territory, organized by her office in collaboration with National TB and Leprosy Control Programme on Wednesday, March 20, 2019.

Mrs. Buhari said treatment for TB is free and called on citizens to take advantage of the screening going on in health facilities across the country, so that if found to be positive, they can be quickly diagnosed and placed on treatment.

Minister of State for Health, Prof Osagie Ehanire, speaking at the event said TB is spread through coughing and sneezing in overcrowded, poorly ventilated spaces. He described the disease as a leading cause of death in the world as 1.6 million people died of TB in 2017 alone.

He described silence by victims as the main problem of fighting the disease as 300,000 cases went undetected in 2017. These undetected cases, he said, are untreated people, who can spread the disease in communities, and that one person with untreated lung tuberculosis can infect 10 – 15 other persons per year. He thanked Mrs. Buhari for participating in the outreach as a TB ambassador.

Earlier, Dr. Lawanson Adebola, National Coordinator, TB and Leprosy Control Programme said the outreach was organized as part of activities to mark the World TB Day, which comes up on Sunday, 24th March, 2019. The outreach she said provided for screening and treatment for those found to be positive. She called on the villagers to take advantage of the opportunity, and encouraged others to visit hospitals to be screened. The tests are conducted on a mobile lab tagged “wellness on wheels”.

District Head of Kpebi, High Chief Audu Kaura welcomed guests to his village, while a TB survivor; Mr. Abubakar Bala spoke on his experiences living with the disease.

The event was attended by wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, Wife of the Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Mairo Almakura and a host of other dignitaries.
Highlight of the event was the flag-off of the outreach campaign by wife of the President.

As Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN continues his statewide tour to thank the people for their support for the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Presidential and State House of Assembly elections in Ondo State, he has also continued to make policy statements that will shape government’s actions and decisions in the years ahead.

On Wednesday it was the turn of Ondo West Local Government Area to share in the good news.
While the Governor was thanking the people who gathered at the Civic Center in Ondo City to welcome him, he said the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo City has come to stay.

Rather than relocating or closing down already established institutions in the State, the Governor said he would continue to strengthen state-owned tertiary institutions irrespective of its location.

The Governor urged the traditional rulers and the people of Ondo Kingdom to make land available for the establishment of a standard state teaching hospital to compliment the existing University of Medical Sciences in Ondo City.

The 11-member Committee approved for the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), will be inaugurated today, 21 March 2019

The event will be held at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure.
According to a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Segun Ajiboye, the move, was in furtherance of the Governor’s avowed commitment towards bringing government nearer to the people.

He said the step would as well, accede to the people’s yearnings for expansion of democratic governance in the state.

The committee, according to the release, has three months to submit its report, with effect from the date of its inauguration.

The statement further explained that the Commitee, chaired by Lanke Odogiyan, Esq, has Mr. Deji Akinwalere as its Secretary.

Other members of the commitee include; Charles Titiloye, Esq, Mrs. Yinka Oladapo Alabi, Yinka Adeyosoye, Esq, Prince Ajose Kudehinbu, Chief Bunmi Fasonu, A. A Akindele Esq, Mrs. G Mojisola Ajayi, Chief Ojo George Fajemilusi and Surveyor Gani Agunbiade
Terms and Reference of the committee include : To invite written / Oral memoranda from the public, screen all memoranda and make recommendations to the state government.

“To make extensive consultations with the communities and their leaders and recommend provisional adjustment of the boundaries or proposed LCDAs, where neccessary.

“The commitee is also expected to recommend to the state government, the procedure for the creation of Local Council Development Areas out of the existing 18 Local Government Area in Ondo state”, the statement said.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had on Monday tasked communities to summit memoranda for the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
Governor Akeredolu stated this on Monday at a thank you tour visit to Irele in Irele Local Government area of the State.

Akeredolu noted that LCDAs would bring more developmental strides to the state.

He however thanked the people of the town for the support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Assembly election and asked the people to support the government so that more developmental projects would be executed in the town.

A House of Representatives member-elect in Ekiti State, Mr. Olusola Fatoba, has said the landslide victory recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential poll, will return power to the poor masses.

Fatoba, who won the House of Representatives to the Ado/Irepodun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) added that the President’s resounding victory over the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, confirmed that Nigerians were appreciative of the federal government’s programmes and policies.

He added that the victory had further strengthened the power of the masses and reduced that of the elite, who had been the ones dictating the pace on who becomes the president since independence.

He also added that the superlative performance of Governor Kayode Fayemi and women empowerment of the governor’s wife, Bisi, accounted for the APC’s good showings in Ekiti.

In a chat with journalists in Ado Ekiti, Fatoba reminded the ruling elite that Buhari had demystified their powers and brought recognition to the masses.

On the winning of the three senate, six house of representatives and 25 out of the 26 house of assembly seats in the state, Fatoba said : “it was a product of hardwork and the regular payment of salary and pension and free education policy as well as other policies initiated by governor Fayemi that helped us”.

Fatoba promised that he would leverage on his experience in agriculture firm and as a commercial farmer to empower the youths and attract them into commercial farming.

He said he will partner Fayemi-led administration to attract investments to the state, especially the one that has to do with agriculture, having worked in an Agriculture firm for a period of 25 years