₦airaland Forum

AKEREDOLU RESTATES COMMITMENT TO DEVELOPMENT OF APOI LAND AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR BECOMES ASIWAJU.

Ondo State Government has promised the people of Apoi kingdom in Ese-Odo Local Government area, of more developmental projects.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu made the pledge at Oboro town during the first coronation of Kalasuwe of Apoi Land, Oba Professor Sunday Adejimola Amuseghan.

The Governor, who was represented by deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, disclosed that the present administration had renovated all primary schools in the local government area.

Akeredolu said his administration had not only upgraded the general hospital at Igbekebo to standard state specialist hospital, but also equipped it with standard equipments and employed over 67 medical staff to provide quality health services in the riverine area.

The governor added that road networks in the town had been tarred to improve road links in the area.

He urged the monarch to continue to foster unity among the 10 communities in the kingdom, like he had done in the last one year.

Earlier, the traditional ruler, Oba Amuseghan who had commended the Government for the unflinching support for the region, thanked God for the journey so far,since he ascended the throne of his forefathers.

The monarch also expressed appreciation his fellow monarchs in Apoi Land for being resolute in the preservation of the Apoi Culture.

“Although 12 years is a long time for a community to be without a mornach, I will try my best to cover lost grounds in terms of attracting development to our dear land,” the monarch said.

Kalasuwe added that the planned skill acquisition centre for the community, when completed, will develop the youths of the town.

Earlier, chairman of the Coronation Planning Committee, Colonel Orire Nikoro, said the people of Apoi were proud of the king,for fostering unity among the people of the land.

Nikoro said the monarch had achieved a lot within the one year of his coronation, especially in the area of education.

The Highlight of the occasion was the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Asiwaju Oluomo of Apoi Land on Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Apoi had been without a paramount ruler for 12 years before Oba Amuseghan was crowned last year.

Late Olowo a colossus in law, peace advocacy says Gov. Akeredolu.

A valedictory court session has been held in honour of the late Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) David Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, CFR who was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a Life Bencher and a teacher of Law to many legal luminaries in both the Bar and the Bench.

In his tribute at the occasion, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, described the late Royal Father as a true patriot, revered monarch and an illustrious son of the state who would be missed by all.

The governor, in his speech entitled, “Celebrating a great Scholar and Patriot”, at the special court session held at the State High Court, Akure, said the occasion was not to mourn but to celebrate the life and times of a true patriot, statement, revered monarch and an illustrious son of the state and therefore congratulated the people of Owo Kingdom for the gift of the rare gem to humanity.


He, however, noted that it was regrettable and painful that the traditional ruler quietly joined his ancestors at a time when the task of nation building calls for men of deep intellect, broad knowledge and experience like the late monarch.

The governor stressed that he personally felt the sudden death of the late monarch as an Owo son, just as he appreciated the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olutoyin O. Akeredolu for and his brother Judges for holding the well-deserved and befitting special Court Session in honour of the First Class Royal Father whom he called a colossus, a teacher of lawyers and legal practitioner of note.


Arakunrin Akeredolu said the late Olowo of Owo devoted his life to the service of humanity and served in several capacities before and during his reign as the Olowo of Owo.

He equally added that, as the Chairman of Council of Obas, the late monarch promoted peace throughout the state and stood for truth and justice throughout his tenure, while successive governments in the state including the present administration benefited alot from his wealth of experience and knowledge.

“The highly cerebral king devoted his life to the service of humanity. He served in several capacities before and during his reign as the Olowo of Owo. Apart from being the former Secretary Council of Legal Education, he was former General Secretary Nigerian Association of Law Teachers, Deputy Director General for Africa International Biographical Centre, England, former Chancellor, University of Benin, and former Chairman Ondo State Council of Obas”, the governor added.

Several other bodies which included, the Body of Benchers, Association of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and Members of Nigerian Bar Association, Owo Branch took turn to pay glowing tributes to the late Paramount Ruler of the Ancient Kingdom of Owo.

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ACE ONDO MATRICULATION: OBEY ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS TO ATTAIN EXCELLENCE – DON CHARGES STUDENTS.

Obedience to constituted authorities and persistent self-development have been described as vital ingredients for students in their quest to attain excellence.

This was the position of the Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede at this year’s matriculation ceremony of the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.

About 3,500 students were admitted into various degree programmes at the Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, which is an affiliate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife.

Speaking at the event, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, who was represented by the Dean, Faculty of Education in the University, Professor Adeleke Ademola, charged the students to live above board to enable them achieve greatness.

The Provost, Adeyemi College of Education, Dr Samuel Akintunde, who couldn’t hide his joy as this was his first matriculation as the College Provost, advised the students to obey all rules and regulations of the institution to enable them have a happy and fruitful stay on campus.

Some of the matriculants who spoke with ORANGEFM expressed their happiness for being among the lucky ones chosen by the institution.

They however promised to be of good behaviour and concentrate on their studies in order to come out as good ambassadors of the College.

Also seated in the matriculation hall were visibly elated parents and the Head of Servicom, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB), Mrs Johnson Malik.

NDDC PARTNERS ONDO GOVT. TO EFFECTIVELY FIGHT LASSA FEVER.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is now collaborating with the Ondo State Government to fight the spread of Lassa fever in the state.

The NDDC Medical Personnel, who are already in the state, are expected to work directly with the officials of the State Ministry of Health and the Local Government Chairmen.

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, who spoke on behalf of the State Government while receiving NDDC officials at the Governor’s office, Alagbaka in Akure, said the state government sought the support of the commission because it’s believed that the disease is more deadly than Ebola.

He said “presently we do not have vaccines to cure this lassa fever and it is the duty of the government to ensure this disease is eradicated in our society.

Ajayi pledged the cooperation of the government for the commission in the fight against lassa fever in the state.

According to the Deputy Governor, “the presence of the chairmen of the local governments caretaker committees at this occasion signaled the determination of the state to take the fight to the grassroots.

“I can assure you that our chairmen here will go back to their respective councils and get prepared for the consultants that will move in with them. They will work closely with them and anything they need, they should be able to provide especially in the area of security, conducive environment for then to operate and carry out their sensitization without molestation of any kind’.

Ajayi, however lauded the NDDC for its intervention programmes in the state which include the ongoing road project that would link the state with Lekki, Lagos State.

The Director of Education, Health and Social Services of the commission, Okejoto Gochua, in his remarks said the commission is donating some items to the State Government.

He diclosed that the items include two ambulances, Hilux and Lassa Fever protective kits.

He hinted that the commission through its consultants would also engage in educating the populace on the scourge.

“It is the wish of the NDDC to support the government and people of Ondo and Edo States with the donation of Lassa Fever protective kits, ambulances, Hilux and by conducting sensitization and advocacy programmes against this deadly disease. This support aims to complement the state government’s efforts in the fight against lassa virus to prevent further spread of the disease’, he said.

Akeredolu Returns From Thailand, Frowns at Illegal Cultivation of Cannabis


The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has shed more light on his trip to Thailand for Medicinal Cannabis Extract Development in Ondo State.

Akeredolu who spoke with Government House Reporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, shortly after his arrival from Thailand, explained that the focus of his administration is on medical Cannabis cultivation in controlled areas under the full supervision of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He refuted the rumour making the rounds that government was encouraging cannabis cultivation, noting that government was only looking at the possibility of having legally cultivated cannabis for Medicinal usage.

He frowned at illegal cultivation of cannabis in the state.

The governor observed that since many countries in the world are earning alot from regulated cultivation of cannabis, the same thing can be replicated in the state by ensuring that only licensed people are allowed to grow and cultivate it in a regulated areas for the purpose of extracting the hemp oil for exportation.

He said the development would improve the foreign earnings and the economy of the country and the state in particular.

Akeredolu, however, said the cultivation may not be immediate as the state would have to be first of all be licensed by the federal government before going into it.

He disclosed that government would not go against the United Nations (UN) Single Convention which goes against accumulation of cannabis, adding that government would only license some people who would be given bloc in confined areas under the supervision of the regulatory agencies.

He said individuals and institutions would be licensed to patent drugs from it that will be beneficial to the state and the country at large.

According to the governor, there is one year shortage of hemp oil need in Canada and Europe which must be filled in no time, adding that if the state cannot fill it another state will take the position.

Ondo State seeks to model Thailand’s alternative development for drug abuse.

As part of his engagement in Thailand on Medicinal Cannabis Extraction development, the Ondo State delegation led by Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN visited the Mae Fah Luang Foundation (MFLF) in Chang Rai (Northern region in Thailand) which was established in 1988.

The MFLF plays a leading role in advocating sustainable development policies at both domestic and international levels, as well as promoting community enterprises with the foundation launching the Doi Tung Development Project DTDP and other projects to solve problems of survival, illicit drugs and social disparity, as well as to build a new generation of youths to become self-reliant and earn sustainable livelihoods.

The Doi Tung Development Project has been internationally recognized as a model project for alternative development for a sustainable livelihood. The centre which was initially set up by Thailand Royal Patronage is now self reliant and turns over $17m annually

Governor Akeredolu with the delegation toured the Doi Tung Development Project’s vocational training centre for sewing and weaving, coffee bean roasting facility and macadamia processing facility, pottery and ceramic facility as well as the “The Hall of Opium” which was built to reduce the demand for narcotics by providing knowledge and information through a presentation of the genesis and history of opium war, its benefits and scourges, its economic, social and environmental effects, through a multi-media format.

The visit to the Hall of Opium offered hope and the lessons learnt, if closely followed by states in Nigeria presently ravaged by effects of various drug abuses will help reduce the evident threat to national security.

According to the governor, the Ondo state sericulture unit will be upgraded using the Doi Tung Foundation Model with the foundation's array of superior looms and diverse products being marketed across the globe.

Governor Akeredolu said he's convinced that it has become imperative, to push the drive to create self sustaining jobs for the rising army of able bodied but unemployed youths in the state and Nigeria at large, adding that the drive is geared towards banishing poverty at all levels and reducing capital flight from the state.

Top of the Governor's move included the Capacity building of Ondo State Sericulture staff and trainees, through an exchange program which is been worked out with the foundation.

It is a known fact that Ondo State has always been a hotbed for illegal plantations of cannabis in the country, with the plethora of problems associated with the abuse of the plant, especially among the youths in the country.

The Governor is finding alternative ways for farmers so that the produce is fed into the industries seeking licenses if granted, to set up hemp oil extraction industries for the export market.

Lack of irrigation affecting tomatoes production- Expert

Low production of tomatoes in Ondo State has been attributed to lack of irrigation to supply water to farms.

A tomato farmer and owner of Great Acres Farm, Mr Femi Adeyemi noted that lack of rain accounted for high cost of the fruit around this time.

According to him, production of tomatoes last for about 120 days adding that it takes four months to harvest the fruit from the time of planting.

“If I am producing for may or June, I must have planted in February and as we all know, there is no rain at this time of the year, so I must make provision for irrigation”, he explained.

He said that it is a common thing for white flies and other pests like caterpillar to feed on tomatoes and reduce the yield at the earlier part of the year before the regular rainfall.

According to him, it is somehow expensive to plant tomatoes to fruition at this time of the year considering the challenges associated with it.

On when Ondo state will be self-sufficient in tomato production, Adeyemi said though it may take time, but it will happen since more people are embracing tomato production in the state.

“Although more than 90 percent of what the state consumes come from the North, we will be self sufficient in tomato production. I may not be able to say exactly when, but I am sure we will, because more people are embracing tomato production”.

He identified lack of fund as another reason why farmers can not expand their production.

He however said that he could not say specifically what challenges farmers in the North are facing.

‘Agriculture, a veritable panacea for youth unemployment’

A cleric, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Akanfe has said that agriculture remained the only veritable alternative for engaging youths productively, especially at the grassroots.

Akanfe who made the observation in Ore, urged government at all levels to introduce mechanized farming to attract youths into the sector.

He said embarking on such venture would boost governments efforts toward diversifying the state and the country’s economy from oil to agric based.

According to him, government has been paying lip service towards fully transforming agriculture to attract the youths both as a career and vocation.

“A situation where farmers could not boast of a tractor to develop agriculture at the grassroots is not good. This does not show the commitment of government in that regard.

Akanfe, who is the Chief Imam of Islaudeen Central Mosque, Ore called on the newly elected leaders in the state to channel adequate resources towards making farming attractive to the youths.

He however advised governments at all tiers to increase funding for agriculture, adding that over- dependence on oil could not achieve the desired socio-economic development for the country.

He stressed that such intervention would enhance the nation’s growth and economic diversification.

According to him, youths as leaders of tomorrow have formidable roles to play in the government’s efforts at diversifying the economy.

He said transforming agriculture requires collective responsibility of all stakeholders to achieve the desired results.

He further stressed the need for re-ordering of priorities by the federal, state and local governments to adequately tackle the nation’s food insufficiency.

He said the problem was compounded as most youths empowerment initiatives were concentrated on distribution of motorcycles and grinding machines with less regard for agriculture at the grassroots.

“The Agric villages across the state especially in Ore should be put to proper use by engaging the youths, it will reduce crimes”, Akanfe stressed.

OVERLAPPING FUNCTIONS BY MDAS IN AGRIC SECTOR WORRISOME – ADEFARATI.

Ondo State Commissioner for Agriculture Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati has identified overlapping and duplication of Ministry, Departments and Agencies in the sector as the bane of agricultural development in the state.

Adefarati gave the bombshell while declaring open a 2- day event on “Governace Intervention Strategy in Ondo State’s Agricultural Sector, Presentation and Action Planning Session organised by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria DAWN Commission in AKURE.

The commissioner who could not hide his disdain with the situation where agencies that were created out of the Ministry as Projects were contending with her relevance by virtually taking over some of its statutory functions without baiting eyelids.

Asiwaju Adefarati further said it was absurd for Ondo State Agricultural Inputs Supply Agency (AISA) ONDO State Agribusiness and Empowernent Centre ASEAC and Cocoa Revolution especially the later to be hands twisting the Parent Ministry and they won’t allowed it to effectively drive the sector as the statutory lead agency under the law by performing its function.

He was particularly piqued by attempts in some quarters to completely exercised the Cocoa Revolution, a Project a veritable component of the Tree Crops Unit (TCU) a statutorily and self accounting department of the Ministry of Agriculture

According to him such an attempt is with sinister motifs and will not be encouraged because it won’t augur well for the development of the strategic sector.

He called for the return to the status quo that is allowing the Ministry of Agriculture to continue to functions by returning all its statutory duties taken away to it for the overall development of the state in line with ONDO state Agricultural Policy now under reviews.

In his reaction the DAWN Commission, lead Consultant Aderemi Isijo while agreeing with the Commissioner on the need to properly streamlined the functions of the MDAS to avoid overlapping and duplication of roles in the sector he was deeply worried that the ugly scenario still persist deite the intervention, presentation and engagements the DAWN Commission had with the authority on the subject matter in order to reduce cost and promote efficiency.

According to him one of the essences of the commission is to ensure that states in the region have the same template to drive developmental processes in order to achieve a uniform development.

Earlier the Administrative Secretary of Agency for Public Service Reforms and Development under the office of the Head of Service the facilitator of the process Oluwagbenga Akingbasote said the the interface is to come out with work plans to helo reduce wastages in Public Sector financing and to Consumer Pull – a Private Sector driven Economy in doing business especially in the Agriculture sector in line with the global best practices.

To this end he, enjoined all the participating MDAs to make the best use of the situation.

Some of the participants commended the convener, DAWN Commission and the International partners, DFID and PERL for doing a good job.

Some of the MDAS at event include, Ministries of Budget and Economics Planning, Lands, Environment, ADP, Fadama, ASIA, TCU, Cocoa Revolution among others.

UNIMEDTH boss tasks workers on patients’ welfare.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ONDO GOVT APPROVES NEW RETIREMENT AGE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LAND USE CHARGE IS BOOSTING ONDO IGR – ONDO GOVT.

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has fulfilled the promise of sharing the revenue accrued from the Land Use Charge.

The Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, made this known during the sharing of #48m generated from the Land Use Charge between the state and the 18 Local Government Areas at the Ministry of Finance’s Conference Hall in Akure.

Mr. Akinterinwa who said the sharing was imperative as part of government commitment that, whatever is accrued would be shared with all the local government areas as stipulated in the law that established the land use charge.

The Commissioner stated that the sharing was to encourage each local government to enlighten the people on the importance of paying taxes without which, he said the state would not move forward.

He implored the Local Government Chairmen to put up a laudable programmes, and use the money for developmental projects that would be of immense benefits to the people of their communities.

Earlier, the Chairman of Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Tolu Adegbie, while presenting the statement of account said the #48m available for sharing is more than what has been collected in the previous years, stating that local governments had never benefitted from such revenue before.

He added that the sharing was based on the sharing formular where the state take 80 per cent of the available revenue while the local government take 20 per cent as stipulated in the law that established land use charge.

Adegbie informed that the money generated for sharing were from 3 local government areas (Ondo, Akure & Owo), and that regular sharing of the revenue collected would be shared on quarterly basis, as the one shared now is part of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019.

In his closing remarks, the Commissioner for Economic Planning & Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, urged the Chairmen to always be ready to partner with the state government in order to take the state to a greater height and annex the potentiality in their areas.

On her own part, the Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi noted that the success recorded has not only brought an increment to the state internal generated revenue I(GR) but also spurred the government to employ young graduates.

Mrs Fagbemi urged the Local Government Chairmen to allow people feel the impact of the money and to know that the land use charge revenue is used to develop their communities.

Speaking on behalf of Southern Senatorial Chairmen, the Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government, Mrs Morenike Alaka, who appreciated the state government for being transparent and accountable, appealed for a review of the law as she described the sharing percentage too wide.

She however, assured the state government of their continuous advocacy to ensure that the people within their local government areas comply.

The Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Mr. Gbenga Olaniyi who reacted on behalf of the Central Senatorial District Chairmen, described the event as an epoch making, and promised that they would make judicious use of the money.

The Akeredolu ‘five wonders’ in Ore

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

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

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

The tour gave birth to the popular Ore industrial Park.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We 've kick started Aketi reelection in Iju, says Oba Farukanmi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FACT-CHECK: How accurate is Akeredolu’s claim on Ondo’s monthly IGR? - BusinessDay


CLAIMS:
Ondo state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased to over N1.5 billion
Ondo state’s monthly IGR was previously N700 million before Akeredolu’s administration

CONCLUSION: For CLAIM 1, it is TRUE ; for CLAIM 2, it is PARTLY FALSE
EVIDENCE: Ondo state’s monthly IGR has increased to over N1.5 billion with an average monthly IGR of N2.07 billion in 2018, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

However, NBS data also show that Ondo state’s average monthly IGR from 2012 to 2015 has been more than N700 million, except in 2016 when it fell by 14 percent to N723.7 million.

FULL TEXT:
Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu , on Tuesday, May 8, while receiving members of the state chapter of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria in his office in Akure said his administration has improved the monthly IGR of the state from N700 million to over N1.5 billion.

What this means is that the state under his administration has grown its IGR by more than double to over N1.5 billion monthly compared to N700 million which the state recorded previously as IGR.
No date was quoted or referenced in the report. But emphasis was made on his administration.
BusinessDay could not reach the governor to clarify the claim, but a statement issued by a press officer in the governor’s office, Bode Akinwumi, confirmed he made the statement.
According to the statement, Akeredolu said his “ administration has so far improved its (Ondo state) IGR from N700 million monthly to over N1.5 billion monthly.”

CONTEXT
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was sworn into office on February 24, 2017, in Akure, succeeding Olusegun Mimiko as Ondo State governor. Since no timeframe was mentioned in the first claim, Gov. Akeredolu may have also been implying that not only was the state’s monthly IGR as low as N700 million before his administration, but that he has also greatly increased the monthly IGR during this administration.
As such, we will consider the average monthly IGR from 2008 – 2018.

ONDO MONTHLY IGR MORE THAN N1.5 BILLION
According to IGR data at state level for the year 2018 obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s official repository of data, Ondo State generated N3.61 billion as IGR in the first three months of 2018. The amount rose to N5.81 billion in the second quarter of the year, spanning from April through June.

However, the revenue receipt of the state fell slightly to N5.04 billion in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter but rebounded in the last quarter of the year to N10.33 billion, bringing the total IGR of the state for the year to N24.79 billion. This represents a 126.8 percent increase when compared with N10.93 billion generated a year earlier.
With the sum of N24.79 billion generated internally by the state in 2018, we decided to divide the amount by 12, which indicates the number of months in a year, to obtain the state’s average monthly IGR. This results in N2.07 billion monthly IGR.

ONDO GENERATED MORE THAN N700 MILLION BEFORE AKEREDOLU’S ADMINISTRATION
BusinessDay gathered the state’s IGR statistics from 2008 to 2018 in order to properly evaluate the accuracy of the governor’s claim on improving the state revenue from N700 million monthly. We discovered that in 2008, the sum of N3.98 billion was generated, translating to N332 million average monthly IGR.

That amount shrank to N312.7 million in 2009 but grew to N540 million monthly in 2010. The growth in Ondo state’s average monthly IGR was continuously extended in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 to N668 million, N846 million, N875 million, and N977 million, respectively.
In 2015, an average of N842 million was generated in Ondo state every month. It dropped to N724 million in 2016 and rose to N911 million in 2017, implying the state’s average monthly IGR has remained over N700 million since 2012.

CONCLUSION
Governor Akeredolu’s claim that Ondo state monthly IGR has increased to over N1.5 billion was TRUE as the state generated an average monthly IGR of N2.07 billion in 2018. However, his claim that his administration improved the state IGR from N700 million was PARTLY FALSE as the state average monthly IGR from 2012 to 2015 has been more than N700 million, except in 2016 when it fell by 14 percent to N723.7 million.

BEMORE Summer BootCamp 2019 Registration Commences

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

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

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

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


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

A BEMORE Girl, Tolu Ehinmosan had represented the Foundation at Energy Globe Award Finalist in Iran while another four: Oluwatosin Ebiseni, Faridat Oladele, Ogochukwu Michael and Ebunmi Oluwagbamila are billed to participate in the Technovation Challenge holding at Silicone valley, California, USA later in the year.

Let’s Make Investment In Primary Healthcare Our Priority – Akeredolu


Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Wednesday called on government at all levels to consistently invest in the health sector, especially, the primary healthcare aspect of the sector because of its direct importance to the people.He asked the governments to assist viable research proposals which touch on improvement of medical practice in the country.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ore: From theatre of war to industrial hub


Ore, the headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, gained its prominence during the Nigerian Civil War. It was the place where Nigerian soldiers stopped advancing Biafran army. But the town has now become the industrial hub of the Sunshine state.


Although the town has been in existence before 1967, Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State gained its prominence during the Nigerian civil war when Biafra and Nigerian Armies battled for control of the town.


During the war, the Biafra Army led by Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu had conquered the Midwest states and was on its way to capture Lagos when the Nigerian Army mobilised and confronted the ravaging Biafra Army in what is popularly called the battle of Ore. It is known in Yoruba parlance as ‘Ija Ore’


Ore was the town where the final battle for the soul of Nigeria was fought and won. The Biafra Army who could not withstand the firepower of Nigerian Army surrendered and the war ended in 1970.


It must be noted that the centrality of the town made it the gateway between Southwest, Southeast and South-South geo-political zones. Also, it links the Ondo Central senatorial district to the South Senatorial districts in Ondo State. For travellers going to the South-South/ Southeast from Lagos, Ore is the stop-over point where they eat, drink and get refreshed before proceeding on their long journey to the Eastern part of the country.


Being a gateway town, many industrialists have made a move to establish one company or the other in the town. Being a town at the centre, getting raw materials from the hinterland and market in Lagos has now made the town a business hub.


The Federal Government, who knew the importance of the town, started an Independent Power Plant (IPP) some few years ago. The immediate past government also set up an IPP in order to distribute electricity to companies who may want to establish in the corridor.


All the governments in the state had one way or the other tried to woo investors to Ore, as the gateway town between the West and Eastern States. The efforts did not yield the desired result until two years ago when a Chinese Company moved to the town to establish five companies in a row.

The investment drive which began by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has started to pay off as no fewer than five new companies have settled and ready to begin operations in the Ore Industrial hub.

Before this investment drive, the Sunshine State was often described as an agrarian state, or at best, a civil service state. All governorship candidates of political parties have always promised to change the narratives of the state from civil or agrarian state to industrialized state.

The last time deliberate and genuine efforts were made to industrialize the state was during the administration of the first civilian governor, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, between 1979 and 1984. The Oluwa Glass Company and the Okitipupa Oil Palm were the pride of the state at the time. But four decades after, the sites of the companies are overgrown with weeds. This was because the government was owner of these companies and they died with the initiators as the subsequent governments said ‘government has no business in businesses


Even the cocoa plantations which gave the state its logo was no longer attractive to younger generations who opted for white collar jobs. The once beautiful and buoyant state became a shadow of its former self. It now depends on paltry monthly allocations from the Federal Government, almost three-quarter of which goes into payment of salary of the state workforce.

The determination of Akeredolu has given room for a fresh of hope for the state, as it joins the elite club of industrialised states in the nation. Already, five companies – a paper mill, ethanol plant, medium density fiberboard, high-density fiberboard, plywood, and a textile company have sprouted from the mustard seed that was planted when the state signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Linyi municipal government of Shandong province of people Republic of China.

Determined to ensure a solid economic base for the state, the Governor had embarked on an investment tour to China in June 2017. That tour has given birth to what is now known as the Ore Industrial Park.

It will be recalled that he had earlier flagged-off the 10,000 hectares ODSG /Wewood afforestation project, where Gmelina arborea have been planted on 1,500 of the 10,000 hectares. The industrial revolution in the state has taken a very strong foothold with the ethanol plant at about ninety-five percent completed and set to roll. According to the Business Development Manager of Wewood Limited, Mr. Sun Peng, a special specie of cassava are being planted in – between the Gmelina which will be used to feed the ethanol plant.

Speaking with reporters at the site of the company in Ore, Sun Peng said the ethanol factory is almost ready, with works at ninety-five percent completed. His words “We are expected to begin test-running of the machines before the end of April,” Already, about 1,000 people have been employed for the ethanol factory for direct jobs. The plant is also expected to provide jobs for more than 10,000 people, particularly cassava farmers and traders.


Local farmers are excited about a ready and lucrative market for their goods. Shehu Oladapo, a cassava farmer in Odigbo Local Government area of the state, was full of praise for the governor. Oladapo said “I thank Governor Akeredolu for this initiative. Farmers like me now have a ready market for our cassava. It has encouraged us to increase the number of hectares that we will prepare to grow cassava for the next harvest season.”


The WinWin Textile factory located inside the park commenced production of textile thread a few months ago. With 300 workers already employed, WinWin Textile has helped to ease the problem of unemployment on the people, especially the locals, who for the first time have found a worthwhile venture outside the civil service.

According to Ahmed Adeyinka, the Nigerian Manager of WinWin Textile said the textile is presently producing polyester sewing thread. He said the factory will move to the next stage of producing textile materials like lace and Ankara among others. His words, “Presently, we have 300 people working for us. We now produce all kinds of sewing polyester thread for the local market. In a couple of months from now, the factory will begin to run at full capacity with the production of textile materials of all kinds.”


The Weewood Plywood/HDF factory is already bubbling with life. Young men and women, who would have been roaming the streets, are busy with one task or the other. The company’s products, high-quality fiberboard plywood are already in high demand in local markets across the state, while the state is being positioned to earn foreign currency through the export of the product.


A short distance away, the expatriates are screwing the nuts and putting finishing touches to the giant paper mill factory. According to Jack Sun, Business Development Manager for Weewood, the factory is now about eighty percent completed. On completion, the paper mill is expected to employ more than 3000 direct staff, while many more are expected to benefit from jobs created down the value chain.

The paper mill, like other factories in the Ore Park, is structured to create more indirect jobs for the locals. For example, long before the machines for the mill began to arrive the shores of the country, Weewood commenced preparations by planting the trees that will form the primary raw materials for the mill.

Today, the almost 10,000 hectares of land allocated for the /Wewood afforestation project by Gov. Akeredolu is beginning to yield the expected result, as the trees continue to grow into maturity.

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

At the ethanol project, it was observed that farmers, businessmen, and women are already reaping from the indirect jobs created by the ethanol plant. Inside the ethanol factory’s warehouse, several thousands of bags of dried cassava are waiting to bed into the machines, while more than 10 trailer-load of cassava are waiting to off-load several other bags of cassava.

The Ore Industrial Park is fashioned after that of Linyi municipal government of Shandong province in China. Investors under Shandong group have made good their promise to make Ondo State a model for a one-stop industrial park in the country.


And if the experience of the Linyi’s economy, which is based around its wholesale markets and an annual trade volume of 40 billion RMB (~US$5 billion), is anything to go by, the state government has set sure set a standard by which governance would be measured in the country.

Ondo’s First Lady, Oleyelogun urge muslims on devotion

The wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has enjoined muslims to uphold the tenets of Islam as Ramadan begins.

She said this in Akure while receiving a delegation of members of All Progressives Congress, (APC) Muslim sisters at the Government House, Alagbaka.

According to her, Islam is a religion of peace that upholds the values of tolerance and mutual co-existence without a place for hatred and violence.

She, therefore, urged Muslims to use the period to foster friendship and harmony with fellow citizens of other faiths.

Mrs Anyanwu-Akeredolu assured them of more dividends of democracy from the present government.

Mrs Akeredolu was later decorated by the group as their Matron.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun, has called on Muslim faithful in the state to be more dedicated to the worship of Allah during the Ramadan fast.

In a statement issued by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Festus Adebobola the speaker enjoined Muslims to use the fasting period to seek for God’s mercy and protection against the insecurity and other challenges in the country.

According to him, “seeking for Allah’s protection and mercy at this period will bring solution to challenges that might be faced by the country”

The fasting started on May 6 after the sighting of new moon of Ramadan 1440A.H on May 5.

He noted that the Ramadan is an holy ninth month on the Islamic calendar which the benefit therein cannot be quantified and charged the faithful to make best use of the month to seek the face of Allah over the state and the country in general.

Oleyelogun prayed to Almighty Allah to grant them strength and power to observe the fast and grant them abundant rewards of the holy month.

Prayers, he said is essential, which the present government in the state values so much for it to succeed.

Ondo Hospitality remains unequalled, says Gov. Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described Ondo State as a very secured and conducive place for visitors and tourists across the world to visit.

Receiving the Association of Retired Army, Navy and Air force Officers', RANAO, Governor Akeredolu said the hospitality of people of the state towards visitors remain unequalled.

He assured that members of the association who are retired Military Officers across the country would enjoy the Sunshine State during their forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Arakunrin Akeredolu assured the state Chapter of RANAO of the support of its administration at making the hosting of the AGM a success.

Earlier, the State Chairman of RANAO, Major Abayomi Olawoye had solicited the support of the State Government on the hosting of its Annual General Meeting coming up within the month.

He said the choice of Ondo State was not unconnected with reports of peace and tranquillity pervading the state with the commitment of the present administration to quality delivery of projects that are changing lives of citizens for better.

Gov. Akeredolu excited over improved IGR

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has charged the people of the State to collaborate with his administration in its bid to ensure that the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improves tremendously to a level of comfort, like that of Lagos State.

The governor said it has become imperative for Ondo state government to look inward and improve its IGR for better service delivery to the citizenry, going by dwindling federal allocation to the state.

The governor spoke on Tuesday while receiving the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Governor Akeredolu expressed joy that his administration has so far improved its IGR from N700m monthly to over N1.5bn monthly, saying that it is important to think out of the box for the development of the state and the benefit of the people.

He said "We are thinking anew, we are acting anew and government must prioritise. "

Earlier, Mr Mathew Akinbileje, Chairman, Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, lauded Akeredolu on the delivery of dividends of good governance to the people of the state as evident in the developmental projects across the state.

He further appealed to the governor to inculcate the association into the state security architecture to aid in intelligence gathering for onward transmission to other security agencies for adequate policing of the state.

Source: https://www.nairaland.com/5175968/gov-akeredolu-excited-over-improved

Ondo residents beg Akeredolu to fix federal roads


The residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital and other towns, have called on the state government to fix some bad portions of the federal roads in the state.

Some of the federal roads in the state that need rehabilitation include Akure- Ado Ekiti Road and Owo-Ikare Akoko Road.



The residents, made up of youths, who commended the state government over the ongoing road construction projects in many towns in the state, urged the government to also dualise Akure-Oda town road, where many civil servants reside.

The Youths Leader in Akure Community, Mr Adekanbi Oluwatuyi, who spoke to our correspondent, made the appeal at a youth forum held in Akure on Friday.

He appealed to the governor to complete the extension of the ongoing dualisation of roads in some parts of the town to ljoka area for the use of the residents of the area and other motorists.

He said, “While we appreciate the government over the various ongoing road projects in the state, we want to appeal to our governor to collaborate properly with the Federal Government to fix those failed sections on federal roads in the state in order to avoid occurence of road crashes.”

While lauding the current administration in the state for various road projects carried out within Akure metropolis, Oluwatuyi also appealed to the governor to do more on community roads in the town.

Corroborating the youth leader, another speaker at the forum, Adesola Adedeji, appreciated the governor for opening up some roads in the state capital and urged the government to liase with the Federal Government and fix lgoba-Ado Ekiti road.

Similarly, a youth and resident of Akure, Mr Kunle Abegunde, called on the government to complete all its ongoing road projects in the town and the state in general.

“We appeal to the governor to dualise Oda road; the people, particularly civil servants living in Oda town and its environs, resume late to office due to the traffic problem they face on a daily basis,” he said.

OSRC/ORANGEFM CHAIRMAN HAILS GOVERNOR AKEREDOLU OVER GOOD GOVERNANCE DELIVERABLES IN ONDO.

The greatest achievement of the Akeredolu administration in Ondo state in the last two years is its reorientation of the people that government can actually walk its talk

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on research and documentation, Mr Kunle Adebayo during a conversation with newsmen noted that Arakunrin Akeredolu’s politics and governance ideals had redefined the believability of the citizens in their elected representatives

Mr Adebayo expressed delight that the performance of Governor Akeredolu in the last 2 years had surpassed the achievements celebrated by some states for four years

On the Political machinations against the governor, Mr Adebayo who is also the Chairman of the OSRC/Orange FM media group observed that in politics you cant wish away a struggle of evil and mediocrity to suppress excellence

He stressed that the mudslinging is entirely about next year’s governorship election in the state and the plot to supplant the governor

He assured that the governor cannot be distracted by people and actions who are determined to retard governance in the state

On alleged complaints of lack of patronage for party members, the Chairman of the state’s media group said the governor has a carefully designed plan to positively affect the lives of APC members in the state even as he works honestly and conscientiously to develop the entire state and its people.

Source: https://citadelng.com/osrc-orangefm-chairman-hails-governor-akeredolu-over-good-governance-deliverables-in-ondo/

ODE AYE COMMUNITY LAUDS ONDO GOVT FOR PRIORITIZING GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT.

As Christians observed the monthly thanksgiving service, worshippers at the Ondo state government house chapel in Akure were joined by a delegation from Ode-Aye in the South senatorial district of the state led by the Halu of Ode-Aye, Oba Williams Akinlade

The monarch and his people Who lavishly praised God were full of appreciation to the Creator for making the monarchs reign successful so far, as today marks the 15th anniversary of his coronation

Oba akinlade who also appreciated the Ondo state government for its impact in Ode Aye called for more developmental projects in the community

Governor Akeredolu’s Deputy Chief of staff, Olujimi Kufo who lauded the people of Ode Aye for their support for the government sought their sustained cooperation to enable government move faster with its transformation agenda

Earlier in his sermon, The guest preacher, Reverend Ayo Igbekoyi who premised his message on obedience tasked the congregation to be diligent in obeying God’s commandments

Aside the choir ministration that radiated the chapel, the people of ode aye also rendered their traditional songs.

Source: https://citadelng.com/ode-aye-community-lauds-ondo-govt-for-prioritizing-grassroots-development/

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS OLOWO OF OWO:

President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Oba Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi, the Olowo of Owo and the people of Owo in Ondo State on the death of the highly revered traditional ruler.



President Buhari also commiserates with the government and people of Ondo State on the demise of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, SAN, former Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas.



The President affirms that the late royal father was recognized as an accomplished legal luminary and tutor who played an exemplary role in the training and development of lawyers in the country during his days as a teacher in Nigeria Law School.



A statetment signed by the Special Adviser to the President on media & publicity Femi Adesina noted that President Buhari believes that the departed monarch will be fondly remembered and honoured for his numerous social, economic, educational, peacebuilding and community development initiatives which greatly endeared him to people in his domain and other admirers across the country.



The statement added that ,as the people of Owo and Ondo prepare for the burial rites of the Olowo, the President assures that his thoughts and prayers are with them during the mourning period.



He prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of Oba Olateru-Olagbegi and grant his people a worthy successor.

Akeredolu has placed Ondo on the path of accelerated economy prosperity - Group


A group, The Campaign Concourse (TCC) has commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State for his unrelenting and passionate investment drive which has taken him to different country around the world in the last one year.
The group particularly give kudos to Akeredolu for ensuring that his first trip to China yielded positive result with the massive investment at the Ondo - Linyi Industrial Hub within Ore Park in Ore, Odigbo local government area of the state.

In a Press statement signed and issued to journalists in Akure, the state capital, the group coordinator, Amudipe Marcus said the investment drive of the Akeredolu’s administration has rekindled the hope of the younger generation especially on the economic prosperity of the state.
The group described as unprecedented the recent establishment of five industries in the state which include : the Textile mill, MDF factory, HDF factory, Paper Mill and the Cassava to Ethanol plant.

TCC noted that Governor has displayed high level of preparedness especially from the manner he has embarked on massive infrastructural development which is a crucial condition that attracts investment.

The statement reads " We must give kudos to Governor Akeredolu for his unrelenting efforts at developing Ondo State. What's more heart warming is the fact that crucial assignments that have to do with the development of the state are being undertaken by the Governor himself

" We have never seen this level of passion like the Governor has shown on issues that bother on the progress of the state. He made a trip to China last year, he came back with a basket full of goodies - the Five industries in the Ondo - Linyi Industrial Hub

"For many decades, our fear about the future of the state stem from the fact that our economy has been placed on federal allocation with investors and potentials developers referring to Ondo State as a civil servant state

" We were worried about the sustainability of our hard earned reputation in agriculture. Our glory in Cocoa and oil plan and the wealth nature bequeathed us in the South Senatorial district of the state were fast becoming a fairy tale until Governor Akeredolu came and put his vision for the state in action which has placed the state on the path of accelerated economy properity

"We are pleaded with the Governor and his mission and vision to transform the sunshine state from a mere civil servant based economy to an economy that can sustain the state and drive development in all sectors . "

TCC commended the Governor for his rigorous work in getting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dubai into signing an MoU with the state on the proposed Deep Sea Port and Infrastructure development in the state.

The group said it noted in awe how the Governor further moved to Malaysia to seek the collaboration of the Malaysia Government in the development of Agricbussiness and.value chain in the state.

Source: https://citadelng.com/akeredolu-has-placed-ondo-on-the-path-of-accelerated-economy-prosperity-group/

FIRST CLASS MONARCH JOINS ANCESTORS IN ONDO STATE.

The Olowo of Owo in Ondo state, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi CFR has joined his ancestors.

Oba Olateru-Olagbegi Oba Olagbegi passed away last night at the age of 77.

He was installed as the traditional ruler of the ancient town in 2003 by the late governor Olusegun Agagu.

He was appointed Chancellor of the University of Benin in 2005 and later chancellor University of Abuja.

He is currently chancellor of the University of Jos and former chairman of the Ondo council of Obas.

He was married to Olori Ololade Olateru Olagbegi and the family was blessed with children and grandchildren.

Akoko Monarch hails Akeredolu on relief materials for rainstom vicitims

Barely two weeks after rainstorm destroyed hundreds of buildings in Ikare, Akoko North East and Supare in Akoko South West local governments, the Onisupare of Supare, Oba Adedeji Adejoro, has hailed the timely intervention of the Akeredolu-led government in the state for being responsive to the plights of the people.

It will be recalled that the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi led officials of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to the affected communities last week to assess the level of damage done by the rainstorm and assuring the victims of quick government intervention to cushion the effect of the rainstorm

The state government, through SEMA on Tuesday distributed relief materials to the victims. The items donated includes several boundless of roofing sheets, various sizes of nail and other assesories.

Speaking while receiving the items on behalf of his community, Oba Adedeji Adejoro said it was unprecedented in the history of the state to receive such help from government within a very short notice, adding that the people were not expecting early government's intervention until they began to see the items coming in.

He maintained that the intervention would go a long way to ameliorate the pains of the havoc wrecked on the community by the rainstorm.

Also speaking, another beneficiary at Ikare Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area, Mr. Lucas Omotosho expressed gratitude to government, he added that he can now have more confidence in government promises under the present administration unlike what was obtainable in the past.

In his remarks while handing over the items to beneficiaries, Ajayi said the gesture was in demonstration of government to the welfare of it citizen.

The Deputy Governor noted that though government was still looking at further measures to come to the aid of the people, the immediate donation of the roofing materials became imperative to save the affected houses from further damages during the raining season.

Source: https://citadelng.com/akoko-monarch-hails-akeredolu-on-relief-materials-for-rainstorm-victims/

ONDO TASK FORCE NABS TWO MARKETERS FOR SELLING ABOVE PUMP PRICE:

Two persons have been arrested in idanre local government area of Ondo state by the petroleum monitoring task force for selling petrol above the approved pump price of 145 naira.

Chairman of the state task force, Dr Doyin Odebowale during a monitoring exercise to some filling stations in Akure south and Idanre local government areas warned marketers to stick to the approved pump price or face the wrath of the law.

Over 200,000 litres of fuel were in the underground tanks of the over 10 filling stations visited by the task force in the two council areas.

The task force took time to check the underground tanks of the stations to ensure they were not hoarding the product.

Seven different stations in Akure were visited by the task force who also spent time to supervise the sales of the products.

At idanre, two markets were apprehended when it was discovered that they were selling at 150 naira as well as manipulated their pumps to cheat their unsuspecting customers.

They were however later released and warned to revert to the approved pump price of risk prosecution.

Motorists, commercial motorcyclists and other users of petrol thanked the state government for the intervention and charged the department for petroleum resources DPR to take a cue from this proactive step.

The task force has promised to take the enforcement to the northern and southern district of the state.

Source: https://orangefm.com.ng/ondo-task-force-nabs-two-marketers-for-selling-above-pump-price/

Akeredolu woos Malaysia on Agribusiness Development in Ondo

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has met with the Malaysian government to woo investors into the abundant agricultural, commercial and industrial potentials of the state.

Governor Akeredolu who led the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA) team met with the Minister of Primary Industries of Malaysia, H. E Mdm. Teresa Kok on Ondo State Agribusiness & Value Chain Development. Among the team are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Investment, Mr. Boye Oyewumi and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agric and Agric Bussiness, Pastor Akin Olotu.

The Governor who showcased the agricultural potential of Ondo state, especially the primary Industries : Palm oil, Rubber, Timber, Cocoa, Pepper and Cashew with focus on plantations, partnerships, reviving moribund industries through joint ventures, palm oil refineries and technical cooperation.

The Governor is on a business tour to Malaysia under the window of the Nigerian-Malaysian Trade Corridor themed "ONDO STATE OPEN FOR BUSINESS" which was organized by the Nigerian-Malaysian Business Council NMBC headed by Dr. Michael Oladipo Aderohunmu who is the President of the council.

The Bussiness tour is to encourage Government to Government () and Business to Business (B2B) and other collaborations between Ondo State and Malaysia.

#Aketiatwork.