₦airaland Forum

How can Atiku see this and not be shouting ''rigging'' Upandan.

A man that can pull this crowd in an opposition enclave will NEVER rig.

#PMBinTaraba #NextLevel
We are in JALINGO....
We can't even enter the stadium because it's filled up.
The mammoth crowd will not give way because they want to SEE THEIR HERO.

PLEASE WATCH
�
The Adamawa/Taraba Presidential rally on http://apc.com.ng live

#PMBInJalingo
#PMBinTaraba
#SaiBaba

A Muslim group in the South West, Trust Alliance Foundation for Change, (TAFC), has endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, President Muhammadu Buhari for re-election in the forthcoming general election.

Its Coordinator, Dr. Morufu Afolabi, said, the endorsement of Buhari from its part was hinged on the policy-driven and ethical government that has been entrenched in the country since the coming on board of the President and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

At a news conference on Wednesday in Akure, the Ondo State capital with members from the south-west states, Afolabi berated the statement credited to the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the alleged plan to sell off of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) to his “friends”.

This he noted had revealed that the former Vice President cannot be trusted with governance.

He said “We base our decision to work and vote for the success of Buhari/Osinbajo in the forthcoming presidential election on the level of integrity and achievement in the fight against corruption, infrastructure development.

“We are convinced that the expected Modern Nigeria is achievable if we have the like of Buhari as Governors and Chairmen in all the 36 States and 774 LGAs in the federation.

Afolabi urged Nigerians, particularly the south-west electorate to ensure that President Buhari is re-elected during this month’s presidential polls, adding that the region would benefit more.

He said”Nigerians should look beyond Buhari/Osinbajo winning the 2019 Presidential Election and be more concerned about how to get similar credible candidates who will take over from them after expiration of their term in 2023.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro said “Buhari will win the election hands down as no credible candidate is available to defeat him.

“As regards PVC, we have sensitised the public on the need to obtain their PVCs as it is the only mean to determine who govern them. We have informed the public to shun vote buying as this could be disastrous to the survival of our nationhood.”

Nigerians were yesterday urged to remove the cancer of corruption from Nigeria by renewing the mandate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for another four years.

The counsel was given by APC leaders during the party’s campaign rallies in Ekiti and Ondo states.

At the rallies were President Muhammadu Buhari; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Co-chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, governors, including Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and nonagenarian Second Republic Senator Ayo Fansanmi, among others.

They told Nigerians why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar should not be trusted to steer the country’s affairs.

Tinubu, who took a swipe at Atiku and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, for running the nation’s economy aground when they held the forte, said the country deserved a leader like Buhari, who has used the nation’s resources for the common good in the past three years and seven months.

According to the APC chieftain, former President Obasanjo and former vice president Atiku owe Nigerians an explanation on what happened to the Petroleum Trust Development Funds (PTDF).

The PTDF was managed by the Office of the Vice President during the Obasanjo administration from 1999 – 2007.

Cautioning the electorate against making the mistake of returning the PDP to power on February 16, Tinubu urged Nigerians to reject the PDP and its candidate. He said they had nothing to offer but to auction the nation’s commonwealth.

In a sarcastic manner, he said: “People’s Destruction Party (PDP) has come again from all the nooks and crannies to lie to you. Poverty Development Party (PDP) is here again to tell you lies.

“One who is always busy with contentious business says he is running it. What does he know? What he has propagated is their container economy.

“They want to come back and sell our commonwealth. They promised to create two million jobs for you and nobody has asked them how.

“The questions we should ask are: When they were there with Obasanjo, how many jobs did they create? How many times did Obasanjo say Atiku stole PTDF’s money? The answer he always gave was that his former boss too stole money. Is this the kind of person you want to vote for?” Tinubu asked rhetorically.

He said that the PDP was responsible for fake tariff and estimated billing.

“Their actions to share the electricity company into GenCos and DisCos caused the hike in tariff and estimated billing,” he said, adding: “What is Atiku’s response and PDP’s? He said, ‘what is wrong if I share Nigeria’s resources with my friends?’ Is that what you want them to come back to do?”

On why Nigerians should re-elect Buhari, Tinubu said the President revived the agriculture sector and introduced the Anchored Borrowers’ Scheme, noting that both programmes generated over 5.8 million jobs.

THE Traditional rulers of Agwada, Abubakar Sadiq; and Garaku, Lawrence Ayi, in Kokona Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, have promised to deliver 100 per cent votes to President Muhammadu Buhari and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the state during the forthcoming elections.

They made the promise at their palaces on Tuesday when the senatorial candidate of the APC in Nasarawa West, Abdullahi Adamu, visited them as part of his ongoing campaign for the election.

The traditional rulers warned the electorate against electoral violence.

“We are going to give you 100 per cent of our votes and all other APC candidates in the state in the forthcoming general elections,” they said.

They also urged their subjects not to be deceived by moneybags who they claimed did not love the country.

Adamu, on his part, urged the people to avoid being used by desperate politicians to cause trouble in the state.

Electorates in Imo State have been advised to exercise their civic responsibility of voting during election appropriately in order to usher in a people-oriented government in the state.

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu gave this advice during an emergency meeting held at the Comprehensive Secondary School Emeabiam with party leaders in her area.

Mrs Akeredolu reminded the people that election period is the period to take action against politicians characterized by greed, impunity, bitterness, selfishness and corruption through their votes, and urged them to rise up and speak through their votes.

The Imo-born Ondo First Lady decried the level of marginalization the area has suffered under the successive governments in the state till date and encouraged them to take a bold step in the right direction to end the era of bad roads infrastructure, untapped abundant natural resources, absence of basic primary healthcare delivery, and unemployment in the area.

In a related development, the sunshine state First Lady has called on women and youths to participate fully in the forthcoming elections as they constitute a greater percentage of the populace and are major stakeholders in the society.

Mrs Akeredolu made this call while addressing Emeabiam Women Union in her compound recently.

Mrs Akeredolu urged them to get their PVCs ready for action in the right direction, as it is the way to eliminate bad government, alleviate poverty and end hunger in the society.

Ondo state government is to commence Inland Waterways Travellers’ Safety Insurance Scheme this February on selected jetties across the riverine communities in the Southern Senatorial District.



The safety plan is meant to provide protection and welfare for travellers both within and outside Ondo State via its Inland Waterways and also provide relief for families of boat mishap.

Speaking with The Hope, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr. Tobi Ogunleye affirmed that, 250 live jackets will arrive the area for the use of the travellers.

“We have produced about 250 live jackets for passengers on our waterways, we are waiting for the delivery of the jackets from our insurance company, if we get the jackets today, the programme will commence”, he said.



He noted that the initiative was to protect and secure the lives of the people in the riverine areas of the state.

The decision to commence the implementation of the safety plan this month was arrived at after the meeting of stakeholders with the government, headed by the SSA to the Governor at the Ministry of Transportation.

The underlying benefits in case of a boat mishap, include the sum of N200,000 for dead victims, N100,000 for permanent disability, and about N25,000 for medical expenses.

For travellers to qualify for the above benefits which was described as a ‘Life Policy’ by NEM Insurance PLC, each traveller will pay N50 (within the state) and N100(outside the state).

In addition to their travel fare, their names and particulars must be clearly written on the travel manifests and they must wear a life jacket.

The Safety Plan, which was consented to by the state government earlier in August, 2018 started with an inaugural sensitization meeting of all stakeholders and will be coordinated by the appointed consultancy company, Rich Auto Concepts Limited.

The meeting comprised the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Association of Tourist Boat Operators & Water Transporters of Nigeria, and various unions from the Agadagba-Obon communities; with the representative of the Ondo State Commissioner of Police who was also in attendance.



The state government thereby appealed to well meaning residents of Ilaje, Ese-odo and Irele local government areas and environs to take advantage of the scheme, as it is to avoid incessant loss of lives on our water ways; a trend that has become more or less the norm in water transportation nation-wide.

To this end, various boat operators are to ensure strict compliance with the safety plan, especially in the issuance of life jackets to travellers.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will on Tuesday visit Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Already, Akure streets have been adorned with Buhari’s posters and bill boards from the Airport, Eleyewo running through Oba-Ile dual carriage way to Akure metropolis.

Intermittent radio and television jingles are also on by various groups and individuals to sentisize residents oh Buhari’s visit.

The president is expected to address APC faithful and his admirers at a campaign rally which will hold at the MKO Abiola democracy park in Akure, the state capital.

The visit is in continuation of President Buhari’s campaign for second term in office.

Ondo State Governor, Oluwatotimi Akeredolu is expected to receive Buhari and his entourage in Akure.

During the visit, the President is expected to pay homage to the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladewusi at his palace in Akure and meet with some top members of the APC.

Also expected in the entourage of the President are the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his Oyo and Osun States counterparts, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Gboyega Oyetola respectively.

The former Governor of Osun State, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, Director of Buhari campaign organization in the South West, Chief Olusola Oke, Minister of State for Niger Delta Development, Prof. Cladius Daramola are also expected to join the President.

Expressing satisfaction with the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in the past three years in office, the people of Idanre have thrown their weight behind his re-in the February 16 general polls.

The people made their intention known during Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to the Palace of Owa of Idanre, Oba Frederick Aroloye in continuation of APC’s House-to-House campaign for the re-election of Buhari in Ondo State.

The shout of ‘Next Level’ and other pro-Buhari slogans rented the air by residents of the ancient town who were conspicuously elated by the arrival of the Vice President in company of Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other APC stalwarts.

Speaking with The Hope, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, an indigene of Idanre, expressed happiness over the outstanding achievements of the APC-led government at all levels.

“Our people are prepared, charged and excited because they have a government that has performed, both at the local, state and at the federal level.

“In our local government, we have witnessed unprecedented development in every aspect of our lives. Even when the people saw the VP today, their excitement trippled because they know that wherever Buhari, Osinbajo and APC go, it is development all-through.

“He has come here today to visit our community and our people are excited. We have no doubt that in Idanre Local Government, we are prepared to vote massively for APC”, he said.

Also speaking with The Hope, Chairman of APC in Ondo State who is also from the town, Engr Ade Adetimehin, expressed gratitude over the Vice President’s first visit to the town.

He explained that Idanre was noted to be a progressive town right from the days of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Akindeko among other notable leaders.

“Before the present administration came on board, Idanre has only one road linking it with Akure, but the Akeredolu’s government has added one, in addition to many township roads constructed with asphalt overlay.

“It is indeed, the moment of APC and Akeredolu and the people of Idanre are ever ready to reward Akeredolu’s developmental strides by voting for Buhari’s continuity in office”, he said.

Earlier, the Owa of Idanre, Oba Frederick Aroloye described Prof Osinbajo as a worthy ambassador of the Yoruba race and expressed happiness over his visit, saying the people were eager to have him in their midst.

He appealed for the construction of the Idanre-Ofosun-Benin Federal Road within the ancient town to improve the commercial activities in the area.

The Monarch also requested that a Higher Institution be sited in Idanre Local Government as well as federal appointments given to citizens of the town.

Oba Aroloye, however commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his unrivalled achievements within two years in office especially in the area of infrastructural development across the state including the ongoing Idanre-Akure road construction.

dunsinakin01:
thats good for development

Aketi is at work

The Ondo State Police Command, on Wednesday, arrested a man, Adojoh Ojonugwa, for allegedly stealing his brother wife’s pants in Akure.

The suspect was arrested along with a pastor, Olajide Ogunleye, who was also alleged to be involved in the crime.

Five ladies’ pants were found inside Ojonugwa’s bag, two of which reportedly belonged to his brother’s wife, while his sister owned the others.

The 35-year-old Kogi State indigene was alleged to be planning to use the pants for money-making rituals.

It was gathered that when the brother’s wife discovered that her pants had been stolen by the suspect, she reported the matter at the police station, after which Ojonugwa was arrested.



Parading the suspect at the command’s headquarters in Akure, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, said Ojonugwa, in connivance with Ogunleye, stole the pants in a bid to use them for money rituals.

He said both suspects had confessed to the crime and would soon be charged to court after the completion of police investigation.

Ojonugwa, while speaking to journalists, confessed to the crime, adding that he was instructed by his pastor, Ogunleye, to bring women’s pants to be used to prepare a portion for good fortune and favour.

He said, “When things were difficult for me, I approached the pastor to help me out spiritually and he first gave me something like seeds to swallow and then asked me to go and bring women’s pants as ingredients for money rituals.

“I obeyed the pastor because immediately after I swallowed the thing he gave me, I could no longer disobey him; I could not even ask him what he wanted to do with the female pants that he asked me to bring. All I knew was that I went to my brother’s house and stole his wife’s pants and those of my sister.”

Ogunleye, however, denied the allegation, saying he was set up by Ojonugwa and his brother.

Ogunleye, who claimed to be a pastor at a Celestial Church of Christ in Uso in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, admitted to helping people to solve their problems spiritually but insisted that he never met Ojonugwa.

He stated, “I don’t know him; I never set my eyes on him before now; he and his brother are just lying against me; it was his brother that I know. He wanted to buy a piece of land from me but I refused to sell the land to him, because he wanted to use the land to plant cannabis.

“I was surprised to be arrested by the police for a matter I know nothing about. It was a frame-up by his brother, because I refused to sell the land to him.”

The Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue has sued Conoil Producing Limited for alleged tax evasion before the state high court in Akure, the state’s capital.

The state, in the suit marked Ak/16/2019, alleged that Conoil evaded taxes and rates which included land use charge, business premises, environmental fees and others.

In the court papers made available to our correspondent by the counsel for the state, Mr Adebayo Ogunsuyi, the state claimed that the oil firm was indebted to it to the tune of millions of naira in unremitted taxes and rates.

The state claimed that since it began doing business in Ondo State Conoil had never remitted any tax to the state.

According to the petition, the representatives of government, on several occasions, had met with officials of the company on how to settle the alleged unremitted tax but the latter did not respond.

The petition read, “The respondent has failed, refused and neglected to pay the outstanding tax liabilities despite the assurances made with the petitioner to make the money available.

“The respondent, from the record, has not been paying taxes levies or rate to the Ondo State Government since it commences business in Ondo State.”

The state’s counsel, Ogunsuyi, said, “The Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue has exchanged many correspondences, including demand notices, and had met with Conoil on the tax liabilities but the company did not pay till date. This is why the suit was filed in the court.”

Ondo state government has reiterated its commitment to rebrand the state’s vehicle inspection center with latest technologies for optimal performance.

The Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu on Transportation, Tobi Ogunleye stated this during a visit to the new computerized vehicle inspection centre in Akure, the state capital .

Ogunleye noted that government has begun the establishment of twelve digitalized Motor Inspection Centres in the state for the purpose of ensuring that vehicles plying the road are in good conditions.

He stressed that the centre would help motorists put their vehicles in proper working conditions in accordance with global environmental safety standards, as the computers installed in the facility would analyze and diagnose the state of the vehicles.

On his part, the General Manager of Ondo state computerized vehicle inspection services, Mr. Segun Obayedun who commended the Akeredolu’s administration for moving the facility from analog to a digital one noted that their officers have undergone modern training on how best to handle the equipment .

Others who spoke believed that with this development , the incessant road crashes and environmental pollution occasion by rickety cars would be greatly reduced .

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Wednesday inaugurated the state campaign Council for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The governor inaugurated the campaign Council at the Cocoa conference hall of the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure which was attended by members of the various commitee constituted for the campaign Council.

Akeredolu charged members of the various committees to work assiduously for the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and the party.

He said the party won the state for Buhari in 2015 and must perform better in the coming elections.

He said : “We have a big task. We won for Buhari in 2015 and we must excel this time around. We won when we didn’t have a governor, we won because we believed. I have said it that in Ondo state we believe and we will win

“For us in Ondo State, we are people with indomitable spirit. Be firm in whatever you believe. So, we want to show Buhari that Ondo state is an APC state. ”

The Governor is the Chairman of the Campaign Council while Ife Oyedele is the secretary.

There is tight security in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, as the people of the state, especially the members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, await the arrival of President @MBuhari and his campaign train. #NextLevelEngagements #PMBInEbonyi

ayfay047:
Buhari Lekan si!

we need him ones again

The Co-chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday disputed the democratic credential of former Vice President Atiku Abubkar.

He berated the Waziri Adamawa for what he described as a shallow commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the anti-corruption fight, stressing that his antecedents and current position on the state of the nation lend credence to hypocritical devotion to the cause of liberty and freedom.

Iinubu said the former number two citizen, who worked in tandem with his boss, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to rig elections in five Southwest states, cannot be described as a democrat.

He recalled that, recently, the former vice-president was apologising to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to also rig the 2003 governorship election.

The former Lagos governor chided Atiku for his subjective criticisms of the Buhari administration’s battle against graft, lamenting that he deliberately decided to support those who refused to thread the path of honour and decency.

Tinubu, who reacted to Atiku’s State of the Nation Address, particularly his position on the Justice Walter Onnoghen saga, wondered why the PDP candidate had uncritically confused the suspension of the Chief Justice with removal, thereby confusing members of the public.

He said the PDP flag bearer indulged in disregard for truth, patent misrepresentation, mistatement and self-incrimination, which, instead of exalting him, have made him unfit for the highest office in the land.

Rejecting Atiku’s claim to a life-long defence of democracy, Tinubu said: “his previous life of over seventy years was one of skirting democracy and of blatant impunity in attempting to enshrine reactionary government and installing an unjust political economy.”

Tinubu chided Atiku, who he described to as “my dear and good friend” for a shortfall in historical perception, saying the difficulty he alluded to in his speech about the moment was less significant than the difficulty with his personal memory.

The former governor recalled that Atiku teamed up with Obasanjo to illegally withhold Lagos State’s local government allocations, in utter disregard for court orders.

Tinubu stressed: “When you lorded over Nigeria in tandem with President Obasanjo, there were myriad court orders mandating that your government render to Lagos State the funds due it to improve the lives of its millions of inhabitants.

“Instead, you gladly and without dispute joined Obasanjo in utter disregard for these unambiguous legal verdicts. In so doing, you demeaned the rule of law. You also readily sacrificed the economic development and welfare of millions of innocent people in Lagos just to gain some illicit political advantage that proved to be fleeting and of no avail to you in the end.”

MEMBERS of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, rose from their summit in Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday with an endorsement of the candidature of President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the group’s choice for the February 16 election.

The group, led by Second Republic Senator Ayo Fasanmi, had after its meeting at the House of Chiefs, Agodi State Secretariat in Ibadan on December 20, last year, said it would announce on January 29 its preferred candidate for the presidency.

It endorsed Buhari for the February 16 election.

At the endorsement, which took place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, the group argued that it endorsed Buhari because of his outstanding performance.

At the event were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Fasanmi, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s representative and former Minister of State for Defence Demola Seriki, Lagos Deputy Governor Mrs. Idiat Adebule and her Ogun State counterpart Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga.

The royal fathers were represented by the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adedejuyigbe; Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Abioye Oyebode, Oniye of Iye-Ekiti, Oba Adeleye Oni among others.

House of Representatives member (Atiba/AFIJIO/Oyo East/Oyo West) Akeem Adeyemi; Asimiyu Alarape; Chief Akin Fasae and gubernatorial candidate of the ruling APC in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also attended the event.

Prof Osinbajo, who was the special guest of honour, arrived at the venue at 3.50pm. He was handed a copy of the lecture, titled: “Restructuring for harmonious and optimal socio-economic development: Prospects and challenges”.

The lecture was delivered by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi.

In their goodwill messages, the governors of the six Southwest states – Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) – urged the people of the zone to ensure the re-election President Buhari and Osinbajo next month. They were all represented.

Mrs. Onanuga, who spoke for Amosun, said: “ Ogun State is very important in the history of the Southwest because it has produced personalities like the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Pa Abraham Adesanya and Prof Osinbajo and as a result, the state has contributed to the socio-economic development of the country.”

Prof. Bayo Ademodi, who stood in for Akeredolu, congratulated Afenifere for the summit and hailed the group’s leader for his steadfastness.

He said: “Afenifere truly stands for progressivism. It is imperative we focused on restructuring. And the only party that stands for progressivism is APC. And come February 16, that is the direction we are going.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Ondo state has assured the people of more developmental projects and life – transforming programmes that will facilitate improved welfare if the masses endorsed continuity for the ruling party in the forthcoming elections.

The Senator representing Ondo Central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Tayo Alasoadura gave the assurance at the official flag off of his campaign at Akure city hall.

Party chieftains, loyalists, women groups and residents of Akure and its environs besieged the campaign venue to express their solidarity with the All Progressive Congress Ondo central senatorial district flagbearer and incumbent federal lawmaker, Senator Tayo Alasoadura.

Senator Alasoadura is seeking another four year term to consolidate on his numerous achievements for his constituency.

Offering himself for another selfless services and quality representation, Senator Tayo Alasoadura urged residents of Ondo central senatorial district to continue to be loyal, committed and law abiding saying only a free, fair and credible election could guarantee sustainable development in the country.

Also speaking, Secretary to the state government, Ifedayo Abegunde urged people to vote massively for senator Alasoadura at the polls saying antecedents speak volume of his readiness to serve them better than ever before.

The Speaker, Ondo state house of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun while charging the people to collect and keep their PVCs submitted that ensuring total victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC aspirants is not only the most patriotic choice during the election but also the wisest choice.

On his part, the lawmaker representing Akure North and South federal constituency at the house of Representatives, Afe Olowookere while noting that ongoing anti graft crusade has reduced corruption to the bearest minimum canvassed for the re election of all APC candidates in order to recover more looted funds for infrastructural development

Also, the Chairman, National union of road transport workers in Ondo state, Jacob Adebo called on residents to exercise their franchise and shun any act of violence as the general elections approaches.

Representatives of 16 outstanding environmental organizations from 15 countries have just met in Yazd, Iran for the Energy Globe Award ceremony, accompanied by a conference “Sustainable Town and Cities”.

The international ENERGY GLOBE Award distinguishes the best projects in the five categories; earth, fire, water, air and youth.

Solar4GirlsNaija, a programme of BEMORE Empowered Foundation, founded by Wife of Ondo state governor, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Participated in the Youth Category of the competition and emerged as finalist and received a gold medal.

A BEMORE girl, Tolu Ehinmosan accompanied by Damilola Asaleye of Ashdam solar, BEMORE technical partner in solar technology walked tall.

Reacting to the development, the founder and wife of Ondo state Governor, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu said “the international community has noticed. That’s exciting!”

Solar 4 Girls Naija Summer Programme is a solar summer camp for girls aged 13 to 18.

Its aim is to build confident girls that are going to change the conception of the Nigerian communities about female renewable energy practitioners and bridge the gender gap in this sector.

At the solar camp, girls are involved in team building, entrepreneurial training, energy management training, climate change awareness, understanding green and renewable energy, installation of basic solar electricity, work shop safety, public training and activities for their health.

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi on Tuesday attended the official flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo Central Senatorial Candidate, Chief Tayo Alasoadura at Akure Town Hall in Akure, the State Capital.

Ajayi charged party members to begin door to door campaign for the re-election of Alasoadura, President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party.

He noted that among those contesting the seat, Alasoadura remains the most credible, who, according to him, will use his re-election to attract more developmental projects to the central senatorial district.

The Deputy Governor lashed out at the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) central senatorial Candidate, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who he said left behind liabilities rather than legacies.

Ajayi said the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who is also committed to Alasoadura, had been clearing the mess left behind by Mimiko.

He said “When we came on board, we met seven months unpaid salaries but I am happy to tell you that we have cleared six months.

“Despite the puacity of fund, we have not relent in our efforts in transforming the state. Work is currently ongoing at Oba Osupa road, Gaga, SIB-Alagbaka, Ijoka to Idanre roads among others.

“Not only in Akure that is the Governor is working. Work is also ongoing in Owo, Ikare, Ese-Odo, Idanre, Ore and other councils”.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye has held an interactive meeting with youths in his Oba-ile community.

The session, a continuation of bringing governance to doorstep of the people, was the second in the series following the earlier one held with women in December.

Addressing the youths, APC Ondo Central Senatorial seat candidate, Senator Tayo Alasoadura charged them to work round the clock towards making APC win convincingly on the 16th of February and 2nd of March.

Alasoadura described youths as an integral part of the society, which should not be relegated to the background.

"The young ones are the leaders of tomorrow. They are the most important segment of every society. Any program or activity that excludes them is bound to fail. That is why in APC, we lay emphasis on programs that are beneficial to the youth."

Alasoadura charged them to begin man to man campaign as a way of getting more votes for the APC.

Convener of the parley and State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye urged the youths to intensify door to door campaign.

Mr. Ogunleye maintained that such meeting was necessary.

"When we started the street meeting, it was designed to interact with our members and the community at large. The people are the most supreme.
We cannot afford not to interact with them. By so doing, you inform them of government efforts to better their lot, they will praise, abuse you and share their problems.
Position is temporary. All of us will be remembered for what we did when we had opportunity"

The Commissioner thanked the people for giving APC block vote in the last elections, saying he expected a repeat of such performance in next elections.

"You did us proud in last elections and I am grateful for your efforts.
We must repeat that feat come February and March. Just as victory was attained in 2016 for Governor Akeredolu, again we have to work harder for Senator Alasoadura, Honourable Olowokere and Dr. Faleye to win convincingly. We cannot afford to fail."

The Akure North Interim Council boss, Mr. Bankole Ogbesetore and the party's House of Assembly candidate for the Local Government, Dr. Abiodun Faleye also addressed the youths.

Faleye said in advanced countries, politicians are peoples servants.

"I have come to duplicate what I saw in the US, where I have been living for thirty years. When voted in, I am going to serve the people.
I hate the sight of jobless youths. We intend to do something about it"

The get together was attended by youth wing of APC from Oba ile.
It featured eating, wining and dancing.

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has charged community leaders to preach the gospel of immunization in Churches, mosques and the community at large so as to help government in its efforts towards total eradication of polio.

Akeredolu said the primary healthcare can only be effective when the trio of government, health workers and community members work hand in hand at all times.

The governor commended all those who have been involved in the onerous duty of combating polio virus in the state. He hailed the team led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro for sustaining the tempo on Polio eradication in the state.

Governor Akeredolu spoke at the State Task Force meeting on Polio eradication and Routine Immunization, held at the Cocoa Conference Hall, governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure on Monday.


He said : “As a traditional ruler, how much of the gospel of immunisation do you tell your community members during important community events and other avenues? Are our town criers at village levels still up and doing about community sensitisation? At the level of the 203 wards across the 18 LGAs, are the Ward Development Committee (WDC) members still committed to their communal tasks?

“Do churches and mosques still talk about immunisation during and after service to orientate their congregation and dispel immunisation myths?

The Governor also charged the media to take part in the sensitization roles of polio as their corporate Social responsibility by airing jingles on immunization on radio and television stations.

Is the media ready to give more free slots, as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, for our immunisation jingles to air on radio and television stations?

The governor also called for a sense of patriotism amongst the health workers and the people so as to prevent any incidence of Polio virus and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the State.

He added that the honest attitude of the rebranded primary healthcare workers towards Routine Immunisation services across the 18 LGAs of the State has begun to yield fruits.

He said : “As you all know, the benchmark used in assessing our vaccination effort is the 3rd dose of Pentavalent vaccine (Penta-3) and the records have it that State’s real Penta-3 coverage for January-December 2018 is 79%.

This is the true picture of our recent records and renewed attitude. ”

Governor Akeredolu said his administration will continue to improve the working condition of health workers to boost their morale towards delivery of immunization and other services.

He said ” As a responsible and responsive government that has recently employed hundreds of health workers for the secondary facilities managed by the State Hospitals’ Management Board (HMB) despite lean resources, we shall continue to improve the working condition of our health workers to boost their morale towards delivery of immunisation and other services. ”

All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday raised the alarm over cult clashes which have resulted in the death of some people in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

At least five persons have lost their lives in Ondo West Local Government in the last few days following clashes between Eiye and Aye confraternities in the community.

These killings, the chairmen of APC in Ondo West and East, Messrs Pelumi Bernard Aro and Frederick Otemuyiwa, said were politically-motivated.
Addressing a press conference at the party secretariat, Aro said the killings might scare voters away from polling stations during the general elections.

ro, who was flanked by party leaders in the constituency, asked the law enforcement agencies to prevent further loss of lives in Ondo.

He said: “We are worried by the spate of killings around the kingdom by groups suspected to be cultists; an incident that has become worrisome to the peaceful coexistence of the good people of Ondo City.

“It is important to bring to the notice of the public as well as the security agents that not less than three young men had been brought down by the guns of these killer cultist gangs.

“The last occurrence was in broad daylight on the 20th of January 2019, about 5.30p.m. at Akure motor park area, very close to the residence of a popular candidate of one of the political parties in the kingdom, who had his campaign flag-off on the same day.

The young man was shot dead and the killers were seen shooting sporadically into the air to scare the people around the vicinity for them to escape from being apprehended.

These killer gangs were seen coming down from a vehicle suspected to be coming from the campaign flag-off of their party on sporting the victim who is seemingly believed to be their target.

The character of these killings in recent times can be likened to be politically motivated, apparently to show supremacy and control over unprotected citizens of Ondo City towards the forthcoming elections

“It is imperative as responsible community leader and party chieftains to alert the public to this unwholesome development and dastard act with the view to charge the security agents to rise up and stem the tide of security breach in the community.

“We hereby call on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, the Area Commander, Ondo Area Command, the DPOs, within the command, to act swiftly as a matter of urgency to curb the nefarious activities of these killer cultist gangs before the due date of the elections for the good people of Ondo kingdom to be able to exercise their right to franchise.”

AdewunmiF:
Great. This would help curb misappropriation of funds

good one

The Federal Government has welcomed the statements from the United States and the United Kingdom demanding credible and peaceful election in Nigeria and threatening punitive measures against election riggers and perpetrators of electoral violence.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Friday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Federal Government is particular delighted that the statements came after it alerted the nation to the machinations of some opposition elements who are working to scuttle the 2019 polls through widespread violence.

”A few days ago, we alerted the nation to the plot by the opposition to orchestrate widespread violence in the country, using insurgents and criminal elements within and outside the country. Their plan is to scuttle the election and then push for an interim government, having realized they can’t win a free, fair, credible and peaceful elections.

”The fact that those statements came after we issued our red alert, which is based on credible intelligence, shows that the international community is closely monitoring events ahead of the election. We urge them to keep a close tab on the desperate opposition, whose language, actions and undisguised threats are antithetical to the conduct of peaceful polls,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said Nigerians and the international community should take seriously the assurance of a credible and violence-free election that has been consistently given by President Muhammadu Buhari, a tried-and-tested democrat and a globally-acclaimed man of integrity.

He said the APC-led Administration is very confident of victory in the forthcoming elections, adding that a party that was not so desperate as to rig election while in opposition had no business rigging election or perpetrating violence now that it is in power and is enjoying massive support from the citizenry.

The Minister called on the international community to keep a close eye on those who are spending more time on a dubious strategy of scuttling the polls than campaigning to win in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful election.

”As their campaign flounders and their strategies collapse, they have resorted to seeking power by subterfuge. That’s why they are doing everything possible to discredit an election that has yet to be held by unleashing their attack dogs on INEC, the police and the entire
electoral process.

”On our part, we have confidence in the electoral process and the institutions saddled with organizing and securing the election. That’s why we have been busy campaigning vigorously across the country, attracting unprecedented, organic crowds everywhere we go.

”The party that has a history of rigging polls is well known to Nigerians. The party that has a history of using security forces to unleash violence in order to steal the people’s votes is well known to Nigerians. The party that organized an election that was later described as flawed by its own ‘winning’ presidential candidate is well known to Nigerians. That party is not the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

Ondo City in Ondo West local government area of Ondo State was locked down on Thursday as governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, stormed the ancient city to meet with the leaders and members of the National Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) to canvass their support ahead of the next month elections.

The governor who was received by a massive crowd into the City, took time to campaign for the President Muhammadu Buhari /Yemi Osinbajo's re-election.

The governor said that the country would have collapsed but for the sincerity and hard work of President Muhammadu who has fast tracked the development of the country.

Akeredolu urged the massive crowd to vote for Senator Tayo Alasoadura for the Ondo Central Senatorial district. He said the people must be weary of a man who left the state with a huge debt and seven months salary arrears.

Akeredolu warned the people not to vote for people whose political party is unknown. He said their desperate movement from the PDP to another party where they were sent out before they settled for a totally unknown political party shows they are not out to serve the people.

The Governor said Alasoadura has delivered well for the people of his senatorial district and deserve a second time at the national assembly.

Akeredolu asked the people of the town to send Jibayo Adeyeye to the House of Representatives. He described Jibayo as trust worthy and assured of his ability to deliver for his people.

The governor said for the state to move at accelerated pace, the three candidates for the house of Assembly in Ondo West and East must be voted in the coming election.

Earlier, the Ondo State chairman of NATA, Comrade Sobande Babatunde Oyeneye declared the association's support for all candidates of the APC for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Ondo Central Senatorial seat.

"The association hereby gives Mr. Governor a promise to deliver Ondo West and East to the APC candidates come February 16th, also our support for the present administration shall never dimished" Oyeneye said.

According to the Chairman, NATA is made up of Auto-rewire, Battery Chargers, Motorcycle Mechanics, Vulcanizers, Welders, Panel beaters, Spray Painters, Alignment, Plant and generator Mechanics, Auto Body builders, motor mechanics and others.

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) leaders yesterday took their message of hope and better future for the country to Sokoto State. They were led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

It was at the party’s presidential campaign rally at the Giginya Township Stadium in Sokoto, the state capital.

At the rally were APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s Presidential Campaign Council Co-Chairman Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a leader of the party in the state, Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

They were received by a mammoth crowd of supporters who thronged the stadium.

President Buhari renewed his promise to strengthen the economy, fight corruption and guarantee security.

The President, who arrived at the stadium amidst cheers, promised to re-engineer the machinery of governance to make life more comfortable for all, especially, by boosting agriculture.

According to him, farmers now enjoy better yield through the government responsive patronage and investments in agriculture programmes.

“It has afforded a number of them the legitimate means of responding to their financial needs and sustained food security,” the President said.

He explained that insecurity, particularly in Borno and Yobe states, and the entire Northeast, was being tackled with appreciable successes.

“We are doing our best and Borno people can testify to that,” Buhari added.

Acknowledging the efforts of Senator Aliyu Wamakko in uniting the party in the state, the President pointed out that his administration was doing everything possible in fighting corruption, adding that “we are not relenting and any one established to be guilty will face appropriate penalty”.

Tinubu told the audience about President Buhari’s and the APC’s determination to make Nigeria a better place for all.

According to the former Lagos State governor, Buhari has always been the best and trusted candidate to steer the ship of governance at the centre.

Ondo state house of Assembly has assured the good people of Ondo state of proper scrutiny of estimates and values being defended by ministries and MDAS for sustainable development to strive in the state.

The chairman, Finance and Appropriation, Mr Sunday Olajide made the remark at the budget defence of various Ministries , Departments and Agencies MDAS in Ondo state at the Assembly complex in Akure.

Olajide urged agencies and parastatals involved to be judicious with their funds for the benefit of all and sundry.
During the day two of the budget defence, the state head of service Mr. Toyin Akinkuotu assured of government commitment to the welfare, regular payment of salaries and arrears of civil servants in the state.

Also speaking , The Commissioner for Natural resources who chose to speak through his permanent secretary, Alhaji Gbenga Fabunmi stated that once the 2019 budget is passed into law, it would create more enabling environment for investors to thrive in the state

The senior special Assistant to Governor Akeredolu on Agric development, Mr Akin Olotu assured of government ‘s resolve to empower youths through youths on the ridges programme an initiative of the present administration targetted at reducing the rate of unemployment in the state.

As for the Special Adviser to the Governor on public utilities, Tunji light Ariyomo noted the agency already accessed 5 million dollars for the actualization of urban water project which would greatly serve the people of Ondo state.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Wednesday dismissed the Appeal filed by elected 18 Local Government Chairmen in Ondo State.

The appeal was heard by a three-man panel of Justices of the Appeal Court, Akure, including Justices M. A Danjuma, R M. Abdullahi and P. A. Mahmoud as members.

Justice Danjuma in his lead judgment upheld the part of the preliminary objection to the jurisdiction of Court of Appeal filed by Charles Titiloye who is the counsel appearing for the 6th to 8th Respondents which are the Attorney General of Ondo State and Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, (ODIEC).

Titiloye had argued that the former local Government chairmen and councillors lacked the locus standi to appear at the Court of Appeal on the issue of counsel representation before the trial Court in respect of another political party-the Peoples Redemption Party(PRP) which is different from the party that sponsored the appellants for the local government election.

The dissolved PDP local government council chiefs had appeal the dissolution of local Govt council by Ondo state High Court as interested party on the ground that the counsel who filed the action on behalf of PRP at the lower Court did not receive the blessings of the PRP at the national level.

It would be recalled that the Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure dissolved the 18 Local Government Council of Ondo State in 2017 based on a suit filed by PRP that the party was unlawfully excluded from participating in the local government election in the State.

The Court of appeal held that parts of the grounds contained in the Notice of Appeal of the dissolved local government boss was incompetent and struck them out along with issues formulated by the lead appellants Counsel, Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN)relating to counsel representation for PRP.

It ruled that the election that brought the PDP local Government bosses and councillors into office was an act of illegality and no enforceable right can be based on the said election.

According to the court, the election was conducted in flagrant disregard of the Federal High Court orders that PRP was a registered political party entitled to nominate candidates for the said election.

The Appeal Court further pointed out that the case before the lower Court was a pre- election matter and the amendment of reliefs granted by the trial Court to include consequential reliefs which allowed it to dissolve the local government Council and invalidate the election conducted in contravention of orders of Court and pending case in Court was in order and valid.

It rejected the contention of Adedipe that the trial Court lacked jurisdiction to have entertained the case in view of the fact that it is not an election petition tribunal recognised by the constitution.

In resolving the issue in favour of Respondent’s Counsel, Titiloye, the Court noted that the cause of action in the case involved sponsorship and nomination of candidates for election,

Establishment and Management of Cattle Fattening and Ranch at AUGA Agric Business Centre in partnership with Peace Aid Project Ltd.

The effort of Rotimi Akeredolu on industrialization cannot be over-emphasized as he Constructed a smooth 4 Lane Dual carriage way from Araromi to Akure (GREENFIELD) in partnership with CRCC Construction Company

Free Trade Zone: Ondo State to build Mega City Netherlands Firm

Maritime Business Transport Business Solution Limited (MBTS) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government in order to develop deep-sea port and industrial Mega City in the state. This project will open up the riverine area of the state for international businesses.

The industrial mega city will have import, export and coaster shipments facilities that will promote the industrialization of the state.
By so doing, Governor Akeredolu has opened the Southern Part of the state for business and employment opportunities

CEO of Peace Aid Project (PAP), Benson Emakpor said the state government has established collaboration with PAP in order to produce healthy cattle and disease free beef in the state, saying a minimum of 500 youth and women would be trained and empowered in Cattle Fattening at the Auga Cattle Ranch.

Renovation/completion of uncompleted unit of the 106 Housing units and the full development of the entire Sunshine Estate Housing project on 32.56 hectares of land along Oda road, Akure in partnership with INTEGRATED ASSOCIATE LIMITActive drive on establishment of deep sea port (Port of Ondo) with near completion of the geotechnical and hydrographic surveys as well as the feasibility studies and Conceptual Master plan Design on the Port. #AketiAtWorkED

All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said former President Olusegun Obasanjo has no moral right to accuse anybody of rigging.

Obasanjo accused President Muhammadu Buhari of planning to rig the February 16 election.

Tinubu, in a statement yesterday, said: “By hook, crook or utter fantasy, Obasanjo seeks to return to Aso Villa, not as an irritating, importuning guest but as a long-term resident. He wants to be back in control. If he cannot be president, then the president better carve from his office a special room for Obasanjo.

“Obasanjo thinks he is more than the greatest Nigerian. He thinks himself greater than Nigeria itself. Unless he is allowed to lead the procession, he will groan, grouse and grit. However, neither President Buhari nor the progressive APC have much use for his reactionary policies and his megalomaniac ways.

“Thus, we shall be forced to endure more of his letters. But enduring such missives is vastly superior and small price to pay for not having to endure a repeat of his unenlightened misgovernance.”

To Tinubu, the former leader is at war against his deeds and the least qualified to complain about rigging.

According to him, Obasanjo is unrivalled in the history of election manipulation; a record he said was confirmed by the former president, the late Umaru Yar’Adua, who succeeded him in 2007.

Obasanjo had in a 16-page statement on Sunday alleged that Buhari was manipulating the electoral process to perpetrate himself in office like the late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha.

Tinubu, who is the Co-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, said the former president was projecting on to the APC the misconduct he would have perpetrated if still in power.

“Yet, the ways of Obasanjo are not those of the APC. And this difference has meant the better for Nigeria,” Tinubu said yesterday in his strongly-worded response in which he described the former president as an election rigger without peer.

He said: “There is no election which occurred under Obasanjo’s watch or in which he participated that did not involve cheating on his part. Even, the late President Umaru Musa Yar‘Adua admitted he was the beneficiary of a flawed election engineered by none other than today’s vociferous complainant.”

The riposte, personally signed by the former Lagos State governor, has its title as: “Chief Obasanjo – At war against his own deeds”.

Tinubu’s statement reads: “Former President Obasanjo is many things to many people; but he is all things unto himself. His recent contribution to our political discourse wherein he alleges plots to steer the coming elections shows he benefits from an exceedingly faulty memory, is purely shameless or has a most wicked sense of humor. Perhaps all three are facets of his makeup and were equally on display in his latest prosaic display.

Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Boards in Ondo state yesterday began the year 2019 budget defence before the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.



The document was thereafter was committed to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation having passed through first and second reading on the floor of the House.



Although the House was still on recess, but members of the committee broke their recess to entertain the budget proposal and ensure its speedy passage into law.



Declaring the public sitting open, the Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun, warned heads of MDAs against making frivolous requests, saying that such shall not be entertained in the current exercise.



Oleyelogun observed that the 2019 budget was targeted at completion of numerous ongoing programmes and projects embarked on by the present governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led administration.



Oleyelogun also commended Akeredolu for approving a special training programme on MTEF for key officers of the Assembly, noting that the knowledge and experiences gained would go a long way in assisting the hallowed chambers in scrutinising the appropriation bill under consideration in the best interest of the people of the state.



Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Sunday Olajide, lauded the governor Akeredolu for forwarding some bills bordering on Public Finance Management as well as regulating the operations of government to the House of Assembly, as a way of ensuring a very realistic and workable fiscal instrument.



He implored all major actors in the implementation of the financial instrument to continually strive hard to ensure the sustenance of all government’s policies and also improve on them in order to further engender accountability, prudence and transparency.