₦airaland Forum

A meeting of the Council of State has opened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who, only on Sunday, heavily criticised the Buhari administration’s policies and alleged plans to rig the February polls, is attending the closed-door meeting.



It was Obasanjo who said the Christian prayers before the meeting went into closed-doors. A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, said the Muslim prayers.

Aside from Obasanjo, other former leaders at the meeting were former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Yakubu Gowon were absent as of 11am.

The Council of State comprises the President, Vice-President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, former presidents and heads of State, Chief Justices of Nigeria, State Governors, among others.

Among the governors who had arrived were those of Osun, Kebbi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Niger, Borno, Ogun, Ekiti and Kogi states.

The key issues on the agenda are said to be the National Minimum Wage and the February general elections.

More details coming..

A national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Sunday asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop interfering in the affairs of the ruling party.

He spoke in Abuja at the venue of the national convention of the party.

Mr Tinubu, who described Mr Obasanjo’s interference as “busy body”, argued that the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in three years could not be compared to those of the administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which ruled the country for unbroken 16 years.

Mr Obasanjo was president between 1999 and 2007 on the platform of the PDP.

The former president had earlier in the year written an open letter to Mr Buhari asking him not to run for a second term because he had performed poorly.

However, the president ignored the advice as he announced at the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja that he would seek reelection next year.

Mr Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said Mr Obasanjo did not have the right to tell the president not to run again.

“Thank God he (Obasanjo) is not a part of our party; this busy body. Unfortunately he has torn the card of his previous party so he has no home,” he said.

He thanked Mr Buhari for his decision to run again, saying “run, contest, you must.”

He also appreciated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for being “a great fountain of knowledge” and for not undermining his (vice president) leaders.


On the convention, Mr Tinubu expressed joy that it was successfully conducted, stating “today through convention we have changed the leadership of our party, not at gun point.”

Congratulating the newly elected national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor said his (Oshiomhole) emergence was a true reflection of the saying that “no matter how short a man is you will see the sky.”

He admonished the new NWC members to work hard for the party because its members had put their trust in them and would not afford to fail.

He said, “In trust we put you; that trust you cannot abuse. We will be with you, support you and the day we need to fight you, we will fight.”

Mr Tinubu said despite predictions that the APC would implode during the convention, it remained intact.

“The ‘pigs’ and their fortune tellers predicted the party will fall apart but I thank the (national convention) committee for making the convention a success,” he said.
[9:47 AM, 1/22/2019] +234 806 087 7920: ‘Buhari has already won February election’ The All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in the 2017 election in Anambra State, Dr Tony Nwoye, on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari had already won the February 16 presidential election.

He said Nigerians were only waiting for official result confirming the victory.



Nwoye, who is the Chairman, Youth Mobilisation and Strategy of the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Council, said the President had done well for the country.

He cited the ongoing war against corruption as one of the President’s achievements.

He spoke while Anambra youths from three political parties -the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Peoples Democratic Party and APC- who said they had decided to unite for Buhari.

Nwoye said Buhari would win the election comfortably in Anambra and other states in the South-East.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has reiterated his administration’s commitment to fulfilling the election promises made to the people of the state through the delivery of life-changing projects.

The Governor made this known during his inspection tour of some projects embarked upon by his administration in Akure South and Idanre Local Government Areas of the state at the weekend.

Akeredolu, while emphasizing that the projects are not in any way a privilege, but a fundamental right of the masses, said it was the responsibility of government to provide its people with basic needs that would impact positively on their lives.

Among the projects inspected by Arakunrin Akeredolu was the ongoing road dualization from ‘A’ Division to NEPA round-about and the dualisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) road to Bishop’s Court road in Alagbaka, Akure, where the level of work has reached advanced stages.

The dualization of the ever-busy roads was initiated by the present administration on assumption of office to ease traffic congestion along its corridors, especially during peak periods.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr Raimi Aminu, while conducting the Governor round some of the ongoing road projects in the state capital, explained that the roads would soon be opened-up for use upon completion next month.

He said the entire dualization stretching about 8.132 kilometers from ‘A’ Division would terminate at Ijoka. Whereas the first segment of the 500metres nearing completion has some unique features like Special Parking Lot in front of the Headquarters of Ondo State Judiciary, Akure and a drainage before walkway system designed for safety precautions.

Aminu explained further that the second segment from NEPA roundabout that would terminate at Alafiatayo Junction/ Oluwatuyi Roundabout would begin shortly, as demolition of obstructing structures have commenced.

Speaking to newsmen on the level of work done so far, Project Coordinator from FCC Construction Company handling the CBN road dualisation in Alagbaka, Engr Seriki Adamu said the 565 metres road would be completed and delivered next month.

Residents of the areas, who could not hide their feelings, commended the Governor for coming up with the initiatives that would go a long way in addressing the challenges of both human and vehicular movements when completed.

Some residents who expressed their views with The Hope included; Mrs Justina Onu and Mama Apeke Idowu. They thanked the Governor for his efforts, especially the ‘A’ Division road dualisation project and appealed to contractors to quickly complete the project before the rainy season.

At Oke-Ogba in Akure South Local Government Area of the state, residents of the community trooped out in their large numbers, praising Arakunrin Akeredolu for fulfilling his electoral promises, especially in the area of construction of access roads.

Chairman of the community, Pastor David Oyewole appreciated the Governor for deeming it fit, despite the lean purse of government to construct the road which has been one of their perennial problems.

Oyewole expressed happiness that the intervention had enabled car owners to access their homes with their vehicles which according to him, has never been possible before now.

A cross section of residents of the community who spoke with The Hope, expressed happiness that the road, when completed, will boost their socio-economic activities.



Governor Akeredolu, While responding, assured the people that all link-roads and arteries totaling 5.8 Kilometres in the area would be made motorable upon completion of the project.

Managing Director of Dortmund Construction Company handling the project, Mr. Pius Ayodele who explained that the project appeared slow paced due to the rocky nature of the terrain assured the people that the job will be completed by next month.

The story was not different in Idanre, as the people, on sighting the convoy of Governor Akeredolu, trooped out to express their appreciation on the construction of the 15.4Kilometres virgin road linking Idanre with Akure through Ijoka road.

All Progressives Congress (APC) US chapter has berated the visit by former Vice-President and People’s Democratic Party‘s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar to the United States.

The party said his visit does not out-rule the alleged corruption cases against him and he should still be held accountable.

Atiku, yesterday arrived the US after 13 years, and for the first time since he left office as Nigeria’s vice-president.

Through a statement, issued by Adeshegun Labinjo, chairman, US chapter of APC, the party said even though it does not object to Atiku’s entry into the US, “the questionable character of the individual does not evaporate because he has stepped on the soil of America”.

“A thief remains a thief no matter where he or she visits. Obviously, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has every reason to have kept off the USA given the cloak of corruption he is wearing,” the statement read.

“After a long spell of noticeable absence and factual concerns about Alhaji Abubakur Atiku’s antecedents in the USA arising from his dealings with former Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana, who was convicted and served a jail term on account of bribery resulting from a telecommunication transaction in Nigeria, Atiku is now here again in the US.

“Congressional records point to the fact that Atiku engaged in money laundering through his wife who was then resident in the USA.

“We see Atiku, who is the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of Nigeria, as a self-centered corrupt Vice President under President Obasanjo’s regime.


“Certainly, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku‘s entry and presence in the USA is a mockery of President Bush Presidential Proclamation 7750 which affirms the denial of US visa to foreign officials involved with corruption and other supporting legislations by the congress. APC-USA believes that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku should be held accountable for his involvement money laundering.”

Insecurity: We’ll deepen efforts to secure Ondo – Akeredolu

Ondo State government has vowed to deepen efforts at ensuring those saddled with the responsibilities to secure the country possess the requisite capacity to perform.

The state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who stated this in Akure yesterday said the government is working assiduously to reposition the security framework of the state.

The governor during the state’s first security summit titled: “Improving the Security Architecture of Ondo State for Sustainable Peace”, said professionals of unmistakable imprints of experience who were resource persons at the summit will contribute significantly to the security of lives and property in the state and scale up the state index on the ease of doing business.

He noted that insecurity has been a major challenge globally, describing the provision of adequate security as capital intensive and called for the need to involve all well-meaning individuals to ensure a crime-free environment.

The Governor said total reliance on government to achieve the lofty objective may not be enough to completely address the menace.

He said the present administration is embarking on ambitious programme of massive infrastructural development to create an enabling environment that will transform the state to an industrial hub.

Akeredolu expressed the belief that the outcome of the summit will contribute significantly to the security of lives and property as well as scale up the index on the ease of Doing Business in the state.

While describing insecurity as a major global challenge, Akeredolu said there was hardly any continent without its own peculiar socio-economic issues.

He explained that the African continent grapples with serious challenges of existence which have had debilitating impact on their development.

Poverty, occasioned by incessant warfare, inclement climatic conditions, unproductive economies in a competitive and unfriendly ambience and above all, visionless leadership, make the geo-political space occupy an unenviable position in global affairs.

According to the governor, the understanding of the current issue of insecurity as a global challenge will assist us to adopt the right measures to combat the menace appropriately.

He explained that the summit could not have come at a better time as the issue of security was becoming more complex, complicated and compounded by the very circumstances which define us as a country and our relentless quest for peace and progress.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, Mr Jones Ogunmusire said the summit was designed to make the state safe for its inhabitants, investors and also make it a safe-haven for capital inflow.

Ogunmusire who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Administration and Policy Planning, mentioned the summit objectives to include; appraising the current security architecture in the state and project the future of the state.

He said it was also aimed to design on appropriate funding arrangements and to produce suitable policy document on the sustainable development of the State.

He stated further that views and recommendations expressed at the Summit and Memoranda already received from the public would be harnessed, processed and developed into a draft Security Policy Document that will be presented to Government for consideration of the Security Council, adding that those that would require legislation would be sent to the State House of Assembly.

Delivering a lecture on the theme, a Professor of Criminology and member, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Femi Odekunle, suggested among others, the establishment of an advisory social-science based’ State Crime Prevention and Control’ body for a crime-free environment.

He explained that the body would be for articulation and coordination of the objectives of crime prevention/control instrumentalities in the state as well as for crime/criminal justice administration data collation/analysis and production for regular inputs into the state’s development and security planning.

Odekunle also suggested the execution, to start with, of an ‘Area Crime Prevention /Control strategy’, based on a state-wide victim survey, to reduce criminal victimization of citizens in the state.

Ondo State has joined other states in the federation to commence the process of compiling the state’s Gross Domestic Product GDP.



This was disclosed at a training programme for data collectors and data managers drawn from the Ondo State Bureau of Statistics and the state office of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The three-day training is anchored by the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).



Speaking at the training held at Alagbaka, in Akure Ondo State, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan, represented by the State Statistician- General, Mr Dayo Aregbesola x-rayed the importance of the State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as it will provide a measure of the value of economic activities in the state, while also providing an insight into the contributions of the different sectors of the state economy.

The GDP is also expected to provide the direction of the State Economic Growth at a particular time as well as a measure of comparability among states and the contribution of the state to the national economy.

He further charged the participants to be committed to doing a thorough job during the field work .

The resource persons, Mrs Narebor Oyateide and Mrs Ethel Greg-Egede, pleaded with the participants to pay attention and give the best of cooperation during the exercise, even as they charged the state Government to give all the needed support to make the compilation of the SGDP a huge success.

Oyateide stressed further that the SGDP training which kicked-off last year is a collaboration between the Governors Forum, the National Bureau of Statistics and the Federal Government while Ondo State falls into the second batch comprising, eleven states to be trained on the methodology of the SGDP.

NBS State Officer, Mr Gbenga Olowoyeye stressed the importance of the State GDP compilation and urged Ondo State to key into it to enhance its efficient planning processes

UNTIL few months ago, Ondo State had been unfortunate to be haunted by a specter of dilapidated, weather beaten and ragged public primary and secondary schools which dot the length and breath of the state.


MANY of them were relics of the Mungo Park era with jagged roof tops, broken walls and scruffy environment.



INSTANCES abound where some of the schools had become an abode for drug peddlers, gamblers and sundry criminals to peddle their wares.

LIKE a Sherrif in town, the Akeredolu administration is gradually rewriting the trajectory of public institutions which were once rejected by anxious parents whose confidence is now gradually being restored to patronise public schools.

IT is heart warming that within 18 months in the saddle, this administration has injected a whopping N7 billion to breathe a new life into public schools through award of contracts and provision of facilities.

ALREADY, plans are afoot to award more contracts as advertisements have been placed in newspapers asking contractors to apply. The huge money being expended by this administration on the renovation of public schools, is a vote of confidence which Governor Akeredolu himself, a product of public institution has deployed in making public primary and secondary schools centers of excellence in the state.



NO fewer than 523 primary schools scattered across the three senatorial districts of the state had been renovated. This represents about 51 percent of the total schools in Ondo State.

SPEAKING on the renovation of secondary schools, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan disclosed that over N7billion had been expended on the project adding that the present administration is committed to the development of education.

HE said the governor granted the access to a substantial part of the money covering the renovation of secondary schools in the state.

NEEDLESS to say, where our children get their education has an effect on their lives, and this is very crucial to give them the best start in life, not only in terms of mental health but also academic improvement.

THE HOPE believes this is the right time to renovate our secondary schools, as a way out of the current infrastructural rot affecting the sector.

ADVANCED countries have established parameters towards academic improvement, and Ondo State needs to follow the trend . We cannot shy away from the need to give secondary school students the very best that the state is capable of giving.

OUR belief is that unless schools are renovated, it will be difficult to enhance students’ academic performance, as there is a clear evidence that well-designed primary and secondary schools boost children’s academic performance in reading, writing and performance

ANOTHER philosophy behind the renovation of schools is that improved infrastructure will of course influence parental perceptions and satisfaction, making them want to invest in the education of their children.

THOUGH some may complain that schools seem to be renovated year-in-year-out by different administrations, it is also becoming clearer by the day that the advantages overwhelm the money spent on the projects.

FOR example, schools’ renovation has been found to increase collaboration between students, and it is said by experts to revolutionalise how schools operate towards improving the lives of everyone who works and studies in them.

ONCE again, we commend the Ondo State Government for setting aside funds for the renovation of secondary schools in the state. There seems to be a problem with accessing the funds for secondary schools’ renovation before the governor graciously granted the budgetary provision. Something needs to be done so as to ensure that the situation does not arise in the future.

WE recommend that government pays its matching funds for secondary schools’ renovation promptly in the future.

ADVANCED countries have realised that education is not just about buildings. They have put on their thinking caps and came up with the idea of stocking their schools with computers connected to the internet. That is why their schools are exciting. There is no reason why Ondo State should not follow suit.

ONCE again, we commend the Ondo State Government for its commitment towards the renovation of schools in the state, as it is a measure to ensure that the State retains its position as one of the foremost states as far as education is concerned.

In his avowed commitment to ensuring the security of live and property in the State, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, donated patrol vans to the Ondo State Police Command to enhance effective policing in the State.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju received the vehicles on Friday, 9th November, 2018, at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure.
During the Patrol Vans presentation to the Commissioner of Police, Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN restated his commitment to the safety of the citizenry, as he also warned all criminally-minded people that every part of the state is no longer safe for them to operate.
Governor Akeredolu pledged to continue to support the security agencies within the available resources in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, adding that his administration was aware that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere devoid of peace.
#OndoSecuritySummit.

It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here at the grand finale of the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration in Ondo State. As you may be aware, this event gives us the opportunity to remember our fallen heroes through parades, laying of wreaths and paying special attention to the welfare of their immediate families and dependants. This ceremony takes place today all over the country at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.

It also affords us the medium to express appreciation to officers and men of the Armed Forces, serving, retired and those who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of their fatherland. I want to seize this opportunity to thank the security agencies for their efforts in providing security in the State. Recently, Operation Egwu Eke III was launched in the State to address our security challenges. This was not unconnected with the

incessant cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and ritual killings in parts of the State. I want to thank the Brigade Commander and his officers and men for their gallantry. We have started to see the effect of this

exercise as all these crime prone areas have been quiet of late. The State Government is also holding meetings with all the relevant stakeholders in the State, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and our traditional institutions. Also, as part of efforts to completely stem the tide, in the next few weeks, we shall be providing additional new operational vehicles for our security agencies for adequate, effective and efficient patrol of the State. The State Government is also organising a Security Summit later in the week. We are looking at the security architecture of the State holistically and trying to look at the challenges and proffering suitable solutions. I want to assure you of the readiness of the State Government to implement workable solutions generated at the end of the summit.

Ladies and gentlemen, during the 2018 celebration, I did promise that the Cenotaph would be given a facelift. The promise came on the heels of the request by the Chairman, Nigerian Legion in the State. It is obvious that

the Cenotaph that was constructed in 1994 had suffered serious neglect for many years. This was the situation when the demand for the upgrade/facelift was made, which led to what we are all seeing today. Though the work started late, it is, however, gratifying to see the effort we are making in renovating the Cenotaph. In a similar vein, I want to enjoin the Chairmen of Caretaker Committees in the Local Government Councils to consider having befitting Cenotaphs in their respective Local Government Area Headquarters in the State. The spirits of our departed heroes lying symbolically within the Cenotaph, deserve our recognition and appreciation at all times.

This year’s celebration will also witness provision of financial assistance to widows of officers and men of the armed forces felled by Boko Haram bullets and bombs. It will also witness the distribution of micro-credit loan to qualified widows in the Barracks. No amount of money can replace lost lives. However, this token is to cushion the impact of immediate problems engendered by the unfortunate losses.

Ladies and gentlemen, the government cannot do it alone. We encourage individual and corporate organisations to assist in bringing smiles to the

faces of this category of persons who had become vulnerable because of the loss of their breadwinners. Let me thank the Brigade Commander, the Naval Commander, the Commissioner of Police and Heads of other security agencies in the State, members of the State Planning Committee and others who had contributed to the success of these events.

Last but not the least, let me acknowledge the beautiful parade. It was well conducted. To this, I congratulate the officers and men on parade for a successful outing.

Thank you all for coming and God bless.

Beneficiaries of the Federal Government Social Intervention Program in Ondo state on Monday trooped out enmass to show their support for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

The beneficiaries marched from the Governor's office, Alagbaka, Akure to the Adegbemile Cultural Centre where they were addressed by the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

One by one, the beneficiaries took turn to give testimonies of the success they have recorded through the Social Intervention Program of the Buhari's administration.

In their hundreds, the beneficiaries which are drawn out of various groups chanted songs to reaffirm their commitment to the re-election of President Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who flagged off the door - to - door campaign, said its time for the people to reciprocate the gesture of the President.

Akeredolu said since one good turn deserves another, the benefiacries which are over 14,000 must be committed to the re-election of the President and also ensure that their families and relatives vote for President Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo.

He said "Preach the gospel of what Buhari has done. He's ready to do more. One good turn deserves another. We are improving schools, we are giving more contracts out to build and reconstruct many more schools as from next month

"Tell those who are not yet included in the school feeding that they will soon be included. We are here to urge you, to please go out and vote for Buhari, that's the only way to show appreciation. Let's go and work. We will not forget you. "