PRESS STATEMENT

Covid-19 : Akeredolu releases 29 convicts

As part of the move to contain the spread of the CoronaVirus pandemic, especially at the Correctional Custodial Center in Ondo State, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has ordered the release of 29 inmates forthwith.

This is in exercise of the power conferred on the Governor by paragraph (d) of the sub-section (1) of section 212, of the Nigeria constitution (1999 as amended).

The said inmates are those who have served portions of their sentences after being duly sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

The Governor believes that decongesting the Correctional Custodial Center will also help prevent the spread of the Covid-19, not only amongst inmates, but also the officials.

Signed:
Segun Ajiboye
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN

Keeping to his words as Food Palliatives are being distributed to various local government in Ondo state.

Pictures: ward 11 shared Covid19 palliatives food among the political party, Church's association, Muslims community, widow , unemployed and others,in ward 11 Akure South local government.
Without being bias
Today Thursday 16 of April 2020.


#TalkAndDO
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#StaySafe.

Minimum wage to cost Ondo N45b



The implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage in Ondo State will cost the government N45 billion.

This represents 20 percent increase in the current wage bill of workers in the state which stood at about N36 billion.

Ondo State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan declared this in an interview with The Hope, yesterday.

He said :”The minimum wage which our workers rightly deserve will increase our wage burden between 18 and 20 percent on monthly basis when implemented “.

According to him, the state government will need additional N9 billion to meet up with the payment annually.

His words: In terms of naira and kobo, we are talking about a wage bill from about N36b on yearly basis to about N45b when fully implemented”.

Igbasan however called for the review of the present revenue sharing formula that will give more money to the state and local governments, saying development come from the grassroots.

He said in a situation where the federal government gets 52 percent of the revenues from the federation account is unfair, calling on the federal government to see the need for the review of the sharing formula in favour of state and local governments.

Igbasan said the federal government has put so many things in her purview which it is unable to manage effectively like primary health care.

“I have said it at different fora, for state government to be able to conveniently pay the new minimum wage without downsizing, right sizing or owing workers salaries, something needs to be done to the revenue sharing formula.

There are so many things that the federal government has taken upon itself which are not effective because it is not within its purview to do so.

“Federal government should give out part of what it has now. The kind of structure we have is too centralized and most of these health facilities are domesticated at the grassroots level. They should give more power to the state and local governments to handle what are domiciled within their territories.”

Igbasan observed that it is even difficult for federal government to implement the N30,000 minimum wage despite its huge share in the revenue from the federation account.

The commissioner puts the total number of civil servants in the state, including that of local governments at 72,985 and pensioners 22, 253.

He indicated the possibility of an increase in the number of workers in the state as a result of the newly recruited workers in the health and other sectors and assured that as soon as the coast is clear, workers in the state will enjoy the new minimum wage.

He affirmed that the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will not downsize the workforce but create an efficient workforce that will drive productivity and efficient administration.” He is a governor that I know very well, he has said it several times that he is not interested in sending anybody packing before his retirement age. You can even see the demonstration of that in all MDAs that were allowed to complete their terms before they were disengaged.”

On the recently approved N50bn bond, Igbasan said the process is ongoing as the state is yet to receive it, adding that it will be utilized before the end of the year to fastrack massive infrastructural development across the state.

Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/--Minimum-wage-to-cost-Ondo-N45billion

Minimum wage to cost Ondo N45b



The implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage in Ondo State will cost the government N45 billion.

This represents 20 percent increase in the current wage bill of workers in the state which stood at about N36 billion.

Ondo State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan declared this in an interview with The Hope, yesterday.

He said :”The minimum wage which our workers rightly deserve will increase our wage burden between 18 and 20 percent on monthly basis when implemented “.

According to him, the state government will need additional N9 billion to meet up with the payment annually.

His words: In terms of naira and kobo, we are talking about a wage bill from about N36b on yearly basis to about N45b when fully implemented”.

Igbasan however called for the review of the present revenue sharing formula that will give more money to the state and local governments, saying development come from the grassroots.

He said in a situation where the federal government gets 52 percent of the revenues from the federation account is unfair, calling on the federal government to see the need for the review of the sharing formula in favour of state and local governments.

Igbasan said the federal government has put so many things in her purview which it is unable to manage effectively like primary health care.

“I have said it at different fora, for state government to be able to conveniently pay the new minimum wage without downsizing, right sizing or owing workers salaries, something needs to be done to the revenue sharing formula.

There are so many things that the federal government has taken upon itself which are not effective because it is not within its purview to do so.

“Federal government should give out part of what it has now. The kind of structure we have is too centralized and most of these health facilities are domesticated at the grassroots level. They should give more power to the state and local governments to handle what are domiciled within their territories.”

Igbasan observed that it is even difficult for federal government to implement the N30,000 minimum wage despite its huge share in the revenue from the federation account.

The commissioner puts the total number of civil servants in the state, including that of local governments at 72,985 and pensioners 22, 253.

He indicated the possibility of an increase in the number of workers in the state as a result of the newly recruited workers in the health and other sectors and assured that as soon as the coast is clear, workers in the state will enjoy the new minimum wage.

He affirmed that the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will not downsize the workforce but create an efficient workforce that will drive productivity and efficient administration.” He is a governor that I know very well, he has said it several times that he is not interested in sending anybody packing before his retirement age. You can even see the demonstration of that in all MDAs that were allowed to complete their terms before they were disengaged.”

On the recently approved N50bn bond, Igbasan said the process is ongoing as the state is yet to receive it, adding that it will be utilized before the end of the year to fastrack massive infrastructural development across the state.

HEALTH IS YOUR RIGHT, NOT DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS, AKEREDOLU TELLS CITIZENS

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described good health as a basic right of citizens.

The governor stated this while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2019 Nigerian Medical Association, NMA Physicians' Week held in Akure, the state capital.

Represented at the event by his deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, Akeredolu said it was in realization of this that his administration from inception had formulated policies that were aimed at boosting healthcare delivery system.

According to him, his administration, in a bid to provide affordable and sustainable funding of quality healthcare service, had signed into law the establishment Ondo State Contributory Health Scheme which would soon commence free maternal and under-five children services at the point of care.

He added that approval had also been given for the procurement of medical equipment worth several millions of naira as well as the recruitment of health workers to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities of Primary Healthcare system in the state.

Noting that the theme of this year's Physicians' Week, ' Care for the Unknown Patient: An Overview' was apt and timely, the governor said all the health policies in the state were targeted at all categories of the people as no one knew who the next patient would be.

Earlier in his address, the National President of the NMA, Dr. Adedayo Faduyile said the association chose the theme for this celebration of the Physicians' Week, Care for the Unknown Patient' to address the challenges faced by them especially to advocate for policy framework.

His words, 'the theme ' Care for the Unknown Patient: An Overview' was chosen to bring to the fore the issues affecting Nigerians who suddenly found themselves in an unconscious state from traumatic caused majorly Road Traffic Accident or medical conditions,' he said.

He lamented the situation where innocent Nigerians died in emergency situation as a result of no deliberate provision of facilities to meet their need, calling for more fund for the health sector by all levels of government to improve health.

While calling for condusive working environment for doctors across the country, Dr. Faduyile called on the Nigeria Police to provide necessary protection for doctors.

Also speaking at the event, Ondo State Health Commissioner, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, said everyone one has access to medical services without financial embarrassment in the state including the unknown patients.

He hinted that a comprehensive contributory health scheme to cater for pregnant women, children and other valuable persons would soon be launched as part of moves to boost health care delivery.

Ondo Govt Commences Rehabilitation of Araromi Junction On Owo/Ilesa Federal Road

Barely a week after promising to fix abandoned and deplorable federal roads, the state government has started rehabilitation work on the failed portion of the Owo/Ilesa at Araromi junction, Akure.

Ministry of Works have mobilised to the site. The blocked/ silted drainage has been desilted for free flow of water through the drainage. This development means spillover water across the road will no longer occur.
Appropriate equipments have been used to evacuate the soggy surface on the road to enhance smooth running on the road.
Furthermore, boulders have been deposited to stabilize the portion of the road.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye told newsmen on the site that the road is going to be put in usable form within the next few days.

“For the umpteenth time, i have to say Governor Akeredolu was voted for to improve this state in all ramifications, . Our people are the ones plying this road. It will be improper to let it get damaged because it is a federal road. If we fold our hands they will continue to experience untold hardship. That is not going to be allowed to happen.We are looking and praying for fair weather to enable us fix it fast and appropriately.

He added that the state government wanted the road rehabilitated in a very short time to prevent trucks carrying heavy goods / loads that have chosen the Airport/Obaile road as alternative from damaging the road in no time.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ogunleye says the road linking Bolorunduro to the expressway would be repaired as soon as possible.

Speaking after visiting the affected road, he asserted that the hardship being experienced by the people over the almost impassable failed portion of the road deserves quick government intervention.

“People of this community communicated the Ministry about their plight. We are here to see things for ourselves. This is an eyesore. Being a listening and responsive government this road will be in shape within a few days.”

The Olu of Bolorunduro, Oba Babatunde Olasoji thanked Governor Akeredolu for extending his infrastructural development agenda to the town, saying they have been provided with boreholes and good schools.

Among those who accompanied the Commissioner on the working visit were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engineer Taiwo Otun, directors and engineers.
Also in attendance were the Caretaker Chairman, Akure North, Mr. Ogbesetore Bankole and top officials of the council.

Source : http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-Govt-Commences-Rehabilitation-of-Araromi-Junction-On-Owo---Ilesa-Federal-Road

NMA Visits Ondo, Commends Akeredolu's Health Programmes.

The Nigerian Medical Association has commended the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for making Healthcare part of his top priority in office.

The NMA President Professor Dayo Faduyile who was on a visit to the state made this statement when he led his team to the Governors office for a courtesy visit on Monday, October 14, 2019.

Responding, The Governor represented by his Deputy, Hon Agboola Ajayi appreciated NMA for the visit while he also reiterated the commitment of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN to continuous reposition of Healthcare for better delivery in the State.

:camera_with_flash: ONDO STATE GOVT.

Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/NMA-Visits-Ondo--Commends-Akeredolu's-Health-Programmes

ONDO BOOKS TOP PLACE AMONG REVENUE GENERATING STATES

The latest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics showed that all states in Nigeria generated the total sum of N691.11 billion between January and June 2019.

According to the Bureau’s report, the IGR generated by the 36 states and FCT rose by 94.2 billion (15.7%) when compared to the N596.91 billion IGR generated in half 2018.

The report also showed that thirty-one (31) states and the FCT recorded growth in IGR while five (5) states recorded a decline in IGR at the end of H1 2019.

The Breakdown: In half-year 2019, details of the report showed that across the 36 states, Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos State, generated the biggest IGR of N205.16 billion. This means Lagos IGR constituted 30% of the IGR generated across states in half-year 2019.

River State ranks the second with the biggest IGR of N75.9 billion
Other states among the top 10 states with the biggest IGR include FCT (N38.5 billion), Delta (N36.3 billion), Ogun (N29.5 billion), Kaduna (N22.4 billion), Akwa Ibom (N20.4 billion), Ondo (N19 billion), Kano (N18.5 billion) and Cross River (N16.7 billion).
Meanwhile, Gombe, Yobe and Taraba states recorded the lowest IGR of N2.08 billion, N2.2 billion and N3.27 billion.

IGR Growth: Meanwhile, while Lagos is top in terms of the amount of IGR generated in half-year 2019, other states recorded the highest growth recorded in terms of IGR generated between half-year 2018 and half year 2019.

Further analysis showed that Zamafara State recorded the biggest growth in the total IGR in half-year 2019. Specifically, Zamafara generated N2.65 billion IGR in half-year 2018, while the state’s IGR rose to N7.21 billion in half-year 2019. This implies that Zamfara recorded a 171% increase in its total IGR between half-year 2018 and 2019.

Also, Kebbi and Osun States both rank second and third respectively with the biggest growth in IGR. Specifically, Kebbi generated N2.03 billion IGR in half-year 2018, while the state’s IGR hit N4.71 billion in half-year 2019. This means the state’s IGR rose by 132%.

On the other hand, Osun State’s IGR rose from N4.7 billion in half-year 2018 to N4.72 billion in half-year 2019, representing 131% in its IGR increase.

In the meantime, while the decline in the federal allocation has been a critical concern to most states, the rise in IGR recorded in most of these states is indeed a welcome development, as this is expected to ease off pressures from the fiscal constraint currently witnessed in the economy.

3rd Ondo Summer Tennis Clinic Begins Today
August 26, 2019 OJUASHA No Comments
All is now set for the third edition of the Ondo State Summer Tennis Clinic.

The tournament is put together by office of the wife of the governor in collaboration with the state sports council to promote the game especially at the grassroots.

The opening ceremony of the 2019 edition will serve off tomorrow at the Tennis Court of the Ondo State Sports Complex for children between the ages of four and seven as well as eight and 14 years.

According to the organizers of the clinic, the opening ceremony will take centre stage at 1.pm as this year’s event has been carefully expanded to have about 500 players on parade.

The clinic began two years ago and has churned out over 300 junior tennis players who are still playing together under the umbrella of the Arabinrin Junior Tennis Club.

By Ojuasha

Installation: Oba Ogunoye thanks all for support


The new Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye III has expressed profound gratitude to his people, friend and well wishers for the goodwill and support shown to him during his installation.

Oba Ogunoye said he was overwhelmed with joy for the support to make his installation as the Olowo successful and hitch free.

He spoke at a brief appearance at Ugha Court shortly after concluding his installation rites.

Oba Ogunoye said the love and support shown to him was unimaginable and offered prayers for the next 17 days for traditional tutelage promised not to let the people down.

The king, who moves into seclusion for the next 17 days for traditional tutelage promised not to let the people down.

Meanwhile, his pick of the traditional royal sword known as Ada in the ancient town has allayed the fear of many of what the future portends for the ancient town.

In Owo traditions, the sword signifies the fortunes or otherwise that may play out throughout the reign of any new monarch in the town.

However the anxiety that enveloped Owo prior to the exerecise went down as he picked the Elewokun sword which signifies peace and development.

A highly elated Chief Jamiu Ekungba, the spokesman of the Council of Senior Omolowos and the Ekon Odo Agbara of Owo, described the sword as a sign of development which was associated with the reign of the progenitor of the Olowos.

“God in His mercy has delivered for Owo a monarch that will bring peace to this place”.

It is widely believed that the morning shows the day. The atmosphere today has shown that Owo is again on the part of glory. The programme started very early and there was no heat. The rain appeared to fall but will dizzle for some minutes and stop”.

“Kabiyesi picking the royal sword of Elewokun, the sword of the progenitor of the Elewokun dynasty is an attestation that peace, progress and development has come to stay in Owo”.

“Oba Ajibade is experienced, he was brought up in this palace, he spent 26 years of his life growing up here and so, he is well grounded in the traditions and monarchy. He is an experienced public servant and a lawyer too. He will certainly take Owo to a greater height.

Speaking with reporters, the Ojumu of Owo, Chief Olanrewaju Famakinwa, said that the rites became necessary as being laid down by customs and culture of the ancient town.

He said: “Oba Ogunoye who is being installed today chose a sword which signifies peace.

“Traditionally, before Olowo is installed, he will have to choose a sword at Oke Mapo and it is believed that whichever one he chooses will tell how his reign will be.

“Coincidentally, he chose the same sword chosen by his father more than 30 years ago and the sword represents sword.”

Some people who spoke with The Hope described the installation as monumental in the history of the Owo just as they prayed for a peaceful reign of the new Oba.

Mr Joseph Adekolu, appealed the new monarch to build a robust relationship with the people and endeavour to carry his subjects along in decision making.

Also, Princess Doyin Soares enjoined him to work for the unity of the kingdom.

Oba Ajibade Ogunoye was proclaimed the Olowo after his installation which went through some traditional rites at some designated locations in the ancient community of Owo on Friday.

The installation rites which commenced as early as 6.00am at Igboroko Quarters where the new monarch took two chieftaincy titles of Alamuren and Anaun which was a prerequisite titles before he could be formally crowned an Olowo.

The climax of the ceremony was the symbolic picking of ‘Ada’Elewuokun (traditional sword) by the new Olowo at Ugbo Ogwata at Okiti Asegbo the present site of the Owo Town Hall.

Ondo Varsity Resumes Academic Activities After Warning Strike


Academic activities began fully on Monday at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa after a week-long nationwide warning strike.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long warning strike by Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) had grounded activities in public universities nationwide from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23.

A NAN correspondent who visited the institution on Monday reports that the campus was bubbling with activities as members of the non-academic staff were seen at their duty posts.

ONDO SOUTH FORUM SUPPORTS AKEREDOLU’S PANEL OVER IKALE/ARAROMI OBU LAND DISPUTE

PRINCESS EIGBOKHAN ORIH
TCC NEWS

Ondo South Development Forum (OSDF) A Non-Governmental Organization, has appealed for a peaceful resolution of land dispute between the Ikale and Araromi Obu communities which led to the violence that claimed lives and properties in the southern part of Ondo State.

The group urged the people of both communities to embrace the peace that the Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has initiated by setting up a panel to look into the dispute.

a Press statement jointly released by The President of the forum and the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Anthony Olasele and Mr. Ralph Oguntibeju respectively, commanded Governor Akeredolu for the quick action taken by the state government to find ways to forestall future recurrence.

The group expressed satisfaction for security operatives who swigged into action to douse the tension in Araromi-Obu and Ikale thereby protecting more lives and properties

It would be recalled that Governor Akeredolu had sympathized with the family of the deceased and those who were injured in the violence that erupted residents of Araromi-Obu and Ikale.

THE OLOWO ELECT OBA AJIBADE OGUNOYE GBADEGESIN APPLAUD AKEREDOLU ON IMPROVEMENT IN AGRICULTURAL VALUE.


PRINCESS EIGBOKHAN ORIH
FOR TCC NEWS



The Ondo state Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has been commended by his Imperial Majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin III the Olowo of Owo Elect says in a bid to upgrade agriculture into Agro business ventures, the Ondo state governor Akeredolu has continued to encouraged the youths to go into Agriculture as a way to strengthened the Ministry of Agriculture and the State's Agricultural Development Project (ADP).



The Olowo of Owo Elect Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin III said the Ondo State Government reviewed the mandates of one of her Agricultural Agencies and renamed it "Ondo State Agri-business and Empowerment Centre (OSAEC)" to specially focus on youths in the state. In other to Established a two thousand (2,000) hectares Cocoa Plantation at ljugbere, Owo which will eventually be apportioned to youths at four (4) hectares per youth for ownership and maintenance. The clearing and planting are being done in phases.



Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin III said this innovative development will create self-sustaining jobs for the youth through intervention schemes. Which is commendable in the wake of agro business in the globe.



According to his imperial majesty The Ondo state Government has rehabilitated the 1,744 hectares Oda road Estate and shared it to youths for proper management. The management is under the strict supervision of Ondo State Government. Premium cocoa beans are being produced from the estate in preparation for the production of chocolates.



The Olowo of Owo Elect applauded Akeredolu for The establishment of Sunshine Cocoa Factory at Alade-ldanre and the operation of the long-abandoned semi mechanized abattoir established in Akure to process beef for the citizens of Ondo State.



His imperial majesty said his vision as the new Olowo of Owo is to empower the youth in Owo kingdom as he has taken it as a challenge to make sure that the youths are gainfully employed.



According to him “We would be able to leverage small scale, medium scale and large scale industries in our kingdom, that is one of the challenges I have decided to take on so that at the end of the day, youthful exuberance here and there would be curtailed, so I have a vision to empower the youths.”



His imperial majesty The Olowo of Owo elect Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin iii said he looks forward to turning all traditional festivals in Owo Kingdom to tourist attraction which will bring people from all works of life to Owo Ondo state, thereby adding valve to the state economy and empowering the youths. He said the Igogo and Ero festival will be celebrated as his forefathers has done but the youths and the people will benefit greatly from these festivals.

PROGRAM OF VALEDICTION AND ORDER OF DEPARTURE FROM AKURE TO OWO.

The Olowo elect, His Imperial Majesty, Ajibaderinwa Gbadegesin Ogunoye officially bows out of the service of Ondo State Govt today, the 22nd of August, 2019.

1.00pm - Kabiyesi arrives at
the Governor's
Office, Alagbaka
Akure.

1.15pm - To be received by
His Excellency,
The Deputy
Governor of
Ondo State, Bar
Agboola Ajayi on
behalf of The
Governor and the
State Executive
Council.
.

1.15 to 2.30pm - Valedictory
speech by His
Imperial Majesty
followed by
Goodwill message
from The Deputy
Governor.

2.30pm-2.50pm
Vote of thanks and
Photo session.

3.00pm - His Imperial
Majesty takes off
with his entourage
to Owo.

In view of the above program, well-wishers wishing to join Kabiyesi in this itinerary are advised to line their vehicles properly at Fiwasaye-Mobil Filing Station, Oba-Ile road by 3.00pm.
While those in Owo should arrange their vehicles (facing Owo) at Emure Junction (by the newly dualized road).

Announcer:

Publicity Committee,
Olowo Of Owo Support Group

Federal Govt okays N600b for power sector


THE Federal Government has approved N600billion to be injected into the nation’s electricity market, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), said on Wednesday.

Speaking with reporters at the Market Operator’s (MO) Participants/Key Stakeholders 2019 Third Quarter Interactive Forum in Abuja, its MO, Edmund Eje, said the fund would be disbursed soon.


According to him, the intervention is for the payment of the shortfall in electricity invoices for the entire market.

He said the intervention is not restricted to a single chain in the market, but a holistic one.

He said: “The intervention is at a very advanced level. It has been signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Eje recalled that since 2015, the outstanding bill that the distribtution companies (DisCos) have recorded is about N250billion.

Meanwhile, the decision was that government should not reverse the privatisation of the distribution firms, it would rather invoke its regulation force to whip the debtors into line.


He added that from May this year, the MO resolved that every market participant must ensure that his books are up to date or they would be informed to pay up or face a fine of N5.6million after five days.

Eje noted that should the company fail to pay up in another five days, it would result in its suspension from the market.

He said: “The outstanding bill on the DisCos is approximately N250billion. Until May when we said okay, instead of allowing the government to say we are going to fold the privatisation completely, let us use regulation out of the way. If you fail out of the way, you will not blame the government to say the government has seized your license.

“From May we said every participant in the market has to pay 100 per cent. For paying 100 per cent, you will also mention that your bank guarantee is updated. Now, those of them that were not updated require a fine. We will inform them that it invoked a fine of N5.6million.

“And you are given five days to fix whatever the default and within that five days you are expected to update your bank guarantee if it is not, you also make it good. If you fail to do it within these five days, we suspend you from the market.

“Now market will empower the market operator to disconnect you from the grid. Now you know it is difficult to disconnect a distribution company from the grid you have obedient companies who have been paying.”

ODSG seals 10 event centres over tax evasion


Ondo State government yesterday sealed off 10 event centres in Akure, Ondo State capital for evading tax.

The director in charge of hotel registration and classifications in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr Kehinde Olasoji who led the team of enforcement exercise emphasised that tax evasion is a criminal offence.

Areas visited by the team are Ijapo Estate and Oke Aro in Akure where ten centres were eventually sealed off.

The director said the state would not tolerate tax evasion, stressing that the numerous projects being carried out by the government could only be sustained and improved upon if taxes are paid as and when due.

Olasoji vowed that it would be a continuous exercise.

Source: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/ODSG-seals-10-event-centres-over-tax-evasion

Why my marriage with Akeredolu is successful – Ondo’s First Lady

BRECAN, FOWOSO, BEMORE among other programmes of the First Lady of Ondo State, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu are virtually becoming household names going by the impacts on the people and the various success stories recorded so far. Mrs Akeredolu who has also been nick-named Mama FOWOSO, Mama BRECAN, Mama DIGITAL and Mama Tennis in this interview speaks about how she has been able to succeed not only in these projects but also at the home front . Excerpts:

Since you embarked on your various projects: FOWOSO, BEMORE and BRECAN, what has been your experience working on these projects and how much values have these projects been to the people of Ondo state?

When you evaluate the impacts of these programmes, I think it is better appreciated when such evaluation comes from the people. As a human being, you may think everything you are doing is okay but an outsider might have a different view about what you are doing and then draw your attention. So, it is always good for a second person to recognise this value.

BRECAN for an example, looking at the various people who have benefitted from the fund,one can beat her chest and say yes, we are making impact in that regard. These are women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and the thought of where to get money is a serious issue and here we have BRECAN that is saying okay come, even if we cannot give you all the money, we can at least give you the money for the very critical part of the protocol of treatments before going for surgery. That is very important because when you have breast cancer, the primary thing is to remove the disease from the breast before any other treatment.

So, we make sure we provide money for the surgery after conducting various tests to determine the stage of the disease; we cover all these and also cover chemotherapy. So, most of the time, we would have given the individual eighty percent of the money, so we say okay why can’t we go to other people too to also support. We have files of several people seeking for help for their treatment. From that, if anyone says you are not doing anything, I know that breast cancer patients can testify that BRECAN has touched many lives.

We are also creating awareness because that is very important. Many do not understand that it is the hospital they suppose to go if they observe anything, not going to the herbalists or prayer mountains. We always emphasise that awareness is key because our people need to know. The word ‘cancer’ is scary. But then, we always tell them that it does not necessarily kill but they should do certain things at the right time. People should know that breast cancer does not kill when people detect it early. When you find that lump, that painless lump, make sure you go to a doctor. Do not let people change your mind that you should go to one man or woman of God to start doing vigil or go to the mountain for marathon prayers , that is what we have been seeing here. A painless lump at times is cancer. We have also seen many survivors, it is better to stay alive than allowing it to grow and become severe. After going up and down, you will still end up in the hospital. That is why the awareness is very important.

Then, on BEMORE, this is the season of BEMORE. The success story has been very huge, I do not even know maybe I should concentrate on BEMORE than BRECAN, because it has been so beautiful looking at these girls in a joyful mood because some will even tell you that they have not been to Akure before, it is unbelievable. All the participants from Ilaje, Isua Akoko and many other areas, when they came, they feel so excited and eager to learn. Elizade has provided for us a very conducive environment to learn as well as the PSTI.

Within two weeks, these girls have been virtually transformed. The amazing result we are getting from BEMORE is great. This gives me the hope that we are grooming a different generation of Nigerian women. This year’s programme is very exciting and really beautiful. Some other states were even in the camp, so we have a kind of beautiful relationship. This is the third year and people in other states are already aware of BEMORE and we are also trying to reach out to more states as well. We want our daughters to experience this magic. This year, we have participants from Imo, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom, Enugu and Kogi states. But in comparism, Ondo State remains the major force anyway.

In the last two years, how many people have benefitted?

We have 700 in Ondo state and 50 in Imo state, altogether, 750 but this year we have 250 participants. The beauty of the programme this year is that we have more states here, Ekiti came with large contingents, you know that the First Lady attended the closing ceremony last year and they were dazed.

You seems to have preferred the girl-child participating in BEMORE, is it because you have more faith in the girl-child?

Not necessarily that I have more faith, but rather because we need to empower the girl-child, build the girl-child, mould her so that she could be recongnised that she has potentials and that she should not be limited by any barriers set by the society and these barriers I would like to mention one of them that states that women are supposed to be in the kitchen, doing house chores. That is the way the society has packaged the girl-child right from the time she came out from the womb. The society has dictated to her that this is how you should talk, live, when men are talking you should not interfere , when you have visitors, only your husband must be there, you dare not put mouth, as we speak. These are still happening. But I can tell you that these my girls, you cannot do that with them because they have come to the BEMORE world with endless opportunities, so we are opening doors for them in other world they were not used to.

Why should a woman not contribute to the socio-economic development of her society? Has anybody even bothered why we are not moving forward? If half of your population is illiterate, what do we do? Not all these women are educated, go to the villages, you will discover that most of our women are illiterates, forget about what you see in the cities if all women are not literate ,then such a country needs improvement in the lives of the citizens. Though, men are the heads but what we tend to realize is that we are still backward because the family structure is barely literate, that is the problem that people failed to recognise. These women want to take over, we need to improve the lot of our women in the society to even advance and that is one of the things we are trying to do in FOWOSO. One does not necessarily need to go to the university or bag PHD, but our women need to have that basic education and skills to register a profound impact on their lives. An educated woman will have few children, will know that she needs to go for anti-natal care; she does not need to go to those churches that have maternity homes to deliver babies because when they have a bridge or bleeding, it will be too late most time before carrying her to the hospital.

I cannot imagine my daughter patronising traditional birth attendant (Agbebi) that is what illiteracy brings. We need to empower our women. Any woman that is empowered whether through skill or education will contribute her quota to the development of the society. That is what FOWOSO is trying to do in terms of skill acquisition for grassroots women. When she has a steady income, she will not be selective of her children that will go to school, all of them will go to school and even that are how you open up a family that is how a family becomes educated. Now you cannot expect an illiterate woman that her husband has four to five wives breeding children all over the place to do same.

Since you commenced these programmes, what major challenges and support have you received?

The major challenge I have experienced to be honest with you was that some people resisted change, but if I were somebody who is not in the development sector, I would have given up, because they told me you do not do it this way, but I cannot do it the same way the previous administrations have done it or how other First Ladies have done it.

It was a little difficult to penetrate and convince them that let’s try it this way, we can have a better result, we have to try something else because I have come here with a different package.

Because I am also in the civil society, I understand these things, I understand the dynamics, I understand that when you want to do something different and people resist change, what you do is to keep on trying to win people over. Like when we started BEMORE, heaven let loosed but I knew that was the mentality of people who are yet to be exposed to appreciate what is going on elsewhere. But like I said, I have travelled widely and I had close encounters with people that really matter in this world. I know that when you talk about development of humanity, you may take or need to look at bigger pictures. For instance, early this year, a group of US based medical professionals, consisting of doctors, nurses came all the way from San-Diego to help our people. They paved their way, free of charge. It is not as if they are very rich like Bill Gate, they are regular people, imagine staff of a Nigerian university paying for tickets to do such with their salaries. Therefore, we are different kind of human beings. The leader had earlier asked that what could they do to support the programme of my husband, I said you know me now, l am in health. Apart from the supplies and everything they brought, they even had lectures and workshops at the Akure Specialist Hospital and UNIMED hospital.

I told you that I am also promoting young people in Tennis ,so I am also “Mama Tennis.” Volunteers came with bags of shoes, rackets and so on, so when I received that kind of support from people that do not know me from Adam, all this resistance, I just ignored it. And they are coming again in February even bigger. They are now coming with Oncologists in breast and cervical cancer. They now have a bigger team coming in February because when they came the first time we were very hospitable to them. In a way, we are also polishing the image of Nigeria that is terrible outside the world.

A lot of women said fund has been a major limitation to their aspirations to contest political offices? Is this true?

It is very true and it is because of what we have in this country and even in Africa in general, how the society rates women, you oppress us, you beat us, you abuse us verbally. A woman that does not have an income and the husband bought a car for her, when they quarrel , the husband will remove the tyres or even collect the key because she is totally dependent on him.

But I think it is changing now because I know the generation of my daughters, they will not agree. It is true, they won’t and that is why we have a lot of marriages hitting the rocks. I keep saying that it is the responsibility of mothers and grandmothers to really begin to change approach of raising their sons, let them be compassionate, let men have emotions. You know if a man is crying, they will say are you not a man? Why are you crying? Those are the things they made them to understand. You know masculine is all about being tough all the time, if you are married and anybody sees you helping your wife in the kitchen, there will be problem, they will say she has turned him to a houseboy. Women are the ones saying it to their daughters or sisters-in-law.

t is their careers, they should pursue it without running away from marriage, even this day, there are some women who said that they will not marry but make babies to take care of because of such happenings ,so the society give our women that space to be themselves, making their own money and supporting the family. When it comes to politics, if she wants to venture into it, at least she will have her own money, even though you still need people that will support you, but at least you will have something. In our society, they will say give forms to women for free, I kicked against such, I said you people are joking. Why should that be­­, if you are contesting a position, if they are paying one million, pay it so that they will not be demeaning womanhood. Like I said, you have this political gang up against women, even your brother will not say you are his sister, there must be something about the menfolk, you will be shocked. When I write my memoir about my experience in politics you will see it. In politics it is like we have a different tribe of men and tribe of women and you see that the disparity is obvious.

What has been your experience since you became a First Lady?

I think it is a mixed grill. It is challenging, it has always been. You know you are dealing with human beings when you think that you are doing the right thing, people will criticise, you know arm chair critics, when you say come, let us have a debate, they do not have anything to say, some think oh, she think that she is all that. We didn’t vote for you, we voted for your husband and he is the governor and what they failed to realise is that I graduated in 1977, let me say I went to the university when you must have credits at a sitting, including English language and Mathematics. I keep on emphasizing that when my mates did not get admission, they began to travel to America. That was the standard of education in the 70s, so anybody that went to the university during this time, you can call that person ‘smart’. When we sat for the entrance, we still came back to write the final selection. Papers were not set for only men, same thing happened during classes and examinations, it was for everybody but you now come out in the bug, it’s a different bugging and that is why some of us who are self professed feminists can understand it, because we are talking about how the standard of education was. We were equal with our mates because we were smart. So having graduated at that time, I still went to Philippines for my Masters and for somebody to now think that I do not have an opinion, I think that person must be joking and that is why they think women must be swept under the carpet. During my own generation, I do not know about others but at that time, it was highly competitive for you to be in the university in the 70s. University was an international standard.

There were certain things you were doing before you became the First Lady which you would not be able to do any longer, what are those things?

With my education and status, you do not expect me to be a First Lady that is inside the bedroom, that is what I want to correct. People have said that even the First Lady has opinion, people are shocked that the First Lady is on social media, I was there before I became the First Lady, I had Facebook account, I had Twitter, LinkedIn, even though, I am no more doing that, why should I not? I made it clear that if you come to my page to insult me, I will fire back. I am not limited, and some of them have come to realize this and now when they attack me they do it maturely. Initially, they thought they could do otherwise, but they now realised that you cannot mess up with this First Lady, you cannot. We need to put people in their lanes, let them maintain their lanes, respect others, you cannot just come to the social media to insult people. For instance the other time, I took my FOWOSO women to go and inspect the state industrial hub which everybody should be excited about, there was this confusion that was it a visit or an inspection, it was funny. Today, I am very close to one of the critics. That has really strengthened me and even propeled me to do more. BRECAN has been in existence 20 years before I became the First Lady.

How were you able to blend the challenges of being an activist, First Lady, mother and wife?

I am a grandmother too, (laughs). It can only happen to somebody who is restless; I have been restless all my life. My husband will tell you that. That has been my life, like I said, I am expected to even get slim but I am adding more flesh I said I cannot believe this. What happen is that some of these programmes when I see the successes, I feel so happy.

Do you still do house chores, cook, go to the market, do you shop?

How can I (laughs). You want to kill me, not now. You know that the responsibilities are huge but I know that if Aketi and I go back home, he is not a man that will be lying on the bed, we do things together, but here I must be honest with you, which kind market (laughs) there is no room for that, there are lots of responsibilities.

How will you rate the achievements of Mr Governor?

Olowo installation: ODSG assures adequate security, as traditional rites begin on Friday


Ondo State government has assured all the invited dignitaries within and outside the country of adequate security arrangement ahead of the installation of the new Olowo-elect, Prince Gbadegesin Ogunoye.

Speaking on the security arrangement put in place to ensure hitch-free traditional rites that precede the installation, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Security Matters and chairman security sub-committee of the installation, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, said adequate security strategies have been put in place for the smooth traditional rites and installation processes.

He, however, warned hoodlums and all pickpockets to stay away from all the processes or be ready to face the consequences.

The traditional rites ahead of the installation of the new Olowo of Owo Kingdom, Gbadegesin Ogunoye, would begin this week Friday.

Dojumo explained that members of the security sub-committee have met with installation committee and other relevant stakeholders including the Omo-Olowos to ensure peaceful processes, saying that government is leaving no stone unturned to make the entire installation ceremony hitch-free.

He also added that all strategic areas and points where installation rites would take place have been well manned by the joint security operatives all in the bid to protect the lives and property of both the citizens and the invited guests, before, during and after the installation.

The chairman security sub-committee who assured all the citizens and the invited guests of adequate security, also appreciated all sons and daughters of Owo and relevant stakeholders for their positive roles and support to ensure successful outings.

Also speaking, the Senior Assistant to the governor on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, stressed that all the invited guests and residents of Owo kingdom have nothing to fear as government is being proactive about the security arrangement.

He added that government was also guiding against any possible stampede owing to the mammoth crowd within and outside the country that would attend the installation ceremony, describing the stool of Olowo as very important tool within and outside the country.

Odebowale added that all the arrangements being put in place was to ensure things are done properly and successfully without any hitch, just as he called on Owo sons and daughters to continue to maintain peace as the traditional rites ahead of the installation begin on Friday.

Day Soyinka gave Akeredolu thumbs up on infrastructure

By Falodi Fisayo

SOURCE - TRIBUNE

NOBEL laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, is unarguably an untiring Nigerian whose understanding and views on social and political issues in the country cannot be ignored by lovers of good government. Even the dictatorial military government that trampled upon the rights of Nigerians for decades and denied them the benefit of electing their leaders in a peaceful manner for years before democracy returned to Nigeria about 20 years ago could not but remember Soyinka as a fearless individual who has chosen to live his life to fight injustice and oppression for the purpose of enhancing the advancement of humanity.

The playwright, besides being reputed as a man who always speaks the truth no matter whose ox is gored, also carefully chooses his company. So, the literary giant’s recent visit to Ondo State was not accidental in any form. In fact, the visit cannot but be likened to the proverbial killing of two birds with a stone.

The first point of call when Prof. Soyinka visited Ondo State for the D O Fagunwa Study Group Second International Conference holding at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure, was Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s office, where both men pondered on relevant issues concerning the development of the Sunshine State and the country in general.



The purpose of the 2019 edition of the D.O Faguwa Study Group’s conference is to celebrate Wole Soyinka’s 85th birthday, considering his long years of unwavering fight, support and commitment to the course of social justice through literature writing and other legitimate means. The conference was themed: “Wole Soyinka, D.O Fagunwa and the Yoruba Artistic Heritage.”At the venue of the conference, Soyinka’s virtues as a brave icon, role model and giant pace setter, among others, were celebrated.

Leading the pack of dignitaries to pour the eccommium on the literary giant were Prof. Ropo Sekooni, Jimmy Solanke and cinematographer, Tunde Kilani, among others. They all hailed Soyinka as a true Nigerian whose views on issues would always arouse the attention of discerning minds. Soyinka, who no doubt appreciated the popular dictum, seeing is believing, chose to visit a few of Governor Akeredolu’s developmental project sites. He went beyond relying on the various reports on the governor’s performance to visit a few of the project sites where he commended the people of the Sunshine State for making the right choice in electing Akeredolu as their governor. Without mincing words, Soyinka expressed gratitude to the current Ondo State government for celebrating his 85th birthday and for the completion of the ‘Dome’ which was meant to celebrate art and culture.


He also hailed Akeredolu’s infrastructural strides in Ondo State. The literary giant’s accolade stemmed from the indubitable fact that Akeredolu’s financial management ingenuity reflected in the prudent allocation of the scare public resources to promote the total wellbeing of the people of the. state. The Nobel laureate, who was personally driven and conducted round a few of the project sites in Akure, the state capital, by Governor Akeredolu, revealed that he had been on constant visits to the state in the course of his literary work and observed that the governor had changed the face of the Sunshine State in spite of the dwindling monthly allocation from Abuja.

Soyinka, with the governor and members of the state executive ouncil, saw and inspected the ‘A’Division/NEPA and the ongoing dualisation of NEPA/Oluwatuyi Roundabout Road projects. Marveled by the progress of the road projects, Soyinka said: “The fact shows the light.” He explained that it took him some time to recognise the A’Division/NEPA and NEPA/Olukayode ongoing dualisation project because of the serious infrastructural transformation that is going on in the area. Another visit to the workshop where about 284 dead and decayed vehicles were being reconditioned to enhance productivity in the public service elicited a profound commentary from Soyinka. Describing the workshop as a laboratory, where things hitherto considered impossible are now being made possible, Soyinka could not hide his excitement following his appreciation of the fact that the new initiative exposed artisans from Ondo State to new technology and modern ways of doing things. In short, Professor Soyinka hailed Governor Akeredolu for championing the cost-saving and strategic leadership initiative.

The Nobel Laureate, regarded as an advocate of good governance and transparent leadership, spared a thought for the security challenges confronting the South-West. He urged declaration of state of emergency to tackle the manece in the region. Soyinka said: “As regards the insecurity in the South West, there is an emergency. There should be a declaration of security emergency through out the land and measures taken accordingly. There are many directions of security lapses, you know it here, especially in Ondo State, it is a calamity through out the whole nation. There is an emergency.” The playwright asked the governors, especially those in the South West geo-political zone, to work assiduously toward tackling the security menace.

Akeredolu did not hide his love for the novelist’s contribution to development of knowledge. Besides describing him as a first class academic, playwright, poet, novelist and great human condition activist, the governor perceived Soyinka’s life as a lesson for public office holders because he had elevated the art of partisan living as the biggest ideal of social reclamation.

Falodi is the Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu

https://tribuneonlineng.com/234082/Day Soyinka gave Akeredolu thumbs up on infrastructure

By Falodi Fisayo

SOURCE - TRIBUNE

NOBEL laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, is unarguably an untiring Nigerian whose understanding and views on social and political issues in the country cannot be ignored by lovers of good government. Even the dictatorial military government that trampled upon the rights of Nigerians for decades and denied them the benefit of electing their leaders in a peaceful manner for years before democracy returned to Nigeria about 20 years ago could not but remember Soyinka as a fearless individual who has chosen to live his life to fight injustice and oppression for the purpose of enhancing the advancement of humanity.

The playwright, besides being reputed as a man who always speaks the truth no matter whose ox is gored, also carefully chooses his company. So, the literary giant’s recent visit to Ondo State was not accidental in any form. In fact, the visit cannot but be likened to the proverbial killing of two birds with a stone.

The first point of call when Prof. Soyinka visited Ondo State for the D O Fagunwa Study Group Second International Conference holding at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure, was Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s office, where both men pondered on relevant issues concerning the development of the Sunshine State and the country in general.



The purpose of the 2019 edition of the D.O Faguwa Study Group’s conference is to celebrate Wole Soyinka’s 85th birthday, considering his long years of unwavering fight, support and commitment to the course of social justice through literature writing and other legitimate means. The conference was themed: “Wole Soyinka, D.O Fagunwa and the Yoruba Artistic Heritage.”At the venue of the conference, Soyinka’s virtues as a brave icon, role model and giant pace setter, among others, were celebrated.

Leading the pack of dignitaries to pour the eccommium on the literary giant were Prof. Ropo Sekooni, Jimmy Solanke and cinematographer, Tunde Kilani, among others. They all hailed Soyinka as a true Nigerian whose views on issues would always arouse the attention of discerning minds. Soyinka, who no doubt appreciated the popular dictum, seeing is believing, chose to visit a few of Governor Akeredolu’s developmental project sites. He went beyond relying on the various reports on the governor’s performance to visit a few of the project sites where he commended the people of the Sunshine State for making the right choice in electing Akeredolu as their governor. Without mincing words, Soyinka expressed gratitude to the current Ondo State government for celebrating his 85th birthday and for the completion of the ‘Dome’ which was meant to celebrate art and culture.


He also hailed Akeredolu’s infrastructural strides in Ondo State. The literary giant’s accolade stemmed from the indubitable fact that Akeredolu’s financial management ingenuity reflected in the prudent allocation of the scare public resources to promote the total wellbeing of the people of the. state. The Nobel laureate, who was personally driven and conducted round a few of the project sites in Akure, the state capital, by Governor Akeredolu, revealed that he had been on constant visits to the state in the course of his literary work and observed that the governor had changed the face of the Sunshine State in spite of the dwindling monthly allocation from Abuja.

Soyinka, with the governor and members of the state executive ouncil, saw and inspected the ‘A’Division/NEPA and the ongoing dualisation of NEPA/Oluwatuyi Roundabout Road projects. Marveled by the progress of the road projects, Soyinka said: “The fact shows the light.” He explained that it took him some time to recognise the A’Division/NEPA and NEPA/Olukayode ongoing dualisation project because of the serious infrastructural transformation that is going on in the area. Another visit to the workshop where about 284 dead and decayed vehicles were being reconditioned to enhance productivity in the public service elicited a profound commentary from Soyinka. Describing the workshop as a laboratory, where things hitherto considered impossible are now being made possible, Soyinka could not hide his excitement following his appreciation of the fact that the new initiative exposed artisans from Ondo State to new technology and modern ways of doing things. In short, Professor Soyinka hailed Governor Akeredolu for championing the cost-saving and strategic leadership initiative.

The Nobel Laureate, regarded as an advocate of good governance and transparent leadership, spared a thought for the security challenges confronting the South-West. He urged declaration of state of emergency to tackle the manece in the region. Soyinka said: “As regards the insecurity in the South West, there is an emergency. There should be a declaration of security emergency through out the land and measures taken accordingly. There are many directions of security lapses, you know it here, especially in Ondo State, it is a calamity through out the whole nation. There is an emergency.” The playwright asked the governors, especially those in the South West geo-political zone, to work assiduously toward tackling the security menace.

Akeredolu did not hide his love for the novelist’s contribution to development of knowledge. Besides describing him as a first class academic, playwright, poet, novelist and great human condition activist, the governor perceived Soyinka’s life as a lesson for public office holders because he had elevated the art of partisan living as the biggest ideal of social reclamation.

Falodi is the Press Secretary to Governor Akeredolu

https://tribuneonlineng.com/234082/

Insecurity: IG to deploy special squad to Ondo, other South West States

Following the recent incessant kidnappings cases in the six South West States, a plan by the Inspector General of Police, Adamu Muhammed to deploy Anti-Kidnapping Special Squad to the region to rid off these bandits is now at the top gear.

This was revealed on Wednessay, by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG)Police in Charge of Operations, Abdulmajid Ali, while on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN at the Governor's office in Akure, the State Capital.

Akeredolu was represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi.

Ali, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of zone 11, Leye Oyebade and the State Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, said the squad members are currently undergoing training in Abuja and will soon be dispatched to Ondo State and other south west states to curb crimes.

The DIG commiserated with the state government over the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunori, the daughter of Afenifere leader, Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, saying the Nigerian police is keen on making the country safe for every Nigerian.

According to him" I am sent by the Inspector General of Police not only to Ondo State but to other south west states to see the security architecture on ground and as well as to see how to redesign the security apparatus

"I decided to start with Ondo before I go to Ekiti and Osun because Ondo being one of the focus states of recent, I believe we need to sit down with my officers here and see how we can merge ahead.

"I want to let you know that the Inspector of General of Police is mindful of what has been happening particularly along the road as well as some of these miscreants disturbing the peace of the people.

"I also want you know that security is one of the first pillar of any government in doing any service to the people. If security is not provided, there won't be peace in that area and the governor too will find it difficult to operate.

"We are aware of our responsibility. The Inspector General has put in place a very strong team that are are on training now and in the next two weeks, they will be out and Ondo and other south west states have been the place of focus.

"We are deploying them here to take charge of security and to work with our men on ground. I can assure you that the place will definitely have a change because when the membere of the Special Squad are around. I want to assure you that peace will reign again in Ondo state and other south west states.

The Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, who responded on behalf of the Governor said he was worried on the recent insecurity in the State and other South West States, saying Ondo state was not known to be a dumping ground for crime.

He particularly charged the Police to arrest killers of Mrs. Funke Olakunori, saying that is a debt that must be paid by the Nigerian Police.

Ajayi noted that it is high time the police embraced digital policing fully to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country.

He added "the police must also engage the community. This is very important. Even if you have 200,000 policemen in a community, you need the corporation of the people in that community for you to be able to carry out your job effectively"

He said the police must map out strategy to secure the boundaries and other flashpoints in the state.

The Deputy Governor assured the visitors that the State government would give necessary supports that would enable the security men to chase criminals out of the state.

End

� Olawale Abolade

Development of Idanre Hill As Tourist Centre Dear To Us - Akeredolu

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has reiterated his administration's passion for the development of all sectors of the state's economy.

He particularly singled out tourism as a sector that would enjoy robust support.

The governor spoke during a courtesy visit to his office by the Owa of Idanre Kingdom, Oba Frederick Adegunle Aroloye on Monday.

According to the governor, Idanre is the most important tourist centre in Ondo State and the state will welcome investors to partner with the state to develop the site.

He said: 'We will try our best to ensure that Idanre hill is fully developed as a tourist centre."

Speaking earlier, Oba Frederick Aroloye hailed the governor for providing the dividend of good governance across the state.

The monarch, who expressed his support for Akeredolu's administration, described as commendable the governor's efforts at industrializing the state.

� Blessed Michael

Fighting Ondo residents sue for peace


Residents of Araromi Obu and Ikale communties in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, who recently clashed with the Araromi Obu community in the state, have said they will support the peace moves initiated by the state government to end the crisis.

No fewer than four persons were killed while many were injured and property worth millions of naira destroyed in the communal clash caused by land dispute.



The state government had set up a five-man committee, headed by Mr Tunde Atere, to investigate the crisis.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, the Chairman of the Araromi Obu Development Council, Senator Omolola Meroyi, insisted that the community was worst hit by the clash, having lost two persons and property worth millions of naira.

On the allegation by the traditional rulers of Ikaleland that the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, was partial in the handling of the crisis, Meroyi said Akeredolu had played a fatherly role in ensuring that peace returned to the concerned communities.

He said, “We commend Governor Akeredolu for his prompt intervention which has resulted in the restoration of peace to Araromi Obu and its environs.

“We all support the measures taken by the state government to bring lasting solution to Araromi Obu and its environs, particularly the newly constituted panel of enquiry to ascertain the causes of the crisis.

“Araromi Obu people will continue to maintain peace in spite of persistent provocation.”

ONDO STATE SAFE FOR INVESTORS POLICE DEPARTMENT ALLAYS PUBLIC FEAR.

Amudipe Opeyemi Marcus
TCC NEWS
Ondo State which has been highly noted for its peaceful atmosphere and all embracing citizens has been rocked with series of insecurity reports with the recent incident which resulted to the killing of Pa Fasonranti's daughter, Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin


This trend has created a great deal of panic and worries for the people of Ondo State who are worrisome of the fact that it's peace loving state is about to be hijacked by unscrupulous individuals who has made the region their hub of criminal activities.


Allaying the fears of the public regarding this social issue, the Ondo State Police Public Relations officer Mr Femi Joseph in an interview with Princess Eigbokan Orih for The Campaign Concourse (TCC)revealed that the issue of insecurity is not peculiar to Ondo State, but a national phenomenon, which is been dealt with holistically, from the federal, down to the state level.


He said that, "For us in Ondo State, until just recently when we recorded the issue of the gruesome murder of Mrs Olakunrin, Ondo state could be described as relatively peaceful, when we compare the statistics of crime and criminality, with other states. And this has been because of the synergy and the robust relationship the command is having with stakeholders."


Mr Joseph explained that the state government is actively working with the police department in curbing these worrisome trends in the state. He revealed that upon the assumption of office of the new commissioner of police, he interacted with all the stakeholders, beginning from the traditional rulers, the Driver’s union, the motorcyclists, the student’s union bodies and all other stakeholders with the view of putting an abrupt end to this menace.


He further disclosed that this synergy is already yeilding positive response as the police department are already arresting the perpetrators of this disastrous acts.


According to him, " Not quite long ago we recorded a massive arrest of kidnappers, who usually operated from Ibillo in Edo state. About 8 of them confessed, we also arrested people whose stock in trade was to waylay bank customers, as soon as you get your money from the bank, they trail you to your destination. We were able to smash that syndicate."


He also added, "The interesting thing about these criminals is that they are not from this state. Some of these people I just mentioned are from Bayelsa state, some from the east, but luckily for us we were able to smash them. The recent attack, very reprehensive, very unfortunate, we are doing our work to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice."


However Mr. Femi Joseph urged the good people of Ondo State to remain calm and continue to trust and support the police in its bid to executing it's duties. He said that people in recent times have been commending the police department for its prompt response to their calls, he referred to the communal clash on Araromi Obu which the timely intervention of the police department successful restored peace and order to the community after series of negotiations and dialogue between the warring communities.


Responding to the unfortunate incident that led to the death of Pa Fasonranti's daughter, Mrs Olufunke Olakunrin Mr Femi Joseph said that the police department is currently working assiduously on unmasking the perpetrator of the gruesome act. He added that, " Our officers are invading those forests where we are getting information are haven for criminals, we are invading them, anybody there who we suspect, we have to subject such person to what I describe as Third degree interrogation, if he or she is not able to provide ample or convincing explanation, why he or she is there, then he or she will still need a lot to answer."


Furthermore Mr Femi Joseph revealed that the police department has increased its manpower in its bid to ensure that the Benin Ore Expressway is safe for road users. He also added that the public should be free in reporting any strange activities around them to the nearest police station as the state commissioner of police have directed all law enforcement agencies to make their contact numbers opened to the general public.


The good work of the state governor as made evident in the various developmental project and initiatives been witnessed in the state is as a result of the peaceful atmosphere of the state and the strong commitment of the state government to ensure that the state is a safe haven for its populace and all interested investors in the state.


Mr Femi Joseph urged the good people of Ondo State to go about their daily activities without fear as the state government, the police department and other law enforcement agencies are ever committed to keeping the state safe for all to live in, thrive succeed.

Amudipe Opeyemi Marcus
TCC News

Multiple taxations: Ondo promises to ease telcos’ burden


Ondo State government has expressed its readiness to address current challenges facing telecommunications operators in the state in terms of multiple taxation and Right of Way permits.



Senior Special Adivser to the Governor and Chairman, Ondo State Information Technology Agency, Mr Akinkugbe Olumbe, who gave the promise at an ICT forum in Lagos, said the state government understood the challenges facing telcos and would do everything to ensure current obstacles are removed.


Olumbe noted that the state government valued ICT and that was why it became the second state in the country to have a full-fledged parastatal dedicated to information technology.



“We are taking serious look at the issues of right of way and multiple taxations. It is very important to us at Ondo State to increase broadband penetration because it speaks to a lot of things we are trying to achieve as far as technology is concerned. We want to automate government processes and thereby deliver more services, using technology,” he said.

Olumbe, however, pointed out that the telcos would need to continue their engagements with the state governments and other stakeholders to fully address some of the issues.

Addressing concerns raised by telcos at the forum, the SSA said: “I will encourage you to continue engaging us. We understand your challenges but you have to persevere because the issue around engagements with the government is that it has to be purposeful, intentional and has to carry everybody along because you cannot do things in isolation.

“You have to engage the Governors’ Forum and members of the National Assembly, because a lot of the issues are around policy and legislation. It is important that you continue to engage and we in Ondo state will do all we can to ensure that these things are sorted out and are as less painful as it can be for the telcos,” he said.



Earlier at the forum, Executive Secretary of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbolahan Awonuga, accused state governments in the country of setting the ICT industry backward through their stringent conditions for right of ways and multiple taxations.

He said the challenges were coming mostly from civil service states such as Kogi, Ondo, Osun, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi, among others, noting that revenue generated from those states was not even enough to provide the services for them, but were being subsidised.

“What we have decided to do is to adopt a cost-based approach, whereby people pay for service according to the cost of rendering such service in their area. We have approached NCC over this and what we are saying is that, if any state want to charge, let them go ahead and charge, we are going to base the charge against our cost.

“This means that if a subscriber is paying N4 for a minute of call in Lagos, another subscriber somewhere in Kaduna or in Kogi or Ondo State may be paying as high as N15 for the same,” he said.

Awonuga noted that the issue of multiple taxations in some of the states was getting worse because the states, in their bid to increase their revenue, were hiring consultants to squeeze multiple taxes out of telecom operators.

“The irony of it is that we are not even generating up to the amounts being demanded by some of the states in their environment. This means that we have to subsidise the cost of the services we are rendering in those states from what we generate from other states,” he noted.

He further disclosed that the telcos had embarked on a study across the country to determine the cost of operating in each state and apply it to tariffs accordingly.

“A study that will show how much we are making from each of the state is being conducted and when that is done, we will look at what they are demanding and then we will add all the costs to be able to make profit,” he said.

Explosion: Oil community demands N5bn from Chevron


Members of Sukuna Community, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, have demanded that Chevron Nigeria Limited pay them N5bn damages following the alleged explosion of the oil firm’s Ojumole Oil Well near their community.

The community members, who claimed that the oil well exploded and went up in flames on April 18, 2019, said they were severely affected as all the efforts by the company to stop the fire did not succeed until about two months after.



They claimed that apart from the shock they suffered from the sudden loud explosion and the thick smoke that enveloped their community, their farmlands and water were also allegedly polluted in a bid by Chevron to put out the fire.

In a pre-action letter dated July 30, 2019 written to Chevron through their lawyer, Ige Asemudara, the community members demanded that the oil company should pay them N5bn for their loss, failing which they would go to court.

They also demanded a comprehensive medical examination of every member of the community and treatment of any ailment which any of the community member might have suffered from the incident.

They also demanded that Chevron undertake an immediate clean-up of their environment.

The lawyer said the community briefed him that “despite the enormity of this unfortunate occurrence, your company was very nonchalant, looked away and insensitively delayed any intervention making it possible for the fire to spread to other oil wells within the Ojumole field.”

He said, “Our clients suffered great discomfort, material losses, health hazards, pains, imposed darkness, environmental pollution and degradation for well over two months as the fire raged until it was put out at about 1:00pm on the 30th day of June 2019. As we write, the bad effect of the injurious fire still lingers.

“Whilst our clients were counting their losses directly occasioned by the avoidable fire, they were stunned that in a bid to put out the fire, more havoc was wrecked on our clients’ farms, ponds, compound, field and other parts of the environment as the debris and remains evacuated from the burnt field were deposited on them.

“Without the permission of our clients or any lease or sale in that regard, your company erected a huge platform on our clients’ land upon which your helicopters now land and you do other activities thereon.



“Irked by these sad developments, our clients made several efforts to communicate with your company in order to be able to find an amicable and just way of resolving the issues, it was all without success. Sadly, your company has failed, refused or perhaps neglected to approach our clients for a solution to the problems created by your actions and to restore our clients to the healthy and happy condition of life they enjoyed before your illicit acts.”

Asemudara said the community gave Chevron 14 days to meet their demands, failing which they would sue.

WE ARE DEPLOYING TECHNOLOGY TO TACKLE SECURITY CHALLENGES… PRESIDENT BUHARI ASSURES SOUTH WEST OBAS


President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday in Abuja assured Obas from the South West that his administration was doing everything possible to tackle security challenges in the country.

Responding to an address by the traditional rulers led by the Ooni of Ife , Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi during a courtesy visit to the State House, the President said:

“Working with the State governments we intend to beef up the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate the work of the security agencies.”

The President disclosed that he “will be issuing directives to the appropriate federal authorities to speedily approve licensing for States requesting the use of drones to monitor forests and other criminal hideouts,” adding that, “We also intend to install CCTVs on highways and other strategic locations so that activities in some of those hidden places can be exposed, more effectively monitored and open to actionable review.”

He spoke further:

“This administration will continue to do everything necessary to protect the lives of all Nigerians and ensure that every Nigerian in every state is safe, and that our people can live in peace and harmony, regardless of ethnicity, religion or region. As a government, we remain committed to the ideals of our democracy, particularly entrenching the rule of law and the sanctity of life.”

He also assured the royal fathers “and the entire nation that we will enforce the law, prosecute law breakers and secure an atmosphere of tranquility for all Nigerians whereever they choose to live and also protect our communities from all forms of crimes. This is both in our interests as an administration and the interests of the people who voted us into office.

“We need security to deliver on our many programmes to the people. There can be no prosperity if there is no security.

“This is not only a message of hope but a call to action to all of us as we seek ways to secure our country.

“On our part, as the Federal Government, we are ready to deal decisively with anyone that is fomenting this spate of criminal activities by every means necessary. We intend to deal severely with those evil Nigerians inciting violence for political ends.”

While acknowledging the presence of significant security challenges in the South West and other parts of the country, President Buhari said such understanding informed the ongoing consultations embarked by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo with some traditional rulers “so that together we can proffer solutions to the lingering security problems in the South-West and other parts of the country.”

According to the President, “These consultations are important because traditional rulers form a critical part of governance structures, especially in their respective communities, where they feel the pulse of the people being the closest to the populace at the grassroots level.

“As a government, at all times, we need your active collaboration as we continue to deal with crimes of kidnapping, banditry and other forms of unlawful and criminal attacks resulting in needless deaths and causing fear among our people.”

“There are some who might want to cause instability and difficulties, but we are very confident that God willing and working together as a nation, we will be able to overcome such difficulties and all our problems, and set our country on the path of peace and prosperity,” he stated.

Drawing attention to the fact that “the dynamics for safeguarding security keep changing,” President Buhari noted that “we must adapt our strategies to these challenges as well as adopt modern, technological and people-centred methods in achieving these goals.”

According to the President, “When Nigerians voted massively for us in 2015, we focused on three areas – security, economy and fighting corruption. We have not relented on this promise and we will not.”

Going forward, he declared: “Let me be very clear about our firm resolve to change the security architecture of Nigeria. It is one of the top priorities for this government but we won’t be able to achieve this goal without the support and input of you, our royal fathers.

“As the traditional authorities in your communities, government and the security agencies will be relying on you to monitor the several different communities and people coming in and out of your areas.

“We hope that, for instance, traditional rulers would be able to observe new entrants into the community by requesting leaders of such ethnic groups to notify the traditional authorities of new intakes, thereby creating the opportunities for the gathering of actionable intelligence which tracks such movements in and out of communities thereby offering early warning signals.”

Outlining some of these interventions, President Buhari said they “include an expedited commencement of community policing, a robust revamping of police intelligence gathering capacity and the significant boosting of the numbers of security personnel in our local communities. This in specific terms will include recruiting a lot more police officers and doing so right from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best practice of community policing.”

According to him, “We will equally continue to bring in our military when needed to complement the work of the police including possible deployment of troops on certain highways on a temporary basis, and the use of the Air Force assets to bomb hideouts where criminals are located.”

Admitting that these measures are inter-related and have to be well coordinated, he stressed that, “The speedy implementation of community policing will facilitate a more effective collection of intelligence. This is especially in the area of a more useful and effective intelligence gathering process that traditional rulers will play some of the most critical roles.”

Earlier, the Ooni, as well as other traditional rulers with him, had individually apprised the President with security challenges they were facing in their domain and called on the President to support their efforts in addressing the issues.

Akeredolu bags ICT infrastructural Governor of the year

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has bagged the 2019 best ICT Infrastructural governor of the year.
The award was in recognition of his relentless effort at transforming Ondo state into technology and innovation destination choice of young entrepreneurs.

Presenting the Africa Digital Award at 2019 Nigeria Impact Chief Executive Officer Forum in Lagos, the awardee, “ICT Watch Magazine” applauded the wisdom of Arakunrin Akeredolu in citing Akure Tech-hub in the heart of Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) with population of over 20,000 Science & Technology students.

According to ADA, the hub will not only expose the upcoming entrepreneurs to emerging technologies but connect them with the rest of the world at no cost.

Another star digital project that earned the governor this award was the establishment of five ‘Digital Village Projects’ (DVP) across the state to tackle the problem of high rate of youth unemployment.

This is in addition to the upgrading of all operations of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) to serve as infrastructural backbone for the State Integrated Financial Mgt Information System (SIFMIS) to ensure accelerated govt businesses & transactions.

Receiving the award, Arakunrin Akeredolu said the theme for this year’s award “connecting the unconnected” was in line with the vision of his administration to make internet services available & affordable to the rural dwellers.

According to the Governor, internet facilities will no longer be seen as luxury as his administration has just approved broadband internet services for the use of civil/public servants in the state to boost their productivity.

Represented by the SSA to the governor on ICT Hon. Olumbe Akinkugbe who was accompanied by some of his management team, the Governor explained that his administration is tackling the issue of security challenges facing the state with ICT.

He therefore challenged youth to take full advantage of hubs available in the state to expand their financial & economic frontiers.

Ondo Set To Host Over 6,000 Young Entreprenuers

As part of his administration's commitment to building young Entreprenuers and attracting massive investment into Ondo State, the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has declared that the state is prepared to host the sixth edition of Africa's Young Entreprenuers Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) 2019 Convention.

The Africa's Young Entreprenuers is a platform with a vision of successfully developing Africa’s budding entrepreneurs through mutual networking, and with established captains of industries.

The A.Y.E brings learning, resources and business acumen, with the aim of developing young entrepreneurs within the age of 18 - 45 with 12.6 million members in 20 African Countries.

Receiving the delegation of the A. Y. E, led by the President, Summy Francis, at the Governor's Office, Alagbaka, Akure, Governor Akeredolu said the state will cooperate and host the coming convention of the organisation, billed to hold on Saturday, December 14th, 2019.

Akeredolu said he is particularly interested in the building of young entrepreneurs and the far reaching effects on the people, especially the young ones.

He said the A. Y. E projects was concerned about giving back to the people and reaching out to the poorest of the poor so as to make them self reliant in the future.

Arakunrin Akeredolu informed that the state had also gathered a number of young entrepreneurs under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programs.

Speaking earlier, the President of A. Y. E, Francis, said the convention, when hosted by the state, will boost the economic activities and also provide opportunity for young Enterprenuers and students in the state.

While informing that the theme of the convention is "Enterprenuership intervention for poverty eradication", Francis said the only way to stop the spread of poverty, especially among young people, was to empower them.

He highlighted some of the program of the organisation, which included the Enter Cycle Fund for Grassroot and SMEs, as a means of helping young SMEs and Enterprenuers grow their ideas and Bussiness.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
29th July, 2019

Ondo Set To Host Over 6,000 Young Entreprenuers

As part of his administration's commitment to building young Entreprenuers and attracting massive investment into Ondo State, the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has declared that the state is prepared to host the sixth edition of Africa's Young Entreprenuers Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN) 2019 Convention.

The Africa's Young Entreprenuers is a platform with a vision of successfully developing Africa’s budding entrepreneurs through mutual networking, and with established captains of industries.

The A.Y.E brings learning, resources and business acumen, with the aim of developing young entrepreneurs within the age of 18 - 45 with 12.6 million members in 20 African Countries.

Receiving the delegation of the A. Y. E, led by the President, Summy Francis, at the Governor's Office, Alagbaka, Akure, Governor Akeredolu said the state will cooperate and host the coming convention of the organisation, billed to hold on Saturday, December 14th, 2019.

Akeredolu said he is particularly interested in the building of young entrepreneurs and the far reaching effects on the people, especially the young ones.

He said the A. Y. E projects was concerned about giving back to the people and reaching out to the poorest of the poor so as to make them self reliant in the future.

Arakunrin Akeredolu informed that the state had also gathered a number of young entrepreneurs under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programs.

Speaking earlier, the President of A. Y. E, Francis, said the convention, when hosted by the state, will boost the economic activities and also provide opportunity for young Enterprenuers and students in the state.

While informing that the theme of the convention is "Enterprenuership intervention for poverty eradication", Francis said the only way to stop the spread of poverty, especially among young people, was to empower them.

He highlighted some of the program of the organisation, which included the Enter Cycle Fund for Grassroot and SMEs, as a means of helping young SMEs and Enterprenuers grow their ideas and Bussiness.

Olabode R Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
29th July, 2019

‘Ondo to create LCDAs soon’


The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has said local council development areas in the state, which have been in the process of creation, will come into existence in few months.

Akeredolu stated this while receiving the report of the committee on the creation of the LCDAs on Friday.



While appreciating members of the committee, Akeredolu said he would subject the report to a thorough scrutiny before presenting it at the state executive council meeting for ratification.

He said, “We will look into this and make sure that in few months, we create the LCDAs. It’s usual we still subject it to scrutiny before the exco looks at it.”

Submitting the report, the chairman of the committee, Mr Lanke Odogiyan, disclosed that his team received a total of 94 memoranda requesting for 105 LCDAs, stating that the committee had sieved through the huge documents to remove the chaffs from the grains.

“After collating the requests and dissecting them, we embarked on a statewide public hearing which afforded sponsors of memos the opportunity to defend and present their memos.”

Akeredolu and Ondo’s State of health


By Fisayo Falodi
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The world body also conceives health as the ability of a biological system to acquire, convert, allocate, distribute and utilise energy with maximum efficiency.

Armed with the above definitions, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu rolled up his sleeves to introduce pragmatic policies and initiatives with the sole purpose of building a strong healthcare system aimed at promoting the general wellbeing of the people of Ondo State, as well as serve as the foundation for the all-round development of the state.

Because of his belief in the faultless, agelong maxim that “health is wealth,” the governor has broken down the barriers that had hitherto drawn back the progress of the Sunshine State to create a virile platform for comprehensive development, physical growth and social security of the entire state.

Amid approbation by the people of Ondo State, Akeredolu had in 2017 flagged off the polio national immunisation exercise at the state specialist hospital, Akure, to give assurance of a healthy, fruitful and productive energy to future generations.

Right before the dignitaries who attended the occasion, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, senior government functionaries, religious leaders, representatives of non-governmental organisations and chairmen of the 18 local government areas, among others, Akeredolu vowed that his administration would ensure that polio is kicked out of the state. Consequently, the governor directed that machinery should be put in place to ensure that all eligible children were reached by vaccinators for the immunisation exercise.

From the available record, measles, described as deadly disease, kills no fewer than 800,000 children globally every year. It was for this reason that Akeredolu waged a virulent war against the deadly infectious disease.

So, the 2018 edition of the war against measles, according to watchers of governmental activities in Ondo State, achieved a reverberating success, as about 700, 000 children between the ages of nine months and five years were immunised against the disease.

Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, reiterated the success recorded from the vaccination exercise. He was excited that none of the 203 political wards in the state was left unvisited in the campaign against the measles eradication.

The State Specialist Hospitals in Akure and Ondo city also got a huge dose of Akeredolu’s intervention as he upgraded the two health facilities to teaching hospitals. To make the environment of the specialist hospital, Akure, more conducive and friendly, all the bad roads within the hospital were equally fixed and asphalted.

In what looks like democratising funding of healthcare delivery, Akeredolu has unveiled the state’s contributory health scheme as part of plans aimed at giving quality healthcare delivery system to the residents. The idea behind the contributory healthcare scheme, according to the governor, was to pool fund from the citizens and use it to procure medicare service to those who needed it.

Akeredolu had said: “A greater percentage of our indigenes find it very difficult to access good health care largely due to poverty. Qualitative health care lies within the reach of the rich, leaving the poor to helpless and hopeless. It is on record that many have gone to the great beyond before their time because of this.

“As part of our commitment to the health of people of the state who massively voted for us, the Bill on this Contributory Health Scheme was signed into Law on 6th February, 2018, barely within 72 hours of our arrival in office.”

No doubt, all residents of the Sunshine State, irrespective of their religious and political proclivities are bound to benefit in no small measure from the scheme whose major intentions are to protect and guarantee the poor and the vulnerable physical access to quality and affordable healthcare services, among others.

Aware that the provision of accessible and qualitative healthcare and social service would not be complete without qualified personnel to drive the novel idea, the governor mandated the state Ministry of Health to recruit more medical workers.

Akeredolu’s approval for the recruitment for more health workers came during his quarterly meeting with members of the State Task Force on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation in Akure. The governor wanted the new health workers to replace retiring medical personnel and enhance the delivery of medical services.

A further quest to place Ondo State in the global healthy community has yielded fruitful results following the governor’s move to secure a $6 million (about N2.1 billion) worth of new medical equipment from MedShare, a United States-based non-profit organisation in Atlanta. Akeredolu ordered the 20 container loads of the new medical equipment from MedShare to strengthen the state’s healthcare sector. A few months after the state governor partnered with MedShare, Ondo State secured up to 50 container loads of equipment to equip all its hospitals and health centres with new state-of-art medical facilities.

So, it was a celebration galore on June 24, 2019 at the Central Medical Store, Akure, when Akeredolu flagged-off the distribution of the first batch of the state-of-the-art biomedical equipment to all the health facilities in the state. The four containers offloaded as of the time the governor distributed the equipment and other consumables contained over 250 sophisticated electric bed, 50 stretchers, intensive care unit beds and monitors, delivery beds, surgical instruments, incubators and infusion pumps, among others.

The attempt to ensure that no part of the Sunshine State is shortchanged in accessing the robust healthcare services gave birth to the move to approve five additional Mother and Child Hospitals for the three senatorial districts of the state.

This is besides the introduction of free healthcare service for expectant mothers and children from age zero to five years.

Critical observers labeled the various pro-health initiatives put forward by Akeredolu as laudable and the right step. Mr. Kayode Sule, a lecturer with the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, and Mrs. Olayinka Aderigbe, a private health practitioner based in the Southern Senatorial District of the state, scored the governor high. They both expressed the strong belief that with the governor’s dream of creating all-round development through investment in the health sector, Ondo State is unarguably set to tread the path of industrial growth. The observers hinged their belief on the fact that a healthy man is an undisputable asset for the development of his community. According to them, the multiplier effects of Akeredolu’s deliberate investment in the Sunshine State health sector will be unquantifiable.

Falodi is the Press Secretary (Print) to Governor Akeredolu.