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 …Describes him as a solution provider.

The Chairman, Forum of Special Advisers in Osun State, Dr Akindele Adekunle, has congratulated the Chief of Staff to Osun State Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye on the occasion of his birthday anniversary. In a statement he personally signed and released to newsmen on Thursday morning at Osogbo, the immediate past PDP Chairman in Osun described the celebrant as a political wizard and a deft political institution that shows doggedness in any political situation. 

Dr Akindele further eulogized Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye for his cerebral nature in dealing with governance issues in his capacity as the Chief of Staff to the performing Governor of Osun State, Asiwaju Ademola Adeleke. 

“Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye has shown over the years to be a dependable ally in every cause he believed in.

“He can also be liken to a political caterpillar as I recall, the success we recorded while I was the chairman of the party in the state with my other team members was due to significant support and weight he throw behind the diverse political projects we’re dealing with at the time. 

“Aside that, how he has resolved several germain issues of governance in his capacity as the Chief of Staff in the Imole administration of Osun State deserves continuous applause of everyone. He is a genuine solution provider.”

” Onbehalf of my family, the entire Special Adviser’s forum in Osun State, I want to congratulate our amiable Chief of Staff on the occasion of his birthday today. 

“I pray may God continually be with him, grants him more divine wisdom in dealing with life issues in any capacity he serves in life. 

“You’ve done so well, and you deserve the best always. 

“Congratulations, our capacity Chief of Staff. Happy birthday sir. “

The Special Assistant on Mobilization to the Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Morayo Josephine Itiolu convened a strategic meeting with the Okitipupa Local Government executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ikoya/Igbisin-Oloto Ward leaders on Sunday. The gathering aimed to solidify support for Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa’s reelection campaign ahead of the November 16 election.

During the meeting, Hon. Itiolu emphasized the importance of unity and loyalty within party faithful, urging the leaders to actively mobilize their wards in support of the governor. “We must remain steadfast and work diligently to ensure that our party retains leadership in Ondo State,” she stated.

In attendance were the Okitipupa APC Woman Leader, Hon. Temitope Omoniyi; Assistant Financial Secretary, Iwamotigha Sunday; Ikoya/Igbisin-Oloto Ward Chairman, Hon. Olumide Efunyade; Woman Leader, Famakinwa Ireti; Welfare Director, Hon. Omoniyi Oluyemi; Ward Legal Adviser, Hon. Sewo Eniola; Hon. Segun Gbologe, Hon. Babatunde Fafeyiwa and other Unit officials.

Itiolu highlighted the achievements of Governor Ayedatiwa’s administration, encouraging attendees to communicate these successes to the electorate as part of their campaign strategy. She also discussed the need for grassroots engagement and effective outreach to secure a strong voter turnout on election day.

The party leaders in Igbisin-Oloto expressed their gratitude to Gov. Aiyedatiwa for the appointment of Itiolu as his Special Assistant, emphasizing her dedication to the Ward’s development and party’s activities.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for all members to redouble their efforts in the lead-up to the election, reinforcing the APC’s commitment to progress and development in Ondo State.

In a notable development that has left many citizens of Akure pondering the balance between modern governance and traditional customs, the Deji and paramount ruler of Akure kingdom, announced his annual leave and seclusion in preparation for the Ulefunta Festival, set to commence on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. This sacred period, lasting from September 24 to September 30, is integral to the spiritual and cultural fabric of Akure community. It involves numerous traditional practices, including the closing of all routes leading to the royal grounds and a ban on drums and loud sounds throughout Akure, guidelines that were officially communicated by Mr. Michael Adeyeye, Chief Press Secretary to our revered Paramount Ruler.

This period of seclusion serves as a time for the Deji to engage in profound communion with the deities, seeking blessings for the peace, prosperity, and growth of Akure kingdom and Ondo State at large. However, it has become a source of perplexity and dismay for many Akure indigenes to learn that Governor Ayedatiwa held a Night of Praise at the Akure City Town Hall on Saturday, September 27, 2024—right in the midst of the very seclusion that our revered king has embarked upon.

This situation begs a critical question: Is this a deliberate attempt to undermine our cherished customs and show disrespect towards our royal institution, considering the fact that the programme was held at the ‘backyard’ of the Deji’s palace? While we undoubtedly appreciate the spirit of such an event as a Night of Praise—an occasion meant to uplift and celebrate faith, we cannot condone actions that intentionally overlook or belittle our cultural heritage. Consequently, we must ask: Where do customs and traditions fit within the context of our Governor’s administration?

As a former president of the National Association of Akure Students and the Coordinator of a prominent youth group in Ondo State, the Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN), I hold in high esteem both the divine and the foundational principles upon which our towns were established. However, the events that transpired last night must be acknowledged and addressed. It is essential that we safeguard our heritage, culture, and customs from being eroded or undermined in the name of imposed ideologies. 

In a rapidly changing world, where the influence of modernity often comes at the cost of traditional values, it is imperative to remember that our customs are not mere relics of the past but essential components of our identity. They deserve respect and protection, not marginalization. It is crucial that dialogue be initiated between government officials and traditional leaders to ensure that both governance and tradition can coexist harmoniously. Our cultural practices and beliefs should not be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience, and it is our collective responsibility to stand guard over the customs that define us as a people. 

Let us strive to cultivate a culture of respect and understanding within our communities, ensuring that our traditions are honored while embracing the positive aspects of modern governance. After all, it is through this balance that we can achieve true progress without losing sight of what makes us unique.

Written by:

Afe Ezekiel Adegboyega(Erosion)

Coordinator,

Ondo State Youth Network (OSYN)

…promises Lasting Prosperity and Development

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the upcoming Ondo State governorship election, HE. Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi, has unveiled his ambitious seven-point agenda aimed at rescuing and revitalizing the State. Speaking to a gathering of media executives, in Lagos on Friday, Ajayi delivered a comprehensive speech that addressed the current challenges facing Ondo State under the APC-led administration and outlined a clear path toward sustainable economic development, infrastructural renewal, and enhanced security.

Ajayi’s agenda, which includes key areas such as agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, and rural development, emphasised the need for visionary leadership to harness the State’s human and material resources. He stressed the importance of political will in transforming Ondo State into a beacon of progress, pledging to restore the Sunshine State’s lost glory.

The PDP candidate called on media practitioners to support his mission of igniting Ondo’s sun once again, promising to maintain an open line of communication with the press even after he assumes office.

Read the full speech.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. AGBOOLA ALFRED AJAYI, THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP) CANDIDATE FOR THE NOVEMBER 16, 2024 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN ONDO STATE AT A PARLEY WITH MEDIA EXECUTIVES, RADISSON HOTEL, G.R.A, IKEJA, LAGOS STATE ON THE 27TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2024. 

PROTOCOL

The primary objective of governance is the safety and welfare of the people. Any political party that deviates from this avowed principle of governance will definitely get it wrong and become a liability on the people. 

The APC-led administration in Ondo State has, over the past eight years, foisted mal-administration and poverty on the people of the state by reason of the incompetence, lack of foresight, corruption and lack of defined policy for good governance. 

The National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdulahi Ganduje, while receiving the leadership of the Kano State Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ on Thursday, 29th of August, 2024 confirmed the fact that Ondo State was bedeviled with problems under the administration of erstwhile Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu. He said: 

“For Ondo State, it’s already an APC State and when the former Governor (Rotimi Akeredolu) died, he left a number of problems…”   

The problems left behind have now been exacerbated by his then deputy (now the substantive Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa), who lacks foresight, knowledge, coordination, coherence and who is grossly incompetent in managing the affairs of the State. 

Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa has received more than N99.8 billion since he assumed the leadership of Ondo State about nine months ago, yet he is unable to coordinate the execution of a single project for which the State has received this humongous amount. This has been the trend of the APC-led administration in Ondo State. It is my candid position that Ondo State cannot afford to continue an inch further on this road to perdition. 

The November 16 governorship election in the State therefore calls for serious consideration as this will determine, shapen or mar the fortune of the State in the next four years. 

It is in view of the above, that I have carefully (and in company of my team) thought out seven areas where I will intervene to curb these myriads of avoidable problems foisted on the Sunshine State in the last eight years.

My vision is to transform Ondo State into a beacon of sustainable economic development, where modern infrastructure, efficient transportation, vibrant marine and blue economy, striving agriculture, robust industrialization, quality education, affordable health care, comprehensive human development, adequate security, and other components of fundamental objectives and direct principles of state policy as captured in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) will be strictly adhered to and fully implemented for the prosperity of our people. 

It is therefore, my mission to harness the state human and material resources to actualise this vision and thereby rescue and redeem the people of the Sunshine State from the shackles of poverty, oppression, deprivation and insecurity and set them on the path of sustainable development so that the sun will shine again in the State.

This media parley is, therefore, aimed at acquainting the Fourth Realm of the Estate with the pragmatic and result-oriented programmes that the PDP administration (under my watch) will put in place to rescue our state from the eclipse it has undergone in the last agonizing eight years under the APC government.

Thus, the seven-point agenda of my administration, namely, 

1. Security

2. Agriculture

3. Education

4. Health

5. Infrastructure, Industry and Marine Economic Development 

6. Rural Development and Environment

7. Youth, Sport, Social, Women Development and Civil Service 

will be geared towards addressing the challenges in the state.

I will therefore take time to give an overview of the seven points agenda.

1. SECURITY: 

My administration will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies particularly AMOTEKUN, Forest Guards, Vigilantes and Traditional Hunters through advance training and provision of appropriate equipment and required legislations.

We will incorporate and engage traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders in implementing community policing and neighborhood watch for the safety of our people.

We will invest heavily in technology by deploying modern surveillance and intelligent gathering technologies to effectively monitor hotspots and vulnerable areas such as forest reserves and farmlands with a view to preventing and responding to crime appropriately.

· The above are in addition to the regular security architecture functioning in the State.

2. AGRICULTURE: This remains the main stay of the State’s economy. Our policy in this sector will be anchored on promoting self-sufficiency in food production so as to meet the United Nation Food Security mandate. We shall do this by:

a. Providing training and support for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques.

b. Provision of incentives to investors to establish agro-processing industry so as to add value to agricultural products, reduce post-harvest loses, create jobs for the youth and thereby grow the economy of the state. We shall sustain agricultural practices for long time productivity by ensuring the availability of fertilizers and agricultural input at subsidized rate.

c. Provision of tractors for farmers at subsidized rate will be encouraged.

d. We would also establish procurement agency that will provide ready market for all our agricultural produce which will in turn encourage our farmers to produce beyond their subsistence level.

e. My administration will encourage investors to participate in large scale farming, animal husbandry, poultry and aqua-culture by providing land and creating enabling environment.

3. EDUCATION:

a. We will ensure quality education for economic development, social equity, technological advancement and cultural preservation for sustainable development.

b. To achieve desirable workforce suitable for a knowledge-driven economy, the inputs from the primary and secondary schools must be well prepared. The quality of input from the tertiary institution will determine the quantity of their input. We will ensure that quality primary and secondary schools are built and well renovated with the provision for Information Technology.

c. The recruitment of quality teachers and purchase of educational materials will be our priority.

d. The tertiary education will be well funded through increase in budgetary allocation.

e. We will encourage increase in IGR through sellable Research Entrepreneurship etc.

f. Affordable tuition fees in the institutions will be negotiated with the stakeholders.

4. HEALTH

Health is Wealth

a. The situation in Ondo State in the last eight years is indeed worrisome as there is geometrical decline in the health sector of the state. We shall address this ugly trend by providing, at least, one primary health centre in each of the 203 wards in the state which will be staffed with trained and dedicated medical personnel.

b. The provision of essential drugs, hospital consumables and laboratory services to patients at affordable cost in all public medical facilities across the state will be our priority.

c. The Mother and Child hospitals will be established in Ondo South and Ondo North Senatorial districts within the three years of our administration to complement the existing one at the Central Senatorial District.

d. We will partner with investors to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing industries in the state to produce drug for sale to government institutions and the general public.

e. The welfare of our medical officers and staff in the health sector will be our priority for effective service delivery.

5. INFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY AND MARINE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 The huge infrastructural deficit and poor industrial output in the state is a call for concern. We will pay attention to rehabilitation of roads, construction of waterways, provision of rural and urban electrification, enhancement and improvement in clean and pipe borne water delivery for the benefit of our people.

 We will ensure that the roads that need dualization in the three senatorial districts are vigorously pursued.

 We will ensure that the moribund companies in Ondo State are resuscitated and where this is impossible, we will encourage the establishment of new ones. All these will be pursued with the singular purpose of creating massive employment opportunities for the people of the state.

 The Ondo South Senatorial District is the bedrock of the marine blue economy for the State. My administration will activate and actualise the potentials therein.

 Ondo State has the longest coastline of about 80 kilometers in Nigeria. My administration will utilise the enormity of the potentials available in this sector. Our nearness to Lagos State will be an added advantage in this respect.

6. RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

The tendency on the part of government in developing countries which pushes development solely in the urban area at the detriment of the rural areas will be adequately addressed by my administration. We shall apply the following to curtail this.

a. There will be improvement of rural road network.

b. We will also embark on Rural Housing Scheme.

c. My government will improve tourism development in the state.

d. OSOPADEC-

i. The Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) shall be restored to its core mandate to meet the expectations of Oil Producing Communities in the state.

ii. Government will ensure that of the 13% derivation funds accruable to Ondo State, 40% of the fund is paid to OSOPADEC to perform its core mandate in line with the enabling law.

iii. The Head Office of OSOPADEC will be relocated to the Headquarters (Igbokoda), in Ilaje Local Government Area.

e. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

i. My administration will grant full autonomy to local government areas both in finance and governance.

ii. Government will address the grievances of communities arising from the creation of LCDAs.

iii. The process of election into the local government areas will commence within three months of my administration.

7. YOUTH, SPORT, SOCIAL, WOMEN DEVELOPMENT AND CIVIL SERVICE

a. The role of youths in the development of a state or nation can never be over-emphasized, hence the axiom “build the youth, build the nation”

In the same vein, women, who are home managers, mothers and great pillars of society, cannot be pushed aside or ignored by any progress-minded administration.

b. In that regard, the new PDP administration in the state will prioritise programmes that will ensure the accelerated development of youths and women.

c. Our administration will pursue sports development, not just for entertainment, physical fitness and a unifying factor, but also as a veritable source of empowerment for youths and young adults within the state and offshore.

d. Under our watch, great attention will be accorded to social development initiatives to the advantage of youths, women, the aged and vulnerable people in the state, just as government will ensure that civil servants and retirees in the state are honoured with the best of treatment in line with standard of global practices.

Distinguished leaders of our great party, publishers, editors and gentlemen of the press, beyond the over-view that I have done in respect of the seven points agenda of our party’s programmes, what is sacrosanct in developing a state like Ondo is the political will of the sitting governor. On my own part, the required political will to develop Ondo State is inherent in me and it is already activated.

By the support of the media (of which you are the arrow heads), I believe I will win this election very convincingly. After I would have been sworn in as Governor, I will still require your support to propagate the ideals and the programmes highlighted in this short address.

I look forward to working with all of you as we ignite the sun to shine in Ondo State.

Thank you all and God bless.  

H. E. Agboola Alfred Ajayi

September 27, 2024.

 The first lady of Akwa Ibom state, Patience Umo Eno, has been declared dead after a brief illness.

According to a statement by the Commissioner of Information, Ini Ememobong, issued in the early hours of Friday, the First Lady died on Thursday in a hospital in the presence of her family.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the Wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, following an illness. She passed away peacefully at the hospital, on 26th September 2024, in the presence of her family,” the statement reads.

“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time. Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”

For the past twenty-hours, I have seen my state governor, HE Lucky Aiyedatiwa, serenade us with his beautiful dancing skills on different video clips. I stumbled on one where Mr. Governor, in his sparkling white, remembered he’s a true Ilaje-born as he rolled around to a beat. My wife said it’s a Biripo dance. As one married to an Ilaje woman, I should know these simple things, including local dance steps. Apologies to my in-laws. 

Another video also showed Mr. Governor on the roof of an SUV, dancing away and enjoying himself on the streets of Akure. Someone close to me, on seeing the video, retorted loudly that the governor of Ondo State must have solved all Ondo issues for him to be this crowded and unbelievably happy on Oyemekun Road.

What a lucky man! 

Sadly, the people of Okeijebu are neither happy nor lucky. Since January 2024, a section of these unhappy, unlucky people have remained in total darkness as a result of faulty transformers. All communal efforts, including seeking government intervention, to acquire a new one have remained abortive. 

When the news of O’datiwa Meters(I still find this tag nauseating knowing fully well that homeowners paid at least ₦110,000 for one) rented the air, these people rejoiced, confident that a government selling prepaid meters would do everything to connect more people back to the national grid. 

With Ondo people adjusting to the current economic realities, including an increase in PMS pump price that majority of us rely on to power our houses, I expect the state government to be on its toes in relieving the people of these burdens. 

I hope the governor will roll out transformers to affected areas in the state, including this part of Okeijebu that hasn’t seen government electricity for over eight months now. These people also deserve to be lucky, happy and at least do their own Biripo.

Oluwagbenga Ajongbolo writes from Oke Ijebu, Akure.

As a sign of his total commitment to the success of the APC in the Ondo State Governorship election and to demonstrate his full support for the Party’s candidate in the forthcoming election, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele has donated his iconic Campaign Secretariat and machinery to the Party’s candidate, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa for the prosecution of his campaign.

This was disclosed in a letter made available to the press by the Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Hon. Segun Olukoju, on Wednesday.

The letter stated that the Campaign Secretariat, which stands as a symbol of resilience and commitment to good governance, has been designated as a strategic and operational hub for campaign planning, coordination, and outreach.

He further assured that the Ifeoluwa Oyedele Campaign Organisation remains fully committed to supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa’s vision for a prosperous Ondo State, expressing confidence that the Secretariat will prove invaluable in securing victory at the polls.

“The handover of the secretariat is a significant show of solidarity between Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele and Governor Aiyedatiwa, and it represents their shared commitment to the progress and development of Ondo State.

Our Principal, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the entire citizens of the Sunshine State to rally around to ensure the success of APC in the election scheduled to take place on November 16, 2024.” Olukoju remarked.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has condemned the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for setting the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) produced by Dangote Refinery, calling it illegal under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). 

In a statement on Tuesday, Falana pointed out that NNPCL’s actions violate Section 205 of the PIA, which mandates that fuel prices be determined by market forces after deregulation.

Falana referenced a previous explanation by NNPCL regarding PMS price fluctuations due to foreign exchange challenges. He criticized the company for going against its own stance by fixing the price of petrol from Dangote Refinery.

He argued, “The NNPCL’s action blatantly contravenes Section 205 of the PIA, which ensures that petroleum product prices are governed by free market forces.” 

He also noted that since the Dangote Refinery is located within Nigeria’s Lekki Free Trade Zone, NNPCL cannot justify the high price of N950 per litre, as it bypasses costs typically associated with imported fuel, such as freight, foreign exchange, and customs duties.

Falana’s remarks follow NNPCL’s announcement of the commencement of PMS lifting from Dangote Refinery, with prices set at N950 per litre in Lagos and over N1,000 in other states like Borno. 

His statement aligns with criticism from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), which argued that locally produced fuel should not be more expensive than imported fuel.