Aiyedatiwa Flags Off Construction Of Rural Roads In Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa Flags Off Construction Of Rural Roads In Ondo State. 

....Oda Cocoa Board in Akure South, Ode-Omi-Ebute Iyara in Irele and Ifira-Afo in Akoko South East to benefit in first phase.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his commitment to the development of the grassroots, while also ensuring food security by constructing access roads to farms.

The Governor gave this assuarance at the project launch and groundbreaking ceremony of 15.5km Oda Cocoa Board - Camp 2 - Langbodo Road in Oda town in Akure South local government area on Friday.

The first phase of the project cuts across the three senatorial districts of the State in Oda - Cocoa Board - Langbodo at Akure South LG in the Central; Ode - Omi - Ebute Iyara in Irele LGA for the South and Ifira Akoko - Afo in Akoko South East LG for the North. The construction work will commence simultaneously across the three locations.

The second phase of the road contracts are expected to be awarded in the first quarter of the year and it will also cut across many LGAs in the State. 

The Governor assured that his administration will continue to embark on  more developmental projects for the benefit of the people of the State, especially at the grassroots.

Governor Aiyedatiwa emphasized the need for all stakeholders to take ownership of the projects, stressing that the contractors handling the construction of rural roads must be closely supervised to ensure that the quality of roads is not compromised under any guise.

He added that the fact that the roads have been in a deplorable state for many years makes it imperative that the ongoing intervention must be carried out to the expected threshold of standard.

While hoping for a speedy completion of the projects, the Governor commended the efforts of the contractors so far. 

The State Project Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP), Mr. Femi Adetanmi, said the project enjoys fundings from the World Bank, French Development Agency and Counterpart contribution by the Ondo State Government.

Adetanmi emphasized that when the road is completed, it will connect the people in the rural communities with the urban areas which will allow free flow of farm produce.

"Ondo RAAMP project cuts across all the 18 Local Government Areas of the State with about 700km of roads digitalized, designed and ready for construction. The design of 9 of Agro-Logistics Centers (ALCs) to be built across the State is equally ongoing", he said.

He, however, called on farmers to ensure that through this gesture, farm products are made available in sufficient quantities to the markets in order to eliminate food scarcity that is being experienced due to poor road network in rural/farm areas.

Also, the Administrative Secretary, Directorate of Rural & Community Development, who doubles as the Chairman, State Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP, Mr. Wole Akinkuotu, reiterated that the present administration's decision to be one of the participating states in RAAMP was borne out of the concerned attitude of the Governor and the desire to change the negative narrative associated with getting access to the rural parts of the State.

Those present at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of Staff to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Prince Segun Omojuwa and traditional rulers.

Fubara Gifts Nwabali N20m, State Honour.

Fubara Gifts Nwabali N20m, State Honour.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has on Friday, said his administration will sustain purposeful governance and administrative efficiency because they are helping the people of the state to engage in ventures that bring honour.

Fubara spoke when he hosted the Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, who participated in the just concluded 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The Governor, who announced a N20 million Naira reward for Nwabali said he will also be bestowed with the honour of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State.

Fubara also gifted N30 million to the Super Eagles’ crew who were present.

In a related development, for emerging as champions in the Louis Edem National League competition, Fubara gifted N50 million to the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team.

This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to the governor, Boniface Onyedi, and made available to newsmen.

Fubara said in providing leadership, his focus was to create an enabling environment in which Rivers people will continue to feel encouraged to do the right thing to align with what he is doing in changing the narrative of how Rivers State is perceived globally.

The governor commended the Rivers-born Nwabali for his excellent goalkeeping in the Super Eagles team, playing alongside other patriots in the just concluded AFCON, which has made Nigeria proud.

He said, “I want to join the great and wonderful people of Rivers State to congratulate you, our brother Stanley Nwabali and our wonderful team.

“We are here again in just about four months after you won a local trophy.

“Today, you have brought a national trophy. So, when people say or talk behind us to ask what we are doing, we are achieving those things that are not, maybe, seen physically but they give joy and fulfilment.

“If we have not encouraged you in a way that motivated you, you won’t be where you are. So, it is part of purposeful governance and administrative efficiency.

“So, I want to thank you and assure you that we will continue to do our best.”

He urged residents of the state to continue to consciously do positive things that promote the state and attract honour.

The state Commissioner for Sports, Christopher Green, lauded Fubara for his support that motivated the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Team to clinch the national league trophy as champions.

Also speaking, a former Commissioner for Justice and one-time Super Eagles player, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, while recognising the impact of sports development in the state, commended the purposeful leadership of Fubara.

Workers, Students in Ikere Ekiti to benefit from EKSG free bus service.

Workers, Students in Ikere Ekiti  to benefit from EKSG free bus service.

Students and workers in Ikere Ekiti will start enjoying the state government’s free bus services, beginning from Monday, February 19, 2024. 

  

This is sequel to the directive of the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji  that the free bus service be extended to students and civil servants in Ikere- Ekiti as part of the administration’s  efforts to cushion the impact of economic hardship being faced across the country.

The buses will ply major routes in Ikere Ekiti and will convey students and workers in the morning and afternoon. 

The free bus service for students and civil servants commenced in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital last year as part of the palliative measures introduced by the Biodun Oyebanji administration to cushion the effect of the economic hardship. 

Plans are underway to increase the fleet of buses and extend the free bus service to other major towns in the state. 

The Biodun Oyebanji administration is committed to the welfare and wellbeing of the citizens and will continue to prioritize programmes and policies that will boost their productivity in line with its shared prosperity agenda.

Stop hoarding foodstuffs, Nasarawa Gov urges traders.

Stop hoarding foodstuffs, Nasarawa Gov urges traders.

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has sought the support of members of the Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association towards mitigating the rising cost of food items.

The governor stated this when he recently met with the traders and marketers association at the Government House, Lafia, due to the prevailing economic hardships being experienced by the people of the state.

Sule decried the situation where traders purchase and hoard food items solely for profit maximisation, and urged the members of the traders and marketing association to sensitise their members on the ills of hoarding food items, especially at a time when people find it difficult to feed.

Sule said, “It is high time we come together to help ourselves. It is inconsiderate for someone to hoard food items while waiting for the prices to soar before selling them.

“It is even possible that at the time, such a person wants to sell his food items, he may lack buyers because of the scarcity of money. It is not good for someone who bought a 50kg bag of sugar at N32,000 to now turn around and sell it at N72,000.

“Stop hoarding food items. Hunger is ravaging the people. If we continue to hoard food items and people continue to die, we would answer before God.”

Also speaking, the President, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Musa Turaki-Gamji, said members of the union had started touring the zones across the state to sensitise traders on supporting the government’s plans to assuage the plight of the people.

Turaki-Gamji pointed out that the association had taken it upon itself to intervene by assisting the government in reducing the hardships presently being faced by the people of the state.

Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu quits race as 11 battle for APC ticket.

Edo 2024: Ize-Iyamu quits race as 11 battle for APC ticket.

An Edo State governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, unexpectedly withdrew from the race yesterday, 24 hours from today’s primary of the party.

Ize-Iyamu had flown the APC flag in the 2020 election and the PDP flag in 2016.

He was one of the 12 aspirants earlier cleared from a field of 29 by a committee put in place by the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

Ize-Iyamu, in a six-paragraph letter to the National Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, said his withdrawal became “imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters.”

He said: “Few months ago, after extensively interacting with family, friends, political associates, and supporters, I joined the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial race, as a result of my passion and commitment to the cause of rescuing Edo State from the current condition of decrepitude.

“I entered the contest as a progressive democrat, with an open mind to keenly contest and accept the result of a process that is fair, credible and transparent. I appreciate the commendable effort made by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to correct the erroneous impression maliciously created by certain persons that some aspirants, including myself, had been disqualified from the gubernatorial contest. The NWC constituted the authentic screening committee, and all twelve aspirants who purchased and completed the nomination forms were successfully screened and subsequently issued clearance certificates. This step was praise worthy and helped in restoring our integrity in the eyes of the public.

“Having been cleared to contest, I regrettably wish to announce my withdrawal from the race. Although painful, this decision has become imperative after an exhaustive consultation with my family, friends, political associates and supporters. I make this sacrifice in the interest of the peace and unity that the party desperately requires at both state and national levels.

“I humbly appeal to the good people of Edo State to accept my decision, which is very personal, and I promise to be there for them at all times.

“Thankfully, I acknowledge the fatherly role of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as well as the party’s national leadership for the fairness and commitment to the democratic process. Likewise, I remain grateful to members of the State Working Committee for their principled stand to allow a level-playing field for all aspirants. I am extremely appreciative to my family, friends, supporters, well-wishers, and the extraordinary hardworking men and women of our campaign organisation, who were prepared to stop at nothing to see me fly the party’s flag. I salute your great works, your steadfastness and courage.

 “Finally, as a loyal party man, I wish to pledge that I and my teeming supporters shall support any candidate that emerges in the primary election holding tomorrow (today).”

Political observers in the state said yesterday that Ize-Iyamu’s withdrawal might not be unconnected with his realization that the permutation seemed to favour Dennis Idahosa, who is the House of Representatives member for Ovia.

Still in the race however are: Clem Agba, Monday Okpebholo, Lucky Imasuen, Anamero Dekeri, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Gideon Ikhine and David Imuse, Charles Airhiavbere, Oserheimen Osunbor, Blessing Agbomhere, Dennis Idahosa and Ernest Umakhihe.

Ekiti First Lady Visits Former Schools, Donates Schoolbags, Books To Pupils.

Ekiti First Lady Visits Former Schools, Donates Schoolbags, Books To Pupils.

....Schools Get New Projects From Govt.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has given back to the primary and secondary schools she attended saying the gesture was to contribute to the fulfillment of the dreams and aspirations of the young minds.

There was excitement among pupils of Baptist Day Nursery/Primary School, Irona, Ado Ekiti and students of Baptist Comprehensive High School, Ilawe Road, Ado Ekiti on Friday as they were gifted schoolbags, exercise books, mathematical sets and sanitary pads ( for the girls) by the First Lady.

The Governor's wife served as the Senior/Head Girl for the 1987 set of Baptist Comprehensive High School Ado Ekiti. Dr. Oyebanji recognized and exchanged banters with her classmates who were around to witness the occasion.

Distributing the school materials to the beneficiaries, Dr. Oyebanji explained that her gesture was not merely an act of charity but a reaffirmation of her commitment to education and the future of the children.

While noting that all the children have purpose to fulfill in life, Dr. Oyebanji passionately prayed that God would help them to succeed in life and become great in life.

Dr. Oyebanji expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and development of her two alma mater, reiterating her readiness to always support educational initiatives that uplift the communities.

"Education is the bedrock of societal development, and it is essential that every child has access to quality learning resources. By providing these materials we are contributing to the dreams and aspirations of these young minds, empowering them to reach their fullest potential," she said

The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, used the occasion to announce three key projects that have just been approved for the primary school that produced the First Lady.

The projects are three blocks of classrooms, a modern toilet and a borehole to ease the challenge of water scarcity for teachers and pupils. 

The announcement of the projects thrilled the teachers and pupils.

The Headmistress of Baptist Day Nursery Primary School, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Obisesan, said it was symbolic for the First Lady to come back to her old school to give educational empowerment to the pupils.

The pupils treated the First Lady and the guests to cultural performance to the delight of guests and the parents who were delighted with the gifts presented to their wards.

At the secondary school, the SUBEB boss disclosed that his agency would renovate and furnish the school hall while more modern toilets would be constructed for them.

Also, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, promised that the ministry would construct a new block of laboratory while the ICT Centre would be furnished through a special intervention initiative.

She urged the SS3 students to read very hard and pass their School Certificate Examination in flying colours as the state government has paid a total sum of N549 million as West African Examinations Council (WAEC) fees for them all.

The Principal, Mr. Afolabi Ologunleko, commended the First Lady "for her sense of history, humility and readiness to give back to an institution that helped in laying the foundation for her life's attainment.

He added: "We recognize the novelty and uniqueness of this occasion and we all appreciate the passion and social commitment that promted Her Excellency to visit us. 

"The First Lady's love for her alma mater is a reflection of her love for the betterment of education in Ekiti generally; and it also reflects the vision of the current administration to revive the fervour of the education sector."

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Chairman, Mr. Lawrence Ogundipe, urged the state government to construct a fence round the school in order to enhance the security of teachers and students.

Other government officials who attended the ceremony in the two schools are the Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju; Commissioner of Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye; SUBEB boss, Prof. Akinwumi; Senior Special Assistants, Permanent Secretaries among others.

Prioritise Devt, APC's Stability, Ekiti Deputy Gov Tasks New Councilors.

Prioritise Devt, APC's Stability, Ekiti Deputy Gov Tasks New Councilors.

.....Says lawmakers must key into Oyebanji's grassroots policy.

The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has tasked the newly sworn- in councilors across the state to work for the progress and development of their towns as well as the stability of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Deputy Governor warned the council legislators against deploying their current positions to stoke unwarranted intra-party squabbles in their councils and within APC, the party they used as a vehicle to ascend greatness in politics.

Mrs Afuye said these on Friday, while receiving the eleven Councilors from Ikere Local Government and Ikere West Local Council Development Area, who came on a thank you visit to her office in Ado Ekiti.

The councilors were led by one of the leaders of APC in the Council, Engr. Bimbo Ogundipe and other party's topnotches.

Addressing the council legislators, the Deputy Governor, insisted that the councilors should key into the well espoused views of Governor Biodun Oyebanji that governance at the grassroots must enjoy accelerated progress and development.

Urging them to see their new status as a call to service, Mrs Afuye added that their positive impacts would go a long way in determining how far and well they would go in their political careers.

The Deputy Governor emphasized the need for them to play the right politics at the grassroots level as advised by Governor Biodun Oyebanji while inaugurating the council chairmen. 

She said: "You need to be honest and transparent in whatever you do. Let there be a change in our politics and development in Ikere Ekiti . Don't forget that Governor Oyebanji has a special love and attachment to the progress of the councils, don't derail this focus.

"You have to be committed and contended with whatever you have. I started my political career as a Woman Leader in Ikere Ekiti, look at where I am today.