Abia sets up tuition-free schools in senatorial zones.

Abia sets up tuition-free schools in senatorial zones.

Abia State government has stated its resolve to establish tuition-free schools in the three senatorial zones of the state, to train artisans who are currently lacking in the state.

Briefing newsmen on Monday night on the outcome of the week’s executive council meeting, chaired by the state governor, Alex Otti, the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, said the one-year programme, that is residential, will feature courses on solar power installation and maintenance, PoP, painting, mason and tiling, among others.

He said that this was in line with the state government’s interest in ensuring the abundance of artisans in the state, instead of importing them from outside, stating that the graduands will be empowered with funds.

He added, “For quite a while, Abia has been lacking artisans. So, the state government wants to put an end to this shortage of skilled workers in the state.”

The commissioner used the opportunity to state that the supply of gas to the Geometric Power Plant in Aba has started since Saturday in preparation for the oncoming commissioning of the plant at the weekend, stating that the gas supply comes from Owazza.

He also disclosed that the state government has taken a firm stand on vehicles driving against traffic, literally called “one way” in any part of the state, stating that the state government views it as “serious indiscipline” and is taking “a measure in stamping out the impunity” to ensure doing things right.

He added, “Government views it as serious offence and is setting up a taskforce in that regards.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, informed that the state government is still investigating the source of the contamination of Aro Ajatakiri stream, disclosing that some companies in Umuahia are under investigation over their waste disposal methods, assuring that soon, the state government will come out with the result of its findings.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Kanu said the state government is yet to get any released grains as announced by the Federal Government, stating, “I am not aware of any such issue.”

Aketi's Death: A big Loss to Southwest and Progressive Politics. Omoluabi Group Sends Tribute.

Aketi's Death: A big Loss to Southwest and Progressive Politics. Omoluabi Group Sends Tribute.

Omoluabi Group a socio - cultural and political group which is a voice in the southwest condole the people of Ondo State on the unfortunate demise of their beloved governor who ruled the state between 2016 and 2023.  Aketi as he was fondly called in the public space until his death was known to be a valiant, determined, courageous and a lover of God. Aketi was privileged to provide leadership at the top enchelon of his professional body both at National and sub- regional level. 

The owo born politician played progressive politics and held on to the ideology of that school of political thought until his death. Omoluabi Team Alliance socio- cultural and political group is if the opinion that the late governor and worthy son of the southwest will be fondly remembered for his bravery and readiness to protect the interest of the southwest at all times especially where and when it matters. The birth of the southwest security network was a product of the late Aketi' s sagacity. His outspoken character played a viral role in the southwest agenda that we all yearned for during the 2023 presidential election that ushered in the incumbent President and Commander- In- Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

In all Omoluabi group also known as Egbe Omoluabi is of the opinion that the  Government of Ondo State should endeavor to immortalise this worthy son of the State while other governors within the southwest region should also do same in their respective states.

We by this release identify with the immediate family, government and people of Ondo State at this trying moment. While we pray the Akeredolu family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss 

Adieu valiant lawyer

Adieu Worthy son of Oduduwa

Adieu the Amotekun General

Rest on Aketi.

 E- signed:

 Alex Akinfolarin

 National Secretary

 For:

 Omoluabi Dr. Jayeola, A.O.

 National Convener and Leader

 Omoluabi Group

 Southwest.

 21/2/2024

Reps probe abandoned $38.7m NNPC-NAOC power project.

Reps probe abandoned $38.7m NNPC-NAOC power project.

The House of Representatives has unveiled plans to investigate the abandoned $38.7 million Phase 2 of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation – Nigerian Agip Oil Company joint venture Okpai independence power plant project.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by a lawmaker, Nnamdi Ezechi, who called for the intervention of federal lawmakers.

In his lead debate, Ezechi observed that the Okpai Independent Power Plant project, a joint venture between NAOC and the Federal Government, received approval from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission for the construction of Phase 2.

Ezechi said, “The House also notes that despite the substantial investment of $38.7m, and the commencement of Phase II construction in November 2017, the project ended up being abandoned, resulting in the dilapidation of the critical federal infrastructure.

“The House is aware that the Phase II project has reached approximately 90 per cent completion prior to its abandonment by contractors – Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Agip Oil Company.

“The House further notes that the project site is in a grave state of decay, with billions of dollars worth of equipment and turbines unused, covered by grass, and taken over by shrubs.

“The House is concerned that the abandonment of the Phase II project jeopardises significant investments and furthermore hampers an increase in electricity generation for the nation.”

The lawmaker added that the “House is also concerned that there is ambiguity surrounding the project’s contract amount, casting doubt on accountability and transparency in its execution.

“The House recognises the fact that the NAOC and Saipem Contracting Nigeria SCNL were involved in the award and execution of the project.

“The House is disturbed about the lack of advancement of the project and the need for government action to preserve this essential national resource,” he noted.

Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Power to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the funding and contractors, which includes NAOC and SCNL, and ascertain the impediments leading to the abandonment of the project, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Akeredolu was Patriotic, Selfless as Leader, Say Oyebanji, Aiyedatiwa, Others.

Akeredolu was Patriotic, Selfless as Leader, Say Oyebanji, Aiyedatiwa, Others.

Dignitaries across Nigeria, including the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, yesterday converged on Akure, the capital of Ondo State to give honour and respect to the former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, with a unanimous verdict that he was a patriotic Nigerian, who served the masses zealously and sacrificially.

The governors gave the resounding verdict, at a lying- in -state and commendation service held in Akeredolu's honour at Akure township Stadium, Ondo State Capital, as part of the activities lined up for the funeral of the late Governor.

The venue of the event was filled to the brim, as admirers and political associates as well as top government functionaries, had thronged the main bowl of the stadium to give last respect to the departed hero.

Akeredolu, one of the leaders and serving governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, died on December 26, 2023, during a protracted battle with cancer.

At the solemn event, Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, in his tribute, said Akeredolu would be sorely missed for his bravery and dedication to duty, saying his passion and zeal for development, had earned him respect and honour among the masses.

Besides Oyebanji, other governors at the event were: Governors of Kwara State, Abdulrazak Abdurahman, Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State.

Speaking about the deceased's virtues, Oyebanji stated that his former colleague was steadfast in delivery of democracy dividends to the people as a governor and stood strong as a defender of the people against external aggression when the situation was tough and hard. 

Oyebanji said the citizens of Ondo State will never forget Akeredolu's superlative services to them in his seven years of reign as a governor.

Beyond Ondo State, the Ekiti State Governor added that the entire Southwest Region will continually respect and venerate him even in death over his historic role in the consummation of Amotekun Corps when insecurity was becoming a serious albatross on their neck. 

Oyebanji said: "The government of Ekiti State specifically sympathise with Her Excellency and widow of our late leader, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, the children and family of this loving father. We knew how you feel losing a precious, caring and loving father. We understand your pains and we stand by you at this trying time.

"May God grant him eternal rest".

In his tribute to his former principal, Governor Aiyedatiwa, said Akeredolu made great impact in the lives of Ondo people, describing him as a strong Awoist, who believed in vision and mission that governance should be about the populace and not for self aggrandizement.

Aiyedatiwa added that the people would remember with nostalgic feelings, how his late boss intervened to liberate Ondo State from killings and kidnapping against all odds, saying history would continue to be kind to him.  

"We will never forget how he used the power of governance to industrialise, educate, lay solid infrastructural foundation and contributed to human capital development. We will remember his role as someone who defended the vulnerable and protect human rights. 

"Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, was a general, who sacrificed personal comfort to ensure good governance in Ondo State. He was a war general, who fought for human rights. We thank him for giving some of us opportunities to serve. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace".

Gombe approves N5.2bn for payment of gratuities.

Gombe approves N5.2bn for payment of gratuities.

Gombe State Executive Council on Wednesday approved about N5.2bn for payment of retirees in state and local government workers.

Announcing this during a media conference at the end of its 36th meeting, the Commissioner for Information Mijinyawa Tilde, said no fewer than nine memos were presented before the council presided by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.

Tilde noted that this was the fifth time the present administration in the state is settling inherited outstanding gratuities to retirees.

“The nine memos were approved and ratified by the State Executive Council,” he added.

Explaining further, Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Magaji, said N2.291bn would be used to offset the gratuity of the state’s civil service workers.

“This is the fifth time since this current administration took office that the government is clearing backlog this time N2.291 billion is earmarked for the payment of gratuity to deserving and other entitlements of the state’s 2018 retirees, Magaji added.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development Abdulkadir Waziri, said SEC approved memo presented by the ministry for the payment of retired local government workers in the state.

He added, “For payment of gratuities to retirees of local government service of all the 11 Local Government Councils. The local government contributory fund has already earmarked over N3 billion for the payment of retirees. Local Governments are going to pay the backlog up to 2022; some will pay at least two years each this has gone a long way in realising the efforts of His Excellency to reduce the burden of retirees and to better the lives of citizens.”

Commenting on other approvals given by the Finance Ministry, Magaji disclosed that there was an approval of N332m for the payment of compensation to property owners at Bauchi and Dukku motor parks in Gombe metropolis, adding “The governor had constituted a task force/committee to assess properties in those locations, after which they submitted their report and a compensation committee was asked to do a review that was today submitted to the council and N332 million was approved for the payment of the compensation. This is to provide for the relocation of the motor parks to the Mega Motorpark that has been completed by this administration.”

Last year, the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, said that the state received N2bn out of the N5bn subsidy removal palliative set by the Federal Government.

Yahaya disclosed this at the grand finale of the distribution of palliatives at the Gombe Emir’s palace ground

Akeredolu’ll be remembered for strengthening judiciary – Aiyedatiwa.

Akeredolu’ll be remembered for strengthening judiciary  – Aiyedatiwa.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has eulogised the late former governor of the state, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, saying the late Akeredolu would be remembered for his efforts in strengthening the judicial system in the state.

Aiyedatiwa said his former boss did well in using the rule of law to fight against crimes and criminalities while in office.

The governor stated this while speaking at the special court session held in honour of the late governor at the state High Court headquarters, Akure, the state capital on Wednesday.

Aiyedatiwa who became the governor of the state shortly after the death of Akeredolu in December 2023, said the late governor would also be remembered for signing into law some bills that enhanced the security system of the state, particularly, the bill to establish the state security network agency also known as Amotekun.

He said, “We remember with pride today his (Akeredolu) sense of urgency and intervention and unusual dedication to the cause of access to justice.

“His support for the Multidoor Court System, improved delivery of the Alternate Dispute Resolution system and welfare for judges and judicial officers, are well documented.

“Shall we forget his drive for necessary and expeditious law-making? For records, he sponsored the Executive Bill for a law to establish the Ondo State Security Agency and Amotekun Corps, to assist in maintaining law and order in the state. His government also sponsored a bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Ondo State Security Trust Fund.

“Others include but are not limited to a bill for a law to provide for the establishment of an independent office of the Auditor-General which provides for the audit of public Accounts. There was also the bill for a law to establish the Ondo State Agency against violence against women.

“Others include but are not limited to a bill for a law to establish the State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission as well as a bill for a law to regulate rearing and grazing of livestock and to provide for the establishment of ranches.”

Oyebanji to LG bosses: monthly security council meetings now mandatory.

Oyebanji to LG bosses: monthly security council meetings now mandatory.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has mandated Chairmen of Local Government and Local Council Development areas in the state to start holding security council meetings as part of efforts to tackle insecurity headlong in their various areas. 

Governor Oyebanji who gave the directive on Wednesday during a security meeting with all council chairmen and heads of security agencies in the state. 

The Governor who said he had reports that previous set of council chairmen did not pay attention to the statutory security council meetings, said going forward the meetings must hold at least once monthly , adding that all critical stakeholders in the security architecture in their respective council areas must be in attendance. 

Governor Oyebanji said any council chairman that fails to hold the security meeting would forfeit the security vote for the month. This is to show the importance the administration attach to security at the local level, which is always in focus at the local government security council meetings. 

The security meeting, according to the Governor, should also include representatives of the state government, adding that reports of the meetings should be submitted regularly to his office for effective scrutiny and necessary action.

The Governor charged the council chairmen to work with relevant security agencies and the traditional institution in ensuring security of lives and properties of the people in their areas. 

Stressing that it is cheaper to maintain peace than to arrest crisis, Governor Oyebanji urged the chairmen to be strategic in managing security fund accrued  to the councils, while maintaining cordial relationships with relevant stakeholders, restating  the commitment of the government to make more provision for security vote. 

He said all efforts must be made to ensure that no part of the state experience any security breach, like it happened recently. 

“As you are all aware, our  administration is based on consultation and we are not unmindful of what has happened in the state in the last few weeks and the efforts that government is taking to ensure that we don’t have a repeat of that very unfortunate development.

“I have decided to call this meeting so that we can share with you our own strategies and ask for inputs from you to finally agree on how to craft an enduring and sustainable solute to this. So, I am going to allow us to share intelligence as it concerns our local governments.

“I will brief you on what we have discovered, then you give us a feedback from your respective local governments, this will help the security chiefs to develop strategies that all of us will agree on and how we are going to implement.

“One thing that we have discovered is lack of collaboration among local government chairmen that shared boundaries on security. If there are three or four local governments that share boundaries, there is need for you to jointly meet and share intelligence among yourselves and allocate responsibilities. 

Once you do that, you will not be duplicating your efforts.

“We also discovered that in most local governments, they don’t hold Security Council meeting, they collect the money, they share among themselves, I have met with the Obas, they told me that most of the past local government chairmen don’t invite them to Security Council meetings. Going forward, we have decided that we will look at the security votes and see where we can scale up for you because of the challenges. 

“Security council meeting monthly is now a must and this is going to be the procedure, every statutory member that should be in that meeting including the chairmen of Council of traditional rulers or their representatives, all security chiefs in the local government and now, a representative of the state government will be there and the resolution will be signed by everybody and sent to my office. Any local government that does not send a report as appropriate will have its security vote withheld. So, the condition to access security vote will be contingent on regular hosting of Security Council meeting.” He said.

The Governor used the opportunity to stress the need for effective information gathering and dissemination as well as intelligence and strategies sharing for effective tackling of insecurity.

He hinted that his administration would soon liaise with the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) to generate and introduce a strategic security toll free line where information could easily got to the security agencies for prompt action.

The Governor also urged the council chairmen, especially those who share border, to cooperate among themselves by sharing intelligence and possibly have joint patrol.

He also urged them to ensure that information that could assist the security apparatus in their respective local government areas are promptly released to the security agencies for prompt action adding that most of the criminals, their agents and accomplices live in the communities providing food and other materials for the bandits.

“I have told the Special Adviser on Security to give us a toll free line that people can send information to on any intelligence you have gathered in your local government, but make sure the information is genuine.

Also at the meeting were the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in the state, Barr. Paul Omotoso, Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Olabode, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.), Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Inter-party Affairs, Chief Jide Awe and all heads of security agencies in the state.