Rehabilitation of Akoko road projects begin soon - Akeredolu


Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has assured the people of Akoko North West Local Government area of the state that the construction of Akunnu-Ikaram-Okeagbe-Afin-Ogbagi-Irun road would commence soon.

Akeredolu gave the assurance during his thank-you-tour to Akoko North West and Akoko South East Local Government areas of Ondo North Senatorial District over their supports for candidates of APC during the last House of Assembly election.

He explained that the design of the road had been completed, while the contractors would soon be mobilised to site .

The Governor, who described Akoko North West as the home of progressive politics, thanked them for their loyalty and support for APC at all times.

Akeredolu also thanked the people of the area for the victory of both candidates representing the two constituencies at the recently concluded House of Assembly elections.

Earlier, Owa of Ogbagi-Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers in the local government, thanked the Governor for appointing indigenes of the local government into his cabinet.

While applauding Governor Akeredolu for the renovation of various Schools in the area, he appealed that construction works on their deplorable roads should commence in earnest.

At Isua, in Akoko South East local government, Akeredolu commended the people of the area for their support for the party’s candidate which he said would in turn, usher in more democracy dividends to the people.

He added that apart from the renovation of many schools in the area and the rehabilitation of the Federal Government’s Owo-Ikare road which had cost the state government a lot, he assured that roads linking communities in the local government would be attended to.

The governor further promised to ensure the continuous spread of dividends of democracy to the local governments.

State chairman of APC, Ade Adetimehin, thanked people of the local governments for their massive support which gave the party victory.

He enjoined them to continue to support the APC-led government in future elections for the dividends of good governance to abound.

Chairmen of both local government areas, Yomi Babatunde (Akoko South East and Ayodele Akande, Akoko North West who lauded the Governor for the execution of various developmental projects across the state, appealed for the construction of linkage roads within their domains.

Earlier, the Olupe of Ipe-Akoko, Oba Francis Apata had thanked the governor for the rehabilitation of Owo-Ikare road, and schools.

He appealed for the rehabilitation of the deplorable Epinmi-Ikare-Oba-Ikun-Ipe-Isua road.

“We know they are Federal Government roads, but we appeal to you to use your connection to ensure that they are touched.

“Without road connectivity, our economy cannot improve in this area, but if you can get the roads rehabilitated, you don’t need to campaign for second term because the projects will speak for you, we want to have something to show to our people,” he appealed.

Photos: Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the launching of N250 million 150 bed space modern hospital at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo on Saturday 23rd March, 2019.

The Industrialization efforts of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, will soon receive a major boost as the cassava to ethanol plant at the Ondo /Linyi Industrial Hub within Ore Industrial Park, Ore will soon be ready for operation.

Massive work is currently ongoing on the cassava to ethanol plant. The plant is a product of one of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Akeredolu’s administration and the Linyi Municipal Republic in China during the Governor's visit to China last year.

The vision of the Governor to industrialize the state for economy prosperity is yeilding more positive results.

When completed, the cassava to ethanol plant will need 300 to 400 tons of cassava daily. What this means is that cassava farmers in the state will have a ready market at the plant. With an estimation of about 1million tons annually, the cassava to ethanol plant will also afford the state the unique opportunity to key into the Federal Government initiative of Cassava off - takers.

This plant alone provides a window of employment opportunities for the youths in the state.

� Nguher Gabrielle Zaki

Source:
https://citadelng.com/investment-cassava-to-ethanol-plant-ready-for-operation-soon/

Akeredolu begins LGs tour

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will today begin a week-long statewide tour of all the 18 local government areas of the state.
The move would afford him the opportunity to interact with the people on the present administration’s achievements in the last two years.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Mr Segun Ajiboye, the purpose of the visit is to enable him, to once again, interact with the people of the state.
“This again is another opportunity for me to meet and interface with the good people of Ondo State.
“The visits will avail us the opportunity to talk and reflect on our activities and achievements in the last two years and to chart a new course for the future,” Akeredolu said.
The visit will kick-start in the Southern Senatorial District, with a journey to Irele, Ese-Odo and Ilaje local government areas on Monday.
On Tuesday, It will be the turn of Okitipupa, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji local government areas also in the Southern part of the state to host the Governor.
Governor Akeredolu will on Wednesday visit Ondo West, Ondo East and Idanre local government areas in the Central District of the state.
The team will visit Ifedore, Akure North and Akure South local government areas also in Ondo Central Senatorial District of the state on Thursday.
The Governor and his entourage will be the guest of people of Akoko North-West, Akoko North-East and Akoko South-East local government areas on Friday.
The programme will be rounded-off in the same Northern District with visits to Akoko South-West, Ose and Owo local government areas on Saturday.
The statement enjoined all the political appointees of each local government area to participate in their respective locally to make the event a huge success.
It also directed all stakeholders to join the local chapter of the party to mobilize members of the party to welcome Mr. Governor and his entourage to their respective domain.

U ASKED ME WHAT HAS HE DONE? Confidently I replied;

Akeredolu’s unprecedented two-year success on road Construction/Rehabilitation in Ondo.

In less than two years in office, the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration in Ondo State has recorded unprecedented success in road constructions and rehabilitations.

Like no other administration before it, Akeredolu has kept to his promise to make both the people’s welfare and infrastructural development of the state a priority of his administration.

The Akeredolu’s magic touch on roads rehabilitation and construction does not discriminate against federal, state or local government roads. That is the case on the Owo-Ikare road and several other roads spread across the three senatorial districts of the Sunshine State.

THE FACTS:
1. Rehabilitation of selected road in Ifon (2.063km)

2. Rehabilitation of Oke Afa Road in Supare (1.448km)

3. Rehabilitation of Lennon Jubile-Solaco Road, Ugbe Road (2.358km)

4. Rehabilitation of failed portion along Iwaro-Oka-Isua Road (900m) and (21.8km)

5. Installation of street light along Owo Dualised Road

6. Construction of GRA roads (2.5km) to Owo dualisation

7. Construction of Iyere/Igbe Road, Owo

8. Construction of Iyere/Ipele Road, Owo (Phase 2)

9. Construction of Melege Junction-Ute township road (9km)

10. Dualisation of road from Emure junction (4.273km) -AUD and from Ministry of Works to Iyere junction (2.963), Owo

11. Construction of Iyere/Ipele Road, Owo (3.50km) Phase 1

12. Dualisation of Ikare Township Road Phase 11

13. Rehabilitation of Owo-Ikare Road (35km)

14. Dualisation of Oke Alabojuto Road, Ikare Phase 1 (0.5km)

15. Construction of 3 No box culverts at Ikare

16. Construction of box culvert and a bridge along Oba-Akoko-Ikun Road

17. Construction of box culvert at Aralepo, Owo

18. 5km pilot scheme RAAMP Project Molege Ute Road

19. Construction of selected roads in I danre (2.76km)

20. Construction of Iwalewa-Alafiaatayo, Iwalewa-Oshinle, Iwalewa-Hospital Road and Abusoro Road, Ijoka Phase 1

21. Construction of Alagbaka SIB-Appeal Court Road (6.02km)

22. Rehabilitation of Igbara-Oke-Isharun and Isharun Township Road (3.1km)

23. Rehabilitation of Igbara-Oke-Ibuji Road (8.1km)

24. Rehabilitation/construction of Oke-Ogba community road (5.412km)

25. Construction of Gaga community township road (5.569km)

26. Reconstruction of Bolorunduro to Fagbo Road (8.50km), Ondo

27. Construction of Ijoka to Idanre Road (15km)

28. Construction of dual carriageway from Oba Adesida (A Division) Oba Osupa (Hospital) Road-Oluwatuyi-Ijoka (8.135km)

29. Rehabilitation of Ondo dual carriage Road Phase 11 (4.3km)

30. Lighting/rehabiitation of Mobil Fiwasaye-Airport Road (8.950km)

31. Rehabilitation of selected roads in Ondo town (7.11km)

32. Dualisation of Ondo township Road ohase 1 (5.5km)

33. Rehabilitation of Access Road Royal Birds Motel/Kayode, Adinlewa Alagbaka, Akure (1.89km)

34. Construction of Army Barracks Network Rods, Akure

35. Construction/Rehabilitation of Ijapo Housing Estate Road (2.817km)

36. Construction of terminal building access road/parking lot at Akure Airport

37. Patching of selected roads in Akure township

38. Construction of Sabomi-Ajagba Road (2.3km)

39. Rehabilitation of Ore township (Mobil-Sabo Juntion (0.5km)

40. Rehabilitation/Construction of Ile-Oluji township Road (5.25km)

41. Construction of Okitipupa Igbokoda Bypass Road phase 1 (10km)

42. Construction of Flyover across Benin/Ore expressway

43. Construction of box culvert, channels, drains and approaches at Ore.

You are very clueless.Governor Akeredolu and Fayemi have been in Abuja with other governors celebrating the Buhari Victory.

Akure residents celebrate the victory of president Muhammadu Buhari

No fewer than 102 people have been confirmed to be positive with Lassa fever, in addition to 15 deaths recorded in Ondo State between January and Febuary.

Dr Wale Oke, the State Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NAN), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Akure.

“As at Thursday Feb. 21, 102 people have been tested positive to Lassa fever this year.

“82 people in Jan. and 20 people so far in February apart from 15 deaths recorded in January as a result of the fever but no death has been recorded so far in Feb.

“Most people that died either reported late or were already subjected to alternative treatment and doing self medication before they eventually came to hospital.

“Their kidneys and livers had been affected as a result of the delay,” he said

Oke, who is also a staff member at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, urged residents of the state to report early to the medical centre if they experienced upsurge of temperature in their bodies.

“We have Contact Tracing Mechanism whereby we can place on surveillance for 21 days for those that may have contact with infected persons.

“We continue to monitor their temperature if it is above 37.8 we direct them for quick treatment,’’ he said.

According to him, the centre has the highest success rate out of the three treatment centres in Nigeria for Lassa fever treatment.

He added that the State Government had put in place measures to curtail the fever, adding that the government had declared state of emergency on health sector.

Oke explained that Ondo NMA alongside Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and others had engaged in series of sensitisation for the people of the state.

He explained that the exercise was aimed at preventing further cases in the state.

“Since the outbreak of Lassa fever, we have been moving round all the health facilities to sensitise our people to the need to maintain universal caution and also to be vigilant about Lassa fever.

“So far, we have been to almost all the local government areas in the state. We rounded off with Akoko last Wednesday.

“NMA is concerned with the infection, prevention and control out of the so many pillars involved in the management of Lassa fever, hence the basis for the sensitisation.’’

However, OKE revealed that Owo, Ose, Akoko North, Akure South and Akure North were the Local Government Areas in the state that had recorded cases of Lassa fever .(NAN)

source:

https://citadelng.com/ondo-state-records-102-cases-of-lassa-fever-15-deaths-in-2-months-nma/

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has struck out the case seeking to disqualify President Muhammadu Buhari from the 2019 elections over circumstances surrounding his school certificate.

BUHARI A lawyer, Lezina Amegua, had prayed the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to disqualify the President, but the trial judge, Justice Ishaq Sani, struck out the case for lack of merit. Also joined as respondents in the suit were All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Amegua had sought an order of the court for the President to produce his original school certificate or its equivalent and master sheet of the said results before the court and for INEC to also tender receipt of its record of same documents or its equivalent submitted to it by the President. Justice Sani, in his ruling, said the plaintiff from the facts deposed to in his affidavit in support, did not show how production of the first defendant’s original school certificate or its equivalent affects his interest as an individual.

The court further held that the plaintiff did not contest any electoral position in 2015, neither was he a presidential candidate nor a political party to protest the participation and qualification of the President in 2015 and the 2019 general election.

According to Justice Sani, “the concept of locus standi focuses not on the merit of the case, but of the person seeking to approach the court. “The essence is to protect the court from being used as playground by professional litigants, busy bodies, meddlesome interlopers and cranks that have no real stake or interest in the subject matter of the litigation they seek to pursue.

“I agree with learned counsel for the fourth defendant that the plaintiff has no relationship with the reliefs in this suit and to grant same as rightly submitted would amount to opening the floodgates for the institution of actions, whether or not it affects the right of the plaintiff.

“There must be a dispute between a person who makes a claim and the one against whom the claim is made and the action must be justiciable.

“Plaintiff must show that the act complained of affects rights and obliga-tions peculiar or personal thereto. He must also show that his private rights have been infringed upon or there is a threat of such infringement of jury."

source:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/court-dismisses-certificate-suit-against-buhari/

Ondo State, A Glance Into 2 Years


Since the creation of Ondo State on 3 February 1976, it has been a known fact that the state is richly endowed with human and natural resources. But as administrations come and go, the people of Ondo state are left with the quest of finding who will fill the void of improving and creating a better and vibrant Ondo State.

This was made known when Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu assumed office in February 2017 as the Governor of Ondo state.
The Governor said he has started the task of fulfilling his promises to the people of Ondo state.
The Governor, who was elected by the people of Ondo state has not relented in making sure his blueprint to progress (policy document) providing good leadership with integrity while moving Ondo state forward is achieved.

The Governor has made good his promises of paying workers’ salaries as when due and paying backlog of the past administration's debts to the workers in the state.
Ondo state is one of the six states who do not owe workers’ salaries since Arakunrin became the Governor of Ondo state.
Arakunrin has touched the lives of pensioners in the state by paying backlogs of their pensions areas and their pensions as when due.
Through the Governor's vision for a better Ondo state. Arakunrin has created a giant revolution in the socio-economic sector of the state. This massive revolution has cut across agriculture, worker's welfare, standard class rooms for pupils/ students, regular payment of salaries, payment of outstanding salaries arrears, regular payment of pension allowances, regular installment payment of gratuity for retirees, regular promotion of public servants as when due.

Governor Akeredolu has diversified the Ondo state economy by making it attractive for both local and international investors through various agricultural programs that are well structured to improve the ease of doing business in the state.
Arakunrin with his love for agriculture, which was strong during his political campaign, has made good his promises by establishing centers for tractors hiring. He also distributed of 450,000 coco seedlings and 25,000, Brazilian cashew seedlings to the famers in Ondo state. Acquisition of cassava processing plants, establishment/approval of Ondo state famers bank, youth on the ridges empowerment, school on the ridges empowerment for secondary schools ,registration of cattle herdsmen in the state, registration of farmers on Government Forest reserve areas in Ondo state, Igba-Otun Broiler scheme etc. This is the reason famers in the state call the Governor, Otun the Governor of all famers.

Arakunrin Akeredolu said no Nation is great without proper nurturing of the youths and the next generation in the area of standard education.
The Governor made this know while addressing stakeholders at a summit where matters concerning education in Ondo state was the major discussions.
Arakunrin says Ondo state came out in 7th and 13th position respectively in the 2018 WASSCE and National mathematics competition.
He said this was made possible through proper positioning of the education sector, regular promotion of teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, appointment of Teachers as directors of TESCOM, release of monthly subvention fund to tertiary institutions in the state.
Arakunrin said his administration has embarked on massive constructions and renovation projects in the 18 local government areas of the state raging from construction and renovations of classroom blocks, construction of school office blocks and stores, construction of perimeter fence, supplies of pupil’s furniture, computer facilities, ICT equipment and playground equipment etc.

The Governor said many construction works are ongoing in the three senatorial district of the state and while some of the construction works, have been completed within his 20 months in office.
He said in order to make Ondo state’s economy attractive for both citizens and investors his administration has made it a priority to construct and dualize roads across the state. Construction of 3 No box culvert at Ikare, dualization of Ondo township road phase 11( 4.3) km, rehabilitation of selected roads in Ondo town group 111CRCC, construction of terminal building access road/parking lot at Akure Airport etc.

Arakunrin Akeredolu said his administration has recorded some obvious achievement by employing 250,000 personal in the health sector across the state for quality and prompt health care delivery.
He said his government has upgraded the State Specialist Hospital to a Teaching Hospital, the Comprehensive Health Center, Mother and Child hospital to a General hospital. The government has also created an extension of Mother and Child to Ikara, Owo, Ore, Okitipupa and Igbotako, while the School of Nursing and midwifery has been upgraded to Ondo State University of Medical Science to mention but a few.
The Governor however urged the good people of Ondo state to take advantage of this administration' empowerment initiatives in all sectors.
Arakunrin also reiterated his commitment to serve the people of Ondo state.

Kano – Out of the 75 parties compiled during the collation exercise of the Presidential elections from the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano, President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC has defeated his opponents with 1,464,768 votes.

Atiku and Buhari The figures were declared at about 3:00 am on Tuesday at the Kano headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC by the state Collation Officer Professor Magaji Garba of the Federal University of Gusau.

The total registered voters in the state is 5,391,581 but only 1,964,651 votes were cast of which 73,617 were declared as rejected votes.

This has placed the APC as having 74% in the elections. Following the APC candidate with an overwhelming margin of 1,073,175 votes is Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party PDP who polled 391,593 votes standing at 20%. Kano has a total 4,870,307 collected PVCs in all of which only 40% participated in the elections thereby suggesting a discouraging turnout at the polls.

The performance of the ruling APC, especially in it’s stronghold in Kano has depreciated with the emerging percentages. Buhari leads Atiku in 12 LGs in Kebbi In his brief address at the signing of the result shit EC8D, the Collation Officer thanked all the stakeholders for the smooth conduct despite the challenges involved.

Accept results, ECOWAS observers tell candidates


The Economic Community of West African States Election Observation Mission has called on Nigerians who contested the presidential and National Assembly elections to accept the results in good faith.

The mission gave the advice in its preliminary report signed by its Head, Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and made available to journalists on Monday.



“In the spirit of the commitment made in the peace accord of February 13, 2019, the mission urges the candidates to accept the verdict of the polls in good faith; and in case of complaints, to seek redress by legal means solely,” the report read.

It said the advice was one of the preliminary conclusions it reached pending the declaration of final results by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The group described the electoral process as largely peaceful.

It said, “The ECOWAS Observation Mission considers the electoral process was largely peaceful and transparent as voters were able to cast their votes freely.

“The mission commends the general public and voters for their patience and determination to exercise their civic responsibility.

“The mission calls upon INEC and other stakeholders to approach the final phases of the process with fairness and transparency until the announcement of the final results.”

It added, “The mission urges INEC to take steps to address the many shortcomings, including operational capacity and systems that were observed all through the process.”

“The mission appeals to party leaders, candidates, their supporters and the press to show tolerance and restraint leading up to and after the announcement of the results.”



The observer group commended the INEC and security agencies for what it called their dedication and professionalism.

“Finally, the mission congratulates the voters and the great and good people of Nigeria on the patriotism, tolerance, and sense of duty, which contributed to maintaining peace and stability in spite of the many challenges,” the report added.

source:

https://punchng.com/accept-results-ecowas-observers-tell-candidates/

Come out and vote, Deji urges people:

As Nigerians go to the poll on Saturday, the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo has called on the citizens of Ondo State to come out enmasse and vote for candidates of their choice.

Oba Aladetoyinbo who spoke on a Radio Nigeria, Positive FM programme monitored in Akure on Wednesday, urged the people of the state not to be downcast with the election postponement, but see it as a motivator to troop out in large number and cast their votes.

“If they show apathy and decide not to vote, then they don’t have any reason to criticise those who win at the poll. So I am calling on them to come out in large number this Saturday to exercise their franchise”.

He also warned political thugs to heed the warning of the president not to hijack electoral materials or cause trouble, saying a word is enough for the wise.

The political thugs should have a rethink and know that the children of those who have given them peanut, to hijack ballot boxes and cause confusion are in overseas countries. So, they too must think about their dear lives”.

The Deji called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure a free, fair and credible elections stressing that the whole world are on them.

He noted that “INEC should ensure free, fair and acceptable elections in the country. The electoral body should ensure that the election is transparent and it must not be postponed again”.

On vote buying, Oba Aladetoyinbo warned those selling their votes in exchange for money to desist, noting that the amount received for selling their votes would not take them anywhere or make them rich.

According to him, it is demeaning for someone to sell his or her right for money as such person would not be able to criticise those elected when they are not performing up to expectation.

The Akure monarch also called on journalists to be objective and never publish results not released by the electoral body, saying that unverified results can spark violence.

PRESIDENT BUHARI CHALLENGES HISTORIANS, ECONOMISTS TO DOCUMENT 16 YEARS OF PDP'S MISMANAGEMENT...AS 12 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ENDORSE HIM

There is compelling need for historians and economists to document the 16 years squander-mania and mismanagement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), so that future generations would not repeat the same mistakes, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.

The President spoke at State House, Abuja, Thursday, while receiving members of the Forum of Presidential Candidates & Political Parties for Good Governance, who decided to subordinate their ambitions, and have directed their supporters to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.

"I am overwhelmed by your patriotism. The least you could do was to deny me votes in your immediate constituencies. However much your people loved me, they would have voted for their own first. I am really overwhelmed by your support," President Buhari said.

The President told his guests he was glad that Nigerians understood the three fundamentals on which the administration was anchored namely; securing the country, reviving the economy, and fighting corruption.

He listed many achievements in the three focal areas, and declared: "We lost unimaginable revenue in the 16 years of mismanagement of the country by the previous PDP administrations. Look at the state of roads, rail, power, and infrastructure generally, as at 2015, when we came into office. The roads were not done, neither were they even maintained. The number of lives and property lost on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway on a daily basis, for instance, was very sad and tragic. And many other roads like that in the country. If the various administrations had fixed infrastructure, Nigerians would have simply minded their businesses. They wouldn't bother about who even governs them. But the mismanagement was unparalleled. Our historians and economists should help document it, so that future generations would take note, and not repeat the mistakes."

The National Chairman of the Door-to-Door Campaign of the All Progressives Congress, Presidential Campaign, Mr. Bola Ilori yesterday pleaded with Nigerians not to go back to Egypt as they go to the polls on Saturday.

Addressing youths in Akure, the Ondo state capital, Ilori said Nigerians should instead move to the promise land by reelecting President Muhammadu Buhari.

“God used Moses to take the Israelites from Egypt, he first led them into the wilderness, not five star hotel o. Some people complained about hardships in the wilderness and made another God to lead them back to Egypt, thereby unwittingly turned a journey of 40 days to 40yrs.

“Eventually Moses led them out of the wilderness and handed them over to a Joshua that led them to the promise land.

“It is clear that Nigeria has left PDP’s Egypt through Buhari, but currently in a wilderness and the Moses is laying a solid foundation for a Joshua to get Nigerians to the promise land.

“The Next Level is not to go back to Egypt but to move to the promise land and we shall get there”.

The Ex-Osun Commissioner for Regional Integration highlighted different achievement of APC led federal government ranging from huge infrastructural development, social investment programmes and far reaching reforms in other areas of the economy.

Ilori appealed to the people to cast their ballot for the party that centered its policies towards a better tomorrow.

Rumours that All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council Co-Chair Asiwaju Bola Tinubu plans to quit the ruling party were dismissed yesterday.

The APC chieftain’s Media Adviser Tunde Rahman said Tinubu remained unshaken in the ruling party.

The clarification put to rest speculations that the former Lagos State governor was through with the APC because of the disruption of the presidential campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday.

The rumour followed a video clip showing Asiwaju Tinubu at the APC Presidential Campaign rally in Abeokuta, Ogun State, throwing the party’s flag to National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had latched on to the clip and interpreted it to mean that the APC leader threw away the party.

Rahman explained that Asiwaju was passing the flag on to Oshiomhole for presentation to the party’s governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

In the statement, Rahman said the claim that Tinubu threw away the party was false.

He said: “Asiwaju remains gidigba (solid) in the governing party.”

The statement reads: “If you want to fault Asiwaju for anything in this matter, your critique can only be limited to the accuracy of his toss. Any attempt to enlarge the episode beyond this is fiction and mischief writ large.”

Agreeing that an incident did occur at the Ogun State APC rally, Rahman said it was not what the PDP concocted.

He said: “The true incident that should be reported and condemned is that people who furtively oppose the party and the President tried to infiltrate and disrupt this rally. “The attack by these operatives was disrespectful of the office of the President and could have potentially harmed the person of the president.

“With but a few precious days until the election and with its chance of victory running out even faster than the time, the PDP now grasps at the most nonsensical and desperate tactics to salvage its falling enterprise.

“However, a drowning man cannot toss himself a lifeline. Nor can the PDP succeed in turning the innocuous attempted exchange of a flag between the national leader and national chairman into a rift in the APC’s successful campaign.

The Akoko road is one of the busiest roads in the South west region of the country after the Lagos /Ibadan express way. This is because the highway is the gateway to the Northern region of the country and the Ikare Akoko road which is regarded as the headquarters of Akokoland remained a dreaded spot for motorists especially the sleepy hill of Oke Alabojuto, in the ancient town.

This road which lead to center of the town in Ikare Akoko had claimed so many lives in the past and a week never passed without the spot consuming several lives with immeasurable valuables lost to incessant auto crash on this road which made motorists dread the road and tag it blood sucking arena, attaching some myths around the hilly spots of the town.


No indigene or residents of Ikare Akoko believed that the hilly road surrounded by rocks could be leveled to reduce carnage on this spot which is very close to the central market located at the entrance of the ancient palace of Ikare Akoko.


The Myth

There used to be a myth around Oke-Alabojuto, the hilly portion of Ikare-Akoko township road. No native believed the famished and destructive rocky hill could be leveled. To some residents of the community, the Oke Alabojuto, has been in existence from time memorial with some spiritual attachments.


They were of the belief that certain atonement had been left unperformed because of the introduction of Christianity and Islam. According to one of the residents, Olakanmi Sanusi, who observed that the carnage on the particular spot became incessant in the mid 90s. He said “though I would not know maybe there is a deity being worshipped here before but accidents are not common here , but since everybody in the have embraced the new religions, and people tend to abandon the period sacrifice to the hills and rocks, we have been experiencing accidents and carnage on this particular spots for years.”He however said they have tried to unravel this myth with no one to offer the reasons for many deaths on that particular spot.

But the Olukare of Ikare Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh, dispelled the insinuation and said there were no facts to establish any myth surrounding the Oke Alabojuto, but explained that the place was named Oke Alabojuto because the first missionary in the town lived on the hills.

Elections: Former US President Clinton cancels trip to Nigeria
He said Archdeacon Lennor, the first missionary from Jamaica stayed there and they called it Oke Alabojuto because he was in charge of schools and churches then; that was around 1935. The level of education then automatically picked up because we have no school before then.


I don’t know if any gods or goddess is being worshipped around the place but when I was growing up, there was nothing like that. The missionary built schools and churches and there was nothing like that. It is possible they have before but when the missionaries came in there was nothing like that.

A nonagenarian, Madam Deborah Olaofe said such myth should not be discarded, saying the modern day religion have relegated such practices to the background but maintained it should not be ruled out. Olaofe however said the present adminstration led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has shattered the myth by turning the place to “Isale-Alabojuto”
New development

The residents of the community have described the reconstruction of the vital spot of the road which is about 0.5 km as a gateway to development of Ikare Akoko and the entire Akoko land, saying the development would put an end to the age-long nightmare of the people of Ikare and the road users.


Before it was leveled, the hilly road had consumed several lives and destroyed uncountable valuable properties through auto-crashes, making residents to live in fear for decades. The inhabitants of the four local government areas as well as commuters have expressed delight over the feat recorded by the state government in executing the project.

The reconstruction works remains one of the most important infrastructural works being carried out by the Akeredolu government Many had given up on the road because it has inflicted untold hardship on the people of the town, while some suggested the road should be permanently closed to stop the carnage while some argued that it would affect the economy of the hilly town.

The residents of the ancient town who described the road before the construction as death trap, said the reconstruction works will save lives, boost economic activities and smoothing traffic flows.

Speaking to Nigerian Tribune, 72 years old Mr. Pius Olabode, who has been living all his life in Ikare Akoko, said the road will positively affects the economic, political, and social activities of the people of the community it. He noted that the road had sent so many people to their early grave

He noted the number of casualties during any accident along the hill is usually too many because of the market situated at the bottom of the hill.



He said “at a point, we even took steps to appease the gods to put an end to the recurring accidents on the road. We invited religious leaders like Pastors and Imams to help intercede for us.”


He commended the administration of Akeredolu for taking the giant step to execute the construction of the raid which subsequent government failed to give attention.

The septuagenarian however appealed to the government to extend the construction to the adjoining streets on the road , saying their cars had been trapped inside the streets since the construction began awhile there were no indication that the road will be constructed to accommodation the people living within the streets.

Also speaking, Raphael Omoteloye said he had witnessed over 20 accidents on the hilly toad in his lifetime saying more than 200 lives had been lost on the Oke Alabojuto road. He attributed the causes of the accidents on the axis to “break failure which is very rampant among big vehicles, lovelies and trailers”

He however said the topography and the hills upon which the road was constructed made it difficult for subsequent government to initiate the move in reconstructing the road and saluted the courage of Akeredolu’s government in fulfilling his electioneering promises to the people of Ikare and Akoko in general. He said when they mobiles to the site, very few believed the hill could ever be brought down and reduced to ground level to give way to a dual carriage way, the first in Akokoland.

With this Akeredolu has demonstrated to us that he is a listening governor and with the construction of the road, we are safe now in Ikare, no more weeping or gnashing of teeth”

Speaking, on the construction of the Oke Alabojuto road, the state commissioner for Information, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi said the construction of the road and other road across the state is in line with the state governor mantra of Road to Redemption.
The paramount ruler of Ikare Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh, described the construction as a miracle saying it takes a good government with mission and vision to execute such project.

He said the construction of the Oke Alabojuto has endeared Akeredolu to Ikare people, who he said will forever be grateful to the governor for opening up their town to bigger economic activities.

Oba Akadiri said, “I received the news with joy. Everybody in the town was very happy about it because they knew the project was going to put a stop to the recurring needless accidents on the road.

“The construction of the Oke Alabojuto road is a wonderful thing to happen to the people of Ikare, Akokoland and Nigeria in general, because the road links Ondo State to other parts of the country.

“We do appreciate the governor’s determination to permanently arrest our fears about this road. Our major concern, before the construction of the road by Akeredolu, was how to put a stop to the countless deaths on the road.

“Most vehicles, especially trucks and other big lorries, would lose control and crash while ascending or descending the road due to break failure or other mechanical faults. And these always resorted in loss of lives and properties”

He commended the people for their tolerance and cooperation since the construction work began and urged them to persevere till the end.

Speaking to our correspondent at the site of the construction, type site engineer, Mr Dusgam Jarboa, of the RCF Nig. Ltd. said the double lane road would be delivered to the state government in couple of days.

He said the construction company took time to construct the road because of its peculiarities and assured that it would serve the purpose it was meant to serve, saying with the quality of work done at the site, said when completed, the road can last for more than 50 years.

He said the road revolution taking place across the state was embarked upon “in redeeming the state from the rot that has characterised it for a long time and open up new vistas of opportunities, the Akeredolu-administration is gradually creating platforms for the economic recovery and independence of the Sunshine state.”

Olowolabi commended the people for their love and hospitality and praised them for being accommodating and peaceful for allowing their communities to witness development and said the Akeredolu led administration is bent on providing necessary amenities and infrastructure for the benefit and development of the state and its people.

He said similar projects are ongoing in Owo, Akure, Ore, One’s, Ifedore, Idanre and many others towns and communities.

MY MESSAGE TO NIGERIANS - BUHARI

WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO PROTECT YOUR INTEREST AND DELIVER OUR MANDATE

Fellow compatriots,

It’s been over three years since you gave me the mandate to oversee the affairs of our dear country.

It's not been an easy journey but with sincerity of purpose, perseverance, dedication and most importantly support from individuals like you, we have made great progress.

Some of these achievements are visible for everyone to see, some are still in the works.

I hereby humbly ask for your support again in the coming election to enable us to move to the NEXT LEVEL and consolidate on the successes recorded in making our country a better place. I don’t take your support for granted. We will continue to work to protect your interest and deliver our mandate.

Thank you.

WHEN THE TRAIN LANDED IN ABEOKUTA

Maiden trip of the train of the new Lagos/Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway Line, from Lagos to Abeokuta, under the Railway Modernization Project of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Steering Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Lagos State chapter has visited the former Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

This was in continuation of its efforts at securing a landslide victory for President Muhammadu Buhari and the party governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Saturday next and March 2 polls respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, the state

Coordinator of the committe in Lagos, Kunle Oyewunmi, highlighted some of the major interventions of the committee in the short period of its existence, which he said include the house to house campaign and the effort of the committee in getting young and first time voters who are not necessarily card-carrying members of the APC to understand the ‘real issues’ to look out for in deciding who they should cast their votes for, beyond the misrepresentation on social media.

Oyewunmi also spoke on the committee’s effort at extracting commitment for Chief Orji Uzor Kalu to lead a formidable campaign in Ndigbo dominated areas and markets to convince them to vote for the APC.

He also requested Aregbesola’s support for its signature programme, the FeBUHARI Youth Road Show, scheduled for Valentine’s Day February 14.

In his response, Aregbesola thanked the leadership and members of the committee for the visit and encouraged them to do more in convincing the youths to continue to support the Buhari/Osinbajo administration.

He recalled how the previous administration from 1999 to 2015 created the current economic hardship and wanton insecurity in the country.

He also expressed deep concern over why the People’s Democratic Party could still have the courage to shamelessly confront Nigerians and solicit for votes.

He urged Nigerians to reject the PDP on all fronts as he expressed strong optimism that President Buhari and, indeed, the APC would emerge with a landslide margin in the elections.

He also promised to support the FeBUHARI Youth Road Show.

The Ondo State Government has promised to continue to collaborate with the Theatre Art and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria, (TAMPAN), to transform the nation’s economy through the entertainment industry.



The state deputy governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi made the commitment while addressing leaders of the association during a courtesy visit to his office yesterday.

Ajayi who commended members of the association for their various artistic performances, said the roles they play in national development are very vital and cannot be over-emphasized.

According to him, theatre artists through their profession not only help the people to live a guided life against all forms of social vices, but also ensure unity and peaceful co-existence among the people as well as boost the nation’s economy.

While pointing out that the state has the best cultural and event centre in the region, he urged them to take advantage of that and assured them of continued collaboration in the industry.

Earlier, the National President of TAMPAN, Bolaji Amusan (Baba Latin) had informed that the visit is unique as it is meant to cement the already existing relationship between the artists and the government saying the state government is artists friendly and has been very supportive.

He said his members are ever ready to partner with the government by using their celebrities status to promote the activities of the government and showcase its achievements to the world.



Speaking with the newsmen, the Director of Media and Publicity of the association, Yomi Fash-Lanso, said it is going to be a better entertainment synergy between the state chapter of the association and the government under the leadership of Governor Akeredolu who is a lover of arts.



He further said the inauguration of the new executives of the state chapter of TAMPAN is to put in place an enabling platform for young talents to thrive and become acceptable within their home environment

The artists at the courtesy call include Chief Jimoh Aliu, Toyosi Adesanya, Yomi King (Opebe) among other celebrities in the theatre art industry.

Source:

http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/%E2%80%98ODSG-to-partner-TAMPAN-for-devt%E2%80%99

A Muslim group in the South West, Trust Alliance Foundation for Change, (TAFC), has endorsed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, President Muhammadu Buhari for re-election in the forthcoming general election.

Its Coordinator, Dr. Morufu Afolabi, said, the endorsement of Buhari from its part was hinged on the policy-driven and ethical government that has been entrenched in the country since the coming on board of the President and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

At a news conference on Wednesday in Akure, the Ondo State capital with members from the south-west states, Afolabi berated the statement credited to the PDP candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on the alleged plan to sell off of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) to his “friends”.

This he noted had revealed that the former Vice President cannot be trusted with governance.

He said “We base our decision to work and vote for the success of Buhari/Osinbajo in the forthcoming presidential election on the level of integrity and achievement in the fight against corruption, infrastructure development.

“We are convinced that the expected Modern Nigeria is achievable if we have the like of Buhari as Governors and Chairmen in all the 36 States and 774 LGAs in the federation.

Afolabi urged Nigerians, particularly the south-west electorate to ensure that President Buhari is re-elected during this month’s presidential polls, adding that the region would benefit more.

He said”Nigerians should look beyond Buhari/Osinbajo winning the 2019 Presidential Election and be more concerned about how to get similar credible candidates who will take over from them after expiration of their term in 2023.

The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro said “Buhari will win the election hands down as no credible candidate is available to defeat him.

“As regards PVC, we have sensitised the public on the need to obtain their PVCs as it is the only mean to determine who govern them. We have informed the public to shun vote buying as this could be disastrous to the survival of our nationhood.”

2019 General Elections: Imo-Born Ondo First Lady Takes Voter Education To Imo

Electorates in Imo State have been advised to exercise their civic responsibility of voting during election appropriately in order to usher in a people-oriented government in the state.

Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu gave this advice during an emergency meeting held at the Comprehensive Secondary School Emeabiam with party leaders in her area.

Mrs Akeredolu reminded the people that election period is the period to take action against politicians characterized by greed, impunity, bitterness, selfishness and corruption through their votes, and urged them to rise up and speak through their votes.

The Imo-born Ondo First Lady decried the level of marginalization the area has suffered under the successive governments in the state till date and encouraged them to take a bold step in the right direction to end the era of bad roads infrastructure, untapped abundant natural resources, absence of basic primary healthcare delivery, and unemployment in the area.

In a related development, the sunshine state First Lady has called on women and youths to participate fully in the forthcoming elections as they constitute a greater percentage of the populace and are major stakeholders in the society.

Mrs Akeredolu made this call while addressing Emeabiam Women Union in her compound recently.

Mrs Akeredolu urged them to get their PVCs ready for action in the right direction, as it is the way to eliminate bad government, alleviate poverty and end hunger in the society.

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the people of Ondo State that the natural resources the state is endowed with including bitumen will be fully harnessed for the development of the state, if given the chance to rule the country the second term.





Buhari gave the assurance at a meeting with traditional rulers across the state at GPM Plaza in Oba-Ile yesterday, during his visit to the state in continuation of his presidential campaign.

The president stated that the Federal Government will collaborate with the state government and give the necessary support for the bitumen exploration, while fully tapping into other resources readily available in the state.

He assured that the deep seaport project would commence as soon as arrangements are made to open up the state’s coastal area to become an industrial hub for job creation and economic boom.

Highlighting some of his administration achievements in the last three and half years, he said Ondo State has not been left out in its programmes, policies and projects to reposition the state.

He listed other plans of his government for the state to include railway lines in Akure and electrification of towns in the state

While stating that his administration is working towards ensuring that life becomes better for the citizenry, Buhari maintained that his government would not rest on its oars in putting in place infrastructural facilities, reviving the nation’s economy, fighting insecurity and corruption to make Nigeria a better place if given a second term.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), while welcoming the president and his entourage at the event stated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) led Federal government has enjoyed the support of traditional rulers in the state.

Akeredolu who thanked the president for his various social interventions in the state, assured that the direct beneficiaries at the grassroots will continue to support him in his re-election bid.

Earlier in his speech, the Chairman, Council of Obas and Olukare of Ikare, HRM Oba Akadiri Momoh welcomed the president and his entourage to the state, urging him to pay adequate attention to the requests of the people of Ondo State.

The Olukare had listed their requests to include the execution of the deep sea port project, electrification of Akoko communities which has been in the dark for long, dualisation of some federal roads in the state and exploitation of bitumen among other natural resources, saying they are key to the development of the state.

He assured the president that the traditional rulers are ready to ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections in their various communities.

In separate interviews, the traditional rulers including, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, HRM Oba Victor Kiladejo, Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw-ibe, HIM Pere Zaccheus Egbunu and Olowa of Igbara Oke, HRM Oba Adefarakanmi Agbede, expressed their readiness to ensure peaceful conduct of their subjects in their respective domains before, during and after the elections, wishing President Buhari success in his re-election bid.
https://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/We%E2%80%99ll-exploit-Ondo-bitumen%E2%80%94Buhari

Campaign: Buhari, Osinbajo arrive Ondo, Ekiti amidst tight security


President Muhammdu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday arrived in Akure, the Ondo State capital, amidst heavy security on a campaign visit to Ondo and Ekiti states for the 2019 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Buhari and Vice President started their campaign from Ekiti to seek re-election to their offices as candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Buhari was received by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and Chief Olusola Oke, Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation in the South West.

Others include Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, representing Ondo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District and Mr Olaide Adelami, State Coordinator, Presidential Support Committee in Ondo State.

Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport, Chief Bola Tinubu, the Head of the Presidential Campaign and Adams Oshiomhole, the party’s National Chairman, also arrived after the president and vice president

NAN also reports that the men of the Nigerian Police were led by Mr Gbenga Adeyanju, Commissioner of Police in the state.

Other security agencies include men of the Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), among others.
https://citadelng.com/campaign-buhari-osinbajo-arrive-ondo-ekiti-amidst-tight-security/

Arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari to Ondo State for the Next Level Campaign.

He was received at the Akure Airport by the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN and members of Ondo All Progressive Congress (APC)

#PMBInOndo
#Ondo4Buhari

Ondo N-Power beneficiaries hold eight-hour rally for Buhari:


Over 1,000 beneficiaries of the Federal Government N-Power programme in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State at the weekend staged an eight-hour solidarity rally in support of the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The beneficiaries, who converged on Oba-Akoko junction, carried out a house-to-house campaign of the area.

They pleaded with the residents to re-elect President Buhari because of the laudable programmes his administration had executed in the last three and a half years.

They went round in hired buses, private cars and many commercial motorcycles through Oba-Akoko, Supare, Ikun, Ayegunle, and terminated at Oka-Akoko, a distance of about eight kilometres.

Distributing handbills, leaflets and carrying banners, the campaigners went on specially prepared T-shirts with fez caps adorned with the photographs of President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Some of the inscriptions on the banners read: “Please, Vote For Buhari”; “He has reduced our sufferings by introducing N-Power programme for university graduates to solve unemployment in the country” and “A vote for Buhari is a sure bet for the continuation of N-Power.”

Their T-shirts carried the message: “We are beneficiaries of N-Power programme.”

According to the coordinators of the rally, Ogunwode Femi Innocent and Kola Omosanyin, who addressed reporters, the rally was aimed at expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for introducing the programme.
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-N-Power-beneficiaries-hold-eight-hour-rally-for-Buhari

Health: Buhari, stronger than many Nigerian men – Campaign Council

The Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Campaign Council has allayed fears about the health of the president, saying he remained fit and even stronger than many Nigerian men. President Buhari flags Off The Spud-In of Kolmani River II Well Drilling in Bauchi State on 2nd Feb 2019 Deputy

Director General of the Council, Arch Waziri Bulama disclosed this at the weekend while speaking with journalists in Abuja. “I think the President from the way he works in this campaign has shown that he is stronger than many average men in this country.

This is a man at that age, flying from city to city and at least two cities every day of the week, commissioning projects, meeting traditional rulers, stakeholders and still returning to attend to other state functions and other groups in the Aso Villa. He again flies out the following morning, showing no sign of stress, no sign of weakness.

President Buhari is healthy, very strong and alive to the task and proudly giving the kind of leadership and presence we need in this campaign”, he stated. Tinubu not sidelined from Campaigns “The presidential campaign council is organised and structured in such a manner that all our leaders are part of the campaign organisation.

For you understand the role assigned to Asiwaju Tinubu, the campaign is structured to suit every member. “You can recall that the reason Mr President said that Tinubu should co-chair the campaign is because he would not want to allow the state duty to suffers during the campaign. Therefore, on issues that require his attention but will not available because of state duties, we should reach out and refer to Tinubu.

Organising the campaign has many issues around it and we must know that organising a campaign is an ad-hoc exercise and a temporary arrangement with the main of mobilising and sensitising to bring out as many Nigerians as possible to participate in this election.

“We have issues of campaign message, issues of logistics and many other activities involved in carrying out the campaign. So, it is because of these that the president said that where we don’t have access to him or is not available to take certain decisions in respect of the campaign, we should get across to Asiwaju.

“We have so far done that successfully, we have carried out a very seamless exercise and Asiwaju has appeared in many cities and made interventions as the leader of our party and as statesman. If there are issues that require his message to Nigerians, he appears and made those states. He was in Maiduguri two weeks ago where he made a long appearance addressing the crowd. He also appears wherever necessary.

He was in most other outings across the country. I want to say that our campaign is cohesive, focused and united. Our leaders are one and committed to the success of President Buhari, success our party and the success of all the candidates contesting on the platform of our party”, Bulama added.

the Deputy General (Coordination) of the All Progressives Congress’ Presidential Campaign Council, Waziri Bulama, has said money will play no role in influencing the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

He said the election would be largely influenced by voters’ freewill to choose their leaders based on trust, integrity and performance in office, which he said were to the advantage of President Muhammadu Buhari.



Addressing journalists in Abuja, Bulama said Buhari had fulfilled promises he made and deserved a second term to consolidate achievements and secure the nation’s path to economic recovery.

He said the government had blocked loopholes and reduced wastes in government in order to save for the future, unlike the Peoples Democratic Party that mismanaged the economy for 16 years.

Bulama said, “Ours has been an issue-based campaign. We have engaged Nigerians; we are persuading them with respect to show and discuss with them on the condition of Nigeria between 2015 and 2019, particularly in the areas of the President’s undertaking to improve security, economy and prevent waste and mismanagement.

“This campaign is propelled by voluntary support and willing participation. The massive crowds you see at our campaign grounds are not paid crowds. They are people that respect President Buhari and the APC leaders.

“So, what we expect is that the 2019 elections will be largely influenced by the freewill of Nigerian voters and by their desire to exercise their franchise. This is what we expect will influence the election, not money, not party, but issues of national interest and the power of our citizens.”

Bulama said the president’s conduct in office had always been guarded by his desire to ensure Nigerians were respected everywhere they went.

He said it would be wrong for any party to claim glory to the reforms witnessed in elections in the country as it was collective efforts of Nigerians.



“The reforms we saw in the election management in this country were a collective advocacy promoted by all stakeholder groups in Nigeria. President Buhari has been an apostle of ensuring that vote counts. He has been an advocate of free and fair elections.”

Over 1,000 beneficiaries of the Federal Government N-Power programme in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State at the weekend staged an eight-hour solidarity rally in support of the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The beneficiaries, who converged on Oba-Akoko junction, carried out a house-to-house campaign of the area.

They pleaded with the residents to re-elect President Buhari because of the laudable programmes his administration had executed in the last three and a half years.

They went round in hired buses, private cars and many commercial motorcycles through Oba-Akoko, Supare, Ikun, Ayegunle, and terminated at Oka-Akoko, a distance of about eight kilometres.

Distributing handbills, leaflets and carrying banners, the campaigners went on specially prepared T-shirts with fez caps adorned with the photographs of President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Some of the inscriptions on the banners read: “Please, Vote For Buhari”; “He has reduced our sufferings by introducing N-Power programme for university graduates to solve unemployment in the country” and “A vote for Buhari is a sure bet for the continuation of N-Power.”

Their T-shirts carried the message: “We are beneficiaries of N-Power programme.”

According to the coordinators of the rally, Ogunwode Femi Innocent and Kola Omosanyin, who addressed reporters, the rally was aimed at expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for introducing the programme.

http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-N-Power-beneficiaries-hold-eight-hour-rally-for-Buhari

Buhari urges action on Ogoni land, food security


President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Ministry of Environment through the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria to play a very crucial role in the clean up of Ogoni land, especially in the re-establishment of the mangroves and restoration of the area to safeguard the lives of the people.

Buhari also directed FRIN to implement policies and programmes that would ensure safer environment and food security.



The Minister of Environment, Suleiman Hassan, made this known in Ibadan, Oyo State during his two-day visit to FRIN with top officials of the ministry on Friday.

Hassan directed FRIN “to re-calibrate its afforestation programme to ensure that there is an in-built mechanism to engage communities in the post-planting management of established afforestation projects across the country.”

Stressing the need to preserve the environment and assurance for food security and create jobs for the nation’s youths, the minister also urged FRIN to scale up its research efforts and training in addressing issues of gully erosion, using biological means, desertification, pollution control and climate change.

Hassan said the government identified FRIN as a strategic organisation towards the achievement of Nigeria’s afforestation targets. He added that the institute had demonstrated its capacity to deliver on the country’s commitment to the Paris agreement on climate change.

In his remarks, the Director-General of FRIN, Dr Adeshola Adepoju, thanked the minister for his passion and interest in the institute’s activities.

Adepoju said FRIN was one of five agencies in the ministry with a shared mandate on afforestation and land degradation control.

“There is no how we can work in silos or independent of the other four. That is why the honourable minister is here to see how we can work together to fast-track the expectation of Nigerians.”