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As the race to the Ondo State House of Assembly gathered more momentum , one of the illustrious sons of Idanre, Hon. Akinde Abimbola Sunday has formally shown interest in the State Assembly under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC .
SALAS as fondly called by his admirers made this known during a consultative meeting with notable leaders of the party in the LGA .
It would be recalled that Akinde Abimbola through the SALAS Foundation has been making impact and affecting many lives of residents and indigens of Idanre through peoples oriented programs and skill acquisition aimed at repositioning women and youths from poverty and lack.
Being a youth, Akinde Abimbola said his desire to serve at the State Assembly was as a result of passion to contribute his God given talents and gifts for the development of Idanre in particular and Ondo State in general through purpose driven leadership.
He commended the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for his giant strides in developing the state most especially in the the establishment of the Western Nigeria Security Network code named Amotekun
He equally applauded the State Working Committee of the APC under the leadership of Engr. Ade Adetimehin for allowing internal democracy to strive.
In his words ” It’s time for the youth to start making impact for the future we want for ourselves.
“It’s time for the youth to start changing the narrative of Nigeria politics through active participation.
“By the grace of God, when elected into the State House of Assembly come 2023, we will not disappoint our people, we will work for you by prioritizing your need through proper legislative duties and oversight function that would help to transform the lives and living conditions of our people,” he said.
Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has said he didn’t make any demands from Aliko Dangote which forced him to move the Dangote Refinery from the Olokola Free Trade Zone to the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
Dangote had in 2013 announced plans to build a refinery at the Olokola Free Trade Zone which is jointly owned by the Ogun and Ondo state governments.
The plan however failed to materialise with the project moved to Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos a year later.
While many in Ogun State blamed then Governor, Ibikunle Amosun for frustrating the project, Mimiko was also accused in Ondo State of making demands from the richest man in Africa, which forced him to relocate.
Reacting after the inauguration of the Dangite Fertilizer at the Lekki Free Trade Zone on Tuesday, Mimiko said stories about him making demands from Dangote were lies.
In statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communications, John Paul Akinduro, the former governor said only Dangote could explain why he decided to relocate the project.
“Reports of the often repeated falsehood about Aliko Dangote opting out of the Olokola FTZ for his refinery project, owing to an alleged demand for personal benefit by Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been brought to our notice.
“We state that this lie is totally reprehensible. That otherwise informed people are repeating the utter falsehood is sad.
“We state for the umpteenth time that Mimiko did not make any personal demand, cash or kind, or receive any personal gratification that led to the location of the factory to Lagos instead of Olokola.
“Again, this allegation is a blatant lie and we hope that Alhaji Aliko Dangote will, one day, volunteer facts on why he chose Lagos over Olokola,” the statement read.
The wife of Ondo State Governor, H.E Chief Mrs. Betty Akeredolu-Anyanwu has enjoined the players and management of Sunshine Queens to take heart and be strong over the demise of one of their colleague, Elizabeth Johnson.
She said Johnson’s death was a rude shock, not to Sunshine Queens alone but to the entire Ondo State and Sports fraternity nationally, she counseled the players to take solace in the fact that God giveth and God taketh.
H.E Chief Mrs Akeredolu who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Gender, Research and Documentation, Ngozi Igbo-Okoro stated this during the condolence visit to the camp of the state’s female team at Ilekun Estate, Oda road, Akure.
Chief Mrs Akeredolu said: “I have no divine power to mend your broken heart, it’s only God that can do that, if we are cry from now till eternity, she won’t come back, all you have to do for her is to ensure you keep her legacy and make her proud.
“It’s a big blow to the state that we lost such an experienced and long serving player, i really share in your grief.
“My prayer is that you and her entire family be strong to bear the irreparable loss.”
The General Manager of both Male and Female teams of Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA), Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola while thanking the wife of the Governor for identifying with the team at a critical time like this, said the management of the teams led by the Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa will not abandon the family of the late player.
“We didn’t abandon the corpse and we will never abandon the family, we shall be part of the burial ceremony, a delegation will be sent there to pay our last respect to her.”
Akinbobola said the visit of the first Lady would in no small measure raise the spirit of the ladies, adding that it will make them shrug off the unfortunate incident and face the challenges ahead.
He said: “Johnson was a strong member of the team, she has been with the team for many years, all she needed from us is to be up and doing and ensure we win all our remaining matches in her honor.
“Nobody, not even the most powerful men in the world cannot stop death when it come knocking. Crying from now till next year will not bring her back, let’s wake up and be strong and win for her. I’m very sure that we are going to win our next matches and dedicate the victory for her”.
The delegation of Sunshine Stars FC players and coaching crew led by their Team Manager and Head Coach, his assistants, Team Captain, Seun Betiku, Deji Ayeni, Kayode Adeyemi, Sulaiman Afolarin, Abe Sunday also sympathised with their sister team.
The head coach, Deji Ayeni said death is an inevitable debt we owe in life, noting that it was an unfortunate situation that nobody can question God.
Ayeni while stating that Johnson’s death will have traumatic effect on the team, charged the players and officials to be more united to face the battle ahead of them for the sake of the late captain of the team.
“Be united, fight for the team like never before and let the spirit of Elizabeth Johnson be happy.”
Abe Sunday admonished the players to play and win for their late colleague, “no doubt, she was a good sister to you, you just have to make her happy by ensuring her dream comes to reality. Her dream was to ensure that Sunshine Queens doesn’t relegate”.
Other ODSFA technical staff in the delegation include ; Coach Kayode Emmanuel, Coach Shade Akinrolabu.
Femi Atolagbe Sunshine Queens Media and Publicity Officer
A man, identified as Idowu Shaba, has reportedly escaped from the den of his abductors while the kidnappers had fallen asleep in a forest in Ondo state.
The victim, who is a cocoa dealer and a yet to be identified lady was said to have been kidnapped on their way to a church programme in Ido Ani at Ose Local Government Area of the state on Saturday, when the hoodlums waylaid them on the road and dragged them into the bush.
A source narrated that, after the abduction, the kidnappers had demanded N10 million ransom from the victim’s family before they escaped.
According to the source, Shaba had pretended to be deep asleep, snoring heavily in the night.
He said, “After the abductors saw that the victims had slept off, they too fell asleep. Shaba seized the opportunity to carry their weapons and used their sharp cutlasses to kill two of them and wounded another who ran away.
“He took his abductors’ Ak-47 rifles, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons in their possession and he used the opportunity to rescue the other lady and both escaped.”
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident but said the victim escaped but did not kill the abductors.
“The victim did not tell the police that he killed the abductors. He just said he escaped while the kidnappers had fallen asleep,” the PPRO explained
As all Political Parties in Nigeria set for the 2023 General Elections race into various elective positions in the country, an Odigbo born politician, Hon. Temidayo Ojo Akinbobola (Owolala) on Monday commenced his pre-campaign walk to the Paramount ruler of Odigbo Kingdom, the Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Adegboyega Akinrunmade.
Declaring his political ambition before the monarch and his Intention and readiness to contest as Member of Ondo State House of Assembly representing Odigbo Constituency I at his palace in Odigbo town, Odigbo Local Government Area of the State,Prince Temidayo Akinbobola explained that he has contested and lost for three times as Member of the State House legislature due to political ailments
While enlisting some of his blueprints he has to the good people of Odigbo Constituency 1, Prince Owolala said it is time to emancipate his constituents from the bondage of political technocrats who have been deceiving them through sugar coated mouths without feeling the impacts of democracy and their positions as State lawmakers are not with positive effects but adverse.
He said he has been submissive to those who he thought would beckon with his political aspirations but never knew their bodies are full of thorns, inspite of his numerous services as a serf under their shoes without considering the fact that he is a son of the soil but nothing good came out of their Nazareth aftermath.
Prince Temidayo Ojo Akinbobola also explained that his political aspiration as Member of the State Assembly will not base on personal ego but to reciprocate in good faith by joining other well meaning lawmakers in the chamber to support the current administration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in decision-making processes.
Responding,the Orunja of Odigbo Kingdom, Oba Rufus Adegboyega Akinrunmade after showering Royal Blessings, said he is so delighted and believe in Prince Temidayo Akinbobola Owolala’s candidature,described him as a seasoned politician who has never defect to opposition party despite all odds,noting that such candidate should be considered by the electorates and APC leadership both at the State and local levels.
Recounting on the ordeal in the previous election,the monarch called Ondo State Government not to fold arms in choosing best candidate in Odigbo Constituency 1 that would assist in policy making rather than giving the seat to Judas in the forthcoming State Assembly election.
The Orunja however urged people of Odigbo Constituency 1 not to allow the mistake to repeat itself like that of about four years ago, but to be tactical in the coming State Assembly Poll comes 2023.
The planned deduction of N242.53bn fuel subsidy from the Federation Account this month by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited is raising uncertainty among states as the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (today).
It was gathered that commissioners for finance from the 36 states would meet today for the usual monthly allocation sharing meeting by the three tiers of government.
Already, the NNPC had made it known to the states that it would deduct a total of N242.53bn in March (this month) as the amount spent on the subsidy of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.
Subsidy deductions by the NNPC had often reduced the amount being shared by FAAC, piling pressure on the finances of state governments as they battle to meet their obligations especially payment of salaries.
When contacted to tell the efforts which states were making to meet their obligations and pay salaries, the Chairman of the Forum of Finance Commissioners, David Olofu, declined comment, but stated that this month’s FAAC meeting would hold on Tuesday.
“You are trying to squeeze water from the rock,” he told one of our correspondents.
When probed further on the date of this month’s FAAC meeting, Olofu, who is also Benue State Commissioner for Finance, replied, “Tomorrow (being today, Tuesday).”
States had kicked against the poor remittances by the NNPC to FAAC, which had been due to fuel subsidy deductions by the oil company.
Although it described the proposed N242.53bn subsidy deduction for this month as a value shortfall, the oil firm stated that the fund would be recovered from February 2022 proceeds due for sharing in the March 2022 FAAC meeting.
It said, “The December 2021 value shortfall recovery on the importation of PMS amounted to N210.38bn.
“The recovery consists of December 2021 value shortfall of N176.48bn plus the outstanding value shortfall recovery of N33.9bn accrued over the 2021 year. The November 2021 spot arrears of N98.81bn is also outstanding.
“The estimated value shortfall of N242.53bn (consisting of N143.72bn for January 2022 recovery plus November spot arrears of N98.81bn) is to be recovered from February 2022 proceed due for sharing at the March 2022 FAAC meeting.”
Recall that in February this year, the NNPC had remitted no money to FAAC due to its huge fuel subsidy spending and subsequent deduction from the Federation Account.
On March 3, 2022, state governors lambasted the NNPC for not remitting any funds at last month’s FAAC meeting.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, had also wondered how the oil firm was bold enough to declare profit when it had not been meeting its FAAC obligations.
Fayemi had disclosed this alongside other governors during the Nigerian Governors’ Forum session on natural resources at the Nigeria International Energy Summit 2022 in Abuja.
He specifically pointed out that in the last Federation Accounts Allocation Committee meeting in February, the NNPC made zero remittance to the federation.
“We’ve just had the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee meeting a couple of days ago and the NNPC contributed zero to the Federation Accounts this month,” the governor had stated.
Several states were reported to have found it difficult to pay salaries in February following the zero remittance from the NNPC in that month.
Going by media reports, the Kano State Government which had approved the minimum wage of N30,000, was reported to have reverted to the old minimum wage of N18,000 for its workers.
The State Commissioner for Information, Muhammadu Garba, reportedly said, “Given the present financial situation, the government would find it difficult to implement the consolidated salary for the month of March, which is though a temporary measure.”
Also in Kogi State, the state government which had also approved the new minimum wage for its workers was reported to have resulted to percentage payment.
In Benue, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Godwin Anya, said the state had for some time resulted in a staggered payment of salaries to its workers.
Various oil industry operators told our correspondent that unless the fuel subsidy regime was halted, the deductions by the NNPC might continue, as the company had been the sole importer of petrol into Nigeria for more than four years running.
The oil firm had also been shouldering the cost of subsidy on petrol all these years. The actual cost of the commodity is far higher than the approved N162-N165/litre pump price.
The President, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, explained that the actual cost of petrol without subsidy was usually a little higher than that of diesel.
He stated that if not for the subsidy, PMS would be selling around N550 to N600/litre going by the rise in crude price.
The approved subsidised pump price of PMS in Nigeria is between N162 to N165/litre, but oil marketers stated that the actual cost should be a little higher or about the same price of diesel had it been PMS was deregulated.
The PETROAN president further stated that the N3tn that was projected by the government as subsidy spending in 2022 might double before the end of the year if the crude oil price continues to rise.
The leading aspirant for Ondo State House of Assembly in Ilaje constituency 2, Princess Olawumi Annah Fayemi has celebrated her birthday in an unusual way.
The birthday was marked at Deep Sea Hotel, Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government where she gathered Ilaje women and stakeholders together to celebrate with her.
A Human Resources strategist with background in Oil and Gas and female right activist used the medium of her birthday anniversary to harp on the need for women liberation and the exigency of encouraging active women participation in politics.
Princess Fayemi, a bonafide Etikan royalty expressed her joy over the huge turn out of Ilaje women particularly women of Ilaje Constituency 2.
In the course of the celebration, several women rights activists were on ground to identify with the Ilaje women and the talks were mainly focused on the need to propel ‘Ilaje women’ for a more distinctive role in political participation.
While thanking all the women who attended the get together to celebrate Princess Olawumi Fayemi, she announced to them her ambition to compete for the House of Assembly seat from Ilaje State Constituency 2.
Speaking on the sideline of the birthday celebration with newsmen, the celebrant, Princess Fayemi said she has always associated with her people particularly the women of Ilaje as she is one of them and she always carries them along. “Ilaje women have been through a lot and they deserve all the love that their people can render.
“God has put me in a leadership position and as a gender sensitive person, I think celebrating my special day with the women from my root will give all of us a sense of belonging,” Fayemi said.
Speaking on her political ambition, she said, “l will be competing as a Member House of Assembly to represent Ilaje Constituency II in the Ondo State House of Assembly. I have already garnered adequate experience in strategic politicking and that is my strong selling point as an astute female politician of repute who has canvassed for prominent Nigerian politicians who have all won with landslide their elective offices. My background as a Human Resources specialist is also a strong selling point as this has made it possible for me to integrate with all manners and classes of people across different divide.
“My experience in politics has taught me to challenge the status quo and as a vote canvasser for high profile politicians who have won elective offices, I see my House of Assembly ambition as a continuation of my charge to challenge the status quo the more; if us women don’t stand up and demand our place in this so-called men dominated society, we will remain on the bench as cheerleaders and that narrative must change, ” Princess Fayemi conserved.
Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyema and Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Thursday attended workshop on the African Union Integrated Border Governance Strategy ( AUBGS ) and the African Union Convention on Border Corporation.
The highly resourceful seminar themed : “Towards a Secured, Prosperous and Integration Borders” , was held at the Congress Hall, Transcorps Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Others in attendance were, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, Taraba State Deputy Governor, Engr Haruna Manu, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Sen Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Yobe State Deputy Governor, Engr Abubakar Aliyu, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele and Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu.
Others are, Director General, National Boundary Commission, Surv Adamu Adani, Surv Idowu Owolabi, Secretary Ondo State Boundary Commission, Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor ( Office of Deputy Governor ), Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson and others.
It was black day as a man identified as Sikiru Alabi Owolabi allegedly killed a 48-year-old man, Bolanle Adilewa at Ijo Mimo area of Akure, the Ondo State capital.
It was gathered that the suspect and the deceased engaged in an argument, leading to fight which ended up stabbing the deceased to death.
The deceased was said to be the son of the landlord of the suspect.
According to a source, the suspect, who is said to be a shoemaker in a shop in the deceased’s father’s house, engaged the deceased in a fight following a hot argument between them.
The source said, “As they were fighting, the shoemaker took a broken bottle and stabbed him (Adinlewa). He later gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami said the incident happened during a free for all between the duo.
She also said while the alleged killer was already in the police custody, the matter had been transferred to the Criminal Investigative Department of the police command for further investigation.
Odunlami said, “the suspect is in our custody, he said he acted on self defence when the deceased took an object to attack him while they were fighting. We have transferred the case to the SCID for further investigation.”
Hon. Ayodele Akinmulewo has confirmed that he will declare to contest for the Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency slot come 2023.
He said his ambition is borne out of his innate desire at initiating and sustaining development in Ikale land.
“The role of the legislator is not only to make laws but to contribute tangentially towards the quest for quality and development”. Akinmulewo said.
“This I have begun by backing literary and sporting activities for some time”
Hon. Akinmulewo, a foremost Computer Scientist is expected to stage his public declaration before the Easter celebrations. His declaration is equally expected to draw preponderance of his teeming supporters.
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