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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries.
The IFAD as an international institution and a specialised agency in conjunction with Federal government of Nigeria and livelihood improvement family enterprises Niger Delta sets to eradicate poverty by supporting Agricultural procedure or policies and the strategic framework for youth empowerment and job creation, the programme in which Hon princess Fayemi has been actively involved, contributing immensely to its success in the state.
The projects directly supports the Nigerian Agricultural policy and strategic framework for youth empowerment sustainability and mentoring strategy.
In year 2021, a total number of 560 indigenes of Ondo state were trained in different agricultural skills using the incubator method which heightened such empowerment.
This year, the agency is set to empower 1000 indigenes of the state,10 communities within 10 local government areas, total number of 100 communities within Ondo state have benefited from this project and will continue to benefit.
The state coordinator of the project Mr Olawale Ademola received Hon Princess Wumi Fayemi the leading aspirant of the APC MHA Ilaje constituency 2 who has always been part of this project since 2019. Also in the scene is the SSA to Mr Governor on youth and student affairs. Hon. Eyiyato
BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE. Think FAYEMI’23_ Think _MHA_Ilaje 2
The police in Katsina state have arrested a 16-year-old JSS 3 student, Abubakar Abdulbashir, who allegedly kidnapped his four-year-old cousin and kept her in an uncompleted building in Marabar Kankara town in Malumfashi LGA of the state.
According to the police report, a woman who was aware of the disappearance of the four year old girl, was passing by the uncompleted building in the area, when she spotted the missing girl in the company of Abdulbasir.
Vanguard reports that the woman quizzed Abdulbasir on what he was doing with the little girl and he responded that they were just chatting but she could take him home if she wanted.
Abdulbasir who later returned to the house was informed by his mother that his father was invited by the police and is being questioned over his whereabouts. Abdulbasir then decided to turn himself in and confessed to committing the crime.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Superintendent of Police, SP Isah Gambo, said:
“One Sanusi Abubakar of Marabar-Kankara village in Malumfashi LGA reported to the police that since his 4-years-old daughter, Halimatu Sanusi got missing and all efforts to trace her whereabout proved abortive.
“He later received a phone call that his daughter has been kidnapped, and he is being threatened to pay the sum of seventy thousand naira (N70,000) or risk losing her.
Subsequently, the Police Anti-Kidnapping unit, swung into action, carrying out a diligent and meticulous investigation which led to the arrest of the mastermind, one Abubakar Abdulbasir, ‘M’, aged 16yrs of Marabar-Kankara village.
“ In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence.”
Charges People to get tested and know their HIV Status
As the Whole World is Celebrating February 14 as Valentine Day, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has said that, sharing love should not lead to recklessness as he called on all and sundry to get tested and know their HIV Status.
Arakunrin Akeredolu said “a young person that is not tested may not have the opportunity to enjoy future Valentine’s Day if he or she is diagnosed late or presents with terminal complications related to HIV infections or AIDS ” .
The Governor was speaking at the Public Launch of HIV Self Testing Services in Ondo State School of Health Technology, Akure on Monday.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa declared that, “everybody is a suspect except one is tested, let’s share love not HIV” .
Governor Akeredolu noted that the fight against HIV / AIDS in Nigeria is still on.
“It has therefore became imperative for us to intensify and educate particularly young people of Ondo State on the importance of getting tested and knowing their HIV Status” .
“HIV self-testing means that our people can make use of oral fluid or blood finger pricks to discover their status in a private and convenient setting..of which results are ready within 20 minutes or less” .
“HIV self-testing is a way to reach more people with undiagnosed HIV and it represents a step forward to empower individuals, diagnose people earlier before they become sick, bring Service closer to where people live and engender demand for HIV testing” explained the Governor.
Earlier in her welcome address, Secretary to Ondo State Government who is also Chairman, Ondo State Agency for the Control of AIDS ( ODSACA ), Princess Oladunni Odu appreciated Ondo State Governor and other supportive partners in the making of an innovative and a new breakthrough in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ondo State.
In his own goodwill message, Special Adviser to Governor on Health, Professor Francis Dayo Faduyile congratulated Ondo State Government on this new innovation saying , “this is another level of control of HIV in Ondo State”.
Some of the dignitaries at the event with Deputy Governor are, Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor John Adeyemo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Project Manager, ODSACA, Dr Dayo Adegbulu, Head Ondo State Office of APIN, Public Health Initiative, Dr Abimbola Ariyo, Provost, Ondo State School of Health Technology, Dr Felix Olawoye, Ondo State CAN Chairman, Rev Father Ansalem Ologunwa and others.
Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, Press Secretary To the Governor ( Office of the Deputy Governor ).
It is with a heavy and sorrowful heart that we write you this letter that is both an appeal and a Save Our Soul cry on behalf of our members.
This letter is prompted by the death of Mr. Remi Aye, who was a Government House/Governor’s Office photographer with the state-owned The Hope titles. The award-winning cameraman passed on in the early hours of Friday, February 11, 2022 after an illness. We make bold to say that if Mr. Aye had been paid his N3m gratuity early enough, he wouldn’t have died, just yet.
Your Excellency, you will recall that we had written to you sometime in May 2019 appealing to you to help pay our gratuities which amounted to a little over N57M FOR ABOUT 19 RETIRED STAFF of The Hope titles. We had pointed out then that staffers of Owena Press, which is wholly owned by the state government, are not on the pension scheme and that all they get is their gratuity.
We were happy when you acknowledged the letter and kindly set in motion processes that we thought would lead to the early payment of the money and thus save our members from penury and abject poverty in the twilight of their lives. Alas! The processes have remained in the pipeline since then.
Mr. Governor Sir, the death of Mr. Aye, who served the administrations of Chief Adebayo Adefarati, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, as well as in the early years of your administration, brings to SEVEN the number of our members who have died without reaping the fruits of their productive years.
We can also tell our Governor that a couple of septuagenarian and octogenarian among our members are battling age-related illnesses without the financial enablement to combat such. And when we think that some of our members are only entitled to what could be called paltry sums with quite a number of us getting much less than a million Naira!
Once again, we are passionately appealing to our Governor to use his good offices to pay the money from the coffers of government and may, thereafter, choose to deduct it from the monthly subventions to Owena Press.
We no longer wish to mourn the death of any of us. Neither do we want to watch helplessly as our members pine away in penury and poverty.
We also call on the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Information Commissioner, Head of Service, as well as religious leaders to help us appeal to the state government to save our people from avoidable and painful deaths.
The Ilaje Leadership Forum (Citizens Security Council), at Igbokoda, Ilaje local government area has called on the state governor, Arakunrin, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to urgently intervene in the ongoing killing of Ilaje people by Ijaws in Bayelsa state before they embark on reprisal attack here in Ondo state.
According to the statement by the Publicity Secretary, Ilaje Leadership Forum (Citizens Security Council) Prince Emorioloye Owolemi, the Ijaws in the Brass area of Bayelsa State have again started Killing Ilaje people in the area for unknown cause.
They are hijacking their engines and boats, burning our people alive, raping our females, and tormenting them in different areas before snatching lives out of them.
“We affirmed categorically your stand in the area of security in protecting lives and properties in the state, and as well appreciate your concerns for the peaceful coexistence in Ilaje Local Government.
“We want our Governor to be aware that peace is gradually returning to Ilaje Local Government especially Igbokoda through your urgent intervention.
Permit me as I briefly stated what would within some days bring back the previous crisis between Ilaje and Ijaw of Ese-Odo.
Recalled that in September 1998, the Ijaw tribe with the support of Ijaw in Bayelsa State invaded our father’s land, slaughtered our fathers and mothers including our brothers and sisters that is where the crisis of Ilaje and Ijaw that lasted for about three years started.
“As a people of Ilaje, we will never and ever be subjected to those tortures and man inhumanity.
“We have the confidence in your administration to communicate this to the Governor of Bayelsa State before the Ijaw accommodated in Ilaje land started undergoing the same experience which will lead to war between Ilaje and Ijaw in Ondo State.
Consequently, intervention in the domestic affairs of Ilaje land by Chief Biribo Pere (Shoot at Sight) is hereby banned in Ilaje land.
Every activity of the Ijaws in any part of ilaje land is hereby suspended until the Government of Ondo State address the Killings of our people in the Brass area of Bayelsa State.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Saturday graced the burial thanksgiving service for Pa Tiamiyu Abefe Sanusi, the father- in- law of Popular CAC Cleric, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, the General Evangelist, CAC, Worldwide.
Governor Akeredolu was among eminent Nigerians who attended the burial thanksgiving service, held at the Christ Apostolic Church, Talafia DCC, Ede, Osun State.
Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Chaplain of the Aso Villa Chapel, Pastor Seyi Malomo; Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde; Former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Sen. Iyiola Omisore among other eminent Nigerians including religious leaders, attended the service.
The Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo CFR, has explained that the excitement, and celebration, that greeted the recent upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education, to a University of Education by the Federal Government, was meant to show gratitude to God by the people of the community, for bringing the long awaited dream to reality.
The First class traditional ruler, made the statement, while speaking at a reception held in honour of members of the institution’s Governing Council, led by the Chairman, Hon. Oluyemisi Idia Babalola, who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday 8 February 2022, in his palace in Ondo city.
Attributing the College elevation to a University as an act of God, Oba Kiladejo also lauded the efforts of the institution’s Chairman, and other members of the Governing Council, its principal Officers as well as other stakeholders for the achievement of the feat.
While reiterating the commitment of the people of the ancient community to the development of the institution, which he described ” as the first Federal University of Education in the entire Black race, the revered traditional ruler assured that all necessary support, would be given to the institution, to enable it achieve the purpose for which it was established.
His words : ” Please be rest assured that whatever we believe in, we put our body, soul and spirit to ensure that such a thing is successful.
“In the implementation of whatever we want to do, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, will not be an exception, we would rally round you to ensure its growth”.
Earlier in her remarks, the ACE Governing Council chair, Hon. Oluyemisi Idia Babalola, expressed appreciation to Oba Kiladejo and members of Osemawe-In-Council, for their support and contributions to the actualisation of upgrade of the College to a University.
She explained that the courtesy visit by her, and other members of the institution’s Governing Council, was to felicitate with the monarch and people of Ondo Kingdom for the good news, which she described as ” the best thing to happen in the community in the year 2022.
Hon. Oluyemisi Babalola, however, expressed optimism of better days in Ondo community, saying “the change in the status of the College to a University, represent the beginning of good things to come to Ondo town”.
While soliciting for continuous support, the Governing Council chair said the move would facilitate the achievement of the institution’s set goals and objectives.
Also in his remarks, the head of the institution, who is currently the Provost, Dr. Samuel Akintunde, felicitate with the Osemawe and the people of Ondo Kingdom for witnessing the upgrade of the College to a University.
The College Chief Executive officer also expressed appreciation to all those who worked tirelessly in ensuring the realization of the dream.
His words : “We thank God for everyone that worked towards it. We also thank the Osemawe for being resilient on the issue, because he did not for once change from the fact that Adeyemi College of Education will soon become a University, even when he is alive and God has done that for him” he remarked.
The colourful event, which held at the Osemawe’s palace, featured traditional paying of homage by different chiefs holding traditional titles in accordance with seniority.
Eminent personalities present at the occasion include Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Simeon Oguntimehin; Jomu, High Chief Ambrose Akinsade; Adaja, High Chief Solafuboye Ayodeji and Odofin, High Chief Akin Olaniyan.
Also present were traditional chiefs belonging to the Ukule, Elegbe and Ijama from various quarters in the town.
Other important dignitaries who graced the event included the institution’s Governing Council chair, Hon. Oluyemisi Idia Babalola, some members of the Council among whom were Alhaji Garba Abdullahi; Mr. Ben Chuka Eche and Mrs. J.N Akpa.
Others were His Royal Majesty, Oba Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi ; Mr. Lawrence Babatunde Aremu; Dr. Abayomi Olufemi Olajuyigbe, College Provost, Dr. Samuel Akintunde; his Deputy, Dr. Gbade Ikuejube and Registrar, Mrs. Olufisayo Fakorede.
Also on the entourage of the Governing Council chair to the palace were staff from the institution’s Council Affairs and Directorate of Information and Public Relations as well as security department.
A member of the academic staff of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Dr. (Mrs.) Martina Chinelo Onuegbu has disclosed that the decision the College Management to organize seminar on entrepreneurship for students of the institution was geared towards making them responsible citizens and job providers after their graduation.
Onuegbu, Director, Gender and Sustainable Development (GSD) in the institution, made the statement at the flag off of a two-day seminar organized for degree students as part of courses offered in General Studies in Gender Education, which held on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27, January 2022 in the institution.
Speaking on “Changing the mindset of Nigerian youth to embrace entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance amidst gender imbalance”, gender specialist expressed great concern on plight of graduates in Nigeria whom, she said, are daily confronted with problems of unemployment and joblessness.
She added that the development has resulted in increase in social ills and crimes, noting that the youth being the most vulnerable group have been the worst hit as they battle the problems of hunger, poverty and harsh economic situation in the country.
As panacea, the ACE DGSD, Director advised them to take a bold step in their fight against joblessness and poverty by embracing skill acquisition.
Also encouraging Nigerian youth not to despair in the efforts at improving their lots, Onuegbu urged them to make effective use of the talents that God deposited in them by exploring areas of opportunities available in their localities, stating that Nigeria has abundant mineral resources, which they could utilize to earn a living.
Meanwhile, in another paper presented during the seminar, a legal practitioner from the Ondo State Ministry of Justice, Barrister Stella Adegoke advised students of the College to shun criminal activities that could affect their educational pursuits and truncate their future career.
Adegoke, Director Legal Unit, Ondo State Ministry of Justice, listed some criminal activities to include cyber-crime, rape, prostitution, terrorism, abduction as well as abortion and cultism.
Emphasizing the need for Nigerian youth to exhibit good character at all times, the legal luminary said the step would prevent them from running afoul of the law.
She spoke on fundamental human rights and urged students of the institution to avail themselves of the Nigeria constitution in order to get better understanding of its contents.
The head of Legal Unit, Ondo State Ministry of Justice, however, warned students of the College not to engage in unethical use of the social media so as not to go to jail.
On what Nigerian youth could do if their rights is trampled upon, the legal practitioner said they could approach a court of competent jurisdiction or seek assistance from members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Aid Council in their vicinity.
The seminar, held at the Babatunde Ipaye lecture theatre in the institution, had in attendance staff from the Directorates of Gender and Sustainable Development, Information and Public Relations as well as students of the College from various schools.
•Warns Against Indiscriminate Use Of Dealers’ Seal
Ondo state government has raised the alarm that some owners of unregistered vehicles are now using dealers’ seals to perpetrate evil and constitute security threat in the state.
Government, however, cautioned car dealers giving out office seals indiscriminately to desist as erring car dealers would be sanctioned appropriately.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale who stated this in a chat with Government House correspondents in Akure, also warned those using NANS, NYCN or PRESIDENCY as their number plates without proper documentation and identification should desist from such act or face the full wrath of the law.
He equally revealed that on no account should any government officials transfer cars in their possessions to other persons, even as no one was permitted to use the government’s number plates on private vehicles.
Dr Odebowale said state government has ordered security operatives to impound such vehicles and prosecute culprits.
The governor’s aide disclosed that some unscrupulous individuals had been acting under the guise of official vehicle number plates and government seals to commit crimes, noting that such has to stop forthwith.
Odebowale who stressed that government vehicles found released to family members or relatives would be impounded with such officials sanctioned also urged past political appointees to immediately release number plates in their possessions to government.
He said government will henceforth seriously sanction public officers, especially political appointees covering their number plate, saying only the governor, his deputy, State House of Assembly Speaker and his deputy had the privilege to cover their number plates.
The SSA further revealed that office of the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties has sent out letters of invitation to all those operating as car dealers in the state to know how they operate and discourage indiscriminate display of vehicles which encourages thieves to steal vehicles.
He also added that vehicles coming from other states should have proper identification or authorization, just as he enjoined those in hospitality business to always have proper identification of those who patronize them, for the safety and security of lives and properties of the people of the state.
He advised residents of the state to always cooperate with the state government and security agencies to curb crimes and criminality in any part of the state.
Hon. Akinde Abimbola Sunday,a phillantrophist and APC Stalwart from idanre in this interview with Martins Fasusi speaks on why he always like giving to the less privileged, why he’s contesting for the Ondo State House of Assembly to Representing the good people of idanre, the chance of the party, APC in the 2023 upcoming general election among other issues.
Excerpts
MARTINS : Can we meet you sir and have an insight into your background with respect to your career and public life
ABS : My name is Akinde Bimbola Sunday popularly known as ABS SALAS, I started my academic prowess from Saint Georges Pry School in the early 90’s ( 1991) from there to Methodist High School, Idanre and finished early 2000 (2002)
I gained admission into Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo In 2005-2007 where i had my National Diploma (ND) and later proceeded to Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti for my HND in Marketing.
While I was in higher institution i served as a Chairman, National Association of Idanre Student (NAIS) in 2009. I served my father’s land as a youth Corper in Yankwashi local government area, Jigawa state. In the quest for greener pasture, after working briefly in Nigeria,I moved to Russia to start continue my life, with the grace of God, I had travelled over 17 countries in the world mostly in Europe and Asia, and today i settled in Istanbul Turkey with special focus on textile business , furnitures and Turkish steel door.
MARTINS : As a stakeholder in APC, how will you describe the government of the party in Nigeria ?
ABS : The government of Buhari Will be 7 years in May this year and this help me to affords the opportunity to reflect and recount the impact that has been made (and is being made) on different sectors. On INFRASTRUCTURE, the government established Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), with more than $1 Billion in fund.
RAIL Transportation , 156km Lagos-Ibadan completed – Abuja Light Rail completed . AGRICULTURE – Anchor Borrowers Program (ABP): – Special-Agro Industrial EDUCATION AND HEALTH – The Federal Government has disbursed more than 170 billion Naira in UBE and many projects completed by this government and many more
MARTINS : How will you rate the party( APC) internal democracy particularly the just concluded state Congresses.
ABS : In Idanre and ondo state generally , all the stakeholders believed that the consensus method adopted in the Congress was the best option to foster unity among members of the party.
This decision was unanimously adopted by all leaders of the party to seleact all officials at all levels in ondo state, Thanks to the leaders of Apc in ondo state and idanre particularly the state party chairman ( Engr Ade Adetimehin).
Ondo state witness the most peaceful congress among the 36 states in Nigeria where APC conducted their congress and today we can all see the unity among our leaders in idanre, there is no faction in APC here in idanre we are one Big family. We must also commend the effort of President Mohammed Buhari who has given the Youths the opportunity to actively participate in politics through the signing of the not too young to run bill which is equally being demosticated at the State level by own Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN with the number of Youths in his administration.
MARTINS : What is the chance of your party, the APC in Idanre local government come 2023 in the midst of other political parties.
ABS : With the huge membership strength we have recorded during the last registration and revalidation exercise, there is no doubt that Nigerians especially my great town ( idanre) still trust us that we will win all the upcoming elections convincingly not only in idanre or ondo state but starting from the upcoming bye election for Akure South/North Federal Constituency and governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti States, to the 2023 general elections.”
MARTINS : As a phillatropist , In what way have you been able to impact positively into the life of the people and what exactly is the driving force.
ABS : My foundation (BIMBOLA SALAS FOUNDATION ) has changed the life of many idanre youths ( boys and girls) like the recently concluded empowerment that my foundation carried out , we signed 68 people to learned any kind of job they wish to learn and we pay for the signing,freedom and buy all the equipment they needed to start the job, buying of sewing machine to fashion designers, generators and Barbing equipment for barbers, equipment for everyone who learned hair dressing etc. my foundation has also helped the community by providing water ( digging of boreholes ) , payments of WAEC, and giving money to the widows, our Okada motorcyclist empowerment, These has changed some life of our people in idanre local government and we are going to do more as time goes. The knowledge that I’m helping others is hugely empowering and, in turn, can make me feel happier and more fulfilled, this also encourage friends and family to do the same so that all my people in idanre can benefit from it
MARTINS : We heard from a reliable source that you are interested in contesting for the state house of Assembly to represent the good people of Idanre LGA, what should the people be expecting from you differently?
ABS : Yes I’m coming out to contest for the state house of assembly to represent the good people of idanre, well the present house of assembly member ( Hon Festus ) is doing well and he showed that idanre has many good sons/daughters that is ready to make idanre great but I can assure the good People of this great town that If they give me the opportunity to be there , I will bring many things to idanre differently from what the present member is doing , firstly I’m a member of the same party with the Governor which will enhance the opportunity to submit a meaningful project to the house and also to reclaimed most of the lost glory that our father enjoyed from the past like helping our farmers, traders and other professions that need government aid in their jobs
MARTINS : On a parting note , what is your message to the people particularly the youths.
ABS : I want to thank all the youth of my great town for showing the elders that we are capable of representing them at the higher level and make them Proud, I will also advice all the youth to come out and participate in politics if truly we want a better change, there is no how we can see a change without contributing our own quotas to the change we want in idanre and Nigeria as a whole.
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