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The Coalition of Support Groups for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (COSGABAT) has announced its readiness for the 1 million solidarity walk for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential ambition come 2023
The group made this known through it’s Director General, Hon. Thomas Akinwolere while addressing Newsmen in Ibadan, Oyo State on the 11th of January, 2022
The Coalition of Support Groups for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (COSGABAT) is one of the leading support groups designed to mobilize support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential ambition come 2023. According to information revealed by Hon. Akinwolere during the Press Conference, there are over 54 groups which are already registered under the Coalition.
According to him, the group, Coalition of Support Groups for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be going all out on the 19th of January, 2022 at the Liberty Stadium, Ring Road to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Toll Gate where they will be raising more publicity, mobilizing more people to support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidential ambition.
He also added that the Coalition of Support Groups for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu [COSGABAT], have reflected deeply on the outstanding leadership qualities, personal attributes and antecedents of Bola Tinubu, and they have seen that he is a man with the attributes of hard work, a true progressive who is not only passionate about the nation, but also committed to moving it forward.
Hon. Akinwolere also made the call to Nigerians across the 36 States of the Federation to come out in their numbers to actively mobilize for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the nation prepares for its presidential election come 2023.
E-Signed Comrade Gideon Balogun National Publicity Secretary for COSGABAT
An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has ordered the remand of one Olukayode Adebayo (37) in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ado Ekiti over an alleged rape.
In her ruling, Magistrate Mojisola Salau said, remanding the defendant will allow the Police to complete their investigation while the Prosecutor, Inspector Sadiq Adeniyi will duplicate the case file and send the same to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Legal advice.
According to the charge, Olukayode, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, attached to Ekiti State Command was reasonably suspected to have committed an offence of rape on a (13) thirteen-year-old girl at Peace Avenue, Afro Road, Ado Ekiti on 25th December 2021.
In her statement to the Police, the victim said, on Christmas day, she went to their shop on the instruction of her mother to bring some banana and kola nut, on her way back, the defendant who was on a motorcycle met her on the road, she was asked to mount the motorcycle to assist her home and she agreed.
On their way, she took her to an uncompleted building and have canal knowledge of her and left, her crying attracted the passers-by who took her home, she explained to her mother and later reported the incident at the Police Station.
The offence runs contrary to and is punishable under Section 31 of the Child Right Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.
The case has been adjourned to 10/02/2022 for mention.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has advised residents of the southwest region of Nigeria to stop eating meet from cattles, also know as beef, for economic reason.
According to the governor, the Yoruba speaking region of the country is losing N2.5 billion daily to the consumption of beef.
This development is only few days, after the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) banned the consumption of beef and the keeping of cows in the south-east.
Speaking at a meeting with stakeholders in the state’s education sector in Akure, Ondo capital city, Akeredolu said people in the south-west should consider using chicken meat for their ceremonies.
Represented by Akin Olotu, his special adviser on agriculture, the governor said chicken meat is healthier than beef, and that it will enhance the region’s economy.
“The president said grow what you eat and eat what you grow. I have been a serious advocate and I am reemphasizing it, please let us use chicken for our ceremonies,” he said.
“Yes, I mean broilers. They are cheaper. I met with the traditional rulers and I told them that those before you have to encourage that.
“Why am I saying this? There is a N2.5 billion beef market in the southwest every day. It means every day in the southwest, we send
“[The sum of] N2.5 billion out of the south-west? That is the bedrock of poverty in the region.
“We have a region that is not retaining money. Don’t let any politician tell you any abracadabra, if we don’t reverse that trend, we will continue to remain on the same spot.”
Three persons have been reportedly shot dead by suspected herdsmen who invaded Molege Village in Ose Council Area of Ondo State.
Several houses were reportedly razed overnight along Elerinla near Arimogija by the rampaging herders who were irked that the villagers prevented their cows from feeding on their farmlands.
They reportedly mobilised and set the villages and the farms on fire.
The villagers took to their heels while their properties were destroyed by the herdsmen.
Reacting to the incident in a terse statement, the state Commander Amotekun, Chief Adeleye Adetunji, said that “while on a routine patrol today at Molege in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State our men were informed that some nearby villages in Molege have been taken over by herdsmen while the burnt down some people’s properties.
“We moved in with three patrol vehicles and took control of the situation in the village.
“On their way back, some men suspected to be herdsmen suddenly open fire on our men in an unprovoked attack because Amotekun does not want to start shooting people.
“We are trying to find out who they are as an adequate investigation is ongoing.
“We urged the people of the community to come back to their homes as peace has returned back to the village.
Adetunji was however silence on the casualties recorded during the forceful invasion of the village by the bandits.
Meanwhile, fear has gripped the council area following reports that the herdsmen have perfected plans to invade and overrun other villages and camps overnight.
….Bill ought to have been passed more than a year ago
The recent pedestrian opposition tactic of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State, requires proper enlightenment. The party’s latest attack on the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration has exposed its ignorance.
Specifically, the PDP’s claim that an anti-corruption bill is set to be passed by the State Assembly to allegedly protect the Governor and his family from wrongdoings is not only preposterous but laughable. It exposes the level of seriousness of a supposed opposition bereft of ideas, unwilling to obtain facts and self-cabined against information.
The Bill for a law to establish the Ondo State Public Complaints, Financial Crime and Anti-corruption Commission and others connected thereto 2021 was deliberated upon at the level of the State Executive Council, but was stepped down for wider consultations. At the moment, the memo has not received any Exco approval, and has therefore, not been sent to the State House of Assembly. All the same, it is one Bill that shall be pursued to a logical conclusion.
For the records, the Anti-Corruption Bill, when put in place, will serve the purpose of the State, rather than the warped imagination of the grossly deficient opposition. Those who started the formulation of the Law had in mind to decentralize the anti-corruption fight to the federating units of the Nigerian Federation. It suffices therefore, that, the rush to disseminate falsehood appears more important to the opposition PDP than the need for a TRULY FEDERAL NIGERIA.
For the records, the Law has been in existence in Kano State since 2008. Lagos State followed suit by passing the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Bill into Law. Aside Lagos in the Southwest, the Law is in operation in Ogun and Oyo States. Interestingly, Oyo is a PDP governed State. Undoubtedly, Ondo PDP needs help.
More importantly, the Supreme Court has ruled that Section 46 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act should be construed within the narrow confines of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the percussor to the establishment of the EFCC – to prevent illicit financial outflow from Nigeria.
The matter centers on one of the issues of our true federalism. It interrogates the rationale behind a federal agency exercising oversight powers on States under the guise of financial crimes, when each state has its Penal and Criminal Codes dealing with such offences.
The PDP in Ondo State, as usual, failed to do its findings, but hurriedly amplified falsehood and spurious gists to members of the public. While we agree that it is their stock in trade, it is important that this clarification be made in the overall interest of members of the public.
We will continue to do what is best for the people and the state not withstanding the needless and fabricated allegations that are being fed members of the public by the drowning PDP.
Signed:
Donald Ojogo, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ondo State .
The chairman Akure South LGA, Hon. Gbenga Olaniyi has sent a new year goodwill message to residents and entire good people of council.
Disclosing this in a statement he personally signed, Olaniyi urged the residents particularly Christians to reflect more on the importance and historic significance of the birth of Jesus Christ and follow his examples.
He therefore admonished all the residents to use the New year to renew their commitment to collective prosperity, growth and development by contributing more to nation building and shun all forms of bad behaviors.
In his words” As a people, we must continue to imbibe the spirit of togetherness and love for the nation. “
” We must also support good at all levels by contributing our quota in the generation of wealth and alleviating of poverty in the land”.
The number citizen of the local government equally acknowledged the resilience and perseverance of the citizens in the midst of social economic and political difficulties.
He therefore charged them to reignite their undying spirit.
Olaniyi commended the local government workers for their support and cooperation,he promised that his Administration will leave no stone untouched in the developing and improving on the lives of the people.
The thought of writing anything so soon about Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo, our MHR in Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency, Ondo state never crossed my mind until the events of the last few days make it worthwhile to put his exploits for the year 2021 into proper perspective.
Whether you love him or loathe him, Hon. (Barr.) Kolade Akinjo is a man in a class of his own, sui generis, with the manner he has distinguished himself to become one of the established figures in the political firmament and the consciousness of our people in Ilaje/Ese-odo federal constituency.
His unswerving political camp experienced a heavy derision of his personage earlier this year when the unhealthy comparison with his colleague representing Akoko North East/North West all started, but with his disarming and natural taciturnity, he stayed focused on touching lives, maintaining relationship and administering placebo in form of assistance where necessary from behind his exclusive legislative circumvallation.
“No man is perfect and every soul is often misunderstood…..”.
That our expectations are high based on the myriads of challenges rocking us as a nation is not something unknown to many of us but we are still very lucky at this point in time to have a persona and political figure whose methods and style deserve a full study, in terms of impact and essence. It is therefore not for nothing that his ideologies have since been structured towards the development of education in our federal constituency.
The extent to which the above assertion may be worthwhile was fully demonstrated within this “2021”- watershed period. Through Hon. Kolade Akinjo’s legislative interventions, different collections of educational materials worth millions were distributed to our primary schools; Sienna buses were donated to NUT and NBA; libraries and classrooms all around were built and as well scholarships were given to public secondary school students and graduates of the Nigerian Law School from the Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency.
Within the area of empowerments and capacity building, Hon. Kolade Akinjo has splendidly demonstrated that a good name is worth much more than aggrandizement especially with his motorcycle and sewing machine empowerments, Mekunu Koya Cooperatives for our market women, the aged, farmers and fishermen alike and also the number of persons who through his interventions got enlisted and accommodated into the Federal Government agencies and programmes like FRSC, NDDC, immigration, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police Force, NPower, SPW, NIRSAL loan scheme and many others.
That the name “Iraye”, as fondly called, has taken a unique place in the hearts of our people in Ilaje/Ese-odo federal constituency wasn’t in anyway by happenstance. His essentialist views, intrinsic belief in integrity and principled personal discipline of courage as featured in his educational advancement, human capacity building and humanitarian support programmes within our federal constituency are testaments to his developmental torches which outshine panoptically even those in the Executive arm in our dear state.
In this month of December, 2021, aside the usual festive period packages for his constituents across political divide, we witnessed the completion of the Primary School Project at Obinehin, Ugbonla and Inikorogha communities; installation of 20 solar street lights each in Ugbonla, Arogbo and Ebute-Ipare communities; the continuation of the most talked about Ikuomola-Secretariat road in Igbokoda; the training of our public primary school teachers on graphic design with giveaway laptops through his zonal intervention projects; distribution of salon equipments to our hairdressers in Igbokoda and also the empowerments of 100 public primary and secondary school teachers in Ilaje/Ese-odo federal constituency at the NUT hall, Igbokoda, Ilaje LGA headquarters barely a week ago.
Take it or leave it, within our mottled political landscape, Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo, like the burst of a rainbow through a cloudy sky, has through dint of hardwork and dedication joined the pantheon of reverred leaders in Ilaje/Ese-odo local governments as the only representative currently bringing succour to the people despite being a parliamentarian in the opposition party. His audacity, sagacity, indefatigability and uniqueness remain boundless and borderless. No wonder so many of our patriotic youths see him as a quintessential mentor for his guarded and understated lifestyle, politics and academic successes.
As said earlier, “no man is perfect and every soul is often misunderstood…..”.
Oftentimes we’ve witnessed sponsored traducements by some coteries not comfortable with how he managed to get thus far or what he’s likely going to become ahead of them politically if left untamed – and more equally, we have seen in multiples those who truly love him and also some flaks from those who wanted him to perform magic. But as a man who has a strong nack for MLK’s philosophical saying that: “….the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy”, all these stumbling blocks are no doubt inspirational and have become catalytic to his continuous political reinforcements and re-alignments.
Until a closer relationship with Hon. Kolade Akinjo, no one would ever know at first sight that he is a flurry of beings curled into one: he is a science, an art, a foundation of genius with dashes of brilliance. A man who whenever he stands to speak, none ever doubts his pure intellect, vision and sheer enterprise to become any form he creates as a true quintessential spellbinder. He’s a library of masterpieces, an extricate web of sensitivity and hope attuned in full measure of what the world needs.
Many years ago, our Nobel Prize winner, Prof. Wole Soyinka in his Prison Memoir proclaims: “the man dies in all who remain silent in the face of tyranny and injustice”. Out of his doughty inclination, our House of Reps member caused an explosive “sòrò sókè” outburst against the budgetary shenanigans of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and his cohorts for failing to allocate a single project to the oil producing areas of Ondo state during the 2022 budget defence of the Ministry, which of course better explicates his representative capacity and unwavering loyalty towards the aspirations of our people in the Niger Delta.
It is worthy to note that we cannot by a single representative overcome our aged-long societal or ecological challenges especially the sea incursion ravaging Ayetoro community without the collaborative efforts of everyone in governance within the region. However, Hon. Akinjo has on his own within this year moved several motions during plenaries to draw the attention of the federal government to the plight of our people in Ayetoro community, Ilaje LGA of Ondo state. Infact, he wrote an open letter in that regard to President Muhammadu Buhari which was published by The Nation Newspaper on 28th May, 2021, and he has since pleaded with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the head of the House Committee on NDDC to visit the locus in quo in order to know the heights of what our people are facing in that region. Unfortunately, they both refused.
That Hon. Akinjo is a force of nature or a towering force of hope with sound legislative and transformative depths is no gainsaying. Only a very few men can knead the tripartite traits of genius, modesty and character into that moral and human centaur as done by this extraordinary representative. While we hope for more, through his willingness, Hon. Kolade Victor Akinjo has achieved these with unequalled grace.
Finally, I wish to salute the resoluteness and steadfastness of our constituents in Ilaje/Ese-odo federal constituency for staying strong despite the challenges being faced at all levels. Perfection is not for mortals. We can only continue to wish for the best from our own representative and not by running him down. It is not always about politics or who you are supporting but respect for our very own and understanding the true meaning of fairness, decency and humanism.
Thank you, Hon. Kolade Akinjo for still making us proud.
Compliments of the season.
By Ayodeji Omosowone Esq. Legal Practitioner & Social Commentator
A fresh appeal has gone to the Ondo State Government to pay the arrears of gratuity due to retired staffers of Owena Press Limited, publishers of The Hope newspapers, a newspaper publishing organization wholly owned by the state government.
The appeal was made on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, by the Chairman of Forum of Retired Staff of Owena Press, Mr Banji Ayoola, who said that the non-payment of the gratuity for years has worsened the health challenges of members of the Forum and turned many of them into beggars in their twilight years.
According to Ayoola, who retired as Editor of the newspaper, the forum wrote a passionate letter of appeal to the Governor on the matter, but that nothing positive has come out of it despite the Governor’s acknowledgement of the letter.
In his words, “It is sad and saddening that there is nothing merry in the ongoing festive season for our members, many of who are wallowing in penury and battling age-related illnesses. It is said that many of those who faithfully and meritoriously served the government and people of Ondo State in their productive years are now left to the vagaries of life in the evening of their lives.
“I can tell you that about six of our members have died of sicknesses that are easily treated if money had been available, while some are bed-ridden and unable to help themselves. Many have resorted to selling off landed and other properties to keep body and soul together, while others who have little or nothing to fall back on have been reduced to the indignity of begging.”
Ayoola recalled that the forum had written to the Governor on the matter. “The Governor did acknowledge the letter and directed that action be taken on it. But till now, we only hear rumours of the letter moving from one office to another and that it had finally been sent to the office of the HoS for onward transmission to Mr Governor.
“Our hope was raised when the Governor promised to offset gratuities and pensions from the recent bailout, but it now seems that our hope was misplaced.
“We are, once again, appealing to the government to help us and bail us out of penury and wasting away alive.
“Our case is especially pathetic as staffers of the organization are not entitled to pensions; all they get is the gratuity which has now gone unpaid for over a decade,” Ayoola said.
As part of effort to sustain job creation and to reduce poverty in the country, The Ondo State office of the National Directorate Of Employment ( NDE) in conjunction with Akure South LGA has commenced training for youths on various skills acquisition Program.
The training program which is expected to take place at different centres within Omoniyi Street, Agbogbo , Akure would exposed the participants to theoretical and practical aspects of their chosen vocations.
The chairman Akure South, Hon. Olugbenga Olaniyi disclosed to newsmen during the orientation and induction course for the participants that the training program was designed to consolidate NDE efforts to sustain employment generation intervention and poverty reduction endeavors.
Cosmetology team, trainer( middle), trained 3yrs ago by the NDE and now a trainer. Others trainees
The council boss who was re-presented by his Senior Assistance, Hon. Alabi Oluwagbenga advised the participants to put their knowledge into practice after the training in order to enhance their capacity and to improve on the society.
In his words” This is a special programe because it’s community based and a community within Akure South, Omoniyi Street precisely was lucky to be the beneficiary by special intervention of the Chairman and the trainers are equally selected from the community.”
” NDE always embarks on training to fill the gap of unemployment in the society because everyone can’t be employed by the government so there is a need for an alternative which is the primary mandate of NDE”
Hairdresser team. Trainer (middle). others trainees
” It’s a three months training program that will come to an end on February 28, 2022 where start up financial support would be given to the participants and certificate that would be recognized across the globe” he added.
In his own remarks, The State Coordinator, NDE, Mr. Bode Ogunyakinu thanked the chairman for facilitating the programme and providing the skills center at Oke Ijebu motor park of about 20 offices for skills acquisition free of charge.
The shoe builder team. Trainer central and trainees
Mr. Ogunyakinu disclosed that the programme was designed to curb the scourge of unemployment and poverty in the country which according to him was the core responsible and mandate of NDE.
He emphasized that the exercise is going on simultaneously across the states of the federation except in some states where they have what is called school on the wheel (SOW).
He therefore charged all the participants to be committed, discipline, maintain high level of decorum and avoid any act of trauntcy and abscentsm all through the duration of the programme.
Barbers team.Trainer ( middle) and the rest trainees
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Comrade. Olumide Faseyide described the project as a rare opportunity and privilege for the community which will never be taken for granted.
He promised to utilize the opportunity wisely in order to better his life and his family at large.
The skills acquisition programme consist of different vocations which includes Barbing, Hairdressing, Shoe Making and leather Works, cosmetology among others.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has congratulated Governor of Kebbi State, H.E Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu on the occasion of his 60th birthday, and his Nassarawa State counterpart, H.E Engr. Abdullahi Sule on his 62nd birthday.
Governor Akeredolu saluted the Governors for their commitment and dedication to the development of their states and the country at large.
The Governor, who hailed Governor Bagudu for his efforts to deepen the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described him as a dependable ally.
“Governor Bagudu has continued to be a friend and brother. He is a man of conviction and character. He is dependable and supportive. His contributions to the growth and unity of our great party, the APC, is immeasurable.
“My brother Governor, Engr. Sule, is a committed party man whose passion for the development of his state and the country at large is alluring. He has also remained a committed progressive. His steadfastness and hard-work can never be overlooked,” the Governor said.
Governor Akeredolu wished the two Governors God’s grace and unending favour even as he prayed God to grant them long life in peace and good health.
Signed: Richard Olatunde Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. December 26, 2021.
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