Exclusive Reporters

• EXCO approves pilot project for solar-powered streetlights for major cities
• Govt to engage stakeholders over LG caretaker committees

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday presided over the State Executive Council meeting, during which critical issues of development were discussed and a wide range of actions approved for implementation.

Top among those is the approval of an action plan on finding lasting and sustainable solution to the incessant ocean surge in Aiyetoro community in Ilaje local government area of the State.

This was revealed at a press briefing after the EXCO meeting by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju.

While addressing Government House correspondents, Olateju disclosed that the Governor expressed deep concern over the challenges faced by the community over several years, santioning government’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to the sea-related problems.

The government, she assured, is actively working towards implementing measures that will not only mitigate the immediate impacts but also provide a permanent and sustainable solution in order to safeguard the affected coastal areas.

Also, the Executive Council approved the immediate assumption of office by the newly appointed Oloje of Igasi in Akoko North West local government and the Ibini/Lebú of Ojuala in Ese-odo local government. Additionally, two warrant chiefs were appointed to facilitate the selection of a new Olusupare of Supare Akoko, and a new Arogbo of Akotogbo was also approved.

The State government has also taken a significant step towards fostering economic development by approving the State Action Plan on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programs. This includes an initiative to illuminate Akure and major cities in the state through a solar-powered project. The pilot project, having received Council’s approval, is set to commence immediately with sample installations underway at the front of Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

On the issue of cleanness in the state, the Commissioner for Environment, Sunday Akinwalire, highlighted progress in clearing refuse in the metropolis and the weeding of curbs, as well as plans to improve overall sanitation standards.

Also, the State Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, said the government, acknowledging pending court cases initiated by opposition parties regarding the appointment of careraker committees for Local Government councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), is committed to resolving these issues amicably through constructive dialogue with the relevant stakeholders.

In a somber note, the Council was briefed on the plans for the burial of the late former governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
January 17, 2024

The body of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has arrived Nigeria.

The plane conveying the body arrived at about 3:39 p.m on Friday, January 5, 2024.

The late Governor’s remains were brought into the country from Germany, where he passed away.

The body was received by his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi; and representative of Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke also joined in receiving the body.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati, and some members of the Ondo State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were also present at the airport to receive the body of the former Governor.

Family members, followers, friends, and associates could not control their emotions as the body of the late Governor was being lowered from the plane.

Late Governor Akeredolu passed away in Germany on December 26, 2023.

His remains have been deposited at the morgue until the final burial.

Details of the burial arrangements will be announced by the family at a later date.

• Payment of percentage salary has become a thing of the past – Head of Service

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday joined the annual prayer organized by the Civil Servants of the state to herald the new working year where he promised to pay all outstanding entitlements of workers while ensuring the recruitment of health workers despite the lean resources of the State.

He thanked the public servants in the state for their cooperation and also thanked the labour unions for their support for government, promising that priority will be given to the welfare of the workers in the State.

The Governor promised prompt payment of salaries, promotion, regular elevation, payment of inherited salary arrears, training and retraining, provision of working tools among other things that will engender an efficient 21st century Civil Service.

“We will forge ahead with the approval already given for the recruitment of health workers as a way of strengthening the health sector while filling of vacancies will be done on regular basis as need arises”, Aiyedatiwa said.

The governor urged civil servants to face their work diligently and shun partisan politics as the people of the State prepare for another governorship election, adding that politicians should also desist from treating the election as a do or die affairs.

“This is an election year; let everyone know that the peace of the State is not negotiable and election is not a do or die affair”, the governor said, promising to open up the State for investors to come and invest their resources for the progress of the State.

The Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, commended the Governor for the continuous support in all areas pertaining to issues affecting public servants in the State.

The HoS unequivocally passed a vote of confidence on Governor Aiyedatiwa as being worker-friendly especially in the areas of regular promotion with financial benefits, equitable distribution of palliatives to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, payment of 35,000 wage award, presentation of SUV cars to 30 Permanent Secretaries and other welfare packages aimed at enhancing efficiency.

Prayers were offered for the prosperity, peace and progress of the State and the country at large. Present at the occasion were heads of security agencies in the State, religious leaders, members of the State Executive Council and other top government functionaries.

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State
January 2, 2024

– Warns politicians against violence, calumny ahead of governorship election

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has renewed his commitment towards reengineering the infrastructural development of the State while also prioritising the welfare of workers in the State.

The Governor stated this on Monday in his New Year broadcast to the people of the State, assuring them that the new year will bring dividends of good governance that will restore their faith in the administration.

He said the 2024 budget which he signed on the last working day of 2023 will be faithfully executed to drive rapid development while also aiming to complete ongoing projects across the State.

“It is in the light of this that I signed the 2024 appropriation bill into law on the last working day of 2023. This was done in order to allow us hit the ground running on the first working day of the new year to deliver results that will restore the faith of our people in this administration.

“The budget, which we christened ‘Budget of Economic Resilience’, will instigate development while we will critically prioritize the present needs of the people and create the conditions for a desirable future with prudent use of our collective resources.

“This budget underscores our determination to put workers’ welfare as top priority. We will also focus on human capital development, environmental sustainability, rural development, and completing ongoing infrastructural projects”, he said.

The Governor expressed sadness over the death of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, describing him as a leader who left an indelible mark and etched his name in history.

He added: “As we have promised, we will not only give our late former Governor a befitting State burial but will also immortalize his name, just as we will strive to complete all the developmental projects he embarked upon as Governor of Ondo State.

“His death was preceded by events that tested us in diverse ways but those challenges have shaped our resolve to, more than ever before, bring our people together and pursue the attainment of a peaceful and prosperous Ondo State. It is time to put the past behind us and focus all our human and material resources into building on the foundation that this administration has so far laid.”

On the coming governorship election in the State, the Governor urged political actors to play by the rules, saying no act of violence will be allowed to disrupt the peace in the State.

“As we are all aware, this is also the year for our governorship election. Expectedly, political activities will gain prominence as we march towards the election. However, let me implore all political parties, aspirants and their followers to eschew violent conducts that can threaten the peace and tranquility of our State and ensure that they follow strictly the guidelines issued by the electoral umpire. The election should be a contest of ideas and choices and not an opportunity to settle political scores or an excuse for calumny”, he said.

The Governor thanked the various stakeholders in the State for their support and commended the workforce for their hardwork and sacrifice.

He said: “Let me acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice of our civil and public servants who, despite the challenges created by uncertainties for the most part of the year, remained resolute in keeping the government and our State running.

“I must also thank all our traditional rulers, religious leaders, labour leaders, security agencies and the media for their support for government in the year past and urge them to build on such support for us in this new year.

“As we celebrate the opportunities before us in this New Year, I wish to also use this occasion to affirm my commitment to the people of Ondo State. I am persuaded that He who has brought us this far will faithfully help us throughout this new year.

“I am more optimistic about our future than I’ve ever been. I therefore call on you all to intensify prayers for the peace and prosperity of our dear State.

“It is my prayer that the first dawn of the New Year brings with it unsparing blessings for us as individuals, communities and as a State.”

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State
January 1, 2024.

Ayetoro Community, in Ilaje local Government Area, has commiserated with Akeredolu’s family and Ondo State over the demise of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

According to the statement personally signed by the Ogeloyinbo of Aiyetoro and
Spiritual Head of the Holy Apostles Church, Aiyetoro, Oba Micah Olaseni Ajijo described Akeredolu’s demise as a rude shock and untimely.

“The Ogeloyinbo-in-Council, the entire people of Aiyetoro Community, and the Church solemnly commiserated with the entire people of Ondo State, the Owo Kingdom, particularly the family.

“Akeredolu died when he was needed most in the political sphere of Nigeria”.

“No doubt, the untimely death of our dependable and forthright Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is an eclipse of a flourishing era in the annals of public governance in the Sunshine State and his legacies and visionary leadership will remain reference points across the State and the nation.

We pray that Almighty God grants Arakunrin Akeredolu eternal rest.

The community also heartily congratulated His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa on his gracious assumption of office as the 6th civilian Governor of Ondo State.

Indeed, your elevation to the governorship position, despite the shenanigans of some detractors in the very recent past, was a testimony to God’s grace over you and fulfillment of your names, “Lucky , Orimisan Aiyedatiwa”.

It’s also no coincidence that you are the first Ilaje native and perhaps the first Nigerian to become a Deputy Governor and a Governor all in a spate of less than four years.

At this auspicious time, on behalf of the entire community, we wish Your Excellency a fruitful and fulfilling tenure as Governor of Ondo State.

‘Workers’ salary, pension, gratuity obligations to receive prime attention’


The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Friday signed into law the 2024 Appropriation bill of N395.257 billion, christened Budget of Economic Resilience.

The Governor, who assented to the bill shortly after it was passed by the State House of Assembly, said the budget will focus on economic growth and development of the State.

In his speech, Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted the budget’s focus on human capital development, environmental sustainability, rural development, and completing ongoing infrastructural projects initiated by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The governor said that “the size of the approved Budget for 2024 stands at Three Hundred and Ninety-Five Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven Million Naira (N395,257,000,000.00). Out of this amount, a sum of Two Hundred and Twenty-Two Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N222,259,827,500.00) only, representing 56.23% is for Capital Expenditure while a sum of One Hundred and Seventy-Two Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Two Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N172.997,172,500.00) only, representing 43.77% is to cover the Recurrent Expenditure.”

He added that “the focus of this Budget is human capital development… we would keep meeting salary, pension and gratuity obligations… Emphasis would also be placed on climate change, clean and sustainable environment, rural development, and food security.”

The Governor expressed gratitude to members of the State Assembly for their swift passage of the bill and emphasized the need for transparency in implementing the budget, stressing that “the Executive Arm of Government will put its shoulder to the wheel to implement the 2024 Budget with the required probity and transparency it deserves.”
Acknowledging the recent petrol subsidy removal’s impact, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the people of the State on measures to mitigate effects, affirming: “this administration would continue to put measures in place to cushion the effects until we are able to weather through the storm, hopefully shortly.”

The signing of the N395.25 billion 2024 Budget marks a significant step towards advancing Ondo State’s economic agenda, prioritizing human development, and ensuring fiscal sustainability.

In his remarks, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Ondo State, said the budget will offer much-needed relief and economic prospects to the people of Ondo State, adding that “this budget of economic resilience aims to provide the people with the succor and economic hope they deserve.”

The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, led members of the Assembly to the event while the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladuni Odu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and other members of the State Executive Council were present.



Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State
December 29, 2023