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Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has described as cheering the Federal Government’s approval of Ondo Deep Sea Port.

Governor Akeredolu, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and other members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), said the approval was an impressive parting gift from the Buhari administration.

The Governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, noted that actualising the port project was very important to his administration.

“The Port Ondo is one of the most important projects of this administration. We are determined and committed to actualising this project that will set our state on the path of economic prosperity.

“Our dream for this port of Ondo is to serve as a conduit for our goods, agricultural produce, and very soon, our bitumen.

“It is the goal of this administration to ensure that the potential of Ondo State is maximised and that all necessary infrastructure required to make this a reality is put in place to achieve this.

“We thank the minister of Transportation, Hon. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, for his interventions and commitment. Our state is very grateful for this yeoman service. History will be kind to him.

“We equally noted with candour, the role of the Minister of State for Transportation, our own, Prince Ademola Adegoroye. Your impactful struggles and efforts have started yielding enduring fruit of development. Indeed, you have proven to be a true representative of your people. Your doggedness is admirable.

“We also appreciate everyone who has, one way or the other, contributed to the process of getting this approval. It is just a phase. We expect that this development will renew our vigour and drive our passion to deliver the Port Ondo project.

“Like we say, we are planting a tree, under which shade we may not rest. Nevertheless, it is a worthy cause for the generation yet unborn. We are committed to any effort that targets the good of the next generation.

AYO ADEMUSIRE FOUNDATION, a Non-Governmental Organization which spread its tentacles both in Nigeria and overseas, today visited the Nigeria Correctional Service, Medium Security Custodian Service, Okitipupa to donate some basic needs to the inmates.

The President, Founder, and CEO of the Foundation, Prince Ayodeji Ademusire who was represented by the Foundations General Secretary and doubles as the General Coordinator, Ondo South Chapter of the Foundation, Mr. Steve Ọlọmọjuni appreciated the authorities of the Correctional facility for their great job at ensuring the inmates are rehabilitated and transformed to be law-abiding citizens at the expiration of their terms in the facility.

Prince Ademusire charged the inmates to know that where they are presently is a reformatory society and should not see what they are going through as punishment, but rather as a reformatory process aimed at providing the opportunity to reflect on and take responsibility for their actions, but most importantly prepare them for being a law-abiding life after when they are released.

The officer in charge of the facility, O.T. Lijoka in his address earlier, appreciated AYO ADEMUSIRE FOUNDATION for identifying with the inmates and providing some of their daily basic needs.

Some of the items donated include; rolls of  Closeup, pack of toothbrushes, Carton of mimie noddle, carton of So Easy detergent, bathing soap, Tissue paper, dozens of slippers, drugs, and others.

PRESS RELEASE

ARREST OF PREPAID METER SYNDICATES

Three suspected members of a syndicate who specializes in tempering and stealing prepaid meters and selling same to unsuspecting members of the public have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ondo State Command.

Following a sustained intelligence and the flagging of some reported stolen prepaid meters by the Corps and (Benin Electricity Distribution Company) BEDC, one of the flagged stolen meter was recoverd at the point of recharging it by the buyer.

The statement of the buyer led to the arrest of Oladele kole, male, 42years old at Potoki street opposite Idanre garage, Akure; Alimi Oluwasola, male, 39years old and Samuel Olumide, male, 52years old were both arrested at Oda road, Akure.

Two members of the syndicate are presently at large and effort is on to apprehend them.

The suspects who already made confessional statements will be charged to court after the completion of investigation

Signed

ASC l Daniel Aidamenbor
Public Relations Officer
NSCDC, Ondo State Command
4, May 2023

Advocates Improved Welfare

By Damilola Atoyebi

As workers in Nigeria and across the globe mark Labour Day on May 1, Irele Local Government Council Boss, Hon. (Barr.)  Olusegun Ajimotokin has lauded Nigerian workers, particularly employees of Irele Local Government Council for their support and contributions to the growth and development of Irele Local Government, Ondo State, and Nigeria at large.

Ajimotokin in a goodwill message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary Victor Adedeji, called for improved welfare for workers across the country for enhanced productivity.

“There is no gainsaying the fact that Labour creates wealth for the nation, the more reason that the welfare of the Nigerian workers should always be accorded priority”, he added.

The Council Boss said that the welfare of workers at all times had remained on the front burner of his administration’s priorities, and remarked that society would remain eternally grateful and indebted to them.

Ajimotokin salutes the workers for their patriotic cooperation with his government and other institutions in the collective efforts to address societal challenges.

“As a government, we will continue to make the welfare of workers our priority and ensure that we play our role in creating a good working environment for workers in the local government”.

On behalf of the government and people of the Irele Local Government, I felicitate with our dear workers on this occasion of the 2023 May Day celebration.

• Harps on Collective Effort Among Stakeholders Ahead of the Exercise.

As Census 2023 draws near, the Executive Charman, Irele Local Government, Hon. (Barr.) Olusegun Ajimotokin has called on stakeholders in Ode Irele Community and the entire Local Government to work collectively to record considerable participation of the people in the upcoming census exercise.

Hon. Ajimotokin made this disclosure at a meeting held with the 2023 Census Committee and heads of quarters across communities, settlements and villages that make up Ode Irele township.

The Honourable Chairman said the population of the people in a Town determine the level of developmental projects government seeks to undertake in the area noting that the low turnout of the people in Ode Irele and Irele Local Government generally in the past census exercise must not repeat itself in the upcoming 2023 census while calling on the people, stakeholders and community leaders to take the forthcoming Census exercise seriously for accelerated growth and development of Irele Community and Irele Local Government as a whole.

Hon. Ajimotokin commended the Census Committee chaired by the Secretary to Irele Local Government, Mr Oladipupo Temenu with Pastor Olusola Omokoga as Co-ordinator for their unrelenting efforts in sensitizing the people ahead of the census program.

He reiterated that his administration would continue to provide the needed support for the committee and staff of the National Population Commission (NPC) in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Census program.

Also, the Chairman of the 2023 Census Committee in Irele Local Government, Mr Temenu Oladipupo in his address urged the heads of the quarter in attendance during the meeting to go back home and inform their wards about the upcoming exercise to record a massive turnout during the program.

Equally, the Co-ordinator of the 2023 Census Committee in Irele Local Government, Pastor Olusola Omokokga while addressing the people emphasized the need for heads of quarters and other stakeholders to intensify efforts in ensuring massive mobilization of the people ahead of the forthcoming Census exercise.

Pastor Omokoga recounts his experience of the program especially in the Northern part of the country and how it has brought accelerated growth to the area stressing that the same gesture should be demonstrated by the community leaders in the coming Census program to ensure massive development of Irele Local Government.

Pastor Omokoga commended the stakeholders for their effort so far while urging them to put more effort to achieve the set objectives.

Reacting, the head of Gbeleju Quarter in Ode Irele, Chief Tola Omogunwa as well as the captain of Aba Onipanu Community, Oloja Duyilemi in their various responses applauded Hon. Ajimotokin’s leadership styles and his readiness to bring forth accelerated growth and development in Irele Local Government.

Chief Omogunwa restated that the High Chiefs and Chiefs have resolved to redouble their efforts in ensuring a massive turnout of the people in the upcoming census program.

The meeting was brought to a close by sharing of grace in fellowship presided by Mr Felix Oyekan.

The meeting was attended by the NULGE Chairman, Comrade Temilola Orimisan, Director of Community Development, Pastor J B Orukotan, Mr Ifedayo Enimade, Mr Okunniga, S.A Works, Comrade Ebisanmi Kayode, other members of the Census Committee in Irele Local Government, heads of quarters across communities among others.

Signed:
Victor Adedeji,
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman,
Irele Local Government.

April 27, 2023.

The National Economic Council, on Thursday, in Abuja, said it has agreed that petrol subsidy should “not be removed” as earlier planned for June 2023.

The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after the valedictory Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Ahmed said the Council agreed on the need for continued discussions on the issue adding that the FG, together with states and representatives of the incoming administration, require more preparatory work. 

She said, “Council agreed that the timing of the removal of fuel subsidy should not be now. But that we should continue with all of the preparatory works that need to be done and this preparatory has to be done in consultation with the states and other key stakeholders including representatives of the incoming administration.

“Council agreed that the fuel subsidy must be removed earlier rather than later because it is not sustainable. We cannot afford it anymore. But we have to do it in such a way that the impact of the subsidy is as much as possible, mitigated on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. 

“So, this will require looking at alternatives to the fuel subsidy that needs to be planned for and subsequently put in place. But also what needs to be done to support the people that will be most affected as a result of the removal.” 

Ahmed added that the FG will be working together with representatives of the states between now and June 2023. 

“We have a plan that we will start working on, putting the building blocks towards the eventual removal of the first subsidy. 

“And if I may remind this forum that the budget for 2023 has a provision for fuel subsidy only up to June 2023 and also the Petroleum Industry Act has a provision that requires that all petroleum products must be deregulated 18 months after the effective date of the PMS removal and that period is also up to June 2020,” the minister explained.

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