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Tag: Akeredolu

  • Osinbajo, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others attend Fasehun’s burial in Ondo

    Osinbajo, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others attend Fasehun’s burial in Ondo

    The remains of the founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Frederick Fasehun, were on Thursday laid to rest in his home town in Ondo City, Ondo State.

    Political personalities, activists, friends and well wishers were on hand to bid him farewell amid praises for his accomplishments while he was alive.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko were some of the eminent Nigerians who attended the burial programme held at the St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Ondo.

    In his sermon, the Arch-Bishop of Ondo Anglican Province, Gabriel Akinbiyi, said death is a necessary end for every human being.

    He advised the people to always do good, while they are alive.

    Osinbajo, in his eulogy, described the late OPC founder as a dogged fighter and a highly principled personality.

    He said Fasehun would be greatly remembered for his contributions to the development of Yoruba people and Nigeria at large.

    Akeredolu on his part, described the late Mr Fasehun as a unique and special leader.

    Faseun, a medical doctor and pro-democracy activist, was 83 years old. He died on December 1 after a brief illness.

     

  • Akeredolu’s aides defects to PDP

    Two aides of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State have resigned their appointments.

    The two politicians who resigned were Mr. Akopebi Lubi and Dr. Benson Enikuomehin, who were both Senior Special Assistant and Special Assistant to the governor, respectively.

    Both Lubi and Enikuomehin were said to have joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Meanwhile, Governor Akeredolu has approved the resignation of his two former aides.

    He said the resignation was not unconnected with the political mood of

    the nation, saying everybody is free to join any political party or parties of their choice.

    He said, “It must, however, be noted that the resignation and defection of the two former aides would not affect the chances of President Muhammad Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

    The governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, said the defection of his aides would, in no way,  affect his administration.

    He urged the APC members in the state not to be worried by the development, but continue to work for the progress of the party.

  • Oshiomhole 'incompetent', not fit to chair APC – Ondo gov, Akeredolu

    The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday said that recent events has showed that the incumbent chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was ‘incompetent’ and unfit to rule the party.
    While denying any involvement in any attempt to remove the former Edo State governor, Akeredolu accused Oshiomhole of exhibiting incompetence in the handling of the party’s recently concluded primaries across the country.
     
    In a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, Akeredolu said APC primaries exposed the incompetence of Oshiomhole. He described the exercise as a “political charade” and a revelation of “a shocking proclivity towards banditry and impunity.”
     
    He asserted that recent events had justified his opposition to Oshiomhole’s election as party chairman.
     
    Recall that a group of party members staged a protest at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja on Tuesday alleging that Akeredolu and other “conservative” governors were planning to remove Oshiomole and scuttle the efforts of the party towards winning the 2019 general election.
     
    The group pointedly described the Ondo State governor as a mole in the APC, whose recent actions could result in Buhari losing Ondo State.
     
    The crises in the APC followed the outcome of the conduct of the governorship and national assembly primaries across the country, where the National Working Committee seems to have undermined the powers and influence of the governors.
     
    A number of governors protested against the final list of candidates approved by the Oshiomole-led NWC, and had called on President Buhari to intervene to reverse the trend.
     
    Akerdolu is particularly livid over the failure of some of his preferred candidates to make the list of candidates to be fielded by the party in the Senate and House of Representatives, despite being in firm control of the party machinery in the state.
     
    He also insisted that those who feel aggrieved reserve the right to demand justice, including calling for Oshiomhole’s removal.
     
    The governor, however, restated his commitment to work “assiduously” for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, who he said is loved by the people of Ondo State.
     
    Referring to the protest in Abuja on Tuesday, Akeredolu described the organisers of the protest as “opportunists,” and denied that he led governors of Ogun, Kaduna Adamawa and Ekiti States against Oshiomhole’s leadership.
     
    He said he found the report laughable and distracting, adding that as a fiercely independent personality, he was not about to change his attitude to please any person or a group of persons.
     
    “There is no truth in the whole contrivance. The governor has been pre-occupied with matters of governance in Ondo State for which he was elected,” the statement said.
     
    Akeredolu recalled his “noble interventions” as Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president at critical moments in the cause of the “progressives”, including in restoring Oshiomhole’s stolen mandate.
     
    “The governor had expressed preference for someone else during the contest for the office of the Chairman of the Party,” the statement further read.
     
    “He did not hide his opposition to Oshiomole’s aspiration for the simple reason that the leadership of a party, especially the one just emerging from a merger, should distance itself from egregious and inherently destructive narcissism.
     
    “Recent events seem to justify this position as prescient. Only sycophants will fail to see the obvious. Mr President would not have expressed worries over the crises in the party if everything had gone on smoothly.
     
    “The handlers of the mob strive in vain to set the lresident against certain government functionaries considered antagonistic to their pernicious scheme for dominance.
     
    “Their devious plot to outsmart those perceived as opposing their expansionist tendency compelled them to take desperate measures. Anyone endowed with an attitude of sobriety should have seen the need for calm.
     
    “Rather than retrace their steps and display genuine contrition, their desperation pushes them to embrace measures capable of not only hurting the party, but, regrettably, the president, whom they pretend to love so much.”
     
    The governor noted further that it was ludicrous that anyone would consider him a conservative.
     
    “Those who collected varying and humongous amounts as fees from aspirants during the last grandiose charade called primaries and submitted names dictated to them by a cabal, notorious for capturing political power for unbridled pillage, should be bold to explain their real motives to the people. They should be honest enough to deal with the issues,” the statement added.
     
    “Events, which took place across the country during the political charade, have exposed not only sheer incompetence on the part of the national leadership of the party, but painfully, it has revealed a shocking proclivity towards banditry and impunity.
     
    “It is becoming clear, increasingly, that party leadership at that level is seriously challenged in terms of capacity for serious engagements.
     
    “Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN, does not need to move from ‘North’ to ‘South’ to collect signatures from victims of electoral heist. He was in Ondo State throughout last week.
     
    “He was at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, to deliver a lecture on restructuring a few days ago. He is at presently in Canada on a working visit.
     
    “Only the mob and their hirers can explain the imagined movement from North to South. However, those who feel aggrieved reserve the right to demand that justice be done. If this includes the removal of Oshiomole, so be it.
     
    “May we seize this opportunity to reiterate the fact that the people of Ondo State are favourably disposed to the second term bid of Mr President.
     
    “Our people are unique; they are unwavering in their support for justice. They alone determine what is in their best interest at all times. The President is loved by the people of Ondo State.
     
    “All of us shall work, assiduously, for the President’s victory at the polls next year. We do not need any band of mendicants ready for hire to remind us of this sacred patriotic duty.”
     

  • I’ll surpass Mimiko’s achievements in healthcare -Akeredolu

    Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said his administration would surpass the achievements of his predecessor, Olusegun Mimiko in the area of quality, accessible and affordable health care in the state.

    Akeredolu said in a phone interview with the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Atlanta, U.S. that his administration was doing a lot, continuing from where Mimiko left.

    The governor, however, commended his predecessor for his feat in the provision of health care for the people, a feat that won the state international recognition.

    He said: “we are doing a lot; we have five cardinal points.

    “We had like a contract with the people of Ondo State.

    “One of them is for us to make health affordable and accessible and this is what we are trying to do.

    “I never run away from the fact that I met on the ground, a commendable health facility; but a few of them have run down, even before we got there.

    “So, we needed to up it a bit and make sure that they meet with modern trends or make sure that there are enough equipment and other facilities for use.

    “We are trying to improve on this.

    “It’s so low in Ondo State because the ‘Mother and Child’ took care of a number of issues there when my predecessor was in office.

    “So, we want to get even higher than what he did; we have facilities, but what we’re trying to do is to get it better’’.

    Akeredolu disclosed that the state’s health insurance scheme was ready for take-off in August, adding that, the enabling law had been passed by the House of Assembly after a long period.

    He also said that he has given approval for the facilities to be used by the Health Insurance Scheme, explaining that the UN Children’s Fund would participate in the scheme.

    “UNICEF took some of our legislators and a few others, sponsored them to Delta to study how it (health insurance scheme) is being run.

    “So the law has just been passed; one cannot say its effect now until we start by next month.

    “I’m sure everything would be ready for us to commence the insurance scheme in the state,’’ the governor told NAN.

    He said while in the U.S., he also visited the Sickle Cell Foundation and had fruitful discussions with them on how they could assist Ondo state.

    “They have a big foundation, with which they can assist and they had given promises and we are going to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to get them to Ondo state to do a lot of things,’’ he said.

    Akeredolu said he contacted some Ondo state indigenes and they had shown interest in coming back home to support the administration.

    “A few of them I spoke with also believed that they could raise funds to sponsor one or two containers of new medical equipment for the state.

  • Akeredolu’s wife heads Ondo Cancer Advisory Committee

    The wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu – Akeredolu, has been appointed as the chairman of the State’s Cancer Advisory Committee by the government.

    According to a statement by the state Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, the 13-member committee will advise and serve as an interface between the State Government and the University of Washington, Seattle, USA which has shown interest in partnering with the government to improve cancer control in the state.

    The partnership will be in the areas of baseline assessment (monitoring and evaluation through useful and tested information, strategic planning and capacity building for the proposed cancer centre in the state; cancer advocacy and support groups and networking with other interested organisations.

    Governor Akeredolu is convinced that the setting up of the cancer advisory committee will, no doubt, go a long way in creating more awareness, advocacy, strengthening the system and improvement of cancer control within the State and even beyond.

    Other members of the committee include Dr. Dipo Olabumuyi, Dr. Kingsley, Dr. Ajibola Adeyeye, Dr. aba Katung, Dr. Ndidi Okunnuga, Dr. Adewale Alisa.

    Others are Dr. Mojisola Atalabi, Dr. Teniola Akeredolu, Mrs. Folashade Aluko, Engr. Raimi Aminu, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health is to serve as the committee’s secretary.

    The chairman of the committee, Mrs. Akeredolu is a breast cancer survivor and founder of a cancer advocacy group, the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN).

    Among BRECAN’s activities is the organisation of awareness among young women about cancer disease and control.

    Mrs. Akeredolu has dedicated the last 20 years of her life to the fight against cancer through advocacy and organising campaigns.

  • Akeredolu’s wife gets international award on breast cancer advocacy

    The wife of Ondo state Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu has just been given a high level recognition award on her untiring effort at raising the bar of awareness over the breast cancer challenge among the women of Ondo state, nay Nigeria , in the ongoing Global Health Catalyst (GHC) summit at Harvard Medical school, Boston , MA, USA.

    The GHC is a premier yearly event designed to catalyze high impact international collaboration to eliminate global health disparities, with main on cancer and related diseases.

    It will be recalled that Mrs. Betty Akeredolu has recorded giant stride in the past years on the global challenge of breast cancer and the need to make our women realise the fact that the breast cancer ailment is not a death knell if women talk about it collectively and patients of such ailment resolve not to die silently.

  • Gender inequality: Akeredolu’s wife advocates for equal treatment for girl, boy child

    The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has advocated for equal treatment of male and female children in all strata to forestall societal ills and inequality meted to female folks.

    Mrs Akeredolu made the call at inauguration of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo Female Staff Association in Ondo West Local Government area.

    The inauguration’s theme was ‘Pressforprogress’.

    “Gender disparity starts at an early age and In truth, the quickest way to close the gender gap is for our girls and indeed our boys to understand that there is no difference in their ability to achieve.

    “And that they have equal rights in the political, social, economic and political sphere,” she said.

    Mrs Akeredolu said that UN reports that an estimated 15 million girls under age of 18 are married worldwide and about 62 million denied of education.

    According to her, it is time to teach all children that they have equal value to their society and family and that they have vibrant and qualitative part to move the nation forward.

    “Female children should no longer be cowered in the shadows and speak in hushed tones.

    ” As the theme says, we should encourage them to be bold and outspoken, to be educated and be more determined and to press for progress,” she advised.

    The governor’s wife said that women had suffered too long and that they owed it to future generation to ensure that ‘they do not experience what we have experienced.’

    “We should leave behind better world with better policies, better opportunities and more honour for females .

    “And establish and maintain a gender parity mindset.

    She noted that the present administration in the state had highest female representation in governance in the history of the state.

    Mrs Akeredolu said she hoped that the event would galvanized the interest of the college to become truly enablers in empowering women to bridge the gap.

    Dr Martina Onuegbu, the Director, Directorate of Gender and Sustainable Development Studies (DGSDS), said that the inauguration was a brainchild of the DGSDS and the need for female staff of the college to be emancipated.

    Onuegbu noted that it was for struggle and empowerment of women in combating societal inequality and inequities.

    She added that it was for uniting all female staff of the college irrespective of their age, religion or cadre.

    The director observed that the theme for the occasion was contrively coined to be squeezed together of depicting how women should come together.

    ” As there is no gap between the words, it’s expected that women should not allow any gap in their progress but rather be united because when women come together, something good happens.

    “This association is, therefore, a forum for female staff of the college to express their views on issues of importance and not just to socialise.

    “The essence is to influence one another and their environment and be emancipated from patriarchal dominations and societal stereotypes,” she stated.

    Onuegbu said that the association was not a struggle in competition with men but that it was based on orientation and understanding that women had to achieve greatness and that they were an asset to their society.

    Prof. Olukoya Ogen, the college’s provost, said that he was happy seeing women coming together for something positive.

    Ogen noted that women are specially endowed to care, nurture, protect and promote development.

    According to him, the association will bring good fortune, hope, solidarity, academic and administrative excellence and human capacity development to the institution.

    The provost stated that it was his desire to see the association to become a rallying point for fostering development and advancing progress in the college.

    Ogen asked the association to help checkmate social ills on campus and build a better college and mentor each other to strive for success especially in various careers as academics and administrators.

    “As women, I expect you to handle the students as your own and protect their interests,” he stated.

    An award of Distinguished Female Gender Advocate was given to the wife of the governor.

  • 2019: Watch Osinbajo, Akeredolu share meals with pupils

    2019: Watch Osinbajo, Akeredolu share meals with pupils

    As part of activities marking his official visit to Ondo State, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday paid a visit to Alagbaka Primary School, Akure.

    A tweet by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, says Osinbajo’s visit is meant to assess the Homegrown School Feeding programme of the Federal Government.

    He is a guest of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    The Vice President joined pupils of Primary 3B during the English Language lesson.

    And when it was time for lunch, Osinbajo and Akeredolu relocated to Primary 3A, where they both shared the meal with the pupils.

    Said, Osinbajo, “After teaching, naturally it is lunch time.

    “The kids and I are eating lunch prepared by the @NHGSFP (Homegrown School Feeding programme)cooks in Ondo.

    “I must confess the meal is tasty.”

  • NANS urges Akeredolu to reverse increase in tuition fees

    National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has passionately appealed to Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo to reverse recent increase in the tuition fees in state-owned institutions in the state.

    NANS National Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Bestman Okereafor, said in a statement on Thursday in Enugu that the reserve became necessary in the interest of the teeming indigent students.

    He said the recent increase in the tuition fees was alarming and beyond normal situation, adding that the development would be inimical to educational development of the state, if not reversed.

    Okereafor said that students had been paying between N25, 000 and N30, 000 but noted that the fees had been increased to N120,000 and N180,000 respectively in state-owned institutions.

    “We are calling on Gov. Akeredolu to as a matter of urgency reverse the anti-students’ policies both in Rufus Giwa Polytechnic; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and other state-owned institutions as soon as possible,’’ he said.

    He stressed that otherwise; the national secretariat of NANS would be moved to Akure the state capital.

    “Unarguably, many female students may be lured into prostitution while the male students may be lured into cultism and armed robbery due to the inability of their parents to pay the proposed tuition fee,’’ he said.

    He said that NANS had been uncomfortable with the increase in the tuition fees without due consultations and consideration of the present economic realities in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Ondo, the state capital, witnessed uneasy calm four days ago as students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko protested over 500 per cent hike in their tuition fees.

    They marched through the streets of the town, joined by market women and caused gridlock as well as lull in commercial and social activities in the area.

     

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  • Pregnant women stage protest against Akeredolu [Photos]

    Pregnant women stage protest against Akeredolu [Photos]

    Apparently worried over the outrageous childbirth medical bills in Ondo under the administration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, pregnant women on Thursday staged a protest, grounded activities at Ondo State Specialist Hospital, in Akure.

    According to a witness, who spoke to TheNewsGuru.com on the peaceful demonstration, the protesters reportedly demanded that Akeredolu reverse the new ₦25,000 bill for normal delivery which was absolutely FREE (including caesarean section, CS) under former Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

    Our source quoted one of the pregnant women: “ This is not the Ondo we used to know, under Mimiko, we don’t pay a dime to get maternal care, in fact the government gives us maternal kits that contains some of the things we will need in the persiod.”

    Hitherto free delivery at the Mother and Child Hospital by the immediate past administration where pregnant women in the state had their safe delivery without paying any fee has now been abolished. Sometime last year, a mother and her new born child were detained at the hospital over failure to pay for the fees demanded by the hospital. It took the intervention of a philanthropist who raised the said amount before she could be released.

    Under Akeredolu, the health sector in the state according to critics is nothing to write home about. Apart from the crazy bills for pregant women, there has reportedly been dearth of personnel, especially doctors and nurses at the hospitals, thereby putting the lives of patients in danger during emergency.