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Author: Alaba-Olusola Oke

  • Eid-el Kabir: Ondo Speaker urges Muslims to remember needy

    Eid-el Kabir: Ondo Speaker urges Muslims to remember needy

    Eid-el Kabir
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Akure, June 16,2024( NAN) The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, has urged Muslim faithful to remember the less-privileged in the society during the Eid-el Kabir celebration.

    Oladiji, in his Sallah message on Sunday in Akure, said Muslims should equally celebrate the festival with moderation in tune with the current economic reality.

    Oladiji enjoined Muslims to share with the needy, in their celebration, in line with the Islamic doctrine, as dictated by the Eid-el Kabir.

    The speaker who congratulated Muslim faithful on the celebration, urged them to continue to live in harmony with other religious faith.

    He solicited for ceaseless prayers to sustain the relative peace currently enjoy in the state.

    The speaker equally called for prayers for the leaders of the country, requesting God to grant them the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to lead the nation aright.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    OKEO/CHOM/IKU
    ===========
    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Ondo Speaker expresses hope for better Nigeria

    Ondo Speaker expresses hope for better Nigeria

    Hope
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Akure, June 12,2024( NAN) The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has expressed hope for a greater Nigeria as the country celebrates 25 years of interrupted democracy.

    Oladiji, in his Democracy Day’s message on Wednesday in Akure, celebrated those whose efforts yielded the celebration of democracy.

    He congratulated Nigerians on the numerous benefits of democracy, saying there was need to guard the nation’s democracy jealously in order to benefit more dividends.

    The speaker called on Nigerians to be more resilient and key into the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu with the believe that the country would emerge better, stronger and greater.

    Oladiji commended governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his efforts so far in the delivery of democracy dividends to the people of the state.

    The speaker who solicited for more support for the governor, pledged the unwavering commitment of the legislative arm to continually strengthen the pillars of democracy. NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)

    OKEO/IKU
    Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

  • FG’s continuous interventions ‘ll revamp economy – Ondo APC

    FG’s continuous interventions ‘ll revamp economy – Ondo APC

    Intervention
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Akure, June 12, 2024(NAN) The All Progressives Congress ( APC) in Ondo State has assured Nigerians that the APC-led government would continue to put in interventionist measures to revamp the country’s economy.

    In its message on Democracy Day by Mr Alex Kalejaye, the state Publicity Secretary, the party identified with the people over current economic reality and assured of the government’s commitment to sustainable measures.

    It explained that the APC- led government was relentlessly committed to ameliorating unfavourable economic reality.

    “The current atmosphere in the land will evaporate soon to pave way for stunning prosperity,” the party said.

    The party commended the state governor, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa, for measures so far put in place to sustain the people’s hope for a better tomorrow.

    The party identified deployment of school buses to assist parents, revisit of the Owena Dam for potable water, prompt payment of salaries and wages for workers, among others, as indicators of great intention and commitment.

    It also assured that the APC-led government would do more in the area of palliatives to support families, adding that this would be sustained until the gains of economic reconstruction continue to manifest.

    “We congratulate our members, the good people of Ondo state and indeed, Nigerians on this memorable day.

    “We salute the unwavering support of our members, despite challenges and distractions.

    “We urge you to continue to be lawful and dutiful, as governments at different levels are working out the best ways to place the country on a desirable economic pedestal,” the party added. (NAN) (www.nannnews.ng)

    OKEO/CHOM/IKU
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    Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Tayo Ikujuni

  • Ondo Govt. assures private school owners on proposed census

    Census
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Akure, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Ondo State Government has reassured private school owners that its planned enumeration of schools was not for tax purposes, but to adequately plan for education in the state.
    The state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Laolu Akindolire, made this known during the training of enumerators for the 2024 Annual School Census, on Monday in Akure.
    Akindolire, who specifically appealed to  private schools in the state to cooperate, stated that the exercise would  enable the ministry generate accurate, timely and reliable data for adequate educational planning and development in the state.
    He said that relevant data on school system from all educational institutions (both private and public primary and secondary schools) in the state would be collated and carefully analysed for short, medium and long term development planning by the government.
    The commissioner, who was represented by  the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Folasade Adegoke, explained that the exercise was among conditions to attract funds from donor partners to the sector.
    “This is part of our initiatives to attract funds to the sector to complement the government’s efforts towards engendering accelerated development to the state educational system.
    “The task ahead of us is quite enormous, but with our collective determination, dedication and hard work, we will record a successful enumeration in the state,” he said.
    Akindolire enjoined other collaborating agencies of government and head teachers to give their best towards achieving the overall goals of the exercise for the benefit of the state.
    He asked  them to be on ground to attend to the enumerators by making all relevant records such as statutory, administrative and teaching-learning records among others, available for collation.
    “It is through your cooperation and support that we can produce credible and reliable data for the State education sector. The enumerators should not hesitate to report any challenge encountered on the field to relevant authorities for prompt action,” he said.
    Similarly, the Chairman of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board( SUBEB), Mr Victor Olambimtan, said that school census was a crucial tool to help government to plan its programmes and direct its interventions properly.
    “School census helps government to know the population in both public and private schools and thus how to channel her interventions.
    “We are to note that it is very crucial to know every detail relating to every school in our dear state, ranging from the infrastructure, number of learners, teachers and location among others.
    ” It is lack of accurate information that causes the embarrassment of misinformation when schools are to be sited, be renovated, or supplied with material among many actions.
    “In most instances, the school management could not provide accurate information needed for the proper planning,” he said.
    According to him, it is  quite unfortunate that we have found it difficult to get accurate data to use in Nigeria.
    ” Every data you see is the one carried out by international organisations and I can tell you they are not comprehensive and most times not updated.
    “But with accurate census, we would be able to give the real information on the education sector.
    “This edition of school census is going to be done electronically across schools.
    “Let me implore all of you to see this crucial training as an important assignment which need to be handled with seriousness.
    ” I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Gov. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedaiwa and the Hon. Commissioner for Education Science and Technology for their investment and interest in providing qualitative education for the citizens of this state,” Olambimtan said.
    The executives of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and  the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Schools ( ANCOPPS) in attendance at the training pledged their support to the exercise.(NAN)
    OKEO/AOS
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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

  • Dividends of democracy: Traditional ruler tasks Ondo Govt on rural engagement

    Dividends of democracy: Traditional ruler tasks Ondo Govt on rural engagement
    Dividends
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Idanre( Ondo State), June 10,2024( NAN) A traditional ruler, Oba Albert Omosebi , the Alajowa of Ajowa in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State has called for sustained engagement of rural populace  to ensure communities enjoy dividends of democracy.
    Oba Omosebi made the call on Sunday when the Community Engagement for Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa (CELA) kick-started its door-to-door movement across rural communities in the state.
    CELA is a  group working for the victory of Aiyedatiwa in the Nov. 16 gubernatorial election.
    The traditional ruler said that most governments  would abandon communities after getting  their support during electioneering and render such communities disappointed in times of needs.
    The traditional ruler , who commended the Aiyedatiwa-led government for its rural engagements, urged it to sustain it.
    Oba Omosebi  expressed satisfaction in the performance of  Aiyedatiwa within the short period and commended the beautiful initiative of prioritising the interest of the rural communities.
    In his remarks, the traditional leader of Ipoba Community, Chief Olofintuyi Rufus said it was the first time a governorship  aspirant would be interested in addressing the challenges facing the people of the community.
    Chief Rufus appreciated  the state governor,  adding: ”he has our support and we plead with him to come to heal our pains.”
    Earlier, the  Convener of the group, Mr  Iwakun Adeolu said that the group intends to engage dwellers of the rural communities and preach the Lucky Aiyedatiwa continuity agenda.
    “We erected this initiative to ensure the rural communities are not left behind in the governance of the state. We are here to ask the community what they lack and would want the government to do for them.
    “Doing this, we are elated to receive good remarks about the Lucky Aiyedatiwa led administration from our people.
    “The governor is a good listener and also understands the assignment of leading a progressive state like ours. We urge our people to also support the continuity of the Gov. Aiyedatiwa-led government: it is the best thing to do,” he said.
    The engagement is to run across the 18 local government areas of the state. ( NAN)
    OKEO/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Ondo 2024: Edema emerges as NNPP governorship candidate

    Ondo 2024: Edema emerges as NNPP governorship candidate
    Poll
    By Alaba Olusola Oke
    Akure, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Mr Olugbenga Edema, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, on Wednesday, was announced as the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the Nov. 16 governorship poll.
    The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Israel Ayeni, who won the party’s primary on April 26, voluntarily withdrew, paving way for his substitution with Edema.
    At the substitution primary held on Wednesday, Edema, the sole candidate of the election, was affirmed by a voice vote by the 180 delegates across the 18 local government areas of the state.
    The Chairman of the 2024 NNPP  Electoral Committee, Mr Ayeni Aladelusi, who announced Edema as the party’s candidate, said that there was a constitutional provision for substitution within a stipulated period.
    Aladelusi explained that following the withdrawal of Isreal Ayeni, the members resolved to substitute him with Edema, a tested politician and administrator, to fly the party’s flag.
    Also speaking, Ayeni said that he withdrew his interest in the governorship race in the interest of the party.
    In his acceptance speech, Edema thanked the  God for giving him the opportunity to present himself  to serve the people of the state.
    He also appreciated the National Chairman, members of the National Working Committee, State Working Committee of NNPP and delegates for their support and confidence reposed in him.
    “ I offer myself as your candidate and standard bearer for the Ondo State gubernatorial election coming up on the 16th November 2024.
    “I accept the challenge, I accept the mandate freely and willingly granted to me today, and I promise not to ever look back,” he said.
    Edema further said that the manifesto of the party aligned with his vision as encapsulated in the ‘Igbega Ondo’ manifesto.
    The governorship candidate, who was one of the 16 aspirants that jostled for the April 20 governorship primary of the APC, stated that his vision was set on the “consolidation and sustainability lane for total development of the state.”
    Edema, who decried the conduct and process of the APC primary poll in April, said that internal democracy was well rooted in the NNPP.
    According to him, the purported primary election conducted by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 20 lacked internal democracy.
    “This act of impunity should not be supported and be allowed to continue in our polity. It is trite that you cannot give what you do not have.
    “ And as the saying goes “a house built with spittle will certainly collapse under the early morning dew”.
    “The demise of APC is just around the corner like its sister, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from which it took over the reign of power.
    “It is on this note that I hereby formally announce my resignation from APC forthwith.
    “I hereby pitch my tent with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), a truly progressive and people-oriented party,” Edema said.
    He subsequently nominated Dr Rotimi Adeyemi as his running mate in the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    OKEO/AOS
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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

  • Ondo NNPP governorship candidate withdraws from race

    Ondo NNPP governorship candidate withdraws from race

    Withdrawal

    By Alaba Olusola Oke

    Akure, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Mr Israel Ayeni, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in the Nov. 16 election in Ondo State, has withdrawn from the race.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ayeni got the party’s ticket by polling 100 votes to defeat his sole rival, Prof. Ibrahim Ajagunna, at the party’s primary on April 26.

    Ayeni, in his letter of withdrawal made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Akure, said that his withdrawal was in the interest of the party.

    “ I, Ayeni, Oluwatosin Israel, a governorship candidate of NNPP for the November 16, 2024 election in Ondo State, hereby voluntarily withdraw my candidacy from the contest.

    “My withdrawal is in the best interest of our great party, NNPP,” the letter read.

    Also, Mr Peter Olagookun, the NNPP State Chairman, who confirmed the withdrawal of the candidate, said that Ayeni willingly withdrew his candidacy to give way for better candidacy of the party.

    Olagookun, who spoke to NAN on telephone, said that there would be a substitution governorship primary of the party on Wednesday.

    He said that the change of the party’s candidacy would further strengthen the party for victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    OKEO/AYO/IKU
    Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Tayo Ikujuni