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Speaker Gbajabiamila Apologizes, As Criticisms Continue To Trail His Harvard School Photo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Femi Ggbajabiamila Harvard School

By Akinwale Kasali

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila couldn’t withstand the criticism, knocks and public outrage he received from Nigerian Students and Parents after posting a picture of himself while in class at Harvard Kennedy School, USA.

He had written on his Twitter Handle on Social Media, “Back to class. In a leadership course at @Harvard @Kennedy_School. Forget the number of grey hairs one is never too old to learn, broaden or sharpen your skills”.

This,  at a time Federal and State Universities in Nigeria are under lock and key following the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Strike over the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s- led All Progressives Congress, APC, Government, which high profile member Gbajabiamila is, failed to meet the demands of the Union.

Realising he had goofed and insulted the sensibilities of Nigerians, Gbajabiamila once again took to his Twitter Handle and  tweeted his apology.

“Yesterday I posted a picture of myself at the @Harvard @Kennedy_School, undergoing a course. That post was not sensitive to the present feelings of fellow citizens, especially parents and students who are presently bearing the brunt of the ongoing closure of public universities …owing to the unresolved issues between the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“I apologize for the post at this time, and I hope you will understand that it was not my intention to cause disaffection. As Speaker of @HouseNGR, I have made multiple interventions within the powers of the legislature to avert the ongoing strike. I had direct engagements with ASUU … relevant government agencies. The House of Representatives is still keenly involved in seeking a resolution to the issues so our students can return to school. We all await the outcome of the 2-week ultimatum given for the conclusion of negotiations with ASUU.

“I have long been a champion of public education in Nigeria, and I have consistently advocated programs, policies and investments to improve the quality of public education in the country. In my constituency and beyond, I have attracted a new international students hostel in UNILAG, facilitated access to free internet WiFi in ALL public tertiary institutions in Lagos State; provision of modern ICT centres in 24 secondary schools across the state, provision of scholarships and grants to indigent students in selected tertiary institutions, … provision of laptops to ALL secondary school teachers in my constituency and hundreds of students, facilitated the renovation of over 15 public schools in Lagos, facilitated the ongoing construction of the Open University Campus and JAMB CBT Centre in my constituency, facilitated the ongoing construction of School Auditoriums in both LASU and School of Legal Studies, Katsina; facilitated the construction of a public library in Ondo; facilitated the ongoing construction of an emergency care centre for the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital amongst other numerous interventions. In keeping with my passion for education, I regularly take time to teach in some public secondary schools across the country.

“We will continue to work within the remit of the legislature to provide our young people with access to quality education.”

Inspite of Gbajabiamila’s apology for his previous post, Social media users haven’t stopped lashing the Lawmaker.

Some of the tweets :

A Twitter user

@chineduanaz said “Universities in Nigeria are on strike. Your government has failed to resolve the issues but you have chosen to fly off to Harvard to “broaden and sharpen your skills”. Would you be studying there if these Universities proceed on strike? Fix our land.”

Another user @Abdulbk13 wondered, saying,”Sir with all your gray hairs you are not old to learn but we with black hairs we are still at home because of strike, we spent 5 months out of our schools.”

“And ASUU is still on strike, 5 months going to 6 months. Leadership course?? When you left your assignment undone in Nigeria. Yes sir, what is the meaning of leadership?? ASUU strike is still on for months now. Misplaced priority,” @AyoAkande07 commented.

@olorunwababs “If universities in the USA were to be on strike, how will you be able to experience a working system? Walk around and see how basic things work in a normal university? Let’s hope you’ll return and use your influence to make our educational institutions work. #EndAsuuStrikeNow

@Oluwa_bukola229  said, “These politicians don’t even have the fear of God and ASUU is currently on strike. They can proudly show off in an international school and the ones we are managing here they refuse to let it go on.”

CNPP, CSOs Demand Immediate Resignation of NPA Boss, Arrest of Ex-Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi

By
The Source
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NPA MD Bello Koko

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and a Coalition of National Civil Society Organizations (C-CSOs) have called for the immediate resignation of the current Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, and the arrest of the former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi for defying the Federal government on matters relating to the Treasury Single Account (TSA), and operating two secret foreign accounts where payments are made and the funds are looted at will by the management and the supervising Minister while he was in office.

Recall that the Minister of Transportation had recently resigned to contest in the presidential election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement jointly signed by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu and the Secretary of the C-CSOs, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria and the amalgamation of over 21 civil society organisations, said that “from every indication, those closest to President Muhammadu Buhari have become the most notorious in defying presidential directives and making a mess of the anti-corruption posture of his administration.”

The CNPP and the C-CSOs said that a recent media report by investigative news portal, Pointblank.com, revealing that “the accounts are plundered by the management and the supervising Minister since it is not within the records of the Federal government”, has again put in doubt the debt of the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, and the APC as a political party, to the fight against corruption in the last seven years.

According to the CNPP and the C-CSOs, the two foreign accounts held at Citibank N.A. 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043 with ABA CODE 021000089, and Citibank N. A. Canada Square, Canada Wharf London E145LB for NPA Service Boat Revenue Collection, irrespective of orders by the President to the contrary must be publicly investigated.

“For effective and meaningful investigation, the current Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko must immediately resign his position as he cannot be a judge in his own case.

“As for Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, we call for his immediate arrest for diligent prosecution as well as the institution of open investigation of how he prosecuted his failed presidential ambition.

“We also demand immediate investigation of the ex-minister’s sources of funding for his ongoing construction of a mansion with an underground at Ambassador Desmond Akawo Street, Guzape, Asokoro District, in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

“It is reasonably believed that the funds used by the ex-Transportation Minister to prosecute his presidential ambition and for his ongoing construction of his Asokoro mansion are part of the proceeds from the plunder of the illegal foreign accounts.”

The CNPP and the allied civil society organisations insisted that “reports of port charges and other lucrative charges from NPA being stashed into the illegal accounts and shared by the fomer Minister and the NPA boss is the highest level of betrayal of the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari and therefore demand immediate action.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), must, at this instant, begin to investigate and initiate the processes of recovery of all the proceeds of this economic crime as part of its effort to redeem the image of the President Buhari administration as one which fights corruption only in the media”, the statement concluded.

Imo To Spend N349m To Construct Modern Abattoir 

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

A new modern abattoir which will cost the Imo State Government the sum of N348 million will soon berth at Naze, Owerri North.

The Executive Council of Imo State on Wednesday approved the construction of the brand new abattoir to replace the existing one at Egbu which has been described as an eyesore.

The Egbu abattoir is said to be capable of causing epidemic in Imo if the people continue to use it for the slaughter of animals for consumption.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the Exco meeting presided over by Governor Hope Uzodimma at the New Executive Chambers Government House Owerri, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, explained that the abattoir at Egbu will be closed down while  the butchers operating there currently will be relocated to the three designated areas.

‘’Now that the money has been approved, the construction will go on immediately so that the butchers will be relocated to the site identified earlier to ensure the State does not face epidemic resulting from such a very unhealthy abattoir.’’

Flanked by the Commissioners of Youths and Sports,  Dan Ogu; Livestock,  Dr Anthony Mgbeahurike;  Housing, Dr (Mrs) Love Ineh and the Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, Emelumba also informed that Council was delighted that the successful flag-off of the two more signature roads –  Orlu-Mgbee-Akokwa-Uga and Owerri-Mbaise-Obowo-Ihitte Uboma –  have attracted a lot of commendations from Imo leaders across political divide.

“Even the opposition has been calling to thank the Governor, Dist Sen Hope Uzodimma, for the gigantic strides he has made.”

Emelumba said the Council noted with delight that “if completed, the two roads the Governor must have done in less than four years are what previous administrations, since the democratic dispensation, could not achieve, either by those who spent eight years or seven months in office or even since the advent of democracy that the roads have remained unattended to in spite of the fact that they are major economic roads.”

“In other words, when completed in addition to the Owerri-Okigwe and Owerri-Orlu roads, it will be taken that the Governor has done what no administration since democracy started has been able to do.”

He said Council commended and congratulated the Governor for his vision in identifying the major economic arteries that could facilitate trade, boost economy and commerce as well as movement of people.

Emelumba said Council also approved the construction of Ogwogoroanya-Umuariam-Avutu road that leads to the home of late Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe,  the first democratically elected Governor of Imo State in Obowo.

The Commissioner said that in approving the road, Council noted that late Mbakwe “served Imo State selflessly and that the records available with government shows that he did not steal any Government money. As a result, government is pleased to give him all the honour he deserves.”

He added that government had earlier  renovated his home, but today “the road leading to his home is constructed in his honour so that anybody passing through that road will remember it leads to late Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe PhD.”

Finally,  the Commissioner noted that the Governor showed appreciation to six Imo indigenes who are members of the National Women’s Team,  the Super Falcons, announcing a donation of N5 million for each of them “for their superlative performance at the just concluded African Women’s Football tournament held in Morocco.”

Emelumba explained that the Governor did when one of them,  Miss Nnadozie Chiamaka from Umunna Orlu, led her team mates to Government House and  was presented to Exco members.

In her remarks, Nnadozie expressed her gratitude to the Governor for the giant strides he has made in infrastructure renewal in Imo, especially on the road from Owerri to Orlu which the lady described as “wonderful” and asked the Governor not to relent in his efforts to develop Imo State.

Said Chiamaka: “I am so honoured to be here. I never believed in my life that I will have this opportunity. Thank you Your Excellency for the encouragement and honour. Thank you so very much for the roads, particularly the one leading to my place in Orlu. It is amazing that I couldn’t recognise the junction leading to my home with the street light everywhere.”

Gunmen Strike In Owo Again, Govt, Police Calm Residents

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

There was a serious shooting Wednesday night at Craneburg Construction Company in Owo local government area of Ondo state when suspected  gunmen stormed the construction site.

Two workers who are security agents, whose names are yet to be known were attacked at about 9:45 pm on Wednesday during a dynamite explosion unleashed by the hoodlums.

It was learnt that that the gunmen shot sporadically into the air and damaged the windscreen of the trailers at the construction site and thereafter, escaped.

The State government, has reacted to the incident through the Commander of the Ondo state Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye who said “I am just leaving the scene now where I went to assess the situation and I realized that the two security men on ground were injured as the attackers shot into the air.

“They got the windscreen of the Caterpillar of the construction company damaged and the injured men have been receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

“By the grace of God, the situation is under control and I urge everyone to go about their normal businesses.”

The state police command, in a reaction by its spokesperson, says there was a shooting incident at Craneburg Construction Company Owo in Ondo State yesterday night.

According to a statement on the twitter handle of Ondo State police Command ,@OndoPoliceNg , Policemen were quickly drafted to the scene.

Meanwhile victims have been taken to Hospital and reportedly said to be in stable condition.

Another report confirmed that the multiple explosions and rounds of shooting left several  people sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

Bandits had last month, attacked St Francis Catholic Church also in the ancient town with nothing less than 41 persons confirmed dead.

Early this week, a chieftain of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Chief Folahanmi Olaniyi, was reportedly kidnapped.

It was gathered that the attack was carried out while the victim and two others were returning from their Office along the Upenmen-Owo road.

Owo local Government Students body president Ojigbo Adewunmihad flayed rising insecurity in the ancient town of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

“Sadly, the State Government and other elective office holders, ranging from the National Assembly officers, to the State Assembly representatives have failed to face the necessary, to prevent reoccurrence and that is why we are still here today, living in the fears of, “who knows the next victim.

“The Continued cases of insecurity, killings and kidnapping, in and across Owo is one too many. We must at this point challenge all security forces, within and outside the Owo Local Government, to rise and be alive to their responsibilities.”

Impeachment: Anger In Presidency; APC Pacifies Senators

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has scolded some senators who tried to impeach the president on Wednesday. His action, watchers of the Presidency say represents the mood in the Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power as Buhari faces a barrage of criticism from angry Nigerians who said the president has failed as Commander-in-Chief amidst rising insecurity in the country.

The magazine had reported that some senators led by Minority Leader, Phillip Aduda had walked out from the chamber during Plenary after Senate President Ahmad Lawan stopped them from raising a motion of impeachment against President Buhari over worsening insecurity in the country. The senators later addressed journalists where they issued a six week ultimatum to Buhari to resolved the security situation.

The senators, it was learnt had been angered by the killing of some soldiers in the Presidential Brigade of Guards on Monday by some terrorists.

The All Progressives Congress, APC dominated Senate had since adjourned for seven weeks, a development close watchers of the National Assembly described as a deft move by the Senate leadership to avert a break down of law and order in the red chamber amidst a bipartisan call by senators for Buhari to be removed from office.

“The leadership of our great party is trying to intervene in the matter before it gets out of hand. It will be an embarrassment for President Buhari to be impeached by and APC controlled National Assembly. The matter will be resolved in due course before the senators resumes in September,” an APC stalwart who was not authorized to speak on the issue said on Wednesday.

But the Presidency seemed not to be taking the matter lightly.

Speaking on Channels TV few hours after the Senate adjourned, Adesina said the senators were jokers looking for cheap publicity, adding that the lawmakers are wasting their time in trying to impeach the president.

He said many senators will not have Buhari impeached, noting that those that want the president to be removed from office are in the minority “who will always have its say while majority have its way.”

According to him, “The truth is that in this kind of scenario, minority will always have its say while the majority will have its way. You know the configuration of the national assembly. Those who spoke today are the minority of minorities.

“They would have their say as it is needful in a democracy, but it won’t go beyond that. I think it was just bravado and very sadly, security is not something you subject to bravado.

“You don’t begin to issue flippant ultimatums in something that is a matter of life and death.

“They know in their heart of hearts that they cannot achieve what they are saying. They are just wasting the country’s time, wasting the time of the upper chamber of the national assembly; they know that they cannot achieve it.”

Sources however informed the magazine that what happened at the Senate chamber early today rattled top presidency officials, who were surprised that some APC senators were part of the plot to impeach President Buhari.

A source said the party ‘will not punish the APC senators who joined the PDP senators for their action, because we believe that their action was based on current public mood in the face of the security situation in the country. All of us are affected.

“What the party is trying to do is to seek the senators understanding and cooperation to tackle the problem. Any wrong move at the moment could plunge the country into serious crisis more than we already have.”

Dogara Rejects APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives says the decision of the ruling party to field a Muslim-Muslim ticket in next year’s presidential election is a threat to Nigeria’s corporate existence and unity.

The former Speaker is the latest among All Progressives Congress, APC stalwarts that have criticized the decision of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu’s for picking Kassim Shetima, a former Governor of Borno state as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

A gale of defections has recently swept through the party in the wake of the choice of Shetima to run with the former Lagos state governor and APC National Leader.

Speaking, Yakubu who was among some leaders of the party initially shortlisted for Tinubu to pick from said the party has made an ungodly decision by going for same faith ticket.

It was wrong for Tinubu to pick another Muslim to run with him “at this time of national peril”, he said.

The former Speaker spoke at the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN’s 12th General Assembly and Leadership Transition Ceremony, in Abuja the nation’s capital.

According to him, “I want to say emphatically that CAN’s position on Muslim/Muslim ticket in this country, at this moment of national peril, is not CAN’s only position, I believe that is God’s position.

“We serve a God of justice, our God is righteous, our God is the author of diversity, and he wants as diverse as we are to come together. So, CAN’s position as much as it is a righteous position, it is the position of all of us who live righteousness, justice, diversity and are working to harness it for the advancement of this country.

“We are all aware that in the past weeks, the Nigerian mainstream media and the general public have been occupied with the discussions on the Muslim-Muslim ticket by the All Progressive Congress (APC), one of the political parties in the build-up to the 2023 general elections.

“We clearly want to emphasize that this is not healthy for the highly diversified Nigerian space, especially in the face of the growing and alarming insecurity in our nation at the moment. Any well-meaning presidential candidate will focus the all-inclusive Federal Character.

“Consequently, the Nigerian Christian youth are not unaware of division and tension currently overheating an heated polity in Nigeria and, therefore, will not support or encourage any action or decision capable of further dividing and setting this nation on fire.

“Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket insults the sensitivity of Nigerians and the Christian youths are saying a big NO!” Alfred Olushola, North Central president of the body had said.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that Tinubu met with Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna state and former Governor Adams Oshimhole of Edo state in preparation for the February 2023 presidential election. Sources pricy to the meeting held in Tinubu’s Abuja home, said the duo has been chosen by Tinubu to lead the APC presidential campaign.

CBN: Emefiele To Face Senate Amidst Crumbling Naira

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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CBN Gov Emefiele

Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor will soon be invited by the Nigerian Senate over the freefall of Naira in the last few weeks. The national currency has suffered a hit against other foreign currencies since the beginning of the year, with no end in sight to its continuous woes.
Lat week, the CBN warned politicians against illegal purchase of dollars with naira for the purpose of the 2023 electioneering campaigns, in what financial experts described as one of the last-ditch efforts to salvage the naira from further sliding.
Emefiele gave the warning after the monthly Monetary Policy Meeting, MPC meeting.
He said “For those who want to use the naira to buy dollars because of election, I want to warn, not advise, that it is illegal to do so. Whereas it will sound more convenient that you should carry dollars because it has a lot of value in your pocket.
“But if the security agencies hold you, you know the implication of that, we would continue from our side. We have our apparatus through which we monitor the movement of funds between customers or between banks and customers from one bank to the other bank.
“Any bank that we find in those types of transactions that we consider to be unauthorised or that we consider to be illegal. You can imagine that your account will be placed on post no debit (PND).”

At the time the apex bank governor gave the warning, the American greenback as Dollar is known was exchanged for N650 at the unofficial currency exchange market. The currency has dipped further to over N700 to a dollar within a week with no prospect of gaining against the dollar.
Other interventions so far adopted by the government bank in the last one year to save the naira includes the ban of Abokifx, a website that collates the black-market exchange rates of naira.
The firm was accused of “illegal activity that undermines the economy,” by the CBN.
Also, the CBN last year stopped the sale of forex to bureau de change in the country after accusing them of sabotaging the economy. The Emefiele-led bank now sell forex direct to commercial banks who in turn sell to customers.
The magazine learnt that the leadership of the Senate is seriously worried that the situation could get worse, and has therefore decided to summon the CBN governor on the way forward.
“We cannot continue like this and nothing is done. If the situation is allowed to continue the way it is, we may just wake up one day and the naira will be exchanged N1000 to a dollar.
“This is not acceptable to us. The CBN which is in charge of the government’s monetary policy must come up with a solution. We will all put heads together to chart a way forward before out currency totally collapsed, taking the economy with it,” a senator said on Wednesday.

Update: Jailed Lawyer, Inibehe, Demanded Two Policemen Leave Court Room; SERAP Demands Release

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Inibehe Effiong

By Adesina Soyooye

A possible reason why a Lagos-based Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, was sent to a one month imprisonment by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Honourable Justice Ekaette Obot, has been adduced.

Effiong who flew into Uyo from Lagos to defend a client, Lawrence Ekpenyong in a case instituted against him by State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, was sent to a one-month imprisonment by Obot.

In a Whatsaap message he sent out, Effiong said he had objected to the order by the CJ that a Reprter from Premium Times leave the Court because he felt that the public had a right to observe the proceedings since it was a public case. The CJ asked him to continue with cross examination.

But the Lawyer did more than that.

Effiong requested that two armed Police men in the Court be sent out of the Court because he did not feel safe with them around.

Effiong: “I obeyed. I informed the Court that I was not feeling comfortable and safe having two armed Mobile Policemen seated inside the Court room, that it was strange and that I felt unsafe. I applied for the Judge to excuse the armed Policemen from the courtroom.

“The Honourable Chief Judge then ordered me to step out of the Bar, that she was sending me to Prison. She then ordered the Policemen to send me to prison.”

CJ Obot refused to adhere to the pleadings of two lawyers in Court who pleaded with her not to send Obot to Prison.

But the Socio and Economic and Accountability Project, SERAP has threatened to go to Court if Effiong was not released immediately.

On its Twitter handle it held Governor Emmanuel responsible for Effiong’s fate.

It said: “Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel must immediately and unconditionally release Lawyer Inibehe Effiong who has reportedly been sent to Uyo Prison while in Court representing his client against the Governor. We’ll see in Court if Effiong is not immediately released.”

At the time of writing this, the Nigerian Bar Association was yet to react to the incident.

Oyo: Makinde Reinstates 129 Public Primary School Teachers Sacked by Previous Administration

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Governor Seyi Makinde led Oyo State administration has been praised for reinstating 129 public primary school teachers illegally sacked by the previous administration of Late Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Congratulating the reinstated Teachers, the  Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran said that the Executive Council of Oyo State has approved that a total of 129 teachers wrongly dismissed by the Oyo State Government between 2011 and 2019 be reinstated, subject to agreeing not to demand for arrears of salaries for the period they were away. The State Government has  converted the period to leave of absence.

Adeniran appreciated  Governor Makinde for his kindness and selfless consideration in administering the Pacesetter State.

He noted that the recent reinstatement of the state’s 129 school teachers who were fired by the previous administration, is a symbolic achievement that cannot be neglected.

A statement by the Head, Media Team, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Olamide Adeniji,  stated that: “This is a plus for the education sector. Apart from being an addition to the dwindling number of teachers in the public primary sector, thousands of family dependents who have been subjected to untold economic hardship due to the layoff of their breadwinners will now have a new lease of life”.

Adeniran, therefore, called on teachers in the state to reciprocate Makinde’s gesture, through commitment to duties and redoubling their dedication to work.

He also called on them to key into the administration’s goal to change the narratives in the education sector of the State.

Akure, Ondo State Capital, Now Ghost Of Former Self – Ondo PDP Scribe

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kenedy Peretei - PDP Publicity Secretary

By Ayodele Oni

The Publicity Secretary of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo state, Mr Kenedy Peretei, has taken up the present administration over the deteriorating  social amenities in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Peretei, in a release on Wednesday in Akure pointed out that “Akure, unarguably was the cleanest city in Southwest Nigeria before Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN became Governor but now, a very sorry sight to behold.

“Starting from the entrance to the Government House, Alagbaka, where Akeredolu and his family reside, it is difficult to believe that a Governor lives there.

“The immaculate white paint that welcomed visitors to the Government House is looking more like some ancient shrines. The entire frontage overgrown with weeds.

“A friend last week sarcastically remarked that, one does not need to ponder about the kind of Governor Ondo State has, if he merely sees the front of the Government House.

“Everywhere in the city centre is littered with huge heaps of refuse. Median of major roads are lined up with clusters of waste bins amidst decomposing contents.

“The Ondo State Waste Management Board in previous administrations had contractors that cleared refuse from homes, public buildings and markets. That is no more.

“Through some shadowy arrangements, private companies have taken over the evacuation of refuse, a responsibility they have tragically failed to discharge.

“The Akeredolu government has not been able to deliver on any area of social responsibility to the people of Ondo State.

“When the Free school shuttle buses disappeared from the roads, the explanation was that, government can no longer fund the service.

“When Mother and Child Hospital started to ask for astronomical charges for services that were previously free, the answer was that, government had no money.

“When state owned tertiary institutions were plagued with intractable strikes and protests, government’s reply was, ‘no money.’

“One is then tempted to ask, what exactly does the Ondo State Government have money for? Because even the most basic, being workers’ salaries are not paid.

“Akure, a city that attracted tourists and visitors is now a ghost of its former self. Most of the roads are no longer motorable due to potholes or uncompleted construction works that have taken more than four years.

“Driving through major roads at night used to be fun. Same roads are perpetually in the dark with overgrown grasses in the median. This was not the Akure that Akeredolu inherited in 2017.

“In one of his usual outbursts, Akeredolu was reported to have said, he will punish Akure for not voting for him during the 2020 Governorship election.

“The fact that, he did not appoint a State Commissioner for Akure South Local Government in his second term was attributed to his poor outing at the elections.

“While, this kind of vindictiveness is the governor’s trademark, will it be sensible to scapegoat a State Capital that is home to all Ondo State people.

“There are so many areas in Akure that you can hardly find indigenous Akure people. But this is the story of Akure and Akeredolu.

“No matter the offence of Akure residents, it will be advisable for Akeredolu to at least return the city to how he met it. Restore street lights, clean up the refuse that have littered everywhere, repaint the Government House and clear the overgrown grasses around the place.”

The state commissioner for infrastructure, Raimi Aminu had told members of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) on Tuesday that potholes in some major streets in Akure was due to  recent increase in cost of bitumen and the current increased down pour.

He said government was doing everything possible to fix them, targeting the appropriate weather such that resources would not be wasted as the asphalt is not friendly with too much water.

“The pot holes issue is a thing of concern to us. We have the estimate, we have the bills here but there is no money. And we even want to start on credit these days, the rain is disturbing again.

“The ones we did recently, we will have to repeat because of the rain. Look at that Fiwasaye Roundabout, somewhere in Ijapo even the road to the governor’s office. Everytime we patched and patched. It is because of the weather.

“So we need some dry weather because if asphalt moisture content is too much, it will spoil again. So we should plan such that immediately we are approaching dry season, we swing into action.”

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