Comrade Steve Adegoriola

This is to bring to our dutiful sense of judgment in a rational way, “the Ibarapa - Igangan - fulani  herdsmen saga". Most people have really gone to an hasty-generalized opinion which created a kind of abhorrence towards the Executive Governor Of Oyo State , His excellency , Governor Seyi Makinde for issuing some caveats against  the  actions displayed by some indigenous people of that affected area and the Proudly Yoruba leading Son ,Chief Sunday Igboho, this is the spell to intimate every individual, that the governor has not done enough in approaches, but actually, it's a commendable stand, there is no leader who will see his house on fire and pour more petrol to increase the flame. 

What I want people to understand is that the tasks placed upon the shoulder of Mr Governor to make sure peace reigns in Oyo State are enormous, and he needs a lot of care and brilliance to handle them.

This matter is not handled with levity  by the so called opposition parties, and many opposition camps within the sphere of PDP to use this as an avenue to start playing some trivial politics at the expense of the lives of the affected indigenes .

Since this occurrence, I've been expecting this saga to be treated in the rational approach but most people see  Mr. Governor to have been erred for his threat to arrest Chief Sunday Igboho and discard the sensitive area of avoiding more destruction to take place and allow peace to reign .

The Governor has been the best performer so far among his counterparts in South west, and he is still performing till date. He's a proudly Yoruba Son, and as the custodian of the laws in Oyo State, he has not gone beyond his jurisdiction to ensure that peace reigns .

Another sensitive area I want everyone to understand is that, when IGP ordered the arrest of Chief Sunday Igboho, if Governor Makinde had consented to it, it wouldn't have taken more than five minutes for the arrest to take place. Therefore, we must say kudos to Governor Seyi Makinde for being cerebral enough in handling both sides and ensuring that peace reigns.

We commend Chief Sunday Igboho for standing out in the midst of selfish leaders who don’t care, but have chosen to replace the lives of the westerners with their selfish ambitions and party affiliations.

We also commend Governor Seyi Makinde who has acted in that capacity to ensure that peace reigns so far. He even slept last night at the area where the incidence happened, so as to get the source of this imbroglio. Certainly, he has acted as a leader enough, his actions deserve to be commended .

This is the time for the westerners to be united and forget about the differences in their religion, political parties and gender. Painfully, it is quite indisputable that most of the so called traditional and political leaders have failed their subjects, therefore, it is high time we stood as a formidable one and ensured the bad eggs are fished out so that peace can reign again in Yoruba land.                    

The governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reaffirmed his commitment to getting Ondo State secured against banditry, kidnapping and other criminalities.

This is contained in a release by the governor's Special Assistant (New Media), dated 26th January, 2021.

He said this while receiving the newly posted Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 17 which has its headquarter in Akure, Isaac Akinmoyede, and also the new Brigade Commander of the 32 Artillery, Owena Catonement, Brig. Gen. Raymond Utsaha.

Arakunrin urged the security officers to ensure collaboration with other security agencies in the State for more efficiency, expressing that Ondo State people cannot continue to live in fears. His words;

"We have great challenges. We need all hands on deck. Our challenges are enormous. Top of it is the issue of kidnapping. 

“We can not continue to live in fears. It is our constitutional responsibility as governor and as police to prevent crimes and guarantee the security of lives and properties of our people.”

”I want to thank you for the cooperation that the Nigeria police Ondo State command has been receiving from your office. I have had an extensive briefing from the commissioner of police and he spoke well of your efforts. I thank you for the progress made so far on zone 17 headquarters.”

The AIG assured the governor of cooperation with Amotekun, and the outgone Brigade Commander appreciated Akeredolu for the huge supports he enjoyed during his official tenure in the State.

The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerian youths to end the ongoing protests - #EndSARS, assuring that their voices have been heard loud and clear.

He said this in a nationwide broadcast on Thursday evening, and stressed that it's their right to protest, but in a peaceful manner. 

The President also expressed disappointment that some terrible hoodlums and unpatriotic elements have hijacked the process, and have been using the opportunity for other terrible activities like robbery, destruction of properties and public facilities, and so on.

He thereby urged every citizen to go about their normal activities and shun every form of violence.

It's no longer news that inflation in Nigeria is skye-rocketing daily. If you ask me who the sacrificial lambs are, I will tell you they are civil servants and other salary earners in the Country. Nigerian workers have now turned to a subject of ridicules in our Society due to their economic lowness which has thrown them to series of pathetic situations.

Recently, Mr. President said in his Independent day speech that Nigerians should expect more hikes in fuel price, it was indeed a rude shock to all of us. The thought that came to my mind was that, "certainly, these politicians don't know what exactly the poor masses are going through, since they neither pay for fuel nor food". Likewise, any normal person would consider the fact that this present government at federal level is mindless of what economy really is. Nigerian economy currently is a complete shame to the black race. No forwardness whatsoever on the part of those holding the steering!

I said in the introductory paragraph that government workers and other low salary earners are the major sufferers of this crazy development. Yes, that's right. Consider for instance, four years ago when a bag of rice was still N8000, a junior  officer can conveniently go to the market and buy five (5) rubbers of rice at N1500, but today, the same worker can only buy one (1) runner of rice with the same amount, N1500! This means Nigeria has experienced about 500% inflation in four years. The same is applicable to other food stuffs and cooking ingredients. Nigerians are in pains! Imagine a sachet tomato of N50 now sold for N150! What an economic tragedy! And salary stands still. What a Country!

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) agitated for N54,000 minimum wage for workers in the Country, but it's unfortunate they could go as low as N30,000 which government even drag-footed upon for 'up to a century' before they could implement. Regretfully, some State governors have refused to pay the N30,000, and many of those that are paying adopted killer relativity to implement it. Despite the aforementioned, many of the governors are even conveniently owing their workers months of salary. What have civil servants done wrong? Worsening the situation is the constant compromise on the part of our union leaders which is highly suicidal. We need safety! We need GOD'S Intervention.

Considering the current economic situation in the Country, you will agree with me that our salaries are now meaningless. Civil servants can no longer eat three square meals with their families, they have turned us to beggars. They have caused us to lose our dignities. Only those in positions where they can embessel public funds or receive big imprests in the Service are the ones enjoying the system now. The jobs are no longer lucrative!

Going by the level of our resources and wealth as a Country, the least worker in Nigeria can conveniently earn N100,000 as minimum wage. The strategy is simple. Cut the cost of governance at all levels, cut senators and Reps allowances, reduce governors' security vote, reduce Executives' imprest, stop inflating public projects, reduce excessive political appointees, and lots more! Do these and pay workers well. We are not slaves! Prices of items are rising everyday, and salaries are stagnant. Many don't even get paid at State levels. Life is difficult for people! Nigeria belongs to all of us, we deserve to live better!

I want to use this medium to call on President Muhamadu Buhari to rise to the occasion and make our system a workable one, such that the civil service can regain it's deserved respect. This of course, could only be achieved if Nigerian workers can start living as human beings again, and  not like animals who only eat what they see, and not what they want.

The Ondo State governorship election had come and gone, and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All Progressive Congress had been declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Expectedly, there have been criticisms that the governor wouldn't have won if not for the unfortunate practice of vote buying popularly known as 'dibo koo sebe', while Aketi's faithfuls on the other hand believe that the incumbent's victory was due to his numerous achievements in all sectors across the State.

Either the victory was honourable or not, my personal view is that, the people just got what they deserved. If it's on the ground of 'dibo koo sebe', it implies that the people should prepare to spend the N5000 - N6000 they collected for another four years and keep warming up for the tears and pains that follow such act as well. Likewise, if the victory was due to the governor's bright performances, it means the people should be ready for another good governance of four years from Aketi. So, whatever might be the reason behind Akeredolu's victory, the people just got what they deserved.

I have a great pleasure therefore, to join the rest of Ondo people to congratulate His Excellency, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu on his re-election, and wish him the very best of luck in his second term in office.

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

The incumbent governor of Edo State and candidate of the People's Democratic Party in the just concluded governorship election in the State had been declared winner of the race by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Obaseki polled 307855 votes to defeat his closest rival, Pastor Ize Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress who had 223619 votes.

 

Details below:

APC - 10202

PDP - 27621

APC - 6719

PDP - 10694

APC - 6556

PDP - 13579

APC - 9237

PDP - 10563

APC - 7189

PDP - 17434

APC - 9907

PDP - 16987

APC - 17011

PDP - 10668

APC - 26140

PDP - 17959

APC - 5199

PDP - 7870

APC - 18218

PDP - 41030

APC - 18365

PDP - 43498

APC - 19295

PDP - 14762

APC - 11193

PDP - 11485

APC - 5972

PDP - 10022

APC - 22963

PDP - 20101

APC - 8359

PDP - 7478

APC - 10458

PDP - 13445

APC - 10636

PDP - 12659

The current Chairman of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) in Ondo State, Comrade Olapade Ademola on Saturday opened another calendar in the journey of his life. 

This he celebrated amidst cheers, greetings and goodwill messages from the Union members and workforce of the State in general.

Comrade Ademola no doubt, is a symbol of transparency, humility, generosity and accountability. It was indeed a great weekend for the iconic unionist as he enjoyed his birthday with family, friends and well wishers. 

A real leader displays as a servant, that is exactly what you portray. Congratulations to you, our eloquent leader!

              Comrade Sunday Adeleye

Unionism is a way of representing the workforce by some duly elected officers with the sole intention of fighting for the rights of workers. This is the case not only in Nigeria, but in the whole world, especially in countries with highly effective bureaucracy.

In this field of play therefore, Sunday Adeleye, the current Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman in Ondo State is heroic in antecedence. If you say he's a lucky type, yes, you are right. But as a political player in this specialization of the game (unionism), he knows when to walk, he identifies when to jog, and won't do less when he has to run. He knows the rules. He knows the game.

As one of the prestigious members of the great Nigeria Civil Service Union in Ondo, Mr. Sunday was State Chairman for eight good years, within which he represented the Union at Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) level and served as the JNC Chairman for four years. One of his evergreen achievements during his eight years as Chairman was the erection of one of the best union houses in the State at Oda road, which contains a spacious event centre that has been an additional means of generating revenue for the Union. I think he's a visionary leader.

The record continues when he made another landmark achievement by winning a seat of the national Deputy President of NCSU. Being the number 2 commander in the ever great NCSU is not a child play. But that's it.

The most recent shot is his grand style of rising to the position of the NLC Chairman in Ondo State. Truly, he knows when and how to move. His previous experiences in similar roles would definitely be a plus to him in terms of experience and charisma. He is a quintessential union leader - the best of his type. He knows the best speeches for every meeting!

Before I conclude, I would like to confess that many, including myself have been wondering what the secret of his successes is. No direct answer, but I have a guess, 'humility'. Take it or leave it, Adeleye is an epitome of humility. If you have not come across him before, try and do so. He respects all, regardless of your status or Grade Level in the Service. He deserves everything he gets.

Conclusively, the moral presentation and antecedents of Sunday Adeleye should be a yardstick for others in the line of unionism and political office aspirators in general. He's brave and blunt! An hero of his time.

        Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

The governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has approved Friday, 21st August as work free day in the State.

This is contained in a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo on Thursday, disclosing that Mr Governor gave the directive to allow residents prepare adequately for the Local Government election slated for Saturday, 22nd of August across the eighteen local governments of the State.

“As we are all aware, the Local Government Election scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2020, is yet another opportunity for the citizens of Ondo State to avail themselves of the chance of democratic participation.

“This is particularly imperative in view of the importance of that tier of government as the closest to the grassroots. We cannot, therefore, afford to take less advantage of this golden opportunity not only to deepen our democratic structures but to equally decide our leadership contents for optimum development drive.

“In this regard, Mr. Governor has directed that Friday, August 21, be declared a work-free for workers to enable them prepare adequately for the local government election.

“Governor Akeredolu, while urging all citizens of the state to take maximum advantage of the election to freely exercise their rights, enjoins all to shun violence before, during and after the exercise.”

Ondo State politics is always known for vigour and charisma in relation to the calibre of candidates at all times, especially at the gubernatorial level. This is highly evident in the current political stage which hosts three legal luminaries vying for the Alagbaka office.

Of course, we have other governorship candidates from other political parties, but the frontiers remain, Mr Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN) who is the current governor, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), and Barrister Agboola Ajayi, the Deputy Governor currently.

Looking at the political structures and status of each of these individuals, they are all replica of a Tiger politically. But the fact strongly remains that at the end of the contest, one person will emerge a Tiger, another a Dog, and the last a Cat.

Flowing from the above views therefore, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu would be bold to mention series of achievements recorded by his administration, and also rely on his experience in governance as well as his advantage as the incumbent governor of the State. These facts will of course give him the confidence of winning the much agitated election come October 10. It's really factual that Akeredolu is never a 'push-away' in the politics of Ondo State, and winning is not an impossibility with him. Surely, he can!

Another strong man to reckon with is Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a man naturally endowed with uniqueness in popularity, a fantastic mobilizer and an epitome of brilliance. The PDP candidate who was a commissioner under the former Governor Olusegun Mimiko had once demonstrated his political capability in the 2016 governorship race in Ondo when he lost to the present governor by coming second despite not having enough time to strategize and plan for his campaigns. Eyitayo is a gigantic figure in the current political atmosphere in the State, and winning the contest is not impossible with him as well!

In the same vein, Barrister Agboola Ajayi who's the current Deputy Governor of the State has been labelled "the third force" on social media. There is no doubt about the fact that the number 2 man of the State is another "iroko" of Ondo politics, this is evident in his display of vigour in the recent PDP primary election where he came second after Eyitayo Jegede, despite the fact that he had not spent up to a month in the Party as at the time of the election. Agbo had thereafter defected to Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and emerged the Party's flag bearer for the coming governorship poll in October. Who says he can't make it to the government house? With the influence of a personality like Dr Olusegun Mimiko as the leader of ZLP in the State and Agbo's bravery, for him, winning is achievable!

Considering the physical appearances of a Tiger, Dog and Cat, it would be realized that they have some similarities in their looks, but with entirely different strengths and charisma. The implication of which is, the three aforementioned political players look like a Tiger in their mights, but whichever way it is, at the end, one out of the trio will emerge a Tiger, another a Dog, and the last a Cat.

The question which is waiting for answer now is, who will emerge The Tiger? Who is going to be The Dog? And who will be The Cat? 

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Tuesday inaugurated Operation Amotekun in the State. The initiative is the Security Network Agency put in place by the south west governors to combat the security challenges facing the region.

The governor expressed confidence that Amotekun Corps would be a true picture of the Yoruba bravery and complement the efforts of the existing security agencies.

”It is incontrovertible that the existing security framework is being overstretched and we had to devise a means of confronting the challenge of insecurity head-on.  That was when the concept of Amotekun came up.  As Yorubas, we are not known to surrender to our adversaries and if our forebears did not, we should not."

Akeredolu also emphasized that the Amotekun Corps inauguration has nothing to do with his second term ambition, but purely to boost the security system of the State and restore the people's confidence to moving freely within and outside Ondo State.

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

The Independent National Electoral Commission had said it's compulsory for every voter in the Edo and Ondo elections to wear a mask before they can be allowed to vote.

The Head of Voters Education and Publicity, Mr Timidi Wariowei made this known yesterday in Benin. He said the NCDC guidelines have been seriously considered in the Commission's guidelines for the two polls.

His words: "Every voter at the polling units must wear a mask. If you don't have face mask, you must at least have something to cover your nose and mouth to be allowed to vote. There must also be a distance of two metres or six feet between each voter on queue at the polling units. We will provide alcohol-based disinfectants to be used to disinfect the card reader after every accreditation during the poll".

Wariowei further disclosed that though the Covid-19 pandemic has caused serious setbacks to INEC preparations for the polls, but insisted that elections must hold in the two States to avoid constitutional crisis.

--Odunayo Ogunmodede

The Ondo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party had got a new Chairman in Honourable Fatai Adams. 

In the party election conducted on Tuesday, 4th of August in Akure the State Capital, the former Lawmaker polled 1343 votes to beat Dennis Alonge who had a total votes of 386.

Also at the vice chairmanship race, Tola Alabere emerged winner with 1395 votes as against 252 polled by Benson Enikuomeyin.

In the same vein, Oluseye Oluseyi too emerged as the new Secretary of the Party with 1385 votes.

The newly elected officers are expected to do everything in their capacities to lead the Party to victory in the next governorship election which had been slated for October, 2020.

WE WILL DONATE CAMPAIGN DRONES AND BUSUS TO JEGEDE - COMRADE ADEGORIOLA

President of the popular political movement, Stevocracy Advocates for Good Governance (SAGG), Comrade Steve Adegoriola has declared that the group will donate camping drones and buses to the PDP candidate for the October gubernatorial poll in Ondo State.

Comrade Adegoriola said the platform had fully declared their support for the legal icon since he emerged the Party's flag bearer in July, and the number 1 comrade had vowed that the body will do everything humanly possible to see that the luminary is victorious in the well agitated October poll.

According to him, these donations will go a very long way in boosting the chances of the Akure born lawyer and give him huge advantage over every other major contender.

A former Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Honourable Idowu Otetubi was on the 29th of July, 2020 sworn in as the new Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo State under the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. He was indeed the right peg in the right hole.

The erudite Akure indigene is a chartered accountant, an employer of labour and a strong political icon in Ondo politics - a grassroot politician to the core.

Furthermore, the new Commissioner is widely known for his uniqueness in humility. Whoever had met him in one or more occasions before would definitely be a testimony to this special quality. Otetubi is indeed an epitome of hospitality and humility.

Also, there is no gainsaying about the fact that the Natural Resources Commissioner is a great compatriot, a lover of youths, an economic giant, advocator for human rights and a fair player in the game of politics. His uncommon capability as a unique mobilizer from the grassroot can definitely not be left unmentioned. Otetubi is a man to reckon with in Ondo politics.

It is therefore pertinent to see his appointment as a great achievement for the State and the Ministry of Natural Resources as the awesome accountant of high integrity would bring unprecedented development to the Ministry and the State as a whole.

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

It will be recalled that the union leaders have been holding series of meetings with the government towards bringing up a formula suitable for clearing backlogs of cooperative societies deductions and leave bonuses, as a result of havocs caused to the global economy due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. 

As a way of information and reaching a collective conclusion therefore, an urgent meeting of all the workers' unions was called at NLC Headquarter in the State on the 27th of July, where conclusions were reached that, government would be allowed to balance up that of 2018 leave bonus and pay part of 2019 for workers at State level. Also, 68% balance of June salary will be paid to local government workers, and five months deductions will be paid to the cooperative societies. Then, subventions to the tertiary institutions up to the month of June will be rectified as well.

It was however discussed that July salary would be paid as soon as the State government receives any of the funds she's expecting from the federal government asides monthly allocations.

The meeting was well coordinated by the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Sunday Adeleye, his TUC counterpart, and also the JNC Chairman, Comrade Oluwaniyi Fabunmi.

                Eyitayo Jegede (SAN)

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) had been declared winner of the Ondo State PDP primary election with 888 votes to beat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi, the deputy governor of the State who polled 657 votes. Others are stated underneath:

Eddy Olafeso - 175

Bode Ayorinde - 95

Banji Okunomo - 90

Kunlere Boluwaji - 33

Sola Ebiseni - 29

Erewa Godday - 14

The results were officially announced by the chairman of the election committee, Governor Ifeanyi of Enugu State.

The legal icon, Eyitayo Jegede will now face the incumbent governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) in the general election which had been fixed for October, 2020.

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

The current Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has emerged winner of the APC primary election held on the 20th of July, 2020 in Akure, the State capital.

The governor polled a total of 2,458 votes to beat his closest rival, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) who got 262 votes.

Others are, Kekemeke 19, Adelami 4, Adojutelegan 4, Jumoke 2. Adetula on the other hand had no vote, while Awodeyi and Ife Oyedele got a vote each.

Other details are:

Accredited voters - 3,016 

Total votes cast - 2,793

Invalid - 33

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

One of the aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN) has advised the Chairman of the APC primary election committee in the State, Governor Yahaya Bello never to disappoint the people but conduct a free and transparent election on Monday, 20th of July.

The iconic legal practitioner said this in a radio interview on Adaba F.M on Saturday afternoon while answering questions from the presenter, adding that the people of the State are well known for their zero tolerance for shortchanging and dubiousness. He therefore urged the Kogi State governor to provide level ground for all and thereby retain his name in order not to paint his good reputation with any dirt.

Olusola Oke also expressed confidently that he's the most experienced of all the 12 aspirants, and that he was sure of victory in the much agitated contest based on his wealth of experiences as a former member of the house of representatives, party administrator, NDDC commissioner and OSOPADEC chairman.