Jimmy Akintunde, 2,000 LP Members Join ACN in Mimiko's HomeTown

By Femi Oladapo

 

A CHIEFTAIN of Labour Party (LP) in Ondo West local government area, Hon Folajimi Akintunde has defected alongside two thousand of his supporters into the Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN).

The defection, which took place recently at the ACN secretariat, Yaba, Ondo was witnessed by leaders of the party, from within and outside Ondo state as well as numerous well wishers and friends of the defectors.

Akintunde, popularly known as Jimmy OK and his supporters were officially received into ACN by the party’s leaders from within and outside Ondo state.

Among the leaders of ACN that received the defectors are, The Vice Chairman of the ACN in Ondo Central Senatorial District, Dr Bayo Ademodi, chairman of the party in Ondo West local government area, Hon Ademulegun Adeala, Chief Olorungbotemi Ogundolire, Secretary, ACN, Ondo West local government. Others are Special Adviser to the Osun state governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon Bola Ilori, ACN Contact and Mobilisation Committee Chairman, Hon Ade  Adetimehin as well as the state Auditor of ACN, Hon Mrs. Lola Fagbemi.

While addressing the defectors, Hon Bola Ilori commended them for taking a decisive action by coming to join ACN, which he described as the only progressive political party in Nigeria.

His words, ““I salute your determination for moving from a sinking rudderless boat of the LP  voyage to Eldorado with a party better known for its pedigree of performance and developmental agenda, here is a haven of peace devoid of deceit”. 

The ACN Contact and Mobilisation Committee Chairman, Hon Ade Adetimehin, also congratulated the new members and advised them to start working for the victory of ACN in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

In a chat with THE PLATFORM, Hon Folajimi Akintude said he decided to leave Labour Party because of the sel-centred policy of the Ondo state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, whom he claimed had failed in all his promises to the people of the state.

He said he could not refuse to join the Action Congress of Nigeria, which, according to him, is the only progressive party in Nigeria.

Ondo State Unemployment Rate Hits 1.2 Million ….as Ekiti, Osun and Oyo States Create 450,000 Jobs within 100 days

By Mike Edet, (with agency reports)

THE NUMBER of unemployed people in Ondo state, over the last three years, has risen to an alarming rate of 1.2 million.

The figure emanated from an independent survey, carried out across the eighteen local government areas of the sunshine state by some assessors that comprise civil society groups, which revealed that the present Ondo state government, under the leadership of Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been paying lip service to employment matters, unlike the ongoing massive job creation initiatives in other states of southwestern part of Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Governor Mimiko, after taking his oath of office as the governor of Ondo State on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, said no resident of the sunshine state will go to bed, hungry again. He promised to tackle unemployment in all the nooks and crannies of the state by creating jobs that will surpass those of previous administrations, within 100 days of his assumption of office.

However, contrary to Mimiko’s promise of job creation, the survey showed that, out of the 3,441,024 million of the official residents of Ondo state, comprising 1,761,263 Males and 1,679,761 Females, 1.2 million are roaming the streets of Ondo state without any source of livelihood, while the incomes of many of those, who have work, are not enough to take care of their basic needs.

The survey also revealed that, In Osun state, over One hundred and fifty thousand, (150,000), jobs were created by Governor Rauf Aregbesola within 100 days that he assumed office, while Governors Kayode Fayemi and Abiola Ajimobi of Ekiti and Oyo states respectively have created over three hundred thousand   (300,000), jobs and are still doing more to encourage massive industrialization of their states in order to engendered job creation, especially for the youths of their states. However, reverse is the case, as far as Ondo state is concerned.

The survey exposed the fact that the present government in Ondo state has not employed up to three hundred (300) people since its inception and it looks as if there is an embargo placed on employment by the ruling Labour Party government.

A source at the governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure told THE PLATFORM that Dr Olusegun Mimiko has warned all the Caretaker Chairmen in the eighteen local government areas of the state and other governmental departments and agencies that, they must not employ additional staff in other not to increase the monthly overhead cost of the government, and that whoever violate the order would be sanctioned.

The source added that the governor believed that the capital projects being carried out by his administration may be affected if the issue of employment creeps into his programmes.

Efforts by this paper to speak to any of the government spokesmen were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, no fewer than Nine thousand, One hundred and Eighty Six (9,186) elderly citizens in Ekiti State have joined the rank of the beneficiaries of the Social Security Scheme of the Ekiti State Government.

The new beneficiaries have started collecting the N5,000 (Five thousand Naira) monthly stipend which the state government monthly pays existing 10,084 citizens aged sixty-five years and above.

Speaking recently, at the flag-off of payment for the Batch B beneficiaries of the scheme at Ekiti East Local Government area of the State, the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the scheme which was employed by his administration to address adult poverty challenges was already hitting at the target as more elderly citizens who had once thought the programme was a mirage are now subscribing.

“I am happy to note that since the inauguration of the Scheme in October 2011, the accruing benefits have been providing succour to a total of 10,084 indigent elders who have been receiving monthly stipend of N5,000 each. Today, a new set of 9,186 senior citizens is being injected into the scheme bringing the total beneficiaries to date to a little less than 20,000.

This novel approach which has been applauded across political, ethnic, social and economic divide is a tool being employed by this administration to battle poverty challenges,” he said.

Dr. Fayemi said the scheme was conceived to improve the living condition of the senior citizens and serve as a poverty reduction strategy in favour of the deserving poor through the provision of regular income and free health care; adding that this was a fulfillment of his electioneering campaigns.

The Governor said the emergence of the second batch of the beneficiaries became necessary so as to capture as many qualified elderly citizens as possible who did not participate in the first enumeration exercise partly due to skepticism arising from the weariness of failed promises by politicians.

“Being a major public issue, the implementing Ministry was directed to conduct another enumeration of the elderly citizens in February 2012. The exercise brought out over 34,000 elderly citizens from whom another batch of Nine thousand, One hundred and Eighty-six thousand beneficiaries have been selected. This to me, is another evidence of a promise kept”, he said.

On how the State Government has coped despite its meagre resources, Fayemi said the scheme was not conceived because Government has abundant resources but due to “the will to positively affect the lives of the toiling masses for whom this government is in authority”; saying that the administration was always propelled by the need to make life meaningful and comfortable for the elderly.

While stressing that the scheme would now cost Government a sum of One hundred Million Naira monthly, the Governor said elderly citizens should rest assured of continued care and support from government, even as he said that the Scheme now has a strong legal backing so that it can outlive the present administration.

Fayemi who hinted that the programme was dear to him charged all Council Assistants to the Governor to be alive to their responsibilities so that the programme could run more effectively and efficiently; adding that “all hands must be on deck for the smooth implementation of the scheme to ensure its holistic success as any deviation would be sanctioned.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Wole Adewumi said the scheme was not aimed at undermining the ultimate responsibility of families to care for their aged ones but should see it as a reward for the past contributions of the deserving elderly citizens.

Adewumi added that people would foster social solidarity through a regained sense of citizenship that will enable them contribute to the society and enhance citizens-government relations, even as government is acknowledging its own roles and moral commitment to the welfare of citizens regardless of party affiliation.

Thanking the Governor for the stipend, one of the existing beneficiaries, Madam Abigael Oyedele who collected her May stipend commended the Fayemi-led administration for remembering the elderly citizens and confirm prompt receipt of her stipend.

Madam Oyedele prayed for the success of the Fayemi-led administration.

ACN Will Disgrace Mimiko In October-Omojuwa, Ex OSOPADEC Boss

Chief Adewale Omojuwa, a former leader of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP)  in Ondo State and an ex- Chairman of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), in this interview with PLATFORM NEWSWIRE, spoke on why he defected from PDP to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as well as on other important issues:

Chief Adewale Omojuwa

 

Excerpts:

Sir, you used to be one of the frontline leaders of the  Peoples Democratic Party in your local government and the state, why have you decided to leave the party for the Action Congress of Nigeria ( A C N)  now that some of the leaders of the party said they were making effort to rebrand it for better performance in the forthcoming governorship election in the state?.

Thank you so much for that question. It is true that I have been one of the prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo state but you see sometimes in 2009,   I had an accident and was on the hospital bed for a long time moving from hospital to another. It was a ghastly accident but I thank God for sparing my life. That is why I am alive today and that is the reason why I will continue to appreciate God.

However, when I left the hospital bed last year, I looked round and discovered that PDP was in disarray, things were no longer at ease in the party. When I realized this, I made effort to call some leaders of the party together to see what we can do to salvage the party. So, I started consultations, I called on  Hon. Ayo Ifayefunmi, D.I Kekemeke, Chief Olusola Oke, Chief Tayo Alasoadura as well as Dr. Olusegun Agagu, the leader of the party to tell them of my observation. During the consultations, I emphasized to the leaders the need to reconcile our differences and come together to a round table as one family to address the problems facing the party. I told them very frankly that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

The discussions I had with them was positive. Thereafter, I called Hon. Ayo Ifayefunmi to come to Abuja where the three of us, Hon. Ayo Ifayefunmi, Chief Olusola Oke and I met at the legal  office of Chief Olusola Oke in Abuja. At the meeting, we had lengthy discussions during which we resolved on the names of those that will be invited to a meeting we scheduled for Akure.

However, because of the state my state of health at that point in time when we had the meeting   as it was not long after I was discharged from the hospital, I told my leader Chief Olusola Oke to take over the reconciliation process. As soon as Chief Oke took over, we had about two, three meetings before we were able to reconcile. As we made progress in the meetings, we however discovered that some people who were in the party were not sincere; they were not honest with what they were doing. So, from there, there was infighting and insincerity in the party leadership. This led to divisions and in that situation, there is no way the PDP can win any election in the state because a house that is divided against itself can never stand. Again, couple with what is happening at the centre especially at the national leadership of the party and the presidency it appears it will be practically impossible for the party to win. In fact, the presidency is not helping the situation  because what belongs to the PDP has been given to the ruling  party in Ondo state couple with crisis in the party, up till now there is still crisis as there are two parallel executives in the state. When I looked at this situation and the inability of the party leadership in the state to resolve the problem, I conclude within me that there is no way the party can win any election in this type of situation. After many persuasions and they refused to listen to the words of elders, I felt it is the right time for me to leave the party. Election has been slated for October 20 and from the look of things, it appears PDP is not prepared to unseat the ruling government in the state that is why I decided to leave the party.

Sir, when one examine the PDP and other political parties in the country, one will see that inspite of its loss of the states in the South-West, the party still controls the greatest numbers of states in the country and the Federal Government. Don’t you think that your decision to leave the party for the one that controls lesser states at this crucial time would amount to political miscalculation?

There is nothing like political miscalculation in the step that I have taken. What I have done is a divine call by the Almighty God. Let me tell you, PDP in its present state in Ondo State is not prepared for the 2012 governorship election in Ondo state neither is it ready to take over the government in the state. In fact, I can say without any fear of contradiction that things have gone wrong in the state but the PDP is not prepared to correct the anomalies that are going on in the state. Everything is standing still in the state, it is motion without movement. So, when you look at the whole situation, you may be forced to ask yourself a question as to which party  is ready to take over the state from the ruling government, my answer to that question is that the Action Congress of Nigeria (A C N) is the only alternative that can do it. It is the only party that is ready to challenge the government; it is the only one that is ready to take over the affairs of the state in order to correct the anomalies in the state. That is why the ideology, the regional integration policy and so many things being put forward attracted me because I know the policy would help to move the state forward and this was my reason for joining the party. My decision would not amount to political miscalculation. It will never, I have taken the right step.

The Labour party administration is presently controlling all the 18 Local Government in the state including those at the Ondo South senatorial district where you come from, how popularly is the A C N in the area?

Before now, the A C N was not popular but let me tell you that things are changing drastically in Ondo South senatorial district in Ondo state as people are trooping in and moving enmass into the party every day. You will see what will happen   on May 28 when I will do my declaration at Igbokoda. You will see the hands of God. You will also see   how God is moving and working on that day.

Sir, you have expressed optimism that your new party the A C N would unseat the incumbent government  in the state, don’t you think your dream could be affected by the fact that the incumbent government has some factors at its advantage mostly the power of incumbency  which could work in its favour ?.

Let me tell you today that the ruling party in the state and even Mimiko himself who is the governor knows that he is going to be defeated. Having seen the handwriting on the wall, I am sure he has started preparing his handover notes.  He knows that he is going. Let me also state that the people of Ondo state are highly intelligent, educated and they know if you are performing as a governor or not.  That is a fact. They know that this government is not performing. Go to Ilaje Local Government and see what I am talking. I was a former Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). I knew what we did when we were in government but now we know what is happening. I know 40 percent oil derivation that is available to OSOPADEC, where is the money?. There is no development on ground, nothing is moving in that place. So our people understand what is happening and they know that this government cannot take care of their interest. They are worried that the government cannot develop the oil producing communities; they are also worried about the neglect of the people of the area. In fact, some of the people who feel aggrieves about the situation were of the views that they are not part of the present government in the state. As a result of this, they have realized that it will be better for them to go to where their yearnings and aspirations can be met and that is why people are moving in large numbers into the A C N. You will see what is going to happen, God is at work and by his grace the party will triumph in the forthcoming election.

Now that you have dumped the PDP for the A C N, if eventually the party wins, what plan do you have for the people of your area and Ondo state in general?

Thank you very much. As a politician who knows what the people need having lived and dined with them, I believe in development. Because I have been in government as Chairman of OSOPADEC for two years, I knew what I did as the chairman of the commission. During my tenure, I was part of the initiation, planning and execution of Igbokoda / Aiyetoro road. When the project was initiated I was among the commissioners on the board of the Commission but I completed it. Similarly, I also initiated and completed Abutu / Olokola road as well as the electrification project from Igbokoda to Ugboland. I also awarded electrification project from Ugbonla to Igu.  We awarded the project at the rate of N3billion and the contractor was mobilized to site with the total of 50 percent of the contract sum. We gave him N1.5billion as I am talking to you; the project is yet to be completed. When we were there, the contractor after receiving the mobilization fee brought his equipment to the site and went the government the equipment was left there and up till now no job has been done. The N1.5billion is with the contractor as I am talking to you. So, nothing is moving at all. I am sure by the special state of God that if we get into power development will be our target. We have a vision and mission for our people. We want to develop that area and the entire state. People are jobless; the applicants are roaming about the streets looking for jobs. We want to establish industries so that our youth can have employment. We hope to harness the agricultural potentials of the state and provide portable water for the people of our state because there is no water in the state. We are going to have a road map because the present governor do not have a road map, the man will  just wake up one day say this thing occur to me in the night let me  go and do it without planning or stating how he wants to achieve it. We will not do that kind of government, we will sit down, plan and draw a road map to progress and systematically we will be following it.

Sir, there is this common saying that too many cooks spoil the broth, with the A C N having more than 30 aspirants  coming forward to contest its primary  election where a candidate will be chosen to fly the banner of the party   in the governorship  election , don’t you think the process could result in crisis?.

Well, thank you for that question. However, what I want to say is that if somebody is aspiring for an election and that person is from a particular village or a community, definitely, his people will have sympathy for him and that is the beauty of democracy, the more the merrier. I am very sure there is no problem at all because when the time comes, the leadership of the party will know how to address the matter. Similar scenario once happened in Osogbo where many people came up to participate in the primary election for the governorship seat but at the end of the day, somebody was chosen and all others who competed with him later supported him, that is Aregbesola. The same thing also happened in Ogun state, the present governor in the state was in ANPP before he joined the A CN but because they wanted to win, the leaders of the party called all other aspirants who wanted to contest with him and talked to them at the end of the day the man was given the ticket and he won. So, it has been done in so many states in the South-West, hence Ondo state will not be an exception. The same thing is going to happen in the state. That was why I said the more the merrier. Members of the A C N are working tirelessly that is why you see the membership increasing by the day because they believe the party is going to capture power in Ondo state.

By October 20 this year, election will be coming up in Ondo state, what advice do you have for the people of the state?

My advice for the people of Ondo state is that they should remain peaceful. The people of the state as we know are very educated and I want to advise them to vote wisely because the state is stagnant now .We have got  to move forward by joining others in order to make progress in the state. In the light of this, I want to advise that they embrace the only party that can move us forward and take us to the desired Promised Land which is the Action Congress of Nigeria (A C N).

What about the youth?

I want to advice the youth that there shouldn’t be violence. We should try to educate them that we don’t need violence in the state. I also want also to advise parents not to allow their children or wards to be used as thugs to forment trouble. That is why in our party, A C N, because we don’t believe in recruiting youth for thuggery ,  we have told our members to go to their various communities and work and ensure that they defend their votes during the election.

Ex IGP, Ehindero Storms Wesley University, Ondo-Advises Govt to Dialogue with Boko Haram

A FORMER Inspector General of Police, Chief Sunday Ehindero has advised the Federal government to dialogue with the dreaded Islamic group, Boko Haram, in order to solve the security problems Nigeria is currently facing.

He stated this recently, while speaking as the guest lecturer, at this year’s Founder’s Day celebration of Wesley University of Science and Technology, (WUSTO), Ondo.

Prof Tola Badejo, Vice Chancellor, WUSTO, Ondo

 According to the former IGP, who spoke on the topic, “Impact of Science and Technology on National Security and Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” the modern approach to security and security threats is to broaden the concept to include protection from threats to life and means of livelihood; safety from bodily harm, and freedom from fear and diseases, unemployment, violent conflict and human rights violations.

The Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo state-born legal practitioner, while quoting Robert McNamara on what security is, said, “Security means development. Security is not military hardware, though it may include it; security is not military force, though it may involve it; security is not traditional military activity, though it may encompass it. Security is development, and without development, there can be no security…Development means economic, social and political progress. It means a reasonable standard of living.”

Speaking further, Chief Ehindero stated that environmental degradation, over population and the collapse of educational and health institutions and systems are the major root causes of the nation’s security challenges.

“Together, these factors and their different and dynamic contexts define the character and dynamics of contemporary security challenges, which invariably impact in the downward pull on economic performance and therefore on political stability. These underlying causes of turmoil are often ignored; instead, government addresses the poverty and instability that are just symptoms of the real causes of insecurity,” he said.

According to him, “Boko Haram poses a strategic terror that everybody is a potential victim. However, rather than the old strategic concept of massive military response, the present situation needs a lot of non-military content. Dialogue is needed to dissuade disaffected groups from choosing terrorism as a tactic to achieve their goals. The cumulative neglect by past leaders in areas where Boko Haram reside culminating in underdevelopment and miss-education calls for a new approach of reconciliation, education, poverty alleviation and development.

The programme, which was held, under the chairmanship of Ambassador Omotayo Ogunsulire, was attended by important personalities from within and outside the country, among who were,Oba (Sir) Dr. Samuel Adeyemi Akinmusire, the Oludoko of Idoko, High Chief (Sir) Dr. Olabanji Akingbule, the Odunwo of Ondo Kingdom, High Chief Fagbamiye, the Lisa of Ile Oluji, Prof Adeyemi Aderoba, the Lotujama of Ondo, Chief Olusola Gilbert, Reve Canon DM Akindojutimi, Provost of The Cathedral of Saint Stephen, Oke Aluko, Ondo as well as students and Academicians from WUSTO and other institutions across Nigeria.

Ondo State Cannot Avoid Southwest Integration -Ademodi

THE VICE Chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in charge of Ondo Central Senatorial District, Dr Bayo Ademodi has thrown his quite considerable weight behind the idea of integrating the entire south western part of Nigeria for the promotion of socio-economic development of the region.

Dr Ademodi, who is also the Ondo state coordinator of Afenifere Renewal Group, (ARG), the group that produced the roadmap document, entitled, “Development Agenda for Western Nigeria,” (DAWN) made this known recently, in a chat with  PLATFORM NEWSWIRE at the ACN secretariat, in Akure, when he advised the people of Ondo state to vote for ACN in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, so as to benefit from the gains accruable from the integration of the entire southwest.

According to the foremost Associate Professor of Engineering, “This is the best time for the Yoruba speaking states in the western region of Nigeria to work together through the integration of our economic and social activities in order to bring back the glories of the past, when the late Premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo used the resources of the old western region to develop the entire southwest, to the envy of the entire African continent.

“It is a proven recipe,” the erudite Professor emphasized.”

Ademodi averred that the southwest had witnessed a lot of setbacks over the past years because of the selfishness of “mainstream” political leaders in the region, adding that the emergence of ACN governments in Lagos, Ekiti, Ogun Osun and Oyo, and states had since engendered openings to the much needed breakthrough for the region, through the introduction of people-oriented programmes in the ACN governed states.

Dr Ademodi then implored all stakeholders in Ondo state to join hands in voting an ACN government into power so that the sunshine state would be able to join its counterparts, towards the realization of the total development of the Southwest region through economic, cultural, social and political integration in order to continue with the great dreams Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his able team, which included past leaders and governors of Ondo state, Late Pa Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Adebayo Adefarati, had for Yoruba land.

“It is a worthwhile legacy that must be maintained,” he concluded.

PHOTO NEWS-Students' Riot At Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, Nigeria

Mimiko is jittery, says Agunloye

Former Minister of Power and Steel Dr. Olu Agunloye has condemned the alleged destruction of bill boards, posters and campaign vehicles belonging to the opposition by agents of the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State.

The former Head of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and governorship aspirant of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said the alleged attacks are signs that the LP government is jittery.

Agunloye spoke with reporters yesterday at his Bodija home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He said no amount of unprovoked attacks would deter Ondo people from voting out the LP administration on October 20.

Agunloye urged the people to be resolute in their determination to effect a change in government.

He said: “Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s administration has spent a lot of money, which could have been used to develop the state, on media propaganda. It has created a sense of progress outside Ondo State using the media, but that is not the true situation of things in the state.

“Go to Ondo State, interact with people in the market and on the streets, and you will realise that the Mimiko they know is not the same Mimiko you see on the African Independent Television (AIT), Channels and so on.”

Agunloye alleged that Mimiko has spent over N300 million of public funds on the acquisition of 54 awards and “wasted N420 billon on the dressing of projects that were executed by former Governor OluSegun Agagu”.    

He said: “What is the essence of being awarded the best governor of the year; the best swagger governor of the year etc, when you have not impacted positively on the life of your people.

“Instead of wealth creation, Mimiko has done what can be described as wealth cancellation and annulment. He met N420 billion in the state’s coffers and spent it without creating any industry, farm settlement or creating jobs.

“The effect of this is telling on our young people, who are carrying arms everywhere. All he has done are oju aiye (cosmetic projects). It is the same with the mega schools, mega hospitals and so on. They all smack of mega fraud. 

“If Mimiko believes he will win the October 20 election, he will not be destroying the posters, bill boards and campaign vehicles of other candidates. 

“Three of my campaign buses were destroyed on April 28 on my way to a rally in Igbokoda. That is not something people who are winning will do. The brains behind LP have defected to the ACN and many LP members will still do so.”

Source:The Nation

Tension in Ondo, As Adeyemi College Students Protest Mysterious Death of 13 Colleagues -20 Vehicles, Administrative offices Destroyed

STUDENTS of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo this afternoon embarked on a violent protest over alleged complicity by the management of the institution in the mysterious deaths of about 13 students of the institution over the last two weeks.

Some of the damaged Vehicles at the office of the Provost of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.

Some of the aggrieved students told PLATFORM NEWSWIRE that they have informed the management to look into the matter for the past two weeks and no concrete effort was taken to solve the problem, leading to their protest that was occasioned by their bottled up grievances.

One of the protesting students, who gave his name as Mike told our reporters that the leadership of the institution are into occult practices, all because of their quest to remain in power at all cost, adding that, “God will help us to deal with whoever among members of staff of Adeyemi college that intend to use any of our students for rituals to gain power.”

In his reaction, the College’s Public Relations Officer, Rev Olusola Akinfolarin dismissed the report of the death of 13 students, claiming that only four students of Adeyemi College died.

“I can confirm to you that only four students, and not thirteen, died and we have held a management meeting today to see what we can do on the issue,” he said.

………..More reports later.

TUC condemns registration of another Labour movement

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Rivers council, has condemned the registration of another Labour Centre in the country.

The state TUC Chairman, Mr Chika Onuegbu, said on Monday in Port Harcourt that the creation of another labour centre would be disadvantageous and a waste of resources.

According to him, the plan by politicians to weaken the trade union movement is not the way out of corruption and is capable of weakening the transformation agenda.

“It is important for the Federal Government to demonstrate its seriousness on the fight against corruption and insecurity in the country.

“And as such, President Goodluck Jonathan should distance his administration from the continued plot by some political jobbers to weaken the Nigerian labour movement.

“Creating another labour centre will be inimical because the key industrial unions that cover the most crucial aspects of the Nigerian economy and polity are still loyal to TUC and NLC.”

Onuegbu said that combating insecurity would ensure the much-desired transformation and urged the Federal Government to focus on ways of cushioning the effect of the subsidy on the workers.

The chairman, however, said  the union would always support anything that would enhance the nation’s development. (NAN)

Plateau State Journalists plan govt boycott over unrest

Journalists in Plateau state in Nigeria said Monday they would halt coverage of government activities in protest at the failure of the authorities to stop years of deadly violence.

The journalists also accused the state governor Jonah Jang of failing to protect journalists from threats and attacks, at an emergency meeting in the state capital Jos.

“The journalists… expressed disgust at the experience of continually counting corpses and visiting grave sites of victims of the endless sectarian violence in Jos and its environs,” they said in a statement.

They called for a boycott of all government activities in the crisis-prone state, to protect their own lives and those of their families.

Government spokesman Pam Ayuba said everything was being done to try to end the violence in the state.

“There is a serious security challenge in the state, especially in Jos. The government will try its best to arrest the situation and secure lives and property, including those of journalists,” he added.

Jos and its environs have witnessed several deadly cycles of sectarian and communal clashes that have claimed thousands of lives in recent years.

Last week, suspected Muslim herdsmen hacked and shot to death seven sleeping family members in a Christian village near Jos, which lies in the middle belt region dividing the mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south of Africa’s most populous nation.

(AFP)

Ondo Governorship: Mimiko Turns To President Jonathan For Help

Jittery that the ACN was on a ruthless mission to dethrone him, Mr. Mimiko has scampered to Abuja for help

The political permutations for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state has taken a new dimension as incumbent Governor, Olusegun Mimiko , has approached President Goodluck Jonathan for assistance, sources within the presidency and the state government have told PREMIUM TIMES.
Though Mr. Mimiko is a member of the Labour Party on whose platform he was elected, a source close to the governor said the growing influence of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria is causing the former federal minister intense political migraine.

Jittery that the ACN, which has grown remarkably and has continued to swallow decampees from both the LP and the PDP, was on a ruthless mission to dethrone him, Mr. Mimiko has scampered to Abuja for help.
Usually reliable Aso Rock sources said the governor had reached out to the president, asking for help as the ACN troop, led by an increasingly ruthless former Governor Bola Tinubu, advance toward Akure, the Ondo State capital, for a massive political assault on Mr. Mimiko.

“I can confirm to you that Mimiko sought the President’s help for his reelection,” said a presidency source who sought anonymity because he had no permission to discuss the matter with journalists. “He is very concerned at the way the ACN is charging at him and he believes he needed a stronger force to stop the party.”

Seeking Jonathan’s help

Seeking the President’s help may not be unconnected with the support Mr. Jonathan enjoyed from the Ondo governor prior to the 2011 Presidential election, our sources explained

Mr. Mimiko, though a member of a different party, actively campaigned for the election of the President. His support ensured that Mr. Jonathan garnered 79 per cent of the votes cast in the state during the Presidential election.
A source explained that Mr. Mimiko sees this as payback time by the President.
“Governor Mimiko believes he can secure Mr. Jonathan’s support for the election; either to return to the PDP or ask the PDP in the state (Ondo) to support him for the election,” he said.

Mr. Mimiko could not be reached to comment for this story. His spokesperson, Eni Akinsola, did not answer or return calls to his mobile telephone. He also did not respond to text messages sent to him by our reporter.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that Mr. Jonathan is well disposed to helping Mr. Mimiko.
How that will be done has however not been decided. Those briefed on the matter say the president might appeal to the Ondo State chapter of the PDP not to field a candidate for the election.

An alternative would be for the party to field a weak candidate for the election, and then discreetly instruct party leaders to work for the governor’s re-election. Strong candidates with ambition to run, we are told, would be summoned to the presidential villa and then promised federal appointments.
Our sources say Mr. Mimiko has offered to return to the PDP after the election and then begin the process of rebuilding it into a formidable platform it once was in the state.

Mr. Jonathan’s reason for wanting to lend a helping hand, we are told, is not entirely altruistic. It has to do with self-survival. He is mulling a second term in 2015, and to shore up his electoral fortune, it is important that the ACN is not allowed to have control over the entire South-West region.
Ondo is currently the only state not in the grip of the ACN.
“You know the ACN already controls five of the south west states. Ondo is the only one remaining. President Jonathan does not trust the ACN enough to know what direction they’ll go in the 2015 elections, so it’s in his best interest that Ondo remains away from their grip,” our source said.
No way for Mimiko in PDP

Contrary to some reports, PREMIUM TIMES learnt that Mr. Mimiko would not be returning to the Peoples Democratic Party, his former party, before the next governorship election.

The reasons for this, according to sources familiar with the matter, is the level of bitterness and enmity between the governor and top members of the PDP in his state.

Mr. Mimiko’s decision to quit the PDP prior to the 2007 elections was as a result of the fall-out he had with the then PDP governor of the state, Olusegun Agagu. Since emerging governor however, Mr. Mimiko had rendered the PDP increasingly irrelevant in the state. Mr. Agagu could not win a senatorial election under the PDP in the 2011 elections as the labour party candidate defeated him.

Ayodele Fadaka, the Director of Publicity of the PDP in the state believes that Mr. Mimiko would not have an easy ride into the PDP.
“There are pending disciplinary issues against him (Mr. Mimiko) in the PDP. If he chooses to come in today, it might not be impossible he will be made to answer the issues,” he said

“What is the sense in him coming into the party today only for him to be expelled tomorrow for gross indiscipline,” the PDP spokesman asked rhetorically while explaining that neither the national leadership of the party nor the President could foist Mr. Mimiko on the Ondo state PDP.
The Ondo election

Following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission that the governorship election in Ondo state would be held on October 20, the major political parties have been involved in intense campaigns with various aspirants emerging.

While the PDP, which Mr. Mimiko defeated to emerge governor, remains a factor in the political equation of the state, the major challenge to the governor’s re-election bid appears to be the ACN.
The ACN which controls five of the six states in the South West region of the country already has trained its sight on capturing the state, mobilizing its six governors and national leaders for the all-important assignment.
Over 10 aspirants have emerged as aspirants on the party’s platform, many of them decampees from the Labour party.

These include Ajayi Boroface, a serving senator; Olu Agunloye, a former Defense minister; and Olaiya Oni, former chairman of the LP in the state.
With the ACN increasingly growing in strength in the state, Mr. Mimiko may be taking his best action by seeking the support of President Jonathan, our sources said.

However the PDP in his state appear determined to scuttle his ambition.
“He cannot just stroll over to the PDP, I can assure you of that,” Mr. Fadaka said.

Source: PREMIUM TIMES. 

Jumoke Anifowose: Like father, like daughter

BY OSEYIZA OOGBODO 

THE AJASINS are one of the most respected families in the South-West of Nigeria. The most popular Ajasin till date still remains the late Michael Adekunle Ajasin, former Governor of old Ondo State. As Governor, the legacy the late Ajasin left behind is that of virtuosity, credibility, righteousness and accountability.

Unlike today’s politicians, he went into politics not to enrich himself but to truly serve his people and the nation at large. When he was in office as Governor, it was his own car he used as his official car. When people therefore talk of the poor state of today’s governance, Ajasin’s administration is one of those they still make reference to as one that should be emulated.

Such is the enormity of his legacy that nobody, not even his children, have been able to take on from where he left off. “My daddy’s shoes are too big to step into,” admitted Jumoke Anifowose, last child and daughter of the late Ajasin. “I cannot even begin to contemplate how to step into them.”

Asked further on whom she thinks can adequately step into Ajasin’s shoes, she chose the acclaimed cleric, public commentator and social activist, the Right Reverend Moses Gbonigi, saying Gbonigi has all the qualities that the late Ajasin had.

Despite admitting that she cannot continue what her father did not finish; Anifowose is a chip off the old block and is as politically active. And just as he was highly successful, she is also, having risen politically through the ranks to now be the Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), a position which she is the only woman in Nigeria occupying any like it.

Her success is all the more astounding since politics, particularly in Nigeria, is a game for men, and not just any men, but the boldest and bravest of heart. How has she then been able to survive and is surviving in this man’s game?

“First, I don’t report to anybody. I am a professional. I am a widow, my children are grown up and so I have all the time in the world to play politics. As I said, I don’t report to anybody, cook for anybody, I’m not at the beck and call of anybody. Because of my own peculiar situation, I think I have been able to survive and been able to take part and take part very well.

“Politics needs your time, your money, your talent in order to be able to practice it. Also, I want to be in politics, it’s in me, so I have the interest, so I create the time for it. I’m also lucky that as a woman, the men that I work with have not discriminated against me. They have cooperated with me all the way.

“Maybe if I was younger or at the time I was taking care of my kids, I would be singing another song. But in the position I am now, I practise politics the way the men do. They travel in the night, I do so too. They hold meetings at night, I do so too. I am not hindered in any way to practice it,” she said.

It would have been natural to assume that men would want to intimidate her, yet she says the men she works with have not discriminated against her. But has there never been an occasion that a man had challenged her, or worse still, berated her on what she had to offer politically as a woman.

Her answer was swift: “I would tell such a man too what I have done since, because I met a comatose party on ground and I have been able to raise its profile in my state, so nobody can say that to me because I’ll answer back, yes.”

Nigeria’s politics is synonymous with violence like assassinations and armed assaults at rallies. Anifowose explains how she copes with violence at rallies.

“Well, there are occasions that people will want to scare you. It’s for you to stand your ground. If you stand and they know you’re not running away, even the thugs will run away because they will think that maybe you too have some things on you. That will affect them, so I am never afraid. I go to rallies and anywhere I have too.

“The security agencies too are always on ground because we have to take permission before holding any rally and they would have warned us if they knew there would be a problem in any of these places and they would be on ground anyway to make sure nothing untoward happens.

“But so far, so good, I have not experienced violence in any of our rallies,” she added.

She also claims that politics hasn’t made her a tougher woman. “I think I’ve always been myself. And if there’s any reason to be tough, I am there, and if any reason to be soft, I am also there. So, I have been able to manage situations regarding their circumstances. If there’s need for me to show the other side of myself, I do. And I have my own quiet way of reacting to issues, but I don’t think politics is for the lily-livered. You have to be a bit of a tough person to do politics,” Anifowose pointed out.

Her success is surely astounding, making some people wonder if it’s her father’s name opening doors for her.

She has the answer for such wondering minds. “I’ll be deceiving myself if I say that my father’s name hasn’t played a part in my life as a whole. It definitely has and continues to, but that doesn’t mean I just rely on my father’s name. I work very hard too because nothing comes on a platter of gold. And as a matter of fact, my father’s name makes me work even harder because people expect much more of me because of it.”

An accomplished lawyer before she went into politics, she chose politics as the field she has been more successful.

“In politics, I’ve risen to be the chairman of a very big party in Nigeria at the state level. At least in this dispensation now, of the 36 states in Nigeria, when talking about parties, you talk about ACN, PDP, CPC, and I’m the only woman chairman in their midst. There may be others, but not of known political parties.”

Salami: Truth Finally Prevails-Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has hailed the reinstatement of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami by the National Judicial Council (NJC), describing the development as the “triumph of truth.”
Governor Fayemi in a statement yesterday lauded the NJC for demonstrating an uncommon courage in upholding the truth, even as he commended Justice Salami for standing firm in the face of persecution.
Fayemi in the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the NJC should be commended for insisting on the truth in spite of subtle and overt intimidation.  He noted that Salami’s only ‘sin’ was that he was courageous enough to speak truth to power.
The statement also commended Justice Salami for his refusal to be compromised in spite of the persecution from different quarters.  It described Salami as a man who spoke truth to power by insisting that vote robbers must not go scot free.
He said the reinstatement of Justice Salami has not only vindicated the man, it has also put a final seal on the machination of election riggers.
According to the statement “This is a classical case of the triumph of truth. The triumph of good over evil and light over  darkness. The NJC should be commended for demonstrating uncommon courage.
    “It must be noted that Justice Salami has been persecuted unjustly for months by those who were  desperate to score cheap political points by  peddling falsehood and manipulating facts and figures in the bid to discredit the man.
    “Mention must be made of the desperation with which the likes of Segun Oni and his cohorts pursued their goal of demonizing Justice Salami- a man who was clearly head and shoulders a paragon of judicial excellence in the murky waters of a political lynch mob. This they did through numerous dubious publications and endless manipulation of judicial process.
    “In the height of their desperation and  the bid to give a shadow of credibility to their falsehood, also dragged the names of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor  Rauf Aregbesola and Dr Kayode Fayemi in the mud, even though in statistical terms the vote robbery overturned was minuscule placed against the electoral malfeasance of 2007.
“Piqued by the decision of the court asking them to vacate the office they had occupied fraudulently, these busy bodies started moving from one court room to another  peddling lies and seeking to compromise the course of justice.
“And when they finally failed they resulted to cheap blackmail. First, they claimed that the Justices were compromised. Later they sought, howbeit in a crude manner, to drag the judiciary into the mud by alleging a compromise, even while such could not be substantiated.  Determined to rubbish the judiciary, they sought the impossible- getting the court to reverse itself, and while they boasted of getting that done, the judiciary felt it was time to put an end to the melodrama.
“Now that justice has finally been done by the reinstatement of Justice Salami, this has finally sounded the death knell of vote robbers and their judicial handmaidens. In the words of the immortal Martin Luther King Jnr. “The arc of the moral universe is long but always bends towards justice”. Truth has prevailed at last.”

Unilag Vice Chancellor, Prof Sofoluwe dies at 62

By Lekan Otufodunrin (The Nation)

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe is dead.
Professor Sofoluwe reportedly slumped during a meeting on friday at the Senate Chambers of the institution and was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH) where he was confirmed dead in the early hours of Saturday after efforts to revive him failed.
On Tuesday May 8, Professor Sofoluwe addressed a press conference on the 50th anniversary of the University.
He listed various achievements of the institution and spoke of the future of the institution.
"From my vantage point, the future looks beautiful, full of promises and myriads of opportunities. I see a future of outstanding excellence in the quality of staff and of course, as a consequence, of students. I see a future of trail-blazing collaboration between the academia of this University and the budding industry in Nigeria and the world to improve our national and world economy. I see UNILAG joining the league of 100 best Universities globally." Sofoluwe stated
A Professor of Computer Science, Sofoluwe, 62, was appointed the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos on 31st January, 2010.
Before his appointment as Vice Chancellor, he was the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) of the institution.
He graduated with a Second Class Upper Division Honours in Special Mathematics in June 1973 from the University of Lagos. During his undergraduate years, he served the prestigious German Scholarship award for Academic Brilliance. He was a pioneer national Youth Corps member in the old South Eastern State of Nigeria.
At the end of the youth Service, he won a Commonwealth Scholarship to Study at Edinburgh University, Scotland. He earned his Master’s Degree in 1975 and Doctorate in 1981 from Edinburgh University.
The astute Scholar-Researcher started his teaching career as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Lagos in 1976 and rose steadily through the ranks to become a full Professor in October 1996.
A versatile administrator, Professor Sofoluwe was a two-time Acting Head of the Department of Computer Science from 1989 to 1991 and 1994 to 1996.
He served as Dean of the Faculty of Science between 1998 and 2002. Professor Sofoluwe was elected as a member of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos in 2000, for four years. By virtue of his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), he returned to the Governing Council in August 30, 2006 and has been there till date. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Sofoluwe was the Director of Academics Planning Unit of the University.
On June 6, 2010 he was honoured by CMS Grammar School Old Boys Association as a distinguished Grammarian.
The erudite Scholar has authored and co-authored numerous academic books, manuscripts and articles in several reputable local and international journals. He has supervised several undergraduate and postgraduate projects, including those leading to the award of Doctorate Degrees. He has also acted as external examiner to other universities and institutions which include The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, University of Ibadan, Federal University of Technology, Akure, University of Ado-Ekiti and University of Abuja.
Professor Sofoluwe enjoys membership of several professional bodies. He is a Fellow of the Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN), a Fellow of the Computer Professionals of Nigeria (CPN), an Association Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and Its Application (IMA) and a member of the Society for Individual and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).
Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe is the third alumnus to be appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos.