Tag: Gov. Akeredolu

  • Gbajabiamila mourns Akeredolu’s Mother

    Gbajabiamila mourns Akeredolu’s Mother

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has described the death of the mother of the Ondo State Governor, Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, as a sad development.

    Gbajabiamila said Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, who passed away at the age of 90, lived a life worthy of emulation.

    The Speaker noted that the late Akeredolu matriarch dedicated her life to the service of humanity through her various community engagements over the years.

    As a frontline evangelist, Gbajabiamila said the late Grace Akeredolu served the Lord the best way she could and ensured that people in her immediate environment worshipped God accordingly.

    Gbajabiamila sent his condolences to the entire Akeredolu family, especially Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and other members of his family for this irreparable loss. 

    He equally prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Lady Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.

  • Comparing spare part business with open grazing wicked, arrogant – Akeredolu Slams Malami

    Comparing spare part business with open grazing wicked, arrogant – Akeredolu Slams Malami

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has lashed out at the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami for kicking against the resolve by the southern governors to ban open grazing within the region.

    According to Akeredolu, it is worrisome for Malami who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, to compare a well-structured business such as the spare part business with the archaic method of cattle grazing.

    Akeredolu maintained that the ban on open grazing in the southern region has come to stay and will be enforced with utmost vigour.

    The Attorney General was said to have frowned at the meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum held in Asaba, Delta State capital where the governors ordered the immediate ban of open grazing across the zone.

    Akeredolu who coordinated the Asaba meeting in a statement he personally signed, urged Malami to approach the court if he has anything against the move by the governors.

    While emphasizing that the decision to ban open grazing was taken in the interest of the people, Akeredolu in the statement said, “It is most unfortunate that the AGF is unable to distil issues as expected of a Senior Advocate. Nothing can be more disconcerting.

    “This outburst should, ordinarily, not elicit response from reasonable people who know the distinction between a legitimate business that is not in any way injurious and a certain predilection for anarchy.

    “Clinging to an anachronistic model of animal husbandry, which is evidently injurious to harmonious relationship between the herders and the farmers as well as the local populace, is wicked and arrogant.

    “Comparing this anachronism, which has led to loss of lives, farmlands and property, and engendered untold hardship on the host communities, with buying and selling of auto parts is not only strange. It, annoyingly, betrays a terrible mindset.”

  • BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities in Ondo

    BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu orders indefinite suspension of NURTW activities in Ondo

    Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has ordered indefinite suspension of activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.

    He directed all NURTW members are to immediately vacate all motor parks across the state.

    The Governor had last week said the suspension of NURTW and RTEAN activities in motor parks would only last for two weeks.

    Akeredolu, who spoke Tuesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, said the indefinite suspension would not affect RTEAN.

    Akeredolu said the decision to suspend NURTW activities indefinitely was based on the unruly and uncultured behaviour of the union leaders.

    He said the violent attacks on members and the innocent citizens were unacceptable.

  • State Police will enhance security, help States – Akeredolu

    State Police will enhance security, help States – Akeredolu

    The Governor of Ondo State and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said that every state must be allowed to secure its space.

    He made this call during his swearing-in for a second term in office which held today at the International Centre for Culture and Events in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    Akeredolu also used the opportunity to call for state police, adding that such propelled the South-West governors to form a regional security network codenamed Amotekun.

    He said, “The primary responsibility of any government is the security of lives and property of its citizens.

    “We are of the firm belief that it is high time the police central command became devolved to the federating units for effective monitoring.

    “We have been relentless in advocating for the establishment of state police. There can be another way if we are indeed serious about securing lives and property.

    “It is this incongruity which propelled the South-West governors to form a Regional security Network codenamed Amotekun.

    “The ultimate is to convince others to understand that devolution of authority is inexorable. Every state must be allowed to secure its space.

    The Governor hailed the Amotekun outfit, saying it has done well and with successes that justify its establishment.

    “It has been able to work within the law establishing it. Its operations and successes recorded justify its establishment,” he said.

  • Gov Akeredolu sworn in for second term

    Gov Akeredolu sworn in for second term

    Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has taken oath for a second term in office. His running mate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, took the oath of office for the first time as Deputy Governor.

    Aiyedatiwa was accompanied by his wife and three children.

    The former Ondo Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission took the oath at about 10:30am.

    Governor Akeredolu was accompanied by his wife, Betty, children and grandchildren.

    Guests erupted in applause at the announcement of the presence of Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, venue of the inauguration of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for second term as Ondo Governor on Wednesday.

    With Obaseki in Akure were Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, his Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti counterparts – Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun and Kayode Fayemi respectively.

    Former Ogun Governor Ibikunle Amosun; former Senate President Ken Nnamani and new APC chieftain in Osun State Sen. Iyiola Omisore also graced the event

  • Herdsmen: Don’t set Nigeria on fire with your comments, Akeredolu warns Bala Mohammed

    Herdsmen: Don’t set Nigeria on fire with your comments, Akeredolu warns Bala Mohammed

    Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has described the comments made by governor of Bauchi state, Bala Mohammed, as “provoking and insensitive”.

    Recall that governor Akeredolu had in January ordered unregistered herdsmen to vacate the state’s forest reserves following the rising insecurity Ondo, saying “bad elements” had turned the forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.

    READ ALSO: Herdsmen don’t need Akeredolu’s permission to live in Ondo forests – Gov Bala Mohammed

    Expectedly, the quit order had generated different reactions with Governor Mohammed saying Akeredolu lacked the right to issue a quit notice to the herders in the state.

    “Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere,” Mohammed had said on Friday.

    “You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”

    But reacting in a statement by Olabode Olatunde, his special assistant on new media, Mr Akeredolu advised Mr Mohammed not to set the country on fire with his “highly destructive” thoughts.

    He also urged Nigerians to ignore Mohammed’s comments and focus on how to unify the country.

    “The position of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is not to engage or confront anyone who has the mindset of a crisis entrepreneur or war monger,” the statement read in part.

    “Very provoking and insensitive as the statement appears, we can only err on the side of caution by advising Governor Bala Mohammed not set Nigeria on fire by his thoughts that are highly destructive and undermining national cohesion.

    “Nigerians should ignore him and rather focus on those issues that can bring about peace and engender unity,” the statement read.

  • Herdsmen don’t need Akeredolu’s permission to live in Ondo forests – Gov Bala Mohammed

    Herdsmen don’t need Akeredolu’s permission to live in Ondo forests – Gov Bala Mohammed

    Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State on Friday told his Ondo State counterpart, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, that no Nigerian needs his (Akeredolu’s) permission to live in the forests of the state.

    Mohammed, in a fresh outburst on the recent order by the Ondo State governor that criminals should vacate government forest reserves, said it is the prerogative of every Nigerian to reside wherever he desires.

    He also said that his reference to the right of herders to carry AK 47 to protect themselves and their cattle was only a figure of speech. He spoke on Channels Television.

    “Land is in the hands of the state and federal governments in trust but Nigerians don’t need the permission of governors or the federal government to settle everywhere,” Bala Mohammed said.

    “You don’t need the permission of the governor of Bauchi or the governor of Ondo to be in the forests of Ondo if you choose to live in the forests because under Section 41 of the constitution, you are free to settle anywhere.”

    In his first reaction, penultimate Friday, to the Ondo State eviction order on criminals occupying its forest reserves, Mohammed had berated his colleagues in South-West and South-East for the manner in which they are handling the herders’ crisis and claimed they are not accommodating people from other ethnic groups.

    He said: “You have seen what our colleagues in the South-West are doing and some of them in South-East. Some of us told them with all modesty and humility – you are wrong.”

    He said herders “have no option than to carry AK47 because the society and the government are not protecting them.

    “It is not his (herder’s) fault, it is the fault of the government and the people; you don’t criminalize all of them because in every tribe there are criminals. You should be very sensitive. We have to be careful.”

    But following the barrage of criticism that trailed his backing for the carrying of AK47 by herders, Mohammed was back on the same platform yesterday, defending his choice of words.

    He said: “It is a figure of speech to show you the despondence, the desperation and frustration and the agony that this particular person is exposed to by his own people, by his own tribe and by other tribes who have all seen him as a criminal and therefore, he has the inalienable right to protect himself.

    “What I said in that context, I was addressing the media people. And the topic was the use of the media to foster national unity and I was trying to situate the problem.

    “The Fulani man is so exposed, dehumanized, demonized. In fact, because he is being seen as a bandit and so, anywhere he goes, he is being pursued. Not only in the southwest or the southeast, even in the north because he is in the cattle route, his commonwealth which I call his cows, are being taken and rustled and of course, sometimes, they are fined beyond your imagination.

    “If one cow strays into the farm because the cattle route has been taken away illegally without the authority giving permission, he will be fined seriously, mercilessly.

    “And so, he is exposed and then he has no option but to protect himself. We have so many vigilante groups in Nigeria even at the level of government, sub-regional groups, sub nationals are establishing vigilante groups to make sure that their communities are protected. Why wouldn’t the Fulani man protect himself? And if he carries a gun in order to protect himself, it may not be a legal carriage, it may be legal. He may also register and carry it to protect himself.”

    Governor Akeredolu, last weekend, labeled Mohammed’s advocacy for herders to carry the assault gun as careless and despicable.

    He said: “We read with dismay, the outburst in the purported statement by the Bauchi state governor. We are persuaded to believe he didn’t make that statement.

    “If indeed he made that statement and owns up to its contents, it then means that the Bauchi state governor has declared on behalf of the federal government, an executive order which now allows all Nigerians, herdsmen inclusive, to carry prohibited firearms like assault rifles for self-defence.

    “That is exactly what the governor has done and displayed by his conduct which brazenly depicts that whether other Nigerians like it or not, herdsmen must carry AK 47 for self-defence while other non-Fulani herdsmen must remain unarmed to be perpetual victims of arms wielding bandits.

  • Akeredolu, Makinde visits Shasha, Appeal for Peace and Dialogue

    Akeredolu, Makinde visits Shasha, Appeal for Peace and Dialogue

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, visited the Shasha area of Ibadan, Oyo State, and appealed to the warring parties to embrace peace and dialogue.

    The violent clash between Hausa and Yoruba communities on Friday had reportedly led to the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

    Akeredolu was in Oyo in his capacity as the Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum.

    The Ondo State governor, who was led to the Shasha market by his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, pleaded with elders in the area to call the youths to order as efforts were being intensified by government to find lasting solution to the avoidable violence which occurred last Friday.

    In a statement by Olabode Olatunde, the Special Assistant to the Ondo State governor on New Media, Akeredolu noted that the tension and charged atmosphere would not profit anyone.

    He also asked the people to consider the past and the peaceful coexistence that they have enjoyed over several decades.

    Akeredolu was quoted as saying, “We have come to plead with you that no matter how angry, we should not react violently. I know many things may get us angry, but as we know, we have been living together for long.

    “Let us think about the past, let us consider our peaceful coexistence in the past. Let us be calm.

    “I have come on behalf of all southwest Governors, I beg you to be calm.

    “Let us not take laws into our hands. The police are here and they are ready to work now. Amotekun officers are here for you. I’m not saying that for us as Governors that we are perfect or the police are perfect. But we can’t take laws into our hands. Let us cooperate with our Governor, Seyi Makinde.”

  • Protest rocks Akure in supports of Akeredolu’s vacation order to Herdsmen

    Protest rocks Akure in supports of Akeredolu’s vacation order to Herdsmen

    There was heavy protest in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Thursday as commercial drivers, members of the Nigeria Forest Services known as Forest guards, farmers and traders stormed the streets protesting in support of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu order to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the state within seven days.

    The protesters carried placards urging the Ondo Governor not to back down on his directive.

    Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Comrade Jacob Adejo, said commercial drivers were no longer safe in the state.

    Adejo said his members need protection as herders attacked them with impunity as well as kidnapped them before now.

  • Herdsmen: Garba Shehu’s statement threatens national unity – Ondo govt

    Herdsmen: Garba Shehu’s statement threatens national unity – Ondo govt

    The government of Ondo State on Wednesday described the statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media, Garba Shehu on the herdsmen situation in Ondo State as dangerous for national unity.

    It would be recalled that the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu issued a 7-day ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate forest reserves in the State.

    But the Presidency in a statement signed by Garba Shehu challenged the directive by the government.

    Reacting to Mr Shehu’s statement on Sunrisedaily on Channels TV, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo expressed doubt if President Muhamadu Buhari indeed approved that statement.

    “One thing is certain, President Muhammad Buhari, by his antecedent, nationalistic posture and the patriotism he is known for, may not have ordered that statement.

    “Because it would have been a dangerous one for the unity of this country.

    “If true, it would mean certain officials in the Presidency are actually out to create a problem for President Buhari. We must appreciate the effort of this President in his fight against insecurity across the country.

    “If indeed he (Shehu) issued the statement, then Garba Shehu owes this nation a great deal of explanation to let people know why he must take up the fight of people masquerading as herdsmen to commit a crime.”

    The Commissioner added that the ultimatum was not for law-abiding herdsmen to vacate the State, rather the forest reserves which he described as “monuments and treasure of the people of the southwest.”

    He revealed that kidnapped victims are taken to those forest reserves by kidnappers. He disclosed further that criminals are mingling with herdsmen in the forest.

    “Some of these criminal elements have gone to mingle with the Fulani herdsmen who have occupied portions of these forest reserves as settlements.

    “In any case, kidnap victims are taken into deep into forest reserves. And security agencies have enough evidence that these victims are taken there. So the government is trying to clear the mess by way of regulating the activities of herdsmen.”