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May Day: Akeredolu Gets Most Workers Friendly Governor Of Year Award

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2023

Editor

Workers in Ondo State under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have conferred an award of “Most Workers’ Friendly Governor” on Rotimi Akeredolu.

The NLC Chairman, Comrade Victor Oladele Amoko and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Clement Fatuase, said the award was in appreciation of Governor Akeredolu’s immense contribution and unflinching support to the welfare of workers in the state.

They noted that the 2023 May Day was an occasion to celebrate and appreciate the Governor for his genuine commitment to the welfare of workers and pensioners in the state.

The award was received by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye, who represented the Governor at the 2023 Workers’ Day Celebration.

Amoko said: “Distinguished Comrades, you will recall that at May Day last year 2022, Mr Governor promised to defray all outstanding arrears of salaries and pensions by the end of the year 2022.

” Today, it is no more news that Mr Governor had fulfilled the promise and had done more than expected.

“For instance, the long awaited consequential pension adjustment was graciously approved for Ondo State pensioners without much agitation, while approval of new retirement age for teachers in Ondo State and many more have been accomplished.

“Comrades, in view of all these and many more, the two Congresses NLC and TUC have resolved to honour Mr Governor with an Award.

“This Award is not political as some people might perceive it but pure workers’ appreciation for the show of love demonstrated towards workers by the Ondo State Governor.

The Union also applauded the Governor for his leadership and proactive measure employed to arrest the ugly trend of insecurity in the state.

“We salute Mr Governor for all the measures being put in place to secure the lives and properties of the state citizenry.

“The Congress applauds Mr Governor for approving and ensuring the payments of arrears of gratuities owed to retired staff of Owena Press PLC (The Hope Newspaper).

“While appreciating Mr Governor, the Congress wishes to remind the government of Ondo State of urgent need to amend the law establishing the Owena Press Plc to make it a Corporation, just like the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC).

“This amendment will enable the staff of the organisation to have fulfilling working careers.”

The NLC equally congratulated Akeredolu for the landslide victories recorded by his party in the last general elections.

The TUC chairman, Comrade Fatuase said Governor Akeredolu’s unalloyed passion for workers’ welfare has fostered a good working relationship between his administration and the industrious workers in the state.

“Mr Governor, it will be on record that your performance in these areas of governance is exceptional.

“Your choice of Comrade Dare Aragbaiye as the Special Adviser on Union Matters is indeed a catalyst in the wheel of progress of your Government and the labour centres.

In his remarks, Governor Akeredolu said the Public Service in the State has continued to enjoy a conducive working environment under his administration.

He noted that his government has put in place diverse worker-friendly programmes to ensure that workers are able to discharge their duties to the best of their abilities.

“One of these is the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS) which enables workers have access to unhindered health care in the State.

“I am aware that apart from the workers, their dependants, that is, their spouse and four children under 18 years have also been captured in the State.

“It is gratifying that workers are getting their promotion as and when due with financial benefits and the State Government is now up-to-date in the payment of salaries and pensions.

“It is germane to also mention that this government has demonstrated sincere commitment to programmes and activities in other sectors like agriculture, urban renewal, community development, education and transportation.

“Ondo State has become a reference point in roads and infrastructural development.

“We have been able to harness available resources and make decisions on behalf of the people, such that the slogan now by the citizens of the State is “Our government” and no longer “their government”.

“We have been able to prove that with the right attitude to leadership and administration, a lot can be achieved for our people.

“I, therefore, implore you to avail this government your continued loyalty and redouble the support we have enjoyed from you in the past couple of years so that we can continue to jointly lift our dear State to that enviable height that has been our vision since the inception of our Administration.”

Akeredolu also identified with the former NLC chairman in the state, Comrade Sunday Adeleye who was elected as one of the Vice Presidents of the Union during the just concluded national election of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Abuja.

“This, no doubt, attests to his leadership qualities and the confidence reposed in him by members of his constituency.

” Let me, therefore, congratulate the Organised Labour in Ondo State for this unique feat while wishing the congress in the State more successes in future.”

The governor said that “It is my hope that Comrade Sunday Adeleye will display at the national level the excellence for which we are known.”

Related Topics:Akeredolu NLC Ondo Governor

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Owo Memorial Park Demolition: Ondo Catholic Diocese Condemns Gov Aiyedatiwa’s Action

Published

3 minutes ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The Ondo Catholic Diocese has condemned what it described as the “sudden and unannounced” demolition of the memorial park in Owo.

This was contained in an official statement signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Most Rev. Dr Jude Arogundade.

The memorial park, built by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to honour and immortalise worshippers of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo, who were killed three years ago, was demolished by the state government on the order of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

However, the church stated that the action by the Ondo State Government violated communal respect for human dignity and the memory of the victims.

The diocese expressed shock that the park, which was publicly commissioned by the state government and blessed by the church, could be demolished without prior consultation or notice.

“There is no doubt that the demolition is a violation of our common respect for the dignity of life and the memory we share of our 41 brothers and sisters who were unjustly killed,” the Catholic diocese stated.

It added that it had written to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa seeking an official explanation for the action, but, over 72 hours later, had received no response.

The church said the purpose of the requested audience was to seek clarity on the demolition, the government’s reasons, and whether any plans exist to establish another memorial.

“It was legitimately acquired and developed by the state government and designated as a memorial park. The faithful and the general public were shocked and deeply saddened that the state government, in collaboration with the Olowo, chose to demolish the site,” the church stated.

While urging calm and assuring the public of its commitment to dialogue, the Catholic diocese emphasised its preference for “due process, mutual respect, and constructive engagement” in resolving the matter peacefully.

Recall that the memorial park was built following the June 2022 church attack.

The incident left over 40 people dead and dozens injured, drawing national and international condemnation.

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Kano Govt Declares Public Holiday For Islamic New Year

Published

27 minutes ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The Kano State government has declared Thursday, June 26, 2025, as public holiday to mark the Islamic calendar — 1447 After Hijrah (AH).

The announcement was made in a statement signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, on Tuesday,
June 25, 2025.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, in a message to the Muslim faithful, congratulated the people of Kano and Muslims across the globe for witnessing the start of the sacred month of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar year.

Describing the new year as a moment of spiritual reflection, Governor Yusuf encouraged citizens to look back on the past year with introspection and embrace the new one with hope, prayer, and renewed purpose.

He urged residents to take the time to pray for lasting peace, unity, and prosperity — both in Kano State and across Nigeria.

The statement added that Governor Abba “Called on the people of the state and the Muslim Ummah to reflect on their actions over the past year and to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, unity, and prosperity in the state and the country at large.”

The governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s dedication to uplifting the lives of the people through policies and programs rooted in fairness, service, and compassion.

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Okpebholo’s ₦100b Loan Generates Reactions, Controversy

Published

5 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

A Hundred Billion Naira loan approved by the Edo State House of Assembly as support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration in delivering key infrastructural projects across the state is generating controversy and reactions from the public.

In a phone-in programme on Benin-based B-Side Radio 98.1FM, while some callers asked the presenter to crosscheck if the loan really amounts to ₦100b or ₦100m, some questioned the rationale behind such a huge loan.

Also, while some callers chided Okpebholo’s administration for such a huge loan, some callers into the programme asked if such a huge loan is what the state needs at the moment in whatsoever infrastructure it may be used for, arguing that poverty and insecurity has taken over the state.

The callere urged the governor to address pressing issues such as insecurity and hardship rather than things that ordinarily does not add values to their lives.

The Edo State House of Assembly had yesterday
approved a ₦100 billion loan facility from First Bank of Nigeria PLC to support Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration in delivering key infrastructural projects across the state.

According to the State Assembly, the loan will be utilized to finance major infrastructural developments, contractor financing, and urban renewal projects in line with the Governor’s five-point development agenda.

These projects are expected to boost economic growth, improve transportation, create job opportunities, and enhance the overall quality of life for Edo citizens.

Speaking during the plenary session, the Majority Leader, Hon. Jonathan Ibhamawu, highlighted several key projects the loan would support. These include the construction of flyover bridges at Ikpoba-Hill, Dawson Junction, and Adesuwa Junction in Benin City, as well as the development of major roads in Edo Central ,Edo South and Edo North Senatorial Districts.

Hon. Ibhamawu also explained that while the state government has budgeted for these developments, revenue allocations from the federal level have fallen short of expectations, making the loan necessary to meet the administration’s goals.

The Speaker, Hon Blessing Agbebaku, emphasized that his local government Owan West and other local government would also benefit significantly from the infrastructural projects. The loan approval was passed through a voice vote by the lawmakers, after which the Speaker directed the Clerk, Alhaji Yahaya Audu Omogbai, to forward clean copies of the resolution to the Governor.