Ondo: Gov. Akeredolu sacks three commissioners, nominates six replacements

NEWS

Ondo: Gov. Akeredolu sacks three commissioners, nominates six replacements

 

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has relieved three commissioners in his cabinet of their jobs.

According to a statement yesterday by Segun Ajiboye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the three commissioners relieved of their duties are Solagbade Amodeni (physical planning and urban development), Taofiq Abdusalam (works and infrastructures) and Ismaila Olurimisi (culture).

Ajiboye said the affected officials were officially informed of the development by Governor Akeredolu at the end of the Ondo Cabinet meeting on Monday.

He said the sacked commissioners were directed to handover all government’s property in their possession to the permanent secretaries of their respective ministries.

“The Governor thanks the three of them for service to the good people of Ondo State and wish them well in their future endeavours,” Ajiboye said in a statement.

“The governor has therefore nominated the following for the position of commissioners Yetunde Adeyanju, Titilayo Adeyemi, Temitayo Oluwatuyi, Fatai Olotu and Akindotun Olubunmi Owanikin.

“The names of the nominees will be forwarded to the state house of assembly for confirmation,” he added.

The governor also named Babatunde Kolawole and Oyebo Aladetan as special advisers.

Kolawole, a former lawmaker, represented Akoko south federal constituency in the House of Reps.

 

SHARE THIS STORY

BREAKING: Ondo youths shut down Gov. Akeredolu’s office

NEWS

BREAKING: Ondo youths shut down Gov. Akeredolu’s office

 

The Ondo State Governor’s office is currently being blocked by youths from Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

According to the youths, they were protesting the alleged diversion of funds meant for the areas by the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration.

As at the time of filing this report, the youths mounted human barricade at two gates of the governor’s office at Alagbaka GRA of the state capital.

They prevented workers of the governor’s office from gaining access into the complex.

They also insisted that the governor must attend to them and as well address them before they allow anyone into the premises.

 

Details shortly.    

SHARE THIS STORY

Nobody can kidnap me, I’ve passed that level, – Gov. Akeredolu boasts

NEWS

Nobody can kidnap me, I’ve passed that level, – Gov. Akeredolu boasts

 

Ondo State Governor, Oluwatotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday evening boasted that with his status, he can no longer be kidnapped; stressing that only those with security convoys are safe from the menace of kidnappers.

Akeredolu, who was speaking during a live TV/Radio programme in the state tagged “Speak With Mr. Governor” revealed that sometimes his convoy has been confronted by suspected kidnappers on Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan highway.

According to him, on those occasions the kidnappers always run into the bush when his security men opened fire.

“I’ve encountered then once or twice as governor.

“My convoy was almost attacked but my security people shot into the air to scare them (kidnappers) to the bush. That’s the advantage we have as governors. It is a serious problem on Akure-Ibadan road.

“I remember, I had to tell my people (convoy) to move. Where ever they are, we confronted them. There’s no need to run away.

“Even at a time of such incidence, my orderly was shaking.

“Even if I walk, they can’t kidnap me. I have passed that stage. They dare not try it.

“It is real that lives of travellers are not safe on the road. On a serious note, kidnapping is not limited to just poor people, but for us with convoys we move easily.

The governor added that, “Armed robbery is fading away and it’s being replaced by kidnapping. Its now criminals new fashion trend.”

SHARE THIS STORY

Ondo: Gov., Rotimi Akeredolu sacks nine permanent secretaries

NEWS

Ondo: Gov., Rotimi Akeredolu sacks nine permanent secretaries

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has reportedly ordered nine permanent secretaries in the state civil service to go on compulsory retirement. It was gathered that some of the affected senior civil servants were not up to the 60 years mandatory retirement age for the civil servants while some of them also had not spent up to 35 years in the state civil service.

It was also gathered that some of the affected permanent secretaries had been given the retirement letters since the beginning of the week. The action of the governor did not go down well with some of the affected people as some of them who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said they would challenge the action in court. 

One of them alleged that the governor did not take the action against them in good faith, alleging that he (the governor) showed them the way out of service untimely in order to pave way for his ‘anointed’ candidate to succeed the current Head of Service, Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, who was said to be going on retirement in August 2019.  

He said, “He (the governor) retired nine of us (permanent secretaries) because the governor wants an Owo indigene to become the next state Head of Service and the person is  junior to some of us, the affected permanent secretaries. That is unfair.”  

However, a senior civil servant in the governor’s  office who craved anonymity, confirmed the development to our correspondent. He said the governor did it in order to appoint a trusted person in the office of the Head of Service.  

“What happened is not a new thing in government service. When Mimiko was there, he appointed an Ondo man to be the head of service. So if Akeredolu appoints his kinsman as the head of service,  heaven will not fall; he has the exclusive power to do it. He can appoint anyone that pleases him,” he stated.  

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, said the affected persons were not sacked but asked to retire voluntarily after serving in the office for more than eight years.

Olowolabi said, “There is an extant circular to that effect, that any permanent secretary who has served for more than eight years could be retired either reaching retirement age or not and the least of the affected permanent secretaries had spent nine years in the office.

So the governor did not give the order to favour anybody. The affected permanent secretaries were not sacked but they were called for a meeting where they were told to retire voluntarily.”

SHARE THIS STORY

Seun Kuti hails Ondo State Governor for considering growing Marijuana, plans on relocating to Ondo

ENTERTAINMENT

Seun Kuti hails Ondo State Governor for considering growing Marijuana, plans on relocating to Ondo

 

Seun Kuti, like many other Nigerians has reacted to Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu's move as he considers growing Marijuana for commercial purpose in the state.

The state governor who is currently in Thailand to understudy the process, got alot of Nigerians excited when he announced his plans for marijuana on social media yesterday.

Seun Kuti in his reaction said, 'ehn Mr excellency sir, if u want me to move to your state, just say so. This beating about the bush is unnecessary. Afrobeat is about to switch home base y’all. Just imagine one good joint for my back ache then better Ondo pounded yam to heal my stomach pain'.

SHARE THIS STORY