Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN
By Banji Ayoola
The chairman Ilaje Rural Development Advocacy Committee Initiative (IRDC), Prince Adekunle Omomowo has reiterated the commitment of the organisation in providing succour to the unemployed youths in the oil producing communities which he said has led to provisions of jobs to various categories of youth within and outside the state.
He stated this at the Annual General Meeting of the organisation which took place at the Obamakin Osangangan Hall, Ugbo in Ilaje local government of Ondo State.
In his welcome address, Omomowo thanked all the dignitaries who graced the occasion particularly the representative of the state government and
the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba (Dr) Frederick Obateru Akinruntan.
He also commended all the members of the Executive for their dedication to duty.
He said that the AGM has given the IRDC the opportunity to be connected to their GMoU partners and the host communities in the development of the Ilaje onshore host and impacted communities.
The chairman specifically thanked Chevron Nigeria Limited which he described as their main and principal sponsor and major financier of their developmental programmes.
In his words: “We are most grateful to our main and principal sponsor and major financier, CNL which has contributed money towards our programmes, the training and mentoring provided by the NGOs”
Omomowo solicited for further and deeper cooperation and assistance from other development partners especially NDDC, OSOPADEC and Ilaje Local Government.
In his own remarks, Chairman and Managing Director, Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mr. Jeff Ewing who was represented by the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Mr. Esimaje Brikinn thanked the State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for creating the enabling environment for peace and progress of the host communities and thereby allowing the GMoU to thrive.
The CNL Boss stated that the GMoU has been reviewed to align more with sustainable development goals.
He appealed to community leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders to keep an open mind and continue to support the implementation of the GMoU so as to reap more benefits from the model.
In his own good will message, the Commissioner for Environmental, Mr. Funso Esan, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Engr. Temitayo Adeniyi, commended the IRDC management for being accountable and transparent to their sponsors and host communities through the feedback mechanism forum.
He charged them to do more so that the impact of the state government can be felt more at the grassroots.
Some of the projects executed by the present IRDC executive include building of Ilaje RDC Permanent Secretariat, skills acquisition programmes for the youths, Mother and Child Health Centre at Ugbo, refurbishing and completion of the reverse osmosis technology located at Awoye and Molutehin communities among others.
