- Commissions upgraded Millennium Eye Centre, Akure
- Pledges continued partnership with private sector
By Banji Ayoola
Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has congratulated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and winner of Saturday’s governorship election, in Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
He also greeted good people of the state over the smooth conduct of the poll, describing the victory “as an unequivocal testament to the acceptability of the APC and sterling performance of the incumbent, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, in the state.”
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olabode Olatunde, said: “I congratulate my brother, Biodun Oyebanji Abayomi on this victory. I rejoice with our great party, the APC. I salute the people of Ekiti for their resilience and peaceful conduct.
“This victory is for the people of Ekiti State and all lovers of democracy across the country. It is a mark of renewed commitment of the people to our party, the APC.
“No doubt, BAO’s vast experience in public service is an asset that would be deployed for the good of the people of Ekiti State. As a former Commissioner, Chief of Staff and later Secretary to the State Government, the governor-elect is well equipped to take the state to the next level.
“I have no doubt that BAO will consolidate on the gains of the outgoing administration of Governor Fayemi and leverage on the continuity of our party in government to further deliver dividends of good governance to the people.
“This is our first win since the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Presidential candidate of our party. This election is, however, symbolic as it shows the preparedness and commitment of our people to vote enmass for the APC in the next year’s general election.”
Akeredolu also greeted the security agencies and the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, “for conducting credible election in Ekiti notwithstanding pockets of hiccups.”
Also, he “hailed the people of the state for voting continuity, while urging them to do more for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next year’s presidential election.”
Meanwhile, the governor has commissioned the upgraded Millennium Eye Centre building at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Akure .
The building was renovated and upgraded by Lions Clubs International Foundation, Multiple District 404 Nigeria.
Commissioning the project, Akeredolu expressed the appreciation of the state government and people of the State to the Lions Clubs International Foundation for their kind and uncommon gesture.
The Governor, who explained that vision plays a critical role in every facet and stage of human lives, said it is surprising that out of sheer ignorance people take vision for granted.
While stressing that government alone cannot effectively address all the socio-economic challenges calling for attention, no matter the amount of revenue accruing to government, he called on other public-spirited corporate bodies and individuals with capacity to emulate the Lions Clubs and further intervene in bridging the gap in the public health institution in the State.
He said: “It will be recalled that this is not the first completed project donated to the state by Lions Clubs in the last five years. I personally want to appreciate the leadership of the Lions Clubs, particularly those directly involved in the planning and execution of these projects for accomplishing them in record time. I convey my sincere gratitude to Lion Adedipe and his team for the Dialysis Centre and Lion Jegede and his team for the Eye Centre.
“It is important to note that the resources required to bridge the existing gap in our socio-economic needs are enormous. If government is to commit the entire available resources to only the Eye/Vision/Sight health needs alone, there will still be gaps to be filled. This is because the whole healthcare needs of the State and other essential obligations and services required by the people outside the health sector are enormous.”
The governor Akeredolu, who disclosed that the risk of inappropriate attention to eye problem is so grievous that it could result in blindness or visual impairment, particularly advised people above 40 years of age to do routine eye check so that the avoidable causes of vision impairment can be picked up and corrected before it becomes a problem.
“We are lucky in Ondo State to have integrated eye health into our health care system and this opportunity of the Lions Club gesture has further brightened our hope for a result-oriented solution in this regard,” he said.
He commended all the medical personnel including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and all other allied health workers for their resilience at this trying time and for their passion and contributions to healthcare services in all the government hospitals in the State, assuring them that government is committed to their welfare and the development of healthcare facilities in the State.
Earlier, the Grant Administrator of the Project who is a Past Council Chairman of Lions Clubs International, Multiple District 404 Nigeria, Lion Olumuyiwa Jegede, appreciated the all-round support provided by Governor Akeredolu and other officials of his administration which cascaded into the successful completion of the project.
He said that all the inputs of the governor into the architectural designs of the project kept all engineers and other workers on their toes throughout the project implementation.
in another development, the governor has assured that his administration will continue to partner with private sector to drive the economy of the state.
This is just as he called on the private sector to join government in the funding and provision of working tools for the security agencies operating in the State.
He spoke on Friday at the groundbreaking ceremony of Manuex Place, comprising Manuex Hotels and Resorts. The Manuex Place is being constructed at the premises of the defunct Owena Motels, a part of which has been ceded to Shoprite Shopping Mall since October 2014.
Akeredolu disclosed that on his assumption of office, he saw the necessity for the State to have a befitting 5-Star Hotels and Resorts that could match with any of its kind in Nigeria and be the toast of tourists.
He said:”According to the developers, this edifice, when completed will have various facilities: 5-Star Hotel, a Resort comprising amusement park, casinos, swimming pool, sporting arena, etc.
“It is expected that it would be a hospitality destination in the Southwest Zone of this country. Manuex Place has also assured the State Government that the project will be concluded within the next 18 months. We will ensure that conducive and enabling environment is provided to accomplish this giant stride.”
The governor reiterated that the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), which he described as a one-stop-shop for prospective investors, is still available to handle all business and investment matters in the State.
He said the primary purpose of the agency is to be assisting genuine investors who are desirous of investing in the State in resolving all bureaucratic and legal bottlenecks that may confront them.
“I am glad to report that through ONDIPA, we have launched initiatives and strategies that have turned Ondo State to investors’ haven,” he added.
Also, he reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for insecurity and criminality, stressing his administration has continued to give necessary support to all security agencies in the State to enable them to get on top of their game.
His words: “Despite the pockets of security challenges in Ondo State, especially the recent horrendous attack on St. Francis’ Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo, let me, once more, reiterate our government’s zero tolerance for insecurity and criminality.
“We can say with all confidence that through the collaborative efforts of the Amotekun corps with our regular security agencies, incidents of criminality has been reduced considerably in our State.
“We shall continue to work in synergy with all our security agencies in the State to ensure that the security architecture remains strong and continues to secure the frontiers of Ondo State.
“Let me also call on the private sector to join the government in the funding and provision of working tools for the security agencies operating in our State.
“The contributions of this project will, in no small way, add to the economic, social and spatial development of our great State. The standard of the Hotels and Resorts will invariably increase investors’ interest as well as our Internally Generated Revenue.” H
Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of Manuex Place, Mr Jide Ipinsagba, disclosed that the edifice would have two helipads for shuttle services within the state, besides a banquet hall with 3320 seats and an amusement park.
