Akure cleric Akintoye commends Buhari for approving Ondo Port

Ondo State

By Banji Ayoola

An Akure, Ondo State-based cleric, Prophet Segun Akintoye, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the Ondo Deep Seaport project, which the Governor Oluwarotimi administration believes would rapidly transform the economy of the state and massively impact the nation’s economy.

In fact, the governor described the approval by the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at its meeting on Wednesday, as a memorable parting gift for the state by Buhari, who will vacate office on May 29, barely two weeks away, on the completion of his two-term tenure.

The longstanding project was initiated in 2004 by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration of the late Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu.

Akintoye, who is the National Coordinator of Divine Redemption of Our Nation Group, in his congratulatory message to the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, published in The Radiance on April 10, titled “Cleric Akintoye Tasks Tinubu to build seaport in Ondo”, had tasked the incoming President “to start work on building an international seaport in Ondo State, and mining the fabulous bitumen deposits in the state for export, once he assumes office next month” (May).

Also in that story, he had urged the incoming Tinubu administration to open the Free Trade Zone at Olokola for economic and commercial activities.

In a statement on Saturday, the cleric said: “I feel deeply happy following the announcement of a Sea Port for Ondo State by the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.

“This at last is coming after numerous agitations for the Sea Port which started decades ago.

“Bob Marley once said and I quote: “In the abundance of water, a fool may be thirsty.” That is, when the right perspective is not engaged, one may be suffering in the midst of plenty.

“Ondo State is one good state blessed with abundant natural resources in which the sea coast in Igbokoda can play a major role in bringing wealth to the state.

“The successive governments in the country that were expected to get their priorities right, did not live up to expectations. They subjected Ondo State to a fool, thirsty in an abundance of water.

“I once wrote in my congratulatory message to the President-elect concerning the untapped resources in the State. I never knew my prayers will be answered in the shortest time. Glory be to the Almighty God.

However, President Buhari has demonstrated that his greatness is not in how much wealth he has acquired, but in his integrity and ability to affect those around him and his subjects positively.

“I hereby on behalf of the good people of Ondo State express my profound gratitude for this monumental gesture, by making good use of the moment, before it becomes a memory, that produces ‘Had I known.’ Because our moments are the tenses in the present that when not adequately used will become a painful past participle.

“Now I know that the Almighty is rich in mercy, and His mercy shall always be upon those that exercise faith in Him. Our faith in Him is paying off now.

“Thank you, Mr. President, may the Almighty in His infinite mercy meet with you at every point of your need. My sincere appreciation comes with the most impressive feelings and warm regards.”

In his congratulatory message to Tinubu, the cleric had also appealed for special financial assistance for agricultural activities in the state.

According to him: “We are more than confident that if these aforementioned requests are met, the presence of international bodies in the State will create job opportunities for the masses, mostly our teeming youths.”

Noting that Ondo State has the longest and largest sea coast in West Africa, he had regretted that successive administrations have not lived up to expectations, as they allegedly failed to harness the deposited resources in the State optimally for the benefit of the citizens in the state and the Country at large.

He said: “Metaphorically, the governments only serve in the sanctuary to feed themselves fat, neglecting the burning of incense that produces fragrance for the Altar!”

In his words: “You would recall that Ondo State has the longest and perhaps the largest Sea Coast in West Africa. It is saddening to see it lying fallow up till today, borrowing from the agricultural language.

“There is also ‘The Olokola Free Trade Zone. There is Bitumen at Agbabu, considered to be the second-largest deposit in the world. These resources are there contributing nothing to the economy, because they are not tapped.”

Read also:

Cleric Akintoye tasks Tinubu to build seaport in Ondo

 

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