| By Banji Ayoola The disarmed militant youths in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government areas of Ondo State would be fully integrated into the Amnesty programme of the Federal Government. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, gave this assurance at Igbekebo, headquarters of Ese Odo Local Government during his appreciation tour of Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas of Ondo South Senatorial District on the support of the people as reflected in their votes in the last House of Assembly election. Results of that election, as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, showed that the governor’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won an overwhelming majority of 23 out of the 26 seats in the assembly. Akeredolu appealed to the ex-militants to give the Federal Government more time to do the needful, assuring that his administration would sustain its pressure on Abuja to include them in the programme. Noting that his administration is mounting necessary pressure to hasten the integration process, he described youths as relevant in the socio-economic development of the State. His words: “I want you all to understand that Amnesty is a programmeof the Federal Government while ours is to facilitate. We have done our own part of the integration process and we are on the neck of the Federal Government to complete the process. “The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo whose office is in charge was here to talk to the youths about making it a reality and he is not relenting on his promise. “Our stand is that the Federal Government can not be voting money for amnesty for those in Delta, Rivers states and others and refuse to extend same to those in Ondo State; they have to and we are making frantic efforts towards achieving that.” Explaining further, the Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi said that the state government has put in much efforts aimed at integrating the ex-militants and assured that it would soon yield good fruits. He said: “When you are making effort and it has not yielded much result, then it appears as if you are not working. “Part of the Governor’s efforts was the establishment of a Training Center by the Federal Government at Agadagba-Obon where all our disarmed youths would be trained on various skill acquisition programmes.” Ajayi appealed to them to join the government in praying, work together with them, shun violence and allow peace to continue reigning as the state government will continue making efforts towards ensuring that their dreams come true. Earlier at a town-hall meeting held at Igbekebo, Akeredolu had thanked people of the council area for supporting the party through massive votes in the just concluded House of Assembly poll. Also at Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government where the Governor rounded off the first day of the statewide six day tour, he thanked the people for identifying with his party. Akeredolu assured that their elected representatives would cooperate with his administration to deliver more dividends of good governance. Also, he thanked the monarchs and market women in the area for supporting the government ‘s pacific efforts, promising that his administration would continue to work for the development of the local government area. He listed some of his administration’s achievements in Ese-Odo local government to include rehabilitation of moribund boreholes; construction of Sabome township roads, Palace and Hospital roads in Igbobini; award of the 1.4 km Ojuala/lpoke road; and rehabilitation of numerous secondary and primary schools. According to him: “In Ilaje Local Government, we have completed the reticulation and pipe-laying of water from the Aboto water scheme project along Igbokoda and Ugbonla road, which would soon come to the city. “At Igbokoda, apart from the rehabilitation of schools, we have also constructed Ilara street; Chairmen Quarters roads; Igbokoda GRA nternal roads; and efforts are ongoing to ensure that light is restored to the region,” he said. He assured that work would soon commence on the multi-billion nairaAraromi-Ibeju Lekki road project as soon as the dissolved NDDC boardis reconstituted. In his speech, APC State Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, thanked the people for their massive support for the party, and enjoined them to continue to support the APC-led government, assuring that they would not be let down. He tasked people of the region to do more overwhelmingly in subsequent elections, saying APC remains the only party that will always deliver democracy dividends to them. Also, Caretaker Chairmen of Ese-Odo local government, Omolewa Ojo, and his Ilaje counterpart, Otito Atikase, appreciated the Akeredolu-led administration in various ways it had impacted positively on the lives of people of the local governments through its numerous life-changing programmes. On his own, the Kalasuwe of Apoiland, Oba Sunday Amuseghan thanked the governor for the construction of Sabome township roads, renovation of Igbekebo General Hospital, primary and secondary schools among others in the council area. Also, the Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo while appreciating the Governor for his giant strides in the local government and the state at large, appealed for some palliatives for the disarmed youths to keep them going. Oba Odidiomo who described Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government areas as the goose that lays the golden eggs for the state, appealed for more government impacts in the areas as he begins another two years of his administration. |
