Ondo State Government

Tunji-Ojo, Ooni, Dabiri-Erewa, Aboyeji, Others to Speak at Ondo Diaspora Summit

Plans are in full gear for the Ondo State Government to convene a summit of its diaspora community in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and other places across the world. The diaspora summit, which is billed to hold virtually on Saturday, December 2, 2023 for those in North and South America and Saturday, December 9, 2023 for those in Europe and other parts of the world, is an offshoot of the Develop Ondo conference which took place in Akure earlier this year.

The aim of the summit is to make Ondo indigenes across the globe aware of investment opportunities in the state, thus fostering an avenue for mutual growth and sustained development. The event will be hosted by Prince Boye Ologbese, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Diaspora Relations in Ondo State, while Governor Rotimi Akeredolu will be the Chief Host, delivering the keynote address. The event will be anchored by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Ms. Rinsola Abiola, whose office is also providing technical assistance on the planning of the diaspora summit.

The event boasts a lineup of notable government officials at the federal and state levels, and highly respected private sector players and traditional rulers.

The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, who is one of the biggest real estate investors in Ondo State, is billed to speak on the opportunities available in the real estate sector. Also to speak at the event are Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the widely celebrated Minister of Interior who, until his appointment, was a member of the House of Representatives from Ondo State, and Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development and youngest member of the Federal Executive Council.

The Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, is also expected to speak on the health sector, a crucial sector which many Ondo diasporans work in.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, is to speak on the importance of sustained diaspora engagement and Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), will speak on investment opportunities available in the tech sector and how Nigerians living abroad can harness these opportunities.

Development partners such as the UNDP will also be represented at the summit and Dr. Seye Oyeleye, Director General of the DAWN Commission, will feature as a panelist.

Officials of the Ondo State government built to participate in the summit include the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources, Engr. Razaq Obe, the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Director General of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Gbenga Badejo, the Ondo State Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, and the Head of Business Development at ONDIPA, Femi Akarakiri.

Others include Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Adedayo Faduyile OON, Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Ajibayo Adeyeye, Special Adviser on Political, Legislative and Strategy, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Chairman of the State Information Technology Development Agency and Peace Odili, Special Assistant to the Governor on Innovation and Partnerships.

Private sector players billed to feature as panelists at the summit include Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, leading Nigerian tech entrepreneur and Founding Partner at Future Africa, Folajomi Adegbulugbe, Director of Business at RBD Limited, Joel Ogunsola, Founder of Prunedge, and Prince Adebiyi Ayeni, who serves in the management team of leading real estate company, Jide Taiwo & Co.

Also featuring are key members of the Ondo diaspora community such as Kehinde Olateju, CEO of Business Analytic Consulting, Dr. Akinloye Olorungbemi, DPT, CEO of Optima Physical Therapy, and Dr. Oluremi Adewale, Founder and CEO of Women Focus Canada.

The summit is being organized by the Ondo State Government with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Union through the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) Phase II programme led by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, and supported by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs).

GOV AKEREDOLU RELEASES N1BN FOR RETIRED TEACHERS, LG WORKERS IN ONDO

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has flagged off the payment of N1bn as a gratuity to teachers and local government workers who retired in 2011.

Akeredolu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, said the N1bn was sourced from the October allocation from the federation account.

He said the payment of N1bn marked a gradual defrayment of the backlog of gratuity arrears for retirees of Local Government and Primary school teachers.

According to him, “another tranche would soon be paid within the first quarter of next year.

Some pensioners who retired in 2012 were paid, while those the government termed distressed benefitted from the N1bn payment.

The governor said that his administration has fully paid all outstanding salaries and pensions, including the allowances of all retirees left by the previous administration.

“We want to make sure pensioners in the state do not suffer anymore. We are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals, as well as those who engage in cult-related activities in our dear state.

“The State Government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources.

“This is in addition to the provision of funds and other logistical support to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. Our government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Takuro Amidu, said the payment of the gratuity was initiated by Governor Akeredolu by ensuring that some money was saved every month.

Amidu said that Governor Akeredolu was poised to take care of senior citizens.

Some of the pensioners said it was suicidal for them to survive 12 years without collecting their gratuities.

Many of them said that they would use a chunk of the money to pay accumulated debts.

One of them, Chief Ojo Samuel, said it was difficult for him to cope with life situations after he retired and his gratuity was not paid.

“We thank God we are alive to collect and enjoy our benefit.”

The chairman of pensioners in Ondo State, Johnson Osunyemi, said the payment of N1bn was a reassurance that the governor would do more for them.

Osunyemi said pensioners have not witnessed such a good gesture in the state.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/11/akeredolu-releases-n1bn-for-retired-teachers-lg-workers-in-ondo/

📸 Olawale Abolade