Jun 4th, 2009
Mimiko to Address Ondo Assembly on State Finances
The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko on Thursday declared that the indebtedness he inherited from the immediate past Dr. Olusegun Agagu’s administration was much bigger than what the state incurred since its creation in 1976. Besides, he said that in two or three weeks time he would address the citizenry through the State Assembly on the financial situation of the state,
Mimiko speaking at a media parley held at Government House, Akure, the state capital lamented that there were no handing over notes or transition committee by Agagu’s administration to help the new administration to take-off.
His words: “Let me inform you that in two or three weeks time I will address the State Assembly on the financial situation of the state, so that all the speculations on the issue of state finances will be a thing of the past.
Let me also say here categorically that Agagu’s administration hurriedly packed out following the Appeal Tribunal verdict without normal handing over to the new administration as the development was caused by circumstances.”
He lamented that the sum of N14 billion spent on water by the ousted Agagu administration in the state could not be translated to drinking water to the people of the state, saying that it was just like his administration was starting from the scratch.
He stressed that the greatest challenges for the state government were on how to tackle unemployment; saying that the digital card projects his administration initiated would engage 4,000 volunteers. [Guardian]
75 Responses to “Mimiko to Address Ondo Assembly on State Finances”
THANK GOD THAT THE COAST IS NOW CLEAR.EVERYBODY WILL NOW KNOW WHAT TRANSPIRE WITHIN FEW DAYS OF AGAGU ADMINISTRATION. THE MOMEY EMBEZZLED BY OLABISI JOHNSON, ADEDURO CHARLES, AND OTHER PDP STALWART PARADING THEMSELVES AROUND AS HONEST MAN WILL BE EXPOSED.
THE NEWS HAS BEEN CIRCULATING THAT AGAGU LEFT OVER 57 BILLION NAIRA IN THE ACCOUNT WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS A LIE.
AGAGU “RESSURECTS” FROM THE GRAVE TO GIVE AN INTERVIEW OF FALSITIES. PLEASE READ THIS GUARDIAN REPORT AND MAKE YOUR OWN DEDUCTIONS. I AM MAKING MINE IN BOLD LETTERS AS BELOW. AGAGU LISTENS TO ONLY ONE VOICE, THAT OF HIS INNER GREED AND FOOLERY, WHICH HE HAS PRACTISED TOO OFTEN AND HAS NOW BECOME PERFECT IN HIM. HE STARTED OUT AS A GOVERNOR WHO BELIEVED HE IS THE ALMIGHTY IN WISDOM AND POWER IN ONDO STATE BUT THEN “HOW ARE THE MIGHTY SOON FALLEN”. HE STILL LIVES IN CUCKOO LAND BELIEVING THAT HE COULD CHARM AND “CHARM” HIS EVIL LIES INTO THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE. MY PEOPLE, THE TRUTH STILL REMAINS THAT EVEN A PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD WOULD PUT AGAGU TO SHAME WITH QUESTIONS TO PROVE HIS LIES. DIDNT WE JUST SEE A SAMPLE AT COURT DURING THE ELECTION HEARINGS, WHEN AGAGU FIELDED PROFESSORS THAT CANT EVEN OPERATE LAPTOPS? OR DOES HE THINK THE PEOPLE’S MEMORY COULD BE THAT SHORT? HE COULD COME OUT TO MAKE NOISES NOW EH? NOT HIS FAULT FOR IF NIGERIA HAD THE RIGHT LEGISLATIONS IN PLACE AND CROOKS LIKE AGAGU WERE LANGUISHING IN JAIL AND CONFESSING UNDER TORTURE (NIGERIAN STYLE), ALL THESE NOISE WOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. ONLY IN NIGERIA DOES A CROOK GET AWAY AND MAKE SUCH ARIWO OSAN (AFTERNOON NOISE). PLEASE READ ON COURTESY OF NIGERIAN GUARDIAN:
I left over N20b in Ondo State accounts, says Agagu
From Niyi Bello, Akure
FOLLOWING claims by the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, that “the state could go down in the history of Nigeria as the most indebted because of the financial recklessness of the last administration,” former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, has countered that he left “more than N20 billion in the state accounts.”
Last Thursday during an interactive session with the media to end the week-long activities marking his 100 days in office, Mimiko said that he met an empty treasury and a huge debt which arose from questionable commitments of the Agagu government to various contracts that were hurriedly awarded in the twilight of the regime.
But Agagu in an exclusive chat with The Guardian during the weekend in the rocky town of Idanre, described Mimiko’s claim as “mischievous and an attempt to divert the attention of the people with his obvious lack of preparedness to govern the state in a way that would impact positively on the population.” LIE NO 1. MIMIKO IS PREPARED AND GETTING ON WITH THE BUSINESS AT HAND AND MAKING GOOD PROGRESS DESPITE THE CONSTRAINTS. AGAGU ADMIN KNOWS NO OTHER WORD THAN CALL OTHERS “MISCHIEVOUS”. MIMIKO IS IMPARTING POSITIVELY ON THE PEOPLE, JUST ASK THEM AND HEAR THE RESPONSE.
The former governor said “the state could mobilise not less than N20 billion without recourse to borrowing or diversion of funds from the monthly allocation by the time we left office.” BY THE TIME AGAGU LEFT OFFICE HE WAS ABLE TO EXPEND OVER 65B NAIRA ON “PROJECTS” IN LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS. THANK GOD FOR THE OUTCRY, WHAT ELSE COULD HAVE HAPPENED?
Giving a breakdown of his claim, Agagu said, “withdrawable funds in the state accounts was not less than N10 billion while we had about N5.7 billion investment in the stock market even during this period of share depreciation. We had also concluded arrangement to sell our 70 per cent holding in OPL 241 to the tune of $37 million, which is more that N5 billion. CAN WE ASK AGAGU HOW MUCH HE WAS ABLE TO WORK IT DURING THE START OF HIS LAST FINANCIAL YEAR IN OFFICE? HOW MUCH WAS SPENT IN LESS THAN THAT ONE YEAR? HOW MUCH HE SAYS MIMIKO OUGHT TO REASONABLY WORK WITH? FEDERAL AND STATE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO AGAGU I AM SURE WOULD BE OVER 10BILLION X 10 – LOL!!!
“We had bought OPL 241 for $24.1 million in September 2008 with the intention to sell and make profit for the state. We were to sell a part of it for $37 million barely six months later even while still keeping 30 per cent of the investment that would still continue to yield revenue for the state.”
The former governor added that “even though massive developmental projects were going on in every local council of the state and a final solution to the water problems in the central senatorial district had been found and was being pursued vigorously in the N14 billion Owena Water Reticulation Contract, we were not owing any backlog of salaries. The state was in a very sound financial footing.” AGAGU AGAGU ENU OPURO KI NSEJE (THE MOUTH OF A LIAR NEVER BLEEDS)… HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT ONDO STATE WAS IN VERY SOUND FINANCIAL FOOTING WHEN ALL YOU WERE HEAILED OUT OF OFFICE WERE CHANTS OF “AGAGU OLE”.
Agagu also took a swipe at his successor for saying that the Government House in Akure was uninhabitable, saying: “How can anybody describe the place where I lived as an eyesore except that they were looking for an excuse to justify huge expenditure to renovate the place. THIS IS AN EASY ONE AGAGU. A PIG WOULD CALL ITS SLIMY STY THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD. TRY MAKE A CAT LIVE THERE AND OF COURSE THE CAT WOULD CALL IT INHABITABLE AND AN EYESORE. AGAGU SHOULD KNOW IF THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE WAS LEFT INTACT OR VANDALISED AND LOOTED SHORTLY BEFORE HIS SHAMEFUL EXIT. MIMIKO IS NOT LOOKING FOR WAYS TO JUSTIFY HUGE EXPENDITURES FOR ONDO STATE KNOWS YOU AGAGU ARE THE ONLY ONE GOOD AT DOING THIS.
“Let them not distract attention from the serious business of governance. If they have anything for the good people of this state, let them offer it and stop chasing shadows. I wish them luck though.” PLEASE NOTE MY PEOPLE, THAT THE TRUTH WILL BE SAID. NO ONE IS CHASING SHADOWS AND IT IS A WAITING GAME OF PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE. ALL HIDDEN TRUTHS ABOUT AGAGU WILL BE MADE OPEN AND JUSTICE WOULD BE DONE. MIMIKO WE ALL KNOW IS ALREADY OFFERING SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE WHOLE STATE, SOMETHING AGAGU COULD NOT DO IN ABOUT 6 YEARS. THANKS FOR THE GOOD WISHES AGAGU BUT NOT NEEDED FOR AS YOU CANNOT BLESS WHOM GOD HAS CURSED (AGAGU), SO CAN YOU NEVER CURSE WHOM GOD HAS BLESSED (IROKO).
Thanks my people, may the good Lord give us the spirit of Wisdom, Discernment, Fortrightness and Integrity in Ondo State.
AGAGU SHOULD THINK WELL FROM NOW ON FOR YOU CANNOT FOOL ALL OF THE PEOPLE ALL OF THE TIME. My people in Ondo State are not foolish.
Peace
It is shameful for Nigeria a supposed beacon of light for the rest of the African nation at its age still chasing shadows and disregarding accountability!
Two things my people, It is either we force our legal system to make the rule of law powerful and above every citizen of Nigeria regardless of status or continue to build a nation that has no regard for both God and the law, flourishing the likes of a moribund and shameless thief ‘Dr Agagu’ who supposed to have been apprehended for the rest of his life for rubbing both the federal and state governments.
Apart from the slave trade and the world economic dictatorship and domination, there are three major things that I give great respect in the lives of the white people, their sacred love for their countries, charity orientation and accountability. For instance, look at what is happening right now in the house of parliament in the UK where the speaker and some ministers are forced to resign for ‘‘just ridiculous claims’’ as Nigerians will see it. These are the things that makes the country great and habitable despite the absence of mineral resources and unfertile land for planting crops unlike Nigeria swimming in a vast given ocean of resources and fertile land yet people are still facing the war of excruciating hunger. What a shame.
The dream of an average Nigerian regardless of the status is to buy all the top of the range cars mostly 4×4 (jeeps as they are popularly called in Nigeria), a mansion with lots of rooms even if he is still single and very young, throw a big party to be attended by who is who in the society which must appear in Ovation and other popular celebrity magazines. Unlike the Nigerian males whose many cars are mainly to show of, earn respect and to catch fleet of girls, our female counterparts will prefer to settle with one or two brand new beautiful shining cars, otherwise known as tear rubber. How can we fight corruption when we all want to have banks in Switzerland while the public money is not guided by strict laws?
Instead of alleviating poverty to make our society a better place to live we continue to plant the seeds of corruption in all the corners of our nation germinating faster into giant trees. Nigeria is the 5th world largest crude oil producer, still she is faced with scarcity of petrol while other countries like UK with no petrol continue to smell nothing of such and we Nigeria citizens have no choice than to start fighting and starving at petrol stations.
Our leaders do not care and the plight of the people is neglected because they enjoy the abuse. Also the men of God who supposed to rescue the youths continue to own private jets with the money donated by the poor people and building universities that are too expensive for the ordinary people but for the children of Agagu and co. What a society! Please do not take me wrong, I love my God and my Jesus but my Christianity is based on very solid pillars of reality and all that are not opposed the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.
@ Omotaylor, nothing inspires me more than to see the very few good Nigerians whose lives plus fear of God can influence and touch the lives of the youths positively to bring back their lost hope for a better future. That is exactly what you have done my sister by making yourself available for Ola and his friends to meet you during your visit to Nigeria. This is a challenge to all Nigerians who want a change and a better Nigeria; you don’t need to be a politician before you can contribute for Nigeria to move forward. Therefore, fellow Nigerians extend your love today as well to reach the youths whose hopes and lives have been clouded and shattered so that they can be encouraged to hold the strength to hope for the better future. Omotaylor I am very proud of you, keep it up and surely God will reward you abundantly. Justice 4all.
Iroko Kekere bares his heart again and as usual I am spellbound and 100% in agreement. This is from the heart for I read you as if I am reading me. Seems at the rate we are all going it will get to a point when we the ordinary people will force the hands of our uncaring leaders for a change. At the same time we will continue supporting the good grassroot leaders who well and truly cares for the generality of the people.
Thanks for your kind words, my brother. We all must do our own bit in any God given way and means. We may not have Silver or Gold but we have God and what the Almighty has bestowed upon us will be utilised for the common man without fear or favour. There are so many Youths in Nigeria aspiring to greatness, integrity and good education. They need a break. Thank God they did not decide to go the way of area boys and kobo sycophants. I felt for them right to the bottom of my heart and I daily pray for them to continue to abstain from evil, get good jobs and a break in life. For a change I met young men who are not after what they can siphon or cheat or 419 out of you. Who would take you as you are and take the rough and smooth road with you. Trust me, I could not take them to high class or high profile places but whatever I did with them they appreciated. They were full of ideas, and appreciated the elders we visited together e.g. Dr Dotun Oyewole (our 87 year old famous Abeokuta Oyewole twin), Oba Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, High Chief Akin Fagbamiye, the Lisa of Ile-Oluji, and many others. They were so interested in learning from all these seasoned adults and I just kept appreciating them more and more.
How blind can our leaders be. So full of themselves and their thieving ways and letting good things go to rot because of their greed! Very sad. Posterity will judge and damn these people. God will leave them all desolate for all their attrocities has made Nigeria a negative name. We pray that in Ondo State, we will soon notice massive changes. Not only in infrastructure but also attitudinal changes in all, from Nursery school to the occupiers of Executive Positions in the State.
We have such high hopes for our Governor and we know we shall never be dissappointed. I see in Iroko a pillar of strenght and love of the common man and I bless God for bringing him into the seat of governance. I do not want to sound like a praise singer for we all know that God is not a respecter of persons. But then if I strongly feel the truth about Mimiko, I will say it loud and clear that we are PDP and Proud in Ondo State.
Let us all young and old work together. Let us all unite in love for PROGRESS of Ondo State. Let us all support all those chosen to be leaders in different parastatals and pray for them always. Irorun Igi ni Irorun eiye (the comfort of the tree makes the bird comfortable). I LOVE MY STATE – PERIOD. I also love my country but you see I need to get my priorities right. Why? I dont see me making national waves (not yet), but I see me doing well from my own little corner at State Level. If we are faithful in little things we shall have the cause to be faithful in greater things in Jesus name.
WE NEED PEOPLE OF LIKE MINDS TO COME TOGETHER AND REASON TOGETHER (as per the invitation of our Lord in the book of Issaiah 1:18.
Peace my people and blessings my blood Iroko Kekere. One day the blackness of the minds of these black leaders would forcefully be bleached by God Himself.
AN UPDATE OF AGAGU’S FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT STATE OF FINANCE HE LEFT FOR GOVERNOR MIMIKO, AND OTHER ISSUES. CLEARLY THIS MAN AGAGU SHOULD BE “SILENCED” BY EFCC FOR THAT IS WHERE HE SHOULD BE MAKING ALL THE NOISE. EXPLAINING HIS WANTON WASTAGE OF ONDO STATE FUNDS, AVIATION FUNDS AND OTHERS. READ ON COURTESY OF NIGERIAN GUARDIAN:
Mimiko denies plan to renovate official quarters with N1.9b
From Niyi Bello and Julius Alabi (Akure)
ONDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has denied allegations that he planned to expend N1.9 billion on the renovation of Alagbaka Government House residence of the state executive even as he described the premises of the building as an eyesore.
Mimiko, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kolawole Olabisi, also described as “total falsehood” the claim by the former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, that he left not less than N20 billion in the accounts of the state.
Agagu had claimed that he left the state on a very sound financial footing and condemned the alleged plan of Mimiko’s government to spend N1.9 billion to renovate the Government House.
He described as false the claim by Mimiko that the premises were in an uninhabitable condition.
Mimiko, while describing the claim of Agagu on the alleged planned renovation, said the statement credited to the former governor “was uncharitable, mischievous and cruel” and that it was made “in a bad taste all in his desperation to cast aspersion on the new administration”.
He said he would not be distracted from his set goal of giving the people of Ondo State the dividend of democracy, which he claimed, “has eluded the state under Agagu’s inglorious tenure of office.”
Mimiko, who described himself as a man of integrity, said in this era of global economic recession, if he had N1.9 billion, he would definitely not expend it on the renovation of the Government House but on projects that would impact positively on the lives of the people.
“Anyway, that was the hallmark of Agagu’s regime – to waste money on white elephant projects – while the people went to bed with rumbling stomach. But such frivolities would no longer hold in our dear state, at least not under me.
“The Governor’s Lodge is not fit for habitation. Yet, Agagu glibly claimed that he left it in a neat condition. Nothing is farther from the truth than this and we have conducted media men round this place and will still welcome more to come and see things for themselves to discredit Agagu’s statement that he left a habitable Government House.”
Although he did not make a categorical statement on how much was found in the state accounts, Mimiko said: “It was interesting that Agagu kept joggling figures of how much he left behind to suit his mood.”
His words: “It is gratifying to note that Agagu’s hen has come home to roost. Initially, he had hinted that he left over N50 billion in the coffers of Ondo State. Now, one is happy that this money is N20 billion, which according to Agagu, is made up of N10 billion in withdrawable funds while the rest are in some non-descriptive accounts”.
According to Olabisi, Mimiko will, in a matter of days, address the House of Assembly and the people of Ondo on the real situation of the state accounts.
AND WHAT HAS AGAGU GOT TO SAY ABOUT THIS? WHO DO WE BLAME IT ON (SINCE HE NEVER ACCEPTS HIS FAILURES?). WE JUST HAVE TO THANK GOD THAT THE MONEY PROMISED BY THE WORLD BANK DID NOT ALSO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF AGAGU ET AL. PLEASE READ ON COURTESY OF THIS DAY NEWSPAPER:
World Bank: Ondo has worst health indices
•To inject $3.8m
From James Sowole in Akure, 06.15.2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
The World Bank at the weekend presented a disturbing report sheet of the health sector of Ondo State and described the state as having one of the worst health indices in Nigeria.
The scorecard over the performance of the state health programmes was presented in Akure, the state capital, by the leader of the World Bank Health System Development Project II, Mrs. Anne Okigbo-Fisher, who led a team on a courtesy call on Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
The team leader lamented that despite over N1billion expended by the state government on the first phase of the project, there was no appreciable impact on the lives of the people.
According to her, “Ondo State actually has one of the worst health indices in this zone, which we found very surprising, seeing that the level of commitment of the people we met at the hospital, the doctors. We’re wondering why it has such a really bad health for the whole zone”.
However, the World Bank officer promised that that in its bid to boost healthcare delivery system in the state, the institution would inject $3.8 million into the system under its Health System Development Programme II.
While promising that the organisation would partner with the state government in the areas of curbing infant and maternal morbidity and improving health system, Okigbo-Fisher explained that the team was in the state to review the state’s performance during the first phase of the project and the plan by the present administration to improve on the performance in order to achieve the goals of the programme. Responding, Governor Mimiko, who expressed regret over the poor health condition in the state as observed by World Bank team, disclosed that his administration would commence community health insurance scheme in 60 communities, with three centers as pilot, adding that management of health information and aggressive advocacy at the community level would be given priority.
Blame it on INEC, blame it on Professor Iwu and blame it on the system that allows our shameless and heartless leaders to parade themselves with their stolen public money and get away with it. In any society where the rule of law rules Agagu would have been dealt with according to the weight of his crime. What else does the system need to jail him? All the evidences are there to put him away for a long time. But who will throw the stone first as our Lord Jesus said to a group of people in the holy book. Our corrupt police or who? All the leaders who can shame Agagu and put him in jail have also soiled their hands. Many times we were told in the newspapers that he was arrested and interrogated were all lies. Agagu is enjoying his stolen billions by the sea celebrating his 60th birthday and 100 days out of office. Don’t be surprised when next you see him collecting awards or as an ambassador to the US or UK. Unless Nigerians recognizes human feelings, start to punish and jail corrupt public office holders, make rule of law, transparency and accountability sacrosanct, it future is doomed. Justice 4all.
There will definitely be Justice For All in Nigeria and in God’s given time. What goes up and doesn’t come down as the saying goes? Yes Iroko Kekere, we have an unholy alliance of corrupt evil leaders in Nigeria and they have formed a cult. Waziri of EFCC, that barking female species thinks Nigerians are foolish and cant see through her charade of empty howling. NIGERIANS ARE NOT FOOLISH. NIGERIANS ARE SLOW TO ACT BUT WHEN THE ACTION COMES, NIGERIANS WILL RESPOND. I weep daily for my 49nine years old country and pray that we havent ended up as a fool at forty. Our leaders have gone so so horribly awry but one day “Osilele will find himself for hell fire and no go fit repent from his sins again” – amen.
I pray that in Ondo State we would never have cause to panic, or be dissappointed or for others to say “ko tan nidi won bi” i.e. “we told you so”. Our dear Governor should always watch his back for there are a lot of paid “paramoles” – snakes going about trying to tarnish his image. Let them keep wasting their time. Gone are the days of blacklisting people and throwing mud. The people in Ondo State will take time out to seek the truth so that the truth would set us free. All these Agagu/PDP sponsored evil talks will hold no water and will not deter Governor Mimiko from his mission. Very soon we shall have the full account of what Agagu left in Ondo State coffers and they will be put to shame.
Only a fool will jump before he looks. Governor Mimiko is very correct in collating all sectors of his governance and establishing facts before announcing to Ondo State what the actual findings are and which way forward. You can envy Mimiko’s sharp and intellectual mind, but please dont twist the truth any more you Agagu sponsored lapdogs.
Ondo State is on to a winner. Whatever problems that come, Mimiko will triumph because it is God that made him governor and not man.
Peace my people
NO WEAPON FASHIONED AGAINST US SHALL PROSPER AND ALL ARMS THAT RISE AGAINST PEACEFUL GOVERNANCE IN ONDO STATE SHALL PERISH IN JESUS NAME. THE BELOW REPORT BY NIGERIAN TRIBUNE SPEAKS VOLUMES BUT ONE THING IS CLEAR, GOVERNOR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO SHALL TRIUMPH OVER ALL HIS ENEMIES:
Ondo commissioner’s wife, perm sec’s wife kidnapped -As LP, PDP supporters clash
Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
INCIDENCE of kidnapping in the Niger Delta region of the country has spread to Ondo State as unknown gunmen have abducted the wife of the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mrs. Iyabo Basaru, and the wife of a newly appointed permanent secretary in the state, Mrs. Sola Alli.
The duo were said to have been kidnapped by six armed men on Sunday evening in the house of Basaru, located around Ajipowo area of Akure, the state capital.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the two women were taken away in the presence of the commissioner, Alhaji Sikiru Basaru, who watched helplessly as the vehicle conveying them drove away.
Sources stated that Mrs. Basaru, who was sick, had gone to the hospital belonging to the Alli for medical treatment. She was returning home, accompanied by Mrs. Alli, a friend of hers, when the kidnappers laid ambush for them, who had followed them to the house.
The kidnappers were said to have followed the vehicle conveying the duo into the compound before they were ordered into the kidnappers’ vehicle at gunpoint.
It was also gathered that the commissioner attempted to inquire what was going on when he was alerted by the gakekeeper but the kidnappers threatened to shoot him.
Sources said the kidnappers had already demanded for a N20 million ransom for the women. However, the state government in its reaction said it was not ready to negotiate with kidnappers as their action was illegal.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ranti Akerele, told newsmen in Akure, on Monday, that efforts were on to ensure the release of the women but ruled out payment of ransom.
He said Governor Olusegun Mimiko had already met with heads of security agencies in the state to ensure the security of life and property of the people.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State command, Mr. Charles Dawodu, while confirming the development, said the command was on red alert over the issue.
He said although the police did not suspect anybody or group of people, the command would deploy men and materials at its disposal to ensure the release of the victims.
However, the commissioner, who was said to be a devoted Muslim, had already sought the services of a Muslim clergy to pray for the safety of his wife and her friend.
Meanwhile, crisis looms in Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and those of the Labour Party (LP) clashed on Monday, leaving vehicles and about 50 houses vandalised.
The situation has made a former commissioner for finance and planning in the state, Chief Tayo Alasoadura and his supporters to flee the town, following the alleged attack on them.
Narrating his ordeal to newsmen in Akure, on Monday, the former commissioner said the incident happened when the party was preparing for its ward meeting in the town.
He said his car, with those of two of the party chieftains, was about 100 metres away from the venue of the meeting, when a supporter of LP allegedly rode a motorcycle in a “commando style” and attacked the convoy.
He said within two minutes, they were surrounded by people suspected to be members of the LP who started beating the occupants of the vehicles.
“The people attacked us and accused me of telling the people of the state how much former Governor Olusegun Agagu left in the accounts of the state as of February 23, when our administration wound down. They beat us and poured sand on us.
“When we escaped from the scene, they now decided to move to the houses of PDP members in Iju, beating them and vandalising their houses. They also attacked the houses of traditional chiefs who have sympathy for the PDP; they broke the windscreens of our vehicles and vandalised about 50 houses,” he said.
Alasoadura alleged that he was specifically targeted because of the decision of the PDP to tell the people of the state that Agagu left N38.6 billion in the accounts of the state government.
But the LP in the state had refuted the allegation, saying that it was not responsible for the attack on Alasoadura.
The acting publicity secretary of the party, Mr. Akin Akinbobola, alleged that it was Alasoadura who led some members of his party to destroy the palace in Iju, following which the people of the town resisted them.
He added that the LP was known for peace and would not be involved in any activity that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Adeniran Aremu, who confirmed the incident, said there was a clash between members of the LP and the PDP.
He, however, said the state command had already waded into the matter to maintain law and order, adding that no arrest had been made in connection with the crisis.
Well the WEAPON FASHIONED AGAINST US has been destroyed.
Courtesy of Nigerian Tribune
Ondo officials’ wives regain freedom
Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
SEVENTY-TWO hours after the wives of a commissioner and that of a newly-appointed permanent secretary in Ondo State were abducted by unknown gunmen in Akure, the state capital, the women have been released by their kidnappers.
The wife of the newly appointed permanent secretary in the state, Mrs. Sola Alli, was said to have found her way out of the hideout of the kidnappers.
But a source told the Nigerian Tribune that N10 million ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
Although, the identity of the person responsible for the payment was not known, the appearance of Alli might not be unconnected with the alleged payment of the ransom.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that Alli regained her freedom on Tuesday and made phone calls to some of her friends around 9 am same day.
It could, however, not be ascertained when the kidnappers deliberately released her or she escaped from them.
Also the wife of the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mrs. Iyabo Basaru, was also released after she was kidnapped at her residence in Ajipowo, on Ondo-Akure road on Sunday.
Initially, efforts by the security agencies, the state government and other stakeholders to ascertain her whereabouts were unsuccessful before news filtered in that she had been released later on Tuesday.
But the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Mr. Mohammed Yesufu, who was in Akure on familiarisation tour of the command under the zone, said the police monitored the kidnappers and would soon get to the root of the matter.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Charles Dawodu, said the state had remained peaceful in the recent times.
Clearly there are some areas of concern in this new evil development in our dear State and for this reason we must all keep on praying for our Governor, our State and our families including ourselves WITHOUT CEASING. We do not want an ugly trend to start in Ondo State as being suffered in some South South states. We do not want to have to be blackmailed and have to fork out millions of naira now and then to kidnappers. Whoever is paying these people to carry out evil acts should think twice for by the grace of God all their evil plots will BACKFIRE. We remember what happened when PDD/Agagu decided to use some offshore organisation to rig elections. They cried out for their unpaid money, kidnapped the kidnapper sponsors and spilled the beans. Shame that we have a country that plays mute to such open confessions of attrocities and criminal acts. Crying shame it is.
Tayo Alasoadura or whatever his name is should think twice before allowing himself to be used as a PDP stooge. Gone are the days when people believe what they read in the papers without thinking twice. How convenient is it that when these two women were kidnapped, all of a sudden he was collared by alleged LP people and Akure North was being disrupted. The people would stop to think twice and ask questions:
1. Who would want Ondo State disrupted at this time of settling down and moving the state forward? PDP
2. Who would keep trying (and by the grace of God failing), to cause problems for the present administration in Ondo State? PDP
3. Is it possible for Tayo Alasoadura to be cornered and converged upon by “commando style” people allegedly LP members and “beaten” and just escape like that without being hospitalised? RIDICULOUS.
4. Who would desperately want to drive home false claims about lies told about the Ondo State account when they see that no one believes them? PDP & Tayo Alasoadura.
SHAMEFUL ACTS I CALL IT.
One thing PDP Ondo and Agagu and his cohorts should get straight is this – MIMIKO IS HERE TO STAY AS GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE. MIMIKO WILL MAKE IT AS A GOOD GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE. AS THEY TRIED AND FAILED MISERABLY ON AND ON UNTIL MIMIKO IS INSTALLED, SO THEY WILL FAIL AND FAIL UNTIL MIMIKO HAS SERVED 2 TERMS AND MOVES ON TO GREATER AMBITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
My dear people in Ondo State, do not let anyone deceive you or use you. God is not mocked. Mimiko was crowned Governor of Ondo State through the grace of God and anyone who tries to do him any harm would have God to answer to. Leave our State alone and let peace reign you devil worshippers and creators of mischief. We do not want Ondo State to hit the headlines in Negative ways. Have you seen the Sun Newspaper front cover today? Ondo State will not have problems in Jesus name. If PDP Ondo State members who were all thrown out for their malpractices dont have much to do with their time, I will advise them to take a holiday out of the country and make sure they buy just one way tickets. If they keep on trying to forment trouble and they are attacked and beaten for this (for next time they wont be making up stories), then they should blame themselves. They are of no relevance to the people of Ondo State or to LP or to Mimiko. They want to make headlines but they are trying and failing to score cheap points.
Governor Mimiko is not made of the same stupid and nonsensical stuff that most of these people are made of. He is a serious minded man who has a mission of salvaging and salvation in Ondo State. Let him get on with it. The people suffered well and truly for 6 years under Agagu. Have pity on them and let them enjoy a government of the people by the people FOR THE PEOPLE.
Peace my beloved
As long as it was the power from the above that established this government, all the areas of concern shall be taken care of by Almighty God, there is no problem too heavy or diffilcult for HIM. Pls read this good news.
Police Arrested Kidnappers of Ondo Commissioner, perm sec’s wives (Jun 18,’09)
Home News Details
http://ondostate.gov.ng/news_details.php?id=2271
MEN of the Nigeria Police, Ondo State command, have arrested some suspects in connection with the abduction of wives of a commissioner and a permanent secretary in Ondo State.
Besides, one of the kidnappers was said to have died in a gun duel with the police, while two police officers were also injured.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Charles Dawodu, who confirmed the incident, could not ascertain the number of the arrested kidnappers, while he could not confirm the death of one of the kidnappers.
However, the two women, kidnapped in Akure, Ondo State, on Sunday by gunmen, had finally rejoined their husbands and family members following their release by the abductors.
The wife of the Ondo State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mrs. Iyabo Basaru and the wife of a newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Sola Alli, spent four days in the den of the kidnappers before they were eventually released to their families.
News source: Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure (Tribune)
AS THEY TRIED AND FAILED MISERABLY ON AND ON UNTIL MIMIKO IS INSTALLED, SO THEY WILL FAIL AND FAIL UNTIL MIMIKO HAS SERVED 2 TERMS AND MOVES ON TO GREATER AMBITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
We will continue to have all the cause to PRAISE OUR LIVING GOD. All weapons fashioned against the chosen people of God will continue to backfire now and forever in Jesus name. We thank God for the same return of our two sisters and we thank God that the kidnappers have been hunted down. Hopefully no stones will be left unturned in getting to the bottom, root cause of the abductions and hopefully this will serve as a deterrent to copy cat or sponsored kidnappers to be. ONDO STATE IS NO LONGER A PLACE FOR EVIL PEOPLE, LOOTERS, USERS, KIDNAPPERS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
Tayo Alasoadura please be advised that the people using you as a false mouthpiece will abadon you to your evil fate if you allow them to keep using you my brother. You can still repent while there is time to. As your name depicts sir, dont let it be the opposite in your life. A WORD IS ENOUGH FOR THE WISE.
Peace my people
Do we yet have a date for our Governor’s address on state of Ondo State finance? I will not want to miss this and I hope someone is able to capture the whole address live and relay it over the net, like is mostly done in Lagos with Governor Fashola nowadays. Thanks
It was reported in one of the Nigerian dailies today that a tax collector was hounded and attacked by some Edo state people in Benin City, in the course of the official performing his duties. Trade unions have, even including the local National union of Teachers, called on their members to down tools because of Oshiomhole’s insistence that the state should have an efficient tax system to fund public projects! These people protesting obviously think infrastructures – health, education, transport etc grow on trees. Reading about stories like this just confirms what I have already known about Nigerians – IFA (free loading): We want 24 hour round the clock electricity as long as we don’t have to pay a kobo from our pocket, we want to travel on pot-holes free road without contributing towards the cost. We have a long way to go to uhuru.
T.A. if we were all to wait for Nigerian Uhuru the wait would be long. In Ondo State it neednt be so. Proper education, transparent government, showing the people that they would enjoy better by paying taxes, which of course should be the reasonable taxes etc should be achievable in our state. Look at Lagos State, the people arent protesting that badly. Why? Because Fashola is proving himself. What need done is that we should let the people see some improvement and then slowly one by one let them play ball i.e. do their bit for their state. If people dont enjoy electricity, we let them have it with the assurance that if they pay all their bills it would be constant, continued and better. We should not coerce the people. We should encourage them. I do not profess to know the actual state of affairs at Edo State, but I am “prophesying” what would and should work in our dear Ondo State.
I sometimes wish our Governor and those in leadership position in Ondo State do find time to read our comments. There could be reason in madness. I hear Fashola does this and I believe he does for some comments by people in Diaspora seem to be acted upon by Flashman himself. Well Governor Mimiko will soon settle down well and proper, and have all the listening ears for people like us on this site via this site.
Long live Ondo State, LP, Governor Mimiko and of course our very selves.
I am not in support of these hounding and attacking, but if you know what these tax collectors are doing with our people and the tax money you will be deeply sorry for Nigeria in this area of generating money. You hardly see any government in Nigeria put in place proper auditing and monitoring systems as many of these taxmen are being compensated with their positions as active members of a ruling party or bribed their ways. Tax collectors are like the customs and excise, police officers on the road blocks or any other corrupt institution. They must deliver to their bosses and as well as into their pockets daily. The ordinary people understand how the system works; they always have the tax collector’s envelopes (egunje/settlement) ready on the days of their operations and any envelope that seems very light is rejected. Don’t be surprised that some taxmen are being settled in their own homes with food stuffs-bags of rice, beans, yams, eran-igbe (bush meat) and promissory notes. It is when these fails that you see ordinary people being arrested by these corrupt taxmen. The people are not stupid, they know why they are protesting, perhaps they are now being tired of the fat bellied taxmen living luxury lives in their mansions with modern water boreholes, round the clock working generators while the masses are faced with no water, bad roads and once a week or not at all electricity power supply. A similar situation happened in one of the most biggest and popular supermarkets in Akure few days ago where some NAFDAC officials were held hostage for more than four hours. The most ridiculous and shameful part of the story was that the owner of this big supermarket had been resisting NAFDAC officials since 1999. How can this be going on for as far back as 10 years without these officials benefiting from it? Common we are all Nigerians, we know there is profiteering in all our institutions. You can read the story from this link http://odili.net/news/source/2009/jun/18/704.html
Maybe the government will listen and do the right thing when we start to take our stance. I don’t believe in violence but a peaceful protest as it is done in democratically working societies that most of us lives at the other side of the Atlantic. Until when corruption is taken very seriously and dealt with at all levels, moving Nigeria forward is like catching the shadows. Justice 4all.
Let the people pay their taxes direct into the government’s bank account and register their pay in slips with the tax office. This is a modern world and we should go along with it. Haba, Nigeria should get at least one thing right if we were not really cursed. Abi na curse?
Iroko Kekere my brother, it is not curse but self induced punishment. We get punished harder for taking and tolerating the evil in our midst, namely – bribery, corruption, looting and what have you. As I said and will maintain, if the whole of Nigeria cannot get it right for now, let us at least get it right in Ondo State. Let there be strict rules and informed systems well put in place. I am of the opinion that Ondo State is ready for proper governance and will follow on with all that is fair and proper. God save us from this Egyptland called Nigeria. LET MY PEOPLE GO is the cry. We are really very fed up. Ondo State is our hope for a good beginning and something to be very happy about. We are going to win this war against bad governance, corruption and all those that have turned Nigeria into their puppet on a string.
Irokobirin.
HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL OUR DADIES IN ONDO STATE AND ESPECIALLY TO YOU OUR GOVERNOR DR MIMIKO. MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS ALL OUR MEN, MAKE THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE THE HEAD AND NOT THE TAIL AND MAKE THEM WORTHY FATHERS OF INTEGRITY, WISDOM, LOVE AND WITH GODLY HEARTS. AMEN.
I believe Mr Governor has all the opportunity to succeed. Success in governance is an issue of his team and not the opposition. Let us focus on constructing a new Ondo State. We can not just judge Mr Governor now, for leadership is only tested and accessed after it has left the scene. I cannot fail. He must succeed. My dream is to see him emerge as the governor who had two terms. let the glory of Ondo State emerge
1. “Mimiko to Address Ondo Assembly on State Finances – June 4 2009″
—Today is August 6 2009, what is happening to this adress? Is the Governor no longer going to address the assembly on this Agagu fraud issue as promised?
I am looking at the promise made, the time when report of committee was submitted and the silence.
2. My fears, but I pray I am totally wrong: what is this romours swirling around that MIMIKO IS DECAMPING TO PDP? I pray it is just a rumour and the handiwork of his enemies.
CONCERNED GOOD PEOPLE OF ONDO STATE
Motto: Good government brings development.
Aug/27/2009
His Excellency,
The Executive Governor,
Ondo State.
Your Excellency Sir,
ATROCITIES AND SITUATION REPORT AT DATA/ICT CENTER (SITA) ONDO STATE.
We are using this precious time to congratulate, celebrate and identify with you on the God given gallant victory at the appellate court in Benin. Thank God! Hope is restored! The era of oppression, liars and looters had gone in our land.
We are thanking you for putting the right steps in the right direction by inaugurating six-man committee that will sit down for two weeks in order to normalize and correct the past atrocities committed by the management of DATA/ICT center (SITDEC).
ICT center is meant for development, regulation and detection of any malfunctioning systems in the society. But that of Ondo State is characterized and marred with corruption, fraud, irregularities, deception and confusion under the impostor Engr. Tunji Light Ariyo; and Dr Olu Akinkoye (the fake commissioner for education).
The following crimes were perpetrated during last fake regime:
1. Most of the contracts awarded by Tunji Light Ariyo were awarded to family contractors and his political sycophants.
2. The center was run unfairly in a family affair way for the past six years, like Dr. Agagu who ran Ondo state affairs in likewise manner.
3. Most of the contracts awarded in SITDEC were given to the following people in SITDEC and they are relatives-in-law to Engr. Tunji Light Ariyo: Titi Odebe nee Ajumobi, Mayowa Ajumobi. Others in his caucus are Ope Kujero, Kemi Steve.
4. Wizards solution that happened to be the foremost contractor in SITDEC is owned and run by TUNJI ARIYO under his cousins Ayo Akinniranye and Pastor Oke as his cover. Wizards is being used to rob the State through hyper-inflated contracts, for instance, design and management of Ondo State website,(it will interest you to know that an existing state website: http://www.ondostate.info.com developed during chief Adefarati of blessed memory, was discarded by Tunji Ariyo in order for his company to get as contract the design of a new website,also ARCARS web portal for BIR, ePASS software development for the State).
5. Soft Alliance is from DR Akinkoye to loot Ondo state purse.
6. Let Tunji accounts for ghost workers that collected money in SITDEC for past four years (125 personnel were on payroll, but the number was really 64 before some people left).
7. MCC- one useless electrical & maintenance company is owned and run by Mr. Sola Disu an intimate ally of Tunji Ariyo ,who happen to come from Ogun State; is being used to siphon money. The job can be done by the staff.
8. Equal rights were not given to admnistrators; only his favourites are allowed to work in core technical department(server room), thereby empowering a faction, and denying others from getting necessary technical experience(s). Technical crew for the center should be made as a routine task for administrators for fairness and experience on how to use the equipment, SITDEC management has trainned administrators on diverse areas of I.T such as cabling, web design, and the use of routers and switching,etc .Placing of low cadres on the senior officers in SITDEC.
9. The official cars: (Toyota Avalon for instance) for the center was turned to private car by OPE KUJERO a level 4 officer, he is now on training in oversea; in the process of using office cars anyhow, one of his boys (segun okelola) knocked – off the engine of the Toyota corolla,during an unofficial trip.
10. Before now, some System Administrators were receiving multiple salaries. (Tunji created these opportunities for his family; the same set of people that were receiving N18000:00 as System Administrators also receiving other monies, under
the pretence of technical team within the same office. For instance, N20, 000, N18, 000, and N15, 000 respectively.
11. Reasons should be given by DFA why she allowed Titi Ajumobi and others to scanned official documents of the center for two weeks at ‘injury time’ i.e threshold of appeal judgement and forwarded to Tunji Ariyo in United Kingdom (UK).
12. Eighten (18) GENERATING SETS were approved by last Executive council(Exco) one for each local government in Ondo State as a back up for ICT center and the money were released but this was done on paper by Engr. Tunji and Dr Akinkonye. DFA and Mr. Abiola should be queried.
13. The entire equipment bought by Mayowa Ajumobi, Ayo Ogundare and OPE KUJERO so called fake technical group such as radio frequency signal equipment, such as routers, router motherboards at the rate of N626,000 e.t.c should be probed.
14. The following staff: Mr Abiola, Ope kujero, Mayowa Ajumobi are at the same the suppliers of SITDEC equipment such as switches, routers, CCTV cameras e.t.c. the coordinator Tunji from time to time do change equipment
that are not faulty(the former rugged CISO catalyst routers) just to get money out of SITDEC account.
15. The committee should ask DFA and Mr. Abiola why IP phones of N4000 each was contracted to Mayowa Ajumobi at the rate of N15,000 in which he bought 50 pieces and 50 pieces should be account for.(MAYOWA AJUMOBI is the brother in-law to TUNJI ARIYO and a member of technical team).
16. Contracts executed by GDES (General Data Engineering Services) located in Ibadan for expansion SITDEC LAN and WAN should be thoroughly investigated because the job was half way done and the company had got its balance by bribed some people in SITDEC e.g. Abiola and DFA and the total contract sum was 76million Naira.
17. Most of what is happening in SITDEC is still being communicated to Tunji Light Ariyo in Overseas by the following people in Technical department, Lawrence Olayinka, Kemi Steve etc.
18 Wizard solution should be probed because most of the computers and the furniture that meant for SITDEC were packed to the company for their use, for instance, the remaining set of the sofa under the stair case are in Wizards solution.
19 Forty million naira (40 million) was released for geographical information system of Ondo state by Ministry of Lands and Housing to Wizards solution, and nothing has been done so far
20 Tunji Ariyo deliberately witch-hunt many of the yet to be absorbed System Administrators due to the allegation that they have allegiance to Labour party. (Whereas we believe we have freedom to associate freely with any group without the fear of molestation.)
21 The salaries of System Administrators were stopped by August, 2008 despite the fact; the budget that accommodated our salaries for the year had been approved for the center.
NOTE. Sir, for security reason, the IP Addresses and security codes of some equipment in SITDEC are still with TUNJI in oversea. He always monitors SITDEC in UK using state surveillance cameras. And get information from some of his guy’s e.g. Kayode, in SITDEC. Sir, ICT experts will tell you the security implication of this point. Your Excellency Sir, your administration should improve more on the center.
In conclusion, we are not writing this letter to damage anybody but to put things in shape at SITDEC for proper running of the center.
We wish you good governance and wisdom to run and put an obstruct end to the anomalous acts of the past administration of SITDEC.
Thanks,
Yours faithfully,
Ola Bamidele
Segun Opeyemi
Emmanuel Folorunso
Cc. Deputy Governor Ondo state,
Chairman of Data/ ICT committee
@Opeyemi
Here is my advice.
Make copies of this your petition letter available to the EFCC. The EFCC will be able to do a very thourough job. EFCC will be able to confirm all that you have written.
If not, people might actually conclude that this so called petition is a personal war against Tunji Light Ariyo because it is being done behind the scene (like when you are cutting your oponent below the belt).
I support the establishement of a Judicial Commission of Enqury that will allow people to come forward openenly and make atrocities known to the public. Any public officer who committed fraud must be punished BUT NOT BY side talks (because the game is well known).
Based on our last (yesterday arguments on ondostate website for instance). I am convinced all your petition is only so they can sack some cotractors from their work and put yours there. Simple. What better way to kill a business opponet than to say he is working for the opposition!
To Opeyemi
Even after 8 months of leaving government, YOU ARE STILL AFRAID OF TUNJI LIGHT ARIYO, HA HA HA HA!
Tunji Light “always monitors SITDEC in UK using state surveillance cameras.”
He awarded contracts to family contractors, meaning:
State Oracle Financials……………………………………Soft Alliance Ltd
State Data Centre …………………………….Soft Alliance Ltd
State Personnel & Payroll System……………….Wizards Solutions Ltd
State ICT Network of Infratsructure…………..Crest Computer Limited
Networking of the Ministry of Health…….eTel Wireless Limited
State Automated Payement System (made N1.0billion extra (money for government in 2008 alone)…………………..Wizards Solutions Ltd
Website ….. Wizards Solutions Ltd
COMMENTS:
If Tunji Light is still monitoring you guys from UK on survellance system, then he is a genius. What he did in SITDEC worked and he should be commended.
If Tunji Light awarded all these contracts to all these companies and they are his companies, then we should commend him because in a tight place such as Agagu’s government, the genius was able to swing the impossible.
FACT: You are simply bereft of ideas. The only thing you can do is to try to spoil Tunji Light’s hard earned good reputation. After several petitions to Dr. Mimiko failed. After Auditor General’s N500,000 excess money for his official tyrip to Canada failed to earn desired reaction, after private auditor (private investigator from outside) failed to unearth the ‘criminal activities’, you have out of frustration resorted to using the internet to blackmail Engr Tunji Light Ariyo. But you have failed woefully.
That man Tunji Light Ariyo is the person you will campaign for in a few years from now whether you like it or not. What is his offense, because he remained loyal to his boss! When has that become an offense? Please look me up on facebook and add me and let us continue the conversation where myriads of Tunji Light Ariyo’s supporters will be able to join us and where I will be able to see your beautiful face.
Your type will only slow down Dr Mimiko. May God in Heaven dislodge people like you from his side and replace you with neutral, brilliant people who have no personal vendetta and are ready to take Ondo state to greater heights. I hope you will read this and know by attacking Tunji Light Ariyo, you have selected the wrong target in this ongoing Mimiko versus Agagu war.
Dear Mr or Mrs Opeyemi,
I do not know your full agenda here but I can guess already. I am interested in the discussion but I want us to join issues face 2 face like Aluko suggested on facebook where I can see your face sir/ma.
I am Folake Makinde. You can add me or you can give your full names so that I can look you up and add you.
Isaiah 5:20 says “woe to those who are saying good is bad”. Internet gives millions access to info non would have access 2 normally. that makes it a perfect tool to settle scores through damaging lies and what have u. It wil be wrong in the name of God to lie against anyone on the internet. Do you agree? He who lies against others is committing murder. it’s called xacter assasinatn. If you check my wall on facebook, you will see only two governors there (fashola and mimiko). So I am a deep no regret Mimiko supporter. But I am also an addicted imole (Tunji Light Ariyo) supporter without regret as well bcos I believe while Mimiko, Agagu etc will eventually fade away, we need new leaders with less politics who believe what we see in England can take place in Nigeria.
Thus, any cheap eyinkunle attack like this one will be exposed for what it is. Myself and about 18 other students from different parts of Nigeria are currently in Sheffield Meeting with this same Engr Tunji Light Ariyo on issues bothering on our country and Africa. While he does not have your time, me and my friends have plenty of times. In fact, we are excited that we will be having the opprtunity to shame some lies because we have got facts beyond what you can imagine. We have his own accounts. We also have accounts of your seven months being in charge of SITDEC and all your desperation to get civil servants to love you by force when you noticed that even the ones that quickly rushed to you when government changed hands seem to complain behind you that they miss Engr Tunji Light Ariyo. It is strange to you that someone purportedly that hated could command so much loyalty from the Ondo State Civil Service to the extent of knowing all that is going on. If you check out the style of Iroko, you would realise that he too had the civil service loyal to him even when Agagu was there. So use your head.
And to say Engr Tunji Light Ariyo is monitoring ondo state government on survellance system from the UK is simply promoting him. His projects worked. You cannot challenge that but input negative motives into them. You also did not add that you have sacked the contractors and replaced them with your friends and brothers. No, you didn’t add that one because you are afraid that people would say ‘then why are you blaming Engr Tunji Light Ariyo when you have also done the same thing under 7 months’!
And you have said he awarded contracts when you know in truth that Engr Tunji Light Ariyo was never a member of the Ondo State Executive Council or the Tender’s Board. And while Engr Tunji Light openly challenged anyone with contrary information about him to come into the open, you have chosen to hide here. But you can’t hide. I am inviting as many people as possible to come and visit this forum. Yes o.
Finally like Aluko said, I PRAY TO GOD THAT ALL HUMAN-TOOLS OF RETROGRESSION THAT WILL SLOW DR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO DOWN FROM TRANSFORMING ONDO STATE WITHIN REASONABLE TIME AND THAT WILL CONTINUE TO FEED HIM WITH LIES BECAUSE OF THEIR PERSONAL SELFISHNESS AND FEARS AS EXCIBITED BY THIS OPEYEMI AND HIS SPONSORS AND MANY OTHERS LIKE HIM (who are alreday collecting bribes to allow road contruction to continue), MAY GOD EL’SHADAI REMOVE THEM FROM AROUND IROKO. MAY GOD REPLACE SUCH PEOPLE WITH MEN WHO HAVE ONLY ONE MOTIVE; TO MAKE ONDO STATE GREAT. AMEN.
I say and will always say AMEN to good and powerful prayers. Amin Loruko Jesu.
@Folake
Let me first say big AMIN to your prayer.
I can understand your points and why you are bitter. We have won now and there is no playing politics with what is in the past. The day Ariyo did his fingerprint demonstration at the tribunal, I must say I couldn’t help but secretly wished he was on our side. God honest truth because ti aba n’foju a maa riran.
As for those complaining about not benefitting yet, I appeal that we all remain patient because Rome was not built in a day. I also worked and suffered but I am yet to get placement. But I understand that it is a difficult task to remember the hundreds of thousands of people that worked for Dr. Olusegun Mimiko all at once. It is impossible. Our prayers should be that God will give him or empower him with the right quality people that will make him perform beyond all expectations. Please let us focus more on performance now. Let us write suggestions in papers and send it to him directly via Governor’s office.
The fear of Tunji L’ght Ariyo is the begining of wisdom for mimiko’s administration. You people should get a life and let Tunji L’ght be. Let’s see what Cy Egunlayi & his cohorts programme is for SITDEC. It would interest you people to know that one of the companies listed as Tunji L’ght’s companies ‘e-Tel’ is owned by the present chairman of SITDEC, Cy Egunlayi. Am waiting to see if they would be able to accomplish one tenth of what Tunji L’ght was able to accomplish at SITDEC. Every thing done by L’ght has been scraped, while these same things are to be done by the present chairman & his cohorts. I really dont expect anything from mimiko’s administration, it is just an old wine in a new bottle. Those of you signing his praise, i give you 1 year, you are all bound to abuse him that much i know. let’s all wait and see. At least mimiko has been in govt. before, what were his achievements? known that i know of.
Very well said Yemi. Be blessed.
@ everybody
To everyone who cares, why not ask all these imposters:
1. Damola (Damola Adeagbo, now in Uk and sponsored by Ariyo to school over there. He is one of the Ariyo’s imposters and former owner of JIT, bought over from him by Ariyo when he’s leaving for the UK);
2. Adesiro Aluko (Titi Odebe or Ajumobi, Ariyo’s in-law);
3. Folakemi Makinde (Ariyo, himself);
4. Yemi (Mrs. Tayo Adeyemi – nee Ajumobi, Ariyo’s sister inlaw in Lagos, who happens to be the largest shareholder in proxy for Ariyo)
Questions:
1. Who owns Wizards Solution Ltd, JIT, MMC, Salt-Valley, APNet that was used to publish introduction to basic comnpter for the traing of the civil servants, real estate company in Lagos, Salt-Valley football, and many other fathom company that were used to syphony the state resources enmass.
2. what about other companies he facilitated in exchange for gratifications in the likes of: Soft Alliance (owned by Feyi Agagu his friend); Scannet or GDES in Ibadan; Ako Builders. and many more like that.
3. The many properties, he acquired in Alagabaka, Ijapo, FUTA end, VGC and a shopping complex in Lagos, UK and USA.
These and many other more, I must confess, are corruption of the highest order. He used his office to steal those monies or funds to acquire so much wealths while in office, offence, punishable under the law. Abuse of office and power, simply put.
So, you sychophant chatting his support should stop your noise making, because it is no longer a news that he’s wramng up for the next gubernitorial election agaist the incumbent governor, come 2013.
So, you are only looking for his favour – eyin ala tenu je gbogbo. PERIOD!
Rather than people pursuing their own silly myopic and parochial interests, let’s all collectively endeavour to see how we can all contribute to the progress of our state. Is this really that difficult to do? All these accusations and counter accusations are downright stupid. Does this not say something about our warped mindset and psyche as a people? The main theme on this forum should be about how best to have a proper planning system in place, good drainage system in all the towns and villages, how government can be made more accountable, having well-resourced schools, an efficient agricultural system etc. I am surprised that someone had the gall to say the present administration will fail in turning round the rot that had been the norm in the administration of our polity for sometime. I am not a member of the Labour party in Ondo state, but it is my hope that the administration will turn out to be a blessing for the people of the state. It is just sad that we have this mindset where we get bogged down in trivialities rather than on macro issues that are needed to drag us out of our poor condition. If the person I hate most had a go at running Ondo state and succeeds at it, I would be the happiest person on earth. So let’s all join together and support the present administration and stop wishing it to fail.
@Enibiokan, you should have taken a prior advice that if you have facts and enough to “hang” a “corrupt” person, EFCC is the way…
@T.A – I echo you all the way for my prayer is that our fight for justice and upliftment of the common man, the undertrodden and the have nots in Ondo State is realised in Jesus name. Yes we back governor Mimiko for we know that he has the right background, the integrity, the humility, the forthrightness and very importantly, the intelligence to make a difference in Ondo State. We really need to remain focussed and assist with our prayers and very best wishes at all times.
This particular mandate that Governor Mimiko now holds did not come easy at all and we do not need to make things harder in any way. If there are genuine complaints, make these official and leave out the website for only people who want to hide behind a mask like Lagbaja will use the internet to whine and point fingers.
We must remember that we all petitioned God for the good of Ondo State and God is on our side. Anyone who plans to bring trouble to the state is an enemy of the people. Mimiko is destined to SUCCEED ALL THE WAY AND EVEN MOVE TO HIGHER CALLINGS. Nobody can change this. Amen and peace my people.
@ Everybody
First I will apologise to T.A and Omotaylor that you have to allow us respond to this character masquerading as Oakorange, Opeyemi and Enibiokan since he started this whole issue here.
1. Ariyo’s Shopping Complex in Lagos, when was it acquired and when did Agagu government took over power? Agagu’s government came into Power on May 29 2003 but I challenge you to go and find out the details of that mega-shopping complex in Lagos and when its title was acquired by Ariyo at the Lagos State Ministry of Lands. It is an open registry. You can also find out its current worth if the entire budget of SITDEC for 5 years can buy half its size.
2. Apnet that was used to publish Introduction to basic computer? Does he require your permission when he is publishing his own works??? Introduction to Computer is not the only work approved by Ondo State government amongst Ariyo’s intellectual works; go to the Ministry of Education because his “Odundun – African Legendary Monarch” is an approved text for every secondary school in Ondo State. Oh, you didn’t know that? You think he is a lazy bone like you?
3. His properties in VGC of course you forgot Lekki Admiralty Way because your intelligence gathering is poor. Well, are they live-in properties only or sales-hold? You need to clarify as you have given the impression here that he acquired properties all over the nation like a mad man. But he is not. Those properties are built, sold, bought and re-sold (just taking my time to educate you). Stale news. The ones you know of in the US, what year were they acquired and when did he get appointment into Agagu’s government?
4. You did not add the N500,000 Auditor General query? Okay, I guess that amount is not as big enough to attract scandalous attention.
5. How has his football club, real estate firm siphoned state resources? Are they too contractors with Ondo State government?
6. Wizards Solutions Limited, JIT, MMC, Soft Alliance, Scannet GDES, okay no problem. I claim these for him in Jesus name. At least you can bet that they are companies that we would be happy if they belong to him.
7. One of the companies he gave contract to (using your language) is e-Tel but you tactically mellowed down on this. Is it because it is owned by Cyril Egunlayi, Current SITDEC Chairman? May be he and Cyril shared the money as well – like you said Cyril must have divided the money with him (gratification), abi.
8. Ariyo’s Gubernatorial Ambition – and so what? It is a fact that you are less than 45 years old. Isn’t? Instead of you to team up with a man of your generation; that Ondo State man who has proven records of standing by the masses, you choose to stand for the status quo. You want those who have ruled Ondo State since 1992 to continue to be in charge. How many young men in Ondo State can say “by the grace of God I have personally sent 7 young men (non family) on Master’s (MSc) programme overseas”? How many can say while in Government he used his office to send 10 men and women on overseas’ courses? How many can say when in government over 22 people lived and slept in his house every day? How many can say he pioneered e-Payment system that recorded over N1.0billion extra fund for the state in about 6months? How many can say his salary is divided every month between himself, widows, orphans etc? Can you say today what side you were when the fight for democracy was ranging in the military days? Ariyo was the first young man to be hounded into detention in that struggle in Ondo State. Ariyo is a first class civil/structural engineer. Please visit the register of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria to obtain details of his professionalism. And to shock you, he is soon to become an authority on Energy Engineering with his present PhD programme. Don’t you think that is the sort of man you should emulate instead of attempting to pull down?
9. Ariyo’s team has nothing against the incumbent governor. In fact, if there is anything, we think highly of Dr Olusegun Mimiko. A truly people-first politician. However, with your likes working for him, it will be a herculean task for him to deliver and on time. But God will help him.
10. Finally I will ask, can you swear before AYELALA that you the author of these nauseating scripts has not benefitted from Ariyo? Whether you are Cyril Egunlayi or Cyril Egunlayi sponsored, Ayo Ehuwa, Dare Fadele, Opeyemi Fadipe, Obasuyi Abiodun, Wemimons – you have all been beneficiaries of his fighting spirit, generosity and openness. Your companies got contracts from him and you pocketed the money, built houses with it, got married with it, sponsored your children to school with same but now that he is no longer in government you paint him black. Some of you were employed by him. May God judge you according to your deeds. In fact, you have all claimed to be his friends in the past and that is the sole reason you can NEVER add your face and real name to your so called petitions. Your greatest fear is what will happen if God’s plan for Ariyo eventually comes to pass. Your other fear is what will happen to you if Dr Mimiko were to discover the true position of Tunji L’ght Ariyo’s accomplishments while in SITDEC as against your skewed reports of his tenure in SITDEC. Now, you cannot sleep. You must hold daily and weekly meetings with Civil Servants in SITDEC and ask civil servants to condemn his projects in writing so as to continue to be relevant with Dr Mimiko. You forgot that the same civil servants are no fools. They will definitely tell Ariyo. This scares you! Go and deliver on your promises. Alai ni’kan se lasan lasan.
Add me on facebook o. So we know who is real here and who is hiding his identity. But can you add me? You won’t, I am sure of that. You will only come here with newer sets of nonsense. Isaiah omo Adebolarinwa.
@Enibiokan, na you get your mouth, you can say whatever you want with it. The closest i have ever been to Engr Ariyo was in 2005 when he assisted a family friend, financially, and that singular act of kindness (considering the fact that at that time, he did know not my friend from adam) averted a situation that would have cost the life of an individual. In his own little way, Engr Ariyo has impacted the lives of alot of people positively and i admire him for that. I know the writers of this silly piece; work in SITDEC now SITA and you are simply JEALOUS of Engr Ariyo’s accomplishments. SITDEC now SITA came to be as a result of his outstanding efforts, so why don’t you just channel you anger and frustration into something more productive that will better the lives of the people of Ondo state. LET HIM BE, Improve on what he left and stop slacking around, YEYE PEOPLE.
What have I asked for? If you believe you sincerely have something against Engineer, take such to the EFCC. I can authoritatively report here that the only reason you are fighting his shadow tooth and nail is because you are running into glitches with some of the reap off you presented to Dr Olusegun Mimiko.
Dr Mimiko will suceed and God will expose you. You can hide now but it will not be forever. Tunji Light Ariyo is ifin laarin obi.
I have particularly anoyed you when I showed your lies here that noone is blocking access to the governor by e-mail except you. If you know my qualifications, you won’t say the rubish you are saying. I can teach you computing.
@Admin
Thank you guys for this opportunity to hear the other side. Thank you.
@T.A
Pls bear with me. This fellow (Enibiokan cum Opeyemi) wearing masqurade claiming to indict ariyo on the internet must be responded to less he concludes he has monopoly of the internet.
@Enibiokan
Why not go to the EFCC as advised? The only grace you are enjoying is the person of Iroko (DR MIMIKO) if not by now you would see the documents containing your 8 months atrocities in SITA out there in the public domain. We will also publish that of ariyo for people to compare who has worked for the people. When push comes to sholve, you will get the results of your 8 months exams as this issue is gradually progressing. Ariyo is not holding your hand from perfroming but his name is your big palaver. When thousands of Mimiko supporters are still out there praying to be attended to, you have over-belleful using all sorts of ill-concived projects like ID cards when ordinary people are suffering. Just continue, you will soon know the force you are up against.
Enibiokanon, you are one twisted fellow. I know you( Wemimo), if you’ve got any prove why not let’s see them or send them to EFCC as advised. You are just a bloody layabout. I put it to you that come 2013, you will campaign for L’ght. Arire gba nije agbon sale. You should have spelt checked your English before pasting your piece, you English is TERRIBLE, Half baked lawyer. How come Great sparkling wasn’t listed as one of the companies purportedly owned by L’ght?
Eyin temi and all iMOLE supporters. Well done. I have read all these stuff and this is not Wemimo o. This is Cyril Egunlayi and his committee turned board members turned executive directors of SITDEC. Tunji L’ght Ariyo stopped their N30m and N260m naira e-mail and e-government quick quick proposals to Mimiko so they are after him. He got all Council memos of their billion naira ID card project so they are afraid that splitting that contract is preparation for prison. They also fear what he can do when roforofo begins.
Was it Wemimo that spent N100m to host Malaysian/Thailand experts for a job that Nigerians can do better? Someone spent money on doing the job. Another spent money on jamboree, which one is prudent? One spent money on companies that employ people. Another spent money on himself personally doing government work. Who is more prudent? Was it Wemimo that begged Mimiko to spend N30million (part of N100m) on a private auditor (who is a friend of them Cyril) with the assignment to ‘nail’ Ariyo? Was it Wemimo that was boasting to people that he has been instructed by Mimiko to ‘nail’ ariyo using any means? A beg.
Not finding any missing money in SITDEC they were advised to get something more tangible. That something tangible is what they are looking for since February 2003.
Is it Wemimo that made their company colapsed? Ariyo’s company employs more than 58 young people in Lagos? How many people do they employ? Apart from politics, SITDEC and following Iroko, what other professional source of livelyhood do they have that bring them money? Why won’t they think anyone with investment that is beyond there comprehension stole money? Pls iMOLE team, let’s solder on. And whether they like it or not, they will fall yakata very soon. Mimiko will be free to do what progressives do when power gets to their hands. DR. Mimiko is not our foe. Dr Mimiko’s politics is in fact on this side. A good man with bad workers, we must only continue to pray for him. Our enemies are the institutions in PDP and Labour Party that promote dollards and imbeciles and cloak them with appointments. That way they overwork brilliant people. Join us whichever political party you belong so far you believe that ordinary people must be fed, that first class education is not negotiable, that roads must be tarred to UK standard (minimum), that housing must be built (not built on TV and newspapers), that social security scheme is possible. Join us. Team up with us. Let’s solder on. The person living inside us is greater than the person living inside them.
@This fellow attacking ariyo.
What is your mission here? I am of the opinion that you are diverting the purpose of this site from Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to Engineer Tunji Light Ariyo. Is it wrong to ask you to hand over your dossiers to the EFCC instead of here? What good will your revelations do to the development discussions here if you do not take such issues up with the relevant authorities? Or are there things you are hiding? Because it is obvious the two sides aren’t done yet. And since you claim though wrongly to know everybody posting here already, what more points are you trying to make?
Ha ba, all this dwindling accussation agains one man. What has he done to harm u such that Opeyemi and co will raise accusing fingers at him? Are u actually afraid of him or what? Or he has stepped on ur toes abi u are simply jealous. Please let him be, he is no more in service of government, why are u all fighting over him. I want to believe with this trend of discussion that the guy- Tunji Ariyo actually had effect positively in his community. Which means all the rumours have had that he was able to impact on his community at least during the service with Agagu were true; then he should be applauded for his genuity. I will rather advice that we all support the givt oif the day, so our dear state can move on. However, in year 2001 when I came home (Nigeria) for holiday, i heard of Tunji Ariyo’s ABBA launch; I first thought its just one of those political moves and as a one time programme to make noise. But to my utmost surprise the programme has been on(yearly) till date. Last year, a younger colleague on my street was informing me of his ability to benefit as an awardee of Tunji Ariyo’s programme. Whao I was trilled, because in the brochure there was the history of the empowerment activities that I know of but thought it was long gone. My fellow state members, please let us all support good thing. Enough of fighting ourselves. Lets see good and emulate. As for me, Tunji Ariyo has tried. It may interest you all that the guy u are fighting as built an international reputation. He his Havard Alumnus. Its rear for a young man of his age, but to God’s glory he has. So why fight him? He is not perfect in all things, learn from him and his mistakes, improve on whatever legacy he left behind, work out a better way for development. My bosom friend and brother, Dr. Segun Mimiko is a gentle man; he will prefer to work with the likes of Tunji Ariyo ’cause he want development oriented people around him, and not sycophants. Everybody that worked with Agagu are not bad. I pray we all benefit from the good of this State, lets forge ahead in development. Think of it, the time this petitioner used in devloping the write up and replying, you could have used it in writing a book that will be launched and read across the globe on ” A way forward for Nigeria or State” etc. Thank you
To ENIBIAKAN,
Go to EFCC.
To EVERYBODY,
Don’t you know he who must come to equity must come clean hands. He dare not go to EFCC. What is being said here are mere tip of iceberg. the ‘Lagbajas’ behind the finger pointing are SITA new bosses and present contractors only decieving us here. Some big men in Wizards solutions is even part of them. They and current sitdec political appointees share money every day in the office but set this place up to mislead public.
You want them to discuss roads, drainage system, econs? far far foul. those doesn’t intrest them. Wo ko ni owo ninu (no money is attached). go an investigate what they pay workers now in SITA, you ll cry. but they petitn ariyo that paid us 18000naira per month. cyril & co pay 2,000naira to staff. peopel are only afraid to come out.
I have not been to this site for a very long time. I must say that I am disappointed by the discussion and the people now commenting on this site. This site was dedicated to the struggle and the eventual actualization of the victory of Dr. Mimiko in the 2007 gubernatorial election in Ondo State. Where were you guys then? The reason why this site is kept running is for people to offer their advice to the new government, so that the people of Ondo State can derive maximum dividend from the confidence they repose in the ability of the governor to deliver. With the trend of you guys comments, it seems you are bitter because your principal was kicked out by this new government. The patronage you were enjoying under Agagu is no longer there and so you don’t see anything good in this 6-month old government. Your man Agagu was there for 6 years and did nothing to uplift the life of the poor masses of Ondo State, except maybe for hangers-on like you and your principal. Go and get yourself meaningfully employed and stop whining on this site. If anyone of you or your sponsors is planning to contest in 2013 or 2017, please go and launch your own website and leave this for serious-minded people who want to move Ondo State forward. As participants in the loot that characterized Agagu’s era in Ondo State, you guys should go and enjoy your loot and let this new government settle down to serious business. That’s my 2 cents.
INTERESTING SO FAR BUT GUYS, LET US CONCENTRATE ON THE PRESENT STATE OF BEING IN ONDO STATE, THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE, THE MISSION AT HAND TO SALVAGE THE SITUATION, THE GOODNESS OF GOOD PEOPLE AND THE EFFORTS OF HARD WORKING HONEST PEOPLE. I ACTUALLY TOOK TIME TO READ EACH OF THE SUBMISSIONS ABOVE AFTER MY COMMENT OF 2ND SEPT. QUOTABLE QUOTES BEING:
“Rather than people pursuing their own silly myopic and parochial interests, let’s all collectively endeavour to see how we can all contribute to the progress of our state” – T.A.
“Your other fear is what will happen to you if Dr Mimiko were to discover the true position of Tunji L’ght Ariyo’s accomplishments while in SITDEC as against your skewed reports of his tenure in SITDEC”M – Issaiah A
“SITDEC now SITA came to be as a result of his outstanding efforts, so why don’t you just channel you anger and frustration into something more productive that will better the lives of the people of Ondo state” – Adesire Aluko
“Dr Mimiko will suceed and God will expose you. You can hide now but it will not be forever. Tunji Light Ariyo is ifin laarin obi.” – Damola
“@Admin
Thank you guys for this opportunity to hear the other side. Thank you…When thousands of Mimiko supporters are still out there praying to be attended to, you have over-belleful using all sorts of ill-concived projects like ID cards when ordinary people are suffering”… – Folakemi Makinde
“DR. Mimiko is not our foe. Dr Mimiko’s politics is in fact on this side. A good man with bad workers, we must only continue to pray for him. Our enemies are the institutions in PDP and Labour Party that promote dollards and imbeciles and cloak them with appointments. That way they overwork brilliant people.” – Idowu S
“My bosom friend and brother, Dr. Segun Mimiko is a gentle man; he will prefer to work with the likes of Tunji Ariyo ’cause he want development oriented people around him, and not sycophants. Everybody that worked with Agagu are not bad. I pray we all benefit from the good of this State, lets forge ahead in development. Think of it, the time this petitioner used in devloping the write up and replying, you could have used it in writing a book that will be launched and read across the globe on ” A way forward for Nigeria or State” etc. Thank you” – Kola Bakare
AND FINALLY YEMI SUMMED THE ARGUMENTS UP VERY WELL:
“@This fellow attacking ariyo.
What is your mission here? I am of the opinion that you are diverting the purpose of this site from Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to Engineer Tunji Light Ariyo. Is it wrong to ask you to hand over your dossiers to the EFCC instead of here? What good will your revelations do to the development discussions here if you do not take such issues up with the relevant authorities?”
SO MY PEOPLE LET US TAKE THE CUE HERE AND GO BACK TO THE MISSION AT HAND – WHICH IS ONDO STATE AND THE TASK AT HAND UNDER GOVERNOR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO, WHO MAYBE AFTER 2013 WILL STILL BE GOVERNOR OR MOVE ON TO HIGHER CALLING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL REALM. LOVE YOU ALL
@Olaniyi Ekundayo, well stated. Saw your comment after I posted mine above. MIMIKO IS THE GOVERNOR WE DEAL WITH ON THIS SITE. Peace my people
@Omotaylor
To say others have the right to lie and abuse Tunji Light Ariyo here but that his supporters and admirers have no equal right to respond with equal force is balderdash and cyber hooliganism.
Against the cacophonic brouhaha, there is no way one would remain silent in good conscience. I will open my epistle by commending you Mr OR Mrs Omotaylor because perusing the didactics spilled so far here indicate you are committed to Labour Party yet you could rise above primordial sentiments to positively affect and re-direct discussion on this forum while seeing what perhaps parochial mindsets cannot glimpse. A little background about me, I am Prince Gideon Daramola a former PDP Secretary currently based in Ekiti State but whose second home is Akure so I know ipso facto the dramatis personae comprehensively well. In my own little way, I have contributed to the success of both personalities. Like one of the bloggers said, I too can in fact call myself a Tunji Light Ariyo addict (no regret). A good set of questions though:
1. Why do the leaders of PDP in Ondo State so afraid of Tunji Light Ariyo (because the truth is that the opposition from LP is chicken feed compare to theirs).
2. Why are present heads of his former office trying this current spoiler stunt with his name (albeit we all know PDP, AC, LP etc only give contracts to their people – go to Lagos State even current Ondo State)? And don’t we know those who took over from Ariyo won’t give contracts to anybody from the ‘enemy’ camp? Why deceive ourselves?
3. Why on the other hand do young people seem so easily drawn to and seem ready to die for the same Tunji Light Ariyo when we can in fact say he is aggregately an unknown quantity so to speak in Nigeria politics?
The answers are in his politics:-
Just a few Quick facts (verifiable from Dr. Mimiko himself)
a) Who was the first member of government to openly rise against surface dressing by Agagu in 2003 at Owena Motel leaders of government meeting? What did the other big men in government do?
b) Who was to first condemn government for increasing fuel pump prices and laid his opinion bare to Dr Mimiko back then when PDP just won the election?
AND;
c) Who practically forced them to build the dual carriage way linking Ilesha-garage to express and who first executed its design free of charge even though the original design was abandoned and his suggestion of Julius Barger discarded?
d) Can we say of anyone in that government as able to help over 300 people to secure employment? In Government and outside government? When other highly placed government officials were jolificating with their families. All verifiable.
e) Why was SITDEC like a market (when Tunji called the shot) whereas every part of governor’s office was like a ghost town same time that Agagu called the shot?
f) There is no supporter of Tunji that is not free to recline and confer with him as equals to the end that when you see everyone together, you may in fact find it difficult to know which is Tunji Light Ariyo. This is not common amongst politicians.
ABOUT IROKO (DR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO)
Dr. Mimiko is a positive egalitarian politician you will love to associate with. Many of us in PDP (against the prayers of Omotaylor though) are secretly praying Dr Mimiko comes to PDP. Yes. PDP is the largest party in Africa but in need of more progressives like him. Imagine what revolution can happen at the federal level to the future of the black race if we can populate all states with great minds. But do you think we think Dr Mimiko has never helped his friends with contracts, or that he is not currently helping his friends with contract? No. It is because he stands for something else rare in the Nigeria politico-environment. It is because we know he won’t deep his hand in the treasury and just cart away our money. Same way Tunji Light Ariyo never deep his hand in the state purse to cart away money. It is because we believe if Mimiko is there, he will turn the table against bourgeoisie and perform to the expectation of the people. Same way Tunji Light Ariyo will work for the poor masses. That is what is in his antecedents. That is the testimony people are providing. And no cyber intimidation can erase legacies. That is why his attackers can never use their real names for fear of who is reading! I desire a PDP that will prioritise food for the poor, roads for the towns, houses for all amongst myriads of benefits. There is no doubt that Dr. Mimiko will do well in Ondo State. He should just focus on his programmes and work as if he has weeks in office instead of years. His predecessor didn’t do this and this was his nemesis. And why won’t we pray that by 2013, God should make Dr Mimiko the President or Vice President? Is it impossible for God to do? Why can’t there be a generational shift in leadership in Ondo State if the people so desire? Why don’t we allow the people to decide? My submissions like anyone here that acknowledges Tunji Light Ariyo’s brilliance, exceptionalism and commitment to development might incur the nebulous wrath of lowly minds, but I care less.
It is preposterous for instance to say every member of the PDP is evil. But the PDP gave birth to our Dr Mimiko! It is also childish to conclude that all members of Labour Party are good when we know that is not true. Of course it is also wrong to say all members of Labour Party are bad. It is pure childish politics the type that is killing Nigeria when we do not know when to spot ideological like minds even amongst political ‘foes’.
I remain,
Prince Gideon Daramola
Phone number: 08035516868
E-mail daruzoo@googlemail.com
Feel free to call me or shoot me an e-mail.
@Gideon Daramola, thank you sire, need I say more? You’ve said it all. Be blessed.
Are you aspiring to become a politician with integrity
But not perspiring to be one “do or die”
Join Labour Party
A party of winners and achievers
A party untainted with the evil of politics
A party that has a huge future in the Nigeria of 2morrow
A party that has God on its side.
Don’t get caught in partisan politics of confusion
Dont get tempted with the accursed apple
Like the serpent offered to Eve and was given to Adam
Dont get thrown out of the garden of righteous posperity.
Labour Party – we are moving on
Labour Party – we are going places
Labour Party forward ever
Labour Party – backwards never.
Emulate Olusegun Mimiko
A man of foresight who knew Labour Party
Will be a national force to reckon with.
Beware of false teachings and crafty invites
Seek not yet repose
Prayerfully move on – with Labour Party
You will thank God you chose right.
Congratulations Labour Party
Arise and shine for your light is come.
Peace my people. keep smiling
@Gideon Daramola and Ms Omotaylor; Impressive!!!!
A little bird tells me that Labour Party will sooner or later overtake PDP as the ruling name in Nigerian politics. Do you agree? If yes why and if no (well hope not) why?
Remain blessed my people and my brother Gideon Daramola, u are blessed.
I don’t want to be a pessimist but if Labour party will overtake PDP, where are the signs? there are two labour governors if we add Oshinomole. then the best way to become ruling party is to showcase your perfomance and ability. but Oshionmole is not impressing Benin or Edo people. This you can confirm from anybody in Benin. As for Ondo state. it is still early to judge for now. What are the signs that you can see in labour party winning other states to join this two states? don’t you think all progressives from AC, ANPP should all rather come together and save Nigeria on idiology basis instead of partisanship?
Siloco sir, I salute your response and echo your statements about showcasing performances and the Ondo State early bird call. Should we wait for more responses and then in reasoning together find a progressive flight route that would hold ground and be tested successfully? Patience while hopefully many others will give their comments. Thank you for your time. You have the interest of Nigeria at heart as I can see. I really love your response. Honest. Hopefully you will be answering more questions in the near future for everyone has a duty to play in making Nigeria a success. We all crave CHANGE.
But for lack of access to the internet, I am as frontally interested in this latest discourse as I would be in any other such open debates geared at surgically dismembering Nigerian ills from Nigeria itself. Though tempted to abandon registering any comment because of my glaringly obvious bias for the PDP but I am compelled by a deep sense of duty to stretch Mr Siloco’s ‘list of source of progressives’ recruits’ to include the PDP as you obviously left this out. Well, overtaking the PDP (granted for the purpose of argument that PDP is the country’s evil) will not solve the debacle that the nation is in. I however concur without an iota of reservation that a huge and sustained gang-up of progressive forces is desirable now more than ever before to permanently effect change. If Labour becomes the next ruling name in Nigeria, will it be shielded from the ‘absolute power syndrome’ that is currently affecting the PDP? Because such absolute powers only do one thing – they corrupt absolutely. Kudos to Mrs Omotaylor. Fred, siloco and others. One day, greats minds will see face to face and speak tete a tete. That Nigeria is not far from now irrespective of party affiliation. That day is knocking at the door.
A heartfelt response from Mr Gideon Daramola (notwitstanding his PDP Bias). We are all entitled to our likes and dislikes but as long as Nigeria at large and Ondo State in particular is the focal point of reference in wanting change, well appreciated…
“One day, greats minds will see face to face and speak tete a tete. That Nigeria is not far from now irrespective of party affiliation. That day is knocking at the door” -Amen.
I reserve further comments as we await more responses. This is to encourage objectivity. Keep them coming please. Thanking you all greatly.
Just cant help but make this one comment – OMOTAYLOR DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS A GOOD IDEA FOR OUR GOVERNOR DR RAHMAN OLUSEGUN MIMIKO TO REJOIN LABOUR PARTY. So Mr Gideon Daramola, our debate will continue on this issue after we have summed this up. But promise we will remain friends after
Peace
A thousand apologies – above should read “…TO REJOIN PDP”… Slip of fast and furious fingers I call it and not a computer gremlin. Or better still too much love for the name Labour Party. Apologies.
ac, pdp, labour, anpp all na the same. we can talk about some diffrent people but not political parties. replace one thuggery with
another thuggry has killed democracy in nigeria. if the military come, many will welcome them now. look at this recent example now.http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/09/21/ondo-ac-to-contest-by-election-result/
the sun version is shown below. what are we saying.
Ondo bye-election: AC rejects results
From TUNDE RAHEEM, Akure
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
More Stories on This Section
The Action Congress in Ondo State yesterday rejected the result of the last Saturday’s bye-election into the state House of Assembly in Akure North Local Government.
The party, while frowning at the declaration of the Labour Party candidate, Mr. Adeniyi Akindele, as the winner of the election, said the poll was planned from the beginning to favour the ruling Labour Party
The Action Congress in a statement issued by its Chairman, Comrade Sola Iji, said the favour was occasioned by the short notice of two weeks given to the parties which is barely enough to move round the constituency.
Iji pointed out that contrary to the assurances given by the Independent National Electoral Commissioner and the police to conduct a free and fair poll, the experience of the party on the day of the election was disappointing.
The AC chairman added that the conduct of the election was a slap on the people of the state considering the expectation of the party. He also reminded the people of Ondo State that the era of electoral malpractice is gone with the exit of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The statement read: “The party strongly condemns the act of fraud, manipulation, thuggery and violence perpetrated by the ruling Labour Party during the election and in the full glare of security agents.
“More disappointing is the fact that the electoral thuggery and violence received open support of the state government with over 200 government owned vehicles conveying political thugs and party supporters under the supervision of security agents.
“The party rejects this fraudulent and primitive manipulation of the wishes and rights of the electorates to choose their preferred representatives in an atmosphere devoid of thugerry, violence and threat to live and properties.
“The party also rejected the tendency to allow governance to degenerate to a level where electoral thuggery and violence would be elevated to an official state craft.”
this na di correct link o my people http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/sept/23/national-23-09-2009-12.htm
THE NIGERIAN VANGUARD NEWSPAPER REPORTED ON 12TH SEPTEMBER THAT “MIMIKO IS SET TO JOIN THE PDP COME 2010. I READ THE ARTICLE SOMEWHAT BEMUSED AND EVEN TOOK PAINS TO READ THE COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE. I HAVE SAID MY TAKE ON THIS – WHICH IS THAT I WILL NOT BE IN SUPPORT OF SUCH A MOVE. BUT THEN IN A DEMOCRATIC SETTING, IT IS GOOD AND WISE TO LET THE GENERAL POPULACE AIR THEIR INTELLIGENT VIEWS. THE REPORT READ THUS AND HOPE TO SEE THE COMMENTS FROM OUR BELOVED READERS ON THIS SITE:
Mimiko may join PDP in 2010
National News Sep 12, 2009 By Dayo Benson, Political Editor
There are fresh indications that Ondo State governor, Dr.Olusegun Mimiko’s much speculated return to People’s Democratic Party PDP may after all take place in 2010, Saturdays Vanguard has learnt.
This is coming against the background of persistent denials of such move by his party national chairman, Comrade Dan Iwuanyanwu and close aides of the governor.
Mimiko was a chieftain of PDP in the state and on which platform he served as a commissioner under former governor Olusegun Agagu and later as minister. He left the party after falling out with Agagu before the 2007 elections.
A reliable source told Saturday Vanguard that PDP leadership in Abuja had briefed Agagu on Mimiko’ s return to the party and Agagu was asked to cooperate with him.
The source further revealed that Mimiko’s deputy who was the former PDP chairman in the state was said to be ready for the duo’s return but the governor was said not to be disposed to the move now.
“ It is Mimiko that is actually delaying the return to PDP. He feels it is too early now, he said, adding that Mimiko feels they should wait till 2010. But the Deputy Governor, he went on, is prepared for them to move now.
However, an aide to the governor dismissed such talks as handiwork of mischief makers, saying that the return to PDP was the last thing on the governor’s mind.
They just want to use such talks to cause ill-feelings between President Umaru Yar’Adua and the governor because they know they are very close. What is paramount on the mind of Mimiko now is to deliver democracy dividends to the teeming people of Ondo State who love him so much
“ How imaginable is it for him to return to PDP so soon after winning on Labour Party’s platform? We are not ruling out re- alignment . When it is time for that we will talk to people of like minds,” the aide added.
Lately , there have been reports that Mimiko had been holding nocturnal meetings with PDP National chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.
But Labour Party through its National Chairman had however denied the reports. “There is no truth in that. I’ve been hearing that even before the inauguration, that he would join PDP.
The party has been making efforts. PDP wants to have a one party state but I can assure you that things won’t go the way they think it should be. Mimiko does not need PDP to do his eight years in Ondo State.
What will guarantee his eight years is delivering on his election promises and the programme of the Labour Party on whose platform he was elected,” Comrade Iwuanyanwu said.
PEACE MY PEOPLE.
ITS ANSWER TIME
OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THERE HAS BEEN WILDSPREAD RUMOURS THAT HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR OLUSEGUN MIMIKO OF ONDO STATE IS SET TO REJOIN PDP AND ONE REPORT EVEN TOOK IT ONE STEP FURTHER THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS SITED AT THE PDP CONVENTION LAST WEEK. WELL ONE THING THAT IS POSITIVE IN THESE RUMOURS CUM FALSIFIED REPORTS IS THAT GOVERNOR MIMIKO IS A WELL SOUGHT FOR MAN. HE IS BEING TARGETTED BY PDP FOR POSSIBLY CONFLICTING REASONS. HE IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH. HE IS NEEDED TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF QUALITY GOVERNANCE IN ONDO STATE. HOWEVER THERE ARE ADDED DISADVANTAGES TO THIS TYPE OF POLITICS OF RUMOUR MONGERING; AFTER THE POLITICS OF WAR MONGERING HAS SO SO MISERABLY FAILED ON THE PART OF PDP IN ONDO STATE. OUR GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN TIME OUT TO RELEASE A STATEMENT ON HIS POSITION AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT LYING TONGUES WILL GO SILENT FROM NOW ON. PLEASE READ THE REPORT COURTESY OF NIGERIAN GUARDIAN:
I did not attend PDP meeting, says Mimiko
From Niyi Bello, Akure
GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State yesterday denied a newspaper report that he attended the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last Thursday in Abuja.
He described the report as the handiwork of mischievous politicians who desired to have him dragged back to the PDP.
A national newspaper (not The Guardian) had reported yesterday that Mimiko was sighted at the PDP meeting last week and insinuated that plans were under way for the governor’s return to the party.
But in a reaction by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kolawole Olabisi, Mimiko wondered where the newspaper got its story from, saying he was not anywhere near the PDP meeting on that day.
Mimiko said at the time he was purportedly at the PDP meeting, he was in actual fact at Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State for the burial of former Chief Judge of old Ondo State, Justice Olakunle Orojo, with his deputy, Ali Olanusi and members of his cabinet.
Stressing that he was not a member of the PDP, Mimiko said he could not have been invited let alone attend a meeting of a party that he does not belong to.
Some PDP chieftains had reportedly said there were moves to persuade Mimiko to decamp to the party, which he was forced to leave on the eve of the April 14, 2007 gubernatorial election for the Labour Party (LP).
According to the statement, which urged reporters not to allow themselves to be used by unscrupulous politicians, “the report in the media that Mimiko was seen at the PDP NEC meeting last Thursday might have been part of the deliberate attempts to co-opt him into the PDP.”
The LP in Ondo State has also debunked the rumour that its only governor was dumping the party for the PDP.
YOUR EXCELLENCY, YOU WILL NEVER NEED TO REJOIN PDP TO MAKE IT TO THE PINNACLE OF EXCELLENCE IN NIGERIA SIR. AMEN.
If it is indeed true that Dr Mimiko is thinking of joining the PDP then he would have lost every respect that most of us had in him. Political parties are not something you change into or withdraw from as if it is a fad. Rather political parties are about conviction and ideology. To this day I do not know what the PDP or any party in Nigeria for that matter stands for on the pivotal issue of dealing with scarcity of resources and human wants. Underpinning all proper political parties are fundamental principles which seek to deal with the issues of consumption, resources, production, and investment. Will the state or the market be at the forefront of economic activity or a mixture of both? You don’t join a political party because it is acclaimed to be the biggest in Africa; because something is big does not mean it is better. Look at Nigeria, the giant in size in Africa, but still crawling like a baby 49 years after birth!
The Dr Agagu Interview: The Nigerian Vanguard, By the Chief Sub Editor of the newspaper, Adedayo Aminu, Saturday September 19, 2009
I read Dr Agagu’s interview in the Vanguard Newspaper entitled ‘‘ WHY I AM NOT AFRAID OF MIMIKO ’’ with interest for it provides us, the governed, an opportunity to read at first hand the antics of the man who presided over the affairs of our state for five years and nine months. We hardly ever have this rare opportunity for the person at the helm, one-on-one, to give an account of their stewardship. From the interview there is a great deal that provides us enough ammunitions to make reasonable conclusion on how Dr Agagu’s performed as our chief servant.
It is not my desire to have this piece as a personal attack on Dr Agagu but rather to use it as a critical analysis of his tenure, and if it appears so at times then the fault lies elsewhere. I am just a stakeholder endeavouring to take a dispassionate look at the performance of a public servant who is meant to be accountable to me and the citizens of Ondo state.
I have itemised the analysis into 7 separate (although not necessarily distinct) areas for ease of comprehension.
(1) Nigerian politicians seem to live in a state of unreality. They claim that they want to bring about a change in the quality of lives of their wards but the reality on the ground is different. This in itself is a paradox given the huge amount of money at their disposal. Hear Dr Agagu:
‘‘ I went into politics to see if I could improve the society. I am not contesting to be governor of Ondo State any more. I have had the opportunity to serve for five years and nine months. The legacies I have left, they are there. I have moved society forward…’’
And asked in what way he has moved the state on:
‘‘Water supply was just four per cent when I got there, it is over 50 percent now. So let somebody take it from 50 to 80 per cent.’’
I was in Akure, Ondo, Ore and even in Agbabu recently, I failed to notice this so called improvement in water supply. Aside that, it is remarkable that given the opportunity to showcase his legacy it was only the provision of water supply he could muster.
However he did mention elsewhere of his other achievements:
‘‘We tarred 1,200 in five and a half years. Now he wants to do more than us… In the five years that the PDP government was there, we tarred 1,200 kilometres of road, increased water availability from four percent to 50 percent. We built 800 classroom blocks. Okitipupa Oil Mill was dead, we woke it up, ditto Ile-Oluji and numerous others. The other parties would now list what they have done.’’
(2) The Agagu government restarted the Owena Multi pupose dam project shortly before the election tribunal came up with its verdict. On that project alone, knowing the gubernatorial election verdict was likely to be against him, and that the incoming government was likely to discontinue with the project perhaps because it was not a priority, his government went ahead to restart the project. Billions of naira was paid in mobilisation fees from our treasury. Please hear Dr Agagu:
‘’For the Owena contract, the 50 per cent down payment would have been N4.5 billion but all that we provided for in 2008 budget was N3.8 billion. Relying on due process procedure, we only paid N2.8 billion in 2008. We paid the balance of the 50 per cent in January, 2009, having appropriated it in the 2009 budget’’
So in other words our state paid out N2.8 billion (roughly 19.2 million US dollars / £11.2 million British pounds) to contractors for a project that appeared not to be feasible, and one that the incoming government was likely to stop. And the ex-governor had the gall to mention due process without noticing any contradiction! Can there ever be any crime as heinous and treacherous as this?
(3) Again another white elephant project that the state’s resources have been wasted on –
The needless University of Technology in Okitipupa. Why the state desires another university is beyond me, unless as a means of lining the pockets of cronies through mobilisation fees, a wicked entrapment concocted to swindle the state.
But hear Dr Agagu on the setting up of the committee whose remit it was to assess the feasibility and the site of the proposed university. The committee was led by one Professor Elemubade:
‘‘ They submitted their reports after six months and said they had looked round the state and concluded that the best thing for us was to have a University of Technology. I asked them to research on where it should be sited.’’
‘‘ They came back to say it was Iju-Odo, which is my town and I said no, gentlemen. And I asked them that when you stand before your God (ask Professor Elemubade this one), on the judgement day, what would you say? ’’
I would say kudos to Dr Agagu for rejecting the spineless committee’s opting for Iju-Odo as opposed to Okitipupa where the then governor decided it should be sited. No doubt the committee would have been rewarded with millions of naira for their effort. Was ability of the state to fund such capital intensive project ever considered, anyhow Ondo state and other Nigerian states are awashed with institutions that in effect makes the establishment of a new one in Ondo state foolhardy. Why not first of all make sure that the ones we have in the state are well resourced, afterall most of them are currently only 20% fully resourced.
And hear the committee’s response when Dr Agagu challenged them on coming up with Iju-Odo as the best place to site the proposed university:
‘’They said well, there are people who are saying it would make me happy if they put it in my town.’’
So the interest of over 3 million people and commonsense should be sacrificed and subjugated to that of one person simply because he is the governor, oh the scourge of sycophancy!
(4) Still on the proposed university, and the wanton abuse and waste of the state’s resources, in particular on mobilisation fees. The reporter queried the ex-governor for the 50% mobilisation fees paid out. Hear the justification and the amount paid out from the horse’s mouth:
‘‘ Yes, we wanted the first batch of students to come in September. This explained why we paid that much. With this money, they had bought almost all their materials. And we had N38 billion left in the bank. We thought that any time the contractor raised certificate, money would not be a problem. There was provision of N5billion in the 2009 budget of the state for this project.’’
So a mobilisation fees of N2.5 bn (19ml US $/£10 ml British pounds) must have been paid out. Please, pray, who were these sums paid to and can these still be recovered? Dr Agagu said his contractors had bought some materials, if we can’t get back the mobilisation fees surely we have every right to these materials?
(5) On Dr Agagu’s rationale for not preparing a handover note to Dr Mimiko who took over from him on February 24 2009:
‘‘ How can I give hand over note. Until that morning of February 24, I thought I was going to win. On that day, I had to pack my things and go home in a hurry. So how did they expect me to write hand over note? Our administration doesn’t need hand over note. Look, we met every month to decide on how much came in and how much should be spent. People of integrity were members of the allocation committee, including the chief judge. At the end of the year, at the press of one button, all our income and expenditure would come out on the computer.’’
Again this shows our own peculiar work ethic and perverse value system. I would have thought overseeing the affairs of over 3 million people would warrant a proper handover to take place, especially with the huge amount of resources and projects that were still going on at the time. Whatever happened to people having contingency plans?
(6) Dr Agagu has this to say about those within and without his party who pestered him for juicy contracts.
‘‘ Not only PDP, they worked with me. They all said Oga o je ka jeun. And I said, if you want money, there is no problem, be a contractor. If you are qualified, we would give you a job. But I can’t go into government purse and give you money. Some of them brought contractors and quoted for jobs; either the contractors couldn’t perform, we did not give them job. Some of their contractors got jobs and they said, Oga, the rate at which you are giving these jobs is too low.’’
Please wait for this, our present deputy governor was even mentioned amongst those who scrambled for contracts, hear Dr Agagu!
‘‘ Yes, I mean Alhaji Olanusi Ali.’’
The deputy governor was alleged to have complained bitterly to Dr Agagu that he only received a contract totalling N30 million, which he considered measly. Hear Dr Agagu:
‘‘ It was not N30 million, it was in the hundreds of millions. N30 million ke, lai lai (No, no, not N30million). It was in the hundreds of millions. Anybody who wanted contract, we gave the contract to them. What I didn’t do was to inflate contracts for them because they were my …’
Honestly, here is the main reason why I am un-enthused when during the annual budget reading in the house of assembly we are told that N500 million will be spent on this and that project etc. First of all the projects are phantom ones, and where they are real only 5% of the budgeted amount will actually go into executing the project, the rest 95% will disappear into individual personal accounts and building mansions and what not. This is why our towns and villages still look like they belong in 5 BC.
As a stakeholder in my state, my heart bleeds to note that contracts are awarded for millions of naira and then willy-nilly aborted, with the major actors behind the contracts knowing that the contracts are not likely to see the light of day?. How do I enrich a crony? Just mention a phantom contract for N100 million, pay him mobilisation fees of N50 million and then abandon the project. No wonder Nigerian has become renowned for 419 scams; the Yahoo boys who are far away from governance scamper to internet café so as to keep up with our looting administrators. You are asked to justify years of stewardship and the only thing you could point to are kilometres of road that were tarred and spurious improvement in water supply? HABA!
Our fundamental problem in Nigeria is that our political elite do things in an illogical and haphazard way, eyi je eyi oje, there is not a single overarching ideology/methodology driving what we do. We should be measuring how effective a governor is by how and whether the economic productive system has improved, what is the level of unemployment, what have the industries produced, what is the state of housing, roads, security and comfort, social and community infrastructures, the condition of our farming and agricultural industries,the way we structure and maintain our urban and rural environment.
We the electorates are too cowed and docile for our own good. In just one transaction alone, about N2.8 billion (roughly 19.2 million US dollars / £11.2 million British pounds) of your money disappears into thin air via mobilisation fees and all you do is sit there like a sheep, and instead you continue to ask God to intervene on your behalf. What exactly have you yourself done to right the wrong. Lethargy, lethargy, lethargy.
As I said at the beginning of this piece, this analysis is not meant as an attack on Dr Agagu; for, how are we sure that the current rape of the people, warped work-ethic, the overall stinking culture and values that permeate everything we do and thus stifle progress are not continuing under the current dispensation. In other words, is there a change to the status quo?
The full text of the interview can be accessed via the following link: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/09/19/why-im-not-afraid-of-mimiko-%E2%80%94-agagu/comment-page-2/
Thanks for bringing this interview to light.
Regarding Point 5 — the failure for not preparing handover note and the state of state’s finances…Didn’t it come out that one of Agagu’s lieutenants was running a secret account all the while his administration was in power?
Also, having lost the tribunal at the lower court, what a reasonable and conscientious administrator would have done is prepare for the worst case scenario — just in case, and to ensure a smooth transition, a transition note is a must. But in Agagu’s case, he saw it his birthright to be the governor at all cost.
These two issues are enough pointers to how Agagu government worked over the 5 yrs in office. It is a calamity for Nigeria that such a highly educated person and global exposure as Agagu would exhibit such a fragrant display of administrative irresponsibility.
At least Agagu didn’t lie about one thing — like a dog, he ran away from the Governor’s lodge with his tail between his legs!!!
Interesting interview for it exposes the weakness of Agagu and his clueless Psycophantic followers.
The TA. May the Almighty bless your soul. But are we been honest here or psycophantic? are we going to question the current D.gov on his share of the hundreds of millions? what was the actual worth of the contract in question? what percentage went into job execution? what about the fello that suppliued over 300 brand new cars at times 2 of their sales prices at Elizade/Toyota? Why is Agagu government activities between 2003 and 2006 not being investigated? That is why I said the people should be focused because noting has changed with theis change in government. No. 1 and No. 2 in this state cannot in gud conscience remove themselves from the rut of the OLUWASEGUN AGAGU era (forget focussing on just the last 2 years). Little by little, people will receive grand revelations on the current leaders of Ondo State. But wear thick skin because of heart attack. Real revolution is the answer. Young Nigerians are talking.
Just wondering why we need “real revolution” in Ondo State when works are being carried out to ensure that the daily living of the masses are taken care of? Why are we not able to have that word ‘PATIENCE” that is a virtue for even the devil is given a long rope to hang himself. The fact that Agagu and his cohorts committed all those attrocities does not necessarily transpose into the current government.
I shy away from calling the name of the above commentator for (sorry) I find it insulting to my religion being a Christian, so bear with me with understanding.
Somehow, I am apt to believe that the recent campaigners for LA are back. You would do more good and sound more convincing if you have your own website and invite others to visit. Mimiko cannot be tainted, for Mimiko is not Agagu, not like Agagu and definitely a leader of integrity and conscience. If Fashola was not given a chance to shine and excell in Lagos State, we wont be witnessing the massive changes in the state as we are today. Please leave Mimiko to focus on getting things right and especially for the common man in Ondo State. All those who are afraid that Mimiko will do so well and pose a threat to their 2013 ambition are only wasting time. Revisit again Mimiko’s journey from 2007 to date. You cannot curse whom God has blessed (Numbers 23) and God is not a man that he shall lie, for He has spoken and will make it good (Numbers 23). Mimiko is the proverbial Joseph, and will rise to fall no more. He will in his Godly wisdom feed the flock and his enemies will come bowing and trembling before him. Who says Mimiko would not be aspiring for greater glory after he has and will sail through a second term in office (or should I say 1 1/2?).
Peace my people for in Ondo State it shall be well.
HAPPY BELATED INDEPENDENCE DAY TO A 49 YEAR OLD NIGERIA THAT KEEPS STUMBLING RATHER THAN CRAWL, WALK OR RUN. GOD WILL CHANGE OUR DEAR COUNTRY FOR I CANNOT HELP BUT WONDER WHERE WE HAVE GONE WRONG. THE GIANT OF AFRICA NOW A LAUGHING STOCK! VERY PAINFUL. THIS IS THE PRODUCT OF CORRUPTION, GREED, NO LOVE, UNCANNY AMBITIONS AND WHAT HAVE YOU…
@Omotaylor this for God’s sake is a website and NOT your personall diary. All types of opinions should be welcome on a website that is for all. That is wehy it is a website. Checking details here show that other politicians in ondo are talked about. So what stop me if I think mimiko is go-slow? Answer me? Why must i support your dimension? I prefer that all politicians in ondo state and Nigeria should be lined against the wall and shot without exception that includes your venerable obasanjo, tinubu, atiku, agagu, mimiko all of them including the small small ones that are learnming thivery little by little,. What are we saying. ole ji ole gba. very soon you will see the fire intervention of God very soon. awon ole, ti won joko le future omoolomo gbogbo yin ni olorun ma da seria fun ni oruko Jesu. you are our problems. you cannot come here and be lying to the people. All politicians are armed robbers. give me one exceptiion. just one. non of you will escape. all those that looted my money, my parent money during agagu 2003 to 2009 even the new ones that are there now. non of you will escape. The fire of God will burn you all and your supporters because it is the supporters that encourage them to cheat and suffer the poor people. no job, noting is moving and someone sits down in one corner praise singing. you want one to be patient. lai lai.
the fire of God will scatter all your political parties. Airoju lo maa da arin gbogbo yin ru. eyin ole. including the derailed pastors praying for you so he can get big big offerings. inlcuding your Yaraslow. God will raise no-nonsence military men who will use all your blood to atone for the sufferings that people face. A revolution cannot be stoppped by your website intollerance. I have my rights to my opinion. You cant cage me.
convince who? my message isnt for you because noone can convince a politician. my message is for readers who have no side. readers please dont pray that they repent, pray that intervention come from heaven very soon. pdp [the father of evil], anpp [the mother of evil], ac [the daugter of evil], labour [the son of evil]. their supporters [the phsycophants of evil]
Take it easy o JF! Allow God who knows the hearts of men to do justice and punish evil doers. I feel your frustration even to my bone marrow and I will not dare gag you, but who says I am not entitled to MY opinion on a public website? Have you checked your blood pressure lately? Please take it easy and allow Ondo State to develop and grow for this is what the current governor is working hard to achieve. I detest sycophants as well and will not be caught dead becoming one. I will say a single prayer to butress one fact – MAY ALL EVIL DOERS MEET THEIR NEMESIS VERY SOON IN JESUS NAME.
Peace my people
As for treating a Website as a personal diary… not guilty. On a public website, there is room for all to DISCUSS, ask questions and ear their views without necessarily resorting to personal attacks and unwarranted cursing of all and sunder. Sorry but you are the one who is very intolerant here. Just in case you are gunning for a fight, sorry, I am too sheepish to engage you in one so I may disappoint you by not responding to any further curses from you mr JF.
Sorry for the typos, I meant “air their views not ear” and Psycophants…
i am not cursin anyone. its because you are not facing what normal people are facing that is making you to say all these. it is just a matter of time before you join me in calling the fire of God upon all of them. between 2003 and 2009 onod state got over 600 BILLION NAIRA.What did your politicians do with the moneys? Nada. Between February 2009 and today the 7 day of October 2009, Ondo has got over 30 BILLION NAIRA. Go and investigae. What are the current politicians doing with all the moneys? You want people to be patient until it reached another 600BILLION? No way. Any where they try to paint their image, God will disgrace them. Ati kekere atagba won. wicked people. Very soon you shall see.
can the righteous be smiling and promote the deceit of politicians? No for the Lord of Host says “I Have Heard The Cries Of My People” hence he intervened in Egypt. When God intervene, who can dictate to Him how He will do it? Our own is to call Him to act by fire by fire, it is not cursin at all.
Mr. JF, I feel your pain like Omotaylor said. It is appropriate to envenom your disenchantment with the system in our country on this site, if it could relief you psychologically. I however did not agree with what you think will eventually be the solution to our country’s problem.
1. You said that God will raise no non-sense military men who will probably come and kill all looters of our economy, may be as Rawlings did in Ghana. I am sorry to say, I do not see such military men coming from the bunch of soldiers we currently have. The present crop of leaders in the Nigerian army are part of the looting elites in Nigeria. They are even worse. Remember what happened to soldiers in Akure who were legitimately protesting the non-payment of their earned allowances from participating in a UN peace-keeping mission. Soldiers in the like of Buhari and Murtala Mohammed are no longer in the Nigerian Army.
2. Your second solution is also similar to the first. You expect intervention to come from heaven. I don’t subscribe to the issue of bringing God to intervene in a problem we created ourselves, out of greed. God has done his best of us. He blessed us with resources enough to take care of ourselves, if we cannot manage these resources to the satisfaction of everybody, then that’s our problem. A major problem with us is inappropriately quoting the Bible to support our situation. The portion of the Bible you quoted above did not support our present situation. It would have been appropriate if we are under colonization by a foreign power and we are fighting for freedom. Even at that, God will not come down and liberate us, the people will still have to stand up to free themselves. Remember, our founding fathers stood up to the British before we became independent. A situation in the Bible similar to what we are going through is when the kings of Israel disobeyed God and were worshiping foreign idols. God promised them he will punish them and he fulfilled his promise by allowing the Babylonians to carry them into captivity. God did not come down to destroy the kings, he sent everybody (good and bad) to captivity – that’s God for you. When the bad ones are punished, the good ones will also share in it.
The solution to our problem lies with us. With the way you write, I guess you are probably a student or an unemployed graduate and there will be many of your friends in the same situation as you are. Start talking to them and form a movement. Give Governor Mimiko six more months (I learn he just unfreeze or defreeze Ondo-State Government account), if you don’t see signs of improvement in people’s welfare, then start to protest. I support people showing their outrage to a Government that is not performing. We are docile, that’s why these politicians are taking the people for a ride. If you poke them you will find out that they are cowards. If you guys had protested the looting of Agagu and his cronies, he would not have taken us for a ride for that long. Don’t expect anybody to come and lead a revolution that will liberate you. You must be part and parcel of that revolution. You can read about the French Revolution, it started because of high unemployment and high bread prices which caused people to spend more money on food. It was carried out by the poor and women. That was what brought down the rule of the monarchy and aristocracy in France. Organize in your local government and it can start from there. But if you are waiting for some military men or divine intervention to solve the Nigerian problem, you will wait a long time.
“The solution to our problem lies with us. With the way you write, I guess you are probably a student or an unemployed graduate and there will be many of your friends in the same situation as you are. Start talking to them and form a movement. Give Governor Mimiko six more months (I learn he just unfreeze or defreeze Ondo-State Government account), if you don’t see signs of improvement in people’s welfare, then start to protest.” – GOOD ADVICE OMO EKUN.
At oft times Nigerians have had to put up with all sorts but the tide is changing and like when a dog is pushed to far into the tight corner with a rod it bites back. My only disquiet is if we start calling for people to react when a government is trying to start something good. This is why @JF I called for patience. I will never be party to any government or persons that keep on making the lot of my people harder and painful. For once I am apt to believe in a politician vis a vis Governor Mimiko. Seeing Fashola do well in Lagos has also helped my belief. It will be sad if we do not give good governance a chance. This is the only part where I differ with JF i.e. Ondo State Post 2009 (not prior).
It is a good sign that more and more people are aware of the Nigerian situation and are ready to speak out Nigeria. This we have called for many times while fighting for Democratic Governance. So I second the advice given by Omo Ekun that we should give Governor Mimiko 6 months and see if changes do not appear in Ondo State.
The French Philosophers especally Voltaire, Montesque and JJRousseau started and enabled a change from the old order of making the ordinary man remain in chains and hence they are remembered from the late 19th Century to date. What will we be remembered for when things keep going from worse to the worst in Nigeria? Let everyone in their own right contribute to bringing down the rot and corrupt order of the day in Nigeria. Enough is Enough.
Lastly I suppose when people call on God to act, it is because recognising His Supremacy, we in Faith lift up our eyes unto the hills and expect our help to come from the Lord. The Divine intervention that sent Abacha packing permanently on 8th June 1998 can be replicated, but one thing we should also remember is that in some cases HEAVEN HELP THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES.
@JF once again and honestly I feel your pain for as God is my witness, when my people suffer, I suffer and no matter where and what I am, the wellbeing of my people is what I think about mostly on a daily basis. I am convinced that Mimiko will not follow the Agagu road to demise, and hence I call for people to support him (in doing good).
Thanks to JF and Omoekun for bringing the sorry state of things in Nigeria to the limelight once again.
ON FEDERAL LEVEL, HOW DO WE RATE NIGERIA?