"WE ARE POISED TO REPOSITION ONDO STATE, PROVIDE SUCCOR TO CITIZENRY" - AKEREDOLU

Read Time:2 Minute, 46 Second

“WE ARE POISED TO REPOSITION ONDO STATE, PROVIDE SUCCOR TO CITIZENRY” – AKEREDOLU

Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has reaffirmed that all programmes in the State are geared towards veering the State away from the past, building new structures, and providing succor to its citizenry, just as he reiterated that his administration is committed to leaving no stone unturned at improving the lots of residents.

Akeredolu stated this during the Thanksgiving Service marking Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary held at the Government House Chapel, Akure.

Akeredolu who was represented by the first female Secretary to the State Government, Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu, appreciated God for the grace of life, noting that 1st of October every year is always an opportunity for people to reflect and thank God for his endless blessings on the country.

The Governor who acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, his cabinet, all State Governors and all stakeholders for their supports and fervent prayers during the period when he was indisposed, observed that despite all challenges, Nigeria will continue to strive to retain its position amongst the
comity of democratic countries.

Whilst enjoining the people to exercise patience and re-double their efforts in moving Nigeria forward, Akeredolu maintained that the present administration in the State will continue to do all within its powers to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal on the people.

According to him, “the State Government has put in place some palliative measures such as distribution of food items and cash
transfer to vulnerable households; the sum of 10,000 naira to pensioners for a period of five months and financial supports to 400 Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs (SMSE) businesses per Local Government Areas across the State.

“Equally, we are in the process of providing farm implements/inputs to our farmers to boost food production in the State. In the health sector, government has also suspended the payment of registration and consultancy fees across all government hospitals in the State.

“Despite the cost of maintaining the free shuttle buses, government has re-introduced the shuttle buses and also newly introduced boat shuttle in the riverine area of the State, to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on transportation of our children to and fro their various schools.

Similarly, “Public servants in Akure, the State capital are also currently enjoying free transportation to and fro their offices.
Together, we can continue to build an Ondo State that is prosperous,
peaceful and a place where every citizen feels valued and cared for. We can only attain this with more hardwork, enterprise, creativity, consistent fight against corruption and defence of our people”, he said.

Delivering his sermon titled “From nothing to something”, the officiating minister Rev. Oluwasina Ajayi emphasized that despite the obscurities eminent in the nation, God can rescue the people.

Rev. Ajayi stated categorically that as a nation there is the need to change our mode of reasoning, realities and turn around old doings for things to improve.

“It is not the work of the President or the Governor alone, but the responsibility of you and I”

According to the Media Officer in the office of the SSG, Debbie Fummilayo, the clergyman further encouraged Nigerians to shun tribalism and embrace love; be good patrioits and stay hopeful for a new Nigeria.