The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun, has called for more prayers for continued peace, unity and progress of the country.
Oleyelogun made the call yesterday in his message to commemorate Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary celebration.
The Speaker particularly appreciated God for keeping Nigeria one in spite of various challenges confronting her and the people, just as he appealed to all Nigerians regardless of their ethnic, religious and political leanings, to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari as he continues to unite the country and take it to the next level of greatness.
Oleyelogun, in a statement released by his media aid, Ojoawo Abidemi, urged all Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the task of nation building, with loyalty and patriotism, and as well work for collective peace and unity of the country.
He lauded the founding fathers of the country for their labour and sacrifice which led to the independence being celebrated today, just as he expressed hope that the country would get to its Promised Land with the support of all.
The Speaker equally lauded the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his good work which has brought positive transformation in all sectors, describing all-round development being witnessed across the state as evidences of good governance under the present administration.
He said the state Assembly would continue to work harmoniously with the executive arm of government to further bring development to the State and improve the welfare of the people.
As part of efforts aimed at riding the society of all forms of unholy practices in the dispensing of goods and services, Ondo State Committee of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), has organised a one-day retreat programme for relevant stakeholders.
The theme of the event was, “Consumers Rights Consciousness”, and was attended by relevant stakeholders including market men and women, iyalojas and iyalajes, producers of different goods and services, Representatives of NAFDAC, SON and the Zonal Coordinator of FCCPC, among others.
While declaring the retreat open, the Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Services, Tunji Ifabiyi lauded the management and staff of the state Consumer Protection Council for organising the important event.
He described the retreat as very unique and central to the lives of every individual under the surface of the earth, stressing that everyone is a consumer of goods and services which he said makes everybody vulnerable.
According to him, many people are not aware of their rights as a consumer or what is expected to be done when feel cheated. The retreat, Ifabiyi said would enable customers to know their rights, and as well make providers of goods and services learn more about the rules guiding business transactions so that nobody would be taken for granted in the society.
The Special Adviser also stressed the need for sustained enlightenment and campaigns to re-awake the consciousness on what individuals need to know while buying products and services to ensure their safety.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the General Manager, Ondo State Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Ayo Mesileya declared that the retreat became imperative going by incessant reports of the upsurge of adulterated, counterfeited, substandard good and all forms of sharp practices noticed by product consumers while transacting business with producers and sellers of goods and services.
This, he noted is killing and impoverishing the people on daily basis.
Mesileya said government decided to organise the workshop through the CPC to sensitize the people as consumers of goods and services, to know and learn more of their rights and limitations in doing business.
He noted that the CPC is an agency of government where people could lodge complaints or seek redress whenever their rights are being infringed upon, aside the conventional courts of justice.
The General Manager noted that Consumer Protection Council (CPC) would entertain any complaint from customers and producers whenever they feel cheated, saying that the agency is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the rights of customers as regards goods and services provided or rendered by business and services providers.
The Zonal Coordinator, Federal Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCPC),Alhaji Ahamed Garuba, explained that consumers need to know their rights before they could be conscious of it and fight for it.
Garuba reeled out the various consumer right laws pointing out that it was necessary for consumers to know all the laws for their benefit.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the event commended Ondo CPC for the programme which they said has further opened their eyes on the need to fight for their rights while buying goods and services.
Determined to further strengthen the fold of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo state and move the party to the next level, the leaders of the party in the area have met to chart new ways forward. At the inaugural meeting of the all-important general meeting, political office holders and other leaders of the APC who spoke explained that the meeting was necessary to strategise, unite and reconcile aggrieved members and better position the ruling party for more successful outings in the future election, particularly the second term re-election of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The meeting held at the APC secretariat, Okeagbe, had in attendance, the Majority Leader, Ondo State House of Assembly and lawmaker representing Akoko North-West constituency 1, Jamiu Maito; the state Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rasheed Badmus; the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Segun Ajiboye, and the Caretaker Chairman, Akoko North West Local Government, Ayodele Akande.
Other included the Local Government Party Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Kareem; Alhaji Oloruntoba Akindele; Awe Azeez; Oluwasegunota Bolarinwa, among several other leaders and thousands of party members.
The gathering of the party leaders and members afforded them the opportunity to rob minds on the best ways to empower members and the need to continue to support the governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for another term to further bring all-round development, not only to the local government but across the state. At the meeting, it was jointly agreed that the second term of the governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is non-negotiable and it is a task that must be collectively achieved. The party leaders also used the occasion to highlight numerous achievements of governor Akeredolu in the areas of industrialisation, education, infrastructure, health, agriculture, youth and women empowerment, regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions including offsetting six out of seven months arrears, just as they stressed the need to support the governor to further take the state to the next level of greatness. Henceforth, the general meeting would be held every month and would be sponsored by leaders.Some of the leaders, including Jamiu Maito; Rasheed Badmus; Segun Ajiboye and Ayodele Akande stressed the importance of unity and togetherness of all members to foster peace and progress of the ruling APC, not only in the local government area but across the state. The leaders also agreed to put in place life-changing monthly empowerment programmes for members of the party so that everybody can have a sense of belonging and improve their standard of living. Maito said, “We must be transparent in everything we are doing in the party and ensure members get what is due to them. We must also support those in positions to succeed. We must stop speaking evil about the party and those in positions, but rather embrace the spirit of true reconciliation and collectively move the party forward.
“All the leaders who are in various political offices have agreed to put in place empowerment programmes for members so that everybody can have a sense of belonging and benefit. And this we will continue to do every month across the local government.” Also, Badmus and Ajiboye noted that the meeting shall be a continuous one on rotational basis across the 10 political Wards in the council area. According to them, the local government is for APC and would continue to work for the re-election bid of the present governor to enable him continue his good works. The Local Government Party Chairman, Alhaji Tajudeen Kareem and the Caretaker Chairman, Akoko North West Local Government Area, Ayodele Akande, described the outcome of the meeting as very successful, adding that it would further strengthen the unity and progress of the party in the council area.
The duo expressed joy over the large numbers of party members to attend the meeting, saying that it was a clear indication that the party remains formidable and was ready to come out victorious in the future polls. Highlight of the meeting was presentation of gifts to party members.
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