Ajimobi commissions 5.76 km Rural Roads at Ikereku

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Tuesday commissioned the 5.76km rural roads at Ikereku in Akinyele East Local Council Development Area of the state.  

• The road project with 19 culverts was the pilot scheme of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) which cut across Ikereku - Oloronbo – Abidogun – Ileba – Abebi - Onigbongbo Village linking Iware Road.

  Governor Ajimobi stated that the commissioning ceremony was another success story of his administration, stating that the project was aimed at improving the living standards of the people at the grassroots and providing access roads for them to convey their farm produce to the city.

  The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, said that more communities would benefit from the scheme, promising that the project would cover over 500 kilometers of rural roads in Oyo State.

  He however enjoined the people of Oyo State to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming elections so as to guarantee more dividends of democracy.  

  In his address, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewunmi commended Governor Ajimobi for making Oyo state the pioneer beneficiary of the RAAMP project, emphasizing that the initiative would assist in promoting agricultural production and generate employment opportunities for the people.

  Speaking, the State’s Project Coordinator of RAAMP, Dr Yode Ayanlowo stated that the main objectives of RAAMP are to improve rural access and agricultural marketing in selected participating states while enhancing sustainability of the rural and states’ roads network, stressing that the project is meant to connect small holder farmers in participating state to local agricultural markets with all weathered access road in selected and prioritized rural development areas.

  Dr Ayanlowo stated that 28 rural local councils would benefit from the programme in Oyo State, noting that RAAMP as a project does not stop at providing access roads to ease evacuation of farm produce after harvest to the markets but also concern on what becomes of the produce when it gets to the market.

  In their goodwill messages, the Oniroko of Iroko, Oba Olasukanmi Opeola and the Onikereku of Ikereku, Oba Olasunkanmi Akinyosoye expressed appreciation to Governor Ajimobi for his laudable achievements in the state especially the elevation of traditional rulers to crown Obas in Ibadan land.

  Earlier in his welcome address the chairman of Akinyele East Local Council Development Area, Builder Ayo Akinpade described the project as a good omen that would increase agricultural productivity in the area as well as revenue generation for his council.
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Atiku blames Alex Badeh’s death on rising insecurity across Nigeria

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has blamed the murder of former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh, on the rising insecurity in the country, saying the best tribute that President Muhammadu Buhari can pay to the late security chief is to ensure free and fair polls next year and return home to a well-deserved rest.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Abubakar said had gunmen not waylaid the vehicle in which Alex Badeh was travelling, he would not have sustained the gunshots and the health complications that terminated his life.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said while Air Chef Marshal Badeh’s death made headline news because of the personality involved, many ordinary Nigerians are either killed or maimed on a daily basis by rampaging armed robbers, kidnappers, herdsmen and hoodlums across the country.

He said amid indications that the President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost the initiative to these criminals, it is time to remind him to get ready to give way to a political party that has a clear-cut strategy to enhance the security of Nigerians.

“We cannot continue to pretend that all is well with the security system in our country, where armed robbers seem to be having a field day. It is therefore time to look at credible options, especially electing a more prepared candidate who will ensure that policemen and women are well equipped and motivated. Fortunately, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had shown what can be achieved when the police are provided with adequate resources and are well motivated. It is no longer news that during the 16 years when the PDP was in power, the nation boasted of the better motivated, best equipped and best mobilized policemen in the country,” the statement said.

It was contained in the statement that Abubakar was shocked and saddened by the circumstances of the death of Alex Badeh, an Air Chief Marshal, whom he described as a fine officer, among the best of his time, one who never lost touch with officers and men despite holding several top positions in the nation’s military establishment.

Atiku Abubakar prayed that God will grant repose to Badeh’s soul and comfort those he left behind