President Jonathan reduces pilgrimage cost to Israel
Written by Wale Ojo-Lanre Wednesday, 24 July 2013 00:00 font 
President Goodluck Jonathan and Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC) , John Kenedy OparaIN order to ensure that more Christians in Nigeria are able to fulfill their Biblical injunction and dream of visiting the Holy land in their life time, President Goodluck Jonathan, has reduced the total cost of the package to Israel for the year 2013 Holy Pilgrimage exercise.
Mr. Kennedy Opara, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC), who made this revelation while addressing the media in his office in Abuja, said “I am glad to announce to you that the President Goodluck Jonathan is living up to his promise of ensuring that the cost of pilgrimage to Israel is brought down significantly, to enable more Christians to participate in the exercise.”
“We all remember that President Jonathan, last year, tasked the commission to look into ways of making the cost of pilgrimage to Israel affordable and within the reach of the populace, so as to encourage many Christians to benefit from the spiritual and moral blessing of the exercise.
“With the presidential directive, we set all hands on desk and looked into the operation processes in a clinical approach, which has led to a significant reduction in all the categories of packages without any reduction in quality and bench mark of operation.”
Opara revealed,“Intending pilgrims to Israel in this year 2013 will pay N358,000, instead of N406,150 for an 11-day, all-inclusive pilgrimage exercise to Israel, including 10 nights in a three-star hotel.This is 12 per cent reduction from last year’s cost.’’
And for Christians going from Nigeria - Israel – Rome or Greece, Opara revealed that last year, the package was N529,440. But they will now pay N421,619. This shows 20 per cent reduction compared to last year’s cost.
And for those going on special package, particularly the physically challenge and elderly people who need extra care and affection, “we have been able to reduce this from N400,000 to N365,300, a reduction of 9 per cent from last year’s cost.”
Mr. Opara said that “We believe that with this, a typical middle – level Nigerian will be able to fund himself without looking upon government for sponsorship to the Holy Land.”
He emphasised that pilgrimage to Israel is not a jamboree or a pleasurable tour of sites and shopping plazas, but an exercise in faith renewal, spiritual rejuvenation, fulfilling of Biblical dream and rejuvenation of moral rectitude, hence it should be devoid of fanfare, excessive glamour and shopping.
“Thus, we have pegged the Basic Travel Allowance, BTA, for those going to Rome or Greece to $1000 and Israel, $750. Pilgrimage to Israel is a period of self-assessment and reconciliation with God, which necessitates self-denial and abstinence from things worldly.”
Mr. Opera pointed out that “This is just the first step at bringing down the cost, as we are going to ensure that the cost comes down again next year. We are going to do all things possible to see that the vision and determination of President Jonathan in making pilgrimage to Israel affordable and less financial demanding to the all intending and desired Christians, will come to pass.“
Mr. Opara disclosed that ‘We must also publicly acknowledge the personal strident effort of President Jonathan in supporting and giving approval to all the necessary steps taken to achieve the reduction of the cost. This is because all that we have achieved so far in this area has the personal touch and contribution of Mr. President “
Opara revealed that this year’s exercise would commence in the month of October and closed in December.
“ We also want to inform that the president has approved that the first set of pilgrims should leave on 28 October which will signify the commencement of this year’s operation and close on 28 December.”
However, Mr. Opara disclosed that “The Family Pilgrimage which will commence in August is not affected by this directive, as we are partnering with men of God and churches to make this a reality. Bishop Oyedepo will be leading the first family to Israel this year by the first week of August. Other men of God like Bishop Wale Oke and the Primate of the Anglican Communion will also lead other Christian families to the pilgrimage, so that this family re- union in Holy Land will lubricate the engine of the love and fear of God and spread unity in accordance with the injunction of God for homes. This will also rub off on the unity, peace and stability of the nation.”
He emphasised: “I want all to know that the commission cannot and will never provide 5 – Star hotel for pilgrims. We are not offering services in the likes of Burj Al – Arab but a top grade 3 – star hotels of excellent services.
We have a benchmark, which we cannot negotiate or compromise.We hold it a duty to ensure and make available, desirable facilities and ensure excellent welfare of all pilgrims in Nigeria. And for this year, we are not going to let Nigerians down.
“It is our charter, our responsibility and our duty to see that every pilgrim realises his mission to the Holy Land in full. This, we promise to do, and we will do

Build your crumbling house, Accord Party tells Oyo ACN

The Oyo State chapter of the Accord Party has advised the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to concentrate efforts at saving “its fast crumbling party from imminent collapse” before it can contemplate doing the masses of the state any good.

This is just as the Accord Party enjoined the ACN to learn to deploy issue-based approach and superior arguments, if it ever had any, when responding to matters of political debates,”rather than the weather-beaten regime of crass abuse which has been the standard response from our “intellectuals.”

Reacting through its media director, Prince Dotun Oyelade, to a statement credited to the ACN, the Accord Party said “lack of consultation,high-handedness and a false sense of self-importance are reasons why the Ajimobi administration is faltering where it matters most.”

The release said that the ACN had turned government into a government of the few rich and “that is why it does not regret demolishing thousands of shops belonging to the poor in order to allow the cars of the rich to move freely.”

“The present administration makes fatal political mistakes because it is a one-man show and those experienced stakeholders have distanced themselves from the government because they are unwanted and have been told in clear terms.

Accord Party cited the demolition of the banquet hall inside the Government House as another example of a rampaging job-for-the-boys policy that wastes government resources,” the statement added.

Ayefele gives back to Alma Mata, donates hall, 5000 notebook

Tungba Gospel music crooner, Evangelist Dr Yinka Ayefele MON.today  fulfilled  one of his age long dream of enhancing  the progress of   Nigerian Youth and contribute to the development of his community as he  donated  5000 notebooks to student of  Ipoti Ekiti  Grammar school   and  laid the foundation of N50M Naira multipurpose hall  for his Alma Mata

 The occasion which was held at Ipoti Grammar school premises in Ipoti Ekiti was attended  by dignitaries from all walks of life including  the new Onipoti of  Ipoti Ekiti,  Oba Dr.  James oladipupo kolade ,  Representatives of Ekiti state  Dr Kayode Fayemi,  Ekiti state  Commissioner for  environment, Dr Eniola Ajayi,  Ijero LG chairman Hon Bode Oladele and host of  others

 Dr Ayefele who  stormed  Ipoti with some of his fans and entire band  expresses appreciation  God for the privileged  given to him to be able to come back and give to the community and  school that  shapes his elementary

 According to him " growing up in Ipoti is  one of the greatest things that i ever cherished in my life , i am proud to be an Indegene of Ipoti Ekiti and i will continue to do my best for the upliftment of  the town and contribute to the growth of  our youth so that they can also be great in life and together we'll make Ipoti great.

The  Onipoti of Ipoti Oba Dr. James Oladipupo Kolade who was making his first appearance since he ascended  the throne of his father commended  Evangelist Yinka Ayefele for his gesture and  admonish other indegene of the town to emulate him. He also appealed to the government  not to relent in their bid not to relent in his bid to take the state to a higher level.

 Also, Ekiti state governor Dr. Kayode  Fayemi and caretaker chairman of Ijero Local government  Hon Bode Oladele lauds Evangelist  Ayefele for his gesture and urge other Ekiti indigene to emulate him

 some of the students who spoke with Alarinka Agbaye  expresses appreciation to  Mr. Ayefele describing him as a role model whose life is worthy of emulation.

Ladoja, prisoner of his inordinate ambition – Oyo ACN

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has lambasted former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, over his renewed diatribes against Governor Abiola Ajimobi, describing him as a prisoner of his inordinate ambition to come back as governor in 2015.

The party, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole said the former governor had allowed his ambition to becloud his sense of reasoning, thus making him stand the truth on its head in a desperate attempt to pull down the house.

Ladoja had on an Ibadan radio programme, text of which was reported in the media, leveled several allegations against Ajimobi, boasting to team up with ``a group of like-minded politicians’’ to vote out the governor in 2015.

But the ACN, while congratulating Ladoja on his journey to self-destruct, said that it would be waiting for the former governor and his so-called group of like-minded politicians on the field, assuring that they would meet their waterloo.

``It is unthinkable that Ladoja, whose reign, alongside his erstwhile deputy, Adebayo Alao-Akala, was characterized by violence and brigandage, and who virtually set Oyo State ablaze with his and his co-travelers’ guns and cudgel-wielding lieutenants and bootlickers, will think in his wildest imagination to stage a comeback to power.

``It is also absurd that someone who, in a saner society, should bury his head in shame for taking the people of Oyo State for a ride and for taking the state far backward on the path of development, would now assume the position of a messiah, speaking on behalf of the same people. In saner societies, Ladoja, who has been dragged to court for stealing over N5billion of our state money would be too busy explaining his roles in the theft of our patrimony,’’ it said.

The party, while stating that it was not disappointed with Ladoja’s attack, added that he could not have said otherwise, ``as he used all the almost four years he spent as governor to dream of all the developmental projects that Ajimobi is now executing’’.

While reminding that nobody celebrates a dream but an actualizer which Ajimobi is, ACN said that only like-minded dreamers like Ladoja would team up with him to launch senseless attacks on the Ajimobi government and choose to close their eyes to the modern Oyo State which he (Ajimobi) has created.

``As the people of Oyo State are rejoicing over the ambience of peace created by Ajimobi and the developmental strides of his administration, Ladoja and his cohorts should continue in their self-destruct mission. Let them be assured that they will meet their waterloo on the field of contest in 2015,’’.

The party also put on record that while the Ajimobi government had built markets and was still building more for the traders removed from the streets, Ladoja never built a single market for those traders he displaced during his reign of terror on the people of the state.

ACN also emphasized that the former governor had exhibited his lack of depth in his approach to issues that require intellect, particularly on the newly-constructed Mokola flyover bridge, describing his argument over the bridge as not only warped but grossly illogical.

“How can a person in this century claim that a fly-over is substandard simply because it has a barrier on it? In Lagos, there are at least five bridges with barriers on them, including recently constructed Millennium Bridge. It shows the quality of the man who administered this state and why Oyo was where the ACN took delivery of it in 2011,” the ACN said.   

   

NCPC ALLOTS 500 SEATS TO ABIA STATE

 

 The Abia State SSG, Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, Rev Dr. Zion Solomon Ibenye, NCPC Fed. Commissioner South-East, Gov. T A Orji, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, NCPC Boss, Mr. Gad Onyeanu SA to the Exe. Sec. of NCPC, Mr. Frank Chukwura NCPC Zonmal Coordinator South- East and Mr. Sydney Moneke Ex-officio member representing Foreign Affairs on NCPC Board during the sensitization visit of NCPC to Abia State recently.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christain Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr. John Kennedy Opara has allotted 500 seats to Abia State for the 2013 Christain Pilgrimage exercise. He disclosed this recently at Umuahia while on a sensitization visit to Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore A. Orji at Government House, Umuahia.

The NCPC boss  according to a release signed by  the organization media unit commended the Governor for the support and encouragement given to Christians in the State, especially his sponsorship of about 750 pilgrims to Israel in the past two years. He stated that the Governor was the first in the South East to have sponsored that number of pilgrims in the zone which is unrivalled.

Mr. Opara used the opportunity of the visit to present to the Governor the package of the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage exercise as approved by the President. He  therefore intimated the Governor that the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would be flagging off the 2013 Christian Pilgrimage exercise on 28^th October, 2013 and would be on the first batch of intending pilgrims to Israel. He therefore urged the Governor to be part of the flag off and join Mr. President on the Holy Pilgrimage to Israel.

The NCPC boss further urged the No 1 citizen of Abia State to mobilize other Governors within the South East to also join Mr. President on that glorious trip to the Holy Land.

In his response, Governor Theodore Orji congratulated the NCPC boss and the Federal Commissioner representing South East, Rev. Zion Solomon Ibenye for their reappointment for another term of five years by the President. He said that their reappointment was well deserved, having worked selflessly in the last five years to change the face of Christian pilgrimage in Nigeria.

He assured the NCPC helmsman that he would endeavour to sponsor 500 pilgrims to Israel this year as canvassed by him.

His Excellency equally promised to join the President at the flag off ceremony of 2013 Christian Pilgrimage and be part of the team that would fly with him to Israel.

The Governor was supported at the NCPC sensitization visit to his office by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa while the NCPC boss was accompanied to the state by the Federal Commissioner representing South East, Dr. Zion Ibenye, Ex-Officio member representing the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sydney Monekwe, Mr.Gad Onyeanu Special Assistant to the Executive Secretary of NCPC and Mr. Frank Chukwurah NCPC South East Zonal Coordinator.  

Third force ’ll sack ACN, PDP from South-West in 2015 - Ladoja

A former governor of Oyo State and national leader of the Accord Party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has disclosed that he is championing a third political force that will rout the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) as well as the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) from the South-West geospolitical zone in 2015.

Ladoja, who made this known in an interview on a private radio station in Ibadan, Splash F.M, said he had been discussing with leaders from other state in the South-West and fine-tuning an action plan to achieve the aim.

Asked who the leaders and what the plan were, Ladoja said the names of the leaders as well as the strategy to be deployed in sinking the ACN and the PDP in the next elections were being closely kept from the media so as to shock the ruling party.

“The third force is a force that is going to come and uproot both the ACN and the PDP and it is a force that Ladoja is championing and also discussing with various politicians in the South-West about,” he said.

On the media war between him and Governor Abiola Ajimobi, he said he was not at war with the governor but would resist being gagged in condemning anti-people policies of the ACN government in the state.

He said, for instance, he would not keep quiet because the state government decided to provide water for plants and flowers while the people of the state continued to live with dry taps in their homes.

On the claim by his party concerning the academic certificate and qualifications of Governor Ajimobi, the former governor said, “as far as I am concerned, I believe that a gentleman must live up to his words. If you say you have a Master’s degree, then you have it.”

“Ajimobi said he has a Master’s degree and I have no reason to doubt him. I was in Belgium on a Belgian government scholarship and studied Chemical Engineering and came out with distinction. I have my certificate and presented same to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2003.

“In 1992, I did the same thing when I contested election into the Senate because they had to verify my claims are true. It is only now that you do not need to present your certificate to INEC,” Ladoja said.

Kate Middleton and Prince William Welcome Royal Baby ... It's a Boy!

(Samir Hussein/WireImage)It's a prince! On Monday, the world welcomed the newest addition to the royal family and the future heir to England's throne. Palace officials confirmed the arrival of His Royal Highness the Prince of Cambridge, born at St. Mary's Hospital at 4:24 PM BST, and weighing 8 lbs 6 oz..

"Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well and will remain in hospital overnight," palace officials stated in an official press release. Prince William was present at the birth of his first child. The name of his firstborn son will be released "in due course."

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news," according to the brief statement emailed to members of the press, many of whom have been camped outside of St. Mary's Hospital for days.

Prince Charles expounded on the emotional moment in a statement released through Clarence House. He said he is "enormously proud and happy to be a grandfather for the first time."
"Both my wife and I are overjoyed at the arrival of my first grandchild," he added. "It is an incredibly special moment for William and Catherine and we are so thrilled for them on the birth of their baby boy."

The birth marks a new era for not only the first-time parents but also the extended royal family. As third in line to succeed the throne after his grandfather Prince Charles and his father, Prince William, he's the first baby born under new succession laws.

More on Yahoo: The Royal Baby Effect

Click to enlarge (photo via Twitter)

The modernized bill amends a centuries-old policy, allowing the royal couple's first-born child the right to inherit the throne regardless of gender.

"Historically, this is huge," Victoria Arbiter, CNN's royal expert, told Yahoo! Shine. "In 60 or 70 years, this baby will be a monarch. It's also the first time since Queen Victoria that four generations of monarchs will be alive together."

It's been a long and sometimes rocky journey to the historic due date. Anticipation about the heir to the throne began well before the frenzy over rumored due dates and even before St. James's Palace officially announced the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy in December. From the first day of their marriage over two years ago, Prince William and Kate Middleton have had an audience of clock-watchers.

More on Yahoo! Shine: Kate Middleton's maternity fashions

But they have never let public expectations determine their personal timing. After their 10-year courtship, the couple put off parenthood to enjoy their first year as a married couple. In that time, Middleton flexed her philanthropic muscles and stepped into her late mother-in-law's shoes as an international fashion arbiter. She also weathered a paparazzi scandal, prompting the palace to tighten its reins on the press.

When it came to the big announcement about the couple's first child, there was only so much the royal family could control. (To quote the Duchess herself, "Babies have their own agenda.") Before the official news broke, Middleton suffered acute morning sickness early in her first trimester. During her treatment at a central London hospital, pregnancy rumors reached a boiling point and the palace was forced to confirm what the public had long hoped.

"As the pregnancy is in its very early stages, Her Royal Highness is expected to stay in hospital for several days and will require a period of rest thereafter," read the official statement from St. James's Palace.

The news rippled immediately through the retail industry. Collectibles marking the anticipated firstborn's arrival began rolling out by early 2013, as maternity designers elbowed for the chance to dress the mom-to-be. All told, economists predict the royal birth could boost the British economy by $400 million. 

More on Yahoo!: Royal Baby's first song

Tragedy overshadowed the worldwide excitement when two Australian radio hosts pranked Middleton's hospital and the nurse who took the hoax call later committed suicide.

It was a sobering reminder of the impact of royal coverage on human lives. For the future monarch, it's an unfortunate part of the inheritance and part of an unfathomable burden of power.

Perhaps no one better understands this than the new dad, Prince William.

"Royal firstborns may get all the glory, but secondborns enjoy more freedom," Diana, princess of Wales, said after giving birth to her second son, Harry. "My second child will never have quite the same sort of pressure that poor William must face all his life."

That firstborn pressure includes carrying the HRH title and the legacy that goes with it. In the distant future, the newborn is poised to be the supreme governor of the Church of England, head of the U.K. armed forces, and the head of state in 16 countries.

"One day, this baby will be an influence across the globe, a leader, and someone millions of people will look up to," said Arbiter.  For now, however, he has two main responsibilities: eating and sleeping, just like any other baby.

PRESS RELEASE BY SENATOR AYO AKINYELURE

PRESS RELEASE BY SENATOR AYO AKINYELURE.

DISTINGUISHED SENATOR Dr. AYO AKINYELURE,FCA representing Ondo Central at the upper Chamber of the National Assembly, hereby wish to make the following clarifications on the above subject- matter to correct the wrong
allegations of VOTING INFAVOUR OF 'UNDER AGE MARRIAGE' as widely reported in the PUNCH NEWSPAPER of July, 20th 2013 on Pages 9-11. Which has now been subjected to various interpretations.

What the Senate considered for determination under the review of Nigerian Constitution was RENUNCIATION OF CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION.

THE QUESTION BEFORE THE SENATE FOR DETERMINATION WAS WHETHER A CLAUSE WHICH PROVIDES THAT "a married woman is deemed to be of full age to renounce her CITIZENSHIP OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA SHOULD BE RETAINED OR BE DELETED?

Section 29(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that "Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the RENUNCIATION"

The question before the SENATE FOR WHICH I VOTED I INFAVOUR WAS THAT A MARRIED WOMAN IS DEEMED TO BE OF FULL AGE TO RENOUNCE HER NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP.

THIS IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM VOTING IN FAVOUR OF 'UNDERAGE MARRIAGE' as now widely reported in the Media to blackmail Senators of FRN that believed in peaceful co-existence of Nigeria as a Nation.

I wish to EMPHATICALLY MAINTAINED THAT, I NEVER VOTED INFAVOUR OF UNDERAGE MARRIAGE AS WRONGLY REPORTED IN THE MEDIA. WHAT I VOTED FOR WAS THAT " a married woman is deemed to be of full age to renounced her citizenship of FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA as entrenched in the CONSTITUTION SINCE 1999.

This implied that RENUNCIATION OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM AGE OF MARRIAGE OF
NIGERIAN CITIZENS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, I SUBMITTED THIS
CLARIFICATIONS TO THE WHOLE NIGERIA AND THE WORLD AT LARGE, THAT MY PEOPLE IN ONDO CENTRAL AND GOVERNMENT OF ONDO STATE DID NOT SUPPORT UNDER AGE MARRIAGE IN ALL RAMIFICATIONS.

LONG LIVE ONDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

LONG LIVE ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT

LONG LIVE SENATE OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

LONG LIVE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

Distinguished Senator Ayo Akinyelure,FCA
Chairman, Senate Committee On Ethics,
Privileges & Public Petitions
Ondo Central Senatorial District

'Child Marriage' Bill: "I voted in error," Senator Akinyelure

The Senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial district, Senator Ayo Akinyelure has apologized to the people of his constituency and

Nigerians over his ‘error vote’ in support of under-age marriage
during the last debate on the amendment to the ongoing constitution review which has generated so much criticism.

Addressing members of his senatorial district at a town hall meeting held at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre in Akure, on Monday.

Akinyleure said he voted in error and stressed that the said vote was particularly on the process for change of citizenship and not early child marriage.

While regretting his action, he assured the people of efficient and effective representation at all times.
He said: "I can never in my life support under age marriage bill, I will do what is humanly possible at my disposal to ensure that it is
removed from the constitution."

Group warns Ladoja not to destabilize Oyo

A socio-cultural group, Oyo Development Initiative (ODI), has warned former governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, not to set the people of the state against the governor, thereby returning it to its old path of chaos and violence.

It made this known in a release issued by its Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Okanlawon.

According to the group, from recent utterances of Senator Ladoja, it was apparent he had begun his usual divisive politics that could be likened to the proverbial rat which aims to scatter the bowl of cowpeas once it cannot have a bite of the beans.

"The people of Oyo State know Ladoja for whom he is. He is a wily old politician who is steeped in the politics of tar-brushing his opponent with concoction and lies so as to get an upper hand. This will then brew chaos. It is in the midst of this that he thrives. Knowing that the world is acclaiming Ajimobi for his developmental strides, he knows that the only way to dim the governor's star is to intensify his campaign of calumny" said the group.

While deploring Ladoja's attack on the government's recently constructed fly-over bridge, the group urged all men of goodwill to condemn the former governor's obsessive bid to destroy a legacy that has lifted the profile of the Pace-setter State beyond comparison.

"Ladoja was in government for close to four years and all he did was to make life unbearable for the people. He refused to constitute boards of parastatals which would better the lives of the people, for more than one year. He destroyed a church at Ring Road and demolished shops without building a single shop as alternative, all through his barren reign. Right now that we have a man who is changing the landscape, Ladoja is so consumed by hatred and peer jealousy that he wants to pull down the house," the group said.

The group said it was laughable that Ladoja would claim to have a first class in engineering while alleging that Ajimobi had no 'O' level certificate.

"It is his kind of politics. Here is a man who cannot sustain an argument without blabbering and waffling and presents as a farmer who has not been to the four walls of a school deriding a man whom many who come into contact with affirm is cerebral and possesses depth," the group said.

The ODI urged the people of the state to demand from Ladoja what he did for them while in office.

"It was his fascist and tyrannical government which promoted Adebayo Alao-Akala to the undeserved height of governor of Oyo State. The two PDP regimes were like a blood-sucker as our people's blood was shed on a daily basis. Ladoja couldn't manage men as even Akala proved to be a better manager of Baba Adedibu. Nor could he manage resources as the EFCC has charged him to court for allegedly misappropriating Oyo shares money," the group said.

The ODI said the people were wiser now than the days when Ladoja held court like an affliction in Oyo State.