Gov Akeredolu promises to partner professionals on infrastructure

Gov Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State said the state government will partner with professionals in a bid to ensure infrastructure development in the state.

Akeredolu made this known at the 3rd Annual Lecture and Investiture of Mr Adedire Adeyinka as the fourth Chairman of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), Ondo State Chapter, in Akure on Thursday.

Akeredolu, who was represented by Mr Ifedayo Abegunde, the Secretary to the State Government, noted that the partnership would ensure excellence and integrity.

“In line with the objectives of your association, our administration is ready to partner with you in the area of promoting excellence and integrity among professionals in both the public and private sectors.

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“As a government, we will ensure that your members are included in developmental efforts so that our people can get quality service that they deserve,’’ he said.

The governor urged the association to do everything on its part to strengthen the anticipated synergy.

Akeredolu reiterated his administration’s efforts to bring dividends of democracy to people through massive infrastructure development in road construction and establishing industries for job creation.

The governor urged the new leadership of the association to do everything possible to promote ideals for greater effectiveness and efficiency.

He commended the dynamism of APBN for its proactiveness in giving a sense of direction to at least 30 functional professional bodies.

The governor lauded the association for offering a handy forum to be further enlightened on topical issues which had far-reaching implications on societal well-being and general development of people.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Emmanuel Adewumi, said APBN was a proficient body with common goals that comprise all legal professional bodies in Nigeria.

Adewumi noted that the association was waxing strong, describing the lecturer’s topic as commendable, considering the danger of drug abuse in present-day Nigeria.

He said that the association was in the best situation to advise that government so that it could brace up for developmental projects.

The chairman advised the association to challenge, criticise creatively and support the state government for effective governance.

Adewumi appealed to the state government to award contracts to the association in the state instead of giving out work to those outside the state.

Mr Samuel Ademola, the National Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), who delivered a lecture titled: “Socio-economic impacts of Drugs and Substance Abuse in Nigeria’’, said almost all crimes committed were caused by intake of wrong drugs

Ademola, who was represented by Babalola Taiwo, noted that 50 per cent of the Nigerian population consisting of youths, were meant to drive the economy.

He said that it was unfortunate that most youths were being caught in the web of misuse of drugs.

According to him, this has caused more pressure on the budget for social services to cater for victims and results of wrong use of drugs.

He noted that misuse of drugs cut across all ages, urging parents and guardians to keep a keen look on their children’s character in order to detect early if they were into drug abuse for quick rehabilitation.

In his remarks, the new state chairman of APBN, thanked the state governor for his decision to invest massively in the socio-economic transformation of the state, which involved reorganisation of the system to ensure economic viability.

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Adeyinka urged the state government to address the issue of capital flight which he said had a negative impact on domestic development.

“This has been an ugly trend for a while and the association is not happy about it.

“We beseech the governor to devise a judicious approach aimed at engendering the provision of an enabling environment for indigenous business and services to thrive.

“This will sustain the existence and development of local professionals. We do have qualified, experienced and exposed professionals with huge inherent capabilities in Ondo State,’’ he said.