Mimiko charges FG on Kaduna killings, lauds workers over success as gov

GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimko of Ondo State on Tuesday, called for the investigation into the killings in the Southern Kaduna urging the Federal government to do all within its power to stop the trend.

Mimiko described the constant shedding of blood of people as being witnessed in Southern Kaduna at the moment as unfortunate development, which should be arrested immediately.

He said bloodletting, aside its natural negative consequences on the unity of the country, psyche and lives of the people in the affected areas, could also inhibit the progress of a nation and obstruct the prayers of her people.

He however called on the Federal Government to find a way to restore peace to the crisis ridden area so that shedding of the people’s blood could stop.

“We cannot be praying for economic progress if we continue to shed the blood of innocent people. Handling over the Boko Haram flag to the President is what we should thank God for,” he said

Mimiko who stated this in Akure, Ondo State capital during the first working day prayer held at the Governor’s office, lauded public servants in the State for their unalloyed support towards his administration’s notable accomplishments.

The governor who commended the state workers for assisting his government to succeed,  noted that the accomplishments of his administration in the health, education, urban renewal and youth empowerment among others could not have been achieved if the workers had turned their back to programmes and policies of the state government.

He said “I must thank you workers because whatever accomplishments in every sector today, it would have been impossible. They will say Mimiko achieves this, Mimiko achieves that, but you are the engine room of actualisation of our accomplishments in the last eight years.

“If Mimiko dreams of Abiye and you civil servants want to frustrate it, you can do it but you cooperated with us. Look at the auto mart, the neighbourhood markets here and there, they were built through direct labour but you civil servants are instrumental to the success story. Our free shuttle bus scheme is being operated by civil servants without interruption.”

He thus solicited the workers support for the incoming government, urging them to keep supporting and praying for the new administration, for the sustainability and promotion of the existing peace and development of the State.

Mimiko explained that his administration and his predecessors have laid solid foundation for the incoming administration of Mr Rotimi Akeredolu who will be inaugurated on February 24, 2017.

The governor said his administration had prepared a necessary ground work for Akeredolu to take off some projects, which included the smooth take of bitumen exploitation, saying “We’ve worked on bitumen, and we have taken it to the threshold of success.”

Mimiko who also frowned over the 12.5per cent of the Paris Club refund paid to Ondo State recently, saying the state was supposed to get 25 per cent of the fund and vowed to get the get balance of the fund, while he promised to use the fund judiciously to pay workers  salaries and do some other programmes of government.

Earlier in his message, Bishop Joshua Ketiku, charged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of integrity in the new year, saying that “those who maintain integrity will be blessed by God, those telling the truth even when it hurts, will also be blessed by God.”

The prayer session was attended by the state deputy governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo, and his wife Fatimat, Secretary to the state government, Dr Aderotimi Adelola, chief of staff to the governor, Dr Kola Ademujimi, and the head of service, Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, among others.