Restore, revive Ajasin’s legacies, Afenifere tells Ondo govt

The Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Ondo State chapter, on Tuesday, expressed concern over the mismanagement and neglect of the legacies left behind by the former governor of the state, Chief Adekunle Ajasin.

The state chapter of the group, which stated this in a communique issued at the end of its monthly meeting in Akure, blamed subsequent administrations in the state for allegedly bastardizing the legacies of one of the founding fathers of the state, Ajasin.

While reading the communique, the State Chapter Publicity Secretary, Eric Oluwole, noted that a large percentage of the investments put in place by Ajasin had become moribund.

He listed the economic legacies to include Ifon Ceramic, Owena Motels, Oluwa Glass in Okitipupa, Akunnu Cattle Ranch, among others, saying there were no plans by the state government to revive any of the industries, while some had been sold or gone down the drain.

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Afenifere specifically frowned upon the withdrawal of the operating license of Heritage Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), calling on the federal and state governments to work towards the reversal of the decision.

They noted that the bank, which metamorphosed from Owena Bank to Omega Bank, Spring Bank, Enterprise Bank, and Heritage Bank, remains one of the legacies of the late Ajasin and should be revived by the state government.

Oluwole stated, “The Ondo State Chapter of Afenifere resolved as follows: that the Ondo State Government should liaise with the Federal Government to revive all the economic legacies initiated by the Adekunle Ajasin administration.

“The state should take necessary action towards the acquisition of Heritage Bank. The legacies include the license of Heritage Bank, and we advise the Ondo State Government to work with the Federal Government to restore it to its original founding fathers, that is, the Ondo State Government.

“Other industries include the ceramic industry, Okitipupa Oil Mill, and others.”

Afenifere commended the state government for its efforts on the security of the state, especially the Amotekun outfit initiated by the former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Afenifere urged the state government to continue funding Amotekun and other security agencies in the state to ensure the security of lives and property.

Afenifere also advised the state government to adopt, as part of its education policies, the Yoruba language and history as compulsory subjects to be taught in primary and secondary schools.