A community newspaper in Ondo State, Chronicle Magazine, on Friday awarded the State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Omoba Abayomi Adesanya an award of excellence.
According to the management of the newspaper, the award was in recognition of Adesanya's contributions to the profession of Journalism and victory of of its party in the just concluded governorship election in the State.
Addressing reporters before receiving the award at a ceremony held at Josemila Resort center, Akure, the APC spokesman dedicated the award to the the Nigerian Media for their cooperation and role in strengthening democracy.
He said; "This award I will be given today, it is not given to me. This award is dedicated to the media because they have been so objective in their reportage, the media have been so objective, they balance the stories."
Speaking further, Adesanya said the incoming government of the APC will invest heavily on agriculture.
"As far as our party is concerned in Ondo State, we have manifesto. In the manifesto, the party will adhere strictly and one of the cardinal point in our manifesto is agricultural development and which is the bedrock of any Nation that want to grow, that want to develop.
"You will be surprised that in Ondo State, we have over 270,000 acres of oil palm plantation and this is about 30 percent of the arable land in the State and since the economic policy of the Federal Government have been in place, those who have abadoned their oli palm plantation are now back to it.
"We are going to invest heavily where we will take agriculture as the bedrock first of all. We don't need to rely on the Federal Government for allocation alone," he said.
Speaking on the outgoing State commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade's allegation that he is criticizing the Olusegun Mimiko-led government so as to be appointed by the incoming government, Adesanya described Akinmade's position as childish and ridiculous.
He said; " I see that as childish. Why will he say am seeking position for criticizing the government that we dislodged. What publicity do I need again.
"When a statement criticizing the government is being isued, instead of them to tackle the issue, the commissioner for Information will resort to name calling and he calls himself a professional.
"I see that as highly ridiculous, don't he know that he is representing himself. So people expect him to talk objectively and answer the question being asked. When they are looting the State treasury, they are looting everything, vehicles are being driven away to various States, hidden somewhere, so we have to talk."
