Ondostate.gov.ng: A review from Grandiose Parlor.

It is high time the governor reviewed his media strategy,

particularly how the state website is used to augment his efforts and showcase the state. The world is now a global village thanks to technology and a dynamic media that has gone digital. If the Mimiko administration wants to reverse the existing impression of state as a sleepy backwater rural settlement to that of a great business or tourist destination, then it must jump on the World Wide Web.

The full review, can be found over at Grandiose Parlor here.

The more pertinent question, however, ultimately remains whether there are any specifics, that can indeed be marketed ?

And should government at any level be about marketing at all ? 

Also, the idea that tourism has a place in or around somewhere where people die of road accidents and blame random, non-existent evil spirits ( see Akure Road Carnage - Tribune Report ) seems totally misplaced.

And businesses will thrive, and be meaningful only when the local economy is so empowered, and supported to become dynamic, self supporting and ambitious as to lead its way.

Notwithstanding, the use, under-use, and misuse of the ondo state official website as pointed out is right on the money.

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Tomato Ketchup and other matters: Government of the beauticians and kleptomaniacs ?

"The Ondo State government has acquired 5,000 hectares of land to plant tomatoes for production of tomato paste and ketchup...named “Perfect Food Processing Factory the state"

There goes Mr. Akerele, the Ondo state government's commissioner for Information. The full report is over here.

Mr. Akerele states further:

"..that the state government had trained 500 people in Israel to have adequate knowledge of how to properly run the factory... and that Government is ready to revive all the ailing industries in the state to pave way for job creation for the teeming youths in the country”

One thing comes to mind: More, and more, and more and more and more Monies. approved and gone. And then there are promises left...

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The following short commentary on the 234Next's report is instructive, from one Gbenga Roberts:

"Time has a story to tell and just as it was in the begining so shall it ever be. My fear is that time may not have kind words nor a good story to tell about Mimiko's administration which was welcomed by a large percentage of the people.

Mr. Roberts continues:

"What we see is crass cronyism, nepotism and contract inflation of the most absurd proportions.

Ondo State is now a state where a 2.5km road will cost N2.2bn for construction in the capital where there so much window-dressing, all in the name of beautification without structural issues being addressed. "

And more:

"Neighbourhood markets which used to be the preserve of local governments are now being constructed by central government and are celebrated all over the place with pomp and fanfare, yet, jobs are not seriously being created except the ones for the myriads of thugs masquerading as Special Assistants. What we are witnessing is profligacy of the highest proportions.

Even more posers:

"Ask how much was initially slated for the Alade Cocoa factory?

" Ask how much is being set aside now?

And an almost disturbing if not scary a conclusion:

"This is government of the beauticians and kleptomaniacs."

If this is already being said about about the Mimiko administration in mid 2010 - and they are based on solid reasoning - there can be only one painful exit point: What a tragedy in full swing...and a shameful one at that.

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Mimiko Returns from the USA ?

There goes governor Olusegun Mimiko at Muritala International on his way back into Nigeria as per an Ovation-like piece of the photo-reporting in full

here

The title of the photopage: "MIMIKO, ONDO STATE GOVERNOR, ARRIVES NIGERIA FROM A 10-DAY WORKING VISIT TO THE USA" begs questioning but before you come to that, why is it the case that this 10-day working visit appear so  under-reported everywhere else ?

When did the governor check out of the country ?  

And what exactly does working visit mean ?  How is the trip in furtherance of the business of the people of Ondo state ?

Questions. And more.  Why must the fact of a governor's arrival from a working visit, attract so much smiley crowd ? 

A rather sad commentary on the jamboree subtext that probably marks Alagbaka. Then and still, now...

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Here comes The Dome...

Yes, The Ondo state Dome is finally here. Except you cannot see it, but you can view it. In pictures.

Full report here.

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First, it is a disgrace, that a government that does not waste any time to emphasize its commitment to truth will not apologise to its citizenry for what is, at the very least, the worst form of lying: Governor Mimiko had originally boasted that The Dome project will be complete in June 2010.

Nothing excuses that. Lying is lying. And its even more bizarre when it is done on such basic things as constructing a piece of architecture...

Two, It is telling, very telling, that even these pictures - and they do not appear (yet) like ones that would inspire, for what should be a Dome - should be supplied at the prompt of a private citizen. 

It makes you wonder, where are all those retinue of staff who get paid to (mis?)inform the public?

Thirdly, how much employment is being created in the local economy, at the expense of N1.5B, if all there is to be seen at the construction site spanning 34KM, is few men, seemingly posing for a picture, on a bright Akure afternoon ?

Something does not quite feel right.

And one would expect that a company that is healthy enough, to be trusted with N1.5B of Ondo state's money should have a trace-able reference on the Internet in the form of a website...no ? A quick Google search for "Dream Media Network Limited" reveals nothing. Nothing comforting...

Still, the Dome should have been ready in June, we asked. Now that we can see 'something' in July, can anyone in the Ondo state government officially step out and confirm when the Dome will eventually land ? 

That is what responsible governments' do...

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Ministry of Edu-4-1-9 ?

There are certain things that should not happen. Not in any society.

And you wonder, how we became this people who exploit ourselves thinking we are being smart.

Whereas what ultimately happens is, you exploit a student so my parents who are doctors can exploit you too, at your weakest point of all, when you need help...and it becomes a never ending cyle.

Listen to Mr. Ladi Obayo in the Tribune newspapers writing to Governor Mimiko:

...the Ministry of Education made school principals to collect N300 each from students in JSS 3 for placement examinations into SSS 1. The examinations never took place and there was no refund by the Ondo State Ministry of Education till date.

How can stuff like that be going on in an entire ministry ? 

I wonder what the Commissioner of Education has to say to this ?

Else, we might as well declare that what we pass now for Ministry of Education is actually the Ministry of Edu-4-9.

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