By Adekola Afolabi

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The coast is clear in Ondo State for the return of Mission Schools back to their original owners, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has hinted.
Akeredolu who gave the indication in Akure at the first working day prayer session held for workers to usher in a new year said the schools will only be returned to their original owners under certain conditions.
He directed such religious organisations who are interested in taking over their schools to approach the state Ministry of Justice for necessary briefs.
Among the criteria to be met by the missionaries, the governor disclosed is an assurance that the released institutions will not discriminate against any admission seekers.
Once the hurdles listed by government are cleared by the mission owners, we shall gladly hand them back to them, Akeredolu hinted.
At the prayer meeting, both the political office holders and the public servants in the state put on black clothes with black arm bands in honour of the departed public office holders in the out-gone year, including the Governor’s Chief of Protocol, Tosin Ogunbodede, Esq.
Two minutes silence was also observed in their honour.
The Governor noted that in spite of the economic challenges, he is totally committed to creating and expanding infrastructures across the State, adding that his administration is also putting in place an industrial base which has been acknowledged nationally and also rejuvenating the educational and health institutions and empowering the vulnerables.
While highlighting the challenges experienced in 2020, particularly the global COVID-19 pandemic, the #EndSARS protests and all forms of security challenges, Governor Akeredolu said the challenges could only have been tamed the way it was in the state by the good hands of God.
“In a similar vein, God also in His infinite mercies, led us peacefully through the conduct of the 2020 gubernatorial election in the State. Looking back, we have every cause to thank God”, the Governor added.
He described the year 2021 as a significant year as his administration will commence its second term on 24th February, 2021 in continuation of the actualization of its lofty programmes, stressing that the second term would not be for holiday but for more legacy projects.
Earlier in his exhortation tagged, “Vision for Development”, the Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Jacob Bada who applauded Governor Akeredolu for his various developmental efforts, further charged him to improve on the state’s industrialization and health sectors to make his second term in office outstanding, saying the Governor was called by God to positively change the story of the state.
Bishop Bada who encouraged Akeredolu to be magnanimous in victory also admonished the civil servants to emulate Joseph in the Bible who became a prime minister through selfless service and dedication to duties.
Also, the state Head of Service, Mr Dare Aragbaiye appreciated Governor Akeredolu for prioritizing workers’ welfare and urged the civil servants to be committed to their duties in the new year.
On his part, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Sunday Adeleye, appreciated Governor Akeredolu for the payment of new minimum wage, regular promotion of workers and the improved welfare of workers.
Highlights of the programme were prayers for Nigeria, Ondo state and the present administration, Mr Governor and his family as well as the public service of the state.