These are certainly not the best of time for the first family in Ondo State as some citizens have frowned at the N20,000 registration fee intending participants have been asked to pay for a summit organized by the Forum of Wives of State Officials, FOSOWO. Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu, is said to be the chief convener of the forum.
The programme, which was designed to commemorate the first anniversary of FOWOSO, was inaugurated last year shortly after the coming on board of her husband, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as governor of the state.
Some residents, who expressed their displeasure to an online news portal, DAILY POST, on the compulsory gate levy for participants, emphasized that it is “unreasonable” for the governor’s wife to peg a workshop fee at a staggering N20,000.
They premised their anger on the fact that since its inception, FOWOSO has been fully funded by the state government.
One of the residents working with Akure South Local Government Council and who wanted to be identified only as Mrs. Adaralegbe, maintained that such workshop coming from the stable of the governor’s wife should not have attracted any financial implications from participants.
Stating that such move would shut out those willing to attend the workshop due to the N20,000 fee, putting into consideration that Ondo State is mainly civil service state.
“If truly that the purpose of creating FOWOSO by Arabirin (Governor’s wife) is to bring succour to homes across the state through sensitisation and workshops on how womenfolk in the state can assist in the home front, then the fee is too outrageous.
“In my own situation, with my salary less that N100, 000 in a month, they want me to pay N20,000 for a programme that will be fully sponsored by the government?
What I know of such pet projects by previous wives of governors in the state, is that, it’s strictly based on NGO model without collecting a dime from indigent people.”
Also condemning the financial motive of the program, a staff of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, OSOPADEC, who craved for anonymity, alleged that FOWOSO is more of a fund siphoning platform.
According to him, almost all the programmes initiated by Betty Anyanwu–Akeredolu are being sponsored by his place of work, OSOPADEC.
“I was dumbfounded when I saw the invite stating that participants should pay N20,000.
“One thing I’m certain of is that OSOPADEC is one of the major financiers of her (Betty Anyanwu – Akeredolu) programmes.
“Not only that she demands for fund from our office (OSOPADEC), virtually all projects in the commission is been handled by her, which in some cases it’s through her son, Jide.
“Even, the BEMORE project which she also handles is fully funded by OSOPADEC.”
Reacting to the outcries that have greeted the summit, the Chief Press Secretary to the wife of the governor, Oluwatobi Fademi, argued that the registration fee is meant to take care of the resource persons for the summit and as well cater for participants, adding that the fee is the cheapest compared to other states.
Fademi who spoke with our correspondent, further stated that the summit was solely sponsored by individuals contribution and not through the government.
“The summit is for two days. There is a 5th and 6th. The December 5th day is the day of the lecture. That is the day people are paying.
“We’re bringing world renowned people for the lecture and it is money that we are going to use to bring them. And the registration is for people that can afford it.
“That day there will be raffle draw, where people will win things, there will be gifts for everyone, as well as food.
“It’s even cheap in Ondo. In Lagos State, such programme goes for as high as N50,000 per participant.
“Even Oyo State has something similar. In things like this, there are knowledge to be gained.
