Category: South West

Ondo State will start the enforcement of its Land Use Act on December 1.

The Chairman, Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), Mr. Tolu Adegbie, made this known yesterday in Akure at the start of a two-day road awareness and sensitisation programme.

He said property owners had a month’s grace to pay their Land Use Charge or risk the penalties.

“The penalties for not paying include sealing off of premises or forfeiture of the premises to the government after filing ‘due to seal notice’.

“If you remove the `due to seal notice’, you will pay a fine of N50,000.

“If you remove the tag we put on your house, you will pay a fine of N50, 000.

“If you’re a corporate organisation and you remove the `due to seal’ notice or the tag, then you will pay a fine of N200,000,’’ Adegbie said.

He said the Ondo State Land Use Law, 2014, stipulates that any liable individual or corporate organisation that receives the notice, but refuses to pay the charge, risks the sealing off of the premises.

“He or she is also liable to forfeiture of his or her property to the government,” Adegbie said.

“If payment is not made after 135 days, the property on which the charge is payable shall be liable to receivership by the state or its appointed agent.

“The receivership shall take effect only after an order is granted by a chief magistrates’ court.

“This is until all outstanding taxes, penalties and all administrative charges have been paid,’’ he said.

The ODIRS chairman noted that in spite of many aggressive communication efforts by the agency to inform, remind and persuade people to pay, the response had been poor.

“Communication was made on radio, television, newspaper and digital platforms, yet a lot of people have not paid with the year fast running to an end,’’ he said.

Adegbie said that many people had claimed not to be aware of the charge, hence, the need for the public road campaign.

He added that offices, houses, shops and other tax paying entities had been well informed to forestall giving excuses when enforcement began.

The ODIRS boss said, however, that revenue receipts from the Land Use Charge had increased in recent times.

It rose from N8 million to N180 million in 2019 and to N200 million in 2020, while projected receipts for 2021 was N250 million.

Adegbie said that the state government had increased the percentage share of local government areas from land use charge revenue from 20 per cent to 30 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road show campaign involved the distribution of flyers, display of banners detailing payment rates and penalties for not paying the charge.

The sensitisation team visited government agencies and offices and residential areas in Akure.

 

Ahead of his 60th birthday, a single titled: ‘On the 6th Floor’, has been dropped in honour of Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.

A journalist-singer, Mrs. Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu aka Mama Labour, dropped the single.

She said: “Let me surprise Hon. Gbenga Omotoso on this landmark age.

“He has paid his dues over the years, in media management, mentorship of entry level reporters, including up-and-coming writers.

“His generosity towards us in the newsroom can also not be wished away. Some of us had our ways of getting some cash off him while broke. All you need to say is, ‘editor, everywhere is dry.’ And he would reply, ‘everywhere is dry or your pocket is dry?’ “He would part with some cash. We can only wish him well on this landmark age.

“On behalf of all reporters and correspondents who had worked with him, the E-Melody Crooners wish Gbenga Omotoso a happy 60th birthday. We also pray for many joyful returns of his special day.”

 

 

No fewer than six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are eyeing the position of National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

The position will be vacant next month after the current occupant, Taofeek Arapaja, is inaugurated as Deputy Chairman (South).

Arapaja, former deputy governor and ambassador, hails from Oyo State. He defeated his rival from Ondo State, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, who was sponsored by former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose during the zonal congress in Osogbo, Osun State.

Party sources said Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, a Southwest PDP leader and Arapaja’s benefactor, is expected to play a dominant role in the selection of a new vice chairman.

Although the position is expected to be zoned to Osun, chieftains from other states are said to be eyeing the slot.

There is also the understanding in the PDP that the position of Deputy Chairman (South) may become vacant too in the second quarter of next year when Dr. Iyorchia Ayu steps down, after zoning the presidential ticket to the North.

The implication is that Arapaja may step into his shoe as acting National Chairman, thereby making the position of Deputy National Chairman (South) to become vacant again.

Sources said National Vice Chairman (Southwest) aspirants include former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi, Olafeso, Deji Doherty from Lagos, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, Hon. Adagunodo and Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi.

The sources said while eyes are on these likely contenders, more aspirants may still throw their hats into the ring.

A party source said: “It is not possible for the vice chairman to be retained in Oyo because Arapaja is from Oyo. This will amount to monopolisation of party power and privileges.”

He added: “There are three zones in the Southwest-Lagos/Ogun, Oyo/Osun and Ondo/Ekiti. Party offices are shared according to the three zones.

“But, Lagos now has Deputy National Secretary. Ogun has Deputy National Legal Adviser. Ondo has Publicity Secretary. Before this time, Ondo/Ekiti had the bulk of positions.

I think the consensus will be that Osun should produce the next National Vice Chairman (Southwest).”

 

 

 

 

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved five additional academic programmes for Precious Cornerstone University (PCU), Ibadan, Oyo State.

PCU, already granted full operational licence by the Federal Government through the NUC, is a faith-based institution owned by The Sword of the Spirit Ministries, under the leadership of Bishop Francis Wale Oke.

The courses include Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Procurement Management, Mass Communication and International Relations.

The NUC, in a letter by the Director of Planning, Dr. Noel Saliu, on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, dated November 8, 2021 and addressed to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kola Oloke, said the approval followed the resource assessment visit carried out in August.

 

 

 

 

Muyiwa Hassan the annual Spelling Bee Competition for secondary and primary schools as well as the Independence Day Children’s fun fare to commemorate Nigeria at 61.

“We also facilitated the construction of additional classrooms at the vocational centre situated at Igbe-Ogunro through our representative in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Babajimi Benson.

“Also, we actively participated in all state-initiated programmes like the LASEMA Public Awareness Day, World Food Day, among others.”

Besides, she recalled the council facilitated the ongoing installation of streetlights on Adetona Bello Street, Area ‘N’ Police station injunction with Hon. Babajimi Benson, among others.

Pressed further, she said the council’s efforts in the area of healthcare delivery culminated in the creation of the End Malaria

project to combat the spread of malaria in infants and breastfeeding mothers.

Gbadebo-Alogba who hinted that plans are underway to host a town hall stakeholders’ meeting to enable residents to highlight the needs of their respective communities for the council’s intervention.”

The highpoint of the occasion was the distribution of food palliatives to over 600 households.

 

The Editor of the nationally-acclaimed complete reference book on the Nigerian ecumenical scene, the ‘Yearbook of Nigerian Churches,’ Rev. Dr. Alfred Akinkusote, will be buried on Friday.

He died on October 4 in his Ibadan, Oyo State home, after a brief illness.

One of his children, Pastor Olakunle Akinkusote, said the burial would be preceded by a service of songs in his Olorunsogo-Molete, Ibadan residence today at 5pm.

He said Pa Akinkusote would be interred in his Ita Oliyo GRA home in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State after an interdenominational funeral service at the same venue by 10:30am.

The deceased is survived by a wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and others.

 

 

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has sworn in the 18th Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Nofiu Aigoro.

He urged him to raise the standard of the public service.

Abiodun gave the advice yesterday at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

He advised the HoS to tread the path of excellence his predecessors were reputed for.

The governor said: “As the new Head of Service, I enjoin you to start raising the standard of the public service from the point where Alhaja Ottun left it and tread the path of excellence your predecessors are reputed for. May success be yours.”

He said his administration is guided by the principles of character, competence and capability in the appointment of top functionaries for the smooth operation of the core machinery of the government.

Abiodun said that the public service had been rebranded and put in a vantage position of trust and partnership by ensuring the right leadership for the service.

He said everyone had equal right to attain the highest office in the civil service.

The governor, noting that the emergence of Dr. Aigoro was as a result of due diligence, merit, loyalty and careful consultation, said his appointment was a call to higher duty.

“Permit me to state that Dr. Aigoro’s emergence, for instance, is a product of due diligence, merit, loyalty and careful consultation, and guided by excellence, comportment, discipline, high moral integrity and more importantly, adherence to civil service rules.

“As I congratulate our new HoS on his appointment, I want you to consider this appointment as a call to higher duties. Yes, you deserve it because you have always put service before other considerations. But to whom much is given, much more is expected,” he said.

Abiodun said that the new HoS was assuming duty at a time the public service was expected to do more to resuscitate the ailing economy, as occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Aigoro was expected to provide the kind of leadership that would further strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the public service.

The governor urged the HoS to use his office towards the successful implementation of the “Building our Future Together” agenda of his administration, noting that his administration would create a conducive atmosphere for public servants to build on their career in the service and get to their peak.

Aigoro, thanking the governor for the trust reposed in him, pledged to uphold and sustain the legacies of the founding fathers.

The HoS, who pleaded with the workforce for their support, said that the public service would continue to assist the government.

Ibolo Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, Agriculture and Technology (ICCIMAT) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Kwara State Government in the area of commercial agriculture, agribusiness value and chain and industrialision of communities in Ibolo land.

The President of ICCIMAT, Paul Olagunju, made this known yesterday in Offa, Offa Local Government at the opening of a two- day workshop the chamber organised with Development Governance International (DGI).

He said the partnership with the government would accelerate economic activities of the communities, create jobs and alleviate poverty, create wealth and position the state as a model of modern community.

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, the wife of the Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, is dead.

She died yesterday morning in London after battling cancer for over two years.

A statement by the church last night confirmed the incident.

The statement said: “With deep regret and gratitude to God, we have to announce the passing on of our senior pastor’s wife, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya.

“She battled cancer for the better part of two years. She stood on the word of God and she fought.

“We loved her with all our hearts, but who are we to fight with the will of God.

“The truth is, at one point in our lives, we all have to say goodbye. So for now, till we meet again in glory, goodbye Pastor Nomthi.”

Nomthi’s death was announced by her husband last night through his verified Instagram page.

“She battled cancer for the better part of two years. She gave me 11 beautiful years of marriage and two wonderful boys, who I know will be very significant in life. I loved her with all my heart, but who am I to fight with the will of God?” Pastor Odukoya wrote.

He married Nomthi four years after he lost his first wife, Bimbo, to the Sosoliso plane crash in 2005.

On January 5, the duo celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos.

 

 

The Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has appealed to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to make land acquisition and possession easy in the state by constituting the Land Use and Allocation Committee, with estate surveyors and valuers taking prominent positions in the committee.

It also urged the governor to consider its age long request for the creation of the position of the Valuer-General, to enhance the contributions of professionals to the development of the state.

The President and Chairman of NIESV, Sir. Emmanuel Okas Wike, spoke while decorating Akeredolu as patron of the body.

He noted that the delay in processing of vital documents such as Certificate of Occupancy and Governor’s Letter of Consent was not unconnected to shortage of workers in the processing offices.

The governor promised to look into the suggestion of creating the office of Valuer General.