The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Kidnappers to die by hanging in Ondo – Govt

    Kidnappers to die by hanging in Ondo – Govt

    Kidnappers found guilty in the state will face the death penalty by hanging, the Ondo State Government has said.

    The government also said that buildings and facilities used by kidnappers in committing crimes would be demolished after following due process in the court.

    The Attorney General and State Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, disclosed this during a news briefing shortly after the State Executive Council meeting on Saturday in Akure.

    Ajulo explained that the anti-kidnapping law would be reviewed by the Ondo State House of Assembly, which will prescribe the death penalty for kidnappers by hanging.

    He said the council was also concerned about the spate of cultism in the state and would do everything necessary to deal with the situation decisively.

    READ ALSO: How we survived herdsmen attack that claimed 200 lives in Benue community – Residents

    He said the penalty for kidnappers in the state would now be death by hanging after reviewing the law through the state House of Assembly.

    “The governor, being a lover of the rule of law, would not go the way it’s being done in other states, without following necessary court due process.

    “We should know that we have investors coming to the state, and as part of measures to ensure we encourage them that they and their investment are safe,” he said.

    Also speaking, Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, said the executive also approved the installation of 6000 solar-powered street lights across the three senatorial districts.

    Olawoye said the construction of a 24.75km dual carriageway from Okitipupa to Igbokoda Jetty was also approved at the meeting.

    He also disclosed that the council approved the construction of a 6.7km dual carriageway from Supare Junction–Akungba–Ikare road in Akoko.

    The Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Bola Taiwo, said that the state government had approved the selection process of Olu of Okeigbo by the warrant chiefs.

  • Iresa-Pupa community debunks historical claims by group, reaffirms landlord status

    Iresa-Pupa community debunks historical claims by group, reaffirms landlord status

    The Iresa-Pupa Community Development Association (ICDA) has strongly condemned what it described as a “comical and ahistorical” account issued by an anonymous group in Oko, dismissing the claims as “fundamentally inaccurate, structurally deficient, and laced with historical revisionism.”

    In a joint statement signed by ICDA Chairman Rev. Zachaeus Olusanjo Akanni and Secretary Mr. Johnson Oyebamiji, the association rebuked the ongoing attempts to distort historical facts and questioned the credibility of the unnamed group, urging those behind the publication to embrace historical reality and focus on development rather than stoking division.

    “The continued effort to rewrite our shared history by these faceless revisionists is a futile exercise,” the statement read. “We have verifiable and undeniable evidence that confirms Iresa-Pupa’s landownership and traditional authority over the Oloko of Oko.”

    The ICDA addressed three main claims put forward by the anonymous group:

    The group claimed that the Oloko was listed among superior traditional rulers. However, ICDA clarified that page 23 of the 1959 Gazette only listed lesser chiefs in districts, not first-class monarchs. “The Soun of Ogbomoso, Aresa, Olugbon, and others were not included, proving the document focused solely on lower-ranking chiefs.”

    The ICDA argued that the second document referenced by the group — an expenditure record from “Ogbomoso North” in 1982 and 1983 — is a fabrication, noting that Ogbomoso North Local Government was only created in 1991. “This so-called document predates the existence of the local government it refers to,” the group noted, dismissing it as a clear case of misinformation.

    The ICDA pointed out that several communities bear the name “Oko”, including Oko Ile and the now-extinct Oko Ose. “The current Oko Irese, which is less than 200 years old, cannot claim superiority over older Oko communities,” they said.

    The ICDA traced the evolution of Oko as a settlement, citing the 2011 publication by Oko elders, which acknowledged that the original Oko was located near old Oyo Ile and was abandoned due to war. 

    Furthermore, referencing works by Prof. Oyerinde and the 1953 “Report of Oko Chieftaincy Dispute,” they reaffirmed that Aresa-Pupa is the traditional landlord, and that Oko chiefs are required to seek Aresa’s approval during succession processes.

    On the chieftaincy lineage, the ICDA corrected another alleged historical error by the group, clarifying that the current Aresa-Pupa, Oba Moses Olayiwola Ajiboye III, is in fact the 11th Aresa-Pupa since the division of Iresa. 

    They listed all past rulers, beginning with Oba Obatuapa Taiwo to the present monarch, emphasizing the rich and documented lineage of their rulership.

    They also recounted a 1992 letter from the Adaramola Oyenibi Ruling House seeking Aresa’s approval to install Oba Adaramola as Oloko, and a 2021 letter by Oko High Chiefs requesting inclusion in the Aresa Traditional Council—further supporting their position as landlords.

    Backing their claim with the Oyo State Gazette of 1995, the ICDA noted that the Aresa-Pupa was granted prescribed authority over several chieftaincies, including Oko. 

    “More than 60 towns and villages fall under Aresa-Pupa’s traditional jurisdiction, including Oko,” the statement added.

    The group also referenced a historic Supreme Court ruling in a land dispute between Aagba and Oko communities, where Aresa’s boundary submission formed the basis of the judgment.

    They concluded by cautioning the Oloko and his followers against misrepresenting history or undermining established authority. 

    The ICDA promised to make documents supporting their claims available for public scrutiny, affirming their commitment to transparency, peace, and regional development.

  • 1,000 petty traders benefit from Tinubu’s wife RHI cash grant in Oyo

    1,000 petty traders benefit from Tinubu’s wife RHI cash grant in Oyo

    No fewer than 1,000 petty traders across Oyo State on Thursday received support under the second tranche of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Economic Empowerment Programme and Recapitalisation Grant facilitated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

    The grant, according to Mrs. Tinubu, is part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to offer direct relief to individuals and families while promoting long-term economic empowerment.

    At the grant disbursement event in Ibadan, the First Lady was represented by the wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunomini Makinde, who described the initiative as both a gesture of compassion and a demonstration of Mrs. Tinubu’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots.

    Mrs. Makinde commended the First Lady for her inclusive approach to empowerment, stressing that the greatest investment in the people lies in sustainable economic support that fosters lasting development and a renewed Nigeria.

    She said, “This cash grant being disbursed today may appear small, but for many households, it will serve as a critical stepping stone.

    Read Also: 2027: APC warns members against anti-party activities in Oyo

    “For some, it will provide capital to support a small business. For others, it may help with school fees, medical bills, or essential household needs. Regardless of how it is used, the goal is to uplift lives and reignite hope.”

    She, however, urged the beneficiaries to use the grant wisely and let it serve as a seed that grows into something.

    “Let it be a beginning, not an end. Once again, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Renewed Hope Initiative team and to all those working behind the scenes to make this vision a reality.”

  • Register with Oyo govt to access support, Makinde’s wife urges orphanages, disability centres

    Register with Oyo govt to access support, Makinde’s wife urges orphanages, disability centres

    Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, has called on owners of Orphanage Homes, Foundations, and Disability Centres across the state to register with the government in order to be identified and benefit from state support when necessary.

    Speaking in Ibadan during the distribution of food items, toiletries, cash, and other gifts to children with special needs, Mrs. Makinde, represented by the lawmaker for Ibadan North Constituency 1, Hon. Comforter Olajide, expressed concern that several such institutions have yet to formalise their registration with the state.

    She emphasised that registration with the Ministry of Women Affairs is essential, as it enables the government to track their locations, understand their operations, and provide timely assistance. “Without registration, it’s difficult for the government to reach out effectively,” she noted.

    Read Also: Oyo govt seals collapsed restaurant building in Ibadan, launches investigation

    Hon. Olajide commended the governor’s wife for her compassion and continued support for children with special needs, describing her outreach as a source of hope and joy for the beneficiaries.

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Alhaja Faosat Sani, praised Mrs. Makinde for her generosity, noting that the food and cash donations would ease the burden on caregivers and improve the well-being of the children.

    Among the centres visited were Heart and Soul Nursery/Primary School for Children with Special Needs, Iwo Road; Jesus Kids Home for Special People, Monatan; Life Survival Children’s Home, Akobo Ojurin; Seed of Charity, Olorunda, Akobo; Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled, Moniya; Jesus Children Mission Outreach, Bodija; and Agbedare Jesus Care Foundation Special, Agbowo Express.

    The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support, stating that the items would help alleviate some of their daily challenges. Mrs. Makinde also encouraged well-meaning Nigerians to show love and support to children with special needs.

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  • Ekiti community bids farewell to Queen Adebiyi

    Ekiti community bids farewell to Queen Adebiyi

    People of Are-Ekiti, particularly family of late High Chief Johnson Anisulowo and Late Omogbemile Olaofe will on Friday, 20th of June, 2025 bid farewell to the remains of Queen Eyesorun Bosede Grace Adebiyi, wife of the Alare of Are-Ekiti, Oba Jacob Boluwade Adebiyi.

    Olori Eyesorun Bosede, as she was fondly known, passed away on February 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of strength and resilience.

    She was survived by husband, brother, cousins children and great grand cildren.

    The royal couple’s influence extended beyond the palace, with Olori EyesOrun Bosede playing vital role in promoting the welfare of her subjects.

    Read Also: Gallant Queens rule 2nd Halimatu Ayinde Women’s Cup

    The upcoming burial ceremony is expected to be attended by prominent traditional rulers, government officials and well-wishers from across Ekiti State. 

    The news of Olori EyesOrun Bosede’s passing was met with an outpouring of tributes, reflecting her impact on the lives of those who knew her. 

    As the community comes together to mourn her loss, they take comfort in the memories of her remarkable life and legacy.

  • Ekiti trains butchers, meat processors on modern slaughtering

    Ekiti trains butchers, meat processors on modern slaughtering

    The Ekiti State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) has trained butchers, meat processors on modern slaughtering.

    The participants selected from across the three senatorial districts were trained on the handling and storage of livestock products in line with health, sanitary and phytosanitary regulations and food security standards.

    Speaking with reporters during the training in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the L-PRES Coordinator, Olayinka Adedipe, said: “The importance of this programme is to have the practical session of the training we have been having for the past two weeks.

     “Apart from the fact that we have to put the participant through some process of modern ways of humane slaughtering, processing and preservation, you can see that we are in an estimated slaughtering factor: that’s why we try to bring the participants together to this particular area.

    “This process can’t lead to job loss. It will only lead to value for them. It will reduce the energy they put into slaughter, the slaughtering method is entirely different and it’s in a stimulant environment.”

    READ ALSO: Why it is hard to remarry after Ibidunni’s death – Ituah Ighodalo

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade stressed that the training was necessary for a more robust and healthy way of handling livestock, birds and other products.

    This, he said, would enable the state to be on the same pedestal with developed nations in terms of meat processing and export livestock products to international countries.

    He said the state government would build a new abattoir and establish an ultra-modern poultry processing plant towards making livestock products well processed and packaged.

    “The food is very essential, but must be in a very hygienic and healthy way for our people. So, what we are trying to do is that those people who are handling food must pass through what we call sanitary processes, where they would know the procedure and the best practices, especially in handling from the upstream to the downstream.

    “This will enable our buyers not to buy something that is already infected, they are not buying meat that is already infected or meat that is infected through the processing.

    “We have Agro airport, an opportunity can come up tomorrow, where we can export our meat to other countries. We are going through the best practices so that whatever meats they are producing can be compared to the overseas and developed world,” he added.

  • Osun 2026: APC won’t break into factions, says ex-Speaker

    Osun 2026: APC won’t break into factions, says ex-Speaker

    • NIWA boss inaugurates 393 youth canvassers ahead of primary

    Former Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, has said next year’s governorship primary of the state All Progressives Congress(APC) will not affect the party’s unity.

    He assured that the party will not break into factions after the emergence of the flagbearer of the APC for the poll.

    Owoeye stated this at Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Office, Osogbo, the state capital during the inauguration of 393 youths as guber canvassers for the aspiration of the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji.

    He said: “I believe party primaries will not cause rancour among the gubernatorial aspirants. I am sure that they know that one of them will be chosen at the end of the day which they all support. I am sure that there won’t be any rancour or faction after the exercise and if there will be any, the party leaders will know how to settle any rifts.”

    Speaking about the aspiration of Oyebamiji, he attested that the NIWA boss’s consultation is grassroots-oriented which is helping the party to get new voters.

    READ ALSO: Tinubu orders speedy execution of approved projects

    “As part of the efforts to propagate the gospel of Oyebamiji, we are inaugurating 393 youths across all the 332 wards in Osun State to mobilise support for his emergence as the candidate of the APC and as Governor of Osun State.”

    Also, former House of Representatives candidate, Kayode Oduoye, said the objective of setting up the Youth Assembly is not just for mobilisation but to ensure that they are involved in the project to ensure its success.

    A former lawmaker in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, said: “The campaign organisation of NIWA boss has taken a bold step by designing a Youth Assembly forum for political mobilisation which is crucial for healthy democracies, but young people often face barriers to participation.”

  • Residents displaced as flood wreaks havoc in Ondo community

    Residents displaced as flood wreaks havoc in Ondo community

    Residents at Peace and Joy community in Oba Ile, in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been rendered homeless after a flood followed by torrential rainfall.

    This is coming barely two months after the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) predicted a heavy rainfall and strong winds in Ondo and 30 other states.

    Properties and farmland estimated at millions of Naira were also destroyed by the downpour.

    A wooden footbridge, serving as the only exit route for the community, was submerged and destroyed.

    The severe flooding also extended to Airport Road, near Ejioba High School, causing panic among pupils and parents who fear for the safety of their children.

    It was gathered yesterday that the rain ravaging the state for the past three days has caused the Ogijan River in the community to overflow its banks beyond the imagination of the residents.

    In a chat with The Nation, one of the affected residents, simply identified as Adebusoye, disclosed that no fewer than 20 families were affected by the flood, attributing it to the overflow of the river.

    READ ALSO: Why it is hard to remarry after Ibidunni’s death – Ituah Ighodalo

    “At least 20 residents here have been rendered homeless and sacked by the flood caused by the overflow. The river has caused us great distress.

    “The water level poses a serious threat to my life and that of my family and I have moved my family out of our house, and we are now staying with a friend,” he said.

    Another resident, Ireti Ayomide, said no life was lost to the disaster but urged the officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to come to their aid.

    “The flood caused damages to the community. Sadly, it is one of the major floods we have experienced in recent times.

    “As you can see, many of the houses, shops and cars were spread out. Many of us suffered great losses. The damage would be running into millions of naira.

    “We are calling on the emergency management officials both at the state and federal level to come for our assistance because some of us have nowhere to go,” she added.

    Ayomide added: “The adjoining areas such as Airport Road, parts of Irowo, and settlements along the water path are beginning to experience unusual water levels and soil erosion, signals that the crisis could quickly escalate if nothing is done.”

    However, one of the community leaders, Mr Ayodele Abitogun, also appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state and federal lawmakers representing Akure North in Assembly to render assistance to them with relief materials.

    Executive Secretary of Ondo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Orunko Fredrick, said officials were working with local leaders in the prone areas to address the needs of flood victims.

    He added that many canals had been cleared as part of the government’s efforts to mitigate the flooding.

  • Oyo communities seek rotational chairmanship of traditional council

    Oyo communities seek rotational chairmanship of traditional council

    Eight communities in Iwajowa Local Government of Oyo State have called for the restructuring of the composition and chairmanship of the traditional council to allow for rotational headship.

    They said the position of the Sabigana of Iganna as the permanent chairman of the council is against the principles of fairness and inclusivity.

    The communities – Iwere-Ile, Idiko Ago, Ilaji-Ile, Ijio, Ayetoro-Ile, Itasa, Idiko-Ile  and  Ayegun- said chairmanship of the traditional council in the local government should be rotational.

    In a letter by their counsel, Olugbenga Bamgbose & Co, to Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, through the chairman of the local government, the communities, said: ‘’The traditional council should prioritise the principles of fairness and inclusivity in the composition and hierarchy of the council.’’

    The added that the call for rotational chairmanship  ‘’becomes imperative to endanger an all-inclusive approach in the spirit of equity, fairness and justice, which this administration stands for.’’

    The letter, which was also copied to the member representing Iwajowa constituency in the House of Assembly, stated there was ‘’absolutely no historical basis for making the chairmanship position an exclusive preserve of Sabiganna.’’

    READ ALSO: Tinubu orders speedy execution of approved projects

    The communities wondered why only Iwajowa council retained the permanent chairmanship structure after the Council of Obas and Chiefs (further amendment) Bill 2025 passed by the state Assembly opted for the rotational chairmanship of the traditional council among the Alaafin of Oyo, Soun of Ogbomosho and Olubadan of Ibadan.

    They pointed out the same structure obtains in the 33 local government areas of the state apart from Kajola and Iwajowa.

    In the case of Kajola, they said it was understandable because there is only one beaded king as against Iwajowa, which boasts of at least four.

    They called on the state Assembly and Governor Seyi Makinde to redress the situation for the sake of peace and justice.

  • Afenifere hails Tinubu for kick-starting Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, other key projects

    Afenifere hails Tinubu for kick-starting Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, other key projects

    The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure, particularly road projects that directly impact citizens’ lives.

    Speaking to journalists at the Akure Airport on Tuesday, Afenifere’s General Secretary, Sola Ebiseni, praised the President for flagging off the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, describing it as a landmark initiative.

    Ebiseni noted that the coastal highway project would not only enhance connectivity across regions but also usher in a new era of infrastructural development for the Niger Delta and surrounding areas.

    He commended the Tinubu administration for its bold steps in actualising projects that had long been on the drawing board, saying such efforts would bring economic growth and social transformation to the people.

    “I notice some monumental initiatives, particularly in the area of road infrastructure development. Take the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, for instance.

    “We have archival records that the road was proposed around 1900 when the Ilaje coastal territory of the present Ondo State was still part of Lagos Colony. There was already a telegraphic line which connected Lagos through Ilaje to Warri along the Atlantic corridor.

    “The road was designed in alignment with the telegraphic route to link Lagos Colony with the Southern Protectorate, whose headquarters were then incidentally at Calabar,” he said.

    Mr Ebeseni recalled that an agreement to link the road was reached in 1900 when Sir William Macgregor, Governor of Lagos Colony, was on tour of the Ilaje, the eastern boundary of the colony up to around the Benin River in Warri Division.

    “The document was later signed on the 12th January 1904 between Sir William Macgregor, Governor of Lagos Colony, and Sir Wyndham Roseberry of Southern Protectorate.

    “President Tinubu has taken such a bold step in launching this historic road project which, if faithfully implemented, would be the most monumental, particularly in the Niger Delta.”

    Read Also: Afenifere hails Tinubu over Southwest Development Commission

    He charged President Tinubu to allow the road project to follow the coastline of Ilaje in Ondo State, aside from the coastal route of Lagos.

    Fielding questions on the division rocking the group, Mr Ebeseni said the two factions of the late Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Reuben Fasoranti have what it takes to come together in unionism.

    According to him, Afenifere is a welfarist socio-political organisation with an ideological stance that has been maintained since 1951 with an unambiguous position on national issues.

    “At critical times in our national life in the Action Group, UPN, SDP/NADECO, AD, AD/APP and presently, there have been contests on ideological ground which have always been resolved according to Awolowo on the interplay of thesis and antithesis.

    “The current disagreement is not so deep in my view. It is between strict adherence to its historical socio-political character of Awolowo’s political world view and the new romance with being a Yoruba socio-cultural organisation of all-comers.

    “No viable organisation, including political parties, is spared the bug of centrifugal forces today in our country. The new leader has what it takes to navigate the mines and bring all together.”