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Tag: Akoko

  • Monarch endorses PDP candidate for Akoko Northeast/Akoko Northwest constituency

    Monarch endorses PDP candidate for Akoko Northeast/Akoko Northwest constituency

    The Olukare of Ikare-Akoko Oba Akadiri Momoh, has said the traditional institution in Akokoland will continue to strive for the unity, peace and progress of Akoko land through the rotation arrangement of the Akoko Northeast/Akoko Northwest Federal Constituency seat.

    Oba Momoh said this when he endorsed the standard bearer of the People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) for this weekend’s bye-election into Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency. He advised politicians to always honour whatever agreement they entered into.

    He said the rotation arrangement had worked perfectly  by preventing disunity and breakdown of brotherliness and unity of the two local government areas.

    Read Also: Adeleke issues 24-hour ultimatum to warring communities to submit arms

    Oba Momoh  raised the hand of the PDP candidate, Olalekan Bada, as the preferred successor to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who is now a minister He called on the electorate to vote for Bada, who is going to spend only three and a half years in the House of Representatives to maintain the rotation policy of the political leaders of Akoko land.

    Oba Momoh at a simple ceremony to demonstrate his commitment wished the candidate success. The monarch urged the electorate in the constituency to vote massively for Bada ,stressing that the candidate is tested and trusted.

    Bada promised to represent the constituency to the best of his ability with a solid commitment to attracting the dividends of democracy.

    He said he would network  with his colleagues, lobby where necessary and negotiate with members of the executive to attract infrastructure and employment to youths in the constituency

  • 23 ‘special’ students get scholarship

    To ensure that no student drops out of school on account of financial and physical constraint, the management of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Akoko, has awarded N1.150 million worth of scholarships to 23 students. They were given N50,000 each.

    The scholarship scheme was part of various supports measures given to students by the Students’ Support Centre of the university. The scholarships were given to the physically-challenged students.

    Presenting cheques to the beneficiaries, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, who was represented by his Deputy (Academics), Prof Francis Gbore, reiterated the institution’s commitment to assist the awardees.

    Read also: Foundation’s scholarship for best graduating students

    Responding on behalf of others, a 400-Level student of the Department of Mass Communication Boboye Adeusi, appreciated management’s kind gesture. He appealed for the scheme’s continuation, which he described as a model and ideal initiative that should be emulated by other institutions.

    Earlier, Students’ Support Centre coordinator, Dr Adediran Ikuomola, said the institution values all students as demonstrated through the scholarship. He said the centre would continue to work on the challenges faced by the students and explore more creative ways to make the centre more functional.

  • Ondo Primaries: Protests persist in APC, PDP

    A factional group within the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Akoko Division and leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo federal constituency are aggrieved over the outcome of the primaries conducted by the two major parties.

    They alleged that the exercise was fraught with irregularities that called for outright cancellation, stressing that its members were schemed out of the affairs of the party in the state.

    At a rally in Ikare-Akoko led by one of the aspirants, Sunday Fagbemi,the group noted that only popular candidates could win elections in the area.

    It described the recent primary election in the state as an hoax, stressing that no election was done to warrant the emergence of any candidate.

    Also, the PDP leaders in Odigbo/Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo petitioned the National Chairman, Uche Secondus over the emergence of Tomi Akinfemiwa as its candidate.

    According to them,there was no election on October 3, to warrant the declaration of anybody as candidate.

    They said out of 21 wards under the federal constituency, Osogbo has 11 wards, Ologbo has four wards and Ile-Oluji with six wards.

    The aggrieved PDP members wondered how Ile-Oluji with six wards out of 21 purportedly conducted primary election that produced Akinfemiwa as winner without the involvement of other 15 wards.

    It noted that it would not be possible for two local government areas to produce both Senatorial and Representatives candidates from the same party, calling for outright cancellation of the purported primary.

    In the APC,the group loyal to the runner up in the 2016 APC governorship primary Olusegun Abraham lamented that its members were marginalised by the leadership of the ruling party in the state.

    Read Also: Ekiti: Fayemi sworn-in as governor

    Fagbemi,who is an aspirant said ” no matter the victimisation, we will not compromise our stand in supporting Abraham because of his good plans for Akoko and the state as a whole.

    “Even outside government, he has been promoting education and welfare of people in several communities in Akoko Division especially Akoko Northeast.

    He said even though he was prevented from clinching the party’s ticket, Fagbemi said he would remain in the APC as its loyal supporter.

    APC’s spokesman, Alex kalejaye insisted that the primary held in the area was peaceful and devoid of irregularities.

    He said some faceless group within the party were out to destabilise it’s affairs ahead of 2019 for their selfish interests.

  • Protests in Ondo over ‘imposition’ of candidates

    Scores of aggrieved supporters and local council chairmanship aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC ) from Akoko Northwest/East and Akoko Southwest on Friday invaded the state party’s secretariat to protest the alleged imposition of council chairmanship candidates in the areas.

    The protesters who came in many buses disrupted the free traffic flow around the Cathedral area of the APC secretariat, Akure.

    They carried placards with various anti-government inscriptions, stressing that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu should call the leadership of the party to order in order not ‘kill’ the APC in the state.

    According to a leader of the party leaders in Akoko Northwest, Adeniyi Olugbenga,who is a chairmanship aspirant,the imposition of unpopular candidates on the people would spell doom on the party during the coming local government election.

    Adeniyi,who is a former aide to the Commissioner for Agriculture,Adegboyega Adefarati said they would resist any act of imposition.

    Also,the party chairman in the local government,Elder Akogun Akinyele said if the issue was not addressed,many APC loyalists would move massively into another party.

    An Aspirant from Akoko Southwest,Group Captain Bola Owoeye(Rtd) lamented that after spending so much money,the Adetimehin’s led State Exco had decided to impose chairmanship candidates on them.

    He said” They are joking with the future of the APC,we will work against the party if the problem is not resolved immediately.

    Another chairmanship candidate from Akoko Southwest, Murphy Adamolekun,said the leadership of the party in the state led by Ade Adetimehin had earlier agreed on consensus candidate,but suddenly went ahead to write names of unpopular aspirants as party candidates in virtually all the local government areas especially in Akoko land.

    The aggrieved aspirants threatened to defect to other political parties that respect rule of law and tenets of demicracy
    to actualise their dreams with the support of their people.

  • One dies in Ondo multiple road accidents

    Two separate road accidents reportedly occurred in Akoko area of Ondo state on Wednesday claiming one live.

    The first carnage involved a bus and commercial motorcycle rider (Okada)around 9pm,who sustained head injury.

    Eye witness said the victim was rushed to Ikare-Akoko Specialist Hospital by men of the Federal Road Safety Commission(FRSC) Ikare –Akoko.

    The Medical Director,Dr Wale Oguntuase confirmed that a man was brought to hospital with serious head injury which was quickly referred to Federal Medical Centre(FMC) Owo .

    The Unit Commander, FRSC,Ikare Akoko, Jimoh Basiru confirmed that his men carried him to FMC, Owo where he was confirmed dead.

    The second accident involved an oil tanker which detoured while climbing the ‘deadly’ Okerigbo hill.

    Read Also: Sallah: 14 passengers cheat death in Ondo

    It took FRSC officials prompt intervention to supervise the off loading of the product to another trailer,while using a towing vehicle to remove the tanker from the busy highway.

    Basiru warned motorists against night journey,saying it is too risky.

    A spokesman of the community, Alhaji Ibrahim kilani urged Ondo state government to level up Okerigbo hill, Akungba Akoko like that of Oke-Alabojuto,Ikare Akoko where the government was doing a good job to reduce the dreadful hiIl.

    Kilani also hailed the state government for the completion of flooded areas such as Jubilee,Victory College and Bishop’s Court-Ugbe Akoko road that are now motorable.

  • ‘We’ll wipe out criminals in Akoko’

    The police in Ondo State are mounting surveillance at flashpoints of criminals in Akoko.

    The areas are Ise-Isua- Akunu roads to Oba-Akoko where kidnappers and robbers operate.

    The roads are being patrolled, while jungles are being combed by the police to arrest criminals who rob and kidnap travellers.

    The development, The Nation learnt, were part of resolutions by the Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC) for Akoko Police Area Command.

    The group described the elevation of the pioneer Area Commander, Razak Rauf, to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) as deserved, judging by his performance in the last few weeks.

    PCRC, in a statement by two of its members, Gabriel Ariyo and Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, called for more assistance for the police by eminent indigenes of Akokoland, “as government alone cannot withstand security challenges.”

    They demanded more policemen in Akoko, “since the area is porous to criminals from neighbouring states.”

     

  • Not all Herdsmen are Killers’

    Not all Herdsmen are Killers’

    A Fulani herdsman, Alhaji Salifu Jimba, who claimed  he had spent several years peacefully in Akoko area of Ondo state on Thursday blamed his colleagues who indulged in the attack of fellow human beings.

    He described their actions as callous, saying not all herdsmen are killers.

    Jimba said he has been living in Akokoland doing his legitimate job without confrontation.

    According to him, the people of Akoko are accommodating and friendly, stressing that those attacking people and destroying their crops are’ black sheep’.

    He condemned their actions, adding that their mission was to give Fulani, a bad name among other tribes in the country.

    He spoke at a meeting organised by Akoko North West Primary Healthcare Development Board held at Oke-Agbe Akoko under the chairmanship of Dr Abdulazees Adewale.

    The meeting was aimed at sensitizing health workers in the local government on safe immunization in the outreach which are mainly Fulani and Igbira camps.

    Read Also: Soldiers kill vigilante, free  herdsmen

    It also deliberated on the effect of many Fulani’s evading immunization for themselves and their children.

    Dr Adewale urged them to always support anti-Lassa Fever campaign through proper preparation of ‘garri’ and cassava meant for consumption, which he said must be hygienic and safe.

    The medical expert informed them to make use of long lasting insecticidal nets distributed to them for malaria prevention.

    The Fulani and Igbira who came from various camps in the local government demanded for a health center in the camp.

    The meeting was fully attended by stakeholders in the health sector in the local government.

     

     

     

  • Akoko monarchs, others meet over herdsmen’s ‘invasion’

    Akoko monarchs, others meet over herdsmen’s ‘invasion’

    Traditional rulers in Akoko community of Ondo State, in collaboration with prominent community leaders, yesterday held a meeting at Isua, headquarters of Akoko South East Local Government Area, on security matter.

    This followed the invasion of Ikaram Auga-Akunu-Akoko in the Northern District of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen in four trailers.

    They were said to have left Iseyin in Oyo State to settle in Akoko on the invitation of a Fulani settler.

    The stakeholders’ meeting was chaired by the Olisua of Isua-Akoko, Oba Afesuloye Oyolola, who hailed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for maintaining law and order across the state.

    The participants reiterated their belief in peaceful co-existence and Nigeria’s nationalities.

    They recognised the right of every citizen to pursue his or business without hindrances.

    But the Akoko monarchs and eminent stakeholders opposed the establishment of a cattle colony in any part of the community.

    This, they maintained, would ensure that the rightful owners are not deprived of their landed property and crops.

    The Akoko leaders condemned the recent invasion of Ikaram-Auga-Akunu and Isua by Fulani herdsmen.

    They lauded the efforts of law enforcement agents and the state government for curtailing tension that followed the invasion.

    The meeting noted that shortage of security personnel necessitated the setting up of vigilance groups to be monitored by the monarchs for more effective maintenance of law and order.

    Besides, it urged the state government to make a law that will regulate open grazing by herdsmen.

    The meeting was attended by Olukare of Ikare-Akoko, Oba Akadiri Momoh, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Obas; the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye; the Akala of Ikaram, Oba Andrew Momodu and Owa of Igbagi, Oba Victor Olasehinde, among others.

  • Jubilation as Akoko gets police area command

    Jubilation as Akoko gets police area command

    The Olubaka of Oka in Akoko community of Ondo State, Oba Yusuf Adeleye, has hailed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for creating a new area command in the community.

    Other stakeholders in the community, including traditional rulers, religious organisations and politicians, also lauded the creation of the area command out of Owo Area Police Command.

    Akoko community in the Northern District of the Sunshine State has four local government areas – Akoko Southwest, Akoko Southeast, Akoko Northeast and Akoko Northwest.

    They said the development would reduce security challenges, like robbery, incessant kidnappings, cultism and other vices, which have been rampant in the area.

    Oba Adeleye spoke yesterday when he hosted the Area Commander for Akoko, Abdulrasak Abdulrauf, at his palace.

    The monarch assured the police of the cooperation of his people.

    He said policing and security matters are everybody business.

    Abdulrauf solicited the collaboration of the monarchs and other stakeholders in Akoko community to enable the police do their security job effectively.

    The Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh, who is also the Chairman of the State Council of Obas and the Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, pledged their support for the area commander when he visited the monarchs in their palaces.

    The monarchs hailed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and Ondo State Police Commissioner Gbenga Adeyanju for making the community’s age-long demand a reality after several years under Owo Area Command.

    They urged Akoko indigenes to assist the police in their efforts to rid the community of criminals.

    Also, an abducted guest and a hotel director, who were seized last weekend by gunmen at Supare Akoko, have been released.

    The director’s car was recovered near Iwaro-Oka town hall.

    Sources said the duo were at the state police command headquarters in Akure for further interrogation.

     

  • BEDC restores power in Akoko 14 months after blackout

    There was jubilation yesterday at Akoko in Ondo State, following the restoration of power supply to the area after over one year blackout.

    It was learnt many artisans, who depended on electricity to do their jobs, had relocated to neighbouring states and towns.

    Some were said to have abandoned their trades for farming to survive.

    Residents of the communities, particularly youths at Arigidi-Akoko, Olokun, Agbaluku, Imo and Arigidi-Oja, reportedly trooped out in excitement.

    Other towns, such as Ibaram, Iyani, Ikaram and Gedegede, were also illuminated by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    Sources said Ikare-Akoko, Oka, Isua and others, would soon be reconnected by the distribution company.

    Reactions have trailed what the residents called BEDC’s selective reconnection of electricity to the benefitting communities.

    A community leader at Ikaram-Akoko, Sheikh Basiru Aminu, noted that the restoration of power supply would bring life to the affected communities and boost their economies.

    Aminu urged the residents to promptly pay their bills and avoid confrontation with BEDC officials, adding that electricity consumers deserved efficient service delivery for their money.

    Another community leader whose area had been deprived of power supply for two years at Afin Akoko, Alhaji Ibrahim Kilani, regretted the “selective reconnection” of power supply in Akoko land.