The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Why Nigeria is undeveloped – Senator

    Why Nigeria is undeveloped – Senator

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) Chief Tayo Alasoadura has attributed ethnicity, political corruption and religious bigotry as the bane of development in the country.

    Making particular reference to the book written by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Senator representing Ondo Central said since the early 1960s, political and financial corruption continued to remain an obstacle to Nigeria development.

    Alasoadura spoke on Wednesday as a Guest lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife during the 2017 Distinguished Guest Lecture/Award Ceremony organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences in the University.

    The lecture entitled Leadership: The bane of development in Nigeria was delivered on his behalf by his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA)Wale Alake.

    The lawmaker noted that the Transparency International (IT) had ranked Nigeria as 132nd most corrupt country out of 182 countries worldwide.

    According to him, “as we speak, whistle blowers are responding to the new government policy on the revelation of financial crimes, stressing that mind-boggling sums were being discovered in the possession of totally ‘unconscionable’ Nigerians.

    He noted that Nigerians are now discovering why the country is undeveloped and wallowing in the midst of plenty.

    However, Alasoadura enthused that Nigerians have taken their destiny into their hands by electing President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue the country from treacherous and dishonest leaders.

    The former Commissioner for Finance in the state recalled that in 2015, President Buhari told Nigerians that corrupt officials had stolen more than $150b from government coffers within the last 10 years.

    He pointed out that recent unfolding revelations have shown that the President was right.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain noted that several infrastructures and industries could have been built with the ‘stolen funds now in private pockets.

    Alasoadura urged the youths particularly students in higher institutions across the country, who he described as leaders of tomorrow to think, find and develop better leaders for Nigeria to facilitate progress.

  • Ondo deputy governor promises dividends of democracy

    The newly sworn-in Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, has said that the people of the state will benefit from the new government’s dividends of democracy.

    He said this at a reception held in his hometown, Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.

    The new state government of All Progressives Congress (APC) headed by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu and Ajayi were sworn-in as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively on Friday in Akure.

    Ajayi said that there were enormous tasks ahead of the new government, coupled with high expectations of the people.

    He advised people to exercise patience with the new administration in order to be fair to all.

    “We are aware of the huge task ahead of us and the high expectations of the people of the state but we plead with the people to exercise patience for us to study what is on ground.

    “We will make our people happy and we promise to be fair to all and not to disappoint all for the trust and confidence that have in us,” Ajayi said.

    The deputy governor however gave thanks to the Almighty God for the opportunity to serve and also to the electorate that voted for the new government to steer the ship of the state for a four-year term.

    He advised indigenes of the state to cooperate with the new government by renewing their support and prayers for the government to succeed in order to re-distribute the dividends of democracy.

    “I am using this opportunity to thank God and the people of this state for voting us. We sought for their prayers and cooperation to be successful,” Ajayi said. 

  • Mimiko dissolves council of Obas

    Mimiko dissolves council of Obas

    • Appoints new chair

    Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko on Tuesday dissolved the state’s Council of Obas led by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

    He consequently appointed the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh as the new chairman.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade said: “Governor Mimiko CON, has formally dissolved the State Council of Obas and appointed Olukare of Ikare-Akoko Oba Akadiri Momoh as the new Chairman.

    The appointment takes effect from Monday, February 20.

  • Protesting Ondo youths seal off NDDC office

    Protesting Ondo youths seal off NDDC office

    Some protesting youths on Wednesday sealed off the office of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at  ‎Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State following the failure of the Federal government to appoint a representative from the state on the NDDC board.
    The youths, in their hundreds and ‎who are under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) placed palm fonts at the entrance of the NDDC gate.
    They also carried various placards with different inscriptions such as: ‎”Ondo state has been marginalised in NDDC board”, “No Ondo State in NDDC board, no peace in the Niger Delta area”, “Mr President, We need our Representative in the NDDC board now,” “Youth neglection: Causes of Robbery, Insurgency‎” among others.
    The NDYM coordinator, Mr  Alaba Adetoye Agbejoye, while addressing reporters, said with a robust agenda of APC led federal government and clear cut vision of President Mohammadu Buhari, it’s is regrettable that people who suppose to be real drivers of change are now agents of doom, inflicting pain and hardship on the people. 
    Agbetoye lamented that NDDC that has been producing relief to the people has completely deviated from its original purpose of bringing development to the people. 
    He called on the Acting President to as a matter of urgency appoint an indigene of the oil producing area in the state to fill the vacuum of Ondo State representative in the board of NDDC in the interest of equity and fairness. 
    Agbetoye lamented that the state has always been treated as a non-member of Niger Delta areas.
    He added that the oil producing areas in the state had been in a total blackout for seven years without any intervention from the government.
    He stressed further that all the projects in the area had been abandoned and there was no new project in the area, 
    He said: “We cannot continue in all these travails, being enslaved as if we are not part of Niger Delta region.
    “We are aware of some money released for Christmas for us but nothing has been given to us in Ondo State and we are graduates without work.”
    He, therefore, threatened that the youth movement would fall back to violence and disruption of oil pipeline vandalism if Federal Government could not meet its demand within seven days.
    His words: “Worrisome is the great level of corruption, inequality and injustice going on at the head office in the Port Harcourt. The commission has now been characterised by an unholy coalition between contractors and NDDC staff to deprive the people of the region their rights. 
    “In Ondo State, 85 percent of the yearly budget are either uncompleted or abandoned.  For three years now, no meaningful programme for the youths of the area. 
    “The vacuum created by non-appointment of Ondo State representative in the board has widened the extent of marginalisation of Ondo State in the last 2 months by the new board. 
    “The situation of sitting at the top and sharing the money will no longer be tolerated.  We will not fold our hand while the marginalisation continues in Port Harcourt.”
    Reacting, the state Director of NDDC, Engineer Emmanuel Audu, who spoke with our correspondent on phone said,  the delayed projects were caused by underfunding.
    Audu said that NDDC was already building power terminal to be connected with Omotosho Power grid, saying the project was ongoing to ensure power supply to the area.
    He added that NDDC in the state did not receive any money for Christmas for the movement, noting that the commission’s aim was even development of the area.

  • Ondo council chief dies in hotel

    ‎The Chairman of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, Hon. Agunola Omomowo is dead.
    Omomowo, who is in his late 40s, was said to have slumped on Friday in his hotel room in Akure, the state capital.
    Sources said the council chairman died on the way to the hospital.
    The Chairman, who was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected in April last year.
    Before, he was elected council chairman, Omomowo was a supervisor for Education in the council.
    The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Banji Okunomo, confirmed the incident.
    Okunomo said, ‎”yes, he is dead. We heard of his death this morning (yesterday) at his hotel room in Akure, where he slumped but before getting to the hospital, we discovered there was no life in him again. It was very unfortunate. 
    ‎He described the late chairman as a patriotic and dedicated son of Ilaje, who always committed to his mission and vision as the council boss of the riverine area.
    Also, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed his death and said the police has begun investigation to unravel the cause of his death
  • Ondo Assembly crisis: Seven remanded for attacking Mimiko’s convoy

    Ondo Assembly crisis: Seven remanded for attacking Mimiko’s convoy

    • As lawmakers go into hiding
    The fallout of Thursday protest at the Ondo State House of Assembly along Igbatoro road in Akure, the state capital has landed seven youths at the Olokuta Medium Prison.
    They were nabbed by security operatives during the protest for allegedly attacking the convoy of the state Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.
    Mimiko attempted to enter the Assembly with lawmakers loyal to him to present the 2017 budget.
    The youths, who  were arraigned at Akure ‎Magistrate court at Oke-Eda were Tunde Alabi (28), Abiola Eniola (27), Yusuf Muhammed (25), Olanrewaju Olomolotan (40), Adeniyi  Michael (30), Samson Omodara (20) and Ijalade Oluwaseun(27).
    Since last week Friday, the Assembly have been enmenshed with crisis following the removal of Hon. Jumoke Akindele and other principal officers by 14 lawmakers over alleged N15million‎ fraud.
    The aggrieved lawmakers, immediately appointed Hon. Malachi Coker as the acting speaker, Hon. Ayodele Arowele deputy and Hon. George Olamide as the Majority.
    Despite her impeachment, Akindele and other embattled principal officers have been laying claim to the leadership of the house.
    But since on Monday, Coker’s faction had been hoding their plenary sessions at the Assembly Complex.
    While the warring lawmakers are struggling over whose faction is the authentic, some youths have taken over the entrance of the Assembly since on Sunday protesting against Mimiko decision to present the 2017 budget and some bills few days to the end of his tenure.
    The protest went out of hand on Thursday, when they were alleged to have blocked the road and also attack the convoy of Mimiko.
    Those arrested during the protest were charged with four count charges: felony,  public disturbance,  unlawful assemble and public damage.
    The police prosecutor,  Inspector Martins Olowofeso told the court that the accused persons have committed punishable offence  under section 219 of the criminal code cap 36 laws of the Ondo state of Nigeria.
    Inspector Olowofeso however prayed the court to remand them at Olokuta prison for enable him to further investigate the case and brought other suspect to court saying there are still other people now at large.
    But counsel to the seven accused persons,  Mr. Femi Adetoye urged the court to grant them bail on most liberal term,  saying that the offences committed were bail able one.
    Adetoye also said that his clients would not jump bail and they are ready to provide reliable sureties if bail granted to them.
    In her ruling,  the presiding magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel ordered the seven accused persons to be remanded at Olokuta prison custody and adjourned the case till 22nd February,  2017 for mention.
    The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed that the Assembly has been sealed off again.
    He said the police is ready to reopen the Assembly if the lawmakers are ready to bury their grievances and assure that their won’t be a break down of law and order.
    However, sources informed The Nation that legislators loyal to Coker’s camp may have gone into hiding over alleged threat to their lives.
    It was gathered ‎that the lawmakers, whose eight of them are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while five are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been receiving some strange calls since they carried out the impeachment process of Akindele.
    The spokesman of the group, Hon. Ogundeji Iroju who spoke with The Nation on phone ‎said their faction is not against Mimiko presenting the budget but only against the claim of Akindele that she is still the speaker despite she has been removed.
    Iroju said “the whole genesis of the‎ Assembly crisis is the alleged fraud of N15million levelled against Akindele and that was what led to her impeachment for a second term.
    “You will recollect that Akindele has earlier been impeached 10 months ago before governor Mimiko appealed to us to stop the impeachment with the intention then that she will turn a new leave.
    “This time around, we have elected another speaker, deputy and majority leader to replace the former principal officers of the house.
    “On Monday, we got an information that governor Mimiko will be coming to the house on Wednesday to come and present his 2017 appropriation bill and ‎as early as possible, we have arrived the Assembly waiting patiently for Mimiko because that is one of our constitutional duty to accept appropration bill from the governor and give the bill accelerated passage. 
    “But eventually, we waited for the governor but he did not come and what the law says is that only the quorum of the members can sit ‎at any giving time at the Assembly and the quorum of 26 members is nine. The members that sat were even more than the needed quorum. We were 13 in number. 
    “We found out later the reason why the governor did not come to present his budget, we were told that he has another emergency meeting in Abuja. We are waiting for Mimiko to come and present his budget because we know that if the budget is pass into law, it will have great positive impact on the lives of the masses.”
    When he was asked if they have made an attempt to discuss with the governor on why the sacked Akindele since they are all members of the same party, Iroju said “this is purely House of Assembly ‎affairs not a party issue.
    “We are defending the mandate of the people and not about the party because the people that voted for us are not only PDP members.
    “This is a legislative issue and nobody can impose a speaker on us. We are only worried why the governor is insisting that Akindele should continue as the speaker despite the allegation levelled against her.”
    The spokesman of ‎Akindele’s faction. Hon. Siji Akindiose from Ondo East state constituency only said their faction have decided not to go public on the issue anymore.
    Akindiose said he believes that it is an Assembly affair and the matter should be resolved amicably among the lawmakers.
    But in his previous interviews, the lawmaker had once said the money caught with the paymaster by their colleagues was meant for a project.
    He exonerated the embattled speaker from the allegations and also said the lawmakers, who carried the impeachment process failed to meet up the required constitutional numbers of lawmaker that must sit to impeach a speaker.
    Meanwhile, a former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi has cautioned the governor against interfering in the affairs of the Assembly.
    Olanusi spoke with reporters, shortly after he was honoured as the grand patron of Road Transport Employers of Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) at is residence in Akure.
    The octogenarian, who was impeached by the same lawmakers in 2015 after defecting from the PDP to APC asked Mimiko to recognise Coker’s faction.
    He urged the governor to emulate what President Muhammadu Buhari did when Bukola Saraki and Dogora were elected by the senators and lawmakers as their Senate President and speaker despite the stand of APC.
    “Nothing concern Mimiko with change of principal officers at the Assembly. Though I don’t blame him, the incumbent governor has been Commissioner, SSG and minister ‎without being elected as a lawmaker.
    “So, he did not know how the House operates, whether at the state and national level.
    “Nothing concern him about principal officers of the house. It is the responsibility of the members to pick one of them as their speaker.”
    The former deputy governor wondered why the governor refused not to present the budget despite the lawmakers at the house on Wednesday formed a quorum.
    Olanusi recalled that there was a time when the same governor presented a budget to less than 10 lawmakers at the Assembly and urged the people to ask Mimiko why he failed to present his budget?.
  • Elizade University: Ex-VC granted bail after 11 days in prison

    Elizade University: Ex-VC granted bail after 11 days in prison

    The former Vice Chancellor of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government area of Ondo State, Prof. Adekunle Oloyede was yesterday re-arraigned on fresh seven-count charge of stealing, obtaining money under false pretence and felony.

    Oloyede, has been in detention for the past 11 days over the allegation leveled against him by the proprietor of the Elizade University, Chief Michael Ade Ojo.

    The former VC however pleaded not guilty to the new seven-count charge preferred against him by the office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

    During the previous sitting, he was given stringent bail conditions including the deposit of $250.000.00, but on Thursday, the court granted him bail with moderate terms.

    The charges according to Mrs Kolade Oba who represented the Attorney General read “That you Prof Adekunle Oloyede, m,  on or about the 20th day of January 2015 at about 10:30am in Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in the Akure Magisterial District did conspire with three others at large to commit a felony to wit, stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

    “That you Prof Adekunle Oloyede, m, on or about 10:30am in Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in the Akure Magisterial District fraudulently induced and obtained the sum of $720, 000 from Mikeade Investment Limited for Duro Global Property Limited and two others at large under the pretext of constructing a 500 bed space hostel at Elizade University using panel building technology from Australia to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State 2006.

    “That you Prof Adekunle Oloyede, m, on or about 6th July 2015 at about 10:30am in Elizade University Ilara-Mokin in the Akure Magisterial District fraudulently induced and obtained the sum of $650, 000 from Mikeade Investment Limited under the pretext of constructing the same 500 bed space hostel at Elizade University using panel building technology from Australia contrary to and punishable under Section 419 of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 1, Laws of Ondo State 2006.”

    However, the lawyer to the accused, Olusola Oke who asked for bail on liberal terms said the charges are “distorted and not likely to be true.”

    Oke with four other lawyers told Magistrate Ayodeji Akinsanya that the allegations were unsubstantiated.

    He said“ What we are trying to show is that there is no way the charges can be substantiated. No matter the flamboyance displayed in the charge, the professor is entitled to bail.”

    According to him, since the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, he would be willing and ready to answer the charges preferred against him.

    In his ruling, the court granted the VC bail at the sum of N2million and two sureties in like sum. He should also deposit his two international passports to the court registrar.

    The case was adjourned to February 7 and 8 for trial.

  • Ondo: Poor masses to benefit from Akeredolu’s admin

    Ondo: Poor masses to benefit from Akeredolu’s admin

    The Deputy Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Engr. Ade Adetimehin has said that the incoming administration of the governor-elect, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu will be beneficial to all.

    Adetimehin spoke with reporters in Alade Idanre where he attended the 2nd anniversary of the 130 Krown Klub whose members are purely grade “b” monarchs.

    The APC deputy chairman said the administration of Akeredolu will take a critical look at the issues affecting the state, particularly the poor masses and tackle it adequately.

    Adetimehin who also served as the Chairman of Akeredolu Campaign Platform said the people of the state should be rest assured that the incoming administration will be masses friendly.

    He said “Akeredolu is a man of the people, he has so much passion for the development of this state, he is so passionate about ensuring that Ondo state come to the fore front in the committee of states in the country

    “With Akeredolu, you can be rest assured, accountability, transparency and justice, he will ensure these things in the state

    “You can see that he already set up a policy implementation committee, to provide blueprint for his government

    “That is a man who is coming to work and ensure that the sun of our dear state shine brighter again.

    Adetimehin said the state is particularly lucky to have a technocrat like Akeredolu coming in at the helm of affairs.

    He said rather than playing politics with issues that affect the common man in the state, Akeredolu will ensure that the value of the common man is restored in the state.

    “When you look at the governor-elect, he is a man of great intellectual prowess, he is a determined man, he does not negotiate with the well-being of the people, he is so concerned about human development

    “He is not the kind of man that will play politics and forget the purpose the people of the state voted for him, he has told the people what his administration will do and he will deliver

    “By February 24th, the journey will commence, and I am sure that it is a kind of journey that will bring succour to the people of the state. To us, it is a new dawn in Ondo state.

    Speaking on the anniversary of the 130 Krown Klub, Adetimehin said the incoming administration will work with traditional rulers.

  • Man killed after collecting cash from ATM in Akoko

    Man killed after collecting cash from ATM in Akoko

    Unknown gunmen have killed a 50-year old indigine of Oke-agbe Akoko in Ondo state who came home from Lagos to spend his annual leave with his people in the community.

    The man, identified as Niyi Aremo, who was a landlord in lagos, on the fateful told his people that he wanted to go to Ikare- Akoko Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) centre to withdraw some money but met many customers at the centre which forced him to move to Akungba for the transaction.

    He was equally decided to see his childhood friend in the town.

    Sources said it was after he withdrew the money, his friend volunteered to take him back to Ikare on his bike.

    However, It was learnt that he did not return to Okeagbe and his family members were worried about his whereabouts, as his phone was dead.

    According to a source, it was somebody who knew him that came to identify him, screaming in his pool of blood near a popular hotel ln Ikare Akoko.

    Police were said to have been quickily alerted and taken to a private hospital where he died.

    His friend at Akungba was said to have been quizzed by the Police in Ikare-Akoko.

    The Divisional Police Officer(DPO)in Akoko North East was not around for comments, but one of the senior officers said his men would fish out the culprits.

    The Okeagbe-Akoko home of the deceased was in mourning mood.

    Sources said the deceased was the only son of his mother while his late father, Aremo was a notable herbalist who assisted many people in the community.

    One of Niyi’s relatives, Mrs Felicia Agbaje urged the police to do thruogh investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

  • Pastor’s plea saves woman, daughters from imprisonment

    Pastor’s plea saves woman, daughters from imprisonment

    A 38-year-old mother and her two daughters were on Tuesday discharged and acquitted by Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing three bags of tubers of yam, following a pastor’s plea.

    The three convicted were Kemi Kehinde, 38; Opeyemi, 18; and Ronke, 16.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, said that they were freed in line with the plea of the complainant, who is a man of God.

    “Having pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, the three accused persons are hereby convicted.

    “But going by the prayer of the complainant, who is a man of God, the court hereby yields to the mercy pleaded by the complainant and they are discharged and acquitted.

    “The offences they committed attract minimum of seven years imprisonment each, but they should thank God and the complainant who has shown open heart,” she said.

    She, therefore, warned them not to be seen around the farmland of the complainant, saying that if seen around the area, they would be held culpable of any offence committed there.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Martins Olowofeso, told the court that the mother and her two daughters conspired and stole three bags of tubers of yam from the farm of Ojo Oluwasanmi, a pastor.

    Olowofeso said that they committed the offences between July 2016 and January 7, 2017 at Itale Ikota via Ijare in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the offence contravened section 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.