The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Score injured as Drivers’ Union clash in Ondo

    Members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the rival National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ondo state are in conflict over the control of motor parks in the state, especially Akure, the state capital.

    No fewer than 10 members of the association were on wednesday evening said to havesustained serious injuries during the clash  at their motor park along Oba Adesida road, Akure.

    It was also gathered that properties belonging to the association and some personal belongings were destroyed during the clash.

    The state chairman of RTEAN, Mr. Williams Adepoju alleged that the state Commissioner for Transport Mr Nicholas Tofowomo led some thugs to the motor parks to foment trouble.

    He said the Commissioner has not hidden his hatred for the RTEAN and was always seeking ways to frustrate members of the RTEAN in the state.

    He explained that “on the fateful day the commissioner led some leaders of the state branch NURTW and some suspected thugs to some parks on Adesida road and allegedly ordered them (thugs) to be destroying the vehicles that belong to RTEAN members only.”

    He said “last Friday we wrote to the security agents and the state government that NURTW wanted to attack us but they did not do anything to it, what we saw on Tuesday night was that Tofowomo came to our parks in Akure and Ondo at about 11pm in company of some NURTW leaders in the state and thugs. He said we don’t have the right to be operating in the town.”

    “It was in his presence that the NURTW thugs started matcheting our members and destroying their vehicles but we are law abiding people and we don’t want to fight back, that is why we are calling on the state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to call Tofowomo to order. He should allow us to operate because there is  freedom of association in Nigeria and our members have the choice under the law not to join the NURTW.”

    The commissioner could not be reached on phone and was not also in his office.

    However, the state chairman of NURTW, Mr. Ariyo Adetula denied the allegation, saying his members were not behind the attack againstmembers of the RTEAN.

  • Ondo Baby Factory: Court adjourns suit to July 7

    The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo state capital Wednesday adjourned to July 7, the case involving a couple arrested in Ilutitun-Osooro, Okitipupa local government on January 2014 for allegedly running a baby factory in the community.

    The case which was initially presided over by Justice Isaq Sani came up before a new Judge, Justice F.A Olubanjo following the transfer of the former from the Federal High Court, Akure.

    The accused couple, Prince Abiodun and Happiness Ogundeji were arrested by men of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP).

    The case has been in Court since February 2014 for prosecution over illegal detention of pregnant teenage girls whose babies, according to sources are often sold at birth.

    Following investigations and findings by NAPTIP, the accused persons are now facing 10-point count charge for unlawful custody of the victims against their wish and for illegally enticing them away as well as depriving them of their parents and guardians.

    The action is said to have contravened section 19, sub section C and E of the trafficking in persons (prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act 2003 as amended in 2005.

    The case was adjourned in response to a prayer by the defendent’s Counsel, Bola Alabi for more time to study the amended charges as being new in the case.

    This came after an earlier directive to the prosecuting Counsel that the amended 10-count charge be read to the hearing of the defendants.

    Responding to the amended charge, counsel to the defendant requested if the defendant had been served.

    Consequent upon the confirmation by the prosecuting lawyer that one of the defendant’s counsel, Chuma Oguejiofor had been served through a law firm, Dele Kuboye & Co, Justice Olubanjo directed the Court Clerk to make copies of the charge and stood the case down to allow the defendants to be served in person.

    The Presiding Judge warned the defendant’s counsel against unnecessary technicalities as delay tactics.

    Justice Olubanjo said she would not want to deny the Counsel ample opportunity to defend their clients,but urged that the culture of speedy administration of Justice be applied.

    She therefore adjourned the case to July 7 for plea and applications on the case, while the defendant’s counsel were given seven days within which they should serve the prosecuting Counsel.

  • ‘Marginalisation of Akure Division should stop’

    ‘Marginalisation of Akure Division should stop’

    The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, in this interview LEKE AKEREDOLU, explains why he discontinued the agitation for power shift to Akure Division. He also speaks about the marginalisation of the traditional institution by the government.

    What are you doing to  ensure that the traditional institution is relevant to government in your kingdom?

    I started the move long ago, even before the Ooni of Ife.  But, because I am a low cadre person, you don’t hear about it. I have been going round Akure Division, visiting all the Obas in my division so that we can come together and have a formidable voice in this oncoming regime. The way traditional rulers are being treated in the country is as a result of our constitution. There are no substantial provisions for us in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Supposing I want to travel out of Akure, I must inform the chairman of my local government. The chairman must give me permission, which is not supposed to be. We are proposing that, in pursuit of any amendment to the constitution, all the traditional rulers should take a common position.

    You have been agitating that the next governor of the state must be an Akure indigene.  But, it seems you have changed your position…

    Yes. I said this in all my interviews, I was agitating for Akure Division for governor, but when I realised that governor Mimiko, who is not even from Akure performed wonders, I changed my mind that anybody can be governor, provided he continues with the works of this present regime. Anybody from any part of the state can succeed Mimiko as long as there is continuity of the caring. Now, because of his efforts, the way he transformed Akure, I now realise that anybody that will keep on with the work of the present regime could be governor, and that is Akure indigene inclusive. We have our sons and daughters too who could be governors and follow the footsteps of the incumbent governor.

    Are you withdrawing your support for the old Akure Division to produce the next governor?

    No, when I considered the fact that the present governor is not from Akure, if we put another non-indigene there, he might as well do good. what I am looking forward to is somebody that will continue with his programmes and not derail his programmes. So, that is why I say if he is not even from Akure, but anybody that will continue with his programmes and transform Akure better than the present regime. But, I still prefer to see that an Akure son or daughter is the next governor.

    Akure is the state capital. do you feel the people are still being marginalised?

    So, all we should have now is the state capital? Everybody enjoys the state capital; all over the state, they all come here to enjoy all the amenities. If you go to Ijapo, Alagbaka: they are non-indigenes. What I am saying is, if Akure becomes the next governor, there will be some kind of impacts within the communities and the division at large. Even, for us to be the next governor will be a pride that Akure Division is elected as a governor. We have been neglected for too long in the state. Idanre, Ifedore, Akure North are not the capital. They are parts of Akure Division. but, the state capital belongs to everybody. it belongs to the state at large. Nevertheless, if we have our man there, we will feel the impact. He will bring some pride and more development to the state.

    What does your people lack, apart from having their indigene as the next governor?

    What about the traditional rulers being upgraded? Since the state was created in 1976, we had four first class Obas: two from this division, one from Ondo Division and one from Owo Division. But now, we still have two first class obas in Akure Division, whereas if you go to Akoko Division, they have about 10 first classs Obas; and in the Ondo South, they have about 13 first class Obas. All these things bring development. If they want to distribute wealth to traditional rulers, 10 will go to Akoko, 13 will go to the south, but only two will come here. We have always had two since 1976 while the north and the south that had one each then have had tremendous increase. This is what I am saying; it is because we never had a governor. When the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati was there, he promoted all the traditional rulers; Governor Agagu was there, he promoted all his traditional rulers. This is part of development.

    What efforts are you making to ensure promotion for the monarchs in the division?

    We have been going around, holding meetings so that the next governor will listen to our yearning. It is when we have one voice that we can achieve this. Whether Akure man or Akoko man or whosoever becomes governor, we will go to him, tell him our problems and if we have a one voice, it will add value to us. Even if the governor is from Akure, we are still going to ask him not do otherwise. The traditional rulers have been lacking and they have to be upgraded.

    What steps have you taken to ensure that an Akure man becomes the next governor?

    For the Akure man to be the next governor is good, but like I told you, it is not a do or die affairs. I have already shelved the idea because when I compare Mimiko with others in other states, Mimiko has been helping us. like I said, it is just for the pride because it looks like we are being cheated. Whatever belongs to you whether it is one naira, if is not given to you, you will fight for it. But, despite the fact that one naira would not do you anything, but for you to be seen to be carried along, you have to agitate. I know if the next governor should continue on the programmes of the present regime, everybody will enjoy. But, it should be our pride if an Akure man becomes the next governor.

  • Ambassador Olu Agbi becomes Asiwaju of Akure Kingdom

    Chief Olu Agbi has always been an achiever, and he seems bent on keeping the tradition as long as possible. From being the Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, Agbi has risen to the lofty position of becoming the new Asiwaju of Akure kingdom.

    Speaking during his installation, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, described the newly installed Asiwaju of Akureland as a commendable ambassador of the kingdom, who had contributed immensely to the development of the town. The Oba noted that filling the position was long overdue and it came as a great relieve that the right man for the job was picked.

    The paramount ruler said that Prof. Agbi had paid his dues towards the development of Akure community, and called on other sons and daughters of the town to emulate his virtues.

    Prof. Agbi, on his part, pledged to continue to add value to the kingdom, saying he had been serving its interest since his days as an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan. He said he knew and understood the needs of his people and had been using every position he had occupied to drive development to his fatherland.

  • Ondo Poll: Core Progressives endorse Abraham

    Founding members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, who were formerly members of the party from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Action Congress (AC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has adopted the gubernatorial aspiration of Dr. Olusegun Abraham as their candidate.

    At the event held in Ile-Oluji, the former chairman of the ACN, Comrade Sola Iji said the decision to pick Olusegun Abraham came after an assessment and consideration of all the aspirants for seven months. He said the five cardinal parameters of consideration were acceptability, eligibility, sellability, sincerity, and integrity.

    Iji said: “The unanimous decision to adopt the candidacy of Dr. Olusegun Abraham was finalized on March 30, this year, after confirming that he is the only candidate that excelled in all the parameters of consideration.”

    “Among the gubernatorial aspirants contesting for the ticket of our party, it took us some time to come to the carefully thought-out decision to support the aspiration of Abraham to serve Ondo state.
    “We have informed the party and also mandated them to identify with this decision.”
    Another party leader and elder statesman, Pa Chief Adesola Adesoji, who is also a former Acting Chairman of the ACN aligned with the decision of the group, describing Abraham as the only aspirant with the experience and ability to truly transform the state.

    He said: “We know him, we trust him, his humility, philanthropy and longstanding loyalty to progressive politics right from the AD days are added characteristics that Olusegun Abraham possesses over the other aspirants.

    “We have not had anybody who is an international businessman at the helm of affairs in this state before. We now have the opportunity to have such in Olusegun Abraham”.

    “Abraham had mastered the ability to generate sufficient revenue to break the yoke of poverty in this state and remove the dependence on Abuja revenue which seems insufficient at the moment.

    Abraham said: “I thank you for choosing me. You’ve done this not just for me, but also for Ondo state. I appreciate the fact that you chose to identify with the mission to take Ondo to a truly prosperous level where no one will be left out in the experience of blessings from the fruits of practical governance.

    “My mission is to transform Ondo from a third world state to a first class state worthy of emulation for other states.”

    “Without your long-serving support, your loyalty, your consistency and dedication from the scratch, there will be nothing like the APC today.

    “This informed your decision to stand by me, we, want a sellable candidate who is experienced enough, a renowned industrialist, who has the independent financial ability, to win the main election come November.”

    The group is comprised of prominent party elders, former state Party chairmen, party faithful, past and present local government and ward excos, youth leaders, and staunch party leaders in all the 18 Local governments areas in the state.

    They all promised to work for the candidacy of Abraham.

  • ‘South West Governors must revive Oodua Telecom’- Akinsuyi

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Hon. Niran Sule-Akinsuyi yesterday urged all the South West Governors to put aside their political differences and work on ways to develop the economy of the region.

    Sule-Akinsuyi, particularly charged the governors to start working on how to revive Oodua Telecommunication Industry.

    The governorship aspirant, who was a former Commissioner for Special Duties under Governor Olusegun Mimiko, stated this while speaking with reporters in Akure, the State capital.

    The APC chieftain lamented that among all the telecommunications lincensed in the country, only Oodua telecoms was not functioning.

    He noted that the governors must understand that not being in the same political party is not an excuse why the region should be going backward.

    He said “We must begin to think along that line because telecommunication is a money spinning investment.

    “Oodua Telecommunication is the only licensed telecommunication organization in the country that has not been able to function.

    “I believe that if we have been able to manage the telecommunication, the revenue from that investment will provide some solutions to our challenges such as unemployment will have been reduced and this will also provide revenues for the states.

    “We should be able to rise above party differences because what we are facing today, does not wear the faces of PDP or APC but is about our people.

    “We cannot continue to use the fact that we are not in the same party as an excuse to compound failure.

    “One thing today is that most of the experts in the telecommunication industry are from the south west”.

  • “Reduction in Ondo Varsity reparation fee, unacceptable”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state has rejected the reduction in the reparation fee of N25,000 to N15,000 imposed on students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, as a condition for their readmission into the institution.

    The development was the aftermath of the rampage that greeted the death of one of them, Afolabi Ojo

    APC said the reduction has not changed the fundamental that the levy is still unacceptable and a travesty of justice.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro said: “This reduction in fee has given credence to our earlier statements that the school authority erred in imposing levy on the students in the first place.

    “We are re-emphasising that this levy was hurriedly done to divert the attention of the public from government negligence in doing the needful for the state University.

    “It seems the school authority is not getting it yet. The point we (APC) are making is that there is no reason students should be punished for a preventable death of one of their colleagues when they are not the cause of the unfortunate death.

    “The government is as culpable when it refuses to provide a backup healthcare facility for Afolabi Ojo, as when it actually participated in his death.

    The statement said making scapegoats out of the students was a precarious move the government applied to save its face in the public.

    It said: “This is not working and will never work as the public had since exonerated the helpless students.

    “While not condoning any act of violence, we must however get things right. It’s natural that emotions always run high in human seeing the death of a colleague that could be prevented the way Afolabi Ojo seems to have been killed unattended to through non provision of good healthcare services at his disposal.

    “If adequate Medicare had been provided for him- as he might have probably paid for health centre fee as charged as part of school fee, the situation would have been different and understandable.

    “The students would not have gone on peaceful demonstration that was allegedly hijacked by hoodlums and resulted in violence.

    “As we all know times are hard in the state, people are hungry and consequently angry with the government for non payment of their salaries for an unprecedented five months which had resulted in low economic activities in the state.

    “Anyone could have tapped on the people’s anger for the PDP-led government in the state to perpetrate violence.

    “Therefore, forcing the students to pay reparation for a crime they did not commit- as there was no investigation that suggest otherwise, and having lost one of their colleagues to the cold hand of death in such a painful, shocking and unforgiving manner is excruciating enough to provoke another rounds of anger at the slightest provocation after their resumption.

    “This reparation fee that only the school authority will be the sole benefits, and not minding the death of their student is most pathetic to comprehend.

    “It is a callous reflection of their desire not to give value for life and a blatant disregard to the feelings of the parents of the deceased who are still grieving the lost of their son at this time and hoping to put a closure to the actual cause of the death of their only son by instituting a panel of inquiry to that effect instead of capitalising on their son’s death to raise unwarranted funds.

    “Public perception is very sensitive and not handling this situation properly, especially when the loss of life is concerned could be perceived as callous.

    ” This situation must be handled with care, sensitivity and dispassionately to make everyone involved calm down the boiling tension.

    “Any negative action as taken by the imposition of reparation fee such as this on students can spontaneously earned further provocation that would result in further uprisings in the future.”

  • Kano Pillars break Sunshine Stars three years jinx in Akure

    Kano Pillars break Sunshine Stars three years jinx in Akure

    Kano Pillars broke a three-year jinx in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) when they defeated Sunshine Stars 1-0 at the Akure Township Stadium on Sunday on the Match-Day 14.

    Adamu Mohammed’s 82 minutes goal was all Sai Masu Gida needed to secure maximum three points in the match and the only away win this weekend.

    It was a game that saw both sides create several scoring opportunities but the visitors made use of one out of many.

    The win was a boost for the four-time champions to reclaim NPFL title they surrendered to Enyimba last season.

    The home side made the first attempt in the 4th minute but Pillars goalkeeper Yusuf Muhammad rushed out to clear the danger before Quadri Samad pounces in.

    Yusuf made another fine save to deny Sunday Abe’s effort from a well taken free kick.

    Sunshine Stars goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa was called to action in the 48th minute as his fingertip save denied Omo Johnson the chance to put Pillars ahead.

    The visitors had another chance to take the lead in the 59th minute but Prince Aggreh surprisingly missed a one-on-one chance with Ezenwa.

    Sunshine Stars Dele Olorundare went close to giving the home side the equalizer but his efforts only hit the side netting and despite a late pressure Kano Pillars held on for a vital win in front of 5,498 spectators in Akure.

  • Ondo State Govt. to tackle unemployment through agriculture

    Ondo State Govt. to tackle unemployment through agriculture

    Ondo State Government said it had mapped out strategies to reduce the rate of unemployment among youths through agriculture.

    agriculture, the Chairman of the state Wealth Creation Agency (WECA), disclosed this on Wednesday in Akure.

    He spoke while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and Third National FADAMA Development Project.

    The WECA chairman, who signed on behalf of the state government, said that agriculture could provide massive employment opportunities for youths.

    Olafunmiloye said the collaboration of the agencies was to move the sector forward and boost food production in the state and the country at large.

    She said that the development would develop the agricultural sector and change mindset of youths towards agriculture by encouraging them to adopt modern system of farming.

    According to her, the MoU is expected to emphasise the development of poultry production and cassava cultivation in the state.

    The WECA chairman said that the move was in line with the policy of the current administration to partner reputable and committed individuals and organisations in promoting agriculture.

    Olafunmiloye said that the government had established four Agro Business Cities (ABC) across the state with modern facilities to serve as incubation and training centres for youths.

    Speaking on the value chain addition initiative of the government, she said the agency had established a number of agro allied industries for food processing.

    Among them are 1000 daily capacity chicken processing plant at Akure with modern facilities and cassava processing plant at Ore Agro Business City.

    She said that poultry production was critical to the economy and should be developed and harnessed to create job opportunities for youths.

    According to her, it can also generate revenue for the government and stop the millions of naira being spent on importation of poultry products from other countries.

    She, however, called for collaboration among all the stakeholders to achieve this.

    Mr Festus Oyekunle, the state Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria and Mrs Jumoke Bakare, the state FADAMA project leader, expressed delight at the prospect of partnering with state government on agriculture.

    They agreed that the development was with a view to sharpening the interest of youths in agriculture and make them to self employed as well as create wealth for themselves.

     

  • APC to NLC: You are anti-workers

    APC to NLC: You are anti-workers

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the encomiums passed on Governor Olusegun Mimiko by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    The party noted that it was  ironical that the commendation came at a time workers in the state are currently groaning through the insensitivity of the same government that has failed to pay salaries for four months.

    NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, in a letter applauded Governor Mimiko over what he described as his sterling leadership qualities in the transformation of Ondo State to a modern and one of the leading states in the country.

    This he hinged on provision of physical infrastructure and services and other landmark achievements, which according to him have impacted on the lives of the people of Ondo State.

    APC in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro said it did not denying the present leadership of NLC its right to opinion and decisions

    It however expressed concern on the “injury of inept” leadership foisted on the state in almost eight years of misgovernance which ironically found commendations from an organization that should indeed show empathy towards the challenges faced by the people.

    According to the statement”what should readily have been a succour to the civil servants in Ondo state through the Federal Government’s bailout intervention of over N15 billion has neither been accounted for nor have the workers been paid. Yet the NLC leadership believes such commendations at this struggling time for civil servants is in good faith.

    “Our concern is the obvious disconnect between the realities being faced by residents of Ondo state, who have not experienced pipe-borne water in seven years but are told to celebrate the error of a water fountain which obviously the NLC leadership must have found awe-inspiring in its ill-fated commendation”.

    The party however advised the leadership of the NLC to always seek the truth from the people it represents before putting undue commendations on rejected governments.