The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Ondo Assembly approves N15.02bn for power sector

    The Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday approved the release of N15.02 billion for the Power Sector Special Intervention Fund by the government.

    The Speaker, Mr. Samuel Adesina, announced this in Akure during the presentation of a report by the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Fidelis Akinwolemiwa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the committee was assigned on June 13 to work on a letter sent to the house by Governor Olusegun Mimmiko, asking for approval to pay the state and 18 local governments’ share of the fund.

    In its report, the committee said it invited the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, for findings about the fund before it made recommendations for the consideration of the house.

    The house, however, urged the government to strictly monitor the fund deducted to the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, and ensure that it was judiciously utilised.

     

  • Insecurity: Immigration deports 147 foreigners in Akure

    The Nigerian Immigration Service on Friday deported about 147 citizens of Niger Republic and Chad staying in Akure, the Ondo State capital illegally.

    They were arrested during an operation carried out by NIS personnel to fish out those staying in the state without invalid visas.

    The foreigners were apprehended at Sabo, Shasha and Timber Garage areas were the Hausas usually stay in Akure.

    They were alleged to have entered the country without following the normal procedure before leaving their respective countries.

    Addressing reporters at the Immigration office in Akure, the state Comptroller of NIS, Mr. Sola Sessi, said their continued stay in the state capital constitutes a security threat.

     

  • Akure jailbreak is dangerous, says Lagos Assembly

    Lagos State House of Assembly has decried the bombing of Olokuta Maximum Security Prison in Akure, Ondo State and the unlawful release of about 175 inmates by unknown gunmen on Sunday.

    Speaking on behalf of the assembly yesterday, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Segun Olulade, described the incident as a dangerous signal to the country and another black spot on the country’s image.

    He added that more disturbing situations might occur if the Federal Government fails to take drastic measures to tighten security.

    According to Olulade, the alarming security situation in the country calls for innovations that are unprecedented.

    The lawmaker stressed that the Ondo State incident showed that many arms and ammunition were in circulation in the country, and not only in the North.

    He said the pervading culture of impunity in government circle, endemic corruption and high poverty level among the people should be blamed for the criminal activities.

    Olulade urged the police and other security agencies to conduct investigation into the jailbreak and ensure that all the re-arrested inmates and hoodlums are brought to book.

     

  • Protest in Akure as police kill expectant mother

    Protest in Akure as police kill expectant mother

    AN expectant mother, Mrs Seki Olajiga, was allegedly shot dead on Tuesday night by Mr. Abudu Longe, a police constable attached to Ijapo Police Station in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The development sparked violent protest in some parts of the state capital. They include: Ijapo, Oke-Ijebu and Plaza areas of the town.

    Longe and his colleagues were at the Ijapo/Oke -Ijebu junction, where they had been drafted for a traffic control duty.

    An eye-witness claimed that Longe’s A7 47 fell off his shoulder and started discharging bullets as he ran after a vehicle for an alleged tip.

    Mrs. Olajiga, one of the passengers in a commercial bus, was reportedly hit by stray bullets.

    The police officers allegedly abandoned their duty post for safety.

    Mrs Olajiga, who was said to be eight-month-old pregnant. She reportedly died on the spot.

    The killer-cop was said to have carried her to a private hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

    Enraged by development, youths in the area mobilised and attacked Alonge when he returned to fetch his gun.

    The irate youths vandalised the police station at Ijapo and destroyed the gate, leading into the Estate. They sacked the officers on duty.

    Motorists passing through the Ijapo/Oke-Ijebu axis were forced to re-route their trips as the youths made bonfire to barricade the road.

    Soldiers attached to the Fast Track Squad from the 35 Artillery Brigade Akure, who came to rescue the embattled police officers, had hectic time before they stopped the youths from razing the police station.

    Members of the Akure chapter of the Federation of Women Lawyers protested the killing of the Mrs Olajiga.

    The lawyers described the killing as callous and warned the police to desist from wasting innocent souls.

    The suspected killer-cop has been arrested and detained at the state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

    Police spokesman Wole Ogodo confirmed the incident and informed that the culprit officer had faced an orderly trial and consequently dismissed from the service.

    He said the killer-cop will be charged to court today for murder.

    The spokesman assured that the police will not tolerate any act of indiscipline that could dent their image.

    He warned that any officer found wanting in the discharge of his/her duty will be summarily dismissed.

    Ogodo commisserated with the family members of the deceased on behalf of the State Police Command.

  • Jonathan for Akure

    Jonathan for Akure

    President Goodluck Jonathan will storm Akure tomorrow for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally billed for Saturday, it was learnt yesterday.

    A PDP chieftain, Ayo Fadaka, who disclosed this on an Adaba Radio programme, Legacy, said the President would visit the state to dispel the rumour being peddled by the Labour Party (LP) that he is not supporting the PDP governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke.

    Fadaka said Jonathan will be accompanied by ministers, members of the National Assembly and leaders of the PDP. The Southwest PDP leader, Mr. Segun Oni, will lead other chieftains to welcome them at the Akure Airport.

    He said: “The President will raise the hands of Oke and his running mate, Saka Lawal. This will end the lies of the LP that Dr. Jonathan is backing Governor Mimiko. There have been rumours that the President is not supporting our candidate and that he does not know Saka Lawal. He will raise their hands on Saturday.”

    Fadaka said Ondo State people have woken up to the reality that Mimiko has deceived them for three and a half years, adding that his administration has been characterised by budget failure.

    He challenged Governor Mimiko to point to any road he had built, urging the voters to judge him by the way he had neglected the infrastructure battle.

    Fadaka added: “This is a government of endless proposals. What they know how to do is to use computer to take away the money. They will not implement a budget, and towards the end, they will come up with a supplementary budget. Money comes to the state, but we cannot see what it is spent on. This is unlike the PDP. In three and a half years, Mimiko could only complete one mega school project. When would he complete the rest? This is unlike the PDP. When PDP was in power, we built roads. Now, the people know which party had served them better.”

  • ‘Why Akure indigenes will vote for Akeredolu’

    A former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Tayo Abidakun, yesterday said Akure indigenes have resolved to vote for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN.

    He added that this is contrary to the belief that the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, will sweep the poll in Akure South.

    Abidakun, who joined ACN last week, said LP has failed Akure people.

    The ex-LP lawmaker spoke with reporters in Akure after visiting the ACN secretariat in Akure South Local Government where he integrated with the members and empowered them ahead of the election.

    Abidakun recalled that Mimiko, while campaigning in 2009, promised to turn Akure to a millennium city.

    He said he has not fulfilled his promise.

    According to Abidakun, who was the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Governor Mimiko has denied Akure the dividends of democracy.

    He said: “Mimiko promised to turn Akure into a millennium city, but if you drive round, you will see that we are nowhere. We are still behind. The town is not in good shape, the roads are bad, the youths are jobless and there is no development. Our people are not empowered. We are suffering in Akure.”

    Abidakun, who represented Akure South Constituency 1, said many areas have been abandoned by the Mimiko administration, adding that the people are living in abject poverty.

    He said: “Go to Abusoro, Ilotin, Esure, Moferere, Afe-olowokere, Ijoka Extension and other areas in Akure, the roads are bad. Go to Isolo and Obanla, the roads are in a terrible condition. I’m sure Governor Mimiko does not have a plan to give these roads a facelift.”

    Abidakun said he admired ACN’s manifestos and its standard bearer in the October 20 governorship poll, Akeredolu.

    “I like what is going on in Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Edo, Oyo and Ogun states. I admire the idea of Southwest economic integration. It is unmatchable,” he added.

    Abidakun enjoined Akure indigenes to work for the victory of ACN because it is a party that will recognise the citizens and provide infrastructures.