The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Akure

  • Ondo hosts National Council on Environment conference

    As part of efforts to tackle environmental challenges confronting Nigeria as a nation,the Ondo state Government is to host the 12th edition of the National Council of Environment in Akure, Ondo state capital between 28th October and November 1, 2018.

    The Chief of Staff to the state governor, and Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Mr. Olugbenga Ale, who disclosed this in Akure after a meeting with the representatives of the Federal Ministry of

    Environment from Abuja, noted that the country is battling with many environmental challenges.

    According to him, most of these environmental challenges which included, security challenges, food security, housing security, health, and human life security determined and traceable to the way and manner through which people manage their life.

    He said “If we are to, as a nation,effectively address these problems, there is the need for us to take a critical look at the existing environmental laws, policies, regulations, standards, programmers and institutions that are wide spread for proper consolidation and coordination as may be appropriate.

    Speaking on the theme of this year theme tagged “Environment and security in Nigeria: Consolidating Nigeria’s Environment Sector Reforms Towards Sustainable Development”, Ale described the theme as germane and crucial as every human being depends on the environment for a living and survival.

    Ale said the meeting would afford the state the opportunity to look into the degradation of the Ayetoro coastal community while stakeholders and professional would prefer solutions to the challenges confronting the people of the area.

    The community is almost wipe off and this will draw attention to the area and save the community from going to extinction and we are sure relevant agencies and stakeholders will proffer solution to address the challenges confronting  the people of the area.

    Read Also: Ondo: PDP nullifies Owo/Ose primary election

    Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Awal Maidabino, said the forum would provide a veritable platform and opportunity for all the states across the nation and other critical stakeholders to present policy and memoranda on challenges, concerns and emerging issues confronting the country and how to resolve them

    He said “critical stakeholders and development partners shall deliberate and interact at the Akure Council meeting with a view of charting the way forward on environmental issues trending locally and globally

    The deliberations and discussions during the meeting shall mainly focus and center on how to consolidate the environment sector reforms, achieve national transformation and entrench sustainable development in the country.

    Maidabino disclosed that top agenda meeting would center “on how to mainstream and align the set SDG targets with the national priorities outlined in the ERGP policy objectives and roadmap. Integration of the SDGs into ERGP predicated on the parameter set out in the adopted”Review National Policy on the Environment (NPE)  will also feature prominently”

  • Masquerade in Police net for stabbing man to death in Ondo

    A suspected masquerade has been apprehended in Akure, the Ondo State capital by the Police for allegedly stabbing a young man to death.

    Sources said the incident occured at Olomoyeye Street, Oke-Aro, Akure when the deceased identified as Femi Makanjuola went to buy some food items.

    He was said to have been accosted by the masquerade who demanded for money.

    Eye witness said the deceased had just secured a job with Dangote Cement Company.

    The masquerade and his accomplice reportedly stabbed Makanjuola to death after he was said to have refused to yield to the demand of the masquerade.

    He said “Makanjuola resides with his brother, he had secured a job with Dangote cement company in Benin city with the hope of resuming office on Monday, 8th October 2018.

    Read Also: Man docked for sleeping with stepdaughters, impregnating one

    “He was preparing to cook beans and had gone to a nearby shop for ingredients to spice up the food when he met his death.

    It was also alleged that their had been an altercation between the alleged killer and the deceased some weeks ago, which was said to have
    been settled by mother of the deceased, Mrs. Monisola Awosanmi who also confirmed the preexisting animosity between her slain son and the father of the alleged killer.

    Parading the suspect at the State Police Command,its Spokesman, Femi Joseph who confirmed the incident, said the chief priest of the masquerade crew had been arrested.

    The PPRO maintained that preliminary investigation into the matter have already commenced with the suspect already assisting the police with relevant information.

    He said “All Over the world what we know about masquerade dance is to entertain the people. What happened in Akure was to the contrary.

    “Five young boys were on a outing with one of them acting as a masqurader, and they got to where one Femi Makanjuola was. The masqueraders demanded money which the deceased refused to give and this did not go down well with them.

    “The argument led to the stabbing of the deceased after he had been thoroughly beaten by the masqueraders and his followers.

    “Investigation is ongoing towards apprehending other accomplices involved in the crime”.

    However, the suspected masquerade who has been identified as Olu Olowokere denied involvement in the killing of Makanjuola.

  • ‘PDP had rancour-free primary in Owo/Ose Constituency’

    A House of Representatives aspirant for Ose/Owo federal constituency,in Ondo state under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Sadiq Oluwole Obaneyen on Saturday said there was peaceful primary in the area where he emerged the candidate.

    He faulted the claim that there were irregularities during primary which led to the purported cancellation of the primary in the federal constituency.
    Obaneyen in a statement made available to reporters in Akure, the state capital said he clinched the party ticket to contest the general election for Owo/Ose federal constituency next year.
    According to him,”I emerged at the PDP primary election held in Owo where 234 delegates participated in the exercise”.
    He said delegates from the two local governments were accredited before voting,while
    the election went smoothly as delegates conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.
    Obaneyen added that INEC officials were on ground to monitor the exercise as well observers.
    Besides,the aspirant said Security operatives were present to provide maximum security which facilitated hitch free exercise.
    Announcing the results,the Returning Officer,Yusuf Rabiu declared Obaneyen as the winner with 107 votes to defeat the serving member in the federal constituency,Bode Ayorinde who had 73 votes while the third  contestants got 54 votes.

    Read Also: Agbaje clinches Lagos PDP governorship ticket

    The PDP chairman in Owo local government,Idris Okeowo expressed  delight in the process that produced clear winner.
    Obaneyen expressed appreciation to God,party leaders and supporters for the victory while promising his constituents that he would not disappoint them.
    He assured them of robust and quality representation.
    Obaneyen had served in various leadership positions within and outside the state.
    He was the first Labour Party secretary in the state and served as the former Director, Ondo State Development Property between 2009/2010.
    Besides,he served as the senior legislative aide to the Deputy Senate President,
    Ike Ikweremadu,the position he held before resigning  last month to contest for the  House of Representatives seat in Owo/Ose federal constituency.

  • Unknown persons kill 18 year-old in Ondo

    An unknown persons have reportedly killed a girl identified as Oluwaseun Ajila in Ijoka area of Akure, the Ondo State capital on Thursday evening.

    Sources said the 18-year-old deceased was stabbed to death by the unknown assailants.

    It was learnt that the mother of the deceased, Mrs. Yemisi Ajayi, raised the alarm over the incident when she returned from work on the fateful day.

    According to the source “The mother of the deceased returned from work, and met her daughter’s lifeless body on the floor in the pool of blood. She immediately called the attention of the neighbors to it.

    ” There were different wounds on her body which indicated that someone must have fought with her inside the room and stabbed her to death. ”

    The State Police Command has arrested the boyfriend of the deceased, Ebenezer Adedimola over the incident.

    Read Also: Man, 57, in court for assaulting police officer

    Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident said it was Mrs. Ajayi ( deceased’s mother) that reported the matter at a police station.

    He said, “The bereaved mother suspected her boyfriend because he had a misunderstanding with her recently.

    However , he said they have commenced investigation on the incident,stressing that perpetrators would be brought to book.

  • Protests in Ondo over clearance of Senatorial candidates

    Protests in the three senatorial districts of Ondo state over the clearance of the incumbent senators in the three districts to retain their seats at the National Assembly beyond 2019 have remained persistent.

    The clearance was carried out by the National Working Committee, (NWC) of the ruling party on Tuesday.

    The aggrieved party supporters said the imposition could spell doom on the party ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Leader of the protesters in Akure,the state capital who is the APC Youth leader,Babalayo Olutayo criticised the national leadership of the party for not creating a level-play ground for all aspirants.

    Babalayo said “we are saying no to imposition, we are saying no to automatic ticket to any aspirants, there must be a room for everybody to accommodate. We don’t want criminality and impunity in our party, we ask for change and this is not the change we asked for.

    “When Adams Oshiomhole took the leadership from John-Odigwe Oyegun,we thought everything will change for good but things has gone to unbearable condition.

    “Oshiomhole has not really helped us. if you go to the APC constitution, article 20 states clearly that party primary must go either direct, indirect and consensus, there is no room for automatic ticket in our constitution and we want to know how the leadership came about the automatic ticket.

    Read Also: 2018 PDP Convention: Wike welcomes delegates

    Also,some of the aspirants including the Incumbent Senator representing Ondo Central, Tayo Alasoadura who is one of the beneficiaries of the automatic ticket said the NWC erred in screening them to become candidates of the party for senatorial contest ahead of 2019.

    However,Senator Boroffice maintained that he did not get the ticket through backdoor but because of his loyalty to the party.

    According to him,he had in the past won many elections and still have his supporters solidly behind him.

    Governor Akeredolu was said to have visited Abuja in connection with the crisis over the automatic ticket.

    Observers noted that Akeredolu was supporting Dr Tunji Abayomi for the North District,Lucky Ayedatiwa for the South District and equally have Senator Tayo Alasoadura in his good book to retain his position in the central.

  • Dedicate yourselves to nation building – Akeredolu

    Ondo State governor,  Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the all-important objective of nation building.
    He said the call became necessary to enable the country emerge victoriously from its current challenges or contradictions.

    Akeredolu spoke on Monday during the commemoration of the country’s 58th Independence Day celebration held at the popular Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Akure, the state capital.

    The governor said: “We may have had reasons to disagree, even strongly, because of misconception and suspicion borne of the historical factors of evolution as an emerging political unit.

    “Our very existence as a country up till this moment, despite all odds, affirms our resolve to proceed on the march towards nationhood and development.

    “All patriots must rededicate themselves to this all-important objective until the final victory is won.

    “The current challenges, either contrived or consequent upon the facts of internal contradictions inherent in a transitional society, make the aspiration for a united, progressive and prosperous country appear utopian.”

    Read Also: Akeredolu hails Oyetola over victory


    Akeredolu, however, foresaw that the dream of achieving a prosperous and progressive Nigeria achievable if everyone could be committed to the purpose of ultimate mobilization of their talents towards realizing the lofty aim.

    He also challenged the political leadership to demonstrate the willingness to provide the necessary direction to the led or the generality of the people.

    According to him, the leaders must be seen to be leading the people towards achieving set objectives.

    Akeredolu, who used the occasion to hail the people of Ondo State for their trust in his administration, promised not to be distracted in discharging his official responsibilities.

    The governor said: “Politics, to us, is a call to service. We will continue to ensure that we give our best at all times. Our people deserve quality representation.”    

  • Akeredolu lauds military for Nigeria’s unity

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has commended the Nigerian Military for its efforts at keeping Nigeria united as an indivisible entity.

    Akeredolu made the commendation while hosting the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, Maj.-Gen. Fidelis Azinta, on Friday in Akure.

    The governor noted that if military had not fought wars and other battles to keep the country as one, the unity being enjoyed today could not have been possible.

    “All of us in this country hold the existence of Nigeria to the military which has brought all of us together.

    “We look up to the Military as the last hope of this nation in terms of security. You have done your best and fought many wars to keep Nigeria united as one.

    “We appreciate all your efforts and may the labour of your heroes past never be in vain,” he said.

    According to him, no part of the country is being excluded in military administration.

    He advised Nigerians to see themselves as one like military personnel, adding that there was no way Nigeria could be divided for any reason.

    Read Also: Akeredolu hails Fed Poly

    The governor described 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena, Akure, which falls under the division, as a tremendous assistance to the state government.

    Akeredolu, therefore, appealed to the GOC to consider possibility of building an estate on unused expanse of land in the brigade as it was done in the military division in Ibadan.

    He also enjoined Azinta to give the land to individuals who might be interested in temporary farming for use.

    Earlier, the GOC lauded the governor for honour accorded to the division by gracing the closing ceremony of the 2 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competitions 2018 of the Nigerian Army.

    He assured the governor that the brigade would do everything possible to ensure safety of lives and property in the state.

    “We want to assure you that with your support, together with other security agencies, we will flush out criminal elements out of the state,” he promised.

     

    NAN

     

  • I didn’t say direct primary is evil – Alasoadura

    The lawmaker representing Ondo Central Senatorial District ,Chief Tayo Alasoadura has said that he was misquoted in his remarks during the recent stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    At the meeting attended by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,the Party adopted Indirect Primary which generated reactions among some members of the party.

    Alasoadura who briefed reporters after the meeting said there was no time he used “evil” to describe the conduct of the Direct primary.

    According to his media assistant,Dayo Joseph “It is important to correct this erroneous impression by the media unit of Senator Ajayi Borrofice.

    It said” Alasoadura absolutely respect the decision of the party( APC). The false reports credited to him describing direct primaries as “evil and corrupt” did not emanate from him.

    Read Also: Police smash syndicate specialized in issuing kidnapping threats

    “His endorsement of Indirect primaries was based on two reasons. To forestall difficulties and crisis and his belief that without a clean register of financial members, direct primaries are fraught with grave risks”.

    Alasoadura, said the option of Indirect Primary was endorsed to forestall difficulties and crisis.

    He said “We have unanimously adopted indirect primaries for choosing our candidates for 2019 elections.

    “We have done this because of difficulties usually associated with direct primary which may lead to chaos and violence, and any results coming from such may not have true representation.

    ” And by adopting this, we are fully in compliance with constitution of our party.There was no time I used the word ‘evil’.

  • Ondo APC members sue Exco over Council Poll

    A faction within the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo state,Unity Group(UG) has dragged the executive committee of the party to the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking rejection of list of candidates for December 1, local government poll in the state.

    Joining in the suit as defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission(ODIEC), Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice,the state APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin and National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.

    ‘The Nation’ learnt that the development was the fall-out of the controversial congress from Ward to National held between May and June 2018.

    During the exercise,some members were allegedly denied access to party forms to participate in the Congresses.

    At a media briefing in Akure, the state capital on Tuesday, the chairman of the group, Idowu Otetubi supported by its Secretary,Gani Muhammed recalled that they held parallel congresses from Ward to State level in all the 203 wards and 18 Local Governments of Ondo State.

    Read Also: Shakarau returns to APC, after four years in PDP

    According to them, they recently produced their executives despite persecution, intimidation and maiming of their members and some reporters at the BTO Hall in Akure where they had the State Congress.

    Otetubi said “After the Congress, we submitted the result to the National level of the Party and copied Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)but unfortunately, the former National Chairman,Chief John Odigie-Oyegun did not allow our list to see the light of the day.

    “We have continued to carry on as a Party Executives that emerged following the party congresses conducted in substantial compliance with the APC Constitution and guidelines.

    He said they had continued to defend the policies of the APC led government at the National Level and continued to mobilize to the party on daily basis.

    The group however commended the new leadership of the party led by Adams Oshiomole for the good job it had been doing.

    It said “We are elated that the NEC had adopted Direct Primary at all levels to nominate candidates for the 2019 general election. We are not unaware of the unpatriotic stand of some of our governors who have been in the forefront of kicking against the most democratic system of nominating candidates.

    “We are not surprised at the stand of those handpicked executives in the states. We know that they are afraid of any direct contest. All they want is to be handpicked as candidates of the party which shall be counter-productive.

    The group which claimed of having 75 percent of APC in Ondo State said it would do everything to resist imposition of unpopular candidates for the 2019 election.

    It said “We are aware of an attempt to conduct Local Government Election in Ondo State. It is very unfortunate that only Aketi’s group had access to the nomination forms as members of our Unity group have also been illegally excluded.

    “We wish to state that the Adetimehin led executive in Ondo State is not competent to submit list of candidates to Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) because it did not emerge in a Congress done in accordance with the party guidelines.

    However, Adetimehin insisted that those calling themselves Unity Group members are not APC members, saying they are acting as spoilers to the ruling party but would not succeed in their mischief.

  • ‘We are ready for Ondo Council Polls’

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo state has expressed its willingness to participate in the December 1, local government polls in the state.

    Its Chairman, Bisi Ogungbemi disclosed this at the end of the party ‘s Congress and election of new executives held on Monday at the party’s secretariat in Akure.

    Other elected members of the executive were Obakpolor Jephter,Secretary, Adewi Samuel, Treasurer and Omoegun Adams as financial secretary among others.

    Ogunbemi said ADC was participating in the election to win and defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state

    He expressed the readiness of the ADC to take over the mantle of leadership in the state, stressing that the current government in Ondo state has failed woefully.

    According to him,”We are ready to dislodge the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu government because the government lacks vision, focus and zeal to turn the state around.

    ” Since Akeredolu took over, nothing seems to be working. The health and education sector remain in shambles. He is paying lip service to infrastructural development”, he added

    He also assured members of the party that a level playing field would be provided for the aspirants vying for elective positions in the party.

    He pointed out, “There is no automatic ticket for any aspirant in our party, ” they must all slug it out in line with the constitution of the party”

    He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to find a lasting solution to voters’ inducement which is gradually affecting the nation’s electoral system

    The ADC chairman and other executives who emerged through a voice vote warned that if the trend is not urgently addressed, Nigeria will be turned into a banana republic where criminals would take the center stage of governance.

    He further urged the electoral body to do everything possible to ensure voting buying is not allowed in the September the 23rd governorship election in Osun state.