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Tag: Akure

  • We will reward hard working athletes, Commissioner assures

    We will reward hard working athletes, Commissioner assures

    The Ondo State Government said, on Thursday in Akure, that it would reward hard working athletes in the state, Mr Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports the assured.

    He gave the assurance in Akure while receiving athletes that represented the state and excelled in various local and international competitions, such as Wrestling, Volleyball, Weight lifting, Table Tennis and Football among others.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye, who said arrangements had been concluded to give the athletes a state reception, called on them to enhance effort in winning more medals for the state.

    The commissioner, while appealing to all stakeholders to be patience with government, also promised that ” everyone” in the state would enjoy the dividends of democracy.

    “We are very happy with the performances recorded by our athletes in various sports. This has shown us that with more incentives, we can conquer the world.

    “The success recorded in Wrestling, Weightlifting, Football, Volleyball and Table Tennis did not come by accident but due to the available talents as well as encouragement from the state government.

    “It is on this note that I want to congratulate all the winners, “he said.

    The commissioner, however, noted that it was difficult for the state government to ensure much financial motivation for the sportsmen due to paucity of funds.

    Read: Ogun athletes determined to dominate National Youth Games – Commissioner

    He disclosed that there were workers in the Ondo State Football Agency who had not been paid their salaries for 12 months.

    Yusuf-Ogunleye, who said the present administration in the state was on a rescue mission, assured athletes of better days ahead.

    Earlier, the Director of Sport, State sports Council, Mr Martins Adeojo, said that the current present administration had achieved a lot in less than a year, especially in sports development.

    Adeojo, who presented the athletes to the commissioner, attributed the medals won for the country by indigenes of the state to the unflinching support received from Gov.Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    He, however, called on the state government to do more in the area of financial encouragement and provision of facilities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Odunayo Adekuoroye, Aminat Adeniyi, John Emmanuel, Bisola Makanjuola, and Samuel Bose won gold and silver medals in wrestling for Nigeria at the African Senior Championship in Morocco.

    Adekunoroye also won silver medal for Nigeria in wrestling in Women’s category at the World Wrestling Championship in Paris.

    In Weight lifting, Fatima Yakubu won three gold medals for Nigeria at the African Championship in Uganda.

    Matty Taiwo (17), won two gold and one bronze medal at the ITTF African Junior tournament in Egypt.

    The state also emerged 3rd on the overall medals table, out of 35 states at the 2017 National Youth Games in Ilorin with 12 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also reports that three players from the state are currently at the National Volleyball Camp in Abuja ahead of the African Championship in Egypt.

    The commissioner congratulated the Super Eagles for qualifying for next year’s World cup in Russia.

    Highpoint at the occasion was the receipt of the Fair Play Trophy won by Sunshine Stars of Akure at the just concluded 2017 AITEO Federations Cup, by the commissioner.

    Read Also: 2017 World Rowing Championships: 6 athletes to represent Nigeria

  • Excitement as college holds first games in decades

    Excitement as college holds first games in decades

    The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) in Ondo State has held its maiden sports event, 30 years after it was established. ENIOLA OLURANKINSE reports.

    It was the first sporting event at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) in Ondo State, 30 years after the school was established. The excitement could be seen on the faces of students, who trooped to the field for the maiden Provost Games.

    The sport fiesta, which lasted for two weeks, had over 1,000 students competing for prizes in various games, including football, volleyball, handball, Ayo Olopon (pebble game), scrabble, table tennis, chess, lawn tennis, track events and marathon.

    At the grand finale, the Provost, Dr. Samson Odedina, described sports as a “unifying factor” capable of promoting friendship, co-operation, character building, as well as fostering peace and unity among people.

    He said: “The power of sports is far more symbolic. It is the engine of economic growth and a force for gender equality. Sports promotes good communication and creates lasting friendship among people. These are the values we are trying to promote among our students.”

    Reiterating the management’s commitment to mental and physical development of students, Odedina said his administration, since inception, had embarked on various initiatives geared towards promoting peace and youth development.

    He said the event was aimed at improving students’ health, physical fitness and inter-personal relationship among students and teachers. He added that the event would help students cultivate sportsmanship and mutual understanding.

    Odedina praised the organising committee and staff for supporting the initiative and making the event a reality.

    Praising the management for hosting the competition, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Sports Director, Akintunde Aanuoluwa, said students were excited about it, because it was the first time the school had that event.

    A student, Adeniyi Fagbohun, who came first in marathon, hailed the management for giving participants the opportunity to showcase their athletic skills.

    During the event, cash prizes and medals were presented to winners of the games. Adeniyi got N25,000, while Ebenezer Sangodare and Adeola Babatope went home with N20,000 and N15,000 in the male category of the marathon.

    Also, Salome Iyela received N18,000 as winner in the female category of the marathon. Animal Production Department won the trophy in female soccer, while Agricultural Technology Department is the male soccer champion.

    The prize presentation was attended by dignitaries, including a former Minister of Steel. Dr. Olu Agunloye.

     

  • Osinbajo in Akure for Niger Delta meeting

    Osinbajo in Akure for Niger Delta meeting

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday arrive Akure Airport at 10:54 am for the 2nd National Council on Niger Delta meeting.

    There was tight security at the airport and venue of the meeting provided by the police, Army, Civil Defence Corps and road marshals among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osinbajo would deliver the keynote address at the event and later meet with communities of riverside areas of Ondo State.

    Osinbajo, accompanied by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, was received on arrival by Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Also on the vice presidents entourage were the Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, Prof Claudius Daramola, and Sen. Victor Udoma, Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission.

    Others at the airport to receive the vice president were the Speaker, Ondo state House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyeloogun, Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde and other top government officials.

  • ‘Save us from land grabbers’

    The Provost, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA) Ondo State, Dr Samson Odedina has appealed to all stakeholders of the institution to help save it from those he called ‘land grabbers’.

    He said the Federal Government was against those individuals who allegedly invaded the institution and destroyed properties to claim ownership of its land.

    According to Dr Odedina, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh had mandated the management of the college to vigorously pursue the case pending at the Appeal Court.

    Ogbeh, through the Director of Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Thompson Olatide, decried how some notable individuals allegedly brought bulldozers to destroy FECA farms to lay claim on its land.

    He said: “There had been a land judgment against the college before the assumption of the present management. The institution was originally established on a 1,000-hectare of land, but reduced to 375 hectares by land grabbers.

    While receiving an award of’ Pacesetter in Education for African Reinaissance and Leadership, presented by Pearl Group Odedina said the land judgment which was not appealed by his predecessors led to the grabbing of another 113 hectares of the remaining land which accommodated the Provost’s House, Guest House and two water dams among other properties.

    According to him, the present management of the college instituted an appeal process immediately he assumed duty as Provost, stressing that the case is now ‘safely’ in the Appeal Court with injunction on the appellant court to stay execution pending before it.

    He appealed to security agencies to rescue the college by further preventing the destruction of its properties.

    Odedina said the development was to re-claim the college’s land that was acquired and gazetted since 1949 in the interest of the generations yet unborn.

    The Provost appreciated Chief Ogbeh, Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu and Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo for their prompt intervention into the protracted land dispute.

    He stressed that the award presented to him for outstanding services was for the entire students, members of staff of the institution and members of the management team of the college.

  • All hail Miss FUTA

    All hail Miss FUTA

    A 100-Level Information Technology student, Oluwatosin Olaiye, has won the maiden beauty pageant of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State. The show was organised by the Students Union Government (SUG) in collaboration with Ignit Entertainment. DANIEL OLADELE reports.

    The exuded confidence as she walked to the podium in measured steps. Beaming with smiles and acknowledging cheers from the ecstatic crowd, Miss Oluwatosin Olaiya was crowned as the Most Beautiful Girl at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in Ondo State.

    The 100-Level Information Technology student became the first student to be decorated as Miss FUTA, winning the grand prize of N150,000 at the maiden beauty pageant organised by the Students’ Union Government (SUG) in collaboration with Ignit Entertainment. The event was aimed at creating awareness on breast cancer.

    After weeks of auditioning, the campus literally stood still for the show, which was graced by a popular artiste, Mayorkun.

    The pageant had 12 contestants, who jostled for the coveted prize. They performed dance and drama, and recited poems in support of the event’s theme: No to breast cancer.

    The contestants educated members of the audience on how to prevent breast cancer and how to identify its symptoms. The contestants’ submissions were backed by in-depth knowledge and contemporary researches on the ailment.

    The contenders were assessed by a six-member panel of assessors. They were scored based on their eloquence, self-confidence, quality of knowledge they shared and their dress mode.

    At the end of the activities, the judges announced Oluwatosin as winner of the pageant. Aleenia Bonny was declared the first runner-up, while Kofoworola Yusuf became the second runner-up.

    Oluwatosin described the feat as a “stepping stone”, dedicating the prize to her fellow contestants. She promised to use her personality to improve social life on the campus.

    She said: “I am happy to be crowned Miss FUTA, which is a great feat for me as a model. The contest is a stepping stone for me and other contestants. It is a step forward in improving social activities in the school. My knowledge and experience became widened in the course of the contest. I invested time on rehearsals and spent personal resources to ensure that I gave in my best. I am sure this experience would help me in my subsequent activities.”

    Although, she did not win the contest, Aleenia was excited after she was announced as the first runner-up.

    She said: “It was a good start for me. I believe everyone who participated is a winner, because we all deserved the crown. Like it is in all contest, there can always be only one winner. So, Oluwatosin is the one who the judges assessed to be the best.”

    Asked if it was the end of her modeling career, Aleeenia said: “For me, Miss FUTA pageant is the beginning of more good things to come. I will not be weighed down by the unfavourable outcome of the pageant, rather I will work hard to win other contests I will partake in programmes outside  the school.”

    Kofoworola said she would propagate the knowledge about breast cancer she acquired. “The contest was not only to showcase our physical beauty and performance, it is also to impart knowledge about breast cancer. I will continue to create awareness about cancer and share this message with my peers within and outside the school to save people from the disease,” she said.

    The event also featured comedy and music performance by the guest artiste, Mayorkun, who dazzled the audience with his hit songs.

    The union’s Public Relation Officer (PRO), Ayomide Fowowe, said the event revived social activities on campus, adding: “The wonderful thing about the pageant is that, it promotes awareness on prevention of a disease affecting the womenfolk.”

    The major supporter of the show, Mr Agbaje Oluwabanji, who recently graduated from the school, said the pageant was informed by poor social life on the campus.

    He said: “In my five years of study, the campus could be likened to a regimented environment where people do not socialise. In my final year, I started to nurture the idea of the pageant to take the campus out of boredom and make students socialise. This is my way of giving back to the school that made me who I am.”

    He added that the event was also used as a tool to fight ignorance about breast cancer.

  • FUTA wins UK grant

    The Department of Meteorology and Climate Science (MCS) and the WASCAL Graduate Research Studies program in the West African Climate System (GSP-WACS) of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA has won a research grant from the United Kingdom (UK) Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) African Science for Weather Information and Forecasting Techniques (SWIFT).

    Over the four -year programme, experts from FUTA who won the grant, Prof Kenny Ogunjobi (Director, WASCAL), Dr Elijah Adefisan ,Prof Emmanuel Okogbue (Head of Department of Meteorology and Climate Science Department) Prof  Jerome Omotosho and Dr Vincent Ajayi, will join a the team of 25 UK and 45 African atmospheric scientists, social scientists and operational forecasters who will undertake fundamental scientific research into the physics of tropical weather systems, evaluation and presentation of complex model and satellite data, and communications and exploitation of forecasts.

    By significantly improving the research capacity in Nigeria in particular, the project will benefit diverse sectors such as aviation, agriculture, energy, water resources and emergency response.  The project will also ensure that results can be translated beyond the partner countries and into the wider developing world.

    The African SWIFT consortium will be led by the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) and builds upon existing partnerships between forecasting centres and universities in four African partner countries – bringing together 5 UK partners (NCAS, University of Leeds, University of Reading, CEH and UK Met Office) and 10 African partners (Senegal – ANACIM and UCAD; Ghana – GMet and KNUST; Nigeria – FUTA and Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet; Kenya – KMet, ICPAC and University of Nairobi; and ACMAD) and the World Meteorological Organization, as an advisory partner.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape has congratulated the team that won the grant on behalf of the University saying it further underscores FUTA’s pace setting efforts in technological advancement of Nigeria and its ability to hold its own in the comity of global Universities.

  • Phyno, Timaya shine in Akure with Glo Music concert

    Phyno, Timaya shine in Akure with Glo Music concert

    Fun seekers in Akure, the Ondo State capital enjoyed one of the best live performances in recent times, when top-rated artistes converged on the South West city for the Globacom – sponsored Nationwide Mega Music show at the weekend.

    Revelers who relished every moment say the Akure edition of the 27-city show which held at the Golden Events Centre, was the biggest musical concert ever held in the city in modern times.

    It was a positive invasion of the environment by stars which the people of Akure and environs may never have had the opportunity to see and experience live, but Globacom, the fastest growing data network, made it possible with the show, which was staged free of charge for the benefit of subscribers.

    Phyno, Timaya, Yemi Alade, Runtown , Korede Bello and Olamide were the stars of the night.  They were simply magical as they mesmerized the star-struck audience.

    Phyno was an improved version of himself during his over thirty minutes on stage. The audience, made up of the young and the young at heart joined the sterling performance by singing every line along with him. His chart busters, Connect, Alobam, Ezege, and Fada fada, were  instant hits with the crowd.

    The   Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa, Timaya, also showed a lot of class and justified his inclusion on the A-list of Nigerian music artistes, and also justified why Globacom took him on the tour. He took the Ondo people on a musical and philosophical experience they would not forget in a long time.  Olamide showed why he was called the Kings of the Streets . He took the concert back to the streets and engaged the youths with their own language, meeting them on their own turf.

    MTV African Music Awards 2015 and 2016 winner, Yemi Alade, connected in a very special way with the people when she announced to the delight of the audience: “I am your daughter and your sister and I am delighted coming to my roots,  and I thank Globacom once again for this opportunity to see my people; I love you all”.

    She revealed that she was indigene of Ondo State and praised Globacom for bringing her back home.

    “I am happy that Glo brought me back home. If my daddy were to be alive today, he would be happy that his daughter is back home,” she enthused.

    By the end of the evening, the fans went home drenched, but obviously, relished the energy and fun of the concert. Actresses Uche Jombo and Juliet Ibrahim were the Masters of Ceremony, while the most celebrated Yoruba movie star, Odunlade Adekola, made celebrity guest appearance.

  • Akeredolu woos investors as Air Peace makes maiden flight to Akure

    Akeredolu woos investors as Air Peace makes maiden flight to Akure

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) yesterday reiterated his administration’s determination to make the state attractive to local and foreign investors.

    He spoke at Akure Airport as a private commercial airline made its maiden flight to the state.

    The governor, who said the development marked the beginning of great happenings in the state.

    Akeredole urged the residents to avail themselves of the services provided by the airline.

    The flight into Akure, the state capital, marked the beginning of a Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement between the state government and Air Peace, a private airline.

    The governor praised God for making the development possible, describing the arrival of Air Peace in the state as the beginning of great economic revival.

    He hoped the initiative would stimulate the industrial growth of the All Progressives Congress (APC) change mantra, adding that before long, cargo services would begin at the airport to assist the export of farm produce to the United States of America (U.S.A.) and other foreign countries.

    Akeredolu said: “Today marks another giant step in our determination to develop Ondo State. The commencement of commercial flights into Akure will no doubt reduce the stress, risk and wear and tear that our people go through to go to Lagos.

    “More importantly, it will open up the state to local and foreign investors who can now access our state from Lagos in under one hour. It is another chapter in our determination to make sure that we leave Ondo State better than we met it.”

    The governor hailed the airline for showing interest in the state.

    The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, expressed delight with the arrangement.

  • Akure residents alert IGP, others to killings, cultism

    Residents of Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and other heads of security agencies to avert further killings and other threats to security of life and property in the town.

    They noted that there had been a rise in the activities of hoodlums in the community in the past few weeks.

    There were reports that suspected members of cult groups had been on killing spree in Akure in the past few weeks, making life unsafe for the residents, visitors and businessmen.

    Rival cult groups had reportedly been fighting each other.

    Addressing reporters yesterday, the Asiwaju of Akure, Prof Olu Agbi, said over 10 persons had been reportedly killed in various parts of the town in the last few days.

    Agbi said: “Apart from the killings by secret cult members, there were reports of kidnapping, attacks and killing of farmers by herdsmen, among other heinous crimes. Some crimes, including armed robbery and ritual killings, have not gone unnoticed by the community.

    “Some national dailies have even written editorials on the incidents and gave the developments in the town a national outlook.

    “We are disturbed by these reports; more so that our community, before the recent events, has been peaceful. We accommodate people, irrespective of their tribes, cultures, social status or creeds. Non-Yoruba speaking people and other ethnic groups living among us will attest to the fact that Akure indigenes are loving and very accommodating.

    “On our farmlands, we welcome non-indigenes to reside without being discriminated against. This made it possible for non-indigenes to get chieftaincy titles in our communities.”

    Agbi regretted that the accommodating posture of the residents had been taken for granted by members of secret cults, most of who he said were non-indigenes.

    The community leader accused them of unleashing terror on the residents.

    He noted that apart from the killing of hapless people, secret cult members also put the residents in fear of attacks or in ensuing melee.

    The academic urged security agencies to avert further killings and other evil actions of suspected cult groups in the town.

    According to him, the community is disturbed that despite the attacks and killings, law enforcement agents appeared helpless.

    Agbi regretted that no one was sure of who the hoodlums would attack next as they had been moving from one part to another, attacking the residents.

    The community leader urged the IGP, the Director General of Department State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to step up their patrols of Akure streets to prevent further killing of innocent residents and the breakdown of law and order.

    He said: “Reports reaching us indicate that some law enforcement agents are members of these secret cults which have made the fight against cultism difficult for the top hierarchy of the security agencies.

    “Security sources told us that Eiye members in the force would release their members, if brought to the police station while Aiye members among law enforcement agents would do the same for their members.

    “We ask the IGP to purge the police of secret cult members so that the war against cultism and other crimes could be meaningful. We also call on the Ondo State Police Command to monitor its men in Anti-Cultism Squad so that we will not have cultists masquerading as police officers.”

  • Judiciary, everybody’s hope – Justice Danjuma

    Judiciary, everybody’s hope – Justice Danjuma

    Justice Mohammad Danjuma of the Court of Appeal, Akure, has described the judiciary as the hope of everybody and not just a “utopian common man”.

    Danjuma stated this on Saturday at the 2016 and 2017 Valedictory service for graduating students of the Igbinedion University in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Council of Edo.

    He said the role of the judiciary was to take decisions that would ensure the advancement of human rights in furtherance of the rule of law.

    Delivering a lecture on `The Judiciary as the last hope of the common man: A reality’, Danjuma said the judiciary had been identified with the rule of law and the strength of character and integrity that determine the capacity to adjudicate justice without fear or favour.

    He explained that the role of the judiciary was not governed by emotions, adding that sentiments had no place in law.

    He stressed that the judiciary had a role to play to all Nigerians, to ensure that remedy was served, adding that it was, therefore, wrong to ask ” if the judiciary was the last hope of the common man”?

    The Appeal Court judge said that it was the duty of the Court to do all it could in order not to defeat the aim of justice.

    “The Judiciary is not an oppressor but will evenly and dispassionately serve all.

    “Misconception is in most cases usually drawn concerning the judiciary by the masses.

    He, therefore, urged the graduating students to always stand neutral and not be intimidated by what he called ” utopian common man”.

    He also said the contention that there was “a common man” somewhere was wrong.

    Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, had said the College of Law of the institution was a flagship and a foundation college of the institution.

    Osaghae said the graduating students should remain bonafide ambassadors of the institution and continue to maintain the high standard of the institution.

    He gave assurance that the management of the institution would do its best possible to ensure that all the graduating students were admitted into law school.

    The Dean of the College, Prof. Rashidi Ijaodola, who said the valedictory service was an annual event at the institution, urged the students to be prepared at all times.