The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alagbaka

  • Breaking: Gunmen kill Anglican bursar in Ondo

    Unknown gunmen early hours of Thursday killed bursar of the Akure diocese of Anglican Communion, Gbariel Kola Abiodun, shortly after leaving a new generation bank.

    He was said to have been killed at the diocesan office at Alagbaka, Ondo state shortly after returning from the bank where he went to withdraw some cash meant for the church.

    The Nation gathered that his remains have been deposited in the mortuary.

    Security has already been beefed up in the area, as sympathisers thronged the Diocesan Secretariat, Alagbaka, Akure.

    Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police(SP) said the perpetrators would be soon be arrested.

     

  • The owl of Alagbaka

    The owl of Alagbaka

    “The owl of Minerva always begins its flight after the event”— Karl Marx.

     

    Many readers of this column have been asking the columnist to comment on the political imbroglio in Ondo State, particularly as it affects the nation and the fortunes of the ruling party. Whatever the playful and light-hearted pretences, snooper does not speak or write out of turn. Democracy is a problematic child in Nigeria and has to be nurtured with care and caution. One must not be seen to be setting off explosives against a house he has helped to build.  Like many other compatriots, this writer invested a lot of hope and considerable faith in the change mantra. The point is democracy is hard to build and sustain in multi-ethnic societies crippled by centrifugal forces. It requires patience, wisdom and a sensitive appreciation of mutual differences arising from disparities of culture, religion and social orientation. Nigeria is not yet an organic nation but a commonwealth of disparate nationalities afflicted by varying degrees of destructive political narcissism. It will take a political genius, a statesman of extraordinary talents, to keep the gargantuan mess from toppling over into anomie and chaos. In order to appreciate the nature of the democratic impasse in Nigeria, what we have done this morning is to situate the crisis of democratization in the country in its current post-military epoch within the global and continental crisis of liberal democracy. Hopefully, our leaders will find the strength and the mental concentration required to plot our way out of the historiccul de sac. Unlike human organisms, the beauty of democracy is that it can die and then be resurrected even if at prohibitive costto nation and people. Let us put on our thinking cap once again.

  • Akeredolu: race to Alagbaka not do- or- die

    Akeredolu: race to Alagbaka not do- or- die

    Goverrnorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has said the contest for the governorship ticket should not be a matter of life and death.

    The former president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), at the weekend, said he was ready to support any candidate who emerges the party’s flagbearer after a free, fair and credible primary.

    The frontline lawyer expressed optimism that the unity of the aspirants would remain intact after the emergence of the party’s candidate.

    He said a strategy had been put in place to avoid rancour after the primary.

    Akeredolu reiterated that he would support whoever the party picks, adding that if he is chosen, he will expect other aspirants to support him too.

    His words: “Governorship position is not a do-or-die affair. I am a party man and I believe in the party’s unity rather than individual ambition. I have no problem with whatever the outcome of the primary is.

    “I call on the party leadership to field a formidable candidate. My experience in 2012, when I contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has shown that the party needs a strong candidate to defeat other contestants.

    “The APC needs adequate planning and preparation to dislodge the PDP. My intention to contest a second time is borne out of genuine desire to serve the people and end Olusegun Mimiko’s maladministration.”

    Akeredolu solicited support from stakeholders to guarantee his victory at the primary and during the election, describing himself as the “best man for the job”.

  • Yomi Akinruntan, Kunle Odidi, others jostle for Nomiye’s seat

    Yomi Akinruntan, Kunle Odidi, others jostle for Nomiye’s seat

    The news from Ilaje/Ese-Odo, the riverine area of Ondo State, in the last few weeks is the battle for the vacant seat of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Following the untimely death of Hon. Raphael Nomiye, the seat has become about the most hotly contested in the nation at the moment. No fewer than 10 aspirants have indicated interest in the by-election scheduled to be held in a few days time.

    Many of the aspirants are said to have literally relocated to the Alagbaka seat of government in Akure, Ondo State, as they seek Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s favour for the Labour Party’s ticket. Others are testing their strength on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

    The sentiment being played up in the contest is that Nomiye, the former occupant of the seat, hails from Ugbo and anyone who would complete his tenure must also come from Nomiye’s Ugbo constituency. Hence, Yomi Akinruntan, Kunle Odidi and Kolade Akinjo are being touted as favourites for the seat.