The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo community

  • Ondo community laments low patronage over bank robbery, others

    THE bank robbery in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State in February that claimed over 20 lives is still having adverse effect on the economy of the commercial town.

    It was learnt that many traders outside the community were not willing to come around for business transaction after the incident.

    Besides, banks in the community have been getting low patronage because of fears of repeated attacks.

    The bad roads and erratic power supply have worsened the problem.

    But Iyalaje of Ikare-Akoko, Alhaja Risikat Mohammed, hailed an indigene of the area and the founder of Synagogue Church, Pastor T.B. Joshua, for donating eight new patrol vehicles to the police to enhance security in the division’s four local government areas.

    She urged other Akoko indigenes to emulate the gesture.

    The woman leader condemned the deplorable roads in Akokoland, especially on Ogbagi-Afin, Ajowa-Eriti, Ugbe-Epinmi and Arigidi-Okeagbe-Omuo Ekiti roads, which, according to her, have become impassable.

    Mrs. Mohammed lamented non-resuscitation of some factories established by past administrations, which, she said, could absorb youths that were roaming the streets.

    Many residents also flayed the incessant road accidents involving trailers between Okerogbo, Oke-Alabojuto and Oke-Oka, in which several lives have been lost.

    Two prominent monarchs in the area, Olubaka of Oka, Oba Yusuf Adeleye and the Olukare of Ikareland, Oba Akadiri Momoh, expressed concern on the issue.

    They called for diversion of trailers and other heavy duty trucks to Ipele-Idoani.

    The traditional rulers appealed for urgent rehabilitation of Owo-Ikare and Iwaro-Oka Akoko to prevent further loss of lives.

     

  • Ondo community prays for abducted Regent

    Ondo community prays for abducted Regent

    The abduction of the Regent of Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State  has created tension in the university community. DAMISI OJO reports.

    The bubbling university community of Akungba-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government of Ondo State has, in the past few days, remained in the news. This was occasioned by the kidnap of the Regent of the town, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon.

    Since the incident occurred along Owo-Ose-Ikare-Akoko Road, the Princess’ whereabouts is yet to be known by her kinsmen, despite frantic efforts by security agents to secure her release.

    The development has, no doubt, affected the peace in the town, as several spiritual and traditional means have been deployed to ensure the release of the Regent alive from her captors.

    As at press time, there has not been any inkling on how to secure her release, as her whereabouts remains unknown to her people.

    The community has been embroiled in tension and anxiety as a result of the development. All social and commercial activities in the ancient town have since been paralysed.

    The atmosphere in the town is unpleasant and several meetings were held on daily basis to discuss how to ensure the release of the regent. Traditional Chiefs in the town, who met on daily basis since the abduction of their regent, have also turned the palace to a ghost of itself. They prevent traditional activities from holding at the palace.

    As a result of the ugly development, the community has declared a seven-day fasting and prayer to be observed by all Christians and Muslims in the town, while special inter-denominational prayers will also be held daily for the release of the regent.

    Besides, traditionalists in the town were said to have commenced rituals to appease the gods and seek their wrath on her captors. The rituals, according to findings, are done at night while special prayers are held during the day.

    According to a community leader in the town, who is also the Seriki of Akoko land, Chief Ade Awesu, the fasting and prayers, which had begun are to be observed by all the youth and adults, saying “we believe in the efficacy of prayers and we are sure that, with the prayers and fasting, our Regent will be released.”

    Also, the Chief Imam of Akungba-Akoko, Alhaji Shittu Arikewuyo, who spoke on behalf of the Muslims, appealed to security agents to assist in the release of Princess Omosowon, just as he called on all indigenes of the town to be committed to the fasting and prayers declared by the religious leaders.

    Venerable Olu Akerele of the Anglican Communion said Christians in the town would continue to pray until the regent is released.

    His words: “We have faith as Christians. We believe there is nothing impossible for our God to do. So, we are sure that the Regent and others abducted with her will be released before the end of the seven-day fasting and prayer.”

    Already, the abductors of Princess Omosowon have demanded a ransom of N20 million, but the community was reluctant to pay the ransom as the leaders believe the ransom was too high, and expect that the current fasting and prayers embarked upon will expedite the release of the Regent.

    Although it was learnt that the community leaders, including traditional chiefs will meet with the family of the Regent to discuss issues concerning the Regent’s abduction, it was not certain whether or not the community would pay the ransom after the meeting with the Omosowon’s family.

    The State Police Command has stressed that it was not advisable for the Regent’s family to pay the N20 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

    It assured that the woman would soon be released through relentless efforts of the police.

    A source in the town stated a meeting will be held in Lagos where the Regent was residing with members of her family before she was installed a Regent about two years ago, following the death of the Regent’s father, Oba Adekanye Omosowon, who was the traditional ruler of the town.

    Princess Omosowon, a 45-year-old woman and a successful Lagos-based business tycoon before she was called upon to be made a Regent by the kingmakers of Akungba-Akoko in line with the tradition and norm of the town, was installed the Regent of Akungba-Akoko in 2013, and her installation followed due process and traditions.

    The Regent was abducted while returning from the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) where she had gone with some of her aides to attend a public function. She was kidnapped by unknown gunmen along Akure/Akungba-Akoko Expressway the same spot where a Catholic Priest, Rev Father Onyeka and his brother; Obi were killed recently by armed bandits.

    Also abducted alongside Princess Omosowon, were a senior official of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko and one other aide of the regent, while her driver narrowly escaped after he had been mercilessly beaten by the abductors.

    The development has also led to the closure of the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU) located in the community. This, according to the management of the university, was to avoid breakdown of law and order by students.

    It was learnt that the regent had, in April, during a religious programme in the town announced her resolve to install a new traditional ruler for the town, and therefore directed the kingmakers and High Chiefs in the town to commence the search for a new traditional ruler to take over from her.

    This development, it was gathered, arouse the interest of some individuals in the ruling houses in the town who are interested in the throne. The action, it was also gathered, was praised by all indigenes of the town both at home and in the Diasporas.

    The recent abduction of the Regent has, however, opened the town to heavy security presence, as police detectives have commenced the search for the Regent.

    The search team was led by the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Isaac Eke who assured that the abducted Regent would be released with the efforts of the security agents already deployed to the town.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the State Police Command, Mr Wole Ogodo said Mr. Eke had led senior police detectives to Akungba -Akoko to ensure the release of the regent and her two aides, reiterating the police commitment to the timely and safe release of the Regent.

    He assured that the police would ensure release of those kidnapped, adding that the command swung into action immediately the incident was reported to it. He thereby appealed to the people to remain calm and peaceful.

  • Ondo community smiles again as WEMA bank makes a return

    It was a fun-filled Monday morning for indigenes and residents of Irun Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, as the WEMA bank plc temporarily relocated its corporate headquarters to the ancient town for the inauguration of its newest branch. 

    The people had good reasons to be happy. For years, they have had to travel some distance for banking services. Although the town had hosted a branch of the bank in the past, but it was moved away due to restructuring in the banking sector some years ago.

    The joy of the indigenes and other residents knew no bounds, as they trooped out for the occasion, which understandably was turned in to carnival, as indigenes temporarily relocated to the town from their various places of work to be part of history.

    Residents from the various numerous farm settlements around the town shelved whatever farm activity they had to participate in the opening of accounts immediately after the commissioning.

    Top executives of the bank, led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, who incidentally is also a son of the soil, could not hide their joy, as they were treated to warm reception by the very appreciative people, who promised that the branch will rank among the best in the country.  Mr. Oloketuyi urged the people to maintain a high sense of patronage, saying the bank has marked the turning point in the development of the town.

    Accompanied by the high chiefs in the town, the regent, Princess Oluremi Obideyi, while cutting the tape of the new bank, expressed appreciation to the authority of WEMA bank for the imposing structure, which she said has brought relief to the town and its neighbouring communities.

    The regent, who could not hide her joy in the face of various heart-warming display by traditional dancers, masquerades, age groups and particularly, members of the Anglican Church Irun Akoko, encouraged Mr. Oloketuyi to continually champion the cause of human and physical development of the town.

    On request by various speakers on the occasion, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive of WEMA bank promised to consider the extension of the ATM services to other parts of the town.  

     

  • Headless body found in Ondo community

    Police in Ondo State are battling to unravel the mystery behind the killing of a woman by unknown assailants, who also cut off her head.

    The body of the deceased was found on old Ogbagi/Arigidi Akoko Road in Akoko North West Local Government Area.

    It was gathered that the body was discovered by a passer-by, who raised the alarm, thereby attracting residents.

    As at press time, the identity of the deceased was yet to be ascertained.  Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Wole Ogodo confirmed the incident, saying investigation has begun to unravel those behind the killings.

    Ogodo said: “The policemen at Irun-Akoko Division were hinted on Saturday morning that there was a headless body of a lady whose name and address are yet to be known and suspected to be between 25 to 30 years of age lying on Old Ogbagi/Arigidi Akoko Road.

    “A team of policemen under the command of ASP Ezeala Obiora visited the scene and it was observed that the body must have been dropped by some ritualists. A photograph of the body was taken. The body has been deposited at the mortuary of the Specialist Hospital in Ikare-Akoko.”

  • Court wades into Ondo community land dispute

    An Akure High Court in Ondo State, has waded into the family land dispute on the ‘illegal’ sales of landed property belonging to the Elemo family of Igoba in Akure North Local Government.

    It ordered immediate stoppage of sales of the land by the former head of Elemo’s family, Chief Ojo Jayeoba.

    The Elemo Chieftaincy Family (Claimants) had earlier filed a suit at the High Court challenging the sale of some portions of land belonging to the family by Chief Jayeoba, who is the defendant.

    During the trial the claimants had argued that the land in dispute is the property of Elemo family of Igoba.

    They declared that they were the persons lawfully entitled to a grant of Certificate of Statutory rights of occupancy on the land.

    According to them, the defendant as a member of Elemo Igoba Chieftaincy family could not solely sell or convert Elemo family land for his personal use.

    They alleged that the defendant had breached the terms by selling family land without the consent of head of the family.

    Besides, they said he forged the signature of the first Claimant, Mr. A. W. Olokunboro and purport-edly printed receipts of the family where he signed as Elemo of Igoba when he had been elevated as the traditional ruler of Igoba (Obalogun).

    The defendant, however, admitted that he sold family land with the consent of the family.

    Jayeoba said, as the head of the Elemo family, even in his new capacity as the traditional ruler of Igoba, he was not liable to the claim of the claimants.

    He tendered exhibits as evidence of the ratification of his action by the claimants, saying the claimants were estoped from declining their initial agreement with him against reviewing his actions.

    In his judgment, the trial judge, Justice Bode Adegbehingbe said the former Elemo (defendant) did not seek approval from other members of the family.

    According to him, he just created his personal receipt under which, part of the landed property was sold to organisations and individuals.

    Justice Adegbehingbe, described the action as illegal and against the interest of the family as the former Elemo did not even have the layout of the said land.

    He ruled that the Claimants were lawfully entitled to a grant of Certificate of Statutory rights of occupancy over the disputed land.

    Justice Adegbehingbe also gave an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further dealing in selling, trespassing or construction activities on any part of Elemo Igoba Chieftaincy family land without the consent and authority of the entire family.

    The new Elemo, Chief Johnson Aladegbaye, in his reaction noted that some of the buyers would be contacted on the new development.

    He said majority of them had acquired some portions of the land originally meant for schools, markets, roads and police station in the layout.

  • Ondo community kicks against kingdoms’ merger

    Ondo community kicks against kingdoms’ merger

    The people of Ugbo in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have kicked against the plan to merge the four kingdoms in the council on the administration of oil matters.

    They said Ugbo should be allowed to remain independent and not merged with Mahin, Aheri and Etikan kingdoms.

    In an open letter to Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Ugbo said it was the only oil producing community in the council, noting that the other three communities do not have oil.

    The letter was signed by the Chairman, Ugbo Council of Baales, Chief Oyetomi Andrew; the Secretary, Chief Oyetomi Andrew; Chief Abayomi Asumaga and the Chairman of Ugbo Youth Consultative Forum, Abaderu Babatunde.

    The community alleged that the planned merge was the handiwork of a senior Chevron official and the secretary to the state government (SSG).

    The letter reads: “The Chevron official empowered some Ilaje sons, who are not from the mandate area of oil producing communities, through frivolous contracts. This gave rise to agitation for the recognition of their communities as oil producing, in total disregard of the rules and standard for recognition.

    “This collaboration between the Chevron management staff and non-oil producing communities may provoke crisis in the peaceful oil producing community of Ilaje Ugbo, especially with Chevron, if urgent attention is not given to our demand.”

    “Ilaje Ugbo, Mahin, Aheri and Etikan have been living together for years without rancour and it will be inappropriate for Chevron Nigeria Limited to create disharmony among loving brothers with this intended unholy merger.

    “To prevent this and enhance our long existing cordial relationship, Ilaje Ugbo, Mahin, Aheri and Etikan must remain independent entities with sovereign status and should be treated as such.”

    The community said it would not be coerced into signing any merger agreement.

  • Group insists on peaceful resolution of crisis in Ondo community

    THE Irun Progressive Union (IPU) has called on the rival parties in the crisis rocking the Irun Akoko community, in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, to sheath their sword and thread the path of peace. The call by the IPU, one of the most prominent groups in the community, is the latest in the efforts to resolve the crisis that recently engulfed the Irun Akoko community shortly after the demise of the monarch. In a communiqué, released after a meeting of the national executives, and signed by its National President, Remi Oni, the group said it had taken the pain to analyze the crisis, saying it observed that it got worse after the death of the monarch. While noting that the crisis started with calls for equitable sharing of amenities and chieftaincy titles by all sections of the community, it, however, condemned what it termed as the call for secession by a section of the town. “We have been taken aback with the introduction of a section beating the drum of secession. This is ironical when some communities ravaged by internecine wars are yearning for reunion.” While commending the efforts of groups and individuals to end the crisis, the IPU, in an eight-point resolution, said, among other issues, that “That the Onirun remains the only recognized prescribed authority in Irun and that our allegiance is to the institution. “In the interest of peace, the regular meeting of Irun Council of Chiefs should resume. “That the royal family should put their acts together and be ready for selection process of a credible candidate to fill the vacant stool.” The group also called on the authorities of the Akoko North West Local Government Area to set up the necessary process for the selection of a new monarch.