The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo state

  • Come to our rescue, ex-militants beg Akeredolu

    Ex-militants in Ilaje and Eseodo local government areas of Ondo state on Tuesday said they were abandoned by the state government on their integration to the amnesty programme

    They submitted their weapons to the state government on November 30,2017 at Arogbo centre in Ese-odo local government following an agreement by the state government to integrate them into amnesty programme of the federal government.

    However, since one year ago,they said there was no response from the federal government on their integration and payment of what was due to them.

    A statement by one of its leaders, Bowei Felix (Kaka Duku 1 of the Niger Delta) and four other ‘Generals’ including Bekewei Iyaboerigha, Akpos George, Mefun Kenneth and Eddy David (aka Ijebu) after their meeting, said they had suffered untold  hardship,since they laid down their arms.

    Read Also: APC leaders urge Akeredolu to unite party

    They threatened to recover their arms and return to the creeks where they belong,if the government failed to redeem its pledge immediately.

    According to the statement ” we will distrupt elections or political campaigns in Ilaje and Eseodo local government in 2019 if nothing is done before the end of this year,we are ready to damn the consequence having waited endlessly without any response.

    “We are idle, no job, no food for our families,we live in penury,if we get our weapons back,we will go back to our base in the creeks and continue enjoying our lives there as usual “.

    However, the state government has repeatedly promised to look into the matter,urging the ex-militants to exercise patience.

    The Ex-militants submitted their assorted weapons to the state government last year November through the state deputy governor,Agboola Ajayi, who is also an indigene of the area.

  • Akeredolu mourns Fasheun

    Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has lamented the death of the founder, Oodua Peoples Congress, (OPC) Dr. Federick Fasehun who died on Saturday.

    Akeredolu described the late Fasehun as a disciplined citizen,  a Pan-Yoruba and nationalist to the core and intelligent medical practitioner who used his energy and other resources to fight for the interests of his people and the common man.

    Read Also:  I’ll tackle Akure airport challenges – Akeredolu

    He described as a shock to Ondo State and the entire country, adding that the deceased would be sorely missed by lovers of justice and peace.

    As a politician, Akeredolu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary(CPS)Segun Ajiboye opined that the late Fasehun’s argument for egalitarian society where merit and equity are made parametric conditions for selecting leaders or people’s representatives would continue to dominate socio-political discourse.

    The governor said the  social scientists would also remember the deceased as a detribalised Nigeria per excellence whose place in the nation’s political history cannot be wished away, even in a hurry.

  • ‘Why we supported ADC’

    Indigenes of Ile-Oluji in Ondo state have said that their resolve to support the candidate of  Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo state constituency under the platform of African Democratic Congress(ADC) Adefisan Opeyemi was because of his passion to facilitate rapid development and qualitative representation at the State Assembly if elected in 2019.

    The indigenes particularly those outside the state under the aegis of Okeigbo-In-Diaspora [OID] said they believed in the ability of the ADC flag bearer because of its enviable pedigree.

    The Coordinator of the group, Prince Ogunjimi Adeyeye at a news conference in Akure gave reasons why Adefisan became the choice of  the community.

    According to him, “It is high time  responsible youths within the community are sponsored to take charge of the political process so that mediocrity will no more be rewarded with sensitive political positions”.

    He maintained that that they would everything possible to raise fund and mobilize logistic support for Adefisan’s electoral success.

    Adeyeye said “Adefisan electoral success will be the final solution to total neglect, marginalization and lack of development in Okeigbo town hence the political struggle should be seeing as the moment of liberation in our land”.

    “The 2019 is not just for political struggle for liberation but last solution to all the past political iniquities to correct the wrong conceptions in the community”.

    Adeyeye described the ADC candidate as the most competent contestant in Okeigbo politics,stressing that his aspiration had gingered the political consciousness amongsst youths in the area.

    Read Also: ADC affirms Lanlehin as Oyo guber candidate

    He noted that within the short time he emerged as the ADC Candidate, the political tide in the community had changed positively.

    The coordinator said Okeigbo indigenes within and outside the country reposed confidence in Adefisan’s candidature based on the current development in the community.

    He said the people of Okeigbo would  also utilise the bid to compensate Adefisan as a direct descendant of Ologbenla royal house for their good leadership qualities in Okeigbo and its environs.

  • Fears grip Akoko residents over alleged ritual killings

    Fear has gripped Iyo-meta area of Ikare, Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over alleged killing of a septuagenarian, Mrs Medinat Ala by suspected ritualists.

    She was reportedly killed last Tuesday night with pestle by hoodlums after which her breasts and other private parts were removed.

    Already, all shops and commercial activities in the vicinity have been suspended  to enable security operatives
    unravel the dastardly act of killings for rituals said to be rampant in the area.

    The death of late Medinat Ala and lately her co-tenant who was earlier rushed to the hospital after being attacked by the suspected ritualists has ignited confusion in  Ikare-Akoko.

    A youth leader, Akintoye Olona said his colleagues have come to get to the roots of the matter.

    Olona noted that series of meetings and inter-denominational prayers were on, while traditionalists in the area have also swung into action to fish out the perpetrators.

    Read Also: President ‘distressed, depressed by killings’

    A community leader and  ‘Majekobaje’ of Ikare-Akoko, Chief Saliu Okoja expressed dismay over rampant cases of ritual killings in Ikare Akoko in recent times.

    According to him, this was how the ‘Badoo’ group in Ikorodu started their ritual killings.

    Saliu called on royal fathers in Akoko land to hold a security summit where security agents would rub minds with Akoko leaders to curb the ugly trend that could scare visitors particularly investors from coming to Akokoland.

    It was reported that late Ala was planning a ceremony as harvest chairlady of her church next month  before she was brutally killed by ritualists

  • Ondo lifts suspension on 15 lawmakers

    To receive entitlements

    The Ondo State House of Assembly on Thursday lifted suspension earlier placed on 15 members of the Assembly over their roles in the purported impeachment of the leaders of the parliament.

    Speaker of the House, Bamidele Oleyelogun, who announced the suspension on the floor of the House at the plenary sitting hinged the decision on the intervention of the stakeholders and notable leaders within and outside the state.

    Other lawmakers present at the plenary were the Deputy speaker, Ogundeji Iroju; Kuti Towase; Jamiu Maito; Felemu-Gudu Bankole; Sunday Olajide; Prince Abayomi Akinruntan; Oluyede Feyide and Kaseem Suleiman.

    Oleyelogun said the decision to lift the suspension earlier placed on the 15 lawmakers was reached at the parliamentary meeting held by members shortly before the plenary sitting.

    Read Also: Ondo Varsity graduates 5,252

    The affected lawmakers are  Olamide George;  Abimbola Fajolu; Malachi Coker; Araoyinbo Olugbenga; Ade Adeniyi; Sola Ebiwonjumi; Olusegun Ajimotokin; Tuyi Akintimehin and Jumoke Akindele.

    Others are Fasogbon Akinyele; Olugbenga Akinsoyinu;  Samuel Arowele; Vincent Obadiah; Fatai Olotu and Mukaila Musa.

    The Speaker also directed the Clerk of the House,Bode Adeyelu to immediately process all the entitlements of the affected lawmakers.

  • Buhari Campaign Group launched in Ondo

    The Ondo state Chapter of the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) was on Tuesday officially launched in Akure, the state capital

    The event which took place at Ojuelegba area on Oyemekun road,Akure was attended by eminent supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Inaugurating the group, its National Cordinator, Danladi Pansali said President Buhari has transformed Nigeria in virtually every sector.

    Read Also: Three arraigned for impersonating Aisha Buhari

    He specially eulogized his anti corruption crusade, urging Nigerians to vote massively for him in the 2019 elections.

    The Iyaloja General, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo also tasked  Nigerian women to support the re-election bid of President Buhari

    Tinubu-Ojo who was represented at the event described  Buhari as a man of uncommon integrity.

  • World Children’s Day: Akeredolu seeks priority attention for children

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State says priority attention should be given to children in view of their importance to the nation and the future of the society.

    Akeredolu made the assertion in Akure on Tuesday when the Children Management Committee of the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC) and Orange FM paid a courtesy visit to his office.

    The visit was part of activities marking the 2018 World Children’s Day.

    The World Children’s Day is a day chosen by United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to celebrate children worldwide.

    The governor said: “You are the future of the nation and we are prepared to work and interact with you as we go along.

    “This government will continue to do all it can to support all your requests.’’

    He advised parents to talk to their children and not to only talk about them.

    Read Also: International Children’s Day: 10m Nigerian children out of school – UNICEF

    Akereolu said that today’s children had the opportunity and access to better innovations, particularly computers, unlike in the past which was full of analogue lifestyle.

    The governor urged children to embrace agriculture as well as hygienic lifestyles.

    He also encouraged children to champion the fight against open defecation as Nigeria emerged second on the global list of countries with open defecation.

    According to him, the state government is committed to providing a conducive environment for learning.

    “I enjoin you to get involved in extra-curricular activities outside reading and the classroom.

    “Everything is not about academics or about reading; we have more to learn than just reading.

    “Your curriculum should not just limit you to books. There are a lot of activities like sports that make you a better person.

    “Don’t just go to school and come out. Let the school goes through you, ‘’ the governor said.

    Earlier, Miss Nifemi Obalokun, the One-Day Chairman, Management Committee of OSRC and Orange 94.5 FM, commended the governor for inspiring and supporting the initiative of the OSRC & Orange 94.5 FM and UNICEF.

    Obalokun, also a student of St. Louis Girls Grammar School, Akure, said the day was set aside by the UN to review its attention to and relationship with children.

    She lauded he governor for his infrastructure interventions, construction of educational facilities, expansion of health programmes, workers’ friendly policy, job creation and commitment to the society’s progress.

    Obalokun said it was sad that the world, particularly Africa, might suffer a gloomy future due to the dangers to which children were exposed to.

    She called for protection, education, encouragement and planning for children.

    NAN

  • My ordeals in Kidnappers’ den – Ondo ADC candidate

    A notable politician and Senatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) in Ondo State, Jide Ipinsagba who recently regained his freedom with four others has narrated his ordeals in  gunmen’s captivity.

    He was abducted  alongside four other prominent politicians at Ago Ajayi forest along Owo-Oba Akoko-Ikare road.

    Ipinsagba was in the forest with the hoodlums at the notorious spot they called ‘Sambisa’ for four days.

    The politician recently defected from the  APC to the ADC  with others were coming from Ikare Akoko after a meeting.

    According to him, when they got to Ago-Ajayi area around 6.30 pm on that fateful day,10 gunmen came out of the forest,took their money,hand sets,wrist watches and other belongings after shooting sporadically .

    He said “We trekked for more than 25 kilometres in the forest.We slept on the rock in the night but as early as 4 30 am they usually woke us up to continue the journey.They fed us with gari and water from doubtful sources for four days in the wilderness.

    “When they saw a boot wore by Idowu, a Personal Assistant(PA) to Bisi Ogungbemi, the ADC  chairman who was also a victim, the kidnappers alleged that he was a Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARs) officer  which he denied, but they insisted.

    “They tied his hands and beat him to  coma on the basis that police are their enemies and target as many have been killed in the forest.They even boasted of more sophisticated weapons like AK riffles, pistols and daggers better than what police have.

    “The hoodlums told us that many victims who were not ready to cooperate on payment of ransom  had met their death in the forest,they even call on us to come and see human skeleton.

    Read Also: Abducted Ondo ADC candidate,Chairman,others freed

    “When ransom was to be handed to them, they guarded us while those bringing ransom were warned not to mess up otherwise they will kill all of us.After releasing us,those who brought ransom were left behind to allow them counted and cross checked the money.

    Ipinsagba said the leader of the group returned his phone,but kept his blackberry phone and golden wrist watch’.

    He said the leader of the kidnappers confirmed that eight of his boys were apprehended during Chief Olu Falae abduction at Ago Abo farm, who according to him  are now in prison,stressing that they were arrested through phone tracking.

    The victim urged police to use police helicopter to regularly  survey Ago Ajayi forest,saying  many groups are there doing nefarious activities.

    Besides,he called for  provision of  more ammunition,while military check points should be increased along Owo Ikare road.

  • Ondo Assembly accuses Akeredolu of interference over Paris Club Fund

    The Ondo State Assembly has accused the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu of interfering with the legislative functions of the State Assembly over Paris Club Fund recently released to the State.

    Majority Leader of the State Assembly, Hon. Araoyinbo Olugbenga, while addressing the media at the weekend in Abuja blamed the Governor for inducing selected lawmakers to reorder the 2018 budget solely because of the fund.

    The lawmaker queried why the State Governor had to use the minority members of the State Assembly including two suspended and allegedly impeached Speaker of the Assembly to hurriedly recall and further passed the state 2018 appropriation.

    Olugbenga, who spoke alongside the Chairman, House Committee on Information,  Rt. Hon. Olotu Fatai described the act as illegal and such that could jeopardize interest of the state.

    According to him, the recalled budget was passed by eight lawmakers who were less than two third of the entire Assembly, thus unconstitutional to laws of the state.

    Read Also: Akeredolu urged to intervene on Ilaje chieftaincy tussle

    His Words: “Ondo state people are not incapacitated not to ask deep questions about the Paris club fund after thought explanation. The fact that six members and two suspended and impeached ones presided over the financial matters call for questions.

    “Minority members cannot reorder the budget so speedily even as government urged and induced them financially to do so. There were spending incurred outside the existing 2018 appropriation law. We asked to be allowed to vet the budget performance for proper accountability in line with rules out the house but the government became jittery.”

    He alleged further that, “the impeached and suspended leadership have been too compromising against the interest of the masses. All the invasions done to ensure the forceful passage of the governor’s reordering is in direct connection with the NURTW illegal activities within the hallowed chamber”.

    However, the lawmakers called for the intervention of appropriate authorities and urged the state governor to obey the principles of separation of power in government.

  • Ondo set to host Development Partners Summit

    The Ondo State Government is set to hold the first of its kind “Development Partners summit” scheduled for next week Wednesday and Thursday.

    The submit, which is the state’s concept of an investment forum, is organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

    The development partners summit tagged: “Develop Ondo 2018 ” will be declared opened by Vice- President Yemi Osibanjo at the International Centre for Culture and Event (The Dome), Igbatoro Road, Akure.

    The Development Partners Summit is aimed at attracting stakeholders in the private sector for the realization of the economic growth and development objectives of the state.

    The  two-day programme with the theme: “Partnership for Progress” will primarily focus on three thematic areas, namely economy, infrastructure and social investment.

    Addressing reporters on Friday in Akure, the state Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Emmanuel Igbasan, said: “The submit will avail investors and development partners a great opportunity to have first-hand experience of Ondo’s Hospitality and the huge business opportunities available in the state.”

    Participants expected at the summit include regional and international development partners, donor agencies, trade missions of embassies in Nigeria, relevant ministries, departments & agencies (MDAs) at the federal level and financial Institutions.

    Others are international oil companies (IOCs), conglomerates, high net worth individuals / Philanthropists, Ondo Indigenes in Diaspora, Youth groups, Women groups, Community Based Organizations and Traditional rulers.

    Highly knowledgeable and respected individuals to speak at the technical sessions of the Summit are: Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director, World Bnak Nigeria ,  Mr. Ebirama FAAL, Country Director, AFDB, Mrs. Debbie Palmer, Head of DFID Nigeria,  Mr. Mohammed Fall, Country Director, UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Stephen M. Haykin, Country Director USAID , Dr. Samuel Bwalya, Country Director, UNDP, Mr. Paul Basinga, Country Director, Bill & Melinda Gate, Prof. Ms Hassana Alidou, Country Director, UNESCO and others.