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Tag: Ondo state

  • Ondo Police parade ‘Prophet’ for attempted abduction

    The Ondo State Police Command on Monday paraded a prophet alleged to have attempted to kidnap one Omosaye Segun in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspect, Prophet Godwin Ayenugha, a founder of a C&S Church in Igbokoda was arrested along side his accomplice, Ibukun Adetigba.

    State Commissioner of Police, Gbenga Adeyanju while parading the suspect and 11 others in Akure, said the prophet was the spiritual father of the victim.

    According to him, the Prophet had earlier claimed he saw a vision that Segun would be kidnapped,saying the suspect sent text messages to him through his accomplice that they were coming to kidnap him.

    The police commissioner said  Segun had first been kidnapped by unknown gunmen for two months before he regained his freedom early this year from his abductors.

    He said “On September 26,2018 One Omosaye Segun of Okitipupa who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Nov.30,2017  but regained his freedom on Jan.5,2018 received text messages from his abductors.

    “Claiming that they were responsible for his kidnap, and that they were coming back to kidnap him again and if they eventually kidnap him,they were going to kill him.

    Read Also: Court orders police to pay Charly Boy N50m

    “On receipt of this complaint, detectives swung into action and through intelligence gathering, arrested one Ibukun Adetigba and Prophet Godwin Ayenugha, a founder of a Church in Igbokoda,”

    Adeyanju, said that the Tecno Handset that was used in sending the text messages was recovered from them.

    He said  the suspects confessed to have sent the text messages but denied their involvement in the abduction of the victim.

    Speaking to reporters, Prophet Ayenugha who confessed to be Segun’s spiritual father said that he just collided with Adetigha to get money from the victim due to economical and hardship.

    He said “I don’t know anything about his abduction that happened last year but I only told Adetigha to send scaring text messages to him so that he can come to me for help being his spiritual father.

    “Actually I have collected N150,000 from him concerning the text messages and I gave Adetigha N25,000.

  • Anti-Corruption: We support Buhari’s Executive Order 6

    An anti-corruption group, Coalition for Transparency(CT) has thrown its weight behind the Executive order 6 promoted by the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It noted that good governance comes with two fundamental uncompromising principles of accountability and transparency,stressing that where these two tenets are missing, there would be chaos and corrupt tendencies.

    According to a statement issued by its Executive Director, Nelson Mafo, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, there is no economic plan no matter how genuine would work where corruption has been traditionally embraced as a way of life.

    The group noted with concern that for more than 30 years Nigeria was in the firm grip of corruption until the Buhari administration came on board to alter the negative narratives.

    It said “Buhari administration with the Executive Order 6 have not only shown the administration sincerity and commitment to fight corruption head-on in the country and ensure economic sanity, it has given hope for patriotic engagement of every Nigerian on the tenets of best practices.

    “The Executive Order 6 will not only get to uprooting corrupt practices, it will discourage the primitive tendencies for materialism.We stand with the President on this Executive Order and wonder why any discerning mind will be against its implementation.

    “If  we are sincere as citizens of this country we should set aside religious and political considerations and fight this endemic monster called corruption to a stand still.

    Read Also: 2019 polls ‘ ll usher in maturity, peace, says Buhari

    CT  described it as laughable when people attribute negative sides to the fight against corruption as designed by the Buhari administration.

    According to the coalition “We acknowledge that this has been the most sincere and patriotic government since 1999 that has taken the fight against corruption to the door steps of the corrupt.

    “We wonder why corrupt individuals should be allowed to junket the world with stolen funds. The ban on these 50 Nigerians, we say, is in order. It will deepen our fight against corruption and constraint would- be looters”.

    The statement believed it is now the right time to make  corruption crime punishable with death,noting that Nigeria need another Executive Order that will impose capital punishment on corrupt practices.

    CT expressed its unflinching support for any action by this administration to get Nigeria out of  corruption imbroglio.

  • ‘My husband attacks me with deadly weapon’

    A housewife, Sylvia Ekejelape, 38, on Tuesday pleaded with a Badagry Customary Court to dissolve her 13-year-old marriage alleging that her husband, Stanley, always attacked her with dangerous weapon when fighting.

    Sylvia, a businesswoman and a mother of three, who now resides at No1, Oja Tuntun, Akure, Ondo State, also told the court that she could no longer tolerate his adulterous behavior, adding that there was no more love in the marriage.

    “I met my husband in 2004 at Alaba International Market, Lagos; he proposed to me and i agreed.

    “We did introduction; he married and paid my dowry in May 7, 2006.

    “But eight months after our wedding, he started maltreating me like a slave.

    “He always beat me and throw my belongings out of the house in the middle of the night, telling me to go anywhere I like.

    “The reason for the beating was that my husband is a womanizer and he used to bring them home without any regard for me and my children.

    “Anytime we are fighting, he used to attack me with deadly weapon like bottle, knife and iron rod.

    Read Also: Rain in Ado-Ekiti ahead of Fayemi’s inauguration

    “He is a very dangerous man, who has no respect for me, he has publicly disgraced me on many occasions, I am through with his womanizing attitude,” she said.

    The respondent, Stanley, however, denied all the allegations against him by her wife, Sylvia.

    Stanley, 40, an electrical contractor, who lives at No 8, Muriana Str., Ajangbadi, Lagos, said that he was not against the divorce suit filed by the wife.

    The court President, Mr Sakirudeen Adekola, adjourned the case until Nov. 8 for judgment.

  • Ondo Councils’ Primaries: Akeredolu must intervene

    Aggrieved supporters of the All Progressives Congress(APC) for local government chairmanship aspirants in Ondo state particularly in Ileoluji/Okeigbo local government area of Ondo state are unhappy on the outcome of the exercise.

    They have protested the alleged manipulation of the primary election in the third tier level.

    Consequently, they urged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to act as a leader and quickly intervene to avert breach of peace across the local government.

    A petition sent to the governor by one of the aspirants,Jerome Olorunyolemi noted that in compliance with the party’s directive,he bought nomination form and paid mandatory amount of N250,000 to participate.

    According to him,the exercise is expected to be guided by Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission(ODIEC) guidelines with timetable to guarantee transparent primary election.

    However,the aspirant lamented that the process was shrouded in secrecy to subvert transparency and inclusive participation of interested aspirants.

    He alleged that the chairman of the party in the local government failed to intimate the aspirants,the  modalities for the conduct of the primary.

    He contended that the development was deliberately designed to allegedly favour a particular aspirant, who sources said is the incumbent caretaker chairman in the local government.

    The petition reads” We are aware that a state commissioner from the area on September 13, told some party leaders in the area that the governor had directed that all present local government caretaker chairmen in the state to be returned to office automatically without subjecting them to primaries.

    Read Also: Akeredolu mourns Agbi

    “If this trend is true,what is the essence of the directive for participation of interested party members in such electoral processes with the outcome already predetermined ?”.

    Olorunyolemi noted that the development,if allowed to persist would be a threat to unity of the APC members in Ileoluji/Okeigbo local government.

    He urged  Akeredolu to intervene by allowing substantial compliance and adherence to democratic norms devoid of open manipulations.

    APC’s spokesman,Alex Kalejaye said the party and its leadership valued internal democracy and rule of law.

    He stressed that the running of the local government,which is  closest to the grassroots populace would be participatory.

  • 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”

  • ‘N50,000 minimum wage will cripple Nigeria economy’

    Second republic senator, Chief Olorunnimbe Farukanmi on Saturday said the N50,000 minimum wage being agitated by Nigerian workers would have dire consequences on the nation’s economy.
    The financial expert said even though labourers are entitled to their wages,but expressed the need for trade unions to consider and look at various sources of revenue accurable to their employers in order to asses the reality of the wages from which their salaries are paid.
    The former lawmaker observed that the minimum wage in the country being paid by every employer of labour was expected to be N18,000, but the labour unions have been asking for N50,000 minimum,which he said would be 250 per cent increment.
    Farukanmi, who is the Chairman, Elders Assembly of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ondo state said “It is evidently clear that some of the various levels of governments in existence are presently owing their workers over 10 months salary arrears.
    “It means that if some local and state governments are unable to meet up the N18,000 especially as sources of revenue generation are dwindling,the proposed N50,000 per month demanded by the labour force,if acceded can never be met by these present government”

    Read Also: Minimum wage, maximum wage

    The APC stalwart said the negotiation on the demands of the labour unions for over N50,000 as the national minimum wage has been on for many years without any resolution.
    According to him, the resources from crude oil sales represent the main sources of revenue from which the federation account generates majority of its resources.
    The elder statesman warned that new minimum wage of N50,000 would cause another economic recession in the country,as it would lead to general increase in the prices of all commodities and food stuff.
    He said” The labour Unions should ensure that this nation does not slip into recession again since every Nigerian is aware of the fact that Nigeria derives majority of its revenue from oil and gas,but with the large scale reduction in the prices of oil in the world market,the country’s revenue has reduced drastically.
    Farukanmi believed this is a period when to provide an enabling environment for genuine investors and honest consumers to work together for the viability of the economy.
    “At a time when the economy should be strengthened with a stable naira as against encouraging further inflation,to embark on a stable naira as against encouraging further inflation,to embark on a 250 per cent wage increase will be enormously detrimental to the successful growth of the economy” The APC stalwart stressed.

  • ‘81,481 persons live with HIV in Ondo’

    No fewer than 81,481 persons are living with the dreadful virus called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Ondo State, a top health official said.

    Dr Sani Aliu, the Director-General of the National Agency for Control of Aids (NACA), confirmed this on Thursday in Ondo, Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

    Aliu said this when he paid a visit to Oba Victor Kiladejo, the Osemawe of Ondo, in order to seek the king’s support to mobilise his subjects for NACA survey in the area.

    The survey is tagged: Nigeria Aids Indicator and Impact Survey.

    The NACA DG, who was represented by Mrs Josephine Kalu, the Director of Resource Mobilisation of NACA, said that 10,000 persons out of the affected persons were on treatment.

    “Based on spectrum estimate we have, 81,481 persons that are living with HIV in Ondo State as at 2017 and out of the figure 10,000 persons are on treatment including 2,783 pregnant women.

    “Also, the estimate for new HIV infection is 5,439 persons,” he said.

    Read Also: Lagos takes HIV screening to rural communities

    According to him, the survey is the largest HIV population based survey in Nigeria being supported by the U.S. and Global Funds.
    He added that the survey was important for proper planning and development of strategies that would lead to eradication of HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

    “The focus of the survey is able to gather data that will help to fight current level of HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C as we are looking at 2030 for a HIV-free generation.

    “We cannot but have data that can be effectively used to fight these,” he said.

    Aliu, therefore, enjoined more domestic resources to curb HIV.

    Oba Kiladejo commended efforts of the agency and urged it to do more on counselling and to focus more in the vulnerable areas.
    The monarch, who expressed worry with the high number of persons living with HIV, asked for more funds to fight it.

    The NACA team had earlier paid a visit to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro.

    Adegbenro thanked the agency for its continued support, saying the survey would no doubt address problems of public health.
    The commissioner promised that the state government would give its support for the success of the survey.

    NAN

  • 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.”    

  • Boroffice to IGP: Probe assassination attempt on my life

    The last Saturday’s assassination attempt on the life of a lawmaker representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice in Owo has continued to generate ripples among the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold in the state.

    The ruling party in a statement by its spokesman,Alex Kalejaye said Boroffice’s attackers were not APC members.

    But a statement by Boroffice’s media unit insisted that some aides of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu have cases to answer with the IGP’s crack team over  the assassination attempt.

    The statement reads “Following the failed and foiled assassination attempt on the life of Senator Ajayi Boroffice on Saturday in Owo, the media unit of the senator is concerned that while the Ade Adetimehin-led faction of All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has not deem it right to condemn the attack, the faction has issued two contradictory statements on the incident within 24 hours.

    “In one breath, the faction through its spokesman, Kalejaye, confirmed that some aggrieved members of the party in Owo invaded the venue of the campaign. In another press statement, the faction through same spokesman said the assailants are not party members. The faction should stop undermining the image of APC with its seeming confusion.

    “Also, it is our considered view that the statements credited to the Commissioner for information in Ondo State and the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor on the matter are watery innuendos. They neither cleared, nor disassociated their boss”.

    Boroffice’s spokesman, Kayode Fakuyi said the insinuation raised by  Adetimehin-led faction that the attack on Senator Ajayi Boroffice was stage-managed by the supporters of the senator was most unfortunate.

    Read Also: Residents petition IGP over land feud

    He noted that supporters of the lawmaker have never stage-managed such incident in the past,stressing that they have no tendency to stage-manage such incident.

    According to him “They have no reason whatsoever to stage-manage such incident. The supporters of the senator could not have stage-managed an attack that was coordinated by appointees of the governor.

    “It is quite daft for any group to insinuate supporters of the senator mobilised armed thugs to attack themselves. If such lie was invented with the hope of diverting and distracting the course of investigation, the lie has failed to achieve its objectives.

    He said preliminary investigation on the attack revealed that the attack was coordinated by appointees of Governor Akeredolu.

    Fakuyi alleged that the duo of Senior Special Adviser (SSA)on Security to the Governor, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo and Special Adviser to the Governor on Natural Resources, Lawal Fatai Olusina have cases to answer with the Inspector General of Police’s crack team on the incident.

    He urged security agencies in the state to be on the alert,stressing that the greatest threats to peace in the state seed the people with the responsibilities to protect lives and properties of the citizenry.

  • New twists in battle for National Assembly tickets in Ondo

    Less than 24 hours to the beginning of the National Assembly primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), there are fresh intrigues and new twists to the race in Ondo State.

    With several aspirants putting finishing touches to their plans, the hottest flashpoints appear to be the North and South senatorial districts.

    Worst hit is the North, where a former House of Assembly Speaker, who just left the State Executive Council (Exco) as an adviser, Victor Olabimtan, has rejected entreaties from Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu not to run and support rights lawyer, Dr Tunji Abayomi.

    In the South, Lagos-based businessman, Dr Olatunji Timothy Felder, is slogging it out with four others, including the incumbent, Senator Yele Omogunwa, for the senatorial ticket.

    Also, a top flight journalist and the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Donald Ojogo, is facing seven others for the party’s ticket for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives race.

    Ojogo is the only aspirant from Ese-Odo Local Government Area running against Banji Ajaka, Tayo Shadare, Taiwo Orisabinone, Oyebo Aladetan, Mrs Abosede Ehuwa, Felix Ojakomo and Lawson Akintogun, who are all from Ilaje Local Government Area.

    He has also been adopted by the leaders of Ese-Odo as their consensus candidate for the race.

    It was gathered that disturbed by the multiple aspirants from Ilaje, as against one from Ese-Odo, leaders of Ijaw Local Government Area, led by the Commissioner for Environment, Funso Esan, and the Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Gbenga Edema, made fruitless attempts to prune the number of aspirants to one or two.

    Ojogo is also believed to be having the backing of some grassroots politicians from Ilaje who believe that equity demands that Ese-Odo, particularly the Arogbo Ijaw, produce the next member of the House of Representatives.

    The flowing is the list of House of Representatives since 1979 till date.

    • Olusola Omonira (Rep, 1979-1983, Ilaje);
    • Chief Agbudeloye (Rep, October to December 1983, Ilaje;
    • Chief Olusola Oke (Rep, 1991, Ilaje);
    • Chief Olu Mafo (Rep, 1999 to 2003, Ilaje);
    • Chief Z. O. Obolo (Rep, 2003 to 2007, Apoi);
    • Agboola Ajayi (Rep, 2007 to 2011, Apoi);
    • Raphael Nomiye (Rep, 2011 to 2013, Ilaje):
    • 2013 to 2015 was period of interregnum;
    • Kolade Akinjo (Rep, 2015 till date).

    Among the senatorial aspirants in the South, aside Felder, are: Lucky Ayedatiwa (from Ilaje); Ayo Akinrinsola, Mrs Janet Febi Adeyemi (Ileoluji Okeigbo); Senator Omogunwa and Moratorium Lebi (Irele).

    Of all, Ilaje had done eight years before Senator Boluwaji Kunlere and incumbent Omogunwa (all from Ikale) took it back to back.

    But what appears to be the most move is coming from the North Senatorial District where the governor hails from.

    Although the governor, three weeks ago, insisted openly to stop the incumbent, Senator Ajayi Borofice, using Dr Abayomi, there are still several other aspirants.

    One of whom is Olabimtan, who has rebuffed efforts to allow the governor’s preferred choice.

    The former Speaker insists on running.