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Tag: Ondo state

  • Akeredolu appoints caretaker chairmen for 18 local councils in Ondo

    Akeredolu appoints caretaker chairmen for 18 local councils in Ondo

    Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Sunday appointed  caretaker chairmen for the 18 local councils, according to  Mr Olusegun Ajiboye, his Chief Press Secretary.

    Sixteen of the appointees are men and two women.

    A High Court in Akure on Friday, annulled  the election of the former  chairmen of the councils on the grounds that the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and its logo were excluded from the election. The sacked chairmen were elected in April 2016.

    The caretaker chairmen are: Mr Aworetan Fayowole (Ilaje), Prince Odimayo Gbadebo (Irele), Mrs Morenike Alaka (Okitipupa), Prince George Adenikinju ( Odigbo), Mr Temidayo Akinsuroju (Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo), and Mr Bekewe Olowu (Ese-Odo).

    Others are: Mr Ebenezer Akinsulie (Ondo West), Mr Rafiu Akinkuolie (Ondo East), Mr Biyi Ayinnuola (Idanre), Mrs Atere Margaret  (Akure South), Mr Segun Oluyede (Akure North), Mr Dipo Ajibola (Ifedore), Mr Gani Omoluka (Owo), Mr Agboola Ajike (Ose) Mr Adeyemi Akinniyi (Akoko South/East), Mr Augustine Oloruntogbe (Akoko South/West), Mr Rafiu Eniayewu (Akoko North/East), and Arc. Moradeyo Ajayi (Akoko North/West).

    They will be sworn in by the governor on Monday, Ajiboye said.

     

  • 3,071 rice farmers benefit from FG’s programme in Ondo State – Official

    Mrs. Funke Omagbemi, the Ondo State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said 3,071 farmers had benefited from Federal Government’s grant for dry season farming in the state.

    The director made this known in Akure on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    She said “3,071 farmers were involved and empowered with two bags of NPK fertliser each, one bag of organic fertiliser, two litres of micro-nutrient and 25 kg of rice seeds.

    “A total of N41,750 was spent on each farmer to purchase the inputs but the farmers paid only N18,687.

    “This means that 75 per cent of the money was paid by Federal Government.”

    Omagbemi noted that the money was disbursed under the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support to encourage rice production.

    She said that the grant was given to farmers between Jan. 17 and Feb. 28 after interested farmers had registered with the office.

    The director added that farmers must register with the ministry before they could benefit from any programme of the ministry.

    She, therefore, urged interested farmers to always seek professional and technical advice from the ministry.

  • Man jailed for impregnating daughter in Ondo

    A Magistrate Court sitting in Idanre in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State Thursday ordered a 56-year-old man identified as Olubayode to be remanded in prison for impregnating his 16-year-old daughter.

    The convict who was arraigned by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was said to have had sex with his daughter at their residence at Oke-Ijebu Street in Odode area of Idanre.

    The convict was charged on a one-count charge of having incestuous behaviour with a 16-year-old girl.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor was contrary to and punishable under sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the Ondo State Child’s Right law, 2007.

    Olubayode pleaded not guilty to the charge on his first arraignment but he was later found guilty by the court.

    The NSCDC prosecuting officer Mr. Ebriku David told the court that the victim and her boss came to report her father in the NSCDC’s office in Idanre, when it was discovered that the girl was pregnant.

    According to him, the case was transferred to Akure division, where the victim informed the command that her father was responsible for the pregnancy.

    David also told the court that the convict had earlier confessed at the NSCDC office that he committed the offence.

    In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs O.A Edwin said Olubayode was guilty of the offence and sentenced him to nine years imprisonment with hard labour without option of fine.

    The magistrate said it was a shame and act of high immorality for the convict to be having an incestuous affairs with his own daughter.

  • 56 year-old man jailed for impregnating 16 year old daughter

    56 year-old man jailed for impregnating 16 year old daughter

    A 56 year-old man, Taiwo Olubayode was Thursday sentenced to nine years imprisonment by a Family Court sitting at Oke-Eda, Akure, the Ondo state capital for impregnating  his16 year-old daughter (name withheld).

    Olubayode, who had earlier been arraigned at Odode-Idanre in Idanre local government Magistrate Court before the matter was transfered to Akure, was jailed without an option of fine.

    He was brought before the court by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was charged on one-count charge of having incestuous behaviour with a 16-year-old girl.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, was contrary to and punishable under sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the Ondo State Child’s Right law of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps 2007.

    Olubayode pleaded not guilty to the charge on his first arraignment but he was later found guilty by the family court.

    The NSCDC prosecuting officer Mr. Ebriku David told the court that the victim and her boss came to report her father in the NSCDC’s office in Idanre, when it was discovered that the girl was pregnant.

    According to him, the case was transferred to Akure division, where the victim informed the command that her father was responsible for the pregnancy.

    David also told the court that the convict had earlier confessed at the NSCDC office that he committed the offence.

    In her ruling, the magistrate, Mrs O.A Edwin said the Olubayode was guilty of the offence and sentenced him to nine years imprisonment with hard labour without option of fine.

    The magistrate said it was a shame and act of high immorality for the convict to be having incestuous affairs with his own daughter.

     

  • Appeal court’s judgment has corrected ‘executive rascality, impunity’ – Olanusi

    Appeal court’s judgment has corrected ‘executive rascality, impunity’ – Olanusi

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Appeal Court’s nullification of impeachment of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, a former Deputy Governor in Ondo State,  has corrected “executive rascality and impunity in the state”.

    Mr  Abayomi Adesanya, the APC Publicity Secretary in Ondo State, in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday described the judgment as “victory for democracy”.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure on Friday, March 24, annulled the impeachment of Olanusi as the Deputy to the immediate past Governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

    The judgment came two years after Olanusi was impeached by the State House of Assembly.

    The three-man panel, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, directed that Olanusi’s salaries and entitlements be paid from April 27, 2015, the date he was purportedly impeached, to Feb. 24 when his tenure expired.

    In the79 page-judgment, the judges said Olanusi was not given fair hearing during the impeachment process.

    The APC Publicity Secretary said the nullification of the impeachment by the court had corrected “executive rascality and impunity of the immediate past government in the state’’.

    He called on the former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, who replaced Olanusi, to immediately refund all monies, salaries, entitlements, privileges and vehicles received as a deputy governor.

    “We advise the former and illegal occupant of the office of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, to refund all monies accrued to him, either as salaries or allowances while illegally occupying the office of the deputy governor.

    “Oluboyo should also honourably return all government’s vehicles and properties at his disposal to the state government,” Adesanya said.

     

  • Olanusi’s victory great for democracy – Akeredolu

    Olanusi’s victory great for democracy – Akeredolu

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Saturday hailed the victory of former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, at the Court of Appeal in Akure, saying it was great for democracy.

    The commendation is in a statement in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr Segun Ajiboye.

    Ajiboye quoted the governor as saying “the 79-page judgment delivered by Justice Muhammed Danjuma was well deserved, a triumph for democracy and light over darkness.’’

    The governor also said that the judgment would discourage political leaders from arbitrary actions and decisions and ensure that the tenets of democracy were promoted.

    He added that “this judgment confirmed that Alhaji Ali Olanusi was maltreated, abused and humiliated by the crop of lawmakers who planned and executed the illegal impeachment.

    “In the judgment on Friday, Justice Muhammed Danjuma said Olanusi’s impeachment did not follow due process because he was not personally served the originating summons.

    “He was also denied presentation before an panel set up to investigate the alleged gross misconduct against him.’’

    Akeredolu said that “the judge maintained that Olanusi remained the Deputy Governor of Ondo State from April 27, 2015, the date he was wrongly impeached by the state House of Assembly.

    “Olanusi, will therefore remain the state’s deputy governor till Feb. 24, 2017 when the tenure of the former administration will expire

  • Group commends Akeredolu for peaceful resolution of Assembly crisis

    Ondo Action Group (OAG), a socio-political group, has lauded Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo State for the peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis in the state House of Assembly.

    The group made the commendation in Akure on Friday through a statement signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Mr Kunle Aladejobi and Mr Tunde Akinniyi, respectively. 

    The Assembly, had on Monday, March 20, appointed a new Speaker, Mr Malachi Coker, after about two months of the closure of the Assembly following the impeachment of the Speaker, Ms Jumoke Akindele, on Jan. 27 by 13 out of the 26 members.

    Akindele and other principal officers were impeached over allegation of N15 million fraud allegedly found in the possession of the Assembly’s Pay Master, Mr Makanjuola Adesina.

    Adesina had told the lawmakers that the money was withdrawn on the instruction of the Speaker for a project which he failed to disclose.

    The impeachment led to the closure of the Assembly by the police following a clash between some members.

    Akindele and other principal officers of the Assembly on Monday resigned following the amicable resolution of the leadership crisis by the governor.

    The group attributed the peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis to the genuine love Akeredolu had for the people of the state.

    “The seamless resolution of this crisis is attributed to the leadership quality and wealth of experience of Akeredolu as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) coupled with his genuine love to serve the good people of Ondo State.

    “OAG, therefore, appeal to the Assembly members to shun partisanship in discharging their legislative duties and work in harmony with the administration of Akeredolu in his quest to deliver dividend of democracy to the citizenry.

    “We also advise aggrieved members to sheath their swords and rally round the leadership of the House for better legislative business that has been lacking for sometime now.

    “Akeredolu should also use this opportunity to foster good working relationship with the legislators towards providing the dividend of democracy as promised during the electioneering so as not to betray the people who voted him into office,’’ the group stated.

  • Akeredolu’s wife urges Child Rights Act implementation

    The Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, said she would partner with relevant institutions in advocating the implementation of the Child Rights Act.

    Akeredolu said this on Thursday in Akure in a message to the 10th Anniversary of the enactment of the Ondo State Child Rights Law.

    The governor’s wife was represented by the Wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Ajewole Ajayi.

    She urged all stakeholders across the state to assist the government in protecting the rights of the child physically, emotionally and psychologically from any form of abuse.

    Akeredolu said that anyone caught using children for immoral purposes, hawking, and trafficking would be sanctioned and prosecuted in the Family Court.

    She appreciated the late Ondo State Gov., Dr Olusegun Agagu, for signing the Child’s Rights Act into law.

    Akeredolu noted that the Act specified the rights of the child, duties of parents, government and care-givers.

    “Ondo State Government, in recent years, has rendered services in consonance with the Child Rights Act, aimed at enabling every child to develop his or her talent and potential in a climate of peace, equality, and respect for human dignity.

    “The present administration will strengthen its effort toward partnering with Non-Governmental Organisations, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, religious institutions as well as the media to advocate for the rights of the child in Ondo State,” she said.

    In a remark, the Director, Child Department, Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr Oluwaniyi Ogunleye, said the Child Rights Act was enacted in the state on March 23, 2007, to protect the rights of children and assist them to develop and become responsible adults.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that awards were presented to people who contributed to the enactment of the law, including a posthumous award to the late Agagu.

     

  • Akoko residents lament water scarcity

    Residents of the four local government areas of Akoko division in Ondo state are lamenting what they called ‘perenial’ water scarcity in the communities in the past 30 years.

    A Monarch, the Akala of Ikaram in Akoko Northwest local government, Oba Andrew Momodu, said the state government had spent a lot of money in the past on Awara water dam, Ikare and the Ose dam at Egbe-Ekiti designed to supply water to the four local governments without any effect.

    The monarch urged the state government to have synergy with Ekiti state government and involve the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to priortise water supply in Akokoland, the largest ethnic group in the state.

    Oba Momodu lamented that Akoko people always face problem particularly during dry season.

    Another frontline traditional ruler, the Olubaka of Okaland, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye highlighted the importance of water to the people.

    He expressed the need for provision of potable water in Akokoland to ward off imminent outbreak of disease like cholera, guinea worm, typhoid and other water borne diseases.

    Also, a community leader in Afin-Akoko, Alhaji Ibrahim kilani said it was over 30 years ago during late Adekunle Ajasin’s regime that they drank pipe borne water last in Irun, Ogbagi, Ese, Afin, Oke-Agbe and Oyin and other Akoko communities.

    He recalled that at that time,an Akoko son,late Chief Ayo Ajibulu was Chairman, Water Corporation under late Ajasin’s administration.

    kilani urged Akeredolu to make Awara and Egbe Water Dams functional to supply people in Akokoland.

    According to him, “turning water supply into commercial business as being witnessed now is not proper, provision of water to the citizenry should be the responsibility of the government.
     

  • ‘We are not against Akeredolu’s appointments’

    ‘We are not against Akeredolu’s appointments’

    An Islamic Leader in Ondo State, Alhaji Nerean Akorede has said that his religious group is in support of the recent appointments made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Akorede who is the Coordinator of Progressive Muslim Council in the state said Muslims who belong to the association are not against the appointments.

    He therefore distance himself from agitation by some Muslims that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) should be a Muslim since Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi are both Christians.

    The religious leader expressed confidence in the ability of Governor Akeredolu to deliver all his electioneering campaign promises, adding that Akeredolu loves Muslims the same way he loves Christians.

    He opined that the Governor will consider Muslims in the state for political appointments, and therefore urged all Muslims in the state to support his administration.

    Akorede who is a stalwart of the ruling APC called for religious tolerance and understanding among the people of the state, stressing that the Muslims cannot be marginalized by Akeredolu or his government.