The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo state

  • Suspected Boko Haram insurgents arrested in Ondo

    Suspected Boko Haram insurgents arrested in Ondo

    No fewer than 150 people suspected members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram were Thursday arrested by the Police in Ondo, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo state.

    They were reportedly armed with various offensive weapons and loaded themselves in a truck before being intercepted and arrested by the Police.

    It was gathered that the Police at the Funbi-Fagun Police division intercepted the truck conveying the suspects to an undisclosed location.

    The suspects who were said to be people from the northern part of the country, were conveyed in a truck with registration number KANO NSR 97 XZ, and they were said to be coming from Kebbi state and heading towards Ore town in Odigbo Local
    Government Area of the state before they were apprehended by the police at Lipakala junction in Ondo town.

    The operation which was led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Funbi-Fagun Police division, Mr Olu-Ojo Ogunmoyole, also involved men of the Special Ant-robbery Squad (SARS) of the state police command.

    The suspects were initially detained at the Funbi-Fagun police division before they were later conveyed in a truck that brought them to the State headquarters of the Police command in Akure.

    Items said to be recovered from the suspects include 18 locally made guns, two jack knives, 22 cutlasses and many torch light.

    The incident attracted the attention of many residents of the town as hundreds of people gathered at the Police station where the suspects were initially taken to.

    It was learnt that officers of the Department of State Security (DSS) joined the Police in the arrest of the suspects.

    One of the suspects who identified himself as Abdulahi Sheriff, said they are not members of Boko Haram, saying they are all farmers coming from Benin-Kebbi to seek greener pastures in the southern part of the country.

    He explained that their movement from the North was due to the prolong dry season in the area which, he said has affected their activities.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Funbi-Fagun police station, Mr. Ogunmoyole said the suspects were intercepted during a surveillance operation carried out by the ant-robbery squad attached to the division.

    He explained that the suspects were transferred to the command headquarters for further investigation.

  • Lassa fever kills two in Ondo

    The Ondo State Government said on Tuesday that two people have been killed by Lassa fever in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanyu, said this at a Lassa fever prevention stakeholders’ meeting organised for health workers, religious groups, opinion and traditional leaders in Akure, the state capital.

    The commissioner said one of the suspects came into the state from the neighbouring Edo State.

    Adeyanju, however, said 31 persons had been placed under surveillance in order to prevent the spread of the disease in the state.

  • Ondo suspends three Principals, Teachers over indiscipline

    Ondo suspends three Principals, Teachers over indiscipline

    Ondo State government has suspended three principals and 23 teachers of secondary schools indefinitely over alleged lackadaisical attitude to work and indiscipline.

    The Chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, Mr Francis Igbasan disclosed this in Akure, the state capital at the presentation of promotion letters to 2,500 teachers in the state.

    He explained that during an unscheduled visit of members of the commission to over 72 secondary schools across the state, it was discovered that the hammered principals and teachers were not discipline.

    According to him, “the commission would not take the issue of indiscipline at
    work lightly again, the TESCOM of yesterday is different from the TESCOM of today. Any teacher or member of staff that is not serious at his or her duty posts would be shown the way out.

    “This government is trying its best for workers of this state, so the workers too should reciprocate it with hardwork,” he added.

    At the occasion, Governor Olusegun Mimiko announced that the commission has been directed to recruit 1,050 teachers.

    Mimiko, who was presented by his deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo stated that the recruitment would be based on merit and the recruitment examination conducted in 2014 will also be used .

  • Group to Mimiko: Complete abandoned projects in Ikale

    Group to Mimiko: Complete abandoned projects in Ikale

    Indigenes of Ikale land comprising Okitipupa and Irele local government are using the mood of the christmas season to plead with Governor Olusegun Mimiko to complete all abandoned projects in the area.

    Through a group of eminent Personalities in the area under the aegis of Omawa Club of Ikale land, they lamented that Ikale land has not witnessed any visible development in the last six and half years.

    They noted that all major projects capable of impacting positively on the lives of the Ikale people initiated by their kinsman and former governor Olusegun Agagu have been abandoned.

    According to the group’s President,Otunba Benson Akindeji, the effect of this situation is causing untold hardship on the residents.

    The group specifically lamented the poor condition of health,electricity and water supply in the area.

    It urged Mimiko to approve funds for the immediate completion of the abandoned Ayeka-Irele and Ode-Aye-Igbotako roads.

    “The governor should also commence the rehabilitation of Okitipupa-Ikoya-Igbotako-Akinfosile and Ore-Okitipupa road as well as embark on the construction of road network that will guarantee easy access and transportation in Ikale land”

    “There is also the need to extend the urban renewal scheme in respect of the dualisation of township roads as done in Ondo town,Akure,Owo and Ikare Akoko to Okitipupa and Irele towns”.

    “The state government should provide medical facilities,drugs,equipment and medical personnel including doctors to the existing health facilities in Ikale land to facilitate maximum operation with each facility having a Resident Doctor”The group pleaded.

    It also sought for adequate funds to run the State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa to attain the status of excellent learning centre.

    Besides,the group urged the governor to ensure restoration of electricity to the southern part of the state with potable water to prevent water borne diseases in the area.

  • APC ready to take over power in Ondo – Akinyelure

    APC ready to take over power in Ondo – Akinyelure

    Scores of women politicians in Ondo state under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women for Change (APCWC) Wednesday converged on Akure, the state capital for a one-day sensitisation seminar.

    The group from across the state was led by the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mrs Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose.

    At the event, the APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure said the people in the state are ready to take over the reins of government from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government of Dr Olusegun Mimiko.

    Akintelure who spoke through the state chairman of the party, Isaac Kekemeke while declaring open the seminar said the citizenry are desirous of change.

    He said only the APC has the needed change Ondo people want.

    The APC leader disclosed that the party in the state has set machinery in motion ahead of the next year’s Governorship poll.

    According to him, the party has no anointed candidate as its flag bearer for the Governorship election, stressing that there would be level-play ground for the party candidate to emerge

    He said the people of the state are tired of the Mimiko’s administration as it could no longer deliver the needed change the people desire.

    The National Vice Chairman enjoined women to compete favourably with their men counterparts and struggle for key positions in government.

    The APCWC Chairman, Mrs. Anifowose urged women to show interest in politics, urging to slot it to with men for political offices especially as 2016 governorship election draws near in the state.

    Mrs.  Anifowose who charged the women drawn from all the 18 Local Government Areas of the state to be more committed to the party, stressed the need for all women to support the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the overall development of the
    state.

  • 10 injured as NURTW members clash in Ondo

    10 injured as NURTW members clash in Ondo

    Commercial activities in Owo local government area of Ondo state was Wednesday disrupted for four hours following a clash between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over attempt by a faction of the union to take over the leadership of the union.
    During the melee, members were shooting sporadically and attacking themselves with cutlasses. No few than 10 people were confirmed injured.

    Residents and traders around First Molac hotel area and Ehinogbe Street where the NURTW members clashed quickly closed for the day.

    The Nation learnt that the attempt to forcefully take over the NURTW leadership was allegedly sponsored by some politicians who are preparing for the next year governorship election.

    The said politicians were said to have directed their political thugs to chase away the current executive leadership of NURTW in the council and led by Mr. Kolade Jasper from the town.

    Trouble started when a group led by a middle aged man, simply identified as “Jungunnu” declared himself the new chairman of the union.

    Eyewitnesses said the self acclaimed Chairman was said to have been moving around the whole town with some Okada riders, thereby declaring himself to the residents as the new council Chairman of the NURTW Union.

    It was gathered that Jungunnu allegedly led his boys to First Molac hotel area where the Akure Car Park is located and attacked the Union leaders.

    The brawl was said to have spread to Ehinogbe area where he took the intervention of mobile Policemen before normalcy was returned to the ancient town.

    When contacted the current NURTW chairman of the council, Mr. Kolade Jasper said he has not received any letter from the national leaders that the local chapters of NURTW should be dissolved.

    Jasper noted that the leader of group, who wanted to forcefully take over from him, was not a member of NURTW.

    He however, appealed to the governor, Olusegun Mimiko to rescue them from those he referred to as miscreants who are not members of the union but now being pushed to disturb the peace of the town.

    Reacting to the development, the State PPRO, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident but said the police was on top of the situation saying, an order from the state government gave credence to non dissolution of local chapters of NURTW in the state.

    Joseph however appealed to the warring factions to maintain peace.

  • We’ll complete Omotosho Power Plant – Mimiko

    We’ll complete Omotosho Power Plant – Mimiko

    The Ondo State government has said it is not leaving no stone unturned to ensure the completion of Omotosho power plant to create conducive environment for industrialists in the state.

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko gave the assurance Wednesday at the election of the state Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).

    He was represented by his Special Adviser on union matters, Mr Dayo Fadahunsi.

    Mimiko said technical partners would soon be in the state to sign memorandum with the state government on how to generate power for industrial use.

    The governor assured the people that he will create conducive atmosphere where industries will thrive.

    He also announced that the first batch of loan for small industrialists will be disbursed within the next two weeks, adding that before the end of the year, the second batch will be issued.

    Mimiko however used the occasion to warn members of the association not to bribe anyone over the collection of the loans.

    He said;”Please don’t bribe anyone because you want to access government loan. My office is open, my number is available anytime. Don’t give bribe to access government loan,” Fadahunsi warned.

    The new chairman of the association in the state, Seyi Akintunde who secured the position, polled 122 votes against his opponent, Osunsade Edward, who scored 31 votes.

    The election which was monitored by security agents was free, fair and credible as no violence was recorded.

    Akintunde, a machine manufacturer said he is happy that the kind of change the members are expecting has come to stay in the association.

  • Ex- Minister, Olaiya Oni is dead

    Former Minister of Education and pioneer Chairman of the Labour Party(LP Dr. Olaiya Oni is dead.

    He was aged 74.

    Oni,a seasoned technocrat and former Secretary to the State Government(SSG) in the Old Ondo state reportedly died on Sunday after being hospitalized at an undisclosed hospital in Owo local government area of the state.

    Family sources told ‘The Nation’ that the former Head of Service(HoS) has been experiencing some  health challenges since 2012, which was one of the reasons he relocated from Akure to his home town, Ise-Akoko in Akoko North East local government area of the state.

    It was learnt that Oni’s health degenerated three days ago and he was rushed from his Ise-Akoko home to an undisclosed hospital in Owo before he gave up the ghost.

    He was appointed Minister of Education during the regime of Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar.

    Former Commissioner for Natural Resource in Mimiko LP’s government in the State, Mr. Solagbade Amodeni described Oni’s  death as great shock to him, saying he was an accomplished civil servant who rose to the highest position of Head of service and secretary to the Old Ondo state government.

    He noted that his profile was what fetched him the appointment as Education minister under Gen. Abubakar.

  • Reps urge FG to rehabilitate dilapidated Ondo roads

    The House of Representatives on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to rehabilitate two dilapidated roads in Ondo State to curb incessant accidents and loss of lives.

    This was sequel to a motion by Rep. Babatunde Kolawole (Ondo-APC), who said that Owo-Iyere-Ipele-Ago, Alao-Owoani-Idoani-Ifira-Sosan-Isua road and Owo-Oba- Ajegunle-Akungba-Iwaro-Oke-Oka-Okhia-Epinmi-Isua road were in deplorable states.

    He said the roads were arterial and important to the socio-economic development of the state and its environs.

    Kolawale said that the roads also linked the western part of the country to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    According to him, the roads have deteriorated in the past 20 years as a result of abandonment, thus leading to accidents that have claimed several lives.

    Adopting the motion unanimously, the house urged the Federal Ministry of Works to include a proposal for the construction of the roads in the 2016 budget estimates.

    It also urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to, in the interim rehabilitate the Owo-Iyere-Ipele-Ago, Alao-Owoani-Idoani-Ifira-Sosan-Isua road to facilitate easy movement.

  • Man commits suicide in Ondo

    Man commits suicide in Ondo

    A man, Damilola Ibitokun, has reportedly hung himself at Ori-Oke farm in Ero town, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Sources said Ibitokun, popularly called Seven Feet, because of his height, was sighted by neighbours and passers-by on his way to the farm.

    He was said to be shouting that he was going to commit suicide, holding a rope in one hand and a sharp knife in another.

    It was learnt that efforts to dissuade him failed because he threatened everyone with the knife.

    Sources said most people did not take him serious because he was a drunk.

    His widow, Muibat, said she and the deceased had been sleeping in a church in the last few months because of an undisclosed family problem.

    According to her, her husband left the church on Tuesday evening on the excuse that he was tired of sleeping in the church.

    She said: “We’ve been sleeping in the church for some time now.

    “But on Tuesday evening, he just decided that he was going home to sleep.

    “In the middle of the night, he rushed back to the church, shouting and banging the door.

    “He asked for the whereabouts of the man who was fighting me. But I told him nobody was fighting me.

    “He went back home. But some minutes later, some of our neighbours called me that my husband was shouting and running around that he was going to commit suicide and that nobody should stop him.”

    The deceased’s son, Ayomide, described his father’s death as shocking.

    He said his father was restless throughout the night, until he took his life.

    The remains of the deceased have been buried after some rituals were performed by the community.

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