The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ondo state

  • Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 commissioners

    Aiyedatiwa nominates 12 commissioners

    Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has nominated 12 commissioners to serve in the state executive council.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan.

    The statement disclosed that the names of the nominees have been forwarded to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.

    It explained that the nomination was conveyed in a letter addressed to Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji on Thursday.

    The nominees are, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, Engr Ayorinde Olawoye, Mr Ayodele Akande, Engr Alabi Johnson, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, Mr Adewale Akinlosotu, Mr Idowu Ajanaku and Mrs Oluwaseun Osamaye.

    Others are; Dr Tob Loko, Mr Olaolu Akindolire, Hon. Sunday Olajide and Mr Omoyofunmi Henry.

    “In exercise of the power conferred on me by Section 192 (1&2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), I wish to forward to your esteemed office the following commissioner nominees for your kind consideration and confirmation of the House of Assembly.

    “I shall be most obliged to the honourable House for your expeditious action on this request in the overall interest of our dear state.

    “Please accept, as always, my highest regards for your esteemed self and other distinguished Members of the House,” the statement noted.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Aiyedatiwa was sworn in on Feb. 24, 2025, two months after winning the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. (NAN)

  • Suspected drug baron killed in Ondo

    Suspected drug baron killed in Ondo

    Bode Akinsiku, a suspected drug baron, was on Tuesday shot dead by gunmen in Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    Akinsiku, it was gathered, was killed at a popular joint located around Loro Street, Odosida area of Ondo.

    Eyewitnesses told The Nation yesterday that his assailants came into the densely area in a motorcycle and shot him at a close range before they flee the scene.

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    “The deceased (Akinsiku) had arrived at the joint early in the morning and was seen chatting with some people before he was attacked and killed,” a witness said.

    He further explained that policemen from the Enuowa Divisional Police Station arrived at the scene and evacuated the body to the morgue.

  • Ondo traders get N43m, 150 solar lights to boost business

    Ondo traders get N43m, 150 solar lights to boost business

    An Osun/Ondo-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Agboluaje Foundation, has empowered market women in Ondo State with N43 million to boost their businesses.

    The foundation also installed 150 solar lights at Moferere market in Ondo to illuminate the selling areas to aid trading at night.

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    A statement signed Vice Chairman of the foundation, Asiwaju Olusegun Akintade said the grant was disbursed through cooperative societies such as Moferere Market Co-operative, Sabo Market Co-operative, Keke Napep Co-operative, Okada Rider Co-operative and Patent Medicine Sellers Co-operative.

    He explained that the projects in Ondo are aime at extending the organisation’s works to the birth city of Adegbulugbe, stating that the foundation has spent over N500million on projects, grants and empowerments in the two states.

  • Cult clashes claim four in Ondo

    Cult clashes claim four in Ondo

    Four persons have been killed in renewed cult clashes in Ondo City, Ondo West Local Government Area.

    One person was killed around FFF Junction, Oka and three others were shot dead near Ife Garage.

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    It could not be confirmed which of the cult groups were involved in the clash, but sources said the killings bore signs of Aye and Eiye cult groups.

    Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, said some persons had been arrested in connection to the killings.

    Ayanlade said security has been beefed up in the town to prevent further killings.

  • Insecurity: Police deploy personnel to worship centres in Ondo

    Insecurity: Police deploy personnel to worship centres in Ondo

    Ondo State Police Command said it has deployed personnel to churches and mosques across the state over alleged threat of terror attack.

    The move by the police is to prevent a repeat of the 2022 terrorist attack on the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Owo local government area of the state.

    A total of 41 persons were killed while 76 were injured.

    Bandits were said to have written a letter to some communities over their planned attack.

    However, the Ondo police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, said the source and authenticity of the said letter remained unverified.

    Ayanlade said the deployment of security personnel to churches and mosques was a prompt and strategic response in the interest of public safety.

    He said heavy deployment of operational assets to all churches and mosques across the state, particularly during days of worship. 

    Surveillance and patrol activities have also been significantly intensified to forestall any potential attack and reassure the public of their safety.

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    The Ondo Police spokesman urged media houses and members of the public to desist from spreading unverified information or fake news that could heighten tension and cause unnecessary panic.

    He said, “Such actions are counterproductive and capable of undermining the security progress we have collectively achieved.

    “Residents of Ondo State are therefore advised to go about their lawful activities without fear or panic. The Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, remain fully committed to ensuring the safety and security of all lives and property in the state.

    “For any suspicious activity or information, members of the public are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or use the emergency lines made available by the Command.”

  • Ondo governorship election tribunal fixes June 4 for judgment

    Ondo governorship election tribunal fixes June 4 for judgment

    The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed June 4 to deliver judgment in the petitions filed against the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

    The three-man panel headed by Justice Benson Ogbu announced the date on Saturday in Akure after all parties adopted their final written addresses.

    Other members of the tribunal are Justice Imelda Etape and Justice Sikka Duarabo.

    According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), the tribunal, which began sitting on Jan. 31, 2025, received five petitions challenging the outcome of the election.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the winner of the election.

    The five petitioners are seeking the nullification of the election on the grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

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    The petitioners are: Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Mr Abdullahi Olowokere; and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Chief Bamidele Akingboye. Others are: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its candidate, Kolawole Ogunfeyimi; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Mr Adeyemi Nejo.

    The respondents are: APC, Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Mr Olayide Adelami; and INEC.

    Mr Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Akomolafe, the PDP’s counsel, argued that the election was marred by substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and asked the tribunal to void Aiyedatiwa’s certificate of return.

    On the other hand, Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Adelami and the INEC enjoined the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.

    The respondents, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and Mr Charles Edosomwan, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions for lack of merit.

  • Owo Security Summit holds Monday

    Owo Security Summit holds Monday

    The security challenges plaguing Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State and its environs will tomorrow return to the front burner.

    Stakeholders are converging on the town to find a lasting solution.

    A maiden Owo Security Summit, themed, ‘Securing Owo and its environs: strategies for community safety and resilience’ will take place  at the Prof. Abubakar Rasheed Auditorium of Achievers University in Owo, starting from 9 am.

    According to a statement by Mr. Olatunbosun Oladimeji, Publicity Secretary of the Committee, the event will feature distinguished guests, including Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa and his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami.

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    Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi (retired) will chair the summit.

    The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegeshin Ogunoye III, will lead the royal fathers.

    Tope Omolayo, Chairman of Owo Local Government Council Area, serves as the Chief Host.

    Pastor Olugbenga Olumolawa chairs the Summit Committee, and Professor Taiwo Adenegan will anchor the event.

    The summit aims to create awareness and consciousness about community security, reduce crime rates, and improve trust and cooperation between law enforcement agents and the people. The committee also seeks to establish a Security Trust Fund to support security initiatives and sustain security projects in Owo Local Government Area and its environs.

  • Ondo farmers vow to protect livelihood

    Ondo farmers vow to protect livelihood

    Farmers operating inside Oluwa Forest Reserves have vowed to protect their livelihood despite the state government’s sale of 10,000 hectares to SAO Agro-Allied Services.

    The farmers spoke after an Ondo State High Court granted them leave to substitute the former chairman of Ondo State Agricultural Empowerment Centre, Mr Akin Olotu, with Mr Rotimi Wemimo, the current official head of the body.

    Speaking through their counsel, Tope Temokun, the farmers said they had cultivated the forest for many years and incurred millions of naira in rent to the state government.

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    Temokun said: ‘’Today’s court order has swept  aside technical obstacles and cleared the path for the substantive fight against corporate overreach to ensure the necessary parties are joined to the suit and to allow any decision from the suit be overarching and enforceable against all interested persons.

    “Today’s orders remove technical obstacles and let us confront the central issue: the protection of poor farmers against corporate overreach. Justice is inching closer.

  • Ondo Amotekun rescues five kidnap-victims

    Ondo Amotekun rescues five kidnap-victims

    Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, have rescued five persons who were abducted in various parts of the state.

    They were rescued after spending days in the forest and endured severe beatings from their captors.

    Four of the victims were kidnapped on Ore-Lagos highway while the other one was abducted at his Upemen residence on Owo-Ikare Road.

    Their abductors had demanded N150m ransom before they were rescued.

    Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Akogun Adeleye Adetunji, while presenting the rescued victims to the public, said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had directed security agencies to flush out kidnappers and stopped ransom payment.

    Adeleye said his men were mobilised to the forest a few minutes after the victims were abducted.

    He said: “I want to tell you that by the grace of God, the Amotekun Corps have been able to recover them present here today without payment of ransom and no loss of lives.

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    “In the same vein, one Emmanuel Adeladun that was kidnapped on Ikare-Owo Road on the 6th of May was also rescued without payment of a kobo as ransom. Despite that the attackers inflicted several matchet cuts and wounds on him, we acted on credible intelligence and we were able to secure his release.

    “In the case of Emmanuel Adeladun, they started with a ransom of N50million. On the day, they told him he was going to be killed if funds were not paid; they were actually expecting the money. We told them we are bringing N10million in exchange for him but we were able to get him without the payment of one kobo.

    “In the case of Ayodele Olatunji and Stanley, they were expecting N100million but we told them that we are bringing N15million and we were able to rescue them without payment of one kobo and no casualty.”

  • Protest in Ondo community over land

    Protest in Ondo community over land

    Crisis is brewing at Ikoya community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, as residents yesterday protested alleged arrest of some community members over land acquisition by Okitipupa Oil Palm Company (OOPC).

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protesters during a peaceful protest at Ikoya, accused OOPC management and the police of “unjust arrest and detention” of some members of the community.

    NAN also reports that the protesters carried placards with inscriptions: “OOPPlc, Obey Supreme Court Judgment and Quit Our Land’; “Enough of Police Harassment and Intimidation”; “Free Three Ikales and Release Your Landlord Unconditionally”, among others.

    Some of the protesters while speaking with reporters, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of members of the community arrested and detained by the police.

    They alleged that the police arrested Mrs Bose Loyinmi-Ogunlowo, Mrs Rachael Akinirun and Mr Orimisan Adelokiki, the national leader of Ikale Supreme Civil Right Council, over land dispute with OOPC.

    They also demanded the eviction of OOPC from their land, alleging that the company had no valid agreement with the community before acquiring the oil palm plantation.

    They presented a Supreme Court judgment of 1988 as evidence, which they claimed ruled that OOPC should negotiate a valid agreement with the community or vacate the land.

    They, however, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene as a matter of urgency before it resulted in crisis.

    Mr Feyi Ekundayo, a human right activist, told reporters that Ikoya people were law-abiding citizens, but would not let anyone unlawfully take the possession of their land under any guise.

    “We will not tolerate the acquisition of our land under any guise. We’re peace loving people, but we will resist further harassment and intimidation of our people over our lawful property.

    “We call for the immediate and unconditional release of our people arrested and detained by the police, because injustice to one is injustice to all,” Ekundayo said.

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    Mr Oluyemi Akinirun, coordinator of Ikale Supreme Civil Right Council, also alleged that OOPC acquired Ikoya Oil Palm plantation unlawfully, saying the company did not have any valid agreement with the community.

    “What we’re asking for is very simple, OOPC should present any agreement for the acquisition of our land, but they refused and began harassing and intimidating our leaders, even my wife, Rachael, was arrested over the matter.

    “We have a 1988 Supreme Court judgment which ruled that OOPC should have proper agreement with us or vacate our plantation. This is our evidence and we will not rest on our oars over this matter,” Akinirun said.

    Another youth leader, Mr Olusola Adenodi, appealed to the governor to step into the matter, so as to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    Police spokesman DSP Olayinka Ayanlade said those arrested had been arraigned and remanded on the order of the court.