The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ONDO

  • Ondo community seeks recognition of monarch

    The people of Ilaje Mahin in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have urged the state government to approve Beniah Adeola Idiogbe as the Alaboto of Aboto.

    They said Idiogbe was cleared for the seat by the relevant traditional institutions.

    In a statement by the community’s Secretary, Prof. Bode Koriko, the Ilaje Mahin Descendants’ Association said it was necessary to fill the vacant stool, which had been empty for many years.

    It urged the governor to present the staff of office to Idiogbe, saying he is the choice of the people.

    The indigenes said Idiogbe’s appointment was confirmed by the Amapetu of Mahin, adding that the White Paper presented by the Justice Adeloye Commission affirmed that the Alaboto shall be of Mahin descent/origin.

  • Ondo suspends appointment of Regent in Akoko community

    The Ondo State Government has suspended the appointment of Regent to the vacant stool of Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko.

    This position was contained in a letter written by the state Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs dated October 21, 2013 and signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, C.A Adenagbe, to the Caretaker chairman of Akoko Northwest Council Area.

    The government said the development became imperative since a Notice of Appeal and Motion for Stay of Execution in respect of the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko stool has been filed at the Supreme Court on the 16th of July, 2013.

    The occupant of the stool and monarch of the town, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, was earlier ordered to stop parading himself as the monarch pending the determination of the suit before the Supreme Court.

    The government also directed that all the entitlements being paid to the monarch be stopped with immediate effect.

    The government’s directive was sequel to the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which set aside the approval of the monarch.

    But Oba Olanipekun has, however, expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would rule in his favour.

  • 4 killed, 14 injured in Ondo auto-crash

    A fatal auto crash that happened at Igbara Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday has claimed four lives while 14 others sustained injuries.

    Mr Joseph Ojerinde, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), in charge of field operations, state command, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Akure on Sunday.

    The officer said that the accident that happened at 6.30 p.m. was as a result of reckless driving by one of the drivers.

    He said that the auto crash involved a Mazda bus, with registration number Lagos KSF 706 XF carrying 18 passengers and a Honda Accord saloon car with number AA 239 GBH.

    “The two vehicles involved in the crash had a head-on collision.

    “The Honda car made a dangerous overtaking and consequently collided with the bus coming from the opposite direction.

    “We were told that the Honda Accord car dangerously overtook a vehicle and in the process, had a head-on collision with the Mazda bus coming from the other side,” Ojerinde stated.

    “Immediately, we were informed about the accident, our men moved promptly to the scene.’’

    Ojerinde, who said that four under-aged children were also involved in the accident, did not confirm their condition.

    NAN reports that the identities of the victims were not known as at the press time.

    However, Ojerinde said that the bodies of the dead had been deposited at the morgue of the State Specialist Hospital, Akure.

    According to him, the injured had been taken to the General Hospitals in Igbara- Oke and Ilara-Mokin, respectively for treatmen

  • …committee holds maiden stakeholders’ meeting in Ondo

    The Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue held a stakeholders’ interactive session yesterday in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    There were no representations from Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Ogun states. The stakeholders were mainly from the host state.

    The meeting, which was held behind schedule experienced a low turnout.

    Earlier, a group, the Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC) had staged a protest at the entrance of the venue of the event calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the representations to the proposed national conference should be drawn from various ethnic nationalities in the country.

    In his opening address, the governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, described the national conference as a right step in the right direction, assuring that Ondo State people are solidly supporting it.

    The chairman of the advisory committee, Chief Femi Okurounmu, apologised for starting the meeting behind schedule, saying they were on courtesy visits to the Deji of Akure and Governor Mimiko.

    He assured the people that their suggestions and opinions would form an important basis for the proposed conference.

    In its memorandum, the Arogbo Ijaw community opined that the conference should be made up of ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria.

    The Afenifere Renewal Group, Ondo State Chapter, said the conference should be made sovereign.

    In the view of the Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, the duration of the national conference should not be more than four months.

    Presenting its memorandum, the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, led by Ayo Adebanjo, said the proposed national conference should be of ethnic nationalities with accommodation for civil societies, religious leaders, labour, students and other special interests.

    The Yoruba Unity Forum, led by Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (rtd), in a paper presented by Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu (rtd), said political parties should not play any politics in selecting delegates, stressing that the size must be manageable enough to accommodate ethnic and socio-cultural groups.

    Many other interest groups and individuals also submitted their memoranda.

    Meanwhile, the Ondo Opinion Leaders (OOL) led by an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Adu Akeredolu, has urged the Yoruba to beware of elders who attended the stakeholders’ meeting.

    In a statement signed by its secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, alleged that the majority of the elders are only working for President Jonathan.

  • Ondo approves N145m for self-help projects

    Ondo approves N145m for self-help projects

    The Ondo State government has approved a sum of N145m to finance self-help projects in 28 communities in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Community Development, Clement Faboyede, disclosed this on Saturday in Akure, the state capital.

    Faboyede said the communities chosen for the self-help projects were picked on merit, adding that most of the communities have shown interest by initiating some projects which will be completed by the state government.

    The Commissioner expressed displeasure over reported cases of theft of government facilities such as transformers and feeder pillars particularly in Abese, Akure South local government and Isua Oke in Akoko South East.

    Faboyede, however, added that various communities had raised vigilante groups to keep watch on these infrastructures.

    He added that the current year had been set aside for structural consolidation of various projects already provided by the state government in several communities in the state.

     

    He said, “The emphasis of the state government is participatory governance for development where all projects already put in place during the first term are consolidated.”

     

     

  • NEMA distributes relief materials to rainstorm victims in Ondo

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated relief materials to victims of rainstorm in the local government areas within the Akoko division in Ondo State.

    The donation was facilitated by the senator representing Ondo North Senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice.

    The materials include 150 bundles of roofing sheets, 150 bags of rice, 150 bags of cement, 2000 pieces of planks, 100 bags of nails, 100 packets of zinc nails.

    Others were 300 pieces of blankets, 300 pieces of mosquito nets, 300 pieces of nylon mats and 100 pieces of matresses.

    The materials, which were distributed at the palace of the Olukare of Ikare-Akoko, were for the four local government areas of Akoko Southwest, Akoko Northwest, Akoko Southeast and Akoko Northwest.

    Speaking at the presentation, the Team Leader of NEMA, Michael Adeyanju, said the donation was aimed at providing relief to the affected people.

    According to him, the agency had earlier in the year given relief materials to people affected by a heavy rainstorm in Owo community and its environs.

    Adeyanju said the relief materials handed over to the leaders of the affected areas and communities were brought following request by the Boroffice, who is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

    He added that the materials would be distributed based on the assessment conducted by the agency, the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA), the local government and some Non Governmental Organisations (NGO).

    The NEMA team leader also disclosed that the agency had carried out an assessment of the affected people, adding, “We are doing this in conjunction with other agencies of the state, local government, the fire service and non governmental organisations.”

     

  • Ondo holds prayers

    Ondo holds prayers

    The Ondo State government yesterday held two interdenominational prayer sessions to prevent disasters in the state.

    This followed the death of four government officials in last Thursday’s plane crash in Lagos.

    The sessions were to end the three days fasting and prayer declared after the crash.

    Islamic and Christian clerics said the crash was a test and did not mean God has forsaken the state.

    They prayed God to wipe away the tears of the bereaved and give them reasons to rejoice.

    Chief Imams Abdulakeem Yayi Akorede (Akure), Bashir Alimi (Ondo), Abbas Abubakir (Ikare Akoko) and Ahmed Aladesawe, the chairman of the State League of Imams, prayed at the Islamic session held at the Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.

    They prayed for peace in the state and an end to tragedies.

    The Christian prayer session was held at the State Cultural Centre in Adegbemile, Akure.

    Bishops Joshua Ketiku and Felix Adejumo delivered short sermons. Elder Tunde Adesida, Rev. Joshua Odeyemi and Ven. Nelson Fadoju, among others, led prayers for the country, the state, the bereaved families, the government and Ondo people.

    Governor Olusegun Mimiko thanked Nigerians for standing by his administration.

    He sympathised with the families of the deceased, praying God to console and provide for them.

    Mimiko said: “The duty we owe the dead is to continue to work assiduously for the development of the state. The sacrifice of the deceased will not be in vain if we all carry on undeterred by the vicissitudes of life.”

  • Tight security as Agagu begins final journey home

    Tight security as Agagu begins final journey home

    There was a tight security in Iju-Odo, Ondo State, as the final burial rites for the former governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, commenced at St Paul Anglican Church on Friday.

    Scores of police men were sighted on the Okitipupa-Iju-Odo road, monitoring vehicular movement.
    Also sighted were officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
    There was also a heavy security presence at the country home of the late former governor as well as the Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and Iju-Odo Civic Centre, both slated as venues for the reception.
    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the church was also filled to capacity even as the corpse of the former governor was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
    After the initial confusion that trailed Thursday’s crash of an Associated Airline plane conveying Agagu’s casket, some family members and top Ondo State government officials, the family resolved to continue with the burial programme.
    At least 13 persons died in the crash while six others were seriously injured.
    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, had on Thursday announced the decision to continue with the burial programme after meeting with the Agagu’s family.
    “We have just consulted with the family and they had decided to go ahead with the burial,” Alabi said.
  • Nestle launches school age health scheme in Ondo

    Nestle launches school age health scheme in Ondo

    Determined to raise awareness on importance of good nutrition and active lifestyle among many school age children, Nestle Nigeria Plc has inaugurated the ‘healthy kids’ programme in Ondo State.

    It also organised the maiden training programme for 100 teachers in 25 public primary schools in the state. This is in line with the company’s objective of being the trusted leader in nutrition and health to create shared value.

    Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the firb, Dharnesh Gordhon, said the programme launched in Lagos in 2011, had made significant progress in sensitising people about maintaining active lifestyles, particularly for children.

    According to him, the healthy kids programme forms an integral part of Nestle’s commitment to improve global nutrition through the promotion of greater awareness, improved knowledge and regular physical activities, which will have positive impact on health.

    He said: ”Education is therefore a powerful tool to ensure that children understand the value of nutrition and physical activity to their health throughout their lives.

    “As a leading nutrition company, we believe we can make significant contributions to the development of nutrition education through our extensive knowledge of nutrition, business competencies and resources including funding.”

    Gordhon said the organisation was collaborating with the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), the ministries of education and health, as well as Centre for Health Education, Population and Nutrition (CHEPON) to implement the healthy kids programme in Nigeria.

    The Executive Director of CHEPON, Prof Tola Atinmo, commended Nestle for its initiative which he said was also timely because of the poor state of nutrition among young children in various primary schools.

     

     

    Also, ondo State permanent secretary, SUBEB, Mrs Grace Ajayi, urged corporate bodies to partner with the state government for qualitative education.

     

  • Ondo mourns Agagu, Mimiko, Akeredolu react

    Ondo state and its people were thrown into mourning on Saturday  following the death of the former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

    Residents particularly in Akure,the state capital and Ikale land in Okitipupa where the former political hailed from  discussed the incident in hushed tones.

    Specifically, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has described his death as a rude shock.

    Scores of PDP members stormed the party secretariat located at Oyemekun road in Akure to mourn the former governor as early as 8.am

    A condolence register was opened in his honour for members of the PDP and other sympathisers to comment on his death.

    The State Chairman of the party, Ebenezer Alabi, described the death of former Governor Agagu as a rude shock and a great loss to Nigeria as a country.

    The PDP chairman said that the party would miss his advice and great contribution to the PDP at the National level. Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has expressed great shock and disbelief  at the news of the  death of former Governor Of the  state, Dr Olusegun Agagu.

    In a statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, Dr Mimiko described the death as most  unfortunate and  hard to believe.

    The statement read and I quote “This news, to say the least, is most shocking and very hard to believe. It is most unfortunate and indeed a great loss.” The brief statement read.

    Mimiko prayed God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

    The defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), who eulogized Agagu on his achievements during his tenure as the governor of the state said death is a necessary end.

    Akeredolu, in a statement issued by him said he was devastated by the news of Agagu’s death.

    The statement reads,  “Dr Agagu’s tenure as Governor in Ondo State witnessed several significant strides. Many of us are living witnesses to the great achievements recorded under this sound academic and politician. Many of our rural areas were opened up in a manner hitherto unimaginable. The riverine communities effectively got re integrated into the  state.

    “The visionary leader, whose administration arguably ranks next to the unforgettable golden era of the state under the sage, Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin, was also reputed for politics without bitterness. He was urbane, resouceful, genial and frank. There are indelible imprints of his tenure in virtually every nook and cranny of the state. Most of the buildings standing in public schools in the state bear eloquent testimony to his vision. It is
    regrettable that he passed on at this time when his invaluable input is badly needed in the state.

    “Death is a necessary end. It will come at the appointed time. Certain passages are, however, remarkable. It is true that the death of any person diminishes mankind. When a man of quality like Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu departs, the vacuum created becomes more pronounced.

    “I send my heart-felt condolences to the immediate family of our departed leader. I must also commiserate with the people of Ondo State for the unwanted visits of this morbid messenger with attendant losses. This death coming  after the transition of Omo Ekun, Wunmi Adegbonmire, is one too many for our state”.

    Also, a former governorship candidate of defunct Action Congress (AC) in 2007 general election, Prince Ademola Adegoroye said the state has lost is meticulous governor since its creation.

    He described the deceased as a superb administrator prudent.

    His words, “I rarely slept all night after hearing the devastating news of Dr.Agagu’s demise. Superb Administrator , Prudent Manager of resources and highly cerebral technocrat.Ondo State has lost probably, its most painstaking, and meticulous governor since its creation.

    “He had integrity and fulfilled his promises and commitments to others, worked hard and played hard. In the coming days, I hope to express myself fully on my personal knowledge and experiences of this departed gentleman.

    ” I commiserate with Auntie Funke and the kids on this untimely incident. May the good lord bless and accept Dr. Segun Agagu’s soul”.

    Akure lawyer and Rights Activist, Charles Titiloye described him as “a man that mean many things to many people”.

    Titiloye said “To us in the human rights community, we respect him for his tolerance of criticism and opposition to policies of his Government. He bears no grudge for your criticism but try to make amendment where possible.

    “He sees intellectual as partners while in government and have deep respect for professionals. He shapes his government policy on Ideas and did not deceive or pretend on the direction of policy his Government. He may not be fast in taking decisions but very calculating and is indeed a respectable gentleman”.