The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ONDO

  • Ondo judiciary village: Westfield Global construction company assures on quality

    Ondo judiciary village: Westfield Global construction company assures on quality

    Westfield Global Construction Company, beneficiary of the 13-hectare Ondo judiciary village, has assured of quality work in the execution of the project named after late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Speaking after the groundbreaking ceremony in Akure, the Ondo state capital yesterday, the company represented by the duo of Engr Sannino Antonio and Abdulfatai Owonifuja, Project Manager and General Manager respectively, said they would do everything professional to ensure the project is completed in due time. They also lauded the government of Ondo State for awarding the company the project.

    The project include a ceremonial court, modular courts, a registry, a library, exhibition buildings, a utility building, and modern parking facilities.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa while speaking on Friday, expressed his administration’s commitment towards the advancement of justice and the welfare of judicial officers in the state.

    Aiyedatiwa described the construction of the new High Court Complex as a historic milestone for Ondo State, saying the vision for the project was conceived by late Akeredolu.

    The Governor said: “This is a milestone celebration as we flag off the construction of a New High Court Complex in our dear state. Since the creation of Ondo State in 1976, no attempt has been made to provide a modern edifice for the administration of justice.

    “Today, we are not only making history but also fulfilling a long-standing dream of the judiciary.

    “This development is the actualization of the dream and vision of our late leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. It was his desire to provide a state-of-the-art High Court Complex to enhance the workload and welfare of our judiciary.

    “Naming this project the Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Judiciary Complex is a befitting way to immortalise his legacy”.

    Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the importance of embarking on the project despite financial challenges.

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    He said “Let me state with all sense of responsibility that we are embarking on this project at this time not because the state is too buoyant financially but because of our commitment to providing a good working environment with modern facilities that will enhance the welfare of our judicial officers, workers, and people seeking justice, with the overall aim of speeding up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State,”
    Highlighting the features of the Judiciary Village, the governor said,

    ” It is designed to create a conducive environment for the administration of justice and to speed up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State.”

    Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Olusegun Odusola, lauded the initiative, describing it as a landmark achievement.

    The CJ said “This complex will elevate the judiciary to global standards with modern facilities capable of competing with any judicial system in the world.

    “The governor’s commitment to this project demonstrates his dedication to peace, justice, and the overall development of Ondo State,”

    Providing a technical overview, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Akinwumi Sowore, said the project’s scope: “The Judiciary Village is a hub designed to ensure justice is served in an environment that promotes efficiency. It will house 14 courtrooms, a registry, a library, an exhibition hall, a utility building, and ample parking spaces.”

    In his goodwill message, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, praised the governor’s commitment to advancing the rule of law.

    Ajulo said “In just one year, Governor Aiyedatiwa has laid a solid foundation for the growth of Ondo State’s judicial infrastructure.

    “This project is a testament to his promise of accessible justice and his belief in the judiciary as a pillar of democracy”.

  • Ondo Anglican priest, family members regain freedom

    Ondo Anglican priest, family members regain freedom

    • Suspected kidnappers kill prominent herdsman

    The Ondo Anglican priest, Rev. Canon Olowolagba, his wife, and two children, who were abducted on Sunday, have been freed.

    The details of their release at the time of filing this report were sketchy.

    The kidnappers had earlier demanded a ransom of N75m.

    The Anglican priest and his family members were abducted along the Ise Akoko-Iboropa road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    He hails from Ikaram-Akoko.

    Bishop of Akoko Anglican Diocese, Rev. Babajide Bada, who confirmed the incident, said it happened last Sunday between 4 pm and 5:30 pm.

    “The man involved is Reverend Olowolagba. He was travelling from Ipesi, with his wife, Mrs Olowolagba, and their 16-year-old daughter, Goodness Olowolagba, a 100-level student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba- Akoko (AAUA), who came for holiday at home, and a nine-year-old girl staying with them, identified as Idowu.

    “They drove from Ipesi through Isua Akoko. And when they got between Isua and Ise-Akoko, they were kidnapped. And we didn’t know, until the following morning, when their members discovered that they didn’t get to Ikaram where they were going. And they were not also at home.

    “Since then, those who kidnapped them have been calling. They called to ask for N75million ransom. And we said that’s very unreasonable. Later, they said N10million. But when we’d gathered some money to go and secure their release, they changed to N15million. That’s why the reverend and the wife, including the two children are still there.”

    Ondo police spokesperson,  SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omilani, said no report of such an incident was made.

    “We do not have such a story, nothing of such was reported.”

    It was gathered that the Ẹgbẹ Akọ́mọlédè in Ondo State had asked its members to contribute money to raise N10m to pay as ransom to the kidnappers.

    Read Also: JUST IN: 13 die in Ondo road accident

    Meanwhile,  a prominent herdsman in Ondo State, Aliu Yunusa, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

    Yunusa was killed near Ilu-Abo junction, Akure South Local Government Area while going to his ranch.

    Commander of Ondo Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said Yunusa was killed by individuals believed to be fellow Fulani herdsmen who attempted to rustle his cattle.

    He said: “They had earlier kidnapped his wife, but he fought them off and retrieved her. Unfortunately, they (gunmen) returned, overpowered, and killed him while trying to steal his cows.

    “A distress call was placed to the Amotekun Corps’ Ogbese outpost by fellow herdsmen who discovered Yunusa’s body at the scene.

    “Upon arriving at the location, Amotekun officers found Yunusa’s body with multiple machete wounds.

    “His motorcycle had also been set ablaze by the assailants.

     “Our officers are combing the forest in search of these criminals.”

  • JUST IN: 13 die in Ondo road accident

    JUST IN: 13 die in Ondo road accident

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Sector Command has confirmed the death of 13 persons in a road accident that occurred at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge along the Owo-Ikare highway. 

    It was gathered that the accident involving two commercial buses happened on Saturday morning.

    One person was said to have survived with serious injuries.

    Eyewitnesses accounts said one of the buses coming from the Ikare axis had a tyre burst and had a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from the Owo axis.

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    The witnesses said the two buses went up in flames.

    Ondo Sector Commander of the FRSC, Dr. Samuel Ibitoye, said the injured victim was taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo while remains of the dead were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

    Ibitoye urged passengers to speak out against dangerous driving.

  • Suspected kidnappers kill prominent herdsman in Ondo

    Suspected kidnappers kill prominent herdsman in Ondo

    A prominent Fulani herdsman in Ondo State, Aliu Yunusa, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

    Yunusa was killed near Ilu-Abo junction, Akure South local government area while going to his ranch.

    Commander of Ondo Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said Yunusa was killed by individuals believed to be fellow Fulani herdsmen who attempted to rustle his cattle.

    He said, “They had earlier kidnapped his wife, but he fought them off and retrieved her.

    “Unfortunately, they returned, overpowered and killed him while trying to steal his cows.

    “A distress call was placed to the Amotekun Corps’ Ogbese outpost by fellow herdsmen who discovered Yunusa’s lifeless body at the scene.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa to name Ondo High Court complex after Akeredolu

    “Upon arriving at the location, Amotekun officers found Yunusa’s body with multiple machete wounds.

    “His motorcycle had also been set ablaze by the assailants.

    “Our officers are combing the forest in search of these criminals,” Adeleye stated.

  • Ondo Assembly passes anti-land grabbing bill, increases 2025 budget 

    Ondo Assembly passes anti-land grabbing bill, increases 2025 budget 

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has passed the Anti-Land Grabbing Bill, sponsored by Hon. Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju, representing Ondo West Constituency 1. 

    The bill is expected to enhance the Executive Order signed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which seeks to prohibit land grabbing, put an end to forcible entry and illegal occupation of landed properties, as well as violent and fraudulent conduct concerning landed properties in the state. 

    It proposes penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment for forcible entry or takeover of properties and up to 21 years for selling family land without the consent of the family head or secretary. 

    The Ondo Assembly also passed the 2025 budget by increasing the budget proposal by N43.4bn. 

    Governor Aiyedatiwa had presented N123.23bn for the 2025 fiscal year, but the lawmakers passed a budget of N165.65bn. 

    Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, explained that the increment was made after interactions with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). 

    Ogunmolasuyi said, “The state government should ensure that the schedules, which accommodate necessary adjustments required to meet the urgent needs of the people, are conscientiously applied to the needs stated therein.” 

    Speaker Olamide Oladiji said the Assembly keyed into the governor’s vision to move

  • Ondo lawmaker Makinde, wife fete constituents with Christmas gifts

    Ondo lawmaker Makinde, wife fete constituents with Christmas gifts

    The lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiola Makinde, and his wife, Dr. Rhoda Makinde, the convener of the Dr. Rhoda Makinde Initiative (DROMI), have extended their support to constituents with food packs in celebration of Christmas and New Year.

    The food distribution took place during the annual thanksgiving ceremony held at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre in Ondo.

    In his address at the event, Hon. Makinde expressed his gratitude, saying, “It has become the tradition for me and my family to celebrate and give praises to God for His enduring mercies.”

    “We come together to honour a long-standing tradition rooted in gratitude and compassion. Converging annually is a testament to the enduring bonds that tie us with our people and how genuinely grateful we are to them for their unalloyed support.

    “This annual thanksgiving offers us a great opportunity to pause, reflect, and express appreciation for the warmth and love that surround us.

    “We always ensure that the celebration extends beyond the confines of our home. Giving back to the community has become a major component of our thanksgiving.”

    Highlight of the event was thanksgiving and praise which featured gospel artistes and other ministers of the gospel such as: Evangelist Bola Are; Deaconess Olalekan Oladunjoye; Mrs Seto Akinsete; Ode Jesu; Gbenga Obagbemi among others.

    Dignitaries present at the event which was well attended by constituents and visitors from within and outside Ondo state include member representing Ondo West Constituency II, Nollywood actress, Bimbo Oshin, some members of the Ondo State executive council, representives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State and host of others.

  • JUST IN: Three police officers, female suspect die in Ondo accident

    JUST IN: Three police officers, female suspect die in Ondo accident

    Three police officers and a female suspect, have been confirmed dead in a tragic road accident that occurred in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The police officers had been deployed from the Ondo Police Headquarters to arrest the female suspect in Ore. 

    While en route to Akure, their police van was struck by a trailer coming from the Ijebu-Ode axis, which lost control and collided with the vehicle.

    Read Also: Ondo Amotekun arrest two for violating anti-open grazing law

    All victims died at the scene, while one police officer who sustained serious injuries was rushed to the hospital.

    Ondo police spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the incident, and the Ondo Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Samuel Ibitoye, attributed the crash to overspeeding.

    The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the state hospital morgue in Ore.

  • Ondo to prosecute land grabbers

    Ondo to prosecute land grabbers

    Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayosde Ajulo, SAN, has warned land grabbers to desist, stressing government’s determination to eradicate ‘’this unlawful activity.’’

    He said Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, by Executive Order 4-2024, had begun war against land-grabbers, as a task force would be set up to tackle illegal occupation of properties and other allied land disputes and irregularities.

    Ajulo urged offenders to resolve their illegal dealings or face legal consequences.

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    He said only legally constituted authorities had a right to adjudicate on land matters.

    “Those unlawfully acquiring government land, private properties, or fraudulently selling land to multiple buyers must rethink their actions. Government is committed to enforcing the law and will take action against violators.

    ‘’This is a scenario peculiar to some states. Although I will prefer not to mention names, we will no longer tolerate such illegal activities in Ondo State,” Ajulo said.

  • NDDC partners Ondo traditional rulers on project monitoring, protection

    NDDC partners Ondo traditional rulers on project monitoring, protection

    Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has sought partnership with traditional rulers in riverine communities in Ondo state on project monitoring and protection.

    It urged the traditional rulers to lead by example and carry all stakeholders along as it continued to embark on infrastructural development and human capacity building.

    Addressing the traditional rulers at a workshop in Igbokoda, the headquarters of the Ilaje local government area, the NDDC urged the monarchs to encourage their subjects to protect all its projects in their domain.

    Resource Person for the NDDC, Eni Akinsola, solicited for more synergy between community stakeholders in the oil-rich region and the Commission.

    Akinsola assured that the NDDC would not leave any stone unturned in providing enabling environments for residents of affected communities through empowerment programmes and infrastructural projects.

    He urged the Monarchs to always identify pressing issues and needs in their communities for the attention of both the government and the NDDC.

    The monarchs said abandoned NDDC projects that dotted several communities made residents not to have confidence in the government and its agencies.

    They promised to collaborate with governments and their agencies to conduct, supervise, and monitor all projects of the NDDC.

    The Odogun of Igbekebo Kingdom, Oba Bamidele Dabo, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers said it was time to stop the abandonment of projects of general importance for the economic prosperity of residents.

    He said many projects of the NDDC in various communities have been abandoned by the contractors due to a lack of proper supervision.

    “We challenge the ministry of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to give more recognition to traditional rulers in oil-producing areas of the state for mutual relationships between the host communities and the agency.

    “There is a need for urgent completion of the long overdue Sabomi-Igbotu road and other abandoned projects in the region.

    “The NDDC should also embark on capacity building and infrastructural development

  • Aiyedatiwa proposes N655bn budget for 2025

    Aiyedatiwa proposes N655bn budget for 2025

    Ondo state governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has proposed to spend the sum of N655,230,100.00 for the 2025 fiscal year.

    The 2025 budget proposal is N193bn higher than the 2024 budget of N492.045,000.

    The capital expenditure proposed for the 2024 budget was N246.73bn while the proposed recurrent expenditure was N245.3bn.

    Speaking at the presentation of the 2025 budget before the Ondo State House of Assembly, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the 2024 recurrent expenditure posted a performance of N156.7bn while capital expenditure posted a performance of N49.96bn.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa said the poor capital expenditure for 2024 was caused by what he termed ‘very prohibitive inflationary pressure.’

    Christened Budget of Recovery, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the 2025 estimate was prepared after a very deep analysis of the world economic outlook as well as the implications for the national economy and the state.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa said 62% of the 2025 budget estimate representing N406.3bn was allocated to capital expenditure while 38% representing N248.9bn was allocated for recurrent expenditure.

    Aiyedatiwa said N7bn was proposed for upgrading health facilities across the state while N370m was proposed for the free school shuttle bus services.

    According to him, “The above allocation is an eloquent testimony of our avowed commitment to transforming the socio-economic landscape of the State.  Agriculture would be approached in an integrated manner in order to ensure food security in the State.

    “Smallholder farmers would be assisted with inputs, particularly improved seedlings, to ensure that yield per hectare is substantially increased.

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    “Our intention on infrastructure revolution is clear.  Most of the roads constructed during the times of Chief Adefarati and Dr. Olusegun Agagu (both of blessed memory) are already in deplorable condition.  Therefore, an urgent revolution, tagged “Road Restore” will commence in the 2025 fiscal year.  Furthermore, we will continue to install solar street lights on our roads such that in a few years, we will completely “Light up” Ondo State.

    “Moreover, producing secondary school pupils without life skills is a recipe for disaster.  We want to be producing entrepreneurs, innovators, tech-merchants, and job creators from our secondary schools.  At least, three of such model secondary schools will be constructed in 2025.

    “All these lofty ideas will not detract us from completing the plethora of ongoing projects across the State as adequate funds have been allocated to all of them.  There shall be no abandoned projects in the State.”