The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ONDO

  • Kidnappers sleep off after abducting pastor’s wife in Ondo

    Kidnappers sleep off after abducting pastor’s wife in Ondo

    Five suspected kidnappers who abducted a pastor’s wife and two other persons have been arrested after their victims identified one of them.

    The victims had escaped when the kidnappers slept off while taking them to their den.

    It was gathered that the effect of hard drugs taken by the kidnappers made them to fall at sleep.

    Names of the suspected kidnappers were given as Garuba Mumuni aged 27, Yusuf Tale aged 21, Kabiru Muhammed aged 16, Shaibu Umar and Adamu Mohammed aged 22.

    Police said the suspects were arrested by men of the Ofosu Division after the victims identified one of them.

    Read Also: Prof Akintoye’s emancipation letter

    The police said: “A case of kidnapping  was reported at Ofosu Division, that a pastor’s wife and a member were kidnapped in the church while the third victim was kidnapped while picking snails at the  farm. The victims however escaped from their assailants at different dates after they had taken hard drugs and slept off.

    “Through Intelligence, on the 1st of May, 2024, five amongst the six kidnappers were arrested by men of Ofosu division and have been identified by the victims as part of the gang that abducted them.

    “On the 28th of March, 2024 at about 1800hrs, a case of Kidnapping was reported at Ifon Police Station, in which two people were abducted and a woman killed by suspected kidnappers.

    “Police Detectives from the division in collaboration with local vigilantes arrested one Muhammad Bello, Muhammad Suraju and Suleiman Saliu.

    One of the victims identified two of the suspects as part of the people who kidnapped him and collected the sum of ₦1,800,000 as ransom before he was released.”

    Ondo police commissioner, Peter Abayomi, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Philanthropist to provide free education for Ondo students

    Philanthropist to provide free education for Ondo students

    Ondo-based philanthropist Dekunle Okunrinboye has offered free education to students in Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes 1 to 3 in Ondo State for a three-year duration.

    The initiative, sponsored by The Remi Okunrinboye Family Foundation spearheaded by the Patron, Senator Remi Okunrinboye.

    According to Dekunle, the initiative will kick off in September 2024, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of educational opportunities for young learners in the region.

    He said: “I’m proud to announce that my family’s Foundation will be offering free education to students in JSS 1 to 3 classes in Ondo State for the next three years, starting this September.

    “This initiative aims to break down barriers to learning and create a pathway for academic excellence and personal growth.

    Read Also: Burna Boy cancels Netherlands’ concert, promises tickets refund

    “The comprehensive scholarship program will cover tuition fees, welfare, books, and uniforms will be procured by admitted students for the selected students.

    “Additionally, extracurricular activities, academic support services, and career guidance programs will be integrated into the curriculum to provide a holistic educational experience and empower students to reach their full potential.”

    Reacting, school administrators and educators across the state in their separate reactions, expressed their gratitude to the Okunrinboye Family Foundation initiative, recognizing the transformative impact it will have on the educational landscape of the region.

    The selection process for the scholarship beneficiaries will be based on a combination of academic merit, financial need, and a genuine passion for learning.

     A committee comprising education experts, community representatives, and members of Mr. Okunrinboye Foundation will oversee the evaluation and selection of deserving students to participate in the program.

  • Edo, Ondo polls: a tale of two states

    Edo, Ondo polls: a tale of two states

    Both Edo and Ondo States have completed their governorship primaries. In Edo, after a false start, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finally in February managed to get its aspirants to unite into a ticket hosting both Monday Okpebholo, a senator, who polled 12,433 votes during the repeat primary, and Dennis Idahosa, who was initially declared winner of the first primary, but scored 6,541 votes at the repeat primary. They seem to be prepared to forge ahead in the face of a rancorous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is alleged by dissenters to have been foisted on the party by Governor Godwin Obaseki. Incumbency will only be partly relevant in Edo, but significantly relevant in the Ondo poll where a sitting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, not the outgoing governor Mr Obaseki, is contesting the governorship.

    Read Also: IPOB threatens to chase EEDC out of southeast

    Nothing is, however, predictable in Ondo State. The Ondo primary reportedly witnessed a lot of manipulations inspired and orchestrated by the governor’s supporters. The election appeal panel headed by former Bauchi State governor Mohammed Abubakar, however, said it found no substance in the petitions by aggrieved aspirants. Except the aggrieved pursue the legal option or gang up together to subvert the APC campaign as the PDP may experience in Edo, there may be no stopping Mr Aiyedatiwa in the November governorship poll. Will he make a great governor should he win? It is doubtful. What is more certain is that his judgement will not be sounder than it is poor already.

    And for Edo State, it is ironical that Mr Obaseki who campaigned for a second term on the basis of ‘Edo says no to godfatherism’ has done nothing since the past one year other than to act the godfather. He barred his former deputy, Philip Shaibu, from contesting, and then went ahead to virtually foist Mr Ighodalo on the PDP. Will he succeed in also foisting him on the state? This is even more difficult to determine. Notwithstanding these apprehensions, both Ondo and Edo elections will certainly stir up the emotions of voters and either raise, dampen or dash their hopes.     

  • Dad, son abducted in Ondo

    Dad, son abducted in Ondo

    A man, identified as Maliki, and his 12-year-old son, Jethro, have been kidnapped on the Owo/Benin expressway in Ondo State.
    The man was said to be taking his son to resume at the Navy School in Imeri when they were abducted.
    Sources said the kidnappers have demanded N10 million as ransom.

    Read Also: NBBF to parley Ministry on D’Tigress’ roadmap for Paris 2024 


    Police spokesperson Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya said the police have begun collaboration with the Nigerian Navy (NN) to ensure the victims’ release and arrest the kidnappers.

  • Work and Play celebrates landmarks at Ondo Auto Rally

    Work and Play celebrates landmarks at Ondo Auto Rally

    Nigeria’s Motorsports promotion outfit Work and Play has said the recently concluded 8th  Ondo Auto Rally in Ilara-Imokin, has helped it to deepen inclusion and collaboration among different industry players.

    Speaking on the impact of the Ondo Auto Rally concluded earlier in the month, President of the group

    Ade Ojuoko, said that the event had the biggest attendees compared to the other editions.

    “Growth comes in different forms and for us, it has been interesting considering that we are experiencing it both in inclusion and collaboration across the Motorsports space,” he said.

    He said that the 8th  Ondo Auto Rally as the single biggest gathering of the Motorsports community includes Racers, enthusiasts, tourists, and lately service providers, needed to consistently explore more innovative offerings for its ardent followers.

     “This year, we expanded the offering of the event to host the second edition of the X-kart Series that debuted in Sagamu a few weeks back, along with some of the traditional races that the Ondo Auto Rally is reputed for.” He added

    The Director General and Chief Executive of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, Joseph Osanipin, also commended the use of the Motorsports platform to create a sustainable traction for Tourism, employments and commerce in Ondo State.

     “It is a great feat to have sustained the idea after eight years. The Work and Play deserve must be commended and we encourage more stakeholders to partner them.”

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa declared Ondo APC candidate amid protests

    He said they need to infuse the X-Kart calendar into the Ondo Auto Rally as a way of pursuing collaboration and ultimately lending support to an important aspect of the Motorsports project development that will benefit the industry and the country at large.

    The event also featured drifting and a parade by the visiting Motorbike community from different parts of the country, who have been part of the event since its inception.

     “We had the largest exhibition stand at this year’s edition as well, which goes to assert the event further as a key galvanizing point for the beautiful multi-cultural expressions of Ondo State to tourists.”

    Meanwhile, at the X-Kart series 2 race in the event, Team X extended their dominance from their Series 1 win. They now have 40 points garnering 20 each from the two wins. The work n’play X-Kart team is still in hot pursuit with 8 points adrift of Xers.

    Metallic Crushers, FAME, OYSBA, and Elizade are the other teams hoping to rev up their chances before the lined seventh and deciding series of the maiden X-Kart Series in the country.

  • Ondo Muslims get Dangote palliative rice

    Ondo Muslims get Dangote palliative rice

    Ondo State Council for Islamic Affairs (ODSCIA) has distributed 10,000 bags of rice  donated by the Dangote Foundation to Islamic stakeholders across the State.

    The distribution was done across the State to major Muslims organizations like the league of Imam and Alfas, FOMWAN, NACOMYO , Ansa-ur-deen, NASFAT, MSSN, and many other islamic organizations.

    Chief Imam of Araromi-Obu kingdom and Chairman, ODSCIA, Alhaji Sheikh Muhammad Abibullahi Akinpelumi said the distribution was monitored by the Muslim Welfare Board.

    He said Allah has used his organisation to reach out  to all Muslims in the nooks and crannies  of the state.

    According to him: “It cuts across every state of the federation including Abuja, so we have every course to thank Allah through them.

    Read Also: Tinubu lauds Dangote Refinery for crashing diesel price

    “This is the first time we will receive this type of palliative from the government through the Ondo State Council for Islamic Affairs.

    “We learnt through our zoom meeting that they have been doing such in the past through the government agencies but that the  feedback  were not encouraging and have to make use of Ondo State Council for Islamic Affairs as the medium”

    On his part, Alhaji Ademola Abdulwaheed Fadola said the Dangote rice palliative was for fasting Muslims to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

    Fadola stated that the three trailers did not arrive together due to logistic problems and deplorable road in the country.

    State Coordinator of National Council of Muslim Youths Organization (NACOMYO), Engr Dayo Ogunmola Muhammed solicited for more palliatives to cushion effects of hardship.

  • Ondo PDP elects 627 delegates ahead of primary

    Ondo PDP elects 627 delegates ahead of primary

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Ondo State have elected 627 delegates ahead of its primary scheduled for April 25th. 

    The delegates are to elect candidate of the party for the November governorship polls. 

    Ondo PDP spokesman, Kennedy Peretei, who described the delegate congress as free and fair said delegates emerged through consensus. 

    He said the party concluded its delegates’ congresses by electing one person from each of the local government area. 

    A total of seven aspirants bought the nomination forms of the PDP 

    They are Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, Hon Agboola Ajayi, Engr Adeolu Akinwumi, Chief Sola Ebiseni, John Ola Mafo, Bosun Arebuwa and Hon Kolade Akinjo.

  • ‘Why Ondo South leaders will not support governor’

    ‘Why Ondo South leaders will not support governor’

    A governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State and the lawmaker representing Irele/Okitipupa Federal Constituency, Jimi Odimayo, has given reasons leaders of Ondo South Senatorial District will not support the ambition of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to remain in office after February 2025.

    Odimayo said leaders of Ondo South would not support any aspirant that would spend only four years in office.

    Read Also: Ondo Gov race: PDP holds council congress Saturday

    The lawmaker, who spoke at a media parley in Akure, cautioned the national leadership of the APC not to make the mistake of fielding a wrong candidate for the party.

    He said Ondo South deserved a governor that would serve two-term, adding that it would be right for any aspirant who would be prevented from spending another term, to jettison his governorship ambition, in the best interest of Ondo South Senatorial District.

  • Ondo 2024: Southwest Youth Paliarment seeks support for Ayinke

    Ondo 2024: Southwest Youth Paliarment seeks support for Ayinke

    The Southwest Youth Parliament, (SWYP) has solicited support for one of the female All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Ondo state, Engr. Funmi Ayinke.

    SWYP described Ayinke an illustrious daughter of Ondo state, a detribalised Nigerian and a young vibrant woman who has been projecting APC in good light before her decision to join the governorship race.

    SYWP, is a Legislative and Developmental Training institution, created to strengthen, reinforce and consolidate efforts in empowering young people through meaningful youth representation in driving Southwest development.

    A letter by SYWP Director of Politics and Public Engagement, Olusegun Babayemi to the Ondo APC chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, reads: “Following the scheduled forthcoming election in our Sunshine state, we write to introduce and recommend a true democrat, humanitarian, philanthropist and true Omoluabi to you for consideration as the flagbearer of the APC in the coming election.

    “Engr. Funmi Ayinke, an illustrious daughter of Ondo state, a detribalized Nigerian, a young vibrant woman who has been projecting the APC even before her decision to contest in the election.

    “It is worthy of note to know that Funmi Ayinke is the only female contesting this election and in being fair to the female gender, the party is encouraged to send her for adequate and effective leadership and gender balance.

    Read Also: Court strikes out AG’s processes against Ondo farmers

    “She has through her Foundation brought succour to many lives, empowering younger ones and the less privileged. She has been proffering solutions to issues facing Ondo state and her people in her own little ways aforetime, sir, if given a public office, she will deliver in no distant time with evidence through her distinct leadership style.

    “Sir, worthy of note is that the state has always been manned by men who all did their best as in their capacity. Hence, it is imperative and will be beneficial to the masses and the party to have a round peg in a round hole by considering and agreed in having Engr. Funmi Ayinke as the Flagbearer of the All progressives Congress in the  coming Governorship election as she has all it takes to sail the boat of the state to a safe harbour.

    “We assure you of the unflinching support of the youth of the Southwest region now and always”.

  • APC to screen 16 Ondo governorship aspirants Friday

    APC to screen 16 Ondo governorship aspirants Friday

    • Ayiedatiwa, Jimoh Ibrahim, 14 others cleared

    Ahead of the April 20 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, the party has cleared 16 aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket to be screened on Friday.

    This followed the inauguration of the Screening Committee and the Screening Appeal Committee by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    The 16 aspirants who bought and submitted the expression of interest and nomination forms had been screened by the Vetting Committee, headed by the National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Karim Kana.

    The party’s Organisation Directorate has said the seven-man Ondo State Governorship Election Screening Committee would be inaugurated on Friday at 9 a.m at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.

    The screening committee is to be chaired by a former Gombe State deputy governor, Senator Joshua Lidani, while Bimbo Daramola will serve as the Secretary.

    Other screening committee members are: Pastor Jones Erue, High Chief Second Bakor, Margaret Duru, Prof. Chukwudi Ledirick, and Abdul Rahim Balogun.

    For the five-man Screening Appeal Committee, Senator Oseni Yakubu will serve as its Chairman while Abu Bakar Nuhu Danburam will serve as the Secretary.

    It other members are: Emmanuel Ekeh, Pious Idele, and Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.

    The Nation gathered that the report of the Vetting Committee, which was submitted on Monday, cleared all the 16 aspirants to appear before the Lidani Screening Committee on Friday.

    The report by the committee dismissed the allegation of certificate forgery levelled against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    The report reads: “Based on the findings of the vetting process, the committee recommends that all aspirants are cleared to participate in the screening exercises.

    “The Vetting Committee is confident that the vetting process has been conducted with integrity and transparency.

    “The committee’s recommendations are aimed at ensuring that only qualified and credible aspirants are presented for the party primaries, in line with the party’s commitment to internal democracy and good governance.”

    The Nation also gathered that the Organisation Directorate has grouped the 16 governorship aspirants into four baskets and time was allotted to each of the baskets for the effective screening of all the aspirants.

    The party had slated the screening of the aspirants for April 11 and 12 but the extension of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr public holidays forced the party to shift the exercise to Friday.

    Read Also: Mass burial for 15 victims of suspected herdsmen killing in Benue

    The first screening basket has Governor Aiyedatiwa, former National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Isaccs Kekemeke, and Olusola Adewale Ehinlanwo.

    A former Chief Executive Officer of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema, will lead the pack in the second screening basket. Others in the pack are: Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Waheed Adekojo, and Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel.

    The third screening basket has Adewale Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Alexandria Oke (SAN), Ohunyeye Olumide Felix, Morayo Lebi, and Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan.

    The last screening basket has Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, Mrs. Omogoroye Folakemi Judith, Ifeoluwa Oyedele, and Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.

    Confirming the screening arrangement, a party official in the Organisation Directorate who spoke in confidence, said all the aspirants had been informed on the time to appear before the screening committee.

    The source said: “The screening exercise is to commence immediately after the inauguration of the screening committee and the screening appeal committee billed to hold by 9 am.

    “We have equally notified all the aspirants when to appear before the screening committee.”