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Tag: ONDO

  • Tinubu resolves Ondo crisis

    Tinubu resolves Ondo crisis

    • •As parties uphold peace, maintain status quo

    The warring sides in the Ondo State political crisis, Friday night, agreed to sheath their swords and reunite, even as the state’s deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, agreed to close ranks with his boss, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

    This followed President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis which has seen actors from both sides making moves at undoing either Governor Akeredolu, who has reportedly been away from his desk for some time, or impeach Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa.

    Earlier yesterday, there were suggestions that the Ondo State House of Assembly might declare the Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor.

    It was gathered that the Ondo State House of Assembly had been divided with 11 lawmakers in support of Aiyedatiwa.

    Sources said the 11 lawmakers were reached out to by some forces outside Ondo State.

    A sitting of the lawmakers scheduled for yesterday was said to have been pushed by the 11 lawmakers.

    Read Also: Ondo to host diaspora investment summit

    One of the lawmakers, who pleaded anonymity, said the sitting was part of the plans hatched in Abuja alongside the 11 lawmakers to declare Governor Akeredolu incapacitated and declare Aiyedatiwa governor.

    President Bola Tinubu yesterday waded into the feud between Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.

    Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, had earlier confirmed the meeting with President Tinubu saying that the outcome of the meeting would determine the next line of action.

    Speaker Oladiji said the Friday’s plenary was to declare Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor and not to declare Akeredolu as incapacitated.

    “Our sitting was to declare Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor. The governor is still alive.”

  • Why I was beaten by hoodlums – Ondo OSOPADEC commissioner

    Why I was beaten by hoodlums – Ondo OSOPADEC commissioner

    The commissioner representing Ondo Central in the Ondo State Oil Development Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC), Kehinde Akinrotoye, has said that he was beaten by thugs on the alleged order chairman of the commission, Sam Erejuwa.

    Akinrotoye, who is said to be recuperating in an undisclosed hospital, was rescued by policemen from the Oba Ile Police Division.

    The commissioner, popularly known as ‘BonsueAketi’, was attacked during the annual disbursements of bursary and scholarship awards to students.

    Speaking to reporters from his hospital bed in Akure, Akinrotoye said he went to the venue of the bursary disbursement with students from Ondo Central and Ondo North senatorial districts.

    Akinrotoye said he was attacked because he protested the lopsidedness of the bursary disbursement to only students from Ondo South.

    He said all parts of the state benefitted from the revenue from cocoa during the Western region and that residents from the riverine areas were not excluded.

    He stated: “The Chairman ordered his security and thugs to beat because of my agitation that students from Ondo North and Ondo South must get their quota.

    “I am now asking for our quota in OSOPADEC. Students from Ondo North and Ondo Central were excluded. Mr. Governor appointed me to represent my people. I should ask for their quota.

    “During the Western region, the only thing we had was cocoa, and people from the riverine areas were not excluded. It is a lie that I brought thugs to the venue. I brought students to demand bursary for them.”

    Read Also: Ondo APC: political crisis over soon

    President, Ekimogun Youths Connect, Famakinwa Lucaskakaki, called on the Ondo State Police Command to arrest attackers of Akinrotoye.

    He noted: “When the only face of Ondo town in the OSOPADEC is beaten and alleged that he is not from the mandate area, it is an indication that our youths should also beat people from the so-called mandate area who work in Ondo town but we will not take laws into our hands.

    “As an organisation, we will do a proper follow-up on this matter and see that the bad eggs are hooked on the neck by the government.”

    When contacted for comment, the chairman of OSOPADEC said: “If you do not have anything to do, just off the matter.”

  • Ondo lawmaker supports students with educational materials

    Ondo lawmaker supports students with educational materials

    The lawmaker representing Ondo East/West federal constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Abiola Makinde, has supported primary and secondary school students in the constituency with educational materials to boost their academic performance.

    Laptops, projectors, textbooks on different subjects, notebooks, chairs and lockers were presented to students by Makinde at the 8th edition of the annual provision of instructional materials to students in Ondo town.

    The lawmaker, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Human Rights, has been embarking on the gesture years before emerging as a federal House of Representatives member.

    Speaking on motive behind the empowerment, the lawmaker, who was recently conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Financial Management at Wesley University, Ondo, noted:”My wife and I, while in our moment of respective struggles, received support at some point which proved to be a turning point in our lives.

    “It is part of the reasons we are determined to be pillars of support to others at this time as we had been beneficiaries of such in the time past.”

    Read Also: Impeachment: Appeal Court rejects Ondo Assembly’s request  on deputy governor

    “These students are our tomorrow, No prosperous nation cast kids away. Rather, they are built and made to go through comprehensive education so they can be useful to themselves and the nation in years to come.”

    “What we have done here at this annual provision of instructional materials to primary and secondary school in my federal constituency, is to contribute our quota immensely to the lives of these kids.

    “This is also in furtherance of my campaign mantra, WEALTH, which stands for Water, Education, Agriculture, Light, Training, and Health.”

    Some of the beneficiaries expressed profound gratitude to Makinde, promising that that they will make judicious use of the items given to them to the advancement of their academics.”

  •  62-yr-old grandma hacked to death in Ondo

     62-yr-old grandma hacked to death in Ondo

    A 62-Year-Old grandmother, Iyanuoluwa Adamolekun, has been gruesomely murdered by assailants at her Similoluwa area, Agbaluku Arigidi Akoko, Ondo state.

    Anxiety has gripped residents of the community when her lifeless body was discovered in her residence by her grand daughter after returning from school. The grand daughter reportedly raised the alarm when she found her grand mother in a pool of blood.

    Her alarm attracted neighbors, who rushed to the scene, to behold the gory scene.The mystery surrounding her murder was yet to be ascertained.Speaking with newsmen, the son to the  deceased, Rotimi Adamolekun, who expressed shock, wondered who could have done such a terrible thing to her.

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    Meanwhile, the corpse had been deposited at the general hospital morgue. The state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, informed that investigation has commenced.Odunlami assured members of the public that police detectives would soon unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of the old woman.

    She however, said that police detectives were yet to arrest any suspect.The killers, according to her “ would soon be arrested and charged to court”.

  • Hoodlums kill woman in Ondo

    Hoodlums kill woman in Ondo

    Hoodlums on Wednesday allegedly slaughtered a 62-year-old woman, Iyanuoluwa Adamolekun, at Similoluwa area of Agbaluku Arigidi Akoko, Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The body was found in a pool blood by her granddaughter who returned from school and raised an alarm.

    Read Also: I’ve never taken alcohol, smoke cigarettes- Akpabio

    The deceased’s son, Rotimi Adamolekun, said his mother called him on the day she was killed.

    Her body was taken to the morgue by policemen.

    Ondo State police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said investigation would unravel the killers.

  • 2023 UTME: Bail application for three arrested applicants stalled in Ondo

    2023 UTME: Bail application for three arrested applicants stalled in Ondo

    The bail application for three suspects who were apprehended during the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for registration infractions has suffered setbacks.

    This followed the failure of officials of the Nigeria Correctional Centre (NCC), Olokuta, Akure, to produce them in court.

    The suspects are facing trial at the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State.

    When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, November 13, for trial, the Prosecuting Counsels, M.I Osimen and T.O Badegbo announced their appearances and informed the court of their readiness for the trial as they had come with two witnesses.

    The reason canvassed by the officials of the NCC was that they had thought that the proposed strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress would take place on Monday, November 13.

    Counsels to the defendants, Clement Falana and Austin Agbounghale expressed their frustration over the failure of the officials of the correctional centre to produce their clients in court in spite of having spent over six months in custody.

    The counsels pleaded with the court to hear the pending bail application even in the absence of their clients as they drew the attention of the court to the provision of the law, which stipulated bail for their defendants as their offences were bailable even without their presence in court.

    However, the Presiding Judge, Justice T. B. Adegoke, said the date of the hearing was communicated to all the parties and if there were changes in the date, the court would have informed the litigants through their common WhatsApp platform, which, among other channels, also served as a veritable information-sharing platform for Federal Court lawyers.

    Read Also: UNN cancels 2023/2024 post- UTME over harsh economy

    Justice T. B. Adegoke, therefore, adjourned the case to 7th December 2023 for ruling on the bail application for the defendants.

    In addition, Justice Adegoke mandated that a production warrant be issued to the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Olokuta, Akure, mandating it to produce the defendants in court to enable them to attend their trial.

    Meanwhile, the relatives of the defendants broke down in tears when the judge announced the adjournment of the case as they had been in prison custody since 24th May, 2023.

  • Contest Ondo Gov poll, group tells ex-Reps member Akinfolarin

    Contest Ondo Gov poll, group tells ex-Reps member Akinfolarin

    A group, Ondo Emancipation Forum (OEF), has called on former House of Representatives member, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, to contest the governorship election in 2024.

    The group said the former lawmaker deserves to be Governor, saying his tenure as lawmaker representing Ile Oluji Oke Igbo/Odigbo federal constituency witnessed unprecedented development, effectiveness and quality representation.

    A statement by the Convener of the group and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Olanrewaju Akinsola, said the ex lawmaker has what it takes to govern the State, having displayed qualities as a member of the Green Chamber for eight years. 

    He noted the former Ondo Deputy Speaker can be described as someone who works compulsively to change the fortune of his constituents where he served at the state and national assembly.

    “He used his position as Chairman, Federal Road Safety Commission (FSRC) of the House of Representatives to facilitate gainful employment, not just for his constituents, but the entire State,” it added. 

    Read Also: NLC strike: Schools, banks, others defy order in Ondo

    The group claimed to have compilation of what Akinfolarin achieved when he represented his constituents at the House of Representatives, saying they are rest assured that the former lawmaker will do more if elected as Governor. 

    The group added: “We have no doubt about his integrity, and his commitment to the people, we beckon on him at this time to salvage and restore the lost glory of the state.”

    “As a group, we will support him in whatever capacity by mobilising human and material resources to see that this dream come to fruition.”

  • Ondo vows not to cede coastal communities to Ogun

    Ondo vows not to cede coastal communities to Ogun

    Ondo State Government has vowed not to cede any of its communities in the coastal areas of Ilaje Local Government Area to Ogun State.

    It assured all inhabitants of Ilaje Local Government that it would continue to exercise legitimate authority over its territory in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in the interest of the security and well-being of all persons in the disputed areas.

    The state urged the National Boundary Commission to release the report of the ethnographic study of the boundaries to determine the dispute and the real owner of the land.

    Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who spoke at a press briefing in Akure, faulted the allegation by Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Noimot Saleko Ayodele that Ogun state citizens were attacked in Irokun.

    She said the allegation was false and became a pattern of alarming propaganda by the Ogun State Government as a strategy to reinforce false territorial claims on Irokun, Obinehin, Idigbengben, and Araromi seaside.

    Olateju said linking attacks to the administrative actions of the Ondo State Government was deceptive.

    The Information Commissioner said Irokun, Obineyin, Araromi, and other communities were not in dispute between both states.

    Read Also: Tinubu mourns death of Nigeria’s first female General at 84

    She said the declaration of Ondo State control over the area as illegal was not only untenable but an open invitation to lawlessness by miscreants who she said might be inclined to enforce the wish of the Ogun State Government in defence of ‘this baseless and unfounded declaration.’

    According to her, “We regard the declaration by the Deputy Governor of Ogun State that “on no account will Ogun State Government cede an inch of this land to Ondo State” as comedic. We are committed to the development of these areas, and we state categorically that Ondo State is contented with its territorial boundaries within the Nigerian Federation.

    “This includes its vast coastline, which is the longest among the littoral states, the boundary of which is historically shared with Lagos state in the west. The people of Ondo state know this and are at peace with the resolve of the state government to protect it. On no account will any part of it be ceded without justification.

    “Although, the government of Ondo State has received reports of some unilateral mappings by the Ogun State Government in areas some of which both states have agreed with the National Boundary Commission at a meeting in Abeokuta on the 21st of February 2016, “we will allow the Commission to carry out an elaborate ethnographic study of the boundaries” to determine the dispute and the real owner of the land.”

  • Akpabio to lead 30 senators to Ondo for Osemawe’s 70th birthday

    Akpabio to lead 30 senators to Ondo for Osemawe’s 70th birthday

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio and his deputy, Jibrin Barau, are expected to lead at least 30 serving senators and their wives to Ondo for the celebration of the 70th birthday and 17th year coronation anniversary of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo Jilo III, the Osemawe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom on November 11.

    This is contained in the programme of events packaged by the Osemawe in Council, according to a statement by the Chairman of the Planning Committee for the birthday and anniversary, Chief Steve Akinretoye.

    In the statement, Akinretoye explained that many governors would also attend the double celebration.

    It added that legal icon, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN); foremost industrialist, Chief Adebutu Keshington, and the Chairman of Elizade Group, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, among others, would be the special guests of honour at the event.

    Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II); the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe; the Elegushi of Ikate land, His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III); the Oniru of Iru land, and other prominent monarchs across Yoruba land, would also grace the occasion.

    The Deji of Akure, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom, and other monarchs in Ondo State are also expected to honour the Osemawe with their presence on that day.

    A thanksgiving service will hold on Saturday, November 11 – the actual birthday of the monarch – at the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Oke Aluko, Ondo, at 10 a.m.

    Ace juju maestro, King Sunny Ade, will be on stage at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre in Ondo to thrill guests at the grand finale, the banquet/dinner birthday of the Osemawe.

    The birthday and coronation anniversary is expected to feature the installation of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as the Jagunmolu of Ondo Kingdom tomorrow at 2 p.m. at the Osemawe Palace.

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints 20 Federal Commissioners for NPC

    Before his installation, Makinde is expected to deliver the anniversary lecture and the unveiling of the Compendium Brochure at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre by 11 a.m.

    Many other prominent Nigerians expected to receive chieftaincy titles as from today at the Osemawe Palace are: the senator representing Osun Central, Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi, who would be installed the Gbofinro of Ondo Kingdom; House of Representatives member representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, Dr. Biola Makinde, to be installed the Atunluse of Ondo Kingdom; Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker Olamide Adesanmi Oladiji is to be installed the Baamoye; while a renowned professor of History, Prof. Toyin Falola, is to be conferred with the chieftaincy title of Bobapitan.

    A prominent lawyer, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde, will be installed the Baamofin; the Vice Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami, as the Yeye Meso; and Mr. and Mrs. Lofinmakin as Mayegun.

    Others are: Prof. Folake Onayemi (Yeye Ekolere); Akinlolu Akintewe (Bobagbero), Prof. Augustinah Duyile (Yeye Meto); Alhaja Nusirat Yusuf (Yeye-Luwa); Dr. Oluwole Olakunde (Baasegun); Engr and Prof. Ogunmakin (Gbayegun/Yeye Gbayegun); Otunba Felix Oladunjoye (Bobagbimo); Princess M. Adebayo (Yeyeloro); Chief Mrs. Adeola Akinseloyin (Ajisewa) and Folake Oritsegbubemi Onayemi, among others.

  • Students shut Ondo institution over NYSC mobilisation

    Students shut Ondo institution over NYSC mobilisation

    Graduates and students of the All-State College of Education, Ero in Ondo state have staged a protest, disrupting academic activities at the institution due to their non-mobilization for the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC).

    The proprietor of the institution, Prince Fasua Oyeleye, was said to have been confined to his office for over six hours until he was eventually rescued by the Nigerian police.

    The demonstrators blocked the highway and demanded a refund of their five-year tuition fees if the school authorities failed to facilitate their NYSC mobilization.

    President of the institution’s Students Union Government, Comrade Olusola Gbenga, said the school has two sets of graduates waiting to be mobilised for the national service.

    Comrade Gbenga stated that Vice Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) Prof. Olugbenga Ige, assured them during their matriculation that they would proceed with the NYSC programme after graduation.

    Gbenga said a total of 400 graduates were waiting to be mobilised.

    He said: “We now have two sets of graduates waiting to be mobilised. We protested because our school name was not on the portal of AAUA. The VC who was DVC then promised us that we would go for the NYSC programme.

    “What is the purpose of going to school without NYSC? We will continue the protest until we are sure of our fate.”

    Students Affairs Officer of the institution, Samuel Adebayo, said the school proprietor was whisked away to avoid attack by the students.

    Read Also: Court fines NYSC N5m for tagging Gov. Mbah’s certificate as fake

    Adebayo, who absolved the institution of connivance, said lecturers from AAUA were responsible for examinations conduct and supervision.

    “Mr. Fasua believed the students will go for NYSC after graduation. He is toothless in this matter. The students shut down all academic activities. They now want their money refunded. The AAUA management should come out to clear the air on the fate of the students.”

    The spokesman for AAUA, Victor Akinpelumi, described the allegation as a fallacy.

    He urged the students to meet their proprietors for proper guidance.

    He said: “Thanks, the allegation is not correct. It is a fallacy. I will advise the students to channel their grievances to the Proprietor/ Registrar of Ero College of Education, Ero, for proper guidance.”