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Tag: ONDO

  • BREAKING: Tinubu replaces Ondo, Cross River Reps on NDDC Board

    BREAKING: Tinubu replaces Ondo, Cross River Reps on NDDC Board

    President Bola Tinubu has amended the recently reconstituted Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), approving the replacement of the Ondo and Cross River representatives on the Board.

    This was contained in a statement on Friday evening by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

    Tinubu also said the reappointment of the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, would be in acting capacity until his confirmation by the Senate.

    Read Also: Speaker, deputy eulogise VP Shettima at 57

    “President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate replacement of the NDDC’s Ondo State Representative nominee, Mr. Victor Akinjo, with a new Ondo State Representative nominee, Hon. Otito Atikase.

    “The President has equally approved the immediate replacement of the NDDC’s Cross River State Representative nominee, Mr. Asi Oku Okang, with a new Cross River State Representative, Rt. Hon. Orok Otuk Duke.

    “Furthermore, the immediate past Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is reappointed to a second term and will remain in acting capacity, pending the Senate’s confirmation of his reappointment,” the statement reads.

  • Ondo govt overrules Akure monarch over market closure

    Ondo govt overrules Akure monarch over market closure

    Ondo State Government has warned Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, not to be drawn into open confrontation with it.

    It said the order of the monarch closing markets and shops for the observance of the age-long tradition of Aheregbe Festival was illegal.

    Oba Aladetoyinbo had said there would be no trading or opening of shops under any guise during the festival.

    He urged residents, traders and shop owners to comply with the directive, even as he exempted pharmacy shops and patent medicine stores from closure during the festival.

    But Information and Orientation Commissioner Bamidele Olateju, in a statement yesterday, said the Executive Council had directed that there should be no closure of markets in any part of the state without the approval of the governor.

    Olateju said the Akure monarch’s order constituted violation of an existing order of the government, and an abridgement of the right of Akure residents to the pursuance of their livelihood.

    Read Also: NAFDAC okays varsity’s herbal medicine for diabetesol

    According to her, “the public should note that even if an approval was sought, such closure would have been limited to ?ja ?ba (Oba’s Market) in Akure.

    “We urge our respected Royal Father, His Majesty, the Deji of Akure, to respect the government decision and refrain from any action that can inconvenient, and, or inflict economic pain on Akure inhabitants. We also ask that the cordial relationship between the revered stool of the Deji not be drawn into open confrontation with the government.

    “Akure residents are urged to go about their activities on Friday and beyond, in pursuance of their freedom. No market or shop shall be closed by anyone either by coercion or threat of force before, during or after Aheregbe festival. Whoever flouts this directive will draw the ire of the government. Ondo State Government asks that everyone should be law-abiding and move about freely in the pursuit of happiness.”

  • BREAKING: Ondo SSG confirms governorship ambition

    BREAKING: Ondo SSG confirms governorship ambition

    The Secretary to the Ondo government, Princess Oladunni Odu, has confirmed her desire to contest next year’s governorship election in the state. 

    Princess Odu said it would not be difficult to have a female as governor of the Sunshine State.

    Read Also: Ondo to begin distribution of palliatives Sept 1

    Odu spoke in Akure at an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist.

    She said she remained the only aspirant with the requisite experience.

    More details later…

  • Protest rocks Ondo over plot to appoint Igbo politician as LCDA boss

    Protest rocks Ondo over plot to appoint Igbo politician as LCDA boss

    •Govt can appoint anybody, says Acting Governor

    Residents of Odigbo and Ore in Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ondo State yesterday protested in Akure against plot to appoint an Igbo politician, Nwamara Eucharia, as the caretaker chairman of the LCDA.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Ada Owerre don’t impose Ada Amuzu on us”, “We have more competent people in Odigbo”, “Betty, take your sister to Imo State”, “Betty, don’t set Odigbo ablaze”, “Don’t pitch us against our Igbo neighbours”, “No justice, no peace”, “We are peace loving people in Odigbo.”

    They protested to the Alagbaka Governor’s Office where they sat in front of the gate and chanted solidarity songs.

    The leader of the protesters, Akinyon Jimmy, said Nwamara had served as councillor for Ore Ward for over six years.

    Read Also: Military action alone can’t end terrorism in Northwest, says Uba Sani

    He said the protest was to prevail on the government not to announce Nwamara as the caretaker chairman of Odigbo LCDA.   “We want the state government not to allow the governor’s wife, Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, to impose Nwamara on us as the caretaker chairman of Odigbo LCDA.

    “In 2016, Nwamara was imposed on us as supervisory councillor for Ore Ward, even though she came last in the election. When other supervisory councillors were removed, Nwamara retained her seat. She was later imposed as the substantive councillor after she lost the primary election.

    “The people of Odigbo can decide who will be their leader. We will not allow her to be part of the government in Odigbo.”

    Addressing the protesters, Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the government reserved the right to appoint anybody as a caretaker chairman.

    He urged the protesters to lobby the government for their preferred choice to be appointed, rather than taking to the streets to protest.

  • Ondo to begin distribution of palliatives Sept 1

    Ondo to begin distribution of palliatives Sept 1

    Ondo State Government has said it will begin distribution of food items to residents from September 1.

    It said the delay was due to the Federal Government’s decision to monetise the rice it planned to give to states.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Olateju, in a statement, said payment of N10,000

    social intervention for pensioners and vulnerable persons “will begin this August ending.”

    Read Also: Medical consultants give Fed Govt 21-days or face strike

    She said the outstanding leave bonus for 2020 would be paid along with the salaries of public servants this month.

    The commissioner said the challenges on food supply were due to reduction in the number of bags of rice the state got from the Federal Government.

    According to her, ”instead, the Federal Government has monetised the value of the rice. As a result, we are getting vendors to supply us food items to meet our projections.”

  • Medical University, Ondo to hold maiden convocation

    The management of the University of Medical Science, Ondo, (UNIMED) in Ondo State, has disclosed plans to hold the maiden convocation of the institution.

    Five years after it was established, the institution revealed that it would graduate 40 students, in three departments-Physiology, Anatomy and Bio Chemistry, out of which one graduating with first class honours.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Friday Okonuofa, disclosed this while briefing CAMPUSLIFE on activities preceding the maiden convocation of the institution.

    Okonuofa said the school has gone through a very smooth running since its establishment, without any suspension of academic activities which has impacted negatively on the growth and development of the institution.

    He highlighted some challenges facing the institution, stressing the funding as a majore one.

    Okonuta, however, noted that the government had been coming to their aid in the area of accreditation of courses by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    “Funding has been a major concern. Education is on the concurrent list though, but government has been supportive to meet accreditation requirements as well as payment of salary,” he said.

    The event, which will kick start on November 5 with medical outreach, and convocation lecture to be delivered by former Vice Chancellor,  University of Ibadan, Prof O. A. Bamiro, would end with a grand finale on Friday, December, 13.

  • Akeredolu preaches peace at Sallah, prays for security operatives

    Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Saturday felicitated with Muslims across the country in anticipation of celebration of this year’s Sallah, today.

    Read Also: Sallah: Matawalle grants amnesty to 150 prisoners in Zamfara

    Akeredolu hailed the Muslim community for the peaceful practice of their religion, generally regarded as a way of peace.

    He urged all Muslim faithful to continue to pray for the country, particularly as the nation continues to battle the serious issues of insecurity. Akeredolu asked them to offer prayers for the military men and women and security agencies who are battling to maintain the peace in the country.

  • Special squad for Southwest

    All is set for the deployment of a police special squad in the six Southwest states to rid the region of killings, kidnapping and armed banditry, it was learnt on Wednesday.

    Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in Charge of Operations Abdulmajid Ali, who dropped the hint in Akure during a visit to Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, said the crack team would be deployed by Inspector-General Adamu Muhammed.

    Akeredolu was represented by Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi.

    DIG Ali, accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, Leye Oyebade and the State Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, said members of the proposed squad had been training in Abuja.

    They will soon be dispatched to the Southwest states of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Ekiti to curb crimes.

    The DIG commiserated with the state government over the killing of Mrs. Funke Olakunri, daughter of elder statesman Reuben Fasoranti.

    He restated the police commitment to making the country safe for every Nigerian.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Abdulsalami, Abdullahi, Moghalu make case for community policing

    DIG Ali said: “I am sent by the Inspector-General of Police not only to Ondo but to other Southwest states to see the security architecture on ground and as well as to see how to redesign the security apparatus.

    “I decided to start with Ondo before I go to Ekiti and Osun because Ondo, being one of the focus states of recent, I believe we need to sit down with my officers here and see how we can forge ahead.

    “I want to let you know that the Inspector General of Police is mindful of what has been happening, particularly along the road as well as some of these miscreants disturbing the peace of the people.

    “I also want you know that security is one of the first pillars of any government in doing any service to the people. If security is not provided, there won’t be peace in that area and the governor too will find it difficult to operate.

    “We are aware of our responsibility. The IG has put in place a very strong team that are on training now and, in the next two weeks, they will be out and Ondo and other Southwest states have been the place of focus.

    “We are deploying them here to take charge of security and to work with our men on ground. I can assure you that the place will definitely have a change because when the members of the special squad are around. I want to assure you that peace will reign again in Ondo State and other Southwest states.

    Responding on behalf of the governor, Ajayi described the rising wave of insecurity in the Southwest as worrisome, saying that Ondo was not known to be a dumping ground for crime.

    He particularly charged the police to arrest Mrs. Olakunri’s killers, saying that “is a debt that must be paid by the Nigerian Police”.

    Ajayi noted that it was high time the police embraced digital policing to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes.

    The deputy governor said: “The police must also engage the community. This is very important. Even if you have 200,000 policemen in a community, you need the co-operation of the people in that community for you to be able to carry out your job effectively.”

    He said the police must map out strategy to secure the boundaries and other flashpoints in the Southwest.

    Ajayi promised that the state government would support the security men to chase criminals out of the state.

  • One feared killed in bank robbery

    One person was feared killed and five others injured in a bank robbery on Tuesday at Iju-Itaogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The deceased was said to be an official of the bank located on Akure-Ado-Ekiti Road, Iju.

    It was gathered that yesterday was not the first attack on the bank.

    A source said the seven hoodlums stormed the bank in the afternoon, entering the banking hall with force after breaking the metal detective door .

    The robbery was said to have lasted for about an hour.

    Read Also: Seven feared killed in Ondo bank robbery

    Police Commissioner Undie Adie said the robbers were confronted by soldiers and policemen.

    He said his men were in the bush searching for the hoodlums, adding that the robbery  was foiled.

    Command spokesman Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident, said men of the State Anti-Robbery Squad chased the robbers away.

    He said the robbers abandoned one of their vehicles at the bank following police efforts.

    Joseph said the command was investigating the incident, adding that the  culprits would be arrested soon.

  • Varsity decries alleged sexual assault on student

    Authorities of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, have condemned the alleged sexual assault on one of its students by soldiers at a checkpoint between Akungba Akoko and Ikare Akoko.

    The university, after its preliminary investigation, noted with concern and amazement that “a soldier, who is supposed to protect the citizens, can turn round to exhibit such reprobate tendencies.”

    The institution, while hailing the action taken by the Brigade Commander “on this inhuman and brazen assault on a defenceless and innocent student,” urged the Army to deal with the perpetrator(s) of the act.

    A statement by its Acting Registrar, Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, said: “We are not unaware of the security situation in the country. We strongly request that the checkpoint be dismantled and the soldiers moved to between Oba-Akoko and Ose where kidnappings and robberies occur almost on a daily basis.”

    The university, however, called for calm, assuring students that it will ensure that security measures are put in place to enable them pursue their academic activities without molestation.

    Read Also: Thief terrorising OAU bags 15 years imprisonment

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Sunday urged the Army to hand over to the Police for prosecution, soldiers arrested in connection with the alleged rape of the student.

    He described the alleged offence as callous and mindless, saying it was allegedly committed by soldiers whose presence ought to give succour to the people, especially the vulnerable, in the face of violence and insecurity.

    A statement by Information and Orientation Commissioner Donald Ojogo said the government would fight “this bizarre menace of rape in the state.”

    It added: “Rapists or those who wish to traverse this ignobly desecrating path will find Ondo State too hot as a refuge for such a nefarious act. The government shall be firm and decisive.”

    The governor described as heart-warming, “the arrest of the suspected perpetrators of this case involving the soldiers at the Akungba-Ikare checkpoint.”

    He praised the swiftness of the Brigade Commander, who ensured the apprehension of those allegedly involved.

    Akeredolu said the suspects should be handed over to the police for prosecution.