The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ONDO

  • Boy kills friends with father’s gun in Ondo

    An eleven year-old boy,  Ayo Afolabi has allegedly shot his friend of the same age, Comfort Emmanuel with his father’s hunting gun at Ayeyemi street in Ondo West local government area of Ondo State.
    Sources informed The Nation that ‎the boy’s father, Olarewaju alleged cocked his double barrel gun and hung it on the wall of his sitting room.
    The boy who was playing with his friend in his father’s sitting room, reportedly  picked the gun and accidentally shot his colleague.
    It was learnt that few hours after the tragic incident occurred Olarewaju who is an hunter returned from his hunting game.
     Residents of the area who gathered in groups to sympertize with the bereaved  family blamed the unfortunate incident on Olarewaju.
    Some of the residents said the two parents are not in good term.
    Already, the remains of the deceased has been deposited at the General Hospital in Ondo.
    The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the incident said Olarewaju has been arrested and he would be charged to court soon.
  • Pastor’s plea saves woman, daughters from imprisonment

    Pastor’s plea saves woman, daughters from imprisonment

    A 38-year-old mother and her two daughters were on Tuesday discharged and acquitted by Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court for stealing three bags of tubers of yam, following a pastor’s plea.

    The three convicted were Kemi Kehinde, 38; Opeyemi, 18; and Ronke, 16.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, said that they were freed in line with the plea of the complainant, who is a man of God.

    “Having pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing, the three accused persons are hereby convicted.

    “But going by the prayer of the complainant, who is a man of God, the court hereby yields to the mercy pleaded by the complainant and they are discharged and acquitted.

    “The offences they committed attract minimum of seven years imprisonment each, but they should thank God and the complainant who has shown open heart,” she said.

    She, therefore, warned them not to be seen around the farmland of the complainant, saying that if seen around the area, they would be held culpable of any offence committed there.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Martins Olowofeso, told the court that the mother and her two daughters conspired and stole three bags of tubers of yam from the farm of Ojo Oluwasanmi, a pastor.

    Olowofeso said that they committed the offences between July 2016 and January 7, 2017 at Itale Ikota via Ijare in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.

    He said the offence contravened section 516 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria, 2006.

  • Ondo to reward teachers

    The Ondo State government is to reward outstanding teachers and students.

    Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade said the Academic Excellence Award ceremony will hold on January 18 at the International Event Centre, The Dome, Akure.

    The government will inaugurate tomorrow the St James Caring Heart Mega School in Iro, Akure.

    On Thursday, the Owena Neighbourhood Market Ondo Road will be inaugurated.

    On January 16, it will be the turn of the Ore and Irele Mega Schools for inauguration.

    The Public Service Training School and Semi Mechanised Abattoir will be inaugurated on January 17 and 26.

  • Institute holds peace awards in Ondo

    The founder, World Institute for Peace (WIP), Dr Lamina Kamiludeen, has pledged the determination of the organisation to partner with the United Nations Organisation (UNO) in the propagation of message of peace across the world.

    He stressed the need for peace in the society, even as he said the peace advocate group under his leadership would continue to employ the use of persuasive method to communicate its message to manufacturers of lethal weapons, to guard against further production and use to settle conflicts.

    He spoke at the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo during the award ceremony organised for eminent personalities by the institution.

    The recipients of the award were selected from various countries in recognition of their contributions to humanity in their various endeavours.

    According to him, the event was organised to create an avenue through which citizens, especially youths could play more active role in nation-building.

    In a lecture delivered at the occasion entitled “Democracy and Role of African Youth in Good Governance, by a university lecturer, Prof. Muhhammad Shanazar, pointed out that people should make wise decisions when voting for those to represent them, saying they should elect people with good character, vision and integrity.

    He stressed the need for representatives of the people to always place national interests above personal well-being in the discharge of their duties. He also advised them to abstain from acts such as greed, nepotism and corruption. Muhammad noted that it was through this development, which the masses can benefit maximally from their representation.

    He also advised political office holders to always show commitment, utmost sincerity and integrity in the service to their fatherland, saying anyone who exhibits these attributes, would remain in the hearts of the people forever.

    Prof. Muhammad said governments in African should always accord recognition to youths by allowing them to play active role in the eradication of poverty, hunger and ignorance.

    He advised the youth to show more interest in science and technology and keep abreast of events happening in global politics and industry, saying that would enable them to update their knowledge and become globally competitive.

    Also speaking, Dr. Jeznail Singh Anand, Secretary-General, World Parliament of Literature (WPL), stressed the need for African youths to be given proper education, adding that the step would enable them to make positive contributions to the development of their countries.

    On corruption and poverty in Africa, he advised leaders in the continent to evolve some development strategies that would help in reducing the menace.

    In addition, the WPL scribe emphasised the need for people in position of authority to have passion and exhibit patriotism in national service.

    The programme organised by WIP in partnership with the College Directorate of International Linkages and Research under the leadership of Dr. (Mrs.) Bridget Itunu Awosika, was held at the Centre for Educational Technology (CET) of the institution.

    The Provost of the College, Prof. Olukoya Ogen praised the founder of WIP, Kamiludeen for collaborating with the college in organising the programme.

    Ogen said the initiative would spread the message of peace across the world.

  • Man stabbed to death in Ondo

    Man stabbed to death in Ondo

    A middle-aged man, identified as William Adesoji, was alleged to have been stabbed to death during a festival in Okitipupa, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
    The victim, it was gathered, was traced to the venue by some thugs, who stabbed in the stomach with a broken bottle.
    A source said the annual celebration took place in a popular hotel and was introduced by the proprietor in 2013 to attract customers during the Yuletide.
    It said: “A football match was on when the proprietor’s wife asked one of the customers to stand up from a chair, claiming she was sitting on it. “Not knowing what had transpired, the deceased rushed to the scene, grabbed a bottle, broke it and dealt it on the head of the customer, who is now in the hospital.
    “A friend of the man, who was at the scene also picked up a bottle, broke it and stabbed Adesoji in the stomach and he died on the spot.”
    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said he had not been briefed about the incident.

  • Salaries: Ondo workers drag A-G to banks

    Salaries: Ondo workers drag A-G to banks

    Workers in Ondo State on Thursday forcefully dragged the Account-General (AG), Mr. Felix Ajibokun to banks to begin the process of payment of workers’ salaries.
    The aggrieved workers, who earlier picketed the A-G office at Alagbaka Akure, the state capital, are being owed six months salaries.
    They were led by their Joint Negotiating  Council (JNC) Chairman, Mr. Sunday Adeleye and the State Chairman, Mrs. Bosede Daramola and other union leaders.
    They are pleading the government for one month salary to enable them celebrate the Christmas.
    The state governor, Olusegun Mimiko was said to have directed the AG to pay the workers.
    But, Ajibokun, who is expected to retire from service today (Thursday), had allegedly refused to commence the payment.
    Adeleye, while speaking with reporters, said the union leaders recently met Governor Olusegun Mimiko and they both resolved that the workers should be paid a month for them to have money to celebrate the Christmas.
    He said “about four days ago, we met with the governor and the Commissioner for Finance and the AG was directed to pay the workers salaries so that everybody can go home with something.
    ” Since then, we have been coming here but he has been avoiding us until today (yesterday)when we asked him when he will pay us, but he said no workers will be paid until after Christmas.
    “For your information, this is the man that will be retiring from service on Friday and the system is this, he is the only who has the legal right to pay workers and the moment he retires, it will take government up to three weeks to appointment another AG.
    “Let me tell, people are dying. What manner of parent are you, when you cannot buy your child a T-shirt.
    “We will continue to keep vigil on this premises until the AG is ready to pay the workers”.
    Ajibokun, however blamed poor banking network for the reason for the delay of the payment.
  • Cultists kill policeman in Ondo

    Cultists kill policeman in Ondo

    A popular policeman in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Solomon Sunday a.k.a Solozo, has been killed by suspected cultists.
    The deceased was attached to Okunta Elerinla Police Division command in Akure.
    It was learnt that Sunday (30) was reportedly shot on his way to his house at Aule.
    The killing is controversial because of the deceased’s alleged links to cultism.
    A resident of Aule said: “He is one of them. Maybe it was a rival cult group that killed him. One can’t say why he was killed.”
    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said the command had begun investigation.
    He, however, did not confirm if the deceased was a member of cult or not.
    “We have begun investigation. It is a murder case. However we can’t confirm if he belonged to a cult,” Joseph said.

  • Cultists kill police officer in Akure

    A popular Police officer in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Mr. Solomon Sunday a.k.a Solozo has allegedly been  killed by cultists at Aule area.
    The deceased, who is also alleged  to be a cult member, was attached to Okunta Elerinla Police Division command in Akure.
    It was learnt that Sunday, who is 30 year-old was said to have been shot by assailants from others confraternity group.
    He was said to have been attacked on his way to his house around Aule area on last Sunday.
    It was gathered three other cult group members have had previously be killed in Akure.
    A resident of the Aule, said, ” He is one of them ( cultists) may be it was the rival cultist group that trailed and killed him just to revenge. So one can’t say yet why he was killed.”
    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed the incident  and said the command had begun investigation on it.
    He however did not confirm whether the deceased cop was a member of secret cult or not.
    ” We have commenced  investigation on the matter. It is a real murder case. However we can’t confirm if he (deceased) belonged to a secret cult but as I said we are still investigation. .” Joseph stated.
  • ‘APC’ll revamp Ondo economy’

    ‘APC’ll revamp Ondo economy’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said Governor-elect Rotimi Akeredolu will revamp the state’s economy when he assumes office on February 24.

    Civil servants are owed salaries and pensioners are also facing hardship as a result of unpaid pensions and gratuities.

    The party, in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said Akeredolu would be looking into how to salvage the situation.

    According to the statement, the strategies being mapped out by the economic team constituted and headed by the governor-elect would rescue the state from collapse.

    It pointed out that Akeredolu would not be relying solely on funds from the Federation Account, adding that there are plans to truly diversify the state’s economy with agriculture as one of the targeted sectors.

    “The governor-elect would be working on strengthening the APC to ensure that the party’s political ideologies are entrenched and applied in designing and implementing the various people-oriented programmes.”

  • Kidnapped Anglican Priest’s wife regains freedom

    The wife of the General Secretary of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Venerable Ayodeji Fagbemi, Florence was on Thursday released by her abductors.
    It was gathered that the victim regained her freedom after her family was able to pay a ransom.
    It was not clear if her family paid the exact amount demanded by the kidnappers.
    Her abductors, who invaded their residence at Oba-Ile Estate in Akure North Local government, on Monday night are demanded N20million ransom for her release.
    The 48 year-old woman, was said to have been released at Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole local government area of Osun State.
    It was however gathered that the kidnappers did not release the victim’s Toyota Jeep in which she was taken away with.
    Her husband, who was the immediate past Provost of the Provost of the Bishop Vining College of Theology in Akure had earlier said the family could not afford the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.
    The source said, “Mrs. Fagbemi has been released in Ikire. I know a ransom was paid but I can’t tell you the amount that was paid as ransom. The family members had gone to bring her down to Akure.
    “Though the woman has been released but the Toyota Jeep that was taken away with her has not been released. The kidnappers told the family that they would release it at a police station. But up till now (Thursday), the jeep is still with them. “
    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Femi Joseph confirmed the development but said he was yet to get the details of the matter as at the press time.