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Tag: Ondo State

  • Ondo govt clarifies cause of Akeredolu’s death

    Ondo govt clarifies cause of Akeredolu’s death

    The Ondo State Government has said that Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu succumbed to death at German hospital in the early hours of Wednesday from complications arising from prostate cancer.

    An official statement on Wednesday afternoon by the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, confirmed the governor’s death.

    “With a heavy heart, the Ondo State Government announces the tragic passing of our beloved Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

    “Mr Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023. This tragedy has left behind a profound void in our hearts.

    “Gov. Akeredolu answered the eternal call while receiving medical treatment in Germany.

    “He succumbed to complications arising from protracted prostate cancer,” the statement read.

    The statement also said that a letter had been sent to President Bola Tinubu to officially inform him of the demise of Akeredolu.

    “The Family and the Ondo State Government appreciate Mr President for his support for Governor Akeredolu during his illness.

    “The family and the state government will release further details regarding the funeral arrangements.

    “Gov. Akeredolu was an extraordinary leader whose unwavering dedication to the state and its people was both commendable and unparalleled.

    “He not only served as the Governor of Ondo State but also emerged as a prominent advocate for the entire South-West region and the nation.

    “Gov. Akeredolu was a courageous leader and an exemplar of integrity. The weight of this loss is truly unbearable.

    “However, we find solace in the knowledge that Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu lived a purposeful life, devoted to the service of God Almighty,” the statement concluded.

  • Ondo: Few weeks after Akeredolu appointed LGA caretaker chairmen, Aiyedatiwa freezes all their accounts

    Ondo: Few weeks after Akeredolu appointed LGA caretaker chairmen, Aiyedatiwa freezes all their accounts

    Few days after emerging the acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the freezing of accounts of local government administrations across the state.

    Recall that ailing governor, Rotimi Akeredolu  who is on medical vacation recently  appointed all caretaker chairmen for 18 local government areas and the 33 local council development areas in the state.

    Aiyedatiwa had been engaged in a running battle with his principal  who has been sick for a long while.

    In a circular which was said to have been authorized by the acting governor, the council chairmen were also banned from opening new accounts.

    The memo, which has heightened tension within political circles in the state, was addressed to the Heads of Local Government Administrations.

    It read: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, has directed that all spending and expenditure from local government accounts should be suspended, with no signing of checks, no change of signatories, and no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.

    “Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”

    According to one of the local council chairmen, who confirmed the development, Aiyedatiwa’s directive has triggered speculations and unrest among the affected officials, who are now left in a state of uncertainty regarding their future.

    The local government chairman, who craved anonymity, stated that Aiyedatiwa made the move to assert authority as acting governor.

    “Yes, he has blocked the account of the local governments.

    “He is doing it to make the caretaker chairmen fall in line ahead of the party primary next year. He believes the local government fund has been diverted.”

     

     

  • Fresh controversy rocks Ondo over forgery of Akeredolu’s signature

    Fresh controversy rocks Ondo over forgery of Akeredolu’s signature

    The Ondo State Government has been enmeshed in fresh controversy following allegations that the signature of the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has been forged.

    Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Razaq Obe alleged the forgery of the signature of Governor Akeredolu on an official document of his ministry.

    Obe raised the allegation in a letter dated Dec. 7 addressed to the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    The letter titled, “Forgery of Mr Governor’s signature on official document” was made available to journalists on Friday in Akure.

    Obe said he observed irregularities in the signature when files from his ministry were returned through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu.

    He noted that after his discovery, the forensic expert had confirmed that the governor’s signature was forged.

    “I write to call your attention to a critical matter that has been confirmed; the signature of Mr Governor on a certain document has been forged.

    “The irregularities in the signature were first observed when a file from my ministry was returned through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    “This is the only file that has been returned so far out of the five files that were sent to Mr Governor for approval about two months ago.

    “Under close inspection, I noticed significant differences between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Mr Governor’s known signature and handwriting in the file.

    “Concerned about the gravity of the situation, I decided to seek a forensic review before disclosing my discovery.

    “I sent the suspicious signature, handwriting samples, and copies of the old regular signatures to forensic experts, who have now confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

    “Despite the inherent risks involved, I have chosen to fulfill the obligations of my office by reporting this alarming development to you as the highest-ranking member of the State Executive Council after Mr Governor.

    “I firmly believe that this is the course of action our esteemed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, would take in such a situation.

    “Considering the possibility that such forgery may be widespread, this heads-up is of utmost importance to the government and people of Ondo State.

    “I have attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for your reference.

    “I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take appropriate actions to address the situation.

    “It is crucial that we restore the integrity of our processes and ensure that such a disturbing development is swiftly punctuated,” the letter reads.

    Akeredolu has been absent from the state since June due to medical reasons.

    The governor has been in his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State after returning from a three-month medical leave from Germany on Sept. 7.

  • Group accuses Navy of providing security cover for vessel stealing crude

    Group accuses Navy of providing security cover for vessel stealing crude

    Operatives of the Tantita Security Services Limited (TSSL) yesterday uncovered a coastal location in Ondo State, where oil thieves were siphoning crude oil under the cover of men of the Nigerian Navy (NN).

    The personnel of TSSL, who acted on a tip-off stormed the location of the illicit oil deal, where the illegal oil operators under the protection of the armed naval personnel were stealing crude oil from a well-head, operated by a yet-to-be identified oil major.

    The Navy made it impossible to ascertain the name and other information about the vessel.

    The Tantita operatives, were barred from the scene by the naval personnel, who engaged in sporadic shooting to ward-off the inquisitive officials of the private security company engaged by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to tackle the menace of crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    The naval personnel also tamed men of the Nigerian Army (NA) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were later called in as reinforcement by Tantita.

    The combined team of Tantita personnel and men of the NA and NSCDC were restricted 700 metres away from the scene of the illegal operations by the naval men.

    As the naval personnel on the illegal collaborative assignment launched gun attacks, ostensibly to cover their tracks, Tantita officials, soldiers and men of NSCDC maintained reasonable distance, apparently to avoid casuality.

    Impeccable findings showed that the action of the naval personnel was aimed at concealing the identity of the vessel and ensuring it sailed with the stolen crude out of the nation’s territorial water.

    Investigation further revealed that as the face-off persisted, information about the incident filtered into the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

    The NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was said to be livid over the relentless and unrepentant connivance of the men of the Navy with oil thieves, reportedly contacted the service chiefs, including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, warning that the vessel must not be allowed to escape.

    Ribadu also placed the NNPCL’s Chief Operating Officer, Mele Kyari and Presidency on red alert.

    The Navy, in an volte-face, feigned the involvement of its personnel in the unpatriotic act.

    Reliable sources said Ogalla subsequently directed his subordinates to apprehend the vessel in response to pressures from different quarters, including the Presidency.

    As parts of the drama by the Navy to clear itself, it was gathered that the crew members of the vessels would be paraded in due course without the naval collaborators.

    Reliable sources provided video clips from the scene at the coast of Ondo State, to authenticate the report.

    Even after the purported arrest, it was further gathered that the Naval personnel refused a request by the officials of NNPCL that the vessel be moved to the NNPCL’s jetty at Oporoza for a joint inspection.

    Oporoza jetty, is a recognised destination for previous illegal oil equipments and vessels seized by Tantita and other security agencies from illegal oil operators.

    Observers are concerned about the handling of the fate of the vessel by the Nigerian Navy.

    The concern was further accentuated by the tendency to exonerate its officials, who provided cover and escorting the vessel.

    Also citing precedence, observers are also worried that the vessel
    might either disappear without trace or its content emptied by the unscrupulous naval personnel.

  • Ondo: Court orders state Assembly to investigate Akeredolu’s health status

    Ondo: Court orders state Assembly to investigate Akeredolu’s health status

    An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure the state capital has ordered the State House of Assembly to form a panel of medical personnel to investigate the status of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has been governing Ondo state since returning from Germany on a medical vacation few months ago.

    Recall that a coalition of civil society groups through their conveners, Olufemi Lawson, Ologun Ayodeji, Isijola Kike and Arogbo Olaniyi, approached the court to seek an order that would compel the state assembly to investigate Akeredolu’s health.

    The coalition, through their counsel, Dotun Ajulo, named the state assembly, its speaker, Olamide Oladiji and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as respondent.

    Ruling on the matter on Wednesday, Justice A. I. Kolawole ordered the lawmakers to set up a medical panel to provide clear report on the governor’s health.

    According to the judge, the order was in line with Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

    The matter was subsequently adjourned to January 11, 2024.

  • Ondo deputy govenor, Aiyedatiwa Presides Over Excos’ Meeting

    Ondo deputy govenor, Aiyedatiwa Presides Over Excos’ Meeting

    Following the illness of Ondo state Governor Rotimi Akeredolu which has kept him away from official duties, the deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Thursday presided over a State Executive Council meeting in Akure, the state capital.

    The  much anticipated excos’ meeting occurred after months of political bickering between the deputy governor and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s loyalists.

    Last Friday, President Bola Tinubu summoned the warring factions to a meeting in Abuja where it was agreed that the deputy governor should continue to perform his duties as deputy governor.

    Insinuations are rife that the Ondo Assembly may declare Aiyedatiwa the acting governor of the state

    Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), won his re-election as the state governor in October 2020 and was sworn in for a second term in office in February 2021.

    However, the governor’s second term, since January 2023, has not been a smooth sail as he had to be flown abroad for treatment over a medical condition. The 67-year-old politician returned to Nigeria in September after months overseas but has been in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Akeredolu has been under intense pressure from opposition parties to resign or hand over power to his deputy in line with the 1999 constitution.

  • Ondo Crisis: APC chieftains make U-turn, want Aiyedatiwa as Acting Gov

    Ondo Crisis: APC chieftains make U-turn, want Aiyedatiwa as Acting Gov

    The political crisis in Ondo state has taken a new twist as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have insisted that the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, should be empowered as acting governor, despite president Tinubu’s intervention for status-quo to remain.

    Some chieftains of the party operating under the umbrella of Ondo APC Progressives Stakeholders, in Akure at the weekend insisted that Aiyedatiwa should take over as Acting Governor in accordance with constitutional provisions towards resolving the political imbroglio in the state.

    Recall that Tinubu had called for the maintenance of the status quo, urging Aiyedatiwa to continue as the deputy governor.

    However, the Ondo APC stakeholders, after their meeting in Akure, expressed concerns over the continued absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stating that it has adversely affected the governance and economy of the state.

    In a statement issued after the meeting and signed by the Chairman, former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Afe Olowookere, and Secretary, Hon. Raman Rotimi, who was also a former APC Secretary in the state, the urgent need for the House of Assembly to empower Aiyedatiwa to assume the responsibilities of the acting governor was emphasized.

    “APC party members should be allowed to participate and determine those to be appointed or elected into political and party offices.

    “Elders and leaders of the party must be recognised and given their pride of place in the party, rather than being neglected and ostracised by the party.

    “The system of writing the names of party executives and candidates without due process will be objected to and resisted with all political and legal means possible,_ the statement said.

  • Ondo police arrest housekeeper, two others for allegedly killing retired teacher

    Ondo police arrest housekeeper, two others for allegedly killing retired teacher

    The Ondo State Police Command has arrested three people in connection with the death of a woman, Mrs Iyanuoluwa Adamolekun, in Arigidi Akoko, Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the state.

    The accused were only identified as Oluwaseun, Mobarak, and Rilwan.

    Oluwaseun is Mobarak’s mother and the housekeeper.

    Adamolekun, a retired teacher, was allegedly murdered while sleeping in her bed by the accused, who also took away her mobile phone last week.

    Her lifeless body was allegedly discovered by her grandchild.

    According to reports, the police followed the deceased’s phone, which led to the arrest of one of the suspects, who then supported the police in apprehending other suspects.

    The two suspects (Mobarak and Rilwan) admitted to scaling the fence rather than entering through the main gate to avoid making a sound.

    “Having gained entry into the house that afternoon, they went straight to the deceased room, where she was lying on her bed after taking her bath. They confessed that they used a wooden box to shatter her head while the woman was screaming that the second suspect strangled her.”

  • Akeredolu urges citizens to embrace agriculture for nation’s economic growth

    Akeredolu urges citizens to embrace agriculture for nation’s economic growth

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has urged youths, retired military officers, retired senior public officers and businessmen to go into agricultural practice to improve the nation’s economy.

    Akeredolu gave the advice at the Ondo State Cocoa Day during the 3rd edition of the Ondo State Agriculture Show and Food Fair held on Thursday in Akure.

    The programme was organised by the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities’ Association (OSACA) with the theme “Agricultural Commodities: Basic Instruments for Economic and Industrial Revolution.’’

    Gov. Akeredolu, who was represented by Mr Olayato Aribo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, urged retirees to practice agriculture in order not to leave it at the hands of peasant farmers.

    According to him, there is need to produce quality and acceptable farm produce to the International communities by discouraging the use of harmful agro chemicals.

    “I wish to call on all stakeholders in the agric sub-sector, particularly our farmers and its associations, to strive for increased output in order to feed the agro-allied industries for optimum production.

    “The state government on its part shall continue to ensure and enforce quality control of agricultural produce to ensure that farm products from Ondo State are acceptable to international market.

    “Our educated youths and retirees can join hands with OSACA to form a formidable team for farmers in Ondo State.

    “When they appear in any fora in Abuja, they would be able to speak with confidence to attract federal support to Ondo State,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Gbemitan Abolarinwa, National President of Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), called on farmers to engage in smart agricultural practice and irrigation system rather than the age-long rain-fed agricultural practice.

    Abolarinwa, who was represented by Mr Ademola Agbada, said that the issue of diversification of the Nigeria economy from petroleum to agriculture played a major role in the economic agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    He, therefore, called on governments to place much emphasis on funding the upstream (production) sector of the cocoa value chain, saying it would increase production and sustainability.

    “The only panacea to our dwindling foreign exchange is to increase our agricultural commodities production, increase our value addition as well as our exportation drive.

    “We can only achieve this through a collaborative synergy between governments at all levels and the critical stakeholders,” he said.

    On his part, Dr Olusegun Awolumate, Chairman, Ondo State Cocoa Council, appreciated the state government for its role in cocoa production, saying the council would continue to promote and develop climate-smart cocoa production.

    According to him, the innovation of intensification will increase and bring a higher yield, if farmers can adopt it.

    “There is need for effective participation of youths in agribusiness, technology-driven and sustainable cocoa production requirement, as well as international trade/ export practices,” he said.

    More so, Mrs Okuwafunmilayo Ewa-Jesu, National Organising Secretary of National Coconut Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN), said that about 300 products could be generated from coconut.

    Ewa-Jesu admonished youths to embrace the cultivation of coconut for them to be self-reliant

    “Coconut is a product that a family can plant where a generation to generation can benefit from it.

    “If we talk about unemployment of youths, each of the 300 products of coconut plantation can create employment for our youths, wealth and county at large,” she said.

  • Former Military Governor of Ondo dies of heart attack

    Former Military Governor of Ondo dies of heart attack

    Major General Ekundayo Babakayode Opaleye (rtd), a former military governor of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria, is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Opaleye reportedly died of heart attack in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Saturday.

    He was military governor from August 1986 to 1987, during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He took over from late Admiral Mike Akhigbe before handing over to Commodore Bode George.

    Opaleye, until his death, was the Balogun of Erunmu, Owu, Abeokuta.

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described his death as a great loss to the state and Nigeria.

    Abiodun said late Maj. Gen. Opaleye’s patriotism as a military officer and dedication to duty as an administrator will always be remembered.

    “Major General Opaleye’s contribution to our nation, particularly during his tenure as the military governor, will always be remembered.

    “His dedication and service to the people of old Ondo State will forever be cherished. His sudden demise is a great loss to the entire country.

    “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family, offering our support and prayers as they navigate through this painful period.

    “May they find strength and solace in the memories shared with Major General Opaleye. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” the Governor said.