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Tag: Ondo State

  • Ondo 2020: We’ll give priority to mechanized farming, PDP aspirant pledges

    Ondo 2020: We’ll give priority to mechanized farming, PDP aspirant pledges

    …says PDP will reclaim Ondo

    As the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State draws close, an aspirant, Prince Tony Godday Erewa on Wednesday said if voted his administration will give priority to agricultural sectors to boost the State’s economy.

    Prince Erewa made the pledge shortly after obtaining his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja.

    The aspirant also declared that the aviation sector too would be explored to further boost the state economy.

    Erewa who was accompanied by well wishers and associates, expressed optimism in the possibility of PDP to return to power in the state, even as he vowed to make his government people-oriented.

    He said: “If I become a governor, I will use my experience to turn the fortune of the state around. I am a technocrat who have ran different businesses and organizations that succeeded and are still succeeding. I have knowledge of modern agriculture and I will ensure that mechanized farming takes centre stage when I become governor. This will be better than the white collar job that people are seeking. I will build a stadium in each of the three senatorial districts that will atrract investors and attract international matches.

    “We have an airport and it will interest you to know that once the airport is developed in conjuction with the relevant agencies, we are going to transform it into international standard, making it possible for international flights to land and take off from there. This will bring us a lot of international businesses into the state.

    “It will also interest you to know that Ondo state has the largest coastal land (onshore) in the whole of West Africa. We will convert this into tourist attraction. It will be tourist destination point between Delta, Ondo, and Ekiti, Kwara and other neighbouring states.

    “In terms of aviation, the airport would serve Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Kogi and Kwara states. If people from these states are trooping into Akure for their international trips, we are going to do a lot of human capacity development. We are also going to look into our primary education sector as well. We will bring quality education to the doorsteps of our people.”

    He however dismissed the power of incumbency, the aspirant said his manifesto would elicit support of the electorate, provided he picks the ticket at the primaries.

    “I believe this time around, PDP is going to win the election. We will put everything in place, put all hands on deck, move to all nooks and cranny of the state to propagate the story and sell our manifesto to the electorate and I believe they will vote for us and the PDP will win the forthcoming election in Ondo state.

    “I know we are an opposition party but I have what it takes to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, and give our people better lives. The people of Ondo state know my profile and they know what I am made up of as an aspirant. I am a technocrat. They know that if I pick up the ticket, I am going to transform and industrialize the state and protect the state and its people. The least person on the street will feel the impact of our government.

    On the reported defection of the state deputy governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi to the PDP to contest the primaries, Erewa said regardless of the profile of other aspirant, he would clinch the ticket.

    His words: “We’ve been with the party in good and turbulent times. We build it to what it is now. I am not speaking about other aspirants. I do know that when the storm is at its peak, that is when my strenght comes up for everyone to see. I am not deterred. They are welcome to the party but I am confident of picking the ticket”, he added.

  • BREAKING: Edo, Ondo get new Police Commissioners as elections near

    BREAKING: Edo, Ondo get new Police Commissioners as elections near

    As the Edo and Ondo States wait to conduct elections in September, new Commissioners of Police have been deployed to the States with immediate effect.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Inspector General of Police (IGP) M. A. Adamu ordered the deployment of CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo to Edo and CP Bolaji Amidu Salami to Ondo.

    In a statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters in Abuja, the newly posted officers were charged to ensure they consolidate and advance the gains of their predecessors.

    Osun, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Gombe, Oyo also got new Commissioners of Police.

    Read statement below:

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the immediate posting/redeployment of the following Commissioners of Police to Commands/Formations as follows:

    Osun State – CP Undie J. Adie

    Edo State – CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni

    Bauchi State – CP Lawal Jimeta Tanko

    Ebonyi State – CP Philip Sule Maku, fdc

    Gombe State – CP Ahmed Maikudi Shehu

    Ondo State – CP Bolaji Amidu Salami

    Oyo State – CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu

    Eastern Port – CP Evelyn T. Peterside

    EOD – CP Okon Etim Ene, fdc

    Airport Command – CP Bello Maikwashi

    Anti-Fraud Unit (FCID Annex Lagos) – CP Olukolu Tairu Shina

    The Inspector General of Police charges the newly posted officers to ensure they consolidate and advance the gains of their predecessors particularly in the implementation of community-policing, crime prevention, public security, public safety and general crime fighting.

    The IGP also enjoins the citizens of the affected states to cooperate with the Commissioners of Police to enable them succeed in their new areas of responsibilities.

  • Ondo 2020: 32 aspirants gun for Akerodolu’s job

    Ondo 2020: 32 aspirants gun for Akerodolu’s job

    … PDP 17, APC 15

    …as Incumbent Gov battles to secure ticket

    …Edo and Ondo share a common political affinity

    32 aspirants predominantly in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressives Congress, APC are gunning for Governor Rotimi Akerodolu of Ondo’s job.

    The ruling party, All Progressives Congress, APC has slated July 22 for the state’s guber poll primaries.

    The incumbent has not really gotten the blessings of the bigwigs in the party and this has snowballed into the Edo scenario.

    While in Edo it’s almost fait accompli that the powers that be had zeroed their minds to dump the incumbent, in Ondo Akeredolu is still scheming to remain afloat.

    If he gets the right connect which might be difficult he might just get the ticket and run under the platform of APC.

    But most of his political detractors are within his ruling APC in Ondo and the headquarters in Abuja and this could be a very disturbing signal for the incumbent Governor.

    Many of the party bigwigs in the state, their followers across the 3009 units, mobilizers in the South West and Abuja are sworn adversaries of the governor who believe Akeredolu should go back to his law practice rather than govern the state.

    Ondo shares a common political affinity with Edo, recall how the PDP traded Edo and Ondo in 2008 when Senator Oseirhemhen Osunbor and Late Olusegun Agagu were removed via the courts in 2008.

    Today both states have staggered guber polls because of the court verdicts that altered their guber polls.

    As it’s if Ondo APC denies the incumbent a ticket his possibility of migrating to PDP the second strongest party might be difficult as the political turf there could be very turbulent for him.

    The incumbency factor is gradually waning because of strong individuals who weild enormous political influence atimes to the detriment of the party.

    Akeredolu got into trouble because of his political firmness over political issues with the foundational fathers of APC.

    It was sheer miracle that fetched him the party’s ticket three and half years ago as godfathers of the party were against him.

    Same miracle now mayybe a scarce commodity this time around going about the strong political alignment and re-alignment on-going in the state.

    Those eyeing Akerodolu’s job:

    Isaac Kekemeke who is from Ese-Odo Local Government has declared his intention to replace him, he was a former commissioner for works in the state. He has also served as Secretary to the State Government.

    Also in the race is oil business magnate Jimi Odimayo. Odimayo was one of his biggest promoters for the 2016 election.

    Another strong APC chieftain from the state who is set to shove him aside is the Executive Director of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Ife Oyedele.

    Before the appointment of Alasoadura he was highly positioned and favoured as the right man for the ministerial job, considering his closeness to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Oyedele was a strong member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before the birth of APC after the merger of political parties but lost out in the struggle to make the ministerial list.

    Oyedele, who hails from Okitipupa Local Government Area, was said to have played a crucial role in the formation of APC in 2013 and he was being groomed and nurtured to take over the mantle of leadership in the state in 2020 from Akeredolu.

    Many of his political friends like Banji Ayiloge, his Campaign Director in 2012; Abdulsalam Taofeek, former Speaker and commissioner; Sola Amodeni, a commissioner too, who left the cabinet, have turned against him.

    The same political chess being played in Edo is already in place in Ondo and Akerodolu may just be heading for another platform if elders of APC refuse to crown him come July 22.

  • APC places N22.5m fee on gov. aspirants in Edo, Ondo

    APC places N22.5m fee on gov. aspirants in Edo, Ondo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says all governorship aspirants in Edo and Ondo States will pay N22.5 million as part of the requirements for contesting in the States’ governorship elections on Sept. 19 and Oct. 10.

    In a timetable released in Abuja on Wednesday, APC National Organising Secretary Emma Ibediro said that the party would begin the primaries with the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms to the governorship aspirants.

    According to Ibediro, the sale of forms to Edo governorship aspirants will begin from May 20 to June 2, while that of Ondo State will be from June 11 to July 1, 2020.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in February, fixed the governorship election in Edo for Sept. 19, while that of Ondo State was fixed for Oct. 10.

    The party’s organising scribe said that the forms for each aspirant in both states had been fixed at N22.5 million.

    According to him, this includes N2.5 million for expression of interest form and N20 million for the nomination form.

    “There shall be no separate charge for the deputy.

    “Female aspirants and physically challenged aspirants will pay 50 per cent of the prescribed fees for each position,” he said.

    Ibediro said that all payments would be made into the party’s bank account.

    The party’s Edo governorship primary will hold on June 22, while that of Ondo State is to hold on July 20.

  • COVID-19: Gov Akeredolu confirms Ondo 6th case is a murder suspect arrested in Edo State

    COVID-19: Gov Akeredolu confirms Ondo 6th case is a murder suspect arrested in Edo State

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has confirmed the sixth Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in the State is a murder suspect arrested in Edo State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Akeredolu made the confirmation on Monday during the State weekly update on COVID-19.

    In his address during the live broadcast, Akeredolu said the suspect was arrested in Edo and transferred to Ondo for trial of crime earlier committed in Ondo.

    “As you are aware, Ondo State recorded five more Cases of Covid-19 infection over the weekend. The fourth and fifth Cases occurred on Saturday while the sixth, seventh and eighth Cases were discovered yesterday, Sunday.

    “The fourth and fifth Cases are officers of the Nigerian Police Force, serving under the Lagos State Police Command while the sixth case is a murder suspect who was arrested in Edo State and transferred to Ondo State for trial of crime earlier committed in Ondo State.

    “The seventh case was a female civilian who sneaked into the State from Abuja. Meanwhile the eighth case was discovered in Owo and samples taken were confirmed positive late last night,” the Governor narrated.

    He further stated that he had directed the activation of a wider process to trace, isolate and test all primary and secondary contacts of COVID-19 in the State.

    “In order to curtail a further spread of the infection through these Cases, I have directed the activation of a wider processes to trace, isolate and test all primary and secondary contacts with all the Cases while at large in the State.

    “The Nigerian Governor’s Forum has consistently reviewed the trends and patterns among the 36 States. We are seriously worried about the implications of the existing measures on the self-preservation, well-being and prosperity of our people.

    “Already, the mass production and free distribution of facemask by Government has commenced and is gaining traction satisfactorily. I am confident that in a matter of days, all the critical sectors of our society will have been covered.

    “I have also been briefed of efforts of public spirited individuals who have also been providing and distributing face masks and food items as palliatives to the public, particularly the people in the vulnerable category.

    “Government notes such charitable efforts with satisfaction and expresses its gratitude to every individual and body captured in this category.

    “Finally let me again thank all our health workers, the media and other stakeholders for the great sacrifice and dedication. I sincerely pray that God almighty will see us through these challenging times”.

  • JUST IN: Fleeing suspected COVID- 19 patient returns to Ondo

    JUST IN: Fleeing suspected COVID- 19 patient returns to Ondo

    The suspected COVID-19 patient, who fled from the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, has returned to the hospital.

    The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Hospital, Dr Oluwole Ige, told newsmens in Ondo town on Sunday that the patient with symptoms of the novel coronavirus fled the hospital on Saturday while the result of his test was being expected.

    “I can tell you that the patient has returned to the hospital. We are on top of the situation. He is still a suspected case.

    “We are waiting for the result of the test conducted for him and two others.

    “His disappearance led to unnecessary panic in the town as the people now live in fear,’’ Ige said.

    The patient, it was learnt, was admitted at the Accident and Emergency unit of the facility.

    Cases of the virus in Ondo state has risen from three to seven within two days as confirmed by Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Akeredolu on his Twitter handle, @RotimiAkeredolu, said one of the cases is a policeman who visited Ondo state from Lagos last week.

    He said that three more suspected cases were recorded on Sunday morning, one of who was among the four suspects standing trial for the murder of the late Mrs Olufunke Olakunri, daughter of Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti.

  • COVID-19: Gov. Akeredolu confirms 2 new cases in Ondo

    COVID-19: Gov. Akeredolu confirms 2 new cases in Ondo

    Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo has confirmed two new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

    Akeredolu disclosed this through his verified Twitter handle on Sunday in Akure.

    He said: “we have confirmed two other cases in Ondo state, one of the cases involves one of the recently arraigned suspects in the murder of Mrs Funke Olakunrin, Pa Fasoranti’s Daughter.

    “The Commissioner of Police has been duly informed and the line tracing of Police officers and others in the SARs facility where he was kept has started and their specimens are being collected.

    “The suspect has been isolated from others and will be moved to the IDH for treatment. The Commissioner of Police has assured the state that there will be adequate security around the IDH premises to prevent his escape and while on treatment, he will be manacled to the bed.

    “I will expatiate on all cases in my weekly press briefing on Monday, April 27,2020,” Akeredolu said.

  • APC Chairman calls for conduct of suspended LG poll amid COVID-19 lockdown

    APC Chairman calls for conduct of suspended LG poll amid COVID-19 lockdown

    The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday urged the state government to set in motion a machinery for the immediate conduct of the postponed elections into local government councils to bring governance closer to the people.

    Mr Ade Adetimehin, the party’s chairman in the state, made the call via a statement signed by Mr Steve Otaloro, the party’s Director of Media and Publicity.

    The statement was made available to newsmen on Friday in Akure.

    Adetimehin was quoted as making the call during a stakeholders teleconference meeting held at Ose Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that conducting the election was a sure step toward bringing governance to the doorstep of the people at the grassroots.

    The chairman said that having governance at the local government level would ensure rapid and positive transformation in the living conditions of the rural dwellers.

    The local government election, earlier scheduled to hold April 18, was postponed indefinitely by the Ondo State Independent National Electoral Commission (ODIEC) because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to the party chief, the election will allow the party to test its popularity among the electorate before the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

    “It will also establish democratic governance in all 18 eLocal Government Areas of the state,’’ Adetimehin was quoted as saying.

    He, therefore, urged party members in the local council areas to continue to work towards a renewed mandate for the party in the Oct. 10 governorship election.

    The chairman appealed to party members holding any grudges in respect of the party primary to “forgive and forget’’.

    “All hands must be on deck in preparation for the two elections ahead of us in the state.

    “I want you to know that it is God that annoints people for positions, no matter the effort one puts into it,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Mr Dotun Owanikin, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, had called the attention of the meeting to the internal rifts arising from the primary election, and urged fairness in members’ interactions.

    He requested the state party executive to look into anomalies noted in the said primaries to prevent future occurrence.

    Mr Ladi Tenabe, the Chairman of the party in Ose Local Government, thanked Adetimehin for his intervention and words of encouragement.

    Tenabe promised to ensure a peaceful resolution of all the challenges raised in the meeting.

  • Tragic! Farmer punches wife to death in Ondo

    Tragic! Farmer punches wife to death in Ondo

    A farmer, Eric Olowokande, has been detained by the men of the Ondo State Police Command on Monday for allegedly beating his wife to death at Idanre town in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.

    The 71-year-old suspect allegedly committed the offence during an argument with the deceased, who was also identified as Mojere.
    According to a source, immediately after committing the act, Olowokande ran into the bush to avoid the arrest of the police but was later arrested by a team of policemen.

    The source said, “There was a hot argument between the man (suspect) and his wife and the argument led to fisticuffs. The man started punching the wife until she fell down and became unconscious.

    “Immediately after that, she was rushed to the hospital but it was at the hospital that the doctor confirmed her dead.”
    The source added that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital in Idanre.

    The Public Relations Officer of the police command, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect.
    “The suspect is already in our custody and we have begun investigation into the matter; after the completion of the investigation, he would be charged to court,” the PPRO stated.

  • BREAKING: Ondo becomes 14th State to record COVID-19 in Nigeria

    BREAKING: Ondo becomes 14th State to record COVID-19 in Nigeria

    Ondo State Government has confirmed the first positive case of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), making Ondo the 14th State in Nigeria to report the deadly virus.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor of the State, Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu made this known on Friday.

    “We have just received confirmation of our first positive #COVIDー19 case in Ondo State this evening.

    “The infected person is currently under isolation and will be monitored. We have activated all necessary protocol to locate all contacts and will be working closely with @NCDCgov.

    “The infected is in very stable condition and we ask for calm from all in Ondo State. We are on top of this and ask that our citizens continue to follow all preventive measures to ensure they remain safe.

    “The index case is a military officer who was a returnee from India. He has been in isolation since he returned and has been monitored by the medical team of the Military and our state team throughout this period.

    “Upon showing some symptoms, his samples were taken and the diagnosis confirmed by @NCDCgov at their lab in Ede. We have now commenced the transfer of the officer to the state isolation center,” Governor Akeredolu stated.

    Details shortly…