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Tag: ondo

  • Ondo speaker raises alarm after discovering ‘juju’ near his residence

    Ondo speaker raises alarm after discovering ‘juju’ near his residence

    The Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, has raised an alarm, after discovering an African magic ‘juju’ in front of his official residence.

    Oladiji told newsmen on Monday in Akure, that the entire lawmakers at the House had been having sleepless nights since they commenced the impeachment process against the state deputy governor, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa.

    “Early this morning, we discovered that a sacrifice was placed in the lodge. Aside from that, I have been receiving strange calls from strange people threatening my life and other members.

    “I have not been using the place except sometimes for parliamentary meetings. At least, we have been there for more than two times for meeting but I don’t sleep there because the place requires overhauling with the present state.

    ‘’l am using the medium to tell the world that my life is under threat. I call on the security operatives to checkmate these people who have been threatening my life and other members.

    “This threat started since the day we began the impeachment process. I have already reported to NSCDC among others security agencies,” he stated.

    Oladiji said that the House has also been unable to serve the impeachment notice on Ayedatiwa, since last week.

    He said however, that the House had secured a court affidavit to serve the deputy governor the letter through other means.

    Oladiji said that all the 26 lawmakers in the House had appended their signature on the petition for the impeachment of the deputy governor.

    The speaker debunked insinuation that the lawmakers collected N5 million each to initiate the impeachment process.

    He said that the 10th assembly under his watch would not compromise.

    “Whenever there is an impeachment case like this, people think that the executive must have lured the legislature to begin the process.

    “I want to tell the whole world that we did not receive any gratification from anybody or anywhere.

    “We are doing our work as lawmakers.

    “We appropriate and at the same time, monitor what we appropriate. Let me tell you 26 lawmakers have now signed the letter which we will served to him to today,” he stated.

  • 2 dead, 5 injured in Ondo road accident

    2 dead, 5 injured in Ondo road accident

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, said two people died, while five others were injured in an accident on Friday night at Olokuta area on the Akure-Ondo road.

    Mr Ezekiel SonAllah, the Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, confirmed the incident to NAN in a telephone interview on Saturday.

    SonAllah, who explained that the accident occurred at about 5:48p.m, said it involved six male adults and one female adult.

    The sector commander attributed the cause of the crash, which involved one commercial vehicle and a Honda Accord car, to speeding.

    “On Friday at about 5:48p.m at the Olokuta Correctional Centre area along Akure-Ondo road, a Nissan Primera commercial vehicle marked FGB-96XA and a Honda Accord car marked MUS-834 AL were involved in an accident.

    “Two male adults died on the spot, while four male adults and one female adult were injured.

    “The deceased have been deposited at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital morgue in Akure, while the vehicles have been handed over to the police,” he said.

    SonAllah admonished motorists to always abide by the traffic rules and regulations, saying any violation would be arrested and prosecuted.

  • Akeredolu respects supremacy of party – APC Chairman

    Akeredolu respects supremacy of party – APC Chairman

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Mr Ade Adetimehin, on Monday, said that Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu respects supremacy of the party and has never influenced its control.

    Adetimehin, who denied  rumours of division in the party, said all stakeholders in the party were united.

    The chairman, who stated this during an interactive session with journalists in Akure, added that the leadership style of Akeredolu on party affairs was always aimed at unity and cohesion of various stakeholders from the unit level to the state level.

    Adetimehin said that  opposition party members in the state were attracted to the APC due to cohesion within the party.

    “Of all the political parties in Ondo State, APC is the only united party. There is no division and we are rancour-free.

    “We work together under the leadership of Gov. Akeredolu. He is a man that believes in the supremacy of the party. He never interferes in the running of the party.

    “He allows the party to function effectively. That is what brings unity of the party and makes us the strongest political party in the state.

    “That is why many members of opposition political parties are coming to join the APC in Ondo State,” he stated.

    According to him, three days ago, the grassroot strength of the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) totally collapsed into the APC.

    “ All the former  vice chairmen and 203 former councillors of PDP defected to the APC.
    In Idanre, the Chairman of PDP Elders’ Forum joined the APC.

    “The PDP has gone into extinction in Ondo State and it is is now my duty to manage the APC in Ondo State,” Adetimehin said.

  • Subsidy removal: Ondo Govt. announces palliative measures for residents

    Subsidy removal: Ondo Govt. announces palliative measures for residents

    Ondo State Government on Thursday announced a comprehensive palliative package to alleviate the harsh effect of petrol subsidy removal.

    Mr Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for finance and Chairman, Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committee, announced the measures at a news conference in Akure.

    Akinterinwa said that the State Government would restore free shuttle buses for students, starting from their resumption in September to December 31.

    “Thereafter, affordable rates would be charged from Jan. 2024.

    “In like manner, free shuttle boats, equipped with life jackets for students in riverine areas, would be provided, starting at resumption in September to December 31.

    “Thereafter, affordable rates would be charged from January 2024.

    “We will immediately deploy all the existing buses in all the MDAs to serve as free shuttle buses to public servants until December 31.

    “Additional Compressed Natural Gas would be purchased to convey public servants to and from work at no cost to them, untill December 31,” he said.

    He also announced that unconditional cash transfer of N10,000 would be made to 1,000 vulnerable persons per local government in the 18 Local Government Areas, totalling 18,000 people.

    Akinterinwa further announced that all the state and local government pensioners would also receive N10,000 each from August to December.

    He said that one million households would be fed across the entire local government areas of the state.

    “Farm inputs at subsidised rates will be made available to farmers.

    “Our poultry and fish farmers will be given free drugs, maize and feeds.

    “In addition, training on local feed formulation and production will be given to interested poultry and fish farmers to help them look inwards.

    The commissioner said that the palliatives also included agrochemicals, seeds, drip lines, farm tools and power tillers.

    He said: “In riverine areas, fishing nets and kilns will be on offer.

    “To ease the movement of farm produce, tricycles will be given free to communities.

    “This will be supervised by officially recognised, community-based stakeholder groups.

    The State Government also announced the immediate suspension of hospital registration and consultation fees.

    “Government will reimburse the hospitals directly based on existing data,” the commissioner said.

    According to him, all the provisions are to complement Federal Government’s planned palliatives.

    He said that government also approved the immediate payment of 2020 leave bonus to public servants.

    “Also, various categories of small and medium enterprises in the state will benefit from the palliatives.

    “Students who are engaged in nano businesses on campus are not excluded.

    “They will also get financial support.

    “The money to nano, small, medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels,” Akinterinwa said.

  • Why we attacked and killed naval officer in Ondo – suspects

    Why we attacked and killed naval officer in Ondo – suspects

    The three suspected killers of a naval officer, Sub. Lt. Samuel Akingbohun, in Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have given a detailed accounts of how they killed the Military officer.

    The suspects, Ayomide Sambo, 20, Johnson Adeleke, 20, and Francis Shagari, 17, who were paraded at the police headquarters, Akure, the state capital, said they used Iron rod to hit the officer on his head and scrotum, during a fisticuffs.

    According to one of the suspects, Ayomide, he stated that the deceased naval officer had slapped and headbutted his friend, Johnson Adeleke, while trying to claim the right of way.

    Sambo, disclosed that he and Johnson as well as their third friend, Francis Shagari, became infuriated and decided to trail the naval officer to a junction in the community, where they attacked him with the iron rod.

    The suspect added that after committing the crime, they tried to escape from the community before they were arrested.

    “When we came across the naval officer, we were en route to get a power bank. He was coming from the opposite direction, and the area from where he was coming was not good. My companion shoved the officer while we were both trying to move in the good path of the road that was bad.

    “The naval officer headbutted him and slapped him out of annoyance. We started pleading with the naval officer. My friend claimed that the naval officer was a fake military guy after he had left.

    “We then took a bike, followed him to the intersection, and confronted him. My friend and the naval officer got into an argument. I picked an iron rod during that time and started hitting him with it.”

    The other suspect, Johnson Adeleke, who denied involvement in the beating and killing of the officer, said, “When I was on my way to remove my power bank, I mistakenly hit my elbow on the navy office. He slapped me and gave me a headbutt. At that moment, we didn’t know that he was a naval officer.

    “I was already out of Idoani in a bid to escape when my mother’s elder brother called me to report to the station.”

    Also, the third suspect, Shagari Francis, stated that, “I didn’t hit the naval officer, I was just following them. I was arrested when my mother took me to the station to ask if I was part of them.”

  • Police parade suspected killers of naval officer in Ondo

    Police parade suspected killers of naval officer in Ondo

    Three suspects alleged to have killed Sub-Lt. Samuel Akingbohun of the Nigerian Navy in Idoani, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, have been arrested by the police.

    Parading the suspects before journalists on Thursday in Akure, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said that the men were arrested while trying to flee the community afterwards.

    She said that two of the suspects were aged 20, while the third was 17.

    The command’s spokesperson said the investigation revealed that a misunderstanding ensued between the naval officer and one of the suspects, which led to a fight.

    Odunlami-Omisanya said that the two other suspects later joined in the fight, and one of the suspects struck the officer with an iron rod on the head and groin.

    “Later, Akingbohun became unconscious, and was rushed to the hospital in the town where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” she said.

    The command’s spokesman said that the suspects would soon be prosecuted in court for alleged murder.

  • Ondo Ag. Gov. urges Muslims to pray for Akeredolu

    Ondo Ag. Gov. urges Muslims to pray for Akeredolu

    The Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the Muslim faithful to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration to pray for sound mind and health his boss, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Aiyedatiwa in his Sallah message on Wednesday in Akure, said the prayer was necessary to enable Akeredolu to pilot the affairs of the state.

    He also implored them to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s heart of sacrifice in their dealings with others.

    The acting governor reassured residents of the government’s commitment to peace, unity and sustainable development in the state.

    “Warm greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters from the government of Ondo State under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on this special day of Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    “Eid-el-Kibir celebration symbolises the extent of total submission of Prophet Ibrahim, when he answered the call of the Almighty Allah to sacrifice his only son, Isma’il to Allah.

    “I implore all Muslims to emulate the Prophet’s heart of sacrifice in their dealings. It is therefore imperative that Muslims should integrate the teachings of Eid-el-Kabir in their practical daily living.

    “I enjoined all Muslim faithful to use the Sallah celebrations to reflect on their past spiritual activities in the last 12 months and make the necessary sacrifice for peace and unity in our dear state and country.

    “No doubt, the celebration is normally characterised by several movements in and around the state and the country, it is important that we remain vigilant,” he said.

    Aiyedatiwa, while urging Muslims to cooperate with government by obeying the laws of the land and to maintain peaceful environment, said government was doing everything possible to protect lives and property of residence of the state.

    “I call on parents across the state not to allow their wards to be involved in criminal activities. Let us celebrate the Sallah in moderation,” he said.

  • Medical leave: Ondo gov, Rotimi Akeredolu hands over to deputy

    Medical leave: Ondo gov, Rotimi Akeredolu hands over to deputy

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has handed over to his deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa as acting governor after embarking on medical leave.

    The Ondo State House of Assembly has confirmed receipt of a letter for medical leave from Akeredolu.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji in a statement on Tuesday in Akure,  explained that the governor asked for 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from June 7 to July 6.

    According to the letter, the speaker said the leave will be extended to July 6 due to the public holidays on June 12(Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir on June 28 and June 29.

    He explained that the governor had stated in the letter that his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would act as acting governor for the period he will be away.

    The speaker, who described the governor as a lover of peace and an apostle of rule of law, wished him speedy recovery and joyful vacation.a

  • Group writes Gov. Akeredolu over alleged plot to impeach deputy

    Group writes Gov. Akeredolu over alleged plot to impeach deputy

    An advocacy group, Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG), has called on Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, to intervene over an alleged plot to impeach his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    The group stated this on Wednesday in an open letter to the governor, signed by its Deputy Executive Administrator, Mr. Ola Ajidibo, and made available to newsmen in Akure.

    In the letter, the group noted that the state had always been in the news for positive and progressive reasons until recent events in the state.

    According to the statement, the absence of the governor had led to some cabals to hijack power and thereby making the office of the deputy governor look irrelevant.

    According to the group, the situation had left it with no choice than to call the attention of the governor to the various developments in the state.

    It also said that the current development, especially as it concerns one of their sons, was the height of politics taken too far.

    “Your Excellency is aware of our moral support for your administration and our earnest desire that nothing shall impede your vision of leaving an indelible footprint on the developmental strides.

    “We were thus greatly delighted at the recent positive news of the Federal Government’s approval of Port Ondo, which is a notable feather to your cap.

    “However, news of recent events in the state as you took a leave of absence has given us great cause for concern,” the group said.

    According to them, given the gravity of some and potentially immeasurable negative implications, “we are left with no choice but to bring them to your attention.

    “These developments are currently leaving a sour taste in the mouth of the Ilaje nation and all right-thinking citizens of Ondo.

    “The untoward events seem to be underpinned by an orchestration to unlawfully impeach or remove from office, our son and your Deputy, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa,” the statement said.

    The group also alleged that the state House of Assembly Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, deliberately violated the order of protocol by deliberately not acknowledging the deputy governor’s office.

    The letter also claimed that the continuous harassment of the deputy governor would be seen as a deliberate plot to remove Ilaje people from political calculation in the state.

    “We are particularly pained, knowing of his utmost loyalty to Your Excellency and to your administration.

    “In the circumstances, we are being forced to regard the continued harassment of Hon. Aiyedatiwa as deliberate ploy to slight the Ilaje Nation from which he emerged,” it added.

    The group prayed for quick recovery of the governor so that politicians taking advantage of the absence of the governor would be called to order.

  • Ondo Deputy Governor denies allegations of beating up his wife

    Ondo Deputy Governor denies allegations of beating up his wife

    The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has denied allegations of physically abusing his wife, describing it as taking politics too far.

    A statement issued on Sunday in Akure by his media aide, Mr. Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, quotes Aiyedatiwa as stating that the allegations were baseless and the imagination of a faceless group.

    It would be recalled that there was news making the rounds on social media that the deputy governor allegedly assaulted his wife.

    The statement, which noted that the deputy governor reserved the right to privacy particularly with respect to his family, said there had never been any issue of domestic violence as alleged, as his wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, was at the moment outside the shores of the country.

    “It has come to the attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, that a baseless and false report credited to a faceless group alleging the deputy governor of domestic abuse and assault on his wife.

    “This falsehood and its peddlers would have ordinarily been ignored at this time but the need to halt further negative reports and rumours capable of creating needless tension in our state has necessitated this response.

    “The said allegation of domestic abuse against the person of the deputy governor is a figment of the imagination of those behind it and their ungodly intentions to cause crisis in the state had been known for weeks and therefore such falsehood did not come as a surprise.

    “It is not a secret that Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa has lived and worked in the United Kingdom for many years before her husband became an elected public official in Nigeria.

    “And since then she has been shuttling between the United Kingdom and Nigeria to take care of the home and the children who are also in the United Kingdom.

    “Therefore, any report of alleged domestic issues within the family should be taken as the handiwork of the enemies of the state who are bent on causing crisis where there is none.

    “And we therefore warn those spreading such falsehood to desist or face the consequences,” the statement said.

    According to the deputy governor, he has been busy with official duties of his office and performing duties delegated to him by his boss, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, while on leave.

    “It is, therefore uncharitable for anyone to claim that the deputy governor has in that period carried out “multiple assaults” on his spouse who is out of the country.

    “This is nothing but political blackmail taken too far.

    “We urge the good people of Ondo State to ignore such falsehood as those behind it may just be plotting further attacks on the deputy governor to promote their sinister agenda,” the statement concluded.