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  • Lassa fever claims 15 lives in Ondo

    …102 infected

    No fewer than 102 people have been confirmed to be positive with Lassa fever with addition of 15 people who died in Ondo State between January and February this year.

    The state Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Wale Oke disclosed this while speaking with reporters in Akure, the state capital.

    According to him, “As at Thursday February 21, 102 people have been positive to Lassa fever this year. 82 people in January and 20 people so far in February apart from 15 people dead in January as a result of the fever but no death has been recorded so far in February.

    “Most people that died either reported late or were already subjected to alternative treatment and doing self-medication before they eventually came to hospital.Their kidneys and livers had been affected as a result of the delay.

    Oke, who also works at Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo, urged residents of the state to report early to the medical centre if they experienced upsurge of temperature in their bodies.

    He said “We have contact tracing mechanism whereby we can place on surveillance for 21 days those that may have contact with infected person. We continue to monitor their temperature if it is above 37.8 and ask them quick treatment.

    According to him, the centre has the highest success rate out of the three treatment centers in Nigeria for Lassa fever cases treatment, giving kudos to its management team.

    He added that the state government had put in place measures to curtail the fever and that the government had declared state of emergency on health sector.

    Oke explained that Ondo NMA alongside Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and others had engaged in series of sensitization exercises for the people of the state.

    He said the exercise was aimed at preventing further cases in the state, saying “NMA is concerned with the infection, prevention and control out of the so many pillars involved in the management of Lassa fever hence the basis for the sensitization.”

    He however disclosed that Owo, Ose, Akoko North, Akure South and Akure North are the local government areas of the state with the recorded cases.

  • INEC declares Ondo South Senatorial election inconclusive

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday in Okitipupa, Ondo State, declared Ondo South Senatorial election inconclusive.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otunba Nicholas Tofowomo of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 79,029 votes, while his closest rival, the current Senator, Mr Yele Omogunwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 51,993 votes at the Saturday’s National Assembly elections.

    Prof. Kayode Onifade, the INEC Returning Officer for Ondo South, also of Department of Micro-Biology, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), who declared the election inconclusive sighted various irregularities.

    He pointed out that the number of cancelled votes of 28,047 was higher than 27,036 which the margin between the two leading parties, PDP and APC.

    He said registered voters were 576,733, while accredited voters for the election were 196,282 in the six Local Government Areas (LGAs): Okitipupa, Irele, Odigbo, Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Ile Oluji/Oke-Igbo.

    He added that elections were cancelled in 56 Polling Units in five LGA’s: Ilaje: 42, Irele: 4, Okitipupa: 6, Odigbo:1 and Ese-Odo: 3.

    He also pointed out various irregularities ranging from voters refusal to use card readers, over voting of accredited voters, snatching of ballot boxes and violence among others which marred the credibility of the polls.

    “About 56 polling units were cancelled in five LGAs and several electoral irregularities marred the conduct of the polls.

    “As the numbers of cancelled votes of 28,047 was more than the margin of the leading votes of 27,036, I hereby declare the election inconclusive,” Onifade said.

    NAN also reports that Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGAs turned in their results very late in the night, which delayed collation of results at the Stellamaris College Collation Centre in Okitipupa.

  • Osinbajo, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others attend Fasehun’s burial in Ondo

    Osinbajo, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others attend Fasehun’s burial in Ondo

    The remains of the founder of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Frederick Fasehun, were on Thursday laid to rest in his home town in Ondo City, Ondo State.

    Political personalities, activists, friends and well wishers were on hand to bid him farewell amid praises for his accomplishments while he was alive.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu; his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, and former Governor Olusegun Mimiko were some of the eminent Nigerians who attended the burial programme held at the St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Ondo.

    In his sermon, the Arch-Bishop of Ondo Anglican Province, Gabriel Akinbiyi, said death is a necessary end for every human being.

    He advised the people to always do good, while they are alive.

    Osinbajo, in his eulogy, described the late OPC founder as a dogged fighter and a highly principled personality.

    He said Fasehun would be greatly remembered for his contributions to the development of Yoruba people and Nigeria at large.

    Akeredolu on his part, described the late Mr Fasehun as a unique and special leader.

    Faseun, a medical doctor and pro-democracy activist, was 83 years old. He died on December 1 after a brief illness.

     

  • Two killed in Ondo auto crash

    Two No people were confirmed dead and five injured in a road traffic accident involving a tanker conveying petroleum product and two other vehicles at Shasha Market along Akure-Owo Expressway.

    Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, Deputy Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo state Command, confirmed the incident to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview in Akure on Wednesday.

    “There was a crash this morning at Shasha Market involving a tanker and two other vehicles.

    “We got information that a tanker had a break failure and hit a vehicle and entered into a filling station while the other truck, in trying to avoid the tanker, ran into an opposite filling station.

    “Two people died at a spot while five injured were rushed to a hospital in Akure.

    “So, we are still doing a follow-up but the obstruction is already cleared and the road is free now,” Ogungbemide said.

    He called on tanker drivers and other motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in good order before embarking on any journey, especially during the yuletide to avoid road crashes.

    “Motorists should try and put their vehicles in order.

    “We have been doing the advocacy for long, that when they get to busy area, they should reduce their speed to the minimum speed limit and have respect for other road users.

    “And, this season, motorists should know that activities on the road are high and they should drive with every cautiousness that it deserves,” he said.

    NAN

  • Mimiko withdraws from Presidential race, to run for senate

    Mimiko withdraws from Presidential race, to run for senate

    – Adegbenro Steps Down, Says Mimiko is a Better Candidate

    Presidential candidate of the Zenith Labour Party and a two term governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has backed out of the 2019 Presidential race.

    Mimiko announced his withdrawal from the race while meeting with the party faithful from the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo state and some national leaders of the party, in Ondo, on Thursday.

    “I took the decision in the ultimate interest of our party, the Zenith Labour Party,” the former Governor said at the meeting.

    Instead, Mimiko said at the meeting that he would now be running as the candidate of the ZLP for Ondo Central Senatorial district in next year’s election.

    Since declaring his intention to run for President, Mimiko has enjoyed massive support from different groups across the country.

    Meanwhile the ZLP candidate for Ondo Central Senatorial district, Engr. Gboye Adegbenro has stepped down for Mimiko.

    Adegbenro, a former commissioner for Works under the Mimiko’s administration, said in a statement on Thursday that he is stepping down for Mimiko “in the interest of the Zenith Labour Party and our dear state.”

    He added that “I am convinced that the candidacy of our leader, the former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, will better serve the interest of the district now and the overall goal of the south west. Mimiko is a Better Candidate whose national and international exposure and achievements as a two-term Governor, will further add value to the state and the country at large.

    While appreciating his constituents, followers and party leaders who have been with him all through the processes that culminated into taking the decision, Adegbenro said “I remain a firm believer and supporter of my brother and leader, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, who invited me into partisan politics and who has always provided selfless leadership.”

    Mimiko did not disclose if his party would be supporting any of the major presidential candidates in the 2019 presidential race.

  • Sleeping on duty: Kidnapper high on Tramadol arrested while unconscious in victim’s house

    Sleeping on duty: Kidnapper high on Tramadol arrested while unconscious in victim’s house

    Men of the State Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ondo State, have arrested a member of a kidnapping gang in Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state, who had been sleeping since Sunday evening before his arrest.

    The suspect who had slept for over 24 hours after his arrest at the scene of the operation was suspected to have taken a large quantity or dose of drugs suspected to be Tramadol.

    Parading the unconscious suspect at the command headquarters in Akure, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, explained that the suspect and his gang members had invaded a pharmacy in Owo to kidnap the owner.

    Joseph said the three-man gang stormed the store with a gun, but the victim raised the alarm and escaped through the back door.

    The PPRO said, “After failing to abduct their target, the hoodlums fled, but one of them stumbled because he was not active again due to the effect of the tramadol he had taken.

    “The suspect has been sleeping for more than 24 hours after his arrest while a 400mg tablet of tramadol was found in his pocket. “

    The police spokesman said the suspect would be charged to court after regaining consciousness.

  • Hungry worker kills boss over unpaid wages in Ondo

    Hungry worker kills boss over unpaid wages in Ondo

    The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a worker, Adewale Adegoroye, for allegedly killing his boss, Akinwumi Akinmulero, the manager of a cooperative society owned by cocoa farmers in Ondo State.

    The 42-year-old suspect was said to have been hired by Akinmulero on commission basis since September 2017, but had a disagreement with the manager on Wednesday over his wage.

    The argument was said to have become heated and the suspect reportedly stabbed Akinmulero and fled with N700,000 belonging to the cooperative society.

    It was gathered that the cooperative society money was meant to be given to agents to buy cocoa produce from farmers in the rural areas.

    Parading the suspect at the Ondo State Police Command headquarters in Akure on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, said the suspect allegedly killed his boss and stole the N700,000 which the deceased withdrew from a bank.

    Joseph said, “Akinwumi (Akinmulero) withdrew N700,000 from a bank. He was the manager of a multi-purpose cooperative society belonging to farmers in Ondo.

    “On seeing him with the money,, the suspect followed his boss, stabbed him and stole the money. Luck, however, ran out on him as he was chased by the people around.

    “He jumped into one compound where he was arrested by people. He would have been lynched if not for the intervention of the police.”

    The suspect said he did not intentionally kill his boss, adding that he stabbed him during an argument over his wage.

    He said, “He has not paid me since I started working for him in September last year. On Tuesday when he brought the money to the office, I asked him to give me my wage from the money he brought because I was hungry.

    “He ignored me and refused to give me the money; so, I forcefully took N200,000 from the money. But he grabbed it and slapped me. He also brought out a knife to stab me, but I managed to collect the knife from him. I stabbed him and ran out of the office with the N200,000. I acted that way because I was frustrated; I did not know that he would die.”

  • Police arrest suspected killer boyfriend of Ex-Ondo Deputy Governor’s daughter

    Police arrest suspected killer boyfriend of Ex-Ondo Deputy Governor’s daughter

    The Ondo State Police command have arrested Adeyemi Alao suspected to be the killer of the daughter of former Deputy Governor of the state, Miss Khadijat Oluboyo.

    Khadijat, daughter of Lasisi Oluboyo who was also a one-time Commissioner in Ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s Cabinet was found dead in Alao’s residence on Sunday.

    Sources said the deceased had died almost six days before her corpse was discovered inside her boyfriend the room.

    The suspect, who is also the deceased boyfriend was said to be staying permanently in Abuja.

    It was learnt that Alao had made attempts to bury Khadijat’s corpse in his house at Oke-Aro area of Akure.

    According to a source, he had dug a grave in the room, before nemesis caught up with him.

    Khadihat, a-20-year-old final year student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko was said to be fond of visiting his ex-lover each time he came to Akure from Abuja and usually passed the night with him.

    There were speculations that the suspected killer was a “yahoo boy” who planned to use her late girlfriend for rituals Police spokesman, Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police(SP) said the suspect was arrested by a team of detectives from the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

    He said the suspect, who was already in police custody has been cooperating with the police on relevant information on the circumstances that led to the death of Khadijat.

    Joseph said the Commissioner of Police will address the press after they conclude their investigations on the matter.

    He assured that the case would be thoroughly investigated with a view to establishing facts behind the death of the Ikare-Akoko born University final year student.

    The PPRO said the suspect and others who might have involved in the death of Khadijat would be prosecuted.

  • 20 burnt to death in Ondo road accident

    No fewer than 20 people reportedly lost their lives while others sustained injuries in a road accident which occurred on Epinmi-Isua Akoko Road, in the Akoko South-East Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday.

    According to reports the vehicles involved had a head-on collision on the road.

    An eyewitness, who declined to be named, said 14-passengers Toyota bus collided with a Range Rover.

    It was also leant that after the collision, the two vehicles caught fire which consumed some occupants of the vehicles.

    The eyewitness said, “One of the vehicles was overtaking another vehicle on the road when it collided with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction.”

    He also explained that the drivers of the two vehicles survived the accident with injuries, adding that they were receiving treatment at the hospital.

    It was further gathered that the men of Federal Road Safety Corps in Ikare Akoko rushed to the scene of the accident and coordinate the rescue operation.

    They reportedly deposited the corpses of the victims at the morgue of the Ondo State Specialist Hospital in Ikare Akoko.

    The Public Relations Officer of the FRSC, Ondo Sector Command, Mrs Antonia Oni, said she could not confirm the accident because she was away on an official duty.

    But the Police Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Mr Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, adding that the accident occurred as a result of reckless driving on the part of the drivers of the vehicles involved.

    He said, “It was a sad incident, 15 people initially died in the fire, they were burnt beyond recognition, while five others died on the way to a hospital.

    “We can also confirm that the accident occurred as a result of reckless driving.”