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  • BRECAN parleys Ondo health sector on effective cancer control

    BRECAN parleys Ondo health sector on effective cancer control

    The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has called for collaborations among key players in the health sector towards ensuring effective cancer control in the state.

    Speaking at the BRECAN lunch meeting with all health professionals in the state at an event which took place at the Multipurpose Hall of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Mrs. Akeredolu reviewed some of the activities of BRECAN over the years noting that the focus has always been on early detection and as well encouraging government to improve its policies and funding for cancer control.

    Mrs. Akeredolu who called for the commitment of all parties concerned noted that BRECAN is a non governmental organization funded by individuals.

    She also highlighted the goals of crowd funding campaigns while urging major players in the health sector to key into the initiative so as to keep up the advocacy in all nooks and crannies of the society at large.

    In his presentation, Dr. Kingsley Ndoh, a Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Washington and Consultant, Ondo State Cancer Control Programme gave an overview of the successes so far recorded to include getting the support and delivery of equipments from foreign partners among other things.

    He further observed that plans are underway to organise pathology workshops, just as Mrs. Akeredolu is expected to deliver a lecture at the Harvard University soonest as part of efforts geared towards attracting global attention.

    While noting that the strides of Mrs. Akeredolu got the commitment of the state government to build a cancer treatment centre in Ondo State, Dr. Ndoh further affirmed that appropriate legislative backing was appealed for from the state house of assembly towards ensuring that cancer is no longer a death sentence.

    In his remark, the Honourable Commissioner for Health in the State, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro while pledging to incorporate training of health workers on self breast examination into the system, affirmed government’s commitment to managing cancer in the state.

    Dr. Adegbenro who urged residents of the state to key into the health insurance scheme of the present administration noted that under the plan, there is unlimited access to funds for treatment of any diseases

    In her presentation, Dr. Teniola Akeredolu provided an overview of the conference attended in Lusaka, Zambia while stressing the need for collaboration between key stakeholders in the health sector.

    Earlier in lecture, Dr. Ndidi Okunuga noted that from available statistics from Akure, the Ondo State capital, there is an average of 80 cancer cases per year.

    According to her, there was a need for a comprehensive cancer control which would encompass having more Pathologists on ground to attend to patients, more scientists to conduct researches and as well the establishment of standard diagnostic labs among others.

    Ondo State BRECAN state chairman, Dr. Toyin Ayimoro while delivering her lecture on Building Partnership with Community Gatekeepers in Cancer Awareness and Advocacy called for all hands to be on deck as the incidence of cancer has been on the rise.

    Dr. Ayimoro who frowned at the fact that there are no adequate resources on ground to treat cancer patients underscored the need to strengthen partnership among all.

    High point of the event came with the verbal commitment of key stakeholders to continue to support the cause.

  • Osinbajo arrives Ondo on two-day visit

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday arrived Akure, the capital of Ondo State, for a two-day official visit.

    Osinbajo’s aircraft touched down at the Akure airport at about 2.30 p.m, although locals had been waiting for him since 10 a.m.

    During the visit, Osinbajo will launch the Ondo State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, (MSMEs) clinic, which is expected to serve as tonic to economic and developmental activities in the state.

    His visit will feature interactive sessions with MSMEs and their products.

    He is expected to inspect the home grown school feeding programme at Alagbaka Primary School and the Federal Government’s Light Up project at Isinkan Neighbourhood Market in the state capital.

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, members of the state executive council, lawmakers and security chiefs in the state were at the airport to receive the vice president.

    He immediately headed for the palace of the Deji of Akure, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, for a courtesy visit before proceeding to the International Event Centre for a meeting.

    At the time of filing this report, Osinbajo was still meeting with and addressing people at the centre.

  • Several injured as Hausa, Yoruba clash in Ondo

    Seeral people were on Sunday in the Sabo area of Akure, the Ondo State capital, as the Yoruba engaged in a free-for-all with some members of the Hausa community, leading to many people being injured.

    It was gathered that the fight involved some followers of a masquerader in Akure who entered the Sabo area, where most of the Hausa resided.

    A source explained that the followers of the masquerader passed through the Old Garage area of Akure where some Hausas sold groceries.

    The followers were alleged to have attempted to disrupt the business of the Hausa traders which was resisted by the latter, leading to a clash.

    The source said, “The crisis started after some followers of the Akure masquerader disturbed the activities of the Hausa, who were selling at the Old Garage area. “

    It was gathered that vehicular movement was halted on Oba Adesida Road for several hours.

    Some motorcycles were reportedly burnt, while some houses were torched.

    Also, men of the state police command and the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, were reportedly deployed in the scene to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

    Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, said the command had begun investigation into the matter.

    He said, “We learnt that some people who were following a masquerader had issues with some members of the Hausa community. But immediately we drafted our men there, normalcy was returned. We are still looking for the people that caused the crisis. If we arrest them, we will charge them to court.”

    The Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, Mr. Michael Adeyeye, said the palace was also investigating the matter.

  • Two brothers found dead inside deep freezer in Ondo

    Two children of the same parents, Olufemitan Olaitan, 9; and Oluwafifunmi Olaitan, 7, have been found dead inside a non-functioning deep freezer in their house located at No 6, Road 1, Eyin Ala, Akure in Ondo State.

    According to Punch, their mother, Mrs. Olubunmi Olaitan, went outside and left the two primary school pupils in the house playing; but before she returned home, the two male children were already inside the deep freezer, dead.

    The incident happened on Monday, and it is still unclear as to how the children got into the deep freezer and were found dead.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident, describing it as “sad and unfortunate.”

    He explained that there was no trace that the boys were killed, adding that the command did not make any arrest on the matter.

    “We did not suspect any foul play because it appeared as if the kids were playing inside the deep freezer and the deep freezer locked up when there was nobody at home to open its door for them,” Joseph said.

     

  • Pregnant women stage protest against Akeredolu [Photos]

    Pregnant women stage protest against Akeredolu [Photos]

    Apparently worried over the outrageous childbirth medical bills in Ondo under the administration of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, pregnant women on Thursday staged a protest, grounded activities at Ondo State Specialist Hospital, in Akure.

    According to a witness, who spoke to TheNewsGuru.com on the peaceful demonstration, the protesters reportedly demanded that Akeredolu reverse the new ₦25,000 bill for normal delivery which was absolutely FREE (including caesarean section, CS) under former Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

    Our source quoted one of the pregnant women: “ This is not the Ondo we used to know, under Mimiko, we don’t pay a dime to get maternal care, in fact the government gives us maternal kits that contains some of the things we will need in the persiod.”

    Hitherto free delivery at the Mother and Child Hospital by the immediate past administration where pregnant women in the state had their safe delivery without paying any fee has now been abolished. Sometime last year, a mother and her new born child were detained at the hospital over failure to pay for the fees demanded by the hospital. It took the intervention of a philanthropist who raised the said amount before she could be released.

    Under Akeredolu, the health sector in the state according to critics is nothing to write home about. Apart from the crazy bills for pregant women, there has reportedly been dearth of personnel, especially doctors and nurses at the hospitals, thereby putting the lives of patients in danger during emergency.

     

     

  • [Photos] Ondo First Lady, Betty Akeredolu Crowned ‘Ada Emeabiam II’

    The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu was crowned with the traditional title ‘Ada Emeabiam II’ of Emeabiam in Owerri West Local Government of Imo State by His Royal Majesty, Eze Eunan Eke, Ohazurume 1 of Umuokpo autonomous community, Emeabiam. This honour is coming on the heels of her numerous contributions to the development of Emeabiam community.

    Top among the dignitaries that graced the occasion was the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Imo State, ably represented by the SSG, Sir George Eche, the deputy of Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and the Secretary to the State Government, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde among others.

    In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Akeredolu who thanked the people for considering her worthy of the title promised to do her best to better the lives of the people in the community just as she affirmed her readiness to work and surpass the legacies left behind by Mrs. Angela Abana, the first to be titled ‘Ada Emeabiam’

    Mrs. Akeredolu also used the opportunity to express her readiness to continue to give back and empower her people. “I intend to use this position as an avenue to campaign for the betterment of our people. I intend to set up a foundation made up of well meaning sons and daughters of Emeabiam with the sole aim of identifying the problems and constructively dealing with them”, she stressed.

    While also appreciating HRH, Eze Eunan Eke, Ohazurume 1 of Umuokpo for the honour done her, Mrs. Akeredolu expressed the notion that it is going to be a new dawn thus calling for supports from all and sundry.

    In his remark, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Akeredolu congratulated his wife stressing that it was a honour well deserved.

    According to him, it was not a surprise that she was honoured with the traditional chieftaincy title as her love for her community cannot be quantified and the love of her people is very dear to her heart.

    Arakurin Akeredolu further assured the people of the community that the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha will fix the road leading to the village.
    Earlier in his remark, Eze of Emeabiam described Arabinrin Akeredolu as a woman who has been working for the development of the community for a very long time noting that it was indeed a honour well deserved.

    He also used the opportunity to call on his people to continue to support the newly crown ‘Ada Emeabiam II’ so that she can be able to achieve her goals for the community.

  • Traditional ruler sentenced to two years imprisonment over fraud

    Ondo State Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Ore has sentenced a traditional ruler in the Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, Oba Pius Akinfesola Adewola, to two years imprisonment.

    The monarch was arraigned for 36 counts bordering on fraud, theft, illegal conversion of the monthly salaries of his domestic workers and chiefs, false declaration and impersonation.

    In 2012, residents of the community in a peaceful protest banished him over an alleged misrule which they claimed brought the community into disrepute.

    Similarly, the monarch was also accused of shortchanging traditional chiefs in the community by refusing to pay them their entitlement in full after he had collected same from the local government.

    The community also accused him of engaging in a clash with his chiefs, as well as an illegal conversion of the community resources for personal use and writing of fictitious petitions against his subjects.

    Shortly after his suspension by the Ondo State Government from parading himself as the Akamuja of Igburowo land, he was arrested and detained by the police at the Ondo State Police Command in Akure, the capital of Ondo State, over the allegations.

    He was subsequently arraigned in court on the 36 counts.

    Delivering the judgement, the presiding Magistrate, O.J Adelegan, ruled the plaintiff had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the monarch committed the offences.

    The court held that Oba Adewola should be jailed for two years or pay a fine of N500,000 on each of the charges.

    Magistrate O.J Adelegan, said “from the antecedents so far garnered on the record, the convict appears to me, a conscienceless person, who has no iota of regret, indulging in such an opprobrious and despicable act”.

    “However, since it is no gainsaying, that our law is no respecter of any personality, I strongly deprecate the ungainly and unbecoming acquisitive conduct of the convict, particularly, his fraudulent instinct to corruptly enrich himself at the expense of others. Though, I have listened attentively to the plea of alocutus by his counsel, but from the available record, I see him as a neophyte, I mean a first offenders.

    “Nevertheless, I am strongly of the humble mindset, that if the convict is not appropriately sanctioned, the danger inherent therein, is that people of like minds, may either overtly be influenced or encouraged to see criminality, as a veritable means of livelihood. To this end the convict is hereby sentenced as follows.

    “On counts 10-21 of the charge, which are on fraudulent conversion, the convict is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment or to pay a fine of 500,000.00 on each of the counts,” he stated.

    In reaction, counsel to the monarch, Mr Bode Akinkoye, described the verdict as fair with the option of fine granted by the court.

    Also, counsel to the Ondo State Government from the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Bola Joel-Ogundadegbe, commended the court for its thoroughness in the judgement.

  • [Photos] Akeredolu’s wife launches forum, empowers women in Ondo

    Wife of the Governor of Ondo State, Arabirin Betty Anyanwu – Akeredolu officially launched her initiative, Forum for Wives of Ondo State Officials (FOWOSO) at a colourful event which witnessed display of cultures from across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.

    The epoch-making event drew governors and politicians across the country such as Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the Chairman of the occasion, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, the wife of Ondo State Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs. Ajewole Agboola Ajayi, wives of past Governors in the state, royal fathers, among other leaders in the state.

    Addressing the gathering at the M.K.O Democracy Park in Akure, the initiator, Mrs. Akeredolu stressed some of the objectives of FOWOSO noting that it would help in developing and executing programmes that would build capacity in young and old women in the state.

    She explained that FOWOSO will stand for and create equal opportunity for women of the state so as to prepare them to take charge when called upon. While stressing the need to urgently address low representation of women in position of real authority and decision-making.

    Mrs. Akeredolu noted that women’s roles have grown to the point where it is a loss to the society to segregate them from economic activity and decision-making processes.

    Arabirin Akeredolu also expressed optimism that FOWOSO will become a lasting legacy that will continue to carry out projects aimed at empowering, establishing and encouraging girls and women to be more in the society even after she leaves office.

    “We as women are capable of leaving lasting legacy in the annals of time of this great sunshine state and the nation at large. We believe that FOWOSO can be one of such legacies, not mine but of all women in this state. We believe that FOWOSO will be here for a long time, even after I leave, providing unity amongst women in the state to carry out projects aimed at empowering, establishing and encouraging girls and women to be more and do more”, she added.

    The chairman of the occasion, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State in his opening address, expresse congratulations to Ondo State people saying that the Akeredolu led government is known for running its government on the principle of good governance.

    Alhaji Bello who was ably represented by Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, the Secretary to Kogi State Government commended the launch of FOWOSO noting that it is indeed a great platform that would help the spouses of the officials in the state to complement the efforts of their husbands.

    She urged members of FOWOSO to pay attention to issues that affects women and girl child as it has a way of influencing men noting that once the heart of the female constituency is captured, it will go a long way in bridging the gap between the government and the governed.

    Earlier, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in his remark called for supports from members of FOWOSO while also expressing confidence that the forum will accomplish the purpose for which it was established.

    Governor Akeredolu who lauded his wife for her selfless services to humanity stressed that she is a detribalized woman who is willing to continue to advocate for the cause of women and girl children.

    In her goodwill message, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki acknowledged the good work being done in the state by the Akeredolu led government while also charging members of FOWOSO to support their First Lady to accomplish the goals of the forum.

    She also urged women to wake up and take up the challenge of becoming relevant in key areas as they have a lot to contribute to the development of their state.

    While also expressing congratulations to members of the state, two former First Ladies in Ondo State, Mrs. Grace Onyarugbulem and Olufunke Agagu solicited for supports for the success of the initiative by members of FOWOSO.

    The climax of the event was the distribution of empowerment tools such as sewing machines, hairdressing machine and as well grinding machines to women across the 18 local government areas of the state. There was also free medical check ups.

    Expressing gratitude for the empowerment, two of the beneficiaries, Ayodele Bosede from Akure South Local Government and Kaliyatu Olukoju from Akoko South West Local Government thanked Mrs. Akeredolu for coming up with the initiative noting that it would not have come at a better time than now when there is a growing need to be a pillar in their respective homes and provide support not only to their children but their husbands as well.

  • Nigerian Army set to launch operation “Crocodile Smile II” in Edo, Delta, Ondo States

    …Assures residents of safety

    The 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin said it had concluded plans to conduct a training code named, “Crocodile Smile II’’ in Edo and Delta and Ondo states.

    A statement by Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Maidawa, in Benin on Tuesday said the exercise was in line with the Nigerian Army Training Directive.

    Mr. Maidawa, a captain, said that the exercise, scheduled to take place from October 7 to October 28, would be in the Brigade area of responsibility in the three states.

    He said that troops of the headquarters of the Brigade and its units in the three states would participate in the exercise.

    The assistant director said that the exercise would afford troops the opportunity to train effectively on various aspects of operational proficiency in land and riverine operations.

    He also said, “Crocodile Smile II’’ was meant to sharpen the combat skills of the troops in the Nigerian Army operational capability.

    The assistant director urged the general public not to panic on sighting movement of troops and heavy equipment.

    According to him, it is a routine exercise undertaken by the Brigade as captured by the Nigerian Army Directive in 2017.

    Mr. Maidawa said that the exercise would commence with some civil-military activities, including medical outreach, environmental sanitation and donation of educational materials to schools.

     

  • Captured Boko Haram member, Mohammed confesses he was in Ondo to carry out attack

    A suspected member of the Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Bashir, who was arrested by men of the Ondo State Police Command on Saturday confessed on yesterday that he was in the state for an attack.

    Mohammed, who was arrested by anti-riot policemen, said his friends in Nasarawa State introduced the group to him.

    The 20-year-old was arrested while looking for a cafeteria with his colleagues in preparation for an operation. He has been handed over to the Army.

    Mohammed said he relocated from Nasarawa to Ondo State with his younger brother, who is also a member of the group, after some successful operations.

    He added that his colleagues were in Nasarawa and some northern states, but some of them relocated to the Southwest, including Ondo State.

    Commissioner of Police Gbenga Adeyanju, who paraded the suspect, said the Army would take over the matter. He will be prosecuted, he said.

    Adeyanju said the commitment of the police command led to the arrest of the two suspected Boko Haram members held in the state in the last one week.

    Adeyanju urged the public to inform the police of any strange movements in their areas, adding that the police cannot do it alone.