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Ondo state government has lifted the ban placed on activities in the State Forest Reserves with effect from Monday, November 15, 2021.
This is contained in a statement released and signed by the state commissioner, Ministry of Information and orientation Mr Donald Ojogo.
“This is to announce to the general public, especially stakeholders in the forestry sector that the ban placed on activities in the State Forest Reserves has been lifted with effect from Monday, November 15, 2021”.
It will be recalled that the State Executive Council, as part of its conclusions at its meeting on the 31st of August, 2021, placed a ban on all activities in the forests including logging and flitching.
The measure was aimed at bringing sanity to the sector even as it was meant to engender enhanced revenue generation for the State.
Ten weeks since the ban, Government’s internal and administrative measures emplaced were carefully monitored with a view to charting a more enduring path towards the effective utilisation of the State’s vast forest resources for the general good.
These mechanisms and measures are undoubtedly, effective enough to drive Government’s vision for the sector. The review of the ban and subsequent approval by Mr Governor to lift same, therefore, comes on the heels of an appreciable level of compliance on the part of those saddled with responsibilities during the ban. So far, the measures have yielded some commendable results.
All permit holders as well as other legitimate stakeholders are hereby enjoined to commence their activities ONLY from the approved date, Monday 15th November, 2021. State Forest Officers are equally, further mandated to ensure strict adherence to approved guidelines in the discharge of their duties for enhanced productivity.
The Governor of ondo state, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ably represented by HON Wale Akinterinwa (Ajangamo) the state commissioner for Finance thanked the people of Odigbo LG for always standing by the party in all elections.
“That is the reason Mr Governor is reciprocating this good gestures by ensuring the people of odigbo enjoy infrastructural goodies and the state government is resolute in turning the local government to the most industrialised in the state.
The chief Launcher of the day ISERO DAY, Hon Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (BTO) Representing the good people of Akoko North West and Akoko North East, Chairman House Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission was represented by his chief of staff Alhaji Dona thanked the Orunja of Odigbo Oba Rufus Akinrinmade for the honour bestowed upon his boss as the chief Launcher.
He, however, apologized for not present in person due to some tight schedules.
He congratulated the Orunja in council and RT. Hon Mayowa Akinfolarin for the successful hosting of Isero Day and prayed for more to be witnessed in the land of the living.
The event was also graced by a popular business tycoon from Oyo State, HON Adelani Ashiru Afeez who donated handsomely towards Development of Odigbo kingdom.
No fewer than six persons have reportedly burnt at Oke Ola, a village along Ore -Okitipupa road in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to eyewitness account, the accident which occured yesterday around noon, involved a Toyota coaster bus suspected to be coming from AKURE for an occasion and a J5 vehicle which was said to be loaded with ethanol.
The source told our correspondent that the two drivers were initially driving too fast, and in an attempt to swerve their vehicles to avoid the potholes they both rammed inside the bush and the ended up in the bush as the collision resulted in gas inferno.
He however said immediately the incident occurred he called on some residents of the community for help put the fire out, but all efforts proved abortive.
It was also learnt that the remains of those six occupants of the buses have been deposited at a morgue while those rescued were also receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ore the headquarter of Odigbo Local Government Area.
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Sunday declared that “Ambassador Sola Iji as Araba of Apoi land is a call to duty” .
The Deputy Governor, on behalf of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN made the statement while speaking to the press at the Conferment ceremony of Iji both as “Araba” of Igbobini and “Araba” of Apoi land.
His words, “Ambassador Sola Iji exemplary qualities are too numerous to mention” .
“It is his commitment and aspirations for a better Apoi Nation that he is being honoured today both as Araba of Igbobini and Araba of Apoi land” .
“I’m so happy for him and the people of Igbobini and Apoi as a tribe, as one of their own is being elevated today as Araba of Apoi land” .
“Is a good thing, it’s a call to duty for him, that what he has been doing before now, made the Kabiyesi to recognize him…I think he should continue to tow that part of life, and am sure he will do more for his people” .
“And, I on behalf of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, and the good people of the State join other well meaning Nigerians to congratulate him and wish him well in his new position”, Aiyedatiwa said.
Equally honoured was Ambassador Iji’s wife, Mrs Taiwo Iji who was honoured as “Yeye Araba” of Apoi land.
Personalities that witnessed the event includes, Ondo State All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Chairman, Engr Ade Adetimehin, Commissioner of Finance, Hon Wale Akinterinwa, Chairman, Ese-Odo LG, Hon Folawe Sipasi-Aluko, SSA on Women and Social Development, Mrs Kehinde Omolara ( K-K ), former Secretary to the State Government, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Pastor Femi Agagu, former Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, former Commissioner of Culture and Orientation, Alhaji Olurimisi Ismaila, former Special Adviser on Political Matters, Rt Hon Victor Olabimtan, former Special Adviser on Commerce and Industry, Hon Tunji Fabiyi.
Others are APC Chieftains, Chief Olusola Oke SAN, Industrialist, Prince Jimi Odimayo, Hon ( Chief ) Tayo Eniku and others.
Traditional Rulers thate graced the event includes, Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Abodi of Ikale Land, Oba G.O Faduyile, Kalasuwe of Apoi land, Oba ( Prof ) Sunday Amuseghan, Ajobu of Araromi-Obu, Oba Aderemi Adetula, Olu of Igbobini, Oba Raphael Oyedele and others.
Ambassador Olusola Iji and his wife, Mrs. Taiwo Iji has both been conferred the eminent traditional titles of Araba and Yeye Araba of both Igbobini and Apoi Land in Apoi, in Ese-Odo local government Area of Ondo State.
The event which took place at the palace of the Olu of Igbobini, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dele Raphael, have in attendance the high level traditional investiture.
Speaking to the press at the Conferment ceremony of Iji both as “Araba” of Igbobini and “Araba” of Apoi land, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa declared that “Ambassador Sola Iji as Araba of Apoi land is a call to duty” .
The Deputy Governor, on behalf of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN said “Ambassador Sola Iji exemplary qualities are too numerous to mention”
“It is his commitment and aspirations for a better Apoi Nation that he is being honoured today both as Araba of Igbobini and Araba of Apoi land” .
“I’m so happy for him and the people of Igbobini and Apoi as a tribe, as one of their own is being elevated today as Araba of Apoi land” .
“Is a good thing, it’s a call to duty for him, that what he has been doing before now, made the Kabiyesi to recognize him…I think he should continue to tow that part of life, and am sure he will do more for his people” .
“And, I on behalf of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, and the good people of the State join other well meaning Nigerians to congratulate him and wish him well in his new position”, Aiyedatiwa said.
Equally honoured was Ambassador Iji’s wife, Mrs Taiwo Iji who was honoured as “Yeye Araba” of Apoi land.
The Araba and Yeye Araba were later unveiled at the palace while Olu of Igbobini offered them prayer from the stool.
Earlier In his welcome address, the Royal host of the investiture ceremony, Oba Dele Raphael congratulated Amb. Iji and his amiable wife , describing Iji as a true son of the soil whose exemplary leadership and commitment to Community development qualified him for the traditional title.
Oba Raphael said Iji has put the town on a high scale of international reckoning and as a true Ambassador his name and personality remain unblemished in all the exalted position God has made him to occupy.
“I am a thorough monarch and I don’t offer just anybody chieftaincy title , far from it. I don’t belong in the class of those who commercial chieftaincy titles for the sake of stomach infrastructure and here in Igbobini, you must merit it and even be overqualified before you can be given a chieftaincy title.
The title of Araba is not just given to lowly personages in the society but an eminently qualified person who has in no small measure contributed to the society in all noble ramifications.
On this basis I want to congratulate our Araba and Yeye Araba of Igbobini and advise them to continue to do all the good things that made the council of Chiefs to agree collectively that The Araba title and that of Yeye Araba should go to them.’
Oba Dele Raphael saluted the government of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over his drive to rid the state of criminal elements and security threat through the Amotekun corps.
“I know the Corp Commandant of Amotekun corps, Chief Tunji Adeleye. He is a very capable hand and a very committed security expert. The Governor has shown clearly that the security of the people and property is important to him and he has shown his conviction by the adequate support he has given the Amotekun corps.”
The Royal Father pleaded with Ondo State Governor to provide the Royal Fathers with the necessary wherewithal and appurtenances their stools deserve.
At Oboro, the seat of the Kalasuwe of Apoi Land, the first class monarch , Oba Prof. Amuseghan expressed his delight over the new giant strides of Amb. Olusola Iji.
While decorating Amb. Olusola Iji and his wife as Araba and Yeye Araba respectively, Oba Amuseghan prayed for them and charge them to continue to support the cause of the development of Apoi just like they have been doing before.
It will be recalled that Amb. Iji was the State Chairman of Action Congress in Ondo State.
Hon. Akinde Abimbola Sunday, founder and sponsor of Bimbola Salas Foundation has given out free premium motor spirit ( petrol) to commercial motorcyclist operators popularly known as Okada Riders in Idanre Local Government Area.
The free fuel distributions which took place at Exodus Petro station, Idanre and Lexto filling station, Alade- Idanre witnessed numerous numbers of okada operators who were seeing to be visible happy and showering encomium towards the good gesture which they all described as first of its kind.
Some of the beneficiaries while speaking with our correspondent described Salas as a kind-hearted person who cares so much about the well-being of the people and one who derived so much pleasure in giving back to society.
They however charged other illustrious sons and daughters of the Idanre community to emulate the good gesture of the Bimbola Salas Foundation.
In his remarks, Mr Taiwo Alaba said God will continue to promote him in all his endeavours and that whatever he lays his hands upon, he will always excel.
He admonished him not to relent in his generosity for he surely reap it in due season if he faint not.
Alaba further stressed that the Okada operators have the largest voting strength in Idanre LGA, he, therefore, advised Bimbola Salas to venture into politics as every one of them is solidly behind him.
Also, Mr Tope Ilemobayo thanked Bimbola Salas Foundation for the initiative which he said has brought joy to his family because he could now afford to save more money for the family upkeep.
He also appeals to another notable individual of Idanre origin to emulate Salas Foundation as this noble act alone will help to reduce crime and criminality and other social vices in the society.
Hon. Akinde Abimbola Sunday (Salas), as fondly called by his admirers, is an Idanre indigene based in Istanbul, Turkey. He is a business mogul with a special interest in Textile, Furniture and Steel Doors.
He has been performing numerous philanthropic activities for the less privileged and downtrodden in the Idanre community in the recent past with 100 people who have already benefited from his skill acquisition programs in various fields such as hairdressing, barbing, tailoring, makeup, leather works etc.
Bimbola Salas Foundation efforts in providing clean and potable water, built and completed a motorized borehole at Palace Road near Abattoir. He also engaged in the payment of WAEC/NECO fees of indigent students.
The widows were also not left out through the provision of social stimulus packages, Empowerment for Okada Operators to mention but few.
In pursuance of the success of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s ‘REDEEMED’ agenda and also entrench the spirit of premium service delivery in all establishment of government in Ondo State, the state Head of Service Pastor John Adeyemo launched feedback mechanism for Public Secondary Schools and Health facilities in the state.
Pastor Adeyemo, while launching the feedback charts in his office noted that education and health sectors are the most active outlets that render services to members of the public which could be used as performance indicator and assessment of the level of achievement of an administration.
He stressed that the Redeemed agenda which has ‘Efficient Service Delivery and Policy Development’ as one of it’s cardinal point expects nothing short of excellent service delivery and unreserved dedication of all Public Servants for higher productivity.
The Head of Service, who noted that feedback boxes and charts were inaugurated by Governor Akeredolu two years ago to kickstart the Ondo State Service Improvement Programme (ODSIP), charged the Accounting Officers and Supervisors of the two sectors that the feedback mechanism are conspicuously posted at their respective schools and health facilities to enhance excellent Public Service in the state.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor and Coordinator of the State Human Resource Development, Mr Gbenga Akingbasote said the initiative of this mechanism would not only put Public Servants on their toes but also imrove their commitment to duty for better service delivery.
He enjoined his colleague Permanent Secretaries and Accounting Officers to put up effective Monitoring and Evaluation Unit in their MDAs for the success of the mechanism.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Admnistrative Secretary of the State Public Service Reform Office, Mr Wale Omomowo stated that the mechanism was initiated as avenue for members of the public to assess the services being rendered by Public Servants as well as for government to get feedback on effective implementation of it’s policies and Programmes.
Mr Omomowo opined that the feedback mechanism is another initiative of the Reform Office to ignite rededication of Public Servants to duty for better service delivery.
Other Permanent Secretaries in attendance include Dr. Francis, Akanbiemu of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency; Dr Niran Ikuomola, Hospital Management Board; Representatives of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Teaching Service Commission; Dept. of Establishment and Training and Dept. of Service Matters.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Thursday called on potential investors across the globe to come and invest in the Sunshine state.
Governor Akeredolu noted that his administration has deepened the ease of doing business in the state.
The Governor spoke during a virtual interactive session tagged “Meet The Governor of Ondo State: Investment and Business Opportunities” organized by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce(NBCC).
Arakunrin Akeredolu pointed that Ondo State ranked the first in ease of doing business in the Southwest.
He said: “We ranked very high on ease of doing business. This is not done by us. There are key factors to be considered which is done by independent body.
“It is very easy to do business here because we have tried to remove all bottlenecks. Anybody can come and do business in Ondo. We are giving them land. We are making land available. The government is here to encourage you.”
Governor Akeredolu stressed that investors can now access the state with ease with the improved Air transportation, adding that with the improved flight operations in the state, investors can come in from any part of the country.
He said with the layers of security architecture in the state, particularly the Amotekun Corps, security of lives and property including that of the investors is guaranteed.
While declaring that the sunshine state is in need of heavy investment that will change its whole landscape, the Governor said small scale businesses are also welcome.
Governor Akeredolu said the state will collaborate with the NBCC for Private partnership driven industrialization.
Speaking on improved performance in government, He said: “We are also setting up PIMU. We have had to go to AFDB and they have sent experts here and we are determined to do it in most modern way. PIMU will monotor most commissioners and their performance.”
Richard Olatunde Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. October 21, 2021.
The Nigerian fintech space is growing exponentially, attracting the attention of both foreign and local investors and drawing new entrants into the diverse sub-sectors within the ecosystem. A good number of them have struck gold offering uncollateralized loan facilities to Nigerians albeit at eye-popping interest rates. Of this cohort, it would appear as if some have met and agreed to come down hard on defaulters, resorting to unbelievably desperate measures to recover loan facilities obtained from their apps.
Findings made by Nairametrics show that a number of these loan app operators now send embarrassing short messages service (SMS) and WhatsApp messages to the close contacts of their loan defaulters with the intention of shaming the defaulters, tagging them with terms like ‘criminal,’ ‘fraudster,’ and ‘terrible debtor’ among others.
In some cases, the full names, phone numbers and pictures of the alleged loan defaulters are shared with their contacts like religious leaders, members of churches and mosques, close friends, bosses, colleagues and family members.
Victims recount their experiences
A paint manufacturer who introduced himself to Nairametrics as Adewunmi explained that he took a loan of N100,000 from one of the Fintech firms in Nigeria (Sokoloan) to deliver his products to a client. According to him, he defaulted for one week but had called the app’s staff four days before his repayment was due to explain that he would be unable to meet up with the repayment schedule on the said date.
To Adewunmi’s surprise, his Pastor called him three days after he had repaid the loan and requested to see him urgently on a Friday evening.
“He called me into his house asking me questions on why I obtained a loan from a company and refused to pay as at when due. I was blank for some minutes before I told him I had repaid the fintech firm,” Adewunmi narrated.
“That is not true,” the pastor responded. “A member of the church and the Head of Department of the Prayer Champions called me this evening that the bank sent the same message to them calling you a fraudster and a cheat,” he said.
Adewumi recalls being flabbergasted at what his pastor narrated. “I showed him the proof of my payment and the response I got from the firm as an acknowledgement before he believed me. From that day, I made up my mind never to obtain a loan from any fintech firm again,” he stated painfully.
The SMS Sokoloan sent to Adewunmi’s contacts read:
“This is to inform the general public that Mr Adewunmi *** with telephone *** is a chronic debtor and a fraudster. He is on the run after duping a lending money company. You are advised to stay clear from him.”
Stella is another victim of the menace. In her case, she defaulted on a loan facility obtained from another fintech firm in Ibadan for one month in October 2020. According to the former staff of one of the local airlines in the country, she could not pay up because she lost her job a month before repayment was due.
“I had planned to refund the credit facility but when the unexpected happened, all my plans went south. I reached out to a designated staff of the loan app operator and pleaded for an extension of three months, to which the staff agreed.
“But I was shocked a week later when a friend I have not seen for five years called me, asking questions about my welfare and whether I was affected by the lockdown. I didn’t suspect anything until he told me he got a WhatsApp message from the fintech, alerting him to avoid doing business with me that I am a loan defaulter.
“When he forwarded the message to me, I knew it that I had passed my bounds and decided never to do that again. My friend sent the money to me and I repaid the loan. Obviously, the plan was to embarrass and disgrace me, so I would go to any extent to repay them. But what if I fell into depression and lost my sanity, how would that have made the fintech any better?” she recounted.
Another victim, Adeolu (name changed) recounted his experience to Nairametrics. In his case, he had obtained a loan of less than N30,000 with an interest of nearly 25% for a 15-day period. The repayment was due on a Wednesday and a staff of Kash Kash, the loan firm, called him to notify him that repayment was due.
Adeolu informed the staff that his invoices to clients were being delayed and requested that the fintech firm give him until Friday, which was the last day of the month, to repay. The staff agreed. The very next day, another staff of the firm put a call through to his wife, a lawyer, threatening her that the company was going to involve the police in the matter.
“My wife was embarrassed, especially since I had not told her of the loan. She asked about the amount and the repayment date. When she realised that the loan was overdue by less than 24 hours, she went berserk and gave the staff a dress-down. She also threatened to report their illegal action in contacting her to NITDA.
“The staff immediately became docile and explained that I had asked to be given until Friday to repay the loan. My wife assured her that there would be no further extension to the loan and the company backed off. Apparently, they are afraid of the regulators but they take advantage of the fact that most people are ignorant of the existence of NITDA and even the oversight functions of the CBN in regulating the activities of these fintechs.
“These agencies need to do more to help Nigerians know that they exist and are functional,” Adeolu said.
A Nairametrics analyst also shared his experience when a strange number sent a WhatsApp message to him (with a picture) that one Ms Damilola had defaulted in paying a loan obtained from the app.
The message read thus:
“FINAL WARNING!!! Good day, be informed Ms Damilola with phone number 081303xxxxx Is a defaulter who took LOAN and has vehemently refused to pay. Hence her actions has proven to be SUSPICIOUS. Kindly reach her and compel her to pay up her loan as the company is taking unfriendly & drastic measures including reporting her debt to CREDIT BUREAU as this is an ALLEGEDLY FRAUDULENT ACT. NOTE: You are getting this message because she gave us your number as EMERGENCY CONTACT.”
The shocking news here is that our analyst does not know the lady in question and the name of the fintech was not mentioned either.
According to the sender, the loan defaulter had given out our analyst’s number as an emergency contact person. But one would have expected the fintech to verify the information the loan seeker dropped before taking such steps.
There are countless complaints on the pages of many of these loan apps on the Google PlayStore showing the deep grief caused by those messages.
What NITDA is saying about debt collection strategy
The National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has described the debt recovery strategy adopted by some of these fintechs as a data-sharing breach.
The agency frowned at such practices and emphasized that no fintech firm is allowed to share its customers’ data without due process.
This was made known in a press release by NITDA’s spokesperson, Hadiza Umah.
To curb the trend, NITDA imposed a sanction of N10 million on an online lending platform, Soko Lending Company Limited (Sokoloan), for data privacy invasion.
According to NITDA, it received a series of complaints against the company, including ‘unauthorized disclosures, failure to protect customers’ personal data, and defamation of character.
How fintechs access customers’ data
NITDA said its investigations showed that Sokoloan grants its customers uncollateralized loans and requires a loanee to download its mobile application on their phone and activate a direct debit in the company’s favour which grants the application access to the loanee’s phone contacts.
“According to the complainants, when he failed to meet up with his repayment obligations due to insufficient credit in his account on the date the direct debit was to take effect, the company unilaterally sent privacy-invading messages to the complainant’s contacts,” NITDA said.
An IT expert, Tolulope Ogundipe, told Nairametrics that some of the fintechs embed trackers that share data with third parties inside their mobile application without providing users information about it or using the appropriate lawful basis.
He said, “Some of them are guilty of unwillingness to cooperate with the Data Protection Authority, contrary to Article 3.1 (1) of Data Protection Implementation Framework; and non-filing of NDPR Audit reports through a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisation (DPCO), contrary to Article 4.1(7) of the NDPR.
“I expect NITDA to ensure all of them are brought to book, as they will curb others in the industry. The challenge is that most of their victims won’t report their cases to appropriate quarters, as they suffer in silence due to ignorance.”
Bottomline
While NITDA is expected to investigate other erring fintechs and protect innocent Nigerians, it is important to note that the agency can only work on petitions/complaints filed to it by victims.
The loan defaulters that have experienced or are experiencing this illegal form of harassment are expected to report to NITDA for appropriate steps to be taken.
Timber Association of Nigeria Ondo State Chapter has appealed to the state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN to help reopen the Forest Reserves in the State which has been shut for a long while to reduce hunger among Sawmill workers.
The group made the appeals through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Akin Philip while speaking with our correspondent in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of the State on the decision of the State Government in shutting down Forest Reserves.
Mr Philip noted that since the government has taken its decision, sawmill workers in the State have been wandering around, finding it difficult to fend for their families, thereby contributing to their incapability to oblige to their social responsibilities including their children’s school needs.
He reiterated further with empathy that if the government could consider reopening Forest reserves in the State, this would boost the economic system, create avenues for inter-states or bilateral trade as ever and also enable Sawmill workers to cater for their families especially as yuletide season set in.
The spokesman lamented on the adverse effects caused to all saw millers in Ondo State explained that each Sawmill owner has been taking it upon themselves to provide them with essential items and that this has being a burden to them in order not to indulge themselves in criminality and other social vices in the State.
However, Mr Philip on behalf of the Ondo State Timber Association of Nigeria appreciated Governor Akeredolu for taking the security of Life and properties of citizens as one of his topmost priorities and promised to remain a law-abiding association for the current administration.
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