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• As monarchs shower encomiums on gov over developmental projects

The Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye II, as the new Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The Governor made the announcement on Thursday during a special meeting of the Council at the Obas’ Secretariat in Akure as the leadership of the Council under the Deji of Akure, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi Odundun II, completed its tenure.

While acknowledging the contributions of the outgoing leadership of the Council, the Governor commended the Deji of Akure for his support for his administration.

He said, “It is imperative to commend the outgoing Chairman of the Council of Obas, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Adelusi, Odundun II, for providing transformative leadership for the Council in the last two years. Kabiyesi, you have demonstrated capacity, love, and ingenuity in handling matters affecting the development of the State. I thank you for your selfless service and unwavering dedication.”

Reflecting on the achievements of his administration during tenure of the outgoing Council, Governor Aiyedatiwa said: “We made significant progress in addressing long-standing chieftaincy matters through the diligent implementation of the Ondo State White Paper on the Hon. Justice C.E.T. Ajama Judicial Commission of Inquiry. This included the important elevation of many existing stools and the upgrading or recognition of some minor chieftaincies.”

He also noted the government’s decision to abolish the Grade ‘D’ Obas category, saying, “Before this milestone achievement, our administration had earlier abolished the class of Grade ‘D’ Obas in the State, thereby elevating all Obas in that category to Grade ‘C’ automatically.”

Another major achievement mentioned was the implementation of the 5% statutory allocation of the local governments for traditional rulers.

According to him, “This landmark decision underscores our belief in the crucial role you play and our commitment to providing the necessary impetus and resources to support your noble responsibilities within your domain.

“With great satisfaction, we witnessed the completion of the Ondo State Council of Obas’ Secretariat, the construction of which started many years ago. This dedicated facility stands as a symbol of our love and respect for this esteemed Council and will undoubtedly provide a more conducive environment for your deliberations and administrative functions.”

The Governor reassured the traditional rulers of continued support, promising further initiatives aimed at enhancing their status.

While officially dissolving the 11th Council, Governor Aiyedatiwa approved the formation of the 12th Council and announced its new leadership.

“On this note, I hereby dissolve the 11th Council of Obas in Ondo State. I also announce my approval of the 12th Council under the Chairmanship of His Imperial Majesty, Kabiyesi, the Olowo of Owo, Oba (Dr) Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye II”, the Governor said.

In his remarks, the Deji of Akure thanked the governor for his support to the traditional institution in the State, saying such support has been unprecedented.

Oba Aladetoyinbo, who said the governor had in the last one year acceded to almost all the requests the Obas put before him, urged him to extend such gesture to the new leadership of the Council.

In his acceptance speech, the Olowo of Owo thanked the governor for the appointment, promising to build on the productive relationship between the Council and the government.

Oba Ajibade commended the leadership style of Governor Aiyedatiwa, his model of governance and the many achievements he has recorded since becoming governor.

While offering special prayers for the governor and his administration, Oba Oluwole Adesayo, the Ahaba of Ajagba, commended the governor on his developmental projects, improvements in infrastructure, employment of youths, and the recently approved constituency projects for House of Assembly members.

Those present at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Segun Omojuwa and Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo.

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
April 3rd, 2025.

Saudi Arabia has officially announced that the crescent of Shawwal has been sighted, confirming that Eid-el-Fitr will be observed on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

The announcement, made on Saturday through the official Facebook page of Haramain, a recognised platform for the global Muslim community, signalled the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

“May Allāh accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl & may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn,” the statement read.

Eid-el-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, and is observed by Muslims worldwide with prayers, feasting, and acts of charity.

As is tradition, Muslims in Nigeria will await the official directive from the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the conclusion of Ramadan before proceeding with the celebration.

Meanwhile, security agencies and religious bodies have begun preparations to ensure a hitch-free celebration across the country.

– Gov orders rehabilitation of internal roads of institutions

The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday met with the leadership of the National Association Nigerian Students in Ondo State on issues raised on education and students welfare.

This followed a protest organised by the Joint Campus Committee (JCC) of NANS in Akure where the students expressed concerns over the conditions of some of their schools.

Meeting the student leaders at the Governor’s Office later in the day, Governor Aiyedatiwa said many of their requests were already being addressed by his administration.

The Governor, who commended the peaceful nature of their protest, said his administration has taken many measures to improve education, including an increase in the subventions of tertiary institutions and payment of bursary and scholarships.

While giving a directive to the Ministry of Infrastructure on the rehabilitation of Internal roads of the institutions, the Governor said the government had already done the designs for some of the roads leading to the schools, including that of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

Governor Aiyedatiwa added that intervention agencies had been approached to speed up work on abandoned hostel projects in some of the schools.

The Governor also directed the management of the former Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, to begin preparations for the convocation of the past ten sessions of graduands.

On the issue of security, the Governor said relative peace has returned to the State as security agencies are now working together better to ensure the safety of lives and properties.

The Governor also addressed the issues of renovation of the NYSC camp at Ikare Akoko, land grabbing at the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure and buses for Students Union Governments.

The student leaders thanked the Governor for the audience and the promises made to address their concerns.

Those at the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, Attorney General and Commisoner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Students Affairs, Mr. Kelvin Solomon Olaolu and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Orioye Benedict Gbayisemore.

Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
March 27, 2025.

By Our Correspondent

Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, (ODIRS) has presented a cheque of twenty million, four hundred and forty Five thousand, seven hundred and eighty four naira (20,445,784.00) land use charge and twenty million, one hundred thousand (22,100,000.00)

It was learnt that the cheque is meant for radio and television licence revenue to the 18 local government chairmen.

The cheques were presented on Thursday at the March edition of Joint State Revenue Committee meeting (JSRC) held at the ODIRS hall, Alagbaka, Akure.

The Acting Chairman of ODIRS, Mr Bayo Rojugbokan noted that the JSRC is a meeting between the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service and the 18 Local Government Chairmen in the state with the purpose of harmonizing policies and guidelines to ensure that there is a total plan for the collection of internally generated revenue in the state.

“We are progressing and we are establishing a cooperative tendency towards agile collection in Ondo State. Compared to the previous one, this is better and I know that the Local Government chairmen are happy to collect this cheque because it’s more than what they collected before.

“We will continue to appeal to them. We’re going to display a lot of integrity and sincerity in this effort to make sure that everybody, because I told them earlier in the morning that the Local Government Chairmen alone may not be able to collect all the available revenues within their Local Government.

“So we need this cooperation between the Local Government and the Internal Revenue Service so that we can be able to comb the nooks and crannies of Ondo State to be able to assess our IGRs for collection”.

Speaking on the newly launched platform for revenue collection, Rojugbokan opined that tax collection will be easy for collection.

“Tax must be easy for collection anyway and so I-Ondo platform will enable individuals to pay tax as conveniently as possible.

“Everybody can now make their payment without a third party, you do your payment personally and that is more comforting.

“We continue to intensify improvement on the platform I-Ondo to ensure that life is easier for the people of Ondo State.

“This platform will stop leakages, maybe not 100% but it will reduce to the barest minimum issues of leakages in revenue collection. People will not be able to divert the money because you are paying directly to a direct source and a direct destination”, he concluded.

A consultant, Dr Thomson Aiyegunle, delivered an insightful talk on the importance of enhancing budget preparation, financial control, and revenue generation at the local government level.

He emphasised that, with local governments now receiving direct allocations from the federal government, it has become increasingly important for officials to develop the necessary skills to prepare budgets effectively and manage resources efficiently.

“While these allocations provide financial support, internally generated revenue (IGR) must also be strengthened to ensure sustainable development.

“As direct accounting officers, local government officials must continuously enrich their knowledge in financial control and monitoring. Implementing transparent and accountable financial practices is crucial for ensuring effective and efficient service delivery to the people.

“By adopting best practices in budgeting and revenue generation, local governments can maximise their financial resources, meet the growing needs of their communities, and drive socioeconomic development at the grassroots level”,he said.

Reacting, Akure South Local Government Chairman, Dr. Gbenga Fasua, who doubles as the ALGON chairman, Ondo State applauded the management of ODIRS for all they have been doing.

“There is an irrational arrangement, which is 70-30. And today we got for the radio and television over 20 million, as well as the land use charge is over 20 million too. For that, for the entire 18 local governments to be shared.

“Ordinarily, this is the pattern we make, getting to the office, but with the report, we feel it’s commendable, and we appreciate ODIRS for what they are doing.

“Indeed, when it comes to internally generated revenue, it is one couch of a support system to make the local government to be financially stable. Of course, to meet the demands of the people.

“For us, we’re not just starting. We understand this very carefully. And of course, we are doing it within the confines of law. That all our generation’s areas to generate IGR are well known. The one that is, we have a state, local government that are being generated is the one you see”.

He assured the people of the State that internally generated revenue in their time as local government chairmen will increase.

“The agro-asset platform, we’re deploying this e-collection to make it better. So that we want to, every methodology that we can use to check leakages is what you put in place.

And then we will use this medium to sensitize our people to be informed that dues, taxes and rates made for the local government should be paid appropriately”.