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The Ondo State Football Stakeholders Forum, (ODSFSF) has congratulated Bolanle Sekiteri on her emergence as Ondo Referees Council’s Chairperson.
The Forum also congratulates other newly elected Executive Members who would pilot the affairs of the State’s Council for another four years, saying the return of the experienced retired referee as number arbiter is a dawn of new era in Ondo State football development.
The Convener of the Forum, Otunba Dele Ologbese in a congratulatory message personally signed said Mrs Bolanle Sekiteri will justify the confidence reposed in her with her wealth of experience on the field of the arbitrator.
Ologbese who described the Chairman as highly cerebral, calm, consistent and unassuming technocrat added that she will bring dynamism into operations of the Council.
He said “It’s noteworthy that other elected officials are experienced and well tested hands who would take the Council to greater heights in all ramifications.”
“We are highly convinced, that the new Executive will justify the confidence reposed in them through their excellent performances”
The emergence of two female icons- Bolanle Sekiteri and Tayo Onilude as Chairpersons of Ondo State Football Referees Council and Ondo State Football Coaches Association respectively not only promote gender parity but also espouses the cliche that ‘what a man can do a woman can do it better”.
It’s our hope that the duo through their feministic drives and collaborative efforts would change game of football narratives for better during their tenures.
The incumbent lawmaker representing the people of Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Gboluga Dele Ikengboju has congratulated Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Prince Jimi Odimayo, Chris Ayebusiwa and other legitimately elected candidates in the just concluded 2023 elections.
Contained in a statement signed, and made available to our correspondent by his Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) Mr. Oyeniyi Iwakun.
Hon. Gboluga implored all his followers and supporters to remain calm and accept the outcome of the elections in good faith; urges the winners to be magnanimous in victory while prioritizing the development and interest of the masses over personal or sectional interests.
Elections have come and gone and winners have emerged as expected. Political aspiration shouldn’t be a do-or-die affair, therefore all hands must be on deck to ensure that the Ikale nation is not shortchanged.
Beyond politics, Prince Jimi Odimayo is a friend and brother to Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju, therefore, activities preceding, during, and after the elections should not be misconceived as a fight. They are an integral part of our political system.
Hon. Gboluga Ikengboju will be available to give every necessary support and advice to his successor, Prince Odimayo to ensure that he succeeds in his new assignment.
Former, Chief of General Staff Donaldson Oladipo Diya is dead.
Diya died at the age of 79.
He served as Chief of the General Staff, under military head of state General Sani Abacha from 1994 until his arrest for treason in 1997.
He previously served as Chief of Defence Staff and was Military Governor of Ogun State from January 1984 to August 1985.
His death was announced in a message that went viral on social media and signed by one of his children, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family, that Diya died in the early hours of Sunday, March. 26.
The message reads, “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; We announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband, Father, Grandfather, brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.
“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.
“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”
•Salutes Late Olusegun Agagu For Establishing OAUSTECH
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, on Saturday disclosed that his administration has expended huge investment on education in the last six years.
The Governor noted that education is one of the cardinal responsibilities of his administration, saying it is a social debt to the people.
Governor Akeredolu spoke at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH) held at the University main Auditorium.
A total of 982 graduands from six sets, 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 sessions earned the University’s first degrees. A total of 26 graduands made First Class.
Governor Akeredolu said his administration at inception was alarmed with the deplorable condition of things in the University especially in terms of roads, buildings and other essential facilities connected to a conducive learning environment.
“This informed our resolve to change the narrative, by immediately commencing a gradual, radical and systematic implementation of the State Government’s Strategic Plan for the university.
“I am delighted to recall that within our 100 days in office, we facilitated the asphalt overlay of the first phase of the university road network and inaugurated same for use. We have also recently approved the construction of a 2.5 kilometre road network for the University which has achieved about 75% level of completion.” the Governor said.
Governor Akeredolu stressed that as part of his administration’s intervention, he has released funds for the completion of some major building projects which were abandoned for almost a decade.
According to him, the projects completed include the University Senate Building, the University Library and the University Auditorium.
He declared his resolve to open up other similar abandoned projects which shall be completed in batches as the state’s finances improve.
Governor Akeredolu, who said it is a new era in OAUSTECH, assured that his administration has not relented in supporting the university in all spheres.
“To this end, our administration has tremendously supported in the university’s quest for TETFund funding. Today, we are all happy that the university has started to have the presence of TETFund projects while more opportunities are underway.
“We have also noted that within the last six years of our administration, OAUSTECH, which used to offer courses only in the School of Science, has added courses in two additional schools: School of Engineering and Engineering Technology and the School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.
“All courses offered by the university in the three schools have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). I commend the university management and Council for these achievements”, the Governor said.
The combined Convocation ceremony also had in attendance, some members of the State Executive Council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju; Governing Council members; Vice Chancellor, Professor Temi Ologunorisa; Principal officials; invited guests; other members of staff; graduands; parents and other dignitaries.
Governor Akeredolu specifically lauded former Governor of the State, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, adding that his special passion, commitment and magnanimity had made the establishment of the university a reality for the benefit of the entire people of Ondo State and the people of the Ondo State Southern Senatorial District in particular.
While congratulating the graduating students and their parents on the occasion, Governor Akeredolu charged the graduands to go out and project, distil and exhibit the glowing tendencies that they have adopted while in school.
“I expect that by now, you all have the capacity and the emotional intelligence to handle every situation of life. There is no doubt in my mind that all of you have the potential to transform our State and indeed our country by putting to use and continuing to develop the training and experiences which you have garnered during your stay in this university.” the Governor stressed.
Earlier in his address, the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Professor Akinbo Adesomoju, took time to commend the Visitor to the University and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his non- relenting efforts at improving the institution through many interventions, especially in terms of infrastructural developments.
He said the present administration has been able to complete several previously abandoned capital projects in the University including the Main Auditorium, development of internal road network among several others.
The combined Convocation also witnessed conferment of a Postgraduate Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (Honoris Causa) of the University on the Chancellor of the institution and Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba (Dr) Frederick Akinruntan, in recognition of his success stories in the global business environment.
Residents of Ayede-Ogbese Kingdom in Akure North local government area of Ondo State have staged peaceful protest to express their displeasure over incessant attacks and kidnapping by suspected foreign fulani herdsmen.
The youths on Friday March 24, 2023 trooped out in their number on Akure-Owo Highway to demand decisive actions from government and security agencies after writing several petitions to draw the attention of the authorities to their plight over the years.
It was a gathering of angry young people and residents fed up with the perceived inaction and insensitivity of Nigeria’s Security Agencies to the incessant and increasing violence by a gang of Fulani terrorists attacking the community and its people.
The protest though vehement remained peaceful until soldiers from the Nigerian Army arrived and allegedly firing live bullets indiscriminately at the gathered youths and seriously injuring one of the youths in the process.
Speaking on the ugly development, the Lisa of Ayede Ogbese, High Chief FEMI FAJEMBIMO, lamented undue security beaches being caused by some fulani herdsmen in the town are mostly from Chad and Niger Republic.
The Lisa said, “The Kingdom Has Been Under Attack For Over 3 Years; A group of Fulani, apparently from neighboring countries of Chad and Niger, have set up structures in the territory to take over vast areas of farmland by force.
“The leaders of this Fulani group (who receive instructions from their commanders based somewhere in Bauchi, by their own admission) have taken up residence in neighborhoods within Ayede Ogbese Kingdom whilst keeping their armed foot soldiers in the forests with their cattle.
“These armed Fulani terrorists (pretending to be cattle herders) are armed with Ak47 rifles and other dangerous weapons with which they constantly attack anyone that ventures into the territory they have forcefully taken over.
“From time to time these armed miscreants would allegedly plan hijacks and kidnappings to make money to buy additional arms. This has been going on for about 3 years to the knowledge of the authorities.
“A Political Dimension In The Invasion Strategy; Recently, the invasion by the Fulani took on a political dimension when one of their leaders (Ibrahim Giye) decided he wanted to remove the Seriki Hausa-Fulani of Ayede Ogbese Kingdom, appointed by the community’s King.
“When this was resisted by the Hausa-Fulani leadership in the Kingdom a feud developed between the integrated and acculturated Hausa-Fulani community in the Kingdom and the invading Fulani group.
“This feud has resulted in the arrest and detention of the king’s appointed Seriki Hausa-Fulani (Alh. Aminu Abubakar) by Zone 17 Police Command officers (who claim to be acting on instructions from Abuja) over trumped up accusations made by Ibrahim Giye against him.
“Ibrahim Giye has been heard boasting of his contacts at the highest levels of Nigeria’s security agencies including the police. Giye’s son (Ali Ibrahim) was one of the top hatchet men of the group. He took a sadistic pleasure in matcheting farmers to death.
“Just on Wednesday 22nd March, a band of armed Fulani, armed with guns and machetes attacked tipper drivers loading sand at a mining site within the Kingdom. Six of the drivers ended up in hospital with serious injuries.
“On the same day a farmer was attacked with machetes on his farm. He too is in hospital with serious injuries.
“The dissatisfaction of the community with this state of affairs has been communicated to the Federal and State authorities by a petition dated the 20th February 2023, signed on behalf of the Kingdom by the Lisa of Ayede Ogbese, High Chief FEMI FAJEMBIMO, No remarkable action has been taken in response to this petition.
“Yesterday, two young people returning home from work were kidnapped by a band of armed Fulani. A demand for N10m ransom has been received by the family of one of the victims today.
“It is in response to these blatant acts of terrotism by the invading Fulani that the youth of the kingdom rose today to protest against the impunity of the invading Fulani and perceived inaction of the security agencies.
“It is therefore sad and disheartening that the response of the Nigerian armed forces today was to send armed soldiers to the Kingdom firing indiscriminately at the unarmed peacefully protesting youth.
“The result is a critically ill young man in hospital shot in the leg by a Nigerian soldier for protesting against the terrorist activities of an invading army of foreign Fulani,” the Lisa of Ayede-Ogbese.
However, the State Police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, said police in the state have been able to restore sanity to the area.
She appealed to the youths to allow peace to reign while assuring that security agencies have commenced thorough search in the area to secure the release of the kidnapped victims.
Similarly, the Ondo State Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence corps, (NSCDC), Daniel Aidamenbor said efforts are on to deal with the situation.
…Says ‘We’ve a potential ground to approach Supreme Court
Immediate past Governor of Osun, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has appealed to members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain calm and not to be discouraged over the outcome of the Friday’s appeal, saying his abiding faith in God to reclaim his mandate remains undoubted.
Reacting to the Appeal Court judgement which upturned the decision of the Tribunal that initially sacked Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oyetola in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Omipidan, noted that his belief in the judiciary also remains unshaken.
He further said: “We have heard the judgement of the Appeal Court, but we are yet to receive a copy of the judgement.
“However, from the snippets we are getting, we believe we have a potential ground to approach the Supreme Court. Our belief in the judiciary remains unshaken, just as my abiding faith in the God’s promise regarding the reclaim of my mandate remains undoubted.
“I, therefore, appeal to our supporters and party members to remain calm as we take the next step,” Oyetola added.
The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN has confirmed the evacuation of banknotes from its vaults to commercial banks across the country as part of a coordinated effort to ease the circulation of banknotes of various denominations.
The CBN has also directed all commercial banks to open for operation on Saturdays and Sundays.
The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, disclosed this in Abuja, on Friday, stating that a substantial amount of money, in various denominations, had been received by the commercial banks for onward circulation to their respective customers.
According to him, the CBN had directed all banks to load their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) as well as conduct physical operations in the banking halls through the weekends.
“Branches of commercial banks will operate on Saturdays and Sundays to attend to customers’ cash needs,” he noted, adding that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, would personally lead teams to monitor the level of compliance by the banks in various locations across the country.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to be patient as the current situation would ease soon with the injection of more banknotes into circulation.
The Court of Appeal has affirmed Governor Ademola Adeleke as the duly elected governor of Osun State in the July 16 governorship election in the State.
A three-man Panel presided by Justice Mohammed Shuaibu, set aside the Judgment of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that sacked Senator Ademola Adeleke as the governor of Osun State.
According to the Appellate court, the tribunal was wrong to have reached conclusion on overvoting based on evidence on the end back server report, not from the BVAS accredited data.
The Court also awarded the cost of five hundred thousand each against former governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress.
Senator- Elect, Ondo South Senatorial District, Dr Jimoh Ibrahim CFR will be the Chairman at the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu book presentation.
The presentation of the book titled ” Aketi : The courage to lead in trying time” authored by Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Publisher/ Editor in Chief, Trace Magazine will take place at the International Event Center, The Dome, Alagbaka, Akure on Friday, March 24,2023
Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji will be the guest speaker and will be speaking on ” Re – awakening the Restructuring Debate: Setting a National Rebirth Agenda.
The chief host is the Minister of State for Transport, Prince Ademola Adegoroye while the book reviewer is Dr. Felix Ale, Director of Corporate Communications, NARSDA.
Jimoh Ibrahim is the founder University of Fortune, Igbotako. He is an entrepreneur and a philanthropist who has shown great confidence in the economy of Nigeria going by his huge investment in all sectors of the country’s economy.
He was recently decorated with doctor of bussiness University of Cambridge as the first man on Earth to accomplish such feat in 800 years of the institution’s establishment .
The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has directed all workers to picket all the offices of the Central Bank of Nigeria nationwide starting from next week over the current cash crunch in the country.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, gave the directive during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The labour leader said the directive became imperative following the expiration of one week ultimatum given to the apex bank to make cash available for Nigerians.
The NLC last week gave the CBN and commercial banks a one week ultimatum to make naira notes available to workers and Nigerians.
The organisation said it would direct workers to stay at home if the apex bank failed to make the naira notes available to Nigerians.
Ajaero said the decision to picket CBN branches became necessary, as the Federal Government and the CBN have not shown any commitment to address the situation.
He lamented that despite the Supreme Court order allowing the old N500 and N1000 notes to circulate with the new notes till December 31 this year, the situation appears to be getting worse as workers cannot access cash to pay fares to work, nor can they buy food for their families.
The apex Labour union also criticised the pricing irregularities in the petroleum sector, which was also a cause for concern.
“Last week, we gave an ultimatum for the review of the cash crunch bedeviling the country, but we have discovered to our dismay that as at this moment not much effort has been made to ameliorate the situation, the government is still foot dragging on these issues we raised.
“Based on this, we met again this morning to review our position and resolved that by Wednesday next week, all CBN branches will be picketed.
“Workers are directed to stay at home too because people cannot eat, workers can no longer go to the office, we have been pushed to the wall, we have decided to take our destiny in our hands, we have mobilised our workers for this exercise,” Ajaero stated.
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