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The Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN),Ondo State Chapter was thrown into chaos on Thursday set for the election of the association as dissolved Chairman of the exco, Wahab Bankole planned to extend his tenure through the backdoor as the caretaker committee chairman.
It would be recalled that the tenure of the current executive had expired in May 2022 after election had been fixed for Oct. 27 only for the Zonal Vice President to announce that the election be placed on hold the ground of receiving a petition from one of the Chairmanship aspirant, Mr Michael Akintunde.
During a special congress today, members unanimously dissolved the former Exco led by Bankole and called for the composition of a caretaker committee to conduct fresh election.
The executives of the association was dissolved by the Zonal Vice President,Ajayi Obe, and as election would not hold due to the petition,which was not made available to members of the congress and was time to select the caretaker committee.
Tempers however flared when the immediate past chairman Bankole was renominated to become the chairman of the interim committee by the petitioner, which members immediately revolted against, demanded another nomination but the refusal of the Vice President to reject the nomination of Bankole led to chaos and they stormed out of the venue (Akure township stadium) to avoid bloody clash.
This has left vacuum in the state chapter of the association and currently has no executives or caretaker committee in place to steer the affairs of the association.
Some of the members who spoke called on the public to await further decision from the national Secretariat of the association on the composition of new caretaker committee to run affairs of Ondo SWAN, urging the Wife of the Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu to disregard letter of award sent to her office.
The Immidiate past Governor Of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has said he is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which a credible push for PDP victory is possible.
Mimiko in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Digital Communications, John Paul Akinduro averred that he subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity, if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country.
The statement reads unedited: “Dr Olusegun Mimiko has been inundated with calls and messages from the general public, and his political friends and concerned individuals around the nation; and in particular, his teeming supporters across the length and breadth of Ondo State, seeking clarity on a fake news making the rounds since yesterday that he had ditched Governors Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde and their colleagues governors, and abandoned the agitation for regional equity within the PDP; and in particular, making a party member of southern extraction its the national chairman before the 2023 election.”
“The report and the list that triggered it, are fake and a deliberate attempt to muddle things up and smear Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.”
“It must be stated with emphasis that Dr. Mimiko was neither consulted by anyone nor consented to his inclusion in any Ondo state PDP Presidential Campaign Council list.”
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, Dr Mimiko is unwavering in his commitment to the principle of equity, fairness and justice through which he believes a credible push for a PDP victory is possible. He fully subscribes to the agitation by his colleagues and other stakeholders in PDP and the generality of Nigerians that the PDP structure must reflect Nigeria’s diversity, if it genuinely wants to unify a visibly divided country.”
Two hotels and one business center have been sealed up by the Ondo State Internal Revenue Services (ODIRS) in Okitipupa and Ore local governments respectively over tax default.
The execution was in line with the High Court judgement delivered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Williams Akintoroye.
The two hotels sealed in Okitipupa local government are; DOMFAV and MOTH ,while a business center, “Anambra Kitchen which is a subsidiary of Madam Do Good, Akinjagunla’, in Ore, Odigbo local government was also sealed.
In a chat with newsmen, the Senior Revenue Manager, Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Gregory Afuwape said, the defaulters refused to pay their taxes between 2013 and 2016, despite series of notice served on them.
Afuwape added that Domfav Hotel and suit is owing about N3,400,000 (Three million and four hundred thousand naira only), while the amount owed by two others were not disclosed as at the time of filling this report.
Afuwape noted that it is the constitutional duty of everyone to pay their tax including companies and limited companies.
He said; It all started in 2013 when the tax payer was given assessment to pay his tax liability to the government, between 2013 and 2016 which he was assessed but he didn’t show up for payment.
After every statutory notice has been served on him which he didn’t honour. Thereafter, we served him with pre- action notice, we also served him court process which we call petition that we argued in court.
When got judgement against the tax payer in 2018 ,we thought he would come around for settlement of the liability, but he failed to do so and that is why we are here for execution after the judgement has matured.
“We have every documents that backed us up that the judgement was made under a statutory authority.”
“Law allows settlement after judgement , even after this enforcement, the law still allows the tax payers to approach the tax authority for settlement.
“If the money is paid today the seal will be removed by court order.”, he said.
He warned against any attempt to break the seal, padlock on any of the properties, saying breaking the seals is a contempt of court, which is liable to 21 years imprisonment.
Nine months after his 20 – year – old daughter, Ebunoluwa Adesitimi was gruesomely murdered, his father a 55-year-old Information Communication Technology (ICT) Consultant, Mr. Michael Banjo Adesitimi has been hacked to death in his residence, at Okuta Elerinla Estate, Akure.
The Hope gathered that Mr. Michael Banjo Adesitimi, was with his wife, Mrs. Mercy Abosede Adesitimi relaxing at about 9:00 pm when two men knocked at their gate.
According to the report, the late Adesitimi and his wife wondered who could be knocking at the late hour even when they were not expecting any visitors.
“While Mr. Adesitimi engaged the unknown visitors through the gate, his wife, Mercy, was said to be peeping from the window as she overheard the men asking her husband “where is the document?”.
Upon investigation, it was gathered that the unwanted visitors were asking the late technologist questions on the whereabouts of the document of a particular disputed piece of land that had been dragged for over 20 years in Ibadan and another case that has been in an Ibadan Court for six years.
It was gathered that, when Mr. Adesitimi was not yielding to the men’s demand, he was struck with an axe on his head, a situation which made the frightened wife escaped through the back door of their house for fear of being attacked too.
Narrating to The Hope, the eldest son of the deceased, 29-year-old Atinu Adesitimi who resides in Alagbaka, Akure, said “my parents were at home that evening when they heard a bang at the gate at about 9pm.
“Under normal circumstance, we were very conscious about security after the death of my younger sister.
“According to my mother who was watching the scenario through the window, said she saw two people who forced themselves into the compound through the gate.
“According to her, their faces were not clearly seen because the place was dark. All that she saw was the gun in the hand of one of the men who escorted my dad back into the main building which was a little distance from the gate.
“She overheard the men asking my father, “Where is the document?”
“My mum, who witnessed what was happening, took to her heels through the back door to our neighbour’s house where she was able to call policemen. The policemen at the checkpoint, rather than follow us to our house to save the situation, took us back to their station where we wasted time.
“By the time my mum and the policemen returned to the house, my father was almost dead as he died on the way to the hospital,” he lamented.
Speaking further on the land dispute, the deceased son said “My dad had earlier told me that there have been a case of land dispute between himself and some men that encroached on his grandmother’s land and that the case has been in court for six years.
“That is the only document my father told me about,” he stated.
Shedding more light on the circumstances surrounding his sister’s death, he said findings revealed that those who killed her were also looking for the paper of my father’s seven plots of land in Ibadan which the court had already given to my father because he was in possession of the original documents of the land.
He added that an Ibadan Court and the Ministry of Lands and Housing have already given judgment over the disputed plots of land in favour of my father last month.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Fumilayo Odunlana disclosed that the police met the man in the pool of his blood and assisted him to the hospital, but unfortunately, he died.
“We can’t tell how it happened or how he was hacked to death as investigation is fully in top gear on the issue.
The PPRO advised anyone with useful information concerning the death of the man to come up with it.
The news of the approval of Management Sciences programmes by the National University Commission (NUC) for Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State has once again proves that Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa is indeed on a mission to transform the university.
Professor Temi Ologunorisa is an award-winning climate and environmental scientist, a teacher-scholar, and an astute university administrator who since since February 23, 2022 became the 4th substantive Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Nigeria.
Im the welcome reception organized for our esteemed Akungba born erudite scholar, he made some promises that are capable of putting Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa. (OAUSTECH) on the global map. Among the many of those promises are these two: Liaising with international universities to affiliate with OAUSTECH on exchange programmes and also to ensure humanity and management courses are approved for the University.
The 8-months strike afforded the man with a scholarly midas touch to jet out of the country for possible partnership. The fruits of that journey will be felt anytime soon.
Reading the NUC approved letter as signed by Dr N.B Saliu, Director of Academic Planning for the Executive Secretary NUC approving four programmes- BSc Accounting, BSc Management, BSc Entrepreneurship and BSc Project Management which takes effect from 2022/2023 academic session, I can verily say that the government of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi meant well for OAUSTECH confirming Prof Ologunorisa as the 4th substantive Vice Chancellor.
This is the beginning of new thing for Igodan Kingdom and Ikale Nation by extension. A new Vice Chancellor and a new Cosmopolitan, modern, well read, development-thirsty Oba-elect in the person of Prince Segun Adetuwo . Obviously, we are in for a new dawn in OAUSTECH and the University community.
We plead with our all well-meaning citizens of Ondo State especially from Ikale and Ilaje ethnic nations to join hands with this iconic scholar in academia to drive the legacy of Dr Olusegun Agagu to the expected end.
Finally, posterity and providence will be on the side of our excellence-driven Vice Chancellor- Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa if he verifiably embrace the doctrine of equity, fairness and justice in discharging his duty throughout his stay. Also, he shouldn’t sideline the host committee in all societal decision as this might dent his world acclaimed reputation if neglected.
Once again, I congratulate the student great Nigerian students, resilient people of Ikale/Ilaje/EseOdo Nations, Ondo South and by universal set – Ondo State for this celebrated feat.
Inset: Photos taken during the welcome reception held in the honour for Prof. Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa at OAUSTECH HALL.
The owner of the burnt pharmacy, Felix Akinyemi has appealed to the Ondo State Government for help, saying that he lost goods and medical equipment worth about N150 million to conflagration.
The pharmaceutical company, situated at No 34, Oluwatuyi quarters Akure was reportedly razed down in the early hours of Sunday, October 2, 2022. The source of the inferno is still sketchy at press time.
In a “Save my Soul” letter dated October 10, 2022, Akinyemi appealed to the governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to assist him to bring the establishment to life again after the disastrous inferno.
He said over 20 people who were employed at his company to fend for their daily needs have also lost their source of livelihood.
“I appeal to the government to save my soul with any help it can render to assuage our hardship as we are presently financially grounded.
“After calculation, the fire gutted and destroyed drugs and property worth N150millon,” the director said
It was reported that the fire started somewhere in the building after the closing hours on that dreadful day, which gutted the whole building and razed all the drugs together with medical equipment.
Before the arrival of men of the Fire Service, some of the bold sympathizers and men of the Amotekun Corps, who besieged the scene had also attempted to put off the fire, but with little success.
However, it was gathered that much damage had already been done to the building before firefighters arrived at the scene.
The 2022 Ondo State All-Stars football competition at the weekend marred with alleged match fixing ,which triggered protests among the participating teams and spectators at the state sports complex,Akure, as defending Champions, Ekimogun All-stars pulled out of the competition.
All Stars is an association of ex- footballers that have played the game to the highest level within and out side the country,which are supposed to serve as a role model to upcoming footballers.
Eight teams had registered and participated in the competition originally designed to serve as a reunion and reminiscence of old playing mates, but the organizers derailed along the line by threw the match open for the highest bidder by commercialising the tourney.
The protests started when the organisers bend one of the major rules of the competition for a particular team.
The rule stated that any player qualified to play in the tourney must be 40 years above ,but the organisers in their wisdom allowed a particular team to feed under 30 players in the competition.
One of the matches involving Afunbiowo All-Stars and Ondo State All-Stars had earlier been abandoned because of alleged pre – planned result.
Both sides were playing 1-1 draw, before a penalty was awarded to Afunbiowo All-Stars ,which triggered protests from the hosts and led the match to be abandoned.
Also, in another development, Ekimogun All- stars came behind schedule in one of their matches against Lawyers NBA All-star. According to the information in our disposal, Ekimogun All-stars said they called the organisers informing them what they were going through coming from Ondo to honour the match . But, organisers in their hasty decision gave Ekimogun All-stars a walkover.
After much protests from Ekimogun , the organisers reversed their decision and rescheduled the match for Monday October 1, at Ondo State Sports complex, Akure. Ekimogun All-stars again came for the rescheduled match but, Lawyers NBA All-star refused to honour the rescheduled match and stood their ground that their earlier walkover stand.
The organizers in their inconsistence and fear of the avalanche of petitions from Lawyers NBA All-star overruled themselves again and awarded a 3 points and one goal walk over against Ekimogun in favour of lawyers NBA All-star. In contrary to FIFA’s rules of 3 points 3 goals.
According to FIFA’s rule on walkover “If a team incurs a walkover they will be deducted three points and their opposition awarded a 3-0 victory. A team that incurs a walkover may be removed from any end of season knock out tournament. If a team fails to turn up to play a match on three occasions, they will be immediately withdrawn from the league”.
The organisers should tell the world where they get their own rule.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back, was the last match of the group A between NBA All Stars and Akure Veterans which spectators at the stands described as the worst thing to happen in the competition.
They were not smart enough to hide the shenanigans of the pre-planned match, it was too obvious to the blind that it was an arranged game, the host lost three zero in the game, which sent the Lawyers NBA All-star to the top of the group A .
Disturbed by the shameful act, the defending Champions, Ekimogun All-stars and favourite to defend their title, through the Chairman Ondo West Football Association (FA), Bobola Akinfolarin announced their withdrawal from the competition.
According to him “without sounding immodest, on behalf of Ekimogun All stars, we want to show our grievance in this year’s All Stars competition, on this note , we are using this medium to inform the organisers and all the Excos of Akure All- Stars that we are pulling out of this competition.”
The president of Ekimogun All-stars, Mayowa Akinwande said they will never be part of any shameful act. “We have our own integrity to protect”,he said.
One of the fans who craved anonymity said the match was rubbish from the pit of hell, saying they didn’t not hide their shameful act of pre planned results.
He said:”with what I’m seeing here, there is no future for football in Ondo, majority of people involved in this competition were people we once watched on the television, they are supposed to be veterans that young players should look up to. I must confess ,I’m disappointed with their display, how much are they going to give them? In a sane societies they are supposed to be arrested and barred from football activities.”
The leadership of the third phase presidential Amnesty program Ondo State chapter has strongly advised the new administrator of PAP, Major Gen. Barry Ndiomu(Rtd) not to take seriously the attention seeking ultimatum by one Julius Joseph and cohort calling for the sack of some officers of the committee, threatening mayhem.
The Ondo State chapter PAP in statement signed available to newsmen in Akure by their chairman Okoro Epiri, Vice Chairman Ogundele Olarotimi, Secretary, Serum Posi, Adviser ,Fiyebo Jakimu
According to the statement, “the threat is unwarranted, toothless and worthless as emanating from an unrecognized disgruntled entities who have lost all sane measure and lawful means to connect with the present committee.
The ex-warlords from Ondo State who spoke through their chairman, Okoro Epiri of the third phase stated unequivocally that NO regard whatsoever should be accorded to this saboteurs, seeking needless opportunities through inglorious means from the new administrator in order to gain bewildered attention to complete their failed evil activities they perpetrated during various past administrations and now intended to further indulge in spurious agenda which have lost taste in PAP’s administration.
Recall that, the unknown group upon inundated themselves with various financial fraud and particularly mismanagement of about 500 slots meant for the entire third phase by the defunct Julius Joseph leadership, which slots they have not accounted for till date, that led the then Prof. Charles Dokubo’s administration to de-recognise Julius Joseph and his co-travellers from representing third phase, who now wants to come from the back door with this present gimmick to derail the smooth take off of the present administration in a view to thwart the pending investigation of sharp practices labelled against Julius Joseph and his men who shall not escape culpability of their wrong doings.
The statement added that neither the head of integration nor the CSO, Mr Rebbi have committed any offence to warrant the issuance of the alleged ultimatum and the sack demand, so much that the leadership of Tonye Bobo and persons invited to the meeting at Portharcut, Rivers State by the officers are genuine and more than qualified for that meeting, particular of interest is that Mr Tonye Bobo and all invitees were those previously recognized by past PAP administrations.
“Importantly, we urge Major Gen Barry(Rtd) to disregard their spurious claims as same is unfounded, malicious and ill fated in it’s entirety.
In the circumstance, we call on law enforcement agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute persons, group(s) bent on truncating the existing peace in the Niger Delta region, particularly now that election are approaching and government is doing everything humanly possible to raise the production level of crude oil in the oil rich Niger Delta to sustain the this Lauderdale program. We, the leadership of third phase Ondo chapter are vehemently opposed to the call for a new meeting by this errant group wandering and roving around Julius Joseph. The is because same is tantamount to repetition of effort by PAP, unnecessary, needless and will now impose avoidable cost on the committee that is struggling to meet it’s financial needs, even though we are not opposed to the continuous and regular engagement by the administrator, Major Gen. Barry Ndiomu’s(Rtd) leadership to leave imprint of lasting development and maintenance of the existing peace in the region.
“Pertinently, we as law abiding ex-fighters from Ondo State having laid down arms we will not issue needless threats nor resort to violence in our continuous engagement with the new administrator rather will cooperate with Major Gen. Barry’s administration in doing everything necessary to achieve his vision. We equally pledge our unalloyed and continuous loyalty to the leadership of Mr Tonye Bobo as National Chairman of the third phase ex-agitators, Hon. Birinumughan Jesse, a.k.a Gen 90 as vice Chairman, Okolobawei Royal as National treasurer and Great Francis, P.R.O respectively”
“Finally, we the third phase leadership of Ondo State by this medium once again gladly congratulate Major General Barry Ndiomu(Rtd) on his appointment as interim administrator by president Mohamadu Buhari(Rtd) and wish him a peaceful regime”, the statement read.
The concern transporters in Ondo State has kicked against the second coming of the National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) activities in the State through the back door.
The group described the alleged constitution of 18- man committee by the NURTW President, Tajudeen Baruwa as an affront to the suspension order placed by State Government on the activities of the Union.
In a letter dated 22nd October 2022 and signed by it President, Comrade.Ajayi Daramola .
The group accused the Baruwa led NURTW of attempting to cause breach of peace in the State with constitution of his 18 man committee.
The concern transporters added that the action of Baruwa was an invitation to crisis in the State because the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has earlier suspended NURTW operation in the State and since constitute parks management committee headed by the Union’s ex – Chairman in the State, Comrade. Adebo Jacob.
The group Statement reads in parts” Those of us in the road transport sector of Ondo State are calling on the State Government, Security Agencies and other relevant stakeholders in Ondo State to as a matter of urgency call the Tajudeen Baruwa led NURTW to order so as to avoid imminent crisis in the State.
” The Government has a duty to ensure safety of lives and property of all residents of the State, and as law abiding citizens, we are calling on the State Government to proscribe the activities of the suspended NURTW in the overall interest of the people”.
The concern transporters however admonished the State Government to seal off the Union Secretariat office located along Ado – Akure Express Road with immediate effect.
It would be recalled that the activities of the NURTW in the State was suspended in March 2021across the 18 Local Governments by the State Government due to what the government called security concerns.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced the completion of the sale of Polaris Bank.
Osita Nwanisobi, CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
Nwanisobi announced that the new core investor in the bank is Strategic Capital Investment Limited, disclosing that the deal was sealed with SCIL by the CBN and Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).
“Polaris has been operating as a bridge bank since 2018 when the Central Bank of Nigeria intervened to revoke the licence of the former Skye Bank Plc and established Polaris Bank to assume its assets and certain liabilities. As part of the CBN intervention, consideration bonds with a face value of N898 billion (future value of N1.305 trillion) was injected into the bridge bank through AMCON, to be repaid over a 25-year period. These actions were taken to prevent the imminent collapse of the bank, enable its stabilisation and recovery, protect depositors’ fund, prevent job losses and preserve systemic financial stability.”
“SCIL has paid an upfront consideration of N50 billion to acquire 100% of the equity of Polaris Bank and has accepted the terms of the agreement which include the full repayment of the sum of N1.305 trillion, being the consideration bonds injected.
The CBN thus received an immediate return for the value it has created in Polaris Bank during the stabilisation period, as well as ensuring that all funds originally provided to support the intervention are recovered.
The sale was coordinated by a Divestment Committee comprising representatives of the CBN and AMCON, and advised by legal and financial consultants. The Committee conducted a sale process by ‘private treaty’, as provided in Section 34(5) of the AMCON Act to avoid negative speculations, retain value and preserve financial system stability. In the process, parties who had formally expressed an interest in acquiring Polaris Bank, subsequent to the CBN intervention in 2018, were invited to submit financial and technical proposals. Invitations to submit proposals were sent to 25 pre-qualified interested parties, out of which three (3) parties eventually submitted final purchase proposals following technical evaluation. All submissions were subject to a rigorous transaction process from which SCIL emerged as the preferred bidder having presented the most comprehensive technical/financial purchase proposal as well as the highest rated growth plans for Polaris Bank.”
Commenting on the transaction, the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, said: “This sale marks the completion of a landmark intervention in a strategic institution in the Nigerian banking sector by the CBN and AMCON.
“We commend the outgoing board and management for their vital role since the bridge bank was established; in stabilising the Bank’s
operations, its balance sheet and implementing strong governance structures to address the issues that led to the intervention.
“This process has provided the CBN with an unprecedented opportunity to recover its intervention funds in full and promote financial stability and inclusive growth.
“We wish SCIL well as they implement growth plans to build the bank from the strong foundations that have been established.”
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