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We’II keep our books open, give an account of all donations received –Committee
The Ondo State Government on Tuesday donated millions of naira to the victims of the June 5 terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
The cash donation was made by the donation management committee led by the Chairman and the State commissioner for finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa.
Akinterinwa led other members of the committee including Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka; representative of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Adebunmi Osadahun; representative of Olowo of Owo, Chief Amos Aladeseye; and the Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Kayode Edema.
They were received by the Church Priest, Rev. Fr. Joseph Anagu, who is also a member of the committee.
Addressing the victims and families of the deceased, the committee chairman noted that the donation was in fulfillment of the promise made by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, to give the required support to all the victims of the attack.
Akinterinwa explained that the committee had carefully collated the names of both injured and deceased to provide succor for them.
He stressed that from the funds received into the account so far, each of the families of the deceased and the injured have been given cash donations.
The committee assured that the disbursement will continue when more funds are received into the account.
While stating that the cash gift was part of the series of supports given by the Governor since the incident occurred, the finance commissioner equally assured that the committee will make public all the funds received at the end of its assignment.
“On behalf of the Ondo State Government, We want to thank all those who have donated into this account. We thank them for their immense contribution, and God will continue to bless them.
“Also, we want to let all members of the public to know that the account is still very much open and we are still expecting more donations. It can never be too much. And for those who still want to donate, our account will be made available. If you go to our website, you can still make donations.” Akinterinwa said.
Some of the families of the injured and deceased thanked the state government for the relief fund given to them.
One of the injured, Ayo Adetunji, a young boy, described the attack as unexpected while thanking God for saving his life after surviving a gunshot.
Others who benefited from the cash donations include Mr. Agbom Paul who lost his late brother’s wife; Evaristus Oluchukwu; Mrs. Helen Ifeanyi; Fabian Nweke; Mrs. Theophine Ogoegbunam; Chief Titus Oranuba, injured; Sunday Festus; Precious Sunday; Oladele Christianah; Ozorchukwu Angela; and Ofene Joseph.
•Says Ondo Will Not Be Haven For Kidnappers, Bandits
The Ondo State Government has assured that some burial guests abducted along Owo/Benin highway in Ifon, Ose local government at the weekend, will be rescued.
Addressing government house reporters on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chief Bamidele Ademola-Olateju vowed that Ondo State will never be a haven for criminals, robbers and bandits.
While stressing that the scene of the incident is a known dark spot for criminals, she noted that the spot became convenient because it allowed the kidnappers to strike and run back to Edo State.
The government spokesperson said:”Just before dusk on Saturday, coming from a burial, some of our people were even there, with a certain Tunde Arotiba. They went for a burial at Ewato town in Esan Local Government of Edo state.
“One of the buses, a 32-seater costal bus hired from Rufus Giwa Polytechnic was attacked by suspected kidnappers.The vehicle was ransacked, the people were searched, they were dispossessed of their valuables as assailants shot into the air, scaring them.
“They selected eighteen of the passengers and marched them into the bush. Some of those that were left behind immediately put a call to the Amotekun Corps, the Amotekun patrol men got to the scene within 15 minutes and pursued the kidnappers.
“Among those who scampered into the bush, the Amotekun people went inside the bushes and beckoned on them to come out, seven of them were found.
“Of the eleven that were kidnapped, while they were marching them into the bush, two of them escaped. Right now as we speak, Amotekun is working with the Police, the DSS and the Nigerian Army.
“Today, the kidnappers have made contact with families of victims and they are demanding ransom of between 3 million to 10 million. investigation into this abduction continues.
“It’s important to note and commend the gallantry of our amotekun corps in getting to the scene and rescuing victims. I must say again that a lot of accolades should go to our governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN for his foresight, without Amotekun Corps, what would Ondo state have been?
“This morning, I was with the Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, he informed me that 360 new recruits into the corps have started their training, that is batch 004. This is in addition to the 350 that were recruited in July for batch 003. Again, on the authority of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ondo state will never be a haven for criminals, robbers, bandits terrorist, it won’t happen.
“The scene of the incident is a known dark spot and our men are already combing the bushes. what happened was that they find this spot convenient because it borders Edo state. They will strike and run back into Edo state because they know Ondo state is no longer a haven for criminals.”
A magistrate court sitting in the Ajah area of Lagos has ordered the remand of hip-hop recording artist, Ice Prince Zamani at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
IcePrince was arrested yesterday for allegedly assaulting an officer and threatening to throw him in the river after he was arrested for driving without plate numbers.
The Lagos State Police Command arraigned the singer on a three-count charge of assault, obstructing a policeman from carrying out his statutory duties and abduction. When the counts were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Taiwo Oyaniyi subsequently granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 and is also to provide the court with two responsible sureties. The Magistrate ordered that he be remanded in the correctional center until he fulfills his bail condition. He then adjourned further proceedings in the case till September 7.
A self-acclaimed pastor has reportedly impregnated a 12-year-old girl in Ogun State, saying it was the devil’s handiwork.
The 48-year-old Pastor, Michael Abiodun is said to be the Minister in charge of The Light House Gospel Church, Oluwo, Owode Egba, in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun.
Abiodun has since been arrested by the police “for defiling and impregnating a minor, whose mother was a member of his church.”
The Ogun police spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the pastor’s arrest followed the information received at Owode Egba divisional police headquarters.
It was gathered that the victim’s mother had joined the church after battling a spiritual problem that allegedly led to the death of two of her daughters.
In order to prevent the victim from dying like her sisters, she had run to the church for deliverance.
“One fateful day, the Pastor a father of three, asked the victim’s mother to send her to him for special prayers but on getting there, the Pastor took her into a room within the church and forcefully had carnal knowledge of her, which resulted in pregnancy,” Oyeyemi said.
Upon the information, the DPO of Owode Egba division, CSP Olasunkanmi Popoola, deployed his men to the church where the said Pastor was arrested.
“On interrogation, he confessed to the commission of the crime but blamed it on the devil.
“He further confessed been the person who deflowered the victim, who was a JSS 2 student,” it was said.
Oyeyemi quoted the mother of the victim as saying that she did not know her daughter was pregnant until seven months after, saying her daughter had not been menstruating before.
The victim, who was delivered of a baby three months ago informed the police that she was threatened by the Pastor of dare consequences if she informed anybody about what happened between them and that was the reason she didn’t inform her mother, DAILY POST learnt.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, Lanre Bankole, ordered that the case be transferred to State CIID for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The two term former Member House of Representatives in Ondo East and West Federal Constituency Hon Joseph Akinlaja was the keynote speaker at the ongoing Ondo Development and Economic Summit, 2022 edition holding at Oba Adesanoye Civic Center, Ondo.
At the lecture, Hon Akinlaja did justice to the topic by highlighting it’s importance to define some concepts especially the meaning of community and development. He stated that Community is derived from the word commune which means to talk together, usually intensely and intimately. Therefore community is a group of people living in the same place or having a peculiar characteristic in common. He also opined that development is derived from the word develop, which means to grow or become more matured, advanced or elaborate, it is like dough that develops to become a big bread when baked, on this note, development is the process of developing or being developed.
Take Ondo Kingdom as an example of a community to be developed. Ondo kingdom is in Ondo Central senatorial district of Ondo State South West, Nigeria. By the year 2021, Ondo Kingdom population was put at about 445,000 inhabitants and geographical area is 4,060 km2. The Kingdom is inhabited by highly educated people with integrity, hard working, peasant farmers, philanthropists, well cultured people and those with interest in community development.
To further develop Ondo Kingdom economically, there is the need for the establishment of small, medium enterprises and big industries. This is doable taking into consideration the characteristic of the inhabitants of the Kingdom as stated above. To establish industry, the following are necessary – Labour, Land, Capital and Entrepreneur.
LABOUR – with a population of almost 500,000 people there is abundant skilled and unskilled labour that can work in the SME and the industries to be established in the community, labour is also relatively cheap due to the fact that accommodation and transpotaation are cheaper in the area. This should be an encouragement for the establishment of industry in the community. LAND – This is also available and cheap for acquisition and for potential investors in Ondo Kingdom in comparison with places like Lagos, Abuja e.t.c. so Ondo Kingdom will be fertile ground for cottage and large industries. The issue of land grabbing that has been ravaging the community had gone to extinction as the Ondo people have fought them to a stand still, Ondo youths should be appreciated on this landmark success.
CAPITAL AND ENTREPRENEUR – at this stage I commend the organizers of this event for bringing together entrepreneurs with capital to this magnificent edifice of human creation, the Civic Centre. Inanjo ogiri osa as being fondly called in the sociopolitical arena mentioned that the soul purpose of our being here is to explore possibilities of developing this community by establishing industries, the achievement of this purpose would resolve non – developmental issues like Joblessness, hunger, crime, cultism, thuggery, youth restlessness, and beggarliness.
Community development can never be a one man show, therefore it requires the collective efforts of individuals and group within the community.
In Ondo Kingdom development was scarce until recently, kudos must be given to the Osemawe-in-Council for establishing the Ondo development committee (ODC) that has achieved so many developmental projects in the Kingdom. Also, many individuals and personalities in the Kingdom, whether in government or private practice have contributed immensely to the development of the community and they are still willing to assist in further developments.
The former Member House of Representatives for Ondo East and West Federal Constituency reiterated the contributions of the Ondo sons and daughters in the diaspora of recent to Ondo development as immeasurable, invaluable, commendable and appreciable as some have shown interest to be part of the trending success story of community involvement in community development of Ondo kingdom
In conclusion, Hon Akinlaja urges that the resolution from this gathering will produce the establishment of industries in the community, that will employ our teaming Youths, who have graduated from tertiary institutions in their thousands and also local technicians.
Among the dignitaries at the occasion include, Governor of Ondo state represented by the deputy His Excellency Lucky Ayedatiwa, who earlier appreciated Hon Joseph Akinlaja as a community leader who places a premium on community development above political influence, in attendance too was the Imperial Majesty Oba Victor Ademefun Kiladejo Jilo III and the High Chiefs, also, Hon Abiola Makinde, Hon Lola Fagbemi, Hon Wale Akinlosotu among others. The programme will come to a close on Friday 2nd of September 2022.
Kingmakers in the Igodan Lisa community in Okitipupa local government have sought the intervention of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the installation of the Olu of Igodan Lisa to prevent the break down of law and order in the community.
The Kingmakers are High Chief Ayeobasan zacheous (Liha of Igodan lisa), High Chief Adetuwo Lemikan John (Igodan lisa wahanmi of Igodan lisa), High Chief Omotemi Ezekiah (Ogelehinbo of Igodan lisa), High Chief Sunday Omosuyi (Koledoye of Igodan lisa), High Chief Ogunga Oladipupo (Lajuwomi of Igodan lisa) High Chief Ogunga Ayodeji (The Gbogbologun of Igodan liha and Secretary to the Chiefs and High Chiefs of Igodan, who are (Ijamas) kingmakers in the community.
They informed the Governor of the recent unfortunate development at Igodan Lisa Community with a view to checkmate the excesses of some over-zealous elements in the town, whose acts, if not checked, could warrant a total breakdown of law and order in the town.
According to the “letter sent to the governor, signed by their legal practitioner, A.K. Akinbuluma, ESQ, they said upon the demise of Late Oba Akinsola, the procedure to install a new Olu of igodan began and about 6 persons showed interest in the stool three of whom are Ijamas of the Nine Ijamas in the community.
“The Local government through its representatives led by one Mr. Daramola Ibukun participated actively in the processes and also coordinated the nomination of candidates that took place at the Town Hall on the 2nd April, 2022.”
“Upon the nomination of candidates, the chairman of the Local Government council, Mr. Igbekele Akinrinwa invited all the Kingmakers to different meetings for the purpose of electing a candidate from the contestants. However, the chairman despite the invitation was neither available nor authorize the conduct of the election by proxy.”
“While we continued to wait patiently, we also wrote to the Chairman reminding him to ensure that an election take place in line with custom and tradition of the land, in response to same; the chairman wrote our clients again vide a letter dated 5th August, 2022, inviting them to present themselves for the conduct of the voting.
Again, the chairman was not available for the exercise but later informed our clients, the kingmakers that on this same day, 17th August, 2022, he went for a security meeting which Your Excellency had with all chairmen of Local Government Councils in the state.
“While our clients continued to wait for another invitation by the Chairman for the voting exercise by the Ijama, Kingmakers, one of the aspirants, High Chief Adeyemi Akinde, the Basorun of Igodan Lisa whose candidacy is still controversial on account of being uneducated (having attended only Primary school as he claimed), on 20 August, 2022 mobilized some hoodlums into the community to install him as the Olu of Igodan Lisa.
The said High Chief Adeyemi Akinde, in connivance with some people entered into the community with armed Amotekun corps members in about six Amotekun Hilux vehicles to be installed as the king without recourse to the custom and traditions of the Igodan Lisa and without the knowledge of our clients as the Ijamas kingmakers.
“It is our brief that the said High Chief Adeyemi Akinde continues to use the paraphernalia of his office as the Commander of the Amotekun Security Corps of the Ode Irele community to mobilize fully armed Amotekun men to forcefully enter the community and started shooting sporadically to scare people away.”
High Chief Adeyemi Akinde claimed to have been appointed as the Olu of Igodan Lisa.
Apart from the above, our clients were shocked that the said High Chief Akinde invited some persons, who claimed to be ‘oloros’ from Ikoya sent by the Abodi of Ikale Land.
For the purpose of records and clarity, our instruction is that this singular and illegal act of High Chief Akinde Adeyemi is creating panic in the entire community as the people are now scampering for safety as a result of the mayhem and pandemonium created by the so-called High Chief Akinde Adeyemi with his army of thugs and some men in Amotekun uniforms.
“Our clients are abreast with Your Excellency’s instruction sometimes in July, 2022 during the inauguration of the new Chairman Council of Obas in the state as to non-interference of any subsisting Oba to the enthronement of another in another community.
We wish to state that the appointment and enthronement of a new Olu of Igodan can only be guided by the Native Law and Custom.
“It is our believe that any attempt to adopt any other standard is an open invitation to anarchy in Igodan Lisa.
“We urge your Excellency to use your good offices to call High Chief Akinde Adeyemi and his conspirators, the Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government and any other person peddling crises to order.
“We humbly draw the attention of Your Excellency to the prevalence of illegal act of hijacking established procedure by over-zealous element in the Area.
Kingmakers call for Akeredolu intervention over Olu of Igodan Lisa stool
“The situation in Ode-Irele is still very fresh hence, it is our fear that other communities in the state may toe this illicit act if not nipped in the bud.
“We are aware of the feat Your Excellency has achieved as well as the passion to ensure security of lives and properties in our dear sunshine state, southwest and Nigeria as a whole.
“It is our hope that these elements would not cast shadow over these laudable achievements.
“We therefore urge Your Excellency to prevail on the chairman of the Local Government to allow due process and invite the Kingmakers to vote their choice from the validly nominated candidates.
“We thank your Excellency immensely, in anticipation of your prompt attention to this letter.”
The candidate of the All Progressive Congress APC for Ondo State House of Assembly, Ilaje Constituency II Princess Olawumi Fayemi on Thursday 25th of August, 2022, paid unscheduled visit to one of her Free Summer Lesson Centers, Community Primary School, Kofawe Igbokoda, the Headquarters of Ilaje local government area of Ondo State.
Fayemi while addressing the pupils, encouraged them to be more attentive in their classes as their teachers engaged them in teaching and learning activities.
She charged the teachers to double up work, for they would conduct tests at the end of the lesson to pick the best two Pupils per class. ” One year scholarship for the best two Pupils per class(male and female) attached with new school uniformswith school bags, payment of Common Entrance Examination Fees for the best two Pupils in PrimarySix, and writing materials for all the summer lesson attendees” , she added.
Comrade Abayomi Goodluck, the coordinator, appreciated the teachers for their support, and also extended same to the Pupils for their turnout.
Others in the visitation were; Mr. Tawose Peter, Comrade Lebi Ijisemi and Comrade Oripenaye Blessing.
Our attention has been drawn to a news story making the round particularly on the social media with the above headline. It is imperative to enlighten our people and shed light on the perspective of the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, who made the statement.
Undoubtedly, the Ondo State Government under Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has made huge investment in the education sector in the state, especially in Primary and Secondary Schools. Tertiary institutions not excluded. The rot, which pervaded public schools in the state before the Akeredolu administration assumed office is fast disappearing. This has also led to increase in student enrollment in most of the schools.
Under the Akeredolu administration, over 800 Public Primary Schools have been reconstructed and renovated with perimeter fence, ICT center and play group equipment. The students now enjoy modern desks and chairs procured by the Akeredolu administration. Besides, Governor Akeredolu recently recruited one thousand two hundred teachers in the Public primary schools.
It is based on this background that teachers in the public schools were urged on moral ground to enroll their wards in public schools for confidence building. This will subsequently increase enrollment and further encourage government to embark on more upgrade of public schools.
Succinctly, there is no policy or law in Ondo State that forbids anyone in the service of the government, including teachers, from enrolling their wards in any school. However, there is always a place for moral burden. It is, therefore, not an offence for teachers to enroll their wards in any school of their choice. But, it will be morally wrong for teachers, who are proud of their works and teachings to put their wards in a private school.
Finally, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, will continue to prioritise education and develop it for the overall interest of the people of the state. It is the belief of the Governor that qualitative education is the key to a better tomorrow.
Signed: Richard Olatunde Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. August 28, 2022.
The Ondo state Executive Council on Wednesday mandated that ‘there shall be no closure of markets in any part of the State without the approval of the Governor’.
It will be recalled that crisis was averted over the controversy surrounding whether isikan markets should be opened or closed while observing a traditional festival known as Aheregbe Festival in Akure.
Briefing journalists shortly after the weekly State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju communities must now take permission from the government before closing any markets.
“The State EXCO also noted the permit granted for the observance of traditional festivals in the state. The government hereby reiterates that there shall be no closure of markets without the approval of the Governor.
“Where approval is granted, such approval shall be limited to the Oba’s market alone, not shops in residential areas.
“In addition, we discussed the use of Yoruba Language in communication as government interfaces with the people and its officers.
“At the State Executive Council, we decided that we encourage the use of Yoruba or other native languages like Ijaw, Ikale, Ilaje, as the case may be, in our communication”, she said.
The Founder and General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, has lauded the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for exhibiting courage and resilience even in difficult times.
Pastor Kumuyi noted that God has given the Governor wisdom and the fortitude to remain calm but courageous in the midst of the happenings in the country.
The General Superintendent spoke on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Governor in Akure, the State Capital.
He said: “I want to identify with the State and the Governor and I want to praise the Lord for the wisdom, resilience and for the courage, fortitude that the Lord has given to our Governor in the midst of all the things happening. We are happy to see him to be cool headed yet being courageous as the Governor of the State and all thanks to God that he is on top of the situation.
“And we know with the help of God, the Lord will see him through. The desire of Ondo State and the plan of God for bringing him to lead and to rule at this time I believe when he finished, we will all look back and say, God was with our man and God will give him all the wisdom, resources needed to make sure that all his goals in the manifesto that he had in mind will be fulfilled and I pray God will give surplus and will go beyond even what he expected.
“So, from tomorrow, Thursday to Tuesday 5pm every evening, we will be having crusade. The demostration of the power of God doing the incredible and things we did not expect; the Lord has rescued life and change the life of younger and older people, reunited family, the people that have incurable diseases, the Lord has healed them.
And as we are having the program in Ondo town, we will be transmitting to more than 150 countries in the world. I want to respectfully invite the Governor and the cabinet to be there at the crusade and we will be glad to have you.” Pastor Kumuyi said.
Governor Akeredolu commended the Pastor for his passion for preaching the gospel, adding that his visit to the state would usher in good tidings.
Richard Olatunde Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. August 24, 2022.
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