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PRESS STATEMENT

The attention of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has been drawn to the announcement of Idris Ojo as one of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, arrested by the security agencies.

Governor Akeredolu acknowledged the confusion the statement has created in the public space, considering that the ugly event of June 5 attack in Owo preceded the unfortunate incident on Kuje prison.

The Governor said there was a mix up in the announcement by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

Governor Akeredolu explained that Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of Kuje Prison Escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure.

“The announcement of the arrest of Idris Ojo as one of the perpetrators of the June 5 attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo was a mix up from the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor.

“Idris Ojo, who is number 14 on the wanted list of the Kuje Prison Escapees was arrested in his brother’s house in Akure. His brother, Jimoh Rasheed Ibrahim, received and accommodated him after his escape from Kuje prison.

“He was thereafter moved and kept in the custody of the security operatives at the same time the attackers of Owo Catholic Church were arrested and brought into custody. Hence, the mix up.” The Governor said.

Governor Akeredolu urged members of the public to remain vigilant and give necessary supports to the security agencies in the State.

Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
August 10, 2022.

we’ll continue to maintain peace in Ondo

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has assured that his administration will continue to maintain peace in the State,stressing that it is the responsibility of government.

The Governor commended the security agencies over the arrest of terrorists involved in the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

Governor Akeredolu spoke in his office on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to his office by officers of the Federal Fire Service, led by the South West Zone L, Commander and Assistant Comptroller of Fire Service, James Olatunji.

The Zone comprises Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States.

While thanking the Almighty God for the arrest of the perpetrators, the Governor noted that the blood of the innocent worshipers spilled in a sacred place of worship and the fervent prayers of the people also contributed to their arrest.

Arakunrin Akeredolu, who reiterated his administration commitment to protecting the people and their property, reemphasised that the recent shooting in Owo had nothing to do with the June 5 attack.

He said:”We knew about this about a week ago. Arrest has been made over a week ago. I know there was ongoing investigation and because of that, there was no need for us to make it public so that the security agencies, especially DSS, who were majorly involved are not compromised.

“The arrest were made about last week, we were briefed, but we had a pact with them not to go public and as at this morning two other people were arrested.

“We know that now that it has been made public, the security work may be difficult. We must thank Almighty God that this arrest has been made. Where they attacked was a sacred place and the prayers of the people have been answered.

“The blood of the innocent people they killed are crying. What happened in Owo thereafter, the recent shooting, was not to maim or kill. By the grace of God, we will continue to find a way to maintain peace in this state. That is what we owe our people.”

The Governor while stressing the importance of the fire service, said if not for their timely interventions at different occasions, properties worth several billions of naira would have been lost to various fire incidents in different parts of the state

Earlier, the Zonal Commander, James Olatunji, appreciated Governor Akeredolu for the harmonious relationship among the State government, the Federal and State Fire Services as well as all the security agencies in the state, adding that Governor Akeredolu has consistently supported the Federal Fire Service in the state with logistics and other important needs to boost their activities.

He also applauded the Governor for making the state safe and habitable for the citizenry by improving on the security architecture across the state, just as he expressed the readiness of his team to key into the security architecture of the state to further secure the lives and property of the poeple.

Olatunji revealed that between January 1 and August 9, 2022, the Service saved five lives while one life was lost during fire incidents. He added that property worth N3.139bn were saved just as the state lost property worth N164.2m.

According to him, the properties included houses, shops, market, event centres, fuel tankers, trucks and others.

He said a total of 46 cases were recorded during the period under review.

He added that just last Friday afternoon, he personally led a crew of fire service to Sijuwade area where properties worth N50m were saved.

He also gave the Toll Free emergency number as 112 and Ondo State Federal Fire Service emergency number 08133006400, in case of fire outbreak.

Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
August 10, 2022.

📸 Olawale Abolade

Warns Ebiras In Ondo Against Venturing Into Kidnapping

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has confirmed the arrest of the attackers of St Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

The Governor confirmed the arrest shortly after the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor made the announcement in Abuja.

Governor Akeredolu further disclosed that the owner of the house where the attackers stayed before the June 5 attack in Owo has also been arrested

He noted that government did not spare a moment in trailing the terrorists since the horrendous attacks on innocent worshipers at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo.

Arakunrin Akeredolu spoke during a courtesy visit to his office by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) led by the Chairman of the Council, Prince Leke Adegbite.

He said:”Now that the military has announced it, I can tell you that five of them have been arrested now. They are still on the trail of the rest. The home where they lodged in Owo and the person that accommodated them before the attack, has also been arrested.

“We did not spare a moment. I am happy that the Chief of Defence Staff has announced it. We have known for a while but we needed not to come out with it because more works are still ongoing. I can confirm that this arrest has been made. And they are still on the trail of some of them.”

Governor Akeredolu has also called on leaders of the Ebira community in the state to warn their young ones not to copy the bad venture of kidnapping.

The Governor said recent reports from victims of kidnap in the state have established that some Ebira indigenes are now involved in the unwholesome act.

He noted that the Ebiras have lived together with the people of the state peacefully for several decades, adding that they have always been supportive and hardworking.

“I want to use this medium to urge our brothers to concentrate on their farming trade. It will be unfortunate to know that the Ebiras in our midst are now involved in kidnapping.

“We are appealing to them not to copy bad thing. The traders selling by the road side should not become informants. We are not fighting them.

“We have seen their numbers, they supported and voted for us during elections. I will call their leaders and talk to them. Our brothers who were kidnapped on their way to Ikare, talk to them. They were taken to Ebira farmsteads.

“For me, we have lived together for too long for this to happen. I am ready to make any effort to ensure that the conviviality that we have enjoyed continues. But we are begging their leaders to urge them not to copy bad thing. They are in our midst , we are surrounded by them. The issue of security is key and it’s dynamic.” Governor Akeredolu noted.

The Governor, who thanked the NUJ in the state for the cooperation extended to his administration, assured them of sustained efforts at developing the state.

On the issue of Security, Governor Akeredolu disclosed that aside the recent recruitment and training of new Amotekun personnel, 20 hunters and local vigilantes will be trained by the Amotekun corps in each of the eighteen local government areas in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Ondo State Council thanked the Governor for his support for the management of OSRC and Owena Press PLC, adding that the upgrade of facilities in the two state-owned media outfits is commendable.

He equally appreciated the Governor for the approval of the Weigh-in allowance for journalists and information officers working in the State and Local government service.

Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
August 9, 2022.

PRESS STATEMENT

The Ondo State Government owned Orange 94.5FM will vacate its present premise at Irese Road for the headquarters of the media group at Orita Obele, Akure.

This follows the directive of the Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN that all state-owned broadcasting establishments be physically and administratively consolidated at the Headquarters of the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation, OSRC, Orita Obele, Ijare road, Akure.

The three media houses are OSRC TV, SUNSHINE 96.5FM ALALAYE and ORANGE 94.5 FM.

This decision is part of the strategies of Government to adjust to the current economic reality facing the nation and the state. It is also consistent with the policy thrust of the Akeredolu administration to run a smart, efficient and cost-effective governance system in line with global best practices.

The objective of the policy is to install and enforce a regime of shared facility, optimum human resources utilization and cost-efficient operational logistics for the three media houses.

The benefits include :
a) Massive reduction of the costs of purchase of the Automotive Gasoline Oil (Diesel) for power generation.
b) Eradication of costs of maintenance of 3 power generators currently used for running Orange 94.5 FM (located about 5km away from its headquarters complex).
c) Eradication of expenditures on maintenance of engineering facilities like the 1,000 feet broadcast mast, signal antennae, Fibre optical cable installations and studio equipment.
d) Crash in the costs on vehicles maintenance and transport
e) Massive reduction of costs of daily news gathering, programme productions operations and marketing activities.
f) Effective operational supervision, smart human resources administration and management and overall reduction in costs of building and environment maintenance respectively.

All of the above, amongst others, will now be shared instead of duplicated at Orange FM as currently obtains.
When fully inaugurated, it is expected that Government will save not less than 80% of its current overall expenditure on Orange 94.5FM thereby freeing more resources to address other critical areas of the state’s need.

Already, groundwork and preliminary Implementation of same have since commenced while the completion of the relocation is expected by September the 10th, 2022.

Ultimately, the goal of this exercise is to improve on our quality service thereby sustaining Orange 94.5FM as the foremost urban radio station with the most satisfied audience.

Members of the public, especially our esteemed listeners are hereby requested to please bear with us, the slight inconveniences this exercise may bring to their listening pleasure.

Signed
Adekunle Adebayo
Chairman/CE
1st August, 2022.