As the Nigeria Police begins operation to combat security challenges in the country, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday called for the recruitment of more Marine Police to curb criminal activities in the riverine areas of the country.

He noted that due to absence of adequate security personnel, riverine areas in the country have become entry and exit points for criminals.

Akeredolu made the call while receiving the Assistant Inspector General of Police, in charge of zone 11, comprising Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States, Mr. Leye Oyebade at the Governor’s office, Alagbaka in Akure.

The AIG Oyebade was in the state to launch Operation “Puff Adder” aimed at curbing kidnapping and other crimes.

The governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, insisted that the Police must intensify efforts in securing the waterways just as its gives more attention in securing the land boaders.

Akeredolu recounted the roles of state in the rescue of some students from Epe, Lagos two years ago, adding that the kidnappers used the water ways because of the porous security.

“The order in our communities is that government is more interested in the land boarders, leaving our water boarders too porous. That is why you see our boys there resorting to self help, which is not too good,’ he noted

“Most of the arms that are coming to the country, I want to tell you that they are from these porous, open boarders. So it is good that the police takes note of this and see how they can arrest it and police our water ways”, the Governor said.

While noting that the police alone could not be left with the security of any community, the

Governor called on citizens to always avail the them with necessary information and support that would ease their operations.

He gave assurance that his government would give the police every necessary support whenever it is called upon to see to the success of operation in the state

Earlier, the AIG, Leye Oyebade, thanked the state government for its supports to the Police Ondo State command, calling more to make ‘Operation Puff Adder’ a success in the state.

According to him, the operation Puff Adder which was lunched at the federal and the State levels was an antidote to fight crimes ravaging the societies in the recent times.

Oyebade said the visit therefore was to carry the government and other necessary stakeholders along in the fight.

According to him, findings had revealed that the water fronts of Ondo State were being used as exit routes by the miscreants after perpetrating kidnapping and other eneous crimes.

“The lunching of Operation Puff Adder is to swallow all these kidnapping, cultism and the likes in our society,”he said.

There is a need for more collaboration among the anti-graft agencies and other stakeholders in the fight to curb corruption in the country, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said.

Besides, Osinbajo also advocated for a new national re-orientation and attitudinal change for the country to prevail in the corruption fight.

He spoke yesterday at an anti-corruption summit organised by the Office of the Vice President and the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), in Abuja.

He said: “Our struggle against corruption is one for the soul and substance of our Nation.

“The battle must be a collective one, corruption fights back with venom, guile and force, it is relentless and unashamed we who fight it must meet it with greater resolve and force.

“We can only win by working together with a common vision.”

The vice president also stressed the negative impact corruption has had o the country’s development saying that it has been Nigerian formost enemy.

Osinbajo also made reference to a recent Pricewaterhouse Coopers’ study, which concluded that Nigeria’s 2030 GDP could be up to $534 billion or more if it reduces corruption, pointing out that the country’s high revenue could not translate to development if corruption is not checked.

He stressed, “It doesn’t matter how much revenue a country makes or how transformative its plans are corruption will ensure that the majority of the people do not benefit from it or simply truncate the plan.

“Which is why despite the highest oil revenues in our history debt doubled and poverty figures rose.

“It is for these reasons that President Muhammadu Buhari famously warned that if we don’t kill Corruption Corruption will kill us, which is why a major pillar of our government’s socio economic agenda is the fight against corruption.”

Osinbajo therefore explained that it was for the purpose of tackling corruption headlong that the administration set up PACAC in 2015.

He however submitted that there is still a long way to go to stem corruption in the country.

The Vice President said the policy of the administration has been to tackle grand corruption first, using various strategies.

”The enforcement of TSA, the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit, and even ensuring that most civil servants are on the IPPIS electronic platform have helped greatly to control official theft of public funds.

“The judiciary also moved the needle in recent times. The Supreme Court in a lead judgment of Akaahs JSC, recently held that forfeiture under Section 17 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act is a civil matter which neither requires the criminal conviction of the property owner nor his innocence.

“This opens the door for forfeiture of assets that the purported owner cannot explain, whether or not an allegation of Corruption is made.”

Osinbajo said the administration was now poised to deal with the wider problem of systemic corruption, which affects “our people the most.”

According to him, this type of corruption occurs especially where the average person interacts with government, including corruption in the issuance of contracts, licenses and other government approvals.

“There is no reason why any Nigerian should have to pay bribes to law enforcement agents for obtaining drivers licenses or passports, or to clear goods at our ports.

“All of the relevant government agencies have shown a serious commitment to eradicating these forms of corruption.

“Our next level is to create the environment for collaboration between our agencies, civil society and other stake holders.”

In his address of welcome, the Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay, said the anti-corruption information and intelligence roundtable organised by committee on June 1, 2016, recommended short-term and long-term approaches for the successful collaboration among anti-corruption agencies.

According to him, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, structure would be adopted for the sharing of information and intelligence on corruption in the short-term.

He said the long-term measure would require the National Assembly passing an intelligence reform bill into law.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/osinbajo-calls-for-collaboration-among-agencies-in-tackling-corruption/

The last procession rites for any Olowo of Owo known in local parlance as Oyingbo Omologho has been performed for late Oba Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi in Owo.

During the colourful rites of passage, all commercial activities were put on hold in the ancient town as a mark of respect for the dead monarch.

The Iloro Chiefs who are custodians of Owo traditions led the procession with women carrying Apasa amidst songs and drumming.

An interdeno-minational funeral service will hold in Owo on Sunday May 19 2019, for the monarch bringing to a final close all burial arrangements for him

Meanwhile, the Owo Muslim Community has held a Jumat service for the late Olowo.
The service held at the Owo Central Mosque was conducted by the Chief Imam of Owo, Alhaji Ahmad Aladesawe.

Imam Aladesawe who extolled the good virtues of the late monarch said he(Oba Folagbade) served God all his life.

The Islamic cleric disclosed that despite being a Christian, Oba Folagbade was supportive to the Muslim community in Owo.
Imam Aladesawe described his reign as peaceful and witnessed a lot of progress and development in the town.

The Jumat service was attended by the Owo Muslim community, chiefs, community leaders as well as members of the royal family.

MORE PHOTOS

Caretaker Chairmen in Ondo State today, 14th of May, 2019 visit Ondo Linyi Industrial hub.

During the course of the inspection, the Caretaker Chairmen visit Paper mill factory, Ethanol factory, Plywood factory, Winwin textile factory, the factories were situated in Ondo Linyi Industrial hub, Omotosho, Ore.

"This is the first time Ondo State is witnessing deliberate action from her Governor, not paper action." ~ Caretaker Chairmen in Ondo State confessed.

Details of the visit soon!

In the history of Sunshine State, no Governor has ever performed the feat or creditably done in the first two years of a four year tenure as demonstrated by Arakunrin; despite the debt profile inherited on assumption, the seven months unpaid salaries and other allowances owed the workforce by his predecessor.

On assumption, he pleaded with workers and pledged to ensure prompt payment which today is 99% accomplished, yet he's making remarkable success in infrastructural development of decayed facilities. His achievements dotted the political, geographical and economic landscape of the Sunshine state in less than two and half years of administration,which of course is the headaches of opposition and his detractors.

There's no doubt that he could have scored low in some courses/subjects as human and being a first timer in such exalted position; which again should be the parameter for continuity and a second term ticket.

He's laid a solid economy foundation for a modern Ondo state through his pragmatic and proactive industrial revolution and transformation; which could only and be best sustained and consolidated by him. "Eni ba m'oju Ogun, nii npa obi n'ire".

The man who knows the shrine should be allowed to pour libation.

If it took the great Jagaban, Tinubu eight solid years to lay economic foundation for the modern Eko, for others to build upon, Aketi should equally be allowed to build a solid economic foundation for a modern Ondo state where others will follow suit.

In the political history of Ondo state since inception, the northern senatorial district whether under the two political icons (the two Babas) Ajasin and Adefarati of blessed memory, the zone was only opportune to served a single term each.

This of course should be the reason Arakunrin Akeredolu, their great grand child from the zone be given a Fair Deal and allowed to surpass and break the jinx of his forefathers, thereby completing the second term.

Whereas, the South and the Central senatorial districts had 6 and 7 years respectively? " Bawo l'obo se s'ori ti Inaki o se? What's good for the goose is equally good for the gander!

Arakunrin might have made mistakes here and there being human, however, the devil you know can never be compared to the unknown Angel.

A new candidate from the northern senatorial district will undoubtedly wants a fresh mandate of eight years, a cogent reason Nigerians rejected and refused to Atikulate in the last election, but preferred and voted massively for FeBuhari, a scenario that is playing itself out in Ondo state. Let's adopt and support continuity to maintain the zoning and rotational arrangement in Ondo state politics.

Any fresh mandate for a new man will affect the polity because events have shown that a SINGLE TERM is GROSSLY INADEQUATE for a man of vision to make meaningful impact.

Akeredolu has the mental capacity, vitality, muscle, courage, audacity, tenacity and the determination to take the Sunshine state beyond this shore to the next level.

LET'S RETAIN QUALITY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN, SUSTAIN AND REMAIN RELEVANCE IN THE MODERN NIGERIA.
By:Yomi Babatunde

The investment drive of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, in the last two years in the saddle, has started paying off.

The state has, in fact, joined the club of industrialized states, a feat which had looked near impossible since after the administration of the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin who was the first civilian governor between 1979 and 1984.

Akeredolu’s determination to change the narrative by ensuring that a solid economic and industrial platform was laid started a year after he assumed office when he embarked on an investment trip to China.

The tour gave birth to the popular Ore industrial Park. As at the last count, no fewer than five companies are ready to begin operations in the Ore industrial hub. Akeredolu has, indeed, turned Ore to a beehive of activities.

The companies that have sprung up after the state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Linyi municipal government of Shandong province of China include a paper mill, an ethanol plant, a medium density fibre board, a high-density fibre board, a plywood firm and a textile company.

Conducting newsmen round the companies described as ‘the Akeredolu wonders in Ore’, the Business Development Manager of Wewood Limited, Mr. Sun Peng, said, “The ethanol plant is at about 95 percent completed and set to roll.

The ethanol factory is almost ready at 95 percent completion. “The ethanol factory is billed to convert cassava to ethanol. It has the capacity to convert cassava to edible form, used by pharmaceuticals, breweries and food processing industries. “We are expected to begin test-running the machines any moment from now.

“About 1,000 people have been employed for the ethanol factory. The plant is also expected to indirectly provide jobs for more than 10,000 people, particularly cassava farmers and traders”.

Peng added that a special species of cassava was being planted in – between the Gmelina to be used to feed the ethanol plant.

In order not to starve the company of raw materials, the state government, in partnership with Weewood, embarked on aggressive afforestation by allocating 10, 000 hectares of land for the planting of G-melina while over six million trees have been planted on 3, 000 hectares under phase one of the project.

Inside the ethanol factory’s warehouse, several thousands of bags of dried cassava were waiting to be fed into the machines, while more than 10 trailer-loads were waiting to discharge their cassava consignment.

Also, the WinWin Textile factory in the industrial park has kick-started the production of textile thread with over 300 workers.

The Nigerian Manager of WinWin Textile, Ahmed Adeyinka, said the textile is already producing polyester sewing thread.

“We planned to move to the next stage of producing textile materials like lace and Ankara among others”, Adeyinka said.

“Presently, we have 300 people working for us. We produce all kinds of sewing polyester thread for the local market. In a couple of months from now, the factory will begin to run at full capacity with the production of textile materials of all kinds.” Of significance too is the Weewood Plywood/HDF factory.

The company produces high-quality fibre board plywood. They are already in high demand in local markets across and outside the state. Waste woods are processed into high and low density fibre.

Very soon, the state is expected to earn foreign exchange through the export of the product. With the over 85 percent completion of the paper mill factory, the Business Development Manager for Weewood, Peng said, “On completion, the paper mill is expected to employ more than 3, 000 direct staff and offer more than 4, 000 indirect jobs to those who will be in the supply and marketing chain!!

“By the time the paper mill factory goes fully into operation, paper products can be bought right here in Ondo, without anyone going to Lagos”. It was gathered that long before the machines for the paper mill began to arrive Nigeria, Weewood had started planting the trees that will form the primary raw materials for the mill.

Today, the almost 10,000 hectares of land allocated for the project has starter yielding result, as the trees have started to grow. One of the workers in the factories said, “The governor deserves commendation for this initiative. This is a win-win situation for Ondo State and its people.

The company will employ our people on the farm to plant the trees, it will also go on to employ our people in the factory and other auxiliary jobs that would be created.” At the ethanol project, it was observed that farmers, businessmen and women were already reaping from the indirect jobs created.

A cassava farmer in the area, Shehu Oladapo, who spoke with newsmen, said, “I thank Governor Akeredolu for this initiative. Farmers like me now have a ready market for our cassava. It has encouraged us to increase the number of hectares that we will prepare to grow cassava for the next planting season”.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the Ore Industrial Park is fashioned after that of Linyi municipal government of Shandong province in China. One of the governor’s aides, who was on the tour, submitted, “If the experience of the Linyi’s economy, which is based around wholesale markets and an annual trade volume of 40 billion RMB (US$5 billion), is anything to go by, the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has set a standard by which governance would be measured in the country”.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/the-akeredolu-five-wonders-in-ore/

CLAIMS:
Ondo state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has increased to over N1.5 billion
Ondo state’s monthly IGR was previously N700 million before Akeredolu’s administration

CONCLUSION: For CLAIM 1, it is TRUE ; for CLAIM 2, it is PARTLY FALSE
EVIDENCE: Ondo state’s monthly IGR has increased to over N1.5 billion with an average monthly IGR of N2.07 billion in 2018, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

However, NBS data also show that Ondo state’s average monthly IGR from 2012 to 2015 has been more than N700 million, except in 2016 when it fell by 14 percent to N723.7 million.

FULL TEXT:
Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu , on Tuesday, May 8, while receiving members of the state chapter of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria in his office in Akure said his administration has improved the monthly IGR of the state from N700 million to over N1.5 billion.

What this means is that the state under his administration has grown its IGR by more than double to over N1.5 billion monthly compared to N700 million which the state recorded previously as IGR.
No date was quoted or referenced in the report. But emphasis was made on his administration.
BusinessDay could not reach the governor to clarify the claim, but a statement issued by a press officer in the governor’s office, Bode Akinwumi, confirmed he made the statement.
According to the statement, Akeredolu said his “ administration has so far improved its (Ondo state) IGR from N700 million monthly to over N1.5 billion monthly.”

CONTEXT
Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, was sworn into office on February 24, 2017, in Akure, succeeding Olusegun Mimiko as Ondo State governor. Since no timeframe was mentioned in the first claim, Gov. Akeredolu may have also been implying that not only was the state’s monthly IGR as low as N700 million before his administration, but that he has also greatly increased the monthly IGR during this administration.
As such, we will consider the average monthly IGR from 2008 – 2018.

ONDO MONTHLY IGR MORE THAN N1.5 BILLION
According to IGR data at state level for the year 2018 obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s official repository of data, Ondo State generated N3.61 billion as IGR in the first three months of 2018. The amount rose to N5.81 billion in the second quarter of the year, spanning from April through June.

However, the revenue receipt of the state fell slightly to N5.04 billion in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter but rebounded in the last quarter of the year to N10.33 billion, bringing the total IGR of the state for the year to N24.79 billion. This represents a 126.8 percent increase when compared with N10.93 billion generated a year earlier.
With the sum of N24.79 billion generated internally by the state in 2018, we decided to divide the amount by 12, which indicates the number of months in a year, to obtain the state’s average monthly IGR. This results in N2.07 billion monthly IGR.

ONDO GENERATED MORE THAN N700 MILLION BEFORE AKEREDOLU’S ADMINISTRATION
BusinessDay gathered the state’s IGR statistics from 2008 to 2018 in order to properly evaluate the accuracy of the governor’s claim on improving the state revenue from N700 million monthly. We discovered that in 2008, the sum of N3.98 billion was generated, translating to N332 million average monthly IGR.

That amount shrank to N312.7 million in 2009 but grew to N540 million monthly in 2010. The growth in Ondo state’s average monthly IGR was continuously extended in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 to N668 million, N846 million, N875 million, and N977 million, respectively.
In 2015, an average of N842 million was generated in Ondo state every month. It dropped to N724 million in 2016 and rose to N911 million in 2017, implying the state’s average monthly IGR has remained over N700 million since 2012.

CONCLUSION
Governor Akeredolu’s claim that Ondo state monthly IGR has increased to over N1.5 billion was TRUE as the state generated an average monthly IGR of N2.07 billion in 2018. However, his claim that his administration improved the state IGR from N700 million was PARTLY FALSE as the state average monthly IGR from 2012 to 2015 has been more than N700 million, except in 2016 when it fell by 14 percent to N723.7 million.

https://businessday.ng/business-economy/article/fact-check-how-accurate-is-akeredolus-claim-on-ondos-monthly-igr/

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday said his administration would continue to partner professional bodies in the state to further ensure better service delivery to the people of the state.

He disclosed this while speaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the 3rd Annual Lecture and Investiture of Prince Adedire Adeyinka as the 4th Chairman of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), held at the David Akintayo Oguntuase NMA House, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

This is just as the new chairman of the association applauded the governor for what he described as massive investment in the socio-economic transformation of the state including re-organisation of the system to ensure economic viability.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Ifedayo Abegunde, noted that government was ready to partner the association to promote excellence and integrity among professionals in both the public and private sectors.

He added that his administration is doing a lot to bring dividends of good governance to the people of the state through provision of massive road infrastructures and creation of industries to create jobs for the teeming youths in the state.

In his remarks after his investiture, Prince Adedire Adeyinka, lauded the state governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for his uncommon commitment to all-round development of the state, saying that this has already been yielding expected results in the areas of infrastructure, Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) and industrialisation as well as jobs creation.

He said his leadership would work hand in hand with the state government in the area of policy formulation and implementation to ensure better service delivery to the people of the state, just as he appealed to the government to incorporate local professionals in its infrastructure drives.

Adeyinka equally stressed that drugs and substance abuse place a negative impact on human health, public safety, productivity, governance and relationship with crime, hence the need for government to deploy measures to combat the menace.

In the days of the late Adekunle Ajasin as the first Executive Governor of Ondo State between 1979 and I983, he established many industries that unfortunately were no more functional.

Successive administrations did not deem it necessary to sustain the projects as all the companies became moribund.

However, topmost campaign promises of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is also an Owo indigene as Ajasin, was to transform the state through industrialisation.

The governor also promised to revitalise abandoned industries and even establish new ones.



After he assumed office in 2016, the governor made good his campaign promise by negotiating with some foreign investors on the need to invest in the state.

He also visited some foreign countries, including China, United Arab Emirates and United States of America where he lobbied some investors to come and invest in the state, which he said is blessed with abundant mineral resources, especially bitumen and crude oil.

These mineral resources are capable of attracting both foreign and local investors; hence the continuous drive of Governor Akeredolu for industrial and economic development.

However, the vision for investment drive of Akeredolu is gradually materialising within the two years of his taking over the mantle of leadership.

No fewer than five new companies are ready to begin operations in Ore Industrial hub, Ore in Odigbo Local Government Area.

Available records show that Oluwa Glass Company and the Okitipupa Oil Palm were the pride of the state at that time. But four decades on, the sites of the companies are overgrown with weeds.

Sadly, the once-beautiful and buoyant state became a shadow of itself. It now depends on the paltry monthly allocations from the Federation Account, almost three quarter of which goes into the payment of salaries of workers.

However, the state is gradually coming back to life in terms of commerce and industry and gradually occupying a place of pride in the country in general and the Southwest region in particular.



Already, five companies, including a paper mill, ethanol plant, medium density fibre board, high density fibre board, ply wood and textile companies have sprouted from the mustard seed that was planted when the state signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Linyi Municipal

Government of Shandong Province of Peoples Republic of China.

Determined to ensure a solid economic base for the state, Governor Akeredolu had embarked on an investment tour to China in June, 2017.

That tour has given birth to what is now known as the Ore Industrial Park.

Governor Akeredolu had earlier inaugurated the 10,000 hectares forestation project, where Gmelina Arborea has been planted on 1,500 of the 10,000 hectares.

The industrial revolution in the state has taken a very strong foothold with the ethanol plant at about 95 per cent completed and set to roll.

According to the Business Development Manager of Weewood Limited, Mr. Sun Peng, special specie of cassava is being planted in-between the Gmelina which will be used to feed the ethanol plant.

While conducting reporters round the factory recently, Mr Peng said the ethanol factory is almost ready, with works at 95 per cent completion, saying that “we were expected to begin test-run of the machines before the end of April.”

Already, about 1,000 people have been employed to work in the ethanol factory for direct jobs. The plant is also expected to provide jobs for more than 10,000 people, particularly cassava farmers and traders.

Local farmers are excited about a ready and lucrative market for their goods as cassava, which is the major item for the production of ethanol will be sourced directly from them.

Shehu Oladapo, a cassava farmer in Odigbo Local Government Area said: “I thank Governor Akeredolu for this initiative. Farmers like me now have a ready market for our cassava. It has encouraged us to increase the number of hectares that we will prepare to grow cassava for the next harvest season.”

The WinWin Textile Factory located inside the park is another factory which has commenced production of textile thread a few months ago.



With 300 workers already employed, WinWin Textile has helped to ease the problem of unemployment on the people, especially the residents who, for the first time, found a worthwhile venture outside the civil service.

According to Ahmed Adeyinka, the Manager of WinWin Textile, the textile factory is, at present, producing polyester sewing thread.

He said the factory will move to the next stage of producing textile materials such as lace and Ankara, among others.

“Currently, we have 300 people working for us. We now produce all kinds of sewing polyester threads for the local market. In a couple of months from now, the factory will begin to run at full capacity with the production of textile materials of all kinds,” Adeyinka said.

Peng said: “The Wewwood Plywood/HDF Factory has also commenced production. Young men and women, who would have been roaming the streets, are busy with one task or the other. The company’s products, high quality fibre board plywood are already in high demand in local markets across the country, while the state is being positioned to earn foreign currency through the export of the product.”

He added that the paper mill factor will, on completion, employ more than 3, 000 direct workers, while many more are expected to benefit from jobs created down the value chain.

He said the paper mill, like other factories in the Ore Park, is structured to create more indirect jobs for the residents, adding that “long before the machines for the mill began to arrive at

the shores of the country, Weewood commenced preparations by planting the trees that will form the primary raw materials for the mill.

“At present, the almost 10,000 hectares of land allocated for the Weewood afforestation project by Governor Akeredolu is beginning to yield the expected result, as the trees continue to grow into maturity.

“The governor deserves commendation for this initiative. This is a win-win situation for Ondo State and its people. The company will employ our people on the farm to plant the trees, it will go on to employ our people in the factory and other auxiliary jobs that would be created.”

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Yemi Olowolabi who led reporters to the industrial park said: ‘The Ore Industrial Park is fashioned after that of Linyi Municipal Government of Shandong Province in China. Investors under Shandong group have made good their promise to make Ondo State a model for one-stop industrial park in the country.

“The administration of Governor Akeredolu has set a standard by which governance would be measured in the country with the elaborate investment and the revenue that will accrue to the coffers of the government.

This is in addition to the jobs that will be generated through the project,” Olowolabi said.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/residents-excited-as-industries-sprout-in-ondo/

The Governor of Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has advised lawyers to embrace Information and Communication Technology to boost their practice.

He warned that mundane, repetitive and laborious tasks which lawyers carry out in their practice would soon be taken over by machines in the face of emerging technologies.


The governor and senior lawyer gave this advice at the annual conference of the Nigeria Bar Association Section on Legal Practice, which held at the International Event Centre, Akure.

The conference was with the theme, “Value-added Legal Practice.”

Akeredolu stressed that with technology’s penetration into legal practice, any lawyer who failed to key into the current development would be backward.


He said, “Gone are the days when senior lawyers would come to court with a retinue of juniors and lorry-load of books. Today, the LawPavilion, Legalpedia and other such electronic law libraries have taken the stage. The 21st century lawyer who intends to add value can only ignore such development at his own peril.

“Corporate clients have begun to develop their own technological tools. J. P. Morgan, for example, has developed a computer programming called ‘COIN’, an abbreviation for ‘Contract Intelligence,’ which can interpret commercial loan agreement that used to consume several hours of work each year by lawyers.

“The COIN reviews documents in a matter of seconds and is less prone to errors associated with manual or conventional commercial legal relations. Also, Amazon and Alibaba (Internet companies) have integrated online resolution platform where algorithms are used to settle legal claims.

“In other climes, law firms and private lawyers now use Chabot for simple legal services to help people to appeal against parking tickets. Other examples include Linklaters, which is an artificial intelligence application for backing legal practice; and Rossworld for artificial intelligent attorney built by an IBM cognitive computer.”

While admonishing lawyers to acquire ICT skills, the SAN said it was the only way they could remain relevant in practice.

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Tuesday said that the monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state had increased to over N1.5 billion.

Akeredolu disclosed this in Akure during a courtesy visit by the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter.

He said that the monthly IGR was previously less than N700 million, but had more than doubled due to the initiatives of the present administration.

“We must think out of the box and be creative. We are thinking anew, acting anew, and doing things differently,” he said.

The governor also hailed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his pioneering role at building an economic base which pushed up the IGR of Lagos State as one of the biggest economies in Africa.

According to Akeredolu, the commitment of Tinubu to the economic rejuvenation of Lagos when he was the governor remained unparalleled till date.

He said successive administrations in that state had continued to build on this.

The governor urged the people of the state to collaborate with his administration in its bid to ensure that the IGR of the state improved tremendously to a level of comfort like Lagos.

Earlier, Mr Mathew Akinbileje, the Chairman of the association, had lauded Akeredolu on delivery of democracy dividends to the people of the state.

He appealed to the governor to incorporate the association in the state’s security architecture to aid in intelligence gathering.

Akinbileje also requested for a patrol vehicle to ease the group’s movement and for intelligence gathering.

The Ondo State Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has assured that by the time Bitumen Exploration Factory in Ondo State begins operations later this year, Nigeria would stop the importation of Bitumen products for the construction of roads across the country.

Governor Akeredolu said the development would be a major breakthrough for the entire country as it would hasten the construction process of roads.

Receiving the leadership of Section on Legal Practice, SLP, of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in his office in Akure, Governor Akeredolu said Ondo State is naturally endowed with diverse mineral resources waiting to be tapped for the economic development of the Sunshine State.

Arakunrin Akeredolu categorically stated that his administration was irrevocably committed at breaking the jinx of exploring the second largest bitumen deposit in the state and ensure it becomes a reality before the end of the year.

While wishing his colleagues in the legal profession a successful Annual Conference in the state, the governor urged them to take advantage of the avanlanche of tourist sites in the state for their holidays as the sites have greater excitements than similar sites elsewhere around the globe.

Earlier the leader of the team who is the Chairman on Legal Practice of NBA, Mrs Mai Essein, SAN, had lauded the governor for being a worthy ambassador of the Bar.

The Chairman particularly expressed happiness that the governor was delivering on his promises to his people through several projects being executed by his administration.

She informed the governor that Lawyers who are members of the Section on Legal Practice were in the state for their Annual Conference between 7th and 8th, 2019 adding that the theme of the conference would be : Value Added Legal Practice.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Senate and others to justify why it should reject a suit seeking to stop them from appointing and confirming Justice Ibrahim Muhammad as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order while refusing an ex-parte motion for interim injunctions filed byt the Board of Incorporated Trustees of Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation.

Justice Ekwo, in a ruling on Friday, an enrolled copy of which was sighted yesterday, declined to grant all the reliefs sought by the applicant.

Instead, the judge ordered the defendants to, within seven days after being served, show cause why the applicants’ reliefs should not be granted.

The judge said: “None of the prayers made on this motion ex-parte can be granted in the absence of the defendants.

“The plaintiff is hereby ordered to put the ‘ defendants on notice.

“The defendants are hereby granted seven days, upon being served, to appear and show cause why the application of the plaintiff ought not to be granted.
“Case adjourned to 13th day of May, 2019 for the defendants to show cause.”

The plaintiff/applicant had, in its motion ex-parte, prayed the court for “an order of interim injunction restraining the 5th defendant (Buhari) from appointing the 3rd defendant (Justice Muhammad) as the Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the determination of the motion on notice filed herein.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 7th defendant (the Senate President) from confirming the appointment of the 3rd defendant as the Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

Named as defendants in the suit, are NJC, Federal Judicial Service Commission of Nigeria (FJSCN), Justice Muhammad, Federal Republic of Nigeria, President, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Senate.

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As part of proactive measure to forestall any breach of public peace, particularly, in Government Reserved Areas exclusively planned for residence, Ondo State Government has placed embargo on the building of new hotels, night clubs, or beer parlour joints in Alagbaka and Ijapo estates in Akure, the capital city.

The commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, who briefed the press after the State Executive Meeting held on Monday, 6th May, 2019, said the move was to ensure peace and tranquility.

He explained that the two estates are full residential areas and henceforth government will no longer approve the construction of new hotels or night clubs.

“For those who have secured approvals for the building of hotels in the past two years but have not commenced construction, such approvals are no longer valid.”

Also, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lola Fagbemi disclosed that Council as well approved Prince Richard Oluwadurotimi Ayodele as the Onise -elect of Ise-Akoko.

mynd44 Seun Lalasticla

As Ondo State government looks beyond the Sunshine State being a civil service state to one that can be reckoned with as industrial through agricultural intervention it tagged Cassava Revolution (CASSAREV), some men have keyed into the agenda.

It is on this rare row of men that Chief Alexander Oluremi Ajipe belongs. Ajipe is CEO, Klick Konnect Network, the agency whose tools have been at the forefront of the government ‘s efforts in this regard. The brilliant mind has been delivering, and reeling out the templates towards attaining, to the fullest, the Ondo industrial drive.

Klickonnect Networks is putting smiles on the faces of the people through this great initiative, and its CEO, Ajipe, is putting in place creative templates for attaining a working and lasting industrial drive.

Recounting the state of affairs before the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu government took over the mantle of leadership in the state, Ajipe said no government has shown commitment towards Ondo State industrial development after the era of the late Pa. Adekunle Ajasin. According to him, the Cassava Revolution, which is a value chain program, is designed to explore the many advantages of cassava.

He observed that most of the things Ondo was known for, like the Oluwa Glass Industry, the Ceramic Industry, the Tomatoes Industry, have gone moribund due to the insensitive nature of successive governments.

On the cassava to Ethanol Factory, which is another first of its kind in the state, Ajipe said the factory will consume 350-400 tonnes of cassava and provide direct employment for 500 people. Other initiatives on ground include the Ondo Linyi Industrial Hub Phase 1 and Ondo Linyi Phase 2 projects which will bring about a truck assembly plant to Ondo and ACAVAT, a training institution which will train people on technology.

Ondo has set the pace in it’s industrial drive by being the first to establish a textile mill factory, a paper mill factory that produces paper pulp; while it is also the first to sign a city-by-city agreement with China . The administration has also remained the first to allocate 10,000 hectares of land to Wewood as part of a renewed agenda for agricultural development.

With these strides, the administration is proving that good governance is possible in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Arakunrin is showing the world that Ondo is a safe place for investment. When the person at the helm of affairs is one of unquestionable character, it becomes easy for people from different parts of the world to come and invest in his domain.

Interestingly, Ajipe, trained at FUTA and is a revenue consultant to Ondo State Ministry of Natural Resources, is a project manager with great pedigree. Hence, the prospects of this initiative are visible.

At full implementation, Cassarev is expected to see to the establishment of an ethanol factory and contribute to human capital development in Ondo as farmers while truck loaders among others will benefi.

Farmers are expected to supply not less than 400 tonnes of cassava daily to keep the factory in operation. Klickconnect is also encouraging Ondo people, especially youths, to get involved in cassava farming by registering them and facilitating no interest loan.

The Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, has assured the State Government that he would pursue the necessary legislation to support it in paying the new minimum wage.

Oleyelogun gave this assurance in an interview with The Tide’s source on Saturday, in Akure.

He said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, had assured workers that he would pay the minimum wage in line with the law as the welfare of workers was paramount to his administration to ensure optimal productivity.

The speaker, who described Akeredolu as a worker-friendly governor, also said” he is a man of his words and fulfills his promises”.

He explained that the House would support him with enabling laws that would help his administration to pay workers the new minimum wage.

“He is a man of action that will tell you that he will do something, and he will do it.

“We are ready to support him with all the enabling laws that will help him to pay the new minimum wage and ensure workers’ welfare.

“The welfare of workers is paramount to him, and also important to lawmakers,’’ Oleyelogun said.

Ondo State Government has declared that its intention to create Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) is to make government closer to the people and not for any political reason.

The LCDAs Implementation Committee Chairman, Lanke Odogiyan, who disclosed this at a press conference in Akure, yesterday, said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is determined to take government closer to the people of the rural areas, hence the intention to create the LCDAs.

He said the state government has concluded all necessary arrangements for the creation of the LCDAs, saying all necessary machinery have also been put in motion to ensure efficient take off of the LCDAs.

He disclosed that the committee received 94 memoranda from various communities across the 18 local government areas at its last sitting.

Odogiyan said the committee had concluded its job and its report would be submitted to Governor Akeredolu before the end of the week.

He assured that all the communities desirous of an LCDA would be considered, just as he said various factors, including land mass and population, would be considered in determining headquarters of the new LCDAs.

Also, he said many communities were already jostling to be the headquarters of the LCDAs, saying the committee will be fair to all the communities in its report and the government will also base its implementation of the report on the principle of fairness.

He was, however, silent on the exact number of LCDAs to be created, but maintained that the new LCDAs would make government more efficient and contribute to effective delivery of dividends of democracy.

As workers in the country mark the 2019 May Day, the Ondo state Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, has promised to pay N30,000 new minimum wage to workers in the state.

Akeredolu who gave the assurance on Wednesday at the 2019 workers day celebration in Akure, Ondo state capital, said that paying the N30,000 new minimum wage in the state is not a problem and would not be an issue in the state since it has been approved by law.

His words, “This government will pay minimum wage as approved by law. I can say categorically that what you have today as take-home can hardly take anybody home. Your salary and minimum wage is non-negotiable.

“We however, admonish our colleagues in service to reciprocate all the good gestures of the Government, and the sacrifices made by those who are not employed by the State, to rededicate themselves and embrace the best practices for progress.

“We have ensured that those who merit promotions get elevated. The exercise will continue. We will also ensure that adequate training programmes are organized for the benefit of workers.

“We promised during our campaigns that we would not allow any worker suffer under our watch. We have kept this promise. We will remain focused in the interest of our people. We shall not allow any extraneous interests to undermine the development of the State. We will resist any person or groups of persons who may wish to shortchange the people of the State under any guise.

“We shall hold on, firmly, to the belief that the welfare of the citizenry should be the primary purpose of governance. We shall proceed with courage, imbued with the confidence that our actions are just.

“State will not move forward without you workers. In view of this, we must cater for all of you because the welfare of workers in Ondo state is very paramount to us”.

He said labour was the bedrock of development in any nation and commended the unions for their support so far, adding that his administration is determined to keep on it campaign promises.

In his address, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ondo state, Comrade Sunday Adeleye said the new minimum wage was a matter of law which must be implemented by the state governments.

Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Helen Odofin, the Trade Union Congress Chairman commended Akeredolu led administration for approving the payment of the 22 months salary arrears to the staff of Ondo state Development Company.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/governor-akeredolu-promises-to-pay-n30000-new-minimum-wage-to-ondo-workers/

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has said the state will continue to reward excellence and hard work.

The Governor made the statement when he presented state honour awards to three corps members who distinguished themselves during the 2018 Batch ‘A’ service year.

The awardees, Adeyemi Bolanle Mary, Ekekwe God’swill Onyechukwu and Essien Happiness Usetim, received certificates of commendation and monetary gifts for their efforts. The event was part of the closing ceremony/terminal parade for the 2019 Batch ‘A’ corps members.

Speaking through his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, the governor urged the corps members to make positive impact in their various places of primary assignment. He advised them to shun negative acts that may tarnish the good image their predecessors built over the years and “contribute meaningfully to the overall development of this great country as you go to your various places of primary assignment.”

NYSC state Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, disclosed that 2,091 corps members participated in the three weeks exercise made up of 1,138 males and 953 females. He appealed to the corps members to be good ambassadors of their respective families and NYSC in their various places of primary assignment.

The NYSC boss said out of over 600 who applied for relocation to other states on marital and health grounds, 514 were successful while 345 others are coming into the state from other states.

SOURCE: https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ondoll-continue-to-reward-excellence-akeredolu/

Ondo State Governor’s wife, Her Excellency, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu joined her counterparts from the thirty six states of Nigeria to a one day summit organized by the Nigeria Governors’ forum for Governors’ Spouses’, at the Banquet hall, Aso Villa, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Governors’ spouses’ summit which is the initiative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, seeks to address national issues as it concerns, Security, infrastructure, environment, agriculture, education, health, economic development, governance, public financial management, policy & strategy, Anti corruption, knowledge management.

Addressing the summit, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, expressed happiness for being part of the summit.
Mrs Buhari, also expressed delight that all the first ladies have been working successfully for the betterment of the cause of women, children, young people and the less privileged.


She pointed out that every wife of governor plays a complimentary role to support the efforts of the governor, especially on the issues of women, youth and children.
While commending the Nigeria Governors’ forum for organizing the summit, Mrs Buhari called on first ladies to play more supportive roles in governance.

Contributing during the plenary session on the topic; Setting priorities and identifying pet projects, Ondo state First Lady who was one of the discussants, described the summit as an amazing platform for mentoring and networking.

She however submitted that life experiences and professional experiences help in the events of choosing priorities and making discission as it concerns pet projects.

Mrs Akeredolu advised her fellow first ladies to be committed to leaving lasting legacies by building strategic alliances and taking advantage of policy and legal frameworks.

Participants were drilled on the role of a 21st century First Lady, Accountability and human development, Building strategic alliances, ethnics and protocol, Media relations, setting priorities and identifying pet projects during the plenary sessions, with Hon. Dorothy McAuliffe, wife of the former governor of Virginia state in USA as the lead resource person.

The one day summit had in attendance, former first ladies of the federal republic of Nigeria, president national council for women societies, Country representative of UNICEF, a former female deputy governor, and other stakeholders.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/governors-spouses-summit-ends-in-abuja-with-a-call-for-first-ladies-to-play-more-supportive-roles/

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has promised to pay the N30,000 minimum wage as provided by law.

He gave the assurance while addressing workers on Tuesday in commemoration of the Workers’ Day held in Arcade, Akure.

But the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state has vowed to resist any form of increases in taxes or the prices of petroleum products as a result of the new minimum wage.

“This government will pay the Minimum Wage as approved by law. We, however, admonish our colleagues in service to reciprocate all the good gestures of the government, and the sacrifices made by those who are not employed by the State, to rededicate themselves and embrace the best practices for progress,” Mr Akeredolu said.

“We promised during our campaigns that we would not allow any worker suffer under our watch. We have kept this promise. We will remain focused in the interest of our people. We shall not allow any extraneous interests to undermine the development of the state. We will resist any person or groups of persons who may wish to short-change the people of the state under any guise.”

On salaries, the governor said his administration had made good its promises not to owe workers.

“This Administration has not reneged on any of its promises since inception. We will continue to treat the welfare of civil servants as a priority,” he said.

“We have paid salaries of workers till date. We acknowledge the outstanding one month salary from the seven months’ arrears inherited from the previous government. We are obliged to offset this entitlement and other legitimate earnings as soon as the financial situation improves. We crave your patience and understanding in this regard.”

The governor also said the government had opened the state for economic development through production of goods and services and the improvement in internally generated revenues.

The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ondo State Council, Sunday Adeleye, commended the state government for its commitment to regular payment of salaries and conduct of promotion exercise.



He, however, said the organised labour would constructively criticise the state government when necessary.

Mr Adeleye also stated that the organised labour would resist any form of hike in prices, particularly of fuel or taxes.

Also, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in the state, Helen Odofin, assured that the workers would reciprocate the good gesture of employers through loyalty and commitment to quality service delivery.

Ms Odofin also lauded the state governor for promising to comply with the implementation of the new minimum wage.

In the same vein, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Ondo State, Adetona Aderoboye, expressed satisfaction with Mr Akeredolu’s decision to implement the N30,000 Minimum wage.

In a May Day message, the NUJ chairman called on the government to commence the immediate implementation of the new wage for the state workers.

Mr Aderoboye also stressed the need for media owners to give top priority to the welfare of journalists working in their organisations.

SOURCE: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-west/327987-minimum-wage-ondo-workers-vow-to-resist-hike-in-taxes-fuel-price.html

Ondo state House of Assembly has lauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his massive industrialization and life changing projects geared towards empowering the youths for self reliance.

The Speaker, Ondo state House of Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun gave the commendation during an oversight function to ore industrial hub at Omotoso in Odigbo Council Area of the state.

Oleyelogun said the present administration is settling the pace for others to follow in terms of transformation development

Speaking after the inspection tour, the Chairman, House Committee on commerce and industry, Mr Sola Ebiwonjumi who expressed satisfaction over the project thanked Governor Akeredolu for his vision in transforming Ondo state across all sectors.

On his part, the Senior special Assistant to Governor Akeredolu on economic zones and development, Mr. Ayo Ipaye who took the delegation round the facility noted that over 20,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created when the industry begins to operate at full capacity.

The Administrative Manager of win win Textile industry, Adeshina Ahmed who said the industry produces 1,000 cartons of threads per day with 300 staff strength noted that it will soon start producing fabrics, lace and ankara.

He said the industrial hub will also have a training centre called African College of Agriculture Vocational and Technical Studies, where interested youths could acquire needed manpower technology for the job.

SOURCE: http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-Assembly-Lauds-Governor-Akeredolu-over-Industrilaization-Agenda

Ibuji community in Ifedore council area of Ondo state has commended Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the construction of 8.1 kilometers asphalt overlay Igbaraoke Ibuji /Ekiti state boundary road.

They gave the commendation during an inspection tour of the project by the speaker Ondo Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun.

Oleyelogun who said Governor Akeredolu is committed to all his electoral promises, noted that the present administration will continue to provide more masses oriented projects for the populace.

The speaker sought the continued cooperation and support of the Ifedore people for the present administration in achieving more success stories across the state.

Some residents of the community who could not hide their joy over the timely completion of the road by the administration however thanked governor akeredolu for fulfilling his electoral promises to the people of the area.

Bearing her minds on the impact of the road, a trader, Mrs Ganiyat Busari said their joy knew no bounds as it would not only ease the hardship being experienced on the road on daily basis but improve their socio – economic activities.

Another resident of the community, Mr Dauda Lateef who said the economic situation of Ibuji and Ifedore in general have improved tremendously following the intervention of governor Akeredolu on the road asked government to erect speed breakers on the road to check road carnage.

Also speaking, a community leader who doubles as the Egbedi of Igbaraoke, Chief Gabriel Fajemilusi described the road construction as unique project and unprecedented.

In the past, the deplorable 1.8 kilometers road stretching from Ibuji, Igbaraoke down to ondo Ekiti boundary have greatly affected the socio economic activities of the people of the area hence the need for quick intervention by governor Akeredolu’s administration.

But, the community can now heave a sign of relief as the long abandoned road has now reached 90 percent completion with Asphalt overlay.

President Muhammadu Buhari has donated five hundred thousand US dollars, (US$500,000), to Guinea Bissau for the country’s election.

President Buhari who traveled to London on Thursday, sent the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama for the mission.

Disclosing this via the official tweeter handle of the Nigeria President, (@NGRPresident), Buhari doled out about One hundred and eighty two million, five hundred thousand naira, to assist the country.

Read the tweet below: “In his capacity as Chairman, ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, Pres Buhari, this morning, directed Minister of Foreign Affairs, @GeoffreyOnyeama to undertake an urgent mission as his Special Envoy to Guinea Bissau, in the company of ECOWAS Commission President, Jean-Claude Brou.

“President @MBuhari had in response to an urgent request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau graciously approved support to the country’s election process including 350 units of electoral kits, 10 motorcycles, 5 Hilux vans, 2 light trucks and US$500,000.

“This vital assistance ensured that legislative elections held in Guinea Bissau, which should help in stabilizing the country.

“In a separate development, Nigeria’s Foreign Minister will also undertake a mission to Cotonou, Benin, to deliver a personal message to President Patrice Talon from President Buhari.

“The visit is in the context of the brewing political crisis ahead of April 28, 2019, legislative elections in the country.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/breaking-buhari-splashes-us500000-on-guinea-bissau/

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), on Thursday directed that all the students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, (AAUA) who were arrested by the police, following the students’ protest at the campus be released immediately.

Some protesting students were arrested by men of the Ondo state police command today for alleged breach of peace in Akungba and the campus.

Authorities of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) have shut down the institution following protest by students over the decision of the management to impose “no payment of tuition, no test/no exam policy”.

It was gathered that step by the institution to enforce the policy on Tuesday as 100level and 200level students started their test, was resisted by the students who staged peaceful protest on the campus today.

In a circular released by the University’s authorities in March 2019, students who are yet to pay their recently hike tuition will pay additional #10,000 for late registration and whoever that do not pay to register would not be allowed to write first semester 2018/2019 test and examination, tagged “No Registration, No Examination”.

However in a Statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, the Governor gave the directive to release the protesting students after receiving a briefing of the incident from the state police commissioner, Undie Adie.

Akeredolu said the state is already looking into the matter, urging the students to go home and the maintain the peace, stressing the need for peace in the campus and the state at large.

Reports say if not the governor’s intervention the apprehended students would have been charged to court today.

The Police in Ondo State have promised to arrest the fleeing suspect who killed eight members of a family of nine by setting on fire their home in Okitipupa Local Government Area.

SP Femi Joseph, the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, gave the assurance in a telephone interview with the Newsmen on Wednesday.

Joseph, who described the incident as unfortunate, also commiserated with the family of the deceased.

“I do not know what was on the mind of the suspect to have set ablaze the family members, this is very unfortunate.

“Although on the run, we are seriously on a manhunt for the suspect who committed this dastardly act and we will bring him to justice,” he said.

NAN reports that the residents of Igbodigo in Ayeka, Okitipupa, woke up on Tuesday morning to the horrible sight of nine family members severely burnt by fire.

The arsonist, believed to be a jilted suitor of a female member of the family, was reported to have at 2.00 a.m. while the family members were asleep poured petrol around their apartment and set it on fire.

One of the nine victims was rescued with severe burns and rushed to a hospital in Okitipupa.

The victim was later transferred to State Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa where doctors are battling to save his life.

SOURCE: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/police-in-ondo-vow-to-arrest-suspected-arsonist-who-set-9-family-members-ablaze/

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has commiserated with the Family and members of Christ like assembly Church, Akure over the demise of its founder, Bishop Joshua Ketiku.

Speaking during a condolence visit to the home of the revered cleric in Akure, governor Akeredolu described him as a respected and humble man of God who impacted the virtues of Christ in the minds of believers.

The governor while emphasising that his death is indeed a great loss to his family, the church, Christiandom and Ondo state at large expressed the hope that the former chairman of the Christian association of Nigeria in the state is resting in the blossom of his creator.

He assured the Wife, Mrs Odunayo Ketiku and the family that the state government will actively take part in the funeral ceremony to ensure the late Bishop is given a befitting burial.

Responding on behalf of the church, Pastor Olaoye Williams who intimated the governor on the lined up activities for the burial coming up in the last week of next month thanked him for the visit.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/governor-akeredolu-commiserates-with-late-bishop-ketikus-family-and-christ-like-assembly/

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, joins other Governors in the South West to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos State for the commissioning of projects in the state.

Governor Akeredolu alongside the host governor, Governor Akinwumi Ambode and other South West Governors including Dr. John Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and other dignitaries welcomed President Buhari at the Presidential Wing of the Ikeja Airport, Lagos.

The President will be commissioning projects done by the Ambode's administration which include the rehabilitated 10-lane Oshodi – Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, the 170-Bed ‘Ayinke House’ (Maternity Hospital)) at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja.

Others are the Lagos State Theatre at Oregun, Ikeja, 820 mass transit buses and the multi-level Oshodi Transport Interchange along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/akeredolu-other-s-w-governors-welcome-president-buhari-for-lagoss-projects-commissioning/

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that a top priority of his administration is to ensure that the efforts of hardworking Nigerian farmers are respected.

Speaking at an audience on Tuesday in Abuja with members of the United Kingdom-based Foundation for Good Governance for Development in Nigeria at the State House, the President said it is in this regard that he directed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria to bypass the knotty issue of collateral which he described as “a terrible colonial legacy,” so that farmers will get easy access to capital.

President Buhari also identified smuggling as a threat to domestic agricultural production and processing, and promised to continue to fight the menace with all means available to government.

The President assured that in addition to the focus of his administration on security, economy and the war against corruption, the new administration in his second term will pay greater attention to education and health.

“I understand our problems. I am acutely aware of my duty to my God and country. I will continue to do my best,” he told the support group.

Earlier, the leader of the group, which is mostly made up of scholars and professionals, Dr Arabo Ibrahim Bayo, said they came together on the basis of a shared passion for the country’s development, and in the firm belief that President Buhari represents the best in terms of leadership that Nigeria can offer.

He commended the achievements of the administration in the last four years in implementing its three cardinal objectives of providing security, improving the economy and the war against corruption, and suggested the declaration of an emergency to tackle challenges in education and health sectors.

The group further pledged support to the President for a formidable and enduring legacy.

SOURCE: https://citadelng.com/president-buhari-demands-respect-for-hardworking-farmers/

As part of government efforts toward restricting hoodlums as well as protecting the forest reserves and improving the revenue drive of the state, Ondo state government has directed that no unauthorized persons would be allowed to extort money from farmers operating on forest reserves in the state.

Speaking on a live programme on Orange FM, Akure, State Commissioner for Natural Resources, Mr. Rasheed Badmus gave the hint. Badmus said reports reaching the ministry revealed that some unscrupulous persons have been parading themselves as either government agents or as owners of the land.

He charged those working on the reserves to be more diligent as he said that Ondo state government did not license any one to do so.

The commissioner reiterated government’s efforts at registering farmers operating on the reserves as means of identifying them for proper utilisation and preventing encroachment.

Badmus, therefore charged them to always report any cases of such from any quarter to the ministry and promised that perpetrator would be brought to book.

SOURCE: https://www.thehopenewspaper.com/odsg-warns-against-illegal-collection-of-funds-in-forest-reserves/