An amateur footballer in a local league in France has been suspended for five years after biting the penis of one of his opponents during a post-match fight.
The attack occurred on November 17 after a second division game between Terville and Soetrich in north-east France.

According to a local news website Le Republicain Lorrain, a player from each side started fighting, another a Terville player joined in, not apparently trying to separate them. The Soetrich player responded by biting the peacemaker’s penis.
The victim required about 10 stitches and had to take four days off work.
Emmanuel Saling, the director of the local Moselle district, explained what happened and how lengthy sanctions like this are rare:“The events took place after the match, in the stadium car park. There was an altercation, an escalation and things got worse.”
Saling said that because the ‘case was quite original’, the disciplinary committee had called an expert witness before deciding to suspend the Soetrich player for five years.
The injured Terville player was suspended for six months.

“It’s quite rare to have sanctions of several years, there are less than 10 per year,” Saling said. “The case was a bit saucy, but … there must have been some nasty tension, so the smiles on the disciplinary committee quickly faded.”
The match ended in a 1-1 draw which would have given Terville their first point of the season but they were punished with two penalty points and a fine of 200 euros for failing to meet their safety obligations as hosts and for the lack of reaction from club officials when the fight broke out.


https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/20/footballer-suspended-for-5-years-for-biting-opponents-penis/

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N4.8 billion being augmentation for the Benin-Adumagbae-Igba-Akure road in Edo and Ondo State.
Minister of State for Works and Housing, Abubakar Aliyu, made this known while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We presented a memo to the Council today; which is an augmentation of an ongoing project; it is a road project from Benin-Adumagbae-Igba-Akure Road in Edo and Ondo States.
“The contract was awarded in Dec. 2013, meaning we have inherited the project and as you all know, it is the decision of President Buhari to continue and complete all ongoing projects.’’

Aliyu said that the project was stopped for some time due to lack of funding.
According to him, the contract has to be reviewed as the contractor is going back to work.
“We have reviewed the contract from the original sum of N3.3 billion inclusive of VAT and tax, an increase of about N1.48 billion.
“It was further reviewed down through the processes of going to BPP to the total sum of N4.8 billion,’’ he said.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/20/fec-approves-n4-8bn-for-benin-akure-road-project/

FORMER Bayelsa State governor-elect, Chief David Lyon, on Wednesday absolved his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, of blame for his role in the truncation of his swearing-in as governor.
He asked his supporters in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain calm and eschew violence.
A panel of justices led by Mary Odili on February 13 asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Lyon and to re-issue another to the candidate with the second-highest number of votes.
The decision of the apex court was in affirmation of the verdict of a federal high court disqualifying Degi-Eremienyo, Lyon’s running mate, for submitting irregular credentials to INEC.

Lyon, reacting to the violence that trailed the Supreme Court judgment, said he had been a peacemaker and would neither support, sponsor nor direct anybody to engage in violent protest and agitation because of the judgment.
Lyon, in a statement signed for him by Alphine Ogoh, appealed to all stakeholders to remain calm and allow the party’s legal team to explore all legal remedies available in law to restore the people’s mandate

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/20/lyon-absolves-running-mate-of-blame-over-supreme-court-verdict/

Merry Men 2, Living in Bodage: Breaking Free and The Ghost and The House of Truth have been selected as the three best Nollywood films to be showcased in Hollywood, California at the Third edition of Nollywood In Hollywood.
The event, which holds on March 27 and 28, would start with an opening night premiere at the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. The prestigious theatre which has been instrumental in introducing Nollywood films to the Hollywood industry in the first two editions of the event ,hosts an annual showcase of the best five foreign films in the world. It was chosen to show the special black and white version of PARASITE in the run-up to its historical feat at the Academy Awards.
“We’re delighted to continue this event, which is fast becoming a staple of the Hollywood calendar. Thanks to our airline partner, KLM/Air France for making this possible. Their belief in Nigeria and Nollywood has seen them fly the selected filmmakers and actors to Hollywood where they have been exposed to the industry. We believe Nollywood In Hollywood is making a huge difference in Nollywood and positively impacts how the world perceives the Nigerian nation,” says Maceo Willis, director of operations for Nollywood in Hollywood.

The event continues on Saturday, March 28, at the famous Norris Theatre on the campus of the University of Southern California. The theatre has hosted films by the most notable filmmakers in global history, many of them alumni, from Steven Spielberg to Ryan Coogler.
“In only its third edition, Nollywood In Hollywood is arguably Nigeria’s biggest cultural showcase outside Africa. It has been covered by the world’s leading media institutions and, for one night, shuts down the historic Hollywood boulevard with a display of Nigerian culture and talents.
The annual showcase is the initiative of two of Hollywood’s powerhouses to introduce and promote Nigerian talent, films and culture to Hollywood, the global center of entertainment. The event is presented by the American Cinematheque, operators of the historic Egyptian Theatre and the world’s premier film institution, the school of cinematic arts at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and O2A Media, Inc, a media company based in Los Angeles.
t’s a great honour to be selected and looking forward to sharing our beautiful film
with Hollywood,” says Akin Omotosho, the director of The Ghost and House of Truth
whose films have played and won awards at major film festivals all over the world.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/17/three-nigerian-movies-selected-for-hollywood-showcase/

The traditional rulers in Iwoland were on Friday thrown into confusion when a prominent monarch in the zone , Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi suddenly descended on another monarch , Oba Dhirulahi Akinropo, Agbowu of Agbaagbaa and allegedly beat him to stupour.

The unfortunate incident according to Oba Akinropo occurred at the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 11, Akanbi allegedly attacked and punched Oba Akinropo.

But Oluwo Debunked the allegation, saying there was no issue at all.

News correspondent who visited Asubiaro hospital where the wounded monarch is receiving treatment saw no fewer than eight monarchs in the hospital to sympathize with him.

According to a reliable source, the attack occured before the AIG and other monarchs from Iwoland when they were called to a meeting for settlement over land tussle in the area.

A source said the Oluwo has been asking the monarchs to stop selling lands because the lands in Iwoland belong to him and the monarchs resisted, a situation that prompted the AIG to summon meeting to forestall breakdown of laws and order.

The source said: “It was in the course of the meeting that Oluwo gave the Agbowu a punch on his face and this brought an end to the peace meeting.

“Oluwo was the first to get out of the meeting in annoyance, creating scene and shouting within the AIG’s office

“Me, Oluwo, Agbowu is calling me a mad man. Ordinary Baales want to be challenging me. I will show you my worth and there will be war in the entire Iwoland.

“I am the only Oba in Iwoland, others are Baales that I gave land, they now want to be challenging me. Can any Baale in Ifeland do that to Ooni”, he fumed.

Another monarch at the meeting, the source said, was heard commenting that Oluwo has gone beyond his boundary and would be dealt with and even vacate the stool.

As at the time of filling this report Oba Akinropo was still at the trauma centre for treatment.

While reacting, Oluwo while speaking with one of journalists, said there was no issue, saying the monarchs are just being sensational about it.

“We held a peace meeting and we are handling it. I don’t know why they are sensational about it. It was just a peace meeting and that was all”, he said.
http://www.sunshinereporters.com/2020/02/osun-monarch-peace-meeting-turns-bloody.html?m=1#.XkavFjPljoU.whatsapp

As part of the efforts of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration to boost agriculture and create opportunities for farmers in Ondo State, the government, in partnership with the Big Dutch Company, is set to build the first of its kind Pig Village in the state.

The Pig Village, which would be the first in the southwest, is one of the strategic projects of the Akeredolu’s administration, conceived to address environmental issues as well as improve the economy of the state.

Speaking during a visit to the Governor’s office, Alagbaka, Akure, on Tuesday, the representative of the Big Dutchman company, Steffen Martens, explained the process of the project to the Governor.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture and Agric Bussiness, Pastor Akin Olotu, said the Pig Village will also address the issue of capital flight, since most of the pork sold in the supermarkets are brought from outside the state.

Responding, Governor Akeredolu assured the company that the state Government will give all its neccesary support, adding that work on the project must start almost immediately.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/12/agribusiness-ondo-set-to-have-first-pig-village-in-south-west/

� Blessed Michael

Alaye fun loyun.. impregnate her

All victims of abductions by terror groups, including Leah Sharibu, the remaining Chibok, and Dapchi schoolchildren, will regain their freedom, says President Muhammadu Buhari.
The President gave the assurance on Monday at a breakfast dialogue themed: ‘Stop the War on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts, Dividend of Silencing the Guns’, held on the sidelines of the ongoing 33rd African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The programme was co-sponsored by the governments of Nigeria, Uganda and Norway, the AU Commission and Save the Children.
Buhari, who also charged AU Peace and Security Council to energetically champion the strategy to stop the war against children, said his administration had a frontal onslaught on Boko Haram and the “so-called” Islamic State West Africa Province(ISWAP), as part of measures to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
The President was quoted in a statement yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, as having said that the onslaught, led to the release of “a number of schoolgirls from Chibok and Dapchi earlier abducted by Boko Haram” in the Northeast.

He said: ‘’Let me categorically reassure you of the steadfast commitment of the Government of Nigeria to ensure the freedom of all kidnapped children from the shackles of Boko Haram.
‘’We will not relent until every child, boy, or girl, every Nigerian adult in custody of Boko Haram, is freed.
‘’We commend the gallant efforts of the Multi-national Joint Task Force and the partners in supporting the reintegration of the(Chibok and Dapchi) girls.”
Leah was one of the 109 schoolgirls kidnapped by terrorists in February 2018 from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi.
Five of the girls died in captivity while the rest were freed, except Leah, who refused to denounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam.
The President also urged African countries and stakeholders on the continent to work towards the protection of children from six grave violations during armed conflicts.
The violations are killing and maiming of children, recruitment or use of children as soldiers, sexual violence against children, abduction of children, attacks against schools or hospitals and denial of humanitarian access for children.
President Buhari expressed concern that these grave violations against children have continued unabated.
He said: ‘’It is for this reason that the Nigerian government has severally condemned, and is combating frontally, the dreadful activities of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and the so-called ISWAP.
‘’The incidence of a single violation of children rights in any country is an indelible dent on the African consciousness and is to be deplored and condemned.’’
The President outlined some concrete measures taken by Nigeria towards tackling the root causes of child soldiers and the misfortune of out-of-school children.
His words: ‘’To stem the tide of out-of-school children, Nigeria embarked on an all-inclusive reconstruction of schools vandalised by the ravaging terrorist activities of Boko Haram, while returning children are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
’’Our Nomadic Education policy is also being implemented to reduce the number of out-of-school children. We have also prioritised de-radicalisation and demobilisation of ex-combatant children of Boko Haram insurgents.’’



https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/11/buhari-raises-hope-for-leah-sharibus-release/

All is set for the commencement of Operation Amotekun, the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN).
The legal hurdle which is delaying its take-off will be cleared this week.
Houses of Assembly in the six states – Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti – are expected to pass the regional security outfit’s operational bill for the governors to give assent on Friday.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Monday announced the decision of the governors to make the outfit operational, when he received the bill’s draft from Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Olawale Fapounda (SAN).
Operation Amotekun was launched by the governors on January 9 in Ibadan but Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice Abubakar Malami, declared the outfit illegal.
He said the Constitution has no room for a regional security outfit. He also said security is on the Exclusive list.
But the governors insisted that it was the only way for them to protect their people from kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes.
Following Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s intervention on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, it was agreed that each of the states should legalise the security outfit.
Consequently, attorneys-general in the six states met to draft a bill while the speakers of Houses of Assembly agreed to give the bill accelerated passage.
Fayemi said yesterday: “My colleagues and I were still in discussion about this yesterday (on Sunday) and we have promised ourselves that this will be given accelerated discussion in our various state executive councils this week and we also send it expeditiously to our various houses of assembly this week. Our discussions with our speakers who had been really waiting for this, some of them had been recalling other honourable members from recess in order to give this an accelerated passage in their various legislature, so that by Friday the 14th of February, the bill that hopefully would have been passed would be assented to simultaneously in the six states of the Southwest.”

The bill will be considered on the floor of the Oyo State House of Assembly today, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Kazeem Olayanju.
He said: “The House will sit tomorrow (today). We are not on recess. I can confirm to you that the bill on Amotekun will be received tomorrow. It could be considered for first reading by Thursday.”
The Lagos State House of Assembly said it is awaiting the Bill from the Attorney-General’s office. A principal officer gave the assurance that it will be given expeditions consideration.
Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said yesterday that the bill will go to the House of Assembly this week.”
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, he added: “I want to make it abundantly clear that Amotekun has nothing to do with religion. It has no religious colouration. Those who are insinuating that it is aimed at elevating one religion over the other are probably being misinformed about the origin of Amotekun. Crime, rape, banditry have no religion and tribe.”
He said the recruitment for the outfit in the state will be done at the local government level.
“The local governments in the state will be responsible for the recruitment of the personnel that will form the bulk of the security outfit.
“The chairman and the traditional rulers know the people in their domain to be recruited into the outfit and I believe that none of them will deliberately compromise the security of their people.”
He implored citizens to be assured that his government is for everybody and will not do anything to undermine the peaceful coexistence in the state.
Omipidan spoke on a Rave Fm Osogbo radio programme.
Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Gbolahan Adeniran said the Bill is expected to be presented at the Executive Council meeting today for approval and transmission to the House of Assembly.
Fapounda said the content of the bill would be put on Ekiti State House of Assembly Ministry of Justice website for those who have observations to make their views known.
According to him, the Amotekun bill has 38 provisions “painstakingly prepared”, with specifications for each of the states which outline the operational guidelines.
The key provisions in the bill include its functions and objectives, the creation and the composition of the governing board for the agency, establishment of Amotekun corps including its powers, criteria for enlistment into the corps, and several other needs.
There is also provision for independent Amotekun corps complaints board. The purpose of the board is to provide an opportunity for our people to report instances or possible cases of abuse of power including violation of rights and corruption. There is also provisions on the funding of the corps to ensure sustainability.
Fayemi debunked insinuations that Amotekun is targeting a particular ethnic group.
“A lot of people have misconstrued the essence of the Amotekun security network. It is not about an exclusive protection of indigene of the Southwest. It is about safety and security of every person resident in the six states of the Southwest, regardless of where they might have come from. As long as there are legitimately and legally resident in every part of the states, we consider it our duty, we consider it our responsibility to protect them.
The bill is going to talk on ensuring our highways are free from banditry, armed robberies, kidnappers and all forms of brigandage.
“To that extent, it is a logical extension of the community policing initiative that President Muhammadu Buhari has assented to, that the Inspector General of Police has already communicated to various police formations across the country.”


https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/11/southwest-governors-to-sign-amotekun-bill-friday/

THE House of Representatives is facing serious cash crunch, its spokesman Benjamin Kalu said at the weekend.
He said the problem of funding is hampering the implementation of its programmes and slowing down its activities, including several investigations pending before it.
Besides, the budget of the lower chamber of the National Assembly has not increased in the last 10 years, despite increases in the cost of living across board, he said.
Despite the development, Kalu assured the nation that the leadership of the House would manage available funds judiciously and give Nigerians effective legislation.
Addressing reporters at the weekend in Abuja, he said: “Your observation about the financial problems of the committees, if any, is in order. The impression out there is not true. The House of Representatives is struggling with funds because the activities of the House are bigger than the budget. This is the fact. Many are not aware of this because they don’t understand the workings of the institution.
“That is why we are working hard to open up the activities of the institutions so that people can understand what we do in the House. The activities are many while the funding is small. Many will not like to hear this, but this is the truth.
“The Speaker and the leadership are struggling to manage all the responsibilities of the House with the available resources. You will agree with me that the ability to harness available resources to meet a definite goal is the definition of management.

“The goal is to give proper representation to Nigerians and to make good laws for them. We are not even talking of the representatives’ functions that have to do with constituency projects. Let us focus on making laws and doing our oversight functions.
“The money is not enough. So, if any committee says we are struggling, it is because there is no money, and not because the leadership does not want to give them money. It is because they are trying to manage what they have and their scale of preference determines who they fund.
Kalu called for more funding of the legislature to perform better, saying: “How would you have known, if the House of Representatives were useless and not carrying out their oversight functions? A motion was raised and in the wisdom of the leadership, they set up a committee. Look at what they are discovering there.
“They need money to do that job. I will still join my voice with the voices of those who are sincerely asking for more funds for the operation of the National Assembly. I say that, not wanting to know how the public will react, because many of them react in ignorance.
“When it is the House of Representatives, everyone screams without taking time to do critical analysis but with biases. It is time high we changed the narrative and began to let the people know the truth.
“I have been in my office since I resumed and I don’t have a computer from the government to do my job. This is the fact. All my aides don’t have facilities to do their jobs. They keep rationing these funds because it is the much we can do.
“So, I am asking the Nigerian public to be patient with us. What these committees are supposed to achieve, they will achieve them over time. But remember: we are operating on the same amount of budget that this House operated on 10 years ago.
“Look at the purchasing power of our currency 10 years ago and weigh it with what it can buy today. So, I agree with you that they are struggling with funds, but the leadership is doing something about it.
“Apart from paucity of funds, investigations take time. You may be asked to investigate for two weeks and in the course of doing that, you discover other things that may take you beyond that time.
“You don’t have to stop because of that. All they have to do is request the House to extend the time because it is better to delay the period of investigation and get to the truth than to maintain the short period and deny some people the truth.”
On the House’s observation of a 15-minute tea break during plenaries and complaints from Nigerians on this development, Kalu said: “Medically speaking, you have been advised not to sit down in one place for too long because it is unhealthy to do so. It affects blood circulation and the people here are not young people.
“In the wisdom of the House, they give 15 minutes to stretch their legs and for our Muslim brothers to have their prayers. This is a secular country and we must do everything possible to accommodate the different religions. The policy of the House is to make sure everybody is accommodated.
“When they stand up to go and pray, it becomes rowdy. So, we say let us programme it to allow them have their prayer, have tea and come back. I don’t think it is a bad decision; it is a healthy one…”

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/10/house-of-representatives-broke-says-spokesman/

THE flyover built by the Ondo State Government across the Benin-Ore Expressway at Ore and the Ondo Linyi Industrial Hub are to be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said on Monday.
He was at the State House, Abuja, to invite the President.
Speaking with reporters, the governor said: “I came to Mr. President for a specific issue, which is to invite Mr. President to Ondo State for the inauguration of our intersection.
“As you all know, I’ll be three years in office on the 24th of this month and the activities lined up to mark our third year in office include having to inaugurate a number of our projects that have been completed. That’s why I’ve come to personally invite him to inaugurate our flyover in Ore.”
On the insinuations that he wants to ride on the back of the Operation Amotekun issue to secure a second term, the governor said he has done enough for the people of Ondo State, hence he does not need the Amotekun popularity to be re-elected.
He said: “On the forthcoming election, you need to go to Ondo; I know that we have done more than enough. We are in the heart of the people of Ondo State, we don’t need Amotekun to be in the hearts of the people. You need to go there, by the grace of God, not our calling but for what God has enabled us to do in Ondo State is there for you to see.”
The governor also took the opportunity to renew his earlier calls for the legalisation of the farming of marijuana, which he said has a lot of economic and health values to the society.

“It’s not because I take it; I take CBD, that’s the oil, for medical purposes. I am convinced about the use to which we can put marijuana.
“I know of the fact because we had to bring in experts, who have gone round and believe that the strain of marijuana that we grow in Ogbese in Ondo State is the best in the world. So, if you have that then a government must find a way to put it into good use.
“Our own is that the pathway to growing marijuana for medical reasons, not for anybody to smoke,” the governor said.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/05/akeredolu-makes-case-for-marijuana/

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, yesterday said the formation of the Southwest security outfit codenamed Amotekun was not for his reelection bid.

Akeredolu, who is also the chairman of the south west governor’s forum, said: “Ondo state has already done enough in terms of security and I do not really need Amotekun to be reelected for a second term as governor.”

Governor Akeredolu, who was at the Presidential Villa on a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari, told State House Correspondents that he came to formally invite the president to commission the Ore flyover which is among several projects to be commissioned to mark the third anniversary of his administration.

Akeredolu said: “Ondo civil servants are the happiest in the country because their salaries are paid promptly and we have commenced the payment of the new minimum wage.

Meanwhile, Akeredolu has urged the Federal Government to legalise the use of marijuana solely for the production of CBD drugs in the country.

The Governor said CBD can be extracted from marijuana and is a potent drug in the treatment of cancer.

He expressed concern that Nigeria still spends a huge amount of money importing the drug when it can be produced locally.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/05/amotekun-not-re-election-agenda-akeredolu/

Governor of Ondo State and Chairman Southwest Governor's forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN met with President Buhari today in Abuja where issues regarding Operation Amotekun was discussed.

Governor Akeredolu also used the opportunity to personally invite the President to the commissioning of the Ore Flyover Bridge, a first in our dear State.

The Governor also formally intimated him about the position of the Law concerning the NDDC MD position which should come from Ondo State amongst other issues.

Human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said on Monday that he knew a former governor in one of the South-West states who had a killer squad.
Falana, who spoke at the University of Ibadan, said the former governor’s killer squad was headed by a police officer, who was the Chief Security Officer to the then governor.
He said one of those killed by the killer squad was “a World Bank expert,” but he did not name the former governor in question.
Falana said one of the arguments against the creation of state police was that governors would use them to hunt their political opponents.
He, however, maintained that state police remained the solution to Nigeria’s insecurity problem.
Falana stated this at the maiden memorial public lecture in honour of the late Prof. Olumuyiwa Awe at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.

He said, “Many citizens are opposed to the creation of state police for the fear that it may be used to haunt political opponents of some state governors. I know a state governor in the South-West who once had a killer squad headed by his Chief Security Officer, a police officer.
“One of the unarmed citizens mowed down by the illegal squad was a World Bank expert. All efforts to prosecute the suspects have been frustrated by the state government. The story is the same in a few other states in the country. To that extent the fear of the possible manipulation of state police is genuine.
“To avoid a situation whereby abuse of police powers is decentralized, any security service established by state governments should be democratically controlled. The service will be founded by the state governments and superintended by an independent state police council of five members. The members of the council should be accredited representatives of the state government, labour, women, youths and the business community.
“The service will police the state and see to the enforcement of all the laws enacted by the House of Assembly. The success of the civilian Joint Task Force in the counter-insurgency operations in Borno State has proved that the best way to police a country is to recruit, train and equip young men and women to operate in their own communities.
“The colonial practice of posting police personnel to operate outside their states or regions was meant to suppress and intimidate colonial subjects by strangers. It is a practice which has become counter-productive in a post-colonial state. Every police officer should operate in their community, speak the local language and mix freely with the people.”
On the local government crisis in Oyo State, Falana said the solution was for the state government to speed up the holding of local government election because “the system of local government in Nigeria should be by democratically elected councils. Caretaker committees are unknown to the constitution.”
On the council chairmen who were elected on May 12, 2018 in the state, he said, “Once they had been elected they have to serve their tenure. And if you are not going to allow them to serve their tenure, you will have to pay them off; that is the position of the law.”
The Attorney General of Oyo State and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Lowo Oyewo, noted that constitutional democracy in Nigeria had a narrative that was unhealthy, saying, “it does not accommodate divergent logical views that can be analysed for the benefit of all of us. That narrative must change.”

Among those who were present on the occasion were wife of the late Prof. Awe, Prof. Bolanle Awe; Emeritus Prof. Oladipo Akinkugbe; Chief Oluwumi Oni; Prof. Ayo Banjo; representative of Prof. Idowu Olayinka, the Vice-Chancellor, UI, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; deans of faculties and heads of departments.


https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/02/04/i-know-an-ex-gov-who-had-a-killer-squad-falana/

This happens when we have the right individuals in the right office... Akeredolu has continually proven to all Nigerians that he's a man who can't be intimidated. His consistence with this Amotekun issue has shown to us all that he's no clout chaser.

Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye has emerged the new Olowo Of Owo.
Ogunoye scored 14 out of 15 votes to emerge as the new Olowo- elect of Owo.
He is the Director of Finance, Protocol office, Ondo State Governor’s office before his new stat

A team of researchers from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State has commenced research towards producing a variety of tomato that will ‘grow faster, yield higher, and be resistant to rot and disease’ than the variety grown in the Northern part of the country.

The research named ‘Akungba Tomato’, is coordinated by the University’s Centre for Research Development (CRD). It is aimed at producing a tomato variety that will be suitable to the local soil and still contain a higher percentage of the qualities of the preferred northern variety.

These were disclosed by the Director of the Centre, Prof. Olanrewaju Olotuah in a chat with the Information Unit of the University.

When completed, seeds of the tomato will be distributed to local farmers at no cost, while other needed extension services and assistance would also be provided freely in order to encourage its wide cultivation.

The effort, he said, is in line with the university’s pledge to prioritise researches that will benefit its immediate environment in particular and the nation in general.

Prof. Olotuah noted that it is disheartening that what used to be the local variety of tomatoes grown widely across Ondo State and in the South-West, has been abandoned in favour of the northern variety because of the belief that the local variety tends to go sour and rots earlier than the northern variety.

“What we are working on will be of immense benefit to local farmers. We hope to come up with a tomato variety that will ultimately be preferred to the northern variety. We hope to make what we are working on to be better disease-resistant, yield higher, grow faster, and be cheaper to produce and thus cheaper in the market.

“We have noted the complaints of people that the local variety that was once grown widely across the state rots easier and tends to go sour earlier. All these we will address by the time we are through with what we are working on.

“And as a proof that we are serious and confident of the outcome, we will distribute its seeds free of charge to local farmers and monitor things while hoping that it becomes the preferred tomatoes grown and consumed locally.

“We are looking into making our variety contain less amount of water or sap so as to prevent it from rotting early. Its skin could also be thicker so its shelf life could be longer,” he said.

Prof. Olotuah expressed optimism that the ‘Akungba Tomato’ would reduce the dependence of people of the state on the northern variety of tomatoes. He said the research team comprises nutritionists, plant scientists, soil scientists, and other experts from various fields all coming together to make it a success.

https://citadelng.com/aaua-researchers-launches-akungba-tomato/

it is only normal for a governor to seek for developmental projects for the growth of his state

Nobody lobbied for this, the federal government did not see the badagry project worth pursuing anymore. instead it opted for the Ondo state seaport, which has certain natural advantages. you can get more info here https://citadelng.com/fg-considers-ondo-to-replace-cancelled-badagry-seaporas-npa-boss-meets-akeredolu-next-week/

The efforts of the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) towards developing a deep seaport in the Riverine areas of the state appear to have paid off as the Federal Government has finally agreed to open discussions with the state on the project next week.
This development is coming on the heels of the cancellation of the $2.6bn Badagry deep seaport project by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The Badagry project was reportedly halted on the ground that the deep seaport master plan was wrongly done.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Hajia Hadiza-Bala Usman, was reported to have explained that what was currently required in Nigeria was to fast-track the development of deep seaports that would make the nation’s seaports competitive.
In a bid to finding an alternative to the cancelled Badagry seaport project, the NPA boss is expected to have a preliminary meeting with Governor Akeredolu on the possibility of exploring a “seamless but due process” to commence the construction of a deep seaport at Araromi seaside in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State. The meeting will hold next week, barring the unforeseen.
An impeccable source in the Federal Ministry of Transport who gave the hint said the option to develop the Ondo seaport was informed by certain natural advantages the site had aside the preliminary technical efforts the state government had put in that regards.
“From the look of things, the next destination after Badagry had been cancelled, remains Araromi in the coast of Ilaje local government in Ondo state, and we are committed to this because we are already under pressure to find lasting solutions to the embarrassing gridlock in the Apapa area of Lagos.
“Already, arrangements have been concluded for the NPA team to meet the Ondo state government to explore a seamless but due process towards the realisation of the project.
*We are aware that so much efforts have been put by the state governor for there to be a seaport along the coastline of that state and precisely in Araromi where there is a natural trench and deeper raft than the Badagry project which would been more expensive to embark upon because it lacked the required minimum of 16 meter raft in depth.
“I can emphatically day that the technical efforts of the Ondo state government appear to have jump started the process because we followed up and we are almost convinced that Ondo state has a deeper raft advantage than any other in the country, so we may have no choice than to look in the direction of Ondo.
He said the choice of Ondo, aside the natural advantages was info date by its proximity to the south east and south via Okitipupa and Ore.
Giving reasons for the cancellation of the Badagry project, the NPA boss said it was done to avoid financial and commercial liabilities.
“If you look at the Badagry and the Lekki deep seaport projects, they are all within the Western ports. The port master plan will guide us on whether it is okay to have two deep seaports in close proximity to each other.”
“When I assumed office, I inherited a consultant that was supposed to do a Port Master Plan for the Badagry project, but the consultant did a very bad job. When we took the job to the consultant that did the project’s Terms Of Reference, our internal people looked at it and said it wasn’t good enough. Even the consultant that did the TOR confirmed that the job wasn’t properly done.
“So because of these issues, we cancelled the contract, and the project’s promoters took us to court. We are currently in arbitration. Now we are working on re-awarding the contract. I just gave the go-ahead for the engagement of another consultant that will do the Port Master Plan. The master plan will allow us to know where ports should be deployed in the country in-view of environmental issues, in view of commercial and financial liabilities”, she said

https://citadelng.com/ondo-to-benefit-from-npas-2-6bn-cancelled-badagry-seaport/

The Ondo State government has received delivery of its procured medical facilities. The items are meant to aid qualitative health care service delivery in the state. This comes in the light of the Akeredolu led administration to boost primary health care service delivery in the state.
The Governor has also announced its move to upgrade the states hospitals to the mother and child hospital standard
https://citadelng.com/ondo-state-government-procures-new-medical-facilities/

The long abandoned multi-million naira amphibious excavator (Amphibex 400E) purchased for the clearance of water hyacinth and sea weeds in the riverine areas of Ondo State has been successfully installed and ready to commence work, The Hope has gathered.

The machine was paid for by the administration of former governor of Ondo State, late Dr. Olusegun Agagu and delivered years later but abandoned thereafter.

Updating Government House Reporters yesterday on the state of the amphibex machine, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Tobi Ogunleye, said the machine would soon be launched into the sea for effective clearance of water hyacinth and sea weeds in the riverine areas.

Ogunleye particularly appreciated Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his uncommon commitments to the well-being of the people of the state which made him to bring the machine back to life through the manufacturer, Normrock Industries Incorporated, led by Norman Grant, President and Chief Executive Officer of the firm.

“Before Governor Akeredolu came in, the multi-million naira machine has laid abandoned and in a complete state of ruins. I thank Normrock Industries Incorporated, Canada, who helped to retrieve the machine after it had been auctioned off by the Nigerian Custom Service.

Basically, this machine is expected to serve the people in the riverine areas of the state. It is good for clearing water hyacinth, sea weeds, and more importantly, the manufacturer told me one hidden function of the machine-it can be used to blow bitumen.

According to Engr (Dr) Pius Omoge, Director, Inland Water Ways, Ondo State Ministry of Transport, the multipurpose machine for a very long time was in a state of dilemma when the machine arrived at the Lagos Airport, just as he lauded the present governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for paying special attention for the installation of the machine.

Earlier the manufacturer of the Amphibex machine, Norman Grant, who explained the numerous functions of the machine said it is good for dredging and general clearing of river weeds and water hyacinth.

He added that local engineers have been trained on the operation of the machine, saying it is very simple to operate and maintain.

https://citadelng.com/odsg-installs-abandoned-excavator/

What an ingenious way for him to save funds

Akeredolu Receives First Set Of Refurbished Government Vehicles, Says It's A New Dawn in Governance

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday received the first set of refurbished Government Vehicles which were were put in good shape by Logistical ideas Limited.

Governor Akeredolu decided to renew numerous broken down and unserviceable vehicles at significantly low costs compared to the acquisition of brand new vehicles.

Following biddings from severally organisations, the Akeredolu’s administration brought in Logistical ideas Limited who has now delivered the first set of the renew vehicles with two years warranty.

Presenting the Vehicles to the Governor at the Governor's Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the Chairman, Logistical ideas Limited, Mr.Oluwole Okunnuga said the innitiave of the Governor to repair numerous broken down and unserviceable vehicles has helped saved the state's resources and put a stop at wastage.

He said in the next two weeks, his firm will deliver another 30 vehicles and also move at the same pace to be able to cover the time frame with the stipulated number of vehicles.

Mr. Ogunnuga disclosed that the project has also created jobs for artisans in the state as most workers were hired within the state.

Governor Akeredolu who said it's a new dawn in Governance in the state, stressed that he decided to put an end to the practice of abandoning serviceable vehicles to buy new ones.

The Governor noted that his administration became creative as a way of finding solution around the hard economy reality of the state.

Akeredolu who said the vehicles were risen from the dead, attested to the fact that most of the workers at the repair workshop are from within the state.


� Blessed Michael

Embattled singer, Afeez Fashola aka Naira Marley who was released from Ikoyi prison last Friday, has said internet fraudster aka Yahoo boys owe him money for ”going to prison on their behalf.”
Naira Marley was arrested on May 10th by EFCC operatives and arraigned in court for crimes bordering on Internet fraud. He was granted bail on May 30th and then released on June 14th after the bail conditions had been perfected and verified by the court.
In a live video session on Instagram, the embattled singer said he went to prison because of Yahoo boys and for that, that they owe him money.

https://citadelng.com/naira-marley-reveals-yahoo-boys-owe-him-money-for-going-to-prison-on-their-behalf/

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has once again expressed deep concern over lack of public power supply to most parts of the southern Senatorial District of the state.

Addressing a cross section of residents of Okitipupa at a wedding ceremony in the town, Arakunrin Akeredolu said no government would be comfortable seeing a large percentage of its population living their lives in darkness.

He said his administration since inception in 2017 has taken up the issue of public power supply to parts of the state with appropriate authorities almost on daily basis.

Governor Akeredolu added that Ondo State and other states being serviced by BEDC have even threatened to pull out their shareholdings in BEDC to make them act on the plight of the people and possibly look for a credible investor to service them.

The governor said he was mounting pressures on the Federal Government to enable the state have access to the Omotosho Power Plant and the state owned Independent Power Holding in Ore to ease the power problem of the state.

While urging the people to be patient a little while, Arakunrin Akeredolu said his administration has continued to employ some stop gap measures like the construction of mini grids

and solar power to ameliorate the pains of lack of power supply to the people.

He however regretted that mini grids do not have the energy capacity to service cities like Okitipupa other wise the State Government would have provided for the town like it did in communities like Aboto, Ebute Ipare,Igbobini and Gbagira

He assured that the aggregate efforts of his administration would in no distant future yield positive results that will bring enough power supply to every household across the southern part of the state.

Parts of the creative efforts of the State Government at addressing public power supply in the state include the ongoing power plant project at Ugbonla and the Independent Power Plant project at the State University of Science and Technology to cover the University campus and some parts of Okitipupa and Igbokoda..

https://citadelng.com/gov-akeredolu-expresses-concern-on-power-supply-to-ondo-state-says-his-efforts-will-pay-off-soon-2/

The Ore industrial hub

Another wonderful platform for the people of Ondo State to interact with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

City pastor has gone at cross roads after taking off a lady’s underwear by himself inside the church.
The man of God Identified as Pastor Sobrino Valdeci Picanto Nigerian based Brazilian ordered the brown skinned lady to open her leg wide for the spirit of pregnancy to penetrate into her vagina something that resulted into his arrest when the video went viral on social media.
The same pastor is also said to have persuaded some of his followers to sack his manhood saying that it had sanctified ‘milk’ to heal them from bad omens instantly.
And this pastor said his reproductives was blessed and that “the Lord had consecrated with divine milk of the Holy Spirit” and of course, had to go around evangelizing.
“He convinced us that only God could come into our lives through the mouth”, a follower said,
“Often, after worship, Pastor Valdeci asked us to do perform oral acts on him until the Holy Spirit came through seed and delivered funds to the church.”
Sobrino Valdeci Picanto, 59, was arrested in Apore, Goiás, Brazil, for raping several women attending his church.
He gave as an excuse that his reproductive organs had been consecrated with “divine seminal fluid of the Holy Spirit.”
Valdecir came to abuse some elderly, and defends himself by saying that ‘he had an encounter with Jesus in a brothel and gave him the mission of spreading the sacred semen throughout the state, beginning with the faithful Apore Assembly, of which he is responsible’.
Denise Pinheiro, delegate of the region, said, “Valdecir was caught red-handed while rubbing his reproductive units in the face of a local merchant, which promised to make more sales in her business due to the divine liquid.
When we acted Valdecir offered no resistance and even asked if I wanted to be part of the kingdom of heaven on the way to the police station.

Amazing,
This deserves to be on the front page