Ondo: Gov. Akeredolu sacks three commissioners, nominates six replacements

NEWS

Ondo: Gov. Akeredolu sacks three commissioners, nominates six replacements

 

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has relieved three commissioners in his cabinet of their jobs.

According to a statement yesterday by Segun Ajiboye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the three commissioners relieved of their duties are Solagbade Amodeni (physical planning and urban development), Taofiq Abdusalam (works and infrastructures) and Ismaila Olurimisi (culture).

Ajiboye said the affected officials were officially informed of the development by Governor Akeredolu at the end of the Ondo Cabinet meeting on Monday.

He said the sacked commissioners were directed to handover all government’s property in their possession to the permanent secretaries of their respective ministries.

“The Governor thanks the three of them for service to the good people of Ondo State and wish them well in their future endeavours,” Ajiboye said in a statement.

“The governor has therefore nominated the following for the position of commissioners Yetunde Adeyanju, Titilayo Adeyemi, Temitayo Oluwatuyi, Fatai Olotu and Akindotun Olubunmi Owanikin.

“The names of the nominees will be forwarded to the state house of assembly for confirmation,” he added.

The governor also named Babatunde Kolawole and Oyebo Aladetan as special advisers.

Kolawole, a former lawmaker, represented Akoko south federal constituency in the House of Reps.

 

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BREAKING: Ondo youths shut down Gov. Akeredolu’s office

NEWS

BREAKING: Ondo youths shut down Gov. Akeredolu’s office

 

The Ondo State Governor’s office is currently being blocked by youths from Ilaje Local Government Area of the state.

According to the youths, they were protesting the alleged diversion of funds meant for the areas by the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration.

As at the time of filing this report, the youths mounted human barricade at two gates of the governor’s office at Alagbaka GRA of the state capital.

They prevented workers of the governor’s office from gaining access into the complex.

They also insisted that the governor must attend to them and as well address them before they allow anyone into the premises.

 

Details shortly.    

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Nobody can kidnap me, I’ve passed that level, – Gov. Akeredolu boasts

NEWS

Nobody can kidnap me, I’ve passed that level, – Gov. Akeredolu boasts

 

Ondo State Governor, Oluwatotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday evening boasted that with his status, he can no longer be kidnapped; stressing that only those with security convoys are safe from the menace of kidnappers.

Akeredolu, who was speaking during a live TV/Radio programme in the state tagged “Speak With Mr. Governor” revealed that sometimes his convoy has been confronted by suspected kidnappers on Akure-Ilesa-Ibadan highway.

According to him, on those occasions the kidnappers always run into the bush when his security men opened fire.

“I’ve encountered then once or twice as governor.

“My convoy was almost attacked but my security people shot into the air to scare them (kidnappers) to the bush. That’s the advantage we have as governors. It is a serious problem on Akure-Ibadan road.

“I remember, I had to tell my people (convoy) to move. Where ever they are, we confronted them. There’s no need to run away.

“Even at a time of such incidence, my orderly was shaking.

“Even if I walk, they can’t kidnap me. I have passed that stage. They dare not try it.

“It is real that lives of travellers are not safe on the road. On a serious note, kidnapping is not limited to just poor people, but for us with convoys we move easily.

The governor added that, “Armed robbery is fading away and it’s being replaced by kidnapping. Its now criminals new fashion trend.”

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Why we disengaged nine Permanent Secretaries – Ondo Govt

NEWS

Why we disengaged nine Permanent Secretaries – Ondo Govt

 

Ondo State Government has stated that the decision to retire nine Permanent Secretaries from the state’s civil service was borne out of measures to pave way for young officers to rise to the peak of their careers.

According to a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Yemi Olowolabi, some of the nine Permanent Secretaries that were retired had spent 13 years in office, while the least among them is nine years.

Earlier in the week, the senior civil servants had cried out over what they described as their sack from the civil service, with allegations that the move was an attempt to pave way for the anointed kinsman of the governor to become the next Head of Service of the state.

According to them, the action of the state governor, Olawarotimi Akeredolu is unlawful as they are yet to attain the mandatory 35 years in service or the 60-year-old retirement age.

In the statement, Olowolabi stated that the retirement of the Permanent Secretaries from the civil service had no political undertone.

“The government simply took the decision to allow younger officers move to the rank of the Permanent Secretary, to pave way for younger officers to be appointed as PS in Ondo State.

“Most of those who are retiring now have been in that position for at least nine years, while some have been there for 13 years, 12 years, 10 years. So, that is the reason, it has nothing to do with governor paving way for anybody.

“Don’t forget that by the time the governor came on board, many people thought that the Head of Service who is retiring now was going to be removed. But the governor ensured that he completes his tenure, just like many other Permanent Secretaries who had been appointed before the governor came in.”

On the claim that the affected Permanent Secretaries have not reached their mandatory retirement age of 60 years or the 35 years in service, the commissioner explained that, “The governor can appoint Permanent Secretaries and the governor can also ask them to go on retirement.”

He added that their retirement was in line with extant circular in the civil service that any permanent secretary who has served for more than eight years could be retired whether reaching retirement age or not.

Meanwhile the affected Permanent Secretaries are: Dr Deji Akinwalere, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Mr. C. O. Kolawole, General Administration; Mrs T. O. Kolawole, Culture and Tourism; Gray Eshofonie, Agric Input Supply Agency and Mrs C. I. Oyebade, Commerce and Industry.

Other are Mr Francis Olu Adaramola, Local Governments Auditor General; Mr Sunday Adegoke, State Auditor General; Mr Ade Akinbosade, Local Government Service Commission and Mrs Odunayo Ketiku, Local Government Staff Loans Board

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Ondo: Gov., Rotimi Akeredolu sacks nine permanent secretaries

NEWS

Ondo: Gov., Rotimi Akeredolu sacks nine permanent secretaries

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has reportedly ordered nine permanent secretaries in the state civil service to go on compulsory retirement. It was gathered that some of the affected senior civil servants were not up to the 60 years mandatory retirement age for the civil servants while some of them also had not spent up to 35 years in the state civil service.

It was also gathered that some of the affected permanent secretaries had been given the retirement letters since the beginning of the week. The action of the governor did not go down well with some of the affected people as some of them who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said they would challenge the action in court. 

One of them alleged that the governor did not take the action against them in good faith, alleging that he (the governor) showed them the way out of service untimely in order to pave way for his ‘anointed’ candidate to succeed the current Head of Service, Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, who was said to be going on retirement in August 2019.  

He said, “He (the governor) retired nine of us (permanent secretaries) because the governor wants an Owo indigene to become the next state Head of Service and the person is  junior to some of us, the affected permanent secretaries. That is unfair.”  

However, a senior civil servant in the governor’s  office who craved anonymity, confirmed the development to our correspondent. He said the governor did it in order to appoint a trusted person in the office of the Head of Service.  

“What happened is not a new thing in government service. When Mimiko was there, he appointed an Ondo man to be the head of service. So if Akeredolu appoints his kinsman as the head of service,  heaven will not fall; he has the exclusive power to do it. He can appoint anyone that pleases him,” he stated.  

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yemi Olowolabi, said the affected persons were not sacked but asked to retire voluntarily after serving in the office for more than eight years.

Olowolabi said, “There is an extant circular to that effect, that any permanent secretary who has served for more than eight years could be retired either reaching retirement age or not and the least of the affected permanent secretaries had spent nine years in the office.

So the governor did not give the order to favour anybody. The affected permanent secretaries were not sacked but they were called for a meeting where they were told to retire voluntarily.”

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Gunmen kidnap three persons in Ondo

CRIME NEWS

Gunmen kidnap three persons in Ondo

 

Three persons, who were on transit on Auga-Ise Akoko road in Akoko North-East Local Government Area of Ondo State, were over the weekend kidnapped.

It was gathered that two vehicles, a Toyota Corolla car and a Mitsubushi pick-up whose occupants were going for a ceremony at Ikare-Akoko, were waylaid by gunmen who abducted three of the passengers.

According to some of the residents of Auga-Akoko where the incident happened, they said kidnappings along Auga-Ise road of Akoko North-East Local Government Area, which had been a thing of past, had suddenly resurfaced with the latest abduction.

Narrating the incident, a source stated that the three victims, who are males were abducted on the same spot where the wife of the Alauga of Auga, Olori Agunloye and her driver, were kidnapped last year.

He added that among those kidnapped was the head of the family traveling in the Corolla car.

According to him, the hoodlums released the wife and his two children to inform their people of the kidnap in order to look for ransom.

In his reaction, the Alauga of Auga, Oba Samuel Agunloye, advised that in order to stop the scourge, there must be an Army formation, as well as constant police patrol in the area.

The monarch disclosed that Ipele-Isua Auga-Akunu-Kabba federal highway needed to be rehabilitated for free flow of vehicles.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Femi Joseph, said investigation had begun to arrest the hoodlums and secure the release of the captives.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers are yet to establish contact with the families of the victims.

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Seun Kuti hails Ondo State Governor for considering growing Marijuana, plans on relocating to Ondo

ENTERTAINMENT

Seun Kuti hails Ondo State Governor for considering growing Marijuana, plans on relocating to Ondo

 

Seun Kuti, like many other Nigerians has reacted to Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu's move as he considers growing Marijuana for commercial purpose in the state.

The state governor who is currently in Thailand to understudy the process, got alot of Nigerians excited when he announced his plans for marijuana on social media yesterday.

Seun Kuti in his reaction said, 'ehn Mr excellency sir, if u want me to move to your state, just say so. This beating about the bush is unnecessary. Afrobeat is about to switch home base y’all. Just imagine one good joint for my back ache then better Ondo pounded yam to heal my stomach pain'.

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APC crises: APC chieftains move to reconcile aggrieved party members ahead of Ondo guber election

POLITICS

APC crises: APC chieftains move to reconcile aggrieved party members ahead of Ondo guber election

 

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, under the aegis of Sunshine Integrity Movement, SIM, yesterday set up a reconciliation committee with a mandate to bring together aggrieved members of the party.

The chieftains led by the senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial district, Chief Donald Omotayo Alasoadura, said the move was necessary to position the party for victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Prominent members of the party in the group include; Special Adviser to the governor on Transport, Mr. Tobi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Planning, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan and the Chairman, Governing Council of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Banji Alabi,.

Other members of the Sunshine Integrity Movement (SIM) are; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun, his Deputy, Mr. Ogundeji Iroju, a member of House of Representatives, Mr. Babatunde Kolawole, Mr Sunday Agbotoba and a member elect of House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Aderoboye.

In a communiqué read by the Secretary of the movement, Prof. Olu Aboluwoye, after its meeting, the group said, “the crisis rocking the ruling APC may deny the party of its victory in the forthcoming governorship election, hence the need to bring everybody on board and work for the success of the party.”

While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for the infrastructural development in the country, the fight against corruption and economic development, however asked the federal government to extend the railway line to the State

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CRIME NEWS

Ex-convict who killed girlfriend’s nine family members in Ondo reveals reasons behind his action

45-year-old Deji Adenuga who was alleged to have burnt nine members of his ex-girlfriend family where eight have been reported dead has confessed to the crime.

 

Adenuga, a palm wine tapper who was popularly known as, “Davar Oluodo,” owned up to have brutally killed his ex-girlfriend, Titi Sanumi’s family members when he was paraded at the headquarters of Ondo State Police Command.

 

It was gathered that Adenuga had in 2013 escaped from the Olokuta Medium Prison, Akure when he was standing trial for killing his first wife in 2012.

 

He was said to have been granted prerogative of mercy in 2015 after he was caught months after fleeing the prison when a jailbreak occurred.

 

On April 23, Igbodigho community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State was again thrown into mourning following the action of Adenuga after he set a family of nine ablaze.

 

Five members of the family were reported dead with three of them declared dead two days after they were recuperating in the hospital. 

 

Confessing to the crime, Adenuga who was an ex-convict said that he was jilted by his erstwhile girlfriend, Titi. This made him to set the family house ablaze in the middle of the night.

 

According to him, Titi’s elder sister, Jumoke compounded the no love lost between him and his estranged girlfriend, alleging that she was using Titi to defraud him.

 

His words: “My girlfriend (Titi) went to abort the four months old pregnancy she had for me after I advised her not to.

 

“She also ran away with my N55, 000.

 

“I’ve been the one taking care of Titi and her aunt’s family.

 

“Titi’s aunt (Jumoke) always made sure Titi and I had quarrel which she used in extorting money from me. She will advise her sister to leave, and when I go pleading, she will use the avenue to collect money and food items from me.

 

“She did it again this time and threatened that I cannot do anything as an ex-convict.

“It was her threat that made me to carry out my action.”

 

“I had wanted to kill only Titi and her sister, Jumoke. I never knew other members of the family were in the room.

 

According to police, Adenuga was nabbed at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State on Monday where he went to hide after committing the heinous crime.

.

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Ondo fire outbreak: Govt. blames Chevron over oil field inferno

BREAKING NEWS

Ondo fire outbreak: Govt. blames Chevron over oil field inferno

Following the recent fire outbreak at the Oju Imole oil field in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, the state government has charged the operator of the field, Chevron Nigeria Limited to prioritize the safety of lives and properties of the community.

 

Speaking while receiving a delegation from the company in his office in Akure, the state capital, the state Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi called on Chevron to deplore all necessary resources to ensure the fire was put out on time and forestall future occurrence of such incidence.

 

While stressing the importance of the riverine community to the economy of the state, Hon. Ajayi said the company should urgently focus on making the place safe for residents as they do not have any other home, adding that the oil deposits in their community should be a source of blessing to them and not a source of worry.

 

The leader of Chevron delegation, Mr. Brikinns Esimaje said the company was doing everything possible to put out the fire as well as address both the immediate and remote causes of the inferno.

 

Esimaje said the visit would allow them to work with the government to ensure the safety of the host community.

 

“The reason for coming here is to really have a face to face discussion with government and to update His Excellency on the incidence,” he said.

 

Earlier in his remarks, the state commissioner for Environment, Mr. Funso Esan said since the news of the inferno at Oju Imole oil field broke out during Easter holidays, government had being working hard to ensure safety of residents.

 

He said the meeting with Chevron would allow government iron out certain issues on safe operation of the company in the state.

 

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Leadership Crisis: Akure North Monarchs Urge Gov. Akeredolu To Call Deji To Order

​BREAKING NEWS

Leadership Crisis: Akure North Monarchs Urge Gov. Akeredolu To Call Deji To Order

Traditional rulers in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected the recent judgement of a High Court that affirmed that the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi has a consenting and prescribed authority to install minor chiefs and Olojas in both Akure south and Akure North Local Government Areas of the state.

The monarchs under the umbrella of Akure North Local Government Chieftaincy Committee, described the verdict as strange and contradicted the 1984 Chiefs Law of Ondo State as amended in 1991 and the Land Use Act which limited the prescribed authority of any traditional ruler to only communities in his local government area.

The monarchs added that the High Court verdict would be challenged at the Appeallate Court by the parties involved.

In a statement signed on behalf of the Obas, Olus and Olojas in Akure North Local Government Area, the Ogbolu of Ita-Ogbolu, Oba Idowu Faborode who is also their Chairman and the Oloba of Oba-Ile, Oba Joseph Oluwadare, insisted that Deji lacked powers to remove the Asinigbo of Isinigbo, Oba Samuel Elewuju.

According to the statement, Deji’s action violated existing Chieftaincy and LG Edicts in the state.

Justice W.A Akintoroye of the state High Court had last week ruled in favour of the Deji asserting his power as the consenting and prescribed authority for the installation of minor chiefs and Olojas in the domains which are traditionally and constitutionally associated with the Deji’s stool notwithstanding the bifurcation of Akure Local Government.

Oba Aladetoyinbo, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyeye Michael, pointed out that the judgment would further bring about unity and peaceful coexistence among all traditional rulers in the two Council areas.

But, lawyer to the Akure North monarchs who filed the suit, Mr Femi Emodamori said the Judgement would be challenge at the Appeal Court, noting that the ruling was strange to the State Chiefs Law.

Also reacting to the Judgement, the Akure North Monarchs called on the state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and his Deputy, Agboola Ajayi to use their legal knowledge to call Oba Aladetoyinbo to order over his provocative handling of Chieftaincy matters between his domain and Akure North area which could destabilise the existing peace in the state Capital if not carefully and lawfully handled.

They also urged Akeredolu to make good his promise of releasing the Government’s White Paper on Justice Ajama Chieftaincy Commission to resolve myriad of Obaship tussles in Akure in particular and the state in general.

“After-all the Deji would never dream of going to any of the communities now in Ifedore LGA of the State to make any purported appointment or removal of Chiefs just because those communities used to be part of the Old Akure District

” Can His Majesty, the Ooni of Ife come to Ondo State and appoint, install or remove the Deji of Akure simply because Akure is part of Yorubaland? Let every king know his domain”, the Monarchs opined.

“The term ‘consenting authority’ has been abolished under our chieftaincy laws as far back as 1981 in the Ondo State Government White Paper on Morgan Chieftaincy Review Commission, in paragraph 10 of the white Paper. To say the least therefore, the judgment of the court in this regard is completely strange. We are however aware that those involved in the matter are already appealing the judgment

“As for the purported claim of the Deji of Akure that he had suspended and removed the Asinigbo of Isinigbo, we hereby assure the people and Government of Ondo State and Nigerians in general that the Asinigbo of Isinigbo remains the Traditional Head of Isinigbo Community and a member of the Akure North Local Government Council of Obas and Olus. He is still drawing his entitlements from the Akure North Local Government like all other Obas and Olus. Whoever asserts otherwise must be under illusion”.

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AAUA Students Issue 7day Ultimatum To Ondo Govt, School Governing Council To End 80 Days Old Strike Or Risk Their Wrath

​BREAKING NEWS

AAUA Students Issue 7day Ultimatum To Ondo Govt, School Governing Council To End 80 Days Old Strike Or Risk Their Wrath

Students of the Ondo State-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the state government to re-open the institution.

The students’ ultimatum was contained in a statement signed by the officers of the institution’s Students’ Union Government led by the president, Ijanusi Olawale, the Secretary, Adekunle Ayo-Lawrence and the Public Relations Officer, Adelowo Samson.

According to the students, if the government failed to do the needful at the end of the ultimatum, which starts counting from today (April 2) the government should be ready to face the wrath of the entire students.

The students lamented that they had been staying at home for more than 80 days doing nothing.

“It is quite pathetic and sardonic that the government has been quite undisturbed by this disheartening predicament.

“The government has been so unperturbed by the fact that we are wallowing and wasting away at home.

“We have wasted a whole semester at home doing nothing. The hope of our 500 Level Law students going to Law School is now hanging in the wind.

“We are made to go through all this unpalatable rigours all because of the unfortunate indecisiveness of the government.

“We have been silent enough. We will not allow the administration of the government to toy with our future.

“We have been pushed to the wall, and it is now highly sacrosanct, germane and imperative to take our destiny into our hands.

“On this note, we are strongly giving out a seven working-day ultimatum to the government and also to the governing council of AAUA, to facilitate all necessary things to bring about the resumption of AAUA.

“This ultimatum count down shall kick-start on Monday, April 2, 2018.

“Failure of the government and the governing council to do the needful will draw the wrath of the Nigerian students as we will be left with no choice than to take the centre stage,” the students stated.

They sent copies of the statement to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and security agencies in the state.

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