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Former Presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore has been reportedly arrested in Abuja.  According to Sahara Reporters, Sowore and other activists were carrying out a peaceful procession to mark the New Year when they were arrested by Nigerian security forces in Abuja. Eyewitnesses said policemen suspected to be with the Rapid Response Squad stormed Gudu junction in Abuja, whisked him away with other activists at the location.

By Kayode Afolabi   The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, has released 32 prophecies for the year 2021. Olukoya, who tagged 2021 as the ‘Year of Restoration and Revival', urged Nigerians during the Church's annual crossover service, to pray because 2021 would be a year of the valley. Our correspondent observed that the service commenced at International headquarters, Lagos by 9pm and ended at 11:pm on Thursday, due to the cancelation of cross over service into the new year in some South West state across Nigeria.  Olukoya noted that, acidic prayers are needed to get desirable results, because it is a year of the valley  "So, the three keys to tackle this year of valley are: the presence of God, aggressive holiness, and aggressive prayers.   Here are the prophecies below: 1. Is a year where serious prayers are needed to confront the fruit of this pandemic. The pandemic is yielding terrible fruits. 2. Is a year of a...

Few hours to new year celebration, a middle aged woman identified as Mrs. Agboola has been killed by a hit and run driver in Osogbo, the Osun State Capital. The incident occurred after Gbodofan river bridge at Makson area along Ogooluwa at about 9pm. Eyewitness said, the victim came to Ayoni Cherubim and Seraphim Movement church for crossover night service. "She was already in the church but later came out to the main road for a purpose known to her when she was hit by an oncoming vehicle She was said to have died instantly after she was hit by the vehicle Men of Federal Road Safety Corps and police force were on hand at the scene to remove the corpse from the road. Her body was later moved away in a vehicle to an unnamed mortuary where it would be deposited. Nigeriancablenews

  The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo state  Council has taken the delivery of 50 plastic chairs donated by a member of the House of Representatives from Akoko Northeast/Northwest Federal Constituency, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. The donation is in the spirit of the festive, as the chairs will add value to event halls at the NUJ Press Centre, Alagbaka-Akure where journalists and their friends usually relax. In a Press statement signed by the Union's  State Secretary, Leke Adegbite, Ondo NUJ chaired by Adetona Aderoboye commends Hon Tunji-Ojo popularly known as BTO, for always relating and supporting media professionals and the Union since he assumed office in 2019. The Statement recalls how the Chairman, House of Reps Committee on NDDC supported Ondo NUJ with COVID-19 palliatives during the last lockdown, which was distributed to members through chapels. The Union also lauds the federal lawmaker for his various developmental projects in Akokoland and other parts of th...

Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN has pardoned 11 inmates at the Correctional centres (formerly Nigerian Prisons) in the state. He granted amnesty to the inmates to mark the 2021 new year.  This directive by the Governor is in accordance with the power conferred on him by paragraph (d) of sub-section (1) of section 212 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The inmates were released because of their good conducts and on the recommendation of State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo state, Sir Charles Titiloye Esq.  The Governor of Ondo state also extended his GRACE AND MERCY to 4 other condemned inmates of the Correctional centre by commuting their death sentences to years of imprisonment.

The Chairman Young Planners Forum, Ondo State Chapter in person of Tpl. Bukola Sunday Odediran on Wednesday, promised to launch Technology Competence Initiative (TCI) program for all planners including the student and graduate member in the state in order to cushion the knowledge gap of Planners in ICT related application. Tpl. Odediran,  revealed these during the End of the year party organised by the Forum at NITP House, Alagbaka in Akure, the State capital. Odediran also pledged that YPF will partner with community heads and philanthropists to secure educational grants for students in the field of Urban and Regional Planning within the state. He explained that the TCI has become imperative in this Digital Age, as the forum is planning to launch E-learning platforms for its members.  Speaking at the epoch making event, Ondo State Chairman of Nigeria Institute of Town Planners, Tpl Anawoye Ayodele, said the Young Planners are enjoined to face up to the  challenge of brid...

Peace of God Almighty to you all  and compliment of the season. In view of the present circumstances around us and all issues surrounding the cross over service, we hereby direct all our Churches and Christians to please abide by the directives of the Federal and State Government that all services should close by 10 pm or even earlier so that people can get to their different homes early enough. Those who can totally put the service on hold can as well do that and meet on January 1, for new year service.  We  also encourage you all to respect the Covid-19 protocols as you worship in all your services. May the good Lord keep each and every one of us as we celebrate the goodness of God in the new year. Wishing you a prosperous 2021. Thank you all. Signed  Rev Dr John Ayo Oladapo CAN Chairman, Ondo State. 31/12/2020.

A cleric, Pastor Adeyemo Taiye Ogunoye has disclosed that there is an end in sight for Corona Virus and all other strange diseases in Nigeria as God promised to out an end to the pandemic in the country. Pastor Adeyemo disclosed this in a chat with newsmen in Owo on Wednesday. The cleric stated that he was told by God after coming out from a trance that He is ready to put an end to the pandemic as part of His promise. Pastor Adeyemo however said that the governments at the three tiers in the country must be ready to play their part. According to him, the spiritual cleansing entails the gathering of two men of God from each state of the country at the Apostle BABALOLA centre in Ikeji Arakeji for a seven day fasting and prayer session. He said at the end of the prayer session all the clerics will depart for their states for the final spiritual cleansing. Pastor Adeyemo  who claimed to have received the directive from God said all other instructions revealed later said he is ready to ...

"The decision of the government to place a ban on Cross Over Vigil across the State is not about religion or targeted at one religion but aimed at strengthening public safety and strongly prevent the spread of Coronavirus across the state  This accersion was made by the  Chairman,  Ondo State Inter-ministerial Committee on Coronavirus (COVID)  and Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, in an interactive meeting with various religious leaders and stakeholders in Akure. He noted that the meeting is part of the Committee’s strategies to strengthen the fight against COVID-19 and better educate leaders on the need to play exemplary role in the fight against the virus. The Professor while commending some religious leaders and other stakeholders who have supported the government in its effortd at mitigating the spread of the infectious disease appealed to the Church to remain an agent of change. He observed that there is need for every...

A lifeless body of a  yet to be identified lady who was reported to have be allegedly raped by suspected ritualist has been found in Akure, the Ondo State capital Her body was reportedly dumped at a welder’s workshop at Ajipowo/Ogundipe area of Akure. The body was discovered around midday on Tuesday. A source said the lady might have been killed for money ritual and dead body dumped at the scene to disguise as if she was raped at the workshop. The issue has been reported to the police for necessary action and investigation. In a related development, a house wife has been killed by unknown hoodlums at Kajola area, off Oda Road Akure. The woman is a wife to a top officer of the NURTW in the state capital. News Track

Ondo State Government has finally gave it's verdict that cross over service into the new year must not exceed 10pm across the state as it was earlier announced.  Recalled that,  the state Chairman of the Christain Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Ayo Oladapo, had earlier instructed  Christains to shun government’s directive on crossover night services. Reacting to this,  in a statement issued by its Chairman, Prof Adesegun Fatusi, said such directive coming from CAN’s chairman is highly uncalled for, and dangerously misleading. "It is misleading for anyone in a position of leadership in the civil society, including religious leaders to openly call on citizens to disobey government’s public health orders. He said the action of Reverend Oladapo will put the health of the people at risk. The statement added, “The evening and night of December 31st marks the end of the year for all people and not for any religious group and in the face of the threat of the second w...

  The Police Public Relations Officer, Ondo State command,  Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro has confirm the death of an unidentified Man ( Okada rider)  who died in a road accident , i nvolving  the vehicle of a  serving Deputy Inspector General of Police on Sunday.  The accident according to report, happened  along Akure-Ondo Expressway in Bolorunduro, the headquarters of the Ondo East Local Government Area of Ondo State,  It was gathered that the DIG, whose identity has not been revealed, was however not in the Toyota Land CruiserJeep involved in the accident but some of his aides were present. A source disclosed that a commercial motorcyclist was allegedly hit on the road by the jeep and was said to have died instantly while the jeep swerved off the road. Another source said “The DIG was in Lagos and he sent his ‘boys’ to go and bring the jeep from Akure but the vehicle had an accident on the way to Lagos.” ‌Source : The Punch Newspaper

" Prince (Gen) Olu Bajowa is one of the illustrious sons of Ondo state who has brought pride to the sunshine state.  This accersion was made by Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN  at the commissioning of a community radio station, Awawa 94.1 FM as part of the activities marking the 80th Birthday of the retired Army General.  In a statement signed  Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media),  Olabode Richard Olatunde,  noted that  Prince Bajowa’s exploit in the Nigerian Army was a thing of pride to the government and people of Ondo State,  having becoming a General in the Nigerian Army at the young age of 38 years.  "I commended the commitment of Prince Bajowa to the development of his community and the state at large.  He stressed that even @80, the retired Army General is still very agile, adding that there was every cause to thank God for his life.  While commissioning the Awawa 94.1 FM, built by Prince B...

The incumbent Head of Department, Mass Communication, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo,  Princess Iyadunni Adedowole has been named the  General Manager of RUGIPO 103.3 fm.  In a Joint decision made by the Management of the institution, headed by the Rector  of the institution, Mr. Gani Ogundahunsi,   while constituting a seven man board saddled with overseeing the operation of the radio station, appointed Adedowole to the radio's top management seat. The Rector also appoint Dr. Folusho Alabi, a chief lecturer in the department of Mass Communication as the Rector nominee on the board. Mr Folusho Alabi is expected to act on behalf of the rector on the board.  Other members of the board are Barrister Bola Kayode, another chief lecturer in the department of Social Sciences as the board's legal adviser; Mr. Tunde Owadimbola, a former caretaker chairman of Owo local government area as the board secretary;  Other members of the board are Mr. Samuel Adekuoroye and...

Oba Ajibola Ademola Julius (Amuludun iluyomade 1) has been crowned the   in Kwara state He was coronated today as the eight king of the town (the  Olusin of Ijara isin Kingdom)  Recalled that, The industrialist, pharmacist turned king appointment was installed on the  15/NOV/2020 Reports says, "since the day he has be appointed as the king, ijara isin has witnessed a tremendous change"  

The Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Rural and Community Development and the immediate past Member of the House of Representatives who represented the good people of Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde, on Friday, sends his warmest greetings to Christians in the state on the occasion of this year's Christmas celebration.  In a statement by his Special Assistant on Administration, Randolph Emmanuel Daodu, said Babatunde expresses his gratitude to God for His abundant blessings, boundlesss love and protection in the outgoing year inspite of the challenges posed by the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic, banditry, kidnapping and the violent #EndSARS protests that crippled businesses and government activities for the greater part of this year. "He points out that though the challenges confronting us today as a nation are enormous and appear insurmountable, the bonds that unite us as Nigerians are much more stronger.  Hon. Kolawole B...

By Tijani Hassan Abdulkarim The circumstances surrounding the recent abduction and subsequent release of 344 school boys from Government Science Secondary school, Kankara in Katsina state have not only exposed the breach and mistrust in our security system as a nation, but have equally presented to us another highly sophisticated terror group. The operations of which are allied to the dreaded Boko Haram terrorist group. It should be put on record that top on the agenda and priorities of any responsible government is the protection of life and property of her citizens. This can be visible by ensuring a peaceful environment to facilitate other rights and privileges of her citizens such as the right to education. Furthermore, to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, government have been saddled with the supreme power of monopoly of use of force to counter any attempt of internal insurrection or external aggression. The aim is to ensure the security of her citizens as the primary responsibility....

All appears set for the establishment of the South West Development Commission as Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the South West Governors‘ Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, received the memorandum for the establishment of the body. The memorandum was presented to the Governor by the Chairman of Technical Committee and Chief of Staff to the Governor of the state of Osun, Dr. Charles Akinola. The committee has the Attorneys-General and one other nominated person each from the six states of the South West. The Attorneys-General include; Sir Charles Titiloye (Ondo) Mr. Femi Akande(Osun) Prof. Oyewo Oyelowo,SAN (Oyo) Mr. Gbolahan Adeniran (Ogun) Mr. Olawale Fapohunda (Ekiti)and Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo,SAN (Lagos). Other members are; Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor (Political) Hon. Babatunde Odunyoye, Ogun State Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, Chairman, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko Governing Council, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Ekiti State Commissioner of Fin...

The Ekiti State Government has imposed fresh restrictions to safeguard public health following a spike in the cases of COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Kayode Fayemi who reeled out new guidelines to curb the second wave of COVID-19 in a state broadcast on Wednesday evening said the step became necessary to ensure that the situation does not snowball out of control. Dr. Fayemi said security agencies have been given strict instructions to the taskforce and law enforcement agents to begin aggressive compliance enforcement of the new rules in public places. Affected by the latest restrictions are worship centres which have been directed to return to one service on worship days of Friday, Saturday and Sunday and they are to do so at half of the sitting capacity of the worship centre. The Governor directed that schools in the state will remain closed till January 18 while vigils, partying and clubbing are suspended till further notice. Dr. Fayemi directed that civil servants on Grade Level 12 and...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has suspended its strike. The union announced the suspension of the 9-month old industrial action at a press conference held Wednesday morning in Abuja. ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi,who led other National Executive Committee of the union to the event where he made the announcement,explained that the suspension takes effect from today,Wednesday 23,2020. The decision to suspend the action, according to Ogunyemi,followed the resolution to that effect by NEC at its meeting held earlier.

Ondo State Government has canceled Cross Over Vigil across the State, just as it postponed the resumption of pupils and students in primary and secondary schools to Monday, 18th January, 2020. Chairman, Ondo State Interministerial Committee on Coronavirus and Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi made the declaration at a press briefing organised by the Interministerial Committee in Akure. According to him, the Committee has had extensive interaction with various stakeholders, physically and virtually, on the need to take proactive measures against the second wave of COVID-19 and as such the State is working assiduously to ensure it records no substantial case during the second wave of the pandemic, while imploring people to pay due attention and observance to the precautionary measures put in place to safeguard them. Prof. Fatusi said no church service organised in respect of the new year celebration must exceed 10p.m until further notice, in lin...

The Federal Government has ordered civil servants from grade level 12 and below to stay at home for five weeks. Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, made this known in a circular in Abuja on Tuesday. Esan said the directive followed the reported cases of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The circular read in part, “Following Mr President’s approval of recommendations of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, in the light of the second wave of the infection in Nigeria, officers on grade level 12 and below are hereby, directed to stay at home for a period of five weeks, effective from Wednesday, December 23 and await further directive.” According to her, the decision has become necessary to streamline the number of officers who come to work daily. She said the affected officers are expected to perform their duties from home, while officers on grade level 13 and above are to adhere to preventive measures while they at work and elsewhe...

Five members of Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo State have been suspended  The five suspended party members are,   Chief Oyedele Ibini,  Hon. Lad Ojomo,  Mr.Ayo Fadaka,  Hon. Rasheed Elegbeleye,  Hon. Ebenezer Alabi. In a statement signed by  State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Ondo State,  Kennedy Ikantu Peretei noted that th ey are suspended over anti-party activities and gross misconduct.  PRESS STATEMENT  Pursuant to Section 58(1)(a)(b)(f)and (h)of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution (2017 as Amended) the under listed persons are hereby suspended indefinitely from the party for anti-party activities and gross misconduct: "By this decision, they are expected to stop parading themselves as  members of the party. All organs of the  party are to take note in this regard. They stand suspended until the outcome of the report of the State Disciplinary Committee. In another development, the State Working Committee has disso...

The Ondo Judicial Panel of Enquiry on Police Brutality and Other Matters has continued to received more petitions. The panel Chairman, Justice Adesola Sidiq (Rtd) revealed this after the panel sitting today. According to him, three new petitions had been received to the initial 32, totalling 35. The three new petitions were submitted by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Secretariat, Inspector Adeolu Elumaro and Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ondo state. Justice Sidiq stated that the panel was open to receive more cases within the period assigned for the panel to complete its fact finding duties. He further noted that the panel would ensure that the cases received were heard and finalised before the end of the 6month duration. The next sitting of the Panel is on January 5, 2021

Ondo State government has been called upon as a matter of necessity to  work with active Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s)and relevant ministries in ensuring the domestication of the VAPP bill. The Forum made the call on Monday during its strategic consultative meeting held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.  Speaking at the meeting, the Focal Person of NFF, Chinonso Okechukwu, urged the government to ensure that the VAPP bill was all encompassing, capturing in totality the needs of women and girls, as they are the most Vulnerable. VAPP is known as the Violence Against persons (prohibition) Act and was passed into law in May 2015 following agitations for protection of persons against the different forms of violence, violence both at the home front and the larger society which is now fast becoming a trend in the recent day Nigeria. The consultative meeting was organised in partnership with Action Aid Nigeria and funding from Global Affairs Canada to discuss and formulate strat...

It's exactly a year today that Multiple Award Winning Broadcaster, Ace Stand-Up Comedian and Talented Compere, Oluwafemi Stephen Sotonwa alias Sweet Steve died in a fatal accident on the Akure-Ondo road. A low key one-year remembrance service was held for him at his Imafon residence by His Wife, Nnenna, children, Modesire and Morayo, in-laws and close friends. The Officiating Priest at the short remembrance service,  Pastor Gbenga Ogunsola of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG Higher Glory Tabernacle, Akure drew his sermon from John 15: 5.  He said many things in life happen for a purpose because God is unquestionable. Pastor Ogunsola appealed to late Steve's wife to keep being strong for their children and put her solace in God who is the only one that cannot disappoint. He also led prayers for the bereaved and the repose of the late broadcaster's soul. Recalling the events of the last 365 days, the young widow, Nnenna said the sudden and shocking death of her husb...

After smoking a substance known as colorado, a 17 yr old boy  identified as Joshua was reported to have died due to the psychotropic substance.   The teenager died on Sunday in Oba- Ile, Akure North local government area of Ondo State  after puffing three times in order to feel high. Report says, The boy is fond of smoking the substance with his colleagues. It was gathered that the boy broke down after taking the stuff. He was said to have gone into coma for two days and didn’t wake up. He finally gave up the ghost while being rushed to the hospital by his mother.

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-10 has ordered bars, night clubs , social gathering, churches, and  schools to remain shut until January 18. The PTF also directed all government workers from level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks.

  The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service has achieved yet another feat in revenue generation in the state as it generated a sum of 200million naira on Land Use Charge in the year 2020, which was shared between the state and the local government areas. This was revealed today in Akure during the Land Use Charge Revenue sharing between the state and the LGAs at the Ministry of Finance. It was the first time such amount of land use charge revenue would be shared between the two tiers of government. In addition, a total sum of 14.5 million naira was also shared as radio and television licencing revenue. Both the state and the LGAs had in June this year shared a sum of 100million naira while another 100million naira was shared today, totalling 200million naira. In his opening speech, the Chairman, ODIRS, Mr Tolu Adegbie disclosed that the agency generated the highest land use charge revenue in the history of Ondo state, describing the feat as unprecedented. According to him, before the...

For his daring, exclusive and revealing expository which laid to rest controversies on the Akure explosion in March 2020, OSRC's Shola Ilesanmi has been named the Investigative Reporter of the Year in Ondo state. Shola was honoured alongside many of his colleagues at the 2020 Ondo State Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Dinner and Award Nite to climax the weeklong celebration by pen pushers in the state. The Akure explosion with devastating effects on residents of Iluabo and Eleyowo axis of Akure-Owo road where it happened, had sparked global controversies on the actual cause. Some scholars and geoscientists had concluded the incident was an asteroid attack. However, Shola's investigations showed otherwise. With a lead that a truck conveying explosives was responsible for the explosion, Shola successfully tracked and conducted an exclusive interview for the driver. His exclusive with the driver broke the ice as the revelations punctured claims by scholars on the cause of the bl...