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By David Fidelis  Today, Nigeria is  marking her 61 years anniversary of attaining independence from her colonial masters ( Britain). No doubt, the  predicament and untold hardship confronting Nigerians since the attainment of the independence calls for this epistle. To start with, the Yoruba people will say "Okun Inu ni'n gbe ti ita". Meaning that, one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. To be frank and sincere, there is nothing worth celebrating about the 61-year old journey. At 61, we are still crawling. At 61, most Nigerians still find it difficult to have two quare meal per day. At 61, we are still confronted with corruption of the highest order. At 61, most Nigerians can't sleep with their two eyes closed as a result of insecurity, just to mention a few. WHEN LAST HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE MARKET? A recent visit to Oja Oba market in Akure revealed how the prices of most food items have increased astronomically. In effect, , life has b...

By Kayode Afolabi, Ibadan The long awaited passing out parade/winding up programme date  for Batch B stream 1 corps members has been announced by the National Youth Service Corps  In a circular directed to all Area Offices Directors, all State Coordinators/FCT and sighted by Newsline NG Reporter, stated that the passing out /winding up will be held on Thursday, 21st October, 2021 The circular partly reads "The  Batch ‘B’ 2020 stream I passing out/winding up is scheduled to hold on Thursday, 21st October, 2021.  2. As part of activities preceeding the passing out the conduct of the Job Awareness Creation (JAC) week in all the 36 States secretariats and FCT is hereby approved as follows:  A. Wednesday 29th September, 2021 Time 1:00pm - online sensitization on NYSC Job Portal  B. Wednesday 13th October, 2021 — General sensitization on ‘ Entrepreneurial Development.  C. Thursday 14th October, 2021 - Prospects of job opportunities in various sectors of the ...

The Ondo state government has insisted that the resumption date for primary and secondary schools in Ondo state has not been changed and October 4 remains sacrosanct. In a circular made available to newsmen in Akure on thursday, stated that the state government urged stakeholders to disregard any information to the contrary. Here is a full soft copy of the circular to schools heads. RESUMPTION DATE FOR 2021/2022 ACADEMIC SESSION IN ONDO STATE This is to inform the general public ,in particular, parents and guardians, that contrary to speculation that the resumption date for public and private schools in the state has been extended, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology wishes to state that the resumption date is sacrosanct, which is 4th October, 2021. You are therefore enjoined to disregard any other information stating otherwise. Thank you. Akindele Ige Director, School Services For: Permanent Secretary

Ondo state government and organised labour on Wednesday agreed on modalities of latest salary payment for workers in the state and tertiary institutions. According to the agreement, Local government workers will receive 95% of their latest salary while new teachers will collect 100% salary arrears. Below is the full text of the agreement reached at a meeting held on Wednesday: “Fellow comrades, Organised labour met with the Government of Ondo State today 29/9/2021 to deliberate on payment of salary. Having taken into consideration the inflow from the federal allocation, both parties agreed as stated hereunder. Payment of 65% balance for the month of May 2021 for core service of Ondo state 2. 100% payment of July 2021 for workers in Owena press. 100% June 2021 salary for Judiciary workers. 4.March, April ,May and June 2021 for ad-hoc staff in Ondo state sport council. Leave bonus for the month of March and April 2021 to be paid across board. The council wishes to relate that workers int...

  Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has released fund to ensure seamless take-off of Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) Programme, so as to mitigate hardship and promote food security in the State.  The Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Sunday Akintomide, made the disclosure on Wednesday at the opening session of a one-day training programme organized by Ondo State Fadama Cordination Office in Akure, the state capital. The programme which was organized for Community Facilitators across the state was also aided by NG-CARES In a statement by the Communication Officer, Fadama III, Funmilayo Ikueduranni, quoted Akintomide to have described the fund released by Akeredolu's administration as timely and imperative, most especially as the nation is just recuperating from the devastating effects of the pandemic, adding the Governor's assiduous efforts was to assuage poverty among residents of the State. The statement ...

The Deji and Paramount Ruler of Akure Kingdom and the Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun have approved the closure of all markets in Akure Kingdom on Friday 1st October, 2021. 2. The closure of all markets in Akure by His Majesty is in honour of Honourable Isaac Adedayo Omolafe who until his death was the member representing the good people of Akure North and South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly. 3. His Majesty wishes to urge all indigenes and residents of Akure to use the opportunity in paying their last respect to one of the most illustrious sons of Akure Kingdom and also remember his immediate family in their prayers. 4. Though, the Akure Community is grieved at this moment but we are consoled with the fact and assurances that he lived a fulfilling life no matter how short. 5. There is no iota of doubt that Hon. Adedayo Omolafe came, he saw and he conquered. His Majesty urges all Akure sons and daughters to continu...

UCL Lionel Messi said that Paris Saint-Germain and his partnership with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will improve as they play more alongside each other. Messi expressed the sentiment after he scored his maiden goal for PSG in Tuesday's 2-0 Champions League victory against Manchester City after the Argentine's stuttering start to the season. Messi had been unconvincing in his first three appearances since joining on a two-year contract after leaving Barcelona, but on Tuesday, he reminded everyone of his talent. After a quiet first half, the diminutive forward linked up with Mbappe and found the top corner to effectively wrap up the win in the 74th minute. "I am very happy to have scored," said Messi, back on the pitch after sitting out two games with a bruised knee. "I haven't played much recently. Only one game [at the Parc des Princes], this is the second one here. I am gradually adapting to my new team, to my teammates. "The more we play together [with Ne...

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure the Ondo State capital on Monday reserved the judgment in the appeal filed by the Founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Prophet Babatunde Alfa. It will be recalled that Prophet Alfa was handed life imprisonment by Justice Olusegun Odusola of the Akure High Court on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 for complicity in the disappearance of a missing child, Gold Kolawole. Gold Kolawole allegedly disappeared at the Prophet’s Church in November, 2019. Counsel to Mr Alfa, Gboyega Awomolo while arguing his briefs questioned the validity of the investigation by the Department of State Service (DSS) while the police was already on the case. He said the case was ‘hijacked’ by the secret service. Awomolo added that the DSS shouldn’t have arrested or investigated the case since it was a criminal matter thus nullifying other actions including the prosecution and eventual conviction of Mr Alfa. He said the circumstantial evidence upon which the defendant was jailed was fa...

The corpse of a yet-to-be identified young aged lady was found around the Redeemed Church and CAC Oke-Temidire, on Tuesday in Oke-Ijebu Akure, Ondo State capital Report says the corpse was suspected to be dumped by ritualists believed to be internet fraudsters popularly known as Yahoo Boys who drove off after dropping the dead body. The dead body was wrapped in white cloths and other items were dumped with the corpse. According to the some of the residents, the corpse was dumped infront of a church auditorium in the area by some unknown people suspected to be ritualists They said some items such as cream, sponge, tablets, bra, and clothes packed inside a black nylon were placed beside the corpse. Also a telephone number was written on a small sheet of paper with a name Joy , was also inside the black nylon. A commercial motorcyclist, who identified himself simply as Ojo said the residents of the area woke up on Tuesday morning to find the corpse of the lady beside the road. “We just wo...

The court of appeal sitting in Akure has reserved judgement in the appeal of Founder of Sotitobire Praising Chapel Akure, Prophet Babatunde Alfa. Prophet Alfa’s appeal is seeking to quash his life sentence conviction by an Ondo State High Court in Akure over the disappearance of one-year-old Gold Kolawole in his Church in 2019. The presiding Justice, Rita Nosakhare Pemu after listening to all the arguments of both parties reserved judgement to a date that would be communicated to all parties.  (BBC Yoruba)

Governors of the 19 states in the North have opposed the call by their southern counterparts that the Presidency should be zoned to the South in 2023. This formed part of the resolutions reached on Monday when the governors held an emergency meeting with traditional rulers in the region at the Government House in Kaduna State. Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, read out the communique containing the resolutions on behalf of his colleagues. According to the governors, zoning the office of the President as being agitated by southern governors is against the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Governors of the northern states meet with traditional rulers in the region in Kaduna State on September 27, 2021. They stated that any president elected must meet the constitutional requirements which include scoring the majority votes, and polling at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-thirds of the 36 states of the Federation. Governor Lalong no...

Two persons have been killed by a car along Hospital road in Akure, Ondo State capital. The two persons  who were on motorcycle were hit by the car from the back and died instantly. The motorcyclist was however lucky as he sustained injuries in the accident. The accident caused traffic snarl in the area for several hours. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the driver of the car was on top speed and reckless. “The woman who drove the car was reckless and on top speed. In fact, the accident occured beside bell casket along Oke Isegun,  hospital road. News Track  

The attention of Management of the National Youth Sevice Corps has been drawn to a fake release making the rounds on the social media to the effect that Corps Members travelling on "high risk roads" should alert their families, friends and colleagues in order to have somebody to pay off the ransom that could be demanded in the event of being kidnapped. Management wishes to emphatically state that the clause quoted is not embedded in NYSC Security Tips pamphlet which was put together by a highly respected retired security expert. Management wishes to appeal to the general public to always clarify issues with the Scheme. Please, be wary of falling prey to the antics of mischief makers out to ridicule the Scheme. Management shall continue to prioritise the security and welfare of Corps Members and staff at all times. Management .

The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, has advised newly-admitted students of the Institution to complete their registration promptly, shun acts of violence, and comport themselves decently and orderly at all times both within and outside the campus. He gave the pieces of advice on Monday, September 20, 2021, while declaring open, a four-day Orientation Exercise for the new students. The Vice Chancellor said the Orientation exercise was put together to equip the students with pieces of relevant and valuable information vital to their studentship and academic engagements. Prof. Ige informed the students that the University has provided relevant facilities and engaged qualified personnel to help them excel in their studies. He, however, admonished them to take note of key points, which include registration at appropriate time, shunning acts of violence, looking out for information, dressing decently, and the need for them to interact with b...

The latest fad in the fancy world! Among other floor and wall services, EPOXY FLOORING and WALL is now on the increase in kitchen, shopping malls, sport courts, halls, offices, garages, medical care centers, churches, mosques, schools, homes and apartments.  I can tell you, epoxy installation is the latest fad in the fancy world. Epoxy flooring and wall are not like a sticker or some painted stuffs that is directly under your feet or designers card board by the wall. It rather gives the perception of depth and is impervious to all sorts of damage that would usually affect floor and wall decorations. Epoxy installations are slip - free and odor - resistant. It repels chemicals, laundry products, automotive products, home improvement fluids and more, because it doesn't have cracks, grout, or gives place for dirt to hide.  Epoxy installations on floors and walls are also available in fantastic colors and styles.   Once installed, stays beautiful for years (10-20years) w...

The Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has said that individuals who wished to be fulfilled in life must render selfless service to the society. Mrs. Ani made this disclosure on Thursday during the send forth organised in honour of the immediate past State Coordinator, Mrs. Grace Akpabio and three other Assistant Directors. The State Coordinator said that Mrs. Akpabio devoted her entire three and half years in Ondo State to make invaluable contributions to uplift the Scheme in the Sunshine State. "It is on record that what Mrs. Akpabio achieved during her tenure as the State Coordinator is outstanding and we are building on the solid foundation she laid. Her achievements covers a wide range of activities and that is why we are celebrating the woman of excellence she is today". Mrs. Ani said that posterity will be kind to this woman with a large heart because she transformed the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Ikare-Akoko and pursue infrastructural development...

This is to inform you that the Senate had at its 171st Regular Meeting of Wednesday, 25th August, 2021, observed and frowned at the high rate of indecent dressing among the students of Adekuunie Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State For clarity of purposes, indecent dressing includes, but not limited, to the following: wearing of skimpy skirts and blouses; leaving the cleavages open by female students, and wearing of braids Or dreadlocks, earrings , nose rings, tattered jeans, sagging, etc. by some male students.  After a thorough deliberation on the lssue, the Senate, ln its wisdom, decided that the penalty for indecent dressing shall henceforth be rustication for one semester, effective from 25th August, 2021 Any student of Adekunle Ajasia University, Akungbe-Akoko, who violates the above Senate decision on indecent dressing is deemed to have committed a misconduct  and he/she shall be sanctioned accordingly. Please be guided.  Thanks.  Signed Olugbenga Araj...

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig.Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, has urged corps members to focus on ensuring that Nigeria remains United.  Shuaibu made this call in his address delivered on his behalf by the State Coordinator,NYSC Oyo,Mrs.Grace Ogbuogebe at the closing ceremony of the 2021 Batch 'B' Stream two Orientation Course. The DG commended the corps members for their demonstration of patriotism, zeal and high level of discipline which contributed to the success of the orientation exercise. He enjoined the corps members to accept their posting in good faith and perform their duties diligently.  Gen Shuaibu urged them to appreciate and respect the culture of their host Communities, emphasising the need for them to add value to their various communities by undertaking personal and group Community Development Service projects that will uplift their living standard. The Director General equally advised corps members to pay special attention to the Skill A...

The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim has appealed to corps members to advance the unity and development of Nigeria. The Director General, who was represented by the NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani made the appeal today in his address read during the closing ceremony of the 2021 Batch 'B' (Stream II) orientation course at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko. General Ibrahim, an Associate Professor enjoined the corps participants to sustain the spirit of patriotism , hard work and resilience which they have imbibed during the orientation course. "I urge you to accept posting to any location and endeavour to, in good faith, perform your duties with diligence. You are also expected to appreciate and respect the culture of the host communities". Ibrahim while enjoining the members of the service corps to add value to the communities by undertaking personal and group Community Development ...

Corps Members have been advised to avoid induced rejection, rather accept their posting in good faith and settle down to contribute their quota to the development of their host communities. NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu lbrahim stated this today while de-briefing the 2021 Batch 'B' Stream Two Corps Members and Camp Officials through a nationwide virtual address. He said any Corps Member caught inducing posting or redeployment would be sanctioned in line with NYSC bye-laws. He also disclosed that there is nothing like two weeks break after leaving the Orientation Camp, but added that if there is a compelling need for any Corps Member to travel, the concerned must obtain permission from the NYSC through the established channel. Ibrahim said no Corps employer is authorised to grant permission to any Corps Member to travel. "Once you get to your place of primary assignment tomorrow, don't put pressure on your employers for rejection. Don't lobby anyo...

A motorist on Tuesday escaped death by the whiskers when his Toyota car rammed into a bush along the Ondo road in Akure, Ondo state. The Toyota car with registration number LSD985FH rammed into the bush near the second gate of the Army barracks. The Accident affected the Concrete electricity pole in the area as it almost got uprooted. An eyewitness, Mr John Ebube told Positive fm that the driver mistakenly accelerated into the bush rather than applying brake. The driver however came out of the car unhurt as sympathizers immediately trooped to the scene to rescue him. As at the time of filing this report, the sympathizers were clearing the bush to evacuate the car.

The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has disclosed that all forms of discipline meted out to corps members during the orientation course is because NYSC wanted them to be responsible citizens of this country. The State Coordinator made the disclosure during the debriefing exercise for the 2021 Batch 'B' (Stream II) corps members at NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko. Mrs. Ani said that the regimented nature and execution of all programmes and activities is to toughen and prepare the members of the service corps on how to adapt to changes and challenges they would meet in the larger society. "My treasured children, majority of you are frowning at the way and manner we enforce discipline from dusk to dawn at the orientation camp, but I need to let you know that we are doing all these because we want the best for you so that when you get to the larger society, you can easily adapt to any situation you find yourselves". "As you look for...

  One person has been confirmed dead as a storey building collapsed along Fanibi junction in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Tuesday morning. Other members of the family are still trapped in the collapsed building. It was gathered that the incident occurred around 3 am while the occupants had slept. Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the building collapsed and one of the occupants, a woman, died instantly as her bodies had been taken out. He said neighbors had been helping to rescue others including children trapped in the building. Rescue operators have not arrived at the scene of the incident as at the time of this report.   (TheNewsTrack)

The Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA) has sealed Shoprite building on Igbatoro road in Akure and the Neighborhood market at NEPA in Akure, the state capital. Our correspondent reports that the two places were shut for their unsanitary and unhygienic practices. The General Manager of the Authority Rev. (Mrs) Ayo Adeyemo, who disclosed this on Monday said the owners of the affected facilities violated environmental laws and failed to comply with the laid down hygienic practices. The Ondo State Waste Management Authority (ODSWMA) had last sealed off five popular buildings within Akure for unsanitary and unhygienic practices. The buildings were, NAO Supermarkets; Olukayode building; Arowolo Bookshop, all on Oba Adesida Road; Rainbow Furniture at Bye-pass junction, and Salon Mega store along Isikan/Cathedral axis.

Culture has been described as an  influencer of our behaviors, morals and values. The Coordinator,NYSC Oyo State,Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe gave this description during the Inter platoon Cultural Carnival for 2021 Batch 'B' Stream two Orientation Course, at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp Iseyin. She affirmed that culture plays a huge role in shaping our identity as it remains with us throughout our life time and it serves as our pride. The SC therefore called on the corps members to be proud of their cultural heritage as it shapes people's behaviors. Mrs Grace Ogbuogebe, urged the corps members to use their service year to uphold National unity and  Integration which is the essence of the inter platoon carnival and cultural presentation. She stressed that there is strength in Nigeria's diversity and that NYSC is aimed at ensuring that the youths focus and work on the collective strength rather than the weaknesses of the Nation. She enjoined them to understand the way of l...

PRINTING OF ADMISSION LETTER BY CANDIDATES OFFERED PROVISIONAL ADMISSION FOR 2020/2021 ACADEMIC SESSION & COMMENCEMENT OF ONLINE SCREENING. All candidates who have been offered provisional admission  into various programmes of  the Federal University of Technology, Akure for  2020/2021 Academic Session, are hereby advised to  visit the University website (www.futa.edu.ng) in order  to print their  admission letters . This will be available from Monday, 20th September, 2021. Please be informed that online screening of the affected candidates commences from the same day .  The details will be available on the University website  (Signed) Mr. R. A. Arifalo Registrar

The Coordinator and the number one corps member in NYSC Ondo State, Mrs. Victoria Nnenna Ani has berated Nigerian youths for not showing enough seriousness at promoting our cultural values. The State Coordinator who is the traditional title holder of Lolo Odibeeze from the heart of Igboland, Enugu State expressed this opinion while declaring open the Cultural Carnival for the 2021 Batch 'B' (Stream II) corps members posted to the Sunshine State. Mrs. Ani said that exposing or showcasing our rich cultural heritage to the outside world will earn us deserved respect on the global community. "Gentlemen corps members, it saddens my heart that a country of over 200 million people consisting of well loved and creative youths are not well disposed to promoting their respective cultural diversity". "My dear amazing children with lots of potentials, we need to reawaken and sustain our interest in the culture that our creator has bestowed on us. Let us set our priorities ri...