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The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mr. Sam Amaramiro Pepple has disclosed that the essence of ushering corps members into their respective states of deployment with welcome party is to show them that the Scheme has accepted them in totality as part of the family .  The State Coordinator made the disclosure in his brief remarks while declaring open the Welcome Party for 2024 Batch 'B' (Stream 1) corps members deployed to Ondo State . Pepple, who interacted freely with the members of the service corps since the commencement of the orientation course, reiterated the commitment of the management to make the camp memorable and enjoyable for them. He astonished them to be responsible in their acts towards their colleagues and let strict adherence to rules and regulations be their guiding principle. The NYSC Ondo State boss who has acquired and installed dual-role pumping machine using solar and electricity, worth millions of naira, with additional utensils to ease cooking, said that th...

Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva has broken her silence on rumours going round on social media that her husband, Olu Jacobs is dead. This is the second time rumours about the death of The ace Nigerian actor and film executive, whose real name is Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, will be making rounds on social media. Speaking with TheNEWS and PMNEWS this evening, his wife, Joke, debunked the rumour, saying “her husband is alive and doing just fine.” Fondly called Uncle Olu by his colleagues and teeming admirers, Olu Jacobs has made his mark in the Nigeria’s movie industry. With more than 40 years acting experience under his belt, Jacobs is seen as a bridge between the old and new breed of actors. Trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, England, Jacobs remains one of Africa’s creative gifts to the world, having worked with various repertoire theatres in Britain and starred in some international movies. In 2007 he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. O...

The implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) introduced by Federal Government some years ago is working perfectly in Ondo NYSC as the State Coordinator, Mr. Sam Amaramiro Pepple has invigorated the system.  Since assumption of office seven weeks ago, the cerebral administrator has intensified strengthening of relationships with notable stakeholders that included the Corps Employers in the state. Speaking through his Zonal Inspectors and Local Government Inspectors, the NYSC helmsman in the Sunshine State appealed to the beneficiaries of corps members to donate materials that will make the members of the service corps to be comfortable while undergoing the three weeks orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko.  The Corps Employers sought the attention of the NYSC management to ask where they could come in because the Scheme has been very helpful and supportive to them, and this brought about the donation of ceiling fans to the orientation ...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  Two youths: Rebecca Isioma and Solomon Taiwo, on Friday, appeared before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly fighting in public . The duo, whose addresses were not provided, are being tried for alleged breach of peace and affray, to which they pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on June 14, at about 9.00 p.m. at Oke-Bola area, Ibadan. Amusan alleged that the defendants engaged each other in a fisticuff and disturbed public peace. He said the offence contravened Section 83 of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The Magistrate, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two sureties each in like sum. Yusuf adjourned the case until July 19 for hearing. (NAN)

  By John Oladele   The government and relevant sports stakeholders have been urged to revive school sports competitions, particularly the national football tournaments, to discover new talents.   The Director of Blitzik Sports Initiative, Mr. Isaac Afolabi, emphasized this need while donating sports items to Oyemekun Grammar School in Akure.  The donation was a collaboration between Blitzik Sports and the Community Sports and Education Development Initiative (CSED).   Mr. Afolabi, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State chapter, and a sports journalist and analyst with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Positive 102.5 FM Akure, reminisced about the excitement of participating in national football tournaments such as the Shell Cup, Principals Cup, and Mobil Track and Field Games. He called for the revival of these competitions.   Speaking virtually about the initiative, the Director ...

  By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  The new Commissioner of Police (CP) in Oyo State, Sonubi Ayodele, has assured that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to uphold its statutory responsibilities of protecting lives and property. Ayodele who said this on Thursday in Ibadan during his inaugural media briefing said this would be without prejudice to background, religion or association. The CP also assured that the Police Command in Oyo State under his watch, would not tolerate the existence of any criminal enterprise. “I will not hesitate to identify, isolate and bring to deserved justice any person or group that may attempt to threaten the existing relative tranquility in the state,” he said. Ayodele disclosed that, as part of the modalities put in place to further secure the state, the Police Command in Oyo State has further rejigged its security architecture. “This is to accommodate more actionable tools to clamp down on criminal elements through the adoption of a five-s...

  A Professor of Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Ebenezer Yemi Ogunbadewa, has emphasised the necessity of establishing a national geospatial agency to coordinate the development and application of GIS to address various challenges facing Nigeria.  Prof. Ogunbadewa also called on the Ondo State Government to create a State Geographic Information System (SGIS) to harness its potential benefits. Prof. Ogunbadewa made these recommendations on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, during the 25th Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled, Visualization Without Barriers: The Quintessence of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Management. The Inaugural Lecturer, who defined GIS as a computer-based system that has the capabilities to input, store, manipulate, analyse, and display output of geographically (spatially) referenced information about anywhere on the earths surface in a database system using ap...

In a bid to encourage schools to mix education and sports, a non governmental organization that focuses on promoting sports amongst the younger generation, BLITZIK Sports initiative, in partnership with  Community Sports and Education Development Initiative, CSED, is set to donate sports materials to Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State .  Speaking ahead of the event, the Director of Blitzik sports who is a sports journalist and Analyst, Mr Isaac Afolabi said the move was to further ignite school children to embrace sports not only as a mean of exercise but also as a career. Mr Afolabi who doubles as the Vice-Chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Ondo state chapter, said some of the items to be distributed freely, included new branded football jerseys, new socks and footballs. Afolabi, a journalist with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria Positive FM Akure, said Blitzik Sports expressed the commitment and determination of BLITZIK Sport to continua...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  A 67-year-old man, Segun Oyedepo, Owner of Sedeco International College, Ibadan, was on Wednesday docked in a Grade ‘A’ Customary Court in Ibadan for allegedly embezzling money meant for the National Examinations Council (NECO) for students. Oyedepo is charged with theft and obtaining money under false pretence. He pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence between September 2023 and June 2024, at the aforementioned school. Amusan alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained  N1.7 million which was meant for about 13 students’ NECO registration. He alleged that the defendant obtained the money from one Hammed Olayode and 12 others to register the students but failed to do so. Amusan said the offence contravens the provisions of Sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The Court’s President, Mrs Sukurat Yusuf, admitted the  defendant t...

The NYSC Ondo State Coordinator, Mr. Sam Amaramiro Pepple has called on the camp officials to see their call to service as essential services which must be delivered totally to the NYSC operational system. The State Coordinator made the call in his address during the maiden meeting of the camp officials, preparatory to the commencement of the 2024 Batch 'B' (Stream 1) orientation course. Pepple, who painstakingly stepped down the resolutions made at the Pre-Orientation Workshop held in the previous week at Kaduna harped on the need for camp officials to deploy emotional intelligence to deal with the prospective corps members.  He said that everyone should act in parentis locus for the members of the service corps so that they would be willing to give their best to the nation despite the challenges surrounding the society. The Scheme's helmsman in the Sunshine State said the management will not tolerate any negative act that will portray the Scheme in bad lights before the c...

The Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ondo State, Mr. Samuel Amaramiro Pepple, has lamented decaying facilities at the corps orientation camp located at Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North-East Local Government Area. The Coordinator  therefore appealed to the state Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to intervene in the situation. Pepple decried the state of the facilities on Monday at the NYSC zonal office, Oda Road in Akure while familiarising with journalists upon his assumption of office as the 21st state NYSC coordinator. However, the NYSC coordinator, who appreciated the commitment of the state government to ensure the welfare of residents, including the corps members, passionately appealed to the state government to address the infrastructure deficit in the camp. He said: “Ondo State is one of the oldest states in Nigeria. I can tell you that the facilities in that camp are old. Let’s say it the way it is, they’re very old. “I am just new here, but I know; I’m trying ...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  Dr Solomon Olaoye, the Chairman, Association of Medical and Dental Officers (AMDO), Oyo State chapter, says members of the association are not participating in the ongoing health workers strike in the state . Olaoye made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan. NAN reports that members of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) in the state, have been on indefinite strike since May 21. The union said the strike, which was declared by the state Chairman, Dr Samuel Adeyemi, followed the state government’s refusal to address the demands of its members. In a related development, the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in the state, on Monday, embarked on a seven-day warning strike to press home their demands. MHWUN is demanding that the new hazard allowance being paid to health workers in hospitals should also be paid to other health workers not posted to hospita...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko Ibadan  A 46-year old man, Saheed Adebayo, was on Monday docked before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan over an alleged N3.2 million motorcycle fraud. Adebayo, with no fixed address, was charged with stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor, Insp Femi Oluwadare, told the court that the defendant committed the offence between June 30 and Dec. 2022, at Kuola, Ibadan. He said that Adebayo was engaged to supervise about five commercial motorcycles belonging to the complainant, Ayomikun David. Oluwadare further said that the motorcycles valued N3, 260,  000 were given to motorcyclists with an agreement to make returns to the complainant through Adebayo. The prosecutor said that the defendant refused to give the returns to the complainant and owner of the business, but converted the money for his personal use. He said that the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal Laws of Oyo State, 2000. The Magistrate, Mr Maruff Mudash...

  A Professor of Environmental Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Ebenezer Yemi Ogunbadewa is set to deliver the 25th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.  The lecture, titled, "Visualization without Barriers: The Quintessence of Geospatial Technology in Environmental Management", is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, 2024. According to a statement by the Chairman of the University Ceremonies Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin.), Prof. Adebisi Daramola, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, will chair the event. The lecture will take place at the University Multipurpose Hall, commencing at 2:00 pm, with guests urged to be seated by 1:30 pm. Prof. Ogunbadewa's academic journey includes earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from University of Ilorinn in 1982, followed by a Master's degree in Geography & Planning from University of Lagos in 1990. He earned the United Nations/SIDA Int...

In a significant stride towards community development and empowerment, Otunba Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju (OMO), the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Honorable Member representing Ondo West Constituency 1, commissioned a new Constituency Office Annex in Yaba, Ondo.  This strategic initiative aims to bolster support for small-scale businesses across all six wards within the constituency. The event, which drew a diverse crowd of local business owners, community leaders, and enthusiastic residents, was marked by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, speeches, and an atmosphere of celebration. Otunba Ogunwumiju, in his address, highlighted the significance of the new office in enhancing accessibility to governmental support and resources for small-scale enterprises. "This Constituency Office Annex is not just a building; it represents our commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering our people," Otunba Ogunwumiju stated. "Small-scale businesses are...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  Medical and health workers in Oyo State will, on Monday, begin a seven-day warning strike to press home their demands, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Chairman of the state chapter of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Comrade John Fabunmi, disclosed this to NAN in Ibadan on Sunday. Fabunmi said that the warning strike would be observed by members of the union in all the health institutions across the state, including those in the ministries, departments and local government councils. He said that the industrial action had become imperative in order to press home their demands. The labour leader said that the union had reminded the state government of its grievances several times, but that nothing had been done to address their demands. “Part of the union’s demands is that the new hazard allowance in the state be spread to cover all other health workers in the state, and not only those working in the hospitals. “Anothe...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   The Bishop of Ibadan Diocese in the Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa, has urged the Federal Government to immediately start the process of subsidising the movement of food items. Akinfenwa made the remark on Saturday in Ibadan at the Collation, Institution and Induction of Ven. Samuel Oluwagbade as the Archdeacon of Asi Archdeaconry and Vicar of Immanuel Anglican Church, Asi. He said this subsidy would help to reduce high cost of food items and others in the country. ”One of the reasons the prices of food items skyrocket daily is the high cost of their movement from the place of production to that of consumption. “This is due to the high cost of diesel and fuel,” Akinfenwa explained. He went on to advise government to bring back the Price Control Board to monitor the increase in prices of food items in the entire country. “The situation in our land now calls for urgent action by all, so that the hunger level will not reach the point...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   A Dominican Priest, Rev. Fr. Anthony Akinwale, on Friday urged Oyo State Government to return the schools taken over from the missionaries to their former owners. Akinwale stated this during the burial service of the late Rev. Sr. Agnes Hassan in Ibadan. He described the taking over of the schools, which included St. Theresa’s College and St. Patrick’s School, by government as a great injustice to their former owners. The priest noted that the late Hassan served God and humanity through her dedicated service in the education sector, especially as a principal at St. Theresa’s College Ibadan. He enjoined the state government to use the memory of the deceased to return the missionary schools to the church, which would also help to instill morals in the students and youths, as it used to be. According to him, the return of the schools, taken over by the government many decades ago, will effectively widen the reach of missionary service and restore et...

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday, flagged off the second phase of the distribution of palliatives to the people of the State. It would be recalled that in April, Governor Aiyedatiwa flagged off the first phase of the palliatives which included grains and agricultural implements to farmers across the State. Today, the Governor flagged off the distribution of itmes which included 24,000 bags of rice; 14,040 bags of Maize; 3,440 bags of Garri; 170 Tricycles, Tillers and Canoes and the beneficiaries will include different groups and vulnerable individuals in the 18 local government areas of the State.  Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that the initiative is a testament to his administration’s commitment to the welfare of the people of the State. Expressing his concerns over issues of rising costs of food items, Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed that his administration is committed to regular interventions and activities towards alleviating sufferings and ensu...

The organizers of Ondo State most prestigious awards, Laurel Leaf Communications today applauded the Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA). Laurel Leaf Communications which use her annual event, LEAD Awards to recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations making significant impact on Ondo State, firmly believe that ONDEA, under the leadership of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entrepreneurship and innovation, Dr. Summy Smart Francis, exemplifies such excellence. Beyond their dedication to empowering entrepreneurs, ONDEA has been a strong advocate for the LEAD Awards. They served as our major financial sponsor for the 2023 ceremony, demonstrating their commitment to recognizing and celebrating excellence in our state. Additionally, the Chairman of ONDEA graced the event as a distinguished guest speaker, further strengthening the ties between the two organizations. Since its inception, ONDEA has

A major aspirant in the last governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, SAN, has declared his support for Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the State. At a meeting of his political associates and followers at his residence in Akure on Thursday, Chief Oke collapsed his political structure into the campaign train of the Governor. Oke, who said he resisted the pressure to challenge the outcome of the April 20 primary in court, added that his interest is in the unity of the party and its victory in the coming gubernatorial election. “I am not an emergency politician. I have campaigned for governorship in this State four times and I have all it takes to be Governor. I did everything I needed to do in the primary but the rest is now history. “I had various options and my supporters were ready to follow any action I will take. But the peace, unity and development of this State is paramount to...

An Opthalmologist at Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan, Prof. Affiong Ibanga, has urged Nigerians to always do regular eye examination for early detection of Glaucoma. She also stressed on appropriate treatment to prevent blindness that could result from the disease. Ibanga made the remarks on Thursday while delivering a lecture during a Glaucoma awareness seminar organised by Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan. The professor of Glaucoma Care and Research at the Eleta Institute spoke on the topic “Unlocking the mysteries of Glaucoma – all you need to know”. She urged people to make it a habit to visit the eye doctor and have their eyes checked yearly. The professor said that early eye screening and treatment would prevent the eye from deteriorating. She emphasised that glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, adding that screening for glaucoma is important for early detection and treatment. According to her, glaucoma is a group of diseases that can cause damage to the optic nerve and ...

Letter of Appreciation: Recognizing the Governor’s Leadership and Vision for Students Affairs Dear Mr. Governor, It is with profound gratitude that I express my sincere appreciation for the honor of being appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Students' Affairs. Your recognition of my abilities and potential fills me with deep appreciation and motivation. I am sincerely grateful for this privilege. I am humbled by this opportunity to serve the people of Ondo State in a position that holds such importance and responsibility. I am fully committed to fulfilling the duties of this role to the best of my abilities, and to making a positive impact on the lives of our students. This is a privilege I am not taking for granted a duty which carries so much importance and responsibility to the people of Ondo State. I am devoted to serving this position dutifully and to impacting the lives of those who we serve. As you continue to lead our state towards a brighter future, I pledge my unw...

On behalf of the entire IBI GIGA board of directors and members, we extend our warmest and most sincere congratulations to all the newly appointed officials, with special recognition to the esteemed Honorable Mrs. Seun Osamaye on her well-deserved appointment as Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Women Affairs and Also Hon Andrew Ogunsakin as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor  The Campaign Organization is happy that Hon Andrew Ogunsakin distinct records of service and unwavering commitment to progress have not gone unnoticed. We’re confident that in his respective role, He will uphold the principles of integrity, diligence, and innovation he has demonstrated throughout his career your appointment is an affirmation of your sterling contributions to Community and Political matters in our dear state. We have faith that your expertise will be instrumental in ensuring a more stable and a robust socio-economic development in the southern region of the state. To our d...

The Nigeria Football Federation has described as outright falsehood, reports in some online publications on Wednesday that the football-governing body has slammed a ban on Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen from the team, for his social media outburst few days ago. NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi expressed amazement at the reports, saying the Federation has neither instructed a process nor has a process been concluded to ban the player from the National Team. “The NFF hereby implores the media to join hands with the body to positively resolve issues and then focus on the big picture all the time, rather than needlessly escalate certain matters. There was no official communication from the NFF, yet some persons have gone to town to talk about a ban on Osimhen from the National Team. This is not good at all. “Our focus presently is to resolve all matters around the Super Eagles and be able to look ahead with confidence to the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the remaining six match...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan Dr Folajimi Senjobi, a Family Physician at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, says prevention remains the most effective form of sickle cell disease management. Senjobi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan, as the world marks Sickle Cell Day. The family physician said that the general advocacy for prevention of the disease was for people with genotype AS, AC, SC, or SS to get married to and or procreate with partners with genotype AA. “If the problem is taken care of at the primary levels, then, fewer incidences of sickle cell diseases will occur. “We need to pay attention to the following: regulation compliance with care, risk management for the disease, health crises management in our facilities. “Prevention remains the most effective form of the disease management. Know your genotype and that of your partner before you agree to get married,” Senjobi said. He noted that sickle cell disease...

PRESS STATEMENT  The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has dissolved the board of the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC). The dissolution takes immediate effect. The Chairman is hereby directed to hand over to the Secretary of the Commission.  The Governor thanks the Chairman and other members for their services and wishes them well in their future endeavours. Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. June 19, 2024

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has said that his administration will continue to attract local and foreign investments to boost the economy of the State.  The Governor stated this on Wednesday when he commissioned the Ondo State-owned Sunshine House in Victoria Island, Lagos.  The project, managed by the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), was initiated by former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and completed by the Aiyedatiwa administration.  Located near Eko Atlantic City, the project aims to generate additional revenue for the State government. Governor Aiyedatiwa said the commissioning of the project is in fulfilment of his promise to sustain the legacies of late Akeredolu, describing the former Governor as a visionary and a man of integrity. He said the old structure, inherited from the defunct Western Region, was outdated and unattractive to investors, which prompted the state government, through ONDIPA, to construct ...