Newsline Online News Portal

The music community has been thrown into mourning following the death of popular musician, Taiwo Adegbodu.  News of his passing surfaced on social media, sending shockwaves through fans, friends and colleagues who described the development as sudden and heartbreaking. His death was announced on its official Facebook page, sighted by Newsline NG . The emotional post, believed to have been written by a close family member, expressed deep anguish over the tragic loss and questioned why he had to leave so abruptly. According to the post “TAIWO Adegbodu, why will you leave me and your kids without notification?” “My heart is bleeding, Lord how do you want me to cope without him? God why? This is too much for me to bear!!!” The heartbreaking message has since attracted an outpouring of condolences from sympathisers across social media platforms. Although details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately disclosed, the announcement has left many in disbelief, particularly...

When distinguished graduates of the University of Ibadan assemble, the atmosphere is often thick with memories of excellence and national impact.  That spirit was evident on Friday, February 27, 2026, as the Ondo State Branch of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) conferred its Distinguished Alumni Award on Prof. Olabode Ayorinde, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Achievers University. The honour was presented during the 2026 Basorun Seinde Arogbofa (OFR, MDA)/Ondo UIAA Alumni Lecture and Awards ceremony held at the Prof. T. I. Francis Auditorium of Federal University of Technology, Akure.  In addition to receiving the award, Prof. Ayorinde chaired the occasion, reflecting the deep respect he commands within his alma mater and the broader academic community. A proud alumnus of University of Ibadan, Prof. Ayorinde is a legal scholar and accomplished academic administrator with decades of experience spanning academia, public service, and in...

Your Excellency, Warmest congratulations to you on your one-year anniversary in office as the Executive Governor of Ondo State. This milestone provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the remarkable strides your administration has made within such a short period.  Your commitment to infrastructure development, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of key road networks across the state, has significantly improved connectivity and eased transportation challenges for residents.  The progress recorded in the health sector, including the upgrading of primary healthcare centres and improved access to medical services, is equally commendable. Your administration’s investments in education—through school renovations, improved learning facilities, and support initiatives for students—demonstrate a clear vision for sustainable development. Furthermore, the empowerment programs for youth and women, as well as support for small and medium-scale enterprises, have strengthened econ...

By Our Correspondent   Celebrations filled the air on Friday as glowing tributes poured in for Chief Adedeji Ogunleye, popularly known as OKADO, on the occasion of his 50th birthday anniversary, marking what admirers described as a significant milestone in a remarkable life of service and distinction . Among the goodwill messages was a heartfelt tribute from Sola Fayemi, who extolled the celebrant’s virtues and described him as “truly golden in this remarkable Golden Era.”  Fayemi noted that Chief Ogunleye’s life has been defined by resilience, vision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, qualities he said have continued to distinguish him in both public and private engagements.  He added that the golden jubilee celebration was not just about age, but about impact and legacy. In his congratulatory message, Fayemi prayed that the light of the celebrant would “continue to shine ever brighter,” expressing optimism that his influence and contributions to society wou...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   A Legal Practitioner, Mr Oluwatobi Fatoki, has attributed the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s recent achievements to a “grace” surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. Fatoki, an Ibadan-based lawyer and former spokesperson of the NBA Ibadan branch, made the remarks on Friday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibadan. He said the party had undergone a notable rebranding, even with internal challenges, attracting members from other parties. “President Tinubu assumed office amid significant turbulence, even within his own party. APC has navigated many internal crises and deserves commendation. “The greatest challenges often come from within, not from outside. “Some have attempted to undermine the party’s image to discourage public interest. Yet, with his leadership, APC began a process of renewal. “Today, without coercion, several states and PDP governors have joined APC, which reflects a certain grace surrounding the pr...

By Our Correspondent  A convener of the Nigerian in Diaspora Political Awareness Campaign (NIPAC), Engr. Olufemi Kolawole has called for a comprehensive national strategy to harness the vast human and financial resources of Nigerians living abroad, describing the diaspora as “one of the country’s most valuable yet underutilised development assets.” In a detailed policy paper titled “Leveraging the Contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora for Sustainable Economic Growth and Enhanced National Development,” Kolawole argued that migration, though a longstanding global phenomenon, has taken on new dimensions in the 21st century. For Nigeria, he noted, emigration has produced a dynamic and influential diaspora community spread across Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. He explained that the Nigerian diaspora estimated at between 1.5 and 3 million people living outside the country on a relatively permanent basis comprises not only economic migrants but also hig...

. By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State chapter, has encouraged governments at all levels to continue strengthening efforts toward food security to support economic growth. The CAN Secretary in the state, Very Rev. Tope Owolabi, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Ibadan. Owolabi called for sustained support for local farming, including improved access to subsidies and better logistics, to help stabilise food prices amid prevailing economic realities. He also emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, as well as the need for consistent payment of workers’ salaries and pensions. The cleric urged continued investment in infrastructure and vocational training to expand employment opportunities. He highlighted the need to strengthen law enforcement and enhance intelligence gathering to address insecurity. Owolabi said faith-based organisations had important ro...

By Our Correspondent  Hon. Barr. Fola Olasehinde Vicente, a former member of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Matters to the Governor of Ondo State, has formally resigned from her appointment, effective February 27, 2026. In a letter addressed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and made available to Newsline NG,  the legal practitioner and politician said her decision was taken with “profound respect and a great sense of responsibility,” noting that it was time for her to focus on the next chapter of her political and professional career. "I write with profound respect and great sense of responsibility to formally tender my resignation as Senior Special Assistant on Diaspors Matters to the Governor of Ondo State effective today 27th February, 2026. “Although this decision was not made lightly, I believe it is time for me to focus on and pursue the next chapter of my political and professional career.” Olasehinde Vicente, who served a...

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Friday commissioned 10 ambulances, took delivery of 10 patrol vehicles for security agencies and presented official cars to new Permanent Secretaries. At the presentation, which took place at the Government House in Akure, the Governor stressed that healthcare delivery goes beyond policy declarations and the construction of hospital structures. “To us, the delivery of medical services goes beyond policy statements and is not just about the building of healthcare centres,” he said. According to him, quality healthcare entails access to genuine drugs and prompt transportation to hospitals. He added that the state’s pharmaceutical group had ensured the supply of quality and unadulterated drugs. Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects would reduce travel time, while local government councils grade rural roads and the state provides ambulances or tricycles for primary healthcare services. He ...

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Friday commissioned 10 ambulances, took delivery of 10 patrol vehicles for security agencies and presented official cars to new Permanent Secretaries. At the presentation, which took place at the Government House in Akure, the Governor stressed that healthcare delivery goes beyond policy declarations and the construction of hospital structures. “To us, the delivery of medical services goes beyond policy statements and is not just about the building of healthcare centres,” he said. According to him, quality healthcare entails access to genuine drugs and prompt transportation to hospitals. He added that the state’s pharmaceutical group had ensured the supply of quality and unadulterated drugs. Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects would reduce travel time, while local government councils grade rural roads and the state provides ambulances or tricycles for primary healthcare services. He ...

A prominent stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ore, Mr. Oluwaseun Albert, popularly known as Seun SOT, has called on members of the party to embrace peace and unity in the aftermath of the just concluded party congress across the state. He made the appeal in a statement made available to our correspondent, while reacting to reports of violence that marred the recent congress in some parts of Ondo State, leaving a number of party members injured.  He expressed concern over the development, describing it as unfortunate and capable of undermining the progress of the party. The APC chieftain urged aggrieved members to sheath their swords and put the interest of the party above personal ambitions.  According to him, internal disagreements are normal in politics, but should be resolved through dialogue and lawful channels rather than violence. He noted that the strength of the All Progressives Congress lies in its unity and collective commitment to democratic idea...

Newly promoted Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASPs in the Ore Area Command of the Ondo State Police Command have been decorated with their new ranks by the Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Adeoya Adebayo who described their elevation as a testament to dedication, discipline and commitment to service in the Nigeria Police Force. The officers promoted to the rank of ASPs are Adebayo Fadekemi, Ogundipe Funmilola, Otame John, Adebisi Kazeem and Usifoh James. The decoration ceremony was attended by senior police officers, family members and well-wishers who gathered to witness what the commander described as “a proud and defining moment” in the careers of the beneficiaries. Speaking at the event, Adebayo said the promotion was not merely a change of title, but a recognition of years of hard work, resilience and adherence to the core values of the Force. Noting that the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission and the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, A...

The rivers that many Nigerians depend on for drinking, cooking, and bathing are being systematically poisoned by industrial and urban waste, a university don has warned, declaring that "our existence is being threatened" by continuous exposure to avoidable pollution. Professor Isaac Ayodele Ololade of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, issued the stark warning on Tuesday while delivering the institution's 55th Inaugural Lecture, titled "Environmental Chemistry: The Science Behind a Healthier Planet." Drawing on years of research into important rivers across southwestern Nigeria, the professor revealed that both direct contact with and consumption of water from these polluted sources pose significant cancer risks. "Both dermal and ingestion routes are practically significant in the carcinogenic risk assessment to human health in all the rivers investigated in our studies," he explained. "Hence, attention should be paid to the domestic use o...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  Health experts have called for greater public awareness, early prevention and stronger government-private sector collaboration to address the growing burden of osteoporosis in Nigeria, particularly among the elderly. They made the call during the official commissioning of Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Health on Thursday in Ibadan. The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Osteoporosis and Bone Health, Prof. Temitope Alonge, emphasised the need for deepened synergy between governments at all levels and the organised private sector health operators to create more access to quality healthcare to the public. He described osteoporosis as a condition where bone mineral content reduced to the point that even minor falls can lead to fractures, known as fragility fractures, commonly affecting the wrist, hip and spine. Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said bone health remained poorly understood by ...

  A renowned scholar of Applied Social and Environmental Psychology at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Oluyinka Ojedokun, will deliver the university’s 56th inaugural lecture on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The lecture, entitled “God Made the Earth, Humans Made the Town,” will take place at the University Multipurpose Hall at 2pm. Guests are expected to be seated by 1:30pm. In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Ceremonies Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebisi Daramola, it was confirmed that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, will chair the event. Prof. Ojedokun began his academic career in 1998, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Ibadan.  He obtained a Master’s degree in Social and Personality Psychology from the same institution in 2002, followed by a PhD in Social and Personality Psychology, also from the University of Ibadan, in 2009. He joined the staff of Adekunle Ajasin University as a Lect...

Six men have been arrested in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State for allegedly orchestrating a fake miracle scheme that defrauded unsuspecting residents by preying on their religious faith. The suspects—Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola—were said to have posed as pastors and spiritual leaders, claiming they possessed supernatural powers to perform miracles and provide divine solutions to financial difficulties, health challenges and other personal problems. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, the group allegedly staged fake spiritual interventions to gain the confidence of their victims before extorting money from them. The Command disclosed that the suspects were apprehended on February 16, 2026, during a coordinated operation carried out by its Tactical Teams in collaboration with Community Safety Officers. Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate...

Fifty graduating students of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, bagged First Class in the 2024/2025 session . Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, OAUSTECH’s Vice-Chancellor disclosed this while addressing journalists on Wednesday at the institution’s campus in Okitipupa. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 9th graduation ceremony of the institution is billed for March 4, at its multi-purpose auditorium in Okitipupa. Ologunorisa said that out of 1,452 graduates that would be receiving their awards, 594 bagged Second Class Upper Division, 691 made Second Class Lower Division, while 115 graduated with Third Class Division. He said that with sound and qualitative academic records of the institution, both students and graduates could compete favourably with their peers nationally and internationally. “I met the university in comatose but had transformed it from a mere teaching to research institution, and without a record of any strike b...

By Our Correspondent   Glory be to God as Ondo State officially welcomes the arrival of MELODY 103.7 Fm a new radio station set to redefine broadcasting across the Sunshine State. The announcement of the station’s launch was made by its Chief Executive Officer,  Prophet Sam Ojo  through his official Facebook page, sighted by Newsline NG   on Tuesday. In the brief but celebratory message, the cleric expressed profound gratitude to God for the successful takeoff of the station, describing it as a divine vision brought to fruition after months of planning and preparation. According to Prophet Ojo, MELODY 103.7 FM was established with a mission to inspire, educate, inform and entertain listeners across Ondo State and beyond, while upholding strong moral and community values. He noted that the station would serve as a platform for impactful programming, including faith-based content, social enlightenment programmes, youth empowerment initiatives and ...

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday reaffirmed that security remains the fulcrum upon which sustainable development rests. He cautioned that no society can prosper in an atmosphere of fear, no economy can thrive where lives and property are unsafe and no government can legitimately claim success if it fails in its primary responsibility of protecting its people. The Governor disclosed this during the passing-out parade of Batch 05 (BR05) of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, held at the historic parade ground of the Ondo State House of Assembly Arcade Complex in Akure.  Describing the ceremony as symbolic, strategic and historic, the Governor said the event marked a decisive moment in consolidating the state’s security architecture.  The Governor, reminiscing about the event, remarked that the scene evoked memories of his late predecessor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the erstwhile Amotekun 001. The newly recruited operatives, h...

A new faith-driven wellness initiative, The Food Herbalist Hub, is set to make its official debut in Nigeria in March 2026, with a mission to promote holistic health through natural nourishment and herbal remedies . The initiative founded by Mosunmolaoluwa Adebayo, is built on the belief that God has provided everything necessary for human well-being through nature. It seeks to inspire individuals and families to rediscover the healing power embedded in food and herbs. According to the founder, The Food Herbalist Hub is more than a health brand; it is a faith-rooted wellness movement committed to restoring balance to the body through intentional living and informed dietary choices. Adebayo explained that the initiative will focus on educating communities about the nutritional and medicinal benefits of everyday foods, alongside carefully selected herbs known for their therapeutic properties. “As we begin this journey in Nigeria, we step forward with clarity, conviction, and purpose guid...

In the evolving landscape of governance and public service delivery in Nigeria, visionary leadership remains the cornerstone of sustainable development. One leader whose impact continues to resonate both at home and across the nation is Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo fondly called BTO, the Honourable Minister of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  Through strategic reforms, administrative innovation, and a firm commitment to human capital development, he is leaving an indelible mark on Ondo State, the broader fabric of Nigeria and beyond. Since he was appointed Minister of Interior by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023 and sworn in on 21st August, 2023, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has demonstrated uncommon resolve in repositioning the ministry as a driver of efficiency, security, and citizen-centered service. His reform-oriented approach has emphasized modernization, transparency, and accountability-qualities that are indispensable in strengthening public institutions. One of the hallmarks...

Traditional rulers across Ondo State have thrown their weight behind Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as he marks one year in office, applauding what they describe as bold and transformative urban renewal projects reshaping Akure, the capital city of Ondo State. Under the aegis of the state’s council of traditional rulers, 130 crowned Obas congratulate the governor on what they termed a “purposeful and development-driven” first year, noting that visible improvements in infrastructure and environmental management have begun to redefine the urban landscape. In their goodwill message, the monarchs commended the administration’s sustained investment in road rehabilitation, city beautification, drainage construction, and agricultural development. They observed that several township roads previously plagued by disrepair have been upgraded, easing transportation challenges and boosting commercial activities. According to the royal fathers, the governor’s urban renewal agenda is not only restoring pu...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  An NGO, the Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) has urged the Oyo State Ministry of Justice to provide adequate legal protection for persons with disabilities in the state. The Project Officer, Christiana Njoku, made the appeal on Tuesday in Ibadan during the team’s advocacy visit to the Oyo State Ministry of Justice. Njoku said that civic space rights was the foundation of inclusive governance, and that without it, persons with disabilities in the society would remain voiceless and vulnerable. Presenting the brief and CCD request to the Ministry, the Senior Programme Officer, Ms. Florence Attah stated that “By creating a legal safety net for civic actors with disabilities, the ministry will stand as a true protector of rights and justice in the state. “We look forward to your positive response and collaboration towards expanding civic space rights for persons with disabilities and rebuilding a more inclusive justice system in the state, she s...