Newsline Online News Portal

The Molokun of Atijere Kingdom in the oil-rich Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, HRM Oba Samuel Olumide Adeoye, Edema 1, the Molokun of Atijere, has warned that his community may resort to peaceful protests if it continues to be excluded from discussions and benefits arising from oil exploration activities on Eba Island. The monarch, while welcoming investment and development in the area, insisted that communities under the Atijere Kingdom must be recognised as critical stakeholders in all engagements relating to the island, which he maintained remains part of Ondo State. Speaking on the controversy surrounding ownership of Eba Island, Oba Adeoye dismissed claims by neighbouring Ogun State, stressing that the disputed territory has historically belonged to Ondo State and that the ownership debate only surfaced following the discovery of oil deposits in the area. According to the traditional ruler, Eba Island had existed peacefully for decades without any boundary-related disag...

Ondo State Governor, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of Professor Tomola Marshal Obamuyi as the new Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA). The appointment followed the due recommendation of the Governing Council of the institution, in line with the University’s Act and extant regulations. The Council, chaired by Dr. Tunji Abayomi, had recommended Prof. Obamuyi for the position after emerging first among 15 candidates interviewed by the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board of the institution.  Professor Obamuyi, a distinguished scholar of Banking and Finance, will succeed the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olugbenga Ige. Professor Obamuyi has held several significant academic and administrative positions, including Head of the Department of Banking and Finance at AAUA, and the first substantive Dean of the School of Management Technology at Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).  He was awar...

By Dayo Afolabi For a commercial driver, Olabuja Amos Oni, the fear of falling victim to kidnappers has become a constant companion on the road.  After more than 20 years behind the wheel, he now limits most of his trips to neighbouring Oyo State, wary of the growing insecurity that has turned many Nigerian highways into routes of uncertainty.  "It seems we are the target of kidnappers. In fact, people are now afraid of travelling, including those of us who are drivers. I have even resorted to operating mostly within neighbouring Oyo State."  "I have been working as a driver for over 20 years. Before now, I travelled from Ondo State to Onitsha almost every week. However, things have changed significantly due to the growing threat of kidnapping for ransom," he said. According to him, the fear of abduction has forced many drivers to avoid certain routes, while passengers increasingly cancel trips because of security concerns. He urged the government to rise to its res...

By Our Correspondent Popular Gospel, Musician, Kehinde Adegbodu has addressed growing concerns over his recent appearance and health condition, revealing that he was involved in a minor fire accident at home but assuring the public that he remains medically fit and in stable condition. In a video posted on his official Facebook page and sighted by Newsline NG, Adegbodu said the incident affected his left hand and parts of his face, including his lips, but clarified that the injuries were not life-threatening. According to him, he deliberately chose not to share details of the incident on social media, preferring to manage the situation privately. “To everyone that is worried about me, I am very okay and medically fit. I had a minor fire accident in the house but I decided not to post it on social media. It affected my left hand and some parts of my face including my lips,” he said. Responding to rumours and public speculation surrounding the cause of the incident, Adegbodu firmly deni...

The Management of the National Youth Service Corps Oyo State, under the leadership of the State Coordinator, Mr. Kayode Ola Peters, hereby urges all Corps Members serving across the State to strictly comply with the curfew directive imposed by the Oyo State Government in the interest of public safety, security, and the preservation of law and order. Management acknowledges the concerns and apprehension expressed by some Corps Members following the announcement of the curfew. While these concerns are understandable, the NYSC Oyo State Secretariat wishes to reassure all Corps Members that there is no cause for alarm.  Relevant security agencies, in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, are actively working to ensure the protection of lives and property across the State. Accordingly, Corps Members, particularly those in affected areas, are strongly advised to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding while complying fully with all directives issued by the Oyo State Government and othe...

Prof. Olugbenga Oke-Samuel, a distinguished legal scholar and Professor of Law in the Faculty of Law at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, will deliver the institution’s 67th inaugural lecture on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.  The lecture, which promises to be a seminal contribution to legal discourse, will examine the pressing issue of environmental injustice and the transformative potential of environmental law clinics in Nigeria. Scheduled to hold at the University’s Multipurpose Hall, the event will see the erudite professor present his lecture entitled: “Environmental Injustice: Redeeming the Time Through Environmental Law Clinics in Nigeria.” Prof. Oke-Samuel, whose expertise spans Environmental Law and Clinical Legal Education, will explore the role of community-based legal interventions in addressing systemic environmental harm and advancing the cause of environmental justice in the Nigerian context. According to a statement issued by the Deputy Vice Chance...

The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday, inaugurated the Technical Committee on the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ), setting in motion fresh efforts to revive the long-abandoned industrial project amid renewed interest by the Dangote Group to establish Nigeria’s largest industrial and free trade hub in the state. Speaking at the inauguration held at the Governor’s Office in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the event as a historic step towards the reactivation and optimisation of the Olokola corridor, saying his administration is determined to transform the project from a long-standing concept into a thriving economic reality. The governor recalled that the Olokola Free Trade Zone was conceived in 2005 as a joint initiative of the Ondo and Ogun State governments. Situated along the coastlines of both states with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, the zone was designed as a strategic economic gateway for the South-West and Nigeria. Acco...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko The Ibadan South-West Local Government, on Monday, inaugurated a newly constructed modern health centre at Akuro and a renovated and modernized health centre at Bode, both in Ibadan. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was part of efforts to strengthen grassroots healthcare delivery within the LG. Speaking during the inaugurations, the Executive Chairman of the council, Hon. Kehinde Akande, said the projects were clear demonstrations of his administration’s determination to improve the wellbeing of residents. Akande added it was to provide quality medical services, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and provide modern, functional and well-equipped healthcare facilities for all residents. He noted that the projects were made possible by Gov. Seyi Makinde’s vision on health matters. The council chairman said that the governor’s vision repositioned Oyo State as a pace-setting state through health facilities upgrade, Health Care Insurance ...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  The Catholic Bishops of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have expressed worries over the living conditions of the Oriire abductees, slightly over five weeks after. The bishops, in a news conference held in Ibadan on Monday, demanded the abductees’ immediate and unconditional release. The province, comprising the Ibadan Archdiocese and the Ondo, Ilorin, Oyo, Ekiti, and Osogbo Dioceses, has the Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin as president and the Most Rev. Anselm Lawani as secretary. The bishops declared that the abductees had lived long enough, since May 15, under the harshest conditions, without a roof over their heads, for the government to act. They worried that they were with no good nutrition and completely exposed to the elements in the forest and in the hands of the most vicious and merciless criminals. The bishops described the murder of a teacher, a motorcycle rider and the beheading of another teacher in the forest as a barbaric ass...

African best prestigious hospitality, The Delborough Lagos has celebrated her board chairman, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Ugochukwu Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi) on his 85th birthday. The revered 21st monarch of the Onitsha dynasty was honoured to a glorious birthday dinner party on 20th June 2026 at The Delborough Lagos where the entire management and staff of the brand stood in high ovation to celebrate his Royal Majesty.  The royal party took place few days after the The Delborough Lagos welcomed Michelin-starred chef Sauro Bison to pilot its DANI Restaurant to offer world-class dining experience which marked the first time the chef matched its foot on African soil. Former president Chief Olesegun Obasanjo, Gov Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Senator Ita Giwa, NDC presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi, Mr Charles Oputa aka Area Fada (Charly Boy) and a host of other dignitaries from all works of life graced the occasion.  The highlights  of the celebration included cultural...

The nine-year-old son of a pastor, Master Victor Oluwatobi, who was kidnapped three weeks ago in Idogun, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, has regained his freedom . It will be recalled that unknown gunmen invaded Ugbosi Quarters in Idogun at midnight on Friday, June 5, 2026, and destroyed two buildings in an attempt to kidnap the landlords, who were able to escape. Unfortunately, Pastor Oluwatobi could not rescue all his children in time, leaving the boy — who was fast asleep at the time of the invasion — behind.  The child had since remained in the custody of the assailants. On Sunday morning, through the joint efforts of security agencies, he was safely rescued and reunited with his family. During the period of his captivity, the Ondo State Government mobilised security agencies — including the Army, Police, Amotekun Corps, and local vigilantes — who combed the forest day and night in search of the victim. Residents have since appreciated the efforts of the governor and the s...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch, on Saturday, swore in Mr Adekola Kareem as its new chairman, alongside eight other executive members. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the nine-member executive committee was sworn in by Justice Bayo Taiwo of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan. The new executives are: Dr Olusola Olorunfemi as Vice Chairman, David Adejorin as Secretary, and Raheed Khan as Publicity Secretary. Idrees Openiyi was elected Financial Secretary, Miss Tijesunimi Olugbinle as Social Secretary, and Miss Mofeyisara Ajao as Assistant Secretary. Mr Temiloluwa Morakinyo was sworn in as the Treasurer, and Miss Timisola Adebisi as the Welfare Secretary. In his inaugural speech, Kareem described his victory as “a burden to translate our campaign promises to tangible results.” He said the journey was arduous but fulfilling because of the members’ confidence and support. He pledged result-oriented leadership, built on resu...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   As the world marks Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Day on Friday, experts have warned that poor management of complications from the disorder killed more sickle cell warriors in later years. They noted that poverty, ignorance and delay were the real killers and not SCD itself. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Sickle-Cell Disease (SCD) is a group of genetic (inherited) blood disorders, caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, affecting hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells. This defect causes the  body to produce abnormal hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells) and because of this genetic anomaly, the red blood cells become rigid, sticky, and “sickle” (crescent-shaped). These misshapen cells block blood flow, resulting in a clinical disease known as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). World SCD day is commemorated annually  on June 19, with the 2026 theme as “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity ...

  Professor Alaba Akingbesote, a scholar specialising in Artificial Intelligence and e-market services, has called for enhanced digital literacy and broader access to digital tools to ensure that Africa—and particularly Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in rural areas—can fully benefit from the globalisation of e-marketplaces. He observed that many of these enterprises remain excluded from emerging digital trade systems, even as traditional markets gradually evolve into bidirectional AI-cloud e-marketplaces. The professor made these remarks on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, while delivering the 66th inaugural lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, titled “From Traditional Markets to Bidirectional AI-Cloud E-Marketplaces: Emergence, Challenges and Expectations.” Tracing the evolution of e-marketplaces, Prof. Akingbesote explained that traditional marketplaces were constrained by weak marketing strategies, limited global reach, slow adoption of cashless paym...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into a self-acclaimed prophet, Godwin Sunday Ajuluchukwucheya, popularly known as Prophet Sunday Koboko, over allegations of defrauding members of his ministry of about N70.39 million . The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, stating that operatives of its Enugu Zonal Directorate are currently handling the matter. According to the EFCC, the suspect allegedly obtained money from church members through various schemes, including promises of spiritual intervention and investment opportunities. One of the petitioners, identified as Okey Uwakwe, alleged that Ajuluchukwucheya collected N6.23 million from him for spiritual exercises intended to convince his brother, who had been living abroad since 1997, to return to Nigeria. Uwakwe further claimed that he paid another N3.25 million to the suspect for spiritual activities aimed at helping his sister...

The Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has showcased a series of completed and ongoing infrastructure and social intervention projects across its mandate areas as its Executive Chairman, Prince Olabiyi Olaleye Poroye, marked his first year in office. Poroye, who assumed office in June 2025, said the commission had concentrated efforts on completing inherited but viable projects while also initiating fresh interventions aimed at improving living conditions in oil-producing communities. Speaking during an inspection tour of selected projects, the chairman said the achievements recorded within the past year reflected OSOPADEC’s commitment to sustainable development and people-oriented governance. According to him, the board, upon inauguration, adopted a strategy of prioritising abandoned projects that could deliver direct benefits to residents, noting that the decision had accelerated development across several riverine communities. Among the projects in...

There was tension and disruption of vehicular movement along the Okitipupa–Ore Highway on Wednesday following the alleged fatal shooting of a driver identified as Solomon James, an indigene of Kogi State. THE HOPE gathered that the incident occurred at about 2:30 p.m. The deceased was reportedly transporting kegs of diesel in his vehicle when he was allegedly pursued by a soldier riding a motorcycle before being shot around the D-Choice area in Ore. Eyewitnesses claimed the chase continued for some distance before gunshots were allegedly fired at the moving vehicle. According to eyewitness accounts, the driver sustained gunshot injuries, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and stop in a nearby bush. The soldier involved was said to have fled the scene immediately after the incident. When our correspondent visited the area, several bullet holes were observed on the vehicle. The incident also attracted residents and road users, resulting in temporary traffic disruption along th...

The 17th prosecution witness in the ongoing alleged money laundering case filed against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others, said on Wednesday that the former governor was not involved in any of the property transactions before the court. The witness, Shehu Bello Bala, told the court, while being cross-examined by the Defendant's Counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, that the 2nd defendant did not also participate in any of the transactions. He noted that one Farouk Bello served as the agent.  On cross-examination, he, however, noted that he was aware that the title documents - deed of assignment and power of attorney were returned to Efab Estate by Farouk Bello. The witness had earlier said he was not in anyway related to Ali Bello and Farouk Bello, whom he had mentioned in his examination-in-chief. He also confirmed that he was not from Kogi State, implying that he was not also related to the former governor. The witness, a commodity trader, who said he wa...

Residents of Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State have been thrown into shock and grief following the gruesome killing of an 18-month-old girl by unknown assailants at a farm settlement in the area. The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Agoti Settlement, a farming community in Idanre. The victim’s father, Mr. Bright Kalu, a peasant farmer originally from Abia State, is demanding justice for the brutal murder of his daughter. Speaking on the incident, Kalu explained that his daughter had been left in the care of her mother at the family’s farm camp while he went to work at another farmland located some distance away. Recounting the painful experience, he said: “On Monday, June 8, 2026, I was returning from a nearby camp where I had gone to purchase food items when I met my wife looking distressed and unsettled. “When I asked what had happened, she told me that an unknown person had invaded the camp and attacked her. She managed to rescue three ...

The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has challenged members of the 2026 Batch 'B' Stream I orientation course, to become active drivers of national renewal and community development through dedicated service, innovation and responsible leadership. The Governor gave the charge at the swearing in ceremony of the corps members held at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare Akoko. He was ably represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Segun Henry Omoyofunmi. Addressing the newly sworn in corps members, Aiyedatiwa described the NYSC as one of Nigeria's most enduring platforms for promoting national unity and youth development. He urged them to embrace the service year as an opportunity to build bridges across ethnic and religious divides while contributing meaningfully to the growth of their host communities. He encouraged the corps members to take advantage of the orientation course and the Skill Acquisition and En...