We won’t allow criminals thrive in Ondo – Aiyedatiwa.

We won’t allow criminals thrive in Ondo – Aiyedatiwa.

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed the commitment of his administration to further strengthen the security agencies in the state in a bid to tackle criminals effectively.

The governor also said his government would not spare the rod to rid the state of crimes and criminalities and would continue to empower security agencies with logistics regularly.

He stated this on Tuesday at the presentation of the instrument of appointment and staff of office to the Larogbo of Akotogbo, in Irele Local Government Area of the state, Oba Michael Akinfolarin, in Akotogbo community.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Adelami, the governor emphasised that adequate security is paramount to the development of any community, declaring that his administration would ensure criminals had no way in the state.

He said, “Permit me to inform this gathering that the security of the inhabitants of this state is a top priority of our administration, and we shall continue to make concerted efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and other criminals in our dear state.

“There is no denying the fact that the state government has committed enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources.

 Adequate security will boost economy, says Gowon

“This is in addition to funding other security agencies in the state through regular logistical support. This government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

Aiyedatiwa called on all traditional rulers in the state to always exercise restraints and caution in the use of traditional authority and powers, stressing that the instrument of office should be employed to strengthen the bond of love and unity among their subjects.

He also noted that the unity of the people in every community was a great asset that must be explored for the socioeconomic development of their respective communities.

While congratulating the monarch and the people of Akotogbo, Aiyedatiwa urged all contestants of the stool to join hands with the new monarch for the accelerated development of the town.

Oba Akinfolarin who expressed appreciation to the governor pledged to administer his people with utmost fairness and fear of God.

The Akotogbo stool became vacant, following the demise of late Oba Jolade Turoti, who passed away on May 20, 2009.

Military Deployment Shows Oyebanji's Ability to Secure Ekiti- Ogungbemi.

Military Deployment Shows Oyebanji's Ability to Secure Ekiti- Ogungbemi.

....Seeks establishment of military base in Ekiti.

....Commends Tinubu's proposed armed forest guards.

Sequel to the swift deployment of military personnel to Ekiti State to restore security after seeming upsurge in the level of kidnappings and killings, the Chairman of Ajoni Local Council Development Area, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, has hailed Governor Biodun Oyebanji's quality leadership.

Ogungbemi said the swift response of the governor leading to massive deployment of military personnel, further confirmed how serious and zealous Governor Oyebanji was to secure Ekiti and boost investments across as the tiers of government. 

The council boss, who regretted the recent cases of abductions and killings in Ekiti, hailed the All Progressives Congress -led government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for mulling the establishment of Armed Forest Guards to smoke criminals out of Nigerian forests to buoy farming and safety of the citizens.

Ogungbemi, who said this in a statement in Ayedun Ekiti, headquarters of Ajoni LCDA, on Wednesday, saluted the federal government for displaying readiness to partner the governor to rid the state of incidences of kidnappings and senseless killings.

Hon (Amb) Prince Ogungbemi Michael, Executive Chairman Ajoni LCDA.

Commending Governor Oyebanji for exhibiting quality leadership to tame criminals in Ekiti, Ogungbemi added that the governor's network with relevant agencies of government like military, police and other security agencies have started bearing positive fruits that would reinforce safety of the citizens.

Like President Tinubu did to Plateau State, Ogungbemi sought the creation of a permanent military base in Ekiti, describing this as another pragmatic way to foster security and ward off criminals elements.

He said Ekiti people were elated with the military personnel deployment and their readiness to comb all criminal infested forests, particularly the sprawling bushes in border areas and government reserves where these goons were carrying out their nefarious activities.

The council boss pleaded with Ekiti communities to cooperate with military by giving veracious information about suspicious movements that would strengthen intelligence gatherings prowess and ingenuity to be able to discharge their duties more effectively and dexterously.

"The whole Ekiti has seen the quality leadership in Governor Oyebanji with massive military deployment after the gory and harrowing experiences of the killings of two prominent traditional rulers and abduction of school children.

"With this action taken by our governor in partnership with the federal government, Ekiti will be hot for these blood sucking criminals wherever they are.

"Those who committing these atrocious and bestial acts are not spirits, they live and even transact businesses in the localities, so our people must be vigilant. They must report every suspected movement to the military for prompt action. This is the best way to make them succeed in the task of restoring safety in our dear state".

On the federal government's proposed establishment of Forest Guards to restore safety in the forests, Ogungbemi, described the policy as apt and timely, saying its personnel will complement the military and local security networks.

" I commend President Tinubu for thinking outside the box to solve this problem. I am particularly happy because the Forest Guards will bear arms. This will give them enough bravery and strength to confront these vampires.

"But I want to suggest that those that will be employed into the Guard should be locals who understand the terrain and geography of the forest areas".

Ekiti Football Referee Council Condemns Cyber Attacks on Super Eagles Player Alex Iwobi.

Ekiti Football Referee Council Condemns Cyber Attacks on Super Eagles Player Alex Iwobi.

Alex Iwobi 

The Ekiti Football Referee Council has condemned the Cyber attacks directed at Super Eagles player Alex Iwobi over the team failure to win the African Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles were dominated in the final game against the host nation, Cote D'Ivoire in the final game played on Sunday and eventually lost 2-1 to the hosts.

This has led to many Nigerians taking to social media to attack some players, including Alex Iwobi over their performance in the final.

While the act has drawn condemnation across board Ekiti State Football Referee Council in a statement made available to newsmen by its chairman, Mr Adesina Oguntuase laid credence to the condemnation of the act.

Ekiti State Football Referee Council Chairman, Mr Adesina Oguntuase.

The Referee boss in the statement said instead of being targeted by bullies, the players should be given a heroic welcome for doing the country proud at the games.

He also charged the Eagles not to be down with the latest outing but rather take lessons from them ahead of the world cup qualifiers

Ekiti Referee's Council Prioritizes Football Development in Courtesy Visit to D.G. Community Communications, Mary Osho.

Ekiti Referee's Council Prioritizes Football Development in Courtesy Visit to D.G. Community Communications, Mary Osho.

By Olamide Akinwumi. 

The imperative need for stakeholders to collaborate and channel efforts towards leveraging sports, particularly football, as a developmental catalyst was underscored during a recent meeting. The Chairman and prominent members of the Ekiti State Referees Council embarked on a courtesy visit to the Director General of Youth Development, Honorable (Mrs.) Mary Osho, at her office in Lady Jibowu, Government House, Ado Ekiti, on Monday, February 12th, 2024.

Present at the meeting from the Referees Council were Chairman, Mr. Oguntuase Adesina; General Secretary, Mr. Adegoke Olusola; Mr. T. Familoyo; Elder O. Agboola; and Prince Kehinde Adetule. In acknowledging the Referees Council's pivotal role in football development within Ekiti State, the Director General expressed her pleasure in hosting and engaging with leaders of the Referees community.

She assured the Council of inclusion in her agency's stakeholder engagement initiatives and pledged to provide adequate support to enhance their activities. Honorable Omotosho emphasized the current administration's fervent commitment, under Governor Oyebanji, to sports as a potent instrument for both economic advancement and youth empowerment.

 Mr. Shina Oguntuase, Chairman Ekiti State Football Referee Council

In response, Mr. Oguntuase, the Chairman of the Ekiti State Football Referee Council, expressed gratitude to the DG and affirmed the Council's unwavering alignment with the State Government's sports development agenda.

The meeting served as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration and charting a course towards advancing football development in Ekiti State.

Access Holdings names Bolaji Agbede as acting CEO.

Access Holdings names Bolaji Agbede as acting CEO.

Access Holdings Plc on Monday announced the appointment of Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.

This follows the death of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe.

Wigwe died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, son, and a former chairman of the Nigeria Exchange Group, Abimboloa Ogunbanjo on Friday last week. 

A statement made by the company’s Board of Directors and dated February 12, 2024, stated that the appointment was subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria

“Further to its announcement dated February 11, 2024, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has today announced the appointment of Ms Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024.

 Access Holdings opens condolence register at head office

“The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the statement read in part.

Agbede who joined Access Bank in 2003 as an Assistant General, has nearly three decades of professional experience cutting across banking and business consultancy services.

She served in different roles at the bank including, Head, Group Human Resources between 2010 and 2022 before she was appointed the company’s founding Executive Director, Business Support in 2022, a role she held until her new appointment

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos and a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Cranfield University UK in 2002.

She is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.

Lagos Assembly pushes for state police.

Lagos Assembly pushes for state police.

In response to the growing threats of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in the country, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the National Assembly to commence urgent constitutional amendment to allow for the creation of state police.

At a plenary session on Monday presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, the Lagos Assembly also called for the proper equipping of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

It was reported last week that two persons were killed, a woman was abducted and four other persons were injured when gunmen struck in the Ikorodu area of Lagos on Wednesday.

The state police command gave the names of the deceased as Suru Arije, 59, and Ilufoye Azeez, 30, while also confirming that four vigilantes were injured during the attack.

A statement on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Eromosele Ebhomele, said the House expressed concern over the pervasive insecurity across the country and in Lagos.

Obasa while speaking under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance,’ said, “At the weekend, we heard of the attack on a commercial bus and the passengers abducted.”

“This time around the National Assembly should be our focus. They don’t have to wait till the twilight of their tenure to start a constitutional amendment.

“This administration is at the beginning of its four years. So, the National Assembly should begin the amendment now and we should be part of it to put an end to the issue of state police,” Obasa said.

LP treasurer seeks probe of N3.5b party funds

LP treasurer seeks probe of N3.5b party funds.

National Treasurer of the Labour Party (LP), Ms. Oluchi Oparah is seeking investigation into the management of the N3.5 billion raked in by the party from the sales of forms and other fundraising activities during the 2023 general election.

She made the demand at a news conference in Abuja yesterday.

The National officer claimed at news conference that she was not being allowed to carry out her assignment of managing the party’s finances as treasurer.

She alleged that the National Chairman of the party, Mr. Julius Abure has not taken comprehensive steps to facilitate an audit of the party’s financial records since the conclusion of the sales of nomination and expression of interests before last year’s elections.

The Lamidi Apapa-led group had also alleged infractions in the party under Abure’s leadership.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Apapa-led group, Abayomi Arabambi, claimed that the funds raised during the 2023 general election were diverted for personal use.

But the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, said Abure did no wrong.

The treasure told reporters yesterday: “I stand before you today with a heavy heart and a sense of duty to the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice.

“As national treasurer, I am constrained to come before you and the public today because the internal mechanisms of our party have failed woefully to bring Mr. Abure to account for his brazen abuse of office…

“His appetite for power has grown unchecked and he has deliberately undermined my duties and authority as stipulated in the party’s constitution.”

Responding, Ifoh denied that the LP earned N3.5 billion, saying that its national chairman, Abure did not embezzle any money belonging to the party.

In a statement yesterday, the LP spokesman said: “The attention of the leadership of the party has been drawn to a news conference by our National Treasurer, Ms. Oluchi Opara, where she raised a number of allegations against the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure bothering more on corruption and abuse of office.

“We want to say that the National Treasurer who is certainly under some external influences merely read out a concocted statement drafted by our detractors to further tar the image of the party.

“With the exception of the national treasurer, whose tenure is about to end in few weeks’ time, and who has served for eight years without a single record of party accounts, no other member of the national working committee has raised any issue of embezzlement against our national chairman, who made a pledge on assumption that the party has to be revamped.

“Evidence is our proactive outing in the 2023 general election as the party presented for the first time a very good presidential candidate.

“Let it be said that the LP has not earned N3.5 billion as claimed and that the national chairman has not embezzled any money that belongs to the party as alleged.

“The records are there, except that Ms. Oluchi Opara doesn’t even understand simple accounting even as a treasurer. An external auditor is engaged by the party and our account is under constant scrutiny of INEC or other regulatory bodies.

“Abure does not own several houses and property as spuriously alleged by our estranged national treasurer, even though no law prohibits him from owning properties.

“The constitution of the LP in Article 14:1b provides that the National Chairman shall be the Accounting Officer of the party while 14:1d ‘Shall approve all expenditures and shall be a signatory to the Party’s Bank account(s).’

“Accordingly, Article 14: 6 states that the National Treasurer shall receive and promptly pay into the Party’s account(s), all monies received for and on behalf of the party.

“Shall ensure the preparation of Annual Statement of Account/Reports on finances of the party, including compilation of the party’s assets and liabilities and make the same available to the National Executive Council from time to time. Shall be a co-signatory to the party account(s).’

“These sections are clear as to the duty of the national chairman apart from providing leadership. The duty of the National Treasurer is also clearly spelt out.

“In the past, the party didn’t have accounting books or methods as it was run by the then chairman and Ms. Oluchi the treasurer. They were only accountable to themselves, but with the emergence of the Abure-led executive, and the growth of the party, it became imperative for the party to structure its accounting method and policy. This of course didn’t go down well with the national treasurer whose financial source was shut down.

“The party can understand her vituperations but we can’t help her situation more so when her time in the NWC is running out. Her wish to cash out was not granted and her subtle effort to push the leadership to ‘settle’ her was rejected hence her resolve to fight dirty.

“It will be recalled that she is alone in this battle. Several stakeholders have had course to prevail on her to bridle her inordinate ambition but all to no avail.

“We are surprised that despite all efforts to assure her of a future, she still went ahead to align with our detractors and sworn enemies of the party.

“The party will definitely take her case to the disciplinary committee where appropriate measures will be taken.”