ODIGBO NEWSPAPER

Bill for an Act to amend the Nigeria Ports Authority Act Cap N126 LFN 2004 to provide for the establishment of Araromi Seafront Port in Ilaje, Ondo State (Establishment) (S.B. 684) Passes Second Reading at the Senate.  The bill seeks to amend the Nigeria Ports Authority Act Cap N126 LFN 2004 to provide for the establishment of Araromi Seafront Port in Ilaje local government area of Ondo state.  Leading the debate on the general principle of the bill, Senator Tofowomo said the Araromi Seafront port in Ilaje, Ondo State when established would serve 5 states ( Edo, Osun, Ondo, Kogi and Ekiti States) and would decongest Apapa and Tin Can Ports; reduce traffic flow to these mentioned states, create employment for teeming and qualified youths and the economy of the country would improve meaningfully.  The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Transport to report back within four weeks. Details later...

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it may detain unverified private aircraft after the 30 days importation verification deadline given to owners elapses on July 6. Odigbo news reports that at a briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Public Relations Officer of Customs, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, said so far, only six owners of private aircraft have responded to the invitation since the verification window opened on June 7, 2021. “The Service believes that owners of private aircraft are highly-placed individuals who would be willing to comply with extant laws of the land governing importation of the aircraft they own, this includes payments of all appropriate duties and taxes,” Attah said. He also asked owners of private aircraft or their representatives to report to the Customs headquarters in Abuja before July 6, with the necessary documents that include Aircraft Certificate of Registration, NCAA’s Flight Operations Compliance Certificate (FOCC), NCAA’s Maintenance...

An early morning downpour on Tuesday led to the leaking of the National Assembly roof with water splashing to the lobby of the federal parliament.   The leaking roof also spread to the Press Centre in the Senate wing of the nation's apex legislative institution.  The leadership of the National Assembly had in 2020 approved N37bn for the renovation of the edifice, built about 27 years ago. Cleaners had a hectic time scooping water from the floor while the development delayed the sitting of the senators who resumed on Tuesday after a one-week break to mark the end of their second legislative year.

The Ondo State Government has dismissed afake news being disseminated on social media on recruitment of new secondary school teachers. This is contained in a statement signed by Tolu Adeyemi, Permanent Secretary, Ondo state Teaching Service Commission and a copy obtained by Odigbo News at the weekend. Adeyemi said, “the attention of the Teaching Service Commission has been drawn to the growing speculation on a purported recruitment exercise undertaken by the body. “For the avoidance of doubt, members of the public are enjoined to disregard the rumour as it is totally false. “There is no recruitment exercise at the moment. The Commission has also not authorised anyone to act on its behalf in that regard,” Adeyemi said

ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT FACILITATES BAIL (RELEASE FROM CUSTODY) OF KEMISOLA OGUNNIYI, THE WOMAN WHO DELIVERED A CHILD IN CUSTODY. My attention has been drawn to the news item widely circulated on social media since the 17th of June 2021 in respect of Kemisola Ogunniyi, a defendant in an ongoing criminal trial before the Ondo State High Court, who recently delivered a child while in remand and awaiting trial. The facts of this case will not be discussed in the public domain in view of the pendency of the matter before the court; this is because any pronouncement of this office in respect of the facts of the case may prejudice the mind of the court. However, preliminary investigations into the status/progress of the case shows that, Kemisola Ogunniyi was arrested along with 3 (three) other suspects, by the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, during the curfew imposed in Ondo State to curb the riots that took place in the wake of the EndSARS protest in October 2020 at the premis...

ILE-OLUJI/OKEIGBO DISTRIBUTION OF POLLING UNITS 2021(PU) 1.Ile-Oluji 1 11 (3 New) 2.Ile-Oluji 2 17 (8 New) 3.Ile-Oluji 3 14 (3 New) 4.Ile-Oluji 4 16 (8 New) 5.Ile-Oluji 5 33 (1 New) 6.Ile-Oluji 6 30 (5 New) 7.Okeigbo1 17 (2 New) 8.Okeigbo 2 12 (4 New) 9.Okeigbo 3 18 (0 New) 10.Okeigbo 4 23(0 New) OKITIPUPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTION OF POLLING UNITS (PU) 2021 Ayeka/Igbodigo 22 (5 new) Erinje 19 (0 new) Igbotako 1 25 (1 new) Igbotako II 14 (0 new) IjuOdo/Erekiti 16 (0 new) Ikoya/Oloto 20 (0 new) Ilutitun I 18 (0 new) Ilutitun II 18 (0 new) Ilutitun III 24 (1 new) Aye I 19 (0 new) Aye II 14 (0 new) Okitipupa I 25 (5 new)z Okitipupa II 35 (11 new) Total PU 269 (23 new) ILAJE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (NEW PU’S) Aheri Ward – 3 New Etikan Ward – 2 New Mahin Ward I – 0 New Mahin Ward II – 1 New Mahin Ward III – 3 New Mahin Ward IV – 0 New Ugbo I – 2 New Ugbo II – 1 New Ugbo III – 2 New Ugbo IV – 1 New Ugbo V – 3 New Ugbo VI – 3 New Ese-Odo Local Government (New PUs) Apoi I – 2 New Apoi II – 4 New ...

A Frenchman, Damien Tarel, 28, has been sentenced to four months in jail for slapping his president, Emmanuel Macron. Tarel attacked Macron when the French president was shaking hands with members of the public during a trip in France’s Drome region. Tarel said that several days ahead of Macron’s visit to the region, he had thought about throwing an egg or a cream tart at the president. However, he said, slapping Macron slap was not premeditated. “I think that Macron represents very neatly the decay of our country,” he told the court, according to BFM TV. “If I had challenged Macron to a duel at sunrise, I doubt he would have responded.” He added that he was angered by Macron's "friendly" looks.

•Says His Administration Not Discriminating With Project Distribution  Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said that his administration is not in the least bit discriminatory in the distribution of projects in the state.  Governor Akeredolu made the remark at Araromi-Obu during the commissioning of the 5.44 kilometers of the township road.  The commissioning was part of the activities lined up in commemoration of the Governor’s first 100 days of his second term in office.  The Governor said roads have been commissioned in Akure in the central senatorial district while he will be in Ifon in the Northern Senatorial District to commission another road and also handover the Oba Isreal Adeusi General hospital tomorrow.  Arakunrin Akeredolu said the 5.44km Araromi-Obu township road was constructed to provide connectivity, safety and comfort that would enhance the life expectancy of the people in the community.  “This project...

•Flags off Second Dose Vaccination In Ondo  Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has received the second dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.  He received the vaccine on Wednesday alongside his wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.  The speaker of the State House of Assembly, represented by the Chairman, House committee on Information and Sports, Hon. Gbenga Omole; other members of the House; Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; and other members of the State Executive Council among other dignitaries and top government functionaries were at the event.  Recall that Governor Akeredolu received the first jab on March 10, 2021.  The Governor, who flagged off the second dose vaccination, commended the level of acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine by the people of the State.  Arakunrin Akeredolu said the acceptance was evidenced by the...

A member of the House of Representatives, Ben Igbakpa, has said that if the Federal Government insists on carrying out its threat to arrest and prosecute those still using Twitter despite its suspension, then it should start with the opposition lawmakers. Igbakpa was one of the lawmakers who walked out of parliament on Tuesday, after the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila failed to grant their prayers on the #TwitterBan. Tweeting after the incident, Igbakpa said, “We reached the unfortunate juncture where party politics overtook the sanctity of national interest and objective leadership in  @HouseNGR. As representatives of our people, we are disappointed that our privileges are suppressed in favour of executive impunity. We walked out today. "We have to #KeepitOn. I never stopped using Twitter because I recognized it is a violation of my right as a person. #TwitterbaninNigeria is a demonstration of the height of the shortcoming of the executive." In response to a  tweet, ...

Says; “THE DEATH OF MY SON WAS REALLY PAINFUL TO ME, YOUR PRAYERS HAVE KEPT ME” The General Overseer of The Gospel Faith Mission International, Pastor (Dr) Elijah Oludele Abina opened up on the death of his first son, the Late Pastor Emmanuel Folorunsho Abina who passed on to glory on the 28th of April 2021 and was buried on 28th May, 2021. Daddy Abina started by appreciating all the members of GOFAMINT worldwide for standing by him during the period.  In his words, he said, “words cannot capture the level of my gratitude to you all for all that you did for me during my son’s passing. “  He said further, I really feel your prayers and they worked for me.  On how the death of his son has affected him as a father, he said, it was very painful for me, but the Lord is seeing me through.  In fact, I used to write it that God is good to me. I still write it after my son’s passing, that God is good to me. Pastor (Dr) Elijah Abina made these statements as part of...

•Inaugurates 503 Fresh Intake  •Commissions 20 Patrol Vehicles  Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said crime is a local issue that should be addressed with a large dose of home-grown content.  The Governor noted that Amotekun Security Corps initiative is a baby of necessity conceived as a home-grown approach to solving the plethora of security challenges that have put the people on the edge.  Governor Akeredolu spoke on Tuesday at the passing-out ceremony for the newly recruited Amotekun Corps officers held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the state capital.  The event was part of the activities marking the first 100 days of Governor Akeredolu's second term.  The Governor also commissioned 20 new patrol vehicles to boost the operations of the state security network.  He unveiled the Roadmap to Internal and Border Security in Ondo state, assuring that the state shall become the safest a...

Members of the House Representatives have resolved to invite the Minister of Culture and Information, Lai Mohammed in a bid to investigate the legality of the Twitter ban by the Federal Government. The decision was reached on Tuesday during plenary. The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, in his speech directed the House Committees on Justice, Commerce, and Information to investigate the process that led to the suspension of the microblogging site. The Speaker said the House recognises that Twitter is a very important means of communication. According to him, the social networking service has been used for both good and bad and the legislature must make sure that the policies of government are in accordance with the law and do not have adverse consequences on the people. He directed relevant committees of the House to constitute a single committee and commence investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ban, and its legality. The committee, however, agreed to ...

•Makes Case For Controlled Cultivation Of Plant For Medical Use •As Legislators, Pharmacists, Investors, Medical Personnel, Others Hold Round Table Discussion on Benefits, Opportunities of Cannabis Plant, CBD Oil  Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said controlled cultivation of the cannabis plant for medical usage and exportation will generate several billions of dollars and provide thousands of jobs for the teeming youths.  Governor Akeredolu said the global market of Medicinal cannabis in 2019 was put at 52.8 billion Dollars.  He added that the market forecast is an average of 14.5% increase from year 2020 to reach 103.9 billion dollars by 2024. Arakunrin Akeredolu charged stakeholders on the need to break the barrier of misconception occasioned by ignorance and ill-information on cannabis plant and CBD oil in the country.  The Governor said what is important is the need to have controlled cultivation of the cannabis plant f...

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN receives the news of the death of Pastor Temitope Balogun Joshua with a heavy heart.  Governor Akeredolu says the renowned man of God was a blessing to humanity and a great Ambassador of the Sunshine State whose Ministry was noted for charity.  "Undoubtedly, Pastor Joshua's demise came as a rude shock. The pains are not mere emotional flashes; they are indeed piercing. The Ondo-born Pastor and Televangelist was a philanthropist whose exit will be sorely missed by many.  "Pastor Joshua was committed to giving and was more often, inexorably imbued with calmness while lifting the downtrodden. As a televangelist, he did not just win souls for Christ, he was passionate about changing lives. "He demonstrated timelessly, an alluring service to humanity and compassion by assisting not only his home local government, Akoko North West. Other adjoining local governments in Akoko land benefitted from his large ...

Hon. Akinnubi Victor via his Facebook page appreciates every one who celebrated his birthday yesterday June 05. "I want to use this medium to appreciate u all for celebrating my bday yesterday, ur calls, SMS, social media posts and comments really gave me joy.. I pray we all live long to be celebrated in Jesus name (Amen)"

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday commissioned a newly built first of its kind Government House Mosque for Muslim faithful.  The Governor named the mosque after the erstwhile Chairman of the state Muslim Welfare Board, Late Alhaji Khaleel Fawehinmi, who died last year.  He said the construction of the mosque inside the Government House exemplifies the essence of unity in diversity, love and peaceful coexistence.  The commissioning was part of the activities marking the 100 days of his second term in office.  Governor Akeredolu said: "I wish to remember my late friend and erstwhile Chairman of the Muslims Welfare Board, Alhaji Khaleel Fawehinmi, (may Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus) who worked assiduously towards the actualisation of this project and also the Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Infrastructure, Engr (Alhaji) Raimi Aminu and his team who also contributed in no...

The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence. The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria. Segun Adeyemi Special Assistant To The President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture Abuja 4 June 2021

•Performs Groundbreaking Amidst Cheers Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday laid the foundation of a new Governor’s Lodge at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.  He said his administration is embarking on the construction of a new Governor’s Lodge because the state does not have one, adding that shelter cannot be abrogated in human's scale of preference.  Governor Akeredolu disclosed that the Governor’s Lodge built by the immediate past administration has several defects which pose a huge threat to human living, noting that the poorly constructed building appears to be weak and may collapse anytime. He said: "Our first reaction to the ugly development was to involve the best of cost-effective steps to put to good use the facilities. In pursuant of this, qualified and experienced building experts were invited to work with our in-house professionals to carry out due diligence and survey on the structures.  "The obje...

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim, says corps members are part of the national defence policy of Nigeria and can be mobilised for war if need be. Ibrahim said this while reacting to moves to scrap the NYSC scheme in an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, June 3. According to him, “Corps members are on reserve. They are part of the national defence policy of this country. So, where there is serious war, our corps members are educated, they are knowledgeable and they can be trained. You see the drill and so on. You can imagine within the short three weeks in the orientation camps, the corps members are moulded. They are like soldiers. You see female corps members blowing the army horn, playing with the military band. So, if not for the knowledge, where are you going to mobilise such young Nigerians to train them quickly to put in their best for the country? So, corps members are on reserve. They are also part of ...

The lawmaker representing Ile-oluji/Oke-igbo & Odigbo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Akinfolarin Mayowa has reinforce Nigeria Police Force Area Command Ore with a Siena Bus. Hon Amidu Takuro and Ifesowapo Elders forum on Thursday, 3rd of June 2021 handed over the vehicle to the command in Ore, Odigbo LG. The operational vehicle is parts of the people’s representative effort to support Nigeria police to help them in the fight against, crime, banditry, armed robbery and kidnapping. Recalled that Some months ago, the Ifesowapo elders forum met with Rt. Hon Akinfolarin Mayowa and requested for 3 ( three) projects from him, which are, i) patrol Vehicle for the police to aid their work ii)completion of Sabo – Show boy road and iii)completion of Ore Civic Center. Within the space of three(3) months from the time the request was made the people’s representative who is also the Chairman House committee on FRSC ha...