Ondo State Archives | Trendbrio.com

Ondo Assembly, PROMAD to Sign MoU on Public Projects Tracking—Oladiji

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly (ODHA), has expressed the readiness of the legislative arm of the Ondo State Government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PROMAD Infotech Foundation. Rt. Hon. Oladiji, who was represented by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu announced the plan while speaking at the closeout ceremony for the 18 fellows of the Social Accountability Fellowship organised in the State by PROMAD in Akure on Tuesday. The speaker disclosed to the gathering that discussions were ongoing with the Management of PROMAD to increase the number of fellows from 18 to 26, so that each state constituency will be duly represented. He said, “This is a first-of-its-kind initiative, and the House has adopted it. I urge the fellows to remain steadfast and committed to securing a better future for our State.” He said the MoU would strengthen collaboration for citizen oversight to track, monitor and report government projects in their communities to the House. In June, PROMAD commenced the implementation of Strengthening Participation, Accountability and Transparency in States (SPATS) with the support of ALDA—European Association for Local Democracy, under the WYDE Civic Engagement Project, and implemented in collaboration with European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), Elbarlament, People in Need, and the European Partnership for Democracy and funded by the European Union (EU). As part of its advocacy under SPATS, PROMAD has engaged the Ondo State House of Assembly and other relevant government agencies to promote participatory and accountable governance in the State. When the MoU is signed, a new paradigm for citizens, especially young people in the State, to co-oversight public projects and directly make findings known to their lawmakers for speedy interventions. This will further strengthen the successes recorded by PROMAD under its flagship social accountability, FollowTheProjects, which is developing a new dashboard for real-time project monitoring and providing more accessibility to Nigerians.

Tragedy Hits AAUA as Student Is Killed by Boyfriend; NANS Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

Less than three weeks after the brutal murder of two undergraduates of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State, the university community has once again been thrown into mourning following the death of Joy Adeyemi, a student of the Department of Human Kinetics, allegedly killed by her boyfriend. Joy, who was declared missing earlier in the week, was discovered dead and locked inside her boyfriend’s room, following a foul odour that alerted neighbors to the apartment. She was reportedly stabbed to death on Tuesday, and the suspect—a resident of the university town—has since fled and remains at large. “It was neighbours that raised the alarm when they noticed the terrible smell coming from the room,” said a local resident. “She operated a POS business in the area, and after the murder, the suspect allegedly fled with her business money.” The shocking incident has sparked outrage and protests from AAUA students, who took to the streets carrying placards and chanting “Stop killing us!” The students demanded urgent intervention from the Ondo State Government and security agencies, citing a growing pattern of targeted violence against students. NANS Condemns Killings, Issues Ultimatum In response to the incident, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee, condemned the recurring attacks and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government and security agencies to take decisive action. In a joint statement, Comrade Adekanye Adeboye (Chairman) and Oladele Emmanuel (Secretary) described the attacks as “appalling” and “a gross security failure.” “The National Association of Nigerian Students is appalled and deeply saddened by the recent wave of killings targeting students of Adekunle Ajasin University,” the statement read. “In light of these tragic events, we demand that the perpetrators be immediately apprehended, and that robust security measures be put in place to safeguard students. If our demands are not met within 24 hours, we will mobilize all student structures nationwide for a massive peaceful protest in Ondo State.” Police Confirm Arrests, Investigation Ongoing Confirming the incident, Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, said three suspects have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others connected to the crime. “We have arrested three suspects and are actively working to track down others still at large,” Ayanlade stated. AAUA Urges Calm, Promises Justice In his reaction, Mr. Victor Akinpelumi, Head of Media and Protocol at AAUA, appealed for calm among students and assured that the university is working closely with security agencies. “We urge our students not to take the law into their own hands. Let the police conduct a thorough investigation. We are confident that justice will be served,” he said. The killing of Joy Adeyemi adds to growing concerns about insecurity in and around the university community, with students and residents calling for urgent and long-term solutions to end the violence.

Ondo Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader Resign

Fola Badmus4 months ago4 months ago04 mins

The Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan has resigned his position, citing the need to align with the conventional arrangement of elective position in the state. The resignation letter of the former deputy speaker – representing Ilaje Constituency 1, – who is the son of the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, was read at the floor of the Assembly by the Clerk, Benjamin Jayeiola. Akinruntan, who was absent during the plenary, was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly in June 2023, a position he occupied until his resignation. The resignation letter read: “I hereby tender my resignation from the office of the Deputy Speaker effective from today, 2nd June, 2025. Recall the House was inaugurated June, 2023 and I was unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker by members as stipulated in our standing order. “My resignation is borne out of the need to align with the conventional arrangement in power sharing of elective positions in the state. I want to appreciate all members and staff for their contributions and support.” Following Akinruntan’s resignation, the lawmaker representing Okitipupa Constituency 2, Ololade Gbegude was subsequently nominated by Oluwatoyin Japheth (Akoko North East Constituency) and seconded by Chris Ayebusiwa (Okitipupa Constituency 1) as the new Deputy Speaker. Following the nomination of Gbegudu, which was not contested, he was subsequently sworn in as the Deputy Speaker with the pledge that he will serve in his new role with due diligence. Similarly, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, also stepped down from his position, with the lawmaker representing Ose Constituency, Olatunji Oshati, announced as the new Majority Leader. Also, Muritala Sulaiman, representing Akoko South East, was announced as the new Chief Whip, while Fabiyi Olatunji, Odigbo Constituency 1, becomes the Whip of the Assembly. The Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, commended the former deputy speaker and the erstwhile majority leader for their maturity. He said: “He (Akinruntan) has been a peaceful ally. He has support the house. I want to appreciate him for the maturity displayed for ensuring a peaceful transition. “The same thing goes to the former majority leader. He has been a stabilizer in the House and also a good and dependable ally.” It was gathered that the change of the positions of the principal officers became imperative in order to balance the unwritten elective political arrangements in the state. Akinruntan and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hail from the same Ilaje Local Council Area of the state, while the erstwhile Majority Leader, Ogunmolasuyi is from Owo Local Council, where the Deputy Governor, Olayide Adelami hails from.

Herdsmen Attacks in Ondo State Spark Protests with Slain Farmers’ Bodies

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Tension has surged in Ondo State following the recent herdsmen attacks in Akure North Local Government Area, where four farmers were killed on Tuesday. The killings prompted a large protest by angry youths and farmers, who brought the bodies of the victims to Akure in a desperate attempt to draw attention to the ongoing violence. The attack took place at the 13/13 farm settlement in the Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan, highlighting the growing insecurity linked to herdsmen attacks in the state. In a dramatic show of outrage, protesters—comprising farmers, youths, and residents—barricaded the entrance to the Ondo State Secretariat in Alagbaka, Akure, placing the bodies of the slain farmers at the gate. The protest caused a major traffic jam, stranding commuters and motorists for hours. Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards, the demonstrators demanded justice and an end to the silence surrounding the repeated herdsmen attacks in the state. Speaking on the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, SP Alayande Olayinka, confirmed the killings and the ongoing protest. He assured the public that tactical police units had been deployed to the affected community to prevent further violence. Despite the police’s efforts, the state government has not issued an official statement, leading many protesters to view the lack of response as negligence or indifference to their suffering. The traditional ruler of Adeshina Community, Chief Taiwo Samuel, also condemned the attacks, criticizing the government for failing to protect farmers. He noted that herdsmen attacks had become a regular occurrence in the state, with more than 20 farmers killed in Akure North alone over the past month. Chief Samuel warned that if the government does not take immediate action, communities may be forced to resort to self-defense, even if it means taking up arms.

Ondo Governor sacks commissioners, special advisers

Fola Badmus8 months ago8 months ago01 mins

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dissolved the State Executive Council with immediate effect. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution “due to the critical nature of their duties.” A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, listed the two cabinet members as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac. The statement directed all affected cabinet members to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries. Aiyedatiwa thanked the EXCO members for their service and contributions to the development of the state under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours.

APC’s Aiyedatiwa wins Ondo Governorship election

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago01 mins

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has won the Ondo State governorship election. Aiyedatiwa defeated the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi, securing the majority of votes across the state’s 18 local government areas. Aiyedatiwa scored 366,781 votes, while Ajayi polled 117,835 votes across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State. See full results: ONDO STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION RESULTS (UPDATED) 1– Akure North APC 14, 451 PDP 5, 787 2–Okitipupa APC 26, 811PDP 10, 233 3—Akoko NortheastAPC 25, 657PDP 5, 072 4—Akure SouthAPC 32, 969PDP 17, 926 5—Ose –APC 16, 555PDP 4, 472 6—Akoko NorthwestAPC (25, 010)PDP 5, 502 7—Akoko Southeast –APC 12, 140PDP 2, 692 8—Ondo WestAPC 20, 755PDP 6, 387 9—OwoAPC 31, 914PDP 4, 740 10–-Akoko SouthwestAPC 29, 700PDP 5, 517 11—IreleAPC 17, 117PDP 6, 601 12–-IfedoreAPC 14, 157PDP 5, 897 13—Ondo EastAPC 8, 163PDP 2, 843 14 —Ile Oluji/Oke-IgboAPC 16, 600PDP 4, 442 15—–ldanre .APC 9, 114PDP 8, 940 Ilaje LGAPC 24,474PDP 3623LP 176 Ese Odo LGAPC 14511PDP 7814 Odigbo LGAPC 26683PDP 9348

EFCC monitors Ondo Governorship Election

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago01 mins

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, November 16, filed out to monitor the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State. The monitoring exercise is aimed at checkmating vote buying and selling or other form of electoral offences. It is also meant to ensure utmost integrity of the electoral processes. Operatives are all over the state in line with the mandate of the Commission to prevent, investigate and prosecute all forms of economic and financial crimes.

Ondo: Tinubu urges peaceful Governorship election

Fola Badmus10 months ago10 months ago02 mins

As Ondo State prepares for its off-cycle governorship election, President Bola Tinubu has urged all political stakeholders and the electorate to uphold peace and decorum and fulfil their civic responsibilities without fear before or after the elections.