News, Events and People.

Ondo State Govt. Begins Preparation of 2025 Budget, holds Consultative Meetings With Stakeholders The Ondo State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has commenced consultations with key stakeholders, including market traders, artisans, and community members, to gather input for the drafting of the 2025 fiscal budget. This engagement aims to ensure that the financial plans reflect the needs and expectations of the people, particularly in supporting businesses and improving livelihoods   Ondo State Govt. Begins Preparation of 2025 Budget Preparation with Engagement of Stakeholder The Ondo State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget has commenced consultations with key stakeholders, including market traders, artisans, and community members, to gather input for the drafting of the 2025 fiscal budget. This engagement aims to ensure that the financial plans reflect the needs and expectations of the people, particularly in supporting businesses and improving livelihoods . At the Consu

SA ON INFRASTRUCTURE, AYO BABALOLA CAUTIONS ONDO STATE RESIDENTS AGAINST BUILDING STRUCTURES CLOSE TO RIVER CHANNELS, FOLLOWING FLOODING IN ONDO The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Works and Infrastructure, Pastor Ayo Babalola, has visited the flood ravaged areas in Ondo Town with a team of engineers from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure. At Ita Nla, Ile-Oluji Junction, a shop filled with bags of cement was completely washed away by the floodwaters, with over 300 bags destroyed. It was discovered that the culvert in the area was blocked by silt, and a relaxation spot had been constructed on the water channel, reducing its width and contributing to the flooding. At Oke Odunwo, the culvert was found to be too small to handle the volume of water, causing the flood to overflow and destroy structures within a 50-meter radius along the river's course. Residents of the area reported that the culvert, which had three rings, was over 50 years old and was likely b

  Meta Platforms has paid over $2 billion to content creators on Facebook in the past year, marking an 80% year-over-year increase in payouts for short-form videos and Reels.  Since launching monetization in 2017, more than four million creators have earned from the platform.  To streamline and expand earning opportunities, Meta is launching a new unified Content Monetization platform that consolidates existing programs like in-stream ads, ads on Reels, and performance bonuses.  This beta rollout, initially offered to one million creators, is set to broaden access in the coming months.

  Alarming Disparities: One in Four Black Men in the UK Denied Prostate Cancer Tests Despite Higher Risk A recent report has revealed that one in four Black men in the UK has been refused a prostate cancer test by their GP, despite having double the risk of developing the disease compared to the general male population. A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test can detect early signs of prostate cancer by measuring the level of PSA protein in the blood. However, a survey by Prostate Cancer Research of 2,000 Black men in the UK found that nearly a quarter (24%) who sought the test in the past year were obstructed by their GP. The survey also uncovered deep concerns over discrimination in healthcare: 25% of respondents believed racial bias was preventing them from receiving prostate cancer tests, and almost half (47%) doubted they would receive the same quality of care as white patients under the NHS. The findings are particularly stark for Black men aged 45-54, with 22% reporting that they

  Teenager jailed for 18 months after McDonald’s fight still in prison 18 years United Kingdom: Luke Ings was only 17 when he was sentenced to prison for robbery and involvement in a fight at McDonald’s. Despite being handed a minimum term of just 18 months, Luke, now 36, remains behind bars with no release date in sight. Convicted under the controversial Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentencing, which imposed indefinite jail terms, Luke has now spent 18 years in prison. The IPP sentences were abolished in 2012 due to widespread human rights concerns, but the change wasn’t applied retroactively, leaving nearly 3,000 individuals like Luke trapped without a release date. Luke's mother, Samantha, 57, has expressed her deep anguish over her son's prolonged imprisonment. Luke, held in maximum security at HMP Wakefield alongside some of the UK's most dangerous criminals, has spent his entire adult life behind bars. Samantha fears for her son's mental health, given

 EDO GUBER ELECTIONS: EFCC APPREHENDS VOTE BUYERS IN EGOR LGA The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested several suspects for allegedly engaging in vote buying during the ongoing Edo State gubernatorial election.  The arrests were made in Egor Kical Governbent Area of the State In collaboration with police officers, EFCC operatives were seen apprehending three individuals—two men and one woman—at a polling unit in a Local Government Area (LGA). The suspects were subsequently escorted away from the scene. Vote buying, which involves distributing money or other incentives to influence voters, has become a common malpractice in Nigerian elections. Prior to the election, Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization (CSO), raised concerns that the election might be marred by violence and vote-buying schemes. The group identified several LGAs, including Egor, Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, Etsako West, Etsako East, and Esan South-East, as potential

 Profile:   Ibrahim Aqil, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Friday. Here is an extract: Aqil, who was in his early 60s, had risen through the ranks and reached a senior position in the organization. Exact details of his role are unclear, but the Israel Defense Forces described him as “the head of the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s operations team, the acting commander of the Radwan [special forces] unit.” “He was one of the really senior old-timers but was never really the face of anything. He was always a number two or number three, but had just been promoted in the last five to 10 years,” said Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington and an expert on extremism in Lebanon. Aqil was one of a group of young Shia men originally from the south of Lebanon but living in Beirut who were energized by the 1979 Iranian revolution and recruited by the country’s Revolutionary Guards into a network known initially as Islamic Ji

  SOUTH CAROLINA CARRIES OUT FIRST EXECUTION IN 13 YEARS     In the United States of Americs, Freddie Owens, convicted of murder in 1999, was executed by lethal injection in South Carolina, marking the state's first execution in 13 years. Owens, 46, was sentenced to death for the 1997 killing of Irene Graves, a shop worker, during an armed robbery in Greenville. Despite a last-minute affidavit from his co-defendant, Steve Golden, claiming Owens wasn’t present at the crime, the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected the appeal, citing contradictions with Golden's trial testimony. Owens was executed at Broad River Correctional Institute on Friday evening and was pronounced dead at 18:55 local time. His execution followed a pause due to the state's inability to procure lethal injection drugs. In addition to his murder conviction, Owens also killed a cellmate the day after his 1999 sentencing. Graves, a 41-year-old single mother of three, was shot by Owens after failing to open

  H appy Birthday, Pastor Stephen Rotimi Aworere: A Life and Character in Perfect Sync with Faith.                   By Sunday Ajibola  Once again, I must put my thoughts on paper in recognition of a worthy character. Nigeria has become a society where "anything goes," a place where cheating, stealing, oppression, ungodliness, incompetence, and all manners of misdeeds reign supreme. These anomalies have even crept into the civil service, as many act as though the system is their personal inheritance, granting them the liberty to do as they please. Won nje aye ta lo maa mumi (Who dares call me to order?). Despite this almost total disregard for exemplary good character, a few individuals still stand out. They have deliberately chosen to remain untainted by the widespread poor behavior ( familete kin tuto ) across the board. Man—using that term to cover both genders—has a profound love for popularity. That is why some blow their trumpets themselves or hire others to do it fo

  The Rot Begins at the Top: A King's Dillema By Sunday Ajibola Oba Atunluse woke just after midnight. The last two hours of sleep had been more of a nightmare than rest. These were troubled times—both for his community and for him personally. He replayed in his mind the ugly events of the last few days; no, the past months. The issues had been simmering for a while. Since last week, the people had begun running out of patience with him. The abnormal situation was becoming unbearable. His people could no longer keep their feelings to themselves. For the first time since he ascended the throne many years ago, they told him to his face, "Kabiyesi, you are our king, our ruler. You must find a solution to this menace. These times are not normal for us. We cannot tolerate these strange happenings anymore." King Atunluse knew trouble was looming. His village, Abule Iwa, had become a haven for criminals—thieves and robbers. They had started by stealing chickens and goats, but no

 We Are Fixing Failed Portions With Appropriate Materials, Not Concrete In Ondo -Works Ministry Ministry of Works and Infrastructure in Ondo State has assured the people  of the state that it would continue to fix all the failed portions on the roads across the state with appropriate materials. The Director, Civil Engineering Department, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Funmilayo Oluwatayo gave the assurance on Tuesday while reacting to an allegation by a local blog that the Ministry was patching potholes on the road with concrete materials. Explaining what the reporter misconstrued as concrete materials, Eng. Oluwatayo said the Ministry is filling the potholes with stone-base materials mixed with other materials which are tested in the laboratory before use. He disclosed that the ministry is, on the zero tolerance for potholes order of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, fixing all potholes on the roads. The Director, Civil Engineering Department, Ministry of Works and Infrastructur

 The Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, Pastor Ayo Babalola, has provided an update on the ongoing road projects in the state. Babalola specifically assured that the ShopRite/Oda Road in Akure South Local Government Area would soon be completed and inaugurated by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He disclosed this while assessing the progress of the road project. According to him, the rise in the cost of construction materials has affected the pace of the work because the cost differences must be accommodated. He explained that the governor is working hard to reduce the infrastructure deficit in the state. Babalola stated that the governor approved road projects for the three senatorial districts in the state so that all communities would benefit from the state government's efforts. He said, "If you look at the infrastructure deficit, it's substantial, but Mr. Governor is making efforts to ensure that every part of the state is addressed in terms of road infra

  IFAD/LIFE-ND Ondo Project Office Enhances Farmers' Knowledge with Study Tour of Integrated Farms IFAD/LIFE-ND has intensified its efforts to transform farmers into agribusiness entrepreneurs through the acquisition of knowledge from experts.   To achieve this goal, the project organized study tours for its farmers, introducing them to two successful farmers who have established thriving business entities through agriculture. In the latest tour, selected IFAD/LIFE-ND farmers from eight Local Government Areas, who have already started their own farms, visited integrated farms in Bolorunduro, Akure North, and Igba Community in Ondo East.  At Miracle Integrated Farms in Bolorunduro, the CEO, Mr. Babatunde Akande emphasized the timeless significance of farming, stating, "Farming is the only human activity that has been with man since the beginning and will continue to be essential. Anyone can choose to avoid other professions or businesses, but farming is indispensable. It ensu

 Ondo State: Oba Iralepo's Court where matters are settled Free of Charge Over a hundred years ago, before the integration of south and northern Nigeria protectorates, the Igbejo or Ugbejo Oralopo at Ita-Owa in Isinkan in present day Akure West LCDA hosted the Supreme Court of the ancient kingdom.  The court settled issues, especially those escalated by any member of the Uharefa, the then six highest-ranked High Chiefs of Isinkan.  The Court decided whether or not there was to be the death penalty and placed the condemned at a place called Imogun near the present site of the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Isinkan. Except in very rare cases, it was also at Imogun that the death sentence was executed. One of the most prominent criminal cases tried in the Court of the Iralepo was the trial of Okpele Erebor, the Ezomo who raided Akure and nearby peripheral towns in 1818 on behalf of the Oba of Edo and murdered women and children at Ulafon where a relation of the Oba of Isinkan was the B

    Government Stresses Importance of Breast milk for Children as  Ondo State Celebrates Commencement of World Breastfeeding  Week   . ....525 nursing mothers breastfeed children. Ondo State on Friday joined the rest of Nigeria and the International Community in the celebration of 2024 World Breastfeeding Week. In a message to the event, held at the International Event Centre,  The Dome, in Akure, the First Lady, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa emphasized the critical importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. The wife of the Governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, reiterated that workplaces in the state are being adapted to support nursing mothers, highlighting the state's commitment to providing conducive environments for breastfeeding. She noted that Ondo State places significant priority on maternity leave for nursing mothers and also allows m

 EU Tax Club Dinner: Aiyedatiwa Charges Stakeholders On New Innovations in Tax Collection Stakeholders have been called upon to brainstorm on new innovations and approaches towards the collection of taxes. Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, made the call at the Elizade University (EU) Tax Club Dinner tagged 'Evening Deduction 2024' held at the State Internal Revenue Learning Center, Akure, the state capital. Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince Olusegun Omojuwa, commended the organizers of the Elizade University Tax Club Dinner, saying the event will educate Nigerians on the importance of paying taxes to the government. Aiyedatiwa said despite the current economic situation in the country, the government should still find ways to generate tax revenue for the development of the state and the country. While reiterating the need to find new approaches and innovations on how to collect taxes, he said it must be done according to the features of taxation, w

 By SUNDAY AJIBOLA  HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY: LETS REMEMBER A POLITICIAN, WHO TOUCHED LIVES. Today, the 12th day of June is unique in the annals of the political history of Nigeria. It was on this day in 1993, that is, 32 years, ago that all Nigerians jettisoned our self-inflicted, divisive differences and voted as one.  We all chose Chief M.K.O Abiola to be our President. The election was annulled by enemies of the people. The annulment led to widespread protests and resulted in ousting of the military from office in 1999. 25 years have gone that civilians have been running the affairs of the country. We are celebrating the return of democracy, a system of government popularly known as, government of the people, by the people and for the people. We ought to be in high spirits, roll out the drums and give thanks to God over our turn around for good.    However, it is gloom, regret and indifference everywhere. Nobody should blame the people for being unenthusiastic about today's Democra

 ONDO TO COMMENCE ENTERPRENEURAL TRAINING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.    The Ondo State government has announced its intention to inculcate enterpreneural skills in Secondary school students.       Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Laolu Akindolire stated this on Monday at Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Akure.  He had led the Ministry management to assess Schools resumption for the third term of the 2023/24 Academic Session in the state.    Akundolire explained that the program will be used to impart skills the students could use to earn money, become self-employed and employers of labour in future. "We want our young ones to become entrepreneurs and employers of labour as against while collar job seekers. We will collaborate with the Ondo State Enterpreneural Agency to carry out the skill impartation. The students will come for the skill acquisition over the weekends. With the skills, they will have something to fall back on later in the future."    The Commi