Ondo State Government

Budget

2021 Ondo State Budget. Click here for more

Cocoa

Largest producers of cocoa in Nigeria

ICT

Universities of national and international repute with growing ICT and innovation programs

Tourism

Ondo State’s majestic scenery makes it an ideal location for movie production

Manufacturing

The State is known as a major source of timber for construction and furniture making in Nigeria

Oil and Gas

Produces 12% of the nation's Oil and gas

Bitumen

Largest bitumen deposit in Nigeria

Executive Governor Of Ondo State

Oluwarotimi
Odunayo
Akeredolu

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Latest news

Port Ondo, others our 2nd Term targets —Akeredolu

Mar 2, 2021

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday disclosed that his administration’s investment and industrialization drive will be accelerated in the next four years of his second term.
The Governor, particularly, pointed that the Port Ondo and other iconic projects will remain the signature projects in his second term industrialization strategy.
He declared this at the thanksgiving service held to commemorate his successful second term inauguration and his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The Special Thanksgiving Service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Andrew’s, Imola, Owo, rounded off the six-day activities lined up for the inauguration which started last week Tuesday February 22 , attracted dignitaries across the country.
The church auditorium was full to the brim with dignitaries from all walks of life including the Governor’s mother, Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.
Other dignitaries included: The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, his wife and several other Archbishops, Bishops and Priests within and outside the state.
While hoping that more investors will find the Sunshine State an investment destination, Governor Akeredolu said he will keep on encouraging investment in agriculture and agro-allied industries as a way of generating gainful employment opportunities for the teeming populace.
He assured that his administration will not hold back on its drive for excellence in education with needed attention to secondary schools, both in structure and in staffing, adding that all his administration’s programmes will continue to be pursued with a renewed vigour.
“We are hopeful that more investors will find our dear State the investment destination of this country.
Education, Agriculture and Human Capacity Development will continue to receive the needed fillip.
“We will not hold back on our drive for excellence in education. We will give the much needed attention to our secondary schools, both in structure and in staffing. We will keep on encouraging investment in agriculture and agro-allied industries as a way of generating gainful employment opportunities for our teeming populace. Generally, all our programmes will continue to be pursued with a renewed vigour”, the Governor emphasised.
The Governor also expressed confidence that his new deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would be an added value to his administration.
He used the occasion to appreciate his mum, Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, who was physically present at the service and who also turned 89 years few days ago, for her support and prayers at all times.
Akeredolu, thanked God for everything he has done in his life, said his past four years have been service to God and the people of the state.
The Governor who disclosed that the occasion was not a time for speech making but to give thanks to God, further revealed that his next four years would ensure accelerated investment and industrialisation drive.
He equally thanked the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, his wife for finding time to personally grace the occasion. He appreciated all Archbishops, Bishops and priests of the Church of Nigeria, all invited guests including traditional rulers who came to rejoice with him, saying the honour done him by the visit would remain evergreen in his memory.
In his sermon, Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on his inauguration for a second term in office as Governor of the Sunshine State.
He lauded Governor Akeredolu who is also the Chancellor of Owo Diocese, Anglican Communion, for deeming it fit to come to the presence of God to appreciate Him and commit the second term in office in His hand, saying it is clear that his second term would be full of more achievements and successes.
According to him, the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving brought to God by the Governor has shown that the Governor has not taken what God has done in his life for granted, stressing that by starting with God, his latter glory shall be greater than the former.
The Primate who described governor Akeredolu as a pride to Christendom and particularly the Anglican Church, also encouraged the governor not to weaver on his commitment to the service of God and the people with assurance of divine covering for him to perform better and greater than his first tenure.
He observed that leadership in Nigeria today is more challenging than before because of insecurity including banditry, kidnapping, herdsmen attacks, corruption among others, which have ravaged the country.
He, however, expressed confidence that despite the numerous challenges, Nigeria would stand and no enemy would break up the country.

Ondo Amotekun debunks death, kidnap of leader

Feb 15, 2021

Contrary to insinuations, the Ondo State Security Network Agency known as Amotekun Corps has not lost any single element or officer in its bid to flush out criminal herders in the state.
The Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye made the clarification during a press parley with journalists in Akure.
Adeleye disclosed that no cross fire had occurred between the herders and the Corps men to necessitate the loss of lives as being speculated.
He explained that the Coordinator of the network in Owo, Sesan Adebayo who was alleged to have been abducted by herders is alive and at his duty post.
Adeleye who confirmed that two persons, a farmer and a vigilante were murdered by the criminal gang said four persons suspected to have burnt an operational vehicle and motorcycles of the Agency at Jugbere farm settlement in Owo have been arrested.
He also hinted that the suspects were not herdsmen, but arsonists and illegal miners who set ablaze government property or destroyed farm settlement in the area.
“On the issue of arrest, we arrested a number of suspects that are directly connected from the preliminary investigations with either kidnapping, illegal mining, armed robbery in the farmland and farm destruction.
“We’re working on that and in the appropriate time, they will be handed over to the relevant security agencies for further investigations and prosecution where necessary.”
Adeleye said that the coordinator of the operation in Owo, Sesan Adebayo was neither kidnapped nor missing as speculated in the media.
“In one of the operations that we’re involved in, it’s alleged that so many members of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps were killed.
” I want to say that not a single soul out of the ones I recruited died at any point in time. And specifically on the Owo Ute incident, no single member of the corps or officer died during this particular operation.
“There was actually no crossfire between the herdsmen and Amotekun Corps.
“So, the area where the crisis actually happened was predominantly occupied by the workers of this dastardly act. What I mean by that is some of them are either working as kidnappers or working as illegal miners. A good number of them also had their cattle destroying the farm settlement and the farm around.
“In the cause of the quarrel, they went to a nearby village and even set it ablaze and our vehicle happened to be parked around that same village which they set ablaze.

Insecurity- ODHA to receive Anti-Open Grazing Bill

Feb 12, 2021

Baring last minute changes, the Ondo state government will any moment from now send Anti-Open Grazing Bill to the State House of Assembly for proper scrutiny and subsequent passage into law.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, who disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held in Akure, the Ondo state capital, said the proposed bill was part of Governor Akeredolu’s determined efforts to stem the tide of rising insecurity and herders/farmers clashes across the state.

The Council particularly lauded the exploits of the Amotekun Corps in the fight against criminal elements, and called for more support from all and sundry in terms of intelligence gathering and information dissemination to rid the state of kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, banditry, herders/farmers clashes and other form of criminal activities.

The Council also approved the procurement of 20 more operational vehicles for the use of Amotekun Corps, apart from the recruitment of additional 500 personnel to strengthen the Corps to step up their activities and performance for the safety of all.

To further reduce crimes and criminality, the government reinforced the earlier ban on the operation of motorcycle operators beyond 6pm, saying that enforcement would begin immediately and anybody caught would be brought to book.

Speaking on the details of the Anti-Open Grazing Bill, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, explained that the bill would regulate rearing and grazing of livestock in any part of the state, while it would also provide for establishment of ranches and other matters related thereto.

According to him, the objective of the executive bill was to prevent further destruction of farm crops, property as well as communities, just as it would also prevent herders/farmers clashes.
Titiloye added that the objective was also regulate and support the growth of livestock farming and manage the environmental impacts of open livestock grazing as well as prevent, control and manage the spread of diseases and ease implementation of policy that would enhance production of livestock both for local and export markets.

“The law is to promote modern techniques of animal husbandry, particularly rearing of livestock. By coming on board of this law, the government intends to checkmate criminal activities of those hiding under legitimate business of herders in Ondo state to engage in nefarious activities including kidnapping.

“Part of the law is to make it an offence for anybody involves in this business to carry gun or any weapon either in the forest reserves or anywhere. It will be tantamount to armed robbery and it is punishable under this law”, he stressed.

The Attorney General further revealed that government would also designate certain areas for open grazing and ranching, adding that government is putting in place a balanced system of rearing animals to ensure security of lives and property of all the residents.

He added that government would create its own ranches and also grant applications from private individuals to set up ranches, just as two separate committees would be set up at the state and local government levels compromising security agencies

Titiloye noted any offender would be tried by the law court, and if found culpable would be sentenced to imprisonment or option of fine, saying rearing of livestock would not be a loose business any longer.

He explained that the name of registered ranche(s) would also be imprinted on their cows for easy identification anywhere across the state, while manual movement of cows would no longer be allowed but with the use of vehicles.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi, said the State Executive Council also approved the appointment of Prince Adeleke Adesegun Adedoyin from the only Owa-Ale Ruling House as the new Owa-Ale of Ikare Akoko in Akoko North East Local Government Area.

On his part, the state Acting Commissioner for Health, Dr Jibayo Adeyeye, said the state government has been making a lot of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state, noting so far the state has a total of 2, 573 cases with 55 deaths.

He said government would be meeting with religious leaders and other stakeholders including schools managers to sensitise them on the pandemic, saying that government would not hesitate to close down any organization including that of government which fails to comply with the protocols for COVID-19 prevention.

He also lauded the government for its determined efforts to stamp out Lassa fever in the state.

Akeredolu alleges foreigners perpetrating crimes in forests

Feb 10, 2021

• Charges Immigration to secure land borders, seeks state police
• APC South-West Reps Caucus backs gov on security measures

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has decried the activities of some foreign herders in the state’s forest reserves, stressing that most crimes are perpetrated by these foreigners who have almost remained permanent in the area.

Akeredolu, who charged the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to heighten security at the land borders, said the entry of foreigners into the country through the land borders was alarming.

The governor spoke during a courtesy visit to his office in Akure by the Zonal Co-ordinator of Zone ‘F’ of the NIS, comprising Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states, Dora E Amahian.

He charged the Immigration personnel to do more in securing the land borders to prevent unknown individuals from coming into the country without record and identity.

“We all know what this Service is established to do. It’s clear to us. The number of people who come into Nigeria through the land border is becoming alarming.

“Knowing your efforts to secure our borders, we are worried about some foreigners that come in and are almost permanent in our forest reserves.”

The Immigration boss, in her remarks, appreciated the governor for the cordial relationship between him and the Immigration.

She said the passion of the governor for good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy had been seen in his ability to maintain peace as evident in the peaceful co-existence of the diverse people in the state.

MEANWHILE, the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West Caucus in the House of Representatives has declared support for the governor’s fight against criminality in the region.

The leader of the delegation, Femi Fakeye (Osun), who spoke on behalf of the 72 members of the Caucus, said they were in support of any legitimate steps to flush out criminals in the South-West.

While responding to the APC lawmakers’ support, Akeredolu said the protection of life and property of the people must take priority, adding that it was a duty he was elected to perform.

He said that it was part of the move to secure Ondo State and South-West in general that led to the creation of Amotekun Corps.

‘Pa Emmanuel was an Icon of the Bar, a peacemaker’- Gov. Akeredolu

Feb 10, 2021

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Monday, February 8, 2021, joined other legal luminaries in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital for the Night of Tributes of the late Patron of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ibadan branch, Pa. Emmanuel Abiodun.

Speaking at the event held at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Center, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Governor Akeredolu described the late Pa. Abiodun as a man who meant so much to the members of the Bar and beyond.

The Governor who said he shared many things in common with the late NBA chairman noted that Pa. Abiodun was a peacemaker whose contributions will remain indelible in the annals of the Ibadan Bar.

“Today, we are all here to pay tribute to an icon of the Bar. Someone I share so many things in common with. Chief Emmanuel Abiodun, fondly called by all of us as Pa, but to few of us, Chief. He remains our chief and chief for life.

“Chief Emmanuel Abiodun was the second world Chief of our revered Kegite club which I belong to. You didn’t need to know him much before you know that he was a very ‘Kariable’ Chief.

“We are here to celebrate him as a lawyer but I will never forget him as a man who initiated Chief Obafemi Awolowo into the Palmwine Drinkerds Club later Kegites Club.”Governor Akeredolu stressed.

Describing the late Abiodun as a Bar man per excellence, Arakunrin Akeredolu said he was a great pillar of support for members of the Bar in whose presence there was never a dull moment.

Present at the Night of Tribute were; the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, former Attorney-General of the federation, Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, and several other legal luminaries.