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

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.

Mrs. Akeredolu Shares BRECAN’s Journey, Urges Vaccination Against Cervical Cancer

Feb 10, 2021

As All Saint’s College Wins BRECAN’s Inter-School Arts Competition

The wife of Ondo State Governor and founder Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, today shared her breast cancer story. She said hers was a lone voice in the wilderness as nobody wanted to be associated with BRECAN at its formative stage.

Mrs. Akeredolu stated this while addressing student participants drawn from different schools across Oyo State during the Inter- School Arts Competition held at the Law Hub, Ibadan organized as part of activities marking 2021 World Cancer Day by the Oyo State Chapter of BRECAN.

Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who acknowledged the contributions of individuals, groups and most especially volunteer students who through advocacy raised funds for BRECAN’s activities, said the journey has been tortuous and rewarding as more lives have been impacted.

While noting that the Arts Competition was the second of its kind in the history of BRECAN in promoting breast cancer awareness, Mrs. Akeredolu said BRECAN is now set to help eliminate incidence of Cervical cancer which she noted can be eliminated one hundred percent.

On why women have continued to die needlessly because of the disease, Mrs. Akeredolu identified ignorance as one of the major causes, saying, “it is shocking that some still assume it is a spiritual attack and only present when it is too late.”

Mrs. Akeredolu, while stressing that cervical cancer can be eliminated through vaccination, said it’s high time parents are educated on the need to give consent to the vaccination of their children against Cervical Cancer. She also urged the students to be breast aware and be breast health advocates wherever they find themselves.

In her Goodwill Message, Olori Adejumoke Adeleye, Olori Olubaka of Oka land, commended Mrs. Akeredolu for initiating BRECAN. The Olori said Arabinrin Akeredolu’s committment to the cause is laudable and will remain a ray of hope to many. She prayed for wisdom and grace for survivor of 24 years to continue in her service to humanity.

The climax of the event was the presentation of prizes to winners. All Saint’s College came first in the competition followed closely by Seed of Life College which came second and the third position went to Lead City International College.

Earlier, Promise Ihieze while speaking on the theme of the program: “Hope” said the Arts Competition was their own way of sending the message of hope across to survivors and bringing attention to the cause.

Earlier, the state Chairperson for Oyo State BRECAN, Tolu Taiwo, in her Welcome Address, acknowledged all those who have been pillars of support to BRECAN over the years, noting that there is still more grounds to cover.

Other dignitaries in attendance include Bashorun Arogunjo and his wife, BRECAN members from across the state among others.

Story credit: Oluwaobi Fademi