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SEVEN ROUNDS, ONE CHAMPION: OREOFE TESTIMONY WINS PROSPER BIBLE RECITATION Prosper Bible Institute has celebrated the successful conclusion of its Bible Recitation Competition 3.0 Grand Finale, with Olola Oreofe Testimony of St. Louis Grammar School, Ondo, emerging as the overall winner. The grand finale featured seven rounds of Bible knowledge, accuracy, confidence and dedication, bringing together young participants who demonstrated their understanding and commitment to the study of Scripture. Olola Oreofe Testimony, a JSS 2 student of St. Louis Grammar School, Ondo, emerged as the winner and received a cash prize of ₦100,000, in addition to an extra ₦10,000 cash prize donated by Toronto Consultant. Gbile Favour, an SS 2 student in Ondo, emerged as the first runner-up and received ₦60,000, while Adesoji Inioluwa of Bensopex Comprehensive College, Ile-Oluji, placed second runner-up and received ₦40,000. The institute expressed appreciation to the parents, guardians, pastors, teachers,...

GOV AIYEDATIWA LAUNCHES ‘LUCKY LIGHT’ TO POWER 1,000 SMALL BUSINESSES ACROSS ONDO Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has unveiled the Lucky Light Initiative, a phased programme designed to provide reliable, clean and affordable solar electricity to 1,000 small businesses across the state’s 18 local government areas. The governor unveiled the initiative on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the 2026 Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) Entrepreneurs Summit held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Igbatoro Road, Akure. The initiative, according to the governor, is designed primarily as an economic intervention to reduce energy costs for small businesses rather than a household electrification programme. Speaking at the summit, which was themed “The New Ondo: Positioning Entrepreneurs for Emerging Opportunities,” Aiyedatiwa said entrepreneurship had evolved beyond simply starting businesses, stressing the need for entrepreneurs to identify ...

OSAWA DECLARES SUPPORT FOR TINUBU, SAYS TUNJI-OJO ENDORSED AND AGREED TO SPONSOR CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE The Ondo South Advancement & Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA) has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a courtesy visit by the association’s leadership to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. According to an official statement issued by OSAWA on Saturday, September 19, 2026, a high-level delegation of the association visited Tunji-Ojo and presented him with a framed letter of testimonial and commendation. The association said the letter recognised what it described as the minister’s contributions to public service, leadership and national development. OSAWA stated that Tunji-Ojo received the presentation and expressed appreciation to the association for the recognition. The association further said the minister endorsed its proposed campaign structure in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and agreed to sponsor OSAWA for what it describe...

AKINYELURE HIGHLIGHTS OVER 750 FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT INTERVENTIONS IN ONDO CENTRAL Senator Ayo Akinyelure, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Ondo Central, has highlighted the employment of more than 750 graduates from the senatorial district into various Federal Government institutions as part of his record of representation. Akinyelure made the claim while addressing the people of Ondo Central ahead of the 2027 general election, urging residents to examine the records, programmes and proposals of all candidates seeking to represent the district at the National Assembly. According to the former senator, the employment intervention benefited graduates from across the six local government areas that make up Ondo Central Senatorial District. He said the beneficiaries were employed into various Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies, parastatals and other institutions. Akinyelure described the intervention as more than a numerical achievement, say...

ALADE APPLAUDS ADEBARE’S LEADERSHIP, COMMENDS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN ILE-OLUJI/OKEIGBO Hon. Olorungbamila Aladesogo has commended the Executive Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government, Hon. Adebare Adeboye, for his dedication and commitment to the development of the local government. Aladesogo, in a message of appreciation, described the Chairman’s performance and visible efforts toward advancing the welfare of residents as commendable, noting that his administration has demonstrated what he considers purposeful leadership and a strong commitment to the people. He said the Chairman’s approach to governance reflects a sense of responsibility and concern for the development of the local government, adding that the efforts of the administration are being noticed by residents and stakeholders. Aladesogo further expressed his appreciation to Adebare for his service and said he was proud to have him serving as the Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government. He also prayed for cont...

AKINDOLIRE CONGRATULATES FAJOLU ON SWEARING-IN AS ONDO SPECIAL ADVISER ON ENVIRONMENT The Ondo State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Olaolu Akindolire, has congratulated Rt. Hon. Abimbola Tope Fajolu on his successful swearing-in and assumption of office as Special Adviser on Environment to the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. In a congratulatory message, Akindolire described the appointment as an opportunity for Fajolu to contribute to the state’s environmental management efforts and broader development agenda. He noted that the new role carries responsibilities that are important to environmental sustainability, cleaner communities and the improvement of living conditions across Ondo State. The commissioner expressed confidence that Fajolu’s experience, grassroots understanding and commitment to public service would be valuable in the discharge of his responsibilities as Special Adviser. Akindolire also expressed his expectation tha...

ADEBARE RELEASES EMPOWERMENT BENEFICIARIES LIST, SETS SEPTEMBER 22 DEADLINE FOR SUPPLEMENTARY INCLUSION The Executive Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government, Hon. Adebare Adeboye, has released the comprehensive list of beneficiaries selected for the forthcoming youth and women empowerment programme in the Local Government. The beneficiaries’ list was compiled across the 10 political wards of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government, with the stated objective of ensuring broad representation and inclusiveness in the selection of residents for the programme. According to the Local Government, the release of the list is part of the administration’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the implementation of its empowerment initiatives and to provide residents with an opportunity to verify their inclusion. The Local Government has also opened a window for supplementary inclusion for eligible residents whose names may not have appeared on the initial list. Those who previo...

ADEBARE RELEASES EMPOWERMENT BENEFICIARIES LIST, SETS SEPTEMBER 22 DEADLINE FOR SUPPLEMENTARY INCLUSION The Executive Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government, Hon. Adebare Adeboye, has released the comprehensive list of beneficiaries selected for the forthcoming youth and women empowerment programme in the Local Government. The beneficiaries’ list was compiled across the 10 political wards of Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government, with the stated objective of ensuring broad representation and inclusiveness in the selection of residents for the programme. According to the Local Government, the release of the list is part of the administration’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the implementation of its empowerment initiatives and to provide residents with an opportunity to verify their inclusion. The Local Government has also opened a window for supplementary inclusion for eligible residents whose names may not have appeared on the initial list. Those who previo...

FG SUSPENDS NSCDC NIGER STATE COMMANDANT OVER DEATHS OF SUSPECTED ILLEGAL MINERS, ORDERS FULL INVESTIGATION The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, following reports of the deaths of suspected illegal miners in Minna, the Niger State capital. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, announced the suspension on Friday, September 18, 2026, and directed that a full investigation be conducted to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. According to a statement issued by the Minister's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alao Babatunde, the reported deaths occurred in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Minna in the early hours of Thursday. The incident reportedly followed the arrest of some individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities during enforcement operations carried out in parts of Niger State on September 15 and 16...

SURVIVOR RECOUNTS 56 DAYS OF CAPTIVITY, SCARCITY AND HARSH CONDITIONS A survivor of the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the victims spent 56 days in captivity under severe conditions, including food and water shortages and exposure to harsh weather. The witness, identified in court only as “AAA” to protect her identity, gave the account on Thursday while testifying in the trial of five men accused by the Department of State Services of involvement with Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, also known as Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist organisation. According to the witness, the captives were moved between six different locations in the bush during their period in captivity. She said they were frequently barefoot, slept on grass and were exposed to heavy rainfall and intense heat. She also told the court that some of the abducted children were as young as one-and-a-half years o...

JUVENTUS, CRYSTAL PALACE START EUROPA LEAGUE CAMPAIGN IN STYLE AS BOURNEMOUTH MAKE HISTORY Juventus opened their Europa League campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen on Thursday, while Crystal Palace also recorded a comfortable win and Bournemouth marked their first European appearance with an impressive away victory against Real Sociedad. The result in Turin gave Juventus an emphatic start to their pursuit of European silverware after missing out on Champions League qualification last season. The Italian side dominated their Dutch visitors and established a three-goal advantage before half-time. Nico Gonzalez opened the scoring before Kerim Alajbegovic and Nick Woltemade added further goals to put Juventus firmly in control. Zeki Celik and Randal Kolo Muani completed the scoring after the interval as Juventus secured all three points in convincing fashion. The victory also provided a positive response following AC Milan's 2-0 defeat to Benfica in another notable ...