Metro
I Set my Girlfriend’s Family Ablaze because they were Extorting Me, Says Jilted Lover
The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday paraded a murder suspect, Deji Adenuga, for allegedly setting eight members of his girlfriend’s family ablaze at Igbodigo, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The 45-year-old suspect allegedly carried out the act following a disagreement between him and his lover, Titi Sanumi, who was said to be a member of the family.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Titi ended the relationship with Adenuga after discovering that he was an ex-convict.
While being paraded before journalists at the headquarters of the police command in Akure, the state capital, Adenuga explained that his estranged girlfriend and her sister, Jumoke, who was among the deceased, had been extorting money from him for a long time.
He noted that Titi had been living with him since last year.
The suspect said their disagreement began when his girlfriend collected money from him for a business, but squandered it.
Adenuga also claimed that she aborted a four-month-old pregnancy she had for him.
He added that they had dragged each other to a police station for settlement on many occasions.
Adenuga said, “What happened was that she (Titi) aborted the four-month-old pregnancy that she had for me while we were dating. We had been having issues in recent times and I spent a lot of money on her. I gave her N30,000 for trading because she sells sachet water.
“Later, I gave her N25,000 to keep for me, making a total of N55,000. But she squandered all the money. While she was staying with me, her elder sister, Jumoke, used to collect money from me. I later discovered that they were only extorting money from me.
“Jumoke always taught her to do things against me and the issue became open that we had to drag one another to a police station. We later resolved all the issues. Surprisingly, Titi packed her luggage out of my house, saying her sister said I should pay N20,000 for her bride price before she would return.
“I begged them to give me time to look for money to do the needful, but they refused and started pulling pranks on me, after I had spent a lot of money on her. I went back to the station to report what she and her elder sister did to me, but the police saw it as a minor issue which could be resolved amicably.
“After we left the station, they began to abuse me and make jest of me. They said I was a failure and not even a man for dragging them to the police station. In fact, they threatened me. They said they would deal with me and kill me if I did not desist from reporting them on the street. I saw those words as big threats. So, I believe I had to act fast before they carried out their threats.
“That same day, I took action. I went to a petrol station at night to buy fuel. I went to their house, poured petrol inside their room and fled. My intention was to kill Titi and her sister; I did not mean to kill the entire family.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Undie Adie, described Adenuga as a notorious criminal who was once jailed for murder.
He said, “It is unfortunate to note that the same suspect is notorious for heinous crimes. He killed his former wife, Abiye, sometime in 2000, which led to his being remanded in Olokuta Prison.
“He, however, escaped with other inmates during a jailbreak in 2013. The earlier murder case is also going to be revisited with a view to having him face the full weight of the law,” the commissioner added.
He said Titi was undergoing treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.
The Punch
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has confirmed that two more bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Thursday.
Initial reports said three had been recovered even though the police said all eight passengers and crew members were feared dead.
However, two more bodies have been recovered from the crash, leaving three still unaccounted for.
On Friday, the Rivers State Police Command had announced that all eight occupants of an Eastwind Aviation helicopter that crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday were feared dead.
Metro
World Food Day: Capacious Farms, Adron Homes Host JSS Arts & Essay Contest, Reward Top Five Schools
In celebration of World Food Day, Capacious Farms & Foods Ltd, on Tuesday, hosted the 2024 Junior Secondary School (JSS) Arts & Essay Contest Award Ceremony, with sponsorship from Adron Homes & Properties.
The event, which took place at the Adron Training School in Shimawa, aimed at engaging young minds in agriculture, creative arts and essay writing, in other to raise awareness about food security and sustainability.
The competition witnessed the participation of 40 schools from across the nation, each submitting entries on the future of agriculture and its role in combating food insecurity.
After a rigorous judging process, five schools emerged as winners, with students from these schools receiving generous cash prizes, sponsored by the foremost real estate company in Nigeria, Adron Homes & Properties.
The Chief Operating Officer of Capacious Farms & Foods, Chi Tola Roberts, emphasized the significance of the event in her address.
“Commemorating World Food Day through this contest highlights the critical role agriculture plays in our society. Our goal is to spark an early interest in agriculture and equip students with the knowledge and motivation to pursue careers in the sector,” she stated.
Roberts also announced that the contest would become an annual event, with promises of broader outreach, and increased opportunities for students.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, spoke passionately about Nigeria’s agricultural history and the importance of returning to its roots.
“Our nation was built on agriculture. Cocoa House, one of Nigeria’s landmarks, was funded through proceeds from cocoa farming. By supporting initiatives like this, we aim to inspire the next generation to see agriculture not only as our past, but as our future,” he said.
Emmanuelking reiterated Adron’s commitment to supporting youth engagement in agriculture, particularly through sponsorships like those awarded at this event.
Prof. Adesegun, Chairman of the Babcock University Schools Management Board, who delivered a keynote speech on Global Food Crisis and the Importance of Youth Involvement, noted as follows: “We are facing a global challenge in food security, and the youth must be at the forefront of finding solutions. This competition is a step in the right direction, as it encourages students to think critically about the future of food and agriculture.”
The event provided a platform for young students to showcase their artistic and literary talents, exploring themes that align with the mission of World Food Day: ending hunger and ensuring food security for all. The five winning schools were awarded cash prizes, and their students were celebrated for their exceptional creative and analytical contributions.
Capacious Farms & Foods Ltd and Adron Homes & Properties are committed to making this competition an annual event, fostering a deeper connection between Nigeria’s youth and the agricultural sector.
In a gesture that underscores his unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving the rich Yoruba culture and traditions, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, accompanied by the Managing Director of Adron Group, Mrs Adenike Ajobo and some other company’s management team, paid a royal visit to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Eniitan, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, in celebration of the monarch’s 50th birthday.
The visit took place at the Ooni’s historic palace in Ile-Ife, a city revered as the cradle of Yoruba civilization. Aare Emmanuelking, a staunch advocate for cultural heritage, expressed his deep admiration for the Ooni’s pivotal role in uniting and uplifting the Yoruba people. This significant visit exemplifies the strong relationship between Adron Group and traditional rulers across the country, and it reflects the company’s commitment to community development, as well as the preservation of Nigeria’s diverse cultural values.
Speaking at the event, Aare Emmanuelking emphasized the importance of maintaining and promoting the customs and traditions that define the Yoruba people, while fostering relationships with traditional rulers and the broader community. He noted that these relationships are essential not only for cultural preservation but also for supporting sustainable development that benefits local communities and strengthens national unity.
“A nation’s growth is deeply tied to its cultural roots. The Yoruba culture, and indeed all Nigerian traditions, form the bedrock of our values and our identity. We at Adron Homes are proud to be associated with these values and are committed to ensuring that they are passed down to future generations,” Aare Emmanuelking stated during the visit.
In closing, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking offered his heartfelt prayers to the Ooni of Ife, saying: “May His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi Eniitan, continue to reign in wisdom, peace, and prosperity. As the custodian of our cherished traditions and a beacon of hope for our people, we pray for long life, good health, and enduring success for His Majesty. Long live the King, long live the Ooni of Ife.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, expressed his gratitude for the visit and lauded Adron Group’s efforts in supporting traditional institutions and fostering development. The Ooni’s 50th birthday celebrations have drawn dignitaries and well-wishers from across the country, all paying tribute to his reign and visionary leadership.
Adron Homes and Properties, a leading real estate company, remains committed to its mission of making affordable housing accessible to all Nigerians. Under Aare Emmanuelking’s leadership, the company continues to engage with traditional rulers, recognizing their vital role in community cohesion and the preservation of cultural identity.
