Personality in Focus
Ondo 2024: Amotekun Assures Security Outside Election Area
The Ondo state gubernatorial election which has gathered a lot of attention over the past months is now less than 30 days. The fears of Ondo state indigenes and residents and of course, watchers from outside the state is mostly about maintaining peace, security, law, and order before, during, and after the elections.
The Ondo State Security Network (codenamed AMOTEKUN) has proven to be a force for good in the state since its establishment four (4) years ago by the late and former Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The man saddled with the responsibility of leading the AMOTEKUN Corps, Corps Commander Adetunji Adeleye is assuring all Nigerians that his men will provide adequate supporting roles to the primary security agencies in charge of elections in Nigeria. He made this known in an exclusive interview with the security beats association, National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) led by the National President, Oki O. Samson during the association’s visit to the Amotekun Headquarters for a firsthand assessment tour of the security situation in the state ahead of the 16th November governorship election.
On the role that the AMOTEKUN Corps will play in the forthcoming elections, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye who doubles as the Chairman of Council of AMOTEKUN Corps Commanders in the Southwest (comprising Ekiti, Osun, Oyo, Ogun, and Ondo states) assured that his agency will play by the rules and be alive to its responsibility outside of the election arena. He noted: ‘This is not the first election that Amotekun will partake in. But we do know that mainly for elections, other security agencies like the Nigeria Police, the Civil Defence, the DSS, and so on will move in en masse. In fact, they bring officers and men from other states to ensure security during elections, so the house is open.’
‘But in the background we provide security, outside the election arena, on the routes, and on the road. We instruct our men that they are not to partake fully but to provide external security and ensure that all those places where policemen, Civil Defence, DSS, soldiers are not present, they should make sure there is no vacuum. When it is time to move election materials, we also provide support and any other places where the sister agencies need our collaborative effort we will gladly assist.’
The hardworking Corps Commander of the Ondo State AMOTEKUN Corps added: ‘I want to assure residents of Ondo State that the election is going to be peaceful. They should conduct themselves in a peaceful way. This is no longer the trend for thuggery during election, no it is gone.’
‘I want to tell the youths that they should comport themselves in a peaceful way. They should not allow any politician to use them as instruments to foment trouble because when the trouble comes, you alone will go to jail. They will not even want you to mention their name because of their personality. So somebody who will not put his child to go and become a thug, why is he paying you 10 kobo to become a thug, it doesn’t make sense.’
‘Our youths should be well informed, you cannot be used as a political thug and the law enforcement agencies will be there, not only Amotekun, all security agencies are there to ensure the election is conducted in a totally peaceful atmosphere.’
On how they recruit and train members of the AMOTEKUN Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye hinted: ‘We don’t joke with our trainings because that is the only way we can be sure that we keep tabs on the modern trends. If you observe when you came in, we do our security review of the whole state twice a day. We do it every morning and every night. By 9-11am, 12 midnight we go on patrol everyday including Sundays.’
‘We have duty officers who have their roles to play, we have drones and equipment for tracking. We do our own tracking and we also have the DSS tracking with us. Those are some of the things that get us on top of the security situation.’
On what he personally does as the Head of the very effective and highly praised AMOTEKUN Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye said: ‘It is 24 hours, physically I’m in the office for 18 hours everyday. I pick a senatorial district to go round the metropolis. If I’m going to the North today, I go from here to Oka, Isua and come back by 5 am. Tomorrow it could be South, third day it could be Central. That’s what I do, so there’s no way you will get to the AMOTEKUN post that you will not meet them there because they will not know when I’ll come, and they know the implications. If I meet you sleeping you go to jail, that’s why people are sleeping with their two eyes closed in Ondo state.’
Pascal Dozie, a renowned Nigerian entrepreneur and business leader has died. He was 86.
According to sources close to the deceased, Dozie died a battle with old age-related illness.
Dozie, was a man of many parts, best known for founding Diamond Bank and serving as chairman of Pan-Atlantic University.
He was born on April 9, 1939, in Egbu, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Dozie’s educational background includes a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and a master’s in Administrative Science from City University in London.
Dozie also founded theAfrican Development Consulting Group, which worked with notable clients like Nestle and Pfizer. He served as MTN Group chairman but later resigned and was succeeded by Ernest Ndukwe.
Dozie received the prestigious National Award of the Order of the Niger (OON) for his contributions to Nigeria’s banking industry.
Dozie is survived by his wife Chinyere Dozie, and five children among other relatives.
A former governor of Oyo State, Dr. Victor Olunloyo, is dead.
According to a statement by his family on Sunday, he died a few days before his 90th birthday.
The statement titled ‘Victor Olunloyo goes home’ was signed by Oladapo Ogunwusi on behalf of the family.
It read, “With a heavy heart but gratitude to the Almighty, we announce the passing into glory of Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, former governor of Oyo State, mathematician and engineer and renowned technocrat, a few days before his 90th birthday.
“The Balogun of Oyo and Otun Bobasewa of Ife, Dr. Olunloyo was first Rector, Ibadan polytechnic and first Rector, Kwara State Polytechnic among other notable appointments.
“His long record of service to the nation and humanity is a source of pride to his family and associates even as we come to grip with this devastating event.
“The Olunloyo family will appreciate the understanding of the press and the public as they commence efforts to give him a befitting burial.
“Even from everlasting to everlasting, He is God.”
About a year ago in April 2024, the rumour of the death of the elder statesman was reported by some news platforms.
But speaking with The PUNCH correspondent who visited his Molete residence in Ibadan, the state capital, he debunked the rumour, saying he was hale and hearty.
“I’m still here, not yet gone,” he declared then.
He also expressed worry over the rumour and asked who would live forever, stressing, “Those breaking death news and the person presumed dead will all die one day.
“I’ve been lucky. My father died at 42, while my mother died at 102. I’m 89. I’ve crossed the expected life age.”
The elder statesman also illustrated how the rumour of his death hit several news platforms on June 7, 2022.
He noted that the rumour mongers claimed that he died at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
A few days later, the family issued a statement, declaring that he was not dead but suffering from old age ailment and asked Nigerians to pray for him to survive the health complications.
The leadership of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), has congratulated Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King as he clocked 50 years.
Speaking on behalf of the Association,
President & Chairman of Council, Prince Akintoye Adeoye, celebrated Emmanuel-King’s passion and dedication, which continues to inspire the real estate sector.
Below is the detailed statement:
It is with great pleasure that I, Prince Akintoye Adeoye, President and Chairman of Council of the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), on behalf of the entire Association, extend my warmest birthday wishes to you.
As you celebrate your birthday today, we recognize your outstanding contributions to the real estate industry. Your visionary leadership in making homeownership accessible and building Adron Homes & Properties into a leading brand sets a high standard for excellence. Your passion and dedication continue to inspire many of us in the real estate sector.
Today is not just a birthday; it is a celebration of your remarkable achievements, wisdom, and the abundant grace of God. From a visionary start to shaping the future of affordable housing in Nigeria, your leadership in the real estate sector has been ground-breaking.
REDAN is proud to recognize your invaluable contributions to the real estate sector and our association. As you step into this new age, may you be blessed with continued success and even greater accomplishments in all your endeavors.
Turning 50 is a momentous occasion, offering a time for reflection on the many successes and cherished memories that have shaped your journey. At REDAN, we wish you continued good health, wisdom, and divine grace as you keep contributing to the advancement of the real estate sector and our beloved nation.
May this year and the ones ahead be filled with even greater achievements, joy, and fulfillment.
Once again, happy 50th birthday, Aare Adetola Emmanuel King.
