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Finally, Ondo Deputy Gov Moves Out Of Govt House

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The political battle line between Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, and his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu may have been formally drawn as latter officially moved out of his official residence at the Government House.

A viral video from which Info Daily reported a story earlier had saw Ajayi accusing Ondo Commissioner of Police of being used to stop his movement from the government house.

Meanwhile, it was gathered security was beefed up with close scrutiny of what was being taken out during the exercise.

It was learnt Ajayi and his aides wanted to move out quietly by removing their belongings on Saturday night in preparation for his planned resignation from the All Progressives Congress(APC).

READ ALSO:Amotekun Intercepts Suspected Bandits At Osun/Oyo Boundary

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But aides to Governor Akeredolu raised the alarm they were looting government properties as well as attempting to sneak out some secret documents.

An aide to the Governor, who pleaded anonymity, said the movement of the Deputy Governor’s official vehicles was suspicious at that time.

“He came around 9pm and wanted to go out with three vehicles but the CSO stopped him. He left around 12 midnight,  his wife took three vehicles with the state government license plate and some loads were inside.

“She was stopped and had to call her husband who later came. It was the CSO that called the CP because he saw that there was no reason parking load without inventory being taken”, he said.

READ ALSO: Violation Of Social Distancing: Civil Rights Group Pickets Edo Gov, Wants Him Sanctioned 

Intervention by security personnel at the government house could not save the situation which prompted the policemen to call the Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami.

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His media aide, Babatope Okeowo, who denied allegations of looting government property,said his boss was prevented from leaving the government house with one of the vehicles attached to his office.

Babatope said his boss was held back for over four hours and barred by policemen from leaving the government house for his personal residence within Akure because of allegations that he has perfected plans to dump the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall the Deputy Govwrnor had been at loggerheads with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and several interventions by prominent individuals to bring peace between them failed.

READ ALSO: Drama As CP Blocks Ondo Deputy Gov From Moving His Belongings Out Of Govt House

The quarrel made Ajayi to boycott government functions since March even though their differences started last year after Akeredolu returned after undergoing surgery overseas.

It gathered that Akeredolu lost faith in his deputy when he learnt he was putting political structures in place to unseat him.

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(PHOTO: File)

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‘How Nigeria Can Achieve N10 Trillion Revenue From Knowledge Assets’

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Stakeholders, including government officials and experts, have outlined a bold vision for Nigeria’s economic future, aiming to achieve N10 trillion in revenue from knowledge assets.

At the end of a summit convened by Research for Impact, Knowledge-Economy, and Sustainable Development (RIKE-SD), and organized by the West and Central Africa Research and Education Network (WACREN) in Abuja on Thursday, discussions centred on the pivotal role of research, development, and innovation in driving economic growth and prosperity.

Abike Dabiri, Chairperson of the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), emphasized the importance of leveraging Nigeria’s intellectual capital.

She said, “Without data, without research, without developments, we cannot grow. Mr. President himself has stressed the need for research, development, and innovation.

READ ALSO: FULL NAMES: Mamu, 14 Others, BDCs Indicted For Terrorism Financing

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“You need to grow, and you cannot grow without research and innovation. We have a wealth of talent, and what we aim to do with this group is to collaborate with the diaspora community to harness that talent and the enormous resources we possess as Nigerians.

“Our greatest asset is not even the oil, but the talent and resources we have at our disposal.”

Similarly, Prof. Elias Bogoro, former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), highlighted the centrality of research in a knowledge economy, pointing out Nigeria’s robust government support for fostering research and innovation.

He stated, “When we talk about a knowledge economy, research is at the core. Nigeria is no exception. The government recognizes this and demonstrates strong involvement, facilitation, and support through the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.”

READ ALSO: Economic Hardship: Oyebanji Unveils N12bn Economic Relief Programme

Former Director General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jomo Osahor (retd), emphasized the importance of creativity and independence in research, stating, “Research and development are essential for the growth of every nation because it requires creativity and innovation. Relying solely on foreign ideas is not necessary.”

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Mustapha Popoola, Executive Director of RIKE-SD, emphasized the significance of institutionalizing research, development, and innovation across sectors.

He outlined plans to launch a coordination platform for Research, Development, and Innovation in Nigeria.

He explained, “Just like what happens in other countries when there are presidential pronouncements, it is not a matter of waiting to be asked to act.

“Mr. President, in his wisdom, has emphasized the need for us to institutionalize research, development, and innovation across the board.

“Therefore, our primary goal is to effectively utilize the development innovation toolkit to analyze the presidential priority areas, which amount to eight key focus areas.

“When we engage think tanks, they analyze the situation scientifically and socially, using various methods to determine the optimal solution.

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“So, when we discuss generating an additional N10 trillion in revenue for Nigeria through knowledge assets, research outcomes, innovation, and foreign direct investment facilitated by RDI platforms that we are collaboratively developing.”

The summit, supported by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), UK, aimed to strategize on leveraging Nigeria’s intellectual capital for economic growth.

 

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Police Hand Over Delta King, Ikolo To Military

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Wanted King of Ewu, Clement Ikolo, who turned himself in has been handed over to the military by the police.

The development has been confirmed by the Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, Bright Edafe.

King Ikolo who was one of the eight persons declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in connection with the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community, turned himself in to the Delta State Police Command on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Soldiers’ Killing: Wanted Delta King Surrenders To Police

The monarch was said to have arrived at the state police command headquarters at exactly 6:41 pm, to report himself to Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda.

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Before he turned himself in to the police, the monarch spoke to journalists, insisting on his innocence.

Earlier on Thursday, the Defence Headquarters declared eight persons, including Ikolo, wanted over their alleged roles in the recent killing of 17 military personnel on a peace-keeping mission to Delta State.

Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki; a traditional ruler, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukeywe; Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.

 

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Ex-NBA Pub Sec, Ogbankwa Assaults Edo NUJ Chair, Others Over Publication

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A former Publicity Secretary of the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Douglas Ogbankwa, late Thursday at the Edo State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) assaulted journalists including the State Chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe and others over an online report of alleged case of stealing preferred against him by the state.

He was at the NUJ premises with plain cloth policemen to arrest a blogger, Friday Aghedo, who had published a story of his arraignment at the Criminal Court in Benin City over alleged attack on the matrimonial home of one Sandra Palmer-Kelvin for alleged issues with Ogbankwa’s client based in Denmark who is Sandra’s husband.

When he arrived at the premises of the NUJ with the policeman, journalists who witnessed what was happening informed the NUJ chairman who immediately met with the policemen and informed them that they should have announced their presence before the leadership of the union.

The chairman, however, assured the policemen that Aghedo would honour their invitation.

READ ALSO: Malabu Oil Scam: EFCC Loses Case As Court Discharges Ex-AGF Adoke, Others

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Infuriated by Alenkhe’s intervention on the planned arrest, Ogbankwa turned to the NUJ chairman where he roared “Alenkhe, even you, I will pick you up” and then threatened to deal with other journalists present including the Chief of Staff to Alenkhe, Simeon Osajie, the State Correspondent of Vanguard Newspaper, Ozioruva Aliu, Secretary of the Council, Andy Egbon, Treasurer of the Council, Solomon Obonzuya and several others.

Earlier, when his case was mentioned in the court, several lawyers including the Benin Branch chairman of the NBA, Nosa Edo-Osagie, Emmanuel Usoh and others pleaded with the judge to allow them intervene in the issue which they assured would be settled and report back in the next date where he was expected to take his plea.

In the charge sheet marked B/10/600/2024 between The State and Douglas Ogbankwa and others now at large, they were accused of allegedly stealing a stabilizer belonging to Sandra Palmer-Kelvin.

He is facing charges including felony punishable under Section 412 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.

READ ALSO: Iran Sentences Police Officer To Death For Killing Protester

The charge also reads: “Ogbankwa and others now at large, sometimes in the month of January, 2023 at 2nd Ugbor road, GRA Benin within the Benin Judicial Division did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: forcibly entry” which it said is punishable under Section 56 (1) of the criminal law of Edo State, 2022.

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“Douglas Ogbankwa and others now at large sometimes in the month of January, 2023 at the 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State within the Benin Judicial Division , did forcefully enter the residential house of one Sandra Palmer-Kelvin damage door keys belonging to one Sandra palmer-Kelvin.

“Douglas Ogbankwa and others now at large, sometimes in the month of January, 2023 at 2nd Ugbor Road, GRA, Benin City, Edo State within the Benin Judicial Division , did steal one stabilizer belonging to one Sandra Palmer Kelvin.”

Justice Ikponmwonba however adjourned the case for a report of settlement pleas not taken.

The prosecuting Counsel, Mr Orobosa Okunbor however did not oppose the defendant counsel application.

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