News
Owo Massacre: Akeredolu Weeps At Funeral, Says ‘We’ve Failed Our People’

The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, failed to withhold his emotion on Friday at the funeral mass for victims of the terror attack at St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo, Ondo State.
Akeredolu and his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu attended the funeral mass held at the Mydas Resort and Hotel, Owo.
The teary governor while recounting the terror attack, lamented that the government failed to defend the victims of the attack.
“We have failed to defend these people. Not because we have not tried, but because these forces on the other side are evil and they have support. They will not triumph over us forever,” Akeredolu said.
The governor noted that something must be done in the country, adding that the security architecture of the nation needs rejigging.
READ ALSO: Funeral Mass Begins For Owo Massacre Victims [PHOTOS
“When I see the sea of heads that are here it speaks volumes. What has happened to us in Owo in Ondo state is indescribable. A lot of words are used to qualify it. Dastardly, horrendous. But I still believe there are words to use to describe it but I am still short of those words.
“We have just 22 (deceased) in this hall. A few of them have been buried. Because the relatives couldn’t wait till today. But as at the last count, these animals came to the church and murdered 40 people,” the governor said.
But in a swift response, the Bishop of Ondo Catholic Diocese, Dr. Jude Arogundade, declared that Akeredolu has not failed in protecting his people.
Arogundade said: ”You didn’t fail. You are a strong soldier. Your determination to protect those who voted you into power is unquestionable. This was done by cowards. You have tried your best.”
The cleric wondered why the people of the country need to beg for state police, despite the endless attack and killings.
He thanked the governor for accepting to designate a memorial park in honour of the victims, stressing that those who created the situation that made the incident happen has blood on their hands.
READ ALSO: Full List: Names, Photos Of Owo Massacre Victims
Meanwhile, the expansive hall of the Mydas Resort and Hotel was filled to the brim as families of the victims, people of Owo, and other sympathizers thronged the venue of the funeral mass.
Members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. David Bamidele Oleyelogun also attended the service.
Also, Members of the state executive council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were present at the funeral mass.
Other dignitaries at the funeral mass included: Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko; Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; and Chieftain of the APC , Chief Olusola Oke,SAN,
The local government chairmen were also led by the chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe.
The PUNCH reports that Akeredolu had on Thursday warned the Federal Government that its inability to secure life and property in the country would soon leave citizens with no choice but to arm themselves in self-defense.
Akeredolu, who gave the warning while delivering the keynote address at the meeting of the Attorney-Generals of the 36 States of Nigeria held in Lagos, said the police were overwhelmed.
The governor asked the police to “close shop” if the Federal Government could not meet their equipment needs.
Akeredolu insisted that the police had failed in their constitutional role of protecting Nigerians.
READ ALSO: Owo Massacre: S’West Govs Warn Against Further Attacks On Region
“We will carry arms very soon, Oga Malami (the AGF), there is no other way, the police have failed,” the governor declared.
PUNCH.
News
DSS Arraigns Sowore Over Anti-Tinubu Post
The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, court papers show.
Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the arraignment.
The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged after Sowore allegedly refused to delete the controversial posts about the President.
The Sahara Reporters publisher was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
READ ALSO:DSS Sues Sowore, X, Meta Over Anti-Tinubu Post
The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The charges were brought on behalf of the DSS and the Federal Government by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four other counsel to the DSS –M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.
Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are listed as co-defendants.
Confirming the legal action in a Facebook post last week, Sowore wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts.
READ ALSO:DSS Gives X Ultimatum To Pull Down Sowore’s Tweet
“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”
Recall that the human rights activist and African Action Congress candidate in the 2023 election vowed not to delete the controversial tweet, despite a request from the DSS to X demanding its removal.
Restating his stance, Sowore wrote, “This morning, X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.”
News
Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications
The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board has opened its official application portal for teaching positions across the state.
In a statement signed on Monday by the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, the board said the recruitment exercise, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets qualified candidates willing to contribute to the delivery of quality education in Lagos State.
The statement partly read, “This is a unique opportunity for NCE holders, B.A (Ed), B.Sc (Ed), B.Ed, HND+PGDE, BA+PGDE, and B.Sc+PGDE graduates to build a career in teaching and contribute meaningfully to qualitative service delivery in the State.”
READ ALSO:FG Specifies TRCN, NTI’s Roles In Teaching Profession
According to the commission, applicants are required to submit applications strictly online via https://subebjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng.
The statement warned that physical submissions would not be entertained and stressed that the board has not authorised anyone to collect money for the exercise, which is completely free.
It stated that the documents for application include, O’ Level Certificate (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB), Degree Certificate or NCE Certificate, and NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as applicable.
READ ALSO:Job Seekers Protest Alleged Fake Employment Letters For Ondo Teaching Jobs
The board also noted that notifications or statements of results issued beyond two years would not be accepted.
“LASUBEB has not engaged or authorised any individual or group to collect money for this exercise. The application is absolutely free.
“Closing Date: The portal will close on 14th October, 2025,” the statement concluded.
News
FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations
President Bola Tinubu has approved the compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The provides that, effective from Oct. 6, no Nigerian graduate – whether from a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or an overseas institution would be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.
This directive was contained in a circular issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Sunday in Abuja.
The directive does not, however, affect serving Corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date.
Akume said that the compliance directive was to convey the approval for the adjustment of “NYSC mobilisation criteria in accordance with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective Corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”
READ ALSO:NYSC Reiterates Provision Of Community Development Services (more…)
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