Author: Opalim Lifted

Russia reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso on Thursday after a 32-year gap, the West African nation’s government and a Russian diplomat said. The mission was closed in 1992. The Russian ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov, said Russian President Vladimir Putin would name the new envoy. The Burkinabe foreign ministry confirmed in a statement that “Russia formally reopened its embassy this Thursday in Ouagadougou,” AFP reported. Saltykov said he would head the mission in Burkina Faso until the new ambassador is named and described Burkina Faso as “an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties.” Burkina…

Immediate Past Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, described the late Rotimi Akeredolu, fondly called Aketi, as a courageous friend, advocate of democracy, and rule of law in a condolence message. In a social media post, Osinbajo disclosed that his brotherhood and friendship with the late Aketi had spanned over 40 years. Osinbajo wrote, “Dolly and I express our sincere condolences to Her Excellency Betty Akeredolu, her children, family, friends, associates of HE Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and the government and people of Ondo State on his passing.” “I have lost a brother and friend of over 40 years.” Aketi…

The newly-inaugurated Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appointed five aides hours after taking the oath of office. Aiyedatiwa assumed the office of Ondo state governor following the death of Rotimi Akeredolu. The new appointees were Ebenezer Adeniyan as Chief Press Secretary CPS, who takes over from former CPS Richard Olatunde, who resigned earlier. Ebenezer Adeniyan was, until his new appointment, publisher of Trace News magazine. Aiyedatiwa vows to build on Akeredolu’s legacy as Ondo governor Others were Abire Sunday, Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media; Smart Omodunbi, Special Assistant on Political Matters; Monturayo Oyedele, Special Assistant on…

The family of the late governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu, has described his death as sad and devastating. His son, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jnr, disclosed this in a personally signed statement on behalf of the family. It reads, “With deepest regret and profound acceptance of the will of the Almighty, we announce the passing of our beloved, courageous, and compassionate father and grandfather, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.” “He peacefully departed in his sleep at a hospital in Germany, where he was undergoing treatment for protracted prostate cancer,” Akeredolu Jnr revealed. “While we are deeply saddened and devastated by his…

Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been sworn in as the seventh substantive governor of Ondo state. Chronicle NG reports that Aiyedatiwa, who has been in acting capacity for some weeks now, was sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, after the demise of the former governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Aiyedatiwa, who had gone to his hometown for the Christmas break when the news of the governor’s death broke, arrived at the state capital, Akure, for the swearing-in ceremony at exactly 4 p.m. Addressing the gathering, Aiyedatiwa, who was newly sworn in, said he accepted the onerous responsibility…

The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has sworn in Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor. Aiyedatiwa was sworn in at the governor’s office in Akure at exactly 5:14 p.m. Present at the ceremony are the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, members of the assembly, the secretary to the state government, Princess Oladunni Odu, and the state chairman of the ruling party, APC, Ade Adetimehin. Others include members of the EXCO, political office holders, and other party members.

The acting governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will be sworn in today as the substantive governor, as planned, following the demise of Rotimi Akeredolu. Aiyedatiwa, who was in his hometown for the Christmas break when the news of the governor’s death broke, will soon arrive at the state capital, Akure, for the swearing-in. It was further learned that the swearing-in has been tentatively fixed for 4 p.m., barring any last-minute change in plan. Ondo state chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, is expected to preside over the exercise. Aiyedatiwa was the deputy governor until Wednesday, December 13, when power was…

President Bola Tinubu has described the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, as a mourner-in-chief who guided his people through an agonizing period. Tinubu said Akeredolu was a towering figure through the instrumentality of the law as a senior advocate, attorney general of his state, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, and Governor of Ondo State. In a personally signed condolence message on Wednesday, the President stated, “It is a difficult task to have to pen a tribute and sing a dirge for a departing soul. It is a more difficult job in our African culture when one…

Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, aged 67, died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged health battle. A top government source confirmed the unfortunate development, Channels TV reported. Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and ex-Attorney General of Ondo State, was a second-term governor before his death. He was first elected governor of Ondo State in 2016. Bamidele Olateju, Akeredolu’s cabinet member and Commissioner for Information and Orientation, had recently described the deceased governor’s ailment as “somatic” during a TV interview. Chronicle NG reported that he recently returned to Germany for further medical…

President Bola Tinubu has said the federal and sub-national governments of Nigeria have the mutual responsibility of ensuring the country’s peace and stability. Speaking during a meeting with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at his residence in Lagos yesterday, the President, in a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, reiterated his condemnation of the latest killings in Plateau State. Addressing the governors, the President issued a stern directive to security agencies to halt the carnage in Plateau State and intensify the pursuit of those responsible for the recent tragic events in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas. Condoling with the…