Ondo State Govt Speaks On Adopting Oodua Anthem

The Ondo State government has clarified that the indigenous anthem adopted by the state is different from the Oodua anthem.

A statement on Monday in Akure by Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Richard Olatunde denied adopting the Oodua anthem as being speculated in some quarters.

He explained that the idea behind the adoption of the anthem is to promote the tradition and culture of the Yoruba people.

The adopted anthem is recited after the national anthem at government functions, Naija News understands.

Olatunde noted that there has been some misinterpretation, misconception and outright misunderstanding of the aim of the state government, hence the need to set the record straight.

“The recently dissolved Ondo State Executive Council (SEC) on Feb. 18, 2021 approved an indigenous anthem for the state.

“But it has come to our notice that the anthem is being referred to as Oodua anthem.

“I wish to state that what was approved for the state was Ondo state anthem and not Oodua anthem,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has revealed why he did not attend a meeting of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West region.

Naija News reports that APC chieftains including Bola Tinubu, Bisi Akande, and Olusegun Osoba; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, amongst others, had met on Sunday in Lagos State to discuss topical national issues.

The APC leaders had backed Southern governors’ open grazing ban, call for restructuring, state policing, amongst others.

However, the absence of Governor Akeredolu and his Ekiti State counterpart, Kayode Fayemi, raised eyebrows.

Giving reasons for his absence in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, Akeredolu said he was absent due to lack of timeous communication.

The Ondo governor however stated that he supported the resolutions reached at the meeting. He attributed his