Afenifere asks Ondo govt to acquire defunct Heritage Bank

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called for the reversal of the revocation of the operational license of the defunct Heritage Bank.

According to the Ondo State chapter of the mainstream Yoruba group, the bank, which evolved from Owena Bank to Omega Bank, Spring Bank to Enterprise Bank, and finally to Heritage Bank, should be returned to Ondo State by the federal government, considering its original ownership by the state.

The group, which disclosed this during its general assembly meeting held at the home of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, stated that the bank as well as other legacies of the former governor of the state, Adekunle Ajasin, should be revived by the state government.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read by the State Publicity Secretary, Eric Oluwole, the group urged the state government to continue to fund the Amotekun Corps for effective and efficient operation.

Oluwole said: “The Ondo State Chapter of Afenifere held a meeting today and resolved that the Ondo State Government should liaise with the Federal Government to revive all the economic legacies floated by the Adekunle Ajasin administration.

“The state should take the necessary action towards the acquisition of heritage banks. The legacies include the license of the Heritage Bank, and we advise the federal government to reverse it to its original founding father, which is the Ondo State Government. Other legacies include Oluwa Glass, Ifon Ceramic, Akunu Cattle Ranch, and Owena Motels, among others.

“Afenifere commended the state government for not relenting on its effort on security, especially the Amotekun outfit floated by the former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“Afenifere also urges the state government to continue the funding of Amotekun and other security agencies in the state.

“Afenifere advises the government to adopt, as part of its education policies, the Yoruba language and history as compulsory subjects to be taught at primary and secondary schools.”