The Nation Newspaper

Category: Ekiti 2018

  • Dunes center feeds hundreds of families in Abuja

    Dunes center feeds hundreds of families in Abuja

    Our Reporter

    Dunes center, a luxury department store in Abuja which first opened its doors for business in July 2004 has steadily become home to an array of top notch, state of the art products and services such as original antiques and gifts shops, quality boutiques, a supermarket, pastry shop and four restaurants.

    The store which is located on Aguiyi Ironsi way, Maitama, occupies 30 departments covering 204514.3 ft of retail space. It is popularly known as Abuja’s favorite luxury shopping mall.

    The department store is home to a series of world class luxury brands such as Versace, Armani, Memo Paris, Acqua di Parma, Lancel, Tory Burch, ,Samsonite, Brics Milano, Roberto Cavalli and more. The enterprise Dunes Center also has diverse and exquisitely prepared cuisines, meticulously crafted furniture for homes and offices and a state of the art ambiance. Up to 1000 customers visit the Mall on peak days, comprising a high proportion of customers who visit the Dunes supermarket for groceries and the Dunes bakery for the famous and delicious Bread.

    Dunes Center is more than just a Mall. It has made a difference in improving the quality of life in Communities through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). In 2017, Dunes center established a new way of giving through its Non Profit Organization “Dunes Foundation.” We aim to serve one community at a time. We have built fully functional schools, a primary Healthcare center, sunk boreholes and empowered women through our interest free Micro Credit Programs which are still ongoing.

    On Friday 11th of December 2020, we partnered with Kind People Food Bank and provided food for families in an underserved community for the holiday season, starting with a local school and extending to mothers and other locals. Dunes Center is committed to giving our customers and clients the best while still serving our community.

  • 10 key facts, statistics of 2019 polls

    A record of 84,004,084 people Nigerians have registered to vote — an increase of 18 percent from the 2015 election, and as they prepare to cast their votes in the presidential elections, we present the key facts worth noting :

    1. The number of candidates is the highest ever in Nigeria’s history of presidential election.

    2. The 2019 elections would be the country’s sixth since May 1999 – when the military government handed power over to the democratic government.

    3. 73 candidates will be on the ballot in the race to become Nigeria’s president in the February 16 presidential election.

    4. There are six female candidates contesting in the election, the highest ever in Nigeria’s history.

    5. President Muhammadu Buhari is the oldest candidate at the age of 76 while Chike Ukaegbu of the Advanced Allied Party (AAP) is the youngest at 35.

    6. Buhari’s main rival and former vice president under Olusegun Obasanjo, Atiku Abubakar, has made a bid for the presidency five times for four different parties. His last shot at office was in 2015 when he was defeated by then-opposition leader Buhari.

    7. President Muhammadu Buhari and his main rival, Atiku Abubakar, are both senior members of the political establishment and come from largely Muslim northern Nigeria.

    8. This year, 10 candidates under the age of 40 have out their names forward following the approved bill, #NotTooYoungToRule campaign.

    9. This election is considered as the next most democratic election exercise carried out in Nigeria after the country’s first democratic transfer of power in 2007.

    10. The election would hold exactly two decades after the end of the military rule.

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is a trendsetter for the continent and her elections are widely watched by the continent and international community. The elections would hold on Saturday, February 23, 2019 nationwide.

  • Breaking: Fire guts smart card readers at INEC office in Anambra

    Barely four days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, fire on Tuesday gutted two containers housing Smart Card Readers for the conduct of elections at INEC headquarters in Awka, Anambra.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that men of Anambra Fire Service were still battling with the fire as at the time of filing this report.

    Combined personnel of the Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Security (DSS) were on ground to ensure there was safety and orderliness around the vicinity.

    Confirming the fire, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, the Independent National Electoral Commission Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, said he was yet to ascertain the extent of damage.

    Orji said the sensitive materials affected were smart card readers meant for the general elections.

    “I don’t have the details of how the fire started; all I know is that there was a fire incident involving the containers that house some of our sensitive materials.

    “We have to do an assessment before we can ascertain the extent of damage, we have been storing equipments in that facility since 2011,” he said.

    NAN reports that this incident is the second in the South East as INEC office in Isiala Ngwa, Abia was penultimate week gutted by fire by unidentified persons. (NAN)

  • Ekiti: Fayemi’s victory, good omen for Yoruba – Ayandele

    A gubernatorial hopeful on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Dr. Olusola Ayandele, has disclosed that the weekend victory of Dr. Kayode Fayemi in the Ekiti State governorship election was a good omen for the quick restoration of lost values which made the South Western part of the country the envy of others.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the early hours of Sunday, declared Dr. Fayemi the winner of the keenly contested election of July 14, 2019 after the former governor had scored the highest number of lawful votes to defeat his closest rival, Prof. Kolapo Olushola of the PDP and 33 other candidates from various political parties.

    In his congratulatory message contained in a statement issued on Sunday and made available by the Director-General of his campaign organization, Hon. Ademola Ojo, Dr. Ayandele described Fayemi’s second coming as Ekiti State’s helmsman this time as a golden opportunity to facilitate the cause of regional integration of the Yoruba in the south west geo-political zone.

    He said, “The emergence of the immediate former minister of solid minerals is highly desirable at this time when the South West, which the whole world looks up to as the pathfinder, needs to present its first eleven to champion the cause of national rebirth and thus enable the country reclaim its position as the true giant of Africa.

    Read Also: Ekiti APC urges Fayose, Olusola to accept defeat in good faith

    “In the global community, it is believed that Nigeria is blessed with enormous human resources and little or no explanation has always been welcome for the nation’s backwardness on account of poor leadership. In view of this, the trend would change for the better if each of the six south west states could throw up their best as governors.

    “Fortunately, the Ekiti success story of last Saturday would begin to propel the Yoruba nation to realize its full potential as we now have a full squad of great minds in all our governors. Meanwhile, we are using this opportunity to call on the electorate in Osun State to toe the line of decency and vote for another capable hand to be nominated by the APC as Gov. Aregbesola’s successor in the coming governorship poll.

    “While we congratulate the good people of Ekiti State for reclaiming their land from charlatans and divisive elements, it is imperative to charge the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory as he reaches out to all stakeholders in the build-up to the process of restoring lost glory, rediscovering greater value and transforming the Land of Virtue sooner than expected.” Ayandele stated.

  • Ekiti APC urges Fayose, Olusola to accept defeat in good faith

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has advised Governor Ayo Fayose and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate,
    Prof. Kolapo Olusola, to accept the wishes of people who gave their mandate to the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
    The party also praised President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the party for their unflinching support in bringing Ekiti back into
    progressives fold.
    The victory, Awe said, demonstrated the confidence and trust by “our people in the overall outstanding leadership of President Buhari’s
    APC-led administration.”
    The Ekiti APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, in a statement on Sunday said Fayemi was chosen because he was considered by the electorate as having a proven track record of performance and integrity.
    Awe who also congratulated the deputy governor-elect, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, expressed confidence that Fayemi will bring the needed turnaround to Ekiti hence he needs focused leadership to translate his dreams for the state to reality.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Gov. Sani-Bello congratulates Fayemi

    He expressed the gratitude to the Ekiti electorate for voting conscientiously for the party and expressed his gratitude to the good people of the State for their impressive turnout and peaceful conduct during the election exercise.
    He however called for calm and appealed to the opposition parties and their candidates to accept defeat in good faith, while seeing accepting the outcome as a no victor, no vanquished one.
    Awe said: “The APC thanks the Ekiti electorate for voting for the Party in the keenly-contested election. The Ekiti electorate has voted for the candidate of their choice, who they consider as having a proven track record of performance and integrity, and who will bring about the kind of turnaround the state needs deserves at this crucial period, through focused leadership, good governance, restoration of cherished values and multi-faceted development.”
    He assured that the Governor-elect, John Kayode Fayemi will surely be magnanimous in victory, and deliver on the expectations of the people of the state.”
    Awe commended the timely action of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), particularly, in averting the danger of the crises Fayose would have instigated by using the state owned BSES to pollute and confuse the Ekiti political space.

  • Ekiti 2018: Gov. Sani-Bello congratulates Fayemi

    Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello has congratulated former Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, John Ayodele Fayemi on his victory recorded in the just concluded election in Ekiti State.

    Governor Sani-Bello described the victory as well deserved and demonstrates the people’s acceptance and confidence in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Governor Sani-Bello expressed optimism that Fayemi’s second coming as the Governor of Ekiti State would transform the state and bring it to an enviable level among its peers.

    “The victory itself demonstrates how much the people love and trust you. We are sure that you would do all you can to provide your people the best dividends of democracy they have ever had “.

    Read Also: YIAGA, APC, others react to outcome of Ekiti poll

    He then commended the people of Ekiti State for the confidence reposed in the President Buhari-led government of APC, “I commend President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, National leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, my colleagues APC Governors and all stakeholders who worked for this well-deserved victory.”

    Sani-Bello however called on the Ekiti Governor-elect to see his victory as a clarion call to serve urging him to extend a hand of fellowship to his opponents by providing a level-playing ground for all in the overall progress and development of the state.

  • YIAGA, APC, others react to outcome of Ekiti poll

    YIAGA, APC, others react to outcome of Ekiti poll

    An international civil society organisation, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), Africa, the All Progressives Congress (APC)  in Ekiti,  as well as other stakeholders on Sunday expressed divergent opinions on the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election which produced Dr Kayode Fayemi as winner.

    The Nation reports that Fayemi of the APC won the election after securing 197,459 votes, beating  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, who got 178,121.

    YIAGA said in Ado-Ekiti at a press conference  that accreditation, voting and counting generally complied with extant regulations.

    The Executive Director of  the organisation, Mr Samson Itodo, however, commended INEC on the timely opening of the poll with essential materials present as well as prompt  announcement of results.

    He also urged Fayemi and APC supporters to be magnanimous  in victory

    “ For those candidates who did not win, we urge them to accept the results because they reflect the votes cast.

    “ YIAGA Africa calls upon all the candidates, all parties and all Nigerians to show political maturity and to maintain the peace,’’ he said.

    The APC in the state also described the party’s victory as “ well-won and much deserved.’’

    In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, the Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, thanked electorate for the massive turnout and  “ voting conscientiously for the party.’’

    The chairman also  thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and other party leaders for their support in winning the governorship election.

    He, however,  called for calm and appealed to the opposition parties and their candidates to accept defeat in good faith.

    “ The APC thanks the Ekiti electorate for voting for the party in the keenly-contested election.

    “ The Ekiti electorate have voted for the candidate of their choice  who they consider as having a proven track record of performance and integrity, and who will bring about the kind of turnaround the state needs at this crucial period,’’ he said.

    He gave an assurance  that the governor-elect would  be magnanimous in victory  and deliver on the expectations of the people.

    Mrs Bolanle Olatunde, a former Special Assistant on Diaspora to former Gov.  Segun Oni congratulated the governor-elect and urged  him to put the welfare of the people at the heart of his programmes.

    She also said Nigerians must learn lessons from the outcome of the elections, especially on the need for “ anyone saddled with the position of authority to  do the right thing at the right time.’’

    “Even though, there might be claims of inducement here and there, some things I have learnt especially in Ekiti is that as incumbent, you should  do the right thing  in terms of discharging your duties.

    ” While people still talk about stomach infrastructure and all that, this can only be sustained if your performance as governor is good and you don’t waste public funds on irrelevant projects.

    Read Also: I will restore Ekiti values, says Fayemi

    “Most importantly, be humble, because when you are humble, you will be promoted. In these areas, rural people see and appreciate their governor interacting with the common man, but at the same time these people still go to the same market your wife goes to.

    ” You should set up SMEs, community development initiatives  and sustainable development projects that will bring true governance to the people,’’ she said.

    The police in the state also said the election was successfully concluded without reports of violence.

    The spokesman of the police in the state, Ikechukwu Caleb, told our reporter that the election was peaceful and orderly, adding that no arrest was made during the exercise.

    The  police had  deployed 30,000 operatives, two helicopters and 250 patrol vehicles, including  Armoured Personnel Carriers, for the  election.

    The security operation for the poll was supervised by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, Joshiak Habila, assisted by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, four Commissioners of Police, eight Deputy Commissioners of Police and 18 Assistant Commissioners of Police.

    Mr Maxwell Adeleye, a PDP youth leader in  Ilogbo-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti, however, described the conduct of the election as “ a show of shame and mockery of all tenets of democracy.’’

    He advised the PDP candidate in the election to brace up for the challenges ahead, saying “  the victory of the APC was without jubilation on the streets.’’

    Adeleye , however,  congratulated the governor-elect on his victory and wished  him well in the governance of the state.

  • I will restore Ekiti values, says Fayemi

    The governor-elect of  Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described his victory in Saturday’s governorship election as one “  for reclaiming the land and restoring Ekiti values.”

    Fayemi spoke on Sunday while addressing the newsmen in Isan-Ekiti  shortly after he was declared the winner of the governorship election.

    He said: ” The victory of this election, I believe, is for   reclaiming   the land and restoring the values of our people.

    “Our values in Ekiti are respect for our leaders, commitment to our people, non brigandage, nor  criminality and so on.

    ” This victory is a victory for all, it is not a victory for only Gov.  Kayode  Fayemi, it is a victory for all the Ekiti people.’’

    Fayemi also described his victory as  significant to  the future of democracy in Nigeria.

    “This was just not an Ekiti election, I want people to understand that this election has a lot of significance  to the future of democracy in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Ekiti 2018: Jubilation as Fayemi emerges winner

    ” The fact that we have witnessed a free, fair and transparent election process  has huge importance for similar exercises  like Osun State next door to  us and eventually the national elections in February 2019,” he said.

    The  governor-elect  thanked all the APC leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the APC,  Sen. Bola Tinubu, former governor of  Ogun,  Chief Segun Osoba, former interim Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande,  as well as  party leaders in the state.

    He also thanked his family members, especially his wife, Bisi,  for their support  during the election campaign.

  • Ekiti 2018: Jubilation as Fayemi emerges winner

    There was jubilation in Ado Ekiti main road on Sunday after the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi emerged  winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti state.

    Fayemi was declared governor-elect by the Chief Returning Officer, Prof. Idowu Abel Olayinka at 7.59 am on Sunday.
    Olayinka, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, declared the poll’s outcome after party agents signed the official result sheet.
    Fayemi polled 197, 459 votes to defeat the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and incumbent Deputy Governor, Professor Kolapo Olusola who garnered 178, 121 votes.

  • Ekiti 2018: Fayemi’s victory, call to higher service – APC UK

    The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the victory of Dr Kayode Fayemi in the just-concluded Ekiti state governorship election as “a call to higher service”.

    The chapter stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, following the announcement of the outcome of the election by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Fayemi was APC’s candidate in the governorship contest held on Saturday.

    The statement was jointly signed by Mr Ade Omole the chapter’s leader and Mr Jocab Ogunseye, its spokesman.

    The party described Ekiti people as the “wisest for electing a thorough-bred and respected individual” like Fayemi as their governor, adding that they would not be disappointed by the governor-elect.

    “We are confident that Fayemi will not disappoint the teeming followers and the general public of the state who have reposed their trust in his ability and experience to provide good governance for the state.

    “Fayemi has done it before; he has also worked in the higher level,” it said.

    It said that while he served as Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Fayemi ensured that the moribund Ajaokuta Steal Company was revitalised.

    It added that with Fayemi as governor, the people of Ekiti state should anticipate a new era different from the days of “stomach infrastructure”.

    Read Also: Ekiti Governorship election: INEC declares Fayemi winner

    The APC chapter stated that the people of Ekiti would now have an era devoid of hooliganism and deceit in governance that had eroded the value of true governance and era that would not celebrate mediocrity.

    “There is no doubt, expectations are great, the ceiling has been raised, the altitude is higher, and the people of Ekiti cannot afford to live in darkness as they have done in the past four years,” it said.

    It, however, advised the governor-elect to provide an all-inclusive government irrespective of party affiliation “now that the election had been concluded”.

    The chapter acknowledged that everyone had played a role in entrenching democracy in the state especially, and must therefore, be valued and respected.

    In the result of the election as announced by INEC, Fayemi got 197, 459 votes to defeat his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent and closest, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, who scored 178,121 votes.