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Category: South West

  • Ondo payroll system heavily compromised, says Akeredolu

    Ondo payroll system heavily compromised, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said the payroll system has been heavily compromised.

    He said service records of many civil servants have been falsified.

    The governor said his administration would not continue to pay ghost workers, adding that individuals responsible for the act were being identified for sanction.

    Speaking yesterday in Akure at the inauguration of newly appointed chairmen and members of boards and commissions, Akeredolu said those involved in the falsification of service records would be prosecuted and made to refund money to the state coffers.

    He urged administrative heads to treat outstanding disciplinary cases bordering on violation of the law and service regulations with urgency.

    The governor said permanent secretaries would be held accountable for workers in every agency, especially those involving  payroll administration.

    He said: “We have established cases of brazen criminality perpetrated by some workers of SUBEB in recent times. We harbour strong suspicions that our payroll system has been compromised heavily. Service records have been falsified by some unscrupulous persons.

    “This government will try as much as possible not to continue to pay ghosts. Those behind the payroll stuffing are being identified for sanction.

    “This administration is determined to pay only those who serve the people. Only fit and proper persons must remain in service. Anyone who falsifies service records will not only be asked to refund money to the state coffers, such dishonest personalities will also be exposed.”

    Last year, the government began screening of 9,000 civil servants for pay roll fraud, age falsification and other administrative crimes.

    Those inaugurated as chairmen were Victor Olabimtan for SUBEB, Mr. Sam Erejuwa for OSOPADEC and Mr. Olajide Akinroluyo for the Pool Betting and Lotteries Board.

  • Oyetola to Ife, Modakeke APC members: with you my victory is guaranteed

    Oyetola to Ife, Modakeke APC members: with you my victory is guaranteed

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday boasted that his victory was sure in the coming governorship election, with support from members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The governor, in his address in Ile-Ife and Modakeke during his strategic tour tagged: ‘Have you in mind always’, in Ife-Central and Ife-East local governments, said he does not make empty promises, adding that he always fulfils them and will surely attend to the demands of the people.

    He solicited continuous support and commitment from party members, saying he would not disappoint them.

    Oyetola, who visited the palaces of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Samuel Adeyemo, to pay homage, assured the monarchs of continued infrastructural developments in their communities.

    Addressing APC supporters, he said: “I don’t make a promise without fulfilling it. I have been hearing about Famia Road since I was the Chief of Staff. I thank God that we have now finished it. We are set to begin another one. Your votes brought me in. I must show appreciation.

    “We are not afraid. We are confident. We don’t know the system they will bring. Whether direct or indirect, we are ready. I don’t have any reason to doubt you because I know that you are always in one place.

    “I want to appeal to you on the sharing of political posts. Let us be patient. It will go round if we are re-elected. Let us know that we can only demand posts when we are in government.

    “I must commend you that you let peace reign in Modakeke and Ife. Ours is a government of peace. Let us sustain the peace. We are one family.”

    Responding on behalf of members in the councils, former Deputy Governor Sooko Lekan Adewoyin and Senator Iyiola Omisore assured the governor of members’ support, saying he (Oyetola) had performed beyond expectations and deserved re-election.

  • Ekiti 2022: X-raying the top contenders, the pretenders and the need for a breath of fresh air

    Ekiti 2022: X-raying the top contenders, the pretenders and the need for a breath of fresh air

    Unarguably, the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State is one of the most trending issues both in the media and Nigerian political space. Anyone very conversant with the politics of the state, especially in this current political dispensation will not be too surprised about the attention the forthcoming governorship election in the state is having. Since 1999, most of the elections in the State have always been dominated by political drama and electoral intrigues. This forthcoming election is not expected to be anyway short of this, and the ongoing political development in the state in respect of the election has not yet proven the pundits wrong.

    Meanwhile, one of the resounding issue being raised by most of the electorates and the stakeholders is the need for a breath of fresh air in the governance of the state. The need to have a very resourceful governor who will not only effectively manage the lean revenue of the state but also have the wherewithal to create wealth, uplift the revenue of the state and ensure resourceful distribution of wealth among the people. The people are looking for a governor, who has no political baggage, an individual with fresh idea to take the State to the next level of socioeconomic development.

    In this regard, this writer X-rays the personalities who have shown interest in the number one seat of the state and removes the real contenders from the pretenders. In this first edition, he looks at such aspirants on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC ), the ruling party in the State.

    Engr. Kayode Ojo:

    KO as he is popularly called is a grassroots politician cum technocrat, well-known industrialist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SALTA Infrastructure and Construction Co. Limited. As the CEO of SALTA. A company he grew from the scratch to an enviable multibillion naira Infrastructure and construction company in less than five years with the company dealing principally in acquisition of companies in the United States, Trinidad and Tobago as well as in the UAE. On the political terrain he is not a novice, he contested the previous election where he came third in the APC primaries behind two former governors of the state at time, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who later became the party’s candidate and eventually won the general election for a second term as well as Engr. Segun Oni. One of the things that is very spectacular about him was that immediately after the primaries in 2018, he threw his wait behind Dr. Fayemi, the candidate of the party and collapsed his political structure into Fayemi’s to ensure an eventual successful outing of the party in the general election. And throughout the tenure of the outgoing governor, he has been a major backer of the government and a prominent stakeholder of the party in the state. Going to the primaries once again on the platform of the APC this month, most of the electorates see him as a major contender. He has repeatedly said that, the people are his major strength. In the era of rumours of an “annoited candidate” and political calculation, KO has maintained that only anointing he needs should come from the people. His vision for the state is unparalleled, and his messages to the people are centered on lifting the state and her people out of financial doldrums. The Ikoro-Ekiti born politician is reputed to have a relatively large following among the youth populace and young politicians.

    Dr. Biodun Oyebanji:

    Oyebanji also contesting on the platform of the APC is the immediate Secretary to the State Government. He resigned his appointment to contest for the number one seat. Though it has been denied by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fayemi, Yinka Oyebode in a press release, Oyebanji is rumoured to be the “anointed candidate” of the incumbent governor. And the rumour is unarguablely been confirmed by the activities of the top aides of the governor. While his campaigns are being dominated by Fayemi’s close aides, his political structure as well as State Government’s apparatus are openly used in support of Oyebanji’s aspiration.

    Oyebanji fondly called BAO is also not a greenhorn in Ekiti politics and political administration. One of his major political credentials is that he has been one way or the other, part and parcel of a good number of previous administrations in the State, though they were never in any elective capacity. He started in 1999 as a Special Assistant in the Otunba Niyi Adebayo administration and later Special Adviser before he became the Chief of Staff to the Governor. In Governor Fayemi’s first term in office, BAO was appointed Commissioner for Regional Integration and Inter-Government Affairs. He was later moved to the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD) as pioneer Director General before he was appointed Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery. Then he Governor Fayemi’s second coming he was appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) where he resigned to contest the governorship election.

    Meanwhile, the main fear of the people about his candidature is that as a governor, he may be a stooge to the outgoing governor. It is believed that the Ikogosi-Ekiti born technocrat-turn-politician may just be a tool in the hands of his former bosses, Governors Niyi Adebayo and Governor Kayode Fayemi. People are believed to be looking for a fresh air in the political administration of the state.

    Senator Opeyemi Bamidele:

    Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB) is the seating Senator representing Ekiti Central. He is just like the proverbial man, who keeps a piece of meat in his porch and still struggles with others for another cut. Either he wins or loses in the gubernatorial contest, MOB has a reserved seat in the upper chamber of the National Assembly which he will return to. Meanwhile, since returning from Lagos State, where he initially cut his teeth in politics and served in different capacities which include a Special Adviser and later Commissioner in two administrations in the State, MOB has been a perennial governorship aspirant in Ekiti. He contested the last two previous ones. In 2014 on the platform of Labour Party after he defected from the then Action Congress of Nigeria (AC) to slug it out with Governor Fayemi in his first term. His action then is generally believed to have cost the party and his candidate its straight second term in office. In 2018, he also contested the primaries of the party that was won by Dr Kayode Fayemi, the incumbent Governor of the State. Aside the governorship runs, MOB has also served in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, representing Ekiti Federal Constituency I. In this regard, in many quarters, he is seen as someone who had benefited greatly in the state’s political commonwealth. They believe he should have concentrated on his senatorial assignment in the National Assembly, where he is the leader of the Senators from the southern Nigeria instead of joining the governorship contest. More so, in a state where several communities and constituencies are complaining of neglect and political marginalization, many believe it is unfair for MOB who hails from Iyin Ekiti, the same community that produced the first Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo who is also the current Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment as well as the current ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. Eniola Ajayi. More so, MOB’s community, Iyin-Ekiti is in Irepodun Ifelodun Local Governments Area, the same Area where a two-term former governor, Chief Ayodele Fayose hailed from to keep a Senatorial seat in his porch and still be eyeing the governorship seat. However another school of thought believes he is contesting the governorship position to negotiate another term in the Senate.

    Hon. Femi Bamisile:

    BAFEM, as he is called by his political followers is a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and currently the member representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives. Like MOB, he is keeping a seat in his porch while struggling for another one. If he lost out in the governorship runs, he will return to Abuja to continue representing his constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Bamisile is not new in the governorship contest, he did it in the last election, but this time around, he is perching on the clamour in some quarters for a governor of the state from the South Senatorial District. According to them, the district has never produced a governor in the state, meanwhile, the other district argued that, there is no time the governorship seat is zoned to a particular district and there is no time that individuals from every district have not been contesting. Aside this, BAFEM is believed to be inconsistent in his political association. He has moved from one political parties to another, such as the People Democratic Party (PDP) and Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA).

    Otunba Ademola Popoola:

    Popoola is considered relatively unknown in the political circle. Many believe his target is the House of Representatives where he is battle-ready to displace ‘underperforming’ representative currently representing his Oye Local Government constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Nevertheless he is trying his best to woo electorate to his side.

    Hon Bamidele Faparusi:

    The Engineer-turn-politician was a member of the incumbent governor’s administration until December 2021 when he resigned as the Commissioner of Infrastructure and Public Utilities. He also contested the last election, but now just like BAFEM, he is presumably riding on south agenda narrative, without no concrete manifesto of pushing Ekiti State forward in terms of socioeconomic development and growth. The former member of the House of Representatives is also believed to have a relatively low political influence and structure, therefore in the alleged calculation of the current government he is believed to be targeting the deputy governorship position.

    Prince Dayo Adeyeye:

    This is another perennial governorship aspirant. He has contested in almost every governorship election in the state. The Ise-Ekiti born former Publicity Secretary of the Afenifere and later spokesperson for the Alliance for Democracy as well as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), though an experienced politician, he is allegedly not been taken serious due to his inconsistency. Meanwhile he was a Chairman the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under the administration of Engr Segun Oni; he was also a Minister of the Federal Republic under President Goodluck Jonathan. He was however removed by a court as a Senator to uphold the election of Senator Biodun Olujimi. Currently the political calculation of the party did not favour him as the arrowhead of SWAGA, a group championing the emergence of the former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presidency in the South West. However just like the duo of BAFEM and Faparusi he is from the Southern Senatorial District, which is relying their aspirations on the zoning narrative.

    However, whatever way it is, if the agitation of the larger electorates, especially the youth and younger generations for a breath of fresh air in political governance of the state will stand the test of time, time will tell.

    • Adeniyi writes from Ijero-Ekiti

  • ‘Why Southwest must rally Nigerians for Tinubu’

    ‘Why Southwest must rally Nigerians for Tinubu’

    Worried by the growing level of animosity over the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in the Southwest, a community leader, High Chief Lukman Olayemi Arowolo Adebanbo (Gbadewolu Adegboro I, Baale Ilu Araromi Ibeju, Ibeju Lekki), has impressed it on the people of the region, the need to rally other parts of the country towards the aspiration of Asiwaju Tinubu.

    Fielding questions from select reporters, ahead of his coronation coming up soon, Arowolo, the Oba-elect of Araromi Ibeju, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, said the 2023 presidential election presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people of the Southwest to support one of their own, rather than placing obstacles on the path of those ready to serve their fatherland.

    Read Also: Tinubu: the audacity of a prophet

    According to him, Asiwaju Tinubu deserved the support he could get from all quarters “at this point in time because he has worked for it.”

    He said: “If there is any individual, who has shown commitment to the Yoruba cause and Nigeria as a whole, the person is Asiwaju Tinubu. This is a man who has been tested and trusted. He is the right choice for any discerning Nigerian to make as a choice for the president in 2023.

    “People in the Southwest should as a matter of good conscience help to rally the support of other well-meaning

    Nigerians, who cherish democratic ethos, to canvass support and mobilise the electorate for him. I particularly appeal to traditional rulers and leaders across the Southwest to see this as a personal project and convince their subjects as well as non-indigenes to see Asiwaju Tinubu as the right choice for 2023.”

    Admitting that as a human being, Asiwaju Tinubu is not without any blemish, the Oba-elect, however, said his sterling qualities outweighed his flaws.

  • Media expert to contest Lagos Assembly seat

    Media expert to contest Lagos Assembly seat

    A media expert, Mr. Dansu Zuntepo Peter, has declared his interest to contest the Lagos State House of Assembly seat to represent Badagry Constituency II.

    He made the declaration in a statement.

    In the statement titled: “Ise yá”, meaning “Time for work”, Dansu said his decision to vie for the position followed calls by his constituents and his resolve to make a difference representing them in House of Assembly.

    He said: “‘Ise yá’ is a clause I have thoughtfully chosen as my guide and watchword as I consented to the calls to represent my people of Badagry Constituency II at the House of Assembly in 2023.

    “In a bid to answer the clarion calls, I present myself as a new-breed, young politician, whose ideology is predicated on service and servant-leadership; to make your voices heard at the House of Assembly.

    “I am one of you, I have suffered with you. I know what our collective needs are. I know what we have all yearned for, what we have asked for through our elective leaders.”

    “As a common electorate like you till now, I understand what our problems are. I have worn the shoes with you. We have walked together; drenched in the rain and beaten by the sun. I know where our shoes actually pinch. I know what we need to soothe our pains. I will represent your mind, your voice and desire at the House of Assembly if you entrust me with your votes in 2023.”

  • Leaders to Ekiti South aspirants: don’t accept deputy governor’s slot

    Leaders to Ekiti South aspirants: don’t accept deputy governor’s slot

    Ahead of the governorship election in Ekiti State, prominent leaders in the Southern Senatorial District have warned aspirants from the zone against accepting deputy governorship slot from political parties.

    The leaders, under the auspices of Ekiti Concerned Citizens’ Group (ECCG), said any aspirants that accepted the offer would be treated as dissidents and traitors.

    The group spoke yesterday in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital, at a news conference addressed by the Chairman, Femi Babalola, to shape the minds of voters ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.

    He said that the parties must pick their candidates from Ekiti South for the June 18 governorship election, in the spirit of fairness, equity and justice.

    Babalola considered it outrageous, the brazen marginalisation of Ekiti South since the advent of democracy in 1999, saying it was time to correct the anomaly for equity, fairness, justice and future generation in Ekiti.

    He said: “Governor Kayode Fayemi promised the South in 2018 and we are bothered that he is changing the goal post now. We are really bothered, but we thank God that the people are sympathising with us.

    “If the bigwigs in the party that produced Governor Fayemi can say the presidency should come to the South in 2023, why are they now depriving Ekiti South of governorship in our state?

    “Let me say that the people of Ekiti South will regard any governorship aspirant from the area that takes deputy governorship slot from any candidate as ‘Judas Iscariot’. What we want is governorship.”

    Babalola added that the group, which had membership drawn from the senatorial district, was striving not only to promote the essence of Ekiti’s homogeneity, but also to propagate the core values of fairness, equity and justice, for which Ekiti State was reputed and respected.

    “It has been difficult to salvage the South from the perennial pestilence of marginalisation, because the district was not able to speak with one voice against the recurrent imposition in the past elections and advance its cause.”

    “We are happy that aspirants of major parties have agreed to work together during their primaries. More disturbing is the fact that the relegated South has the highest number of local governments in the state,” he said.

  • Fayemi inaugurates 36-year-old female lawyer, three others as High Court judges

    Fayemi inaugurates 36-year-old female lawyer, three others as High Court judges

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the implementation of the judicial financial management law will begin this month to give backing to the financial autonomy of the judicial sector.

    Dr. Fayemi also announced that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal in the state to improve access to justice, particularly at the grassroots when the court becomes operational.

    The governor stated this during the inauguration of a 36-year-old female lawyer, Mrs. Blessing Ajileye and three others- Mr. Apuabi Ariyibi, Mr. Olalekan Olatawura and Mrs. Oyinkansola Oluboyede as judges of the state High Court, at the Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.

    The event was witnessed by Deputy Governor Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; Speaker, House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye; the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye; members of the Executive Council; judges of Ekiti State High Court; officials of the Judicial Service Commission; among  others.

    Fayemi expressed delight that the Judicial Service Commission has responded to his concern for the elevation of young lawyers and the need to address gender disparity that characteriSed the composition of judges in the state High Court.

    He said he was not pleased with the absence of Ekiti at the Supreme Court despite the contribution of arrays of Ekiti State-born legal luminaries to the development of justice sector in the country.

    The governor added that his agitation for the appointment of young lawyers into the position of judges would enable Ekiti aspire for the bench of the Supreme Court.

    He said: “Your Lordships will recall that one issue that I have consistently raised at every interaction with Justice Sector stakeholders in this state is the need for the state Judicial Service Commission to undertake a holistic review of entry requirements to the bench, including the need to consider diversity in making the appointments.

    “My suggestion that consideration be given to the appointment of younger persons is simply based on what I imagine should be our collective desire to build on the sterling legacies of Justices Ogundare, Olatawura and Adekeye in the Supreme Court.”

    Fayemi hailed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon Wale Fapohunda (SAN) and his team for playing critical role in repositioning the justice sector in the state.

    Responding on behalf of the newly appointed judges, Justice Apuabi Ariyibi commended Fayemi for approving their recommendation as judges of the state High Court, promising to remain loyal to the oath that guides their practice as judges.

  • Oyetola inaugurates ex-minister, others as chairmen, board members

    Oyetola inaugurates ex-minister, others as chairmen, board members

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday swore in chairmen and members of non-statutory boards and parastatals.

    The appointment was to complement government’s efforts towards equitable delivery of quality and qualitative services and democratic dividends to the citizens across sectors of the economy.

    Among those inaugurated were former Health Minister Prof. Isaac Adewole (UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Board); ex-Osun Deputy Speaker, Akintunde Adegboye (College of Science and Technology, Esa Oke), foremost lawyer and former governorship aspirant in the state, Saka Layonu, SAN, (Osun Polytechnic, Iree) and another former Deputy Speaker, Taiwo Sunmonu (Teaching Service Board).

    The governor urged them to serve with the fear of God, put in their best service possible anchored on the values of truth, honesty, transparency, incorruptibility and inclusiveness.

    Oyetola, who described the appointment as a necessity to further impact positively the lives of the citizenry, noted that the institutions and organisations the new appointees were expected to head, remained the critical engine rooms through which the government would deliver important social services available to the people.

    Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Board Chairman, Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, Elder Kunle Odeyemi, hailed Oyetola for finding them worthy of service in capacities.

    Odeyemi, who assured the state of efficient and effective service delivery, pledged on behalf of his fellow appointees not to disappoint Osun, as they were resolute to justify the purpose for which they were appointed to serve the people.

    The occasion was attended by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; former Deputy Governors, Mrs. Titilayo Ponle; Prince Adeleke Adewoyin; former Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Jelili Adesinyan; Deputy Speaker, Femi Popoola; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola; Head of Service, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade; members of the state Executive Council; local government chairmen; top government functionaries, traditional rulers and political leaders, among others.

  • 2022 Budget: Kosofe holds retreat

    2022 Budget: Kosofe holds retreat

    Officers and staff of Kosofe Local Government Area recently gathered for a three-day retreat to deliberate and discuss the council’s 2022 Budget.

    Chairman of the council Moyosore Ogunlewe declared the retreat open, charging them on his high expectations in the fiscal year.

    He said: “We have embarked on a purposeful and developmental journey for the past 5 months, the purpose of which is to fulfil the objectives of being on the helm of affairs and also ensure that impact of governance is felt by all and sundry in the Local Government Council.”

    He stressed the gathering was to objectively analyse, discuss and reflect on the past year’s budget with critical projections into New Year towards raising the bar of performance and improvement on the achievements of the council.

    Ogunlewe said his administration has resolved to redouble efforts towards making people happy since they have appreciated them via feedback.

    READ ALSO: Budget and repeated rot

    He listed the key areas to receive attention in this year’s expenditure as health, primary education and road construction, followed by electricity, environment, personnel development, sporting activities for the youths, purchase of vehicles for the police and school children among others.

    The council’s Head of Administration, M. B. S. Arole explained the retreat was preparatory for the year 2022 as a sustainable development for the entire Council.

     

    Head of Budget, Planning and Statistics, Mrs. Adeshina A. Adebola delivered a lecture on capital overhead and expenditure, while Bolaji Bello did a critical review of the 2021 budget, preparatory to the 2022 budget.

    Ismail Ogunbambi, a Budget and Public Policy Expert delivered a lecture on planning as a tool for transformation while Dr K. Oguntoyinbo delivered a talk on wellness.

  • Ogun civil service shortlists over 600 for upgrade

    Ogun civil service shortlists over 600 for upgrade

    Ogun State Civil Service Commission has released a list of over 600 successful officers, who have obtained higher academic qualifications through their personal self-development efforts and have passed the three stages of public service competitive selection process.

    A statement by the Chairman of the commission, Tokunbo Odebunmi, an engineer, made available by the commission’s Press Officer, Mrs. Fatimah Alatishe, said that the shortlisted candidates were those that applied for upgrade into different cadres across professional cadres and sub-professional cadres.