The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Bisi Egbeyemi

  • Ekiti deputy governor empowers apc members

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi has organised an empowerment programme for members of the All  Progressives Congress (APC) in Ado Ekiti Local Government.

    The deputy governor explained that the gesture was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of party faithful.  He said the scheme would be done in batches to capture every APC loyalist in Ado Ekiti.

    Sixty-five beneficiaries, including party leaders from each of the 13 wards were given N20,000 each. Egbeyemi said that the empowerment was to assist members in the areas of their businesses.

    Egbeyemi said he has been touching lives before he became deputy governor and that he would not stop doing it, even outside office.

    Noting out that all party members cannot be appointed into government, the deputy governor advised those lucky to be appointed to give back to party faithful and the society at large.

    He assured the people that Governor Kayode Fayemi was determined to banish poverty, by executing policies that will better their standard of living.

    Egbeyemi said the governor was passionate to breathe life into the economy at the grassroots, by empowering artisans, youths, women and owners of small and medium scale businesses.

    The state’s number two citizen called on members to invest in agriculture, especially banana plantation, noting that agriculture is now of the way out of poverty.

    The deputy governor urged women and unemployed graduates to key into the economic programmes and policies of the Fayemi-led administration to better their lot.

    Stressing out that all party members cannot be appointed into government, Egbeyemi advised those lucky to be appointed to give back to party faithful and the society at large.

    Egbeyemi charged APC members to sustain the peace and unity of the party in all parts of the state and to always project the good works of Governor Fayemi in their localities.

    Egbeyemi added that the emergence of the chairman and other executives of Ado Local Government and party executives at the council level would be open and transparent.

    The deputy governor urged members to be proactive in upholding the tenets of the APC, assuring them of more appointments in due course.

    Egbeyemi said there was the need to enforce discipline in the attendance of party meetings. He said the law must be allowed to take its place in the conduct of the affairs of the party.

    The Women Leader, Ado Ward 10, Mrs. Funmi Oni, and the Chairman Ado Ward 1, Mr. Kayode Oladimeji, who were beneficiaries of the programme, commended the deputy governor for the gesture, saying it would serve as a motivation for members.

    Party chieftains at the event include APC Deputy Chairman, Mr. Sola Eleshin; House of Representatives member representing Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 1, Mr. Olusola Fatoba; Commissioner for Special Duties and Integration, Alhaji Jinadu Ayodele; House of Assembly member representing Ado Constituency 1, Mr. Toyin Lucas; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Tade Aluko; Director General, Bureau of Employment and Productivity, Mr. Lanre Ogunjobi; Director General, Bureau of Arts and Culture, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, among others.

     

  • Ekiti enacts law to fight land grabbers

    Ekiti State Government has taken a hard stance against land grabbers with the enactment of laws to curb forcible acquisition of land.

    The government on Wednesday began an enlightenment campaign on the provisions of the Property Protection (Anti-Land Grabbing) Law 2019 to ensure peaceful coexistence among residents.

    Leading a sensitization team to the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi  said the law would allow peace to reign in the state capital and other communities rocked by disputes over land sales.

    A statement by Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, said Governor Kayode Fayemi gave his assent to the Law on June 4, 2019, alongside seven others after they were passed by the fifth House of Assembly.

    The Anti-Land Grabbing Law was aimed at curbing the activities of land grabbers, locally known as “omo oniles” and individuals, who engage in fraudulent sale, resale and forcible occupation of land.

    Egbeyemi stressed that the government would enforce the law to the letter, advising quarter chiefs, family heads and landowners to be truthful and carry stakeholders along while selling land to prospective developers.

    The deputy governor expressed regrets that the majority of cases in the law courts emanated from issues relating to forcible acquisition and fraudulent sales of land to buyers.

    Egbeyemi added that curbing the activities of land grabbers would give room for peace and progress in the state and reduce litigations on land matters.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Saving Ekiti from kidnappers, robbers

    Members of the Ewi-in-Council and quarters chiefs took turns to ask questions on the new law after they were enlightened by the Director of Drafting, Ministry of Lands, and Housing and Urban Development Mr. Akaninyeme Akpan.

    Akpan, while shedding light on the anti-land grabbing law, explained that Section 2 prohibits forceful acquisition or takeover of land with the offence carrying a penalty of four years imprisonment or a fine of N500, 000.

    According to Akpan, entering by violence or using of weapons or charm to chase people out of their land are liable to four years in imprisonment or an option of fine of N500,000.

    Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Mr. Febisola Adewale said the ministry would continue to go round various communities in the state to interpret the law with a view to stopping unlawful sales and takeover on lands.

    Oba Adejugbe hailed the Fayemi administration for taking proactive action to halt the activities of land grabbers.

  • Fayemi to youths: embrace technical education to decongest labour market

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has appealed to unemployed Nigerian youth to harness technical and vocational education in order to reduce the high rate of unemployment.

    Fayemi who lamented the level of unemployment and the consequent spate of social vices in the country, said acquisition of employable skills will take many unemployed graduate from the unemployment pool.

    The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi spoke at the opening ceremony of the Innovative and Change of Perception lecture organised for the students and staff of Government Technical Colleges held at GTC, Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

    Fayemi who stressed the need for a paradigm shift from the erroneous perception that skill acquisition is meant for the academically weak people, noted that technical education remain a potent weapon of improving socio-economic development.

    He disclosed that his administration is committed towards repositioning and restoring the lost glory of technical and vocational education in the Ekiti State.

    The governor added that efforts are in the top gear to commence the second phase of the project that will face-lift other four Technical Colleges in the State.

    “As a government who has value for education, it is our vision and mission to have Ekiti State where our people can thrive and live in dignity.

    “We don’t want our youths to be roaming the street looking for white collar jobs. Graduate unemployment has increased just because most of them do not have any employable skills that can make them self-sustained.

    Read Also: My govt didn’t mismanage N25b bond, says Fayemi

    “It is imperative for unemployed youth to appropriately harness and embrace this form of education to curb high rate of unemployment and the consequent societal ills.

    “There is no doubt that Technical and Vocational Education has the potential of improving the socio-economic sector of the State and the country”, he said.

    Prof. Sam Adejuyigbe while delivering a lecture entitled: Education: “Innovation and Change of Perception” advocated for the acquisition of technical education as a way of bridging the unemployment gap as well as addressing skills deficit in the country.

    Adejuyigbe said the era when vocational education was believed to be undertaken by school drop-outs and pushovers was over with the level of global technological advancements.

    He identified skills acquisition as a panacea to youth restiveness and all forms of social vices, urging them to explore the opportunities to create wealth and become employer of labour.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Ekiti State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Hon. Kayode Babade commended Governor Fayemi led-administration for transforming the moribund fortune of technical education in the state.

    Babade said the students of the college will now be able to compete with their counterparts globally with the state-of-the-art equipment in the college.

    He, however, implored parents, guardians and traditional rulers to partner with the government in mobilizing unemployed youth in the Ekiti State to imbibe skill acquisition by attending technical school and vocational centre.

     

     

  • Fayemi promises to resume payment of stipend to elders, others

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has promised that his administration will soon resume payment of stipends to indigent elders and the physically-challenged.

    This, Fayemi said, would bring succour as well as accelerate the standard of living of Ekiti people and address the trend of poverty.

    He added that the beneficiaries would be drawn from the Single Register for the Poor and Vulnerable Households.

    The Single Register, the governor added, contains the list of all identified households living below globally accepted poverty line.

    Fayemi spoke at the inauguration of the engagement of the Third Batch of the Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO)/Public Workfare (PWF) Scheme in Ifaki-Ekiti.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, restated the commitment of his administration to fighting poverty and giving economic empowerment to the people.

    He described the World Bank assisted scheme as laudable and a measure to combat poverty, “which does not respect partisan politics”.

    Read Also: Fayemi congratulates Lawan, Gbajabiamila

    A statement yesterday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, explained that 6,437 beneficiaries are participating in the programme holding at Ifaki Campus of the Ekiti State University (EKSU).

    Fayemi stressed that his administration has zero-tolerance for poverty, hence its desire to always engage the people of the state in meaningful activities that would keep the youth out of redundancy and restiveness.

    The governor, who advised the beneficiaries to judiciously utilise the stipends to be paid to them and make themselves reliant, also hailed the World Bank for the project and other interventions in the state.

    Director General of the Bureau of Labour, Employment and Productivity Mr. Lanre Ogunjobi said the state government will be committing N50 million monthly to the payment of stipends to beneficiaries.

    Ogunjobi, who said the gesture was aimed at checkmating poverty at the grassroots, also hailed the Fayemi administration for paying its counterpart funds to the World Bank despite the financial challenges facing the state.

    He noted that the programme, which started in 2013 during Fayemi’s first tenure, has helped reduce unemployment and boosted economy at the grassroots.

    Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Labour, Employment and Productivity Mr. Sesan Alabi said the welfare of the poor is a priority to the Fayemi administration.

    Alabi added that the social intervention programmes started by the governor during his first tenure are now being replicated at the federal level to empower the poor.

     

  • Supreme Court verdict victory for all Ekiti people, says Egbeyemi

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has described last Friday’s Supreme Court verdict which validated Governor Kayode Fayemi’s election as “victory for all Ekiti people.”

    Egbeyemi said the judicial affirmation and the emergence of Fayemi as the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman is an opportunity to attract more federal presence to Ekiti.

    He called on the people in the state, especially politicians across political parties, to join hands with Fayemi in taking the state to an enviable height.

    In a statement on Sunday by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi urged politicians still aggrieved with Fayemi’s victory to sheathe their swords saying “politics of bitterness would not take the state to enviable position.”

    The Deputy Governor said Fayemi was ready to welcome ideas that could make the state attain a pride of place in the comity of states in Nigeria.

    The Supreme Court victory, according to him, would afford the APC-led administration in Ekiti an opportunity sustain its priority to workers welfare, delivering dividend of democracy to mass as well as security of lives and property.

    Egbeyemi restated the resolve of the state government to bring about meaningful change in terms of infrastructure, rural development and employment opportunities.

    Read Also: Ekiti: Supreme Court upholds Fayemi’s election

    Speaking on the NGF election, Egbeyemi said Fayemi use his wealth of experience to integrate the forum and to foster unity among the various ethnic nationalities as represented by the 36 states.

    Egbeyemi said Fayemi had what it takes to turn around the fortune of the state by using his wealth of experience to attract investors and meaningful economy.

    He said: “The Governor will facilitate the extension of railway lines to the state and this will improve sales of our agric products.

    “Even the cargo airport will soon be sited here and this will boost economic activities and these facilities will open Ekiti to windows of opportunities.”

    The Deputy Governor also hailed the support of the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi for meaningful contribution to governance in terms of empowerment to women, students and vulnerable children.

    The Deputy Governor observed that the good works had earned the Ekiti First Lady several laurels in Nigeria and Africa.

    Egbeyemi expressed the belief that many more programmes of that would be beneficial to the state, especially woman were still on the way.

    Also, the Ekiti State chapter of the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG said Fayemi’s victory at the Supreme Court was a true reflection and affirmation of his electoral mandate freely given by the Ekiti people.

    The group, according to a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Prince Michael Ogungbemi, the victory will spur Fayemi to deliver more superlative services derivable from democratic governance.

    “We are impressed with the excellent developmental strides of Fayemi-led administration.

    “With this victory Ekiti people is set to enjoy more of infrastructural, rural development and people-oriented programmes capable of accelerating standard of living of the people”, it said.

  • Fayemi presents staff of office to new monarch

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has presented the instrument of appointment and staff of office to the new Alaaye of Oke Ayedun Ekiti, Oba Olufemi Aribisala, with a call on the traditional institution to partner his administration in ensuring better standard of living for the citizenry.

    Performing the official presentation of staff of office to the new monarch at Oke Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area, Fayemi said his present administration was passionate at carrying out meaningful programmes that would have direct impact on the people.

    Represented by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Fayemi charged the new royal father to work harmoniously with his people to accelerate the rate of development of the Oke-Ayedun community,

    A statement on Sunday signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, said the process of selecting a new Alaaye was consequent upon the demise of the last occupant of the throne, Oba Jacob Fatunase Ala, on 22nd March, 2018.

    The Governor explained that the selection and enthronement of Oba Aribisala was in accordance with paragraph 1, Section 8 of the Chiefs Edict of 1984, as amended in 1991 which was further amended as Ekiti State Chiefs Law in 2010.

    Noting that the selection of Oba Aribisala was devoid of political coloration and influence, Fayemi reminded the new king that his position demands considerable diligence, sacrifice, initiatives and perseverance.

    The Governor appealed to the people of the community to demonstrate the spirit of oneness and sincerity of purpose by supporting and cooperating with their monarch.

    Fayemi urged the people of the community to contribute their quota to the socioeconomic development of the community, admitting that government cannot sufficiently satisfy all the needs and aspirations of the people due to limited available resources.

    Commending the roles of royal fathers across the State in the sustenance of peace and stability in their domains, Fayemi, implored them to display high sense of responsibility and sincerity in carrying their subjects along when taking issues that had to do with their welfare.

    The state’s number one citizen also seized the opportunity to call on all Ekitis both at home and Diaspora to partner his administration in its drive to restoring the values of the people of the State.

    Read Also: Fayemi suspends anti-grazing coordinator

    Fayemi reiterated his commitment to implementing his cardinal programmes of social investment, knowledge economy, infrastructure and industrial development, agricultural and rural development.

    In his acceptance speech, the new Alaaye of Oke Ayedun Ekiti, Oba Aribisala, promised to work with all his strength and intellect to surpass the achievements of his predecessors.

    Oba Aribisala called on those aggrieved to sheathe their swords and join hands with him to move the community forward in the path of peace, progress and prosperity.

    Earlier in his address, the Coordinating Director of Ikole Local Government, Mr. Gabriel Fasanmi, disclosed that the college of the Kingmakers followed the normal laid down guidelines as five out of the six kingmakers voted in favour of Oba Aribisala.

    He added that out of the two ruling houses in Oke Ayedun namely, Usinola and Ilero ruling houses, the Chieftaincy declaration clearly stated that the next ruling house is Ilero ruling house where Oba Aribisala Olufemi came from.

    Also in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adeniyi Familoni, revealed that the selection process of Alaaye was keenly monitored in accordance with the extant laws and traditional rites of the people of Oke Ayedun.

    Familoni implored the traditional institution in the state to always carry their subjects along in decision making.

     

  • Ekiti reviews Fayose’s last minute recruitment of 2,000 workers

    The Ekiti State Government has expressed readiness to review the procedure that led to the recruitment of no fewer than 2,000 new workers into the civil service by the immediate past administration of Ayo Fayose.

    The new set of workers had continually protested their non-recognition as bonafide civil servants by the current government, as well as non-payment of their salaries seven months after their engagement.

    Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Values Orientation, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Monday while addressing a group of physically challenged people also affected by the exercise.

    Olumilua noted that that none of the appointments, involving various categories of people went through due process, especially as it involved biometrics.

    He said the recruitment was hurriedly done, even up till the very night of the day of exit of the former governor.

    The commissioner said it was on basis of that the Fayemi’s administration set up a committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi to review the appointments.

    Read Also: Judge’s absence stalls Fayose’s trial

    He said the committee was also to determine the actual available vacancies within the public service.

    Olumilua disclosed that the committee had concluded its assignment and would soon take decisive verdict on the issue, so that those involved could no their fate.

    Giving a breakdown of the total of 2,000 appointments, the commissioner said that 600 teachers were recruited into the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) while 400 personnel were employed into the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and 1,000 injected into the Ministry of Establishment.

    He reiterated the commitment of the present administration to generation of employment opportunities without political coloration.

    “We want to assure that available vacancies will be equitably filled without prejudice and undue political consideration,” he said.

    NAN

  • Ekiti PDP loses former Senator, Ex-Assembly member, others to APC

    The storm of defection eroding the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has continued unabated with the influx of its high-ranking members into the fold of All Progressives Congress.

    The defectors were led by a former federal Lawmaker, Senator Bode Ola, who represented Ekiti Central in the Senate between 2009 and 2011 alongside a former Assembly member (2003-2007), Hon. Segun Ola, and their loyalists.

    The two PDP’s heavyweights were received into the APC fold at a rally held in Okeyinmi area of Ado Ekiti by party chieftains led by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi on Wednesday evening.

    The former Senator is the immediate past Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) under former Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The former SUBEB chief said he was attracted to the APC because of the impact the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi has made in the lives of the people within his fruitful four months in office.

    “The way this administration has started revealed that they have the love of the masses at heart.

    “The policies they made in the education sector are legendary; I was in charge of SUBEB in the last administration, a sum of 3.5 billion Naira was left untouched.

    “Within this short period of time, we can see how this administration has rightfully deployed those resources to facelift our education sector”, Senator Ola said.

    Similarly, former Assembly member, Ola, disclosed that Fayemi’s campaign slogan, reclaiming our land and restoring our value, attracted him to the party.

    According to him, Ekiti under his former party was occupied by those he described as “marauders between 2014 and 2018” when the values of the land was misplaced.

    He assured that the party and the people of the State would feel their impact as their entry into the progressive’s fold be prosperous.

    Receiving the defectors, Egbeyemi who described the APC as ‘masses centric party’ that has the interest of the masses at heart.

    The deputy governor said since the exit of the inglorious days, Ekiti people have been enjoying a new lease of life under the Fayemi administration.

    Read Also: Ekiti govt, police battle robbers, kidnappers

    This, he said, could be attested to by the life impacting programmes and policies Governor Fayemi had initiated and implemented within the short period of time he came into power.

    He also revealed plan of the state government to restore the social welfare scheme for the aged in which they will be receiving monthly stipends as executed during Fayemi’s first tenure.

    Egbeyemi further said: “We are happy that you (Senator Bode Ola) is back to our Party and we welcome Honourable Segun Ola. Senator Bode Ola has come back to where he belongs.

    “These are men of reputable character, they came from a good family.

    “We brought goodwill to Ekiti people, salaries are now paid as and when due and we have started clearing backlog of salaries owed by the previous administration.

    “Dr Kayode has increased the ten million naira set aside by the previous administration for payment of retirement benefits to one hundred million naira.

    The state APC Deputy Chairman, Mr Sola Eleshin charged the two defectors and their loyalists to work assiduously for the progress and glory of the party.

  • Fayemi assures workers of prompt salaries

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday assured workers of his administration’s commitment to regular payment workers’ salary for effective and efficient service delivery.

    Fayemi said his government would be committed to rescuing the Civil Service from the level of decadence experienced under the immediate past administration.

    He disclosed the template to restoring the core values of civil service has been entrenched in the four pillar of his administration.

    He explained public servants during the last administration were demoralized and deprived of service tools, which hindered effective performance.

    The governor added that the core values of civil service went to extinction in recent past years with deprivation of a conducive and work friendly environment by the government.

    The governor spoke on Tuesday while unveiling the special edition of Fountain Bureaucrat magazine at the Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, in Ado Ekiti.

    He said civil servants were not only deprived of deserved welfare packages but were made to suffer indignity and ridicule of high magnitude.

    The Governor, represented, by his Deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, was of the opinion the public service, being an engine room of governance, deserved to be treated with much dignity and respect.

    Read Also: Vote wisely, Fayemi tells teachers

    Fayemi said: “We are all living witness to the level of decadence that the Service sunk during the recent inglorious past.

    “An average civil servant was demoralized and disoriented with the inclement and unfair environment of operation.

    “Civil servants were not only denied of deserved welfare packages, they were arrogantly deprived of tools of service.

    “In many instances, they were made to suffer indignity and ridicule of high magnitude.

    “For whatever it takes, the public servants do not deserve these inhuman treatments and never again will such indignity be allowed to befall its public service.”

    Fayemi assured the state government would continue to support the publication and ensure that it was well positioned to be a journal of note across states in the federation.

    Mr. Segun Omolayo while reviewing the magazine revealed that the latest edition was not only special because it was anchored on the four pillars of Fayemi or his achievements in the first hundred days in office but for its wealth of quality content.

    Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, who is also the publisher of the Journal, explained that Fountain Bureaucrat would continue to serve as a veritable platform and tool for sharing knowledge and experience among public servants.

  • Police deploy four CPs for elections in Ekiti

    The Ekiti State police command on Friday said three Commissioners of Police have been deployed by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu to monitor Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the State.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, who disclosed in Ado Ekiti on Friday, said the Commissioners, whose names were withheld, would monitor each of the senatorial districts of the state.

    Ikechukwu added that the police have also devised new techniques to checkmate vote buying, revealing that plain-clothed operatives will be deployed to all the 2,195 polling units to arrest the perpetrators.

    “The operatives will mingle with voters and from there have the knowledge of those engaging in this electoral offence”, he said.

    Ikechukwu disclosed that the security details of Very Important personalities, including politicians in the state have been withdrawn, with the exception of that of Governor Kayode Fayemi and his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

    The Command spokesman stated that three security men will be deployed to each of the polling units to secure the staff deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and both sensitive and insensitive materials to be used for the conduct of the elections.

    Read Also: Ekiti residents protest killing of farmer by suspected herdsman

    “The security arrangements have been made in such a way that there would be no room for security lapses. Three security men comprising police, NSCDC and immigration officers will man each of the polling units.

    “As of now, three police Commissioners are on ground to work with CP Asuquo Amba. Each of them will man the three senatorial districts to enforce compliance to restriction of vehicles, except those on essential services and to make sure that no one circumvents the laws of the land regarding these elections”.

    Ikechuckwu stated that the Special Tactical Unit of the Police Force will be deployed to each of the 16 local government areas of the state to attend to emergency situations that could undermine the conduct of the polls.

    “These are armed unit of the police who will be on standby and they are to tackle cases of violence, attempted ballot snatching and ballot stuffing. They would also help in putting politicians who may want to demonstrate abuses at check”, he said.

    He added that Special Protection Unit of the Command have been deployed to provide protection for international and observers and other groups accredited by INEC to monitor the election.

    He said policemen are already on ground in all the INEC offices across the state, including the headquarters in Ado Ekiti to prevent cases of arson.

    “CP Amba and other top officers will also monitor these elections and our hotlines are on. We are on ground to entertain complaints from the members of the public.

    “We are on ground to ensure that we have credible elections. In having credible election, violence and other infractions that could mar the process must be checkmated and that is what we are here to enforce not to interfere in electoral matters”.