The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dr. Kayode Fayemi

  • Technical education key to economic prosperity – Fayemi

    THE governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said technical education remains one of the key determinants of national development and economic prosperity.

    Fayemi disclosed that any developing nation which despises technical education will witness economy somersault in these modern days driven by technological advancements.

    Speaking through the chairman, Ekiti State Board for Technical and vocational Education, Hon. Kayode  Babade, in Ado Ekiti on Saturday,  Fayemi advised the state governors  to key into the agenda of technical and vocational education for citizens to have skills that can take them to economic growth.

    Fayemi said the state, upon realising the values of technological innovations, had invested heavily on  the Technical College in Ado-Ekiti, where students were being trained in technical programmes like ceramics, carpentry and joinery, electrical installation, motor building, ICT, garment making, shoe making, among others.

    He said: “Such nation that fails to invest in this sector can’t be referred to as a developing nation let alone a developed one, so that is why every nation of the world is now investing heavily on technical and technological education.

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

    “Countries like China, South Korea, Singapore, France, USA, UK and Germany are all investing heavily on technical and technological education because without it, how do you generate power, manufacture automobile, how do you do electrical installation, transmit information via satelite, television and radio?

    “These are works of technology. Even the phones we are using today are products of technical education, and so without technical education, the world is nothing.”

    The governor, however, lamented that  policy somersault has been the major impediment knowing down the development of Nigeria’s educational system.

    “We always have policy somersault. The government that brought in the 6-3-3-4 policy really meant well for this country. Six years in the primary school, the first three years, which is the JSS1-JSS3, and then the SS1-SS3.

    “When this policy was introduced, you will discover that lots of the secondary schools were equipped with various kinds of workshops and tools, but today none of them are in the schools.”

  • Infrastructure renewal excites Ekiti residents

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is passionate about the development of the state. To this end, he has shown commitment towards ensuring that better infrastructure are put in place to boost commerce, transportation, tourism and investment with focus on speedy completion of the International Civic Centre and new Ado-Iyin Road. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has vowed to fulfill all promises he made to the people of Ekiti State while canvassing for their votes. Having been trusted with their mandate, it is obvious that he has devoted much time trying to enhance infrastructure that will improve the well-being of the people. He also has promised to work very hard to serve the electorate who defied the odds to elect him on July 14, last year.

    Apart from going through many files on his table and attending to horde of visitors on daily basis, Fayemi also hits the streets to inspect ongoing projects in every nook and cranny of the state.

    It is not uncommon these days for the governor to pay unscheduled visits to project sites to keep the contractors and workers on their toes.

    This is to ensure that every kobo spent on the projects is accounted for and that projects are delivered according to specifications and in good time.

    As witnessed during his first term of office which ran from October 2010 to October 2014, Ekiti has been turned to a huge construction site where various projects are being executed to the delight of the residents.

    Apart from completing projects inherited from the last administration, new projects are also ongoing to make life easier for the people.

    Any visitor to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, will notice rehabilitation of major roads and inner roads crisscrossing the various neighbourhoods.

    Other major towns and rural areas are not neglected while work has started on five kilometer roads in the 16 local government areas, which was also a major feature of Fayemi’s first tenure.

    But the two major signature projects receiving attention of the second Fayemi administration are the International Civic Centre in the state capital and the new Ado-Iyin Road.

    These two projects are already changing the face of Ado-Ekiti and are having multiplier effects on the local economy.

    Apart from direct employment given to local artisans, food vendors and sellers of other items are having a field day as they are being patronised by workers on sites.

    Artisans working at the project sites are based in Ekiti with 50 of them working at the Civic Centre while a total number of 500 local artisans are billed to work with the contractor handling Ado-Iyin Road.

    To demonstrate the seriousness his administration attached to the projects, Fayemi recently paid unscheduled visits to the sites for on-the-spot assessment of progress of work.

    The Civic Centre was initiated by the first Fayemi regime and was originally funded from the bond sourced in 2012 from the capital market but the project was abandoned by the last administration after the incumbent governor lost his re-election bid in 2014.

    The Centre was envisioned to be major nectar of commerce, entertainment, education, arts, tourism and culture as it will host a multi-purpose event centre, library, film houses, a museum and a departmental store to be run by Shoprite.

    The project, when completed, would boost business activities and shore up the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    The Ado-Iyin Road is a new project being executed to link the two towns together through a dual carriageway within the shortest possible time.

    The road is a first phase of project that will be extended to Aramoko, a major nodal town and Efon Alaaye, another major town sharing boundary with neighbouring Osun State.

    It was aimed at opening up new areas in parts of Ado-Ekiti and Iyin Ekiti and to end incessant loss of lives on the old Ado-Iyin Road, especially at the notorious Akannasan bend where several vehicles had skidded off into the ditch.

    The road project which is expected to be completed in 18 months is already a source of excitement to house owners, residents and workers of many federal agencies having their offices there.

    Speaking during an inspection tour of the civic centre, Fayemi said he was convinced that the contractors handling the project will not delay it till next year given the pace of work already done.

    Fayemi, who was joined on the inspection visit by the Special Adviser on Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Mr. Rufus Sunday Adunmo, expressed disappointment that the civic centre was abandoned by the immediate past administration despite being executed with public fund.

    The governor revealed that his administration would source resources to ensure that the project is completed latest by December.

    He expressed satisfaction at the level of job done by the contractor who is currently plastering the building and installing its roof beams.

    “There is some level of progress on the project. For four years, nothing was done on the project. It was abandoned by the previous administration.

    “This was planned to be the hub of activities for all our people because this is a facility that has an auditorium, an event place, a library, film houses and Shoprite activities.

    “It is a multi-purpose civic centre. It is going to be a hub of activities in Ado-Ekiti. Right now, there is no place for our young people to read, watch films, enjoy the facilities of a gallery or hold their events.

    “Yes, they may have Damlek Event Centre and a few places to hold events but this place has a capacity for 1,500 seats event hall, conference centre with a capacity for 1,000 participants and a convention facility.

    “We know that this is good for the people; which is why we are not going to abandon it or any other project. We will do everything to ensure that we get resources to complete this.

    “The rate at which the contractor is working, I am convinced that the work will be completed before the year ends,” he said.

    On the recruitment of Ekiti-based artisans to work with the Chinese contractor handling the job, Fayemi said there is no justification for bringing foreigners to do the job that Ekiti people have capacity to handle.

    He said funds being used for the project and other projects belong to Ekiti people and they should benefit from it by legitimately earning from it.

    The governor noted that no fewer than 50 Ekiti artisans are currently working on the civic centre project while another 500 will be employed by the contractor handling new Ado-Iyin Road.

    “For us, we have always said that where we have able-bodied Ekiti people who have the capacity to do the job, there is no justification for bringing people from outside the state.

    That’s why I am happy they have about 50 Ekiti people working here. If you go to the new Ado-Iyin Road, I am sure the same thing will be happening there and other projects that we will be doing”, he added.

    It was also an opportunity for the government to assure residents along the new Ado-Iyin Road that no legal structure along the axis would be demolished while the construction lasts.

    Adunmo, who gave the assurance, said he was pleased with the level of work so far done on the road project urged the contractor not to relent as the governor was in haste to deliver all his electioneering promises.

    He said: “Sincerely, l must commend the contractor for the milestone reached so far but he must keep up with the pace. The governor wants to deliver all his electioneering promises to Ekiti people”, he said.

    He said culverts and drainage would be constructed in the appropriate areas of the road to ensure easy passage of water and guard against depletion so that the road could stand the test of time.

    The governor’s aide assured residents whose properties were on the approved radius by the road side that government would not tamper with their facilities, adding that such properties were no impediments to the project.

    He said labour and other significant aspects of the workforce would be dominated by Ekiti indigenes, noting that Ekiti resources would no longer be taken away to develop foreigners.

    Adunmo further said: “I assure you that, according to our term, the contractor will recruit members of his staff from Ekiti.

    “Ekiti indigenes are going to handle the major works on this project. Ekiti money will be used to develop Ekiti and not otherwise.”

    He further explained that all the terms of contract would be strictly complied with to ensure timeliness and quality.

    The people of Ekiti State are relishing the prospect of improvement of their economic, commercial and social lives with the projects already in full swing.

    Defintely, they can’t wait to see them completed by the Fayemi administration that is determined to make a great difference in their lives.

    • Ogunmola is Special Assistant (Media) to Ekiti State Deputy Governor

  • Excitement as Ekiti hands over road to Chinese contractor

    There was excitement in the air as the Ekiti State government under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Fayemi commenced the construction of a major road abandoned in the last 41 years. RASAQ IBRAHIM witnessed the handover of the road to the Chinese firm

    During the statewide electioneering campaign ahead of the July 14, 2018 governorship election which he won as confirmed by the Election Tribunal and the Court Appeal, construction reconstruction and rehabilitation of road was in the front burner.

    In all villages, communities and towns reached by his campaign train, Fayemi who expressed displeasure about the state of roads and infrastructure promised to bring them back to good condition if elected.

    Fayemi won national and global renown for infrastructure development during his first tenure in office between 2010 and 2014 but many of the roads constructed and rehabilitated under his watch were abandoned by the Fayose administration.

    With Providence and the votes of Ekiti people b ringing him back to the office he vacated four years earlier, one of the focal points of his restoration government was road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

    During the celebration of the 100 days of his administration on January 24, Fayemi flagged off the construction of the new Ado-Iyin Road to open up new areas and connect the two major towns within minutes.

    Many residents of Iyin commute to Ado every day for one business or the other while many workers in Ado are resident in Iyin because of cheaper house rents compared to the state capital.

    Besides, the new various federal establishments have their corporate offices along the abandoned road and the Fayemi administration’s move to carry out the project is a blessing to them.

    The agencies include Central Bank of Nigeria, News Agency of Nigeria, Department of State Services, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Public Complaints Commission, Federal Mortgage Bank, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Independent National Electoral Commission, Federal High Court, just to mention a few.

    That was why the commencement of the formal handover of the road to the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) was done amidst pomp and pageantry to the delight of government officials, construction workers and residents of the area.

    It should be noted that the road which was originally awarded in 1978 by the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo-led military administration when Ekiti was part of the old Ondo State but it was abandoned.

    Handing the project over to the contractor, Fayemi said he is irrevocably committed to fulfilling all his electioneering promises in all sectors, especially in the area of infrastructure which is a catalyst for development.

    Work on the road project billed for completion in eighteen dry months.

    Fayemi who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, said the 7.25km road project is the first phase of the construction work which will stop at the State’s boundary with Osun State; noting that the dualisation project will be completed within 24 months.

    On behalf of the state chief executive, Egbeyemi test drove the

    tractor to officially marked commencement of work of one of the major arteries into Ado, the state capital.

    He said the first phase of the project is the construction of the road from Ado to Iyin, the second phase from Iyin to Aramoko while the third phase would be from Aramoko to Itawure.

    The governor expressed worry that the old Ado – Iyin road had become a death trap because of its unsafe, winding and undulating alignments which had caused series of fatal accidents on the route.

    According to him, his administration cannot helplessly watch citizens’ lives and properties lost to the road.

    He said: “As a government, we understand and appreciate the importance of good road network to our economic development.

    “Good road network will not only ease the stress of commuters but will also enhance the marketability of our farm produce which is the mainstay of most of our people.

    “Ekiti people should take it that our government would fulfill all our promises to the people, and infrastructure development is just a part of it.

    “All we need is that the people should cooperate with us. We will try our best to serve our people.

    “The workers will continue to receive their salaries as and when due.

    The governor knows the people’s problem. Some weeks ago, some vehicles fell inside Akannasan ditch.

    “When this road is completed, it will bring an end to such unfortunate incidents.”

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Road, Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, said lightings will be accommodated in the N8.9 Billion road so that commuters can travel any time without fears of the unknown.

    Adunmo disclosed that the Fayemi-led government will soon commence construction of some ring roads to reduce traffic in the State capital. He listed such roads to include Iworoko-Eyio-Igede road and Ago Aduloju (Ado Ekiti) – Afao Road among others.

    Adunmo said further that the Fayemi-led administration would use infrastructure as a  tool for taking the agro- based economy of the state to a global limelight.

    The Special Adviser who said the project would be in three phases explained that the first phase will terminate at Iyin Ekiti while the second phase yet to be awarded would end at Aramoko and the third at ltawure respectively.

    “As the months unfold, there would be more deliveries of substantial projects to Ekiti people. The dual carriage way is going to be with streetlights for travels and other conveniences.

    “Fayemi administration is poised to take Ekiti State to the next level of development,”’ Adunmo said.

    He said work would commence on rural roads across the state to ease transport problems of farmers and enhance the marketing of their product.

    While affirming that more road projects would be flagged off soon, he said government would also work relentlessly to ensure the provision of water, housing and other basic infrastructure for Ekiti people.

    ‘There shall be more roads, water and other infrastructure. These would make farming lucrative and speed up the industrial development of our dear state,’ he stated.

    He said the road project which is the first phase would be delivered in the next 18 dry months adding that other vital roads across the state would not be spared in the infrastructural revolution.

    The Southwest Regional Manager of company handling the project, Sewell Zhao, said the company has commenced the recruitment of workers for the project.

    The CCECC chief stated that the company will accommodate local content by employing at least 500 Ekiti people for the construction work.

    Zhao assured that the company will deliver quality job as the company has brought new equipment that will enable it deliver in time and on cost billed for completion within 24 months.

  • Supreme Court resumes hearing in Ekiti governor’s, Oni’s case today

    THE Supreme Court will today resume hearing in the case between the former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Chairman (Southwest), Chief Segun Oni and Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    The panel hearing the case comprises Justices Musa Dattijo (presiding), Aba Aaji, Amina Adamu-Augie, Kumai Akaahs and John Okoro.

    The apex court is expected to resolve the issue of who is a public officer in the suit in which Oni is challenging Fayemi’s eligibility to contest the Ekiti governorship election on July 14, last year, on APC’s platform.

    Justice U.N. Agomo of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti held that Fayemi was eligible to contest the election because as a minister (as he then was) he could not be described as a public officer as contemplated under Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution

    Last February 12, the Court of Appeal sitting in Ado-Ekiti upheld the verdict, saying: “It is clear from the foregoing the first respondent (Fayemi) as Minister of Mines and Steel, even though in the Public Service of the Federation, was not an employee in the Public Service. Therefore, Article 2 of the guidelines does not apply to him.”

    In his appeal before the Supreme Court, Oni is contending that the appeal court erred in its verdict.

    He noted that “the main task in this appeal is the application of mischief rule of interpretation in resolving the proprietary of a public officer like a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other public officer contesting a party primary or general election while still retaining his public office and thereby using all the advantages of that office to advance a political course to the disadvantage of every other co-contestant, who is not a public officer”.

    The brief added: “The appellant, who was the claimant at the trial court and the appellant in this appeal at the lower court contested alongside 31 others, including the first respondent (Fayemi), the governorship primary election of the second respondent’s party (APC). The said primary election to nominate the candidate of the second respondent was held on May 12, 2018, for the Ekiti State gubernatorial election, which was subsequently held on the July 14, 2018.

    “The said primary election was conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and was expected to be conducted strictly in line and in accordance with the second respondent’s Constitution.”

  • S’ West leaders must change tactics to actualise restructuring, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has said the Yoruba race needs to be more tactical to actualise the call for restructuring.

    Fayemi urged the proponents of the policy in the region to change strategy and reach out to other regions on how to actualise the dream of Nigeria being restructured economically and politically.

    Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti on Saturday at the opening session of the 2019 National retreat of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG).

    Fayemi said: “There are those who entertained fear on this issue of restructuring and whether this is legitimate or not, we must reach out to them, because we are not an island onto ourselves.

    “We don’t need to be shouting on the roof top before we get it, but if we want to do it alone, the agitation will fall,” he warned.

    Expressing regret over voter apathy in the southwest, Fayemi said a situation where the total number of votes cast in all the states in the region was less than 50 percent of the total registered voters is worrisome.

    “In the last presidential poll,  Ekiti registered 909,000 voters , only 381,000 voted, 0sun 1.67million , only 737,000 voted, Ondo, 1.8m registered , 586,00, Oyo, 2.7m registered , 891,000 voted, 2.36m registered  in Ogun, 605,000 voted and Lagos with 6.3m, only 1.56m voted,” he stressed.

    He said whatever might be the reason for the low turnout of voters must be critically examined to properly correct the situation.

    “This might be caused by deficit of trust or fraudulent multiple registration, but whatever the case was, as long as we remain a constituent part of this country, ARG should reflect on this and act appropriately.

    “If it was as a result of deficit of voter education, then the ARG and governments need a lot to do.”

    Fayemi said the Yoruba Academy and the DAWN Commission should also help look into issues that directly affect the region including voter apathy, influence of religion, economic development among others.

    Also speaking at the event, Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu and his Osun State counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola, said all the distinguishable traits of the southwest region initiated during the old western region must be brought back in the interest of the zone.

    The Osun governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles Akinola, said: “The Yorubaness in us and those things that separated us from others are our developmental drives, our intellectual rigour, our brilliance, circumspection  and those values however, have  not really taken us to where we deserve”.

    Read also: We have recorded success against Boko Haram – Army

    Oyetola also appealed to the southwest governments to  leverage on its human capital in the diaspora and bring them home for the benefit of all.

    Akeredolu, represented by Commissioner for Regional Integration, Prof Bayonle Ademodi, added that the southwest is also facing serious economic and political crises that needed to be addressed.

    “We have to be really worried that the instability and insecurity in the Sahel has started affecting us and we need to get worried.

    “We knew we had  to think outside the box in the southwest on how to bring our own paradigm and we thought of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) to work on how to put us back on the right track.

    The National Chairman of the group, Hon Wale Oshun, reiterated the issue of restructuring and advised that it should be taken back to the front burner to benefit the Yoruba race.

    “The Yoruba people are progressive people. We are lovely and we care for each other. We are welfarists and we remain the same despite out stand in the just concluded governorship and legislative elections.

    “All we want as a people is to ensure that our interests at the national level are protected and that we get a fair deal in the scheme of things”.

    Oshun, however, expressed feat that Yoruba language is fast going into extinction due to paradigm shift caused by globalisation and laxity on the part of some parents.

  • Ex-PPPRA’ Boss, Oluleye Dies

    Former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Dr Oluwole Oluleye on Saturday died at Abuja hospital after a brief illness.

    Oluleye contested the Ekiti governorship seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, but lost to Governor Kayode Fayemi in the primary.

    He was also at a time the executive secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Trust Fund (PTDF).

    A senator elect in Ekiti State, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, described as a monumental loss Oluleye’s demise as a personal loss to him.

    In a statement in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, Bamidele said Oluleye’s death was a devastating loss, being from Ekiti Central senatorial district where he had just won election to the Senate.

    READ ALSO: Oluleye joins Ekiti Guber race

    Bamidele branded Oluleye as an illustrious son of Ekiti and accomplished technocrat and educationist, who rendered selfless services to Nigeria to be great while alive.

    “Dr. Oluleye’s demise was a devastating one, in view of his outstanding character as a public servant, community leader and politician.

    “His administrative astuteness and competence were recognised by the federal government and this earned him the respectable position he held at different times as Executive Secretary of PPPRA and PTDF.

    “Though, he never had the opportunity to serve at the state level, but he left an indelible footprint on the sand of time as a philanthropist and community builder.

    “I condole with the Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the traditional ruler of Efon kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare and the entire citizens of our dear state over this scandalous and irreparable loss.

    “I pray that the good lord shall fill the vacuum left by Dr. Oluleye and heal all broken hearts this death must have caused

  • Ekiti seeks monarchs’ support to end sexual violence

    Ekiti State Government has solicited for traditional rulers’ cooperation to curtail cases of rape and child defilement.

    The government said it has instituted plans to make the state uninhabitable for those engaging in rape through enactment of legal framework.

    Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, during an interactive session with the state’s traditional rulers yesterday at the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, said the state is experiencing high incidence of rape and child defilement, which, he said, were against Ekiti people’s core values.

    He declared that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration has zero-tolerance for sex offences and all forms of violence against women and children.

    The commissioner said other measures would be put in place to curb the crime in addition to prosecution.

    Read also: Rainstorm leaves many homeless in Ekiti

    “Violence against women and children is a major problem that we are experiencing now in Ekiti State. We are vigorously working on the issue of wife battering, because our legislation in that regard is not adequate.

    “But the issue that saddened us most is the issue of rape and child defilement. It is becoming an embarrassment to the state. It challenges our values and the worse part of it is that it seems as if we are all used to it. It is the fact that we have all come to a stage in Ekiti State where we are not shocked that an old man is having canal knowledge of a two-year-old child.

    “We know that legislation alone cannot do this. We are vigorously prosecuting sex offenders. I, as Attorney General, will personally lead the prosecution against any sex offender because Fayemi government has zero-tolerance to sex violence in the state,” Fapohunda said.

    The commissioner solicited the support of the monarchs in curbing the menace of land grabbing, saying it is sufficient to turn investors away from the state.

    He explained that most land conflicts were being caused by people, who did not have any title on the said land, but just want to forcefully grab the land.

    Responding on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, the Oloye of Oye -Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, thanked the government for the move to curb rape and child defilement as well as land grabbing.

  • Fayemi immortalises Afenifere leader, three others

     Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has named four newly established secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, after four prominent citizens of the state.

    The four secondary schools billed to open for academic work by September were established to cater for the dire need of the growing population of students in Ado-Ekiti, which has led to over- stretching of learning facilities in some public schools in the state capital.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, said the four schools are to be named after four illustrious sons of the state including Afenifere leader and Second Republic Senator, Pa Ayo Fasanmi.

    Others are: Chief Deji Fasuan, a former Permanent Secretary and Chairman, Committee for the creation of Ekiti State; Prof Banji Akintoye, renowned Historian and Second Republic Senator and David Oke, a linguistic Professor and a member of the Senate during the second Republic.

    Government believes the new schools will provide alternatives to secondary school students who trek long distance on daily basis to attend school.

    Read also: Fayemi hands over abandoned Ado-Iyin road to Chinese contractor

    The secondary schools are being established in critical areas of the capital city.

    The Banji Akintoye Comprehensive High School is sited on Emirin Junction, Federal Poly Road, Ado-Ekiti while the Ayo Fasanmi Comprehensive High School is situated along EKSU/Iworoko road in the capital city.

    The Deji Fasuan Comprehensive High School is sited along Old Iyin Road, beside Police Children’s School while the David Oke Comprehensive High School is along Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti.

    Fayemi said his administration will continue to place high premium on education development and do everything possible to restore the state’s lost glory in the sector.

    He added it would continue to celebrate positive contributions of citizens both old and young to socio-economic and Political development of the State.

    The governor, who has also given approval for the establishment of two additional secondary schools next year, has also commenced arrangement for the upgrade of three technical colleges in the state in partnership with the World Bank.

    Fayemi urged parents to take advantage of his administration’s free and qualitative education programmes by ensuring that their children attend schools regularly.

  • Ekiti inaugurates Electricity Regulatory Act

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated Electricity Regulatory Act to tackle theft and wishful vandalism of electricity equipment and installations.

    He assured residents that the incessant conflict between Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and electricity consumers would soon be resolved.

    The Act 2015 stipulated that vandals and theft of electricity equipment now risk two years’ jail term or pay a fine of N10 million fines.

    The Act also mandated the establishment of electricity committees in the communities to monitor suspicious activities on any electricity installation or equipment and report to distribution companies (DISCOS).

    Inaugurating the act at a function attended by stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Fayemi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, stated that the Act was enacted to protect both the suppliers and consumers of electricity.

    “This regulation was made to protect suppliers and users of electricity. If you tamper with your meters or do anything untoward to the transformers, you are liable to be sanctioned.

    “The electricity company, Benin Electricity Distribution Companies (BEDC), should not default in electricity supply, because such also carried penalty.”

    BEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mrs. Funke Osibodu noted that distribution companies lose about N30 billion daily due to activities of vandals and thefts.

    She hailed the government for enacting the law, saying it would help to curb the menace of theft and boost power supply in Ekiti.

    This, he said, would have a multiplier effects on the state economy and attract investors to cite industries in the state.

    Osibodu, who was represented by an official of the company, Lucky Ayomoto, added that BEDC, which controls light distribution in Ekiti, Ondo, Delta and Edo states, have taken giant strides in ensuring that the economies of those states were given impetus through improved electricity supplies since assumption.

    “Ekiti state Electricity Regulation Act 2015, therefore, seeks to curb and deter illegal and unauthorised use of regulated electricity supply as well as to protect electricity infrastructure.

     

  • Ekiti govt, police battle robbers, kidnappers

    The spate of insecurity in Ekiti State has unsettled many of its inhabitants. RASAQ IBRAHIM examines the carnage and the measures put in place to decimate it by the state government and the security agencies.

    Ado-Ekiti, Aramoko, Erio, Ikere and other towns sharing boundary with Ekiti State have seen hell—no thanks to the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers. Now, Fayemi and security agencies are battling to take the people away from hell.

    Ekiti was known for its peaceful atmosphere during the first term of Dr. Kayode Fayemi where maximum protection of lives and property were adequately guaranteed.

    Immediately he left office, the relative peace enjoyed in the state went on exile. On the January 2, an Accounting Officer in Emure Local Government Area, Mr Abayomi Ajayi, was killed by unknown gunmen on Ikere-Ise Road while returning from work. He was in the company of two colleagues. These colleagues, Dr Fashina and Pastor Onaade, were kidnapped.

    Barely a week this incident occurred, a former Commissioner for Lands during Fayemi’s first term, Mr. Remi Olorunleke, and the Director of Administration, Gbonyin Council Area, Mr. David Jejelowo, were also abducted on Ado-Ijan Road by unknown bandits. They later regained freedom after the police and other security operatives combed their suspected hideout.

    Deji Akeredolu, 37, a councillor representing Ado Ward 9 at the Ado Local Government Council, at the Onala area of Ado-Ekiti , the State capital, was a victim of the gunmen running wild. He is dead.

    The deceased and his wife were said to have alighted from a motorbike at the junction to their house around 10 pm when the gunmen fired shots at him from the back.

    The criminal activities continued with an ugly incident at the popular Tosin Aluko Motor Park at Ajilosun, Ado Ekiti metropolis when a man was shot dead.

    According to a source, the victim attempted to challenge the driver of the car conveying the gunmen for reckless driving, following which the gunmen opened fire and shot him in the stomach and head.

    “The deceased was in the car and the vehicle conveying the gunmen hit his car at the back at that spot.

    “He, then, alighted from the car to complain over the reckless driving not knowing they were armed robbers and the bandits opened fire on him and he died immediately,” he said.

    On February 7, a policeman, Sgt  Kamoru Momoh, was shot dead  on new Iyin-Ilawe Road by armed robbers who earlier robbed a filling station at Basiri, Ado Ekiti.

    The robbers were said to have besieged the petrol station and carted away cash worth  over a million naira.

    It was gathered that the robbers on sighting the police van driven by the late police officer, which seemed to be on their trail, blocked the road  at the NTA junction with their vehicle and rained bullets on the policeman and got his head shattered.

    An eyewitness, Olumide Bamigbetan, said: “When the Hilux chased them up to that point, the armed robbers used their vehicle to block the way and rained bullets on the car.

    “The bullets hit the driver of the vehicle and died on the spot after which the robbers entered their car and sped off.

    “Some of the motorists had to take a detour and escaped the scene, because the sound of the guns caused panic in the area”, he stated.

    The body was deposited in the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

    Fayemi paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Kamoru Momoh, a CID operative.

    It was an emotion-laden visit at the home of the late CID operative. Fayemi was almost moved to tears sighting the wife and young children of the deceased.

    He assured the bereaved family that the government would sponsor the education and other needs of the children, describing the incident as unfortunate and devastating.

    Last week, a farmer, Elijah Ogor, 30, who hailed from Benue State, was killed on his farmland situated between Ayegbaju and Ido-Ekiti after his farm was invaded and destroyed by the herdsman with cattle.

    The death was reported through the Seriki Fulani in Ekiti, Alhaji Abashe Adamu, to the task force of Gan-Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria(GAFDAN), Ekiti chapter who later apprehended Umar Abubakar Sanda, in connection with the death.

    The GAFDAN’S Secretary, Hon. Toyin Ibrahim, said: “We got the iformation from Seriki Fulani that a farmer was killed in Ayegbaju . Our task force, comprising virtually all the ethnic groups in Nigeria moved into that bush and arrested Umar Sanda.

    “At the point we saw him, he was holding a rifle and with live cartridge inside. We queried the rationale behind the carrying of firearm which contravened Ekiti State Anti-Grazing Law, but he gave no reason. He was just raising issues that would make him look innocent.

    “The reason why we suspected him was that, two other people were with the deceased when he was shot, they escaped from the scene and the description they gave showed that the suspect was involved.

    “As law abiding group, we immediately took  Sanda to the police station at Ido Ekiti where he was detained .Part  of  our mandate in GAFDAN is to arrest cattle rustlers and errant herdsmen, who destroyed farmlands or commit other offences.”

    As part of the government’s efforts to restore the core values of the State and uproot the proceeds inherited from Fayose’s administration, Dr. Fayemi who dubbed as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the State , summoned emergency security meeting where issues bothered on insecurity were carefully discussed.He had ordered the Police Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Amba, the Directorate of  State Services(DSS) and other security networks to strengthen their security architecture in a bid to wipe out all manifestation of criminal activities.

    In addition, the State Government had also enlisted the support of the Pan-Yoruba group, O’dua People’s Congress (OPC) and vigilante to collaborate with the security agencies to restore peace to the State.

    The governor had also reinstated the sacked operatives of the scrapped Ekiti State Peace Corps and reiterated its commitment to recruit additional 800 operatives to work with the police across every community.

    He had urged the residents to bow to superior directive from the police and must not take laws into our hands, saying the residents need to be partner in progress with the police and other sister agencies to make  Ekiti safe.

    The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi in the same vein had also called on the military to return soldiers to the checkpoints in the country to curtail the over bearing influence of the criminals in ensuring the protection of lives and property.

    He advised the military to restrategise and devise plans in tackling menace dedeviling the State, saying “the military need to look for more alternative means of preventing men of the underworld from perpetrating their nefarious criminal activities.

    “Government needs the backing of every member of the society to tackle the menace, for they will be at the receiving end if proper actions are not taken, promising that the present administration won’t tolerate criminals to disrupt the peace enjoying in the state,” he said.

    Fayemi, who spoke through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Communication, Segun Dipe,  lamented the scourge of criminal activities ravaging the State before now, saying the government’s commitment to protection of lives and property resulted in the existing peace and orderliness in the state.

    “We have achieved a lot in conquering the direct proceeds of last administration when hooliganism and thuggery were institutionalized as state policies.”

    “Fayose’s body language had encouraged criminals and they saw the State as a haven where they can perpetrate their heinous activities.”

    Fayemi added that all efforts had been geared towards putting those with criminal tendencies at bay, saying it is evident that the past inglorious days of crime is over.

    In an attempt to make Ekiti safe, the State Police Command, CP Asuquo Amba decisevely drew a working template having done some threat analysis of what the major security problem that was confronting the State.

    Amba had drawn this template and identified specifically things that need to be tackled, some crime waves. And the measures needed to take in combating them.

    In collaboration with other sister security agencies, he initiated an operational force under the aegis of ‘Operation Make Ekiti Safe’ to rid the State of crimes.

    Among security operatives collaborating with the Police include Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS) , Nigerian Police, Nigeria Custom Service among others.

    The operations of the joint task force have been visible along Ado-Ilawe road, Ado-Iyin road, Ado-Ijan –Ikare road, Ado-Ikere-Akure road, Ado-Iwiroko-Ifaki road and the inner city like Ijigbo, Okesa and Okeyinmi areas with motorists moving into Ado Ekiti metropolis were being stopped and thoroughly searched.

    The government provided logistical and moral support for that operation outfit institutionalised.

    The operational task operated on 24hrs, moving across the 16 Local Government Area of the State patrolling not just for visibility policing but to raid black spots.

    The CP had also increased the visibility policing of the plain-cloth intelligent gathering of the joint task force. Not just that alone, more awareness for community policing had increased in the state.

    Amba, speaking through the PPRO, DSP Caleb  Ikechukwu, said: “We had involved the people, urging them to be helpful in providing the Command with vital and sensitive information on area where criminals are perpetrating their heinous crimes.

    And in doing that, the CP ensured open door policy where people can come to us and divulge good information to them. And this had helped out.

    With the measures put in place, the Police recorded great success with over 180 persons  have been arrested across board acting on reliable tip off by members of the community.

    As a result of this raiding in those criminal hideouts like Atikankan and others where drug related activities were going on, great numbers of criminals had been brought before the State Criminal Department where they were screened and charged to court.

    Among those arrested by the joint task force included Dele Obamoyegun, Idowu Sunday, Adeniyi Eunice, leye Ojo, Akindahunsi Damilola and Olaosebikan Babatunde.

    However, the operational task led by Police Chief burst a forest and discovers a ritualist shrine in Odo, a suburb in Ado Ekiti, the state capital where two suspects were arrested.

    According to a source who craved anonymity, the shrine was being used by ‘awo’ (fraudster) as a haven to perpetrate their criminal activities.

    The Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba speaking through his spokesman, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu in an interview with The Nation disclosed that the giant feat recorded was made possible with the Governor Kayode Fayemi commitment and support morally and logistically.

    Amba said Operation Make Ekiti Safe has delivered on its entrusted assignment with huge success recorded.

    He added that there wasn’t any element of criminal activities in the State again, with residents  now living without fear and tension.

    He said: “Stop and search was part of the operations of the special task force. I think they have the constitutional power to carry out routine checks on people moving in and out to test their compliance to simple rules.

    “Two months ago a special force started its operations in Ekiti and since that time they have been carrying out their jobs in a civilised way, no harassment, no intimidation of any member of the public.”

    Victims, relations recount ordeal of criminal activities

    A close friend to the kidnapped council workers, who confided in our reporter disclosed that the two captives were released from the kidnappers den having paid an undisclosed amount of money.

    “Although the security operatives did what they could do to ensure their release from Kidnappers’ den but he was set free having met the conditions given by the abductors.

    Similarly, speaking with The Nation, Oladimeji Joseph identified as the chairman of  Emure community where the late Sgt. Kamoroudeen resided, described him as a gentle careless about frivolities of life.

    Joseph added that the deceased contributed immensely to the development of his community, most especially in the area of security.

    “It is saddening and surprising to see the corpse of Sgt. Kamoroudeen. I never taught in the next 40yrs, he would leave so soon.

    “He left us only in this world without noticing us knowing that we have no one except him. It will be difficult to fill the vacuum created with his demise.

    “He volunteered to render selfless service in the area of security. And he did it with great alacrity.

    “Few days to his death, we were together discussing on how some residents in Zone B Area of the community went ahead to obtain electricity without paying the necessary dues to the community.

    Through his efforts, the People have promised to pay this Saturday (today).

    “The whole community had been missing him of his good work. It will be difficult to find a perfect person to fill the vacuum created,” he said.

    A close associate of the farmer, Elijah Ogor killed by suspected herdsman who craved anonymity disclosed that the deceased and he had planned to travel to their home town next month before this ugly incident occurred.

    He added that as part of their plan, they have decided to stay till after Easter before they would return but unfortunately he died.

    It is painful to hear that Ogor died. He left home for the farm to do some rough work on the farmland and fetch some tubers of yam to eat.

    “Surprisingly, we just heard the information that he has been killed by herdsman.

    “The culprit must face the wrath of law with any prejudice or favour. How any marauder could invade someone’s farm with his cattle and destroyed it.

    And still went ahead to kill him? This is unjust in a society where there are laws and constituted authority.

    “This issue must be thoroughly investigated and whoever found culpable should be prosecuted according to the laws of the land,” he said.

    In an interview with a businessman, Tijani Abiodun Adedayo who spoke with our reporter attributed the wave of violent crimes to the inordinate desire and desperation of younger ones to get rich in quick time.

    “In any society like Ekiti State where youths are reluctant to engage in meaningful work, there is high propensity of such community to be ravaged with criminal activities such as yahoo-yahoo, fraud, kidnapping, armed robbery among others.

    “They ventured into all these to satisfy their insatiable desires and cater for their needs.

    “And all these constituted to the prevailing security challenges ravaging the State,” he said.

    Also a community leader who craved anonymity lauded the tactical approach of the State Government and the security operatives in curbing the hydra headed challenges posed by the criminal activities.

    “It is imperative to assert that the government of the day under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Fayemi has restored relative peace and normalcy the State is known for.

    “The state is known to be turbulent and violent four years ago but with Fayemi’s commitment to guarantee protection of lives and property, the lost peace virtues has returned fully,” he said.