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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Olujimi mocks Fayose, Eleka over Supreme Court verdict

    Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi, has lashed out at immediate governor of the Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose and the PDP candidate in the last gubernatorial election, Prof. Olusola Eleka after the Supreme Court judgment.

    The Apex Court had upheld the election of Governor Kayode Fayemi in a unanimous judgment by a five-man panel, declaring the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last governorship election in Ekiti, Kolapo Olusola Eleka as frivolous and lacking in merit.

    Olujimi alleged Fayose of destroying the chances of the party with his selfish agenda to ruling by proxy with his puppet fielded as the party’s candidate.

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

    She said Fayose’s high handedness in muzzling the party to pursue selfish interest forced many of its strong members who could have swayed votes for the party in the election.

    The lawmaker urged the duo to cover their faces in fame for sacrificing the people’s party for their unrealistic selfish interest.

    According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Chief Sanya Atofarati, “We told them but they wouldn’t listen. How do you expect Fayose’s stooge who is not even conversant with politics to win at the polls not to talk of the Supreme Court.

    “He (Fayose) destroyed the party by fielding unsellable and unpopular candidate.”

  • 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.

     

  • Many out-of-school children are girls, says governor’s wife

    Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has bemoaned the increasing number of out-of-school children in the country.

    Delivering the fifth Distinguished Lecture of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, titled: “Clapping with one hand: Female education, leadership and the quest for national development,” Mrs Fayemi said she was worried that 60 per cent of children not in school were girls.

    She said statistics showed that the girl-child accounted for over six million out of the 10.5 million that lacked access to formal education.

    She said this was one of the major impediments to the progress and leadership of women.  For instance, she said women representation at the National Assembly and other levels of government was almost non-existent.

    “If you look at the configuration of the National Assembly since 2011, women representation has always been very bad and this has not given women ample opportunity to participate in setting legal framework that regulates governance. It was better in  2011, dropped in 2015, but became worse in 2019,” she said.

    She, however, predicted that with the efforts being made to sensitise women, there would be better representation in future elections.

    Mrs Fayemi noted that atrocities committed by terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram, had devastating effects on millions of citizens, particularly women and children. This, she said, had disrupted the education of many children, with a dire implication for their future and that of the country.

    Read Also: Fayemi suspends anti-grazing coordinator

    She added that despite their successes and achievements, millions of women and girls still suffered from the feminisation of poverty, lack of access to basic resources, diseases, violent conflict and the complex use of culture, religion and tradition to render the female gender voiceless in the society.

    “The gains of women are often eroded when faced with a combination of the following obstacles: Patriarchal power and privilege, violent conflict and displacement, lack of political will, religious and cultural conservatism, and ideological differences.

    “Inaccessible political machinery and godfather’s syndrome, lack of financial investment required for political office, violence and intimidation, cultural and attitudinal barriers are major factors that are limiting women and reducing their capacities to rise to the top,” she said.

    “Patriarchy is a system of male authority, which legitimises the oppression of women through political, social, economic, legal cultural, religious and military institutions.

    “Men’s access to, and control over resources and rewards within the private and public sphere derives its legitimacy from the patriarchal ideology of male dominance,” she said.

    She said these factors should not discourage the women from demanding for their rights.

    Erelu Fayemi called for holistic implementation and enforcement of relevant laws that tend to tame gender inequality and promote women’s interest to enhance their relevance in all sectors.

    She further advised women “to seek  conceptual clarity on gender and feminism, to research use of legislative and policy framework, build a platform to make political demands, encourage inter-generational organising, engage in resource mobilisation, make educational institution safe for female gender, prepare for leadership and build a legacy that can attract public respect.”

    At the event were the representative of Ondo State Governor, Dr Wumi Ilawole, a Special Adviser, Education, and wife of the Osemawe of Ondo, Olori Olayinka Kiladejo.

  • Ekiti Art Council DG to youths: promote culture

    Youths in Ekiti State have been urged to be more involved in the promotion of the cultural heritage in the state.

    The state Council for Arts and Culture  Director-General, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, gave the advice at the grand finale of the Ladunwo Festival in Oke-Mesi Ekiti State, at the weekend.

    Ojo-Lanre observed that the involvement of youths in cultural activities was not encouraging. He promised to initiate programmes and ideas that would boost their morale in the creative industry and harness the economic potential.

    He noted that lack of interest in cultural activities was one of the side effects of globalisation.

    He said: ‘’We are going to change the narrative by engaging them in a way that will be more beneficial and encouraging.

    “One of the cardinal points of the Dr Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti State is restoring the value through promotion of traditional and cultural identity and great virtue of the state and that is why we are calling on everybody to be involved for a greater and better future.’’

    According to him, the state is ready to support youths in the creative industry  to discover more talents and create jobs.

    Speaking on the Ladunwo Festival organised by Okemesi Cultural Heritage Promotion, Ojo-Lanre said the event was one of the traditional events that attracts the government’s attention because of its relevance not only to Oke-Mesi history, but also to the Yoruba.

    “This is a well-packaged event. You can see hundreds of masqueraders and other cultural activities going on and there is no violence as everybody is in joyous mood. I am sure by next edition, there will be improvement and increase in the number of sponsors and participants as well as number of local and foreign tourists.This will boost the economy of the hosting communities and the state would be affected positively.

    The Organising Committee Chairman, Prince Kayode Oniin, said the triennial event is a celebration of an ancestral masquerader known to be an agent of peace and progress in the town.

    “We do have a masquerade festival annually, but Ladunwo is triennial because that is the tradition and we are happy with the development. We hope there would be improvement in the subsequent edition,” he added.

  • Fayemi suspends anti-grazing coordinator

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has suspended indefinitely the Coordinator of Anti-Grazing Agency, Mr. Sola Durodola over offensive comment on herdsmen.

    According to a statement dated May, 13 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, Durodola is to hand over all government properties in his custody to the Director of Anti–Grazing.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode said: “the suspension is with immediate effect”.

    The suspension came barely 42 hrs after Durodola addressed journalists and claimed government was set to commence registration of herdsmen in the state to forestall herdsmen-farmer clashes.

    The Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Values Orientation, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua however debunked the claim, describing it as absolute falsehood.

    Olumilua said the claim does not represent and capture the agenda of the Fayemi-led administration.

    The Commissioner disclosed that the investment of the Governor in the security of lives and property of people was yielding positive result, stressing such offensive statement could undermine the peace of the State.

    Read Also: Fayemi optimistic on Ekiti appointees’ performance

    He added a law regulating activities of herdsmen and farmers was already in place, saying there was need to refute any form of duplicity that capable of causing confusion.

    He urged public to discountenance the comments and continue their legitimate businesses, without any form of apprehension.

    The Commissioner stopped all government functionaries serving in MDAs from addressing the media on sensitive issues without clearance from top echelon of government, saying failure to comply will warrant unpleasant sanctions against erring government functionaries.

  • Council seat reverts after 19 year row

    After 19 years of legal battle over the relocation of the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State from Eda-Oniyo to Iye-Ekiti in 1999, the Supreme Court has ordered the council’s headquarters moved back to Eda-Oniyo. RASAQ IBRAHIM examines the reactions that trailed the verdict and how Ekiti State government plans to implement the court’s order.

    On December 14, last year, the people of Eda-Oniyo were excited over the Supreme Court’s verdict on the relocation of Ilejemeje Council headquarters to Eda-Oniyo. The apex court ruled that it was wrong for  headquarters the Ilejemeje Council to have been relocated to Iye-Ekiti in the first place.

    Basking in the euphoria of the judgment after a decade and nine years that the legal battle lasted, indigenes of Ilejemeje congregated at the exquisite King’s Court to celebrate with their king.

    The apex court, in its judgment by a five-man panel, held that the relocation announced through a radio broadcast by then Military Governor of the state, Col. Inua Bawa was outrightly unlawful and illegal.

    The court agreed with the appellant, Eleda of Eda Oniyo Oba Julius Awolola that, by virtue of the State Creation (Transitional Provisions) Decree No. 72 Vol. 83 of 1996, and the Local Government (Basic Constitutional Provisions) Decree of 1997 and 1998; the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government area was Eda-Oniyo.

    The Justice Olabode Rhodes -Vivour-led panel of the apex court held that the establishment of the headquarters of the local government in Eda-Oniyo was backed by statute and could not be relocated elsewhere without the promulgation of a new law.

    Justice Paul Galinje, who read the lead judgment of the apex court’s panel, held that the act of the Ekiti State government in relocating the headquarters of the local government from Eda- Oniyo to Iye-Ekiti has no legal basis.

    “The location of the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area in Eda-Oniyo is a product of statute and no law has been promulgated to relocate it to any other place,” he ruled.

    Recall that the Federal Military Government had, on October 1, 1996, created, among others, Ekiti State with Ilejemeje Local Government Area as one of its 16 local government areas.

    The headquarters of the Ilejemeje Local Government Area was located in Eda-Oniyo with the backing of the States Creation (Transitional Provisions) Decree No .36 of 1996.

    But three months later, by a radio announcement, the Ekiti State government notified the public of the relocation of the local government from Eda-Oniyo to Iye-Ekiti.

    Oba Awolola was said to have, on behalf of the people of Eda-Oniyo, protested to the Office of the Head of State, which informed him that it did not authorise the relocation of the local government to Iye-Ekiti and continued to recognise Eda-Oniyo as the headquarters of Ilejemeje local government area.

    But the protests were said to have failed to produce the desired result, following which the traditional ruler, representing the people of Eda-Oniyo, sued the governor, the Attorney-General and the Chairman of Ilejemeje Local Government Area at the High Court of Ekiti State in 1999.

    He instituted a legal action by a writ of summons seeking, among other things, declaratory orders that by virtue of the State Creation (Transitional Provisions) Decree No. 72 Vol. 83 of 1996, and the Local Government (Basic Constitutional Provisions) Decree of 1997 and 1998, the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area was Eda-Oniyo.

    He equally sought a declaration that the relocation of the headquarters for Eda-Oniyo to Iye-Ekiti was illegal, null and void.

    He also sought an order restraining the defendants from recognising Iye-Ekiti as the headquarters of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, and a perpetual injunction restraining them from carrying out the administration of the local government area from any other town apart from Eda-Oniyo.

    The High Court ruled in 2001 in favour of Oba Awolola, but the Ekiti State government appealed against the judgment and won at the Court of Appeal, Ilorin.

    The monarch, through his lawyer, Mr. Oluwadamilare Awokoya, filed another appeal marked SC.194/2008 before the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the Court of Appeal.

    The apex court, in its judgment, set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment and affirmed that of the High Court.

    Justice Galinje set aside the March 6, 2006 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, which ratified the relocation.

    Instead, he restored the earlier judgment of the Ekiti State High Court, which, in 2001, held that Eda-Oniyo was the lawful location of the Ilejemeje Local Government Area’s headquarters, but failed to order a reversal of the relocation.

    Justice Galinje invoked the court’s power to, after reversing the relocation, order the state government to take immediate steps to return the Ilejemeje Local Government Area headquarters to Eda-Oniyo from Iye-Ekiti where it was relocated to.

    Consequently, the state government, on December 29, last year, inaugurated a seven-member implementation committee headed by the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

    The committee was saddled with the responsibility of advising government on the administrative and practical implications of the judgment and to engage in broad consultation with relevant stakeholders. The committee was billed to submit its report on or before March 29, this year.

    As days rolled into weeks and weeks into months without any report on the task given to the Egbeyemi-led committee, residents of Eda-Oniyo community have expressed their worries that they are yet to see any progress on the part of the state government on the implementation.

    The Chairman, Eda-Oniyo Progressive Union, Gabriel Ojo Adetifa, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti alleged that the seven-man committee on the implementation of the judgment which was expected to submit its report on March 29 did not meet for once since its inauguration.

    “None of the members of the committee was at Eda-Oniyo here on the matter. Even the three months given to the committee elapsed on March 29; we have not heard that they had submitted their report.

    “We are expecting. We are worried. The government should carry out the court’s instruction without delay”, he said.

    Adetifa, however, appealed to the government to expedite action on the implementation of the judgment.

    The waiting game ended on April 4 when the seven-man committee constituted by the state government to examine the apex court’s decision paid a fact-finding visit to Iye and Eda-Oniyo.

    The committee was received to Eda-Oniyo with placard-carrying people denouncing the continued delay by Governor Kayode Fayemi in the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, almost five months after it was delivered.

    They visited a building that has been designated as the temporary local government secretariat and the permanent site of the council secretariat.

    The panel, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Egbeyemi, which interfaced with the people of the two communities, urged them to give peace a chance in the wake of the court’s verdict.

    Egbeyemi explained that the visit was part of the assignments of the panel, which would turn in its report to Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The Deputy Governor stressed that government was interested in ensuring that peace reigns in all communities, even as he appealed to indigenes of Iye and Eda-Oniyo not to engage in any act that could disrupt the peace that exists in the state.

    Egbeyemi led other members of the panel to visit the present local government secretariat and the palace of the Oniye, where he met with the monarch, Oba Jonathan Adeleye-Oni and community leaders, including Afenifere leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi.

    “The Supreme Court judgment is already with us and we have seen copies sent to us. We are not judges but we are members of a committee to report back to the governor.

    “There is nothing we can say here but we will do justice and uphold the truth. Let us maintain peace because this government is for peace and development”, Egbeyemi said.

    Oba Adeleye-Oni described the Supreme Court’s verdict as a rude shock, saying: “Iye-Ekiti has always been functioning as capital of Ilejemeje since time immemorial and even before and during the colonial era.”

    Oba Awodola, who could not hide his emotion burst into tears while addressing Egbeyemi-led committee, regretting that his community had been cheated for so long.

    He urged the government to expedite action on the implementation, saying the people of his town were anxiously waiting for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.

    “Eda-Oniyo community is looking up to you; please, wipe away our tears,” he pleaded.

    In a chat with Southwest Report, the President of Eda-Oniyo  Progressive Union, Dr. Rufus Ajayi, a former commissioner in the state, pleaded for immediate action, adding that the people had waited for so long to seek redress over the illegal relocation of the council headquarters to Iye.

    Ajayi revealed that Eda-Oniyo community single-handedly worked for the creation of Ilejemeje Local Government Area while other communities were canvassing for the creation of new Ero local council.

    “Eda-Oniyo single-handedly funded the project; we only got moral support from other towns while Iye-Ekiti was busy pressing for the creation of Ero Local Government Area.

    “And they never believed that a ward then under Moba Local Government Area could be made a local government”, he said.

    He assured government of continued peaceful co-existence among the seven communities that make up the council, stressing that when it was relocated with military dispatch, nobody objected to it and now that the Supreme Court has ordered its return to the original owners, heaven will not fall.

    An indigene of Iye-Ekiti, Mr. Ezekiel Omotosho who expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, told Southwest Report that from time immemorial, Iye-Ekiti remained the headquarters of Ilejemeje Council.

  • Breaking: Osinbajo averts impending unrest, calms FCT protesters

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday averted what was an impending civil unrest when he alighted from his convoy to assuage protesters in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

    The Vice President who was headed to Ekiti state for the launch of the National Home Grown School Feeding scheme ran into the protesters who had barricaded the road, he alighted from his car and had a chat with the irate youths who began chanting his name soon as he was identified.

    The protesters comprising mainly of young men and some women from Gbayi village were protesting at Gossa, the alleged invasion of their land by the Nigerian Military, urged the Vice President to intervene in the issue.

    Responding to their plea, the Vice President assured them that he would meet with the village leaders to find lasting solution to the problem at hand.

    He urged the youth to seek more diplomatic ways of solving issues. He assured them that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is dedicated to the people and that the dividend of democracy will be enjoyed by all.

    The protesters said if they had known that the Vice President was going to ply the road they would not have acted in the manner which they did.

    Read Also: Osinbajo assures on completion of 2nd Niger Brige

    Thereafter, the youths once again began to chant his name and then made way for the Vice President to proceed to the airport.

    Speaking to the media, a protester who identified himself as Danlami Abdulgafar praised Prof. Osinbajo for his humane nature. He said the Vice President understands and relates with the plight of ordinary Nigerians.

    “Imagine that all Nigerians politicians are like Prof. (Osinbajo), this country would have succeeded since the 70s. He came down from his vehicle and he addressed us, in fact we were happy that he accorded us so much respect.

    Another protester, Gwatana Muktar said if it were to be any other politician they would not even listen to the person. “You know during campaign he visited almost all the villages and we saw him first hand. He is a very humble man and God will continue to bless him,” he said.

     

  • 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

  • APC suspends Oni over alleged anti-party activities

    THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ifaki Ward II, Ekiti State has suspended former Governor Segun Oni for alleged involvement in anti-party activities.

    The party, which did not mention the alleged anti-party activities, gave the suspension order in a letter dated yesterday. It was addressed to the former APC Deputy Chairman (South).

    The letter was signed by the ward chairman, Shina Akinloye, and the secretary, Ogunyemi Taiwo, as well as 24 other executive members in the ward.

    APC executive members in Ido /Osi Local Government Area also signed the suspension letter through their Assistant Financial Secretary A. Suleiman and the Assistant Organising Secretary Olanrewaju Olamope.

    Oni was earlier summoned to defend himself over allegations levelled by some party members within seven days, which lapsed yesterday.

    The summon was contained in a letter dated April 24, which was signed by the Ward chairman and Ward Secretary.

    The letter of invitation was received on Oni’s behalf by one Segun Adetunji on April 25.

    But, in the suspension letter, the party said it took the action over Oni’s failure to appear before the ward executive to clear the allegations.

    The letter reads: “Subject to Article 21 Subsections I, II and X of the APC Constitution 2014 as amended, we undersigned executive members of the APC hereby suspend you indefinitely from our great party, based on your refusal to honour our invitation for investigation and fact-finding into the allegation of anti-party activities levelled against your person by the members of our party.

    “We are by the copy of this letter informing both the local government and state working committee of the party for necessary information and action.”

    In his reaction, the former governor said he was yet to be notified on his suspension.

    “I am not sure. There is a structure in the party. There is a way things are done in the party.

    “The constitution of the party is clear on cases of suspension. It clearly sites circumstances and outlines procedures to be taken to warrant and effect a suspension.

    “If any suspension exists, I need to be notified. And if such circumstances do not exist nor procedures taken in line with the party’s extant laws, then a suspension invariably does not exist,” he said.

    On his failure to heed the invitation of Ifaki APC Ward as conveyed in a letter dated April 24, the former governor queried the pedigree of people behind the said invitation.

    “Who are they? I am not a nobody in the party. So, I cannot be expected to honour such a faceless invitation.

    “Who are they? What is their pedigree? If a group of rascals signed a letter, how can they expect me to give any thought to such? Let those who wrote the letter show face and level allegations,” Oni said.

    The Ifaki born politician had challenged Fayemi’s victory at the May 12, 2018 governorship primary in which he came second after he had initially congratulated the winner.

    The ex-governor, in his suit, claimed that Fayemi was not eligible to stand as the APC flag bearer because he did not resign from office as Minister of Mines and Steel Development 30 days before the shadow election.

    But, the Supreme Court, in its judgment, finally dismissed Oni’s suit for lack of merit. It said Fayemi didn’t breach the law by resigning after the primary.

  • 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