The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Ekiti woos Chinese govt, business community for development

    The Ekiti State government has canvassed the partnership of the government and people of China to achieve sustainable development in the key sectors and delivery of its four-point agenda.

    The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, made the call while addressing the representatives of the Chinese government and business community at the celebration of the Chinese Lunar Year in Lagos.

    The Lunar Year celebration also featured discussion on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and production capacity cooperation between China and Nigeria.

    According to a statement on Tuesday signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi spoke on business and economic opportunities available in Ekiti for potential Chinese investors and business community.

    Egbeyemi listed areas Ekiti would need China’s support to include training and retraining of workers, mechanized and commercial agriculture, healthcare delivery, development of educational institutions and establishment industries to absorb unemployed youths.

    The forum was attended by Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Mr. Zhou Pingjan; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Muda Yusuf, Director General of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr. Ayoola Olukanmi, among others.

    Read Also: Buhari sure of 95 per cent of Ekiti votes, says Fayemi

    The deputy governor said the state has both human and inherent natural resources for the development and sustenance of capital investment in the State.

    Revealing the intention of the Fayemi administration on mechanized and commercial farming, Egbeyemi, explained that Ekiti State was blessed with vast virgin land and yet to be accessed natural resources that could boost the economy of the country if properly harnessed.

    Egbeyemi sought the intervention of Chinese government in provision of vaccine for immunization and equipment for its hospital to enhance health services accessibility to the people especially those at the grassroots.

    This, he said, would reduce infant mortality rate, morbidity and the spread of infectious diseases.

    Egbeyemi who revealed plans to partner Chinese government on development of its educational institutions in the State said such development would help produce self-dependent graduates and reduce unemployment in the State.

    The deputy governor charged the Chinese government who he claimed had benefitted from award of contracts from Ekiti State government to allow the people of the State feel its presence by establishing companies and investing in the economy of the State.

    The four point agenda on which the Fayemi administration anchors its economic revival plan are social investment, knowledge economy, agricultural and rural development and infrastructural development.

    In his address, the Chinese envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Pingjian revealed that the initiative would focus on industrial promotion, infrastructural connectivity, trade facility, green development, capacity building, health care, people to people exchange and security initiative.

    Pingjian expressed confident and readiness of China to deepen and sustain cooperation with Nigeria in the realization of the joint construction of the Belt and Road initiative.

  • Ekiti pensioners laud Fayemi over payment of pension

    Ekiti State Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries has praised Governor Kayode Fayemi for his efforts in prioritising the welfare of the pensioners.

    The ex-bureaucrat explained that  the Dr.  Fayemi places high premium on the payment of salaries and allowances of the civil servants and pensioners, saying these would help in improving the economy of the state and the wellbeing of the citizens.

    The pensioners also decried the kidnapping and eventual killings of some local government officials while returning to Ado Ekiti from their duty posts, describing such situation saddening and horrific.

    They called for more deployment of security operatives to strategic interstate roads  that have become dangerous for commuters and motorists to allay the fear of being Kidnapped.

    Recently, the Director of Administration of  of Gbonyin Local Government, Mr David Jejelowo and two staff of Emure Council Area, were kidnapped by abductors along Ado-Ijan and Ikere-Ise roads.

    On the same day, an Accountant  with the Emure Council Area, Mr. Abayomi Ajayi was shot by the same gang of kidnappers, who laid siege to highways across the state.

    The ex-civil servants urged the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba and sister agencies chiefs  to strengthen their security architecture and comb the forests being used by the bandits for their hide out.

    In a statement issued and co-signed by its Chairman, Mr. A. Ajayi and Secretary, Kunle Olofin after  its meeting, it said: “Members expressed worries over the deteriorating security situation in Ekiti State which has led to several kidnaps and loss of lives.

    Read Also: Fayemi eulogises Military’s selfless efforts

    “Members appealed to the governor as the Chief Security Officer to ensure adequate deployment of security personnel to all the nooks and crannies, especially all the inter-state roads”.

    “We noted with satisfaction how government has been responding appropriately to the security situation. The charge to the traditional rulers to operate the first line of defence is welcome.

    The government should further interact with various communities and their vigilante groups with the view to enlisting their cooperation with security agencies in combing forests being used kidnappers’ dens.

    “The hunters should monitor and report strange faces and movements in their farms and communities. We know that the coming on board of a new administration will open up windows of opportunities for investments and our roads must be protected to guarantee the safety of potential businessmen”.

    The association pledged its partnership with government in identifying those areas that can smoothen government-labour relations and other sections of the society for Ekiti to be well governed under the Fayemi-led administration.

    They therefore advised the government to revisit the issue of gratuity to pensioners  and parity of pension to make lives better for the citizens and accelerate their standard of living.

  • Fayemi eulogises Military’s selfless efforts

    Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi has showered encomium on the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their efforts in sustaining national peace and unity.

    Fayemi called on Nigerians to take a cue from m the sacrificial and selfless efforts of the military.

    He said Nigeria will continue to appreciate the sacrifices of officers and men who laid down their lives to ensure that their countrymen enjoy peace.

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, spoke at the parade command and laying of wreaths marking the end of the activities of 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance day Celebrations at Fajuyi Park, Ado Ekiti.

    He said the colourful parade was marked with special salute to the unknown soldiers and 21-gun salute to the fallen heroes.

    According to him, the fallen heroes had demonstrated their love and honour for the country by laying their lives down for the Nation.

    Read Also: Fayemi: I won’t sideline towns that voted against me

    The governor said: “We want every Nigerians to love and honour our country. To do what these great men had done. They laid their lives for us to live together in peace and unity.

    “We thank all our men that are in the affairs of peace in this country, we want them to continue to maintain peace.

    “It is only in the pursuit of peace that we can do all that we promised to do without which it is impossible.”

    “We need to support the Federal Government, the state government and government at the Local level in a bid to ensure the continuous sustenance of peace in the country.”

     

  • Egbeyemi condemns sales of Indian hemps in public

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has out rightly condemned  the open sales and high rate of consumption of hard drugs, especially Indian hemp by the youths of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Egbeyemi explained that consumption of Indian hemp and other hard drugs propelled violent crimes like kidnapping, robbery, rape, cultism, thuggery and political violence.

    According to a statement on Monday signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi made this known at a special prayer meeting organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ado-Ekiti Branch at Ewi’s Palace.

    Egbeyemi who condemned the open sale of Indian hemp and other hard drugs in some areas like Atikankan, Oke Ila, Odo Ado, Idemo and Iworoko Road, described such act as unacceptable and injurious to the future of the youth.

    The deputy governor urged parents to caution their children against drug abuse and being used as thugs to destabilize the in the forthcoming electioneering processes.

    Describing security as everybody’s business in Ekiti, Egbeyemi urged residents to always assist the government and the police with useful information that could be helpful to nail the evil perpetrators of  kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminals living among them.

    He urged residents to be vigilant in their neighbourhoods and their farms, saying any information given to the government and security agencies will be confidentially treated for the good of the state.

    Egbeyemi decried a situation in which some residents collaborate with suspected kidnappers by helping them to take food to the captives in their dens warning that such behavior constitutes security threat to the state.

    He advocated for peaceful and brotherliness among citizens in the State, stressing that relative peace and development would only thrive in an environment devoid of acrimony.

    Read Also: Teachers will no longer suffer in Ekiti – Egbeyemi

    Egbeyemi who reaffirmed government’s commitment to prompt payment of salaries noted that regular payment of salaries had multiplier effect on the economy of the State.

    The deputy governor while assuring the people of government’s resolute to complete all abandoned projects, appealed to them to be patient on developmental projects across the State.

    Egbeyemi added that in no distant time the government would conduct employment into the state civil service.

    In his remarks, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe expressed gratitude to God over the success of the last governorship election conducted in the State.

    Oba Adejugbe, who used the opportunity to enlighten the people on the need to perform their social responsibility in the coming election, called on all eligible registered voters in the State who were yet to collect their voter cards to do so.

    The paramount ruler admonished the people to use their cards to vote for the candidates of their choice in the coming general elections.

    Delivering a sermon at the programme, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ijasan, emphasized the need for sacrificial love among the people.

    Ijasan added that they should allow faith to reflect in their attitudinal disposition and always seek the good of their neighbours and the state.

  • Fayemi seeks OPC, vigilante’s support on crimes

    Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi has solicited for support of the Pan-Yoruba group, O’dua People’s Congress(OPC)  and vigilante to rid the state of criminal element.

    He solicited for their support especially in the rampaging kidnappers perpetrating heinous acts in the state .

    Fayemi said though his government had given marching orders to the Police Commissioner, Mr Asuquo Amba and the Directorate of State Services(DSS) and other security networks to rid the state of criminals.

    He insisted  the backing of  other stakeholders  in security sector would provide a buffer  to the conventional security for the task to be realised.

    The governor spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Mobilisation, Prince Tunji Ogunlola on Saturday while meeting the leadership of the group in the state, who paid him a visit  at his office in Ado Ekiti.

    Former Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Remi Olorunleke  and the Director of Administration, Gbonyin Council area , Mr. David Jejelowo , were on Monday kidnapped along Ado-Ijan road .

    This incident occurred barely a week an accountant with Emure local government, Mr. Abayomi Ajayi was killed by gunmen along Ikere –Ise road while two other staff from the council were abducted .

    The governor had also through his mobilization unit  met the leaderships  of the Private Sector in the State, the Artisans and Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), assuring them they shall benefit  from the federal government’s tradermoni programme being advocated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Fayemi who lamented his government was not comfortable with the spare kidnapping and killings of some local government officials and other Ekiti citizens in recent time, added that all  efforts must be geared towards putting those with criminal tendencies at bay to safeguard  the lives and property of the residents.

    He said the government needs the backing of every member of the society to tackle the menace. Read Also: ‘Fayemi needs better House of Assembly’

    “We are seeking the efforts of every member of the society to tackle these evil doers. Within two weeks, over five people were kidnapped while one person was shot dead, we won’t rest until these people are either flushed out or apprehended.

    “To show how committed we are to making Ekiti safe, we have reinstated the sacked operatives of the scrapped Ekiti State Peace Corps. We intend to recruit 800 operatives to work with the police across every community.

    “OPC as a respectable pan-Yoruba security group is also welcomed in the battle to make Ekiti safe. We need you because you are credible, you understand the terrain and we have that confidence in you that you can provide supports for the police in the area of providing information for the security agencies that will help their intelligence gathering  for them to take  proactive actions.

    “However, in doing our business, we need to be guided by the laws. We need to bow to superior directive from the police and we must not take laws into our hands, all we want is you being partners in progress, necause Ekiti must be safe and nothing must be spared to actualize this”, he said.

    Fayemi appealed to the group to support the presidential aspiration of President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2019 elections.

    The governor assured that all the beneficial intervention schemes and policies shall be brought to Ekiti for the benefit of all Ekiti indigenes.

    He said the benefit has started manifesting with the payment of four month salaries , including one owed by former Governor Ayodele Fayose within a spate of two months he assumed duty..

  • Ekiti orders security agencies to rid state of criminals

    Ekiti State Government has given marching orders to security agencies in the state to thoroughly search the entire state and rid out criminal elements.

    As part of efforts to strengthening the security architecture of the state, the government has decided to review the State Security Trust Fund Law.

    These were parts of the decisions reached at an emergency meeting of the State Security Council, held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Wednesday evening.

    In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, and made available to journalists on Friday, the meeting also resolved that it was necessary to visit key provisions of the law including the need to recognise informal security structures in the state as beneficiaries of the fund.

    The executive council assured citizens of the state that adequate security measures were being made to behedge armed robbery and kidnapping in the state and make lives and properties better secured.

    They, however, urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing them with information on any suspicious movement or activities within their locality.

    In a related development, the state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has appointed Brig-General Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd) as Special Adviser on Security Matter and Coordinator of the Rapid Response Squad.

    Read Also: Participate in 2019 elections, MASSOB directs members

    The Kota Omuo Ekiti born retired general holds a Master’s degree in Security and Strategic Studies.

    He had served as Commandant, Nigeria Army School of Artillery and Commander 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi before he retired from the Nigerian Army in 2016.

    Dr Fayemi said: “Government would take every step possible to ensure that the people of the state live in an atmosphere of peace and prosperity that is devoid of crime and violence, adding that the menace of killings and kidnapping would soon become a thing of the past in the state”.

  • Teachers will no longer suffer in Ekiti – Egbeyemi

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has expressed sadness on the suffering experienced by teachers during the Ayo Fayose administration.

    Egbeyemi assured teachers that the Kayode Fayemi administration will not allow them to suffer saying “the era in which teachers are owed arrears of salaries and abandoned to suffer in hunger is over as government will give priority to their welfare.”

    In a statement signed by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi regretted that many teachers abandoned their duty posts at the peak of hunger and misery allegedly inflicted on them by the immediate past administration in the state.

    The deputy governor who spoke on Thursday while playing host to Education Secretaries in all the 16 Local Government Areas also assured that government was working to clear all the arrears of salaries owed teachers and other civil servants.

    According to him, the Fayemi administration will take care of teachers and provide them with environment conducive to performing and lifting the standard of education in the state.

    He urged teachers in the state to give their loyalty and support to Governor Kayode Fayemi saying “the governor is solidly behind teachers and you should reciprocate by doing your job very well.”

    Egbeyemi said: “The standards of education in our schools were not okay. Last year when salaries were not promptly paid most teachers absconded from duty.”

    Read Also: Suspected kidnappers abduct director in Ekiti

    “By the grace of God you will be taking your salaries every month. Even our governor has promised to clear the arrears before the year runs out.

    “Let us work honestly with Fayemi, the schools belongs to every one of us, if someone tries to disturb you. Just tell me, the Governor sent you there and I am his subordinate whatever I do, I do it on his behalf.

    “Let us do the job very well and let the Governor be impressed.”

    The Education Secretary of Ado Ekiti Local Government, Mr. Oluwatoyin Omotoso, who spoke on behalf of others, explained that they thought it needful to express gratitude to government for appointing them to their new office.

    While keeping the deputy governor abreast of what they met, Omotoso, bemoaned the state of infrastructures met in the schools across the local government areas.

    While calling for better funding of their office, Omotoso explained that most of the infrastructures had become obsolete and needed refurbishment.

    He called for the recruitment of more teachers at the public primary schools in the Local government and provision of vehicles for supervision of schools.

  • Man sentenced to death for robbing church worshippers

    An Ekiti State High Court has sentenced one Alonge Ajayi to death by hanging after being found guilty of armed robbery.

    Justice Lekan Ogunmoye who handed down the sentence held that the prosecution has proved the case against the convict beyond the reasonable doubt.

    The judge ruled that Ajayi, 22, by the commission of the crime offended Section 402 of the Criminal Law Code Cap C16 Vol 1 Laws of Ekiti State 2012.

    According to the charge sheet, Ajayi, who was a member of a three-man robbery gang, had on 30th October, 2016 robbed three worshippers who were coming from the church in Ikere Ekiti.

    The victims, who testified in court, said the gang who rode on a motorcycle followed them into their compound and pointed gun at them.

    Items stolen from them include mobile phones, a sum of N100,000 and other valuables.

    Read Also: Court remands 48-year-old for attempted kidnapping

    Two other members of the gang were killed during a gun duel with the police at another location but Ajayi was arrested alongside the motorcycle.

    He was first arraigned in court on 27th February, 2018 and pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

    The prosecution led by former Attorney General, Mr. Kolapo Kolade, called four witnesses and tendered exhibits including two guns, five live cartridges, phones, a Bajaj motorcycle, Indian hemp and statement of the accused.

    Ajayi, who was led in evidence by his counsel, Mr. Kayode Oyeyemi, did not call any witness in the course of the trial.

    Justice Ogunmoye ruled: “The prosecutor has proved his case beyond all reasonable doubt.

    “The accused is hereby sentenced to death by hanging until he be dead. May God have mercy on your soul.”

  • ‘Why Buhari must stay in office beyond 2019’

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has urged the people of the Land of Honour to use their votes to keep President Muhammadu Buhari in office beyond 2019.

    Egbeyemi said Ekiti will be better off when its people are ruled by the same party at the federal and state levels noting that the state has more to gain having Buhari in power for a fresh term.

    The deputy governor said Ekiti people should keep faith with the party at the centre, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to enjoy better standard of living and good governance.

    In a statement on Wednesday by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, Egbeyemi said Buhari must win the February 16 presidential poll with more votes than he got in 2015.

    The deputy governor made the remarks when he received in audience officials of the state chapter of the Presidential Support Committee for Buhari/Osinbajo who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Ado-Ekiti.

    Egbeyemi stressed that the APC-led Federal Government deserves the votes of Ekiti people owing to numerous projects being executed in the state.

    Some of the projects include the Federal Secretariat complex, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) complex, the Federal Housing Estate, federal road projects and social investment programmes.

    Read Also: Arewa community endorses Buhari, Sanwo-Olu

    Egbeyemi also urged the electorate in Ekiti to vote for all APC candidates in the National and State Assembly elections.

    The deputy governor, however, advised various campaign groups working for the re-election of the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket to work towards achieving victory at the polls.

    Egbeyemi said: “I congratulate you on your appointment; I have received many support groups promoting the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari and that is good for the task ahead.

    “We should all work together to ensure that President Buhari wins, in fact, we want to win with more votes this time around.

    “I want to urge our people to vote for President Buhari and all APC candidates because when we have APC up there and APC here, things will be easy for us.

    “Let us work hard for the party because when Buhari wins, Nigerians will enjoy and Ekiti people will enjoy more dividends of democracy.”

    Ekiti State Coordinator of Presidential Support Committee for Buhari/Osinbajo, Chief Abiodun Obayemi, said all hands are on deck to mobilize Nigerians to ensure victory for the APC.

    Obayemi promised to work in cahoots with the party structure and other stakeholders to win Ekiti for Buhari and other APC candidates.