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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • Fayemi pays Ekiti State workers salary arrears owed by Fayose

    The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mr Bisi Egbeyemi,  on Sunday said the state government had paid the one month salary arrears owed by the Ayo Fayose administration to civil servants.
    Egbeyemi announced  this while addressing religious leaders, political office holders and civil servants at the Government Jouse in Ado-Ekiti.
    Egbeyemi said that Fayemi had promised to make the life of Ekiti people better and ensure that all and sundry felt the positive impact of the government.
    He noted that Fayemi’s priority was the welfare of the people which shaped the policy thrust of his administration.
    The deputy governor revealed that government was making sacrifice to ensure that workers were paid as and when due, which was the motivation behind paying them two salaries within one week.
    He canvassed the support of workers and the people of the state, assuring that Fayemi was motivated to preform and leave the state better than he met it.
    According to him, Fayemi administration has promised the people of the state  in the areas of attracting investment, employment of qualified citizens to civil service, provision of social amenities and economic empowerment.
    He, however, said that since the coming to power, the governor had signed an Executive Order cancelling levies in public schools and also released N200 million to teachers as car and housing loans.  (NAN)

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

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has promised not to deny communities and towns that voted against him at the last governorship election of projects that will make life easier for them.

    He assured that his administration will ensure that developmental projects reach all nooks and crannies of the state irrespective of how they voted during the July 14, 2018 poll.

    Fayemi spoke on Saturday during a meeting with chairmen and secretaries of all Community Development Associations (CDAs) and Town Unions at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, new Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, revealed that many uncompleted self-help, grant-aided projects initiated during his first administration were abandoned by the immediate past government.

    He also disclosed that community empowerment programmes will be carried out in rural areas especially in those areas of special needs submitted for government consideration during preparation for the 2019 Budget.

    According to him, government has commenced the re-verification and assessment of uncompleted self-help “grant aided” projects initiated during his first administration between 2011 and 2014 for assistance and completion of such projects.

    Read Also: Nigeria can’t afford another civil war-Fayemi

    He said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that Ekiti people made the right choice in the governorship election by electing us into power again and we will do everything humanly possible to justify the confidence reposed in us.”

    Fayemi also reiterated his commitment in implementing special need projects included in the State budgetary preparation with a call on community leaders and opinion moulders to show concern on the usage, sustenance and maintenance of public utilities in their various communities.

    Lamenting on how the previous administration abandoned potential economic projects, like Ire Clay Block Industry, Water Dams, and electrical infrastructures, Fayemi, revealed that preparation was on top gear to bring back private investors and critical stakeholders to resuscitate old industries, tourist centres and facilitate the establishment of new ones.

    Fayemi said that some private individuals that left the State at the height of harsh economic environment under the last administration have started to return to boost business activities in the State.

    However, the governor called on the people for more support for his administration and that of President Muhammadu Buhari so that the state can benefit more federal projects.

    During the interactive section, representative of Ilejemeje Local Government Area, Mr. Kehinde Fakunle said the people of the council are behind Fayemi’s administration and that such shall be demonstrated in the 2019 elections as people of the council are determined to vote  for APC at all levels.

    Dr Alex Ogundipe who represented Ado Local Government called on the State Government to align with federal government intention in resuscitating textile industries across the nation with a view to revive the textile industry in the State.

    Other speakers like Mr Akosile Olubunmi from Efon Local government, Mr Ayodele Ogunleye from Ekiti West local government, Mr Laolu Omosilade from Ifelodun/Irepodun local government demanded for rural electrification, rehabilitation of water dams, town hall and continuation of 5 kilometres road initiated by Fayemi in his first tenure, channelization of rivers, drainages, linkage of access roads to farmstead amidst others.

    Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Ayoola Owolabi said the participatory meeting would enhance a bottom-top approach, cross fertilisation of ideas and feedback activities towards attainment of international best practices in governance.

    The Chairman of Community Development Associations, Mr Olabisi Ishola who appreciated the repeat of the programme maintained that it would allow communities to have input in the execution of government projects and policies in their communities.

    Ishola said the programme was a clear description of Fayemi as a true democrat.

  • Fayemi: Shagari was a man of peace

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the government and people of Sokoto State, the Sokoto Caliphate and family of the first executive President of the Country,  Alhaji Shehu Shagari, on the passing of  the ex-President on Friday, aged 93.

    Dr Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, described Alhaji Shagari as a man of peace, who lived an exemplary simple life style.

    The governor said Shagari, through the various positions he held since 1951 when he became the Secretary of the Northern People’s Congress in Sokoto, till his presidency between 1979 and 1983, played very significant roles in the socio-political growth and development of Nigeria.

    Read Also: IBB mourns Former President Shagari

    Dr Fayemi said the late Shagari was a true example of a leader who loved peace and pursued it with all his might. “Until he breathed his last continued to render invaluable support to successive administrations at the various levels of government in the country”.

    He said the late Shagari earned greater respect as an elder statesman because of his simple life style, which endeared him to many.

    “We shall miss this great and amiable leader, who abhorred politics of bitterness.

    “ I convey the condolences of my family, the good people of Ekiti State to the Shagari family, the Sokoto caliphate, the government and people of Sokoto State for the passing and pray that Almighty Allah grant him Aljannah firdous”.

     

  • Fayemi flags off $55 million World Bank funded water project

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has flagged off the rehabilitation of Ero dam and replacement of transmission main pipelines with an expectation that the project would address water shortage and curb open defecation.

    Speaking at the flag off ceremony in Ikun Ekiti, Dr Fayemi expressed optimism that the $55 million project which is co-sponsored by the World Bank and the state government would give a sigh of relief to the nine local government areas supplied by the dam when uninterrupted potable water is made available to them.

    The governor stated that Ekiti State has been investing in water and sanitation sector with efforts to rehabilitate some of the dams within the State in collaboration with the European Union and the World Bank.

    He noted that with the intervention of the World Bank, the Ekiti State water corporation has been driving the water sector reform process with the investment in human and infrastructure to deliver a transformed and effective water service within the State.

    While calling on governments at various levels to work in synergy towards meeting the water supply and sanitation demands of the nation, Governor Fayemi said the adverse effects of potable water shortage are noticeable in the high cost of water to low income group who source for alternative vendors.

    Read Also: Fayemi presents N129.9b Appropriation Bill for 2019

    He added that this leads to high hospital bills incurred in the treatment of water borne diseases.

    “The Third National Urban Water Sector Reform Project which has three participating States is being funded by the World Bank in collaboration with each state respectively, and now is set to achieve among other things a sustainable urban water programme.

    The reform has started yielding fruits in the State Water Corporation with heavy investment in human capital development, increased awareness on tariff, billing and collection. We hope that at the end of the project, Ekiti state will get value for money as tremendous and visible improvement must have been achieved in the WASH sector”, he said.

    In her speech, the General Manager of the State Water Corporation, Engr Olabisi Agbeyo said the rehabilitation will return the dam to its initial design capacity of supplying 66 towns and villages as well as the State capital.

    She added that the transmission pipelines which were severed some years ago along Ifaki- Ado road would be replaced to enable water supply from Ero to Iworoko and Ado Ekiti.

    Also speaking, the Oore of Otun, Oba Adedapo Popoola commended Governor Fayemi for inaugurating the water project; stressing that many towns in Moba local government area have not enjoyed pipe borne water in the last three years.

    Oba Adedapo who disclosed that he had to dig four boreholes in his palace to provide water for the palace and its environs assured that Ekiti people are ready to pay for water supply if provided.

    “Your Excellency, this is the second time of your coming to this dam since your inauguration. It shows that you are really committed to the welfare of your people especially in providing social amenities. Let me say that we are ready to selflessly give anything that will make this project succeed. We are your people in Moba and whatever you want, we will do”, the monarch assures.

     

  • INEC: We’re ready for Ekiti Assembly Bye-Election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ekiti State has expressed its readiness to conduct bye-election into the vacant Ekiti Southwest Constituency 2 seat.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji, said a directive was being awaited from the Commission’s headquarters to hold the bye-election any moment from now.

    Read Also:INEC: we’ll conduct 2019 polls with existing laws

    The seat became vacant following the death of former occupant, Mr. Michael Adedeji. He was killed by suspected gunmen who opened fire on him in the early hours of October 26.

    Adedeji, who was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI) after being shot on the head at close range at a location in Onigari GRA, Ado Ekiti, died three days later.

    Raji, who addressed reporters in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, promised that the electoral umpire would conduct a credible poll to fill the vacant seat anytime the Ekiti office receives greenlight from Abuja.

    Speaking through agency’s spokesman in Ekiti, Taiwo Gbadegesin, Raji disclosed that he has written to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman on the vacant seat only awaiting directive to set machinery in motion for the conduct of the election.

    He said: “We are set for the election and we hope that the bye-election will be conducted by January. We have written to Abuja, I mean, to INEC National Chairman and we are expecting them to set the time table for us to conduct the election.

    “You know it is important for the constituency to have a representative to speak for them and the commission is not unaware of this. We are prepared for the poll, but we can’t unilateral decision, it has to be given from national headquarter.

    “I want to assure our people that there is no reason to be apprehensive about this, the bye-election will be held in due course, that we assure the constituents from that area.

    “The RECs all over the country are in Abuja holding meetings with INEC National leadership and I know this bye election will be tabled at the ongoing conference.

    “We didn’t disappoint Nigerians during the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State in spite of the fear that pervaded the land that the election could either be aborted or botched by threats from politicians, but we were above board and delivered.

    “This should be the expectation of our people anytime this by-election takes place.”

    The REC disclosed that the commission is battle ready for the 2019 polls in terms of logistics and personnel that would guarantee conduct of transparent polls in Ekiti.

    He stated that many of the personnel have been exposed to further trainings in Abuja, Enugu and Imo States, where they were taken to acquire new innovations  in electioneering process, particularly in the use of Information and Communication technology gadgets like smart card readers.

    “We are ready for 2019, because it is another crucial election that would chart a course for the country and we can’t afford to dissatisfy Nigerians.

    “We have resolved the issue of paucity of personnel, as we speak we have enough staffs to prosecute election.

    “Training is inevitable to the success of elections and that we have done and we will still do more for Nigerians to have elections that meet international standard,” he added.

  • Ekiti teachers back Fayemi”s order stopping ‘illegal’ school fees

    The Ekiti State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed support to the Executive Order 001 prohibiting the collection of unauthorized fee by head teachers and principals of public schools.
    Describing the order as a step in right direction, the union commended the state government for payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) registration of students in public secondary schools in the State.
    The Chairman of NUT, Ekiti State Wing, Mr. Samuel Olugbesan who led other executive members on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi in his office in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, explained that their visit was to open up channel of communication on ways to further improve the quality and standard of education in Ekiti.
    Assuring the state government of the union’s readiness to support and partner the government in moving education forward, Olugbesan sought for the consultation of stakeholders in the education sector in arriving at policies and decisions affecting teachers in the State.
    According to Olugbesan: “Your Excellency, let me hasten to point out that NUT wholeheartedly support the government position on certain issues as it concerns the running of schools in Ekiti State through Executive Order 001. It is a right step in right direction.
    “Your Excellency, we may not be able to hide our feelings to declare that much would be achieved and accomplished in the field of education by your government to the glory of your great party, if NUT as a legitimate Trade Union of Teachers in both primary, secondary and technical colleges in Ekiti State are not only given adequate recognition, concerns it deserves, but also be involved along with others agencies of education in policies and decisions in the field of education, all in a bid to sustain and improve on industrial harmony existing in the field of education in Ekiti State.
    “Your Excellency, we want to thank this government for payment of WAEC registration fee of students in public secondary schools in Ekiti State.”
    Responding, Egbeyemi tasked the union on diligence and strict adherence to government order.

    Read Also: Ekiti raises panel on fresh recruitment

    The deputy governor, himself a former teacher, reassured that the government had no intention of laying off any of the teachers in the State.
    Egbeyemi said making payment of workers salary was on the priority list of Fayemi led administration.
    He said: “Most of you are saying we are going to lay you off, have we laid anybody off ever since we assumed duty?
    “Do your work diligently and keep to government order. I will not be party to chasing anyone away from service. As long as you comply to government orders nothing shall touch you.
    “We will make teachers’ and other workers’ salary a priority. We must develop people before developing infrastructure.”

  • Ekiti raises panel on fresh recruitment

    To look into irregular appointments

     

    Ekiti State government has set up an executive committee to determine available vacancies in public service.

    The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, has been appointed as the chairman of the committee.

    This was one of the decisions reached at the State Executive Committee meeting held on Wednesday.

    According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, the assignment handed the Egbeyemi-led panel will lead to the commencement of fresh recruitment process.

    Read Also: Ekiti deputy governor honoured by hometown

    Other members of the panel are the Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi; the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Kolawole and the Chief of Staff, Mr. Biodun Omoleye.

    The cabinet also resolved that other appointments to the Public Service that did not go through due process, involving biometrics would be reviewed by the exco panel.

    The exco also decided that Executive Secretaries appointed after the July 21, governorship election in the State are to revert to their former positions.

     

  • Ekiti has no plan to ban okada business – Egbeyemi

    Ekiti State government has said it has no intention to ban commercial motorcycle operation in the Land of Honour describing okada riders as important stakeholders in the local economy.

    The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi disclosed that the intention of the state government was to promote peace and unity among transport associations.

    Egbeyemi, who disclosed this while receiving in audience the state executive of Okada Riders Association in his office, Ado Ekiti, said government will create any enabling environment for their business to flourish.

    A statement on Wednesday by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, quotes Egbeyemi as warning okada riders against being used to perpetrate crime in the state.

    According to him, government would not tolerate any act of indiscipline or lawlessness among transport associations.

    The deputy governor observed that some of their (Okada riders) members have been alleged of engaging in unholy acts like bag snatching, pick pocketing, wailing of banks customers after withdrawing money from the bank and other nefarious acts.

    Egbeyemi encouraged the leadership of the association to device measures of addressing the problem in the interest of the peace.

    He said: “We want peace to reign in your association, we don’t want factions among you. We want you to be under one umbrella, to allow the government to stand by you.

    “I pray that God will give your association the ability to maintain peace and to achieve success. We need your support and government will also support you.

    “Once you are united you become formidable for anyone to destabilize your association.

    “Against the rumour that we will bar you if we get elected into office, have we barred your association since we assumed office? Our government had no intention of barring okada riders from working in the State. All we want is peace.

    Read Also: Ekiti deputy governor honoured by hometown

    “You have to checkmate those that are found of engaging in criminal activities across the State under the guise of being Okada riders.

    Earlier the State Chairman of the Association, Mr Kunle Asaolu and the Chairman Board of Trustee of the Association in the State, Chief Akorede Adegboyega, pledged support of commercial bike riders to the success of the Fayemi administration.

    Ashaolu expressed confidence in the leadership of Fayemi led administration and promised to maintain peace in the State.

    Adegboyega demanded that the modality adopted by the association in generating internal revenue for the government should be allowed to remain.

    He concerned about some individuals portraying themselves as government representatives in the interest of causing a divide and rule among the association.

  • Ekiti govt summons principal over collection of unauthorized fees

    The Ekiti State Government on Monday summoned the Principal of Ado Grammar School, Ado Ekiti, Mr Ebenezer Falayi, over report of alleged collection of unauthorized fees and other levies.

    The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who summoned the principal to his office said he has been receiving complaints that some school heads were still defying the Executive Order prohibiting collection of illegal fees pupils and students of public schools.

    Egbeyemi as saying the government would not allow anybody, no matter how highly placed, to defy the Executive Order stopping collection of illegal levies.

    The Deputy Governor, however, pardoned the Principal on compassionate grounds as he is due to retire from service at the end of the current academic session.

    Egbeyemi revealed that he received complaints from two parents from Ado Grammar School that the principal was alleged to have been collecting a sum of N6,900 from each students for school uniforms, socks, school barge, cardigan, sports vest, hymn book, prospectus, file jackets and examination fee.

    The Deputy Governor maintained that the full wrath of the law would be visited on any principal or head teacher that flouts the Executive Order banning collection of illegal fees in public schools.

    He explained that the executive order signed by Governor Kayode Fayemi shortly after his assumption of duty was aimed at increasing the enrollment of students in public schools which he claimed had reduced drastically in the last four.

    Egbeyemi who stressed that no student must be sent out of school for any reason, said that it was an offence to collect any fee whatsoever in Ekiti State public schools.

    The Deputy Governor, who on compassionate ground pardoned the principal, gave a strong warning that any school head or principal caught in the act would be made to face the wrath of the law.

    Read Also: Father of five commits suicide at work in Ekiti

    Egbeyemi said: “I decided to pardon you because you have served the state for close to 35 years and you shouldn’t be sent home unmeritoriously order wise, i would have ordered your suspension.”

    Faluyi who confessed to the allegation claimed that he collected the fees after seeking clarification from the President of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr. Abiodun Omotoso, since the money was to cover materials to be used by the students.

    Falayi, who is due to retire in the next academic session, pleaded for leniency saying he has order the immediate stoppage of the collection and promised not to get involved in such act again.

  • Secondus demands resignation of IGP, INEC chairman

    ….As Atiku challenges Buhari to debate

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has demanded the immediate resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.

    Secondus also called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Mahmood Yakubu to resign his position without delay.

    Speaking on Thursday as the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP, the opposition party chairman said the PDP has lost confidence in the capacity of the IGP and the INEC chairman to guarantee free and fair elections.

    He insisted that both the IGP and the INEC aided the All Progressives Congress (APC) in rigging the last Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections.

    Secondus warned that the PDP would not accept the outcome of rigged elections, adding that there would be a national crisis if the 2019 elections were rigged.

    Also speaking at the event, the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubabar, expressed his readiness to engage President Muhammadu Buhari in a public debate on key national issues in the 2019 elections.

    His speech was interrupted with a snide remark from an unidentified voice who asked if Atiku was referring to “Jubril”, an alleged non existent body double of President Buhari. The mischief has been trending in the social media space lately.

    Atiku however replied the voice, asking, “Which Jubril? Is it the one in Sudan or the one in Abuja?”, a remark that drew a derisive outburst from the crowd of party faithful present in the hall.

    The opposition presidential candidate further said that if elected, his administration would enthroned a policy of strict adherence to fiscal responsibility in the conduct of government business.

    He pledged to galvanize efforts through consultations to liberate the nation from the shackles of hunger, deprivation, killings and divisive tendencies.

    Atiku said, “Our aim is to work very hard and collectively liberate our nation from the shackles of hunger, starvation, deprivation, bloodletting, killings and division which bedevil us today. We must all work hard to return our nation to the path of harmony, peace and progress.

    “We need to be disciplined in our campaign because we are facing a desperate APC. The coming election may be the toughest presidential election since the return of democracy.

    “The APC has chosen personal attacks over issues, instead of campaigning on achievements. My campaign will be focused on issues not character assassination and personal attacks.

    Read Also: No move to impeach my former deputy – Tambuwal

    “We should be telling Nigerians what we want to do differently to get Nigeria working again. We must be vigilant at the polling units. We must demand the removal of the IGP. Elections are governed by laws and rules guiding the behaviour of all those involved”

    He urged President Buhari to sign the amended Electoral Act presently on his desk if he is truly for free, fair and credible elections.

    The PDP candidate made assurances of new templates for fiscal responsibility and productivity in every critical sector of national life.

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, who also spoke at the event urged party leaders and stakeholders, to remain united and strong as the elections draw nearer.

    Saraki said, “The people are with us and when the people are with us, God is with us, we will do it, we will succeed. I emphasise that we must stay strong because it is not going to be easy.

    “Let us remember when we were going for the convention this room was vibrating, there was tension in the country and people never believed that it was possible because it has never happened where people will go to a primary and come out with not even one person disagreeing.

    “I have said it many atimes that APC is not our opponent on the ballot paper; it is the security agents that are opponents on the ballot paper.

    “If you talk to ten Nigerians today, they will tell you yes your party is popular but they will rig it. What does that mean? We must stand, we must stand for free and credible election. We must stand for an election where people have the right to vote.

    Saraki, is the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, warned that there could be crisis in the country if the elections were not free, fair and credible.

    The party inaugurated a 154-member Campaign Council shortly after the NEC meeting, with Secondus named as chairman of the Council.

    Atiku is co-chairman of the Council while former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is co deputy chairman.

    Also yesterday, the PDP inaugurated its Presidential campaign council with Secondus as chairman and Atiku as co-chair man.

    Other members of the Council are the governors elected on the platform of the party, the party’s principal officers of the National Assembly, all the presidential aspirants that contested with Atiku, former Ministers, former principal officers of the National Assembly, members of the National Working Committee of the PDP, among others.

    At the inauguration of the campaign council, Secondus charged the team to brace up for the challenges ahead, adding that the task was to sell the agenda of the PDP across the entire country.