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Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • ‘Sdp has not endorsed candidate for Ekiti poll’

    The leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has denied endorsing any candidate for the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    The  Chairman, Ayo Adekola, had told reporters earlier that the party has adopted former Deputy Governor Adebisi Omoyeni as the consensus candidate.

    Adekola said the decision to adopt Omoyeni was taken to avert internal crisis in the wake of the influx of new members from other political parties.

    But, the SDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yemi Akinbode, said the party  was established on the rule of law and due process.

    He said the party will allow the will of the people to prevail.

    Akinbode stressed that the relevant organs of the party was preparing guidelines for party primary to be used nationwide.

    He said the party will never act with impunity or join the gang of political parties whose cabals impose candidates.

    Akinbode saidadded “The attention of the SDP leadership has been drawn to a media report mischievously claiming that a “consensus candidate” has been chosen by the SDP.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, nothing of such (Omoyeni’s adoption) happened. We are genuine democrats committed to the rule of law, rules and regulations, due process and the will of the people.”

  • Ekiti 2018: Britain warns politicians against violence

    Britain has urged politicians in Ekiti State to play the game according to the rules as the July 14 governorship election draws nearer.

    The British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Miss Laure Beaufils, made the call on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti while on a courtesy visit to the first private radio station in the state, Voice 89.9 FM.

    Speaking while being hosted by the station’s General Manager, Mr. Donald Falayi, Beaufils said Britain is watching developments in Ekiti ahead of the July poll.

    She urged politician and their supporters to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner, before, during and after the election.

    The envoy said her country expect the conduct of open and transparent primaries which would lead to credible election.

    Beaufils called on the political gladiators to dwell on issues and their manifestos rather than attacking personalities.

    The diplomat said: “I believe the primaries should be open even though it will definitely be a tense period, people all over the country are looking forward to it (election).

    “Politicians should dwell on issues, policies and manifestos rather than on personalities. The coming Ekiti election is a signal to the February 2019 general election.”

    The Deputy High Commissioner described Nigeria as a wonderful country whose citizens are creative and dynamic.

    She noted that Nigeria is not as bad as being portrayed across the globe but counseled that more efforts should be made to change the general perception

    Beaufils said there are positive stories to tell about Nigeria rather than corruption and Boko Haram which attract local and foreign media attention.

    Earlier in his remarks, Falayi said the station has maintained neutrality in the coverage and reportage of events in the state in line with broadcasting code.

    Falayi said the station would give massive coverage to the Ekiti elections in all the 16 local government areas with the full compliments of an Outside Broadcasting (OB) Van to be deployed to polling stations.

    Read Also: Ekiti doesn’t need a ‘CEO governor,’ says Fapohunda

  • Imposition: Former Ekiti deputy governor Lawal quits PDP

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, has joined the ever-increasing list of prominent politicians dumping the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Nation learnt on Wednesday that Lawal’s exit was triggered by the decision of Governor Ayo Fayose to impose his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola as “the sole candidate” for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Lawal said the decision to quit the PDP was hinged on “the available fact that the list of delegates to vote at the primary has been doctored in favour of Olusola.”

    However, the ex-deputy governor did not reveal the political party he would join with his supporters ahead of the governorship poll.

    He has also resigned as non-Executive Director representing Ekiti State on the board of Odu’a Investment Limited, a business conglomerate owned by the six Southwest states.

    Lawal served as Deputy Governor between May 29, 2007 and October 15, 2010 under former Governor Segun Oni.

    The Ado-Ekiti born politician is the third deputy governor to leave PDP in the last one year over alleged autocracy, subversion of party constitution and imposition of candidates by Fayose.

    Former deputy governors who had left PDP are Chief Abiodun Aluko and Chief Adebisi Omoyeni, who had joined Mega Party of Nigeria and Social Democratic Party (SDP) to pursue their governorship ambition.

    In a letter dated April 3, 2018 and addressed to the PDP Chairman in Ward 9, Ado Ekiti, Mr. Tope Makanjuola , Lawal said his resignation took effect from the date he communicated same to the party.

    The letter entitled: ‘Withdrawal of Membership’ reads: “Reference to above, I wish to inform you that I, Sikiru Tae Lawal with membership number 2620001 registered at Ward 9, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State wish to withdraw my membership of your party, PDP effective from today, Tuesday, 3rd April 2018.”

    In the letter to the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Limited, a copy of which was sent to Governor Fayose, Lawal said: “I wish to notify you of my intention to resign my appointment as a non-executive Director representing Ekiti State on the board of Odu’a investment Company Limited with effect from 1st May, 2018.

    “I wish to thank the Ekiti State governor and the good people of Ekiti State for the opportunity given me to serve on the board. I also appreciate the cooperation of my colleagues and staff of Odu’a during my stay”, he stated.

    Lawal said he decided to take such a far reaching decision to afford him the opportunity to be able to defend his political interest and that of his people in another party.

    He added: “Whatever you do in politics, you do it for yourself and your people. It seems PDP no longer needs us, because the processes leading to our primary have been badly manipulated in favour of an aspirant.

    “The message was clear that there is no level playing ground again in our party and there is no point wasting time in a party that has lost its bearing, because the PDP is no longer the people’s choice, it has lost its goodwill due to pervasive impunity in the system.

    “The PDP supposed to be a democratic party, but this is not the case. I am not over ambitious but I have no choice than to leave when someone has said your services are no longer needed.”

    When asked the party he would adopt to contest for the election, Lawal said: “I am consulting with my people. I consulted them before taking this action and I believe we must come together to agree on the platform to be adopted.”

    Read Also: Fayose’s excesses will spell doom for PDP in Ekiti – Oni

  • Fayose congratulates parents of released Dapchi Girls

    Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has congratulated parents of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls that were released today and sympathized with parents of five of the girls that reportedly died.

    He described the abduction of the girls as an indictment on the federal government and their release as “drama scripted by the government and its agents to swindle Nigerians.”

    Fayose, while reacting to the release of the abducted school girls, said; “This appears like an arranged abduction and an arranged release, but we thank God that the innocent girls have returned home and we condole with parents of those that died.”

    In a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said it was strange that the girls could be brought back to Dapchi by their abductors without the security agents knowing when they were returned and who returned them.

    He said; “Curiously, the same spirit who made sure that all military checkpoints in Dapchi and other surrounding towns were removed to pave way for abduction of the girls also made sure that the girls were returned without any security agent seeing them.

    Read Also: Fayose, Ewi row over demolition in Ado-Ekiti

    “One can only be hopeful that the real script writers behind this drama will be exposed one day.

    “Nigerians should recall that the Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam said that military checkpoints were withdrawn from Dapchi and other communities a few days before the abduction of the 110 girls.

    This was also corroborated by the Amnesty International in its report that was published in the newspapers on Wednesday.

    “Specifically, Amnesty International said that security forces failed to act on advance warnings that a convoy of Boko Haram fighters was heading to Dapchi town and that between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on February 19, 2018, calls were made to tell the security services that the Boko Haram insurgents were in the Dapchi area.

    “No doubt, withdrawal of military check-points from Dapchi and other communities, few days before the 110 students were abducted and failure of the security forces to act on advance warnings exposed the conspiracy of the federal government and its agents in the abduction of the school girls and other dastardly acts of the insurgents.

    “Interestingly, no one was questioned up till now despite conflicting claims by the army and police as well as the damning report by the Amnesty International hat between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm on February 19, 2018, calls were made to tell the security services that the Boko Haram insurgents were in the Dapchi area.”

    The governor, who reiterated his allegation that Boko Haram insurgency had become source of treasury looting; said; “Those benefitting from Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scams, payment of ransom (in dollars) to free those abducted by the Boko Haram insurgents, among others will never wish to see the end of the insurgency.”

  • Senate endorses three higher institutions for establishment

    The Senate has technically endorsed the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Adikpo, Benue State, Federal Polytechnic Item, Abia State and Federal College of Education, Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    The endorsement followed the consideration of the Bills which proposed the establishment of the institutions at a widely attended public hearing held by the upper chamber in Abuja.

    Senators Barnabas Gemade sponsored the Bill for the establishment Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo while Senator Mao Ohuabunwa proposed the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Item.

    Senator Biodun Olujimi sponsored the establishment of Federal Collage of Education, Omuo Ekiti.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye who represented Senate President at the public hearing underscored the importance of education in the country.

    He also stressed the need to spread the establishment of educational institutions in parts of the country for the benefit of education hungry Nigerians,

    Adeyeye assured that the Senate will continue to support the establishment of vital higher institutions in the country.

    The Osun Central lawmaker noted that there was no doubt polytechnics have continued to play vital role in the provision of middle level manpower and young professionals who help in no small measure in the development of the country.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Jibrin Barau noted that the public hearing became necessary in order to enable Nigerians make input before the Bills are passed.

    Barau said the input of the public will, no doubt, will enrich the Bills before their passage into law.

    Senator Gemade who gave the synopsis of why Federal Polytechnic Adikpo should be established noted that Benue State is one of the few states in the north that are known to have made education an industry.

    Gemade also said that the establishment of the polytechnic will help to balance the establishment institutions of higher learning in the state.

    He noted that the only federal presence in his entire constituency is a unity school which is not significant enough to give the people a sense of belonging.

    He said that the people of Adikpo area were not only industrious in education but have produced five vice chancellors that served in the state and at national level.

    The lawmaker added that he is convinced that the establishment of the institution will go a long way to enhance the education fortunes of Benue State people.

    On his own Senator Ohuabunwa, noted that apart from University of Agriculture Umudike, there is no other federal institution in the state.

    He said that the Senate came up with the resolution that there should be federal presence in every constituency in the interest of Nigerians.

    He said that the Federal Polytechnic Item is well cut out as the best location to site the institution because of the abundance of technical know-how in the area.

    The Abia North lawmaker said that there were many schools in the area to feed the polytechnic for the benefit of the country.

    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Olujimi said that each constituency wanted federal presence to give the people sense of belonging.

    She noted that Ekiti State is known for one industry ‘and that industry is education.”

    Olujimi said that Ekiti South should be given a right of place through the establishment of the Federal College of Education.

    She said that the people were ready to give whatever it takes to facilitate establishment of the institution.

    At the end of the public hearing nobody spoke against the establishment of the three institutions in the three states.

    Barau promised to submit the report of his committee to the Senate in plenary as soon as possible.

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/no-date-yet-budget-passage-senate/

  • Fayose’s government’ll cease day I get APC ticket

    As the race for the APC ticket in the forthcoming governorship election in Ekiti State hots up, one of the aspirants, Bamidele Faparusi, was recently received by the leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state as he formally inaugurated his campaign working team. Daniel Adeleye, who covered the event, reports

    IT was a mammoth crowd of All Progressives Congress, APC, stalwarts, members, loyalists and lovers of Hon. Bamidele Faparusi who converged his Adebayo area Campaign office in Ado-Ekiti, to sheer and nudge him to victory as he inaugurated his working team headed by a former Majority Leader in Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Churchill Olubunmi Adedipe.

    The train later moved to the Ajilosun end of the town where the APC state secretariat is located to meet party leaders who have been waiting to formally receive him and for him to remind them of his ambition to be the next governor of the state.

    It would be recalled that Faparusi was the first APC governorship aspirant that made his intention known to the leaders of the party at the party’s secretariat in Ado-Ekiti way back in December, 2015.

    A large crowd of supporters, indigenes trooped out in their hundreds to show solidarity for the Ode-Ekiti-born politician now in the race for the Oke Ayaba Government House. One of the issues that caught the attention of people at the event was the fact that Ekiti South Senatorial District has not occupied the state governor’s state since the creation of the state, 22 years ago.

    The slogan ‘Itesiwaju Ekiti, Fappy ni o’ rented the air as artisans, students, market men and women thronged the popular Okesa road through Old Garage to Ajilosun APC Secretariat in the state, to show solidarity for the former federal lawmaker.

    Business activities suffered a little hitch as many small business entrepreneurs closed shops while a chunk of the popular motorbike riders (Okada) abandoned commercial services to provide complimentary glamour to the colourful twin event with theatrical riding display.

    At the party secretariat, the engineer-turned politician was warmly received by party stalwarts, led by State Deputy Chairman of APC, Kemi Olaleye.

    The party leaders were full of praises as they all praised Faparusi and commended him for his contributions to the state and to Nigeria at large while he represented his people at the 7th National Assembly.

    ‘Fappy’ as he is fondly called by his supporters, said before he made up his mind to contest for Ekiti governorship seat, he got a divine revelation from Mark 10:44, which has been his driving principle.

    He stressed that his coming out to contest for the position of governor of Ekiti State is a service to humanity, community and the state.

    He told APC chieftains and his supporters that he has rolled up his sleeves to serve Ekiti people and liberate them “from the political vultures and their cohorts who have raped the state through misguided projects and policies.”

    He also said the incumbent governor, Ayodele Fayose, would cease to be the governor of Ekiti State on the very day he gets the APC ticket to contest.

    He cautioned his co-contestants in APC to emulate the former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the party, Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, according to him, “sacrificed his vice presidential ambition for party interest.”

    He said south agenda is an issue in Ekiti beyond party interest, thus explaining why it was on the lips of electorates on the streets.

    Faparusi also hinted on his administration’s four-point agenda tagged: “ATTT”, which stands for Agriculture, Technology, Trade and Tourism. He said he has looked at the potentials in Ekiti State and considered some that can be regarded as comparative advantages if diligently invested, adding that if they are made the economic base, Ekiti should be economically viable.

    “We are going to translate our academic prowess which we are known for to create wealth and make life suitable for our people by bringing my entrepreneurship experience to the government.

    “We’ll create technological base vocational training centres where our pupils can learn during holidays and we’ll also develop gifted schools across the state.

    “We will harness the best brains and also provide opportunity for them to the benefit of the state. Not just give them the knowledge, we are going to imbibe the patriotism and invest in them so that in the future they can also come back and use their wealth of knowledge to develop the state.

    “We need to provide platform and partner with international technological hubs across the world. We have the core value in America, Europe, Israel, China; we are going to partner with them to have an esteemed programme so that our children would be able to go over there and learn,” he said.

    According to the aspirant, “Dubai started by developing ideas, and people came from Europe and America to invest in those ideas. So our job as a government would be to provide opportunity and great ideas that would attract people to come and invest in our tourism to showcase and promote our rolling hills where Ekiti derived its name to the world.”

    ‘Ekiti is strategically located between Lagos the commercial capital of Nigeria, and Abuja the political capital of Nigeria. We are going to provide facility where people can easily move their produce to the north, east, south and the west. And that will create job opportunity for our people and also improve the economy of the state,” he stressed.

    But how would he source for fund to implement those gigantic projects considering the meagre monthly federal allocation going to the state, Faparusi noted that it’s not always money that should come first but great ideas.

    As he puts it, “Dubai was only a desert some years back, and didn’t start its long term economy plan because they have big pocket, but they started by putting the ideas on the table”.

    “I started my business with zero kobo, so we should be able to put our heads together and come up with the idea that will be lucrative to the world.

    “If you want to make people unique, you need to first of all work on their mindsets. A slave who does not believe that he has been set free will continues to behave like a slave,” he explained.

    Speaking on his support for Faparusi, the State Coordinator of ‘Fappy Movement’, Hon. Churchill Olubunmi Adedipe, said the former federal lawmaker stands out among other contestants as the most progressive minded politician who started his political career since the days of Alliance for Democracy (AD) as a Youth Leader, who has not jumped ship like many others who claimed to be members of progressive family.

    Adedipe also observed that APC is a party that has a robust history and culture; and the party leaders should also look at the criteria to choose the flag bearer of the party in July governorship election in the state.

    The former leader in Ekiti State House of Assembly, who described Faparusi as “epitome of transparency, accountability and accessibility,” said “it can only be better if a person like him is allowed to pilot the affairs of Ekiti State given his wealth of parliamentary experience married with entrepreneurial and managerial skills.”

    On the influx of contestants under APC in Ekiti, Adedipe said “it’s a pointer that APC is alive and kicking.”

    According to him, “The array of aspirants coming out in APC is a welcome development because it’s a pointer that the party is alive and kicking. No investor will like to put his or her money in a moribund business that has no prospect.

    “Let every flower continue to blossom, at the appropriate time some will survive it while some will retrace their steps. I am not talking of APC as a political venture, but as a party that is alive and kicking, which informs the array of aspirants that we now have in APC,” he submitted.

     

  • Police prevent bloody clash among Buhari, Fayose supporters in Ekiti

    A timely intervention by the Police and other security agencies prevented what would have been a bloody clash among youths supporting President Muhammadu Buhari and those rooting for Governor Ayo Fayose on Saturday.

    The Buhari supporters who are beneficiaries of the Npower scheme had gathered at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) for walk to mark one year of the empowerment programme in the state.

    Some youths believed to have been mobilised from the Government House stormed the place singing the praises of Fayose and his ‘anointed’ candidate, Deputy Governor,  Prof. Kolapo Olusola.

    As the Npower beneficiaries displayed banners hailing Buhari for empowering them through the scheme, Fayose’s supporters displayed various placards hailing the governor and proclaiming support for Olusola ahead of the governorship poll.

    Tension mounted as youths on both sides exchanged words. The pro-Buhari youths described the action of pro-Fayose youths as “provocative.”

    But policemen and other security agents quickly intervened and dispersed the pro-Fayose youths and protected the pro-Buhari youths to the venue of their celebration at AB Hotel, along Olora Road.

    The scenario is seen as a dress rehearsal towards the July 14 governorship election in Ekiti expected to be a fierce battle between the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Justifying their action, a pro-Fayose youth, Ajibade Segun, said: “A few months ago, Governor, Fayose invited us to the Government House and promised those of us who are NPower beneficiaries in Ekiti that we would get permanent employment from the state government. This is why we are happy and we are now coming out to campaign for the Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola. We are are here supporting the continuity agenda of his Excellency Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose and supporting Olusola Eleka for governor in July 14.

    “To the president we are saying that we don’t want just a temporary relief in the name of Npower from massive unemployment in Nigeria, we want permanent employment. We also want the number of beneficiaries of the Npower in Ekiti to be more than what we have presently. But most importantly, we want a permanent job like the governor has promised to give a good number of us, ” he said.

    A pro-Buhari youth and N-Power beneficiary, Adeosun Peter, said: “I want the people of Nigeria to know that we are not campaigning for Fayose or Olusola. It is Buhari that we know because he is the one who is feeding us. We have the banners bearing the image of Buhari and we are thanking him for this gesture.

    “N30,000 for each of the beneficiaries every month is not a small money. In twelve months , we know what that money amounts to. The beneficiaries of N-power in Ekiti in  this first tranche are 3,400, and 8,337 will benefit in the second tranche, those of us here now are more than 3,000 that have come for accreditation today.

    “Buhari is our benefactor. We are standing for Buhari. We are thanking Buhari for what he has done and we also want him to make the job permanent.”

     

  • ‘Nobody can rig Ekiti APC primary’

    Presidential Adviser on Political Matters Senator Babafemi Ojudu has announced his governorship ambition in Ekiti State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on his transformation agenda, the proposed primary and how APC can defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the election. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE was there.  

    Many of you are in the governorship race. How will the party mend fences after the primary?

    It would not be right for now to say we have so many of us in the race. The reason being that the party has not even called for nomination. We have not obtained forms. In about a month’s time, the party will call for nomination. Then, we will obtain forms. When you now see the number of those who obtain forms, then, you can now say whether we are many or not. Right now, I know those who are out, saying they want to become governor, but some of them actually want to become chairmen of local government councils, some want to become commissioners, senators and members, House of Assembly. People are calling attention to themselves, they want people to know them and they want to have something at hand to negotiate with. If I become governor and someone comes to me and say after all I wanted to become governor, so what do you have for me? These are some of the prevailing circumstances so far.

    How can the party prevent post primary crisis?

    In case it occurs, we have elders and leaders who will bring everybody together. But, one thing that is going to determine what happens after is the transparency, fairness and justice people are able to observe in the course of the primary. I was one of the people that conducted the primary in Anambra. Many of you must have watched it over the television. You could have seen how transparent it was, how fair and everything was in the open. It was difficult for anybody to come out and say no, I won’t accept this. See Andy Uba, who everybody thought would have won, came to embrace the man who won and they went into the election in unity.

    But, the Ondo experience is still fresh in the memory of the people…

    Someone asked in the course of an interview, if we are prepared for the Ondo formula. I said well, I don’t know of Ondo fomula. I said what is the Ondo formula about? He translated it as manipulating delegates list. I said no, that will not happen here. I have been to the party headquarters and they have assured me weeks before the primary they will give us the list of delegates which we all have to study and bring back our observations. They will now invite us to a round table, to resolve issues observed in the delegates list amicably before going to the primary. I don’t think that was done in the case of Ondo. I expect that this may be different because I am the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters I have been a journalist, reporter, editor and media manager. I have been a Senator and it will be very difficult for anybody to come and do that in my presence. There is Segun Oni, who had been governor before, who is now Deputy National Chairman of APC South; it will be difficult to give him nonsense. Others who may also want to come have pedigree and reputation and I can assure you that I will be as vigilant as I can. I have set a team of lawyers; one of them a SAN and they will examine every process and make sure everything is just and fair.

    Why should Ekiti people prefer you to other contestants?

    Why they should vote for me is because I have been passionate about this state. I was born and raised here. I struggle for this place. I don’t think there is anybody who has been governor here from 1999 till date, that I have not been involved with. I have headed so many associations either in the Ekiti Progressives, E 11, human rights organisations, Pan Yoruba  organisations, I have done so much here. I have removed governor here, I have installed governor, so I have done quite a lot. On the social level; I belong to at the Ado Progressives Union, I belong to the parapo association of Ekiti generally. I have given scholarship; I have assisted people quite a lot even before I became a politician. I have empowered and employed Ekiti people in so many figures. I think I have done quite well for the people, I have paid my dues. That is why I told everybody who cares to listen, that this is not an ambition for me, it is a mission. It is a mission to make an example that governance should not be as difficult as some makes it to appear. That we can do it, I want to show that we can turn governance around and make it easy. We can reduce all those things that make governors swollen headed. I told people that I will live in my house when elected. I have a three bedroom bungalow, so I am living there because if I leave governance, I will go back there. So, why don’t I just live there, drive to the office every morning from there? All these methods of driving with several cars in your convoys, blaring siren and pushing people off the roads are odds.

    There are claims that the APC is planning to use federal might…

    No, we don’t do that. You all witnessed the election in Anambra, did you see federal might or federal power?  You have witnessed elections everywhere, President Buhari, the leader of our party and president of this country does not believe in federal might. He will tell you ‘go and work’. If today, I contested with his wife, Aisha, he will not raise a finger in favour of his wife. He will probably advise her on what to do, to win the hearts of the electorates.

    People say Governor Fayose is still a factor in the coming election. You seem to underrate his importance…

    He is going to be a factor, but he is going to be a factor of failure.

    There is no longer stomach infrastructure again. It is a myth.  People have not been paid in twelve months. Salaries have not been paid; civil servants and local government officials have not been paid. You are talking of stomach infrastructure, if I am a civil servant and you have not paid me in twelve months, what is the stomach infrastructure in that?  If truly, you are doing stomach infrastructure, you must regularly pay the workers, so that they can feed themselves.  This last Christmas, he didn’t even give them rice as he used to give them.  It is a government of deceit. Fayose is just deceiving the people. Go around with him now, nobody hails him anywhere again. Since we got into Ekiti, he ran away since yesterday. We told him ‘we have our billboards in town, come and remove one and let me see you’. I am his husband.  The Yoruba people have a saying that the mad man has a master. In 2006, I chased him out of this place. I took all his lawmakers who were members of PDP, I took them to Lagos for two months. I kept them there. When I was ready, I brought them back to impeach him. In 2011, he contested against me for Senate, I defeated him. I had 68,000 votes, he had 21,000 votes. So, forget about all these myths he sells to you out there. I am back again and I know I am the one who can  chase him out. If there is anybody he fears, it is me. We will take care of him on July14.

  • Lassa Fever: Ekiti records fresh casualty

    A fresh case of Lassa fever has been confirmed in Ekiti State.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rotimi Ojo who made this known in Ado Ekiti, said that five out of the eight suspected case in the State, tested negative while one was uncertain and the last one pending as at press time.

    Dr. Ojo added that the patient that tested positive and two others have passed away.

    Stressing that there was no cause for alarm in the State, the Commissioner however noted that the State Government was taking proactive steps in surveillance activities that involved all residents due to the some recorded cases and deaths in neighbouring States.

    He assured that the State Disease Control team has been activated while the process of sensitizing the people with jingles, adverts and other communication media were ongoing.

    Ojo said that similar actions taken during the 2016 outbreak were successful adding that the epidemic was perfectly controlled and the indentified patient, who was properly managed, survived.

    According to him, the three isolation centres at Ido Federal teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti; Oba Adejuyigbe General Hospital, Ado Ekiti and the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti are still operational.

    Read Also: Lassa fever treatment is free, says Fed Govt

    He urged all stakeholders including health practitioners, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders as well as community and opinion leaders to join hands with the State Government to prevent the spread of the disease in the State.

    Dr. Ojo advised people in the State to avoid self medication and keeping sick people at home adding that any unusual increase in temperature or fever must be reported to the nearest health facility.

    The Commissioner also stressed the importance of environmental sanitation practices and general cleanliness saying that hand-washing, good food storage as well as practice and enforcement of infection prevention and control at various health facilities cannot be compromised.

  • I will spend my security vote to feed Ekiti people – Olowoporoku

    I will spend my security vote to feed Ekiti people – Olowoporoku

    A governorship aspirant of Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) in Ekiti State, Senator Bode Olowoporoku, has promised to spend out of his security vote to feed the people if elected in the July 14 poll.

    Olowoporoku regretted that a massive hunger is afflicting the people of Ekiti State which he said the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has failed to address.

    He spoke with reporters on Thursday in his hometown, Ilawe-Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, during a sensitization rally ahead of the governorship election.

    The former Minister of Science and Technology promised to immediately address hunger by distributing 100 bags of rice to each of the 177 wards in the state every month for four years.

    To address hunger on a long term, Olowoporoku promised to launch Agriculture Revolution which will enjoy a huge investment from government with the sole aim of firmly establishing commercial farming.

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    The former Senate Committee Chairman on Agriculture said the commercial farming initiative would generate thousands of jobs, create cottage industries and generate revenue into government coffers.

    This, he said, are better ways to tackle hunger than “the three or four cups of rice given to people by Governor Ayo Fayose once in four years.

    Olowoporoku said: “What has he been using to win? Two or three cups of rice but now I man saying I will be giving them 100 bags of rice, every ward, every month.

    “Even if you are taking it from the central purse in seven years, is not up to what Fayose spent on his useless flyover to nowhere.

    “And this is the money you can get from the security vote and you use the money to feed the people because the state belongs to them.”