The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti STATE

  • US Consulate woos ABUAD faculty, students

    The United States of America’s Consulate in Lagos has urged academics and students of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), in Ekiti State to take advantage of academic fellowships and fully-funded scholarship opportunities available in the United States.

    Mrs Dassi Sota, Public Affairs Officer of the U.S consulate, Southern Nigeria, who led a team of the consulate’s officials that included, Mr Clemson Ayegbusi, coordinator of the U.S Fullbright/Professional exchange programme, Mr. Austin Emenanua, coordinator of Mandela Washington Fellowship or Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI),  and Ms Tosin Ogundeji, Consulate’s media officer, told the ABUAD management that the U.S government had opened its gate wide open to Nigerians who are interested in pursuing research programmes in top U.S universities to develop themselves in leadership, professional, cultural,  educational areas among others.

    She said many of the programmes were fully funded by the U.S government.

    Urging them to key into the opportunities Mrs Sota said: “We have. Learnt a lot about the Afe Babalola University and we recognise the institutions as one of the best in Africa. This is why we are extending this opportunity to your institution as we have already done to more than 20 other Nigerian tertiary institutions. We have a lot to share and you have got a lot to benefit.

    “The U.S is currently throwing her gate wide open to scholars who are interested in educational programmes/research, professional programmes and cultural studies in top U.S universities. Do not worry yourself about getting the visa because it is now very easy and do not worry yourself about getting the funds for sponsorship because the U.S.  government is providing the funds.”

    Ayegbusi urged academics and professionals to explore the Fullbright Fellowship and others, Emenunua urged students of the university to tap into the YALI, which he was is available for youths who intend to take up leadership careers with sound training from the U.S top universities.

    Accepting the proposal from the U.S. representatives, the ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof Micheal Ajisafe, who said he was proud to be an alumnus of top U.S universities, said: “You have brought us good tidings from the most powerful country in the world and some of us who have benefitted from the U.S sound educational system can only advise our people to key into these wonderful opportunities. So we will tap very well into it as we have hitherto been doing with the country.”

  • Ekiti: APC Chieftain, Araoye empowers senior citizens with N5m

    Ekiti: APC Chieftain, Araoye empowers senior citizens with N5m

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Mr. Makinde Araoye (MKD) over the weekend empowered about 500 indigent senior citizens of the state with N5million cash at N10,000 each.

    Also distributed to the imdigents senior citizens by Araoye were food stuff such as 100 bags of rice, 50 bags of wheat, 25 bags of Semovita amongst others.

    Speaking at the event which took place at Emure-Ekiti, the headquarters of Emure Local Government Area of the state, the vibrant Araoye said he had started the initiative code-named Makinde Araoye (MKD) Social Security Scheme in his Ilawe-Ekiti country home since 2011 but decided to extend the tentacle to the six local government areas in his senatorial district now as a way of ameliorating the sufferings of the underprivileged senior citizens in his area.

    The six local government areas are Ekiti South West, Ekiti East, Ikere, Ise-Orun, Emure and Gbonyin.

    “The tentacle of the Social Security scheme which I flagged off in 2011 with just 15 senior citizens from my Ilawe-Ekiti country home in Ekiti South West Local Government as beneficiaries has now been extended to cover senior citizens from all the towns and villages in Ekiti South Senatorial district of our dear state”

    “The second edition of the now expanded Makinde Araoye (MKD) Social Security Scheme for the indigent aged that is being flagged off today has about 500 beneficiaries being paid N10,000 each” he said.

    Araoye who is a staunch supporter of the immediate past governor of the State and current Minister of Mines and Steels Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the empowerment scheme which he emulated from the past government of Fayemi shall be done quarterly till his last breath on this surface of earth.

    Speaking at His Palace, the Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo praised Araoye for using his personal resources to help the indigent people.

    The first class traditional ruler charged other privileged citizens of the state to emulate Araoye, saying that “it’s not only when politicians are looking for votes that they should remember the needs of the people”.

    The monarch also used the occasion to urge young Nigerians to show interest in governance, stressing that it was time young people take over the affairs of the country from those he said had been ruling for decades with little or nothing to show as achievements.

    In her own speech, the State acting chairman of the APC, Chief Kemi Olaleye commended the efforts of Araoye in helping to alleviate poverty among party members.

    Olaleye who accused the state governor, Ayodele Fayose of increasing the level of poverty in the state since Fayemi left government, said the people are now wiser and the governor would soon be voted out of Government by the same people he has been deceiving.

    Also in attendance at the event was the Chairman of the APC in Ekiti South, Pastor Olu Babade, past and present members of the State Executive Council of the party, all Local Government and Ward Chairmen of APC in Ekiti South Senatorial District amongst others.

  • I’m a stickler for probity and accountability in public service – Segun Oni

    I’m a stickler for probity and accountability in public service – Segun Oni

    Mr Segun Oni, a former governor of Ekiti State and an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in 2018’s governorship election, says he has always been a stickler for probity and accountability in public service.

    Oni, also the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, said this in a statement signed by Mr Steve Alabi, the Director, Media and Publicity, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, (SOCO).

    SOCO was reacting to critics that described Oni as being “tight-fisted’’.

    Oni said, “If it is my money; I can spend it the way I like, but if it is government’s money or public fund, I cannot do that.

    “I was able to achieve much because I cut down on waste and conserved money for the state during my tenure. I’m not uncharitable, no. Government in a state like Ekiti does not have the latitude to spend money recklessly.

    “I believe whatever we spend must add value to the society and the people themselves. That does not mean that I have super-glue in my hand,’’ he said.

    He said that as the state governor of Ekiti between 2007 and 2010, he eliminated waste from public spending.

    He said that his style of governance had helped the state to record monumental infrastructure and social developments that were glaring to the people.

    Oni listed them as: massive road construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of public buildings and utilities,

    Others are:  massive construction of classroom blocks for public primary and secondary schools and provision of social amenities as the dividends of his fiscal policy.

    The governorship aspirant assured the people of the state  that he would continue to adhere to the principles of probity and accountability  for the greater good of the state if elected  again.

    “I am a firm believer in the empowerment of the generality of the people, rather than handouts to a few “, Oni said.

  • Ekiti disburses N190million vehicle/housing loans to 751 teachers, others

    Ekiti disburses N190million vehicle/housing loans to 751 teachers, others

    The Ekiti State Government on Tuesday announced the release of N190 million as vehicle and housing loans to 751 teaching and non-teaching staff in its secondary schools.

    Chief Abiodun Falayi, Chairman, Ekiti Teaching Service Commission, who announced this in Ado Ekiti, said that 468 workers received N100,000 to N300,000 as land/housing loans, depending on their salary grade levels.

    According to him, another 283 personnel received between N80,000 to N750,000 as vehicle loans, depending on their salary grade levels.

    Falayi said that the State Government had earlier disbursed more than N1 billion as housing and vehicle loans to different categories of workers since the inception of the Gov Ayo Fayose-led administration.

    He assured workers that the special welfare scheme would be a continuous exercise, and revealed that 6,000 teaching and non-teaching staff were recently promoted.

    Falayi charged beneficiaries of the loans to utilise the facility judiciously, and cautioned them against diverting it to activities that would not add value to their lives.

    He stressed the need for workers to continually support the efforts of government to improve their welfare, pointing out that it would be difficult to achieve set targets without such support and dedication to service delivery.

  • Ekiti APDA suspends chair two weeks after party’s takeoff

    Ekiti APDA suspends chair two weeks after party’s takeoff

    …Suspended chair: I’m not aware of my suspension
    Barely two weeks after the party was unveiled in Ekiti State, the Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA), has run into crisis in the Fountain of Knowledge which has consumed its Chairman, Mrs. Foluke Okeya.

    Mrs. Okeya was suspended by the party’s enlarged State Working Committee (SWC) held in Ado-Ekiti on Friday for alleged anti-party activities, misconduct and high-handedness.

    Other allegations raised against Mrs. Okeya include abuse of office, conducting herself in a manner likely to cause disaffection among party members which the members noted were capable of bringing the party to disrepute.

    A seven-member investigation panel was also raised to probe all allegations against her.

    Twenty out of thirty SWC members voted in favour of Mrs. Okeya’s suspension and unanimously resolved that the Deputy Chairman, Elder Tunde Agbabiaka should function as the Acting Chairman pending the submission of the panel’s report.

    Some of the signatories in the suspension letter are Aruleba Lawrence (Ikere Local Government), Boboye Ajibade (Ado-Ekiti) Mr. O. Ayoola (Efon), Chief Adesola Olagbemi (Ikole) among others.

    A statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti titled:”Re: Suspension of the Ekiti APDA interim chairperson: Mrs Foluke S. Okeya, Resolution of the State Executive Committee”, the party also set aside the five member disciplinary committee earlier set up and replaced it with a seven -member committee in compliance with section 139 of the party’s constitution.

    A source revealed that one of issues that landed Mrs. Okeya in trouble was that “she single handedly organized and executed the unveiling of the party on August 5, this year in Ekiti without carrying other executive members along.”

    Mrs. Okeya, when contacted on the telephone, claimed that she was not aware of her suspension, but admitted that the national body of the party was already aware and had subsequently called the acting chairperson.

    She added: “I am not aware of the suspension because I have my appointment letter given to me by the national leadership of our party. All the allegations are false because there are no evidence to buttress them.

    “How can they say they were not carried along in the planning of the unveiling? We held series of meetings before the party’s unveiling was held and many of our national leaders attended the programme.

    “I am handling the issue maturely because I am a party leader. I will not follow them to misbehave maturely. I don’t have skeletons in my cupboard.”

    In an interview with the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Chief Olusanya Atofarati, he reiterated his members’ support and loyalty to Mallam Shittu Kabir’s-led National Working Committee of the party.

  • PDP: We want reconciliation, not dissidents– Fayose

    PDP: We want reconciliation, not dissidents– Fayose

    Gov. Ayodele Fayose of  Ekiti State on Wednesday  said though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was pursuing reconciliation among  members, dissidents  were not welcome.

    Fayose said this in Ado-Ekiti at the reconciliation meeting for members from the Oyo and Osun chapters of the party.

    The governor, who is the chairman of the reconciliation committee in the zone, said that the meeting was  the outcome of the recently conducted non-elective national convention.

    “The leaders have mandated us to bring on those who are ready to support our great party in the drive to chart a new way forward.

    “In doing this, we won’t give room for dissidents to frustrate us and our efforts.

    “ Some people are claiming to be members of our party and at the same time going to court to frustrate the party

    “They tried unsuccessfully to stop the last convention using the court but they failed woefully.

    “ There is no room for anybody who is one leg in and one leg out. It is either you are here or there

    “I am sure no judge would allow himself to be used as a spoiler by some filthy politicians

    “Sanctions will be imposed on errant members and those who are loyal party members and are working for the progress of the party have nothing to fear,’’ he said.

    Fayose said that the success of the party’s non-elective convention was an indication that there was hope for a new Nigeria.

    The opposition, the governor said, must be organised for the sake of democracy in the  country.

    “For us to be organised, we need to shift ground where necessary. Whoever loses out today, may win tomorrow

    “In my situation, after leaving office, God still brought me here as the governor of my state.

    “If  President Goodluck Jonathan had won the second term, I may not be relevant like I am today.

    “My appeal to you is that don’t allow anybody to use you for evil in our party,” he said.

    NAN reports that those who spoke from the Oyo State delegation included Sen.  Ayoade Adeseun and Mrs Bosede Adedibu.

    The delegates from Oyo State pledged to go back home and reconcile, saying leaders in the state were already working on this.

    The Zonal Publicity Secretary, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, said he had no doubt that the committee would do a good job.

    He appealed to leaders of the party in Osun to work together like they did during  the last senatorial election.

  • NDLEA destroys 246 tonnes of cannabis sativa in Ekiti

    NDLEA destroys 246 tonnes of cannabis sativa in Ekiti

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ekiti State Command ‎on Tuesday said it had destroyed 246 tonnes of cannabis sativa (weeds) in the state.

    The Commander of the agency, Alhaji Bage Bamaiyi, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti.

    According to scientists, Cannabis sativa, otherwise known as Indian hemp, is a drug obtained from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant which is smoked or chewed for its psychoactive properties.

    It produces euphoria and relaxation whose repeated use may lead to psychological dependence.

    He said the command took necessary steps to uncover ‎17 cannabis sativa farms at Ode-Ekiti, in Gbonyin Local Government Area of state but that the peddlers were not found in their hide-outs.

    “ When I received information about the 17 farms, I sent my officers to place surveillance on the farms and when I got to the farms, I observed that hectares of lands were used for cultivating cannabis.

    “Three mapped cannabis farms measures 42.66 hectares and  four unmapped cannabis farms measuring 8.05 hectares were destroyed, but we are unable to destroy the remaining 10 farms due to lack of logistics.

    “As soon as the needed logistics are available, we will visit the farms and destroy them.

    “But cannabis sativa weighing 246 tons (205 tonnes, mapped and 41 tonnes unmapped, were destroyed in the seven farms,” he said.

    He assured the public of the command’s determination to eliminate business of planting and peddling cannabis in the state, adding that   culprits would face the wrath of the law, when arrested.

    Ba‎maiyi, however, appealed to government at all levels to enable the agency  to perform optimally by  providing it  with   funds, manpower and vehicles.

  • Leave Buhari alone, Youths tell Fayose

    Leave Buhari alone, Youths tell Fayose

    The Buhari Youth Organisation, Lagos State Chapter, has urged Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State to stop negative comments about President Muhammadu Buhari’s health.

    The State Coordinator and the General Secretary of the organisation, Mr Waheed Odunuga and Mr Adekunle Aderibigbe, respectively, made the appeal in a statement they jointly signed on Friday in Lagos.

    According to them, the governor should have left behind the 2015 Presidential election outcome and move forward in the interest of the nation.

    “It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari is receiving treatment.

    “The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has further reassured Nigerians that President Buhari would soon be back. So, there is no need for Fayose to create a hospital album for himself’’.

    “The governor should desist from wasting time and resources to shop for pictures for the album of the ailing president that adds no value to his people,’’ he said.

    The organisation urged Fayose to harness the inherent natural resources of his state and facilitate mechanised farming with well-irrigated lands to produce various cash crops.

    According to them, that will attract investors from within, like Kebbi partnered Lagos State, to produce LAKE Rice.

    The duo said that every State Governor should be concerned about the welfare and security of the people.

    “Every state Governor should be saddled with the responsibilities of providing health care facilities, education, security of lives and properties and conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

    “Most essentially, states need to generate revenue as the people; especially the poor, are looking up to them for dividends of democracy.”

  • APC vows to defend Ekiti lawmaker against attack

    APC vows to defend Ekiti lawmaker against attack

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has vowed to do everything possible to defend the Minority Leader of the House of Assembly, Gboyega Aribisogan, from attacks by the agents of the state government.

    The party also declared its full support for Aribisogan to perform his legislative functions in his new capacity as the only APC legislator in the 26-member Assembly.

    Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti in the wake of an alleged plot to assassinate Aribisogan, APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, expressed confidence in ability of the security agencies to allow the lawmaker access into the parliamentary chamber.

    Aribisogan had claimed at a press conference on Tuesday that a killer squad has been raised to eliminate him in a bid to stall his planned resumption at the Assembly. But the authorities of the Assembly denied the allegation.

    He said the party will support the entire people of Ikole Constituency1, which Aribisogan represents, to ensure that their voice is heard in the Ekiti parliament.

    The party spokesman also accused Governor Ayo Fayose of committing a “serious breach” of the Constitution by reappointing six out of the sacked commissioners and ordering them to resume office without screening and ratification of the Assembly.

    Olatunbosun said: “We are going to do everything within the purview of the provision of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria to ensure that Hon. Aribisogan, who is an APC representative in the 26-member Assembly is allowed to perform his functions.

    “Ekiti State House of Assembly is nobody’s private business that such person will be allowed or disallowed at his whims and caprices. Those who make peaceful coexistence impossible will make serious resistance or recourse to violence inevitable.”

    On the alleged constitutional breach, Olatunbosun said: “Fayose, having dissolved the State Executive Council and coming up with a directive that the dissolved commissioners should hand over to the Permanent Secretaries has no power under the law to reappoint them and
    order them to resume at their former offices.

    “We, as a party, see this as high level of executive recklessness and rascality. Such will not be acceptable to the APC and of course to Ekiti people.

    “As a party, we feel highly embarrassed that an agent of democracy as represented by the office of governor will continue in a manner that is disregarding democratic rules, violation of the constitution, rubbishing the principle of separation of power.”

  • Ex-Council Officials to Fayose: Obey Supreme Court, pay our allowances

    Ex-Council Officials to Fayose: Obey Supreme Court, pay our allowances

    Local government officials in Ekiti State who served between 2008 and 2010 on Tuesday took to the streets to protest alleged refusal of Governor Ayo Fayose to obey the Supreme Court order that they be paid the allowances covering the remainder of their tenure.

    The former local government chairmen and councillors who were elected on December 20, 2008, alongside the supervisors and advisers were removed from office on 29th October, 2010 by former Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    The placard-carrying protesters started their demonstration at the gate of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti before moving to other parts of the town. They expressed dismay that since the Supreme Court judgment delivered on December 9 last year, nothing has been done to pay them
    as ordered.

    Some of their placards read: “Ekiti Government Should Respect the Rule of Law,” “Gov Fayose, Pay Our Money,” “No Individual is Bigger than Supreme Court,” “Mr Governor, Stop Dragging Judiciary Judiciary in the Mud,” “ALGON 2008-2010 Challenge Gov Fayose To Pay Our Allowances as Ordered by Supreme Court,” among others.

    One of the protesters, Babalola Adekunle, who served as Special Adviser on Internally Genrated revenue in Oye Local Government, wondered why Fayose is allegedly punishing fellow Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members by refusing to pay them their salaries, allowances
    and emoluments.

    Babalola who disclosed that they resorted to the protest having waited for seven months without any action from the government said some of their colleagues had died while others are finding it difficult to meet up with their responsibilities.

    He said: “We don’t know why Fayose is delaying the payment of our financial entitlements as ordered by the Supreme Court. We are PDP members like Fayose, he should pay us from the N9.6 billion Paris Club Refund cash.”

    Another protester, Clement Omotoyinbo, who served as Councillor in Gbonyin Local Government, advised Fayose to stop what he called “frivolous projects” and pay the former council officials their entitlements as ordered by the apex court.

    Omotoyinbo said: “Fayose should stop these frivolous projects he is executing and pay us our entitlements. It is only a living person that can climb and ride a vehicle on the flyover he is constructing.”