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Tag: Ekiti

  • Fall in road accidents in Ekiti

    From Ekiti State SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN writes that despite the revelries, accounts of drivers and officials of Federal Roads Safety Corps reveal a fall in road accidents during the Yuletide

    Findings across motor parks among drivers and other road users have revealed that there was a drastic reduction in motor accidents during the celebrations of Christmas and New Year.

    A driver who identified himself as Kola Alawode, who plies the inter-state Ado-Akure route said he did not experience any hiccup on the road and that he did not hear of any accident throughout the period.

    Said he:”I don’t know why it was so but there were no accidents throughout the Christmas period. No one told me of any as well.

    Another driver who shuttles between Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State and Lagos State admitted the reduction and traced it to the personal efforts of the drivers.

    “I sensed there was a reduction in road accidents this year but I think it is just because people have learned their lesson. Perhaps they now know that you are a good driver only if you leave your house in the morning and return in the evening”, he said.

    Even, residents admitted the general safety on the roads. Mr. Lawan, a banker in the capital city noted that passengers themselves have a part to play and had played it well.

    He explained that people no longer leave the drivers to do the job of driving alone. “Passengers now drive with the drivers. If he overtakes at bends they know and shout. Any dangerous attitude on the driver’s part is immediately condemned”, he said.

    However, the State Sector Commander, Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Ekiti State, Engr. Ringdom Kumven, while admitting the reduction, traced it to the efforts of the Corps.

    According to him, the reduction was experienced not only in the state but generally across the country, which he said was a consequence of general campaigns by the Corps across motor parks and equally on the electronic media.

    Said he: “Generally there was a reduction this year compared to last year because the Commission was able to mount what it tagged “Zero tolerance for accidents” which took the form of campaigns both on radio and Television and across the motor parks.”

    He spoke further: “The campaign I am talking about involved the deployment of all FRSC operatives and patrol vehicles on the highways to cover the major routes and corridors.

    “This resulted in the decongestion of traffic gridlocks along major corridors and the dangerous attitudes of motorists were well monitored and checked as well.

    “Aside the operations, there was robust public enlightenment at garages and on the radio and TV through which we warned against familiar reckless attitudes of drivers during the so-called ember months.

    Kumven clarified further that the “reduction was actual and not theoretical”, noting that “in the month of October last year there were only four road crashes as against nine in October 2012; while in last November, there were seven compared with 17 in 2012. He also added that there were only five road crashes in December last year, compared with twenty five in December 2012.”

     

  • Ekiti applauds Morgan Capital on N5b bond

    Ekiti applauds Morgan Capital on N5b bond

    The Ekiti State government has commended Morgan Capital Group, an investment banking and securities dealing firm, for the roles it played in ensuring the success of the N5 billion second tranche of the state’s N25 billion bond issuance programme.

    Commissioner for Finance, Ekiti State, Mr. Dapo Kolawole, while acknowledging the immense roles of professional parties and regulators in the N5 billion bond issue, which was fully subscribed, noted that Morgan Capital deserved particular mention because of its commitment to the success of the bond.

    Ekiti State had raised N20 billion in the first tranche in 2012. The second tranche of N5 billion was concluded on December 31, last year.

    Speaking at the completion board meeting in Lagos, Kolawole said Morgan Capital, which is a joint issuing house and book builder to the Offer, and other parties made the offer a success within a very short period.

    Specifically, he commended Morgan Capital for its unique roles in ensuring timely completion of the offer and the level of subscription achieved.

    The net proceeds of the N5 billion bond issue, estimated at N4.80 billion, will be used to complete five major projects which are currently being financed by contractors under a contractor finance agreement. These projects include construction of the multi-purpose 10,000-capacity Ekiti-Kete pavilion, rehabilitation of Ire Burnt Bricks Limited, construction of River Ero bridge, construction of Ilawe-Igbaraodo-Iboji Road and Ikole-Ijesa Isu-Iluomoba Road.

    According to the estimates for the uses of the net proceeds, N1.58 billion would be spent on the multi-purpose pavilion, about N966.9 billion would be spent on the Ire Burnt Bricks Limited while N220.36 million, N894.7 million and N1.14 billion would be spent on the bridge and the two roads.

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the approval and success of the second tranche of the bond programme reflected the market’s confidence in the state as evidenced in the judicious use of the proceeds of the previous issuance.

    According to him, the state had committed the proceeds of its first tranche to several laudable projects that continue to bear testimonies to efficient use of funds, including the Ikogosi Warm Spring, school of agriculture and roads across the state.

    He pointed out that all the new projects identified under the new bond issue would have immense positive impact on the development of the state adding that all the projects would have been completed within the next one year.

  • Mark, Fayemi, Ajimobi, Amaechi condole with Soyinka

    Mark, Fayemi, Ajimobi, Amaechi condole with Soyinka

    Senate President David Mark; Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) yesterday condoled with Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and his family on the death of his daughter, Dr. Iyetade Soyinka (48).

    In a statement, Mark said: “I received the news of Dr. Soyinka’s exit with shock. I earnestly share in this pain. Please accept my sincere condolences. I did not meet Dr. Soyinka personally, but her record of professionalism and excellent services during her short but eventful sojourn on earth gives eloquent testimony of a patriotic and committed Nigerian.”

    Mark urged the Soyinka family, the government and people of Ogun State to be consoled by the late Dr. Soyinka’s achievements.

    Fayemi, in a statement, said: “On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the Soyinka family on the death of this precious jewel, who was snatched by the cold hands of death.

    “Although her death is painful, we take solace in the good work she did during her short but eventful life. I pray to God to console the bereaved and heal the wound inflicted on their hearts by the death of our vivacious sister, Iyetade, who was taken away in her prime.”

    Ajimobi, in a statement, said: “It was with shock and disbelief that I received the news of Dr. Soyinka’s death at the unripe age of 48. It is natural that her death at the prime of her life will be very painful to Prof. Soyinka. It is even more painful that she was snatched by the cold hands of death when she was most needed by the country.”

    Amaechi, in a statement, said: “The death of a young person like Dr. Soyinka is a shock. On behalf of my family and the Rivers State government and people, I commiserate with the Soyinka family. I pray they find solace and strength in God as they go through this difficult time.”

  • Teenagers shine as Ekiti rewards excellence

    Teenagers shine as Ekiti rewards excellence

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, recently honoured 16 distinguished indigenes of the state at a colourful ceremony in Ado-Ekiti writes Sulaiman Sal-awudeen

    They would be looked at twice, perhaps even thrice or more. At their ages, some other children had remained a subject of nagging comments and ceaseless worries of parents who must brood over unmet needs regarding unbecoming conducts.

    Master Joshua Olamiju and Miss Olayemi Elizabeth Ajayi are not such kind as they are clearly the two enfant freaks of this evening of awards and accolades. Fragile but not frail, their slim gaits and innocent visages easily gave them off as teenagers. They actually are, having just turned 17 years.

    Their attainments at such an early age made them the subject of ceaseless admiration and perhaps silent envy among the audience and dignitaries who had gathered at Lady Jibowu Hall, Governor’s Office Complex, Ado-Ekiti, state capital for the 2013 Merit Awards ceremony.

    Joshua booked a place as an Award recipient for having the best result in the last West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with nine distinctions while Olayemi did, being one of the four who won a recent National Robotic Space Competition in Lagos and would consequently be representing Nigeria in Denmark at next year’s Space Competition.

    The two were among the sixteen eminent indigenes of the state that were selected from a fairly long list of 60 nominees.

    Another heavyweight on the awardees list was Professor Niyi Osundare, poet laureate and ebullient raconteur who, being unavoidably absent, was represented by his younger sibling, Dr. Foluso Osundare.

    The 13 others included late Professor Daniel Funmilayo Ojo, also known as Ojo Ugbole, a foremost educationist and first professor of Physics in Africa; and Professor. Olufunke Egunjobi, first female Plant Nematologist in Africa.

    Others included a radio presenter, Chief Akinlade Ojo also known as Erugale; late Chief Ojo Ajibola; an indigenous interior decorator, late Chief James Kolawole, renowned Ekiti music exponent; former scribe of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr Kunle Olajide; former president of the All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPPS), Elder Enoch Dare and a renowned medical practitioner, Dr Sanya Olurotimi.

    Also, on the list were retired Anglican Bishop of Lagos West, Reverend. Peter Adebiyi; elder statesman and reputed banker, Chief Bandele Falegan;business mogul, Chief Daniel Okoli and presenter and custodian of Ekiti dialect, Mrs Christian Ademulegun.

    Government Science College, Emure-Ekiti was also recognised as the best school in the last WASSCE while Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti bagged the most improved school with an upward movement in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result from 9% in 2012 to 99.9% in 2013.

    It was an event not just of rousing claps and standing ovations for feats either long or recently attainment, it was also one of a union of classes: scholarship, culture and business as apparent from the line up of awardees.

    At the colourful event were Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his deputy, Professor Modupe Adelabu; Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Secretary to the State Govbernment, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dr. Wale Omirin and the Head of Service, Mr. Olubunmi Famosanya.

    Also, present were the interim state chairman, All Progressives Congress, Chief Jide Awe; Commissioners, Special Advisers and Assistants, Permanent Secretaries and other ranking functionaries of the state.

    Speaking at the occasion, Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi stated that the awardees had done the state proud in their respective fields despite the moral decay which now characterises the society.

    Noting that the event would encourage coming generations to redouble efforts to propagate the good name of the state and project her image, the governor maintained that Ekiti people are honourable men and women, adding that it was time conscious efforts were made to project this positive image everywhere.

    Fayemi noted that the people of the state could redeem their lost heritage only by admitting that they have wandered a long way from who they were in the quest to admit cultures which were alien to the Ekiti values.

    According to him, the State Merit award was institutionalised not just to celebrate the high achieving Ekiti indigenes but also as one of the means of restoring the primacy of values in the society.

    He said: “It is sad indeed to observe the sharp decline that our once highly revered culture and tradition has suffered in recent times. Our psyche has been so badly damaged by decades of misrule and the monetisation of our value system with our youth being most affected. It is on this note that as one of the means of restoring the primacy of values in our society, we decided to institutionalise this Annual Awards”.

    The governor added that the award idea was relevant being one of several channels for advancing the efforts to rebuild a wholesome society upon the quintessential ideals which typify and ennoble Ekiti people.

    Congratulating the winners, the governor also commended Chief Okoli, a non-indigene who had been resident in the state for over five decades and who got the award for making Ekiti his home.

    He emphasised that Ekiti had indeed become home to whole legion others like Okoli who, in the spirit of federalism, had equal rights and privileges as indigenes and had consequently supported the vibrancy and cosmopolitan outlook of the state.

    Also, in his remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties and chairman of the Award committee, Chief Apalara Wole-Adewumi stated that the committee carried out adequate publicity for the nomination of the awardees and got 60 recommendations but pruned down the list to 27 which was forwarded to the governor for approval.

    The 16 finalists, according to Wole-Adewumi, were drawn from different walks of life including academics/scholarship, research, profession, philanthropy, commerce, trade and industries, culture, arts and tradition, youth, sports/music and entertainment, governance and community development.

    Responding on behalf of other award recipients, Professor Egunjobi clarified that none of the awardees lobbied for the recognition, adding that their selection was a result of a painstaking process of recognising those who genuinely deserve awards.

    Egunjobi stated that most of those being awarded had earlier won similar awards from other entities in the past, noting that the one from the state of their birth however remained the best of them.

    She spoke: “I also look forward to a day that our country, Nigeria, will one day honour someone for his sacrifices for this country. That person who I expect that Nigeria will honour one day is our son, Kayode Fayemi. She assured that they would not let the state down but lives as true ambassadors.

    Prof Osundare’s representative, Foluso, stated that the award was significant to the recipient as it would put to bed possible opinions that as a social critic, he would not ordinarily be considered worthy and fitting.

    He said: “Many, indeed feel he does not deserve this kind of award as he, just like many others, had been swimming against the currents. Besides, my brother is not the type who accepts all kinds of awards especially when it comes from praise singers who do not believe in good governance and care for the masses. To have accepted the award is an implicit confidence in this government”.

    Olamiju Joshua explained that the journey had been anything but smooth, adding but “with God, all things are possible.” My advice to young ones is to take life easy and serious. After God, the next is their studies.

    Olayemi Ajayi, who expressed her delight on the accomplishment, said she dreamt of becoming one of the best female Obstetrics and Gynaecologists which would allow her advance the health of women and children.

     

  • Excitement as Fayemi takes governance round Ekiti

    Excitement as Fayemi takes governance round Ekiti

    It was an eye-opening trip. Major towns in Ekiti State were not spared. But more importantly, its outcome was roundly adjudged an exemplary lesson in people-centred governance. With infectious glee, the host residents were profuse in accolades, especially head-swelling panegyrics, for their “Action Governor” – Dr Kayode Fayemi. Reason: For sharing leadership baton with them.

    The foundation of the inspiring development was laid when, weeks back, the governor shared a whopping N300 million among over 82 towns for various developmental projects voluntarily initiated by each of the communities. It took place ceremoniously at Oye-Ekiti. Shortly after, a huge money was again distributed to the communities to consolidate the initiative.

    “This is a rare occurrence in the annals of governance. Rather than government dictating to the communities, it allowed them to think out projects that they felt would be of benefit to them and gave them funds to execute them under good supervision. It is a positive novelty that must be emulated,” said Hon Femi Ajibare, an Ikere-born executive assistant to the governor.

    The tumultuous welcome accorded Fayemi and his entourage at Ikere and other neighbouring towns, including Ise and Emure, which benefitted from the gesture, perhaps spoke volumes for its popularity.

    At Ikere, Commissioner for Integration and Intergovernmental Affairs, Hon Funminiyi Afuye, a “son of the soil,” played the dual role of a co-host and co-visitor.

    Fayemi inaugurated some projects, including 10 units of lock-up shops at Afao–Ikere; two new health centres at Kajola, two new halls at the palace of the town’s monarch and a newly constructed skills acquisition centre at the School for the Blind.

    Fayemi visited the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adegoke Adegboye, who presented the community’s pains. But he praised Fayemi for the various projects in the town, adding that his people wanted the Ikere-Akure Road dualised. He also wants Ikere-Ilawe, Ikere-Ijan, and Ikere-Ijare roads rehabilitated, among other demands.

    In each of the communities, numbering over six scores, traditional rulers led their subjects – young and old – to receive him in what passed for carnivals. Market men and women, including farmers and artisans, were not left out of the revelry.

    As in the other towns, he visited with top officials in his administration, who defied the biting sun of the day, Fayemi took all the towns in Oye Local Government Area by pleasant storm. He stepped his feet on the 14 communities that make up the council area – Ayegbaju, Isan, Ilemesho, Ayede, Itaji, Oloje, Imojo, Oye, Ire, Ilupeju, Itapa, Osin, Omu and Ijelu.

    Orisunmibare, a rustic settlement that is bereft of notable elements of civilisation like electricity and good road was not left out. The residents beamed with hope at the sight of their governor who, before departing, vowed to turn their fortunes around before long.

    After the interactions kicked-off at Ilasa in Ekiti East Local Government Area on November 1, they were rounded off in Ado Local Government Area with the refrain: “Fayemi carries the people along in the governance of the state.”

    The governor made it clear that he had put his hands on the plough “to do development for and with the people.” He added that his administration was committed without measure, to spreading development to every nook and cranny of the state, explaining that he decided to meet the people in their own communities to see how much impact his administration has made on them so far, inspect ongoing projects and find out from the people, their other needs.

    In Ekiti East Local Government Area, he visited Ilasa, Ikun-Oba, Araromi-Oke, Eda-Ile, Kota-Ekiti, Omuo-Oke, Ayegunle-Ahan, Isinbode and Omuo-Ekiti. Each of the communities presented their priority needs for inclusion in the 2014 Budget.

    As usual, the governor inaugurated many projects and commissioned some. He commissioned a civic centre at Ikun-Oba, a block of quarters at Eda-Ile and opened a viewing centre at Araromi-Oke, where he inspected some self-help projects under construction.

    At Omuo-Oke, his hosts demanded why the trailer park promised them was still in the pipeline. But the governor informed that the ongoing review of the design for the park caused the delay and assured that the contractor handling the project would soon make them smile, even as he would give the community more roads.

    It was also a carnival at the towns and villages in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area. Fayemi was praised for his administration’s developmental strides.

    It was the same encouraging outing at Igbemo, Orun, Afao, Are, Obo, Iworoko, Esure, Iropora, Awo, Eyio, Igede and Iyin. The Onigede of Igede, 80-year-old Oba Emmanuel Aladesuru, was full of prayers for Fayemi and other members of his cabinet.

    The Alare of Are, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi, said “there is no single town, village or community that can claim not to have been touched by Fayemi’s government.”

    Praise songs welcomed the governor to Afao. Chief Deji Fasuan, who spoke for his people, said the town had reaped the fruits of the Fayemi-led administration’s community empowerment initiatives.  At Awo-Ekiti, the National President of Awo Development Union, Mr. Yemi Odetayo, was profound in appreciation for Fayemi for his accomplishments in the town as including the 16-kilometre Awo-Iyin Road, construction of information centre, a block of classrooms and the payment of social security allowances to elderly members of the community, among others. So it was at Iyin, another major town.

    Radiating humility and awe as he sank into a seat amidst the town’s rulers in the presence of ecstatic residents, Fayemi watched as he was being praised for his landmark imprints on the life of Osin community.

    The town’s hall, which his administration recently renovated was the venue of the meeting. It was filled to capacity – songs, songs everywhere!

    Oba Philip Oyediran, who led his subjects in profuse encomiums on the governor, likened his administration’s services to the people to those witnessed in the days of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    However, the community played the proverbial Oliver Twist, demanding potable water and urgent rehabilitation of the road linking the town to Ire, a neighbouring community.

    It was the same story in Itapa. Fayemi got resounding commendation for the “radical reconstruction” of the town’s decrepit health centre, and his readiness to give its monarch’s palace a new look.

    Its traditional ruler, the Owatapa, Oba David Makanjuola, said Fayemi achievements so far did not surprise him. The monarch, who holds a Ph.D in International Relations, recalled that Fayemi was implacably neck-deep in political activism outside the shores of Nigeria during the late Abacha’s inglorious era.

    He noted amid nods of affirmation by his teeming subjects that the governor’s people-oriented programmes had brightened people’s faces.

    “Governor Fayemi won’t vacate the Government House until October 16, 2018!” An impressed resident thundered from the crowd that received the governor with hearty songs. But they gave the governor a challenge: He must waste no time to complete the reconstruction of Itapa-Ijelu Road.

    Fayemi’s stop-over at Isan, his hometown, seemingly took the grain off the saying that a prophet does not enjoy much reverence in his home. It was songs galore at the premises of St. Martin’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School, where he was hosted.

    The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Sunday Ajiboye, a legal practitioner with impressive academic qualifications, might have looked forward to that day. He was the cynosure of all eyes in his royal element. He donned his Sunday best.

    For him, it was a moment to express how much he cherishes the responsible son he has in Fayemi with an outpour of royal blessings on him in local dialect.

    “The very day the Shea butter encounters the sun, that same day it melts. Whoever hurls ashes would have same float back to him. Anyone born of a woman that thinks ill of you (Fayemi) won’t hatch his ploy before meeting his waterloo. You have done so much for Ekiti and we must protect you. Like God did to those rebellious children at Babel, confusion will hit the camp of all your enemies. On our part, we will keep protecting you as we are solidly behind you,” Oba Ajiboye, who likened the governor to the unshakable Rock of Gibraltar, affirmed amid rousing chant of “amen.”

    In all the communities, the governor thanked the people for playing their parts in the governance of the state through the communal initiatives because according to him, the people are the focal point of his administration.

    Not a few, especially in the opposing political camps, were of the insinuation that he might have begun his re-election strategies under the canopy of the visit. But the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Olayinka Oyebode laughed it off, stating that Fayemi had developed a habit of holding meetings with the communities to feel their pulse.

    Oyebode explained: “The tour is to enable the governor inspect ongoing projects, commission completed projects and get the input of the various communities into the 2014 Budget. At such meetings, the communities would present their lists of priority projects for inclusion in the 2014 Budget. The tour of communities and the town hall meetings have become an annual event for the governor since the maiden edition in November 2011. He is running an open administration.

    “Oftentimes, the governor has reiterated that his plans are to “do government with the people, not do government to the people.” To him, it is inappropriate for a governor to just sit down in his cozy office in state capital and assume that he knows all the needs of the people even when the people’s needs actually differ from his perception.

    The governor, Oyebode quoted, once said: “This reason for the annual town hall meetings is to enable the communities have direct input in the budget preparations, so that the budget would in reality be owned by the people and serve their needs.”

     

  • Fayemi and sustainable development

    Fayemi and sustainable development

    The essence of politics according to Plato, one of the greatest philosophers of our time, is service to the people. Creation of egalitarian society and eradication of poverty remains the cardinal objective of politics. By all intent and purpose, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti State is a student of this school of thought. By the same taken, the hallmark of democracy in this contemporary, world is hinged on good governance, accountability transparency in all facets of national life, as well as the delivery of the dividend of democracy to all. This remains the guiding principle and propelling force of the present administration in Ekiti State since it came into being in October 2010, when the will of Ekiti people was overwhelmingly vindicated with the inauguration of the present governor.

    Since then Ekiti State has witnessed myriads of unprecedented developmental strides. A peep into the last three eventful years of this purposeful and focused administration, will reveal clearly, an unequal dexterity and tenacity of Fayemi in the Ekiti project, consistent with the dream and the aspiration of our founding fathers – that is, taking Ekiti Sate to an enviable height as well as making it a model among its peers now and beyond 2014.

    These giant strides are evident and includes, the rolling out and execution of laudable programmes/projects which are meant to touch the lives of all Ekiti citizens; construction and rehabilitations of new and existing roads network spread across the state, youths and women empowerment to reduce poverty among the vulnerable group; urban renewal programmes; refurbishing and reconstruction of public schools to facilitate conducive teaching and learning; re-awakening and re-vitalization of the virtue of integrity and hard work which hitherto has been our cherished value just to mention but a few.

    The vigour and unfettered commitment of the governor to the dualisation of roads and beautification of Ado metropolis thereby giving the city the status of a state capital deserves the commendation of all well-meaning citizens of the state. All these stands out as clear manifestation of the desire of the administration to turn around the fortune of the state as well as the importance it attached to leaving Ekiti State better than it met it.

    Given the monumental works that still require attention, coupled with the energy the present administration is exerting to fast track developmental, it is only logical to deduce that the motivating factor that propelled the governor – a great son of Ekiti into partisan politics were not for personal aggrandizement, rather it was in fulfilment of his life-long zeal of dedicating his life to the enthronement of genuine democracy and improvement of the life of the ordinary man on the street. The patriotic, visionary and focused leadership that has engendered political and economic transformation of Ekiti in the last three years is unequal and unparalleled. Fayemi’s strive to build a foundation for lasting democracy and sustainable development devoid of temporary show of excitement by over-articulate section of the elite and it’s captive audience remains unquestionable going by his antecedents over the years both in public and private life.

    As a goal getter and going by his impeccable records of achievement since he came to the seat of power in 2010, this man of honour has left no one in doubt that he is a believer in the virtue of integrity, transparency, anti-corruption and good governance. His belief in the emancipation of the active poor from poverty/lack is unprecedented. Fayemi’s actions/ programmes are all printers to his commitment to turning the fortune of state around for the good of all Ekiti both to home and in Diaspora.

    The time to wave aside political partisanship and to rally round the purposeful administration of Fayemi is now. Ekiti has suffered for too long in the hands of people who get to power for selfish agenda rather than common good of the majority. The economic retrogression, political rascality and the lingering state of insecurity with its attendant ills cannot be allowed to continue to ravage our hope of a state where everything works hence the need for all well-meaning Ekiti sons and daughters irrespective of political leaning, to come together and give this administration a pat on the back so as to spur them for more positive action to take Ekiti State to the next level.

    Fayemi, an outspoken collaborator in the nation’s democratic struggle that span over a decade is ever ready to help restore that light and hope which Ekitiland epitomize in Yorubaland and Nigeria.

    In one encounter with Fayemi prior to his becoming the governor, he said that he would want to live the rest of his life for history by means of beneficent and selfish service to humanity in general and to Ekiti people in particular. This he has clearly demonstrated ever since he mounted the saddle of leadership in Ekiti. A leading light who has always been in the fore front of fighting for restoration of human dignity, social justice and sustainable development of Ekiti on one hand and Nigeria on the other, he remains our collective hope for brighter future and a prosperous state. Ekiti people’s resolve to jettison primordial party sentiment by rallying round and giving his administration’s unwavering support will in no small measure and in a very speedy manner, help in the attainment of the lofty goals put in place by Fayemi and his team. With his astute leadership endowment, amiability and general acceptability, the sky is the beginning of restoration of hope for all Ekitis in all facets of life.

    For sure, a bright future is at the doorstep of all Ekiti sons and daughters as the present administration promises to continue to roll out more developmental strides that will stand the test of time and better the lot of all and sundry.

     

    • Prince Aladesanmi writes in from Ado, Ekiti.

  • What Fayemi proves in Ekiti

    What Fayemi proves in Ekiti

    I was in Lagos, visiting from my base in Germany, on 15 October 2010 when the Federal Court of Appeal declared Dr Kayode Fayemi the lawfully elected governor of Ekiti State as a result of the rerun election of 25 April 2009. I was elated like the overwhelming majority of Ekiti people that justice at last had been done. I was also happy for two other reasons.

    First, the tortuous route Fayemi had to take to recover the mandate the people gave him at the 14 April 2007 election had, of course, endeared him to many, even beyond our borders. And all through the struggle to recover his mandate, he made it clear that he was going to use only peaceful means to wage the battle.

    For example, after the result of the rerun polls was openly manipulated by election officials before the full glare of the world, Fayemi appealed to his supporters at a public rally in Ado-Ekiti to eschew violence because, in his own words, the office of governor was not worth the life of a single one of them.

    That act, which qualifies him for political sainthood, if there were one, attracted the sympathy of many to this politician who placed the lives of his people over and above his political ambition.

    As a journalist and activist, I had also been conversant with the activities of Fayemi, who worked with such great patriots as Wole Soyinka to build an international constituency for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria during the struggle against the Abacha dictatorship.

    In fact, Fayemi was very popular in the African Diaspora both in Europe and North America where he regularly spoke at events, especially on the need for international support for democratic forces in our land. His sheer brilliance and ardent commitment were always a source of pride and inspiration to all of us.

    I celebrated Fayemi’s victory with a few friends on the evening of 15 October 2010 in Lagos but the next day, my mood turned pensive. I was gripped by fear that this renowned activist for democracy and development could fail to fulfil the yearnings of Ekiti people, whom I know could be very difficult to satisfy.

    Not that I doubted Fayemi’s competence to deliver on his campaign promises, but I was worried if our political system would allow him to carry out his good intentions for Ekiti people. And Ekiti is known to be among the states that receive the least allocations from the federal purse. I began to fear for Fayemi’s reputation.

    As a result of my apprehensions, I became a close watcher of the Fayemi administration right from its inception. I kept my ears to the ground to know what Ekiti people would say about him, fearing that my worst fears could become true, which would be a big blow to the progressive movement in the country.

    The first year went and nothing untoward was peddled about the administration; yet I was not assured. The second came and suddenly instead of criticisms which I had feared, the comments I often heard were that “Fayemi is working” and “things are beginning to change”. It was in his second year that Fayemi launched his revolutionary Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, which will go down in history as one of the boldest policies ever made to confront this harsh, human dignity-denying poverty in rural Africa.

    The deluge of positive testimonials about the Fayemi administration that I observed early this year finally defeated my fears and made me to decide to carry out an assessment of my own. The eulogies sounded too good to be true.

    I toured Ekiti for about two weeks recently – from end to end and back. The most impressive and visible success of the Fayemi administration is in the improvements in the condition of roads in the state.

    All the nooks and crannies of Ekiti are connected by well-tarred roads. I became emotional driving on the Ikogosi-Ipole-Effon Alaaye road at a point between Ipole and Effon – after Iwaji. My father was from Ipole. I stopped and got out of the car and walked around and savoured the magnificent Effon hills that dot the horizon and remembered how my father and his generation fought so hard to make government pay attention to the road – to no avail.

    Since we lived in Ibadan, the shortest route to Ipole for my father, when visiting home which he did every fortnight, would be to travel to Ipole through Effon. But the last time he did that was in 1977 after which he gave up on the route due to the terrible state of the road. Until his death in 1995, he had to go through Aramoko, Erinjiyan and Ikogosi to get to Ipole. What an Israelite detour! Today, it takes less than 15 minutes to get to Ipole from Effon on the road built by Fayemi that will compete with any rural road in Germany.

    The ease of road transportation has indeed had the greatest impact on the state’s economy as it has triggered a renewed interest in agriculture. From my conversations with citizens across the state people are now returning to the farms confident that they can evacuate their harvest to the markets anywhere in the state and beyond.

    Another notable achievement of the state is in education. For a state known for the love of its people for education, what the Fayemi administration met on the ground was a sector in a parlous state – schools had become dilapidated as a result of long years of abject neglect, the morale of teachers was low and understandably the performance of students poor. I learnt that the pass rate of the secondary school leavers was a scandalously woeful 27 per cent in 2010.

    The governor is said to have carried out a renovation of all schools in the state and improved the welfare of teachers by bringing back such perks as car loan, housing loan, rural teacher allowance etc. He has also introduced new training schemes for teachers, putting in place a system of regular assessment of their work.

    More than 70 per cent of school leavers passed this year – what a tremendous improvement in only 3 years! And the government is still hard at work to fully restore the state’s lost glory in education.

    Similar progress has been made in other areas such as tourism, agriculture, water supply, health services, women empowerment and youth employment.

    Dr Kayode Fayemi has proved that an activist can govern well. An activist need not be a perpetual phrase-monger or armchair ideologue. He can also roll up his sleeves and get involved in the people’s work.

    Fayemi has also proved that rapid progress is possible even in the most difficult environment where politics is chiefly business and many politicians are, in fact, entrepreneurs only seeking profit.

    It is no exaggerated optimism to say that by the time the Fayemi administration completes all the projects and programmes it has earmarked for the next 5 years, Ekiti would have been changed for the better for good.

    – Femi Awoniyi, a Germany-based journalist, is the publisher of The African Courier magazine

  • Cash crunch hampers Christmas shopping in Ekiti

    Cash crunch hampers Christmas shopping in Ekiti

    From changing pattern of sales to changing looks across sections of Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state, Christmas seems to announce its coming, although amid worries of shortage of spendable cash, writes Sulaiman Salawudeen

    In Lagos, Christmas is not just December 25, it is the entire month of December and spills over into the celebration of the new year in January.

    The booming of banger fire crackers from the very first day of the month reminds one immediately of the month of the birth of Jesus Christ

    As the days go by the intensity of the sound of banger especially at night increases until it reaches its peak on Christmas eve and on December 25. It slows down again from Boxing day and gradually rises until it peaks on New Year eve, i.e. December 31.This has been the observed trend in the past couple of years and the picture so for this year has not changed.

    Another major feature of the yuletide noticeable quite early in the month is the Christmas decorations by corporate organisations like banks, big departmental stores, fast food restaurants etc. They adorn their premises both inside and outside with different decorations and light reminding you in case you may have forgotten that Christmas is here.

    Even government offices are not left out in this decoration frenzy. A visit to the Lagos State secretariat and the state House of Assembly, all at Alausa, Ikeja will not leave you guessing about what season we are in with screaming Christmas messages like ‘Merry Christmas’ displayed in front of offices.

    The state government takes decorations beyond the offices as trees and electric poles along some major highways are dressed in bright colours and lightings of different colours. Even major junctions and roundabouts are also similarly decorated.

    Christmas gift or hampers well packed in handy baskets begin to adorn the front of major shops along major streets and highways.

    From about the December 15, the ever chaotic traffic situation in the city gets worse with heavy traffic and gridlock in practically every major road in the metropolis.

    According to Dotun Animashaun, a resident at Egbeda, the heavy traffic experienced from this period until Christmas Eve is as a result of people from outside Lagos coming to do their end-of-year shopping in the mega city. Ironically at about this same time there is also mass movement of people leaving Lagos for different destinations to celebrate with their folks back home in their towns and villages thus adding to the traffic jam.

    Other activities to mark the yuletide begins in earnest from about 18th with Father Christmas show for children in various locations across the city, children’s Christmas party organised by the Lagos State government, the House of Assembly and other corporate organisations where gifts are given out to children and they are entertained with sumptuous meals . Other features include ‘Carol Night’ and candle processions by ubiquitous churches.

    For instance, the Lagos State Children’s Christmas party held on Friday, 20th with Governor Fashola and his wife Dame Abimbola playing host to the children, while the state House of Assembly had its own two days earlier.

    Early in the month, major markets in Lagos Island, Oshodi, Yaba, Ajegunle, Agege, Oyingbo, Iyana Ipaja, Mushin also begin to experience an unusual volume of people making different purchases either as wholesalers or retailers for the yuletide

    However, from 20th you can begin to be sure that residents especially the Igbos are on the yearly movement back home especially the East for the Christmas celebration as various motor parks and luxury bus stations get jam packed with passengers    Transport fares as should be expected more than double for intending travelers, the fares continues to increase as from the middle of the month and becomes more exorbitant on 24th, Christmas eve.

    On Christmas day, Lagos is like a ghost town. And the day is usually very dull. As a visitor you find it difficult to make a comparison between the Lagos of the few weeks or days before 25th and the Lagos you see on Christmas day. Because large number of people and a huge volume of vehicles have moved out of the city for the yuletide celebration in other states.

    The roads are virtually deserted, devoid of any traffic. It is the only time you can time your movement and be sure to meet up because of the absence of traffic on the roads.

  • Cash crunch hampers Christmas shopping in Ekiti

    Cash crunch hampers Christmas shopping in Ekiti

    From changing pattern of sales to changing looks across sections of Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state, Christmas seems to announce its coming, although amid worries of shortage of spendable cash, writes Sulaiman Salawudeen

    Parties for children

    Mrs. Folasade Awoyode had emerged in company of her two kids, Angel and David, at the Christmas celebrations organised by a media establishment in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state. According to her, the kids had pestered her continuously for three days before she eventually succumbed to taking them out on a festive picnic.

    She explained that her reluctance was because her husband, a journalist, who would have preferred to lead the way at such an occasion, was not in town and would not be returning for some time.

    Mrs Lucia Adejumo had also brought her twin children to the picnic as the husband was equally not around to superintend the outing. A quick survey of the whole environment of the picnic where there was a minimum of sixty families however revealed that all the children were brought by their mothers. Is it not useful therefore to pose the question: Are all the father/husbands actually away on business or because of the often reported vanishing culture of responsible fatherhood?

    But there are few encounters which would not make the preceding observation apply generally.  It does not. One of such is the yuletide fun parties tagged ‘2013 Children’s end-of-the-year party’ hosted by the wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, drawing children across the sixteen local government areas of the state.

    The event held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, attracted well over four thousand children who engaged in the brief period in dance and other competitions and also went home with various gift items.

    The performance of two popular Nollywood artistes including Funke Akindele and Saheed Balogun added colour to an event which was the third in a row by the wife of the Governor, leaving the children giggling and applauding during the duo’s performance.

    Addressing the children, Erelu Fayemi said education should be their first love, adding, “it is education which can make you become a governor, lawyer, medical doctor, engineer, accountant and many others. If you want to be the President of Nigeria tomorrow, you must have education. So education should be your first love.

    She noted that it is when they (the children) faced their studies that they could make their parents happy, adding, “Nigeria will be better with children that are serious with their education.

    Erelu Fayemi explained that the current administration in the state has invested a huge amount of fund into revamping the education sector so as to offer school children all necessary supports for them to excel academically and morally.

    She explained that 2013 party was held at the stadium to accommodate more children, instead of the traditional Government House grounds.

    The governor’s wife used the opportunity to educate parents on the need to take proper care of their children by ensuring that they enroll them in school to make them productive citizens in future.

    She reminded parents of the existing Child Rights Law, which makes it an offence for any child to hawk commodities during school hours.

    Other highpoints of the event were dance and quiz competitions; as well as children’s special dance with the First Lady. Those adjudged by the children themselves as having outshone others were given prizes.

    But all of the children went away with gifts from Father Christmas placed at the four grottos mounted at the four entrances into the stadium.

    Other fun centres including the popular and not so popular eateries in the town have so far organised parties for children where they equally went home with various gift items after having frolicked with amusement items.

    Businesses for the period

    The fun of the period has not been for the children alone, however, as the fever of the yuletide season has spread across the state capital. From Okesa passing through Ojumoshe to Okeyinmi down to Old Garrage facing Ejigbo junction, businesses seem to have caught the bug of the festivities.

    Various articles of ostentation reminding of the yuletide in various shapes and sizes were mounted at entrances to shops, kiosks and on wooden platforms where the interested public admire and buy or just admire and move on.

    Also, here and there at major junctions are booming businesses which revolved round brisk sales of such articles as Christmas caps, toys, music instruments, tree, lights and others, some of which sing the familiar ‘jingle bell, jingle bell jingle all the way’ tunes.

    Entrances to banks and corporate outfits, eateries and relaxation centres now wear patterns of red striped in white. In the night, they reveal clear patterns of moving cars, trees, a family in sitting posture, all such amusing patterns which arouse curiosity and awe.

    The prices of the items have however either remained same or very tolerable. Chief (Mrs.) Tolu Ogunleye of Green Light Ventures, Okesa, admitting this, hinged the situation on the shrinking disposable income available to the people

    But Livingstone Eze, a cosmetics seller at the new Fayemi Market behind Textile, in the capital who has been on the street, selling Christmas gift items, would not admit the situation has been bad. According to him, if money has not been available for people to spend, he would not have risked putting his money into selling the gift items.

    Eze said: “As you can see, cars stop for us here and they make their buys. Would they be buying if money was not in their pockets? The situation has been like that for and among the people. While some complain of lack of money, others would not say they have but you know they have. That is life.”

    Somewhat confirming Eze’s opinion, Mr. Emanuel Akinwande, a teacher, had been busy in the last two weeks, trying to fix some conveniences in his newly completed personal house. His intention, just like scores of others, had been to celebrate the Christmas in the new home.

    “I have come to buy a door for the entrance. We spent the whole of yesterday fixing the windows. By the end of tomorrow, most of what we want to put in place would have been done.

    Meanwhile, in response to the change in the selling patterns across the shops and kiosks, Mrs. Kudirat Olorunoje, warned that sellers must be cautious not to overstock with the now selling items.

    She said: “We are in the festive period which will not last more than a week or two. It is good to join others to make quick sales but it won’t be proper to stock more than could be sold. For those who have shops, they just keep for another year, but those who don’t have shops, it may be a mistake as they may not have where to keep them.

    Foodstuffs and transport fares

    Prices of foodstuffs have however remained the same from rice, beans, tubers of yam, local edible red and refined cooking oil and various other foodstuff varieties.  Mrs. Sola Taiwo, a foodstuff seller at the Erekesan Market, Old Garrage noted that prices of foodstuffs have remained the same because of the general shortage of finances.

    Taiwo said: “Who will buy if we increase the prices. The truth is that there is no money and everyone knows that. Even now, sales are low. Those who sell other things may have better market but those of us selling foodstuffs are not having much improvement.

    Findings across local markets confirmed this with rice, beans, edible oil (ororo), tubers of yam reportedly maintaining their old prices of N450, N350, N250, and N500 respectively.

    However, while transportation fares within the towns and cities have remained the same, the fares at the parks for those traveling outside the state have however gone up. While some have simply doubled, some have gone up the worse.

    When queried on the development, the only excuse the drivers gave was that people already know that prices would go up during the period. In his explanation,  regardless of the availability of petrol at fuel stations and the fact that prices of fuel have remained the same, fares must go up for drivers to enjoy themselves better.

    Said one of the drivers who plies Ado-Ibadan route: “On a normal day, Ibadan is just N1,200 but now, it is N2,500 while Lagos is now N3,000 from N1,500. People will pay the amount because they know it must happen. There is nothing anybody can do about it”.

     

  • ‘Ekiti’ll be an industrial haven’

    ‘Ekiti’ll be an industrial haven’

    The Ekiti State government is committed to attracting foreign investments to the state, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, said yesterday.

    Mrs. Adelabu said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration was working hard to turn the state into an industrial haven.

    She spoke at Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos, at a farewell reception held in honour of the Consul-General of the Peoples Republic of China, Dr. Liu Xianfa.

    The reception was attended by top government officials, diplomats and captains of industry.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola was represented by Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa.

    Also present were the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Mr. Philips Oduaoza; MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Bola Adesola; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Sola David-Boha; Acting Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography Dr. Olusegun Oyewo and other members of the institute’s management.

    Some of the guests, in their farewell messages, said Xianfa improved the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and China during his two years in the country as Consul-General.

    Prof. Adelabu presented a plaque to Xianfa on behalf of the Ekiti State government.

    She said the Fayemi administration is not only trying to attract investments locally and internationally, but embarking on infrastructural upgrade and tourism development.

    Mrs. Adelabu said her presence at the reception was to market the industrial potentials of Ekiti State to the international community.

    Xianfa said Ekiti would soon receive the investment attention of the Chinese government. He thanked the organisers of the reception and said his time in Nigeria will remain ever-green in his memory.