The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • Ekiti’s community-based programmes get boost

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi will today give N300 million cheques to 82 communities in the 16 local governments. Sulaiman Salawudeen previews the event and other issues

    Today in Oye-Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi will disburse N300 million in cheques to 82 communities for the completion (not initiation) of their community- based, self-help projects.

    Some of the projects, which include rehabilitation of the kings’ palaces, renovation of town halls, completion of blocks of primary schools’ classrooms, equipping of some secondary schools’ science laboratories, among others, must have been on for quite sometime.

    Expected at the event are monarchs and heads of community development associations, who will collect the cheques and monitor the projects. The decision of the government to intervene by footing the bills of the projects, according to the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Adaramodu, is “to encourage the communities and support them to drive their self- help projects to completion.”

    Adaramodu, who spoke recently at a media briefing, said: “Genuine community development could happen when the communities were allowed to identify their preferences for government support.”

    The Fayemi administration in 2011 pioneered state-wide town hall/village square meetings. Attended by monarchs, chiefs, community leaders and youth/trade groups, the meetings gave the communities the opportunity to state their needs, which mostly centred on roads, water, electricity, hospitals, bridges, job creation, renovation/reconstruction of schools and palaces.

    At the meetings, which were held at council headquarters across the three senatorial districts of the state, the governor insisted that “development cannot be genuine and people oriented until and unless it is borne out of actual needs of the communities.”

    Fayemi explained that the traditional and much more familiar pattern of top-down budgeting had been the sole reason development was not happening in the country.

    He insisted that “only a bottom-up approach in which the budget principally factors peoples’ needs could reverse such a picture as has been the bane of the country’s progress for ages.”

    He said: “In doing this, I have mandated the Finance Ministry to recast the budgeting process from the old exponential/futuristic method in which projects are guessed for the people and kept being rolled over year after year to zero-based pattern in which the budget will be the outcome of what people say they need rather than what government thought people need.

    “This is revolutionary. It will eliminate fraud. It is a difficult budgeting process as it will impose a new task on the responsible ministry and its officers. No government had used it before. But, it is equally a task, which is worth every seriousness and commitment as it holds key to our development dreams.

    “We don’t want to stay in Ado-Ekiti putting together a budget that bears little link to the people. Most of what our people are requesting could be accommodated in the budget, while some have been mentioned, which have nothing to do with budget. The plan of the administration is to ensure that the budget is the genuine product of the people and not the sole business of the people in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.”

    On how to ensure timely completion of the projects and eliminate the possibility of terms of execution by the contractors, the Commissioner for Rural Development and Community Empowerment, Mr. Folorunsho Olabode, explained that “there is not a single one of the 82 projects, which emanated from or imposed by this administration, either overtly or indirectly. The communities themselves who initiated them (the projects) would monitor and follow them through.

    “The projects are their own, they know the contractors and all those who would work on the projects to ensure desirable completion of the projects. The government had just decided to support them by giving them the funds. Simple.”

    Some monarchs of the beneficiary towns and communities disclosed their readiness to assume supervision of the projects. The Alara of Aramoko Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area, Oba Olu Adeyemi, said: “It is my palace the fence of which would be completed. I will handle the supervision myself alongside the community development association.”

    The Onigbemo of Igbemo Ekiti, Oba Daramola Oyinyosaye, whose palace would also enjoy a lift, assured that every effort would be made to ensure judicious use of the fund, adding that “the layers of authorities in the town would be there at every stage to ensure things are done properly.

    Recalling what he described as “consistent empowerment drives of the governor, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said: “The plan of the administration was to level the fields sufficiently that no one would feel shortchanged, whether you are a career worker in the state or a political office holder.”

    According to him, it was in satisfying this end that the governor last week made good his promise to past political office holders in the state by paying their entitlements to the tune of nearly N250 million. Again, in what many saw as unprecedented, government has also paid over N1 billion as pension to retired civil servants including teachers in the state and across the 16 councils.

    “The administration has further sustained for nearly two years now the payment of N5,000 to a minimum of 20,000 elderly individuals as social security stipend, while it has been paying N10,000 to another set of 5,000 graduates employed under the Ekiti State Volunteer Aids Corps.”

  • Ekiti teachers accept 16 per cent

    •To resume today

    Teachers in Ekiti State yesterday called off their four-week strike and accepted 16 per cent of the 27.5 Teachers Peculiar Allowance. According to findings, the teachers would resume today.

    The decision to end the strike was the outcome of a meeting of Governor Kayode Fayemi represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Kehinde Ojo with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

    The teachers joined their colleagues in other states to press home demands for their Peculiar Allowance approved for them by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in 2008.

    The state NUT Chairman, Mr. Kayode Akosile, in a statement read shortly after the meeting, said the teachers consented with the 16 per cent “in the interest of the public.”

    The NUT chairman said it would be unreasonable to continue with the strike when notable indigenes of the state had intervened, adding that “government should see the gesture as an act of patriotism.”

    The governor hailed the teachers for their understanding and maturity. He said he praised them for not disrupting the scheduled public examinations, which was held in the state during the strike.

    Governor Fayemi assured that no teacher would be penalised on account of participating in the strike, noting that the education of the state’s future leaders depended on them.

    He urged them to redouble their commitment to their profession.

    The statement reads: “With the calling off of the strike, primary and secondary schools in the state are to resume classes immediately. We are glad to note that throughout the period, teachers conducted themselves responsibly and with maturity.

    “Ekiti State Governor is hereby expressing his gratitude and that of his government to all the good people of the state both at home and in the diaspora, who intervened when the action lasted.

    “With the call off of this strike, the government hopes to enjoy a harmonious relationship with teachers at all levels. It anticipates better performance in the discharge of their responsibilities.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ekiti opens sexual offenders’ register

    Convicted sexual offenders are to face a tough time in Ekiti, with the opening of a black book in which they will be listed.

    The news of the sexual offenders’ register was broken by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda when he received the Gender-based Violence Prohibition Law (GBVL) management committee in his office.

    The team was led by Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, in her capacity as the chairperson of the committee and Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi.

    As part of efforts to strengthen the new law, the delegation also visited the Vice- Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Prof. Oladipo Aina; Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama; and Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.

    Judging by the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by rape victims, the commissioner said the sexual offenders’ register would ensure that perpetrators were ostracised.

    Fapohunda hoped that the step would act as a deterrent to men, who find pleasure in assaulting women and young girls.

    Erelu Fayemi urged the commissioner to assign GBV-related cases to lawyers trained for the purpose and who are sensitive to gender issues.

    She enjoined the retention of such lawyers for a reasonable period of time as prosecuting GBVL counsel before they are transferred to other departments of the ministry.

    To give legal teeth to the GBVL, the governor’s wife requested the commissioner to ensure that gender-related cases are prosecuted under the new law.

    Hailing the committee for the efforts put into the GBVL, Mr. Fapohunda said the ministry would ensure that the cases related to the new law were handled with despatch.

    He told the visitors that the ministry was proposing a bill on the rights of persons with disability, especially women and children, adding that work on the Equal Opportunities Bill had reached an advanced stage.

    The commissioner said the ministry was poised to raise the profile of justice in the state.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi on November 25, 2011 signed into law the gender-based violence bill, which was initiated and promoted by his wife.

    Other players in the sponsorship of the bill were the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Planning and Millennium Development Goals and the state chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers.

    The new law was in response to gross abuses affecting individuals or groups disproportionately because of their sex across the state.

    It seeks to protect the human rights and fundamental freedom of women, children and a minority of men against physical, economic, mental or sexual harm or suffering.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ekiti ACN will not reject PDP decampees

    Ekiti ACN will not reject PDP decampees

    Ekiti state chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has debunked claims of rejecting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members willing to join the party.

    The Chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti explained that the reported rejection of opposition members by the ACN in the state was “a ploy by PDP to confuse opposition members willing to join our progressive party.”

    Awe clarified that plans had been concluded for “the massive influx of PDP members who have shown real interest to partner our purposeful administration in the state.”

    The ACN chair said the party hierarchy had met and directed the entire party secretariats in the 177 wards across the 16 councils in the state to open registers for the willing PDP and other opposition members “where they must put their names and be ready to come to the open as a prove of their sincerity.”

    Said he: “I recall that the party took a decision on June 12 at Oluyemi Kayode stadium that all those willing to join our party should be received at ward levels without any hindrance and this has been happening daily across Ikere, Gbonyin, Emure, Aramoko and all our towns in the state. So far, reports are that the opposition are registering en masse.

    “I recall that Chief Ayo Peters from Emure and Mrs. Kehinde Balogun from Iyin Ekiti on June 12 at the Stadium said they were ready to join the ACN train with their legion of followers”, the ACN chair said.

    Complementing Awe’s disclosure, the ACN chairman in Ikere Ekiti, Prince Idowu Aladejebi disclosed that plans were on for the celebration of the new members who were ready to serve the people through the ACN.

    Aladejebi said: “I told them the only conditions are their genuineness of purpose and readiness to come into the open. Political participation is not a secretive affair. They have accepted and we are considering a date for the celebration”, Aladejebi said.

    He explained that Ikere-Ekiti had been especially favoured not only in terms of infrastructural developments but even in political appointments which have robbed off on the town in so many ways.”

    Said he: “Today roads are no longer our problem and water is fast becoming an issue of history. The federal road linking the town to Akure is under construction and, given the rocky terrain of the town, it had always been difficult to sink boreholes. But the state governor has sunk several boreholes across our communities And water that used to be insufficient is now available perhaps more than our people do even need.

    Aladejebi noted that ” Ikere-Ekiti is significant in terms of population and consequently voting capacity. The town is next to Ado and we are making steady progress in bringing in the opposition members who genuinely repent.

    “Those who have put their names down have been wonderful as they are not only open, they have not given the party any condition. This shows that their moves are based on conviction.

    “The situation of massive influx of PDP members into our party is a prove not only of Fayemi’s performance about genuine efforts to improve lives of the people but that Ekiti people are one and the same thing. We must now come together to redeem our state once and for all. Fayemi remains a symbol of that new age of oneness, unity and progress in Ekiti.

     

  • ‘Why Ekiti ACN will not reject PDP members’

    Ekiti State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has debunked claims of rejecting members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) willing to join the party.

    The chairman of the party, Chief Jide Awe, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, explained that the reported rejection of opposition members by the ACN in the state was “a ploy by PDP to confuse the genuine members of the public willing to join our progressive party.”

    Awe clarified that plans have been concluded for “the massive influx of PDP members who have shown genuine interest to join our party.”

    The ACN chair said the party hierarchy had met and directed the entire party secretariats in the 177 wards across the 16 councils in the state to open registers for willing PDP and other opposition members “where they must put their names and be ready to come to the open as a prove of their sincerity.”

    He said: “I recall that our party took a decision on June 12 at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium that all those willing to join our party should be received at ward levels without any hindrance and this has been happening daily across Ikere, Gbonyin, Emure, Aramoko and all our towns in the state.

    “Nobody is forcing them to do anything; it is their free volition based on the performance of the state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.”

  • Ekiti to spend N26b on roads

    Ekiti to spend N26b on roads

    THe Ekiti State Government will spend N26.4 billion to complete ongoing 337-kilometre road projects across the state.

    Commissioner for Works and Transport Sola Adebayo said the figure covers projects initiated by the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration and those it inherited.

    Adebayo said state-owned buses were seized from commercial drivers’ associations because they owe the government over N500 million.

    He said the government bought 140 buses worth N650 million and distributed them to commercial drivers, but the drivers failed to remit their payment instalmentally as agreed.

     

     

  • Low key celebrations as Fayemi’s wife turns 50

    Ekiti state governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi on Tuesday  held low key celebrations to mark her fiftieth birthday.
    The church service held at the Government House Chapel, Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state was attended by the celebrator’s husband, Governor Kayode Fayemi, his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, Speaker, Ekiti state Assembly, Dr. Wale Omirin and husband of the late former deputy governor, Architect Lanre Olayinka.
    Others were the Provost of the State College of Education, Prof. Fransisca Aladejana, members of the state executive council including the commissioners and special advisers, body of permanent  secretaries and other dignitaries from within and outside the state.
    In his remarks at the church service, the governor attributed his eventual triumph and emergence as the state helmsman to his wife’s doggedness.

    “If she had not been faithful, committed and focused, I most certainly, might not be standing before you today as the state governor,” Fayemi stated.
    “My wife was the pillar in the fight to reclaim our mandate in Ekiti. At a time, I thought of opting out of the struggle, she encouraged me to continue,”
    Giving the recent death of the former deputy as reason for the low key celebrations, Fayemi disclosed “my  wife had started planning for the 50th birthday for over a decade ago. Even last year, she reminded me that she would need the contact of an Ivorien Musician who she would want to invite.
    “When her friend, the Malawi President, Joyce Banda, became the president of the country, she told me she then knew who would give a keynote address at her birthday celebrations. But things went the way God wanted and we give all glory to Him”, Fayemi said.
    In her tearful remark, Erelu Fayemi expressed gratitude to her late dad, Emanuel Akinola Adeleye and her mother, Emily Adeleye for “the good upbringing and sound education they gave me.”
    Erelu said: “I remember my father, Emanuel Akinlola Adeleye and Emily Adeleye for the lasting values they instilled in me. I give continue to return every glory in my life to God. I my fifty years, I have laughed more than cried and triumphed more than challenged.”
    She equally thanked her husband who she described as “a friend, fellow comrade , brother, mentor and role model”.
    In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, condemned Nigeria’s leadership which he said had caused many Nigerians to flee abroad where they faced embarrassments.

  • Ekiti to recruit 1,600 teachers

    About 1,600 teachers are to be recruited by the Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission.

    The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Kehinde Ojo, spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Applicants have besieged the Ministry of Education and designated banks in Ado-Ekiti to obtain the application forms.

    Ojo said the recruitment was not aimed at edging out teachers, who are on strike over the non payment of the 27.5 per cent peculiarity allowance.

    He said negotiation was ongoing between the government and representatives of the striking teachers.

    Ojo said N170 million would be required to pay the 27.5 per cent allowance.

    He said: “Except somebody wants this state to be grounded, there is no how we can sustain such an additional wage bill on a monthly basis.”

  • Ekiti seals eight illegal pharmaceutical stores

    EKITI State Government has sealed off eight patent medicine and Pharmaceuticals stores for operating illegally in the state.

    The Monitoring and Inspection Unit of the Pharmaceutical Services Department of the State Ministry of Health which embarked on an inspection tour of Emure, Ise, Ikere and Ado Ekiti communities sealed the shops for offenses ranging from operating unregistered medicine stores to failure to renew registration of their outlets.

    Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state, on the development, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa, noted that the proprietors of the affected shops failed to comply with the operational guidelines in respect of the sale of medicine.

    He stated that some of them were also found to be in possession of unethical drugs.

    The commissioner added that some of the shop owners do not have license at all while the others have been operating for years without renewal.

    He warned that owners of the sealed shops that reopen without proper authorisation would be made to face the wrath of the law.

    Reiterating the commitment of the state government to ensuring a

    healthy society, Fasubaa said that the present

    administration would leave no stone unturned towards streamlining drug distribution in the state.

     

  • Fayemi dedicates court victory to Ekiti people

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has dedicated his victory at the Supreme Court to Ekiti people.

    He thanked them for their support before and since he assumed office.

    In a statewide broadcast on Sunday night, Fayemi said the victory has strengthened his resolve to make life better for the people.

    He said the Supreme Court’s dismissal of ousted “Governor” Olusegun Oni’s petition has affirmed that he (Fayemi) was elected by the people and called for the punishment of politicians, who steal the people’s mandate.

    The governor praised the Justices of the Supreme Court for standing by the truth, adding that the judgment has again proved that the Judiciary is the last hope of the people.

    He said the celebration that followed the verdict in Ekiti and beyond was proof that the Supreme Court gave a judicial seal to the wish of the electorate.

    Fayemi paid tribute to his former Deputy Governor, the late Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, saying she gave all she had to the service of Ekiti. He said: “This victory is dedicated to her and to the good people of Ekiti State, who stood with us through thick and thin.”

    The governor said he was open to advice and constructive criticisms on how to consolidate on his development agenda.

    He said ongoing projects across the state would be completed soon and new ones initiated.

    Fayemi said Ekiti people are one and urged all indigenes to support his administration, irrespective of their political affiliations.

    He said: “Let me use this opportunity to remind us that as a people, we are one indivisible entity, regardless of our different political persuasions. Politics will come and go, but Ekiti will outlive all of us, so we have to be mindful of the judgment of history.

    “The vision of our founding fathers is to have a state that we can all be proud of and this has been our guiding principle in our policy choices since the inception of this administration.

    “We intend to pursue this noble cause with more vigour. As I stated in my inaugural speech on October 16, 2010, our only choice is to continue on the path of reconciliation and renewal, because this state is bigger than us all.

    “On this note, I extend my hand of fellowship to our brothers on the other side. Our state needs all men and women of goodwill and intellect to develop. As a government, we shall be receptive to suggestions and constructive advice from all and sundry, who show commitment to the development of our beloved state.

    “To members of our great party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), let us be magnanimous in victory. As we celebrate, please eschew unnecessary bickering on account of differences in political affiliations and be mindful of the enormous burden that this victory has further placed on our shoulders.”