The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • …Wild jubilation in Ekiti

    …Wild jubilation in Ekiti

    It was jubilation in Ekiti state yesterday as the Supreme Court dismissed the petition of the ousted governor of the state, Engr. Segun Oni, seeking a reversal of the earlier Appeal Court judgment which instituted Dr. Kayode Fayemi as governor of the state.

    In its ruling, the Supreme Court admitted lack of jurisdiction to hear the said case, admitting the position of the defence team led by John Bayeshea (SAN) that by 2007, all petitions relating to elections had ended at the Appeal Court.

    Ado- Ekiti, the state capital, was agog as residents, party supporters and well-wishers took to the streets in their thousands to celebrate the verdict.

    Moving round major streets of the capital, they held brooms and sang various solidarity songs and slogans which included the popular “4+4= 8” and “JKF (just keep faith)”, “Eyi yato” among others.

    As they moved through the streets, traffic built up at major junctions and on both lanes from Fajuyi to Old Garage, while commuters took alternative routes through Oke Ori Omi- Aremu-Irona Road and Ile Abiye-GRA-Fajuyi Road to get to their destinations.

    Addressing the party supporters who later converged on Fajuyi, the Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; the SSG, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi and the Chief of Staff, Mr yemi Adaramodu thanked the people for supporting the party and Governor Fayemi throughout the judicial tussle.

    They assured that the Fayemi-led administration would not relent in its pursuit of people-oriented programmes and projects as spelt out in the eight-point agenda of the administration.

    Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the apex court judgment from the membership of both the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Supreme Court verdict: Fayemi lauds judiciary

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi  has lauded the  judiciary for  its resolve to always uphold the tenet of truth and justice following the Supreme Court’s   dismissal of  the petition against him by ousted governor of Ekiti State, Mr Segun Oni

    Oni  had sought a review of the Court of Appeal ruling on Ekiti State governorship on October 15, 2010, but the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment ruled that it had no jurisdiction on the matter.

    Fayemi  also thanked all Ekiti people  for their  support  for his administration and for believing  in the sanctity of truth.

    He said Friday’s victory has again confirmed that truth will always prevail no matter the situation and that Ekiti State will no longer  be governed through fraudulent means.

    Governor Fayemi who addressed journalists at the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja shortly after the  judgement of the Supreme Court, said there was no basis for the petition by Oni, adding that his claims were frivolous, baseless and a waste of time.

    Oni, Fayemi said had sought to use the frivolous case , which had spanned over two years, to distract him from actualising the developmental efforts going on in Ekiti State, and to give a false hope to his followers.

    He however said that in spite of the long drawn legal battle, he had refused to be distracted, stressing that this is evident in the  transformation going on in the state and the value that the administration has added to the lives of the average citizens.

    Fayemi said it was high time electoral offenders were punished under the law to serve as a deterrent to others and to clean up the electoral process.

     “Oni and his jesters merely sought to use this case to distract us, but we refused to be distracted. We have remained focused all through concentrating on the development of the state and this is evident in the lives of the people.

    “I think we should also put in place laws that will punish electoral offenders. I believe if Oni had been punished for rigging the 2007 governorship election in Ekiti State, he would not have had the effrontery to approach the court again seeking a backdoor to the governorship seat. It is sad that he rigged the 2007 election and was at the helms of affair of the state illegally for three and a  half years, while I, the winner of the election was in court until the case was eventually decided in my favour in 2010 at the Court of Appeal.

    “If the court having found Oni guilty of  fraudulently occupying the governorship seat of Ekiti State and  had gone ahead to punish him then, we would have been spared  this unnecessary case, which to me only shows how desperate some people can be, ” Fayemi stated

  • Ekiti pays N4b gratuity to retirees

    Ekiti pays N4b gratuity to retirees

    The ekiti State Government has paid N3,879,844,473.63 as gratuity to retirees.

    The Chairman of the State Pension Commission, Chief Oluwole Ojo, said the money had been paid to 1,755 retirees across the 16 councils.

    Speaking with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Ojo said workers who retired between April, 2013 and January, 2014, were covered by the payment.

    He said: “This is the largest single gratuity payment in the state’s history. It is another point of reference for which we must commend Governor Kayode Fayemi.”

    On the hiccups in pension payment, Ojo said: “The situation cannot be changed for now, as we must ensure that those being paid are those who actually deserve to be paid.

    “On-sight verification and payment of pensioners is not unique to Ekiti. We have to see those we want to pay.

    “There are situations where the pension of dead pensioners are being collected by their next of kins. This is wrong. Pension is paid to only the living.

    “Also, the same set of personnel oversee the payment of gratuity and pension.”

    On the need to recruit new hands to ease the payment, he said the commission cannot recruit new hands as the process was “sensitive and complicated”.

    Ojo said: “We also know that pension payments have become popular lately, owing to fraud being perpetrated by some pension personnel in some states.

    “Even when mistakes are actual and unintentional, people are quick to read meanings and raise suspicions. We therefore have to be careful about recruiting new hands.”

  • Ekiti to upgrade groove to UNESCO standard

    Ekiti to upgrade groove to UNESCO standard

    Ekiti State Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism Chief Ronke Okusanya, has reiterated the government’s resolve to develop the Ogunnire Groove into a world class tourists’ centre. It will be raised to the United Nations Educational Scientifc Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) acceptable standard.

    Speaking at Ire-Ekiti during an inspection of the groove, Chief Okusanya said the Fayemi administration was determined to build up all tourist sites in the state into a world standard.

    She acknowledged the cooperation of the host community, saying its hospitable disposition and rich cultural heritage led to the continuous successful celebration of the yearly festival. Noting that a “robust celebration” of the Ogun festival will open up Ire-Ekiti to tourists and investors, Mrs. Okusanya said that no stone would be left unturned in achieving that. The Onire of Ire-Ekiti, Oba Adeleke Bobade, lauded the efforts of the Fayemi administration to develop the state.

    He said the community would volunteer more expanse of land for development of the area. He, however, stressed that developing the tourist attraction should not be seen as idol worshipping, saying that it is an avenue for promoting the rich cultural heritage of the community.

     

  • Ekiti approves N497m for projects

    The Ekiti State Government has approved N497 million for developmental projects.

    Of the sum, N300 million is grants to aid self-help projects in 82 communities and N197,250,000 would be spent on developing other communities.

    The Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, announced this at the opening of a two-day interactive workshop on “Strategies for Community Transformation” at Midas Hotels in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    It was organised by the Ministry of Rural Development and Community Empowerment.

    Mrs. Adelabu said Governor Kayode Fayemi created the ministry in January to enhance economic, socio-cultural and political activities.

    She said the administration was focusing on improving the living standard of rural dwellers, improving the leadership capacity in rural communities and supporting community-initiated projects at the grassroots.

    Mrs. Adelabu said every community would benefit from the government’s grants before the end of the year.

    She reiterated the administration’s commitment to the provision of basic infrastructure in every community to curb rural-urban drift.

    Commissioner for Rural Development and Community Empowerment Chief Folorunso Olabode said the workshop was to sensitise and prepare stakeholders for rural development.

    Olabode said the provision of infrastructure and jobs in rural areas would eradicate poverty.

  • Ekiti Assembly passes resolution to re-absorb sacked workers

    The Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed two resolutions calling for the re-absorption of three dismissed secondary school bursars and a produce officer in the Ministry of Agriculture.

    The Produce Officer, Mr. Omolayo Owolabi, was dismissed in 2002.

    The bursars – Miss Famuagun Sayo, Mrs. O.L. Akomolafe and Mr. B.E. Oye – were among officers recommended for sanction for the loss of about N13 million while they were in service.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Olowo Ajiboye, recommended the re-absorption of the three officers after investigation and upheld the disciplinary report on the other officers involved.

    It was resolved that Owolabi was wrongly accused.

    Olowo said Owolabi was tried under the 1976 Civil Service Rules instead of the new rule approved in October, 2001.

    The report was unanimously approved by the House.

    Four bills passed through their first reading yesterday.

    They are: Local Government Transition Committee (Amendment) Law,

    2013; Ekiti State Safety Commission Bill, 2013; Ekiti State Water Supply and Sanitation Bill and Ekiti State Order of Precedence of Public Officers Bill.

  • Ekiti deputy governor warns against corruption

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu has urged auditors to uphold the ethics of their profession and shun corruption.

    Mrs. Adelabu said it was the only way to sustain the people’s respect, which they had earned over time.

    She spoke yesterday in her office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while hosting the state and local government auditors, led by the Auditor-General, Mr. Adedayo Ajayi.

    Mrs. Adelabu said auditors play a significant role in curbing fraud and mismanagement of public funds.

    She urged them to give professional advice to public office holders to avoid unintentional lapses in financial appropriation, adding that such preventive measure would reduce financial scandals.

    Ajayi congratulated Mrs. Adelabu on her appointment and prayed God to grant her the wisdom and strength to perform excellently.

    He said the duty of auditors was to ensure accountability, probity and judicious utilisation of funds by public office holders.

     

     

     

     

  • Ekiti ACN alleges plans to assassinate govt officials

    •PDP: it’s false 

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Ekiti State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to assassinate top government officials.

    In a statement, ACN spokesman Mr. Tunde Adeleke said the PDP plans to assassinate and blackmail top government officials to cause fear and division in the government.

    He accused PDP of planning to cause mayhem in the state to pave the way for emergency rule.

    Adeleke said: “They want to do this in cahoots with their willing tools to pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency in our peaceful state, so that the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration would be distracted and truncated.

    “Part of this plan is to print and paste posters of targeted officials, portraying them as planning to contest the governorship election, to cause disaffection in the government and the ACN.

    “The transformation of Ekiti State by the Fayemi administration is a miracle to members of the opposition, who could not do same when they had the opportunity to govern the state, albeit illegally.

    “The opposition is pained by the good work of the Fayemi administration because it cannot convince the people not to support a government that has transformed their lives, so it has resorted to personality attacks and lies.

    “These disgruntled elements, who are not happy with the pace of development in Ekiti, have lately resorted to cheap blackmail, gutter tactics, outright falsehood and engaging the services of marabouts and spiritualists.”

    Adeleke said the opposition’s “plot” would fail because the people, who are enjoying the dividends of democracy, know the opposition’s antics and are not hoodwinked by their “phony posters”.

    He urged the public to disregard any poster portraying government officials as governorship aspirants.

    Adeleke said: “The main focus of members of this administration is to collectively support the developmental efforts of the governor and ensure its continuity.

    “We advice the opposition to stop being enemies of progress and devise a scientific and issue-based campaign strategy, rather than engage in dirty and smear campaign tricks to confuse Ekiti people, who are convinced that the Fayemi administration has restored the state’s lost glory.”

    PDP State Chairman Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe said “the allegations lack merit”.

    Ogundipe said: “Such allegations cannot hold water. They are ACN’s propaganda.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Search for Supreme Court Justice’s abducted wife, daughter shifts to Ekiti, Ondo

    Search for Supreme Court Justice’s abducted wife, daughter shifts to Ekiti, Ondo

    The search for the wife of a Supreme Court Justice, Mrs. Mrs. Adedoyin Rhodes-Vivour, yesterday shifted to Ondo and Ekiti states.

    The victim, who is the wife of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, was kidnapped penultimate Friday with her daughter and a driver near Benin in Edo State.

    The expansion of the search for the three hostages followed tracking signals that the kidnappers have relocated to some swamps along the two neighbouring states.

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Maryam Alooma-Mukhtar, is said to be highly worried by the development and plans to visit Justice Rhodes-Vivour in Lagos where he has been monitoring the rescue effort of the abducted.

    According to investigation, the kidnappers have got in touch with some people leading to the tracking of their location by the police and other security agencies.

    A reliable source said: “As at the last time the tracking was conducted, the kidnappers were said to be shuttling between the forests in Ondo and Ekiti states. So far, the security agencies and the police have done well.

    “The kidnappers have also opened up on their demand for ransom which is about N200million. We learnt that they have got in touch with one officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the police in one of the states on their demand.

    “I can say that dialogue is ongoing on how to prevail on the abductors to release their victims unhurt in national interest.

    “We have been begging them to let off these victims.”

    It was learnt last night that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alooma-Mukhtar might visit Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour in Lagos this weekend to sympathize with him.

    The source added: “The CJN, who has been on top of the situation, might go there with some justices to identify with the travails of Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour.

    “She might also use the opportunity to consider security reports on the hostages with the family.”

  • Ekiti spends N2b on Social Security Scheme for Elderly

    Ekiti spends N2b on Social Security Scheme for Elderly

    The Ekiti State Government has spent about N2 billion on the Social Security Scheme for the Elderly.

    The Commissioner for Labour, Productivity and Human Capital Development, Mr. Oluwole Ariyo, made this known yesterday at a forum in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Ariyo said the government spends an average of N100 million monthly on the scheme, under which about 19,270 senior citizens receive a monthly stipend of N5,000 each.

    He said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration is committed to the welfare of the elderly, adding that the scheme would be reviewed monthly to accommodate more people.

    Ariyo said: “The scheme is a major achievement of the Fayemi administration and is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It is believed that more of our elders would register and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the scheme.

    “Many have come to realise that the scheme has no political or ethnic colouration. It has contributed significantly to improving the lifespan of the citizenry.

    “Contrary to fears among the elders, the scheme will outlive the administration as it already has an enabling law backing its institution.”

    Also yesterday, Local Government Joint Administrative Account Fund Committee approved the payment of the salary of council workers attached to traditional rulers, who missed the biometric exercise conducted by the government.

    Commissioner for Local Government Affairs Paul Omotoso said the affected workers would collect their salaries manually from their respective local government offices.

    The State Teaching Service Commission has directed the bursars of public secondary schools to submit the salary vouchers of their schools to the commission on or before the fifth day of every month.

    Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission Prince Bayo Adeniran also directed them to regularly submit the vouchers for the payment of the allowances of corps members serving in their schools to ensure prompt payment.

    He warned that any bursar found wanting would be sanctioned.

    The Commissioner for Education, Kehinde Ojo, assured teachers in special schools, who were employed temporarily, that they would soon be considered for permanent employment.

    Ojo said the renovation of special schools in Ikoro-Ekiti is almost completed.

    He said the government would organise more trainings for teachers.