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Tag: Ekiti

  • Late Ekiti deputy governor buried

    Late Ekiti deputy governor buried

    The remains of the late deputy governor of Ekiti State Olufunmilayo Olayinka  were on Friday interred at the newly-constructed Heroes’ Park near the Government House after the funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti . 

    The body of the late Deputy Governor, who died on April 6th, was buried at exactly 1.21pm.

     President  Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb  Olubolade (rtd)  said the late Olayinka made good use of the opportunities she had to serve the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria meritoriously, even though her potentials were yet to be fully harnessed before she died.

     Jonathan added that the late Deputy Governor was a woman of substance known for her simplicity, diligence, respect and brilliance.

    Governor Kayode  Fayemi, while addressing the congregation, said her late Deputy lived a life of sacrifice, service, commitment to the people and dedication to God.

    The Governor noted that Olayinka who was a lay reader in the Anglican church was faithful in all ways and did not take her faith lightly.

    Fayemi who stated that her service to the State would not be allowed to go in vain said that the State Government would next week announce a project in the area of the ailment that claimed her life so as to permanently keep her memory alive.

    “We shall continue to have mementoes in her memory so that others who come after her will know that it is good to be good and public service is the highest form of duty that one can render to one’s community. That’s why we have taken all the pains to ensure that we didn’t allow her to just go quietly but to see that she is celebrated and remembered, not just as a major positive influence on our state but also as an inspiration for younger women, public office holders to look up to in the future”, the Governor said.

    Other dignitaries present the funeral were Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; Osun state Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson represented by his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) and Nasarawa State Governor, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura represented by his deputy, Mr. Damishi Luka.

    Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu was represented by Dr. Peter Sarki; Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Lekan Ogungbe, Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi was represented by his deputy, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu.

    Former Governors at the funeral include Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Lagos), Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti), Aremo Olusegun Osoba (Ogun), Chief Adebisi Akande (Osun), Chief Segun Oni (Ekiti), Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua (old Ondo).

    Deputy Governors were fully represented at the funeral to bid their colleague farewell. They included Prince Segun Adesegun (Ogun), Mr. Efiok Cobham (Cross River), Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (Lagos), Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (Oyo), Chief Yomi Awoniyi (Kogi), Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori (Osun) and Alhaji Ali Olanusi (Ondo).

     

     

  • Grief as Fayemi receives deputy’s body

    A pall of grief descended on the ancient city of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital on Wednesday, as  the corpse of the late Deputy Governor of the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, arrived the town from Lagos via Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    The body was received by the Governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, at the Governor’s Office where the late Mrs. Olayinka worked as the state’s  number two citizen. .

    Speaking shortly after the he had led other senior government officials to receive the corpse, Governor  Fayemi said the people of the state must thank God for giving them the late deputy governor whom he said gave much in ensuring the transformation of the Land of Honour.

    The hearse which brought the body of the late deputy governor was marked “Moremi Ekiti”, the nickname the deceased acquired in the political circles where she ran as Dr. Fayemi’s running mate in the 2007 governorship election.

    The Senator representing Ekiti Central in the National Assembly and a kinsman of the deceased, Babafemi Ojudu led family members of the deceased.

    The atmosphere was sombre at the Governor’s Office where politicians, civil servants, students, youths, journalists and other members of the public gathered in group’s discussing the burial activities of the late deputy governor.

    At about 5.20 pm, sound of music, drumming and trumpeting which signaled the arrival of the funeral train were heard around Okesa area of Ado-Ekiti with the train connecting the Governor’s Office through the Government House.

    The hearse was ushered into the Governor’s Office by MIC Undertakers and the Governor’s security team while  the crowd which had gathered at the complex struggled to catch a glimpse of the casket which was not brought out throughout the proceedings.

    Many people wept profusely as the hearse arrived the Governor’s office. Many of them recounted the good deeds of the late Mrs. Olayinka during her two-and-half years stint as the state’s number two citizen.

    Speaking shortly after the corpse arrived, Dr. Fayemi, in an emotion-laden voice, thanked God for the safe arrival of the corpse and the funeral train, describing her late deputy as “our princess and Moremi who gave her life as a sacrifice to the people”.

    “We thank God for her sacrifices, this was her office where she gave her all to the people. All of us, adults, young, male, female we cannot thank Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka enough.

    “The wise words of the elderly say that the best tree never lasts in the forest. She lived an eventful life, life of courage, life of sacrifice.

    “We know that heaven is the recompense of the faithful and we thank God for giving her to us. The Bible urges us to thank God for everything and we thank God for taking her to a good place, a safe place where there no room for these challenges.

    “We pray God to give her dear  husband, her children-Yeside, Lolade, Olamide, the OLAYINKA’S and the Famuaguns the grace to continue with the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

    “She fought a good fight, she did her best and we need to keep fighting for those things she believed in-abundant life for our people, transformation and service delivery,” Fayemi stated.

    The burial train later departed the Governor’s office around  5.45pm, while thousands of youths embarked on a candle possession  from Fajuyi Park round major streets of Ado-Ekiti.

  • Olayinka’s burial: Ekiti declares Friday as public holiday

    Ekiti state government has declared Friday, April 26, 2013 a work free day in honour the late deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka who would be buried same day.

    Olayinka, aged 52, died on April 6 at St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos after a protracted fight with Cancer.

    The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo stated at a press conference on Sunday that  all offices of government including  public schools would be closed for the day.

    According to him, the move was meant to honour the deputy who applied all she had for the progress of the state.

    Meanwhile, there were indications that the remains of late Olayinka would be interred at a location close to the Enterprise Bank in Fajuyi Area of the capital.

    He noted that the burial site currently under construction was being planned as a monument for the state in honour of the late deputy governor.

    According to the commissioner, late Olayinka’s body would arrive Ado Ekiti on Wednesday from Lagos for the burial rites which would last three days.

  • Ekiti indigenes in Europe commiserate with Fayemi

    A group, Ekiti Professionals in Europe (EPE), has described the death of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, as a huge loss.

    A press statement by its President, Femi Awoniyi, said the death had robbed the Governor of the state of an able lieutenant with whom he was creating a new culture of governance in the state.

    It read: “We commiserate with the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on his loss of an able deputy with whom he successfully waged the battle against electoral fraud and the repossession of their joint mandate given to them by Ekiti people.”

    The group paid glowing tributes to Olayinka for her indelible contributions to the development of the state.

    “We note with gratitude the tireless efforts of Mrs. Olayinka as the chairperson of the state’s Economic Management Team.”

    “Drawing from her experience as a banker and corporate manager, Mrs Olayinka committed herself wholly to the job of reviving the fortunes of the state, an assignment she performed creditably,” Awoniyi, who is also the publisher of The African Courier magazine, added.

    It called on Fayemi to immortalise Olayinka by establishing a permanent Early Detection Programme in the state’s health care delivery system that will be named after her.

  • Ekiti raises alarm over illegal fundraising for Olayinka’s funeral

    The Ekiti State Government has raised the alarm over an illegal fundraising by some unscrupulous individuals purportedly for the burial of the late Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

    In a statement, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Ganiyu Owolabi, warned individuals within and outside the state involved in the illegal and unauthorised solicitation for funds to desist from it.

    Dissociating the administration from the activities of such individuals, he urged the public to report anybody trying to obtain money or other items from them for the late deputy governor’s funeral to security agencies.

    Owolabi said the government has put plans in place to give the late deputy governor a befitting state burial and will bear all expenses.

    The statement reads: “The state government frowns at attempts by any group or individual to raise funds for the burial, under any guise whatsoever.

    “The public is advised to discountenance the purported fundraising and report attempts by any individual to obtain money or other items from them for the purpose of the burial to security agencies. We advise those involved in this illegal and unauthorised solicitation to desist from it. The full time table for the Mrs. Olayinka’s state burial would be made public soon.”

     

  • Late Ekiti Deputy Governor for burial April 26

    The remains of the late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka, would be buried on Friday, April 26.  The week-long activities for her state burial will commence on April 22nd.

    Mrs Olayinka, 52, died  last Saturday  at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos, after a long battle with cancer.

    According to a statement signed on behalf of the state government by the  Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Tayo Ekundayo, activities for the state burial of the late deputy governor would be held in Ekiti and Lagos states.

    Meanwhile, Senators Babafemi Ojudu, Olu Adetumbi and Tony Adeniyi representing Ekiti Central,  North and South respectively were on Wednesday at the family house of the late deputy governor of Ekiti state,to condole the parents, Pa Festus and Mama Florence Famuagun.

    The Deputy Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, Chief Mrs. Adejoke Oorelope-Adefulire and Prince Segun Adesegun were also at the Famuaguns to console the bereaved parents.

  • Ekiti urged to set up Olayinka cancer-screening centre

    The Ekiti State Government has been urged to set up a cancer-screening centre in honour of the late Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.

    The Alliance of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on Environment and Public Health (ANEPH) made the call yesterday in a statement signed by its officers, Mrs. Feyisike Adeoye and Mr. Kehinde Adegbuyi.

    It said setting up the centre in Mrs. Olayinka’s memory is a practical way of honouring a woman, who gave her life to the service of humanity.

    The group said: “Cancer is ravaging Nigeria. People are dying. The death of Mrs. Olayinka has further confirmed that death through cancer has no respect for age or status, making every one a potential victim.

    “We can make a lot of difference through the timely screening of people, so that the challenge can be tackled at the budding stage.”

    ANEPH is a coalition of NGOs in Nigeria working on public health safety.

    The group praised the Ekiti State government for revealing the cause of Mrs. Olayinka’s death to the public, instead of shrouding it in secrecy as is the case with many government officials.

    It said: “By making the cause of her death a subject of public knowledge, the Ekiti State government has demonstrated a higher ethical ground as against the awful tradition of secrecy, which does not promote public consciousness in public health safety.

    “Knowing the credentials of the leadership in Ekiti, we might be pre-empting the state government. We are sure Governor Kayode Fayemi realises the importance of honouring his deputy in ways consistent with her humanitarian services throughout her life time.

    “She was a selfless advocate of public health safety, who became a victim. She fought gallantly to defeat cancer, but it was too late. The Funmi Olayinka Cancer-Screening Centre will serve as a life-saver for millions of Nigerians, who stand at risk but have no opportunity to detect it early.

    “Statistics show that cancer killed 7.6 million people in 2008 worldwide and there is indication that the figure could double to 14 million in 2030.

    “According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer accounts for 13 per cent of deaths registered globally. In Nigeria, about 11,000 cancer deaths are recorded annually and 250,000 new cases recorded.

    “It is worrisome that only 17 per cent of African countries are said to have sufficiently funded cancer-control programmes, while a small percentage of countries in the world have functional plans to prevent the disease and provide treatment and care to patients.

    “However, if detected early, many types of cancer can be cured. WHO indicates that the shortage of a functional cancer-control plan is alarming in developing countries, which account for more than two-thirds of the new cancer cases and deaths yearly.

    “We urge the nation’s health authorities to step up cancer awareness, prevention and treatment. Most cancer treatment centres in Nigeria today lack modern diagnostic equipment. Generally, there is a lack of awareness on the disease, especially the causative factors, preventive measures, likely treatment options and facilities where such treatments are available.”

  • Ekiti deputy governor’s dad: nobody killed my daughter

    Ekiti deputy governor’s dad: nobody killed my daughter

    Party: Cancer battle began in 2009 

    Those blaming the death of Ekiti State Deputy Governor Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka on her perceived enemies were yesterday told to perish the thought.

    Her father, Pa Festus Famuagun, said his daughter “died a natural death”.

    Pa Famuagun spoke yesterday in his Isato home in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while receiving members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin.

    His clarification came on a day the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said the late Mrs Olayinka had been battling cancer since 2009.

    Party chairman Chief Jide Awe told reporters in Ado-Ekiti that those close to the late deputy knew of the ailment.

    Pa Famuagun was reacting to insinuations that his daughter might have been killed through diabolical means by people angling to take her position.

    He said: “That one person killed another through witchcraft is all lies. God, who creates, is the only one that can take life.”

    Urging the lawmakers to be close to the family, he said: “What will make us forget the pain of her passage is seeing you regularly. You are the jewels of Ekiti. Let people stop making unnecessary guesses.

    “We hear stories that you people are very close. This you have proved since she died and through your performance. You have done well in your tenure.

    “Please thank the governor for me: He has done very well. My entire family is impressed with the love he has continued to show us. If I was asked to nominate any of my children for politics when I was younger, I would not have considered Mrs. Olayinka, as she used to be very reserved.”

    The 26 members of the Assembly were present.

    The first son of the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, Donald, and his wife, Lanre, also visited the Famuaguns.

    Awe said: “That was when those of us who were close to her knew she had the ailment. She has been in and out of the country for one medical treatment or the other.

    “One unique thing about her is that you would never know of her condition unless you were very close to her. There were times when she returned from her medical treatment and came straight to Ekiti, and the next assignment would be on the rostrum to campaign to the people. She was always with us, and from 2009 to 2010 when we retrieved our mandate, she was very strong.

    “What she went through was enough to terminate her life. As a liberator, she became a force among Ekiti women and she was always at the forefront.

    “She battled cancer and finally succumbed to it. She would be greatly missed for her stabilising role.”

    Describing Mrs. Olayinka as a committed party member, Awe said the late number two citizen demonstrated uncommon loyalty to her boss and worked assiduously to ensure the success of the administration.

    He noted that Olayinka contributed immensely to the transformation being witnessed in the state, adding that she will be sorely missed by party members and the people of the state in general.

    He said: “We don’t want our people to start reading meanings to the death of our dear deputy governor. I am aware that she was diagnosed of cancer in 2009 and I also know that between then until she breathed her last on Saturday, she got the best of medical treatment both within and outside the country.”

    “We in the party have submitted to the will of God on this sad incident.”

    “We all know that when issues like this happen in Africa, people will continue to read meanings into it. They will say evil people have done their worst, that is, somebody somewhere must have killed her.

    “Death is a necessary end we all believe it will come at one time or the other in one’s life. She was a strong woman who had been in and out of hospital several times, but her spirit was never broken.

    “Her travail with sickness started to manifest in 2009 even when we were in the trenches and ever since, she had been in and out of the country to seek medical attention. We believe that it is the will of God.

    “Mrs. Olayinka was a dogged fighter and liberator, she was at the forefront for the fight for women emancipation and participation in politics.”

    He pledged the readiness of the party to liaise with the state government and the family of the late deputy governor to give her a befitting burial.

    Awe had earlier held a meeting with party members at the Jibowu Hall of the Government House to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of the late deputy governor to ACN faithful.

    The meeting was attended by leaders of the party from across the 16 local government areas. Former governor of the Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olomilua, was at the meeting.

    The late Mrs Olayinkna first suspected that all was not well with her health late 2008, a source said yesterday.

    She was in London for biopsy in January 2009 when the symptom persisted. The doctors said she had cancer of the breast.

    In August 2009, she was again in London for a follow up test, which also confirmed the disease. She was diagnosed for stage three breast cancer

    She went back to the hospital for mastectomy in September. The doctors then placed her on chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

    The late Mrs Olayinka has been travelling to London every six months for review and chemotherapy.

    By 2011, the cancer had entered stage four, which is the final stage. It had spread to the other parts of the body.

    “Those managing her health condition since 2009 told her in February this year that the condition had become irredeemable, the source said, adding: “Her case was handled by world renowned oncologists within and outside the country, including an indigene of the state.”

  • Ekiti has seen enough

    Ekiti has seen enough

    SIR: The recent simulated political crises in Ekiti State is a reminder of the build-up to the 2007 gubernatorial election, before the ignominious impeachment of Ayo Fayose as governor and the April 25, 2009 re-run election between Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi.

    In 2006, the chances of Dr. Ayo Daramola, chairman of the state Poverty Reduction Agency to become governor of Ekiti State were bright. Having warmed himself into the hearts of many through the World Bank-assisted programme, he succeeded in building lasting blocs that could have come in handy during the governorship election. He was murdered in cold blood in his Ijan-Ekiti country home in the August of same year.

    Another governorship aspirant in the PDP who stood a good chance, having gained the loyalty of many party members, was arrested for this murder, which he knew nothing about.

    Before the 2009 re-run election, there was a rehash of this. The election was almost a done deal for Kayode Fayemi, but so were the several humongous harassments, amongst which one stood out, and that was the killing of one Ahmed Saddiq, an AC member, who was on his way to Ikole in the company of other AC members. Thugs who were said to have come from Senator Ayo Arise’s house allegedly swooped on the vehicle conveying the AC members, riddling the car with bullets. Sadiq died in the process while three others were injured. As it turned out, however, AC leaders ended up being arrested for this murder while not even a pin prickled Senator Arise or any PDP members.

    2014 is around the corner and the incumbent, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has done enough to win re-election. His chances are bright and the killings seem to have started again, just like before 2007 and 2009.

    Recently at a PDP event in Erinjiyan, hometown of ACN State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, a promising Ekiti indigene, Ayo Jeje, was killed. The event was supposed to have been the defection of some ACN members to the PDP got out of hand and the young man, who was in fact a brother to the ACN state chairman, was killed, allegedly by opposing PDP factions, but it was the ACN state chairman who got arrested even though he was not in the town when the unfortunate incident happened.

    Whatever the PDP may be planning for the 2014 election, they should leave the peace-loving people of Ekiti out of such plans. President Jonathan and security agencies should do their job by ensuring there is no more killing in our Land of Honour. Ekiti has seen enough!

     

    • Dimeji Daniels

    Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

     

  • Ekiti 2014: Unease as PDP leaders fight Fayose’s entry

    Ekiti 2014: Unease as PDP leaders fight Fayose’s entry

    The formal entry of former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose, into the 2014 PDP governorship race is currently causing tension and unease in the party, reports Remi Adelowo

     

    The die seems cast in the race for the governorship ticket of the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Indications that the contest for the ticket will be keen emerged last week with the formal declaration of interest by a former governor of the state, Mr. Ayo Fayose, to contest for governorship position in 2014.

    Political observers agree that the incumbent governor, Dr  Fayemi is a sure bet for a second term ticket of the ruling party in the state, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    But in the last couple of months, Fayose has not hidden his ambition to reclaim the seat he was unceremoniously removed from in 2006.

    Before his impeachment by the state House of Assembly, his tenure had been characterised by several controversies, ranging from his public row with many influential indigenes in the state, including politicians, opinion elders and traditional rulers.

    Fayose’s tenure in office, it would be recalled, was as stormy as it was controversial. The tension prevalent in the state at that period led to the assassination of prominent figures in the state, including a former Consultant of the World Bank, Dr. Ayo Daramola, and Mr. Kehinde Fasuba, the younger brother of a PDP chieftain, Mr. Taye Fasuba.

    The final straw, according to sources, was his open altercations with elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, a close friend of the then president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Not a few Ekiti indigenes argue that Fayose’s exit from the government house was sanctioned by Obasanjo to protect his friend.

    The Nation reliably gathered that Fayose’s entry into the 2014 governorship race is already causing ripples among members of Ekiti PDP, with many positing that the party needs a clean break from ‘the ugly past’ for it to stand any chance against Fayemi in the election.

    Sources disclosed that some leaders of the party are finalising arrangements to send representation to the national headquarters of the party on the imperative of not fielding Fayose, who, they argued, has remained controversial, years after he was removed as governor.

    While Fayose seems confident of beating all-comers for the PDP ticket, sources revealed that the race may not be a stroll in the park for him. The former governor’s optimism may not be unconnected to his control of the PDP state executive council, with majority of the party officials alleged to be his stooges.

    The election into the PDP executive council was not without its drama and controversies. For many months, a former governor of the state, Olusegun Oni, and Fayose were embroiled in a bitter war over the election of Mr. Makanjuola Ogundipe as the state chairman of PDP.

    The controversy was finally resolved by the national headquarters of the party which recognised the Ogundipe-led executive council allegedly loyal to Fayose.

    But sources revealed that Fayose’s opponents are not giving up. As it is now, over ten governorship aspirants are battling for the PDP ticket. They include two former deputy governors of the state, Chief Abiodun Aluko and Mr. Bisi Omoyeni. Others are a former Chairman of the State Basic Education Board, Mr. Yemi Adeyeye (alleged to be backed by the faction loyal to Olusegun Oni), Senator Ayo Arise and a former big player in the aviation industry, Dr. Peter Obafemi, who came a distant fourth in the 2007 primaries.

    However, many independent-minded party members are said to be rooting for Senator Gbenga Aluko, son of late renowned economist, Prof. Sam Aluko. The younger Aluko shot into political reckoning in 1999 when he got elected as the only PDP senator in the whole of South-West then under the firm grip of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    Aluko served for four years in the National Assembly before embarking on a political sabbatical for about eight years. Those supporting his aspiration argue that with his education, cerebral personality and pedigree, he would give the incumbent governor a reasonable challenge in the 2014 election.

    His supporters further posit that it would be political suicidal for PDP to field a candidate perceived to have links with either Oni or Fayose.

    The Nation reliably gathered that some of the PDP governorship aspirants, particularly those loyal to Oni, are working on a Plan B in the event that Fayose wins the party ticket.

    One of the options is to prosecute their aspiration on an alternative political platform preferably the Labour Party (LP).