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Tag: Ekiti

  • Ekiti has lowest crime rate in Nigeria–DIG

    Ekiti has lowest crime rate in Nigeria–DIG

    The Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Southwest Zone, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, has rated Ekiti  as having the lowest crime rate  in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN) reports that the DIG  spoke in Ado Ekiti on Thursday during a working visit.
    “The crime rate in Ekiti is very low, in fact, the lowest in the country. The police anywhere in the world can’t do it alone without the cooperation and consent of the people.

    “ You need to work with critical stakeholders to achieve a crime-free society

    “The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris,  is committed to the task of giving our men incentives.

    “ Before now, Inspectors used to spend over 14 years before becoming Superintendent  of Police, but such has been corrected.
    “Apart from promotion, we are working on the housing scheme for our men to be able to own a house after retirement.

    “ We are also improving on the medicals  so that our men who sustained injuries in the course of performing their tasks can get the best treatment and many other incentives .

    “Let us do this job conscientiously. Don’t be labelled corrupt officers , this is not good for the image of the force locally and globally.

    “ Do this job very well and you will not regret it because you are doing God’s job and your reward shall surely come,’’ he said.

    Adebanjo added that the proposal for the recruitment of 30,000 policemen

    annually would  take care of the shortfall in the personnel in some states, including Ekiti.

    “As we speak now, 10,000 people are undergoing training and the proposal is that 30,000 will be trained yearly for the next  10  years.

    So, we have a work plan and we must not allow a few criminals to destroy the beautiful name and respect Nigeria commands globally,’’ he said.

    Earlier in his address of welcome, the state Commissioner  of  Police, Alhaji Abdulahi Chafe, said the command would continue to ensure  synergy with other sister agencies to make Ekiti  crime-free.(

  • Esan: I’ll take Ekiti to greater heights

    Esan: I’ll take Ekiti to greater heights

    An America-based businessman, Adekunle Esan, also known as “Lele”, is the latest entrant in the Ekiti 2018 governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, Esan talks about his aspiration to govern the state, the controversy over zoning and why he believes the APC would triumph at the election.

    What qualifies you for the Ekiti governorship?

    My name is Adekunle Esan, popularly known as “Lele” in political circles. I am a native of Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area. I am precisely from Oke-Emo Quarters in Ilawe-Ekiti. I attended Local Authority Primary School, Ilawe. Subsequently, I went to St. Gregory’s Modern School, where I spent two years before gaining admission to Corpus Christi College, Ilawe. After my secondary education, I went to Lagos and was employed as a junior clerk in the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). I spent about three years before going back to school. I went to Abeokuta Continuing Education Centre, owned by the Oyewole twins. This was where I obtained my GCE ordinary level papers and later sat for JAMB examination. I gained admission to the then University of Ife (UNIFE), now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), in 1981. I studied Philosophy/Sociology and graduated in 1985. From there, I had my one-year Youth Service in Benue State, after which I came back to Lagos to teach at Government College, Agege , for one and half years. I later moved to the Lagos State Bulk Purchasing Corporation.

    Three years later, I decided to return to Ekiti to vie for a seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). I came barely three weeks to the primary, but I could not secure the ticket because I did not have enough money to campaign. I eventually returned back to Lagos and got employed at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), where I served for two years. I got employed again in NPA and worked for 12 years before I voluntarily retired from service. From NPA, I secured a scholarship to study International Logistics and Transportation at Plymouth University, UK. On return from the UK with a Masters degree, I worked with NPA for additional two years before I won the United States visa lottery and moved to the country in 2007.

    Why did you join politics?

    When I was in the university, I was fascinated by the defunct Soviet Union’s socialist ideology, which was fairly popular in those days. My colleagues gave me the nickname of Kunle the socialist; specifically, I aligned my thought with the philosophy of the late Obafemi Awolowo, because I was a UPN sympathizer. Thereafter, gradually I started developing interest in local politics and that fuelled the desire to run for a National Assembly seat in 1992/3, which I mentioned earlier. Since then, I have been participating in elections in Ekiti. Throughout my political career, I have been in the progressive bloc. I contested for the chairmanship of my local government former Governor Kayode Fayemi was in power, but the council election was aborted. In the last governorship election in Ekiti, I supported Fayemi’s bid for second term. I donated a mini bus, printed 1,500 vests, produced 5,000 car stickers with Fayemi’s picture and donated money to the party at ward and council area level.

    Do you think you have enough experience to govern the state?

    Certainly, as a teacher I mingled with youths to mobilize youth corpers for various projects. The experience I garnered while working at the NPA, spanning 12 years, is also a valuable one. I rose to the managerial position in the organization before retiring. My hobbies are reading, particularly novels and political issues. I’m always interested in what is going on around me, particularly politics, which affects everybody whether you are interested in it or not. I am a human manager; I know how to manage human beings. Ekiti deserves good governance.

    What is your blueprint for the development of Ekiti?

    Compared to neighbouring states, such as Ondo State, Osun, Kwara and Kogi, Ekiti is like a village. I am determined to lay the foundation for the development of Ekiti. Take Lagos State for instance, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was the person that laid the foundation for development of the state. Other governors that came after him built on the foundation he laid; that is why we are witnessing considerable development today. So, I want to replicate what is happening in Lagos in Ekiti, in terms of human and physical development. My agenda is a very simple; first and foremost, I am going to tackle hunger headlong. My people are hungry and staple food production will be my priority within one year in office. I will ensure that enough food is produced. How do I go about it? I am going to assemble farmers to find out what their needs are. For the economy to take-off, there is need to provide water and electricity, which are bedrock of any economy. If you have water and electricity that is stable, it will encourage people to set up industries, particularly cottage industries and create employment for the people. Such amenities will also make life easier for the people. I will call for an economic summit to marshal out plans for the industrial take-off of Ekiti State. I also intend to strengthen the police and all forms of security to stamp out all forms of criminality in the state. Without security of life and property, local and foreign investors will not come. Nobody will want to invest in a state where killing, kidnapping and other crimes thrive.

    Any you not bothered by the ever-increasing number of aspirants on the APC platform?

    I believe the party is matured enough to manage the situation, so that it would not lead to disagreement. We have able and capable leadership in the APC and I believe they will conduct free and fair primary that will make everybody happy. In Ekiti State today, my party is in the opposition, but you will discover that there are more aspirants gunning for position in the party than the so-called ruling party. This is because the APC is the party the people love.

    What is your take on the controversy surrounding zoning in Ekiti politics?

    Though there might be no written formula, as regards zoning in APC, we must be fair to every segment of the state. Zoning is is a legitimate demand, but we know we cannot do it alone; we need the cooperation of other senatorial districts – the North and the Central. The thinking of stakeholders from other zones is that people should be ceded to the South. Ekiti State is a compact state, speaking the same dialect, having same culture, but in spite of that, zoning is good, because it will give every zone a sense of belonging.

    Is Fayose capable of repeating the 2014 feat, as he has boasted?

    First and foremost, how did the incumbent governor get the ticket to contest in his party? Was the primary where he secured the ticket free and fair? I am not interested in talking about the election that brought him in right now; not to talk of the idea that he will repeat same feat. To begin with, he will not be on the ballot. We know we are going to contest against him by proxy, but we will not succumb to his antics in winning elections. The APC is a party of decent people and we will not resort to the use of thugs. This time around, we are going to deal with issues. The battle is not going to be between Fayose and the candidate of APC alone, but between the APC and their sinking party.

     

    What is your message to electorates and party members?

    I know for certain, from information at my disposal, that the people of Ekiti want a candidate that his integrity cannot be called to question. We want a candidate that can be fair to everybody and who can pilot the state to greater heights. I believe that my party members and elders will conduct a free and fair primary and produce a good candidate. As long as we conduct a free and fair primary, all other aspirants will support the candidate that emerges.

     

  • Recognition for Ekiti women monarchs

    Recognition for Ekiti women monarchs

    After several years of advocacy, enlightenment and sensitisation to the need for the government to recognise the critical role of women traditional rulers, the monarchs have got a voice in Ekiti State when Governor Ayodele Fayose inaugurated the Council of Female Traditional Rulers, Ekiti State chapter. The recognition became the reason for the monarchs to celebrate in Ibadan. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

    ‘A spectacular development has emerged from Ekiti State where “Prof.” Ayodele Fayose, as his people fondly call him, inaugurated National Council of Female Traditional Rulers in Nigeria–Ekiti State branch. For the first time ever, the bold and courageous Ekiti State Governor summoned male rulers and their female counterparts for a meeting at the Governor’s office’

    In the yesteryear, it was a taboo for a community to be ruled by a woman in some parts of the country. It was part of the subjugation which the women folk experience across the country.

    However, in the Western part of the country, historical evidence indicate that some communities or towns had, in the past, been ruled by women. Besides, some of them had contributed immensely to the safety and survival of their communities during periods of external invasion.

    While some historians have argued that the history of the Yoruba would be incomplete without recourse to the role of women traditional rulers, others vehemently deny the existence of such monarchs across the region. But statues and monuments built in honour of such heroines abound in major cities of Yoruba land, thereby making it difficult to wish away the debate. The statue of the revered Moremi at Ile-Ife is a great example of the countless roles women had played in saving their communities.

    Of late, female traditional rulers received support when Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State gave them recognition after several years of advocacy, enlightenment and sensitisation to the need for government to recognise the critical role of female traditional rulers in Nigeria.

    In the circumstances, the female monarchs held a press conference to celebrate the great achievement, and most importantly, to remind other state governors where the tradition exists, of the urgent need to emulate the Ekiti State governor by  establishing the Council of Female Traditional Rulers in their respective states.

    Led by a researcher and the National Coordinator of Female Traditional Rulers, Prof. Fatai Olasupo of the Department of Local Government Studies, Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, the female monarchs were full of praises for Governor Fayose for breaking the jinx.

    Prof. Olasupo, leading other researchers, unearthed the existence of female traditional rulers and has since remained the voice of the voiceless and suppressed female rulers in the country.

    The female traditional rulers said for many years, their male counterparts have suppressed them; a situation that makes them appear non-existent.

    They commended Governor Fayose for his courage.

    The spokesperson for the female traditional rulers, Prof. Olasupo who has been researching on the  traditional roles of female traditional rulers in Nigeria for the past 10 years, described the Ekiti State inauguration of Council of Female Traditional Rulers as a spectacular development.

    While calling on governors of other Southwest states to emulate Ekiti State governor, he said Governor Fayose  took bold step by convening a meeting of both the  Obas and their female counterparts to accord the female traditional rulers due recognition.

    He said: “A spectacular development has emerged from Ekiti State where “Prof.” Ayodele Fayose, as his people fondly call him, inaugurated National Council of Female Traditional Rulers in Nigeria–Ekiti State branch.

    “For the first time, Governor Fayose summoned male rulers and their female counterparts for a meeting at the Governor’s office. At the meeting, he assured the male and female monarchs of financial and administrative supports in their respective communities; thereby becoming the first level of government and governor to recognise the existence of female traditional rulers in Nigeria.”

    Prof. Olasupo urged other governors to start the process of establishing state Council of Female Traditional Rulers, most especially in the Southwest and other parts of the country.

    According to him, in his over 10 years of research into the existence and role of female traditional rulers in Nigeria, there is hardly any part of Nigeria where there are no female traditional rulers.

    “We have them all over the country as old as the culture and tradition of our people. The female traditional rulers have their separate kingdoms, cabinet and chiefs just as the Obas. So, there should be no disparity. No one should suppress the other. What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander,” he said.

    Those in attendance at the meeting included Oba Rufus Adejugbe, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king), Sonaike Abike the Eyegba of Ado-Ekiti ,  Oba Oluadeyemi, the Alara of Aramoko/Obabinrin (female king) Olaitan Dada, the Eyelebudu of Aramoko,  Oba Adetayo Adewole; the Ajero of Ijero/Obabinrin Eunice Bolatito Omidiji, the Eyegun of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Adeyeye Oladimeji (JP), the Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Dahunsi Juliana; the Eyelobinrin of Imesi, Oba Adewumi Ajibade Fasiku, the Elekole of Ikole/ Obabinrin (female kings) Ogunmoroti; the Eyerojo Isaba Ikole,  Oba Sylvester Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe /Obabinrin (female king) Elizabeth Odeyemi, the Eyelofi of Ilawe, Oba Samuel Oladapo Oyetade, the Ologotun of Ogotun/Obabinrin (female king) Esther Ajayi/the Eyeji of Ogotun, Oba (Dr.) Adesanya Emmanuel,  the Alaye of Obalufon/Obabinrin (female king), and  the Eyelobinrin of Efon-Alaaye, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbile.

    Also in attendance were the Oloye of Oye/Oguntoye Beatrice, the Eye of Oye, Oba Adejimi Adu, the Ogoga of Ikere/Obabinrin Eyesemoe of Ikere-Ekiti,  Oba Jacob Boluwade Adebiyi, the Alare of Are-Ekiti/Obaobinrin (female king) Ogundele Felecia, the Eyejumu of Are-Ekiti, Oba David Makanjuola, the Ajaja of Owatapa /Obabinrin (female  king) Onipede Felicia, the Eyelera of Itapa,  Oba Osalusi Oluwasola Joshua, the Olorun of Orun-Ekiti/ Ogunyemi B.I, the Eyelua of Orun-Ekiti, Oba Jacob Boluwade Adebiyi ,  the Alare of Are-Ekiti/ Obabinrin (female king) Ogundele Felicia , the Eyejumu of Are-Ekiti,  Oba Adediran Abigunade, the Olosi of Osi-Ekiti /Obabinrin (female kings) Akinbode Oyepeju,  the Eyesemoe of Osi-Ekiti,  Oba Edward Jayeola, the Arajaka of Igbara Odo/ Obabinrin (female king) Ajewole Bolanle, the Eyele of Igbara-Odo, Oba Omonigbehin Adejuwon Noah, the Olomuo of Omuo/ Obabinrin Bodunde Margret, the Yeye Abejoye of Omuo, Oba Adeleke Victor Bobade,  the Onire of Ire-Ekiti/Obabinrim (female king)  Bamigboye F.M., the Eyelaye of Ire-Ekiti,  Oba Isaac Adetoyinbo Ajayi,  the Elejelu of Ijelu-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Fasuhanmi Toyin, the Eyelobinrin of Ijelu-Ekiti,  Oba Joseph Kayode Akinola, the Owa of Iludun-Ekiti/Obabinrin Kolawole, the Eyelode of Iludun-Ekiti,  Oba Jonathan Agboola Adeleye,  the Oniyo of Iyo-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female King) Fasuyi Aina,  Eyeleso of Iyo-Ekiti,  Oba Afolabi Felix Adeniyi, the Oniro of Iro-Ekiti/Obabinrin Ajulo Christiana,  the Eyelobinrin of Iro-Ekiti,  Oba Emmanuel Olukayode Ojo Fagbemi, the Elekota of Ikota-Ekiti/Akomolafe Kemi,  the Eyelowu of Ikota,  Oba Dare Ita Okunbobade III, the Owa Oroo of Agbado/ Obabinrin (female king) Ajayi Bolaji, the Eyelori of Agbado-Ekiti, Oba Adebisi Adelafe Ogunjobi, the Olorin of Orin-Odo-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king). Adeyanju F.F.,  the Eyelara of Orin-Odo-Ekiti,  Oba Samuel Adetayo Fatoba,  the Alara of Ara-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female King) Rawaju  Felicia, the Eyelobinrin of Ara-Ekiti,  Oba Olaleye Oniyelu J.P. , the Apeju of Ilupeju-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Fasanmi Florence, the Eyelobinrin of Ilupeju,  Oba Ogunleye Ebenezer Olubunmi, and the Onijaro of Ijaro/Obabinrin (female king) Owonfari B. Eyedofin of Ijaro-Ekiti ,  Oba James Olufemi,  the Onipere of Ipere-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Ogunleye Grace,

    Others were the Eyedofin of Ipere-Ekiti, Oba Israel Adebayo, the Obalogun of Ilogun-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Osunlusi Janet,  the Eyegun of Ilogun,  Oba Ajayi Oluwasesan Omolagba,  the Alasa of Ilasa/Obabinrin (female king) Ojerinde J. O.,  the Yeye Aro of Ilasa-Elite,   Oba Olowookeere Ojo, the Owa Olobo of Obo-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Alabi Aina, the YeyeJero of Obo-Ekiti,  Oba Kupoluyi Ayodele Ayodeji, the Amuro of Temidire/Obabinrin (female king) Ajayi Florence,  the Eyegun of Temidire,  Oba Michael Olufemi Aladejana,  the Alaworoko of Iworoko/Obaobinrin (female king) Adeleye Rachael, the Eyesemore of Iworoko, Oba Bamidele Olatunji Adetutu,  the Elewu of Ewu-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Olaoye Oyewumi, the Eyedole of Ewu-Ekiti,  Oba Samuel Agboola Osatuyi J.P., the Onijesha of Ijesamodu/Obabinrin (female king) Ogunde Alice, the Eyebaisa of Ijesamodu, Oba Aladegbemi Gabriel, the Olufaki of Ifaki-Ekiti/Obabinrin (female king) Owolabi Bolanle, the Eyemuju of Ifaki- Ekiti , Oba Olonibua Joel, the Oniropora of Iropora-Ekiti/Obabirin (female king) Fatomiluyi Bose, the Eyesomore of Iropora-Ekiti,  Oba Adeyemi Joakeem Afolabi, the Onijurin of Ijurin/Obabirin (female king) Adeyinka Adeosun, the Eyegun of Ijurin, and   Oba Afolabi Idowu Babade, the Onijaro of Oke Oro/Obabinrin (female king) Fadare A.M., the Eyemotu of Oke Oro.

    Prof. Olasupo, who also clamoured for a legislation to recognise female monarchs recalled the statement by the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola at the first annual conference of Nigerian Political Science Association, Southwest zone, challenging the intellectuals to come up with enough findings to promote cultural synergy between the town and gown; saying that the intellectuals have, in reality, done more than enough but the governments never appreciated their research findings over the years.

    He said: “How many of research findings have government at all levels accepted and implemented.

    For example, among many others, was 10-year-old research into the existence of female traditional rulership in Nigeria.

    “It is exactly a decade this year that the existence of female traditional rulers in Nigeria was unearthed.”

    The don, therefore, urged other governors to begin the process of inaugurating a Council of Female Traditional Rulers as impetus to female rulers.

    His words: “I expect the people’s governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to also summon a meeting of royal fathers and mothers not only in Ijesha land but wherever else in Osun State.”

  • ‘Ekiti can be a viable state’

    ‘Ekiti can be a viable state’

    A lawyer, Mr Ishola Fapounda, believes Ekiti State has the economic potential that can make it self-sufficient and less dependent on the federal allocation. The governorship aspirant says the Fountain of Knowledge can bounce back, if the people elect a good leader in next year’s election. In this interview with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN, he unfolds his plan for the state.

    governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Mr Ishola Fapounda, is not disturbed by the crowd of aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket. To him, what matters most is the neutrality of the umpire. According to him, once the party can create a level playing ground and the process is transparent, whoever wins the primary among the 49 aspirants that have shown interest so far will be accepted by the losers.

    Fapounda believes the programmes presented by the contestants will determine the winner. He is confident that he would come out victorious at the primary because “I am very much accepted by the party and the people. I have worked with them and have been able to buy their confidence over the years. I am working very hard for the APC ticket. Very soon, we shall separate the wheat from chaffs.

    Despite the fact that the South Senatorial District where he comes has not produced governor since Ekiti State was created, the Oke-Mesi born lawyer does not support reserving the APC ticket for a particular zone. He said it should be thrown open so that the best person that will take Ekiti to the next level will emerge.

    He argued that in the last governorship primary, aspirants from Ekiti South contested. “If governorship is being rotated among the towns and communities in Ekiti, it would take a long time for Isan where former Governor Kayode Fayemi comes from to produce a governor. Fayemi won the primary because he was a grass root politician. I appeal to aspirants from all senatorial districts to come out and take part in the primary. We want a person that will take Ekiti to the next level as governor in 2019.

    Fapounda premised his programme on three planks: diversification of the economy, partnering with private sector and building efficient institutions. He said if he wins the shadow election and eventually elected governor, he would turn around the economy of the state and broaden its revenue base and make the state less dependent on the monthly federal allocation. According to him, “you can’t create economic activities when you rely on Abuja to pay staff salaries”.

    The aspirant added: “What Ekiti needs is diversification of its economy. The state is endowed with mineral resources. We will pick one or two of them and see how we can turn them into revenue generation venture. For instance, Ekiti has raw materials for production of tiles. We will create enabling environment for entrepreneurs to come and invest in tiles industry. It is good to partner with larger states just as Lagos is doing with Kebbi State in the production of rice”.

    He said his administration will engage tax consultants on how to increase the state revenue base through tax collection. “Proper taxation will make Ekiti to be self-sufficient.We have seen how the Fayemi administration spent money to bring back moribund industries in the state; we will follow this path and create new industries to expand the economy. We will encourage Ekiti people to come and invest in their state because we believe economic development should come from within”.

    Fapounda promised to develop agricultural potentials of Ekiti as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did in the old Western Region when agriculture was the mainstay of the region’s economy. “What we have in Ekiti now is subsistence farming. The farming method is not attractive to the army of unemployed youths who could have taken to farming. If elected, my government will create enabling environment and make farming attractive not to only the youths but every individual that are willing to go into farming”.

    He promised to strengthen institutions. To him, the political and economic institutions in the state are very weak. He said: “Ekiti is part of Nigeria. There is need to re-set Ekiti  in order to re-set Nigeria. Ekiti can lead Lagos if we get it right. Ekiti is a state that has produced more professors than any other state in the country. If it is a state known for knowledge why are the professors struggling with inefficiency.”

    He observed that thousands of Ekiti children write West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examnation Council (NECO) exams every year but very few of them gain admission to universities. It will be difficult to replenish the depleting number of professors. He believes “Ekiti can become leadership training centre for the country like California that is the breeding pool for the United States. He said Ekiti can perform the same role if we build confidence in our children by making learning environment conducive. Just like the new President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron has promised to put the system in place, I will over haul the educational system in the state for better performance. I know if you give Ekiti children little opportunity they will excel beyond expectation”

    On the chances of the APC in 2018, with the array of aspirants, Fapounda’s immediate response is that “APC will beat PDP in the next election”. He added: “I don’t see PDP winning election in Ekiti come 2019. The era of incompetence can’t continue. Fayemi’s achievements are unequalled. You can fool people for some time you can’t fool them all the time.”

    Fapounda’s interest in politics started as far back as 1979. He was 11 years old then. He monitored and analysed the 1979 presidential election to the elders in Oshodi, Lagos State, where he grew up. He did all these because of the love he had for the late ChiefAwolowo, who was the presidential candidate of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). But his proper participation in politics started in 1999 when he joined the Alliance for Democracy (AD). He has never deviated from the path of AD even when the party metamorphosed to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and now APC.

    He contested for Ekiti West House of Assembly seat in 2003 on the platform of the AD and lost.  Despite losing the election, Fapounda has not looked back since then. To him, politics is not a vocation. Anyone in politics without a profession is a political jobber. He said he’s in politics to serve and make positive impact on the living standard of the people. That explains his penchant for political office through which he would actualise his dream.

  • ADP strategises for Ekiti governorship poll

    The National Publicity Secretary of Action Democratic Party (ADP), Hon. Akeem Jimoh, has called on members of the party to work for success in the 2019 general elections.

    Jimoh, made the remarks at a meeting of the political association in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, when its supporters from the 16 local governments met to discuss the way forward. The association has applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registration.

    He promised that the party would emerge victorious in the next general election. He said: “We are the mega party that would sweep away the inefficient and uncoordinated leadership in the country due to bad leadership.”

    The ADP has scaled through the hurdles of registration by INEC and is currently waiting to get the nod of the commission to participate in future elections.

    The Ekiti State Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Abegunde, has advised members to be conscious in the choice of the candidates. He described some of the politicians as political harlots who will pretend to be a member of a party only to divulge the secret of the party to other parties.

    Abegunde noted that other political parties are cracked walls and their members would want to take advantage of the “mega party”.

    He said ADP  members must practice what  they preach, which is openness and love, saying only members who have a better understanding of their people, including the sufferings they are passing through at the moment, would be given an opportunity to contest on the platform of the ADP.

    Its  Publicity Secretary, Chief Eniola Eponlaye, said only like-mindeda people who have a burning desire to rescue the sinking Nigerian ship from the present rudderless, clueless, self-serving and deceitful cabals should be rejected during theelections.

    He said: “These cabals have destroyed our national ethics and values as virtually all our national prides have been eroded by the deceitful and wicked cabals marauding themselves as politicians. He said through the collusion of the political elite “there have been massive lootings of the treasury, unemployment, kidnapping, terrorism, armed-robbery, brain-drain, human-trafficking and the collapse of both social and economic infrastructures in a country that used to be the giant of Africa”.

    Some of the members of the ADP who spoke at the meeting commended INEC for taking the wisest decision so far to get the party registered.

  • NUPENG, others stop fuel supply to Ekiti over Fayose

    NUPENG, others stop fuel supply to Ekiti over Fayose

    •Residents groan

    Stakeholders in the oil sector have stopped the supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, to Ekiti State.
    The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) are angry over a case instituted against two of the unions by Governor Ayo Fayose.
    A source said the governor accused IPMAN and NUPENG of “economic sabotage” in a face-off with oil marketers in March.
    Although the case was reportedly withdrawn last Friday, the national unions of the three bodies are enraged that the government could take such an action after a peace meeting.
    Marketers are angry that the governor took the action after the intervention of Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN), following a strike in protest against demolition of filling stations.
    Petrol scarcity is affecting commercial activities, especially in Ado-Ekiti.
    Commuters were yesterday stranded at bus stops. There were long queues at filling stations.
    Black marketers capitalised on the situation to exploit the public. Transport fares have increased.
    A marketer, who preferred anonymity, said: “After the visit of PEDAN in Southwest, Governor Fayose said everything has been resolved, but we were shocked that he sued IPMAN and NUPENG, accusing them of sabotage.
    “Filling stations were destroyed in Ado and Igede. The owner of Igede Filling Station was arraigned and remanded with six of his kinsmen by the government.
    “The unions are aggrieved that their peaceful efforts have been thwarted. They are disappointed at the actions taken by the governor after the parley.
    “What is happening in Ekiti State is beyond the local marketers. The national unions have ordered the suspension of fuel supply to the state.
    “The implication is that any marketer who smuggles the product to Ekiti will be suspended for six months and fined N1.2 million.”
    Another marketer said: “We are being victimised by the Fayose administration. This, unfortunately, is happening in the week Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo will be buried.
    “I pity consumers, motorists, motorcyclists and passengers.
    “As we speak, I have three trucks in the depot, but they cannot come to Ekiti because of the order.
    “My colleagues’ trucks are stranded in Itawure and Akure because they cannot enter Ado-Ekiti.
    “Although the government has withdrawn the case, a letter to that effect arrived the national headquarters of the unions late.
    “We need an apology letter from the government because we are aggrieved about the case, which we believe was withdrawn because of Adebayo’s burial.
    “Those of us selling fuel are the ones still having a few consignments. The moment we exhaust them, that is the end. The state will experience crisis.”

  • ‘Why I want to govern Ekiti’

    ‘Why I want to govern Ekiti’

    Victor Olumuyiwa Kolade, a lawyer and businessman, is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State. He spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on his ambition, his development agenda and other issues affecting the state. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA was there.

    You are a successful lawyer and businessman. Why did you plunge into the murky water of politics?

    Well, I thank God that I  have made good exploits in my private legal practice, but when you talk about how the collective destiny of the citizens are being decided, one should not take it  lightly. It should not be left in the hands of mediocres. So, my intention to contest the governorship election despite making good exploits in my  law  career was borne out of the glowing passion to rescue the state from the throes  of  bad governance being experienced under Ayo Fayose’s government. Today, the most popular business in Ekiti is Okada riding and the culture of begging, where people take a kongo of rice. Ekiti people are not known for all these. What we expected a governor to do is to think outside the box and create huge investment  in farming, skills acquisition and other self-dependent  jobs that can make the people become great in future. Some of our graduate youths are now Okada riders in a state that prides itself as the Fountain of Knowledge, so this poor performance  of the present government actually spurred me into plunging into the race so that I can make a huge difference.

    Ekiti is a civil service state. How do you intend to get money to execute your programmes  in view of the dwindling economic fortunes of the country?

    Well, I reside in Lagos and what the state has been doing is to diversify the economy  and take it away from sole dependence on federal allocation. Even with huge IGR, Lagos is making good exploit in rice production in a programme called LAKE, which the state is doing with Kebbi State. Why can’t Ekiti that is purely agrarian do  something like that? What I will do as a governor is to diversify the state’s economy and remove it from sole dependence on civil service for employment and survival. My government would make tremendous positive  impacts in the areas of education, infrastructure, agriculture, economy, which are basic necessities a citizen must get from any responsible government that has enormous respect for social contract. I will encourage partnership with private investors which I had interacted with in Lagos and overseas to invest in Ekiti, so that our youths can get jobs. Let me tell you, The reason why Ekiti has not been able to pay salary is that we have an over bloated workforce.

    With the terrain of Ekiti, investors will naturally like to invest here, but the government is not making any effort to make the state attractive in terms of good security. As a governor, your utmost priority will be to create a friendly atmosphere and that we are going to do, because we don’t need to deceive ourselves, Ekiti will go nowhere without private investments.

    Ekiti State is highly educated. How do you intend to tackle the menace of youth unemployment?

    No responsible government will anchor  its performance index on construction of roads, electrification projects, health care services etc, because these are naturally things a government must provide.

    That is why I can’t promise the people or make all these my campaign issues. Building of these facilities was the reason why a governor is elected in the first instance.  So, how to tackle the menace of youth unemployment will be my priority. Ekiti is basically a civil service State and when you have a parent with four children and all of them are civil servants and  the government has  no means to pay their salaries, then that family and state are in trouble. So, our youths must be made economically active through entrepreneurial skills and self dependence. We will bring in investors and experts that will train our youths and after the training, the state government will empower them with financial assistance to be able to stand on their own. We will not only give them money, we will monitor them as well, I mean seeing  that they  judiciously utilize the funds given. We will also mandate any company operating here to have certain percentage of Ekiti indigenes on its payrolls.

    You earlier agreed that Okada riding is now the most popular business in Ekiti. In what way are you going to re-orientate  our youths to be able take up other more dignifying  jobs?

    This is one of the issues that are bothering my mind.  What I wish to do in this regard  is to  create a limit to ages of those that can ride  Okadas in our dear state and this I will achieve through the enactment of a law that will prevent certain age groups from taking up the job. When  someone of  age of 20  decides to ride Okada for ten years before thinking of what next, then he has already ruined his productive years.  Let me state that our youth are disoriented. By the time he does that for ten years, he must have clocked 30 and it is difficult to excel when you start thinking of what you can do for yourself at that age,  but with a determined government, we can overcome this challenge.

    Ekiti people are unpredictable when it comes to election. Are you confident that your party will win in 2018?

    I have always been expressing  confidence that the APC will win the coming election with the array of qualified aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket. Let us be sincere with ourselves, Governor Fayose has not done Ekiti proud at all, he represents a government best described as  an aberration. In the last six months, workers have not been paid a dime in a state that is dominantly a civil service state.

    So, there is so much hunger and anger in town and I want to tell you that APC will win.  As we speak today, we have more than 30 aspirants which shows  that they knew the worth of our party and its chances.

    Governor Fayose was brought in to right some wrongs and once he has failed, he can’t bring any successor. I am confident that the APC will form the next government in Ekiti.

    The party structure in Nigerian democracy has been bastardised through overbearing influences of the governors.  Do you think it is proper for a governor to dabble into how the party is run?

    Before going into the question proper, let me  assure you that I will continue to treat the party leadership with utmost respect whether I become governor or not.  It is not easy to be in opposition and I am aware of the persecution and oppression they have  passed through. Even, our State Chairman, Chief Jide Awe is still being hunted around by the state government over offence he knew nothing about. Let me also say this, the governor has no reason to dabble into party politics in the spirit of party supremacy. The white that gave us democracy  understood that there is a difference between party and governance and that was why the two were allowed to run independently in places like Britain, USA and other advanced nations. I see it as an aberration for the party chairman either at the state or federal level to be crawling before a governor or President. This is an aberration and it has to stop. Apart from the House of Assembly that serves as checks and balances to the executive, the party also has the power to control or correct a governor or President because it was the vehicle that took him to the exalted position. That is why if I become the governor, I will treat my party leadership with respect. Issues that border on the running of the party will be their responsibility.

    Trying to combine the two always caused distractions and that is why many of the governors could not concentrate because they have a lot of political issues to contend with.

     

  • APC chieftain unfolds empowerment for Ekiti farmers

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ekiti State, Prince Tayo Adebiyi, has identified investment in agriculture as the way out of hunger and unemployment.

    Adebiyi spoke in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, while inaugurating a committee to give empowerment to farmers in the state through his foundation, PAT Royal Foundation.

    He explained that he has concluded consultations with relevant stakeholders on the beneficiaries of the empowerment.

    Adebiyi said the scheme was aimed at enhancing farmers’ productivity and boosting food security.

    A director at PAT Royal Foundation, Otunba Adeleye Akintola, said the scheme was timely and hailed Adebiyi for the initiative.

     

  • 18 bag first class at federal university, Oye Ekiti

    18 bag first class at federal university, Oye Ekiti

    Eighteen graduands on Saturday bagged first class honours in their various courses  at the maiden convocation of the  Federal University, Oye Ekiti,(FUOYE), the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports.

    Speaking on the occasion, graced by eminent personalities from far and near, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof., Kayode Soremekun said he would strive to make the university become not only a model but a self sustaining institution of learning.

    He said the university which was established barely six years ago, was currently rated by the National Universitues Commission as the 14th best  among the over 100 universities in the country.

    According to him the graduands being turned out were  the type that could stand and survive on  their own without having to search endlessly for white collar jobs that are not readily available.

    He enjoined them to be good ambassadors of the institution through good behaviours and proof of academic know-how garnered from the institution.

    NAN reports that one of the highlights of the occasion included the award of honorary doctorates  on three retired secondary school principals and a computer scholar.

    The recipients included 100-year-old Chief Adepoju Akomolafe; 89-year-old Chief Francis Daramola and Mrs. Efunjoke Coker, while
    the fourth honoree is an ICT expert, Dr. Babatope Agbeyo.

    The Attah of Igala and Permanent Chairman of Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Michael Idakwo was also formally installed as the pioneer Chancellor of the university.

    The new chancellor expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the honour done him and the entire Kogi state people.

    He promised to use his influence to accelerate the university’s  infrastructural development.

    NAN reports that a total of 504 graduands cutting across 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic sessions received their first degrees while engineering graduands were inducted into their professional bodies.

    A breakdown shows that for the 2014/2015 session, eight students bagged First Class honours; 69 Second Class Upper ; 79 Second Class Lower; Third Class (8) and Pass (1).

    For the 2015/2016 session:,First Class (10); Second Class Upper (155); Second Class Lower (134) and Third Class 40.(

  • Health challenges: Makarfi urges Buhari to hand over to Osinbajo

    Health challenges: Makarfi urges Buhari to hand over to Osinbajo

    . . . Blames sycophants for Jonathan’s defeat in 2015 poll

     

    The chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to hand over power to Vice President Yemi Osibanjo pending his full recovery from his undisclosed illness.

    Makarfi, who made the call in an interview with our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said if President Buhari is not fit enough to remain in office, it’s better to tell the Nigerian people and allow the Vice President to continue as Acting President and return to work after full recovery.

    The leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the President would be working from his official residence, after failing to attend the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting for three consecutive weeks.

    But Makarfi disagreed with the APC’s position, saying, “It cannot be okay and it can never be okay. My take is that if the President is not fully fit to stay in office, it is better that he tell Nigerians, so that the Vice President will continue to be Acting President, exercising the powers of acting president.

    “Then you run away from this kind of situation when we allow time for the President to fully recover and assume his mantle of leadership. Me as PDP person, as a human being, I will never wish any human being ill-will even if I disagree with you politically.

    “So it does not matter that it is APC that is the person that is sick. May prayer is that he is fit to serve his term. As a politician, I equally want him to finish his term. So when some people begin to insinuate things, of what interest would it be to PDP should the President be unable to finish his term.

    “We don’t wish him ill will, we want him to be well, we want him to be fit enough to be on seat when in 2019 we go for election and defeat the APC .

    “For a number of reasons, the PDP wishes the President well, for stability of this country, political stability and the fact that we want to defeat a sitting President. We don’t want any confusion politically in this country. It is not good for anybody and as a human being; I never wish anybody ill will irrespective of political differences”.

    Makarfi also reacted to the claim by former President Goodluck Jonathan that some prominent members of the PDP from Northern Nigeria, including the erstwhile party chair, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, betrayed him by working against his re-election in the 2015 elections.

    The Caretaker Committee chairman said Jonathan was betrayed by sycophants he surrounded himself with, coupled with the fact that the party leadership made many mistakes and failed to take wise counsel.

    Said he, “The PDP made many mistakes and I have said it before. Of course there were betrayers left, right and centre, even those of us who stood for other elective offices we can be talking that way.

    “We made mistakes; we were not listening to what people had to tell us. We were too comfortable, then of course sycophancy took over and when sycophancy takes over what would you end up with.

    “There were all kinds of betrayals. We have learnt our lessons now. I don’t want to cry over spilled milk. We should learn from the mistakes that we have made for not listening to the true voices of the people.

    “Going forward, we should try to avoid a situation where we would be saying someone betrayed us. No matter what, you will find Judases here and there and you cannot do away with them in life not even in politics.

    “And when they are in majority, you have to look at yourself as a party and the honest truth is that we made fundamental errors. And it created a fertile ground for that betrayal. I am not defending it because it ought not to have happened. And people would have been more patient but not everybody can be patient”.

    On the argument by some prominent Northern party chieftains that PDP would have won the 2015 election if the party had fielded a popular candidate from the North, instead of Jonathan, Makarfi agreed that the race would have been easier for the party.

    “Yes, the result would have been different, but even then, Jonathan as the candidate if the party had listened a lot more, and rejigged its campaign, its language and the message.

    “True or false, the votes difference was about two million. It would have been different even with Jonathan as a candidate. It is not just of him as a candidate, but communicating better and dealing with the right people could have made the situation different.

    “But that is history. So we should learn from the mistakes we have made. So you cannot entirely say because Jonathan was a candidate, of course it would have been much easier, but even with him as candidate, the characters fronting for PDP were not characters that could have won election for the party”.

    On the future of the PDP, in view of the party’s protracted leadership crisis, Makarfi said his group are waiting for the commencement of its appeal against the court backed National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff. The Supreme Court is to commence hearing in the matter on May 5.

    Asked what would be the fate of the PDP should his faction lose the case to Sheriff at the apex court, Makarfi said that would spell the death knell of the crisis-ridden opposition party.

    He continued, “If it happens that way, PDP would die. But those who would be working to kill PDP that way, I assure you they would end up being confronted with a bigger political force than the PDP itself.

    “Because politics is about people, there is no way, let me speak here for the North that I know so well; there is no way in the North with Sheriff at the helm of affairs of PDP that voters would on their own go and vote PDP. There is no way.

    “We have just seen it in a recent election in Delta State that they have turned their back against PDP because of Sheriff. And it may be so in many states of the southern part of this country.

    “These people are alive, they are politicians, they are active. Water will surely find its level. And consistently, we have been saying that we are not going to be caught unawares. We are not going to be caught without options.

    “We cannot boast of what the Supreme Court judgment would be but we are hopeful that they would do what is right. And in our opinion, what is right is upholding the Convention.

    “But should what we think is right not be in law right before the Supreme Court, so be it. We will decide our political direction in good time. And that political direction, I assure you, would be one that would be more potent than the PDP as it is.

    “Because PDP as it is, we know that we carry wounds, a lot of stigmatism, a lot of things and in an effort to kill a rat, you may let a lion loose because God  Almighty that created us loves us and He looks over everybody.

    “God wants something that is good for our people and there is no way you can deny whatever is good for our people no matter the intrigues you apply. You may think you are squeezing people one way, but you may be giving birth to something that you may not be able to squeeze.

    “Win or loose, members of PDP have a bright future. So I am saying PDP members should not be bothered because win or loose at the Supreme Court, they have a brighter political future. A decision will be taken at the appropriate time”.

    Describing what he described as Sheriff’s sinister antics, the party chief accused some prominent members of the ruling APC of foisting him on the PDP against the wish of the majority.

    Said he, “There are invisible hands that are hoisting him, and hoisting him purely with the view to destroying opposition and that is what he is basking in. Nigerians should wake up.

    “It is not about PDP, it is about development of democracy and the voice of democracy in Nigeria. And if it is PDP today, it will be another party tomorrow.

    “That is what we are standing on and that is what we are fighting for so that tomorrow whichever party may find itself in power will not be able to stop easily or decimate opposition in order to have an easy way.

    “You can take a horse to the river, you cannot force it to drink water.  And people will decide for themselves at the appropriate time”.

    According to him, PDP members across the federation would never remain in the party with Sheriff calling the shots, stressing that the party chairman has gone into financial deal with some APC governors with the sole aim of destabilising the PDP in their various states ahead of the 2019 elections.

    “Sheriff is busy factionalising the PDP across the states but we are not going to erect parallel structures in any state in deference to the Appeal Court ruling and in order not to further compound the problem.

    “He is doing this for the APC governors to win comfortably in their various states and he is being paid for the job. Sheriff has taken up a job to destroy the PDP for a fee and that is exactly what he is doing”, Senator Makarfi said.

    On the fate of the PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States, Makarfi said voters in those states will never allow themselves to be without options.

    “You see, politics is local, those states are not sleeping. They have their eyes wide open; they would never allow themselves to be without options.

    “PDP men and women would never allow themselves to be without options, our prayer is that on May 4, all the motions filed before the Supreme Court would have been heard.

    “And if all this are heard, our prayer is that the Supreme Court would do justice in time. And mind you, within the week, even the INEC said this crisis in PDP is affecting its ability to properly plan for elections.

    “So this matter is more of elective matter than that of political party issue because every day there are elections and it is causing confusion in the land.

    “Our prayer is that the Supreme Court will do justice and in our opinion, justice is respecting what the overwhelming party men and women want and do it in good time.

    “Either way, whatever they decide, people would take their position as to what they are going to do and our prayer is that their decision will bring sanity in the land”, he stated.