The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • FG denies withholding statutory allocation to Ekiti

    FG denies withholding statutory allocation to Ekiti

    The federal government has explained why it has not released the Budget Support Facility (BSF) to the Ekiti state government.

    A statement from the federal ministry of finance on Wednesday signed by Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta, Director (Information) described the Ekiti governor’s claims as “incorrect as the Ministry has not withheld any statutory allocation due to Ekiti State, or any other State in the country.”

    According to Salisu Na’Inna Dambatta, Director “the Ekiti State Government failed to comply with the necessary requirements for participating in the Budget Support Facility (BSF), which is a Conditional Loan Programme to State Governments introduced with the view to enhancing fiscal prudence and designed particularly to enhance transparency, efficiency in public expenditure and payment of salaries.”

    Na’Inna Dambatta added that “this is not the first time of non-compliance by the Ekiti State Government. His (Ekiti governor’s) administration defaulted in meeting the conditions specified and agreed upon by the 35 State Governments that are participating in the programme as contained in the Fiscal Sustainability Plan (FSP) and the Ekiti State Government was warned formally of its failure to comply with the full requirements vide a letter on August 5, 2016, with reference number HMF/FMF/ASG/1/2016.”

    “The failure of Ekiti State Government to comply with the requirements and conditions for the Budget Support Facility (BSF) resulted in a letter sent to the Chief of Staff to notify him of the suspension of BSF for Ekiti State and it was conveyed to Mr. President before payment to the Ekiti State Government was reinstated” the statement said.

    Na’Inna Dambatta noted that “in the course of its normal duties, the Ministry of Finance has the right to query, suspend or withhold funds as part of the conditions of the Budget Support Facility.”

    The ministry of finance said “the Ekiti State Government and all the other participating States are aware of the consequence of failure to comply with the full conditions and it is not the first time that a State would be stopped from accessing the Facility due to non-compliance.

    The process of resolving this type of misunderstanding, the federal government said “is for the Commissioner of Finance of any State or the Governor having issues to contact the Federal Ministry of Finance and resolve the issues without resorting to the media because such issues are of a financial nature and therefore, confidential; they are routinely resolved amicably by the parties involved.”

    The Federal Ministry of Finance restated that the Budget Support Facility is a conditional programme and the Federal Government would not be intimidated or threatened in the discharge of its duties. 

    On Wednesday, the Ekiti state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose stormed the Ministry of Finance over the non payment of the state’s January budget support allocation of N1.1 billion.

    Addressing journalists after storming the ministry, Fayose said he “came to the federal ministry of finance as a follow up of the alarm raised on Tuesday about the non-payment of Ekiti state’s monthly allocation and budget support fund.”

    According to the Ekiti governor, “I believe I should do a follow up to meet with the Minister of Finance for an update, but she actually called me on Tuesday that she just got back but was going to look into it today and have it resolved as soon as possible. You will however appreciate that Ekiti civil servants are restive, having spent Christmas and there is no money in January, obviously there will be challenges.”

  • Ekiti apc governorship aspirant rejects zoning

    Ekiti apc governorship aspirant rejects zoning

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Dr Adebayo Orire, has condemned the calls from some groups and individuals that a particular senatorial district be allowed to produce the governor.

    Orire said a primary is the valid, legal and constitutional avenue of electing a candidate to fly the flag of any political party at elections.

    Speaking with reporters in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, on the 2018 governorship poll, the medical doctor-turned politician stressed that zoning was unknown to the constitution of the APC, describing it as a “wish which cannot stand the test of time.”

    There have been agitations by stakeholders from Ekiti South Senatorial District which has not had the opportunity to produce governor since the state was created in 1996.

    This accounts for why Ekiti South parades the highest number of aspirants in the APC. Ekiti Central had produced governor three times while Ekiti North has tasted the position two times.

    Orire who is from Ekiti Central, stressed that candidates from Ekiti South have been availed of the opportunity to take a shot at the seat.

    He maintained that Ekiti South may not make it again, should they fail at the primary that would produce a candidate, adding that contestants from the zone must submit themselves in a contest that involves aspirants from other zones.

    Orire, who described himself as a home-based politician noted that he had spent decades in Ekiti giving succour to the people through his medical profession.

    According to him, the people of the state are clamouring for a home-based politician whom they believed understands their language and knows where and how to tackle major problems facing the people.

    The former Chairman of Ekiti Hospitals Management Board explained that the APC is fully on ground to win the next election, adding that the PDP in the state have disappointed the people of the state by the leadership they threw up.

    Describing APC as “the only peaceful party in the state that would not kill or maim when they conduct their primary or general elections”, Orire explained that the little internal wrangling within the party would make it stronger and come out victorious in the future elections.

    He criticised Governor Ayo Fayose for allegedly not living to the expectation of Ekiti people and for his failure to accord priority to the welfare of the workforce.

    The aspirant advised Fayose to use the latest Paris Club refund by his administration to offset the outstanding salaries of the workers and forget the bogus projects that have no immediate value to the well being of People.

    Orire explained that the leadership of the APC had learned from Ondo State experience and believed that the leaders would be circumspect while dealing with the primary.

  • Ex-lawmaker joins Ekiti race

    Ex-lawmaker joins Ekiti race

    Former Majority Leader Ekiti State House of Assembly  Funminiyi Afuye has declared his intent to run for  governor next year on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said he was motivated to join the race because “Ekiti is in the doldrums and needs urgent rescue to restore it on the path of good governance and quality leadership”.

    Addressing a briefing at the weekend in Ikere-Ekiti, Afuye promised to anchor his administration on rural development, education, infrastructure and youth for enterprise development.

    The former lawmaker said his experience prepared him for the task. He called on the APC leadership to conduct a credible, transparent, free and fair primary election.

  • Female lawyers celebrate with less-privileged children in Ekiti

    Wife of the Founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Mrs Modupe Babalola, has called on all stakeholders in the society to remember the needy,less privilege children in this season.

    She made this call during a party organised by the Federation of International Female Lawyers  (FIDA) for the less privileged children in Ado-Ekiti.

    Mrs Babalola said she was moved by the initiative of FIDA for bringing smiles to the faces of the motherless children in the state.

    In the same vein,the Chief of Staff to Ekiti State Governor, Mr Dipo Anisulowo, also applauded the efforts of female lawyers for making life worthy for the less privilege children and making them feel valued among their peers.

    “I’m pleased with this kind of development on the part of FIDA ,not that you should be fighting for gender equality alone but this kind of program is encouraging and should be continuous”. He said.

    Also, the Iyaloja of Ado-Ekiti, Mrs Omowaye Oso gave credit to FIDA for organising such a great program to celebrate the less privilege children in the state.

    She appreciated the efforts of FIDA for putting smiles to the faces of these children at a season like this and encouraged them to continue with this kind of programme for the needy in the society.

    The Chairperson of FIDA in Ekiti state, Mrs Adefunke Anoma expressed the motive for organising the party,saying the less privilege children had no opportunity of going to eateries, creative centres unlike their counterparts.

    She therefore called on well-meaning Nigerians to remember the needy,less privilege and motherless children in this seasons.

    One of the children, Moses Ojo appreciated the efforts of FIDA for counting them worthy in the society and putting smiles on their faces.

    Items donated to them include, Bags of rice,kegs of vegetable oil,toiletries, clothes, beverages, among others.

     

  • Ekiti APC uncovers plot to stop murder cases

    Ekiti APC uncovers plot to stop murder cases

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has raised the alarm on alleged plots to stop the murder cases against suspects accused of complicity in the killing of former World Bank consultant Ayodeji Daramola and Tunde Omojola during the first term of Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The party said it was monitoring all activities by the governor and other individuals to manipulate the cases and exonerate the suspects.

    Omojola, based in the Netherlands, was murdered on May 28, 2005 during a councillorship by-election in Ifaki-Ekiti, where he served as an agent of the National Conscience Party (NCP).

    Daramola was assassinated at his home in Ijan-Ekiti on August 14, 2006, shortly after receiving the blessing of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to run for governor on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2007 general elections.

    The AP,C in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said: “We understand that Daramola ‘s and  Omojola’s cases are being pushed for retrial to get them dismissed .

    “This was started in an lleged secret trial late last year before the plot leaked, but this was after the court first struck out the case for ‘lack of diligent prosecution’ in a secret trial that the families of the victims were kept in the dark.

    “It was after the cases were struck out that they realised that what they needed was outright dismissal to bury the case permanently, but the matter leaked at the point of relisting the cases for fresh hearings, and since then, there was no information on it again.

    “But now, another plot is afoot to manipulate the court for the outright dismissal of the cases and the man pushing for dismissal through manipulation of the courts is the prime suspect in the two  cases.”

  • Rainstorm destroys 100 houses, renders many homeless in Ekiti

    Rainstorm destroys 100 houses, renders many homeless in Ekiti

    A rainstorm yesterday destroyed no fewer than 100 residential buildings in some towns in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti state.
    The incident, which residents said began at about 4pm, affected towns such as Odo Oro, Temidire,Oke Ijebu and Aiyedun, all in Ikole LGA.
    The first rain of the year, which lasted for only 40 minutes, also ravaged farmlands, destroying crops and other economic trees.
    Aside the houses, other property destroyed by the rainstorm included schools and church buildings.
    A branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Odo-Oro Ekiti and a car packed under the tree in the town were particularly badly damaged by the incident.
    Some of the victims, who managed to speak with NAN on the rainstorm, appealed to both the state and local government to come to their aid.

  • Two herdsmen remanded in Ekiti

    Two herdsmen remanded in Ekiti

    Two herdsmen- Momodu Rebo (19) and Isiaka Idris (22)- were yesterday remanded in prison custody for violating the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing Law in Ekiti State.
    An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court remanded them for allegedly destroying a farm land at Apoto Farm Settlement in Eporo, Emure Local Government Area.
    Police prosecutor Samson Osobu told the court that the accused persons and others at large committed the offence on January 11 while in possession of guns and other weapons.
    The prosecutor said the accused on the said date unlawfully, allowed their cattle to graze on farmland not designated as ranches, but belonging to Akinwale Bisi, Agbelegbe Dare and Paul Salami, damaging their crops valued at N850,000.
    Their plea was not taken as their counsel, Ademola Okeya, sought for a short date of adjournment pending advice from DPP office.
    Chief Magistrate Idowu Ayenimo consequently remanded the accused till the outcome of the advice from DPP.
    He adjourned the case till January 27.

  • Ekiti civil servant commits suicide

    A Level 10 officer in the Ekiti State Civil Service, Tope Afolayan, has committed suicide.

    Afolayan, a native of Ara-Ekiti worked in the Office of the Accountant General.

    He is survived by a wife, who is a public school teacher in Ado-Ekiti, and three children. Afolayan was also a final year Law student at the State University (EKSU).

    The deceased was also said to be an interpreter at a church in Ekute, Ado Ekiti.

    His colleague, who pleaded for anonymity, said the late Afolayan hung himself in his house on Peace Avenue, Olorunda, Ado-Ekiti.

    Afolayan did not leave any suicide note but was said to have consistently complained of failure to pay his debts because of the non-payment of arrears of salaries owed government workers.

    A source said: “Although he didn’t leave any suicide note, he had been very moody and heartbroken for a couple of weeks before the incident.

    “He complained about the debts he owed . In fact, he was among the last batch of applicants for car loan but his name did not come out.

    “We are shocked by Tope’s death because nobody thought he would go to that extent.”

    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi confirmed the incident which, according to him, was reported at New Iyin Road Police Station in Ado-Ekiti.

    The late Afolayan’s remains have been buried.

  • Ekiti 2018: prp demands for functional card readers

    Ekiti 2018: prp demands for functional card readers

    Ahead of next year’s governorship poll in Ekiti State, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy functional card readers to aid its smooth conduct.

    The party said faulty card readers used for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo State is gave the electorate concern and reduced their confidence in the machines.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Gbenga Ogedengbe, the PRP said the coalition of opposition parties may reject the election results if it is conducted with what he called “problematic card readers.”

    Ogedengbe said in the event that faulty card readers are brought for the election next year, the coalition of political parties  will protest against the outcome of the election, even if it is in their favour.

    He said: “Card readers have become a veritable instrument that guarantee fairness and credibility of our polls , because we knew what politicians can do . It gives integrity to elections and our voters believe in whatever that machine presented as accredited voters.

    “But, the Edo and Ondo elections gave much to be desired. Many of the card readers were faulty which gave room for manipulations and this will not be tolerated in Ekiti.

    “Ogedengbe added: This warning was borne out of the way the INEC had been deploying problematic card readers in spite of protests and complaints.

    “Many Nigerians are now suspecting the issue as INEC’s deliberate attempt to shortchange certain political parties in its stronghold.

  • Ekiti to sue owner of burnt petrol station for ‘criminal negligence’

    Ekiti to sue owner of burnt petrol station for ‘criminal negligence’

    The Ekiti State government will sue the owner of the petrol station that was razed last Sunday, Strive Energy Limited, for alleged criminal negligence.
    It gave owners of filling stations a seven-day ultimatum to re-certify their status with government failure of which their premises will be shut down until they meet all conditions.
    Governor Ayo Fayose who said this at a meeting with petroleum marketers at Government House, Ado-Ekiti, yesterday said only the pumps at the burnt filling station were insured and not the premises.
    Fayose said the implication of the action was that owners of other buildings and shops to where the fire spread could not benefit from any insurance cover.
    Not less than 24 shops were affected by the inferno. The governor insisted that all filling stations must be adequately insured.
    Fayos e said: “Government will have to enforce regulations regarding operating business premises. The incident has caused pains on innocent people. We will implement regulations guiding setting up of filling stations.
    “Politics has nothing to do with my actions and steps. We will re-certify sites of fuel stations and firefighting equipment in such stations. Some workers of the filling station did not know how to use firefighting equipment.
    “Operators of filling stations, who refuse to be part of the re-certification, will be sealed and the place acquired for public purposes. “No building of new filling stations until further notice and all approvals not yet built before now cancelled.”
    The spokesman of the fuel marketers, Alhaji Sulaiman Akinbami, said his members appreciated the governor’s efforts but pleaded with more time to comply with the directives.
    A committee, that would conduct the re-certification exercise, is expected to start sitting today and has seven working days to complete its assignment.