The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • Opposition parties, Ekiti govt trade words over arbitrary taxes

    Opposition parties, Ekiti govt trade words over arbitrary taxes

    The opposition parties in Ekiti state have faulted the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led state government for imposing arbitrary taxes on the residents of the state.

    The opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties in Ekiti State said that the imposition of arbitrary taxes on Ekiti people will lead to job losses, frustrations, and insecurity.

    In a statement signed by its chairman, Chief Dare Adekolu, and Secretary, Hon. Fagboro Oluwole, the CUPP described the new tax regime as a “killer” and urged the state government to review it in the interest of the people.

    The CUPP said that the state’s economy was already in dire straits, with many life-saver businesses struggling to stay afloat, saying the new tax regime would only exacerbate the situation.

    The opposition parties also criticized the state government for not engaging with stakeholders before imposing the new tax, saying this was undemocratic and would only create more problems.

    “The arbitrary tax system in Ekiti State has resulted in recurring protests by business owners across the state. This is unacceptable and we urge the state government to take immediate action to address the situation.

    Read Also: Ekiti govt debunks imposition of multiple taxation

    “It is of a truth that the Ekiti economy is in dire need of transition from a civil servant state to a productive economy where the private sector thrives. But, you don’t start this by stifling the life out of small businesses that are currently life savers to some families.

    “Arbitrary taxation will not only kill our industries, lead to unemployment but will equally destroy the economy. As evident in the receipts issued to some of these business owners in recent times it has been a geometric tax increase right in the face of this current economic hardship”, it added.

    The CUPP called on Governor Oyebanji’s administration to reduce the cost of governance and allocate more resources to infrastructural development, saying this would have a more positive impact on the state’s economy.

    But, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Taiwo Olatunbosun dismissed the claims of the opposition parties, describing them as noisemakers.

    He accused the opposition parties of spreading false information to discredit and incite the people of Ekiti against the Oyebanji-led administration which has brought unprecedented development to the state.

    Olatunbosun described the allegations as “baseless” and “politically motivated”, noting that the state government has not introduced new taxes, but rather blocked loopholes and leveraged technology to improve revenue collection.

  • Ekiti govt debunks imposition of multiple taxation

    Ekiti govt debunks imposition of multiple taxation

    Ekiti State Government has debunked insinuations of imposition of multiple taxation or introduction of new ones on people.

    Speaking during a meeting with the management of Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) led by the agency’s Chairman, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the remarkable growth in revenue generation was a direct consequence of blocking loopholes and deploying technology for the collection of revenue, as well as ensure the money collected was judiciously spent on development.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu’s wife, Fashola, Adebule others grace book launch on late Ajose

    Olatunbosun, who described the purported protest as misguided, stressed the commitment of the state government in ensuring the people paid fair tax, adding that the state’s tax system had been designed to be progressive, transparent and neutral. 

  • Ekiti adopts digital extension services to boosts agricultural productivity

    Ekiti adopts digital extension services to boosts agricultural productivity

    The Ekiti state government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience through the adoption of digital extension approaches and climate advisory services.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade disclosed this on Friday at a training session for extension agents on digital  extension approaches and climate advisory services.

    The training session, which was held at the Pastoral Centre, Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti, was organized by the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support (L-PRES) project, a World Bank initiative.

    Boluwade explained that the L-PRES project was solely designed to enhance the productivity, commercialization, as well as resilience of targeted livestock production systems.

    He emphasized the need for sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practice given the challenges posed by climate change to agricultural productivity such as heatweaves, increased frequency of droughts and floods. 

    Read Also: Ekiti TAMPAN governor hails SSG on academic achievement

    The Commissioner explained that digital extension approaches would bridge the wide gap between research and farmers, providing them with timely, accurate and actionable information.

    These approaches, he said,  leverage mobile applications, online platforms, and remote sensing to provide farmers with real-time information on weather, soil, and crop conditions.

    The L-PRES State Project Coordinator, Mr Olayinka Adedipe said that the training was designed to equip extension agents with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide digital extension services and climate advisory services to livestock farmers.

    Adetipe explained that the training is a critical component of L-PRES project’s implementation strategy, as it  would enable extension  agents to provide effective support to livestock farmers.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Babatope Ojo, lauded the participants for their role in driving the L-PRES project forward.

    Ojo noted that the project had achieved significant milestones, including the renovation of the Livestock Development Centre, Erinfun, and the distribution of agricultural inputs and assets to livestock farmers.

  • Alumni to launch N250m fundraising for Ekiti school’s ICT centre

    Alumni to launch N250m fundraising for Ekiti school’s ICT centre

    The Alumni Association of Moba Grammar School, Otun Ekiti, has announced a N250 million fundraising campaign to establish an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre.

    Its National President, Samuel Bankole, announced the fundraising campaign while addressing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where he outlined the activities lined up for the alumni’s four-day celebration.

    According to Bankole, the ICT centre will improve digital literacy, enhance learning experience and bolster problem-solving skills among the students.

    He noted that the school, which was founded in 1965, has produced many accomplished individuals, who have excelled in their respective careers.

    Read Also: Alumni key to development of education, says Ekiti commissioner

    “The school has produced many change-makers, who have excelled tremendously in their chosen careers,” Bankole said.

    The fundraising campaign will be launched on Saturday, with the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, expected to attend.

    Bankole also used the opportunity to advise parents and teachers to shun illegal methods of assisting students in achieving academic excellence. He stressed that this is crucial for restoring quality and functional education.

    “The problem of Nigeria is not the leaders, but the followers. Parents and teachers should stop encouraging students to pass through corners to excel so that when future challenges come, they would know how to navigate,” he said.

    In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, prayed for the success of the anniversary and pledged to disseminate the activities of the school on various media platforms.

    Other notable individuals present at the briefing included the Chairman of the Working Committee, Olufemi Adewunmi; the Secretary of the Committee, eminent scholar Prof. Williams Adebayo and the Principal of Moba Grammar School, Jolasanmi Oluwagbenga.

  • Protest rocks Ekiti over inauguration of Sharia panel

    Protest rocks Ekiti over inauguration of Sharia panel

    Controversy has trailed the inauguration of Independent Shari’ah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State, with groups and individuals opposing the move.

    A group, the Yoruba Regional Alliance Worldwide, in collaboration with other Yoruba self-determination organisations, yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Ado-Ekiti, condemning the inauguration of the panel.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “No to Sharia in Yorubaland”, “Sharia will cause war” and “Sharia is a constitutional blunder”, among others.

    However, they were prevented from moving round the streets as planned by the police, in order to avoid possible crisis.

    Read Also: $360m Ogoni cleanup: Senate gives HYPREP’s boss seven days to appear or risk arrest

    Addressing reporters, the leader of the Yoruba Regional Alliance Worldwide, Mr Opeoluwa Akinola, alleged that the introduction of Sharia law in Yorubaland was an attempt to cause chaos and disharmony.

    He said Yoruba people, irrespective of their religions, had co-existed peacefully for generations without the Sharia Penal Code, wondering what the Sharia Law introduction would achieve that the existing penal codes and legal systems in Yoruba land could not.

    Akinola said: “We reject and condemn the proposed inauguration, while calling on Ekiti State Government and relevant authorities to forestall the impending catastrophe by immediately putting a stop to any further preparation by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria to inaugurate the Sharia panel in Ekiti State and in any other part of Yoruba land.

    “What positive advantage has Sharia contributed to the economy and well-being of the indigenes of the states where it has been practised?  The affected states are still being overwhelmed with poverty, out of school children, insecurity and child molestation.

    “We call on Yoruba Muslim organisations, Christian associations, ‘Isese’ and other ‘Ibile’ traditional worshipers and Ifa adherents to come out in condemnation of the move, as they want to cause a schism in the age old harmonious relationships among our people in Yoruba land.’’

  • Protest rocks Ekiti over inauguration of Sharia panel

    Protest rocks Ekiti over inauguration of Sharia panel

    Controversy has trailed the inauguration of the Independent Shari’ah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State, with various groups and individuals opposing the move.

    The Yoruba Regional Alliance worldwide, in collaboration with other Yoruba self-determination organisations, staged a peaceful  protest in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Tuesday, condemning the inauguration of the panel.

    The protesters were armed with placards with various inscriptions such as: “No to Sharia in Yorubaland”, “Sharia will cause war” and “Sharia is a constitutional blunder” among others. 

    However, they were prevented from moving round the streets as planned by the police to avoid possible crisis.

    Addressing journalists, the leader of the Yoruba Regional Alliance Worldwide, Mr Opeoluwa Akinola, alleged that the introduction of Sharia law in Yorubaland was an attempt to cause chaos and disharmony.

    Akinola noted that the Yoruba people, irrespective of their religions, have co-existed peacefully for generations without the sharia penal code wondering what the Sharia law introduction was going to achieve that the existing penal codes and legal systems in Yoruba land cannot.

    He said:”We totally reject and condemn the proposed inauguration, while calling on the Ekiti State government and relevant authorities to forestall the impending catastrophe by immediately putting a stop to any further preparations by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria to inaugurate the Sharia pannel in Ekiti state and in any other part of Yoruba land. 

    Read Also: Afenifere to Tinubu: Overhaul security architecture to curb kidnappings, banditry

    “What positive advantage has Sharia contributed to the economy and wellbeing of the indigenous of the 12 northern states where it’s been practiced?  the affected states are still been overwhelmed with poverty, out of school children insecurity and child molestation.

    “For decades, Muslims from the north of Nigeria have been attempting to export their brand of political Islam which allegedly espouses violence, intolerance, Jihad and the anachronistic Sharia Islamic code into Yorubaland.

    “We  call on all Yoruba Muslim organisations, Christian Associations, Isese and other Ibile traditional worshipers and Ifa adherents to come out in virulent condemnation of the move as they want to cause a schism in the age old harmonious relationships between all our people in Yoruba land.”

    The chairman Yoruba Nation Religious Council (YONAREC), Comr. Oluwafemi  Edafemi, said that the proposal, allegedly being championed by external religious fanatics from the North with the collaboration of a few Yoruba Muslims, is not a representative of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. 

    He called on all Yoruba people to resist  the imposition of sharia panel and stand firm in protecting the unity, culture and freedom of the Yoruba Nation. 

  • Groups protest over inauguration of Sharia panel in Ekiti

    Groups protest over inauguration of Sharia panel in Ekiti

    Controversy has trailed the inauguration of the Independent Shari’ah Arbitration Panel in Ekiti State, with various groups and individuals expressing opposition to the move.

    The Yoruba Regional Alliance worldwide, in collaboration with other Yoruba self-determination organisations, staged a peaceful  protest in Ado Ekiti, the state capital on Tuesday, condemning the inauguration of the panel.

    The protesters were armed with placards with various inscriptions such as “No to Sharia in Yorubaland”, “Sharia will cause war” and “Sharia is a constitutional blunder” among others. 

    However, they were prevented from moving round the streets as planned by the police inorder to avoid possible crisis.

    Addressing journalists, the leader of the Yoruba Regional Alliance Worldwide, Mr Opeoluwa Akinola, alleged that the introduction of Sharia law in Yorubaland was an attempt to cause chaos and disharmony.

    Akinola noted that the Yoruba people irrespective of their religions, have co-existed peacefully for generations without the sharia penal code wondering what the Sharia law introduction is going to achieve that the existing penal codes and legal systems in Yoruba land cannot.

    He said: “We totally reject and condemn the proposed inauguration, while calling on the Ekiti State government and relevant authorities to forestall the impending catastrophe by immediately putting a stop to any further preparations by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria to inaugurate the Sharia pannel in Ekiti state and in any other part of Yoruba land. 

    “What positive advantage has Sharia contributed to the economy and wellbeing of the indigenous of the 12 northern states where it’s been practiced?  the affected states are still been overwhelmed with poverty, out of school children insecurity and child molestation.

    “For decades, Muslims from the north of Nigeria have been attempting to export their brand of political Islam which allegedly espouses violence, intolerance, Jihad and the anachronistic Sharia Islamic code into Yorubaland.

    Read Also: Ekiti monarch dissolves Shari’ah Panel, summons Muslim leaders

    “We  call on all Yoruba Muslim organisations, Christian Associations, Isese and other Ibile traditional worshipers and Ifa adherents to come out in virulent condemnation of the move as they want to cause a schism in the age old harmonious relationships between all our people in Yoruba land.

    The chairman Yoruba Nation Religious Council (YONAREC), Comr. Oluwafemi  Edafemi, expressed the group opposition to the introduction of the Islamic legal system known as Sharia into Yoruba land. 

    Edafemi said that the proposal, allegedly being championed by external religious fanatics from the North Nigeria, with the collaboration of a few Yoruba Muslims, is not a representative of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. 

    He called on all Yoruba people to resist  the imposition of sharia panel and stand firm in protecting the unity, culture and freedom of the Yoruba Nation. 

  • Oyebanji partners Nollywood stars on Ekiti ‘parapo’ war movie

    Oyebanji partners Nollywood stars on Ekiti ‘parapo’ war movie

    Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has approved the production of a film that will depict the historic Ekiti Parapo War, chronicling the people’s struggle and victory against oppression.

    The movie is a joint effort between the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, led by Honourable Commissioner Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare, and AL Notions Film Company, owned by Nollywood couple Lateef and Adebimpe Adedimeji.

    The project, which will be fully funded by the private sector, will feature Ekiti towns and villages as key filming locations. 

    Adebimpe Adedimeji, a native of Ijero-Ekiti, expressed her enthusiasm for leading the project with her husband, promising a high-quality production involving talented artistes, particularly from Ekiti State.

    The film will focus on the Ekiti Parapo War, also known as the Kiriji War, a 16-year-long civil conflict among the Yoruba sub-ethnic kingdoms, with an aim to present its history in a world-class production.

    Read Also: Oyebanji applauds EKSU’s rating as Nigeria’s best state varsity

    Oyebanji wrote on Instagram: “I held a fruitful meeting with Nollywood stars, Lateef @adedimejilateef and Adebimpe Adedimeji @mo_bimpe yesterday.

    “The focus of our discussion was a groundbreaking collaboration to produce a world-class film on the historic Ekiti Parapo War. This project aims to celebrate our heritage, tell our story, and position Ekiti as a hub for cultural and creative excellence.

    “I am excited about the possibilities this partnership brings and confident it will not only honour our history but also open new opportunities for our local talents and communities. Together, we are making Ekiti’s rich legacy shine brighter”.

  • Ekiti community rejects relocation of Army formation

    Ekiti community rejects relocation of Army formation

    Residents of Ipoti-Ekiti in Ekiti State have urged Nigerian Army to reconsider its decision on the relocation of its 148 Battalion from the community.

    The residents, under the aegis of Ipoti Ekiti Patriotic Indigenes, in a statement, said the decision, if not reversed, would have adverse effect on the economic growth of the community.

    The statement was signed by Dr. Lai Oke, Mr. Adedayo Babajide and Gbenga Awoyomi, a lawyer.

    They said the decision on the relocation of the barracks had left the people of Ipoti-Ekiti feeling marginalised.

    The statement said the military authority had in a memo titled: “Amendment to the Establishment Order of 148 BN (AHQ DAPP/65/220/267/DTG 191800A JUN23)”, dated January 13, communicated its decision to the community.

    The statement said: “It is important to highlight that Ipoti-Ekiti was officially selected as the permanent location for the 148 Battalion over a decade ago.

    Read Also: IGP urges 454 newly passed out police constables to avoid lawlessness

    “Nigerian Army acquired an expansive tract of land for this purpose, compensating the original owners. Offices and residential buildings were erected, personnel were posted and the barracks became operational until last year, when military personnel were abruptly withdrawn without explanation.

    “While the community eagerly awaited the resumption of full operations, the sudden announcement of relocating the barracks to another town shocked us. The reasons provided for this relocation are unconvincing, especially considering the proximity of an existing military barracks in Akure to Ikere-Ekiti

    “We must emphasise that Ipoti-Ekiti has been repeatedly subjected to politically unfavourable decisions that have stifled its growth and development. For emphasis, in 2013, a government action affected age long peaceful co-existence and development of the town.

    “In 2022, when Ipoti-Ekiti was named the headquarters of Irede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), an attempt to relocate the headquarters to another community was thwarted only by public outcry and protests.

  • Ekiti govt reaffirms commitment to good governance

    Ekiti govt reaffirms commitment to good governance

    Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the state’s public service delivery through effective and efficient governance, with a focus on improving lives of the citizens.

    Special Adviser and Director General of the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, Dr John Ekundayo, spoke at Ekiti Performance, Assessment and Improvement Workshop (EKPAIR 3.0), held at the Lady Deborah Jibowu Hall, Ado-Ekiti.

    The workshop, attended by government officials, civil servants and stakeholders, aimed to assess state’s performance, identify the areas for improvement as well as develop workable strategies for sustainable growth and development.

    The workshop with the theme: ‘Creating our Future through Collaboration’, also featured interactive sessions and expert presentations on key areas as well as brainstorming exercise.

    Ekundayo said Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration was committed to creating a state that was not only prosperous, but also responsive, accountable and transparent.

    Read Also: Arewa group hails Tinubu’s leadership efforts in restoring peace, prosperity in North

    The special adviser reiterated Oyebanji’s commitment to improving the quality of life for every Ekiti indigene, noting that the governor had already initiated projects and policies aimed at enhancing the welfare of residents.

    He said the administration was determined to continue on its path of transformation, prioritising the needs of the citizens and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability in governance.

    Ekundayo said the workshop was tailored to achieve great impacts in public service efficiency, transparency and accountability, digital transformation and citizen-centred governance.

    He said: “Ekiti State Government, under the visionary and exemplary leadership of Governor Oyebanji, remains committed to creating a state that is not only prosperous, but also responsive, accountable and transparent in its dealings with the public.

    “Transformation is not merely