The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekiti

  • CAMPUSLIFE man is Ekiti’s best Corps member

    CAMPUSLIFE man is Ekiti’s best Corps member

    A graduate of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and CAMPUSLIFE reporter, Sam Ibok, has emerged as one of the best National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the 2015 Batch “B” Stream 1 in Ekiti State. Sam won multiple awards during the passing-out ceremony held at Ado-Ekiti Pavilion.

    Sam, a graduate of Education Religion, was one of the five outstanding Corps members honoured for their good conduct and life-changing Community Development Service (CDS) projects. He served at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY).

    After he received his award, Sam said NYSC gave him opportunity to actualise his dream of using his knowledge to touch people’s lives. He said: “It has been my dream that if I have an opportunity, I will give my best to my fatherland in terms of selfless service. Today is a remarkable day in my life.”

    He said his activities were informed by the lack of basic needs in his host community, prompting him to embark on projects that earned him the accolades.

    Some of his CDS projects included computer training programme for youths, donation of press boards to schools, establishment of press clubs in 10 secondary schools and two higher institutions. He was also one of the presenters of Kopa’s diary, a weekly live television show of Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES). Sam was also honoured as the Integrity Corps Member of the Year.

    Governor Ayodele Fayose praised the outstanding Corps members for their life-changing projects, saying their contributions to the development of the state would not be forgotten. He pledged his administration’s commitment to partnership with the NYSC.

    The NYSC co-ordinator, Mr T.C. Ibeh, assured that the body would continue to reward excellent service, diligence, hard work and outstanding performance put up by Corps members. He urged the NYSC members to continue to show faith in the continued existence of the country and engage in acts that would promote national unity, peace and development.

     

     

  • Adebomi: Fayose runs Ekiti PDP like his estate

    Adebomi: Fayose runs Ekiti PDP like his estate

    Sunday Adebomi, a United States Army officer, was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (Pdp) until last month when he defected to the All Progressives Congress (Apc) in his native Ise-Ekiti. In this interview with Odunayo Ogunmola, he says Governor Ayo Fayose’s leadership style has triggered a mass exodus of quality leaders from the Pdp.

    How did you get into politics?

    My name is Sunday Adebomi from Ise-Ekiti in Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State. I am a Captain in the United States Army. My mother is from Ikere-Ekiti, where I grew up. I came into politics as an advocate for the younger generation and that is my primary concern. It’s like the youth of this country are losing focus, by allowing elderly politicians to call the shots. But, now, somebody has come to provide quality leadership.

    Leadership is about self conviction; it’s all about what you can give to the people; and it’s all about how many people you can empower. It is quite unfortunate and it makes me laugh anytime I see politicians buying motorcycles, pepper grinders for people, under the pretext of empowering them. Please, tell me, is that empowerment?  Empowerment is what people can enjoy collectively. Besides, these are not local people; they believe in their father’s legacy; they are always proud to face people and tell them that their father has done this or that; I am a son of so and so person. But, the question is, can you do half of what your father can do? They believe in sycophancy and they won’t go to the people to know where the shoe pinches them. I will definitely deliver; they know I am better than them anyway.

    How can Nigeria get out of the recession?

    Thank you! The country needs to focus on the areas of employment, agriculture and education, through quality research. Let’s say what works in one local government may not work in another, because every community has its expectations and needs, where the shoe pinches them. There is short term and long term solutions. Most Nigerians still believe in 1970s technology; they don’t want to advance and there is the need to upgrade their experience in all facets of the economy, for the country to grow.

    What can you achieve when you bring a carpenter to come and govern a local government or a bricklayer to come and serve as Commissioner for Works or a band boy to serve in the House of Assembly? What positive development do you expect from somebody that is not a round peg, but put in a round hole? All we need is to put round pegs into round holes. The Nigeria populace needs to be oriented in terms of birth control, the population is getting bigger everyday; there is the need for birth control. You journalists need an atmosphere to operate freely, but look at it now, opposition is seen as the enemy of the state. But, in the real sense of it, opposition keeps the government on its toes. And that is why I am here to correct the wrongs. It won’t feel comfortable just looking at Ekiti that has been downgraded for whatever reasons that is best known to the whole Ekiti people and I think Ekiti people deserve outstanding leadership and that is what I want to prove right.

    The youth are generally believed to be lazy. How would you go about changing their mindset?

    Leadership is by example. Like I said earlier, I am just an orange seller son and a local man to the core; who was born and bred in Nigeria. But, by the grace of God before coming into politics, I have been advocating for the youths; I have been helping farmers and empowering the youths. In fact, I have helped a lot of people to the United States of America. I have been to over 25 countries; I have seen most of the world and everywhere I meet Nigerians, the younger generations and I always try to mentor them and make sure they are stable. They have what it takes to become somebody in life. But, I have just come to realise that it isn’t enough to have all the experiences, having served in the US Army, I think I have the courage to lead my people, show them the way and make them see the light. I am also a young man in my early 40s. I felt the need to come home and serve my people, especially helping the youths discover themselves.

    At what level of governance do you intend to achieve this and through which political party?

    It’s not all about contesting, but about giving dividends through your own experience. I was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I love the party, but unfortunately Governor Ayo Fayose is somebody who doesn’t want to believe somebody is better than him; he just believes in himself and he likes to oppress and impress the illiterates, which of course is wrong. To shed more light on what I have said earlier, to provide them direction and let them see how they can better their lives. I call it oppressing by style; that is exactly what Fayose is doing. He knows I am better than him and he is trying to relegate me into oblivion; those are wrongs that must be corrected.

    Since you love the PDP, can’t you use it as a platform to achieve your mission, rather than the APC?

    The activities of Governor Fayose are a disgrace to the party, because he is too fond of himself; he believes he has the monopoly of knowledge and power. Perhaps, it is too early to say I want to contest for this and that; it is the people that will decide.

    The APC, on the other hand, is strong; it has what I term intellectual power. It also has people’s power, but there is a lot to work to be done and that is why you can’t stay in Abuja or Lagos and say you want to contest for elections in Ekiti. People need to feel your presence. You need to be accessible to the people; it is not only when you need their votes that they will see you. More so, I believe in the administration of President Muhammad Buhari, even though Nigerians are not happy now because of the recession. But, let me say that the recession should be seen as an avenue to correct the wrongs of the past. I think Nigerians should be patient. For example, President Barack Obama contested the US Presidency in 2008 during the economy meltdown, there was high rate of unemployment, no security and everything was bad. However, under his leadership, Americans buckled their belts and worked as if there is no tomorrow and things went back to normal.

    Are you in the APC officially now or you intend to join the party in the future?

    Officially, I joined the APC on Friday, October 28, 2016.  I can’t continue in the PDP, which is solely run by Fayose and his cohorts. He scuttled our ambition and robbed us of our political rights. There is no rule of law in Ekiti PDP; he (Fayose) wants to control everything, as if it is his personal business and his antics should be resisted by well meaning Nigerians.

    You said Fayose robbed you; can you explain that?

    I contested for Senate in 2014 and when they wanted to do their kangaroo primary, I can’t imagine people coming openly and officially to rig the election. One man was writing the names of the candidates. Well, I felt cheated; I had cause to fight the security agents, because I can die for my people. I will never accept cheating; I will always resist it no matter where it is coming from. Although I have international immunity, I don’t carry power around me like Fayose; I control power unlike Governor Fayose who is intoxicated by power. I am a very humble person.

    Can you tell us why you are leaving the PDP?

    I am leaving PDP because of the personality of Fayose. Two, I believe there is nothing good in PDP anymore; we don’t have good people in the party again. How many leaders can you find in Ekiti PDP? Femi Bamisile, Yinka Akerele, Tope Aluko, Ropo Adesanya and a two-term state Chairman of the PDP, under whom he achieved his mission when he newly came into politics, Ayo Arise. Even Dr. Owolabi that I contested against is no longer there. One way or the other, this man called Fayose had stepped on our toes, due to his arrogant way of life. How can you lose a two-term state chairman and still believe you are comfortable; definitely something is wrong with this man. Despite the fact that he robbed all of us of our ambitions and gave it out to people he thinks he can control, he has never called us to even say he is sorry. It’s unfortunate that I can’t continue under such a person and I can’t drag my integrity into the mud, because of Fayose. Governor Ayo Fayose’s personality and his alleged autocratic policy have left me with no other choice but to dump the PDP for the APC. The state PDP is now Fayose’s personal business, the best way I can describe his style of governance is autocratic and that is not my own type of politics. Fayose is seen as everything in the state, politically, award of contracts and even, to worsen the matter, as the sole controller of local government administration, he is always at the centre of attraction and wants to be seen as the  lord of everything. It is quite unfortunate that Fayose now runs the PDP as his personal business, he runs down virtually all those he believes are better than him; such cannot be accepted by well meaning Ekiti people.

  • Fake doctor arrested in Ekiti

    A fake doctor has been arrested in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

    The state Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Sunday Omoya, who spoke at the weekend to round off this year’s Physicians’ Week, urged the public to be vigilant on whom they consult on health matters.

    He said: “The NMA, in partnership with MDCN, set up a monitoring team to tackle quackery.

    “The man was reported to the police and was arrested after a screening conducted by the local government where he had worked for 11 years showed that he was parading fake certificates.

    “We reported to the commissioner of Police and the man will soon face prosecution in court.”

  • Ekiti: A visit by deputation

    Ekiti: A visit by deputation

    Preamble

    It was a trip by deputation penultimate  Friday and Saturday. His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had been scheduled to visit Ondo and Ekiti States on those two days. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, he could not undertake the journey in person. He   however delegated his Southern Deputy at the NSCIA, His Excellency Alhaji (Dr.) S. O. Babalola, OON, to represent him (Chief (Dr. S. O. Babalola became NSCIA’s Deputy President-General for Southern Nigeria in August 2016).

    He, also being the President of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN), was accompanied by a retinue of Muslim leaders in the Southwest including Dr. Jibril Oyekan, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, Dr. Wole Abbas, Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi, Alhaji Kola Uzamo, Barr. Yakubu Sanni, Alhaji Sulaiman Afolabi Ogunlayi, Alh. Tajudeen Alabede, Alh. Hafeez Timehin and yours sincerely, on the trip. The Oba of Ayede Ekiti, Alhaji Abdul Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi Abolokefa IV otherwise known as Attah of Ayede had invited His Eminence to the celebration of his ten year   anniversary on the throne with the laying of the foundation of his new palace and a Mosque. Part of the trip was to pay a courtesy visit to the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Odundun II and join the Muslim Community of Ondo State in observing the Jum’at prayer.

    In Deji’s palace

    At the palace of Deji where the delegation was rousingly received, Chief S. O Babalola delivered the following speech on behalf of His Eminence, the Sultan:

    Your Royal Majesty, today’s visit to your palace is historic. Ordinarily, I would have accompanied the President General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni to this palace on this occasion. But due to circumstantial development, he had to delegate me to represent him being his deputy here in Southern Nigeria.

    I therefore wish to express his regret and unreserved apology for not being able to be here in person as earlier planned. Man only proposes. It is God that disposes.  We hope that another chance will come to warrant His Eminence’s presence on this kind of occasion in the near future.

    Nigerian situation

    Your Royal Majesty, this occasion is a confirmation of a well known fact about Nigerian situation. Of the major existing institutions in Nigeria today only that of the traditional rulers is solidly stable. It is evident that there are incessant ripples in other major institutions including the executive wing, the legislative wing and the judiciary wing mostly to the discomfort of the nation. This is because the traditional institution anywhere in the world is permanent and unshaken except where there is an accident of history.

    The current cooperation among the royal fathers in the Southwest region and that of the entire nation is highly appreciated by all, and sundry. And the role of His Eminence in this is conspicuously notable. Since he ascended the Caliphate throne ten years ago, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has paid his royal colleagues in the Southern parts of the country unprecedented courtesy visits thereby laying a solid foundation for royal friendliness and cooperation among the traditional rulers in the country. He is generally known today as a national bridge builder.

    A national bridge builder

    Your Royal Majesty, there is no State in the Southwest or any other Southern region for that matter that His Eminence has not visited with open hands of friendliness and brotherhood. This is an indication that contrary to what is daily published in Nigerian media, there are people who still believe in the unity of our country and are working hard to ensure that unity.

    Your Royal Majesty, your readiness to receive His Eminence in your palace and the evident preparation for that reception is also a confirmation of the unity of this country at the royal level. If this good example is emulated by the political class, the usual tension in the political arena would have been less and the polity would have been more conducive. Therefore, the traditional institution is hereby implored to further strengthen its unity as a model for all other institutions in the country.

    Constitutional role for traditional rulers

    Meanwhile, I want to call on the legislative arm of the government to revisit the constitution with a view to giving the traditional rulers in the country a more prominent role to play in the governance of the country. If such a prominent role had been facilitated in the constitution, the spate of violence that we witness across the country on a daily basis would have been reduced to barest minimum. There is no gain saying the fact that no other institution is as close to the people and as much respected in Nigeria than the traditional institution.

    Comparison

    Looking at the political situation in Nigeria today, vis-a-vis that of the traditional institution, one will discover that the difference is very clear. While ripples continue in the political waters, the institution of traditional rulers is calm and clement. There is a reason for this. Traditional rulership has no definitive tenure that can easily be challenged by any rival. It is rather an institution that operates on era basis. And the dignity accorded to it is not temporary. In other words, a king is a king as long as he is alive and on the throne. Even after his demise, history still treats him with reverence as a onetime king.

    Your Royal Majesty, we thank God for your life, your health and your royal dignity and we pray the Almighty to continue to endow you with the needed  wisdom, courage and equanimity with which to govern your kingdom for a long time. Long live the Deji of Akure! Long live the Sultanate of Sokoto! Long live the traditional institution in the country! Long live Nigeria!

    In Ayede Ekiti

    At the palace of Attah Ayede in Ekiti, His Excellency Chief S. O. Babalola delivered a speech entitled ‘The Place of the Mosque in Islam on behalf of His Eminence the Sultan as follows:

    “…..Your Royal Majesty, the Attah of Ayede Ekiti, the Attah in Council and all indigenes and residents of Ayede Ekiti, let me greet you in the well known Islamic tradition by saying, Assalam alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuhu”.

    “History is being made here today not just because I am here to lay the foundation of a Mosque in a palace but also because this is the first time that a Muslim Oba is on the throne and on ground in this city of Muslim minority to receive and play host to the leader of the  Nigerian Muslim Ummah”.

    “Today, in the name of Allah, we are laying the foundation of a palace Mosque here in Ayede Ekiti in emulation of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who laid the foundation of the first Mosque in Islam called the Mosque of Quba in Madinah in 622 CE. Whereas a palace in the life of a Muslim is temporal and ephemeral, a Mosque is spiritual and everlasting”.

    Functions of the Mosque

    From the inception of Islam, the Mosque has always been like the foundation of a house. Without foundation, no house can stand and serve its purpose as an abode for rest, peace and tranquillity. The main source of the Muslim civilization is the MOSQUE which is the origin of all achievements and glory in Islam.

    It was from the Mosque that all intellectual, spiritual and temporal successes of Islam emanated. Mosque is not for SALAT alone. It also serves as the centre for all activities of the Muslim community, whether temporal or spiritual. Mosque should serve as a school, as a library, as a court of justice, as a treasury, as a clinic, as a parliament and as a chamber of commerce. This makes the Mosque like a beehive for Muslims, male and female, old and young. Let the Mosque be properly and fully utilized for the purpose of its existence.

    The Mosque and the Imam

    The Mosque and the Imam are like the message and the messenger. There can hardly be any access to the one without going through the other. No one can seriously talk about the Mosque without making a fundamental reference to the Imam and the congregation that he leads. Actually, nothing is called Mosque without the Muslim congregation and the Imam.

    When Prophet Muhammad (SAW) described learned scholars as the heirs to the Prophets, he was referring to Imams. This is because no genuine Muslim is supposed to be an Imam without first being a learned scholar. However,   there is a sharp difference between a scholar and a learned scholar. The one can be self-arrogated. The other is intellectually evident.

    Becoming an Imam, if due process is followed, is like becoming a judge after a period of certified experience acquired subsequent to graduating from the Law School. It is not enough to graduate from a Qur’anic school and teach the junior ones for a few years to be qualified as Imam.

    Training for Muslim clerics

    We shall notice that Lawyers are trained in the Law School after graduating from the Universities just as Doctors undergo Houseman-ship after their admission into the medical Profession.  Other professions have also devised means of training their upcoming members through what they now call industrial training. In the same way, our Imams should also be encouraged to undergo clerical training that can assist them in guiding the affairs of their congregations. The absence of such training in the Mosque is adversely affecting the propagation of Islam in our society. I therefore call on all State Muslim communities as well as Muslim Organizations in Nigeria to give the training of Imams a priority through periodic seminars, workshops and conferences. This is not a suggestion. It is a major prescription by Islam for anybody who may aspire to become an Imam.

    The issue Muslim minority

    Since the inception of Islam, Muslims have always lived as minorities in any new environment they found themselves. It is only after they might have settled down and established themselves that, by the leave of Allah, their display of unity and their positive contributions to the development of their community, they may become majority.

    At the initial stage of Islam, when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions were forced to migrate from Makkah to Madinah for safety from the persecution of the pagan majority in Makkah, they were in the minority. And when they reached Madinah, they remained a minority despite the support given to them by some good people of that city who invited them there.

    They were also in the minority when they established the world’s first Islamic democratic government headed by the Prophet in the city of Madinah. They were in the minority when they entered Spain as mere migrants in the 8th century and turned that country into the global haven of civilization. And if we look critically at the world today, we shall discover that the most active Muslim population is the West where Muslims are in the minority. This further confirms that people in the minority are more active because they enjoy unity and cooperation in the face of threat.

    I, therefore, want to urge the Muslims of this great city to remain good ambassadors of Islam and act as patriotic members of the community. You have your share of the responsibility to take this city and indeed Ekiti State to greater heights.

    I congratulate His Royal Majesty, the Attah of Ayede Ekiti and the entire people of this city for today’s historic event and successful outing in the way of Allah. I wish Your Majesty long life with sound health and continuous Allah’s guidance in conducting the affairs of your kingdom. I also implore the people of Ayede Ekiti to further cooperate with His Royal Majesty in facilitating peace and harmony in this clement city.

    “Let there arise from you a nation that calls for righteousness, enjoins justice, and forbids evil. Such men shall surely triumph”. Q3:103. The strength of any group of human beings anywhere in the world is unity and not disunity. The Muslim Ummah in Nigeria cannot be an exception. God bless you all.

    The foundation of the Mosque was laid by His Excellency, Chief S. O. Babalola on behalf of the Sultan.

  • Ekiti APC faults judge’s claims

    Ekiti APC faults judge’s claims

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has faulted claims by an embattled Supreme Court judge, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, that Transportation Minister Chibuike Amaechi and his Science and Technology counterpart Ogbonnaya Onu allegedly attempted to influence governorship cases at the Supreme Court.

    The party said Ngwuta’s allegation that the ministers approached him to remove Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) was a weak defence, which has questioned his integrity.

    In a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, Ekiti APC noted that Ngwuta betrayed his oath of office by failing to report  the alleged crime but waited till he was exposed.

    Olatunbosun flayed Ngwuta and his colleague, Justice John Okoro, for behaving in the same pattern in the defence of allegations against them.

    He said: “This is a comedy acted out of script and therefore a melodrama, and we never knew that comedians also exist in the judiciary to entertain Nigerians with this ridiculous and grotesque portraiture of what justice means to some judges in our apex court.”

  • Police reveal identity of inspector killed in Ekiti

    The police have revealed identity of the officer killed in an attack by gunmen suspected to be robbers on Friday night in an attack on Ido Ekiti Police Station, Ekiti State.

    The officer, Inspector Taiwo Oloniniyi, was gunned down by hoodlums while on duty about 7.25 pm.

    Two others were seriously injured in the attack, and their weapons stolen from the armory.

    Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi said police authorities have paid a condolence visit to the family of the late officer.

    Adeyemi, who said no arrest has been made, added that investigation was on to unmask perpetrators of the attack.

    Barely two days after, Ido Ekiti is calm. But residents are yet to recover from the incident, as they called on relevant authorities to ensure their safety.

    A source said the incident formed prayer points in some churches yesterday, as  worshippers prayed against a repeat of the attack.

    Governor Ayo Fayose, in his reaction, expressed sadness at the incident and commiserated with the police, family of the deceased.

    Speaking while appearing on his monthly media chat, “Meet Your Governor”, Fayose said Ekiti was experiencing shortage of policemen because officers refused posting to the state.

    Fayose said: “We don’t have enough policemen in the state and I think it might be because this is not a state where you can get so much from.”

  • Ekiti @ 20: Past, present and future

    Ekiti was carved out of the old Ondo State on October 1, 1996 under the military regime of the late Gen Sani Abacha. Whichever perception one shares about the state of affairs, celebrating Ekiti at 20 is not immaterial. Taking cognizance of the protracted and fierce battle the leaders of Ekiti had to wage to effect the state creation, one would be adequately convinced that it sufficed for the citizens to roll out drum to celebrate the victory. I know other provinces like Ibadan, Ijebu and the Apas of Benue, who scrambled for the same opportunity and lost would perceive Ekiti as ungrateful and undeserving of the favour should the state fail to celebrate the feat with pomp and pageantry.

    The creation of Ekiti State was a lofty achievement – the greatest laurel ever won since the existence of the ethnic group several decades back. Not even the Kiriji War that was fought and won by our forebears matched this feat. But creating a state for an ethnic group for political balancing is not as relevant and pivotal as how that state tends to fare after its creation. When the former President Olusegun Obasanjo was being pummeled for influencing former President Goodluck Jonathan to assume presidency, he defended his action by saying: “You can help a person to secure a job, but you can’t help him to perform the responsibilities of the job”.

    In actual fact, the Federal Government had done the greatest favour, through concerted and unflagging instrumentality of some patriotic Ekiti elites by creating the state, but time to ruminate on whether the state has fared well in terms of development is apposite at this crucial age. Age 20 is a watershed in the life of any human being. At that age, the compass directing one’s life must be heading towards a positive side, failing which the person will get derailed or veered off the path of greatness.

    A critical dissection of the trajectory of development of the state under every succeeding administration gave a gory and pathetic indication. The military administrations of Col. Mohammed Usman and Commodore Atanda Yusuf sacrificed better and showed more commitment to the development of the state than the situation we are witnessing under the present PDP government in Ekiti. To an average Nigerian person, the military is regarded as an aberration and represents something sinister that lacks values and decency. Without sounding immodest, military regimes stand better than the present situation.

    Just like the chairman, Committee for the creation of Ekiti State, Chief Deji Fasuan once said: “Ekiti has not really fulfilled the dream of its founding fathers. Ekiti has not been governed well and we cannot say we have got to the Promised Land”. This statement connotes that Ekiti has failed to tap into its abundant human and material resources to develop the state.

    Intellectualism is the hallmark of any government and any state that is lacking in this is bound to hit the rock. It is an indisputable fact that the state has the highest turnout of professors in the country and galaxy of stars spread across various professional careers. But can we boldly say that we have tapped optimally into this gargantuan intellectual capacity?

    In terms of natural resources, the lush vegetation in the southern and northern zones of the state, the cocoa and timber plantation and other solid mineral deposits like Gypsum and Calcite in Ijero, Clay in Ire Ekiti and the ridge of mountains in Efon-Ikogosi axis and in Ado Ekiti capital city, were not really explored to energize the engine of development. They were practically abandoned, thereby giving Ekiti the sobriquet: “Land of Untapped Abundance”. This is not a wise concept and it is condemnable.

    As we speak, Ekiti has one of the most fragile economies among the 36 states of the federation. It has a narrow and monolithic economy heavily anchored on civil service architecture with little productivity to drive the system. This was responsible for why the state could not compete favourably with other states in terms of development.

    While defending the need for the creation of the state out of the old Ondo State before Arthur Mbanefo panel in Akure in 1995, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), said the state could derive its earnings from the abundant aforementioned human and natural resources. He also reassured the committee about the fact that the state has a good prognosis to survive and thrive economically, predicating this on the abundant human resources available to it.

    Sad enough, all these have failed to reflect positively on our economy. Today, the state can no longer pay salaries of workers and meet other obligations to its citizens, because it rests heavily on the lean resources coming from the federation account, which has not been forthcoming.

    When the democratic dispensation kicked off in 1999, the state soared on the country’s economic ladder, in terms of quests and drives for prosperity. Otunba Niyi Adebayo of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) made the move to return the state to the path of glory as set by its founding fathers. His administration started the economic dream by building the multi-billion naira Abuja house in Asokoro, to propel the state’s economy. It also invested in Odua Group of Companies and bought shares in many banks to invigorate the economy and make the state run independently of the federal government.

    Aside from this, he promptly engaged the services of Ekiti professionals in various critical sectors making Ekiti to live up to its name: ‘Fountain of Knowledge’. Those who didn’t see this unseen and silent investments condemned his style and laid ambush for him during his reelection bid, which he lost to Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    Ex-governors  Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, also built on the legacies by reviving the state’s moribund industries, like Ire Burnt Brick, Ikogosi Warm Spring,  Orin Farm Settlements, to mention but a few,  to assume highly commercial status.

    Fayose’s emergence marked the beginning of what could be best branded as fortunes reversal in Ekiti.  It was during his time that the state started relying solely on allocations from the federation of account to boost the economy. It was his time that the state intellectual capacity was being debased to the extent that charlatans, rascals and mediocres are in government, holding pivotal positions in trusts for the people. The intellectual giants have been relegated to the extent that they are now maintaining siddon look, which is dangerous to Ekiti, as an enclave.

    Though it would be tantamount to exaggeration for someone to conclude that the state fared optimally well under the trio of Oni, Adebayo and Fayemi, comparative analysis with the present situation point to the fact that those administrations were, in fact, Eldorado.

    Like Chief Babalola (SAN) adduced before Mbanefo panel that the state’s economic prowess would be derived from its abundant intellectual capacity. That has been the dream. But the scenario has been that both the human and material resources are underutilized, and time to live by that dream is now, or else, failure awaits us and that could be disastrous.

    The appropriate questions the teeming Ekiti populace must ask themselves is that: Why is Ekiti of yesterday better than now? For Ekiti of yesterday, we were the most educated in the country, the most sought after by employers of labour and the most organized set of human beings. But in Ekiti of today, the knowledge is gradually fading, criminality is taking the centre-stage.

    • Faparusi, a former member of the House of Representatives is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress.

  • Ekiti ASUSS splashes cash, gifts on retirees

    Ekiti State branch of Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has splashed cash and gifts worth N4 million on 64 retired teachers to appreciate their services to humanity.

    The beneficiaries, some of who  retired as Tutors-General, were honoured by the ASUSS on Monday, last week, as part of activities marking this year’s World Teachers’ Day held at the union’s permanent site, Ajebamidele in Ado Ekiti.

    The occasion was the sixth of the awards and send-off; many of the beneficiaries expressed delight that their efforts were at last being appreciated.

    The gifts include N500,000, industrial sewing machines, water dispensers, mattresses, gas cookers, and electric stoves.

    Dignitaries who witnessed the occasion include the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka; wife of the governor’s representative, Cecilia Dada, lawmaker and former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba.

    ASUSS Chairman in Ekiti, Comrade Olusola Adigun, said the gesture was made because of the retirees’ contribution and commitment to the profession and to encourage those still in service to put in their best.

    He said: “It is to appreciate your over three decades of commitment to raising generations of professionals with ideals of peace, mutual respect and understanding of the society.

    “It is also to remind other professionals in service that someday, they would be so accorded this honour.”

    Adigun praised Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose for promoting industrial harmony among unions in the education sector by midwifing truce between ASUSS and her mother union, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

    Adigun also thanked Fayose for lifting the suspension on some teachers at Elo High School, Ayetoro-Ekiti, the cash gifts and compensatory employment for the husband of a teacher who returned her overpaid allowances.

    He nonetheless canvassed the payment of salaries’ arrears, clearing backlog of promotion of teachers, through the conversion of qualified teachers at the primary level to the secondary level considering the lack of resources to recruit new teachers.

    Faseluka, who promised to pass the requests of the teachers to the governor, urged the union to show understanding with the authorithy.

    The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Omotoba, who donated N250,000 to  the union, sought love and unity among members of the association.

     

  • Ekiti farmers benefit from Fed Govt’s agric subsidy

    Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh,  has revealed that 94, 972 farmers in Ekiti State have been registered to benefit from agricultural input subsidies packaged by the Federal Government.

    Ogbeh, who stated this during the opening ceremony of Ekiti State Agricultural Summit in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was empowering farmers through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agric Loan Disbursement Scheme.

    Represented by the Federal Director of Agriculture in Ekiti State, Dr. Oladipo Kolade, Ogbeh said the Federal Government was committed to diversifying the economy from being oil-dependent to agriculture-based, saying “a nation that cannot feed its people is a failed country.”

    He noted that Nigeria flourished when agriculture was the mainstay of her economy, adding that investment in the sector will earn the country more foreign exchange and provide jobs for millions of her citizens.

    Ogbeh said: “During those years, we could boast of good investment in groundnut, cocoa and palm oil. They were resources of our foreign earnings. There was pride and economic boom until things changed for bad.

    “But President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is supporting the farmers through the CBN agricultural loan disbursement scheme. About 94,972 farmers are to benefit under this scheme in this year’s budget. We want to improve agric business in Nigeria for us to move forward as a nation.”

    Governor Ayo Fayose urged the Federal Government to immediately declare emergency in agriculture sector to prove its seriousness in the much-proposed diversification of the economy.

    Fayose said: “The Federal Government should declare emergency in the agriculture sector. There must be a bailout fund for the agriculture sector. What Nigerians need is food on their tables.

    “It is sad that state governments can’t diversify again because they are financially incapacitated. So, the Federal Government must come to our aid. It must bail the people out. If emergency is declared in the sector and people are attracted into farming, they can use the gains to run around and better their lives.”

    Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, called for 50 per cent reduction for agriculture-related courses in Nigerian universities, to encourage youths in acquiring professional skills in the business of food production.

  • EKHA committe chair removed over meeting with Kashamu, Falana

    …fake audio scandal rocks Ekiti assembly

    Ekiti State House of Assembly has been hit by crisis following the removal of member representing Ikole Constituency 1, Gboyega Aribisogan, as Information Committee Chairman.

    Aribisogan’s sack as House Information Committee chair and his subsequent replacement with member representing Oye Constituency 1, Samuel Omotoso, is believed to be a prelude to his recall from the Assembly.

    The embattled lawmaker was accused of holding secret meetings with Senator Buruji Kashamu, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana and other personalities perceived to be enemies of Governor Ayo Fayose.

    Aribisogan appeared before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by member representing Ido/Osi Constituency 2, Samuel Jeje where a purported audio file capturing his (Aribisogan’s) voice was played.

    But Aribisogan described the audio tape which was played at the panel sitting to indict him as “a superimposed voice-over to tarnish his reputation.” According to him, his predicament was orchestrated by mischief makers in the Assembly.

    Speaking with reporters via a telephone chat on Wednesday shortly after appearing before the panel, Aribisogan disclosed that he was quizzed whether he met Kashamu and Falana before the controversial audio was played to him.

    While affirming his loyalty to Fayose and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aribisogan said he has no confidence in the panel because he had already been found him guilty before its report is released.

    Aribisogan said: “The so-called audio was a superimposed voiceover to tarnish my reputation. At the panel’s sitting, there was a presentation of inaudible voiceover claiming that they recognized my voice and I discarded it as a cheap blackmail.

    “They asked me in the course of investigation whether I have met Buruji and I told them that the last time I met with Buruji was when I followed Mr. Governor and Hon. Omotoso was there too but it is unfortunate that he (Omotoso) wanted to make a political gain out of this saga.

    “Since then, I have not met Buruji as a person either secretly or openly. I have no confidence in the panel but because of the constitutional provision, I have to attend the panel to clear my name.

    “I appeared before the panel to tell them that I never met with Buruji and I never met with Falana as alleged. I am part and parcel of this government from inception and I remain a loyal part member.

    “Changing committee chairmen is a routine exercise but I suspect a foul play that the outcome of the panel is already predetermined.”

    When asked whether he has been invited by the governor on the crisis, Aribisogan said: “This is clearly an Assembly matter the governor has not invited me but I am expecting the members of the panel to go and investigate where the shenanigans are coming from.

    “The whole saga is an immolation to destroy me and put me in a political quagmire. Look at my pedigree where I am coming from before passing judgment on me.

    “Having served the government, is it possible for me to be holding meeting with Buruji and Falana and work against a government of which I am part?

    “I want to challenge the person who claimed to have recorded my voice to be bold enough to face me. The plot was executed by one man in the House to bring me down.”

    The House at its plenary on Tuesday set up the panel to probe Aribisogan over allegations of disloyalty with Speaker Kola Oluwawole likening him to the biblical Judas who betrayed Jesus Christ.

    Oluwawole said: “It touches the fundamental existence of this House. I still believe that this House is indivisible. We are ever united and strong. Every member of this house has the spirit of oneness in discharging his/her duties.

    “When I got this embarrassing news, I was highly disappointed.

    “I have absolute confidence in every member of this House. Despite the fact that Judas in the Bible betrayed Jesus, His ministry on earth was achieved.”