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Tag: Erelu Bisi Fayemi

  • Hearty congratulations to Erelu Bisi Fayemi

    Hearty congratulations to Erelu Bisi Fayemi

    Even while not unduly perturbed at Dr Kayode Fayemi’s absence at the endorsement rally in Ado- Ekiti for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji last week because I know he attended an earlier one for the duo in Ado – Ekiti, I still reached out to him  to ask why?

    This was largely because of the spurious things I was reading on social media.

    Read Also: Erelu Bisi Fayemi: Senior Advocate of the women fold

    The truth of the needless brouhaha, however, was that while tongues were wagging ignorantly in Lagos, and elsewhere, but certainly not in Ekiti where those who should know already knew – both Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Governor Oyebanji announced his apologies – Dr Fayemi was in Cairo, Egypt, to witness his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, proudly receive the award of Africa’s most prestigious prize in philanthropy – the African Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Prize at the African Philanthropy Conference in Cairo, the day after the endorsement rally. This was in recognition of Erelu’s over three decades of exceptional contributions to social change philanthropy on the continent and globally but especially for her pioneering work in co-founding and running the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) twenty five years ago. Although the recipient of several honours in the field of philanthropy, including the David Rockefeller Bridging the Gap Award of the Synergos Institute, USA, and the Sigrid Rausing Foundation prize in the UK, this award represents the crowning glory of all her years in social change philanthropy. And with this recognition, she joins a stellar list of winners since the establishment of the prize in 2019 including Mrs Graca Machel, Dr Akwasi Aidoo, Dr Gerry Salole and Dr Tade Aina – all well known exemplars in the field of philanthropy.

    I heartily congratulate both her, and her very supportive husband on this August occasion

  • ‘Fayemi’s wife an advocate for right of African women’

    ‘Fayemi’s wife an advocate for right of African women’

    The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has described her predecessor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, as an advocate for the right of African women.

    She said Mrs. Fayemi was a voice for the voiceless and a passionate crusader for the right of girl-child to quality education.

    Speaking at a book reading and conversation around the writings of Erelu Fayemi in Ado- Ekiti, which was organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), Dr. Oyebanji described her as a fertile literary mind, who had done a lot through writing to impact the society.

    Read Also: Fayemi, others call for public accountability

    She congratulated Erelu Fayemi on the publication of her latest book from which she read and shared her thoughts on issues.

    She emphasised the importance of cultivating a culture of reading and intellectual engagement among youths.

    “With her passion for writing and reading, Her Excellency has heeded the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin, “Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing (about).” She has written for us in ‘Demand and Supply’ something worth reading, and her passion for the education and empowerment of Africa’s womenfolk is something worth writing about,” Oyebanji said.

  • Many out-of-school children are girls, says governor’s wife

    Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has bemoaned the increasing number of out-of-school children in the country.

    Delivering the fifth Distinguished Lecture of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, titled: “Clapping with one hand: Female education, leadership and the quest for national development,” Mrs Fayemi said she was worried that 60 per cent of children not in school were girls.

    She said statistics showed that the girl-child accounted for over six million out of the 10.5 million that lacked access to formal education.

    She said this was one of the major impediments to the progress and leadership of women.  For instance, she said women representation at the National Assembly and other levels of government was almost non-existent.

    “If you look at the configuration of the National Assembly since 2011, women representation has always been very bad and this has not given women ample opportunity to participate in setting legal framework that regulates governance. It was better in  2011, dropped in 2015, but became worse in 2019,” she said.

    She, however, predicted that with the efforts being made to sensitise women, there would be better representation in future elections.

    Mrs Fayemi noted that atrocities committed by terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram, had devastating effects on millions of citizens, particularly women and children. This, she said, had disrupted the education of many children, with a dire implication for their future and that of the country.

    Read Also: Fayemi suspends anti-grazing coordinator

    She added that despite their successes and achievements, millions of women and girls still suffered from the feminisation of poverty, lack of access to basic resources, diseases, violent conflict and the complex use of culture, religion and tradition to render the female gender voiceless in the society.

    “The gains of women are often eroded when faced with a combination of the following obstacles: Patriarchal power and privilege, violent conflict and displacement, lack of political will, religious and cultural conservatism, and ideological differences.

    “Inaccessible political machinery and godfather’s syndrome, lack of financial investment required for political office, violence and intimidation, cultural and attitudinal barriers are major factors that are limiting women and reducing their capacities to rise to the top,” she said.

    “Patriarchy is a system of male authority, which legitimises the oppression of women through political, social, economic, legal cultural, religious and military institutions.

    “Men’s access to, and control over resources and rewards within the private and public sphere derives its legitimacy from the patriarchal ideology of male dominance,” she said.

    She said these factors should not discourage the women from demanding for their rights.

    Erelu Fayemi called for holistic implementation and enforcement of relevant laws that tend to tame gender inequality and promote women’s interest to enhance their relevance in all sectors.

    She further advised women “to seek  conceptual clarity on gender and feminism, to research use of legislative and policy framework, build a platform to make political demands, encourage inter-generational organising, engage in resource mobilisation, make educational institution safe for female gender, prepare for leadership and build a legacy that can attract public respect.”

    At the event were the representative of Ondo State Governor, Dr Wumi Ilawole, a Special Adviser, Education, and wife of the Osemawe of Ondo, Olori Olayinka Kiladejo.

  • Fayemi’s wife weeps at remembrance of former Ekiti deputy governor

    The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi could not hold back tears on Monday while laying wreath in honour of former Deputy Governor, Olufunmilayo Olayinka.

    Erelu Fayemi said it is difficult to bear Olayinka’s loss six year after considering her selfless service to humanity.

    The first lady said the former deputy governor’s footprints on the sands of time remain legendary and her glorious legacies will positively affect future generations.

    She spoke at the occasion of the sixth Remembrance of former deputy Governor, Olayinka organised by the office of the state’s First Lady and held at the Adunni Olayinka Women Centre, Ado Ekiti.

    The event was used to give free healthcare services in form of screening for breasts and cervical cancers and other common ailments for women.

    She preached against widespread negligence on cancerous ailments on the part of women and men.

    She urged women in particular to desist from running away from doctor’s prescribed treatment at first stage of breast cancer diagnosis, saying that such carefree attitude leads to incessant deaths.

    Erelu Fayemi also urged the women to watch over their men for signs of prostate cancer with a view to take proactive steps when they suspect anything so as to forestall likely tragic incident.

    “We are using this medium to remember why Mrs. Adunni Olayinka passed on and this why we are giving free healthcare services particularly on breast cancer to the women.

    “Because we believe that prevention is better than cure. I do all the preventive measures every year by going for all normal routine checks, l  exercise regularly and that is why when people see me they comment that I look good.

    “Breast cancer has four stages, one and two are okay. Third is bad, it is 50, 50 chances fourth is very bad. Doctors say that at stage one when breast cancer is found in a woman to be discovery of lumps, most women run away when doctors prescribes that the breast should be removed.

    “They rather go to seek for some religious help and waste time till the cancer gets to the worst stage of four when they run back to the hospital and it would have been too late for the doctor to rescue them,” she said

    Erelu Fayemi who revealed that her husband, Governor Kayode Fayemi had earmarked the women centre for all kinds of women empowerment and other humanitarian services for the women folk.

    She promised that the state government through her office would roll out several women empowerment programmes.

    The first lady added: “These programmes will be taking place every three months; they will include women empowerment, free healthcare and will serve as means to reach out to the women in Ekiti to cater for their needs for care, help and other humanitarian services.”

    Speaking earlier, daughter of late Olayinka, Mrs. Yeside Agbola, who expressed her appreciation to Ekiti people and the government for honouring her mother.

    “We appreciate you for the honour bestowed on our family and particularly we thank the government of the state especially the wife of the governor.

    “We are using this occasion to remember our mother and as a result of the priority placed on women’s health, we are giving free screening for cervical cancer and breast cancer. So we can quickly prevent and treat these ailments.

    “I urge you all to take advantage of the free screening for cervical and breast cancer and also continue to do this from time to time. Women are home makers and pillars of our homes, if we are not in the home many would suffer,” she said.

    Speaking on the need of women to embark on comprehensive check-up, a consultant gaenecologist, Dr. Olumide Mojisola Ayomide urged women to give premium to their health considering their role in the house.

    Dr. Olumide said: ” Healthcare is hugely important among women because we are the pillars of the home, they take care of their husbands, children and even relatives of the family this is why our First Lady wants us to always do routine checks about  breast cancer, and high blood pressure which may lead to partial paralysis.

    “Cancer can affect our breast, liver, and all other parts of the body. We are talking about cancer of the breasts. Breast cancer is stony objects found in the breasts. There are things that some women have that make them prone to this kind of cancer, we do know its cause but any women is prone to having it especially those about 55years of age.

    She also educated the women on how to check their breast for symptoms of breast cancer, saying self-breast examination is very important to preventing cancer.

    “Stand before a mirror in nakedness, raise your hands up and check for lumps which are stony objects in the breasts.

    “Check the breasts first before looking at the mirror, check whether one is bigger than the other, for contours or swollen parts. Put your hands around the upper part of your bottom and do the checks, lie in the bed on your back and check the breasts accordingly, check from your armpits, the nipples for watery things like milk or blood and once you find this go to your doctor for clarification. Do this one to two weeks after your monthly period.

    There are very good facilities in the hospital that can effectively scan and reveal if anyone has breast cancer. Once you are 40 you should do breast cancer checks every year until you are 55,” she advised.

  • ‘Ekiti ’II implement laws to protect women against violence’

    Ekiti State governor’s wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi has reiterated government’s commitment to implementing laws targeted at protecting women’s from gender-based violence.

    Mrs. Fayemi said the inglorious days when women were being maltreated were over, saying the laws protecting their rights were being implemented by her husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    She said Ekiti has been recognised as a state that has the political will to safeguard the rights of the women with laws enacted by government to give them leverage in the society.

    She added that Fayemi has been complying with the 1993 Beijing declaration to inject the culture of gender equality into the state’s body polity through political appointments.

    Mrs. Fayemi, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti yesterday during an event commemorating the 2019 International Women’s Day, said the event ought to have been celebrated on March 8, but was postponed for coinciding with the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    She said the government was more committed to the implementation of the gender-based violence provision law, equal opportunities law, child right law and other safety policies that protect the rights of the women.

    She advised women not to feel intimidated or shy to cry out while in distress, saying laws are there to fight for them when oppressed.

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    “You have a governor in Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who is a feminist and who respects the rights of the women. He believed in you and he is ready to fight for you.

    “How can a girl-child be gang-raped by a group of boys or a woman be beaten up or victimised by seizing her property after losing her husband? All these can’t be tolerated under this government.

    “We also salute women for the role they played during the last election. This accounted for why the ruling party performed well in Ekiti.

    “If you look at the results of the last elections, four women were elected into the House of Assembly and one for the House of Representatives.”

  • ‘Fayemi not appointing ‘foreigners’ into cabinet’

    The Wife of the Governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has denied the allegation that her husband, Dr. Kayode Fayemi was appointing expatriate into his government.

    Mrs Fayemi stated that those that had been appointed in the last two months of her husband’s administration were more of homegrown politicians, contrary to the insinuation that expatriates have taken over the government.

    The governor’s wife also said the best way Ekiti people can overcome the onerous impediment of poverty is to reignite the culture of being ‘our brother’s keepers’, where the wealthy would learn how to render helps to the poor and vulnerable in the society.

    Mrs Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti on Friday while delivering a lecture theme: ‘Reclaiming our Lands, Restoring our Values: Beyond Slogan’ , to mark the 2018 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ekiti state chapter.

    While delivering her lecture, Mrs Fayemi said: “The rumour mongers have started again the way they did in our first term where a governor that did well to empower the people, make life abundant for the people of Ekiti and worked hard to uplift our values were said to have lost election as a result of disconnect from the people, which was a lie.

    “In any political contest, one will lose and the other will win. Was it the Secretary to the State government or the Chief of Staff or some of them that are present with me in this gathering that are expatriates? Who among the appointees?

    Read Also: My husband will restore values of Ekiti people – Mrs Fayemi

    “They have started this time and we are not going to tolerate them to defame our government with their rumour. This time we are ready for these rumour peddlers”, she said.

    The first lady added that the well-articulated policy thrust of Dr Fayemi was predicated on Social Investments, Infrastructure Development, Knowledge Economy, Agriculture and Rural Development, saying all these would be prosecuted to latter to add values to Ekiti and make life abundant and accelerate the living condition of the downtrodden masses.

    “This was the policy thrust through which Fayemi campaigned to Ekiti people and which resonated deeply with the good people of Ekiti State. The campaign theme did not need to be explained because it is crystal clear. There was a broad based consensus across the State and beyond that something had gone seriously wrong, and that wrong had to be corrected before it was too late”

    “It is obvious that all sectors of our national life are reeling from a crisis of values. The definitive elements of the national moral condition include a raging culture of instant gratification that feeds short termism, profiteering, and fraud.

    “In the aftermath of the June 2014 elections, a number of narratives emerged about the reasons why Dr. Fayemi lost, most of them tainted with half-truths, outright lies, and distortions. In every political contest, someone will win and some people will lose, and it is okay to try to identify reasons for political failure or glory.”

    “In his words during his inauguration speech, Fayemi affirmed that he would fight to restore our glories in education when Ekiti was the real Fountain of Knowledge, rekindle our family values when one will be poor but won’t sleep hungry or beg for food, bring back virtues of industry, honesty, sincerity and many others”, she stated.

  • Fayemi’s wife, Judge condemn rising gender-based violence

    Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi and High Court judge, Justice Toyin Abodunde, have condemned the rising cases of gender-based violence in the state.

    They said most of the victims in most cases were not bold to provide evidence that could have been nailed the suspects before getting to the police.

    This, they described, as an impediment hampering the progress in the fight against rape in the country.

    Mrs. Fayemi, in a keynote address delivered at the grand finale of the 2018 edition of activism against gender-based violence with the theme “Orange the world” in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday , urged the people of the State to be more proactive on issues of rape.

    She said: “The Prohibition law would be a major instrument that would be deployed in enhancing the zero tolerance for gender-based violence across the State.

    “I want to assure the  Ekiti State Government would work with all security and other related  agencies to ensure that cases of gender base violence were treated with dispatch for total elimination.

    “I charge all heads of all Ministries and inter-ministerial, Departments in the State to ensure that all cases of gender base violence were reported promptly at appropriate quarters”.

    Justice Abodunde urged the gathering to educate and sensitise the participants on various chapters of the gender based violence law and stiff penalties attached to it when violated.

    She added lack of substantial evidence is one of the factors undermining proper handling of rape cases by law enforcement

    agencies and urged everyone to take cognizance of this important element

    The Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, admonished people to report violence at appropriate quarters whenever there was any case among women and the girl child.

     

  • Fayemi’s Wife tasks theatre artists on peace building

    Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has tasked theatre artists to use their profession to peace and unity in Nigeria.

    She said arts is a veritable weapon to ensure stability of the country at a critical period in her history.

    The governor’s wife made the remarks on Thursday while declaring open the 31st Annual Convention and International Conference of the Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists (SONTA) holding at Federal University, Oye Ekiti (SONTA)

    The general theme for the convention is “Theatre, Counter Terrorism and the Nigerian Space.”

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    Leading playwrights, authors and theatre arts scholars like Professor Femi Osofisan, Prof. Shamsudeen Amali, Prof. Bode Sowande and Prof. Olu Obafemi were present at the opening ceremony of the conference.

    Mrs. Fayemi who described artists as storytellers, advocates, teachers and truth tellers urged them to be in vanguard for a better Nigeria through their works.

    FUOYE Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, said the general theme was apt at a time the country was going through security challenges.

    Soremekun said terrorism goes beyond the Nigerian space noting that terrorism also has sanctuary across the borders.

    SONTA President, Professor Alex Asigbo, said the body was using the conference to contribute to peace building in Nigeria.

    Mrs. Fayemi, her Benue State counterpart, Mrs. Eunice Orton, Professor Soremekun, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Omolori and an Information Technology investor, Mr. Babatope Agbeyo received awards at the event.

  • Breaking: Fayemi’s wife visits Fayose at Govt. house ahead of inauguration

    Members of the Inauguration Committee/Transition Committee set up by Ekiti State Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday paid a working visit to the Government House.
    The visit was aimed at ensuring the success of the October 16 inauguration and comfort of eminent personalities that will grace the occasion.
    Led by the wife of the governor-elect, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the committee was received by outgoing Governor Ayo Fayose.
    Fayose, who received the team, restated his readiness to cooperate with the incoming administration.

    Read Also: Fayemi…Back on familiar turf

    He disclosed that he will officially hand over the Government House on Sunday to the Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.
    Mrs. Fayemi commended Fayose for hosting the committee noting that the visit and inspection was part of the committee’s assignment.
    She expressed delight that on the availability of the complex to host some of the guests that will be on ground for Fayemi’s inauguration.
    Those on Mrs. Fayemi’s entourage include Mr. Deji Ajayi, Mr. Tade Aluko, Mr. Dapo Karonwi, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji and Mrs. Bunmi Obanise.

  • Fayemi raises 37-member inauguration committee

    Ekiti State Governor-Elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has set up a 37-member Inauguration Committee, charged with the responsibility of organising a hitch-free ceremony to usher in the new administration on October 16.

    The Committee is to liaise with officials of the outgoing administration and relevant agencies and stakeholders for proper coordination and execution of a successful inauguration ceremony.

    A statement on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor-Elect, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said members of the committee come with ample experiences from the public and private sectors.

    Members of the committee include Erelu Bisi Fayemi, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, Mrs Kemi Olaleye, Mr Akin Osho, Mr Yinka Oyebode, Mrs Funke Falodun, Mr Ayodeji Ajayi, Mr Tade Aluko, Mr Akin Rotimi, Mr Ayo Adegbite, Mr O’Seun Odewale, Mr Hakeem Jamiu and Mr Tolu Ibitola.

    Others Major Tajudeen Awe (rtd), Mrs Sola Salako-Ajulo, Mrs Bolaji Olagbaju, Dr Opeyemi Ogunsakin, Mr Kola Amire, Mr Kunle Dada, Mr Sanmi Omiata, Mr Tokunbo Adeparusi, Mr Oluremi Ajayi, Alhaja Mariam Ogunlade and Mr Jaiye Opayemi.

    The rest are Mr Gbenga Agbeyo, Chief Folorunsho Olabode, Hon Biodun Omoleye, Mr Shittu Olajide, Mr Biodun Fasakin, Princess Teju Okuyiga, Hon Oladapo Karounwi, Mrs Moni Afuye, Hon Adekunle Adeniyi, Brig-Gen Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), Mr Gbenga Atiba, Mallam Akeem Bello and Mr Seyi Aiyeleso.

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    The Terms of Reference for the committee members include: develop a framework for formal communications with relevant government agencies and stakeholders for a smooth inauguration ceremony; design and implement programmes for the inauguration ceremony; carry out a comprehensive assessment of facilities and venues for various events; ensure thorough supervision and excellent delivery of outlined events and activities leading to a successful ceremony.

    Other tasks include guest management, media coverage, crowd control, security and general entertainment.