The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Esan

  • JUST IN: 40 directors fail permanent secretary qualifying exam

    JUST IN: 40 directors fail permanent secretary qualifying exam

    No fewer than 40 directors failed the qualifying examination for appointment to the position of permanent secretaries, The Nation has learnt.

    Out of 92 directors who took the examination on May 27, 2024, 40 scored below 50 percent, indicating failure, according to the results obtained by our correspondent in Abuja.

    It was also gathered that three directors were absent, and one was unable to complete the exam.

    A memorandum dated May 28, 2024, originating from the Office of the Head of Service, designated as “HCSF/ CMO/ AOD/012/IX/59,” disclosed that the subsequent phase of the selection procedure will involve an ICT-based assessment.

    This setback occurs amidst the federal government’s efforts, channelled through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, to address prevailing and forthcoming vacancies by appointing new permanent secretaries.

    The vacancies in question span various states, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, and regions within the South-East and South-South.

    Read Also: Why we suspended helicopter landing levies, by Fed Govt

    Folashade Yemi-Esan, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, relayed pertinent details in a circular addressed to key government figures such as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

    Yemi-Esan’s circular, dated April 19, 2024, and personally signed, outlined eligibility criteria, stressing that only directors who attained substantive director status by January 1, 2022, qualify for consideration.

    The circular specified the initiation of the process for appointing Permanent Secretaries, emphasizing the importance of adhering to eligibility criteria, updating records on the IPPIS Verification Portal, and maintaining a clean disciplinary record.

    The circular, referenced as “HCSF/CMO/AOD/012/IX/24,” stated: “Following the approval of Mr. President, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation is initiating the process for appointing Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service for current and anticipated vacancies in Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara states, South-East, and South-South geo-political zones, where current Permanent Secretaries have retired or will retire between April and September 2024.”

    Eligibility criteria outlined in the memo include having reached the position of substantive Director on Salary Grade Level 17 by January 1, 2022, updating records on the IPPIS Verification Portal, being from the specified states or geopolitical zones, and not retiring before December 31, 2025.

    Additionally, officers currently undergoing disciplinary procedures are excluded from the selection process.

  • It’s Esan’s turn to be Edo governor, says LP

    It’s Esan’s turn to be Edo governor, says LP

    The Labour Party (LP) leader in Edo Central Senatorial District, Chief Friday Toyin Ibadin, has urged stakeholders to ensure that an indigene of Esan becomes governor in the forthcoming election.

    Addressing party stalwarts and members at the secretariat of LP in Edo Central Senatorial District in Uromi, Ibadin gave reasons a governor of Esan origin should be  elected.

    He noted that Edo South would have governed the state for 16 years, after the tenure of incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, while Edo North has governed the state for eight years, but Edo Central Senatorial District has only produced governor since Prof. Osunbor ruled from May 29, 2007 to November 11, 2008, and was removed by court.

    Ibadin said Edo Central contributed to the treasury through taxes, “but when it comes to power sharing, the district is told to take the back seat because it is a minority group,” thus he called for equitable distribution of power.

    He said a governor of Esan extraction was long overdue, adding that it was imperative for the people to collectively address ‘political marginalisation and psychological oppression’ meted out to them.

    Ibadin said in Delta State, the governorship seat rotates between Delta North, Central and South, no matter the political party in power, creating balance and equitable sharing of state resources and the promotion of peaceful co-existence.

    He said: ”There is no better time than now to express and assert the fact that a governor of Esan extraction at Osadebey House in 2024 is long overdue and should not be for sale.

    Read Also: APC pegs Edo guber nomination fee at N50m, holds primary Feb. 17

    “The current state of oppression of Edo Central Senatorial District is unacceptable, because it negates the  principle and ideal upon which the Labour Party is built, and it should remain as the compass and torchlight of our operation as a political party.

    “Our Benin brothers in Edo South would have governed this state for 16 years, after the tenure of Obaseki with our collective political and moral support of other senatorial districts that make up the state.

    “Our brothers in Edo North have governed the state for eight years also with our support collectively.  It is worthy to note that Edo Central Senatorial District has only produced a governor in the person of Professor Osunbor from May 29, 2007, to November 11, 2008, and was removed by a court of competent jurisdiction.”

    Ibadin sought the support of Esan sons and daughters for power shift, saying:  “We will lobby and negotiate with our brothers in Edo South and North to see reason with their brothers in Edo Central, that it is the turn of Edo Central to occupy Osadebey House in 2024. We did it for them, it is time for them to reciprocate and do the same for us.”

  • Esan not meant to screen, endorse any gubernatorial aspirants

    Esan not meant to screen, endorse any gubernatorial aspirants

    Publisher, National Chronicle, a newspaper for national interest, Tim Okojie Ave, head of organizing committee of Esan Leadership Summit, has said that the program is meant to foster unity among Esan sons and daughters against the news falsely spread by mischief makers that it was designed to screen and Endorse aspirants.

    He clarifies the burning issues concerning the much talked about summit coming up on September 30th at OKAIJESAN TOWN HALL, EGUARE IRRUA, Edo Central, in a briefing with news men.

    He said: “To start with, Esan Leadership Summit was conceptualized to bridge the gap of disunity among our people because we need each other and except the least of us is taken care of, the best of us cannot survive. It was against this backdrop that the Esan Leadership Summit was born in 2021, and this year’s edition will be the number two of such series.”

    Speaking further, Okojie Ave averred that: “Our goals, like I stated earlier, are to lift from the dump heaps all valuable, workable materials, reports and proposals, and shape them into acceptable practical propositions for immediate implementation in order to physically improve the lot of our people.

    Read Also: Adeyeye commends Tinubu’s social welfare measures

    “We believe that after the saturation of rhetoric, volume of academic discourse, lip services and downright deceit of politics and politicking , the time had come, through this summit, for concrete steps to be taken to tackle the multitude of problems that would have been eloquently be identified and highlighted at the summit.”

    Responding to a question on the alleged plans to use the summit to screen and endorse some gubernatorial aspirants from Edo Central Senatorial Districts, He said “It’s apt to set the record straight. The theme of the event is: Edo 2024 Guber race: Akugbe Ahu- Unity is strength: Matters Arising. Under that canopy are issues such as Esan Economic Development, Insecurity, Esan Culture and Tourism potentials, and Esan Road Map to Edo 2024.

    “The summit is purely a gathering meant to open conversation on the way forward for the Esan nation that has been denied the opportunity to govern the state in the past 24 years of the country’s democratic experiment.”

    The climax of the one day summit, he intoned will be the official presentation and launching of Esan Leadership and  Footprints, a compendium on Esan Titans, who is who in the past six (6) decades of Esan’s existence as a race. “Men and women that have made Esan nation proud through their selfless and patriotic efforts, and the book will be launched by the indefatigable leader and Esan Business Man of the year, Elder Famous Enearu, JP, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Classic Marine Services limited.

  • Esan professionals laud Obaseki’s developmental strides

     

    Prominent professionals of Esan extraction have applauded the Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration for re-positioning Edo state for economic growth.

    A cross-section of the professionals, who aired their opinions on the developmental strides of the governor, said that they were impressed with Obaseki’s style of governance as well as the even spread of development across the state.

    One of them, Barr Ehis Osagiede, praised the governor for the quality of road projects in Edo Central senatorial zone, which he said had opened the area up for economic prosperity.

    Osagiede, in an open letter, commended Obaseki for the massive road reconstruction completed and ongoing in Edo Central Senatorial Zone.

    According to him: “Words are not enough to show how grateful we are as a people, as past administrations, especially the one which preceded yours had failed and totally neglected Esan land and did not give us a sense of belonging, so much so that this made us feel like outcast in  Edo state.”

    Commending Obaseki’s leadership style, Osagiede said: “Over the last few years, the governor has shown bi-partisanship and a great sense of understanding of the concept of equalitarianism, humanity, compassion, love and brotherhood.

    “I remember vividly writing on your Facebook wall, in November 2017, complaining bitterly of how deplorable our roads had become in Ekpoma, annexed with that complaint/plea were terrible images which could at best be described as atrocious.

    “And I recall your words of assurance in response to that post the roads were going to be fixed, just like a father would assure his son. You could have chosen to ignore my post, but I guess that is not in your person.”

    He added: “The feedback I get from the people of Ekpoma, a town where I lived the most of my life, attended my nursery, primary, secondary schools and University, is that it is being transformed, and truly getting back its status of a metropolis which I have always dreamt of and certainly that which Prof Ambrose Alli envisioned for it.

    “It would also interest you to know there is nothing that has gladdened my heart as much as getting these feedback from Ekpoma.”

    Osagiede’s letter is coming after political leaders representing Edo Central in Obaseki’s administration described infrastructural development of Edo State since his assumption of office as unprecedented.

    According to them: “Infrastructural projects initiated and completed, with some ongoing, in Esan Land include 21 roads with a total length of 18.4km through which 2,680 persons have been employed.”

    They listed the road projects to include asphalt overlay on the 1350-metre Ikinago Ujosanle Road, in Opoji, Esan Central Local Government Area for which 580 persons were employed; 960-metre Idumbhokale/Ekhomu Street, Eguare Irrua; 626-metre Eson Street, Eguare, Irrua and 600-metre Ohue Ogene Street, off Idumebo road, Irrua, in Esan Central.”

    In Esan North East, the political leaders listed: asphalt overlay/drain construction/kerbs on the 600-metre Efadion College road (Oyeribhor), for which 360 persons were recruited directly; 580-metre Deeper Life Bible Church Road, Uromi and 600 metres Bishop Ekpo Street, Uromi, among others in Esan South East, Esan West and Igueben Local Government Areas.

  • Edo 2019: Will Esan support APC?

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki is wooing the people of Esanland to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections. Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR writes on why the district’s support is critical to the victory of the ruling party.

    Since 2008 when the defunct Action Congress (AC) sacked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power in Edo State, it has found it difficult to make an in-road into  Edo Central Senatorial District. Edo Central, also known as Esanland, has five local government areas. Its voting population is 14 percent of the entire votes in the state. The people have remained faithful to the PDP, even when the party lost power, both at the state and the federal levels.

    Despite having the lowest voting population in the state, Esanland, before 2008, was the ‘Mecca’ where politicians went for political blessings. This was because the late Chief Anthony Anenih, former Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) hails from Uromi, headquarters of Esan North East local government. The first budget of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole in 2009 had the input of Chief Anenih before the PDP-dominated House of Assembly passed the budget.

    After consolidating himself in power by deploying various tactics to sack the PDP from the House of Assembly leadership, Oshiomhole made moves to pacify Esanland by ensuring that a lawmaker, Bright Omokhodion, emerged as Speaker to balance the power equation in the state. He sunk boreholes in many communities to counter claims by the PDP government that it was impossible to get water out of the ground in Esanland. Oshiomhole also constructed roads linking many communities.

    Oshiomhole got his shocker in the 2011 general elections when the people of Esanland voted massively for the PDP. The leaders of the APC begged the people to re-elect Omokhodion to enable them produce the Speaker, but the people opted for candidate of the PDP, saying they did not benefit anything from Omokhodion as Speaker. A furious Oshiomhole had to sack all political appointees from Edo Central to punish them for not reaching out to the people to guarantee electoral victory.

    In the 2015 general elections and 2016 governorship election, Edo Central residents proved their unalloyed loyalty to the PDP. It was from Edo Central that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu got majority of votes. In the House of Assembly polls, the APC managed to win three constituencies while all the National Assembly seats were won by candidates of the PDP.

    Many reasons have been adduced for the APC’s failure to win in Esanland. Some APC leaders blamed the APC led-government for not appointing an Esan man to top political offices like the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff to the Governor or the Head of Service. They argued that the position of a Speaker that was the right of the Esans since the governor and deputy governor hail from Edo South and Edo Central respectively, is currently being held by a lawmaker, Kabiru Adjoto, from Edo North.

    Analysts said the ordinary Esan man felt the APC has not treated them fairly since 2008. They said what the Esans are yet to benefit from the politics of inclusiveness promised by the APC.

    In an apparent move to woo votes from Esanland, Obaseki recently honoured one of their prominent sons, the late Professor Ambrose Alli, a former governor of the defunct Bendel State between 1979 and 1983. Obaseki used the occasion to inform them that he has had audience with President Muhammadu Buhari over pleas for presidential pardon for Prof. Alli.

    Obaseki said he was optimistic that at the next meeting of the Council on Prerogative of Mercy, the President will officially grant the pardon.

    Obaseki disclosed that he was working with his Delta State counterpart on modalities to ensure that the pension due to Alli is paid to his widow and the family.

    He said: “I had an audience with President Muhammadu Buhari while in China and discussed the issue of a presidential pardon for late Prof. Alli and the president asked me to meet with the Attorney-General of the Federation. This I have done and have also written to him.”

    The eldest son of the former governor, Mr.  Andrew Folorunso Alli, who is the Ezomo of Ekpoma, lamented that his late father was still termed a criminal despite his contributions to the development of Delta and Edo states and Nigeria.

    Obaseki has completed the Ekpoma township roads. Recently, he appointed a prominent son of Ekpoma, Mr. Lawson Omokhodion, as the Chairman, Governing Council of the Ambrose Alli University. It was the first time an Esan man will be made Chairman of AAU Governing Council since 2008.

    Some trying politicians believe that Obaseki is to woo voters in Esanland to have sympathy for the APC.

    The Chairman of Esan West, Patrick Aguinede, said the PDP was a thing of the past in Edo Central, adding that the APC will achieve victory in 2019.

    He said: “The APC will win in this state because the governor has performed very well. The elected chairmen are success-driven. They cannot but replicate the developmental drive of the governor. If the chairmen perform well, why will the APC not win? With the local government chairmen on ground, I see no reason why we will not win.

    “The policy of ‘you must win your ward’ as introduced by Governor Obaseki is such a thing that will help us. It will be good to introduce it at the federal level. Every politician that want something in government is enjoined to win his ward. You will now see politician working hard to win elections in their ward. It has paid off very well. In the local government elections, if you did not win your ward, you have no reason to aspire. It was implemented in this contest. Many people did not make it because it shows they are not popular in their area. People are now looking inward on why they will win their ward.”

    Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Paul Ohonbamu said it was an exception to the rule for the APC to win anywhere in Esanland because the place is predominantly PDP. He said the core beneficiaries of the PDP’s rule are from the zone.

    His words: “Right from the beginning, Chief Tony Anenih has been empowering people along that axis whether as a Minister and those who took over from him. Those he empowered feel a sense of betrayal to go against him. He has dominated that place through and through. The thing has gone through the subconsciousness of the people.

    “It is not easy to erode the dominant nature of the PDP. At a time they had the Speaker, we lost in Esanland. They had other good position but those are not the things they want. I think with hard work, more inclusive of their people and gradual shifting of ground of their psychological make up will give us victory.

    “With the continous work of Governor Obaseki by proving to be a governor without boundary. He has done a lot of things in Esanland. That is why he declared state burial for Chief Anenih. It will form part of the condiment that will give greater  flavour to Anenih rite of passage from terrestial to the celestial. So many developmental projects pf Obaseki will touch their hearts to vote for the APC because they are not stones. They will vote for the APC in 2019.”

    But, to the Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, “The APC have the right to say whatever they want to say but we know the reality on ground. Today, I can frankly state that the APC situation in Edo Central is worse than it was in the last election. Edo Central is one senatorial district that they have been denied everything politically.

    He added: “Look at all the appointment in the state. Edo is made up of three senatorial districts and each senatorial district have been well represented by previous administrations but today under Obaseki for reasons best known to him and Oshiomhole his political godfather determine and dictates what is done under his administration. For reasons best known to Obaseki, the position of the speaker was taken away and given to Edo North.

    “Edo North that had a governor for 8 years and now have the deputy governor. Is that what will make them consolidate their dream support in Edo central? That is one district they should not expect any support in the next election. It is very unfair to Edo central people. It is an insult for the APC to even consider coming to Edo Central to ask for votes.”

     

  • Flood sacks 35 Edo communities, kills six

    Flooding killed six people and sacked no fewer than 35 communities in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo this year.

    The Chairman of the council, Mr Victor Emuankhangbon, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Ubiaja, the headquarters of the council.

    He said that the flooding also affected many farm lands.

    Read Also: Sokoto rice farmers lose N27.5b to floods

    Emuankhangbon said that the flooding was severe at Ilushi and Ifeku Islands, lamenting that the development might result to food shortages.

    He, however, said that government was looking at ways to encourage dry season farming, to mitigate the effects of envisaged food shortages.

    According to him, the Federal Emergency Relief Management Agency and the Edo State Emergency Relief Management Agency have since provided assistance to people affected by the flooding.

    Emuankhagbon said that people affected by the flooding had started returning to their homes with the water level reducing in the flooded communities.

  • Esan National Congress rejects cattle colony

    A group representing the interest of the Esan, the dominant ethnic group in Edo Central Senatorial District, Esan National Congress (ENC) has rejected proposals to site cattle colonies or ranches in the senatorial district.

    In a statement yesterday, the group said it took the position following observations on the fallouts from the activities of herdsmen in the region and in other parts of the country.

    Signed by Interim chairman Chief Omochiere Aisagbonhi, the Esogban of Ubiaja, the ENC said:

    “That Esan People, as a peaceful race with law-abiding citizens, welcome other law-abiding and peace-loving persons who wish to do legitimate and beneficial business in Esanland.

    “That any business to be so carried out must not be to the detriment of the original inhabitants and owners of the land.

    “That Esan people have been following events relating to cattle business as carried out by herdsmen in Nigeria.

    “That Esan people are not unaware of the historical background of cattle and herdsmen businesses in areas that have come persistently under attacks by the herdsmen to the point that the original inhabitants and land owners have been displaced from their ancestral homes.

    “That in view of the attendant effects of cattle ranching/colony in our immediate, surrounding and external environment in Nigeria,  where farmers and other citizens have been and are being killed, maimed or kidnapped daily  by supposed pastoralists/herdsmen, Esan People say ‘no’ to any effort for their land or territory to be used for cattle ranching/colony.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Youth Corper narrates ordeal with one chance robbers

    Youth Corper narrates ordeal with one chance robbers

    A member of the National Youth Service Corps serving in Edo State, Miss Jennifer Joseph, has narrated how she was robbed by one chance robbers when she boarded a taxi from Ikpoba-hill axis to Ring Road.

    Jennifer said the attack happened on December 2 when she was returning from Uromi in Esan North East local government area.

    She stated that she was beaten severally inside the taxi and was dumped near the Ikpoba river.

    According to her, “I met them inside the car and thought they were passengers. Suddenly they started hitting my head and beating me.

    “I have them my ATM card, phones and everything I had. They parked and asked for my pin code. The beating continued when one of them came back and told them he couldn’t collect money from my bank account.

    “My head is still aching. It was someone that saw me on the ground and rescued me.”

    The three suspects identified as Destiny Kelly, Endurance Aburime and Christopher Abomugo, who were arrested in connection to the robbery, said they only used plier to beat Jennifer.

    Destiny who claimed he was just deported from Libya said it was his first attempt at engaging in robbery.

    He said they collected N4000 and mobile phone from their victim.

    State Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, said the suspects were arrested after thorough investigation.

    He said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

  • Esan unveils development agenda for Ekiti

    Esan unveils development agenda for Ekiti

    A governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Deacon Adekunle Esan, has unveiled his marshall plan for the state. Addressing supporters during a fund-raising ceremony in Clarksville, Maryland, United States of America (U.S.A.), he recalled that he had the privilege of visiting a government establishment in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, some years ago, lamenting that it took unusually too long to be attended to.

    He said the ‘Blueprint for Development’ is encapsulated in the acronym – WE HEAR U. This acronym, he explained, covers all the major facets of human endeavours, ranging from infrastructure development, agric, health, education and others.

    He said :”This is not yet a comprehensive detail of what we have in our Action Plan, but it serves to intimate you with what we hope to do if given the mandate. “WE HEAR U” is fashioned out to summarise the caption of action plan encapsulated as Blueprint for Ekiti Development.”

    In the area of water supply, he said if given the opportunity, the administration will urgently revive all existing water supply systems in the state. These include Ureje Dam, Ero Dam and Egbe Dam to guarantee at least 35 per cent capacity supply of potable water to the people of Ekiti within the first four years.

    On power to drive the engine of the state’s economy, he said his leadership will prioritise power supply to cover at least 80 per cent of Ekiti through clean and renewable energy within two years in office.

    Esan who lamented the deplorable condition of the health infrastructure in the state, said health services and comprehensive health centres will be provided, adding that focus shall be on preventive health delivery. This will be achieved through the establishment of functional comprehensive health centres in each of the 16 local government areas of the state.

    He said: “The education sector will receive serious attention. The development of educational infrastructure will include research and development. Emphasis shall be placed on the computerisation of Ekiti national educational system with focus on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). We will work towardsimplementing and guaranteeing tuition-free public schools in Ekiti from elementary to secondary school levels.”

    In the agricultural sector, he said the challenges confronting the sector will be addressed in both long and short run. He said in the short run, the administration will identify, revive and empower local agro-production capacities in planting, harvesting, preservation, processing and distribution of produce, while in the long run, there will be massive investment in agro-mechanisation for mass production, transformation, effective distribution and marketing of produce.

    Noting that road is at the heart of modern economy, he said the construction and reconstruction of inter and intra city road networks that are strategic market agric will be attended to.  Maintenance culture will be re-instituted and institutionalised in all aspects of state programmes and projects, he assured.

    Since the state is also not immuned to the virus of unemployment, he said he plans to establish hands-on career training and re-training programmes in selected tertiary and professional institutions in the state to focus on the needed skills in the local job market. “Incentivise the localisation and re-localisation of businesses in the state will be promoted.  Our ambitious plan is to reduce youth unemployment by at least 60 per cent by the end of my fourth year in office,” he promised.

    Water he said is essential to life. Therefore, the provision of clean and potable water should remain a priority for any responsible government. It is an integral part of infrastructural, health and environmental development. This is to improve hygiene and reduce water-related health diseases. It will therefore be imperative for our government to provide clean water to all the people and communities in Ekiti State, he said.

    Esan added: “The production, distribution and supply of potable water in the state is insufficient and inefficient in spite of the abundant natural water sources and resources in the state. The reason for water shortage and unavailability in the state is that none of the water schemes is functioning as a result of mistaken priority and a gross lack of political will which consequently hinders repairs of damaged pipelines, maintenance and purchase of necessary wares and spare parts.”

    The APC chieftain said a state that has Ero Dam with installed capacity of 104,500 cubic meters per day; Egbe Damwith capacity is 66,000 cubic meters (14.5 million gallons) per day; Itapaji headworkswith capacity of 1.14 million gallons or 5,175 cubic meters per day, has no business suffering shortage of water.

    He said aside those major water projects, there are also the Ado Ekiti 4, 930 cubic meters (about 1.08million gallons) per day; Ikere Ekiti (borehole) water supply scheme with capacity of 225 cubic meters (50, 000 gallons) per day, Efon-Alaaye Water Supply scheme with capacity of 675 cubic meters [about 150, 000 gallons] per day; Igbara-Odo/Ogotun Water Supply Scheme with capacity of 600 cubic meters [130, 000 gallons] per day; Okemesi Water Supply Scheme with capacity of 225 cubic meters [50, 000 gallons] per day; and Ido Ajinare Water Supply Scheme with installed capacity of 200 cubic meters [42, 000gallolons] per day.

    He lamented that Ayede Water Supply Scheme and Ido-Ekiti Water Supply Scheme were abandoned long ago and remain unattended to since the creation of the state.

    He said: “Having identified all the water supply schemes in Ekiti State, their challenges and problems we understand that our abandoned installed capacities alone, when fully harnessed by our administration, will guarantee clean and potable water for 60 per cent of the population in the state, within my first two years in office.”

    Ekiti State is situated amidst mountains and undulating hills which favour tremendous blow of wind. The topography contributes to the peaceful habitation orchestrated by gentle and continuous wind blow throughout the year. It is therefore our plan to make use of the natural allocation of wind in the state to generate power other than solar and hydro-electric sources of energy that would not work, he said.

     

  • Esan: I’ll take Ekiti to greater heights

    Esan: I’ll take Ekiti to greater heights

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

    What qualifies you for the Ekiti governorship?

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

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

    Why did you join politics?

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

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

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

    What is your blueprint for the development of Ekiti?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

    What is your message to electorates and party members?

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