The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fayemi

  • Fayemi reshuffles Ekiti Permanent Secretaries

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has reshuffled Permanent Secretaries in a move to re position the civil service in the state.
    The shake-up affected nineteen permanent secretaries who were moved to new Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), while ten retained their positions.
    A statement signed by the Acting Head of Service, Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, said Dr. Fayemi has given his approval to the shake-up and the postings to take immediate effect.
    The Permanent Secretaries sacked by former Governor Ayo Fayose but reinstated by Fayemi were also assigned roles in the exercise.
    The reinstated Permanent Secretaries and their new offices include Mr. Alfred Ologuntoye (General Administration), Mr. Ayodeji S. Ajayi (Education, Science and Technology), Mr. Babatunde Alokan and (Government House and Protocol) and  Mr. Ayoola Owolabi (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs).
    Two other reinstated Permanent Secretaries, Mr. Akin Oso and Mrs. Funke Falodun, have tendered their resignation while another reinstated Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ayodeji Ajiboye, was directed to report to the Head of Service.
    Permanent Secretaries who retained their positions include Mr. Kayode Abe (Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industries), Mr. Dele Agbede (Works and Transportation), Mr. Sesan Alabi (Office of Establishment
    and Training), Mr. Dare Abegunde (Agriculture and Rural Development) and Mrs. Yemisi Owolabi (Accountant General).
    Others keeping their positions include Mr. Babatope Ojo (Justice), Mr. Sunday Komolafe (Office of the Deputy Governor), Mrs. Olabisi Akindele (Cabinet and Special Services Department) and Mr. Ayodeji O. Ajayi (Infrastructure and Public Utilities)
    Those who swapped positions include Dr. Adekunbi Obaisi from Education, Science and Technology to Information and Civic Orientation; Mr. Sunday Adebayo from Teaching Service Commission to Finance; Mr. Yemi Owoseni from Finance to Youth and Sports; Dr. Folake Olomojobi, from Hospitals management Board to Health and Human
    Services and Mr. Kola Ajumobi, from Information and Civic Orientation to Bureau of Arts, Culture and Tourism.
    Mr. Ojo Fasiku was moved from Government House and Protocol to Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Olabanji Ojo, from Budget andEconomic Planning to Local Government Service Commission and Mr. James
    Owolabi from General Administration Department to Budget and Economic Planning.
    The rest are: Dr. Ayotunde Omole, from Health to Hospitals Management Board; Mr. Olasehinde Omodara, from Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to Bureau of Employment, Labour and Productivity; Dr. Bimpe
    Osundare, from State Universal basic Education Board to Teaching Service Commission; Mrs. Foluke Adeyemo, from Environment to Women Affairs and Social Development and Dr. Eunice Oladimeji from Political and Economic Development to State Universal Basic Education Board.

  • Saraki, Fayemi, Fasanmi: Fasehun battled for democracy

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, leader of Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and Second Republic senator, Chief Ayo Fasanmi and Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa yesterday expressed sadness over the death of the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun.

    In a statement in Abuja, the nation’s capital, by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President said: “Fasehun was a man who transcended childhood limitation of late enrolment into school, became a medical practitioner of repute and joined in the struggle to enthrone democracy in the country.

    “He served the Yoruba nation in particular and the country in general through his cultural renaissance movement – the OPC – and political struggle. He was one of the people who deserved to be called the heroes of our present democracy as they fought against military rule.

    “Dr. Fasehun worked to preserve the health of the high and low in society. He worked to free Nigeria from military dictatorship. He worked to promote the cause of the Yoruba Nation. We have lost a star and a man of ideas. We shall all miss him.”

    Saraki commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Ondo State and the Yoruba nation over the sad loss.

    Dr Fayemi noted that the country had lost a major pillar of its democratic struggles.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the governor said: “We have lost another strong pillar of our democratic struggles. Dr Fasehun would do anything to defend the rights of his people against any act of tyranny and oppression.

    “Dr Fasehun fought a good fight as a frontline leader in the struggle for the democracy we now enjoy. He challenged and encouraged many of the younger generation with the way he fought for democracy with all his energy and resources.

    “We shall surely miss his amiable personality, simplicity, wisdom and courage.

    “But we are encouraged by the fact that Dr Fasehun fought a good fight and left behind a good name and a legacy of selfless service that is worthy of emulation. This, we believe, should be a source of consolation to the children and the family.

    “Our prayer is that God grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant Baba eternal rest.”

    Senator Fasanmi said the death of Fasheun, whom he described as his in-law and friend, came to him as a rude shock.

    In a statement his personal assistant, Mr. Adebayo Temitope, the Afenifere chieftain also described the late Fasheun as a fighter for justice.

    Pa Fasanmi said the late OPC leader dedicated his life for the struggle of the common man.

    He said: “He is one of the frontline leaders for the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria. The death of Dr. Fasehun is not a personal loss to his family but to the entire progressive family. I pray to the Almighty God to fill the vacuum he left behind in the family of Fasheun, in Ondo and Nigeria. May the soul of our departed one rest in perfect peace.”

    Obasa commiserated with OPC.

    A statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Musbau Rasak, the Speaker said: “The late Dr Fasehun was a nationalist; his death is, therefore, not only a loss to his family and OPC but also to the entire Nigerian nation.”

    “He was a dogged fighter who will always pursue his belief to logical conclusion. Nigeria will surely miss his experience, knowledge and wisdom,” he said.

  • Fayemi closes case at election tribunal

    Ekiti State Governor John Kayode Fayemi yesterday closed his case before state’s Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo, after calling four witnesses.

    On Monday, Fayemi’s first witness, Mr Adunmo Rufus Sunday, a Deputy Director General of JKF Campaign Organisation, told the tribunal that the July 14 poll was free, fair and credible by all standards.

    The witness said contrary to the allegations of bias, violence, vote-buying and general malpractices by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Prof Olusola Kolapo, who are the petitioners, the election was devoid of rancour and violence.

    At the resumed hearing yesterday, Fayemi’s counsel, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), told the tribunal that he would no longer call any other witness and that he was ready to close the case.

    “My lord, we have called four witnesses and tendered only one exhibit so far. We have come to the conclusion that this is a good place to announce the closure of the case,” Fagbemi said.

    After consultation with other parties, the parties agreed that the respondents be given three days to file their written addresses and the petitioners to have five days to file their written addresses as well as three days to accord the responses the reply on point of law.

    Tribunal Chairman Justice Suleiman Belgore told the parties that all the addresses must come in by December 15.

    He adjourned the matter till January 9 for adoption of the final written addresses and oral arguments of counsel.

     

  • Oni’s eligibility suit against Fayemi begins

    •Lawyer raises security concern

    The hearing of eligibility suit filed by former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni against the incumbent, Dr Kayode Fayemi, started yesterday on a controversial note at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The case was referred to the Ado-Ekiti Division by a Federal High Court, Abuja, where Oni is challenging the eligibility of Fayemi as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the July 14 governorship election.

    Fayemi, the APC flag bearer, defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, and 34 other candidates to win the governorship seat.

    But Oni, who came second in the APC primary, filed the suit, claiming that Fayemi did not resign from office as Minister of Mines and Steel Development before running as a candidate in the main election.

    Oni polled 481 votes to become the first runner-up in the primary Fayemi won with 940 votes on May 12.

    At resumed sitting of the matter yesterday before Justice Uche Agomoh, Oni’s lawyer Anthony Adeniyi alleged security scare on the court premises.

    Adeniyi claimed that some party supporters attempted to prevent him from entering the court and prevent him from continuing with the case.

    He said: “Some party supporters attempted to stop me from accessing the court area but for the quick intervention of police who ferries me to the court premises.”

    But Fayemi’s counsel, Chief Rafiu Balogun, allayed Adeniyi’s fears.

    He promised to contact the defendant and applicant on the security concerns.

     

     

  • Ekiti SSG rallies support for Fayemi

    The Secretary to Ekiti State Government (SSG), Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has urged the residents to support Governor Kayode Fayemi to reposition the state for rapid development.

    Oyebanji spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state apital, when a delegation of the old students’ association of his alma mater, Awo Community High School, Awo-Ekiti, visited him in his office.

    The SSG said the Fayemi administration is committed to diligent implementation of its Four-Point Development Agenda to transform the state.

    According to him, the hallmark of the new administration includes transparency and accountability.

    Oyebanji said the government would remain open to constructive criticisms.

    The SSG expressed appreciation to God for another opportunity to serve the state.

    He called for continued prayers and support of members of the association, promising not to let them down.

    The Protem National Chairman of the Awo High School Old Students Association, Mr Oluropo Ojo, expressed confidence in Oyebanji’s ability to live up to expectation in his new office.

    According to him, the school has produced prominent men holding strategic positions in public and private sectors.

    He hailed the SSG for being a good ambassador of the school, adding that the association was proud of his accomplishments.

    Ojo congratulated Oyebanji on the feather added to his cap and prayed for his continued success.

  • Minimum wage: Fayemi canvasses upward review of federal allocation

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Saturday said that the Federal Government needed to address the current revenue allocation formula, to enable state governments pay the new minimum wage being requested by workers.

    Fayemi spoke when he received the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said that Ekiti, which received one of the lowest allocations in the country, would require extra N2bn monthly to be able to pay.

    The governor, who explained that the N30,000 minimum wage was not a comfortable living wage for workers, said he was convinced that governors would pay if the Federal Government creates the enabling environment for them to do so.

    He, however suggested a collective approach by labour leadership, the government and the general public.

    Fayemi said the issue of affordability was key in paying the proposed minimum wage

    The governor said Ekiti had always been paying above the national minimum wage as the state
    was  paying N19, 350 as against the N18,000 minimum.

    He, however, said that for Ekiti State to pay the new N30,000 minimum wage, it would need an additional N2 billion in addition to the current wage bill of N2.6 billion, totalling N4.6bn.

    This, he said was the case in many other states, disclosing that Ekiti earns averagely N3bn federal allocation monthly.

    “I am not holding brief for
    the governors because I am the youngest among them, having only come to office barely a month ago.

    ”So, I cannot speak on what has transpired in your negotiation in the course of this tripartite committee,” he said

    Fayemi said if he were, however, to put hinself in the shoes of his colleagues, giving the fact on ground in Ekiti, he believed it was only a question of affordability, ability to pay.

    “As long as we have the revenue allocation formula that we have in the country, even in states where you have willing partners and comrades that are not going to contend the N30,000 figure, if nothing is done about current revenue allocation, this will be tough on states.

    “In fact, this N30,000 is not even enough, Mr President, I don’t know anyone who can really live
    comfortably on N30,000, let alone the N18,000 we are currently paying.

    “I think we need a collective approach to this beyond the game of numbers.

    “The workers are very critical components to the productive base of our country, because it is the human capital and it has to be motivated human capital.

    ” It has to be an enthusiastic human capital that can deliver the goods to the populace,” Fayemi said.

    The NLC President, who met with the governor together with some national and Ekiti State labour union leaders, had solicited the cooperation of all governors in the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.

    He said that all states should be able to afford it.

    Wabba also lauded Fayemi for his administration’s demonstrated love for the workers’ welfare.

    He commended him on the recent release of N200m for teachers’ car and housing loans as well as the abolishing of development levies in public primary and secondary schools in the state, among others.

    “We know your pedigree and I am not surprised about this. We know you are a friend of workers.

    ”In 2012, you were the first to pay the N18,000 minimum wage in the South West and second in
    Nigeria. You even paid N19,300,” Wabba said.

    The NLC boss stressed the need for state governments to ensure transparency and accountability, to
    ensure that what is due to workers are given to them.

    He urged the state governments to block all forms of leakages that may bar them from paying workers what is due to them.

    Wabba expressed optimism that government would take all
    necessary steps at ensuring that the new minimum wage is paid. (NAN)

  • My interview not meant to denigrate ASUU, says Fayemi

    The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has dispelled insinuations that he denigrated the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) during a recent press interview in France, where he alluded to the fact that the union and tertiary institutions have fared better under President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    In a recent statement, released by his Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, he stressed, that, the interview has been misconstrued by chapters of ASUU as a direct comment on salaries of professors and undue meddling in the affairs of the union.

    According to him, the thrust of the interview was the need for honest debate on basic and tertiary education in the country. The reference to salaries of professors was only a light–hearted response to a question about his thoughts on the quality of university professors’ salaries.

    Also, contrary to insinuations that the interview took place during the President’s interactive session with the Nigerian Community, the interview actually took place a day after the event, he claimed.

    “I made bold to say that no government has done as much as this government. Not just for ASUU, but for tertiary education in our country. Is it enough? Absolutely, it is not going to be enough. We have to keep doing more.

    “But ask yourself what was the average wage in the university system before. A university professor earn more than me as a governor. My salary as a governor is N500,000. Most University professors earn about the same amount if not more.

    Read also: ASUU carpets Fayemi on earned salary of professor, governor

    “Yes, you may argue that there are other opportunities available, there are also other opportunities that are available that are not being taken advantage of by our academics. I can say a little bit about this because this is my terrain.

    ”I do not think that ASUU on its own strength can argue that government has not done well. There is hardly any institution in Nigeria today, including states universities that have not had the benefit of intervention.

    “It is either the government is building an auditorium or rehabilitating a laboratory, or improving on students hostels in virtually all the universities as I speak to you. That is what TETFUND does via their intervention funds. That again is not the complete solution.

    “There is need to revisit a whole lot of things about education policy,” he said, adding that, as someone from the university system, there is no way he can denigrate professors and the teaching profession.

  • Fayemi seeks Senate’s intervention in N21b Fed roads refund

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has sought the intervention of the Senate in the refund of N21 billion spent on construction and rehabilitation of Federal roads across the state.

    The governor made the appeal while hosting members of the Senate Committee on Works during an inspection visit to Federal roads and other projects in the state as part of their oversight functions.

    The Senate committee, led by its Chairman, Kabiru Gaya, was received on behalf of the governor by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi. Other members of the committee are: Biodun Olujimi, Clifford Odia and Mustapha Sani as well as some workers of the National Assembly.

    Fayemi said he was not yet satisfied with the number of Federal projects in the state.

    The governor said he would not relent until projects, like railways and airport, become reality in the state.

    He also solicited the intervention of the Federal Government in the completion of the dualisation of Ado-Akure road and the rehabilitation of Ado-Aramoko-Ijero road, Ado-Ifaki-Ilorin road and Ifaki-Omuo road.

    Fayemi said: “We wish to use the opportunity of your visit to also present the following request to you, trusting you that you will use your good office to help us.

    “As for Ado-Ifaki-Ilorin road, part of it was reconstructed the other time but was badly done. We wish you travelled on these roads, especially Ado-Ilorin road.

    “Apart from that, Ifaki-Omuo road is begging for total reconstruction. It is a journey that should not take more than an hour, but now takes two hours, thirty minutes to get to the town.

    “Ado-Ikare road needs to be dualised; we have done a part of it. It is my hope and prayer that the outcome of this tour will have a significant and positive impact on the infrastructural development of this zone.”

    Gaya promised that more Federal roads in Ekiti State would be included in next year’s budget.

    He said: “I learnt that there were few projects done by the Federal Government in the state even though Senator Biodun Olujimi and Senator Fatimat Raji Rasaki are working hard to ensure that new projects come to the state.

    “Presently, we are working on Efon Alaaye-Itawure-Iwaraja road. Hopefully, the contractor handling the project will deliver it by March next year.

    “I think Ekiti State needs more roads from the Federal Government and I believe Governor Fayemi is dynamic and very hardworking.

    “We have gone round to see the roads; have seen where we want the contractors to move fast and, in some cases, we asked for the termination of their contracts because we will not allow people to misuse government money for personal interests.”

  • Ado-Ekiti indigenes hail Fayemi on Erekesin market

    A group, Ado-Ekiti Indigenes Forum Worldwide, has expressed its gratitude to the Kayode Fayemi/Bisi Egbeyemi administration for promptly cancelling “the erstwhile hurried sale of Erekesin market by former Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    In a statement by the Akuajo of Ado-Ekiti, Chief Olugbayo Ogunleye, on behalf of the town’s indigenes, the group noted that “the outright sale of the largely uncompleted traditional Oja Oba Market was vehemently opposed by Ado-Ekiti indigenes”.

    Ogunleye said the residents “trooped to the streets in August to protest against the sale by Fayose that the market is the unifying heritage of the town where most traditional rites to their deities are performed by the people and the palace”.

    He added: “Besides, the forum postulated that the administration of markets is constitutionally the prerogative of local government areas, from where they derive substantial Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    “The most intriguing aspect is that the original indigenous stall owners, who were earlier promised to retain their stalls after the completion, were denied; instead, their stalls were ‘sold’ to mainly Igbo traders. This can never happen in Onitsha, Aba, Enugu, Owerri or any of their Eastern states.”

  • Ekiti to become nation’s food basket, says Fayemi

    …as NDE trains 230 youths in the state

    EKITI State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has revealed his administration’s plan to reposition the state as a food basket for the country. The measure, he said, is part of his administration’s focus on agriculture and rural development. Fayemi, stated this while he inspected facilities at the National Food Reserves Agency’s silos in AdoEkiti, on Thursday. He said the Federal Government established the silos as a repository for food storage, that, people can depend on during nonharvest period. He added that his administration will encourage farmers to take advantage of the storage facilities, which he said were currently under utilised. “I am aware that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has put up a bid for people, who are in

    terested to run the silos to take them up, we are hoping that process would be completed soon and that would be put to use. “And we can then encourage our own farmers to go beyond subsistence farming, that is really the challenge, there is no point having a facility like this if it is not going to be utilised and it can’t be utilised if we don’t produce food in commercial quantity. “Grains particularly in commercial quantity. Be it rice, be it maize, soya bean, all these things require rededicated approach to agriculture beyond farming. That is what we pioneered when we set up the Youth in Commercial Agriculture Programme and that is why we set up a Technical and Agriculture College so that there is a

    consistent line of mid-level manpower. For this to become a model, agriculture is the way out,” he said. The governor, who noted that farming remains the number one pre-occupation of Ekiti people, said his government will partner with farmers and some private organisations to boost food production through agricultural enterprise. According to him, Ekiti has the capacity to become the food basket not only for the south-west region, but for the country at large, because of its rich farm land. What the government needs to do is to create an enabling environment and support the state’s farmers with infrastructure and access to funding. Fayemi noted that the importance of agriculture in the state’s drive towards economic development cannot be over empha

    sised. He encouraged farmers to go beyond subsistence farming and embrace large scale farming for commercial purpose. Meanwhile, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), has commenced training of 230 youths in Ekiti State, under its Skills for Job (S4J) component of Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO). Other states benefiting from the scheme are Bauchi, Niger, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, Kogi and Osun, with the trainees receiving stipends throughout the nine months of the training. Speaking on Wednesday at the orientation ceremony for the beneficiaries, NDE Director General, Dr. Nasiru Ladan, said the scheme will equip them with skills through training, internship and ap

    prenticeship for employability. Ladan, who was represented by Tinuke Alabi, from the NDE headquarters in Abuja, said the agency floated the scheme as a complementary and coordinated platform for social safety nets as an effective tool for poverty reduction. He disclosed that NDE is being supported by the World Bank and the Federal Government to ensure smooth implementation of

    S4J activities in all the participating states, since the scheme commenced two years ago. The beneficiaries, according to him, would be deployed to competent Private Sector Operators (PSOs) for internship/apprenticeship. The NDE boss urged the state government to provide basic working tools and equipment as starter packs to beneficiaries, who would be self-employed at the end of the training.