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  • Fayemi, Akeredolu, ARG leaders, Awolowo-Dosunmu, others mark Awo’s birthday in Ekiti, Ogun

    Fayemi, Akeredolu, ARG leaders, Awolowo-Dosunmu, others mark Awo’s birthday in Ekiti, Ogun

    ADo-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital and Ikenne, Ogun State, came alive yesterday as progressives under the aegis of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) and the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation celebrated the posthumous birthday of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, led a cast of political stalwarts, who came to celebrate the day with local progressives in Ado-Ekiti.

    They told a crowd of audience, who thronged Eagle Hall, Ikere Road, Ajebamidele, that all Yorubas must sustain the ideals of Awolowo, which made the Southwest to stand out as a beacon of development.

    Members of ARG, All Progressives Congress (APC) and their admirers had earlier in the day staged a public walk to mark Awolowo’s 109th birthday from Okeyinmi Roundabout to Ajebamidele, venue of the public lecture in a carnival-like fashion.

    At Ikenne, eminent Nigerians, including Prof. Banji Akintoye, former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, ex-Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko also marked the 31st posthumous birthday of late sage with a call on the nation’s youth to learn from Awo’s leadership example and exemplary lifestyle.

    Fayemi used the Ado-Ekiti event to sound a battle cry that the APC was poised to win back Ekiti State in the July 14 governorship election and implement the four cardinal policies of Awolowo, which was in operation when the progressives were in power.

    The former Ekiti State governor regretted that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has obliterated the four cardinal policies, which include free education, free health services for children, pregnant women, aged, job creation and rural growth.

    The minister, whose rumoured governorship ambition has been trending for the past few months, said the July 14 election represents a good opportunity to return the APC to power to restore the Awo-inspired legacies for the good of the people

    Akeredolu, who was chairman of the occasion, said the APC is the party that still promotes Awo’s legacies, noting that the first Premier of the Western Region was being celebrated for pioneering the development of his race.

    Oshun, who was represented by an ARG leader, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, said the body would work hard to ensure that Awo’s legacies remain alive, adding that the Yoruba would continue to celebrate the late political legend.

    A guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Alade Fawole, regretted that many of the contemporary political office seekers lack germane ideas to lead because they haven’t groomed themselves by reading and getting exposed to ideas that would make them better leaders.

    Fawole, in his lecture titled: “Obafemi Awolowo and transformative politics: Sustaining the worthy legacy,” urged politicians to emulate Awolowo by developing ideas that would change the society for better.

    Akintoye, Mimiko, Dr. Awolowo-Dosunmu, at the Ikenne event, urged the youth to be determined, courageous and have vision, if they aspired to effect desirable change in the leadership problems Nigeria has been  contending with for decades.

    The programme, titled: “Awo Conversations” at the  Efunyela Hall, was organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation as part of efforts to inculcate in the youths  the enduring legacies of selfless service of the first Premier of the old Western Nigeria.

    Akintoye, who chaired the occasion, berated the country’s leaders for being so selfish with no thought for the people’s welfare and growth.

    He said selfishness on the part of the leaders at all levels of governance informed the prevalence of hardship and suffering among the youths.

    Also, Awolowo-Dosumu, who is the foundation’s Executive Director,  said the programme was organised to enable youths be in a better position as citizens to make informed choices on issues that affect them.

    She explained that the youths have been denied inspiration, sense of dignity and belief in capacity for greatness, saying they should be equipped adequately with skills that could assist the country  attain greatness.

    For Dr. Olusegun Mimiko,  the youth must be determined, have clear vision born out of knowledge and experience and be ready to make sacrifices to actualise their political ambition.

    Other dignitaries at the Ikenne gathering were Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Prof. Ayo Olukotun, Rev. Kayode Oyediran and his wife, Rev. Tola.

    Others included Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rise Networks Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, , President, Arewa Youth Forum Alhaji Yerima Shettima,   Dr. Jumoke Yacob-Haliso, Dr. Adedara Oduguwa, Senator Femi Okunrounmu and others.

     

  • Fayemi, Bwari disrespectful, says House

    Fayemi, Bwari disrespectful, says House

    House of Representatives Leader Femi Gbajabiamila said yesterday the no-confidence vote passed on Minister of Mines and Steel Development Kayode Fayemi and Minister of State Abubakar Bwari by the House is not an extension of the face-off between the Executive and Legislature.

    He also said it was not meant to destroy Dr. Fayemi’s governorship ambition

    Gbajabiamila told reporters in Lagos that considering the weighty allegations of impropriety leveled against the ministry on the concession or re-concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, it would have amounted to a dereliction of their duty for the House not to act on the issues.

    He said Dr. Fayemi and Bwari were “disrespectful” of the House of Representatives by their refusal to honour the invitation to brief the House on what was going on in Ajaokuta.

    Gbajabiamila said Speaker Yakubu Dogara personally wrote the minister 10 days ahead of the public hearing. He said: “But it was a day before the briefing that the minister called the ministry, to respond to the Speaker’s letter to the effect that he would not be coming and that the minister of state would also not be present.

    “That letter was written by the permanent secretary, which was a breach of protocol; because the minister did not deem it fit to respond to the Speaker who had written him personally. The permanent secretary gave excuses why the minister would not be there and why the junior minister would not be there and again the Speaker took pains to respond to the reply, insisting that it is a very serious matter and that the House has heard a series of allegations, which it doesn’t seem to be true.

    “But if you absent yourselves, you are only giving credence to those wild allegations. Yet again during the hearing, a hurried letter was dispatched to the Speaker on the floor of the House. The language of the letter suggested that they were going ahead with the concession or that it was a fait accompli and that what the House was doing was a waste of time.”

    He added: “The Sole Administrator of Ajaokuta Steel Complex, we understand, was also instructed not to come.” As result, members of the House were upset.

    ”We thought Ajaokuta required that kind of attention and we decided to invite all the stakeholders and some experts in that industry, to brief the House and by extension the public, as to what is going on in Ajaokuta.”

    The House Leader said he tried his best to save the situation, by moving a motion for the setting up of an investigative committee, to give the ministers further opportunities to tell their own side of the story.

    ”But unfortunately sometimes you find yourself in a situation where you can do nothing. If I did not move that motion, someone else would have done it. Then, it would give the impression that the Southwest is protecting its own. No, I had to do my job as the Leader of the House.”

    On the implications of the vote of no confidence motion, he said: “It has its implications. We are in a political terrain; it may have some implications. What the implication would be is everybody’s guess; I’m not going to go into that. I just hope that it doesn’t affect the ministers in a way that they would not be able to get out of it.”

    Fayemi had condemned the action of the lawmakers as “unwarranted and unfortunate”. In a statement by his media aide Olayinka Oyebode, the minister explained the rationale behind the failure of both ministers to appear before the House, saying it had been duly communicated to the leadership of the House in two separate letters.

     

  • Fayemi, Akeredolu light up Ekiti as ARG marks Awo’s birthday

    Fayemi, Akeredolu light up Ekiti as ARG marks Awo’s birthday

    •APC ’ll restore Awo’s legacies after July 14 poll, says minister

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, came alive yesterday as progressives under the aegis of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) celebrated the posthumous birthday of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, led a cast of political stalwarts, who came to celebrate the day with local progressives.

    They told a crowd of audience who thronged Eagle Hall, Ikere Road, Ajebamidele, Ado-Ekiti, that all Yorubas must sustain the ideals of Awolowo, which made the Southwest to stand out as a beacon of development.

    Members of ARG, All Progressives Congress (APC) and their admirers had earlier in the day staged a public walk to mark Awolowo’s 109th birthday from Okeyinmi Roundabout to Ajebamidele, venue of the public lecture in a carnival-like fashion.

    Fayemi used the occasion to sound a battle cry that the APC was poised to win back Ekiti State in the July 14 governorship election and implement the four cardinal policies of Awolowo, which was in operation when the progressives were in power.

    The former Ekiti State governor regretted that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has obliterated the four cardinal policies, which include free education, free health services for children, pregnant women, aged, job creation and rural growth.

    The minister, whose rumoured governorship ambition has been trending for the past few months, said the July 14 election represents a good opportunity to return the APC to power to restore the Awo-inspired legacies for the good of the people Fayemi said: “If we remember, for the past 11 years (since 2007), we have been celebrating Awolowo s birthday. What is most important is that those of us behind whom God has given the opportunity to lead, must pay our dues and help our people in Yoruba land.

    “Awolowo has done a great deal and that is why we are celebrating him since he died in 1987. He is still being celebrated in Ikenne today like we are doing in Ekiti.

    “Pa (Ayo) Fasanmi once told me that Awolowo wished he had been born in Ekiti because then his largest followers were from Ekiti and he knew everyone in the state.

    “If he was alive today, he would have been in APC as his political party. This is because this party was founded on Awo’s political ideals. We are Awolowo’s descendants in Ekiti.

    “We know Awolowo for what we call four cardinal points, from the days of the Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) – these are: free education, free healthcare for children, pregnant, old and disabled, job creation and rural development.

    “If you remember, all these points were what we ensured when we were in power in Ekiti; sadly they are no more in the state.

    “In conclusion, don’t let us not lose hope, just like Governor Akeredolu has said, all these ideals of Awo, we will ensure we do all we could to return them to Ekiti.

    “I appreciate the ARG for celebrating late sage Awolowo. In truth, all of us who are of Yoruba race, it is high time we took up our role as leaders. We are the leaders of the black race.”

    Akeredolu, who was chairman of the occasion, said the APC is the party that still promotes Awo’s legacies, noting that the first Premier of the Western Region was being celebrated for pioneering the development of his race.

    He said: “We are celebrating what Awolowo stood for, which is the advancement of the Yoruba and African race. Ours is pureness of heart. Awolowo has played his part. It remains us to play ours.

    “We cannot all forget the immense contribution of Awolowo, especially among the Yoruba race. Afenifere song was composed by Awolowo. The song says that we the Yorubas are the light of the black race. May God not allow us to draw ourselves backwards.

    “When Awolowo was incarcerated in those days, Hubert Ogunde counselled us to have a rethink in his popular song ‘Yoruba Ronu.’

    “Celebrating Awo’s legacy would make us remember the great contribution of our great forbears. I urge all Yorubas to have a rethink and reunite. We must all work together for our progress.”

    ARG National Chairman Hon. Wale Oshun urged the people of Ekiti State to vote APC at the next governorship election, describing the party as “the baby of Afenifere”.

    Oshun, who was represented by an ARG leader, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, said the body would work hard to ensure that Awo’s legacies remain alive, adding that the Yoruba would continue to celebrate the late political legend.

    Oshun said: “Every society reveres it forbears. We all talk about Awolowo. His works shall not perish. We are here to celebrate Awolowo so we won’t forget his legacies.

    “APC is the party that we the Afenifere have embraced. It is the party that can assist the Yoruba race to the promise land. We enjoin all people to vote for the party in Ekiti.”

    A guest lecturer at the event, Prof. Alade Fawole, regretted that many of the contemporary political office seekers lack germane ideas to lead because they haven’t groomed themselves by reading and getting exposed to ideas that would make them better leaders.

    Fawole, in his lecture titled: “Obafemi Awolowo and transformative politics:

    Sustaining the worthy legacy,” urged politicians to emulate Awolowo by developing ideas that would change the society for better.

     

  • ‘Fayose’s ten-year ban on Fayemi an effort in futility’

    ‘Fayose’s ten-year ban on Fayemi an effort in futility’

    AN interest group, the Just Keep Following Group (JKFG), has faulted the recent white paper released by Ekiti State government banning minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, from holding public office for ten years. The group condemned Governor Ayo Fayose for allegedly instigating the indictment of his predecessor by a judicial commission of inquiry and releasing the document to block Fayemi’s possible entry into the 2018 Ekiti governorship race.

    In a statement yesterday signed by its state coordinator, Bisi Dada, and director of legal matters, Adeoye Aribasoye, JKFG described the release of the white paper as “an effort in futility and crass display of ignorance by the Fayose-led administration.” It said the outcome of the panel’s report confirmed the earlier concerns expressed in some quarters that “it was compromised from the beginning and targeted against Fayemi.

    “It is worthy of note that nobody or authority in Nigeria by the provisions of our Constitution can bar any Nigerian from holding public office other than a court of competent jurisdiction. A law pupil knows that the white paper is as useless as the paper it was written on because it has long been settled in plethora of cases that it is only a court of competent jurisdiction that can bar anyone either from contesting or holding a public office.

    “It has been settled in the case of ACN v INEC & Ors, Sokefun V Akinyemi (1981) 1 NCLR 135 and Garba v University of Maiduguri (1986) 1 NWLR  pt 18 at 550. The predetermined panel’s report has one motive, which is to stop Dr. John Kayode Fayemi at all cost from contesting the 2018 gubernatorial election in the state. We want to urge the general public not to be taken aback on the outcome of the political panel’s report as it cannot hold water.

    “The best it can be is to be thrown out of the judicial window into the lagoon of irrelevance where it rightly belongs. No court under the extant law will ever have a second look into the worthless paper before throwing it out,” the group argued.

  • $500m: ‘Why Fayemi disagreed with House on Ajaokuta Steel’

    $500m: ‘Why Fayemi disagreed with House on Ajaokuta Steel’

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that Minister of Mines and Steel Development Kayode Fayemi disagreed with the House of Representatives over alleged plans by some lawmakers to inject $500 million into the ministry’s budget for Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    The minister allegedly refused to accept the extra-budgetary allocation because the ministry could not source for such funds.

    He said the House did not take cognisance of an audit report, which indicated that the Steel Complex requires $1.049 billion to be fully on stream.

    But despite two letters sent to the House on why Fayemi and the Minister of State, Bawa Bwari, could not appear before the chamber, the representatives went ahead to pass a vote of no confidence on them.

    The Federal Government was said to have rated the action of the House as “probably premeditated”.

    A top source  in government said the House  of Representatives wanted Fayemi to dance to its tunes and the minister resisted.

    The source said: “It was purely a case of pressure from the House to railroad the minister to take action on the $500 million, which he had no powers to do.

    “The House wanted to use the ministry to legitimise the appropriation of $500  million under the guise of resuscitating the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

    “Fayemi however refused to be railroaded into being used for extra-budgetary allocation. This is just the crux of the matter.

    “There was no way the ministry could source for $500 million  but the House insisted that the allocation must be in the ministry’s budget. Where will either the Federal Government or the ministry get such a budget?

    “Appropriation is about being realistic, the minister could not build in $500 million into his ministry’s budget what he did not ask for. The House was so passionate about the cash as if there was more to it.

    “Reports from experts have shown that $500 million cannot resuscitate Ajaokuta Steel Complex. By the ministry’s records, about $1.049 billion is actually required to put the steel complex fully on stream.

    “It was curious that the House was harping on $500 million component  to complete the complex without reference to the balance of $549 million for the auxiliary facilities that will me make it functional

    “An audit report by the House also indicated that it is better to source for about $700 million and build a modern steel complex within a record time than sinking $500 million on Ajaokuta Steel Complex.”

    The source added: “Even if the House wanted $500 million for Ajaokuta Steel Complex, it should engage the Executive arm through the Presidency instead of fighting a proxy war with a minister and taking issues personal.

    “At the appropriate time, Nigerians will know what actually transpired and why the House angrily passed a vote of no confidence on Fayemi.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The minister did not shun the House invitation contrary to insinuations. In fact, two letters were sent to the House requesting for a shift in the day of appearance.

    “The whole decision of the House was like a premeditated action. But the government is already looking into it.”

    In a February 27, letter to Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, the two ministers explained why they could not honour the invitation of the House.

    The letter said in part: “I write to respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your letter, reference NASS/ SPK/ADM/VOL. II/123 dated 16th February, 2018 on the above subject and to convey to the Honourable Speaker that the honourable ministers will be unavoidably absent in this Special Debate session of the sector.

    “The honourable minister, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his counterpart, the Honourable Minister of State, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari are slated for official engagements during the scheduled period of the debate.

    “The honourable minister has prior diplomatic schedule engagement in preparation to the focal labs of ERGP relating to the mining sector while the Minister of State will be leading the ministry’s delegation to Canada to attend the PDAC Conference.

    “While regretting the ministry’s inability to attend, the honourable ministers greatly appreciate the Hon. Speaker and his members on the interest and genuine concern shown to the sector in organising a debate to discuss a way forward on the Ajaokuta Steel Company.

    In a March 1 , 2018 letter to the Speaker by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdulkadir Mu’azu, the Ministers said:

    “I present to you compliments of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and wish to refer to your NASS/ SPK/ADM/VOL. II/235 on the above subject matter (Invitation to Special Session of the House of Representatives at the Sectoral Debate on Iron and steel Sector).

    “As earlier stated in our letter to you, regrettably, the honourable minister would not be able to honour your invitation to the sectoral debate on Iron and Steel Sector due to reasons adduced.

    “Furthermore, the ministry wish to take a strong exception to the content of your letter in paragraph 4 that insinuates that the proposed concessionaire have tied the hands of the ministry. With due respect, we regard this statement as unfair in view of the cordial relationship that exists between our two ministers and the Hon. Speaker and the leadership of the House Committee on Steel and Metallurgy.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development’s hands have not been tied by any imagined proposed concessionaire.

    “This ministry under the leadership of the two ministers is totally committed to the completion and function of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in view of the fact that steel is the most important engineering material and backbone of industrialization in any economy.”

  • Fayemi to Reps: Vote of no confidence unwarranted

    Fayemi to Reps: Vote of no confidence unwarranted

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Thursday faulted the vote of no confidence passed on him and the Minister of State, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, by the House of Representatives.

    He said the action of the House was “unwarranted and unfortunate.”

    The minister said the House lacks tolerance and moderation, which are essential ingredients of public service engagement.

    Fayemi stated these in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode.

    The statement said: “The attention of the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari, has been drawn to the “Vote of No Confidence” reportedly passed on them by members of the House of Representatives following their inability to attend the House’s Sectoral Debate on Iron and Steel Sector on Thursday, March 1, 2018.

    “While the offices of the two ministers have been inundated with countless media enquiries regarding their absence shortly after the pronouncement, it is important to state unequivocally that the inability of the two ministers to attend the debate was duly communicated to the leadership of the House in two separate letters.

    “One then wonders why the House members took such a draconian stance against the two ministers who have very cordial relationship with the National Assembly.

    “It is rather unfair for the House members to categorise the ministers’ absence as “boycott” when they were adequately notified.

    “Tolerance and moderation are essential ingredients in public service engagement. In this particular case, they appear to be in short supply and the ministry believes that there is more than meets the eye on this matter.

    “After all, the ministers are always willing to engage the honourable House and its leadership at all times. It is on record that Fayemi was the first minister to address the sectoral debate in 2016 and the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was extensively addressed on that occasion.

    “Subsequently, the House Committees on Privatisation and Public Petitions held special sessions on Ajaokuta and the Minister of State, Hon Bawa Bwari, addressed the members on those two occasions.

    “Given this past record, today’s action is most unwarranted and unfortunate.”

     

     

  • Ekiti 2018: Oni’s, Fayemi’s ambition will divide APC, says Oluyede

    Ekiti 2018: Oni’s, Fayemi’s ambition will divide APC, says Oluyede

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has said that the ambition of former Governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi will divide the party, ahead of the July 14 poll.

    He advised the two politicians to emulate their senior colleague, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, by playing the roles of leaders and statesmen.

    Oluyede said the unity of the party and its success at the poll should be paramount to Oni and Fayemi, warning that joining the race would reduce them to “aspirants and not leaders.”

    Oluyede, who spoke with reporters in Ikere-Ekiti, his home town,  said the party would face some challenges, ahead of the primary. While Oni, who served as governor between 2007 and 2010, has  declared interest, Fayemi, who was in office between 2010 and 2014, is yet to throw his hat into the ring.

    Oluyede said: “I want the two former governors (Oni and Fayemi) to recognise themselves as leaders, they did their best. I wish our two eminent leaders, Engineer Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi will remain as leaders and keep their national offices.

    “The signs are there that we may not win the net election if we present any of them as our candidate in the election and their participation in the primary will aggravate our division and their non-participation will make them better men.

    He added: “If they win in the primary, are will sure we will win the main election? If they come to the field, they will reduce themselves to aspirants and not as leaders.

    “Their presence in the race will also deepen the divisions and relinquishing their aspirations for the sake of the party will notmake them feel less in any way.

  • N11b refund: Workers fault Fayose’s allegation against Fayemi

    N11b refund: Workers fault Fayose’s allegation against Fayemi

    Workers in Ekiti State have faulted the claim of Governor Ayo Fayose that the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), were responsible for the non-release of N11 billion refund on rehabilitated Federal roads.

    Acting under the aegis of the Enlightened Workers Forum (EWF), the workers said the governor’s claim that Fayemi and APC were frustrating his administration’s efforts to access the funds is “laughable and ridiculous”.

    In a statement yesterday by its Coordinator, Comrade Mike Bamidele, EWF said: “It is only an unserious governor that would be depending on refunds on road rehabilitation to pay workers’ salary arrears, after receiving statutory funds from the Federal Government.”

    Describing the allegation as “frivolous and an afterthought,” EWF urged Fayose to legitimately look for funds to settle the outstanding salaries and stop playing politics with workers’ welfare.

    The group warned the governor to desist from smearing the good image of the minister, saying he should mention the Federal roads that were built or repaired by his administration.

    The statement added that it was former Governors Segun Oni and Fayemi administrations that built and repaired the Federal roads in the state.

    It advised Fayose to look elsewhere for money to fulfil his statutory obligation of paying workers their accumulated emoluments and “stop being optimistic of reaping where he did not sow”.

  • Fayemi: mining regulatory commission coming

    Determined to ensure predictability in its mining sector and boost local and international investments, the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to establish the Nigerian Mining Commission, to take charge of the regulatory role of the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who disclosed this at the Nigeria Day event at the on going African Mining Indaba, in Cape Town, South Africa yesterday, said the law setting up the commission is already with the National Assembly.

    Fayemi spoke as Nigeria took the centre stage at the African Mining Indaba, with the formal presentation of its new Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Results amid endorsements for the country’s mining sector reforms by mining experts, operators and developmental agencies.

    The presentation of the new Airborne Electromagnetic Survey Results, a major high point of yesterday’s event at the conference was witnessed by stakeholders in global mining, including Deputy Minister of Mines and Minerals of Venezuela, Franklin Ramirez Araque;  Australian Ambassador to Nigeria, Paul Lehman, Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador Ahmed Musa Ibeto and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

    and Senegal.

    Fayemi said government was determine to strengthen regulation in the sector as well as ensure the improvement of  its geological data.

    He said the commission, which would be known as the Nigerian Mining Commission, would not only be the final authority on regulatory matters, it would also take charge of mining leases.

    Fayemi, in an interactive session with investors and the media after the presentation of the new Nigeria Electromagnetic Survey results, said the delivery of the geological data, was in line with government’s desire to ensure bankable geological data, that would be an incentives to investors.

    He stated further that the ministry would undertake more extensive electromagnetic Airborne Geological Survey of  some promising parts of the country this year, as well as the completion of the National Mineral Database.

    He said:  “We want to ensure predictability, that is what we want to offer. We want to be a big mining designation.

    “To achieve this ,we have to put certain things in place, including provable data, sound regulations, capacity building for Artisanal and Small Scale Miners as well as asses to funding.”

  • Ajimobi, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others celebrate Ayo Afolabi at 70

    Ajimobi, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others celebrate Ayo Afolabi at 70

    Governors, senators, political leaders, friends and associates yesterday poured encomiums on a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ayo Afolabi, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as he celebrated his 70th birthday.

    The event, which was organised by his friends, was held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI).

    Two governors – Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State – took turns to shower encomiums on the celebrator, who is APC’s Director of Publicity in Southwest.

    Their Ogun and Osun states’ counterparts were represented by Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti.

    Ajimobi described Afolabi as a lucky man, who epitomises political progressivism and social seamlessness.

    The governor said Afolabi is accommodating and humble, adding that he is an exemplary man.

    He noted that as a strong member of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Afolabi, like his other colleagues in the group, is a committed, godly progressive.

    Akeredolu expressed gratitude to the celebrator for his consistence in progressive politics.

    The governor said Afolabi never left the fold of the progressives.

    He hailed the celebrator for contributing immensely to progressive politics and activism in Nigeria.

    According to him, Afolabi needs to slow down now that he is 70 years old.

    The Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals Development Dr Kayode Fayemi said Afolabi is dear to many people in progressive politics in many ways.

    He said the only way to summarise his personality is to describe him as a good person.

    The minister noted that anyone who ever worked with the celebrator would have benefitted from his goodness.

    Fayemi also described Afolabi as a life-long leader of the party, a mentor, teacher and friend.

    Delivering Amosun’s goodwill message for the celebrator, Mrs Onanuga said Afolabi had always been a man to emulate.

    The deputy governor said he had contributed a lot to the political development in Nigeria, especially the Southwest.

    In a personal letter read on behalf of Aregbesola to the celebrator, the governor affirmed that Afolabi remained a national figure to emulate.

    The Osun governor described the celebrator as humble, enterprising and selfless.

    He said Afolabi “lives an exemplary life and is steadfast in his commitment”.

    A lecture, titled: Aging and the Future of Yoruba Race, was delivered by Prof. Isaac Albert of UI.

    At the event were: senators Monsurat Sunmonu and Babafemi Ojudu, as well as the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolurin; a former deputy governor of Oyo State, who was the chairman of Afolabi’s Committee of Friends, Chief Iyiola Oladokun and the chairmen of the APC in Southwest.

    Afolabi expressed gratitude to God for joining the septuagenarian “club”.

    The celebrator said he was overwhelmed with the love his friends, family and co-politicians within the progressive fold showed him.