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Tag: Fayemi

  • Fayemi’s ex-aide gets honorary degree from US varsity

    Aformer Senior Special Assistant on Mobilisation to ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, Olalekan Ijidale, will be given honorary Doctoral Degree in Humanities by the Prowess University, Delaware, United States.

    The ceremony slated for Saturday, will take place at the University of Lagos, main auditorium, Akoka, Lagos State.

    This was contained in a letter to Ijidale by the Chairman, Award Committee, Prof. Chidi Justice and the Executive Council member of Institute Arts Management and Professional Studies (IAMPS), Dr. Kunle Awotiku.

    Read Also: Lagos assembly holds clearance for Abayomi, Adeyoye, 15 others

    The letter said Ijidale would be honoured in recognition of his selfless service to humanity and demonstration of accountability and transparency in quality service in private and public life.

    It added that the university was thrilled by the enviable feat of the Agbado-Ekiti born politician and astute administrator and selected him for the award after rigorous process.

  • How Fayemi can make difference, by PDP chief

    Former Ekiti State Acting Governor and House of Assembly Speaker Tunji Odeyemi has said that Governor Kayode Fayemi can make a difference by promoting equity and fairness.

    The former speaker other appointees of the Fayose administration recently received their outstanding entitlements from the governor.

    He said: “We are most delighted for an avenue like this. I must confess that this opportunity we are having today is very uncommon,” Odeyemi said in acknowledgment of the changed narrative in Ekiti State.

    The practice especially with the immediate past administration, was to ignore the need to pay the entitlements of appointees who were not appointed by the administration. Their entitlement as it was believed turned into bad debt.

    Odeyemi said: “When a new governor or government comes on board, what they usually do is to remove members of commissions and boards appointed by their predecessor not minding the laws establishing those commissions,” Odeyemi who alongside his colleagues were appointed by the immediate past administration headed by Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

    Odeyemi, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and in that capacity Acting Governor of the State evoked an emotion that really shook the emotions of those present on that occasion.

    He added: “But you have magnanimously retained us and now paying our outstanding salaries. As far as Ekiti is concerned, from 1999 to date, the opportunity we are having like this has not been very common.  We are grateful to His Excellency for this”.

    The former acting governor said Fayemi’s action was clearly devoid of personal vendetta, adding that they expected that they would be removed from office once the governor stepped into office last year.

    Fayemi, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye, lauded the former political office holders for continuing to work in the interest of the state even after the exit of the administration that brought them to office.

    The beneficiaries were mainly drawn from the State Civil Service Commission and House of Assembly Service Commission.

    Read Also: Ekiti spent N3.9 billion on pensions, says Fayemi

    Fayemi described their gesture in serving his administration after Fayose’s exit as a clear act of patriotism.

    Such acts of treating everyone equally, irrespective of political affiliation, is reflective of the One Ekiti spirit that Fayemi has pursued since his inauguration for a second time last year.

    Besides opposition political elements, pensioners have also benefited from the governor’s pro-active measures.

    Last week, the governor disclosed that a total of N549 million has been paid till date to clear part of the pension arrears inherited from the immediate past administration.

    He disclosed this while distributing cheques worth N100 Million as gratuity to 61 local government and primary schools’ retirees.

    Fayemi said the steps taken towards clearing the backlog of gratuity is a testament to the desire of his administration to ensure that those who had spent their productive age in serving the State do not suffer after their retirement.

    “It is a fact that outstanding gratuity debt profile is running to billions of naira, but it is my belief that a journey of one thousand miles starts with a step. Based on this premise, we are starting with the release of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000) for the offset of the outstanding gratuity. In spite of paucity of fund, I have mandated the quarterly release of fund for the payment of gratuity to retirees of Local Government and Primary Schools of Ekiti State”, he said.

    While promising to alleviate the sufferings of the pensioners by making regular payment of their exit benefits a top priority, the governor stated that their entitlements would be paid within available resources.

    Fayemi said his government is not unmindful of those who had passed on in the cause of waiting for their entitlements; saying this is regrettable.

    “I urge the beneficiaries of this tranche of the payment to take advantage of the talks on financial prudence already shared with you and utilise the fund judiciously for a blissful retirement. I enjoin others to keep faith with our administration as we are poised to fulfil all our promises to the people of the State, and utmost importance is your gratuity,” the governor said.

    The Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Prof. Adio Folayan, said that the event was a practical demonstration that Fayemi placed priority attention on the welfare of retired senior citizens.

    Folayan said the Fayemi-led administration inherited N13,513,873,255.27 as arrears of gratuity and N2,689,838,380.61 as pension arrears but is making efforts to clear the backlog of inherited wage bill.

    One of the beneficiaries, Madam Felicia Ojaomo, thanked the governor for remembering the pensioners after years of abandonment.

    She said Fayemi’s return is an answer to the prayers of the pensioners who had hoped for better days; adding that the distribution of cheques to them is a testimony that Fayemi has started fulfilling his campaign promises to pensioners.

  • Fayemi to Youths: embrace technical education, decongest labour market

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has appealed to unemployed Nigerian youth to harness technical and vocational education in order to reduce the high rate of unemployment.

    Fayemi, who lamented the level of unemployment and the consequent spate of social vices in the country, said acquisition of employable skills will take many unemployed graduate from the unemployment pool.

    The governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi spoke at the opening ceremony of the Innovative and Change of Perception lecture organised for the students and staff of Government Technical Colleges held at GTC, Ado Ekiti on Tuesday.

    Fayemi who stressed the need for a paradigm shift from the erroneous perception that skill acquisition is meant for the academically weak people, noted that technical education remain a potent weapon of improving socio-economic development.

    He disclosed that his administration is committed towards repositioning and restoring the lost glory of technical and vocational education in the Ekiti State.

    The governor added tgat efforts are in the top gear to commence the second phase of the project that will face-lift other four Technical Colleges in the State.

    “As a government who has value for education, it is our vision and mission to have Ekiti State where our people can thrive and live in dignity.

    “We don’t want our youths to be roaming the street looking for white collar jobs. Graduate unemployment has increased just because most of them do not have any employable skills that can make them self sustain.

    “It is imperative for unemployed youth to appropriately harness and embrace this form of education to curb high rate of unemployment and the consequent societal ills.

    “There is no doubt that Technical and Vocational Education has the potential of improving the socio-economic sector of the State and the country”, he said.

    Prof. Sam Adejuyigbe while delivering a lecture entitled: Education: “Innovation and Change of Perception” advocated for the acquisition of technical education as a way of bridging the unemployment gap as well as addressing skills deficit in the country.

    Adejuyigbe said the era when vocational education was believed to be undertaken by school drop-outs and pushovers was over with the level of global technological advancements.

    He identified skills acquisition as a panacea to youth restiveness and all forms of social vices, urging them to explore the opportunities to create wealth and become employer of labour.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Ekiti State Board for Technical and Vocational Education, Hon. Kayode Babade commended Governor Fayemi led-administration for transforming the moribund fortune of technical education in the state.

  • Fayemi, Akinrinade, Oshun, others mark ‘special’ June 12 in Ekiti

    On Friday, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi brought some of the leading lights of the June 12 struggle to Ekiti for the 26th commemoration anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 elections. They did not just relive their exploits in the struggle; they praised President Muhammadu Buhari for the official recognition of the day and the renaming of the Abuja International Stadium after the martyr, Moshood Abiola.  Southwest Bureau Chief BISI OLADELE reports.

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Friday witnessed an influx of activist, leaders, renowned journalists, politicians, members of socio-cultural groups, students and others who are emotional about the annulled June 12, 1993 elections.

    The event came two days after the celebration of the notable day across the country, and particularly in Abuja, where President Muhammadu Buhari led the Federal Government, African leaders, politicians, activists and members of the Moshood Kashimaawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola’s family in official recognition as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

    While Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi was in Abuja for the ceremony, his aides were putting finishing touches to the home celebration of the ceremony. Fayemi was a core leading light of the struggle for the recognition of June 12 as the Democracy Day in Nigeria.

    Fayemi, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), was among the few people behind Radio Kudirat, a freedom radio station established to promote the struggle to free Abiola and install him as the winner of the annulled elections. Former Military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) annulled the presidential election which was adjudged the freest and fairest election ever held in the country.

    The Eagle Hall on Ikere Road, venue of the commemoration lecture, was agog with activists, trade associations, socio-cultural groups, politicians, students, government functionaries, artisans, religious leaders, market women and ordinary citizens. The lecture was entitled: “June 12: Lighting the Candles of Democracy”.

    Setting the tone for the lecture, Fayemi expressed delight that June 12 commemoration refused to die in spite of the indifference of previous governments before President Buhari’s.

    “It carries some import that makes it unforgettable. Every nation has such important days. June 12 is that important day for us in Nigeria,” he said with delight.

    Fayemi added: “Successive administrations shied away from it until President Buhari decided that enough was enough. There could not have been May 29 without June 12. That’s why Buhari did what he did. In fact, June 12 made May 29 artificial.

    “June 12 is not just about MKO Abiola but about ordinary Nigerians who believe that it would be a great tragedy for their votes to be annulled.”

    Also Read: The road to June12, 1993

    He further explained that though Abiola was a capitalist on one hand, he was a populist on the other. He pointed out that his life story was that of grass-to-grace. As a staunch Muslim, he recalled that Abiola gave generously towards building of churches and church programmes, stressing that the deceased represented and understood Nigeria’s uniqueness. He recalled that he won the election in spite of the fact that he ran a Muslim/Muslim ticket.

    “Since I joined politics in 2006, my comrades know that March 6 (Obafemi Awolowo’s birthday) and June 12 were sacrosanct for me. Hence, today’s celebration is not an accident. We can’t ignore our history if we will maximise democracy. We must continue to strengthen democracy in every way in spite of its deficiencies,” he said.

    The governor, however, lamented that in spite of the strategic importance of the date in Nigerian history, about 70 per cent of the country’s population lack knowledge of June 12 because they are 30 years old and below. He said commemoration of the date was therefore important to ensure that generations of Nigerian citizens continue to remember what happened on June 12, 1993.

    Reflecting on the role some activists and leaders played in the development and efforts to keep Nigeria united, Fayemi emphasised that Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) should be praised continually for his steadfastness in fighting for Nigeria’s unity. He revealed that the commander of the Biafran Army, Col. Effiong, surrendered to Gen. Akinrinade but that the latter took him to Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo who was the overall commander at the time. Rather than acknowledge Akinrinade and others who made it happen, Fayemi said Obasanjo appropriated the success to himself alone.

    “Akinrinade is a patriot to the core,” he said.

    In his remark, Akinrinade, who chaired the lecture, also eulogised Fayemi for the strategic role he played in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12. He highlighted Fayemi’s sterling qualities, sacrifice and values, urging Ekiti people to support his administration.

    Recalling that Ekiti people have always been in the forefront to defend Yoruba and national interests, he said Fayemi is one man who is a gift to the state and Nigeria at large. He also thanked Buhari for being one of the army generals who supported the cause of the Yoruba.

    According to him, many military leaders abandoned the struggle for the Yoruba because they believe that Yoruba are betrayers.

    Deploring Obasanjo’s claims that Buhari has the plan to Islamise Nigeria, Akinrinade said: “I wouldn’t want us to see Buhari as a Fulani who wants to Islamise and Fulanise Nigeria. A criminal is a criminal. I appeal to President Buhari to support the creation of state police. It will help return peace to Nigeria.”

    He also thanked Mr. President for finally recognising June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

    The retired army officer further appealed to Buhari to make June 12 the Inauguration Day for new president and governors so that everything will roll into one.

    In his comment, the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, also relived his involvement in the June 12 struggle. He said it was a surprise that a retired Fulani military general was the one who eventually recognised June 12. He showered encomiums on Fayemi for his role in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12, stressing that his commitment was second to none.

    Prof. Mobolaji Aluko also expressed satisfaction for seeing June 12 celebrated by the Federal Government after 26 years.

    The academic, who currently serves in Fayemi’s administration, betrayed his emotion while recalling his involvement and the sacrifices they made in the struggle for the actualisation of June 12.  He recalled vividly how Fayemi served as the brain behind Radio Kudirat and other projects used for the struggle, adding that he was delighted to learn that an Ekiti man was the brain behind the struggle at the time. He said he knew Fayemi and Akinrinade over June 12 struggle.

    The Zonal Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Southwest, Mr. Ayo Afolabi, also recalled the struggle and commended Fayemi and other leaders for their commitment. He said Fayemi deserved all the commendation he could get for the actualisation of June 12 struggles; having committed his time and resources to the struggle without an expectation of pecuniary gain.

    In his keynote address, the National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) Hon. Olawale Oshun, also praised Fayemi and others in the struggle. He recalled the days of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) with nostalgia.

    A newspaper columnist, Dr. Femi Orebe and veteran journalist, Dare Babarinsa, discussed the topic of the lecture.

    At the lecture were members of the state House of Assembly; renowned journalist Niran Malaolu; Comrades Segun Jegede, Bisi Dada and Raheem Ajayi.

    Groups and associations were also part of the lecture. They included members of the Hausa community, members of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Hunters’ Association, traders and others.

  • Fayemi meets heads of MDAs on development plans

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday began a two-day briefing with heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) aimed at fine-tuning the strategic development plans of his administration.

    The briefing, involved presentations and defence of work plans by heads of MDAs, is a follow up to the retreat organised for top government functionaries earlier in the month.

    Speaking at the meeting held in Governor’s office Ado -Ekiti, Fayemi said the meeting would enable the heads of the MDAs to finalise those priorities which were agreed on at the retreat held in Iloko-Ijesa and realign them with the budget; adding that each ministry would sign a performance bond afterwards.

    The Governor said the meeting which involved office of Transformation, Strategy and Service Delivery (OTSD) and the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning would decide what the real priorities are for the ministries and allocate resources to them accordingly.

    He added that OTSD and Ministry of Budget will however embark on monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the MDAs viz a viz their priorities and the resources allocated to them.

    “We had a retreat at Iloko and we came out with very clear plans for each of our MDAs. They were meant to go back and hold step down retreat with their own agencies, departments and staff so they can come up with a realigned budget for the places of priorities that we have

  • Fayemi presents staff of office to monarch

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has presented the instrument of appointment and staff of office to the new Alaaye of Oke Ayedun Ekiti, Oba Olufemi Aribisala, with a call on the traditional institution to partner his administration in ensuring better standard of living for the citizenry.

    Performing the official presentation of staff of office to the new monarch at Oke Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area, Fayemi said his present administration was passionate at carrying out meaningful programmes that would have direct impact on the people.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, advised the new royal father to work harmoniously with his people to accelerate the rate of development of the Oke-Ayedun community,

    A statement yesterday signed by the Special Assistant (Media) to the Deputy Governor, Odunayo Ogunmola, said the process of selecting a new Alaaye was consequent upon the demise of the last occupant of the throne, Oba Jacob Fatunase Ala, on March 22, 2018.

    The governor explained that the selection and enthronement of Oba Aribisala was in accordance with paragraph 1, Section 8 of the Chiefs Edict of 1984, as amended in 1991, which was further amended as Ekiti State Chiefs Law in 2010.

    Noting that the selection of Oba Aribisala was devoid of political coloration and influence, Fayemi reminded the new king that his position demands considerable diligence, sacrifice, initiatives and perseverance.

    The governor appealed to the people of the community to demonstrate the spirit of oneness and sincerity of purpose by supporting and cooperating with their monarch.

    Fayemi urged the people of the community to contribute their quota to the socioe-conomic development of the community, admitting that government cannot sufficiently satisfy all the needs and aspirations of the people due to limited available resources.

    The new Alaaye of Oke Ayedun Ekiti promised to work with all his strength and intellect to surpass the achievements of his predecessors.

    Oba Aribisala called on those aggrieved to sheathe their swords and join hands with him to move the community forward in the path of peace, progress and prosperity.

  • Ekiti labour leaders to Fayemi: use Paris Club refund to clear salaries’ arrears

    THE organised labour leaders in Ekiti State have urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to make use of Paris Club refund to pay backlog of salaries arrears, gratuities and pensions.

    The labour chiefs said they would scale up their efforts through surveillance to ensure judicious usage of the money once it is paid by the Federal Government.

    Chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC) Comrades Sola Adigun and his counterpart in Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kolapo Olatunde, stated these at a joint news conference in Ado-Ekiti yesterday.

    They said the Paris Club refund has given opportunity to the government to clear the backlog of the unpaid salaries.

    They added that though the arrears were inherited from the previous administration, the onus was on Fayemi to clear them since government is a continuum

    They added that the minimum wage is a law and government of Ekiti State must prove to the world that it can pay it.

    Adigun said: “The issue of minimum wage ought to have been dealt with three years ago. We don’t want delay tactics; we want to appeal to the Federal Government that before the end of May, the guidelines and the template must be ready.

    “This is what the states are using as excuse to delay the payment of the minimum wage to their workers.”

    He appealed to the royal fathers to prevail on the market women not to increase the prices of their goods and services, saying: “N30,000 is just a pittance.

    “We appeal to them not to increase prices so that workers can have real values for their wages.”

    The NLC Chairman urged the Federal Government to guide the sources of its revenue jealously to further boost the country’s economy.

    “We can refine our crude oil locally. The income from the Ports alone can finance Nigeria’s budget, not to talk of money from petrol. If the needful is done, we can pay the minimum wage,” he said.

  • Fayemi orders councils to clear roadside bushes

    A SEVEN day ultimatum has been given to the 16 local councils in Ekiti State to clear the bushes on highways in their respective areas.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi gave the directive through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Prof. Adio Afolayan, during the April edition of the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting held in Ado-Ekiti.

    Clearing the bushes, according to the governor, would prevent miscreants such as kidnappers, ritualists and other men of the underworld from continuing their evil acts on the highways.

    Fayemi said his government would not condone any act capable of jeopardising absolute peace presently being enjoyed by Ekiti people.

    He urged workers at the third tier government to be more dedicated to their duties.

     

  • Fayemi not behind Oni’s suspension, says governor’s aide

    A Senior Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Segun Dipe, has said his principal was not behind the suspension of former Governor Segun Oni from All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Dipe said Oni was sanctioned for acting contrary to the party’s position and legal framework.

    The APC executives in Ifaki Ward 1 had suspended the former APC Deputy Chairman (South) followed his refusal to honour an invitation to clear himself of the allegations of anti-party activities levelled against him.

    But, Oni dismissed the suspension with a wave of the hand, saying the APC constitution is clear on cases of suspension.

    He said it clearly cites circumstances and outlines procedures to be taken to warrant and effect a suspension.

    The Ekiti APC stakeholders had also alleged that governor was behind Oni’s suspension.

    The group, in a May 3 letter written to the APC National Chairman, titled: “A call to save APC in Ekiti”, suggested that the suspension was a vendetta following the former governor’s judicial challenge of Fayemi’s victory at the poll.

    The letter was signed by six persons including Senator Anthony Adeniyi, Babafemi Ojudu, Oyetunde Ojo, John Akintoye, Dr. Ife Arowosoge and Ben Oguntuase.

    Reacting to the allegation, Dipe, in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, queried the identity of those behind it, describing them as rebellious and self-seeking.

    The governor aide said the firmness of Oni in challenging Fayemi’s victory was contempt of party’s position, adding that party’s constitution provides for disciplinary action against any erring member.

    He said: “The party is bigger than any individual and the party’s constitution stipulates disciplinary action against any member found to have contravened party rules and regulations.

    “The party constitution provides that any disciplinary action against any member should start from his ward, where such an individual will be given an opportunity to defend himself.

    “Have these ones forgotten how some party chieftains led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande warned Oni not to embark on the journey to perdition?

    “Apart from the Tinubu-Akande peace move, there were other moves made by the APC Elders Forum headed by Chief George Akosile as well as the efforts by Ekiti Council of Elders and several Ekiti Obas, all of which Oni ignored.

    “Was Engr. Oni not thoughtful of this? Was he expecting his kinsmen, who counselled him not to go to court, to warmly embrace him on his return? What did the party constitution says about such an act?

    “What then is ‘unfortunate’ in the allegation of anti-party raised against Engr. Segun Oni, who shunned the counsel of his people? Do the ward exco need anyone’s prodding to express their displeasure?

    “So, where is the hand of Governor Fayemi in the action of the Ward Exco, that is constitutionally empowered?” he queried.

    He added: “As for Governor Kayode Fayemi, who the letter writers intend to drag into an unnecessary controversy, he is just too busy to be distracted. Let the agitating stakeholders try another trick, since this one won’t fly.”

  • Fayemi optimistic on Ekiti appointees’ performance

    EKITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has expressed optimism that the just concluded three-day retreat of top government functionaries has fired up members of his cabinet and the leadership of the public service for optimum service delivery.

    The state, according to him, would be better for it, as the commissioners, advisers, permanent secretaries and other heads of agencies resume work fully this week with renewed vigour and well-articulated work ethics ready to meet set goals.

    The governor stated this at the weekend at the closing session of the retreat in Iloko Ijesa, adding that the appointees have been “fired up” to deliver the goods to Ekiti people as promised during the electioneering period.

    Fayemi spoke as the over 100 top government functionaries that participated in the retreat signed the code of conduct that was specifically designed as a guide to them. The commissioners were given a week to sign and return the performance agreement document.

    The governor stated that there was no doubt that the appointees “now know their mandate and what the deliverables are”, adding that the vision would be shared with directors and other senior government officials that did not attend the retreat.

    He urged them to align the mandate with the budget of their ministries and translate same to concrete deliverables for the people.

    Fayemi expressed optimism that with the readiness of the participants, there are exciting times ahead for the state.

    “I am excited that all the appointees and the permanent secretaries are fired up now. They are very clear about what the mandate is; they are clear about what the deliverables are. They will now escalate this to their directors and their own officials to align the mandate with the budget of their ministries and then communicate this to the various publics that we have to deal with”, he said.