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Tag: Fayemi

  • Aregbesola, Fayemi, Amosun advocate religious tolerance

    Aregbesola, Fayemi, Amosun advocate religious tolerance

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has urged Muslims to live in peace and tolerate people of other faiths.

    He said the nation critically needs peace security and cooperation among its diverse people.

    Aregbesola urged adherents of all religions to uphold the sacredness of human life, saying God did not command or appoint anyone as judge in any scripture to take the life of another under the guise of protecting any faith.

    He said he wondered why any human being should exhibit such cruelty to a fellow human.

    Aregbesola said leaders must exhibit purposeful leadership and prudent management of resources to curb the worrisome deterioration in nearly all spheres of the nation’s life.

    He identified corruption in high places and divisive tendencies among ethnic groups as disease, “which we must cure completely for us to get our development agenda right”.

    The governor said: “It baffles me that religion, which should unite people, is dividing us in this country. I wonder why people must kill each other in the name of religion.

    “As Muslims, we are not to judge our fellow man. We should leave judgment to God who created us all. Why must people kill in the name of God? Why must people act God? Why must they pre-empt what their creator will do?

    “A Muslim must be tolerant, trustworthy, dependable and peace-loving. He must be a beacon of peace, sterling example of humankind and worthy of emulation.”

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi urged Muslims to remain steadfast in their faith and pray for a peaceful governorship election next year.

    Fayemi described the festival as an important landmark in the Islamic calendar. He urged Muslims not to be carried away by the celebration but to imbibe the lessons of the festivals.

    He said: “Sacrificing one’s only son in obedience to the wish of Allah can be very painful, but the Prophet Ibrahim gained a lot by choosing to obey Allah and damn the consequences. We should always be ready to make sacrifices, which may be unpalatable at present, but gainful and sweet in the nearest future.

    “I urge Muslims to draw lessons from the humility, piety, devotion and sacrifice exhibited by both Prophet Ibrahim and his son, Ishmael.”

    The governor wished Muslim pilgrims on hajj a safe return from Saudi Arabia.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun urged Muslims to obey God always, so that they can receive bountiful rewards from Him.

    He said: “Nigeria can overcome its current challenges and attain its goal of a developed and prosperous nation, if all citizens live in total obedience to the will of God.”

    Amosun urged the faithful to continuously demonstrate the cardinal tenets of Islam by living in peace with their neighbours and being their brothers’ keepers.

    He wished them a happy celebration.

     

  • Fayemi: I have never been enlisted in a worthier cause

    Fayemi: I have never been enlisted in a worthier cause

    when he  says  his government  will do so and so  for a community, that community can literally go to sleep in complete  trust that  he will not fail them.

    I seek the indulgence  of  readers, following upon my last week article, to  briefly touch on the matter  of the National Conference and  ask a few questions  from those  who still  see  the conference as  the  ‘deus ex machina’  to Nigeria’s multitude of problems. Let me first and foremost; concede that of a truth, President Jonathan, for the love of country, had a change of mind. Are we to ‘ipso facto’,  assume that Mr David Mark, the Senate President was, by some telepathy or an angelic visitation, suddenly divinely  instructed to equally change his own mind or has the Nigerian sovereignty, to which he had hung his opposition like forever,  unknown to us lesser Nigerians,  suddenly taken leave of his National Assembly?

    This could still jolly well be a happy coincidence. But what then are we to   make of the Pauline conversion of Chairman Tukur, the relentlessly sabre-rattling boss of the ruling party who, only some days before the Independence Day Presidential declaration, wanted  Baraje and company  behind bars, to  suddenly  go soft,  go  on bended knees,  begging the same Baraje to bury the hatchet and join him  in presenting  a united front at the conference?   Are we to assume that all these three persons, and more, are united by love of country?  Can’t Nigerians see this Greek gift and well calibrated diversion, thrown like meat to the dog for the simple aim of keeping it busy on a useless piece of bone?

     Let me equally hazard a guess: in some very coy ways, Nigerians will soon come to see very senior academics, well known for their brilliance, recruited to interrogate the scheme as we saw in the IBB SAP debates. It is a beaten path of unscrupulous politicians cleverly leveraging on these individuals’ integrity.  After all, a night or two at the NICON NOGA will not be a bad idea. Fortunately, there is nothing we cynics can do as it has become a ‘fait accompli. But I will be mightily surprised if the cynics do not laugh last.

     As we wind down to the 3rd anniversary of the inauguration of the  Fayemi administration in Ekiti state, it is apposite for me to take a critical look at a man, and a period, in my home state, which have been  truly phenomenal. I am currently writing a book; not an autobiography, nor one to give earth-shaking behind-the-news  stories  of  epochal political decisions,  having really never been a  politician  in the Nigerian sense;  but one in which I have solemnly declared that, and I quote: ‘ I have never been enlisted in a worthier cause than that of Dr Kayode Fayemi’. And that is neither talking glibly nor intended to patronise.  I have been privileged to be part of building a University from scratch just as I have worked very closely for upwards of three years  with eminent Yoruba citizens, among them the likes of  Lt. General  Alani Akinrinade, Dr Amos Akingba, Professors  Bolaji Akinyemi, Jide Osuntokun, Wale Omole,  Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo, Taiwo Alimi,  Mrs Tola Adenle, Mrs Dupe Ajayi- Gbadebo and Dr Dele Sobowale, to mention but a few, in mid-wifing  a Pan-Yoruba  Socio-Cultural organisation,  but seeing how Fayemi has fundamentally impacted  on Ekiti, my primary community;  his focus,  determination , commitment and self denial,  I have nothing but thanks to God that I am found lining behind a man of such  integrity  in his unstinting service to Motherland.  A man  to  whom, in his back,   Ekiti people have  recently  added  another  appellation  to his ‘ILUFEMILOYE 1’ , as they now call him O WI BE SE BE – ( certainly not deifying him), but  saying that this is a man who, when he  says  his government  will do so and so  for a community, that community can literally go to sleep in complete  trust that  he will not fail them. Such has been his believability that every city, town, village, hamlet and every human settlement in the state has, at least,  one project, completed or on-going. This is, of course, not surprising since his government’s annual budget is structured bottom up as  he and his  team  visit all nooks and cranny of the state to identify the peoples’ needs which then form the locus of the year’s budget. Whatever could not be accommodated that year is an automatic item in the next budget.

    This article is therefore not solely about enumerating brick and mortar, important though they are as it will also dwell on the Fayemi persona. He has remained truthful, not only to the state but, fundamentally, to himself. He has therefore spared nothing towards achieving his promise of making poverty history in the state – a pivotal part of his 8-Point Agenda. This obviously is not a 100 metre dash but rather, a long distance, multi-faceted project which he has followed with every sinew of his being. I once described him as a product of his upbringing and this has helped him greatly. Not one to carry position on his head, his calmness and simplicity – You need to have seen his equanimity fighting those men playing  god for his mandate – have all  made him extremely  easy to work with. Not for him the airs and garrulity so common with public office holders  in our country. Everything he does attests to these and as all, except the thoroughly politically jaundiced would see, he has become a man  after everybody’s heart:  serving as the pivot  of not only his Regional Governors’ Forum but a distinct leader of both the Progressive Governors Forum  and  the much-feared Nigerian Governors Forum, just as he is  a leading light of the All Progressives Congress Party, where those who should know, attest to his sterling contributions. One thing that particularly gratifies me is that when in those uncertain days I, at great risk,  elected to line behind him, people in power were eagerly seeking my support.

    At his inauguration on October 16, 2010, Dr Kayode Fayemi declared: ‘As am ushered into the governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti, make no mistake about it, I will ensure that you the good people of Ekiti state, own this government. I will do this by redesigning my agenda through the village square and town hall meetings. I promise to ‘democratise  governance, modernise agriculture, improve infrastructure, promote free and qualitative education towards the development of functional human capital, provide free health and social security to the disadvantaged sectors of our state; ensure industrial development, tourism and sustainable development as well as promote gender equality and women empowerment’.

    Dr Fayemi has never looked back.

    Today, education which had  reached its nadir in the state has since turned the corner. In addition to free education up to secondary school level and improvements in infrastructure and teacher quality, a total of 183 secondary schools and 836 primary schools have been renovated. Equally 48,000 laptops were distributed to secondary school students as additional 25,000 are already on order. The result was a quantum leap in the last WAEC results in the state which went from about 20 percent last year to about 70 per cent this year. Agriculture has been socialized and today over 20,000 youth have enrolled in the YCAD –the Youth Commercial Agricultural programme – in which they are not only trained in agricultural practice, given implements and additives but  also  given seed money. The programme is now being aggressively aided by a massive irrigation programme funded from the combined constituency projects of majority of the state’s National Assembly members.

    Health has received such a massive boost that only this past week, the Adunni Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre in honour of our unforgettable late Deputy Governor, for an array of cancer screening for early detection, was commissioned by the governor. This year, all hospitals in the state are being renovated and are to be more equipped.

    The mother of all the Fayemi quiet revolution is the unprecedented N5000, monthly  social security stipend to the elderly which now goes to no less than 25000 over 70 year-old citizens of the state.

    These wonderful efforts are replicated in every sector of governance.

    The governor is ably assisted in all these by two main persons and his entire team, namely,  his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi. Those interested in knowing more about this Amazon should please read my article: ELECT ONE, GET TWO, 19 June, 2011 which, in fact must now read like ancient history given her new exploits in empowering our people. The other is Professor Dupe Adelabu, who has fitted seamlessly into the Deputy Governor’s position. She was before her new appointment, the Chairman of the State SUBEB and remains a strong force in the trajectory of education in the state. As things stand today, Ekiti people could not have asked for more. Yet, there are lots more from where all  these came. To God be the glory.

     Next week – A peep into  Fayemi’s 2nd term

  • Fayemi opens cancer centre, NHIS

    Fayemi opens cancer centre, NHIS

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday inaugurated the Funmi Olayinka Diagnostic and Wellness Centre as well as the National Health Insurance Scheme.

    The events were part of activities marking the third anniversary of his administration.

    The diagnostic centre is named after former Deputy Governor Funmi Olayinka, who died in April after a protracted battle with cancer. It is situated on the premises of the State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    Fayemi said the centre was established to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer.

    The late Mrs. Olayinka’s husband, Lanre Olayinka, an architect; their daughter, Yeside; the deceased’s parents, Chief and Mrs. Famuagun; her extended family and top government officials were at the ceremony.

    The governor said free cancer screening was held in June to improve public health and make health care affordable and accessible.

    He said 45 of the 2,760 women screened had “palpable masses” in their breasts.

    Fayemi said 20 per cent of those affected had advanced breast cancer and 31 per cent had lumps in their breasts.

    He said the state assisted those who needed to undergo surgery immediately.

    Fayemi said residents would enjoy first-class services at the centre and would not have to travel abroad.

    He said women would be screened for breast and cervical cancer and men prostrate and colon cancer.

    The governor’s wife and founder of the Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF), Bisi, urged local government chairmen to sponsor women to patronise the centre.

    She said the centre would counsel people on healthy living.

    Yeside thanked the government for honouring her late mother. She said the gesture showed Fayemi’s commitment to the vision he shared with the deceased.

    Mrs. Betty Akeredolu, a cancer survivor and wife of the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in last October’s governorship election in Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), urged women to check their breasts regularly and report any strange lump to their doctors.

    The centre is equipped with an echocardiogram machine, ultrasound and exercise electrocardiogram machine, as well as a mammogram, among others.

    It is manned by experienced counsellors, psychologists, physiotherapists, radiologists, cardiologists and gynaecologists.

    Also at the event were Deputy Governor Modupe Adelabu; former Governor Niyi Adebayo; House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Adetunji Orisalade; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola; and top government officials.

    At the inauguration of the NHIS/ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Maternal and Child Health programme, Fayemi said 30 more primary health facilities had been opened in addition to the existing 35 to provide free services to expectant mothers and children under five years.

    This, he said, would curb maternal and child mortality.

    At the event were the Acting Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Sambo Abdurahman, and Commissioner for Health Sola Fasubaa, among others.

    Also yesterday, Fayemi inaugurated an 800-member Ekiti Peace Corps at the Christ’s School play ground in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said the corps would not “duplicate the responsibilities of or replace the constitutionally recognised federal security agencies”.

    The governor said they were empowered to arrest suspects and hand them over to the police within two hours.

    Fayemi said 16 patrol vehicles had been procured for the corps with each council having one.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticised the establishment of the corps.

    Former Governor Ayodele Fayose said it was an attempt to militarise the state. He said it was curious that the corps adopted the same uniform used by the conventional police.

    Special Adviser to the governor on Security and Heads the corps Dipo Ayeni, who is a retired Commissioner of Police, said the outfit was a platform to coordinate the activities of vigilance groups.

    Ayeni said the corps was not established for next year’s election but to maintain law and order across the state.

    PDP Chairman Makanjuola Ogundipe alleged that the governor was “planning to establish state police through the backdoor”.

  • Fayemi commends teachers for WAEC performance

    Ekiti State governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commended teachers in the state for their role in the improvement in the West African Examination (WAEC) results of students in 2013.

    He spoke yesterday in Christ School, Ado Ekiti at the World Teachers’ Day celebrations.

    According to the governor, the support of teachers was primarily responsible for students’ performance despite the renovation of the entire 180 secondary schools in the state and the laptop per student programme.

    The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Modupe Adelabu, disclosed the state recorded 52 % minimum pass in this year’s West African Examination Ccouncil (WAEC) results contrary to 20% in last year’s.

    Fayemi, who presented four brand new cars to best teachers in primary and secondary schools, assured that his administration will sustain the mutual love and understanding with teachers and other workers.

    The four teachers are Mr. Aniyikaye Daniel, C.A.C Ara Ijero primary school, Ara-Ijero, who was adjudged the best primary school teacher and Mr. Omole Sylvester, Corpus Christi, Ilawe-Ekiti.

    Others are best primary school administrator, Mrs. Ibinuwa Yemisi of St. Luke Anglican Primary School, Ikun-Araromi and best secondary school administrator, Mrs. Fatuase Titiloye of Amoye Grammar School, Ikere-Ekiti.

    The commissioner for Education, Mr. Kehinde Ojo urged the teachers to uphold professionalism, adding that they also should strive to sustain the pace of development of education in the state.

    The chairmen of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools(ASUSS), Comrade Sola Adigun and his counterpart in the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Samuel Akosile, demanded the payment of full implementation of the 27.5% Teachers Peculiar Allowance in the state.

    They also commended the administration for implementing 16% of the Special Allowance, saying the gesture has further aided mutual understanding between government and workers.

     

  • Ekiti founding fathers’ll be honoured, says Fayemi

    Ekiti founding fathers’ll be honoured, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said those who fought for the state’s creation will be honoured.

    Fayemi spoke through his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, during a symposium at the Adetiloye Hall of the Trade Fair Complex in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He said Ekiti’s founding fathers would be immortalised by the state government.

    Five of the founders were at the symposium, which was organised to mark the state’s 17th anniversary.

    They shared their experiences with the audience.

    Two others, who were represented by Mr. Aribasoye Adeoye and Miss Asere Folakemi, spoke on future expectations of the state.

    At the event were the governor’s wife, Bisi; the Head of Service (HOS), Bunmi Famosaya; House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin; Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism Mrs. Ronke Okusanya; her counterpart in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi and top government officials.

    Others are the Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Adamo Babalola, the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti; the Alaaye of Efon Alaaye-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare and other royal fathers.

    The speakers were Chief Deji Fasuan; Mrs Adebola Ajumobi; Chief Ojo Falegan; Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning & Service Delivery Biodun Oyebanji and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III.

    Fayemi hailed the committee for enduring victimisation before Ekiti was created on October 1, 1996, by the military regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

    Urging the committee not to see its efforts as unappreciated, he said there were plans to “etch their names in the memory of the present and unborn generations”.

    Fayemi said the symposium was not only organised to mark the state’s anniversary but also to celebrate those who fought for its creation.

    He said his administration’s Eight-Point Agenda was in line with the vision of the founding fathers and pledged to develop the state before his tenure expires.

    Fayemi said the rating of Ekiti’s result in the last Senior Secondary School (SSS3) examination as the best in the country justified the government’s investment in education.

    He said the government was upgrading infrastructure to attract investment in tourism, agriculture and other areas to improve the state’s economy.

    The governor said his administration had delivered its electioneering promises, despite the little it receives from the Federation Account monthly, adding that Ekiti was the 35th on the Federal Allocation table.

  • PDP’s call for National Conference insincere, says Fayemi

    PDP’s call for National Conference insincere, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has pardoned 10 inmates of the Ado-Ekiti Prisons to mark the country’s 53rd Independence celebration and the state’s 17th anniversary.

    Two of them, Olabode Abirifon and Julius Abirifon, had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment. They had been on the death row for over 16 years.

    Olusola Ojo, Alex Dasun (a Beninoise), Segun Olowoyo, Simon Okeme, Opeyemi Ogundele, Joseph Adafase, Taiwo Ibikunle and Kehinde Fagbemi, who were serving various jail terms, were unconditionally freed.

    In a live broadcast on state-owned media stations, the governor said calls by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a National Conference was not sincere and should be viewed with suspicion.

    He said the calls should be backed by a “demonstrable sincerity of purpose”, noting that “those making the latest calls have no respect for basic principles, such as fiscal autonomy.”

    Fayemi assured residents that the state’s limited resources would not prevent his administration from implementing people-oriented projects and programmes as well as improving infrastructure.

    He said: “This administration, in responding to popular feedback, would concentrate more on human empowerment without neglecting infrastructural development.”

    The governor said with effect from this month, 5,000 more people would enjoy his administration’s Social Security Scheme for the Elderly, raising the figure of beneficiaries to 25,000. Each of the beneficiaries receive N5,000 stipend monthly.

    Fayemi said another batch of 5,000 youths would be engaged in the Ekiti Youth Volunteer Corps Scheme and would receive N10,000 each monthly.

    He said the administration had approved the implementation of outstanding promotions and commenced payment of the Teachers Peculiar Allowance.

    Fayemi said he had approved the six per cent increase in pension with effect from January.

    He said 1,800 youths would be engaged under the Peace Corps initiative to be inaugurated later this month.

    The governor said: “It should be noted that all the foregoing are being done against the backdrop of severe financial constraints occasioned by the non-remittance of allocations to states from the Federation Account in the past three months. We would, however, continue to stretch ourselves through financial prudence to meet the aspirations of our people.”

    Urging the Federal Government to undertake policies and programmes to address infrastructure, unemployment, power and other challenges, he said: “It is important that the Federal Government utilises the powers available under the Constitution to focus on priority areas and carry out necessary reforms to strengthen states’ fiscal autonomy.

    “As we have argued, the burden of governance weighs more on the level of government closer to the people. It is thus imperative of the Federal Government to re-order the fiscal structure of the Nigerian Federation immediately.”

    On the state’s crime rate, the governor said: “I am pleased to announce that the State Executive Council has approved a Bill for the Administration of Criminal Justice. It is my expectation that when passed into law, this legislation will provide a framework for the appropriate recognition of crime victims as important stakeholders in our criminal justice system.

    “In addition, I have directed the Ministry of Justice to urgently put in place administrative and policy framework for the treatment of crime victims.

    “Let there be no doubt however about my administration’s resolve to be tough on the perpetrators of crime. Criminals should know that they will be prosecuted and, if convicted, will spend a substantial part of their time in prison. While my administration will continue to provide support to the Nigeria Police and Prisons Service within its limited resources, it is important that the Federal Government urgently considers adequate funding of these agencies.”

  • Bamidele free to contest 2014 poll, says Fayemi

    Bamidele free to contest 2014 poll, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said the member representing Irepodun-Ifelodun Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele, is free to contest the 2014 governorship election.

    In a statement yesterday by his media aide, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi advised that such aspiration should be pursued within the limits of the laws.

    He said the country had laws guiding the electoral process.

    Fayemi was reacting to last Thursday’s disruption of Bamidele’s rally by the police. He said his administration had no hand in the matter.

    The governor said over 10 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants had declared their interest in the election and none was molested by the government.

    He debunked Bamidele’s allegation that the government was behind the disruption of his rally, saying the police was not controlled by the state government.

    Fayemi said the police had the responsibility to determine actions and situations that could cause a breach of peace and safeguard the country.

    The statement reads: “A lot of misrepresentations have been peddled in the media about the events of last Thursday and it is important to state clearly that the governor has no plan to stop Bamidele or anybody from declaring interest in the governorship election.

    “It is on record that over 10 aspirants have made public declaration of their interest in the race and none of them was harassed for doing so. If the police have an issue with Bamidele’s approach, the most honourable thing for him to do is to comply with the laid-down procedures, instead of resorting to the blame game and name calling.

    “Ekiti remains one of the most peaceful states in the country and the cooperation of all is needed to sustain the peaceful atmosphere and the tangible development across the state.”

    In an interview, Bamidele said: “I am not intimidated. In fact, I am more resolved to run this race. It will be a betrayal of Ekiti people on my part if, after their show of solidarity, I withdraw from the race.

    “We have passed the stage of contemplating withdrawal from the race. As far as I am concerned, the declaration was perfectly done. I had my own programme, but God had His own. My opponents also used their own programme to further announce me. When you enjoy the favour of God, even your enemies will announce you. I experienced that on Thursday and I give God all the glory.”

  • Fashola, Fayemi back minimum wages decentralisation

    Fashola, Fayemi back minimum wages decentralisation

    LAGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday urged labour unions not to stand against the plan by the National Assembly to decentralise the fixing and payment of minimum wage. The duo spoke at the inauguration of the South West Zonal office of the National Pensions Commission (NPC) in Ikeja GRA, Lagos. Speaking, Governor Fashola said the decentralization of minimum wage was the best for true federalism, adding that states could not be compelled to pay a wage fixed by the Federal Government in a democracy. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), it will be recalled, had on Wednesday protested at the Senate over the latter’s plans to remove minimum wage from the exclusive list. Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, who led the protest, claimed the plan amounted to politicisation of workers’ compensation, as it would empower the state governments to pay workers just anything. But Fashola opined, “I think the time has come for us to speak openly and honestly for what we believe in. We may disagree, but we should try and agree at the end of the day. “The labour union has a position on the decentralization of the minimum wage, perhaps they would listen to another position, which takes us ultimately. “For us, it is not who makes the law that matters, it is whether or not the Nigerian worker gets a fair pay for a hard job .Who makes the law, who has the responsibility to manage it only detracts us from the main issue. And If we are decentralizing the management of pensions and it is making sense, why can’t we decentralize payment of wages? This is a federation. Payment of wages shouldn’t be imposed on the states”, he said. Also speaking, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi stressed that having a national minimum wage fixed by the central government should not stop the states from fixing their own in a democracy. He argued that imposition of a minimum wage was not in the interest of labour, as it might discourage states willing to reward workers more from doing so. “If we are truly a federal entity, states should also have a minimum wage at the state level, rather than the imposed minimum wage. “I remember that at the early stage of our independence, workers in the Western Region workers left the federal public service to work in the state public service because the salaries were higher. It is for us to return to that period for us to strengthen our democracy”, he said.

  • Agagu, an exemplary leader, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has condoled with the family of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.

    He said the ex-governor, who passed on last Friday, was an exemplary leader, who would be missed.

    Governor Fayemi, who was received at the Ibadan home of the late governor by his widow, Olufunke and two of his children, Feyi and Solape, described the late Agagu as an advisor, mentor and a committed political leader, who operated in a manner that was above board.

    The governor added that the deceased was not a political bigot as he lived above pettiness, rancour and the usual acrimony that is pervasive in the nation’s political system.

    “He was an advisor, a mentor, a committed political leader and operated in a manner that was above board. He was above pettiness, above rancour, above the usual acrimony that is pervasive. In all of this, he did it with grace, civility and panache, compassion and commitment to the people of Ondo State of which we were once a part in Ekiti. Many might say he belonged to the other side, but for Agagu, there was no other side. There was no enemy in politics. He was a quintessential gentleman,” Fayemi said.

    Asserting that Agagu was supportive of the Fayemi-led administration in Ekiti, the governor said he conceived the eight-point agenda, which has received encomiums from far and wide from Agagu’s plan while running for office in 2003, and how he organised his government when he eventually emerged governor.

    He added that he read the late governor’s plans and what he was to achieve at intervals.

    Fayemi said the deceased was a different breed from other politicians, perhaps because of his antecedents in the academic world.

    Agagu, according to the governor, was an “intellectual giant, who left that comfortable world of academics into the murky waters of politics” in order to serve the people of his state.

    The governor, however, urged people, who see the late governor as a true leader, to play politics in an above- board manner, a corruption-free manner.

    “In all my opportunities to discuss life, politics and academics with him, he always had something to teach me at every point in time and for me, there was another dimension to the loss. He was the intellectual giant, who left that comfortable world of academics into the murky waters of politics. He was a pioneer in the field, he was one of the very early generation of politicians from the academic world. Maybe that was why he was different. For him, it was about the work.

    “I read his plan before he became governor, he knew what he was going to do in six months and 12 months. There was an 18 months plan, 24-month plan and that guided me when I was running for office in Ekiti. That’s where a lot of what people now associate with us in the eight-point agenda came from. I learned a great deal from the way he organised government, the lean manner, the focus on people rather than on politicians. He was a kindred spirit in many ways and we shall sorely miss him,” Fayemi said.

  • Fayemi urges women to patronise hospitals

    Fayemi urges women to patronise hospitals

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday advised expectant mothers to deliver their babies in hospitals, rather than unorthodox places.

    Fayemi expressed concern about the mortality rate among expectant mothers, which he said was worsened because “women often patronise unorthodox practitioners for the delivery of their babies”.

    He said: “People should patronise general hospitals and other health facilities. We have to discourage our people, particularly women, from patronising unorthodox practitioners.

    “Nigeria was listed as one of the countries with a high mortality and morbidity rate in the world. It is high time we shunned these cultural beliefs and start patronising orthodox medicine for our safety and wellbeing.”

    Fayemi spoke yesterday in Iyin-Ekiti at the start of the renovation of the 18 General Hospitals across the 16 local government areas.

    He said the renovation, which would cost N1 billion, would be completed in three months.

    The governor said: “The good roads we have built, the schools we have renovated, the social security for the elderly and other programmes will have meaning only if the people are healthy.”

    He said the state would soon complete the 300-bed Oba Rufus Adejugbe General Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    Fayemi said the hospital would complement the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).

    He said his health policy was rooted in the free health programme pioneered by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and supported by Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo.

    Fayemi said: “Some of these hospitals were built by our leader, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo, about 40 years ago. During that time, they were cottage hospitals and cynosure of all eyes. But today, can anyone say they still are cynosure of all eyes?

    “Health is a necessary investment for effective service delivery, particularly at the grassroots. We are not only going to equip all these hospitals, we will also furnish them with other facilities and personnel for the wellbeing of our people.

    “It is commonly said that health is wealth. This is why our administration has been paying careful attention to strengthening our health care delivery system to make it more functional and relevant to the needs of our people.”

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Olusola Fasubaa said the administration would continue to equip hospitals to give better services.

    Fasubaa said the administration had bought medical equipment worth N130 million, built an Adult Accident and Emergency Unit at EKSUTH and improved health facilities.

    At the kick off of the renovation of the Okemesi-Ekiti General Hospital, the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, hailed the government for the Operation Renovate all Hospitals (ORASE) project.

    He said: “People say monarchs should not be partisan, but that does not mean we should see something good and keep quiet. A government that cares for the people is here. If we see something good and fail to campaign for it, then we are doomed.”