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Tag: Fayemi

  • Residents urge Fayemi to sustain free health mission

    Beneficiaries of the Ekiti State Free Health Mission, a medical intervention of the state government, have urged Governor Kayode Fayemi to sustain the initiative.

    Over 65,000 people in the grassroots benefited from the seventh edition of the programme, which was organised by the government in conjunction with the House of Assembly.

    The edition was executed as the constituency projects of the lawmakers.

    Residents, who trooped out in large numbers, described the free treatment, drugs and eye glasses as “examples of the dividends of democracy”.

    Mr. Albert Iyunade from Odo-Ayedun in Ikole Local Government said the programme brought relief to indigent patients suffering from hypertension, diabetes, eye and dental problems.

    Mrs. Opeyemi Awe from Aisegba, Gbonyin Local Government, said the programme was one of the best initiatives of the Fayemi administration.

    Commissioner for Health Prof. Olusola Fasubaa told reporters yesterday that the mission covered 13 of the state’s 26 constituencies.

    Fasubaa said he was impressed with the turnout of residents. He said the next edition would cover the remaining 13 constituencies.

    The commissioner said the programme helped to generate statistics that would help improve the government’s health policies.

    The head of the team of doctors, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, said many hypertensive and diabetic patients were not aware of their health status until they were tested.

    Mrs. Fasawe said: “Many of them were not aware of their health status. During the mission, we told them their health challenges, how to prevent the ailments and how to manage them.”

     

     

     

  • Ekiti indigenes in Europe commiserate with Fayemi

    A group, Ekiti Professionals in Europe (EPE), has described the death of the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, as a huge loss.

    A press statement by its President, Femi Awoniyi, said the death had robbed the Governor of the state of an able lieutenant with whom he was creating a new culture of governance in the state.

    It read: “We commiserate with the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on his loss of an able deputy with whom he successfully waged the battle against electoral fraud and the repossession of their joint mandate given to them by Ekiti people.”

    The group paid glowing tributes to Olayinka for her indelible contributions to the development of the state.

    “We note with gratitude the tireless efforts of Mrs. Olayinka as the chairperson of the state’s Economic Management Team.”

    “Drawing from her experience as a banker and corporate manager, Mrs Olayinka committed herself wholly to the job of reviving the fortunes of the state, an assignment she performed creditably,” Awoniyi, who is also the publisher of The African Courier magazine, added.

    It called on Fayemi to immortalise Olayinka by establishing a permanent Early Detection Programme in the state’s health care delivery system that will be named after her.

  • Fayemi: my deputy was critical to Ekiti’s security

    Fayemi: my deputy was critical to Ekiti’s security

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said his late Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, played an active role in ensuring security.

    He said she had a good relationship with security agencies.

    Fayemi spoke at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, when the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 8, Mr. Chris Dega, and representatives of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), led by its Director-General, Mr. Asishana Okauru, visited him.

    The governor said he was very lucky to have had a deputy like the late Mrs. Olayinka, who was “very passionate about the transformation of the state”.

    He said though the late Mrs. Olayinka was not a professional politician, she came into politics with a commitment that was unparalleled.

    Fayemi said her loyalty was doubtless, adding that she gave no room for distraction.

    He said though his late deputy’s life was short, it was eventful and full of service to the people.

    Fayemi said the government would provide patrol vehicles and communication gadgets for the Ekiti Police Command to tighten security.

    He lamented the shortage of policemen in the state and urged the police leadership to post more men to Ekiti.

    The governor said: “The big issue I have always raised is the way and manner officers and men transferred to Ekiti manage to get themselves out of the state, leading to a shortage of the men.

    “If you look at your record, you will notice that Ekiti is fewer men and officers than it should have.”

    He said though the police are doing well in the state, the shortage has created some gaps which need to be filled.

    Fayemi said security agencies so need to pay adequate attention to Ekiti State, since it is the gateway from the North to the Southwest.

    Others who visited the governor are the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Isaac Asuzu; the institution’s Registrar, Mr. Daniel Adeyem and the Council of Traditional Rulers in Oye Local Government, led by the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ademolaju.

     

  • NLC hails Fayemi on Ekiti’s transformation

    NLC hails Fayemi on Ekiti’s transformation

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday said Ekiti State has witnessed “physical transformation” under the leadership of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    In a letter to the governor, NLC President Abdulwaheed Omar said the recent hosting of the National Administrative Council (NAC) by Ekiti afforded labour leaders the opportunity to see the projects executed by the Fayemi administration.

    He hoped that the electorate would re-elect the governor for a second term.

    Omar said: “Your Excellency, our stay in Ekiti State availed us the opportunity to witness, first-hand, your developmental projects. It is instructive that you have placed emphasis on human capital development. Your stewardship of Ekiti has, within a short period of time, transformed the state.

    “This is a cherished value of identifying with the masses and the poor throughout your life as an activist. The congress and the working people of Nigeria have no doubt that you have more service to render and we believe the Ekiti working people will return you to service after your first term.

    “While appreciating your kind gesture for making us feel at home in Ekiti State, rest assured that we will always support your administration and the people of Ekiti State.”

     

  • I’ve lost my co-pilot, says Fayemi

    I’ve lost my co-pilot, says Fayemi

    •Akume, ACN, Akpabio, Dickson, others eulogise Ekiti Deputy Governor

     

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said he has lost his co-pilot.

    He said the death of his deputy, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, could be likened to the plight of a pilot, who loses his co-pilot mid-air.

    Fayemi spoke at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, while receiving traditional rulers, who visited to condole with him on Mrs. Olayinka’s death.

    He said: “It is a lot of challenge. If you are lucky and do the right things, you will land well.”

    The governor said his administration would realise the vision of a greater Ekiti, which the late Mrs. Olayinka believed in.

    He said: “We will make her happy by ensuring that her dreams for a better Ekiti are realised.”

    The Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Michael Gbadebo, who is the Owa Ooye of Okemesi, urged Fayemi to ensure that the vision for the development of the state, which was jointly conceived with his late deputy, is actualised.

    The traditional rulers pledged their support for the Fayemi administration and prayed God to strengthen the deceased’s loved ones.

    Fayemi thanked them for identifying with him at “this challenging time”.

    Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Alake-Adeyemo also visited Fayemi.

    He described his Ekiti counterpart’s death as “a great loss to the nation, particularly the political class, which she positively impacted on.”

    Alake-Adeyemo said the late Mrs. Olayinka was “a very amiable, hard working and courageous woman, whose virtues of loyalty and frankness are worthy of emulation”.

    Eminent Nigerians have continued to condole with Fayemi and Ekiti people.

    In a statement yesterday, Senate Minority Leader George Akume said: “I am greatly saddened by the news of the death of our illustrious daughter, an exemplary deputy governor, and one of Nigeria’s foremost women leaders.

    “I condole with her family, the people of Ekiti State, the Yoruba nation and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. She was an excellent banker, a political amazon and a reformer, who distinguished herself as a world-class banker, particularly during the reforms in the banking sector.

    “She was one of the most supportive and loyal deputy governors in this dispensation and that was why the governor never contemplated any negative action against her when she took ill.

    “Her departure leaves a gap in our lives and we will sorely miss her unequalled experience in banking administration and dexterity in governance. However, we are consoled by the unparallelled legacies she bequeathed to us. She was a woman of impeccable character and sound mind, who in her quest to better the lives of Nigerians, was never swayed by intimidating circumstances or challenges. She was amiable and a woman of valour.”

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said Mrs. Olayinka left her “indelible footprints on the sands of time”.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party sent its condolences to her family and prayed that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

    It also prayed for the repose of her soul.

    ACN said: “The fact that Mrs. Olayinka left her indelible footprints on the sands of time, having excelled in her banking profession and later in politics, gives us some consolation.

    “She showed strength of character and rare courage during the battle to reclaim our stolen mandate in Ekiti. She was in the forefront of the battle, despite the risk to her safety. She never looked back, never regretted leaving the comfort of her previous job and never waivered.

    “When eventually we reclaimed our mandate, she worked with her principal to rekindle hope and restore the lost glory of a state known for the decency, integrity and deep knowledge of its people.

    “Our party will forever remember her contributions to upholding the standards we hold dear, especially in making life more abundant for the citizenry.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson described the deceased as “a notable politician, whose death has created a big vacuum in the polity”.

    Dickson said: “On behalf of the people of Bayelsa State, I condole with Fayemi, Ekiti people and the family of the late Mrs. Olayinka on the loss of their dependable daughter. May God grant you all the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, in his condolence message, described the late deputy governor as one of the great champions of gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria.

    He said she lived an exemplary life.

    Akpabio said her achievements would inspire women to break gender barriers.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Adeniyi Akintola, described the late Mrs. Olayinka as a “brilliant professional in politics, a modest soul and a beautiful spirit”.

    He said despite her high office, the late deputy governor’s humility was proverbial.

    Akintola said: “The last time we met was on a flight from London. That was last December 24. She was cheerful, caring and humble. She genuflected and I reminded her that she was Her Excellency now. Her office never got into her head.

    “God knows best. He gives and takes life. All we can do as humans is to accept His will and remember her family and the state in our prayers.”

    A political group, Ekiti 11 (E-11), said it was finding it difficult to accept the reality of Mrs. Olayinka’s death.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Sanmi Omiata, E-11 said: “We hoped that she would win the fight and regain her health in full, because she was a fighter and a dogged one at that. She stood on the side of justice and patiently waited out the long and dreary fight to regain the mandate of the 2007 governorship election.

    “She was a motivator. She always had a positive word of encouragement for all. She was a friend you could depend on. She radiated beauty and grace from the inside. She became the face of Ekiti.

    “We shall sorely miss her at E-11, as she was an ardent and committed member, who worked tirelessly for the good of Ekiti.”

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, Opeyemi Bamidele, said: “The late Mrs. Olayinka brought about a paradigm shift in Ekiti politics, which made it possible for the people to have confidence in the ability of women to hold and deliver in leadership positions.

    “She displayed competence, doggedness and uncommon courage, especially during those days when our party was in the trenches. This added value to womanhood in Ekiti and Nigeria.”

    Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) said: “Despite departing this mortal world at the young age of 52, I have no doubt that she lived a full circle and made a huge success of everything she laid her hands on.

    “She died without leaving any reproach and I dare say that her life and times are worth celebrating. Let us thank God for Funmi’s life and glorify Him, even for her early departure.”

    House of Representatives’ member Mr. Bimbo Daramola described the deceased as “a peace-loving politician, loyal deputy and credible progressive politician bubbling with ideas”.

    He said: “When the history of Ekiti rebirth is written, several chapters must be devoted to her activities. She made us proud in the days of the struggle. She defiled the bullets at the political rallies when thugs invaded the venues. She was always visible on the podium, canvassing the alternative route to Ekiti’s redemption. She made her mark as a party woman and focused administrator.”

    Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Adewale Omirin described her as “a great stabilising factor”.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi described Mrs. Olayinka as humility personified.

    He said: “The most appropriate description of her is humility. She did every assignment as though it meant everything to her. She would not act as if she was higher than you, even though she was. She would make her contributions whenever needed in a way that anyone would find agreeable.”

    Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs Funminiyi Afuye said: “Mrs. Olayinka would be remembered for her doggedness, which she proved during the near four-year struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Ekiti. Words cannot express this huge loss to the state.”

    The Special Adviser to the Ekiti State Governor on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) & Development Relations, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami, said: “Her death at a time when Nigeria needs competent women in leadership positions is painful. She was a great leader and I consider myself privileged to have worked with her.”

    Rivers State Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru described the late Mrs. Olayinka as “a symbol of selflessness, who uplifted the less-privileged”.

    Ikuru said: “As the sun sets on this benevolent amazon at this most inappropriate time, when her valuable contributions are mostly needed in Ekiti and our nation, it is my prayer that the Lord will give the government and people of Ekiti State the strength to bear the loss.”

     

  • Fayemi: A pathfinder on red roof

    Fayemi: A pathfinder on red roof

    Politics is intertwined with interests. The leader’s interest. The public interest. The aide’s interest. The follower’s interest. The praise-singer’s interest. The family interest. The faith interest. And even ancestor’s interest. And so on and so forth. It follows therefore that appraisal parameters will definitely be dependent on the assessor’s interest. I must quickly admit some pedantic inappropriateness in not taking cognizance of the rule of political assessment when Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State was accused of inactivity by some select politicians of  Ekiti sentiments and I got puzzled.

    As a stakeholder in Ekiti; yes, I am a stakeholder, not by birth or parental lineage but by “classmate attachment” or even “Great Ife Network”.

    First, the governor is my friend and my classmate in Graduate class in 1986 at the Department of International Relations at the then Unife. “Kay” (as I fondly call him), Victor Adetula, now a professor in Unijos and myself were intellectual ‘cold war’ rivals, especially in Professor Olajide Aluko’s class. His wife, Bisi, was, and still is, my, “personal person.”  She was a special fan of “Mujemu,” a writer’s pseudonym in “King Cobra” a dreadful, admittedly to some degree, salacious and subversive campus journal (courtesy: Buhari/Idiagbon). We were also together in the History Department, Unife. By the special grace of GOD, I knew how it all started between them as I was a key actor and witness. One of the secrets of the relationship that I will share publicly is the fact that “ Kay” (as I fondly call him) achieved in one year what many lecturers and students in Ife could not achieve in four to five years that they were with Bisi in Ife. He came from Unilag to marry one of Ife’s most beautiful girls and his rivals were stunned and dazed by this audacious inter-university marital assault. I know some of them that have not recovered from the shock till today. Only God knows when they will recover and accept their fate that it is all over. Third, the Oba of Ilawe, Banji Alabi, is my friend and classmate in Ife. The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Yemi Adaramodu (Agbaman), was our Chief Cartoonist in “King Cobra” when I was the Cobra Chief in Unife and of course, the big masquerade himself, Femi Falana (SAN) another “Great Ife” from Ilawe is my very good friend. Also, Senator Femi Ojudu another Ekiti power broker was an ALPS chieftain in our Ife days. His organisation, Alliance of Progressive Students, was King Cobra’s chief antagonist and “Mujemu’s” greatest persecutor. The two Femis plotted the “coup” that brought me to the Tinubu government in 1999. For further details on this, consult the duo.

    Enough of this stakeholder justification. The general impression I was getting before leaving for Ekiti was that Fayemi “o se nkankan ni Ekiti” literally meaning, Fayemi has not been active in Ekiti, or better still, Fayemi has not done anything in Ekiti. So, as a stakeholder, I decided to go to Ekiti on a private visit and possibly share with the governor, people’s sentiments about his administration. This was my first time of going to Ekiti since he became the governor of the state, though we have been exchanging phone calls and text messages. We only saw once at ‘Oga’s 60th birthday last year March (when I say Oga, I mean Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu). So, almost a year after our meeting in Lagos, I decided to visit him.

    Driving from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti through Iju-Itaogbolu, a federal road in Ondo State was not very pleasant. But from Ikere to Ado-Ekiti, the whole town is on construction rampage. The entire Ado-Ekiti township from police headquarters to Basiri; from Teaching Hospital to Iworoko; from 1st Baptist to Old garage through Ojumose to Atikankan and Oke Ori Omi Aremu to Old governor’s office, I noticed a construction frenzy. It was however a smooth drive from Ado Akiti to Lagos through Ilawe and Igbara- Odo down to Ilesa-Ife road.

    In Ekiti, road construction and the ‘red roof’ (school project) appear to be the government’s priority. Since he came to office, Fayemi has been constructing roads and renovating and rehabilitating schools and these are still on-going and they are not likely to stop anytime soon. If the road construction trend continues like this, the people of Ekiti may not need to polish their shoes for days because they are not likely to gather dust since all the roads would have been tarred.

    Good roads have become an obsession with Fayemi. He is not just interested in rehabilitating or laying asphalt on roads, he wants roads with side-walks, drains, medians and street-lights. He wants solid roads that will endure. There was an instance where the governor confronted a contractor on the poor quality of his work. The contractor was unaware of the governor’s private inspection of a particular road and had counted about 17 pot-holes on that same road. The contractor was shocked when the governor disclosed the number of pot-holes to him. Fayemi expressed his disappointment at the shoddy job the contractor did and gave him a strong warning to stick to the specified standard and use the right materials.

    An impressive aspect of Fayemi’s road networking is the fact that in addition to the existing roads he is rehabilitating, he has in two years of his government, constructed almost five new roads, I mean virgin roads, that were never in existence before. And the good thing is that all the roads are solid, standard and beautiful. For instance, the Igede-Awo road is a brand new road that reduces the journey from Ado-Ekiti to Iddo by substantial kilometers. It is a beautiful road of about 7 km that was commissioned during the 2nd anniversary of his administration.

    The four other virgin roads include Osun-Iloro, Erijiyan-Ilawe, Ilemoso-Omu and Irele-Ponyan all of which have drastically reduced the stress of long journeys and facilitated inter-community connectivity.  A new one, Isan-Obo-Ayegunle, was awarded recently by the government. In the past, a journey from Ado to Ifaki and Oye used to take more than five hours but with Fayemi’s intervention, that trip can be done in less than an hour. On the whole, the government has completed more than 400 Kilometres of road out of the 600 km it has in its Phases 1 and 2.

    Fayemi’s approach to road construction and network is scientific, strategic, functional, pragmatic, politically and economically expedient. From Ikere to Ijero, Ijero to Ikole, the entire stretch of Ekiti State has been rung round with roads that bridge contacts between the various Ekiti communities, between the government and its people, between development and underdevelopment, between primitiveness and civilization, between the “bush gods” and the “City God”, between “the bush man” and “the city man”.

    Rural communities should not be made to feel completely alien in their own country by being isolated or restricted to their villages as a result of lack of infrastructure. They deserve good roads to transport their produce to the city for commercial exchange.

    Globalization, or its variant “global village”, is not just about the magic of technology. The baseline for its functionality, especially in this clime of ours, lies in the provision of infrastructure like roads that connect one community to the other. What is the gain of globalization if it takes 6 hours  for a Nigerian to connect with his business associate in London but double that time for a son that lives and works in Ado-Ekiti to get to his sick mother in Ikole also in Ekiti State?

    Guided by its 8-point agenda framework, the Fayemi government is not only constructing roads, it is also providing water and light for the people. One tragic narrative of our history relates to a community called Oke-Ako in Ikole Local Government, which has been in existence for close to 138 years without light. When in 2012, the government provided them with light, they erupted in joyous celebration that lasted for days. The same goes for the people of Ilemeso in Oye Local Government. They too were having light for the first time after living so many years of their existence in darkness.

    In education, about 183 public schools at both primary and post-primary levels, are being rehabilitated and renovated with the red roof as symbol of their new look. Those that have been given a face-lift operate under a very peaceful atmosphere and environment that is conducive for learning and creative vocations.

    From afar, and every corner of the state, one can see the red roof glowing and reflecting the change in the state, depicting a rising hope, exuding a glimmering idea of a bright future, generating a soothing attraction, beaming a gleaming star in the mould of a pathfinder that is  perching atop the roof using it as his observatory for a panoramic view of the state with the ultimate objective of clearing all the forest of ancient evils in Ekiti.

    Fayemi’s style of governance is elevated. He is humbly unveiling his new political status by moving from a politician to a statesman. His behavior towards the Ekiti people transcends political partisanship. He behaves like a wise leader who is “motivated neither by crass self-interest nor by narrow partisanship but instead by considerations of the non partisan public good or the general welfare” (apologies Macstadt and Schotten). Ekiti by all development indices, is an evolving state. It has not fully reached the apogee of its development potential.

    Based on this fact and what Fayemi is doing, Ekiti is transforming from its ancient character into a modern city. The kind of vision, wisdom and inspirational leadership that Fayemi is providing in the state will one day make the people of Ekiti record him as one of the founding fathers of modern Ekiti.

    With what I saw in Ekiti during my visit, I now know that politicians, nay adversaries or better still, opponents or opposition, also speak in tongues. “Kayode o se nkankan ni Ekiti” has two interpretations: One is literal, the other is figurative. So, when a government, that is working round the clock to provide social infrastructure for the people and improve their lot through populist programmes and policies is being accused of “not performing “, it shows that they don’t mean it in the literal sense. It is simply a figurative expression to convey their frustration about the neglect of their own “stomach infrastructure” a la Godswill Akpabio’s sarcasm of “our members are hungry”.

    Stomach infrastructure now overlapping with social infrastructure has become a contemporary political reality in this our side of the global divide. What a dilemma for our leaders! God Save Nigeria!!

    •Thomas, a former Special Adviser to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, teaches History and International Studies at the Lagos University (LASU)

  • ARG backs Fayemi for second term

    ARG backs Fayemi for second term

    A pan-Yoruba group, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Ekiti State chapter, and a political group in Ekiti North Senatorial District, the John Kayode Fayemi Group 2 (JKF 2), have backed calls for the re-election of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    They said the Fayemi administration has developed the state and should be given another opportunity to do more.

    They said Fayemi’s endorsement for a second term by the “majority” showed that the governor was chosen for the position by God.

    Speaking with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, ARG Chairman Elder Bunmi Awotiku said: “The people have called for Fayemi’s return. They waited a long time for him and his achievements in his short time in office must be sustained by returning him as governor.”

    JKF 2, which has 23 members and is led by Mr. Kayode Olaosebikan, said: “God is in favour of Fayemi’s return as governor in 2014. His administration’s eight-point agenda has positively touched all parts of the state in less than two-and-a-half years.

    “This administration has transcended barriers in the implementation of programmes and projects. Its development and empowerment drive has been non-partisan.

    “Its endorsement by the people is an attestation of his success and it is well earned.”

    Reacting to calls in some quarters for the rotation of the governorship seat among the senatorial districts, JKF 2 said there is no zoning in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    It said Fayemi is the first governor produced by Ekiti North District and should be given a second term.

  • Fayemi, Akande visit Awo matriarch

    Fayemi, Akande visit Awo matriarch

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and the National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday extolled the virtues and person of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, saying he was a man who lived a “life of service and commitment” to Yorubaland and Nigeria.

    Fayemi and Akande spoke to reporters in the Ikenne home of Chief Obafemi Awolowo shortly after paying a condolence visit to the matriarch of the late sage, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, over the death her only surviving son.

    The governor, who arrived Awo’s residence at 11: 25am, was accompanied by Senator Babafemi Ojudu; Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya; and the Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Mrs Bunmi Dipo-Salami, described the death of Chief Awolowo as saddening and a great loss to humanity.

    Earlier, Fayemi gave the matriarch a condolence letter and met with the two siblings of the deceased, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu and Rev (Mrs) Tola Oyediran, as well as children of the late publisher.

    He said the deceased was an embodiment of humility, courage and service to humanity, adding that he was not the one to be overwhelmed by the vagaries of life.

    Governor Fayemi said the late Chief Awolowo emulated his father by seeking the progress and betterment of the society.

    Fayemi said: ”First and foremost, every death diminishes us, those of us left behind whether it is the death of a distant person or a close person, a pauper or a wealthy person. In the case of Chief Oluwole Awolowo, Uncle Oluwole was someone I was privileged to be close to.

    “I found in him an embodiment of humility and a commitment to service. He was always wearing a positive look, no matter what was happening to him at any point in time. Even in the later years that he struggled with his health, it was with equanimity and courage.

    “And of course, we were sad that he has left us, but we are heartened by a life of service, his life of dedication, his life of commitment to our people in the true tradition of progressive cause Papa Obafemi Awolowo lived for. So, we thank God for his life; we know that the struggle must continue; the rest of us must continue to light the candle in order for the pathway to be cleared to our people.”

    The governor urged the children of the deceased to take heart and build on the legacy of their father.

    Also speaking at the Awolowo residence, Chief Akande who lamented the death of the late Chief Awolowo, prayed that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Akande said:”Oluwole was born by a great family, and he lived a great life as a publisher of The Nigerian Tribune. We all mourn the loss.”

    Prayers were offered for the family by the Anglican Bishop of Remo Diocese, Most Revd Olusina Fape.

    Governor Fayemi and Chief Akande later signed the condolence register placed at the Efunyela Hall within the compound.

  • Fayemi wins three appeals against PDP

    Fayemi wins three appeals against PDP

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday won three cases instituted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    In the case in which PDP opposed the constitution of the State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam ordered that the case be retried.

    The High Court, presided over by Justice John Adeyeye dissolved the EKSIEC, saying there was evidence that its members were card-carrying members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as alleged by PDP.

    Justice Onyemenam faulted the judgment of the lower court, insisting that the plaintiff should have tendered Certified True Copies (CTC) of the credentials of the EKSIEC members, instead of photocopies.

    She said the plaintiff failed to explore all possible means to access the CTC of the credentials.

    Justice Onyemenam said the letter PDP claimed to have written to the House of Assembly requesting the release of the CTC, which it said was declined, did not justify tendering secondary evidence before the court.

    She said the plaintiff could have subpoenaed the Clerk of the House to present the CTC of the documents and directed that the case be tried afresh at the State High Court.

    In the second and third cases concerning the prayers of the former EKSIEC Chairman, Maj.-Gen Kayode Oni and others; and that of the former Chairman of the House of Assembly Service Commission, Mr. Bunmi Ogunleye, seeking payment for the period they should have spent in office, the court upturned the verdict of the High Court.

    The courts said members of the two commissions are not entitled to any financial benefit from the present administration because their appointment lacked “statutory backing”.

    Justices Olukayode Bada and Modupe Fasanmi said the appointment of members of the commissions was based on the ex-governor’s preference, with no statutory force.

  • Fayemi: Justice, growth’ll guarantee peace

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday said peace cannot be guaranteed in the absence of justice and development.

    Fayemi spoke at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) at the opening of a three-day International Annual Conference and General Assembly organised by the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP).

    He urged Nigerians to work towards peaceful coexistence among all groups, adding that “democracy is a transition, rather than a destination”.

    Fayemi said: “Peace is a necessary ingredient in nation building and development. We should move from empty sloganeering to concerted efforts at restoring peace to the society.”

    He said unlike Ghana, Benin Republic, Senegal and Kenya, democracy is not being consolidated in Nigeria because “only one regime type exists at the federal level”.

    The governor said the alternation of power is the surest way to consolidate the nation’s democracy, adding that the country has not witnessed any transition since it is still the same regime that is in power.

    Citing an example of Ghana, which has held five general elections since 1992, with the ruling and opposition parties alternating power, Fayemi said Nigeria only has democracy in form but not in content.

    He said many factors that characterise democracy are lacking in Nigeria and hoped that the conference would “help to augment the quality and texture” of democracy in Nigeria.

    House of Representatives’ Speaker Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal advocated a democratic system that would adequately address the volatile situation of the country.

    Tambuwal, who was represented by Mr. Muraina Ajibola, affirmed that the system the country presently operates can no longer serve Nigerians. He said this is reflected in the spate of violence, kidnapping and other social vices in the nation.

    Tambuwal stressed the importance of peace in the nation’s development and urged stakeholders to address the country’s challenges through peaceful approaches.

    The Chairman of the Conference, Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), said for any nation to attain peace and security, certain fundamentals, including justice, must be addressed.

    Ali said the theme of the conference, Defining and Rethinking Peace and Security Systems in Transitional Democracies, is not only timely, but also “apposite, given the spate of violent occurrences” in the country.

    Plans by Fayemi to return to the classroom as an academic appears to be at the final stage as the Vice-Chancellor of EKSU, Prof. Dipo Aina presented documents on the establishment of the Institute of Governance to him.

    The governor is billed to lecture at the institute when it takes off next session.

    He has expressed interest to lecture students of Peace and Conflict Studies in the university.

    Fayemi holds a doctorate degree in War Studies from King’s College, London.