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Tag: Lere Olayinka

  • Maina: Buhari only acted to save his face – Fayose

    Maina: Buhari only acted to save his face – Fayose

    Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor has said President Mohammodu Buhari only acted on the reinstatement of wanted former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrashid Maina because of the global embarrassment caused him by the outcry of Nigerians.

    Maina headed the now defunct pension reform team during the administration of  former President Goodluck Jonathan, but fled the country in 2015 after being indicted for alleged diversion of N2 billion public fund.

    The governor in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said the president directive on the immediate disengagement of Maina was an afterthought.

    He also demanded the immediate trial of Maina as well as the sack of all those involved in his reinstatement, which he described as fraudulent and shameful.

    The governor earlier on his verified and official twitter handle likened Buhari’s anti-corruption fight to a situation where “Satan is calling Judas Iscariot a sinner”.

    He said, “In the words of APC Senator, Shehu Sani, ‘when it comes to fighting corruption in the National Assembly and the Judiciary and in the larger Nigerian sectors, the President uses insecticide, but when it comes to fighting corruption within the Presidency, they use deodorants”.

    “Also, President Buhari has refused to act on the report of the committee that investigated the $43 million discovered in an apartment at Osbourne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, despite that Nigerians have been asking him to act on it”.

    “When the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu raised allegation of award of $25 billion contracts without following due process against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Dr. Maikanti Baru, the Presidency was the one that defended him (Baru)”.

    “Even the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu was indicted of corruption by the Department of State Service (DSS) and all that was done by President Buhari was to ask the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), to investigate the DSS report. Up till today, nothing has been heard about it and Magu, despite his rejection by the Senate, Magu is still acting as the EFCC chairman”.

    “It was also under this government of Buhari that Ahmed Gambo Saleh; the Supreme Court Registrar was indicted and put on trial for alleged over N2 billion fraud. The case against Gambo Saleh was withdrawn almost immediately, and he has been appointed the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC). Not only that, he was made the Secretary of the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee, headed by Retired Justice Isa Ayo Salami”.

    “Like I have said several times, as far as President Buhari is concerned, corruption involving his men is family affair, and one won’t be surprised if Maina is rewarded with bigger office very soon, just like others before him”.

  • Is This Gov. Fayose’s Youth Sport Development Plan?

    Is This Gov. Fayose’s Youth Sport Development Plan?

    The Special Adviser, Public Communications and New Media at Ekiti State Government of Nigeria, Lere Olayinka on Monday shared about 16 pictures of Governor Ayodele Fayose, playing the ping-pong game, popularly called table tennis, at one of the remote streets in Ado-Ekiti; the state capital.

    The Governor was practically showing his skills as ‘Oba Pako’ in the game, as he could not mind playing with a rickety bat made of plank and robber, on a very funny table which has two containers (Gorodom; as popular called in the local yoruba palance) as base.

    The Governor was practically sweating it out with kids at Ekute Street and he did his best to show his skills in the game on that Sunday Evening.  The Obvious is that Nigerian kids like tennis just like they throng for football and they play it always- if not every evening on week-days or at weekends.

    It will not be inappropriate to say that the Governor also played the game on the street while growing up and it appeared it is hard for him to let go,  inspite of his age, political and socio-economic status.

    Gov. Fayose in action during the table tennis games he played with the kids on Sunday

    As much as a lot of people in Ekiti state and on the social media expressed likeness towards the Fayose’s gesture in identify with the street life and sports despite being the number one citizen in the state, the gesture has however some questions and criticisms.

    “Is there anything wrong if the governor used his office to initiate a state developmental campaign on grassroots sport and table tenni?”

    “I am proud of my Governor,,,, I like his street vibes.,” said another person(Name withheld) in an online post, but he added that “How i wish this Governor can understand that sport is now a big business with many transforming and socio-economic benefits for the state.”

    In another comment somebody said, “Feel the pulse of the youths Mr. Gov and don’t use them to while away of your own time,”

    Governor Fayose while playing the table tennis game with one of the kids on the street

    “Gov. please give youth sport development a priority and you will tame restiveness and checkmate unemployment and attracts renowed sport investors to the state,” said another facebook user.

    Denasohin Simeon Sonayon on his own comment said “All works without play make Jack a dull Boy! I belief he(Fayose) did it at his leisure hour.” And Saheed Adeyeni wrote, “I Just love this man…. So down to the earth.”

    People’s post on the picture also generated some personal comments from journalists in the newsroom.

    “The world would have reckoned more that Nigeria is a hub for sport talents, if only sports in the grassroot could be given the right attention by government and talent hunt stakeholders in Nigeria states,” said a sport journalist who shared view on the picture (Name withheld)

    “Are our leaders truly love their grassroots,,, because it is not by going down on the street to while away your time but by realizing that investing in sport is key for community development.’

    “The Governor is closer to the people, that is his natural self,” said Akintona Akin “but sincerity is key and knowing the right thing to do.”

  • New Paris Club refund: Workers, pensioners hopeful

    New Paris Club refund: Workers, pensioners hopeful

    States have received another tranche of the Paris Club refund, it was learnt yesterday.

    Ekiti, which got N9.5 billion in the first tranche, has received another N4.772 billion; Abia got N5.715 billion. The state received N11.4 billion in the first tranche. Governor Ayo Fayose’s Media Adviser Lere Olayinka confirmed Ekiti’s receipt of the second tranche. Commissioner for Finance Obinna Oriaku confirmed that of Abia.

    But the total amount paid out by the Ministry of Finance could not be confirmed last night. Top officials of the ministry said they were waiting for clearance from Minister of Finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun before giving out that information.

    President Muhammadu Buhari initiated the refund to enable states to meet their financial obligations, especially to workers and pensioners.

    In the first tranche, a total of N516 billion was released to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The Ministry of Finance spokesman, Salisu Dambatta, in a statement after the release of the cash, said:  “The debt service deductions are in respect of the Paris Club, London Club and Multilateral debts of the Federal Government and states.

    “While Nigeria reached a final agreement for debt relief with the Paris Club in October 2005, some states had already been overcharged.

    “The funds were released to state governments as part of the wider efforts to stimulate the economy and were specifically designed to support states in meeting salary and other obligations, thereby alleviating the challenges faced by workers.

    “The releases were conditional upon a minimum of 50 per cent being applied to the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions.

    Oriaku said what Abia got was lower than the N11 billion to N12 billion it was expecting. He added, however, that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had directed that despite “the shortfall, the funds should be committed wholly to salary arrears”.

    He said the state could no longer meet up with its promise to clear all arrears of wages at the end of this month because of the reduction in its entitlement.

    The shortfall, the commissioner said, would impact on the government’s plan to clear outstanding salary arrears as promised by the governor.

    Oriaku said labour leaders were informed of the development at a meeting yesterday, adding: “Despite the shortfall, Governor Ikpeazu has instructed that the funds be committed wholly to salary arrears”.

    He said the committee of government officials and labour leaders that shared the first tranche would also share the second tranche, adding that areas that needed more attention would be given priority.

    According to him, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) workers were owed one month salary. Some agencies’ workers are owed much more, he added.

    State NLC Chairman Uchenna Obigwe expressed concern over the development saying workers and pensioners were full of expectations.

    Obigwe said they learnt from their colleagues in other states that the state that got the highest amount got N6 billion.

     

  • Fayose sacks all his commissioners

    Fayose sacks all his commissioners

    Governor Ayodele Fayose has sacked his commissioners, two years after he appointed majority of them.

    It was the  first cabinet overhaul by  the  administration since it came into power on Oct 16, 2014.

    The development which was with immediate effect, was made known in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communication and New Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka in Ado Ekiti.

    According to the statement, all Commissioners are to hand over to the Permanent  Secretaries of their various ministries.

    The governor thanked the commissioners  for their service to the state and wished them well in their further endeavours.

    NAN recalls that the governor approved the appointment of the former commissioners on Dec. 03, 2014, and consequently sent their names to the state assembly for confirmation.

    Majority of the commissioners were sworn in on 2 July 2015.

    Affected  by the order are: Owoseni Ajayi (Justice), Toyin Ojo (Finance) and Kayode Ojo (Works).

    Others are Bisi Kolawole (Environment), Lanre Ogunsuyi (Information), Kehinde Odebunmi (Agriculture), Kolapo Kolade (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Olurotimi Ojo (Health), Deji Adesua (Public Utilities), Jide Egunjobi (Education), Mrs. Olayinka Ogundayomi (Women Affairs), Tayelolu Otitoju (Lands) and Gbenga Olajide (Budget and Planning).

  • Fayose urges FG to stop Fulani herdsmen killings

    Fayose urges FG to stop Fulani herdsmen killings

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government to pay more attention to the menace Fulani herdsmen in the country, especially in Benue State, saying “what is going on in Benue State is more like an organised pogrom and those responsible for the killings in the State must be arrested and prosecuted.”

    The governor said Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo should be allowed to function as the president so as to be able to deploy instruments of the federal government to tackle the herdsmen menace, pointing out that; “As it is today, it appears that the Prof Osinbajo does not have the full powers of the president.”

    In a release issued on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose, who declared support for the new law prohibiting open grazing in Benue State, said “those opposed to the law are only doing so as part of their plot to undermine the land and people of Benue State and they must be made to face the law.”

    He sympathised with the government and people of Benue State, adding that the Federal Government must stop playing ostrich to the menace of
    the Fulani herdsmen.

    Governor Fayose said; “Like I have maintained, cattle farming is not different from fish farming, snake farming, poultry farming, snail
    farming, etc. Therefore, if fish farmers are providing their own ponds and poultry farmers building their own pens, while also buying feed for their animals, there is no reason cattle farmers should not also provide their own ranch and feed their cows without encroaching on
    other people’s farmlands.”

    “How can Nigerians embrace farming when those already in the farms are losing billions of naira worth of crops to destruction of their
    farmlands by the Fulani Herdsmen and the Federal Government is not doing anything about it?”

    He described the Buhari-led government’s continuous silence on the alleged killing of harmless Nigerians by Fulani herdsmen as unacceptable.

  • Amaechi demands N2bn from Fani-Kayode, Fayose’s aide over defamation

    Amaechi demands N2bn from Fani-Kayode, Fayose’s aide over defamation

    Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has asked former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and the Special Assistant to Governor Ayodele Fayose, Lere Olayinka, to apologise to him and pay N2 billion compensation for accusing him of owning the $43.4 million and other cash found in a flat in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Amaechi, in letters sent to Fani-Kayode and Olayinka by his lawyer, gave the men seven days ultimatum to apologise and pay compensation.

    The minister denied owing any house in Lagos and having a girlfriend.

    Olayinka had alleged that EbonyLife TV founder, Mosunmola Abudu, is Amaechi’s girlfriend, who got a flat at the Osborne Towers from the minister.

    Amaechi said he was a good family man and had no girlfriend anywhere.

    Details later…

  • Fayemi slams N3bn libel suit against Fayose’s Aaides

    Fayemi slams N3bn libel suit against Fayose’s Aaides

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dragged a member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Samuel Omotoso and Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka to court for libel.

    Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, is claiming N3 billion as damages from Omotoso and Olayinka in a libel suit filed by his counsel, Rafiu Balogun, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for alleged offensive statements made against him (Fayemi).

    The Minister’s action follows the failure of the defendants to retract the libellous statements and tender public apology as demanded by Balogun, in a letter dated November 19, 2016.

    According copies of court papers made available to reporters on Wednesday, the plaintiff is seeking among others, payment of an aggravated damages to the tune of N3billion.

    (N2billion against Lere Olayinka, the first defendant and another N1 billion aggravated damages against Dr. Omotoso, the second defendant.)

    Besides these, the plaintiff is also seeking a retraction of the offensive statements/utterances; a public apology to be published and aired on Ekiti State Television (EKTV) and Channels Television as well as the social media.

    He is also seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from publishing or making statements or utterances similar or further libelous publications or statements or utterances against the plaintiff.

    The duo of Omotoso and Olayinka had during an EKTV live programme also broadcast on a cable network Startimes, tagged Ejiire on July 6, 2016 alleged that Fayemi illegally took N1.5b from Ekiti treasury and gave it to the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, to win the 2015 presidential election.

    Olayinka also said that Fayemi illegally collected N5b from Ecobank in the name of Fountain Holdings for purported road construction.

    He also alleged that Fayemi spent the state’s funds to build a private university for himself in Ghana.

    For failing to retract the offending statements and tender public apology within the stipulated period, Fayemi’s counsel is asking the court for reliefs compelling the defendants to pay damages for the statements against him which had portrayed him as a “very corrupt public office holder and fraudulent person who siphoned public funds at the detriment of Ekiti citizens while serving as governor”.

    Balogun also argued that his client was exposed to “public ridicule, odium, opprobrium, embarrassment and unprecedented disrepute”, arguing that the duo had done “incalculable and tremendous injury to our client’s image and personality as an international figure”.

    The plaintiff averred that having regard to the nature of the libel, the wider publication of the offending statements and posting same on Internet, and having done it maliciously and failure to apologise to him when requested to do so, he is entitled to aggravated damages from the defendants.

    No date has been fixed for hearing of the case.

     

  • Ex-lawmaker blasts Fayose’s aide over ‘wild allegation’

    Former member of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Sunday Adunmo, has slammed the Special Assistant to Ekiti State Governor on Public Communication, Lere Olayinka, for allegedly using his position to carry out hatchet job and making “wild allegations” against perceived opponents.

    Addressing a briefing to defend his integrity against Olayinka’s allegation that he (Adunmo) used government funds to build a hotel in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, the former legislator said he had been in business for over 20 years before joining politics and never diverted public funds to his private business.

    Adunmo was in the House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of the defunct Action Congress (AC) where he represented Oye Constituency 2 and was later appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Roads to former Governor Kayode Fayemi between 2011 and 2014.

    Olayinka had alleged during an interview programme on the radio channel of Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) that Adunmo built his hotel with government money and should be questioned on the source of funds for the project.

    But Adunmo said he started business in Ibadan over 20 years before coming home to invest to contribute his quota to the development of his home state and was never found guilty of embezzlement, misappropriation and diversion of public funds.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain explained that his business interests spanned real estate, construction and hospitality with business contacts within and outside the country adding that he only heeded the call of the people to come back home and participate in politics.

    The politician explained that he bought the building in question in 2009 before Fayemi assumed power which he converted into a hotel business.

    Adunmo added that the building he converted to the hotel had been under renovation before he was appointed to serve under the Fayemi’s administration, adding that in as much as he would not join issues with Olayinka over the matter, he need to clear the air  so that the “falsehood would not become truth”

    He explained that his quest to invest in hotel business was to contribute to the state economy and provide jobs the teeming unemployed youths and to further improve hotel businesses in the state.

    Adunmo warned Olayinka to desist from playing politics of bitterness adding that such is capable of setting political leaders against one another.

  • APC accuses Fayose’s aide of falsehood

    APC accuses Fayose’s aide of falsehood

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has accused the Special Assistant to Governor Ayo Fayose on Public Communication and New Media, Lere Olayinka, of deliberate falsehood over criminal activities in the state.

    The party in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, slammed Olayinka for twisting a police report on a live programme on the state television to deceive the people.

    Fayose’s aide linked the APC with the crime and described Charles Ojo Ovwie, who was accused of masterminding crimes in the past, as an ally of APC leaders.

    The APC maintained that Ovwie was Fayose’s supporter during his first stint in power, saying Olayinka’s claim was a deliberate falsehood to deceive the people and cast APC as a crime sponsor.

    The party said if the purported police report Olayinka showed on the television was actually authored by the police, then Olayinka had come to expose his boss to the world as the man who equipped Ovwie to commit many crimes in Ekiti State before he was arrested.

    The APC spokesman noted that  Fayose’s aide misfired in the handling of his media propaganda for his boss by not recognising the fact that several people were in possession of the purported police report.

    “Paragraph Five of the purported report that Olayinka flashed on the television screen succinctly indicted Fayose as Charles Ovie’s close ally and benefactor.

    “The purported police report allegedly written by former Commissioner of Police Sabo Ibrahim Ringim, dated April 2, 2010, linked Fayose directly with Charles Ovie.

    “In the paragraph, the report said: “During the regime of Ayodele Fayose as the Governor of Ekiti State, Ovwie was appointed into the local government system on the instruction of the then governor to assist him in viz: to carry out some dirty and unprintable acts; Mr. Fayose was not relating with him directly but through Goke Olatunji, his personal assistant.”

    The APC spokesman said if the report was truly authored by the police, then reasonable people should know who Ovwie was and who his sponsors are.

    “It is a matter of common sense to conclude that, if there was no crime during the Fayemi tenure but a sudden upsurge in crime now that Fayose has assumed office, it means that Fayemi was not a promoter of crime and Fayose’s administration crime-friendly.”

    Olayinka insisted the jail break was targeted at the Fayose administration to discredit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government.