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Tag: oath of office

  • New dawn here, says Fayemi as he takes oath of office

    Buhari, governors, Tinubu, diplomats at colourful event

    JOHN Kayode Fayemi,  scholar, politician and activist, was yesterday sworn into office as governor of Ekiti State.

    He promised residents of the “Fountain of Knowledge” a new dawn.

    Standing before thousands of people, including dignitaries and excited ordinary folks, at the packed Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Fayemi promised to turn around the “Land of Honour” with a four-point agenda.

    He is coming into office for the second time, after losing his re-election bid in 2014.

    Leading the army of dignitaries at the colourful ceremony was President Muhammadu Buhari, who said Ekiti people made no mistake in electing Fayemi. He promised to support the new administration to develop the state and make life easier for its people.

    Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, promised that Ekiti will enjoy cash support and projects under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

    The oath of allegiance and the oath of office were administered on Dr. Fayemi, with his wife, Bisi, by his side, by the Chief Judge, JusticeAyodeji Daramola, at about 12.25 pm.

    Justice Daramola had earlier swore in the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who was also accompanied by his wife, Margaret, at about 12.12 pm.

    Fayemi won the July 14 governorship election by defeating the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate and immediate past Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola and candidates of 33 other political parties.

    The governor polled 197, 459 votes to beat Olusola who garnered 178, 022 votes.

    Before taking the oath of office, Fayemi was driven round the arena in a Land Rover, a police ceremonial vehicle, acknowledging cheers from the appreciative crowd.

    He also inspected a police guard of honour.

    Fayemi promised to turn around Ekiti by concentrating on four cardinal policies.

    These, according to him, are agriculture and rural development, social investment, infrastructure development and knowledge economy.

    Fayemi, who reiterated that he is not on a vengeance mission, promised to review all documents to know the exact financial situation of the state and make his findings known within 100 days.

    The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development said he will ensure that the payment of arrears of workers’ salaries is fully and firmly addressed as soon as possible.

    The governor said his victory at the July 14 governorship poll and his regaining the highest office in the state signalled the “end of an era and end of an error in which Ekiti passed through wilderness in the last four years.”

    Fayemi said the social security scheme for the aged in which registered senior citizens received N5,000 monthly stipend will soon return. The announcement received a thunderous applause.

    He promised to bring succour to the citizenry by eliminating corruption.

    While pledging to review the state of the treasury, Fayemi said the action will not be taken in a vindictive manner but to ensure that public funds are accounted for.

    Fayemi disclosed that Ekiti is owing N170 billion, which are loans taken by the immediate past administration, noting that the challenge won’t hinder his government’s plan to meet the needs of the people.

    The governor said never again shall pupils in public and private schools be made to pay tax that was imposed on them by the Ayo Fayose administration.

    Fayemi promised to bring relief to the people by executing policies that will improve their standards of living which, according to him, worsened under Fayose.

    Fayemi assured his audience that the famous Ikogosi Warm Spring resort, a reputable tourist destination, which was allegedly left to rot away by the Fayose administration will be revived.

    He said: “In the last four years, Ekiti was governed by a rudderless, inept and egregiously corrupt government, which was led by those who deceived our people through the instrument of stomach infrastructure.

    “In this context, never again will Ekiti slip into the hands of those who knew nothing about governance; never again shall we allow our school children to pay taxes; never again shall we abandon the burgeoning resources at Ikogosi Warm Spring to waste.

    “Never again shall we allow our judiciary to be debased by a draconian government and never again shall the most educated state like Ekiti be an apostle of stomach infrastructure that has made us a laughing stock.

    “In our quests for economic rejuvenation,  our government shall invest heavily in Youth in Commercial Agriculture, because Ekiti is basically agrarian, reactivate community based projects, tap into our tourist potential and ensure security of local and foreign investors.”

    The governor went on: “As of today, the debt profile and other financial commitments hanging on the state look challenging, but with your support, we shall overcome. The light shall shine again.

    “We shall celebrate our core values of scholarship, knowledge, hard work, unity and strong characters bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.

    “We appreciate our fathers who fought for the creation of this state in 1996 and I want to assure them that we shall keep the flag flying and make sure we don’t disappoint them by fulfilling their dreams and aspirations within the next four years.

    “We shall network with the Federal Government and other local and international bodies to bring dividends of democracy Ekiti people deserve to their doorsteps.”

    While expressing confidence in Fayemi’s ability to deliver democratic dividends to Ekiti people, Buhari revealed that the governor, as a former member of the federal cabinet, always pestered him with issues of development of his home state.

    The President added that Fayemi’s governorship would afford him the opportunity to redirect Ekiti to the path of greatness and economic prosperity.

    Buhari pleaded with Ekiti voters over his re-election bid in 2019, saying he has a lot to offer Nigerians if reelected.

    He said: “I know Dr Fayemi very well, he has always cherished anything that has to do with the development of this state. As Ekiti governor between 2010 and 2014, he instituted some laudable projects that impacted positively on the lives of the people and this pavilion was one of them.

    “I know that he will do what is right to justify this mandate. I charge him not to relent in his efforts to serve Ekiti with passion, commitment and candour .

    “FG has given support to states in the areas of bailouts, budget support, ecological funds and Paris Club refund, of which Ekiti was a beneficiary.

    “We have extended the standard rail project to Ekiti and the construction of the Federal Secretariat  will soon be completed. The FG is also planning to dualise Ado-Akure road and reconstruct Ado-Ikare Road for the use of our people. We have also built another 133 KVA power source in Ekiti that will be commissioned soon.

    “As of today, 11,000 Ekiti indigenes are benefiting from the N-power programme of this administration.

    “We are confident that Dr. Fayemi will help cover the lost grounds brought by past administration. From today, you will begin to have a new breath in Ekiti under the present government.”

  • Akeredolu sworn in as Ondo governor

    Akeredolu sworn in as Ondo governor

    Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has been sworn in as the governor of Ondo state.

    Akeredolu took the oath of office at exactly 11.34 am on Friday in Akure, the state capital.

    His running mate, Ajayi Agboola was earlier sworn into office at the ceremony attended by many dignitaries.

    Among those who witnessed the event were state governors of Ogun, Sokoto, Oyo, Niger and  Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

    Former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande and leader of the party, former Lagos Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu were also at the inauguration.

     

  • I’ll treat all Nigerians equally, says Buhari

    I’ll treat all Nigerians equally, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that he will keep faith with the oath of office he swore, and treat all Nigerians equitably.

    He made the remark while receiving the Executive Committee Members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) from 19 Northern States and Abuja, at State House, Abuja.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also promised to restore peace to all parts of the country.

    He said: “Restoring peace is top priority.  We will enable the law enforcement agencies to combat all forms of violent crimes, and ensure that our people live in peace.”

    He urged the clerics to promote religious harmony, by “enhancing understanding among different faiths.”

    He also disclosed that the government would maintain the priority it has placed on agriculture and mines and steel development, “to kick-start the economy.”

    The Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Rev. Yakubu Pam, said it was not a mistake that God chose President Buhari to lead the country at these challenging times.

    “We are ready to support your administration to deliver good governance. You have good intentions for Nigeria, judging from the programmes that have been outlined,” Rev. Pam said.

    He also highlighted ethno-religious challenges in the country, freedom of worship, and herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in their discussion with the President.

    The CAN leader commended the Buhari administration for the blow dealt Boko Haram insurgents, leading to comparative peace in the North-east, the return of 21 abducted schoolgirls from Chibok, and the anti-corruption war, which he urged “should be fought to the logical conclusion.”

  • Ogun HoS takes oath of office

    Ogun HoS takes oath of office

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday swore in Abraham Adeyemi as the Head of Service (HoS) at the State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    Adeyemi was appointed on October 19, following the retirement of Mrs Modupe Adekunle on September 30.

    Amosun urged the HoS to strengthen the civil service and ensure greater service delivery.

    The governor advised him to build on the performance of his predecessors and strive to promote a conducive working environment.

    “Please note that your appointment comes with added responsibilities beyond that of a permanent secretary.

    “We expect that you will use your office to motivate the workers to key into the government’s rebuilding mission,” he said.

    The governor urged the family of the new HoS to show understanding as his new duties would demand more time from home.

    Adeyemi thanked the governor and the government for considering him worthy of the appointment.

    He pledged to do his best to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors and strengthen the civil service for increased productivity.

     

  • Akwa Ibom SSG takes oath of Office

    Akwa Ibom SSG takes oath of Office

    The newly appointed Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government (SSG), Sir Etekamba Umoren has been sworn into office.

    Performing the ceremony at the weekend, Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed optimism that the new SSG is a perfect fit for the office and will do the State proud.

    He said Etekamba has paid his dues to merit the high office having risen through the ranks in the State Civil Service as Permanent Secretary, Government House and having served as the Chief of Staff in the immediate past administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio.

    Emmanuel said the new SSG brings with him a strong set of skills, experience, great attitude, passion, vigour, zeal, commitment, determination, love, a heart of service to the state and a deep fear of God to the job.

    “We are not in doubt that he will justify the confidence reposed in him,” the governor stated.

    The governor, who is still selecting his team, assured that every part of the state will be accommodated but in doing so he will ensure that quality and competence are not sacrificed on the altar of geography.

    He assured that square pegs will be put in square holes as the state cannot afford to go backward from the enviable position it has been attained.

    He admonished the new SSG to stand for the overall interest of Akwa Ibom State and the people without bias or prejudice while urging the state to pray for him always.

  • Amosun, deputy takes oath of office

    Amosun, deputy takes oath of office

    Thousands, including the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Senators – èlect on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 1, turned out in their numbers to the MKO Abiola stadium, Abeokuta to witness the swearing in cèremony of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as Governor for the second term of office.

    Amosun who adorned native attire along with his wife, Olufunso Amosun, and his children, walked the red carpet to the podium at the Main bowl of MKO stadium for the swearing in ceremony amid cheers from friends, party members and associates.

    He took his Oath of Office by 11: 48am for another term of four years as administered on him by the Chief Judge of Ogun state, Justice Olatokunboh Olopade.

    About 15minutes earlier, the Oath of Office was administered on his Deputy, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, who was accompanied to the ceremony by her husband, Abiodun Onanuga, and children.

    In his inauguration speech, Amosun said his mandate renewal by the good people of Ogun state, is a reflection of their confidence in his administration during the first tenure.

    According to him, the inaugural ceremony is neither for the celebration of the party’s victory alone nor just  for the administering of the Oath of Office on him and the Deputy, but a moment to celebrate “unity, freedom, development and progress  as well as renewal of vows to take the state to the next level in the state.”