The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Olayinka Oyebode

  • ‘Transformative leadership’ll earn governor another term’

    ‘Transformative leadership’ll earn governor another term’

    kiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi will be re-elected for a second term in the June 21 governorship election, based on his transformative leadership, his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Olayinka Oyebode, said yesterday at a forum in Ido-Ile.

    He said Ekiti people recognise and appreciate good work as well as good leaders and know how to give “appropriate” reward.

    According to the CPS, Fayemi has improved the quality of lives of the people and the various communities in the last three and a half years through innovation and prudent management of the resources of the state.

    According to him, while other aspirants would be labouring to convince the electorate on their ability, Fayemi’s record of achievements in education and human capital development, health care delivery, youth, women and community empowerment, gender empowerment, tourism development, modernised agriculture and the social security scheme would speak for him.

    Describing other aspirants as pretenders, Oyebode said Fayemi raised the bar of governance, adding that the Ekiti people, having tasted massive development by an accountable and compassionate administration are not prepared to go back to the era of brigandage that characterised the state between 2003 and 2010.

    He said: “Governor Fayemi knows where Ekiti should be in the next four years and has the roadmap and the ability to take the state and the people there. This is difference from other aspirants many of whom have no clear cut agenda. Till date, he remains the only one who has a clear vision of what he wants to do for the state and its people in the next four years.

    “Sometimes you laugh and cry when you hear some aspirants discuss their vision for the state. The other time one of them was discussing his educational plan, said he would change the name of the state university. Another said he would not take salary. I tell you Ekiti people have moved beyond these mundane and childish promises. Now is the time to tell the people what and what you would do to improve the education or tourism sector or else you have no business canvassing for their votes.”

    On the gale of violence in the state, Oyebode said the trend was a deliberate attempt by one of the candidates to hide his inadequacies.

     

    On the allegation by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Opeyemi Bamidele that majority of the members of the state executive council are on his side, Oyebode said the allegation was not only puerile, but stood logic on the head.

    “I can tell you the entire members of the state executive council are solidly behind Governor Fayemi, because they are part and parcel of the administration and the re-election campaign. And you see them with him at every rally and also playing leading roles in the house-to-house campaign,” he said.

    On claims by Fayose that he was instrumental to Fayemi’s emergence as governor, Oyebode said that was another lie taken too far in the former governor’s desperate bid to seek relevance.

     

  • Ekiti ex-acting Governor Aderemi dies

    Ekiti ex-acting Governor Aderemi dies

    A former acting Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Friday Aderemi, is dead.

    Aderemi, who was also Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, died yesterday.

    He was 74.

    He was the Chairman of the Ekiti State Education Trust Fund until his death.

    The late Aderemi, a native of Ayetoro-Ekiti and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), died at the State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.

    He was elected in 2003 to represent Ido/Osi Constituency 2 at the Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    An Electrical/Electronics engineer, the late Aderemi became the Speaker of the House of Assembly in 2004 after the impeachment of his predecessor, Sola Ajigbolamu during the Ayo

    Fayose-led administration.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said the late Aderemi served Ekiti State diligently in various capacities and contributed immensely to the development of the state.

    The governor said Aderemi, who also served as Speaker of the House of Assembly before becoming Acting Governor, presided over a historic state parliament that protected the interest of the people of the state during a trying period.

    He said Aderemi’s death has robbed the state of a great leader who could be looked up to by younger generation in nation building, peacemaking, conflict management and building strong institutions that will stand the test of time.

    Fayemi described the late Aderemi as an uncommon statesman who served the people with humility, diligence, enthusiasm, selflessness and commitment to the cause of the common man.

    The governor said the history of Ekiti, as a political entity, would not be complete without a generous mention of the late Aderemi’s contributions as a teacher, legislator, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Acting Governor and chairman of the Education Trust Fund.

    Fayemi said although the late Aderemi sat on the governorship seat for two days (between October 16 and 18, 2006) before a state of emergency was declared by the then Federal Government, the late politician acted in the best interest of Ekiti people.

    Fayemi explained that the late Aderemi’s life was exemplified by service to humanity as a teacher who moulded the future of the young ones for over three decades in public schools before venturing into politics.

    The governor said the deceased was privileged to have been elected into the House of Assembly twice, first in the old Ondo State in 1983 and in 2003 in Ekiti State.

    He said electing Aderemi again into the state legislature after 20-year break spoke volumes about the trust reposed in him as a dependable servant of the people.

    The governor added that the late Aderemi’s humility was unparalleled in accepting to serve as the Chairman of the State Education Trust Fund after he had left office as Speaker and Acting Governor.

    Fayemi said: “Chief Aderemi saw politics as an opportunity to serve the people and he did that to the best of his ability serving as a worthy representative of his constituency in the old Ondo State and Ekiti State.

    “He was a decent politician and diligent parliamentarian no wonder he was elected Speaker in the Second Assembly in Ekiti State and he brought maturity to bear in presiding over the affairs of the Assembly.

    “Providence thrust the governance of the state on his shoulders when he emerged as Acting Governor on October 16, 2006 and acted in the interest of the people for the two days he spent in office.

    “Despite his attainment of enviable political heights in life, he lived among his people in Ayetoro-Ekiti and was ever ready to contribute to the development of his community in particular and the state in general.

    “May the gentle soul of this great Ekiti son and legend continue to find rest in the bosom of the Lord as we all mourn his demise.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with his immediate family, friends, associates and other Nigerians whose lives have been touched by this patriot.”

  • Gunmen kill Ekiti Radio/TV chairman Ogunro

    Gunmen kill Ekiti Radio/TV chairman Ogunro

    •Son recounts murder of Eminent Communications boss in Lagos

    • Fayemi shocked

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi was in shock yesterday when he received news of the killing of the Chairman of the Board of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES), Mr Sesan Ogunro.

    The late Ogunro, the Managing Director of a Lagos communications firm, Eminent Communications, was reportedly killed on Sunday night in Lagos in front of his church.

    He died at the Lagoon Hospital, Apapa, from the gunshot injuries he sustained in the attack in front of International Church of Christ, Jobi-Fele Way, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, the governor said Ogunro’s killing had broken the hearts of Ekiti State residents, who he served diligently until his death.

    He described the late Ogunro as a thoroughbred Ekiti son and a professional who identified with his people.

    The governor urged security agencies to apprehend the killers and bring them to justice soonest.

    Dr Fayemi, who visited the family of the late Ogunro in Lagos yesterday, said those who killed the frontline advertising practitioner should not be allowed to get away with the crime.

    The governor promised that his administration would assist security agencies to bring his killers to book.

    He said: “We are appalled and shocked by this gruesome ‘murder’ of an Ekiti shining light, who was a role model to the young generation.

    “He (Ogunro) believed in hard work and rose to the pinnacle of advertising and marketing communications.

    “His sterling qualities inspired our administration to appoint him as the chairman of the state broadcasting service and he turned around the fortunes of the corporation within the short time he held office.

    “This is a monumental loss to the government and people of Ekiti State. We urge security agencies to do everything humanly possible to bring the perpetrators of this dastardly act to justice.”

    The late Ogunro attended a Christmas carol at the church with his wife, children and grand children.

    It was learnt that the late Ogunro was attacked after he caught a thief in the church at 10pm.

    One of the late Ogunro’s sons, Timayo, recounted how his father was killed.

    He said: “It was a night of Christmas carol at the church. After the main carol service, people went down to eat. There was a man who tried to steal some money from someone and my father caught him. Other deacons and the minister of God started talking to the guy about what happened. That took some time.

    “So, as this continued, people started to leave the church premises. Eventually, it was just myself, my mum and my dad, some children and a few disciples of the church who remained behind.

    “My dad said I should take my mum and the children home, since it was getting late. We went outside and my mum remembered that she left some water in my dad’s car. So, my dad went to get the water from across the road. As I was about to open the door for everyone to get in, the gunmen came in a blue Sienna. I saw what happened but I couldn’t hear what they were saying.

    “There were five of them. They spread out. Three of them came to me and hit me. I went down and gave them everything in my hand, including the car keys. I went down with my mum and the kids while two of the attackers walked up to my dad. He wanted to take the keys to his car but my dad told them: ‘Just take it; just take it.’ You know these guys: obviously, they were high and they just shot him.”

    A church member, Mr Sola Martins, said someone called him after leaving the church that he should call the police because there was shooting at the church premises.

    Martins said he received another call, as he was attempting to rush to the church premises, that Ogunro had been shot and that he should call the police.

    According to the church member, he reported the matter to the police and later joined the family at the Apapa hospital, where Ogunro died.

    Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said: “About 22:42 hours (10 pm) on December 22, a distress call was received by the Alausa Division of the police command. It was gathered that four armed men operating in a Honda Odyssey attempted to snatch a Mercedes Benz ML jeep belonging to Mr Ogunro.

    “The man resisted and threw away the key of the jeep, hence the armed men shot him. They abandoned the Honda Odyssey and escaped with a red Toyota Yaris car belonging to the wife, who was standing with him on the scene.

    “The scene was visited immediately by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and a team and the incident was confirmed. The DPO also visited the victim at the Lagoon Hospital where he was receiving treatment, though critical.”

    She said none of the relatives had made a statement on the incident.

    The police pokesperson explained that the Honda Odyssey was confirmed to have been snatched from somebody identified as Ali Balogun at Ebute-Metta at 8pm.

    The owner was reportedly dropped on Jobi-Fele Way in Alausa, Ikeja, from where she was taken to the station.

    Braide said the police had begun investigation into the incident and the search for the fleeing hoodlums.

  • Jonathan, Mark, Fayemi condole with Shema

    Jonathan, Mark, Fayemi condole with Shema

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday condoled with Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema on the death of his father, Shehu Shema, at the National Hospital, Abuja.

    Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, urged the governor and his family to thank Allah for the elder Shema’s life.

    He believed that at 86, the governor’s father would return to his Maker in peace, having produced worthy offspring like the governor, who will proudly carry on his legacy of worthy and selfless service.

    Senate President David Mark also commiserated with Shema. In a condolence message, he said the late Shema lived a life full of passion and sacrifice.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Kola Ologbondiyan, Mark urged the family to see the death as the utmost will of God and remember that only God gives and takes at will.

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi also condoled with Shema.

    The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, urged Shema and the family to be consoled that their father lived a long and fulfilled life as an accomplished farmer and notable community leader.

     

  • Fayemi appoints ex-police boss, retired colonel advisers on security

    Fayemi appoints ex-police boss, retired colonel advisers on security

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has approved the appointment of a former Commissioner of Police, Mr Oladipo Ayeni, as Special Adviser on Security.

    Also, the Governor has appointed a retired military officer, Col Babatunde Oluwayose, as Commander of the Youth Volunteers Corps Scheme.

    According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the appointments takes immediate effect, adding that the two retired officers are expected to bring their wealth of experiences to bear on the government’s security and peace initiatives.

    Ayeni, who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, would be responsible for advising the Governor on security and related matters, maintaining government’s relationships with security agencies in the state. He will also coordinate the Security Trust Fund being set up by the state government, among other functions.

    He has served at various times as Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Force headquarters, Abuja (2007-2008); Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command (2008); Commissioner of Police, Fraud and Criminal Investigations Department, Force headquarters, Abuja (2008-2010); Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command (2010-2011) and Commissioner of Police, Plateau State between 2011 and December 2012 when he retired from service.

    The retired Police Chief, holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Political Science from the University of Ibadan (1979) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in 1992. He has undertaken several training in policing both locally and internationally.

    On his part, Col Oluwayose (rtd) who hails from Afao Ekiti, would serve as the Commander of the Youth Volunteer Corps Scheme of the state government, which is currently being reorganised. A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Col Oluwayose also holds a Master degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan.

    Aside his military training as a regular Combatant Officer at the famous Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Col Oluwayose had attended several military trainings both locally and internationally. These include: Senior Staff Course, Command Staff College, Jaji (2001); Royal Armoured Corp Centre and School, UK (1990); and a course on DNA Banking Analysis.

    His military postings include, Commander, 245 Battalion Ikom, Cross Rivers (2007-2008), Assistant Director Project and research Dept of the Defence Headquarters, Abuja among others.

     

  • Ekiti deputy governor on sick leave

    EKITI State Deputy Governor Funmilayo Olayinka, has proceeded on a three-month leave to attend to her health.
    The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the State Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday was, however, silent on the nature of her  ailment.
    The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundaayo confirmed that the deputy governor took the  leave to attend to issues relating to her health.
    “We urge all well meaning citizens of the state to remember her in their prayers,” Ekundayo said.
    Mr. Bamitale Oguntoyinbo, the former Chairman of Oye Local Government Government Area, who was recently appointed the Special Adviser in the Office of the Deputy Governor, has since been performing some duties assigned to Mrs. Olayinka’s office.