The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tayo Ekundayo

  • Ekiti cautions PDP on baseless allegations

    Ekiti cautions PDP on baseless allegations

    EKITI State government has advised the state People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to focus on ways of ensuring a smooth transition and how to record laudable achievements during the next administration.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, who gave the advice in Ado-Ekiti, cautioned the PDP to stop the current campaign of calumny against the government.

    He described the alleged lies being churned out by the PDP in the last couple of weeks as part of a plan to generate public disaffection against Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration.

    The commissioner, who said the plot would not work, noted that the incoming PDP government should by now be busy on how it would surpass the “standard already set by Fayemi instead of chasing shadows, telling blatant lies and making all kinds of unsubstantiated allegations.”

    The commissioner cited instances of false and misleading report found to have originated from the PDP camp to include the allegation that the administration recruited over 3,000 workers into the civil service after the June 21st governorship elections.

    Ekundayo, who emphasised that the allegation was far from the reality, said 500 teachers for mathematics and some core science subjects were recruited in November, 2013 based on existing vacancies.

    He added that 493 civil servants were recruited in February 2014 into key vacant positions in the civil service.

    “In any case, what is wrong in recruiting Ekitis into the state civil service if there are vacancies and budget provision to take care of such?” he queried.

    The commissioner also dismissed allegation by the PDP of massive recruitment into the state university, Ado-Ekiti, as “hogwash.”

    He noted that the ivory tower has its governing council, which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the institution.

    He added that the allegation was another figment of imagination of the opposition in its desperate wild goose chase.

    The commissioner said the allegation that landed properties and other assets of the government were being sold to political appointees and associates of Fayemi at give-away prices was absurd.

    He said as a transparent and accountable government, there was no way the  administration would allocate land in government-owned estates to anyone no matter highly placed without following due process and strict adherence to the approved rates, adding that the records are available for interested parties to peruse.

    Describing the allegation that government assets in Lagos and Abuja were being sold as “another tale by moonlight”, Ekundayo challenged the PDP to substantiate its allegations and show proof of the alleged wrongdoings.

    “Do they think we have no morals like them?” he wondered.

    “Everyone in Ekiti can vividly recollect how the Ikogosi Warm springs was looted and every valuable thing including 50 air conditioners, 75 brand new mattresses and beds, rugs, brand new bath tubs, toilet and electrical fittings were looted under the watch of the PDP government in 2005.

    “The Ikogosi warm springs tourist resort, which was stripped bare by these locusts have since been transformed into the number one tourist attraction in Nigeria by the Fayemi administration.

    “Why is the PDP in a hurry? What are they afraid of? Let them wait till they receive our hand over note when they take office on October 16th, 2014 as all information they will require is contained therein.

    “They should know that this administration has tenure. Let them stop the pretense and the game of guessing and pre-empting the state of our state,” Ekundayo advised.

     

     

  • Ekiti to Bamidele: sentiment on water was a mischief

    Ekiti to Bamidele: sentiment on water was a mischief

    TO Ekiti State Government, the sentiment expressed by the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the June 21 election, Mr. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, on water problem in the state was not only lacking in merit, but also borne out of mischief.

    The government’s position came after Bamidele allegedly scored Fayemi low on his administration’s alleged “inability to bring water for drinking and other domestic uses to the doorsteps of residents of Ekiti State after over three years in office”.

    But in a reaction on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner of Information, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said it was quite unfortunate that Bamidele, who should know better, has chosen to play politics with facts.

    The commissioner pointed out that Fayemi had made the perennial problem of water one of his priority projects and had been addressing it since he mounted the saddle over three years ago, “the way Bamidele would not have done.”

    “Lack of potable water is a national problem, but the pragmatic and intensified efforts of the state government towards eradicating scarcity and improving accessibility to hygienic water has improved the state ranking as one of the best two in the water sector in the country,” Ekundayo said.

    “To show that we have concrete plans in place to combat water problems, we on assumption of office in October 2010 met water provision at 25 per cent and we have been able to increase it to 57 per cent three years after. We are approaching the problem in a three-pronged manner: The short, medium and long terms.

     

  • Ekiti pays teachers’ allowance

    Ekiti pays teachers’ allowance

    The Ekiti State government has started paying the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Pecuniary Allowance (T.P.A).

    Commissioner for Information & Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said the governor approved the payment of the remaining 11.5 per cent two weeks ago.

    He said the government began the payment of 16 per cent of the allowance last year and promised to pay the remaining when the state’s economy improved.

    Ekundayo said: “The government has commenced full implementation of the 27.5 per cent with effect from this month and teachers across the state have confirmed its receipt with their salaries for this month.”

    He said the payment had no political undertone as is being speculated in some quarters, adding that it is a confirmation of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare.

    Ekundayo urged teachers to reciprocate the government’s gesture by improving on productivity.

     

  • Ekiti approves N1.4b for Ero Dam

    Ekiti approves N1.4b for Ero Dam

    The Ekiti State government has approved a N1.375 billion contract for the Turn-Around Maintenance (TAM) of the Ero Dam, Phase 1.

    The contract was awarded to Messrs Bi-water Nigeria Ltd at the State Executive Council Meeting.

    It should be completed in 15 months.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said on   completion of the project, the dam would effectively supply potable water to nine of the 16 local government areas of the state.

    The government approved a memorandum for the development of the State Tourism Master Plan.

    It also approved the appointment of Prince Adebayo Olohuniyo of the Ajayi ruling house as the Obalogun of Ilogun-Ekiti and Prince Olubunmi Ogunleye of the Ijala ruling house as the Onijaro of Ijaro-Ekiti.

    The government approved the selection of three warrant chiefs to perform the roles of king makers in the process of appointing the Ojurin of Ijurin.

  • Ekiti declares Friday holiday

    Ekiti declares Friday holiday

    The Ekiti State government has declared Friday work-free to enable workers collect their permanent voter cards.

    In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation Tayo Ekundayo said holiday would enable people residents participate in the verification of the voter register slated for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

    Stressing the significance of the people to the electoral process, Ekundayo said the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration would ensure an enabling environment for them to perform their civic responsibilities.

    He urged youths who have just turned 18 to register during the registration of new voters scheduled to hold from March 12 to 19.

     

  • ‘How FG underdevelops Ekiti’

    Ekiti State yesterday lamented what it described as “federal government’s systematic neglect and impoverishment of the state.”

    Listing a minimum of 26 projects spread across the state abandoned by the FG over the last twelve years, Ekiti noted efforts had been made to alert concerned federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure completion of the projects to no avail.

    The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, and his counterparts in Integration and Inter-government Affairs, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye, spoke with reporters  in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state, on the issue yesterday.

    They accused the federal government of diverted projects meant for Ekiti to other states.

    Ekundayo disclosed the state is being owed N8billion out of the N12billion expended on some federal roads across the state.

    Ekundayo said: “I believe we have the evidence that the PDP-led government has not only neglected Ekiti in terms of not properly funding its ongoing projects but has also pursued a policy of deliberate under-development of the state by not bringing projects that are of benefit to the people.”

    Afuye clarified that many of the projects being executed in the state by the federal government were imposed as the government was never consulted at any point in time.

    He said: “It seems Ekiti is not part of the federation. Aside the fact of extreme fewness of federal projects allocated to Ekiti, worse even is the fact that the few ones were not diligently prosecuted.’’

     

  • Olayinka’s burial: Ekiti declares Friday as public holiday

    Ekiti state government has declared Friday, April 26, 2013 a work free day in honour the late deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka who would be buried same day.

    Olayinka, aged 52, died on April 6 at St Nicholas Hospital in Lagos after a protracted fight with Cancer.

    The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo stated at a press conference on Sunday that  all offices of government including  public schools would be closed for the day.

    According to him, the move was meant to honour the deputy who applied all she had for the progress of the state.

    Meanwhile, there were indications that the remains of late Olayinka would be interred at a location close to the Enterprise Bank in Fajuyi Area of the capital.

    He noted that the burial site currently under construction was being planned as a monument for the state in honour of the late deputy governor.

    According to the commissioner, late Olayinka’s body would arrive Ado Ekiti on Wednesday from Lagos for the burial rites which would last three days.

  • 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.