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Tag: Yemi Osinbajo

  • Group lauds Buhari over APC convention

    A group, Buhari/Osinbajo Continuity Group (BOCOG) has lauded the conduct of the last week Saturday convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

    It hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, immediate past National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Other leaders of the party, including the National Convention Committee chairman,the Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru and his Deputy, the Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu were also appreciated for their effort towardst the successful convention.

    In a statement by its Director of Communications Steve Bayode, the group described the emergence of Adam Oshiomhole as a round peg in a round hole.

    According to the group, “Our leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief John Odigie -Oyegun and others shocked the enemies of our party by the peaceful conduct of the national convention last Saturday and the acceptable outcome.

    Read Also: Buhari: Lagos fire shocking

    “The opposition was expecting the convention to cause irreparable implosion just like their experience in 2014 and ever since have not been able to put their house in order.

    “We believe that the need of the convention is aimed at fortifying the stronghold of our party across the nation.

    “We in BOCOG believed that all stakeholders saw this purposeful drive and ensured peaceful conduct and acceptance of the outcome.

    “We, however, urged our new National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to hit the ground running by embracing everyone and work assiduously to bring more people on board our party towards 2019.

    “We in BOCOG also suggest that Comrade Oshiomhole should move round the 36 states of the Federation to collate whatever challenges the party is facing in their respective states and work on how to surmount them with a view to strengthening our party to the grassroots.”

  • FG compelled to re-strategize on lead poison eradication – Osinbajo

    The Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Federal Government (FG) will have to re-strategize its efforts in tackling lead poisoning.

    Osinbajo added that the current efforts used in tackling lead poisoning which occurs due to artisanal gold mining has been inadequate.

    He warned that as Nigeria progresses in gold mining production, the country must ensure it keeps from practices that harms its health and environment.

    Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2nd International Conference on Lead poisoning, Prof. Osinbajo said that no country should have to pay for its economic prosperity and development with the lives and well-being of its people.

    His words, “The thousands of children who did not die of lead poisoning in Zamfara and Niger states may have to live with cognitive and other diablities.

    “Many of these children may never attain their full potentials. We must start by admitting that the current efforts to tackle lead poisoning in artisanal gold mining have not been adequate, the fact that the Niger State lead poisoning outbreak occurred five years after we thought we had contained the problem in Zamfara is a reason for concern.

    Read Also: Osinbajo: Fed Govt highly disturbed over Plateau killings

    “Indications of re contamination in previously re-mediated sites in Zamfara compels us to retrieve and refocus our commitment and strategy to protecting our vulnerable children and communities at large. As Nigeria progresses in gold mining, we must ensure that we do not do it in a way that harms the health or environment.

    “Those who say that they prefer the option of death by lead poisoning rather than poverty offer a hard choice, artisanal mining and the life to enjoy the wealth from it should be the option, no country should have to pay for its economic prosperity and development with the lives and well-being of its people.

    “I am confident that this conference will produce a coordinated prevention plan that leverages all the lessons learnt so far and bringing local, state, and federal authorities as well as civil society and the corporate into alignment.

    “We must avoid working in silence and expect to solve the problem, especially because this problem cuts across sectors and disciplines. I strongly believe that a carefully thought out and comprehensive national plan that focuses on population and community based prevention of lead poisoning associated with artisanal gold mining is the way to yield the desired results.”

    Acting Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon Abubakar Bwari stated that following the Shikira incident, the government constituted an inter-ministerial committee on lead eradication.

    His words,” This administration has been quite proactive in dealing with cases of lead poisoning, and following the Shikira incident, government constituted an inter-ministerial committee comprising Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, Federal Ministry of Health, and Federal Ministry of Environment amongst others, to tackle the outbreaks, in partnership with other key actors including the MSF. Zamfara and Niger State Governments, Local Government Council of affected areas and leadership of host communities.

  • ‘Christians should support, not criticise Osinbajo’

    Christians should support Vice President Yemi Osinbajo instead of calling for his head over the incessant killings in North Central, a church leader, Fred Obika, has stated.

    Obika told our correspondent last week that Osinbajo deserves the commendation, not condemnation of Christians across the nation for representing them well in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    He spoke against the backdrops of recent criticisms against Osinbajo by several forces in the church, blaming him for not speaking up against the killing of Christians by rampaging herdsmen in the north.

    Some others have called for resignation of Osinbajo, a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) for not allegedly doing nothing to stop the killing of Christians.

    But Obika said the Vice President has done nothing wrong to step down as a Pastor, saying he has been more than a worthy ambassador of the church.

    According to him: “As vice president and a Christian, he is seeing what he can do to ameliorate the sufferings of Christians. It may not be official.

    “He has done everything possible to defend his office judiciously. He has never seen anything wrong in his principal.

    “You don’t expect him to walk up to his principal and say ‘you are stupid. You are not defending us’.”

    Obika said Osinbajo has been working behind the scene to address the killings, pointing out he has not been sitting idly.

    Remember he is not the Commander- In- Chief of the Armed Forces. He is the number two citizen alright. He doesn’t have hundred percent control over the Armed Forces.

    “Do they want him to go to the president and say ‘my people are being killed, you are not doing anything and I am ready to fight you?

    “In their closed door meetings, he had several discussions with the President and they are working out things on how they can curtail the situation.

    “The President himself bleeds over the killing of Christians and the vice president is always there.”

    Obika stated killing of Christians is not peculiar to the current administration, recalling more Christians died under former President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian.

    He also pointed out former President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered the levelling of Odi in Rivers State without anyone accusing him of killing Christians.

    He said Osinbajo is still standing as a Pastor and Vice President, stating “Even in his tight schedules, he still finds time to go to other churches to preach.

    “He stands on their altar to minister. Before God and before man, he is still a pastor. Being the vice president does not stop him from practicing his pastoral thing.”

    Obika alleged critics of Osinbajo are probably those who he has refused to fund illegally as religious leaders.

    He called on Christians to always back those who are in public offices from the faith instead of attempting to pull them down.

    “A good child protects his father. He is our father as Christians in this government. We should all rally round him. We should support our own.

    “We should stop the attitude of pulling down those from our constituency. We mustn’t play into the hands of the enemies,” he appealed.

  • Osinbajo: Technology start-ups to get tax holidays

    Vice President commissions ‘largest technology campus sub-Saharan Africa’

     

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the Federal Government is including technology start-ups and businesses in the list of businesses eligible for tax holidays.

    Osinbajo spoke in Lagos while commissioning Vibranium Valley, a hub for technology and innovation start-ups described as the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.

    The Vice President said Vibranium Valley, established by Venture Garden Group, could become Nigeria’s next innovation cluster housing tech firms devoted to talent, data and entrepreneurship.

    Vibranium Valley, located within the expansive grounds of the former Concord Newspaper Headquarters in Ikeja, consists of “world-class office spaces” fully furnished to meet the needs of up to 50 tech start-ups.

    It is the brainchild of Vibranium Valley’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bunmi Akinyemiju and Executive Director Kunmi Demuren and already houses “over 20 tech-driven companies.”

    The Vice President, who delivered a keynote address on The role of technology and entrepreneurship in nation building, praisedtech innovators for providing “technology-driven solutions to some of the most difficult development problems confronting us today.”

    Osinbajo said: “Today’s event is devoted to talent, data and entrepreneurship.  These three things represent the Vibranium of Africa.

    “Vibranium Valley, similar to Yaba, could be the next Innovation Cluster where mature tech companies can be housed, to drive the industrial revolution, and exports of ‘innovation’ for the country.

    “On the part of government, we are putting our money where our mouth is. We believe it is our role to provide the environment where innovation can thrive, so, we are including technology start-ups and businesses in our list of businesses eligible for pioneer status and that means tax holidays.

    “Also both the Central Bank and the Bank of Industry are working on intervention funds and loans for technology start-ups, while we have till date opened about three state-of-the art technology hubs. These are government-supported technology hubs.”

    Read Also: Osinbajo urges monarchs to ensure peaceful co-existence

    The hubs include the Northeast humanitarian technology hub in Yola, Adamawa State, which specialises in innovation for victims of conflict. The South-south innovation hub in Benin, Edo State and the climate change technology hub to be launched at the Pan African University, Lagos.

    Osinbajo noted “the hand of providence” in Vibranium Valley’s location.

    He said:  “This place where we are today for many years the housed Concord Press, a once highly successful national newspaper owned by Chief MKO Abiola GCFR posthumous, winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election.

    “Abiola’s campaign slogan was hope and the eradication of poverty, but the enemies of our freedoms and democracy thought that they had killed that dream by the annulment of the election and complete destruction of the Concord Newspapers. But they were wrong.

    “…Today we celebrate the trees that have grown from the seeds that were buried here. The hope that they thought they killed has risen again, through the young men and women, some of whom were not even born when that travesty was committed. So, Concord was only the foundation for Vibranium.”

    Abiola’s son, Abdul, prostrated before Osinbajo and thanked him for his support to the family in his days as Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    Akinyemiju, who described Vibranium Valley as the “Campus”, said it would serve as a hub for tech startups which “will build an entrepreneur ecosystem, where people can be inspired to create companies and ultimately be able to create employment.

    “Nigeria needs to take disruptive approaches to development challenges in infrastructure, financial inclusion and education to become the Africa’s first ‘start-up nation.’

    Guests at the event included Special Advisor to the President on National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP), Mrs Maryam Uwais, former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Robin Sanders, CEO and executive secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Akin Oyebode, Former Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren, among others.

  • Terrorism: Osinbajo urges policies to tackle poverty, illiteracy

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that enduring victory against violent extremism and terrorism can only be achieved through implementing policies that comprehensively tackle poverty, illiteracy and frustration.

    Osinbajo said that it was those factors that predispose individuals and communities to imbibing extremist beliefs and ideologies.

    He made the assertion on Thursday in Abuja, while declaring open the 7th meeting of the Ministers of Defence of the Community of Sahel-Sahara States – CED-SAD.

    “Indeed, the military aspect of the fight against terrorism is the short-term one; enduring victory will only come from swiftly and diligently building on military victory by implementing, over the long term, policies that comprehensively tackle the poverty, illiteracy and frustration that predispose individuals and communities to imbibing extremist beliefs and ideologies.

    “If there is one thing we have learned from our experience fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria, it is that the battle is as much social and economic as it is a military one.

    “But the narrative is worsened by the fact that violent extremism and terrorism do not walk alone, they are usually to be found interlinked with human trafficking, drug trafficking, illicit trade in drugs and arms, and various other forms of transnational organized crimes,’’ he said.

    The vice president said that within the community, security challenge had assumed new dimensions since the Arab Spring, with the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya, proving to be a watershed moment.

    According to him, countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria have since then experienced an escalation of the twin global threats of violent extremism and terrorism, among others.

    The escalation of threats and vulnerabilities in the region, he said, had became an immediate and urgent security threat to the community.

    Read Also: Osinbajo urges monarchs to ensure peaceful co-existence

    He, however, said that it was encouraging that significant progress had been made to contain the terrorist challenges through the individual and collective actions.

    Osinbajo also noted that other elements that fuel violent extremism and terrorism were ecological threats of desertification and drought, as well as the phenomenon of forced human migration, among others.

    “Africa has historically been susceptible to desertification due to the preponderance of semi-arid, arid and hyper-arid lands.

    “Climate change and other factors collectively exacerbate these natural geographical conditions to make more than 319 million hectares of Africa vulnerable to desertification.

    “In the CEN-SAD Community, the Sahara desert is advancing southwards at an alarming rate of approximately 600 meters annually,’’ he added.

    Osinbajo urged leaders in the community to promote agreements and partnerships that “will enable the Community fully bridge our development gaps, and meet the rapidly growing needs of present and future generations.’’.

    He added, “It is certainly in our collective interest to act proactively in this regard, by enabling and catalysing the jobs and prosperity without which these battles cannot be lastingly won.’’

    Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali said that the security climate in the Sahel-Saharan States “is characterised by several internal threats and a lineage of organised cross-border crimes.’’

    He said that those threats posed challenge to internal security and stability of the states and the region generally.

    The minister, however, said that cooperation and collaboration by members’ states in the fight against insurgency and terrorism had yielded positive results.

    “For instance, the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) comprising of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, operating in the Lake Chad region against Boko Haram insurgency in collaboration with Nigeria’s Operation Lafia Dole forces have significantly degraded the Boko Haram terrorists,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Nigeria spearheads recharge of Lake Chad with Water Congo River – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said Nigeria is currently spearheading the recharge of Lake Chad with 3 other African countries through the construction of 2, 500 kilometres of navigible channels from River Ubangi in the Congo Basin.

    According to the President, the planned recharge of the Lake Chad Basin would address environmental problems created by the loss of over 95 percent freshwater from the lake, leading to massive social and economic loss for millions of families who depend on the water for their survival.

    Although the President did not give details of the financial implications of the project, he however said the efforts to recharge the water would require “unprecedented levels of political cooperation of member states of the Community of Sahel Saharan States, and technical collaboration and financial partnership from international partners: governments, development institutions and investors”.

    President Buhari made the remarks while declaring open the 7th Meeting of the Ministers of Defence of Members States of the Community of Sahel Saharan States (CEN-SAD) holding at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja.

    Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President Buhari said: ” In the CEN-SAD Community, the Sahara Desert is advancing southwards at an alarming rate of approximately 600 meters annually. A typical example is the shrinking of Lake Chad due to climate change and human overuse.

    “From about 25,000 square kilometers in 1963, Lake Chad, one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, has shrunk by 95 percent to a current size of about 1,300 square kilometers. There are alarming predictions that the lake may indeed, dry up completely in 20 years.

    Read Also: Buhari: my concern about Budget 2018

    “The Lake Chad Basin which straddles 4 nations in the Community previously supported more than 30 million inhabitants in its vicinity. The shrinking Lake Chad provides a graphic  example of the notorious nexus between the environment and human conflict.

    “There are strong indications that much of the violent conflicts in the Community can be linked to the passive and active resource conflicts associated with the shrinking Lake. People whose ancestors made a comfortable living off the land and water, as farmers and fishermen, are now confronted with displacement and vastly diminished opportunities.

    “In acknowledgement of this nexus, the Nigerian Government is spearheading a collective plan to recharge Lake Chad with water from the Congo Basin by constructing a 2,500 kilometers navigable channel from River Ubangi.

    “This project requires unprecedented levels of political cooperation of member states of the Community, and technical collaboration and financial partnership from international partners: governments, development institutions and investors”.

    President Buhari argued that the efforts to defeat violent extremism and criminal activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group and other terrorist elements in the Saharan region, should not be restricted to military and security campaigns alone, especially among countries most affected by the crisis.

    He said countries within the sub-region should pay attention to other factors that are pushing people into such crimes, while a holistic strategy should be adopted to tackle the security challenges headlong.

    Said He : “Indeed, the military aspect of the fight against terrorism is the short-term one;   enduring victory will only come from swiftly and diligently building on military  victory by implementing, over the long term, policies that comprehensively tackle the poverty, illiteracy and frustration that predispose individuals and communities to imbibing extremist beliefs and ideologies.

    “But the narrative is worsened by the fact that violent extremism and terrorism do not walk alone, they  are usually to be found interlinked with human trafficking, drug trafficking, illicit trade in drugs and arms, and various other forms of transnational organized crimes”.
    President Buhari however expressed joy that the Boko Haram terrorists group has being substantially degraded through the Multi-National Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin and the laudable efforts of the Nigeria military.

    He said this development should be built upon by countries in the community especially through intelligence sharing and other collaborative initiatives, describing the theme of the 7th Meeting of the Ministers of Defence of the Community as very apt.

    The President said : “Let me specially welcome the representatives of the United Kingdom, China, Saudi Arabia, all Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council,  the representative of ECOWAS, as well as other nations and organizations with Observer Status; and commend you for your continuing support  for  the CEN-SAD. We count on this cooperation and support well into the future.

    “The theme of the Meeting, Consolidating the Achievement of the Fight against Terrorism through Development Actions, is especially apt, as it focuses attention on the role of non-military components of the fight against terrorism and extremism.

    “If there is one thing we have learned from our experience fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria, it is that the battle is as much social and economic as it is a military one. It was Mr. Ban ki-Moon former UN Secretary General who said famously, that “bullets may stop terrorists, but only development, good governance and respect for human rights can prevent terrorism.”

    “Indeed, the military aspect of the fight against terrorism is the short-term one;   enduring victory will only come from swiftly and diligently building on military  victory by implementing, over the long term, policies that comprehensively tackle the poverty, illiteracy and frustration that predispose individuals and communities to imbibing extremist beliefs and ideologies.

    “But the narrative is worsened by the fact that violent extremism and terrorism do not walk alone, they  are usually to be found interlinked with human trafficking, drug trafficking, illicit trade in drugs and arms, and various other forms of transnational organized crimes.

    “Within the Community, the security challenge has assumed new dimensions since the Arab Spring, with the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya proving to be a watershed  moment. Countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria have since then experienced an escalation of the twin global threats of violent extremism and terrorism, among others. This escalation of threats and vulnerabilities in the region has became an immediate and urgent security threat to the Community.

    “But it is also encouraging to note that significant progress has been made to contain the terrorist challenges through the individual and collective actions of our respective States and through our respective regional economic communities.

    The successes of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in combating the Boko Haram menace in the sub-region has significantly resulted in the degrading of the group, in terms of membership, and of recruitment and combat capabilities. Similarly, the African Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with the support of the United Nations and other strategic partners has made impressive progress in the fight against Al-Shabab terrorists in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

    “In this ongoing fight against terrorism and violent extremism, the importance of intelligence sharing by member states of the Community has come strongly to the fore, considering the achievements recorded by the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU) of the MNJTF in the joint fight against the Boko Haram, as well as the gains made through the Sahel Fusion Liaison Units, which have arisen from the NOA-SHOT-(Nouakchott) Process and the Djibouti Process.

    “Also the countries of the Horn of Africa and East Africa have recently launched  the East African Fusion Liaison Unit (EA-FLU) in Kampala, Uganda.

    “Besides, there have also been the Sharm-El-Sheik decalration of 2016 by the community of Defence Ministers of CEN-SAD reinforcing the cooperation of member states in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism and the Cocody declaration whioch addressed inter-alia the control and regulation of the movement of small arms and light weapons through the borders of member states”.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali who welcomes delegates to the conference said there is need for concerted efforts by member states of the community to consolidate on the success already recorded in the past few years.

  • Osinbajo tasks Ekiti monarchs on peaceful co-existence

    Canvasses support for Fayemi’s victory

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on traditional rulers in Ekiti State to ensure unity among people of various ethnic groups residing in their domains.

    Osinbajo said working for unity in their various localities will assist the Federal Government to maintain peace in Ekiti State and other parts of the country.

    The Vice President made the call Wednesday evening at the palace of Ewi in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital where he hosted by Ekiti Obas as part of his visit to the state to canvass support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Osinbajo was accompanied on the visit by Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Dr. Fayemi, his running mate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, senior party leaders and campaign officials.

    The Vice President made a return to Ekiti barely twenty four hours after departing for Abuja and headed straight to the palace of the Ewi, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe.

    Read Also: 563, 051 PVCs collected in Ekiti, says INEC

    He was also accompanied to the palace by heads of security agencies in Ekiti State

    Osinbajo apologized for his inability to pay homage to the monarchs on Tuesday which he attributed to an emergency assignment in Abuja.

    He canvassed the traditional rulers’ backing for the candidacy of Fayemi urging them to also collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure a peaceful conduct of the poll on July 14.

    The nation’s number two man noted that since traditional rulers remain the custodians of culture and tradition, their roles are fundamental to uniting Nigerians.

    He promised the monarchs that the Federal Government would continue to accord respect to the traditional institution in the country.

    Osinbajo urged the traditional rulers to educate their subjects on various policies of the Federal Government put in place to better the lots of Nigerians.

    According to him, the various social intervention schemes of the Muhammadu Buhari administration were came on stream to improve standard of living of Nigerians.

    Responding, the Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, said monarchs would always support the government in executing policies that will make life easier for the masses.

    Oba Ademolaju lauded the Buhari administration for various achievements recorded in office.

  • Ekiti 2018: Osinbajo, Tinubu, twelve governors urge residents to vote Fayemi

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the people of Ekiti State to cast their votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in the July 14 governorship election.

    Osinbajo said Ekiti people stand to benefit a lot from the APC both at the federal and state levels if they elect Fayemi as their governor in the eagerly awaited poll.

    He described Fayemi as a tested politician and administrator who has acquired enough experience to manage the resources of the state and provide quality leadership.

    The nation’s number two man spoke on Tuesday at the governorship flag off rally held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, to formally herald campaigns ahead of the July 14 poll.

    Osinbajo was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; APC National Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun; National Secretary, Mala Mai Buni and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC).

    The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urged Ekiti people to elect Fayemi as their governor at the poll. He said Ekiti should not remain the lone ranger in the Southwest but should join the progressives fold.

    The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, officially presented the party’s governorship flag to Fayemi, who was joined by his running mate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi at the rally witnessed by a mammoth crowd.

    Oyegun also formally received the former Minister of State for Works and former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national spokesman, Prince Dayo Adeyeye into the APC.

    Adeyeye was joined by the Ekiti State House of Assembly member representing Ise/Orun Constituency, Mr. Adeniran Alagbada, former Special Adviser on Transportation, Chief Bosun Osaloni and other former PDP faithful into the APC.

    Governors who appeared at the rally include Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulAzeez Yari (Zamfara), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

    Read Also: Ekiti PDP lawmaker joins APC

    Serving ministers who stormed Ekiti to show solidarity with Fayemi are Mansur Dan Ali (Defence), Abubakar Bawa Bwari (Mines and Steel Development) and Lai Mohammed (Information and Culture).

    Also at the rally are former APC Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former Ekiti State Governors, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo and Chief Segun Oni; former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    Osinbajo said: “God has chosen this lucky man (Fayemi) to bring good governance and purposeful leadership to the people of Ekiti State.

    “On July 14, don’t look elsewhere but look forward to voting APC. APC is a party that means well for the people, APC is a party of progressive people.

    “We have come here to give you a delicious soup in Ekiti; JKF (Fayemi) is that lucky man chosen to bring positive change to Ekiti.

    “On July 14, vote JKF and Ekiti will witness progress, development and good governance.

    “God has brought a blessed man, who is Dr Kayode  Fayemi. He will do Ekiti a lot of good if elected governor. He will bring development to your doorsteps.

    “On July 14, don’t look back or side way, just look forward to a good future ahead of you by voting for Fayemi. APC is a party of progress.

    “Let us vote for APC in this election. APC will help Ekiti to develop, because the PDP has outlived its usefulness.”

    Tinubu said change is needed by Ekiti people noting that the Land of Honour should not be excluded from the broom revolution sweeping across Nigeria.

    He described Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the Red Card to be shown to the PDP at the governorship election.

    Tinubu said: “This is the only place where change is necessary now, this is the broom revolution. Raising the broom is not enough, what is your value of coming here if you don’t have PVCs?

    “If you really want progress, what is the essence of you staying here from morning till now without having PVCs.  Ekiti won’t go back to sadness and poverty.

    “The PVCs represent your red card on the day of election. I want you to give PDP a red card on the day of election.

    “We have been giving PDP yellow cards all this while but on the election day, we are giving them the red card.

    “We took Fayemi to the federal level, he was Minister where Osinbajo is Vice President but Ekiti is now a lone ranger.

    “This is your son, we have taught him, he is a friend of the President. We are going to do the election together

    “He now understands the game. I want you to vote him 100 percent on July 14.”

    Oshiomhole said: “We thank God that we have swept them away. I was on my way here from Edo in 2014 when Fayemi was seeking reelection when the PDP stopped me at Benin Airport, even as a sitting governor. PDP was known for abuse of power and their days were gone.

    “Ekiti is the most educated state in Nigeria and I knew you voted for Fayemi in 2014, because Ekiti has highest pupil enrollment in schools then and I know that a state that is highly educated like Ekiti could not have voted for a roadside banana eater.

    “On July 14, it is one man, one vote, one woman, one vote. Your votes will count this time. Nobody will tinker with it”, he said.

    The Chairman of the National Campaign Council and Kebbi State Governor Bagudu, said Nigeria has been in safe hands since 2015 when President Buhari and Osinbajo took over, urging Ekiti to join the moving train in this coming election.

    “If Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Plateau and Kebbi could embrace APC, Ekiti must do same, because we represent progress.”

    Governors Amosun, Aregbesola, Bello, Ajimobi, Ahmed, Akeredolu and Bagudu, who also spoke urged the electorate to vote Fayemi to bring unprecedented progress to the state.

    Fayemi said he was humbled by the gesture of solidarity from the party’s leaders urging Ekiti voters to sweep away a “useless government.”

    Fayemi while addressing supporters promised that all the programmes initiated by his administration but abrogated by the present government will be restored in the interest of the populace.

    He said: “They (PDP) said they want continuity, is it continuity of lack, continuity of poverty, continuity of 419, continuity of bad governance, continuity of suffering, continuity of non-payment of salaries, continuity of our pupils paying taxes in schools?

    “The Youth in Agriculture, Youth Volunteer Scheme, the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency, Social Security Scheme of the Aged, both in Commercial Agriculture, Local Council Development Ares, Peace Corps and other landmark programmes will come back.

    “Governor Ayo Fayose said he wanted continuity, I know Ekiti won’t subscribe to continuity of poverty, wanton neglect, fraud and pauperization of our people in the name of governance.

    “By God’s grace July 14 is our date with destiny, a day PDP will be totally obliterated, a day that suffering will stop.

    “We will reclaim our land, its day decency, discipline, decorum and good essence of democracy will return to our land.”

    Former Ekiti State Governor Adebayo said the INEC won’t listen to plea by some groups that the federal government should not deploy soldiers and police for the election.

    Adeyeye said PDP is dead in Ekiti as many of its chieftains and members are defecting to APC on daily basis.

    He said: “PDP is dead in Ekiti, it will never rise again, it has been uprooted and we will set it on fire. A lot of PDP members have defected to APC.

    “This is the Deputy Leader of the Assembly joining APC; four years ago, that thief is shouting 16-0 but he neglected those who made it possible.

    “We have visited eight local government areas, PDP members are decamping every day and when the President comes here, all of them will show up because there is nothing like PDP again in Ekiti.”

  • Ekiti 2018: Osinbajo, Tinubu, Oyegun, others storm Ekiti for mega rally

    … Fayemi takes campaign to more communities

    All is now set for the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag off mega  rally in Ekiti State ahead of the July 14 governorship election.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other key party figures are expected at the rally scheduled for Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.

    Members of the APC National Campaign Council headed by Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, National Working Committee, governors and ministers are also expected at the rally.

    Security has been beefed up at the venue with riot policemen stationed within the vicinity of the arena. The stadium was being decorated ahead of the rally.

    Osinbajo is expected to hand the party’s flag to the governorship candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his running mate, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi.

    Meanwhile, Fayemi on Monday took his campaign to communities in Ekiti West and Ijero Local Government Areas urging the people to reject the continuity agenda of Governor Ayo Fayose which he said was aimed at keeping them perpetually in poverty.

    Communities visited include Aramoko, Erio, Ido-Ile, Okemesi, Ikoro, Ijero, Ijurin, Iloro, where more leaders and members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC.

    The defectors promised to ensure victory for Fayemi in their various localities saying they were rejecting the PDP in protest against Fayose’s alleged “deceit, wickedness, lies and greed.”

    In Aramoko, a stronghold of PDP where the visits kicked off Monday, no fewer than 30 of its top leaders led hundreds of supporters to defect to APC while in Ido-Ile, residents said they would vote for Fayemi for the water project, roads, schools rehabilitation and social security for the elderly people he provided in his first term.

    Fayemi expressed delight that it was mainly those giving APC headaches that defected to APC in Aramoko and assured them of equal treatment in their new party.

    He listed his achievements in agriculture, schools and hospital rehabilitation, social security, appointments, education, roads and electricity, among others, in Aramoko to the thunderous applause of supporters.

    Read Also: Fayemi is the reason Ekiti is under financial burden – PDP

    Fayemi regretted that nothing had been added to what he did in the town except for Fayose to introduce payment of tax by school pupils while workers are unpaid for between six and 10 months.

    He urged the people to dismiss Fayose’s lies on debts, saying though he borrowed N25b to implement projects that are verifiable, including completing projects started by Segun Oni’s administration.

    The APC candidate revealed that he paid back N14.5b of the loan before leaving office while Fayose had so far borrowed N56b but did nothing with it except a bridge built at over-bloated cost.

    Fayemi said the road he awarded but abandoned by Fayose would be completed, including new projects that the community might request for in his budget.

    He urged the people to reject continuity of sufferings, unpaid salaries and lies that Fayose wanted to sustain by working to install Prof Eleka as his successor.

    In Erio, the hometown of Fayose’s wife, residents regretted that though Fayose is their son-in-law, they had not seen any development assistance from neither Fayose nor his wife in the last three years.

    The community presented a copy of the Holy Bible to Fayemi, declaring that APC candidate represented a soldier of Christ who will always win his battles. They said victory is sure for Fayemi on July 14.

    Fayemi expressed shock that the road he initiated leading to Erio worship centre was abandoned by Fayose, promising to complete the project and implement other ones they choose in his pre-budget meetings with the people.

    He promised to continue his pro-people schemes, including social security, free education and helping students to pay for public examinations and scholarships.

    The rally at Okemesi was dramatic, as residents in the town openly rained abuses on one of her sons in Fayose’s administration who early in the morning allegedly led thugs in knife battle to create sense of insecurity to disrupt APC rally.

    The Owa Ooye of Okemesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji, in his palace praised Fayemi for appointing indigenes, including Adewale Fapohunda, into his government, while Kayode Fasakin was a member of the House of Assembly. The monarch said they were the best to represent the town in government.

    He said the town had the best of times while Fayemi was governor, even as he praised Fayemi for constructing the abandoned road to the town’s hospital. The monarch assured Fayemi of total support of the community.

    At Ikoro, country home of the third runner-up in APC primary, Kayode Ojo, the former aspirant, who described Egbeyemi as his father’s friend, urged the people to vote for Fayemi, reminding the people that
    Fayemi’s years as governor was an evergreen experience in the development process of the town.

    Another party chief from the town, Dr. Femi Thomas, regretted Fayose’s neglect of the town despite support for him in 2014.

    He described Fayemi as a man of honour who can be trusted with his words while another former aspirant, Dr Bayo Orire, spoke in the same vein, urging residents to vote for Fayemi.

  • Edo Innovation Hub partners Siemens on ‘The Hack Edo Series’

    …seeks new solutions to power generation, distribution challenges

    Sequel to its launch only last week, the Edo Innovates tech cluster has concluded modalities for The Hack Edo Series, a multi-dimensional initiative to identify and incubate the best ideas that tackle problems of power generation and distribution faced by individuals, businesses and the digital ecosystem, with a N3.5 million prize money.

    In a statement by Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Skills Development and Jobs Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said that The Hack Edo Series which is being organised in partnership with Impact Hub and Siemens Nigeria, will leverage innovation technology to identify solutions in the area of power generation, adding that N3.5 million in cash prizes will be won by the best ideas.

    She said starts-ups or groups with ideas can apply on the Edo jobs website, as deadline for application is on June 30.

    According to her, “Through a series of practical Hackathons, the Hack Edo series aims to equip young Nigerian innovators with the skills necessary to make impact in their various communities.”

    She said the series will help increase the number of individuals taking action on social and economic issues, build a collaborative community that tackles issues and identify the best ideas that will be supported through the incubation phase.

    Read Also: Eid-El-Fitr: Obaseki lauds Edo residents on peaceful celebration

    She said the hackathons will catalyse high-growth startups within Edo State, support development of ventures from ideation to commercialization and promote job creation and economic development, adding, “this will drive and ensure the increased adoption of local technology by government, corporates and development agencies across Edo state and Nigeria, strengthen and raise the standard of startups in the region and deliver positive social impact returns to communities and people across the region.”

    Recall that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki, last week, launched the South-South Innovation Hub in the state, kicking off activities for the state’s fledging tech ecosystem at the remodeled Institute of Continuing Education (ICE).

    The state government has partnered with over 25 technology firms in setting up the facility, which will serve as a one-stop shop for training, incubation, acceleration for start-ups and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.