Politics

In Ekiti State, over one hundred billion nairas is to be spent in the 2022 fiscal year.

The budget Proposal christened “budget of Legacy and Consolidation” was presented by the Governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi before members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly during a plenary in Ado Ekiti.

The 2022 budget proposal which is five per cent lower than the 2021 budget was said to have been prepared based on the current economic realities.

In his analysis, the Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi said that over 36 billion nairas would be spent on Governance, infrastructure and industrial development,28 billion nairas,  Knowledge-Economy 19 billion nairas,  while social Investment got 14 billion nairas.

According to Governor Fayemi, recurrent expenditure stood at 60 billion nairas, while the capital got over 40 billion naira

He said that the budget had been tailored towards addressing economic challenges, boosting infrastructure, creating Job opportunities and meaningful growth that would bring sustainable peace to Ekiti.

Governor Fayemi maintained that his administration remained committed to the management of available resources by ensuring transparency, accountability and probity.

The governor listed some of the projects completed and inaugurated out of the 2012 budget to include, college of Agriculture, renovation of schools, reconstruction of roads, Egbe, Ero and  Ureje dams.

As part of measures to ensure a healthy society, the Ekiti State Governor explained that over two million indigenes would be vaccinated in 2022 to prevent the state from the third waves of the COVID-19 and other diseases to safeguard the health of citizens.

He maintained that the aims and objectives of the budget proposal would be adequately protected with a promise not to relax in the efforts to make Ekiti great.

In his acceptance speech, the speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly,  Mr Funminiyi Afuye appreciated Governor Fayemi and other Executive members for the landmark achievements recorded in the state and expressed confidence that the 2022 budget would sustain the spate of Development in the state.

Mr Afuye however assured that the Assembly members would do justice to the appropriation bill in line with the current administration’s efforts to make meaningful change.

Oriola Afolabi

Education

The National Youth Service Corps in Ekiti State said it has taken proactive measures to guard against the contraction of coronavirus by Corps members currently in camp.

The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Emmanuella Okpongete made this known at the swearing-in of the 2020 “Batch A” stream one Corps members at the orientation camp in Ise-orun, Emure Ekiti.

Mrs Okpongete explained that the scheme has provided hand sanitizers, wash hand containers and soap to guard against the contraction of coronavirus while the State Government through the Ministry of Health had also provided some items including sensitization leaflets which would be distributed to the youths during the ongoing orientation course.

She said that Corps members would be exposed to lectures on national issues, skills acquisition training, physical and paramilitary exercises and urged them to be attentive.

On his part, Governor Kayode Fayemi who spoke through the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Michael Awopetu congratulated the youth for successful completion of their studies, promising that his administration would continue to accord priority to their welfare.

Dr Fayemi, however, advised them to participate actively in all the activities on the camp so as to build on whatever they might have learnt in their places of primary assignment after the orientation course.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola administered the oath of allegiance on the corps members.

Similarly, the NYSC Ondo State, has screened 1,860 Corps members deployed to Ondo State and other personnel to guard against possible contraction of Coronavirus and Lassa fever within the orientation camp.

Mrs. Grace Akpabio, NYSC State Coordinator in Ondo State, disclosed this at the swearing-in ceremony for the 2020 “Batch A”, stream one Corps members at the camp in Ikare Akoko.

Mrs Akapbio also stated that all necessary medical measures had been put in place by the Scheme in collaboration with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, the Federal Ministry of Health and Ondo State Government.

She allayed the fears of parents and guardians over the safety of Corps members deployed to Ondo State as the Scheme would always live up to its responsibility to protect Corps members.

In a message, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu urged the Corps members to always be positive in attitude and thoughts on various challenges facing the country.

Governor Akeredolu assured the Corps members of their security and welfare, adding that the Corps members should report to nearby health facility if their health status is threatened.

Justice Idowu Kolawole administered the oath of allegiance on the Corps members on behalf of the State Chief Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu.

Also in Ogun State, the NYSC has collaborated with relevant agencies in the health sector to ensure safety of the Corps members in the state and their protection against the contraction of Coronavirus.

The state coordinator of NYSC, Dr. Belinda Faniyi made this known at the Swearing-in of the two thousand and sixty-nine 2020 “Batch A” stream one Corps members posted to the state.

Radio Nigeria reports that hand sanitizers were made available at strategic locations in the orientation camp.

Security agents were seen at the entrance of the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Sagamu, identifying prospective Corps members after which an official with an infrared thermometer could be seen checking temperatures of the Corps members before they were directed to use hand sanitizers prior to entering the camp.

According to Dr. Faniyi, the authorities of the scheme have been proactive by engaging relevant agencies to guarantee the safety of the Corps members and also put in place measures to protect them from the spread of Coronavirus.

The NYSC coordinator assured parents of the safety of Corps members during the service year.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Kehinde Oluwadare advised the Corps members to integrate themselves into society and assured the them of safety while in the state.

Meanwhile, the NYSC is to engage some Corps members posted to Oyo state in the prevention of Covid-19 during their service year.

Oyo state Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs. grace Ogbuogebe stated this during the swearing in ceremony of 2,076 “Batch A” stream one Corps members at the orientation camp in Iseyin.


The NYSC Coordinator explained that the Scheme had partnered the University College Hospital, UCH in giving proper training on the preventive mechanism for Covid-19.


While administering oath of allegiance on the Corps members, the Chief Judge of Oyo state, Justice Muktar Abimbola represented by Justice Aderonke Aderemi, urged Corps members to be dedicated to their fatherland.


While declaring the orientation open, Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, represented by the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede said his administration would continue to provide conducive environment for NYSC to operate in the state.


Governor Makinde implored the Corps members to embrace the skill acquisition and entrepreuship development, SAED programme of the NYSC to become self reliant.

Kayode Animasaun / Amos Ogunrinde / Wale Oloukun / Rotimi Famakin