Power

By Olawale Asake

Ekiti State Independent Power Project, IPP, has commenced operation with test running as part of efforts at addressing the shortage of electricity supply to the State.

The State Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun who made this known during a facility tour of the Power Plant Station in Ado Ekiti, said the project initiated by the immediate past administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi and completed by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, was one in the series of interventions to address inherent challenges in electricity supply to the State.

Mr. Olatunbosun stressed that the IPP is currently guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply to the Governor’s Office, Government House, State Secretariat Complex, House of Assembly Complex, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUTH) and streetlights along major roads in the metropolis.

According to him, the initiative was geared towards boosting industrialization and socio-economic development as well as enhance good governance, noting that doing away with the use of generating sets with attendant huge cost of diesels and environmental pollution used to power public facilities like streetlights and government offices would block a lot of wastage.

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Politics

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has approved the dissolution of all Boards and Commissions in the State, excluding Statutory Commissions spelt out in Section 197 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

The dissolution is in pursuit of the efforts to ensure seamless transition of government and early processing of the terminal benefits of the affected political office holders

In a circular made available to Newsmen in Ado Ekiti, the governor also terminated appointment of Special Advisers who are not Cabinet Members, Technical Advisers;Directors General, Coordinators; and other Heads of Non-Ministerial Offices.

Governor Fayemi urged the affected officials to hand over all government property in their possessions to the Accounting Officers or the most senior career officers in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

The approval takes effect from 31st August, 2022.

Amos Ogunrinde

Politics

Governors of the 36 states of the federation will meet today, with the issue of losing the suit against financial autonomy for local governments topping the agenda.

Acting under the aegis of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, the governors in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the NGF Head of Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said the lingering issue of  the local governments’ financial autonomy that had become topical nationwide since on Monday,  might forms part of the brief by the NGF chairman and Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The statement read: ” Governors of the 36 states have been invited to a meeting according to a statement issued from the office of the Director General of the NGF, Mr Asishana Bayo Okauru.

The meeting, which is expected to be a hybrid will commence from 2 pm on Wednesday, 25th May but governors are expected to log on from 1 pm.

“This will be the 5th teleconference meeting in this year, 2022. Specifically, the deliberations will centre around SFTAS Updates, the CARES program, and a few expected presentations. 

“The lingering issue of the Local Governments’ financial autonomy which became topical nationwide from yesterday may form part of the Chairman’s brief which is regularly given at the beginning of each meeting to open the matter for discussion among governors.”

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had on Monday, dismissed a suit governors of the 36 states of the federation, filed to query the constitutionality of regulations the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, issued to guarantee financial autonomy for local governments.

The governors, before the judgment, were in strong opposition to efforts by the Federal Government to monitor their handling of local governments’ funds.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by the 36 states through their state Attorneys General and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The states in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/563/2019 challenged the legality of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Guidelines which came into effect on June 1, 2019.

The NFIU 2019 guidelines required among others, that the states/local government joint accounts should be used only for receiving funds and subsequently transferring them to local government accounts only.

The NFIU claimed that the guidelines, which also limit daily cash withdrawal from the State/LG joint account to N500, 000 are intended to reduce “crime vulnerabilities created by cash withdrawal from LG funds throughout Nigeria effective from June 1, 2019.”

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Lifestyle

Ekiti State Government has vowed to put in place a mechanism for the enforcement of Anti-Gender-Based Violence Laws.

This is to ensure that women are not continually becoming susceptible to domestic violence and ills of the society.

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi stated this in Ado Ekiti while addressing a gathering after a street walk to commemorate the 2021 16-day activism of no violence against women and children.

Governor Fayemi maintained that the enforcement of the laws was to ensure the sustainability of the fight against the menace and protect women and children’s rights.

“We have been campaigning against child rape, women assault and develop standard operative manual towards ensuring that gender-based violence is eradicated,” he said.

The governor challenged parents to raise their children in such a way that they have the understanding that all humanities are equal irrespective of their gender.

Chairperson, Ekiti State Gender-Based Violence Management committee and governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi reiterated the commitment of the team to relentless effort at nipping the scourge in the bud.

Erelu Fayemi, therefore, threatened legal action against anyone caught indulging in rape, women assault and child molestation.

The governor’s wife also sought the cooperation of Nigerians in the area of making sure that the perpetrators were exposed for necessary legal action.

Erelu Fayemi, however, expressed regret that despite various campaigns in streets, schools, markets and town hall meetings, rape cases remained unabated which had made the government establish referral centres and places where such heinous crime could be reported for anti-gender-based violence laws to take its course.

In their remarks, representatives of civil society organizations, corps members among others appealed to society as well as the media professionals to protect the image of the victims of sexual assault to avoid stigmatisation.

The commemoration of the programme was accompanied by various placards with different inscriptions: Blame rapists for rape not women, We demand gender balance, Say no to violence against women among others.

Busuyi Ogidiolu

Politics

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has approved the appointments of three General Managers and 16 Executive secretaries in the state civil service.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode announced this in a statement in Ado Ekiti.

The new General Managers are: Dr. Charles Doherty, Dr. Gilbert Ayodele Seluwa and Mr. James Kayode Ajayi.

The new Executive Secretaries are: Mr. Emmanuel Alani Daramola, Mr. Isaac Segun Olusola , Mr. Abel Adebayo Adenigba, Mr. Francis Bamisaye Omotoso, Mr. Aderemi Oladele Ogunsemoyin and Mr. Michael Adedayo Olajide.

Others are, Mrs. Modupe Olufunke Falade, Mrs. Olabisi Funmilayo Fatoba, Mr. Adegboyega Morakinyo, Mrs. Christiana Abimbola Bamikole, Mr. Joseph Oluwafemi Ajidara, Mr. Bamidele E. Familoni and Mrs. Ajibola Ayo-Salami.

The remaining Executive Secretaries are, Mr. Emmanuel Olufemi Bamisaye, Mr. Martins Kayode Ojo and Mr. Felix Adebayo Ojo.

According to the statement, the appointments take effect from October 1, 2021.

Amos Ogunrinde

Lifestyle

Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and  Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has described the late father of Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, as a man who lived an excellent and a sacrificial life.

Governor Fayemi who was accompanied by his Lagos State Counterpart Mr. Babajide Sanwo – Olu, and former Governor of Bauchi State, Adami Muazu stated this in Iperu Remo during a condolence visit to Governor  Abiodun.

Governor Fayemi noted that Pa Abiodun played important role in the education development in the Western Region, describing the deceased as a thorough bred teaching professional who tutored people to become champions in their chosen fields.

Also, Lagos State Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu noted that Pa Abiodun was a role model, a disciplinarian, who used teaching profession to impact positively on the lives of people.

Responding, Governor Dapo  Abiodun said his father was a great teacher who reshaped the society and produced eminent personalities who were making positive impact in the country.

Bolanle Adesida

Lifestyle

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the passage of renowned theatre arts practitioner and a prominent indigene of the state, Chief Jimoh Aliu, who passed on yesterday at the age of 85.

Dr. Fayemi in a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode said the death of Chief Aliu was a huge loss to the state and Nigeria in general going by his contributions to the development of performing arts and the state.

The governor described Chief Aliu as a rare and extraordinary talent whose impact was felt in the entertainment industry locally and internationally.

Dr. Fayemi said Chief Aliu’s worth had been recognized by the Ekiti State Government during his first tenure when the late theatre practitioner was honoured with the Ekiti State Merit Award, and by the Federal Government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

He described the deceased as a multi-talented personality, who functioned as an actor, dramatist, playwright, singer, film maker, producer, director, costumes and location manager and sculptor.

He noted that the late culture icon was a promoter of Ekiti brand and was proud of his state of origin in the course of his 61-year-long career on stage.

Dr. Fayemi said Chief Aliu had etched his name in the sands of time and immortalized himself in the hearts and consciousness of the global theatre audience.

The governor commiserated with the family and associates of the deceased, urging them to be consoled by the good life he lived.

Similarly, the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr  Funminiyi Afuye, has mourned the death of the Okemesi-Ekiti born famous actor, Chief Jimoh Aliu.

The Speaker, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Akogun Tai Oguntayo, described the veteran actor’s death as a colossal loss, not only to Ekiti State but the entire Nigeria and in deed, the black race.

Mr Afuye noted that “for several decades, Chief Jimoh Aliu who was born in Okemesi Ekiti took the centre stage of theatre industry in Nigeria during which he promoted the image of Ekitiland with his dexterity.”

He extolled the virtues of the late former national President of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners (ANTP), who, at one time or the other, was bestowed with numerous awards, including the national honour as the Member of Order of Niger (MON). 

Chief Aliu, otherwise known as Aworo, was also installed as the Oba Asa of Yorubaland by the Orangun of Ila.

The Speaker, who noted that Chief Jimoh Aliu left behind a record that would be difficult to beat, condoled with his family in Okemesi Ekiti and the entire Ekiti people, praying that “the Lord will give the state fortitude to bear the loss”.

Chief Aliu, who celebrated his 85th birthday in Ibadan last year amidst pomp and pageantry, started his early life in Okemesi Ekiti as an itinerant Ifa boy following around his father, an Ifa priest from one town to another before he learnt tailoring and later driving. 

He went into acting in 1959 when he joined Ogungbe Theatre Group in Abeokuta. 

Among the numerous plays that gave him fame were; Arelu, Irinkerindo, Fonpomoyo, Iku Mare Eda,  Agbaarin, Yanpanyanrin.

Also, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts and Culture, Professor Ojo Bakare has described the late Chief Jimoh Aliu as father of all performing artists in Nigeria.

In his reaction to Chief Aliu’s death, Professor Ojo told Radio Nigeria that the deceased was the oldest artist in the country until his death.

The commissioner, who trained under Chief jimoh Aliu as a performing artist, said the ace actor would be greatly missed.

Professor Ojo has since visited the house of Chief Jimoh Aliu in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti to commiserate with the family he left behind.

Sympathizers have continued to the house of the late actor.

Meanwhile, the late actor, Chief Jimoh Aliu will be buried today in his country home, Okemesi Ekiti according to Islamic rites.

Ogunrinde Amos

Politics

Ekiti State Government has commenced the perimeter fencing of the new Cargo Airport in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

Governor Kayode Fayemi who made this known during an inspection tour of some projects in Ado Ekiti, noted that the fencing was about thirty kilometers. 

He explained that the perimeter fencing was part of the measure to secure the lands from encroachment and prevent other land-related crisis.

The governor observed that the site engineers at the various projects visited were on site to ensure that the project was delivered at the stipulated time despite all odds.

Some of the sites visited include Ayo Fasanmi Comprehensive High School, Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti, new water corporation at Iworoko road, water corporation booster station at Fajuyi, and the Rice Mill along Ijan road.

Oriola Afolabi

Health

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has unveiled the COVID-19 Response Hub as part of measures to address the spread of the virus in the state.

The website is www.covid19.ekitistate.gov.ng

Performing the exercise in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Fayemi who explained that the technological advancements would help to effectively manage the Coronavirus, said every resident of the state could take advantage of the website to screen themselves to know the state of their health on issues relating to the virus without going to hospital.

The Ekiti State number one citizen urged the people to always access the website for adequate information and shun rumours that could create disaffection in the public.

On the baby delivered by the twenty-nine-year-old woman who died as a result of Coronavirus, Governor Fayemi said that the child was still in a stable condition while measures were being taken to help the family of the deceased with the treatment of the baby.

Governor Fayemi however advised the public to continue to adhere strictly to all the terms and conditions rolled out by government to end COVID-19 in the state.

Oriola Afolabi

Health

The Federal Government says it will collaborate with Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, to set up functional test isolation centres in every state to tackle the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanere stated this after meeting with the 36 state governors during their monthly meeting in Abuja.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, and some agencies also made presentations at the meeting.

Dr Ehanere said he was at the secretariat of the NGF to update the governors on the pandemic of the coronavirus and the strategies that the federal government was making to curtail the spread of the virus in the country.

He explained that the governors agreed to work with the federal government and pledged the commitment of the ministry to always update Nigerians to avoid misinformation. 

“To get the story of how Coronavirus spread abroad and how it has come into Nigeria and what we have done so far. And they asked questions about our strategies, our approach and how it affects their states and our strategies and how they can have access to materials to be able to respond.

I did not need to make an effort to remind the governors on what they should do because they all offered to play a role which was very good. In fact they want to know the cost of building isolation centres, the cost of the equipment and the kits. And they want us to present them with them cost tomorrow. We are happy that there is such engagement by the governors.”

After an extensive discussion on the negative impact of coronavirus to the economy and fall in oil prices, the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi said, the governors set up a committee to review and advice state governments on actions that were required to address the economic challenges in the country. 

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and falling oil prices in the Nigerian economy and the revenues of States governments, the forum constituted a sub-committee consisting of the Governors of Kaduna (Chair), Kebbi, Ebonyi, Ogun, Nasarawa, Edo and Jigawa to comprehensive review the trend and advice state governments on the set of actions required to address challenges in the economy”.

Following a presentation by the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, Laoye Jaiyeola on the economic roundtable, a platform that was created to facilitate improved economic policies in the states, Governor Fayemi said governors adopted the policy to improve effective partnership that would promote good governance at the states.

The Governors also welcomed Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo to his first NGF meeting since his assumption of office. 

Governors also commiserate with the governor of Lagos State on the recent pipe explosion that claimed many lives. 

Nehemiah Anini

Energy

Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, and Ekiti State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, to construct another two electricity power sub-stations of 132/33 KVA in Ilupeju and Ijesa-Isu, Ekiti.

At the signing of the MoU, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi said the step was part of measures to boost power supply, attract investors and create job opportunities.

Governor Fayemi who maintained that his administration was deeply concerned about improving infrastructural facilities to help the citizens to attain economic stability and progress in business, said no stone would be left unturned in ensuring the development of the state.

He noted that government would continue to provide an enabling environment for the Transmission Company of Nigeria and other investors to thrive effectively in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Public and Infrastructure, Mr. Bamidele Faparusi had lamented that Ekiti received the lowest power supply among the comity of states in the Southwest, while some communities were not even connected to the national grid.

The team leader of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Mr. Victor Adewumi who noted that works would commence in earnest since all agreements have been signed, said the projects would be delivered before the end of the second quarter of next year.

Oriola Afolabi

Education

Ekiti state government says it has procured science equipment and textbooks worth one hundred and nine million naira for distribution to public secondary schools and Technical Colleges across the state.

This is part of efforts of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led administration to take education to greater heights in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Foluso Daramola made this known to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti. 

Mr. Daramola explained that Governor Fayemi will flag-off the distribution of the science equipment and textbooks to public secondary schools and Technical Colleges on Thursday.

The commissioner said the ceremony will be held at the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, Phase four, State Secretariat, Ado-Ekiti, commencing by ten O’ clock in the morning.

He appealed to principals of all public secondary schools and technical colleges across the state, Area Education Officers and other education stakeholders to attend the ceremony.

Amos Ogunrinde

Economy

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has called on citizens to always fulfill their civic responsibility of paying taxes and other levies regularly to enable government to execute more infrastructural projects across the state.

The Governor made the call while flagging off the rehabilitation and reconstruction of four major roads linking seven Local Government Areas of the State.

Governor Fayemi explained that such taxes as remitted would be channeled to capital projects which would have direct impact on the lives of the people. 

He noted the roads when completed within the next twelve months would bridge the huge infrastructural gaps and facilitate industrial development of the state.

The governor who cautioned contractors that government would not accept shoddy jobs from them, pleaded with them to work to specifications and deliver the projects as scheduled.

Some of the traditional rulers and stakeholders in the benefiting towns who noted that the roads had been abandoned by the past administration, appreciated Governor Fayemi for deeming it fit to reconstruct and rehabilitate the affected roads.

Oye-Ikun-Otun road, Ilupeju-Ire-Igbemo-Ijan Road, Aramoko-Erinjinyan-Ikogosi roads are to be rehabilitated while Agbado-Ode-Isinbode-Omuo road will be reconstructed.

Tope Bamidele

Security

Over one hundred vehicles to complement federal government efforts in tackling insecurity in South-West states of Nigeria under the “Amotekun” Scheme have been launched.

Speaking at the launch of vehicles tagged “Amotekun”, at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan, governors of the southwestern states in separate speeches said the security outfit was not to compete with Nigeria Police Force but to provide security for people of the region.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF and the governor of Ekiti state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the constitutional provision to protect lives and property of the citizenry informed the decisions to employ the security outfit.

Ondo state governor who is also the chairman of South-West Governors, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu said “Amotekun” was not a regional police as being insinuated in some quarters, maintaining that the outfit would not be used for political gains.

His counterpart from Osun state, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola who represented by the deputy governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi while emphasising that the initiative would have positive impact on the region urged the people to give necessary support to the security outfit.

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi lauded the governors for shunning political differences by coming up with such initiative which he said would be beneficial to the entire South West region and Nigeria at large.

Earlier, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, had noted that investment opportunities and growing Internally Generated Revenue could not thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity, hence the introduction of the “Amotekun” initiative to further enhance security in the region. 

Local security personnel Agbekoyas, hunters, vigilante groups, members of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, community leaders and traditional rulers were part of the event.

Radio Nigeria’s Iyabo Adebisi reports that the red vehicles had the inscription of South Western Security Outfit and a picture of a leopard.

Iyabo Adebisi

Politics

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi says road construction and rehabilitation will be accorded priority this year.

Governor Fayemi who announced this in his New Year broadcast to the people of the state, promised that road across Ado Ekiti township receive.

He explained that four major roads in, Oye- Ikun-Otun Erinjinyan-Ikogosi, Agbado – Isinbode- Omuo and Igbemo-Ilupeju-Ire- Ekiti road would be flagged off on the 13th of this month for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The governor said that in addition his administration would also embark on the construction of one thousand kilometers of rural roads to facilitate the growth of the grassroots.

On the plight of retirees in the state, the governor said one point two billion naira was expended on the payment of their pensions last year.

He made it clear that some of the retirees who did not receive their pension last December were those that refused to participate in the verification exercise, promising that the categories of pensioners would be paid as soon as they were cleared.

Governor Fayemi stated that his projection for the year 2020 was to improve on the lives of the people and ensure  infrastructural development of the state.

He congratulated the people of Ekiti state for witnessing the year ,2020, urging them to be focused.

Amos Ogunrinde