Politics

Biodun Oyebanji’s victory in Ekiti poll symbolic – Akeredolu

By Web News 472

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has described the victory of Biodun Oyebanji as Ekiti Governor-Elect as symbolic for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Governor Akeredolu said this in a Press Release by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.

The Ondo State helmsman saluted the residents of Ekiti State over the smooth conduct of the June 18, 2022 governorship poll and congratulated Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his electoral victory.

Governor Akeredolu described the resounding victory as an unequivocal testament to the acceptability of the APC and sterling performance of the incumbent, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, in the state.

“I congratulate my brother, Biodun Oyebanji Abayomi on this victory. I rejoice with our great party, the APC. I salute the people of Ekiti for their resilience and peaceful conduct.

“This victory is for the people of Ekiti State and all lovers of democracy across the country. It is a mark of renewed commitment of the people to our party, the APC.

“No doubt, BAO’s vast experience in public service is an asset that would be deployed for the good of the people of Ekiti State. As a former Commissioner, Chief of Staff and later Secretary to the State Government, the governor-elect is well equipped to take the state to the next level.

“I have no doubt that BAO will consolidate on the gains of the outgoing administration of Governor Fayemi and leverage on the continuity of our party in government to further deliver dividends of good governance to the people.

“This is our first win since the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Presidential candidate of our party. This election is, however, symbolic as it shows the preparedness and commitment of our people to vote enmass for the APC in the next year’s general election.” The Governor said.

He also gave kudos to the security agencies and the umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting credible election in Ekiti notwithstanding pockets of hiccups.

Governor Akeredolu urged the people to maintain the winning streak for APC by voting for its candidate in the next year’s presidential election.

Dupe Isename

News

Ekiti Assembly Passes 2022 Budget, As Gov Fayemi Assents To It

By Web News 557

Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed the 2022 budget proposal submitted to it by Governor Kayode Fayemi two months ago.

The Appropriation bill, christened Budget of Legacy and Consolidation has over 60 billion as recurrent expenditure while capital expenditure would gulp more than 40 billion.

The passage of the 2022 appropriation bill was sequel to the submission of the report of the chairman house committee on Finance and Appropriation, who is the lawmaker representing Emure constituency, Mrs Olubunmi Adelugba.

The lawmakers told the house that the budget was properly scrutinized by the committee with the invitation of officials of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs to defend the budget allocated to their offices.

In his remarks, the speaker of the House, Mr Funminiyi Afuye thanked members of the committee for a job well done.

He advocated the full implementation of the budget to better the lots of the people of Ekiti state.

In the meantime, Governor Kayode Fayemi has assented to the 2022 appropriation bill of over one hundred billion nairas as Passed by the state House of Assembly

At a brief ceremony in Ado Ekiti, Governor Fayemi said that the budget christened “Budget of legacy and consolidation would enable his administration to execute people-oriented projects and complete the ongoing ones across the state.

He stressed that the budget was prepared with inputs from communities through their representatives to ensure that the needs of the people were captured.

The Governor was of the view that the budget would be actualized with improved internally generated revenue, allocation from the federation account and donors from the development partners

He said the budget would also give a strong financial base for the incoming administration to enable it to be able to cope with challenges ahead.

In a remark, the speaker of the Ekiti State House of assembly Mr Funminiyi Afuye said the lawmakers would carry out its oversight
function to ensure that the budget was fully implemented.

Amos Ogunrinde

Security

Gov Fayemi Extends Curfew, Inaugurates Judicial Panel

By Web News 666

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has extended the ongoing curfew imposed across the state till Monday next week.

Governor Kayode Fayemi announced this in Ado Ekiti while inaugurating members of the state’s Judicial Panel of Enquiry into allegations of human rights violations against operatives of the disbanded Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS.

Governor Fayemi explained that the extension of the curfew might be restricted to some troubled areas and was not aimed at abusing the rights of citizens but to secure the lives of the people. 

He said government would not allow police brutality in the state, hence the setting up of the panel to receive and investigate complaints from families of victims of human rights abuses by the operatives of the disbanded SARS.

Governor Fayemi directed the panel to recommend appropriate sanctions for personnel involved and compensation for victims of police brutality.

He apologised to genuine #ENDSARS protesters in the state over the recent public disturbance which led to imposition of curfew across Ekiti.

The governor asked those with incidences of police brutality in the state to make themselves available before the panel for it to evaluate and ascertain the validity of their evidences for necessary action..

Responding, Chairman of the Judicial Panel, Retired Justice Cornelius Akintayo thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to serve, promising that they would do the assignment objectively.

The ten member panel which has six months to conclude its assignment was asked to provide monthly report of its activities to the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

 Meanwhile, normalcy is gradually returning to Ado-Ekiti after witnessing civil disturbances for past few days following the violence that greeted the “EndSARSProtest” in the state capital.

Radio Nigeria Correspondent who visited some areas within Ado-Ekiti metropolise including Odo-Ado, Ijigbo, Mugbagba, Old Garage and Okeyinmi, described the situation as calm.

The curfew announced by Ekiti State Government was not observed as many people were seen moving freely, commercial drivers and motorcyclists were conveying people to their various destinations unhindered.

Virtually all shops in the areas visited were opened for business, while traders at ‘Oja Oba’ were carrying out their business activities without any hindrance.

Tope

Security

ENDSARS: Gov. Fayemi to Set up Panel of Inquiry

By Web News 670

Ekiti State Government is to set up panel of inquiry that will address the grievances of individuals or groups who have issues against members of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS in the state

Governor kayode Fayemi who stated this while addressing ENDSARS protesters who took to the streets of Ado Ekiti, described their agitations as genuine..

Dr Fayemi who noted that the protesters had the right to express their grievances, assured them that he would continue to give the needed support to drive home their demands.

The protesters who occupied and blocked the main road of the popular Fajuyi junction to halt the free flow of vehicular movement, carried placards with various inscriptions against SARS and the newly established Police unit called ” Special Weapon And Tactics, SWAT recently announced by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

The Governor promised to announce the names of members of the panel soon, inquiry as part of commitment to entertain people who had suffered molestation or harassment from the operatives of the disbanded SARS.

He told the protesters that the Nigeria Governor’s Forum had endorsed the five points demand and asked the protesters to allow government to implement them as part of reform of the Police Force

Radio Nigeria correspondent, Tope Bamidele reports that the END SARS protesters later took thier struggle to the State House of Assembly to express their grievances.

Tope.Bamidele

Politics

Re-Election: Gov. Fayemi Congratulates Akeredolu

By Web News 575

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has congratulated his Ondo State counterpart for his success in the governorship poll held yesterday, October 10,2020.

This is contained in a Press Release by Governor Fayemi’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode.

Text

PRESS. RELEASE

FAYEMI CONGRATULATES AKEREDOLU ON RE-ELECTION

….says Ondo electoral victory a wake-up call for APC

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has congratulated Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on his re-election for a second term in office.

Governor Fayemi in a statement in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, said Akeredolu’s electoral victory was an attestation to the fact the electorate would always reward a performing leader and administration with their votes.

Dr Fayemi also commended the people of Ondo State for their peaceful conduct at the poll, a situation which he said greatly reduced the pre-election tension in the state in addition to crippling the antics of purveyors of violence.

The Ekiti State Governor also congratulated the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for proper coordination. He also lauded the leaders of the party in Ondo State for closing ranks ahead of the election and working together to achieve victory for the party.

The Ondo State experience, he says, should be a wake- up call for the party that effective coordination and sincerity of purpose are necessary for electoral victory.

“It is a new day in Ondo State. Congratulations to my brother Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and a bigger congratulation to the APC members in the state. The biggest applause, however, goes to the good people of Ondo State for ensuring the election was held in an atmosphere devoid of rancour, violence and blood-letting as many had predicted.

“It is heart-warming to see the electorate reward Governor Akeredolu’s good performance in terms of industrialisation and infrastructure development of the state among others with electoral victory.

“To whom much is given, much should be expected. I have no doubt that the good people of Ondo State would witness a greater level of socio-economic, industrial and infrastructure development in Governor Akeredolu’s second term.
Governor Fayemi urged the APC leadership to build on the electoral success in Ondo State for future elections.

“It is a wake-up call that with a laser beam focus, proper planning, unity and sincerity of purpose, elections are almost always winnable. It is hoped that the various bye elections coming up at the end of the month will benefit from this renewed vigour and focus in our party”, Dr Fayemi added.

Yinka Oyebode
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
11-10-2020

Politics

2023 Presidential Poll: I Never Authorized any Poster – Gov Fayemi

By Web News 733

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has distanced himself from an online campaign poster canvassing support for him for the 2023 presidential election.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Dr. Fayemi, Mr Yinka Oyebode, says the Ekiti helmsman is not privy to the unilateral action of the actor behind the online poster

PRESS RELEASE

ONLINE CAMPAIGN POSTER NOT AUTHORISED BY GOV FAYEMI

The attention of the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has been drawn to news reports of a campaign poster being purportedly circulated on social media by the Chairman of Ikere Local Government Council, Mr Femi Ayodele.

Mr Ayodele is reported to be canvassing support for Dr Fayemi for the 2023 presidential election through the poster which was designed with the logo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, mindful of the possible interpretation such an unauthorised act could be given by well meaning members of the public, we consider it important to state as follows:

Dr Fayemi does not have any knowledge of the campaign poster neither did he authorise Mr Ayodele or any person or group of persons to start a campaign on his behalf.

As a matter of fact, Mr Ayodele does not and cannot speak for the Governor on any matter, be it policy, administrative or political.

Governor Fayemi has reiterated over and over that he has a four-year mandate as Governor of Ekiti State and he is focused on actualising his promises to the people of the state through pragmatic leadership and systemic implementation of his administration’s five pillars of development.

This also serves as a note of caution to political appointees, government functionaries, political associates and groups to operate within the ambit of decency and steer clear of actions that are capable of distracting the government, the party and the Governor.

Signed:
Yinka Oyebode
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
19- 08- 2020

Lifestyle

Ajimobi: We’ve lost a star – Fayemi

By Web News 706

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the death of the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who passed on Thursday, aged 70.

Dr. Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Ajimobi’s death as a personal loss to him, and a huge loss to the people of Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

“We have lost a star’ said Fayemi who added that Ajimobi’s death was a painful one not only to the family but to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on which platform the deceased had a remarkable tenure as Governor of Oyo State.

Fayemi described Senator Ajimobi as an accomplished professional, a respected politician and astute administrator, who reached the pinnacle of his professional and political careers by dint of hard work, courage and brilliance.

Fayemi said Ajimobi’s memories would continue to live with him as a friend and brother as well as a dutiful family man and political leader who was ever there for his family, associates and the people he led.

Describing Ajimobi as a “man of history,” Fayemi said the deceased etched his name in the annals of Oyo politics by being the first governor to be re-elected to office in the Pacesetter State.

He described Ajimobi’s two-term tenure as a golden era which recorded execution of people-oriented policies and landmark projects.

The Governor noted that Ajimobi excelled in the private sector and reached the pinnacle of his career as Managing Director of a prominent oil company before venturing into politics, where he equally made some remarkable achievements.

Fayemi said: “We have lost a star. A man of honour and a statesman. But we are consoled that Governor Ajimobi lived a good life, made his mark in his chosen fields, lifted many and left a good name and legacies of honour and industry. We shall surely miss him.

” On behalf of my family, the government and people of Ekiti State, we commiserate with his immediate family, the government and people of Oyo State and pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and grant his soul eternal rest.”

Yinka Oyebode
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Culture

Fayemi Presents Staff Of Office to New Olomu of Omu Ekiti

By Web News 2238

Ekiti state government wants traditional rulers to always give level playing ground to their subjects to contribute meaningfully to the development of various communities in the state.

Governor Kayode Fayemi stated this while presenting Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to the new Olomu of Omu Ekiti, Oba Oluwadamilare Omobiire, held at the governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti. 

Governor Fayemi who explained that it was no longer fashionable to compel obedience by force, said that traditional rulers needed to dialogue with the people to ensure harmonious relationship and peace in their domains.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Dr Fayemi explained that the welfare of the people remained the priority of his government and promised to ensure more development across the towns and villages in Ekiti.

He called on the people of Omu Ekiti to always live in peace with their neighboring communities, saying that government would not tolerate any act of lawlessness in the state.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftancy Affairs, Mr Adeniyi Familoni who emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence, reminded the people that unhealthy rivalry and animosity would not give room for rapid socio economic development.

The Chairman, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Sina Ogunleye, appreciated Governor Kayode Fayemi and the kingmakers for being forthright during the process of filling the vacant stools and urged the people to desist from actions that could plant the seed of discord in their domains.

In his acceptance speech, the new Olomu of Omu Ekiti, in Irepodun Ifelodun Local Government Area, Oba Oluwadamilare Omobiire assured the people of his readiness to ensure peace and called on the co-contestants to join hands in rebuilding Ilomu, Ekiti to a model community.

Oba Omobiire said that the vast potentials of the community would be harnessed to attract sustainable growth and development of the area.

Oriola Afolabi

Politics

Fayemi Signs 2020 Revised Budget into Law

By Web News 654

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has signed the 2020 revised budget of over ninety one billion naira into law.

The budget tagged “Budget of Deliverable” had over fifty nine billion naira as recurrent expenditure, while the capital expenditure stood at thirty-two billion naira.

Governor Fayemi explained that the revised budget became necessary due to the pandemic which is ravaging the world economy.

He noted that the budget was reduced by thirty five percent to focus on the five point agenda of his administration.

The Ekiti State 2020 budget which was already signed into law on the 19th of December 2019 was formerly stood at one hundred and twenty four billion naira and reduced to ninety one billion naira due to the current economic realities.

Details later.

Ogunride Amos

Security

Gov. Fayemi Sets up Community Policing Committees

By Web News 923 Post a comment

Governor Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated the State Advisory and Community Policing Committees with a view to proffer a lasting solution to the wave of crimes and ensure the economic growth of the state.

Performing the ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, Governor Fayemi charged the Committee and security outfits in the state to be determined, dedicated and focused in order to realize the purpose for which it was created.

He explained that economic growth could only be realized in an environment free of acrimony and urged members of the Committee to justify the confidence reposed in them by living up to expectations.

The Representative of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Oyebanji Folawuyo said that the idea of community policing was to enhance collaboration between the security agents and the people in the society.

Also, the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ambba Asuquo noted that the community policing was anchored on three Strategies which were community partnership, organizational transformation and problem solving.

Earlier, the Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC in the state, Pastor Sunday Makinde appreciated the administration of Governor Fayemi for prioritizing the security of lives and property adding that the committee would work with conventional security outfits to ensure peaceful atmosphere needed for economic growth.

Oriola Afolabi

Health

Fayemi Extends Lockdown in Ekiti

By Web News 758

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has extended total lockdown in the state for six days and ordered a dusk to dawn curfew every day of the week till further notice as part of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus in the state.

In a live broadcast, Governor Fayemi banned interstate travel and vowed to prosecute any driver who violates the order while such person might forfeit the vehicle to Government.

He said anyone visiting the state compulsorily would be quarantined for fourteen days and the person would be responsible for his or her upkeep.

Dr Fayemi maintained that the business activities would resume in the state for only three days a week from the hours of seven o’clock in the morning to four o clock in the evening only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting from 4th of May, to allow Artisans fend for their families.

The Ekiti state governor mandated every resident of the state to put on face marks and warned that anyone caught flouting the order would be charged for endangering the lives of the public.

He said that all major markets in Ado-Ekiti should remain closed, while the ban on social groups is still in force and ordered that okada riders should not carry more than a person, taxi three persons and tricycle two passengers.

Governor Fayemi advised the public to always observe the personal hygiene in order to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. 

Oriola Afolabi