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Tag: Ekiti State

  • Ekiti Govt. to embark on Rice pyramid project, targets one million tonnes

    Ekiti Govt. to embark on Rice pyramid project, targets one million tonnes

    The Ekiti State Government on Sunday said it intends to produce of over one million metrics tonnes of rice within the next couple of years.

    Mr Olabode Adetoyi, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, made this known in Ado Ekiti at a news conference ahead of the official launch of the ” Ekiti Rice Pyramid Project” and flag off of the 2021 Wet Season Rice Cultivation, scheduled for Tuesday.

    According to him, Mr Godwin Emefiele, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, would perform the inauguration of the rice pyramid project while Gov. Kayode Fayemi, would be the chief host.

    The commissioner said the state was embarking on massive production of rice so as to be able to meet both local demands and for export.

    He explained that the state government had brought in investors, who were ready to invest in planting and processing of rice, adding that the product would be of high standards and stone free.

    Adetoyi added that the state government was working assiduously towards ensuring that youths ventured into farming by making it more attractive and lucrative, through various agricultural incentives

    He assured farmers in the state that the government would not fail in providing adequate security for them to enable them go to their farms anytime without entertaining fears

    Adetoyi disclosed that 23 new investors had already been allocated lands to plant rice, cocoa and palm oil, among others, as the government was doing all to attract investors through provision of enabling environment.

    “ Top notch rice processing plant like Stallion, Dangote and Jumlar rice have been allocated land in premium location in Ekiti Knowledge Zone for quality rice production.

    “ Land clearing and development of over 5,000 hectares of land for commercial agriculture is also on, out of which 1,000 is cleared for swampy rice along the river banks and valleys in the state. Over 40,000 hectares is to be made available as time goes on,” he said.

    The commissioner said that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, had conceived the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide easy access to credit for farmers and processors at low interest rate, among others.

    He added that the government of Japan had also brought in some equipment such as harvesters to provide high quality rice production in the state.

    Adetoyi warned people in the habit of setting fire to bushes while hunting game to desist from such acts to avoid causing damage to peoples’ farms.

    According to him, some farms had been destroyed in the process.

    The commissioner said that government had approved money to buy seedlings that would be distributed to those farmers who lost their farms in such preventable fire incidences.

  • Ekiti Govt wades into Odo-Ora Ekiti community crisis

    Ekiti Govt wades into Odo-Ora Ekiti community crisis

    The Ekiti Government has intervened in the crisis rocking Odo Ora in Ido/Osi Local Government Area, where indigenes locked their Monarch out of his palace.

    Speaking at a meeting in the Ado-Ekiti, the Deputy Governor, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, said the state government will organise a seminar for traditional chiefs as part of efforts to promote peace coexistence in various communities.

    Egbeyemi said the move became necessary to prevent clashes and conflicts between traditional rulers and their chiefs in a bid to accelerate development in the grassroots.

    ”Traditional rulers cannot unilaterally remove their chiefs without due process,” he said, noting that the state government, through the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, must be carried along before such an action is taken.

    Egbeyemi also counselled chiefs to always be loyal and diligent in the performance of their duties which include: attending meetings at the palace and other community engagements before they are entitled to monthly stipends.

    The deputy governor called on all interest groups in Odo-Ora Ekiti to allow peace to reign, urging them to cooperate with their traditional ruler for the community to move forward.

    “We want peace to reign in all our communities and very soon, we will be organising seminars for our chiefs to prevent crisis with their Obas and to ensure peace in our communities.

    “Through such seminars, our chiefs will be enlightened on their functions, roles and limitations because we want harmony in our palaces to facilitate development,”he said.

    The Deputy Governor enjoined the Obalemo of Odo-Ora Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adeyemo, to rule his subjects with patience and extend hands of fellowship to indigenes who are still aggrieved with his emergence as traditional ruler in 2017.

    Responding, Adeyemo thanked the state government for its intervention.

    Adeyemo said:”I have always toed the line of peace in the performance of my royal duties. I promise to work harder to bring all stakeholders on board for the development of the community”.

    Stakeholders in the crisis resolved to embrace peace and go back home to consolidate on the gains achieved at the meeting.

  • Ekiti cult killings: Police arrest 35 more suspects

    Ekiti cult killings: Police arrest 35 more suspects

    The Police Command in Ekiti State on Monday arrested 35 more suspects in connection with the bloody cult clash in Ikere Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area on Sunday.

    The clash which left six persons dead and several others sustaining various degrees of gun and machete injuries began Saturday night and lasted through the early hours of Sunday.

    ASP Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said the new arrests had brought the total number of arrests to 45.

    “The combined team of security personnel who were drafted to the scene when the news of the incident got to the comman, has restored peace to the town, while street patrol continues,’’ he said.

    He said the cult clash was caused by “rivalry and show of strength” between the two cult groups.

    Recall that police had on Sunday said that they arrested 10 suspects in connection with the brutal killings.

  • Ekiti holds grand reception for ex-Chief of Defence Staff

    Ekiti holds grand reception for ex-Chief of Defence Staff

    A grand state reception and dinner was held on Saturday night by the Ekiti Government in honour of the erstwhile Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin.

    The former CDS hails from Ode-Ekiti in Gboyin Local Government Area of the state.

    A statement on Sunday by Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Kayode Fayemi, said his principal thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the “great honour’’ done the state by appointing an indigene as CDS.

    Fayemi also thanked the president for also appointing Olonisakin as an ambassador.

    The governor, who joined others to extol the virtues of the retired four-star general, described him as God-fearing, honourable and a man of integrity who would rather offend man than compromise his position as the CDS.

    Olonisakin, according to the governor, is the second longest serving CDS after the late Lt.- Gen. Domkat Bali.

    Fayemi, who explained that the president was extremely proud of the retired general’s professionalism, noted that many prominent Nigerians have commended his Spartan and incorruptible lifestyle both within and outside the military.

    The governor, in the statement, also praised Olonisakin for influencing the setting up of the Nigerian Defence Communication Satellite Centre in Ekiti, and his help in the actualisation of the Ekiti Cargo Airport which, when completed, would host a tactical Command component of the Nigerian Air Force.

    “Gen. Olonisakin is a pride to us in Ekiti because of his avowed integrity, his dedication, honesty, professionalism and absolute loyalty to his country.

    “As I said, I have listened to several testimonies about his character, about his competence, his compassion and exploit as an officer and as a gentleman,” the governor was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Olonisakin, in his response, thank God for sparing his life in his 45-year career in the military and returning him home without any blemish.

    He said his appointment came at the most challenging period of Nigeria’s history.

    The retired General commended Buhari and Fayemi for their support while serving as the CDS.

    Among those present at the state dinner were representatives of Service Chiefs, former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (rtd); Maj.-Gen. Funso Owonibi, Maj.-Gen. Lasisi Adegboye and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi.

    Others were members of the NDA 25th Regular Course and their spouses, serving and retired military officers as well as heads of security agencies in Ekiti.

    Also in attendance were members of the State House Assembly led by the Speaker, Funminiyi Afuye; members of the State Executive Council, Chairman of the State Traditional Council and the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti, Oba Adebanji Alabi, Olode of Ode-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Aderiye and other top government functionaries.

  • 10 in Police net over alleged rival cult clash in Ekiti

    10 in Police net over alleged rival cult clash in Ekiti

    The Police have confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects over alleged complicity in a rival cult clash in Ikere Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti.

    ASP Sunday Abutu, the Police Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, said the clash occurred on Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday.

    “I can confirm to you that 10 suspects have been arrested in connection with the bloody cult clash. The clash was caused by rivalry and show of strength,” he said.

    The police spokesperson also confirmed that six persons lost their lives in the clash, adding that their corpses have been deposited in the morgue.

    “We have begun serious operations there by combined forces of the men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    “Those arrested are in our custody and by the time we conclude our investigations, they will be charged to court accordingly.”

    The police have deployed more officers and had also increased surveillance on the town by conducting stop and search on vehicles and individuals coming in and out of the town.

  • Ekiti Govt revokes 16 SUBEB contracts for breach of agreement –Chairman

    Ekiti Govt revokes 16 SUBEB contracts for breach of agreement –Chairman

    The Ekiti state Government, on Sunday, announced the immediate revocation of 16 contracts on renovation and construction projects, under its 2017 and 2015 UBEC /SUBEB Intervention Project, according to the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

    In a statement in Ado Ekiti, issued by Mr Tope Babalola, Director of Social Mobilisation and Communications of the board, the chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, explained that the contracts were terminated following a breach of contract terms.

    He noted that many of the revoked contracts had been dragging since March 2020, in contravention of the time frame of the contractual agreement which stipulated a maximum of 12 weeks for renovation works, under intervention projects in the state.

    Akinwumi also ordered the contractor handling renovation of a block of 6 classrooms at AUD Pilot Nursery and Primary school, Ado-Ekiti to immediately remove the substandard roofing materials used in the school.

    “The contractor was asked to replace them without delay, as specified in the terms of the agreement or also have the contract terminated,” he said.

    The SUBEB boss, who gave the directive after an on the spot assessment of ongoing projects in the state, said the board discovered that the contractor had used 0.45mm gauge roofing sheets instead of 0.55mm as specified in the UBEC/SUBEB agreement.

    Akinwumi noted that the board recently procured Vainer Slide Calipers for Technical Officers in the 16 Local Government Education Authorities of the state, as part of concerted efforts to enforce standards, as well as ensure that only appropriate roofing sheets were used in SUBEB projects in the state.

  • Gunmen kidnap Ekiti traditional ruler

    Gunmen kidnap Ekiti traditional ruler

    The Police in Ekiti on Friday confirmed that gunmen had kidnapped Oba David Oyewumi, the Obadu of Ilemeso in Oye Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    ASP Sunday Abutu, the spokesman for the police in the state, confirmed the incident and described it as “unfortunate and regrettable’’.

    Abutu said the gunmen stormed the traditional ruler’s palace on Thursday and abducted him.

    “Yes, the incident happened yesterday, (Thursday night) at the Oba’s palace. We are already doing everything necessary to rescue him and apprehend the culprits,’’ he said.

    Sources in Ilemeso told newsmen that the gunmen, numbering six, scaled the Oba’s fence and fired several shots into the air to scare its occupants.

    They said the incident happened at about 8.30 p.m. on Thursday night when the chiefs who visited the place had left.

    “After they gained entry, the gunmen asked after the Oba which showed that they really came for him,’’ one of the sources said.

    Ilemeso is a neighbouring town to Isan Ekiti, the country home of Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

    Oba Adetutu Ajayi, the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, narrowly escaped being kidnapped at Isan Ekiti, last week on the Ewu-Ayetoro road.

  • Ekiti traditional council states position on ceding land to Fulani herdsmen

    Ekiti traditional council states position on ceding land to Fulani herdsmen

    The Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers has made its position known on alleged plans to cede portions of land to Fulani herdsmen and other herders in the State.

    The council described as untrue the alleged plan by the government to cede portions of land to some people for ranching and grazing.

    The clarification is contained in a statement issued by Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, Media Adviser to Oba Adebanji Alabi, the Alawe of Ilawe and Chairman of the council.

    According to the statement, Gov. Kayode Fayemi has no plans to cede an inch of Ekiti land to any group of people for ranching.

    The Alawe said the clarification was sequel to a publication by some traditional rulers under the aegis of Majority Obas in Ekiti Land (MOBEL) alleging that Fayemi intended to cede land to some people for cattle ranching or grazing.

    Accounting to the statement, the Alawe was reacting to a statement issued by the Olomuo-Oke of Omuo-Oke, Oba Vincent Otitoju, Onikun of Ikun Amure Ekiti, Oba Olatunde Olusola and other traditional rulers.

    The Alawe said available information from the government revealed that the news making the round on plans to cede land was meant to cause disaffection among the people.

    The Chairman of the Traditional Council appealed to traditional rulers to show some restraint in reacting to news culled from social media which, he said, was prevalent with misinformation, disinformation and fake news.

    The Alawe disclosed that members of the State Council of Traditional Rulers would be properly briefed at its next statutory meeting in April 2021 by top bureaucrats on government policy on animal husbandry.

  • Perpetrators of Ekiti election killings to face murder charges Monday

    Perpetrators of Ekiti election killings to face murder charges Monday

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, on Sunday declared that there is no wasting time in prosecuting those responsible for the killings during Saturday’s house of assembly bye-election, for Murder.

    He said while on a sympathy visit to Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East LGA where the incident occurred, that those arrested would be arraigned not later than Monday for murder.

    While in the town, the governor visited the private home of Sen. Abiodun Olujimi, a PDP Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, who was one of those who narrowly missed being hit by the bullets.

    He later held a closed-door meeting with the Senator where he reportedly told her, after the latter had narrated her ordeal, that the issue at hand was not a political issue, promising that anyone arrested in connection with the attack would be treated as a common criminal, no matter which political party such a person belonged to.

    He said, “We may not be able to bring back the dead but every perpetrator will be dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “After I spoke with Senator Olujimi on Saturday, I called the Commissioner of Police (CP) and instructed him to do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators and I’m happy to inform you that as I arrived the state (today, Sunday), the CP said all the culprits had been arrested and on Monday, they shall be charged for murder.”

    He also visited the palace of the Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, as well as survivors on their hospital beds, wishing them quick recovery.

    He thanked the Oba for maintaining peace in the community by not allowing residents to take laws into their hands in reaction to the wanton killings.

    He assured the traditional ruler that the perpetrators would be made to face the full weight of the law, saying he would not politicise the incident.

    Responding, Oba Omonigbehin thanked the governor for the condolence visit, pleading that those responsible for the attack be brought to book.

    Recall that three persons were on Saturday shot dead in Omuo-Ekiti by suspected party thugs while five others sustained gunshot wounds during the House of Assembly bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state constituency.

    The seat became vacant following the death in February of an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly, Juwa Adegbuyi.

  • Police arrest 3 over Ekiti bye-election killings

    Police arrest 3 over Ekiti bye-election killings

    Police authorities in Ekiti State on Sunday announced that they have arrested three hoodlums linked to the attack on voters in the Ekiti House of Assembly by-election on Saturday.

    Violence erupted in Omuo Ekiti during the Ekiti East constituency 1 polls of Saturday leading to shootings in some polling units and the killing of three persons.

    The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, CP Babatunde Mobayo, gave an update on the crisis while addressing newsmen saying that the Policewoman, who was among eight persons shot, had survived and responding to treatment.

    CP Mobayo, who spoke through the Command’s spokesman, ASP Sunday Abutu, said that the policewoman was recuperating where she was taken to after being shot.

    He dispelled the rumour that the female cop was among those shot dead during the mayhem.

    “This is to dispel widespread speculations in some quarters that a policewoman lost her life during the bloody poll,” Mobayo said.

    According to him, the victim only sustained gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to the hospital for medicare.

    “No police officer died during the shooting by thugs. Although it is true one of our officers was shot, but she did not die as speculated.

    “The policewoman, who although was in a critical condition yesterday (Saturday) is now responding to treatment. She is getting better,” he said.

    On the arrests, Mobayo said that full manhunt had begun adding that the three suspected to be the perpetrators of the shootings were now being detained at the police headquarters in Ado Ekiti.

    “Yes, three suspected party thugs have been arrested. They were picked up where they were hiding and are now being detained in our headquarters.

    “Murder is a capital offence and police won’t watch and allow anyone take laws into his own hands freely.

    “Nigeria is a nation being guided by laws.

    “Just like we assured our people on Saturday, everyone who had hands in the killings will be brought to book.

    “And I am assuring that all those that were arrested will be taken to court as soon as we conclude investigations and gather enough evidence”, the CP stated.

    The seat became vacant following the death of an All Progressives Congress (APC) Assemblyman representing the constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Juwa Adegbuyi, in February.

    Owing to the bloody violence that greeted the polls, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC announced an indefinite suspension of the exercise.

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi also criticised the bloody violence and directed the police to get and prosecute the perpetrators, irrespective of their party affiliations.