TheNewsGuru

Tag: ekiti

  • South West Govs, Tinubu, others bid Pa Fasanmi farewell in Ekiti

    South West Govs, Tinubu, others bid Pa Fasanmi farewell in Ekiti

    Eminent Nigerians on Tuesday paid tributes to the late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Fasanmi, as his remains were interred in his country home in Iye Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti.

    Fasanmi, a Second Republic Senator, died on July 29 at the age of 94.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the casket conveying Fasanmi’s corpse was brought to the community in a white jeep for the funeral service held at Saint John’s Anglican Church, Iye Ekiti.

    Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi said Fasanmi’s contributions to the development of democracy was immeasurable, particularly his role in the formation and operation of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) that fought the military.

    The governor disclosed that his government was already constructing a secondary school to honour the deceased for his contributions to the state before his death.

    ” My only regret is that he has left us before the school will be officially inaugurated for academic activities when schools finally reopen,” Fayemi said.

    Fayemi, in his tribute entitled, “‘Tribute to a Man of Integrity,” said what attracted him to the deceased was his integrity.

    “His death has, therefore, robbed me of a godfather, counsellor, an advocate and a father. A good man has left us.

    ” We will sorely miss him but we are consoled that he was dedicated to selfless service,” he said.

    Fayemi added that Fasanmi belonged in the class of the youths of the 1950s when the nationalist movement was at its feverish peak.

    He noted that the deceased got indoctrinated into nationalism struggle through the writings of Dr Nnamdi Azikwe and his contemporaries.

    “He proved his political mettle in 1964 when he was elected as a member of the Federal House of Representatives before 1966 and he got imprisoned in Agodi Prison and was later released.

    “He offered to serve as governor of the old Ondo state in 1978 and slugged it out with Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin who defeated him in the primary.

    “One legacy for which Baba would be fondly remembered was his credential of incorruptibility. He was a man of tall integrity and honesty.

    “It would be recalled that he was the first to start the Anti-Bribery and Corruption Committee in 1973 under Col. Oluwole Rotimi of the Western Region.

    “Chief Ayo Fasanmi has come, he has seen and conquered. He conquered human cravings, vanity of power, ostentation, greed and malice,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the Southwest Governors, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, said the news of the passage of the icon was a loss to the Yoruba and Nigeria at large.

    “Baba living long for 94 years was not what we are celebrating, but we are celebrating how many lives he had impacted on. He lived an impactful life.

    “He was not petty but he spoke truth, lived a remarkable life and was one politician who became senator and came home to rest,” he said.

    The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagements, Aderemi Adebowale, said Fasanmi’s influence became more pronounced by his incorruptible nature.

    The All Progressives Congress National leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Abiodun Ogunleye, said Nigerians must learn from the late politician who lived a modest and spartan lifestyle.

    Tinubu described Fasanmi as a revolutionary and a politician of outstanding mien, civility and character who was worthy of being emulated .

    In his sermon, the Bishop of Ekiti Oke, Anglican Communion, Peter Olubowale, said Fasanmi was not a noise maker and trouble maker during his time.

    The cleric urged the people to continually do good to humanity the way Fasanmi did to his family, political associates , friends and companions.

    “We need to be available to ourselves and committed to God. Nigerians are number one people in the world that are easy to govern with patience, zeal and endurance.

    “Baba has told us that all these monies you are spending and the one you are keeping inside bullion vans and the ones being stashed in banks accounts are all vanity.

    ” Use the position you are occupying very well to develop humanity. This is the only way you can gain eternity because materialism will lead you to hell fire,” he said.

  • Photo: Osun hands over Pa Fasanmi remains to Ekiti Govt for burial

    Photo: Osun hands over Pa Fasanmi remains to Ekiti Govt for burial

    The Osun State Government on Tuesday handed over the remains of the late Senator Ayo Fasanmi to the Ekiti State Government, for his interment at St. John Cathedral, Iye Ekiti.

    The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement that was made available to newsmen.

    He said Governor Adegboyega Oyetola (represented by his deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi) was part of the eminent personalities who thronged Ekiti State on Tuesday, to pay their last respect to the late Afenifere leader.

    “The short farewell ceremony took place at Itawure, the border of the two states. This was done to avoid breaching the COVID-19 social distancing protocol at the venue of the internment.

    The Osun State Government was represented at the hand- over ceremony by the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode; Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Adebisi Obawale; Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Siji Olamiju; Special Adviser to the Governor on General Administration, Mr Niyi Idowu.

    The Ekiti State Government was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Hon. Moji Yaya-Kolade; Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Fafure Mojisola; Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Samuel Abejide; All Progressive Congress Chairman in Ekiti State, Barr. Paul Omotosho; and Ekiti State APC Welfare Secretary, Otunba Omotayo Kolawole.

  • We’ll give Pa Fasanmi befitting burial despite COVID-19 – Fayemi

    We’ll give Pa Fasanmi befitting burial despite COVID-19 – Fayemi

    The governor of Ekiti State, Mr Kayode Fayemi has revealed what the government will do in respect of Pa Ayo Fasanmi burial that was fixed for August 4 at St John Cathedral, Iye-Ekiti.

    The governor made the disclosure in Osogbo capital of Osun on Saturday morning when he came to commiserate with the family of late Pa Ayo Fasanmi who died on Wednesday evening.

    Fayemi who was represented by the Chairman of Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission and a leader of All Progressives Congress, Mr Samuel Abejide revealed that he came on behalf of the governor to condole with the family.

    He described Pa Fasanmi as an asset to Nigeria democracy saying, “Papa Fasanmi lived a fulfilled life of honesty, sincerity that worth been emulated by an oncoming generation. Papa will always be adored by most of us coming after him.

    “He was an asset in every ramification of his life. An epitome of honesty, integrity, sincerity and above all, a man who is courageous in all phases of his life. I am here to condole with the family of Pa Fasanmi on behalf of the Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi.”

    He said burying the late Fasanmi in Ekiti State is a homecoming for the state government.

    However, he lamented that the current COVID-19 would be a very big hindrance to the state in giving him a befitting burial.

    He furthered that Pa Fasanmi burial should be showcased to the world because of his contribution to the country.

    Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the state will still do his burial within the confinement of COVID-19 safety protocols and guidelines.

    His words: “As a father, his burial in Ekiti State is a homecoming for us. Ekiti as a state would have showcased the burial and would have loved to give him a befitting burial arrangement but with the COVID-19 pandemic… Despite that, we will still do the burial within the confinement of the law.”

    “Immediately Governor Kayode Fayemi heard of Pa Fasanmi demise, preparation has been on top gear to give him befitting burial because he is a one of his son in politics. Ekiti State executives would decide on how Pa Ayo Fasanmi will be immortalized,” he ended.

  • Ekiti suspends reopening of churches, mosques

    Ekiti suspends reopening of churches, mosques

    The Ekiti State Government on Friday announced the suspension of reopening of religious centres scheduled for July 17.

    Governor Kayode Fayemi, on July 1, asked mosques and churches, which had been shut since March, to reopen for worship activities.

    They were asked to open once a week on Friday for Muslims from July 17 and on Sunday for Christians from July 19.

    But in a statement on Friday, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, said the suspension of the reopening was consequent upon review of the preparedness of religious bodies to comply with stipulated conditions.

    The statement reads: “The latest communique of CAN is indicative of the fact that worship centres are not yet ready to comply with conditions stipulated as guidelines and conditions set out by the government for reopening of worship centres.

    “In view of the foregoing, the State Government has shifted the date for the reopening of worship centres on August 14, 2020 to give the worship centres enough time to meet the prescribed conditions for the reopening.”

    The Commissioner said though fumigation of religious centres remains a prerequisite for reopening, it should not be done in contravention of the Ekiti State Environmental Health and Sanitation Law.

    She stated that those within ages of 1 -12 and 65 and above are also exempted from attending any congregational programme in any religious centre because of their vulnerability .

    Yaya-Kolade stated : “The churches are permitted to hold their programmes once in a week and should last for just two hours”.

  • Ekiti shuts school over violation of COVID-19 protocols

    Ekiti shuts school over violation of COVID-19 protocols

    The Ekiti State Government has sealed off the premises of Victory College, Ilawe Ekiti, in the Ekiti South West Local Government Area for breaching its directives on the closure of schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    The government also said the proprietor of the private school, who is reportedly on the run, “will face the wrath of the law for the violation of COVID-19 protocols in the state whenever he is apprehended.”

     

     

     

    The Commissioner for Education, Mr Foluso Daramola, who gave the directive in Ado-Ekiti on Friday after receiving the interim report from officials of the ministry, who investigated the activities of the private school, said security agents were already on the trail of the proprietor.

     

    A statement by the Assistant Director, Information, in the ministry, Kunle Adeniyi, made available on Sunday stated that the proprietor of the school was discovered to be organizing extramural classes for pupils in total violation of the subsisting government directive on the closure of schools in the state.

     

    Daramola reaffirmed the commitment of the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration to the healthy living of all the citizens of the state.

     

     

  • Tinubu to Fayemi: APC crisis may destroy your legacies in Ekiti

    Tinubu to Fayemi: APC crisis may destroy your legacies in Ekiti

    A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Ekiti State, Prince Adeolu Tinubu has called on Governor Kayode Fayemi to resolve his differences with aggrieved party’s leaders in order to protect his administration’s legacy.

    Tinubu said there was no alternative to peaceful co-existence, stressing that it was only in an atmosphere devoid of chaos and political rivalry that Fayemi’s five pillar agenda for meaningful growth and development can be achieved.

    Recall that the Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Former Minister of Work, Senator Dayo Adeyeye and 13 others aggrieved leaders has for sometimes been at daggers’ drawn with Governor Fayemi over the control of APC structure in the state.

    While speaking on Monday in Emure-Ekiti with newsmen, the APC Chieftain urged the governor to resolve his differences with the aggrieved leaders, saying they should be preoccupied on how to effect socio-economic changes in the state.

    He said politicians shouldn’t have the erroneous impression that all their grievances can be resolved by heating up the polity, saying such tendencies can only make the state ungovernable and decelerate the spate of development.

    Tinubu stressed that Ekiti state has a long history of “peaceful coexistence rooted in humility, integrity, good name, communal relationship, selfless service and hard work”, saying politics should not be allowed to truncate such long -standing tradition.

    “I appeal to the Governor Kayode Fayemi and the political leaders of APC and even other parties to eschew discord and embrace peace.

    “The latest development where party leaders are locked in battles would only increase disunity in the state and thereby retard the progress and development as a whole.

    “There is no meaningful progress that can be made under the climate of discord, unhealthy rivalry, violence and general disequilibrium.

    “Ekiti state is loaded with man power potentials, and we are respected for our hard work and intelligence. Such potentials will amount to nothing when not harnessed to effectively bring out greatness for our dear state.

    “Governor Fayemi as the leader must live by example by reaching out to aggrieved individuals across party lines on the need to ensure a peaceful Ekiti.

    “2022 governorship election is still long. This is the right time for governance and when time to play politics comes, then they should all go out and reach out to our people to canvass for votes, in a peaceful and civil manner,” he advised.

  • Ekiti APC Stakeholders meet, pass vote of confidence on gov, party excos

    Ekiti APC Stakeholders meet, pass vote of confidence on gov, party excos

    The Stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State met on Saturday 4th July 2020 in Ado Ekiti to deliberate on issues bordering on the activities of the party viz a vis that of the APC-led government in the state.

    The meeting which was regarded as a family affair, is the highest caucus meeting of the party. And, according to the communique duly adopted, the stakeholders decided on the following:

    1. A vote of confidence was passed on Governor John Kayode Fayemi after a review of the many projects carried out by his administration, which include many road projects, water project, renovation of primary and secondary schools, sinking of boreholes across the schools, infrastructure development, airport project and other life-touching activities, which include his giant stride in agriculture, health, social investment, attraction of investments, both foreign and national, and making Ekiti proud as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum as well as playing a leadership role at the national level.

    2. A vote of confidence was passed on the party executives from the state to ward level for winning all elections conducted so far, including the presidential, national and state assemblies, as well as local government elections.

    4. The National and state Assembly members equally express their support for the Governor and the party executives from state to the ward level.

    5. In line with President Buhari’s directive , Stakeholders resolved that all matters in court against the party at all levels should be withdrawn with immediate effect,.

    6. That the code of conduct for all political appointees and elected officials should be strictly adhered to.

    7. That forthwith, no negative story should be sponsored against the party in the media. Such action by any member shall be viewed as anti-party.

    8. That an adhoc committee be constituted to address all grievances and make recommendations to the party.

    9. That the stakeholders meeting shall hold every quarter, as well as the State Executive Committee meeting.

    The Stakeholders Caucus comprises the Governor, Deputy Governor, all the Party Excos, former governors, national and state assembly members (both serving and former), cabinet members, elected party chairmen, party elders forum and 10 representatives from each local government.

     

  • Lover detained after Ekiti varsity student’s death

    Lover detained after Ekiti varsity student’s death

    Police in Osun State have detained a certain Maliki Ayo, following the demise of his girlfriend Faderera Oloyede, a student of Federal University of Oye-Ekiti.

     

    Oloyede died in his room on Tuesday in the Koko area of Iree community.

     

    Police spokeswoman Mrs Yemisi Opalola confirmed Ayo’s arrest yesterday, saying that investigation was ongoing.

     

     

  • Ekiti has no problem naming Centre after JKF-APC

    Ekiti has no problem naming Centre after JKF-APC

    The All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State has lashed out at the PDP for criticizing the renaming of the Civic Centre after Governor Kayode Fayemi as the JKF Cultural Centre.

    In a release signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Elder Sam Oluwalana, the ruling party described PDP as a child without a settled home who is daily envious of another child with a peaceful home and therefore wishing to destroy that settled home.

    “It is unfortunate that the PDP in Ekiti has become so fragmented to the extent that no qualified PDP person in Ekiti is considered fit enough in the state to direct its affairs except a complete stranger from Osun state who was selected by the national executives in far away Abuja to superintend over its affair in Ekiti. We believe that this is their cause of constantly crying wolf where there isn’t any,” Oluwalana said.

    The statement added that unlike in the case of the former PDP governor, Ayodele Fayose, who named a market after himself, it said it was the people through their representatives who requested that the Civic Centre as a monument be named after Governor Fayemi.

    During its special sitting marking its first year in office, the Ekiti State House of Assembly had passed a motion renaming the civic centre, which was nearing completion after Governor Kayode Fayemi who they believed had done a lot to develop the state.

    But the PDP, in a reaction through its Caretaker Committee Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, described the action as “petty and empty.”

    The APC wondered what was petty or empty in the action, describing Diran Odeyemi as a figurin in the PDP from a foreign land who knows next to nothing about the political development in Ekiti, except the lies he is being fed by the renegades of the the dying party (PDP) in the State.

    “APC affirms the decision of the lawmakers. Dr. Fayemi deserves the honour of naming a legacy project after him and even more, Oluwalana said, describing Dr. Fayemi as “a quintessential Ekiti Omoluabi who had contributed immensely to the development of every town in Ekiti State during his first tenure and as the current governor.”

    Continuing, Oluwalana added that, there is nothing strange in honouring a person who had served the State meritorious through the execution of many legacy projects. “It is the people from the various constituencies in Ekiti state whose lives have been transformed by Governor Fayemi who requested through their representatives that a project be named in his honour and the lawmakers responded to the clarion call accordingly.

    “The present crop of lawmakers in EKHA are men and women of integrity who had conducted the business of lawmaking with grace and candour and in accordance with the constitution and the standing rules of the house of Assembly.

    ” It is not a house of commotion where a Governor would dress shabbily into its hallow chambers holding a miniature gavel and proclaiming himself the Speaker to pass the budget, which he had presented within minutes while the so called lawmakers would look on helplessly and haplessly”.

    He stated further, ” In fact, the immediate past Assembly ( 5th Assembly) peopled by a bunch of jokers so much desecrated the Assembly such that they prostrated for former Governor Fayose inside the hallowed chambers which is against parliamentary protocol! This sacrilege had been corrected by the 6th Assembly which had restored lost parliamentary glory!

    “We now have a House of Assembly so properly called and not an Assembly whose mace was residing with the Governor and whose members would sit under the bridge to conduct a make-belief legislative business!

    Elder Oluwalana advised PDP to face its business and put its scattered house in order; “rather than throwing stones from outside into a peaceful home”.

  • Fayemi threatens fresh lockdown in Ekiti as residents defy COVID-19 guidelines

    Fayemi threatens fresh lockdown in Ekiti as residents defy COVID-19 guidelines

    Following the gradual ease of lockdown, residents of Ado-Ekiti, and some other major towns in Ekiti State on Tuesday defied government’s directives on the mandatory use of face mask and social distancing.

    Apparently worried by the perceived nonchalant attitudes being exhibited towards the preventive guidelines, the Ekiti State Government said it could restore fresh total lockdown if the guidelines were not observed and there was spike in the number of coronavirus cases.

    The State government said it would have no option than to return to lockdown season, if the current lackadaisical attitude of defying inter-state ban, social and physical distancing, mandatory use of face masks and hand sanitizers as well as other protocols should persist.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, who said this while giving update via telephone conversation on the Covid-19 situation in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, said Governor Kayode Fayemi was also disturbed by the porosity of Ekiti borders, which he said accounted for the upsurge in the number of Covid-19 active cases in the state.

    “Governor Kayode Fayemi was not interested in inflicting hardship on Ekiti people and that was responsible for why he reopened economic activities between Monday and Friday.

    “As of now, Ekiti has nine active cases and we are not happy with the ways social distancing, use of sanitizers, face masks and infra-red thermometers were being disobeyed in public places.

    “We are still maintaining that stand that banks, shops, shopping malls, eateries, market men and women must keep to all these guidelines to prevent community spread of Covid-19 in Ekiti.

    “We are still at a stage where we have not had community spread, because those who came to infect our people here came from outside the state.

    “But should our people refuse to abide by the protocols, we will be left with no other option than to return total lockdown to avert community spread,” the commissioner said.

    On the reopening of schools, Olumilua said a committee comprising government’s delegates, Parents Teachers’ Association and proprietors of schools is being mulled by Governor Fayemi to interact and come up with recommendations that can facilitate easy return of students to schools.

    “We are not in a hurry to reopen schools, because we knew that we have to provide all necessary facilities like running water, sanitizers and infrared thermometers in all schools in order not to endanger the lives of our pupils.

    “The committee will soon begin work and their recommendations will be implemented to help in this regard,” Olumilua stated.