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Tag: ekiti

  • Lockdown excites women, say its a “blessing in disguise”

    Lockdown excites women, say its a “blessing in disguise”

    Some married women in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday said the ‘stay-at-home’ order occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, has turned out to be a blessing for them.
    Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Correspondent, the women noted that the lockdown has forced their husbands to have time for the family.
    Mrs Iyabo Obayemi, a civil servant, said in her 10 years of marriage, she and her husband never stayed together for 24 hours uninterrupted, adding that she was happy with the stay-at-home directive of the governor.
    She said her husband worked in Lagos, and that had been a major challenge for the family since she could not resign her job to live with him, and vice versa.
    She expressed happiness as she had been inseparable from her husband for some days now, while the children were excited over their father’s presence at home without having to go out to see friends or relatives.
    Another woman, Mrs Toyin Bewaji, said she was happy to reunite with her husband as the earliest time he had always arrived home was 11pm when the children would have slept.
    She said her joy knew no bound as her husband had been participating in morning prayers and also helping with chores such as laundry and even helping in the kitchen.
    Mrs Dupe Onipede said she was happy to see her husband spending time with her and the children, saying the lockdown had brought her husband closer to her.
    She lamented the way her husband had always been coming home late and therefore lauded government for shutting all joints of social activities in the state.
    “This has make my husband to have a change of attitude towards us.
    “For the past two days now, my husband had been with us,” she stressed.
  • Just in: Ekiti Index case recovers from COVID-19, now discharged

    Just in: Ekiti Index case recovers from COVID-19, now discharged

    The index case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Ekiti State has been discharged from the isolation centre in the state.

    The case is a 37-year-old man who tested positive for coronavirus after he came in contact with an American tourist.

    After weeks of treatment and monitoring at the isolation centre, the man tested negative for coronavirus.

    He was discharged on Tuesday by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ekiti State Ministry of Health.

    This comes two days after Governor Kayode Fayemi ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state and directed all residents to stay at home.

    As part of measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state, the governor had also ordered the shutdown of borders around the state.

    In a broadcast on Sunday, he explained that the decision would be effective for an initial period of 14 days, starting from Monday night.

    Governor Fayemi said the curfew would run from 7pm to 7am each day, and warned that legal actions would be taken against violators.

    He, however, noted that the shutdown order gave allowance to the transportation of food, drugs, and other essential commodities while those on duties deemed essential would be permitted to move freely.

  • Coronavirus patient in Ekiti fully recovers, discharged

    The only coronavirus-hit patient in Ekiti State has tested negative and allowed to go home.

    The unidentified male patient has been discharged from hospital.

    The patient had served as a driver to an American who came on a visit to Nigeria and spent two weeks in Ibadan.

    The American later died on suspicion of succumbing to the virus.

    But while the care-giver tested negative, the driver tested positive.

    He was discharged Tuesday, a day after five persons also overcame the virus in Lagos.

    According to NCDC, Nigeria now has 135 confirmed cases of the virus.

    Nine persons have been discharged while two died..

    Here is a breakdown of cases by states in real time:

    Lagos- 81
    FCT- 25
    Ogun- 4
    Enugu- 2
    Ekiti- 1
    Oyo- 8
    Edo- 2
    Bauchi- 2
    Osun-5
    Rivers-1
    Benue- 1
    Kaduna- 3

  • Coronavirus: Ekiti opens up on death of American returnee, one other confirmed case

    The Ekiti State Government has spoken on the 38 year-old male citizen who was confirmed to have contracted coronavirus, making the 8th case in Nigeria.

    Dr. (Mrs) Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, said the man was suspected to have been infected while driving a 27 year-old American Caucasian, male who was visiting Nigeria from Richmond, Virginia. The American had the company of a caregiver, a Nigerian female, age 31, also of Ekiti origin.

    “The American male and his Nigerian female caregiver, arrived Nigeria on 3rd March 2020 through the Muritala Mohammed International Airport Lagos. Preliminary investigations revealed that the pair were driven by our confirmed case to Ibadan, where they stayed for two weeks, and arrived Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on 13th March, 2020,” Yaya-Kolade said.

    “A day after their arrival, the American male fell ill and he was taken to a private hospital where he was referred to a tertiary hospital. Unfortunately, he died from complications of his illness.

    “The hospital authorities alerted the State Taskforce and samples were taken from the American male as well as his two companions. The test for the male driver came back positive; the test for the female caregiver came back negative while the test for the American male was inconclusive.

    “In line with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols, the Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19 has already quarantined the confirmed case on admission in the State Isolation Centre, while the caregiver who tested negative, is presently under observation in self isolation.”

    Read the full statement:

    1. This morning, the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, announced a positive case of Coronavirus in a patient in Ekiti State.

    2. The Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19, headed by His Excellency Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, can confirm that we have recorded an incidence of a Nigerian male, 38 years old, of Ekiti origin, who has tested positive to COVID-19.

    3. The confirmed case is suspected to have been infected while driving an American Caucasian, male, 27 years old, who was visiting Nigeria from Richmond, Virginia, USA in the company of his caregiver, a Nigerian female Age 31, of Ekiti origin.

    4. The American male and his Nigerian female caregiver, arrived Nigeria on 3rd March 2020 through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos. Preliminary investigations revealed that the pair were driven by our confirmed case to Ibadan, where they stayed for two weeks, and arrived Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on 13th March, 2020.

    5. A day after their arrival, the American male fell ill and he was taken to a private hospital where he was referred to a tertiary hospital. Unfortunately, he died from complications of his illness.

    6. The hospital authorities alerted the State Taskforce and samples were taken from the American male as well as his two companions. The test for the male driver came back positive; the test for the female caregiver came back negative while the test for the American male was inconclusive.

    7. In line with the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols, the Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19 has already quarantined the confirmed case on admission in the State Isolation Centre, while the caregiver who tested negative, is presently under observation in self isolation.

    8. We have commenced the process of contact tracing, working with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) following the team’s itinerary since they landed in Nigeria on the 3rd of March 2020.

    9. We have also contacted the Oyo State Government since it was recorded that they stayed in Ibadan for two weeks before arriving Ekiti State.

    10. The confirmed case is very stable and not showing any symptoms while NCDC will repeat the test for the caregiver who is also in self isolation.

    11. The Ekiti State Task Force on COVID-19 is following the NCDC Case Management Protocols with diligence. We want to urge Ekiti residents to stay calm and ensure they observe the prevention steps that are being publicised on all credible media.

    12. It is important to state that this likely index case was on a short visit and had not been in Ekiti State for up to 72 hours before his death.

    13. The Ekiti State Taskforce on COVID-19 advises residents to continue to take self preventive measures by washing their hands with soap and water, covering their mouths when coughing or sneezing, observing social distancing and to alert the authorities of any suspected case by calling the 112 Emergency Number or 09062970434, 09062970435, 09062970436.

    14. The Government of Ekiti State will continue to update the public on new developments as necessary in our commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of all Ekiti residents.

    Signed

    Dr. (Mrs) Mojisola Yaya-Kolade

    Hon. Commissioner for Health and Human Services.

    18th March 2020.”

  • Query to royals: Fayemi visits Alaafin of Oyo

    Query to royals: Fayemi visits Alaafin of Oyo

    Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi on Sunday paid a visit to Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo.

    The governor visited the traditional ruler days after the letter Oba Adeyemi wrote to him went viral.

    In the letter, the monarch had asked Fayemi to be very careful in the manner he handles the leadership crisis rocking the state traditional council.

    Fayemi had issued warning letters to 11 first-class traditional rulers in Ekiti over alleged non-cooperation with government and leadership of the traditional council.

    Addressing Fayemi in a letter dated March 12, Adeyemi warned the governor not to treat the monarchy with levity, saying “order of hierarchy and seniority are of vital consideration in position placement.”

    The alaafin said he was displeased to learn of Fayemi’s appointment of a subordinate, warning him against “any attempt of importing any subculture of traditional degradation into Yoruba Land”.

    Reacting to Adeyemi’s letter, Alabi accused him of meddling in the leadership crisis rocking the council.

    In a letter addressed to Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, Alabi said Ekiti has never been part of the Oyo empire, asking why the alaafin would interfere in its affairs.

    He asked Adeyemi to quit “undue interference in the internal affairs of Ekiti obas

  • Dethronement: Ekiti sympathises with Sanusi, affirms position as EKSU chancellor

    Dethronement: Ekiti sympathises with Sanusi, affirms position as EKSU chancellor

    Ekiti Government says it will continue to recognise the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as the Chancellor of the state-owned Ekiti State University, (EKSU).

    The state government’s position was made known by the authorities of EKSU in Ado Ekiti in a letter addressed to the former emir.

    Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on March 9 by Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti had appointed Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of Ekiti State University in 2019.

    A letter dated March 12, 2020, from EKSU’s management and signed by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Eddy Olanipekun, confirmed the retention of the former emir as the Chancellor of EKSU.

    The letter addressed to the former Emir said that the university would continue to recognise Sanusi as the Chancellor of the university, despite his present travail.

    The letter titled: ‘Letter of Solidarity’, said the step was taken, owing to the university’s firm belief that Lamido’s wealth of experience would be useful to the university.

    It reads: “We will continue to recognise you as our Chancellor with a firm belief that your wealth of experience would undoubtedly be beneficial to our university.”

    The university sympathised with Lamido on his travail, saying the deposed Emir’s rulership in Kano would forever remain a reference point.

    “The news of your dethronement rendered the entire university community devastated and that has gone to confirm the assertion that only God gives power and at the same time relieves if he so wishes.

    “The university acknowledges the fact that you had done your best within the limited time God availed you on the throne.

    “On behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, staff, and students of EKSU, where you are currently serving as the Chancellor, we want to identify with you at this critical moment of your life.

    “We will also like to reassure you of our unflinching support and cooperation as you traverse a new terrain,” the letter concluded.

  • Ekiti sacks teacher for allegedly impregnating SS3 pupil

    The Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission has dismissed a randy secondary school teacher for allegedly impregnating 17-year-old pupil, preparing for Senior Secondary Certificate Examination.

    The dismissed teacher, Mr. Owoosi Gbenga who was a Grade level 10 officer,

    Until his dismissal from service taught Economics at Alarelu Comprehensive High School, Igbara Odo-Ekiti in Ekiti South Local Government Area of the state.

    Speaking with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Commisson’s Chairman, Hon. Babatunde Abegunde, said randy teacher was dismissed following a thorough and in-depth investigation carried out by a six-member Disciplinary Committee.

    He noted that his dismissal would serve as deterrent to others who might want to indulge in such heinous act.

    The Chairman commended the government for swinging into action by arresting the culprit, assuring the public that Ekiti values will definitely be restored by the Kayode Fayemi-led administration through effective justice administration.

    The Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Princess Jumoke Owoola, said investigation revealed that the accused has previous bad records of criminal activities.

    She said the dismissal of teacher was in consonance with the State public service rules (2017) and Ekiti State Teaching Service manual which recommended disengagement as the ultimate penalty for serious misconduct and criminal offence of such magnitude.

    Owoola noted the offence committed contravened the provisions of the operational Gender Based Violence Prohibition law 2019 of Ekiti State which stipulate stricter punishment for sexual offenders.

    She disclosed the committee had recommended the reorganization of the Guidance and Counselling Unit of Schools across that state to address the present day-to-day challenges of students.

  • Ekiti APC rejects Ajimobi as Dep. National Chairman

    Ekiti APC rejects Ajimobi as Dep. National Chairman

    The Ekiti chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, rejected the appointment of a former Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, as the new Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party.

    The party, in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr Ade Ajayi, also described as null and void the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) on the matter.

    “Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly signed and released by the National Publicity Secretary of our great party, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, on March 4, in which he announced the nomination of former Oyo State

    Governor, Sen. Isiaka Ajimobi as the Deputy National Chairman (South), among other vacant positions.

    “We wish to categorically state here that the statement is a fraudulent assertion.

    “We recall that the South-West caucus of the party met in Lagos on Jan. 31 and mandated its state chairmen and other members of the caucus to meet and decide on the matter.

    “The South-West caucus of the party met accordingly on Feb. 4 at Osogbo, the Osun State capital and it was inconclusive

    “How can the party now issue a statement on March 4 that a decision was taken on Jan. 14?

    “As far as the Ekiti APC is concerned, our nominee for the vacant position of the Deputy Vice Chairman (South) is Sen. Gbenga Aluko and we have not ceded our right to the position,” the statement said.

    The party said that it was unfortunate that the NWC could still go ahead to usurp the position of NEC, which it said, was the only body empowered by the party’s constitution to ratify nomination of candidates.

    “We recall that the same NWC wrote to the leadership of the South-West caucus sometimes in February to forward the name of their nominees to fill the vacant position.

    “How come then that the decision for ratification was taken on January 14? Meanwhile, one should ask: whose prerogative is it to ratify the nomination? Is it that of NWC or NEC?

    “From the provisions of the APC constitution, it is clear that only NEC can ratify such nominations. Suffice, therefore, to say that the purported ratification by NWC of Ajimobi’s nomination is an effort in futility,” it said.

    The party also recalled that an aggrieved aspirant to the contentious vacant position had instituted an action at the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti, praying against any nomination or announcement of anyone to fill the vacant position, pending the determination of the suit.

    According to it, all the parties to the suit have been duly served, including the office of the National Chairman.

    “Issues have also been joined by parties, meaning that the principle of lis pendis is already in place.

    “For anyone to go ahead to take any decision or action while the matter is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction will not only amount to overreaching the court, but contempt and nullity of the purported action and decision.

    “Whatever decision taken during the pendency of the matter is also a nullity,” the party said.

    It added that having considered the whole issues, it was clear that the position of deputy national chairman (south) of APC was still vacant and whatever nomination and announcement that might have been made was nothing more than a nullity and exercise futility.

  • Ekiti dismisses 3 randy secondary school teachers

    Ekiti Government on Friday announced the immediate dismissal from service of the three public secondary school teachers accused of sexually harassing their female students.

    The State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), which made this known in Ado Ekiti, said the board dismissed the erring teachers for sexual molestation and for bringing the state into disrepute.

    Their dismissal was announced after an emergency plenary of the Teaching Service Commission held in Ado Ekiti.

    The TESCOM Chairman, Mr Babatunde Abegunde, stated that the act of the teachers amounted to gross misconduct unbecoming of those entrusted with moulding the destiny of younger ones.

    He explained that the penalty meted out to them was in line with the Public Service Rules and the State Teachers’ Manual.

    The chairman noted that the Commission followed due process as laid down by extant rules to avoid miscarriage of justice in arriving at its decision. He explained that the erring staff were first queried and interrogated at the school level before repeating the process at the commission.

    According to the chairman, the trio earlier appeared before the Commission’s Disciplinary Committee which, after thorough investigation that took it to affected schools and communities, later arrived at the appropriate recommendations.

    The names of the three teachers were given as: Ajibola Gbenga and Olaofe Abiodun, both of All Souls Grammar School, Ado Ekiti and Mr Olaitan Adeyanju of Osi Community High School, Osi Ekiti. Until their dismissal, the trio were said to be middle level officers in the teaching profession.

    While Mr Ajibola, was Grade Level 12 Officer, teaching Computer Education, Mr Olaofe, was a Grade Level 14 officer teaching Chemistry, while Mr Adeyanju on the other hand, was a GL 13 officer who used to teach Accounting.

  • Nine APC, PDP governors, other dignitaries storm Ekiti for Fayemi’s 55th birthday

    Nine APC, PDP governors, other dignitaries storm Ekiti for Fayemi’s 55th birthday

    Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, was agog on Sunday for the 55th birthday of Governor John Kayode Fayemi.

    Governors, top politicians, monarchs, clerics, friends, students, farmers, the young and the elderly, gaily dressed market men and women as well as other well-wishers accompanied the governor to St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Agere in the capital town.

    The congregation was congenial; it comprised all faith, mostly colleagues and friends of the governor from different parts of the country.

    The Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Revd Emmanuel Badejo, who delivered the sermon, said: “We must roll up our sleeves to support leaders and those who want to create a better society. The light of honesty is disappearing; the light is not going round enough. God is calling on leaders to put people above party, to put people above personal interests because the people come first and they are God’s greatest legacy. Those who fail to do so will become liabilities and thrown into the dustbin of history,” he said.

    Fayemi, who is the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), reiterated his promise to dedicate the rest of his life to the service of God and humanity.

    “All of the challenges will not go away overnight but you should believe that God is the one that can always use those of us that have been given grace to lead, to be of service to all His children. We have no choice than to continue to commit ourselves to the service of God,” he said.

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal described Fayemi as “a governor, who is not partisan and has proven himself to be pan-Nigeria and has a relationship with everyone, regardless of political affiliation”.

    Dignitaries at the celebration included Governors Okeize Ikpeazu (Abia), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Jide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo) and Dr Hadiza Balarabe, Kaduna State Deputy Governor.

    Others included Ekiti State Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi, former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Alhaji Bawa Bwari and Vice-President of Kings College, London, Prof Funmi Olonisakin, who chaired the panel of discussion at the event’s colloquium.

    Yoruba leaders at the event included erudite historian Prof Banji Akintoye and Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Fasanmi as well as former deputy governors Prof Modupe Adelabu and Abiodun Aluko.

    Others are: the Archbishop of Ondo Anglican Diocese, Bishop Christopher Omotunde; Bishop of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Bishop Felix Ajakaiye and traditional leaders in the state, led by their chairman, Oba Ajibade Alabi.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, the party said: “…In his current assignment as the Chairman of the cross-partisan NGF, Dr. Fayemi has, unarguably, positioned the forum to work constructively with the President Muhammadu Buhari government to rebuild our dear country.”

    The Northern Governor’s Forum (NGF), led by its Chairman and Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong said: “Fayemi has given his best to the nation and Ekiti State by deploying his vast academic and social activism endowments in addressing critical challengesl.”

    Akeredolu said: “Ekiti State, you have somebody you should be proud of. You have JKF: he is a pride to Ekiti and all of us are proud of him. Great friends are few and far between. Kayode, you are a great friend and you will remain a friend forever and a brother always.”

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello wrote: “No doubt, this day is yet another significant milestone in the journey of your life and I join other colleague governors across the states of the federation to heartily rejoice with the calm, calculated and soft-spoken Chairman of our forum.”

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said: “Our Chairman, on behalf of my family, the government and people of the State of Osun, I congratulate you on your birthday, and I pray that the Almighty God will never cease to bless you immensely.”