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Tag: ekiti

  • Ekiti gov, Fayemi approves dissolution of boards, commissions

    Ekiti gov, Fayemi approves dissolution of boards, commissions

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has approved the dissolution of boards and commissions in the state.

    The is contained in a circular in Ado-Ekiti signed by Mr Tajudeen Adejumo, the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government.

    The state government said dissolution takes effect from August.

    It said the dissolution excluded Statutory Commissions spelt out in Section 197 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

    Other appointees whose appointments were also terminated by the circular include special advisers, who are not cabinet members; technical advisers; director-generals; coordinators; and other heads of non-ministerial offices.

    The circular noted that the dissolution was to ensure adequate preparation to usher in the incoming administration and fast-track early processing of the terminal benefits of political office holders.

    The circular 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”.

    Fayemi will handover to his successor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Oct. 16, having won the June 18 governorship poll as the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Fayemi had earlier approved the termination of the appointment of all his political aides.

    A memo signed by Secretary to the State Government, Mr Foluso Daramola in Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend, said that Fayemi approved the termination of the appointment with effect from July 31.

    According to the memo, the action was in consonance with the state’s transition law, adding that it was also to ensure payment of entitlements of the affected political office holders and their terminal benefits.

    The memo further stated that the action would paved the way for the state government to process all outstanding allowances to the affected officials for a smooth transition from the incumbent administration to the new government.

  • Ekiti airport project will be completed before I leave office – Fayemi

    Ekiti airport project will be completed before I leave office – Fayemi

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has assured the people of the state that the International Airport under construction will be completed before the expiration of his tenure on Oct. 15, 2022.

    Newsmen reports that the project is valued at N20 billion.

    Fayemi gave the assurance on Wednesday during a tour of the airport and other projects in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital.

    The governor expressed delight at the level of work done at the airport, saying he is confident that the project would be delivered before he lives office.

    Fayemi disclosed that the various legacy projects put in place by his administration were designed to completely change the character of the state by turning it into an economic zone.

    He said the idea of the Knowledge Zone project was about using knowledge for wealth creation in the drive to turn Ekiti into a destination of choice for innovation, creativity, startup activities, talented city for Engineers, Computer Technologists, Agriculture Technologists, and biotechnology and medical tourism.

    This, he said, was in line with the Afe Babalola multi-systems hospital.

    Fayemi said the Ekiti Airport’s 3.2km runway was constructed with the capacity to accommodate all types of aircraft.

    According to him, the airport will also have facilities for the Nigeria Airforce to have their own operations as well as for maintenance and associated engineering components.

    “This is a routine visit again both to the Knowledge zone and the International Cargo Airport, and I am here with one of our private sector partners, the Managing Director of Axxess International, Cavista, Mr John Olajide and his team, they are collaborating with us on the private sector aspect of this.

    “You’ve seen it, the runway is completely done, the terminal building is progressing and from what the project manager has just told me, they are still on course to completing this in September and just in time before we exit but whatever is left, I have no fear again.

    “I know that the incoming administration would continue at pace with the vision that we’ve espoused for this.

    “This is going to change the character of this state completely and its is going to make this a special economic zone that is linked to the knowledge zone, almost an Aerotropolis of all range of facilities,” he said.

    Other projects visited by the governor included the Knowledge Zone, Harding Memorial College and one of the just-completed Secretariat complexes that are billed for commissioning before the end of his administration.

  • Ekiti guber: We conducted pregnancy test on all female suspects – EFCC

    Ekiti guber: We conducted pregnancy test on all female suspects – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has explained its position in conducting a pregnancy test for all female suspects in connection with the Ekiti governorship election.

    The commission disclosed that all the suspects in its custody were being held by court order over allegations of vote-buying during the poll.

    The anti-graft agency says there is no pregnant woman in its custody.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, and made available to newsmen on in Ilorin.

    Uwajaren dismissed speculations that a pregnant woman was among the suspects arrested on allegations of vote-buying during the Ekiti governorship election.

    “A pregnancy test conducted on all the female suspects arrested during the election at the State Hospital in Ilorin was negative.

    “Earlier tests conducted in a private hospital also revealed negative results for all the female suspects,” Uwujaren said.

    The spokesman added that all the suspects were detained based on valid Order of Court, pending the conclusion of investigations.

    He said that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are finalised.

    Uwujaren also urged the public to ignore the wild claims about the mistreatment of the suspects, saying that the commission is committed to the observance of the rule of law in all its operations.

  • Ekiti 2022: Dep. Gov. credits Biodun’s victory to support of the people

    Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Ekiti Deputy Governor, has credited the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate Mr Biodun Oyebanji, in last Saturday’s governorship election to the overwhelming support of the people.

    Egbeyemi, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Odunayo Ogunmola, on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti, said that he was particularly delighted with the impressive performance of APC in Ado Ekiti, his home town, where the party won with a wide margin.

    He said that the victory recorded wouldn’t have been possible without the massive votes of the electorate who kept faith with the party.

    Egbeyemi said that the choice of Oyebanji as the next governor of the state was a reward for Gov. Kayode Fayemi and his team’s hard work, which had been repaid with another mandate for APC.

    Describing APC’s victory at the poll as very heartwarming, the deputy governor expressed delight that the party eventually broke the jinx of lack of victory in Ado-Ekiti and that of APC’s failure to win the governorship election back-to-back.

    He commended the leaders and members of the party for their efforts, particularly in all the 13 wards in Ado-Ekiti, which made the victory possible.

    The deputy governor lauded party faithful for selling the candidacy of Oyebanji and the ideals of the party in all parts of Ado-Ekiti, including the metropolis, the suburbs, farmsteads and hamlets.

    He also commended the electorate for trooping out en masse and enduring the inconveniences of the day to exercise their franchise in favour of APC.

    The deputy governor noted that the party’s brilliant performance at the governorship poll was a precursor to victory in next year’s in the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and presidential elections.

    He urged party leaders not to relent in their efforts, as the general elections draw nearer, saying that they should work harder for the party to maintain its winning streak.

    “The victory was made possible by the electorate, who stood by our party and gave the governor-elect their mandate.

    “They trooped out in large numbers and endured the inconveniences of the day to vote for our party.

    “What happened last Saturday was made possible by the people, the voters. They helped us to break the jinx in Ado-Ekiti and other towns in the state by electing our party back-to-back, which is unprecedented,” he said.

  • Ekiti Guber: PDP guber candidate, Kolawole wins polling unit

    Ekiti Guber: PDP guber candidate, Kolawole wins polling unit

    Bisi Kolawole, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won his polling unit with 98 out of 116 accredited votes.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 13 votes while Social Democratic Party (SDP) had two votes. Labour Party (LP) recorded one vote. Two votes were voided.

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Electoral Officer, had said that a total number of 322 voters were registered but116 were accredited.
    Speaking to journalists after the result was announced, Kolawole, who lamented voters’ apathy, said he was happy to deliver his polling unit with a landslide victory.

    He said he was hopeful of winning the election at the end of the day.

  • Ekiti election: Mass turnout of voters at polling units

    Unprecedented numbers of voters on Saturday thronged various polling units in different towns, villages and hamlets in Ekiti to perform their civic rights in the ongoing governorship election.

    Also, there were combined security personnel on the ground to protect the lives and property in different parts of the state and as well their presence was noticed at both far and near the polling centres.

    At the Ekiti office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), there was heavy presence of security agents to forestall any eventuality.

    Newsmen while on monitoring of the polling units, report that security agents arrived many polling units as early as 7.20 a.m.

    Aside the police, other security agencies and outfits providing security, include Civil Defence Corps, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

    At some of the border towns linking Ekiti with other states, military men were strategically stationed with officers and men, keeping vigil and conducting search on vehicle owners and occupants.

    The restriction placed on human and vehicular movement during election was strictly obeyed by residents and travellers alike, as most inter-township roads were empty.

    This development compelled many voters to trek long distances to their polling units, as there were no taxi or commercial motorcycle operators to convey them.

    Besides, all markets, shops and eateries were under lock and key.

    Some of the places visited included Ado-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, Efon-Alaaye, in Efon Local Government area Ifaki-Ekiti, the home town of Mr Segun Oni, the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Other areas were Ise-Ekiti, the home town of former Minister of State for Works, Dayo Adeyeye, Emure-Ekiti, Ido-Ekiti and Omuo-Ekiti, hometown of Sen. Biodun Olujimi of the PDP and Rep. Femi Bamisile of the APC.

    In many of the places visited, scores of voters were seen already on queues, waiting for the attention of the electoral officers.

    Those sighted among the crowd of the enthusiastic voters, include students and artisans of between 18 and 20 years bracket, old people and a handful of expectant mothers.

    It was observed that in most of the places, officials including ad hoc staff, deployed by INEC arrived only few minutes after 8.00 a.m, while some of them have no chairs to sit on.

    Newsmen reports that 16 candidates from different political parties are slugging it out in today’s election, with only a female candidate, Mrs Kemi Elebute-Halle of ADP.

    Others include candidates of ACCORD, AAC, ADC, APC, APGA, APM, APO, LO, NNPP, NRM, PDP, PRP, SDP, YPP and ZLP.

    According to statistics at the disposal of newsmen, over 17,000 policemen were deployed for the election, with NSCDC deploying 9,747, while the army and others also deployed appreciable figures.

    When contacted, Mrs Morolake Odebunmi, the Public Relations Officer of INEC, told newsmen that there was nothing much to do at the INEC office this morning.

  • Tight security in Ekiti ahead of governorship election

    Security operatives have tightened security in Ekiti ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, according to reports.

    Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, and other law enforcement agencies were observed on patrol in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, and other parts of the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

    A correspondent, who monitored security preparations for the election in Ekiti, also saw personnel of the NSCDC and Police at some strategic points in different parts of the state keeping vigil to ensure a hitch free election.

    The NSCDC had deployed no fewer than 9,747 personnel while the Nigerian police deployed over 17,000 men in the state to ensure adequate security.

    A resident in Ado-Ekiti, Mr Joshua Aremu, in an interview, described as impressive the security personnel deployed in the state for the election.

    He said that the massive security deployment had allayed the initial apprehension of residents over the peaceful conduct of the election.

    “I hope their presence encourages people to come out and vote because we all need to vote in all forthcoming elections for those we feel are fit for the respective positions,” Aremu said.

    Also, a trader, Mrs Kemi Odesanya, said that the presence of security operatives and others for the election in the state had led to increased sales.

    She said since the arrival of visitors and security operatives to the state, sales had increased, “which implies more money for all traders”.

    Odesanya said that she intends to perform her civic obligation by coming out to vote in the governorship election because the state deserves a leader worthy of the position.

    NAN

  • Court sentences man to life imprisonment for defiling JSS 3 student

    Court sentences man to life imprisonment for defiling JSS 3 student

    An Ado-Ekiti High Court on Tuesday sentenced a 30-year-old man, Shola Oguntuase to life imprisonment for defiling a 14-year-old JSS 3 student.

    The convict, was arraigned and tried before Justice Adekunle Adeyeye on one-count charge of defilement.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Adeyeye, held that the prosecution proved its the against the convict beyond all reasonable doubts, hence, his conviction to life imprisonment.

    “From the entire circumstances, I have no doubt that the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant raped the victim.

    “The defendant is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment,” the judge ruled.

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Marcus Olowoyo told the court that Oguntuase defiled the minor on July 7, 2020 at Ire- Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti.

    Olowoyo, in proving his case, presented the victim’s statement to the police before court as evidence.

    The prosecutor further called four witnesses and tendered medical report as exhibits before courts to prove her case of rape.

    However,  the defence counsel  Mr Rotimi Adabembe called no witness

  • Just In: Two persons shot in Segun Oni’s campaign convoy in Ekiti by suspected ruling APC thugs

    Thugs suspected to be members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday opened fire on the convoy of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the June 18 Ekiti governorship poll, Chief Segun Oni, injuring two of his supporters.

    The incident happened while Oni was on a royal visit to the palace of Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti.

    The hoodlums were said to have attacked the former governor’s convoy with guns, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons.
    Luck however ran out on one of the attackers, who was wearing a campaign T-shirt of the APC candidate, Biodun Oyebanji as he fell from the vehicle conveying them and he was immediately apprehended.

    Upon interrogation, he identified himself as Christopher, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Ise garage, Ado Ekiti.
    In a video seen by SaharaReporters, he said they were sent by a popular APC chieftain in Ekiti State, Mr Mentilo.

  • What Ekiti APC needs from Tinubu – Party chieftain

    What Ekiti APC needs from Tinubu – Party chieftain

    A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, says the emergence of Sen. Bola Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate will spur the party to win the June 18 governorship election in the state.

    Olatunbosun, a former Speaker of the Ekiti House of Assembly, described Tinubu as a core party man and crowd puller with committed sense of belonging in any course without border or distraction as against various rumours making the rounds in the state.

    The former acting governor of the state in an interview with NAN in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, debunked the rumours making the rounds that Tinubu is working for the victory of another party’s candidate.

    “Anyone, who is thinking that Tinubu, a renown APC leader, is rooting support for another candidate aside the governorship candidate of APC, is not only chasing shadow, but leaving in the world of his own.

    “I am surprised seeing people saying Tinubu is working for a particular candidate of an opposition, his emergence is a clear assurance of victory for our party, the largest political party in Nigeria and Africa at large.

    “Gov. Kayode Fayemi has done well by stepping down for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; he made us his followers proud and an action that earn him loud ovation from the masses giving rise to the emergence of Oyebanji as the Governor of our dear State breaking successor jinx come October 16,” he said.

    He stressed that the credibility of the APC candidate in the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is enough to win the June 18 governorship election.

    “APC is a party to beat; with the emergence of Tinubu, the respect our leader in the state and our performing governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and the credibility of our candidate; his sincerity of purpose and widely accepted popularity are more than enough to give us the desired victory come June 18.

    “It is crystal clear that Ekiti people are fully ready for continuity of government of the progressive fold having Biodun Oyebanji as Governor. A victory dance awaits us in the coming days,” the House of Assembly Service Commission Chairman said.