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Tag: Fayemi

  • ASUU: No government in Nigeria has treated lecturers better than Buhari – Fayemi

    Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Monday reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to the education sector in the country.

    The governor noted that in terms of welfare, some professors in Nigerian universities earn as much as he does, and that, in some cases, they earn more than him on a monthly basis.

    Fayemi said that as a governor, he earns N500,000 monthly salary, arguing that a professor sometimes earns more than that.

    He also berated Nigerian academic for allegedly not taking advantage of certain opportunities which, he said, he was privy to.

    The governor added that it was unnecessary for the Academic Staff Union of Universities to have embarked on its ongoing strike action.

    Fayemi spoke with journalists on Monday in Paris at the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s interactive session with Nigerians living in France.

    He said that ASUU and Nigerian tertiary institutions had benefited more under Buhari’s administration than at other times.

    He said, “If you talk about tertiary education, ASUU is on strike; but you ask yourself, ‘Why is ASUU on strike?’

    “ASUU claimed that it is on strike because it wants improvement in the fortunes of education in Nigeria and that government has not lived up to expectations.

    “I make bold to say that no government has done as much as this government has done — not just for ASUU, but also for tertiary education in our country.

    “Is it enough? Absolutely, it’s not going to be enough. We have to keep doing more.

    “But, ask yourself, ‘What was the average wage in the university system before?’

    “A university professor earns more than me as a governor. My salary as a governor is N500,000. Most university professors earn about the same amount, if not more.

    “Yes, you may argue that there are other opportunities available, there are also other opportunities that are available that are not being taken advantage of by our academics.

    “I can say a little bit about this because this is my terrain.

    “I do not think that ASUU, on its own strength, can argue that government has not done well.

    “There is hardly any institution in Nigeria today, including state universities, that has not had the benefit of the Federal Government intervention.

    “It is either the government is building an auditorium or rehabilitating a laboratory or improving on students’ hostels in virtually all the universities as I speak to you.

    “That’s what TETFUND does via their intervention funds.

    “That, again, is not the complete solution,” he said

  • Fayemi shuts Fayose’s new ‘Oja Oba’ market, orders refund to subscribers

    Fayemi shuts Fayose’s new ‘Oja Oba’ market, orders refund to subscribers

    The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has ordered the closure of the new ultramodern market in Ado Ekiti over alleged structural defects.

    The governor, according to a press release by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, took the decision following the inspection of the Oja Oba market.

    The new market was built by the immediate past governor, Ayodele Fayose, while a part of it had been allocated by him before leaving the office.

    But the statement said it was discovered during an inspection that the market complex was not ready for use because of structural defects.

    The statement added, “A structural evaluation of the complex shows that some considerable construction work would be required to fix the inherent structural defects which have made the building unsafe for use.

    “As this process would take some time, the Governor has therefore directed that the process of allocation of shops be stopped immediately.

    “The Governor also directed that all subscribers with proofs of payment for shops in the market should be refunded.

    “The Ministries of Works and Commerce are to work out a seamless process for the refund.”

  • Buhari's ex-ministers; Adeosun, Fayemi, Alhassan still listed as cabinet members on state house website

    Routine checks by TNG on Tuesday on the website of the Federal Government of Nigeria (state house) http://statehouse.gov.ng/people/ showed that former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan and former minister of Mines and Steel, Kayode Fayemi (now Governor of Ekiti State) are all still cabinet members of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration despite tendering their respective resignation letters some few months ago.

    Recall that the former Minister of Finance, Adeosun resigned her appointment as finance minister on September 14, 2018; when it became public that she presented a forged National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate upon which she was appointed into public office.

    Following her resignation, she fled the country the following day to London, the United Kingdom through a British Airways aircraft.

    The British Airways aircraft that she flew to London according to sources at the airport left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at exactly 8:05 am on September 15.

    She was the last passenger that boarded the flight before it departed the shores of Nigeria.

    Her name is still listed just immediately after the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, and before the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama.

    Apart from Adeosun, the immediate past Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is still listed as a cabinet member.

    Fayemi, who is now the Governor of Ekiti State, resigned as minister on May 30, this year to enable him to contest for the governorship position which he eventually won and has since been sworn in.

    Also, the immediate past Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, is still listed as a cabinet member about a month after her resignation.

    Alhassan had resigned her appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as her membership of the governing All Progressives Congress.

    She left President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet and the APC after she was screened out of the APC governorship primary by the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee of the APC ahead of the contest.

    She tried unsuccessfully to become the standard bearer of the APC for the 2019 Taraba State governorship election.

  • Fayemi signs Executive Order to stop education taxes, approves N200m loan for teachers

    The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has signed an Executive Order banning various fees collected by some principals, headteachers and other school officials.
     
    He also approved N200m as car and housing loans for teachers in public schools in the state to boost their morale.
     
    The governor disclosed that the loans would be disbursed on or before November 15 adding that payment of arrears of salaries owed by the last administration would commence any moment from now.
     
    Speaking on Wednesday after signing the order Fayemi said it provided for free and compulsory education in government primary and secondary schools.
     
    The executive order, according to him, imposed stiffer sanctions and penalties for school principals and headteachers extorting pupils by collecting illegal fees.
     
    The governor stated that he signed the executive order because of reports that school heads were still collecting illegal fees after his proclamation last week banning education taxes.
     
    He added that some principals and headteachers were still extorting students under the pretext of collecting “voluntary donations.”
     
    Fayemi stressed that the executive order would prevent such illegality in schools, eliminate school dropouts and as well as encourage children enrollment.
     
    He urged parents to report any head of schools who asked their children for money to the Ministry of Education for necessary action.

  • 2019: Fayemi speaks on alleged fight with Buhari, Oshiomhole, Tinubu

    Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Tuesday reacted to news making the rounds that he is not on good terms with President Muhammadu Buhari, National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and a national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
     
    The governor said he enjoys the best of relationship with the trio of President Muhammadu Buhari, Oshiomhole and Tinubu.
     
    Fayemi described the claim of a political pressure group, Buhari Support Group that he is working against the President as “baseless and unfounded.”
     
    The Ekiti governor also dismissed the allegations that he is working to remove Oshiomhole and that he is fighting Tinubu.
     
    Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, Fayemi wondered how the group came about the alleged feud with the three senior party figures.
     
    Fayemi said he holds Buhari, Oshiomhole and Tinubu in high esteem noting that the trio contributed immensely to his victory in the last governorship election in Ekiti.
     
    He said: “Governor Fayemi holds President Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu and Comrade Oshimohole in high esteem and he still maintains a good relationship with them which is not hidden.
     
    “We don’t know where the Buhari Support Group got their story from; Governor Fayemi has the best of respect for these eminent party leaders and he has no reason to be working against them.
     
    “Let us ask ourselves, on what basis will Dr. Fayemi will be working against the President? This was the man who appointed him Minister and supported him to regain the governorship seat.
     
    “Why will he fight Comrade Oshiomhole? It was under his chairmanship that APC won back Ekiti and everybody knew the role played by the national chairman.
     
    “Asiwaju Tinubu is a mentor to the governor; both of them had come a long way in a relationship that has lasted over two decades.
     
    “In fact, Asiwaju attended the governor’s inauguration last week and the roles he played in the APC victory in Ekiti election cannot be forgiven in a hurry.
     
    “Governor Fayemi has no reason to fight or work against our revered President, our respected national chairman and our revered national leader.
     
    “The allegation is false, baseless, unfounded and exists only in the imagination of those peddling it.”
     

  • Ekiti Muslims reject Fayemi’s appointments

    The Muslim community in Ekiti state on Thursday rejected what was called lopsidedness in the three appointments made so far by Governor Kayode Fayemi, since he was sworn in on Tuesday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that state Coordinator of the state chapter of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations, (NACOMYO), Mr. Tajudeen Ahmed, made the displeasure of the group known at a media briefing, after a protest staged at the Ado Ekiti Central mosque.
    He described the appointments made so far by the new governor as not only lopsided, but also a grand plan to totally marginalise the Muslim community in the state.”
    The Muslims faithful said the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff and the Chief Press Secretary was against balance and fairness against the Muslim community which Fayemi promised.
    ” The exclusion of Muslims from the principal officers of this administration is worrisome, unjust, condemnable and unacceptable.”
    ” The Ekiti Muslim community saw the appointments as a calculated attempt to exclude Muslims from the fundamental aspect of decision making process in Ekiti State.”
    ” Excluding Muslims from the first three important appointments announced by the governor is shocking and highly disturbing to all Muslims in the state”, he said.
    The group said Muslims in the state constituted about 40 per cent of the Ekiti State population, and added that the governor was given their total support during the governorship polls.
    According to him, the exclusion of the Muslims in this regard is a violation of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
    “The exclusion of Muslims from the core principal appointments of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi is a derogation of the motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as provided in Section 15 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended)
    ” Rather than projecting “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”; the recent appointments made by the Government will breed “disunity, commotion and backwardness.”, he said.
    He called on Fayemi to breathe life into Section 14(4) of the constitution which provided that ‘the composition of the government of a state, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people.
    The muslim community called on the Governor to urgently review appointments and accommodate Muslims.
    “We also call on the governor to ensure inclusion of Muslims in all future appointments to be made at both state and local government levels. This will certainly pave way for the reign of justice, equity and peace in our dear state.”
    Recall that Fayemi on Tuesday night, after his swearing-in, appointed the trio of Mr. Abiodun Oyebanji as Secretary to the State Government; Mr. Biodun Omoleye as Chief of Staff and Mr. Yinka Oyebode as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

  • Fayemi describes Fayose’s administration an 'error', vows to probe ex-gov

    Fayemi describes Fayose’s administration an 'error', vows to probe ex-gov

    …names SSG, CoS, CPS
     
    The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress, has said the arrival of his government marks the end of the past administration which he described as an “error”.
     
    The state Chief Judge, Ayodeji Daramola, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on Fayemi at about 12:20 pm. Fayemi’s deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, had earlier taken his oath at about 12:07 pm.
     
    The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Fayemi as the winner of the July 14 governorship election.
     
    The results indicated that Fayemi polled 197,459 votes while his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, got 178,121 votes.
     
    Fayemi noted that his government would review the financial status of the state with a rising debt, which he put at N170bn under the PDP-led government of Governor Ayodele Fayose.
     
    Fayose had repeatedly denied borrowing money claiming the state’s debt was incurred by the previous government of Fayemi during his first term.
     
    The governor said, “As much as today marks the beginning of a new phase in our history as a people, it also signals the end of an era, or more appropriately, the end of an error. Without a doubt, Ekiti has been through a terrible wilderness experience within the last four years,” he said.
     
    “Our reputation as a people has been soiled and we have become the pot of jokes due to the ineptitude, loquacious ignorance and ravenous corruption masquerading as governance in our state during the last administration.
     
    “As we assume office, it is our duty, and we will live up to it, to ensure we thoroughly review, document, and widely disseminate the present state of affairs so that all and sundry can know what has become of our commonwealth.
     
    “Independently verifiable preliminary findings indicate that we have been plunged into a debt abyss of over N170bn, with commitments to innumerable white elephants, an average of eight months’ salaries owed across government entities, and many state assets unaccounted for.”
     
    “We will ensure that within 100 days from today, Ekiti Kete will know the true position of things, in keeping with our ethos of transparency and accountability in governance. We are not interested in trials by media, witch hunt or playing to the gallery. We will seek out the truth and lay it before our people.”
     
    The former Minister stated that Ekiti under him won’t degenerate to the level of allowing schoolchildren to pay various taxes in their quests to receive a formal education.
     
    He promised that his government would reinstate the N5,000 social security to the elderly and make tremendous positive impacts in the areas of agriculture, social investment and economy.
     
    “In the last four years, Ekiti was governed by a rudderless, inept and egregiously corrupt government, which was led by those who deceived our people through the instrument of stomach infrastructure.
     
    “In this context, never again will Ekiti slip into the hands of those who knew nothing about governance, never again shall we allow our schoolchildren to pay taxes, never again shall we abandon the burgeoning resources at Ikogosi Warm Spring to waste, never again shall we allow our judiciary to be debased by draconian government and never again shall the most educated State like Ekiti be the apostle of stomach infrastructure that has made us a laughing stock .
     
    “In our quests for economic rejuvenation, our government shall invest heavily in youths in commercial agriculture, because Ekiti is basically agrarian, reactivate community-based projects, tap into our tourist potential and ensure the security of local and foreign investors.
     
    “As of today, the debt profile and other financial commitment hanging on the state look challenging, but with your support, we shall overcome. The light shall shine again. We shall celebrate our core values of scholarship, knowledge, hard work, unity and strong characters bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.
     
    “We appreciate our fathers who fought for the creation of this state in 1996 and I want to assure them that we shall keep the flag flying and make sure we don’t disappoint them by fulfilling their dreams and aspirations within the next four years.
     
    “We shall network with the Federal Government and other local and international bodies to bring dividends of democracy Ekiti people deserve to their doorsteps,” Fayemi assured.
     
    Speaking at the event, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed confidence that Fayemi would bring the desired change in the state.
     
    He said, “I know Dr Fayemi very well, he has always cherished anything that has to do with the development of this state. As Ekiti Governor between 2010 and 2014, he instituted some laudable projects that impacted positively on the lives of the people and this pavilion was one of them.
     
    “I know that he will do what is right to justify this mandate. I charge him not to relent in his efforts to serve Ekiti with passion, commitment and candour.”
     
    Buhari, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, revealed that Fayemi as a former member of the Federal Executive Council had persistently been disturbing him about the development of the state.
     
    He added that his administration would continue with its support to Ekiti.
     
    Buhari said, “The Federal Government has given support to states in the areas of bailouts, budget support, ecological funds and Paris Club Refund, of which Ekiti was a beneficiary.
     
    “We have extended the standard rail project to Ekiti and the construction of the Federal Secretariat will soon be completed. The Federal Government is also planning to dualise Ado-Akure Road and reconstruct Ado-Ikare Road for the use of our people. We have also built another 133kva power source in Ekiti that will be opened soon.
     
    “As of today, 11,000 Ekiti indigenes are benefiting from the N-power programme of this administration.
     
    “We are confident that Dr Fayemi will help cover the lost grounds brought by the past administration. From today, you will begin to have a new breath in Ekiti under the present government.”
     
    Meanwhile, the governor shortly after his swearing in ceremony announced his first set of appointments.
     
    In a statement released Tuesday evening, the governor named Mr Abiodun Oyebanji as Secretary to the State Government.
     
    The governor also appointed Mr Biodun Omoleye as the Chief of Staff and Mr Yinka Oyebode as Chief Press Secretary.
     
    Oyebanji, a former university lecturer, had previously served as Chief of Staff during the administration of Otunba Niyi Adebayo, and was Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Fayemi’s first term.
     
    Omoleye, a former university administrator and former Chairman of Ijero Local Government Area, had also served as Special Adviser in the Governor’s Office.
     
    Oyebode, a seasoned journalist, served as CPS to the governor in his first term.
     
    He later served as Special Adviser on Media to him when he was Minister of Mines and Steel Development.
     
    “The appointments are with immediate effect,” the statement said.
    Recall that Fayemi was sworn-in on Tuesday after the expiration of the former, Ayodele Fayose.

  • Fayose presents handover note to HoS, advocates support for Fayemi

    Fayose presents handover note to HoS, advocates support for Fayemi

    The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has presented a handover note to the state’s Head of Service, Dr. Gbenga Faseluka.
    The event took place during the special State Executive Council meeting at the new Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti on Friday.
    Speaking at the council’s meeting witnessed by some traditional rulers, the outgoing governor thanked the people of the state for the opportunity to serve.
    He urged them to extend same cooperation to the incoming administration in the interest of the development of the state.
    Fayose said, “What has a beginning must have an end. It is not the number of years spent but the quantity and quality of achievements.
    “I thank the people of the state for their cooperation and urge them to extend same to the incoming administration.
    “There should never be a vacuum; our priority must be Ekiti in the discharge of our duties.
    “I’m a man who came, saw and conquered. I can’t finish all. I have done my best. History will be kind to me as a man who has given his best to the people.
    “I will remember you all for your support. I bear no grudges against anyone.”
    Fayose said he would be available to answer any question on his administration.
    The Commissioner for Finance, Toyin Ojo; and that of Works, Mrs. Funmi Ogun, who spoke at the event, thanked Fayose for the opportunity to serve.

  • Ekiti court refuses motion stopping Fayemi from dissolving LGs

    Ekiti court refuses motion stopping Fayemi from dissolving LGs

    An Ekiti State High Court on Friday refused to grant a motion seeking to restrain the Governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, from dissolving the 16 local government councils.
    The application was filed by the state’s Association of Local Governments of Nigeria led by the Chairman of Ifelodun/Irepodun Local Government, Dapo Olagunju.
    In his ruling, Justice Abiodun Adesodun described the application as “unmeritorious, preemptive and speculative,” as there was no compelling fact in the application to warrant the granting of the order.
    The judge subsequently adjourned the substantive matter till October 22.
    The LG bosses filed the case through their lawyer, Obafemi Adewale, while Tajudeen Akingbolu and Adeoye Aribasoye appeared for Fayemi.
    Fayemi had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the application on the grounds that the matter was speculative.
    All the Local Government chairmen are members of the Peoples Democratic Party, while Fayemi is of the All Progressives Congress.
    The Governor-elect is to assume office on Tuesday, October 16, when the tenure of the incumbent, Governor Ayodele Fayose, comes to an end.

  • Why I won’t attend Fayemi’s inauguration – Fayose

    The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has explained that he may not honour invitation to attend the inauguration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi because of the erratic nature of politicians.
    The Governor added that he had promised to appear at the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) on October 16, which he said coincided with day of the swearing in.
    The governor also advised that whoever emerges Speaker in the state House of Assembly should work for the progress of the state.
    Fayemi had on Wednesday disclosed that Fayose was specially being expected at his swearing in on Tuesday, saying he is free to attend the ceremony as Ekiti leader.
    Speaking at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Fayose said the EFCC may have the opportunity of harassing him if he reneged on his promise to appear before it next Tuesday.
    “Politicians are erratic people, if I should attend the programme, some politicians may use the chance to harass me even when they are not sent by Fayemi.
    “This will further destroy relationship. Issues between me and Fayemi is not personal. I have been cooperating with the committee set up by Fayemi on this transition
    “Again, I have to be in EFCC office in Abuja on Tuesday. But let me say clearly that I am ready to appear before any Panel set up by incoming government to probe my administration”, he said.
    Fayose stated that he has not committed Ekiti to any debt, either by way of bond or bank loans since he took over in 2014.
    “Contrary to what they are saying that I have committed Ekiti to a huge debt, I didn’t commit Ekiti with a dime. Whatever we do in government, history will forever remain after us”.
    He urged Fayemi to deploy the N327 million kept in bank by his administration to complete the new Oja Oba market for the use of Ekiti traders.
    The Governor added that he decided to abandon the civic centre project started by Fayemi and constructed a new market because it was not a priority to the people of the state.
    Fayose said the newly built Ministry of Finance shall be named after former Minister of National Planning, Chief Ayo Ogunlade to appreciate his contributions to the state.
    The governor said he decided not to name any project after himself on the basis of his belief that such was morally wrong.
    “The flyover, the new governor’s office, the roads, the Oja Oba market, the Funmilayo Olayinka Women development centre and other projects will speak for me even if I refuse to name projects after myself,” he said.
    Fayose said he won’t dabble into the crisis rocking the State Assembly, which culminated in the removal of the Speaker, Hon Kola Oluwawole and his deputy, Sina Animasaun on Thursday.
    Three All Progressives Congress (APC) and 11 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday removed the principal officers and installed an APC lawmaker, Hon Adeniran Alagbada, as the new Speaker.
    Fayose said: “I won’t dabble into what is happening in the assembly. Whether they elect Oluwawole or Alagbada, such person must believe that he was elected to serve Ekiti people.
    “I enjoin them to cooperate with Fayemi to move Ekiti forward. I don’t want to hear of any impeachment against Fayemi, if truly we are here to serve”, he advised.