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Tag: Fayemi

  • Fayemi tests for Coronavirus, urges colleague governors to do same immediately

    Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has told all governors to go into self-isolation immediately after being exposed to contacts who have tested positive for Coronavirus.

    Recall that Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State tested positive for Coronavirus on Monday and Tuesday respectively.

    Bala and Kyari met with governors and ministers last week.

    However, Fayemi, on his Facebook page, said he just took Coronavirus test, having gone into self-isolation since on Monday evening.

    According to him, he is asymptomatic and felt well, but noted that he was in the meeting with two people who had since tested positive.

  • Coronavirus: Fayemi bans gathering of over 20 people, orders civil servants to work from home

    Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has ordered some categories of civil servants in the state to work from home in view of the raging Coronavirus pandemic.

    The governor also banned gatherings above 20 people and directed all schools from primary to tertiary level be closed indefinitely.

    In a statewide broadcast on Friday, the governor said civil servants from level 12 below should stay and work from home, except those on essential duty.

    According to him, the steps were necessary to check further spread of the virus in the interest of the citizens.

    In his words: ”All public and private schools and institutions in Ekiti State are to close down from Monday, 23rd March, 2020. All public gatherings of more than 20 persons are banned from today 20th March, 2020. These include: religious gatherings e.g. worship and prayer services, night vigils, house fellowships and NASFAT meetings; social gatherings e.g. burials, weddings, family meetings and parties of any kind; political gatherings, e.g. rallies, congresses, ward meetings; night clubs, bars, beer joints, NYSC CDS meetings etc.

    “All non-essential services in private and public sectors are encouraged to work from home from Monday 23rd March 2020. These includes civil and public servants from level 12 officers and below; except essential services like health workers, caregivers, social welfare officers, fire service officers, emergency response officers, media professionals, and security/ watchmen in public institutions.

    ”No overloading of passengers in public transportation with effect from today. Commercial vehicles must ensure only one person is sitting in the front seat with the driver and not more than three passengers on a row in the backseat. Motorcyclists (Okadas) must carry only one passenger each to minimize close contact as much as possible. Hand washing facilities must be available at all motor parks.”

    The governor urged residents to wash their hands regularly with liquid soap under running water multiple times everyday to avoid virus transfer, adding that public places must provide hand washing implements at the entrance and exit of their facility with immediate effect.

    He added that market men and women must practice hand washing under running water with liquid soap at least six times a day in their stalls, saying this was to minimize the transfer of virus picked up in the process of buying and selling.

    According to him, citizens visiting markets must ensure they wash their hands with soap under running water as soon as they leave the market before they got home.

    ”Unnecessary travels in and out of Ekiti State is hereby discouraged at this time. While we cannot totally shut down the state, we must minimize unnecessary traffic especially from out-of-state, so we can protect our citizens from further importation of the virus and also protect the rest of the country by minimizing the exportation of any virus which may be present in Ekiti State,” he said.

    Fayemi stated that the isolation centre had been equipped with necessary facilities needed by health officials and patients.

    “While these measures may appear excessive, we cannot afford the spread of a debilitating virus like COVID-19 in Ekiti State. Apart from its alarming mortality rate, especially on senior citizens who constitute a significant part of our demography in Ekiti State, its capacity to destroy the economy of a community is very lethal. As someone has said, “the risk of doing too little is unimaginable, while the risk of doing too much, in this circumstance, is completely irrelevant.” It is thus safer to act excessively in abundance of caution, than to act inadequately and live with scary consequences,” he added.

  • Fayemi signs Amotekun bill into law

    Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State on Monday signed the bill for the establishment of the State Security Network Agency and Amotekun Corps into law.

    The State House of Assembly had on 24 February, 2020 passed the bill into law and forwarded it to the governor to give assent to the document.

    Presenting the bill to the governor at the event held at the popular Jibowu Hall inside the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Funminiyi Afuye, said the House had fulfilled its fundamental responsibility of making people-oriented laws that would guarantee adequate protection of lives and property of the people of the state.

    Afuye expressed optimism that the bill when sign into law would stem the tide of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other manifestation of criminalities that have continued to constitute hindrances to people’s normal social and economic life.

    He said the homogeneity of Yoruba race, in terms of politics, culture and history made the Amotekun gained traction in the southwest region.

    ”It is clear that the police are overwhelmed, overstreched and overburdened. This is where the concept behind Amotekun stemmed from. I want to also douse the tension and clarify that it won’t compete with police but will complement it,” he said.

  • 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

  • QUERY TO ROYALS: Don’t disrespect Obas, Alaafin warns Fayemi

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has warned the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, against treating the traditional institution in Yorubaland with levity.

    Alaafin said unlike in some tribes, where there was nothing attached to their traditional institutions, the Yoruba traditional institution was “ancestral and spiritual.”

    The monarch stated this in a letter to the state governor dated March 12, 2020, following a query issued by Fayemi to some prominent traditional rulers in the state over alleged insubordination.

    Fayemi, in the query issued individually to the affected traditional rulers by the Bureau on Chieftaincy Affairs dated March 11, gave the monarchs 72 hours within which to reply.

    The query, which was entitled, “Re: Absence from State Functions and Council of Traditional Rulers’ Monthly Meetings,” was signed by A.O. Adeoye on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the bureau.

    However, in a letter reacting to the query, the Alaafin said he wrote on behalf of other prominent traditional rulers in Yorubaland, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Gbadebo Adedotun.

    The letter read in part, “Since the case is still in court, we will not want to comment further on it as law-abiding citizens. I, however, would have expected that Your Excellency waits till the end of the court process before acting on the matter.

    “It is in this note that I, along with my fellow traditional rulers across Yorubaland feel very sad that Your Excellency issued a query to the 16 Ekiti crowned respected traditional rulers of high esteem in Yorubaland for not bowing their heads to their subordinate by not attending the council meeting under their subordinate. That exercise and without mincing words is to say the least subjudice.

    “To some races, nothing outside the mundane is attached to their traditional institution. Whereas, that of Yoruba is beyond the mundane as it is also ancestral and spiritual. The Yoruba oba is the representative of the ancestors, the real owner of the land or ground.

    “It is on this basis that we will advise against any attempt to treat traditional institution in Yorubaland with levity and to avoid any attempt of importing any subculture of traditional degradation into Yorubaland.

    “It is ironic that while the predecessors in office and ancestors of these 16 crowned obas and their subjects displayed uncommon patriotism, courage and commitment to confront the intimidating military prowess of Ibadan Army for 16 years (1870-1886), Your Excellency as one of the beneficiaries of the legacy bequeathed by these Kings of Yoruba history is now embarking on an exercise that will rubbish the contributions of your ancestors.”

  • ‘ROYALS-HUMBLED’: Fayemi queries 11 Obas over insubordination

    ‘ROYALS-HUMBLED’: Fayemi queries 11 Obas over insubordination

    Ekiti State Government has asked no fewer than 11 traditional rulers to give reasons for their non-cooperation with the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    This was contained in a memo, entitled, “Re-Absence from State Functions and Council of Traditional Rulers’ Monthly Meetings” which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr A. O. Adeoye.

    It was issued to the affected Obas on Wednesday and they were given 72 hours to send in their explanations.

    The memo reads, “It has come to the attention of Mr Governor that Your Royal Majesty has not been attending the monthly statutory meetings of the State Council of Traditional Rulers and state official functions since August 2019.

    “Your conspicuous absence at the council meetings and state official functions, without any excuse or justification are considered inimical to the proper administration of the chieftaincy institution you represent.

    “Therefore, Mr Governor has directed that Your Royal Majesty should forward your representation for this inaction, through this office within 72 hours on the receipt of this letter.”

    In another statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, Fayemi stressed that the memo issued to the concerned traditional rulers was not in any way a plan to dethrone them.

    “The Bureau briefed the Governor on the prolonged absence of some members of the State’s Traditional Council meetings at state’s function and traditional council meetings at the local government level.

    “Mr Governor directed that the Bureau should write the affected traditional rulers to find out reasons for their absence.

    “The Attorney-General then wrote to the Bureau on Mr Governor’s directives.

    “Consequently, the Bureau (through a senior official), wrote to the affected traditional rulers seeking for reasons for their prolonged absence at council meetings.

    “Contrary to insinuations, this is merely an administrative matter which is neither contentious nor confrontational. It is definitely not a ploy or plan to remove any Oba from office.

    “No arm of government discussed nor considered dethroning any Kabiyesi at any time because there is no basis for such,” the governor’s statement read.

     

  • Fayemi opens up on 2023 presidency, relationship with Buhari

    Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti state and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, said his actions as a peacemaker and conciliator are not geared towards taking over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

    He described as untrue, reports that he is working clandestinely towards building structures to prosecute his “rumored presidential ambition in 2023”.

    Speaking through Segun Dipe, his senior special assistant on public communications, Fayemi said he is not in the league of those working towards the next presidential election.

    “Fayemi is a sitting governor and he chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. He enjoys these roles and he is playing them to the best of his ability,” the statement read.

    “His objective is that of engaging in processes such as negotiation, mediation, conciliation, and arbitration in order to move a seemingly violent conflict into non-violent dialogue, where differences are settled through conflict transformation processes or through the work of representative political institutions.

    “He is interested in what is happening in every part of the country and, like he himself once stated, anything that affects the peace of any state governed by a member of the NGF would surely affect the solidarity of the forum.

    “People like Fayemi bring people together. You find them in all kinds of places and in all kinds of circumstances. They are very lovable people who wish the very best for other people. Despite that his action as a peacemaker and conciliator means a lot to other people, the governor is a modest person and he is focused on other people’s happiness.

    “As a bridge builder, Fayemi is never pushy; he just wants everyone around him to find peace and achieve happiness. The governor no doubt knows a lot of people and doesn’t fail to bring everybody together; he listens carefully and is sincerely interested in how everyone is doing.

    “Like any other bridge-builder in the world, Fayemi likes to help to connect people, he is quick at recognising what someone else needs and his mind starts searching for ways to help the other person move ahead.”

  • 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.

  • Osinbajo, Akeredolu, Fayemi, others pay tributes as Mimiko buries mum

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Friday, advised Nigerians to always contribute their quota to the development of the country.

    Osinbajo gave the advice at the final burial ceremony of Muniat Deborah Mimiko, mother of former governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, in Ondo town.

    The final burial ceremony of the late Muniat Mimiko, mother of former governor of Ondo state was witnessed by personalities from all walks of life.

    The Civic Centre, Ondo,venue of the ceremony was packed to the brim by politicians who came to pay their last respects to Mimiko’s late mum. Irrespective of their political leanings,they all came to identify with the Mimiko’s.

    Osinbajo, who was one of the special guests at the event described the deceased as a woman who contributed her quota to the development of the country.

    Other eminent Nigerians who graced the event were, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs,Tayo Alasoadura, Olusola Oke, Ife Oyedele, Secretary to Ondo state government, Ifedayo Abegunde (Abena) among others.

  • 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.”