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Tag: Festus Keyamo

  • COVID-19: Labour minister speaks against impending total lockdown in Nigeria

    COVID-19: Labour minister speaks against impending total lockdown in Nigeria

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has aired his personal opinion, speaking against any plan to further place the country on total lockdown as a measure to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Festus Keyamo took to his official Twitter handle on Sunday to say another total lockdown would be counterproductive, stressing that before defeating the Coronavirus, “we must learn to live with it”.

    Recall that following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Nigeria, the federal government has taken several measures to curtail it, including ordering restriction on movement, leading to a total lockdown of the nation.

    Recently, the total lockdown was eased with certain guidelines that must be strictly adhered to. But for the flouting of the guidelines, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTFCOVID19) has threatened to re-order a total lockdown.

    However, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment believes that another total lockdown will not do the country any good.

    “My personal view is that another total lockdown would be counterproductive. Before defeating the virus, we must learn to live with it all around us & practice the skills of avoiding it like a landmine. Practice makes perfect. We cannot perfect those skills by locking ourselves up,” he said.

    Earlier, Festus Keyamo had urged all workers to take charge of their environments and not assume that others take precautions against the virus.

    “Do not assume others have taken the necessary precautions. Do it yourself. The virus is not defeated. Every object, every surface is a suspect. Just imagine the virus is everywhere,” Keyamo charged.

  • Buhari’s minister condemns killing of Joseph Pessu, says act is barbaric

    Buhari’s minister condemns killing of Joseph Pessu, says act is barbaric

    Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment has condemned the killing of Joseph Pessu, describing the incident as a barbaric act.

    In a statement personally signed, the Minister said he would be forwarding a petition to the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this murder.

    The statement reads: “I have received disturbing reports and images of the high-handedness and shooting of innocent citizens by men of the armed forces deployed to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown in my State, Delta State.

    “Specifically, I have received reports of the killing of an innocent young man, Mr. Joseph Pessu in Warri. I unreservedly condemn this barbaric act by men of the armed forces who should exercise restraint when dealing with the civilian populace. I will be forwarding a petition to the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this murder and bring the officer(s) to book. In the interim, let us not take the laws into our hands, please.

    “I will also use this medium to sincerely appeal to my brothers and sisters in Delta State to be law-abiding and obey the orders of restrictions imposed by both the Delta State Government and the Federal Government.

    “They are lawful orders and they are for our own good. Images and reports of attack on law-enforcement agents by the civilian populace do not help our cause. I call on all and sundry in the entire country too to exercise the utmost restraint at this point”.

  • Coronavirus: Some Nigerians more concerned with politics than saving lives- Festus Keyamo

    Coronavirus: Some Nigerians more concerned with politics than saving lives- Festus Keyamo

    Festus Keyamo, minister of state, labour and employment, says some Nigerians are more concerned with politics than applauding the government’s efforts to save lives as the coronavirus crisis rages on.

    In a tweet on Saturday, the minister said the President will make a formal speech when his media handlers deem it fit for him to make one.

     

    “The anxiety of some members of the public at this time is understandable and so are their criticisms. Matters of life/health should top the agenda of govt. Therefore the criticisms must be taken in good faith and govt will continue to weigh all of them to respond appropriately

    “What’s not acceptable to govt is to give a knee-jerk reaction to every criticism or suggestion & be dragged here & there even by patriotic critics. Presently govt makes available to the public ALL necessary DAILY information about the crises ON THE INSTRUCTION of Mr President

    “Govt will continue to weigh the most appropriate steps in the overall interest of the citizenry & will not be distracted by the heckling of a vocal few who seem more intent in playing to the gallery with foul language at an extraordinary time like this that calls for sobriety

     

    “If the experts empaneled by Mr. President to coordinate life-saving efforts reach a convenient bend and advise the President to make formal speech, it will be done, but certainly NOT by the prompting of some who are more concerned about politics at this time than saving lives”

     

    Some Twitter users who responded to the minister’s tweet said it is not rocket science for the President to address the nation.

    @OloguntereKayode wrote: “Why is it such a rocket science for a democratically elected president to address his people on the government efforts to tackle Covid 19 and the measures put in place to cushion the effects of the lockdown in parts of the country”.

    “I appreciate the civil way you responded but is it those experts that will advise the President when to make a formal speech”, another of his follower wrote.

     

     

     

     

  • Tribute to my friend, Festus Keyamo @ 50 By Louis Odion

    Tribute to my friend, Festus Keyamo @ 50 By Louis Odion

    Louis Odion, FNGE

    As he hits the golden jubilee milestone (on January 21), I couldn’t think of a better depiction of that biblical line, “a friend that sticks closer than a brother”.

    Sure, the story of his extraordinary climb from the bottom to the zenith of his chosen career – law – is now public knowledge. Without the proverbial silver spoon, without a godfather, Festus pulled himself uphill, earning the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on account of winning a number of landmark cases that have undoubtedly extended the frontiers of jurisprudence in Nigeria.

    I was there when Festus started from Gani Fawehinmi’s Chambers about three decades ago. Back then, we would play boys’ pranks in his one-room apartment a stone’s throw away from the work-place on weekends. I was there at the founding of National Conscience Party (NCP). I was there when Festus decided it was time to take a deep plunge into the world of uncertainty and left Gani at a tender age.

    I was there when he took a leap of faith in 1995 by opening his own chambers in Anthony, Lagos. I was there as he started from the scratch. I witnessed him build, block by block, an enviable name through sheer hard-work, doggedness, fidelity to progressive values and fierce commitment to the pan-Nigerian cause.

    I was there through all his struggles for a better society, from military regimes to civilian governments; all the arrests, detentions, charges, trials and acquittals. All those periods, surely and steadily, Festus etched his way into the consciousness of Nigerians.

    Overall, what easily marks him out in the crowd is the courage he summons in the defense or propagation of his convictions.

    But professional life aside, one domain many may not yet be too acquainted about Festus is his character as a person. Beyond the public perception of a serious and difficult character, privately Festus likes to laugh, play and joke. He loves comedy. He doesn’t take himself so seriously as others do. He is perhaps, the thickest skin I have ever seen – once he is set on his course, nothing you throw at him bothers him or distracts him.

    We have been friends for almost three decades. With Festus in your corner, I can attest that you don’t need any army, even under fire. He is a true friend in all weather – fair or foul. He was the best-man at my wedding (the second being Segun Adeniyi). He has acted the part all through the years.
    Over the last two decades, I have had my own fair share of court cases – whether professional or personal. Out of instinctive solidarity, Festus has handled all my cases free of charge, and won almost all.

    Indeed, he embodies loyalty in the true sense of the word. In all our years of intimate friendship, I can’t remember us ever quarreling, not even once. This is because Festus is never pretentious and is a true “Afenifere” at heart, never forgetting the son of who he is. On completion of his first mansion (Noah’s Ark) in Lagos some two decades ago, a room was allocated to me symbolically. When I built mine few years later, he was the coordinator at the house-warming.

    On the occasion of his golden jubilee, I know Festus’ sun is only just rising in the service of our fatherland. I wish him longevity, more wisdom, prosperity and robust health.

  • Buhari greets Festus Keyamo at 50

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, on his 5oth birthday, congratulating him on his many years of contribution to the nation as a lawyer and human rights activist.

    The president’s congratulatory message was conveyed via a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The president also joined All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts, family members, friends and professional colleagues of the erudite lawyer in celebrating the landmark age.

    He acknowledged Keyamo’s wisdom of making sacrificial choices that have brought recognitions, awards, and most recently a ministerial position.

    “Our faith in the younger generation is renewed seeing the way you have conducted yourself; making sacrifices for the greater good of the country, and humanity,’’ the President said.

    He, therefore, urged Keyamo to remain focused on the broader picture of selfless service to the nation, and to keep inspiring the younger generation to follow the same path of honour.

    The President prayed that the almighty God would grant the minister longer life, good health and strength.

  • Simi tackles Festus Keyamo over Social Media Bill

    Simi tackles Festus Keyamo over Social Media Bill

    Nigerian singer Simisola “Simi” Ogunleye has tackled the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo following his support for the hate speech bill, saying there are more pressing issues in the country.

    The Minister who had earlier said those who are against the social media bill to unblock those that irritate them on social media, adding that the people should not be intolerant on social media and ask others not to.

    According to him, “Those so-called overnight Social Media ‘activists’ who oppose the Social Media Bill should first stop blocking those who irritate them with insults, unblock all those they have blocked and apologise to them. You can’t be intolerant and ask others to be. Practice what you preach.”

    In her reaction, Simi said that democracy does not permit a law that makes people sensitive when they talk about the people they voted for.

    The singer further said that there are more pressing issues in the country.

    Simi tweeted “In a democracy sir, it should not be the law for people to be ‘sensitive’ when they talk about the people they voted for.

    “How many false posts about the government actually circulate that warrants a bill like this? We have way more pressing issues in Nigeria and even you know it!”

  • Nigeria committed to integration of African continent – Keyamo

    The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Dr Festus Keyamo, has said that Nigeria was committed to the integration of the African continent and the promotion of trade, movement of persons, goods and services, and infrastructural development.

    Keyamo disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, when he received a delegation of the African Union (AU), Labour Migration Advisory Committee, led by Dr. Alves D’Almada.

    He said that Nigeria would always be in support of African integration “but not at the detriment of the laws of individual sovereign States in the continent”.

    “African integration should benefit all countries; it should be symbiotic not parasitic; it should not be a relationship that one country will benefit at the detriment of another,” he added.

    He observed that the issue of irregular migration to Europe and other non-African countries had constituted a big problem in Africa, and urged the continent’s leaders to tackle the trend.

    “We need to encourage total African integration to stop migration through illegal means,” he advised.

    The minister pledged Nigeria’s readiness to assist in legislation and policy to support the committee in promoting African integration.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr Alves D’Almada, had said that the visit was to explore ways of collaboration between the committee and Nigeria’s government to further promote African integration.

    He listed areas of collaboration to include job creation, managing migration issues, promoting free movement of goods and services, and addressing the issue of visa-on-arrival in the continent.

    D’Almada requested the assistance of the ministry toward hastening the process of ratification and domestication of laws that concern free movement of persons, goods and services.

    He commended the Nigerian government on the successful negotiation of a new National Minimum Wage for its workers.

  • My redeployment, evidence of my versatility —Keyamo

    My redeployment, evidence of my versatility —Keyamo

    Former Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has said that his redeployment from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the Ministry of Labour and Employment was proof of his versatility.
    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the redeployment, saying it was proof of his ability to do many diverse things.
    Taking to his verified Twitter handle @fkeyamo on Tuesday night, Keyamo had tweeted:
    The tweet has since generated 977 comments, 1,100 retweets and 4,200 reactions.
    Many of his Twitter followers applauded him, others criticized him, while many more condemned the Buhari administration for not making up its mind from the outset as to which ministry it wanted to put Keyamo.

     

  • Uduaghan felicitates with Keyamo, other ministerial nominees

    Uduaghan felicitates with Keyamo, other ministerial nominees

    His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State and Chieftain of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for transmitting his ministerial list to the National Assembly in record time. He also congratulated the ministerial nominees for making the cut from a pool of eminent party men and women who could serve in President Buhari Next Level government.
    Dr Uduaghan said, “for us in Delta State, Festus Keyamo‘s appointment did not come as a surprise to us. Festus has distinguished himself and has shown capacity in his previous post as spokesperson of our Presidential Campaign Council. His appointment is very welcomed to the APC family in Delta State.”
    “Some of my brother former Governors and other nominees that made the cut have something tangible to contribute to the Next Level program of Mr. President. I know them and I am sure they can function creditably well with any portfolio given to them at the end of the day.”
    Dr. Uduaghan was also full of praise for President Muhammadu Buhari who yielded to the masses’ pressure to name a cabinet before the Senate goes on long recess.
    “President Buhari has, on several occasion showed that he listens to the masses, whom he holds their mandate so passionately. We are all happy that his cabinet would be named in a matter of days after the National Assembly successfully screens all of them. President Buhari is committed to the success and development of this country. We have seen that with the kind of persons he has chosen to serve with him in this government.
    “Congratulations to all the ministerial nominees. Congratulations to our great party for doing the appropriate thing at a time Nigerians wish this government is firing on full throttle.”

  • We’re set to meet Atiku in Court, says Keyamo

    We’re set to meet Atiku in Court, says Keyamo

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) was prepared and eager to meet the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in court to prove the 2019 election was devoid of rigging, its Director Strategic Communication of the APC Presidential Campaign Council Festus Keyamo (SAN) has said.

    Keyamo, in a statement in Abuja, explained that resorting to court was the only democratic way of ventilating his perceived grievances about the election.

    He stressed the council was not in any way prevailing on the former Vice President not to challenge the outcome of the exercise in court.

    Keyamo denied reports the council has written to some international organisations and development partners to prevail on Atiku not to challenge the outcome in Court.

    He said the body that wrote the letter was not known to the council and does not speak for it and the President.

    According to him: “Our attention has been drawn to some news item and posts on social media reporting that we wrote a letter to some international bodies to prevail on Alhaji Atiku Abubakar not to proceed to court to challenge the result of the 2019 Presidential Election.

    “Our investigation reveals that a letter to that effect was purportedly written by a certain ‘Buhari Campaign Organisation’.

    “This is the second time we will be informing the public that the said ‘Buhari Campaign Organisation’ does not act at the behest of the APC Presidential Campaign Council nor does it represent the Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation in any way.

    “As a result, whatever it has released does not represent the position of the APC Presidential Campaign Council or President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Our official position is that we believe that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has a constitutional right to seek redress in court and we do not seek in any way to curtail that right.

    “In fact, it is the resort to court that is the only democratic way to ventilate his perceived grievance and any attempt to restrict or discourage the exercise of such right would be an invitation to anarchy.

    “In addition, we are very anxious to meet Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in court in order to show the world in a conclusive manner the free and fair nature of the comprehensive defeat of Atiku at the polls. An election is not termed ‘rigged’ only by the mere claim of it by the loser.

    “That is what Atiku and the PDP want to ram down our throats. Unfortunately for them, international, continental and sub-regional observers (who can be seen as neutral by all standards) ALL declared the election to be free, fair and credible. No ego-massaging narrative can change that.

    “We therefore totally disassociate ourselves from the letter purportedly written by one of, perhaps, many support groups of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “They may have a right to their opinion, but it does not represent our official position.“