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Tag: Kayode Fayemi

  • 2023: OPC takes position on Tinubu, Osinbajo, Fayemi’s presidential ambition

    2023: OPC takes position on Tinubu, Osinbajo, Fayemi’s presidential ambition

    The O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) has stated it’s position on the presidential ambition of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports OPC as saying it’s interest is beyond the 2023 general elections, dissociating itself from a coalition of 57 Yoruba groups allegedly rooting for South-West pro-restructuring presidential candidate in 2023.

    OPC Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Oguntimehin, in a statement, denied the involvement of Aare Gani Adams in the mega accord, saying such moves were purely fraudulent and very far from the truth.

    Oguntimehin urged the groups to stop using the name of OPC for petty political mileage, saying OPC was not among the 57 Yoruba groups that met in Lagos at the weekend to mobilise the South-West for Tinubu, Osibajo or Fayemi’s presidency.

    Recall that OPC had been listed among those behind the mega accord of 57 Yoruba civil society groups that met in Lagos recently with a resolve to mobilise the South-West for a pro-restructuring presidential candidate in 2023.

    The meeting was reportedly presided over by a journalist, Mr Adewale Adeoye, while the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting was signed by Messrs Sunday Akinnuoye, Femi Agbana and Mrs Ganiat Toriola.

    The groups noted that they were aware of presidential aspirants like Dr Kayode Fayemi, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    They vowed to ensure that the 2023 presidential election produces a candidate that would restructure the country and resolve the lingering National Question irrespective of political platform.

    But Oguntimehin said that OPC under the leadership of Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams had, at no time, mobilise the group for any politician, insisting that the group’s interest is beyond the 2023 general elections.

    “Including OPC’s name without specific name attached to the purported arrangement of 57 South-West groups rooting for a South-West presidential candidate was a fraud and illegal because we are not a party to a meeting.

    “There was no visual or audio content of how, when or where the meeting was held, only for us to see the story in the papers.

    “We are aware that when elections are approaching, some politicians usually use the OPC’s name to curry favours.

    “There are some groups that are affiliates of political parties that usually make themselves available for politicians as at when due,” he said.

    According to him, those groups masquerading as OPC members have no programme or activities that they are known for.

    “Even if anything happens in Yoruba land, you don’t hear their voices, except, occasionally, during elections or when they are paid to issue statements against us.

    “So, I enjoin whoever that is behind the arrangement to toe the right path and be specific in attaching OPC’s name to any political accord.

    “Anybody or group using our name without proper attachment or specification amounts to fraud and we will handle such in the most conventional manner,” Oguntimehin added.

  • Second appointee of Gov Fayemi resigns, joins Ekiti State governorship race

    Second appointee of Gov Fayemi resigns, joins Ekiti State governorship race

    Mr Bamidele Faparusi, Ekiti Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, has resigned his appointment to contest the state’s 2022 governorship election.

    Faparusi conveyed his resignation to Gov. Kayode Fayemi in a letter dated Dec. 14 and was reportedly acknowledged on Dec. 17.

    Copies of the letter were disseminated to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.

    Faparusi had been a strong proponent of power shift to the Ekiti South Senatorial District.

    The letter reads in part: “It is with great pleasure that I thank you for the vote of confidence reposed in me to represent Ayekire Local Council Development Area in the state’s Executive Council.

    “It enabled me to serve as the political head of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, which is pivotal to the development agenda of this administration.

    “Under your proactive leadership, I had the rare opportunity to consolidate on my cognate experience, broaden my perspective and build capacities in the service to the people.

    “These are the bases of my decision to vie for the governorship seat following extensive consultations with the people and critical stakeholders.

    “I wish to convey my decision to resign from the government to enable me to focus on the intense work required to make our party walk to victory at the poll.

    “Your Excellency, I am most grateful to you and particularly take this opportunity to thank you for the assurances of your unalloyed support.

    “I once again reaffirm my loyalty to you and my commitment to the progress of our great party and Ekiti State.

    “Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards.’’

    Faparusi was elected member of the House of Representatives in 2011, where he represented Ekiti East/Gbonyin/Emure Federal Constituency for four years.

    He has been at the vanguard in the agitation for the zoning of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket to the South Senatorial district.

    Others in the same vanguard argue that this was required in the spirit of equity, justice and fair play since that part of the state had never produced a governor since its creation in 1996.

    Faparusi is an engineer and former member of the House of Representatives.

    He becomes the second top appointee of Gov. Fayemi to resign so as to contest the APC’s governorship primary election scheduled for Jan. 22, 2022.

    Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, left the cabinet two weeks ago following a directive by Gov. Fayemi that cabinet members eyeing the governorship seat should resign on or before Dec. 18.

    The number of politicians that have so far shown interest in the governorship position across board has risen to about 30.

  • Gov. Fayemi presents N100.8bn 2022 budget for Ekiti

    Gov. Fayemi presents N100.8bn 2022 budget for Ekiti

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has presented a budget of N100.8 billion for 2022, to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

    Fayemi presented the budget christened “Budget of Legacy and Consolidation” at Thursday’s plenary presided over by Speaker Funminiyi Afuye in Ado-Ekiti.

    He said that the budget was made up of N60.7 billion recurrent expenditure, representing about 60 per cent and N40.7 billion capital expenditure, representing 40 per cent.

    “The primary objective of the 2022 budget is to complete and consolidate on all our legacy projects and lay a solid foundation for the incoming government.

    “We will focus on projects that will fast track the economic growth of the state.

    “We intend to improve on our Internally Generated Revenue(IGR) by blocking loopholes and identifying new sources of revenue generation, thereby reducing our dependent on the monthly federal allocation,” the governor said.

    Fayemi said that the budget was based on the economic realities in the country and the world in general.

    He said that agriculture and rural development was allocated N2.2 billion, infrastructure and industrial development N28.6 billion, knowledge economy N19.4 billion, social investment N14.6 billion and governance N36.7 billion in the budget.

    Fayemi, who reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of workers, said that the budget has provision for the clearing of backlogs of unpaid salaries.

    He said that the budget would also ensure prompt payment of pensions and gratuities to retired workers.

    He disclosed that more than 2,000,000 people were expected to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the middle of 2022 as captured in the budget.

    He lauded the lawmakers for their usual cooperation, urging them to speedily consider the budget.

    In his address, Afuye, promised continued support of the House to the governor towards development of the state.

    Afuye assured that the House would work assiduously on the budget to ensure its passage before the end of 2021.

    Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Abiodun Oyebanji, representatives of traditional rulers led by Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti of Oye, market women and top government functionaries.

  • VAT war: Nigeria’s tax system problematic, confusing, contradictory – Governors Forum

    VAT war: Nigeria’s tax system problematic, confusing, contradictory – Governors Forum

    The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) said on Monday that it was waiting for the verdict of the Supreme Court before taking any decision on the vexed issue of Valued Added Tax (VAT).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti who doubles as the Chairman of the forum, stated this while featuring on a monitored programme on Arise Television.

    Fayemi said the forum believed that the controversy over VAT required both political and legal measures to be settled.

    “But, our take on this is that the Supreme Court should accelerate its decision so that we have clarity over who should be in charge of Value Added Tax (VAT), whether it is the Federal Inland Revenue Service, or States.

    “States that have gone to court believe clearly that this responsibility evolves, according to their own understanding, on what the Constitution says.

    “The important thing is that our tax system is problematic, confusing, and contradictory. We need to do a lot more to clarify things so that it can give room for more efficient and effective collection of taxes,” Fayemi said.

    The governor also emphasised the need to channel borrowed funds to regenerative ventures that would strengthen the nation’s economy and generate more jobs for the citizens.

    He said that there was nothing wrong in the recent call by President Muhammadu Buhari for a downward review of the nation’s debt portfolio, owing to the prevailing revenue challenges facing the country.

    “The President Buhari administration ought to be commended on the utilization of money being borrowed. It has utilized these monies more on infrastructure development than consumption which has aided economic growth.

    “Clearly, it would be great not to borrow, but it would also be great to redirect the funds that we have to regenerative areas of our economy.

    “Realistically, we have a revenue challenge which has not enabled us to build an economy that responds to the yearnings of Nigerians.

    “I don’t think there is anything wrong in the President, as a major voice in international affair, particularly in Africa and the black world, calling for a review of debt management and arrangements,” he said.

    The Chairman of the NGF also called for a comprehensive approach that would complement the National Security Response Strategy in tackling the lingering security challenges facing the nation.

    According to him, the challenge ultimately was that we must tackle insecurity not on a state-by-state basis alone.

    “Security is a permanent issue on the agenda of our State and as the governor. Ekiti is a state that is on the outer boundary of Northern and Southern Nigeria, right from Kogi and Kwara states.

    “Some of the things that happen in the Northern states do have an impact on our security in Ekiti State, just as it does in every other states around us and clearly.

    “I have argued in the past that there is an inexplicable linkage between the fallout of insurgency and banditry in the Northeast and the Northwest and the kidnapping we are witnessing in some parts of the South.

    “Our duty is to ensure that we protect the citizens on our watch and we have been trying to do that consistently.

    “We have pulled together joint security initiatives between mainstream security institutions like the Police and the Military and also our own local security base.

    “Tackling insecurity should be through a comprehensive approach that will complement the National Security Response Strategy and reduce this scourge that we are experiencing in the country,” he said.

    Lending his voice to the new Petroleum Industry Act, the NGF chairman said: “We do not believe that the Ministry of Finance (incorporated) and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources should be the sole owners of the company that have emerged out of the Petroleum Act.

    “We believe that the entire body of petroleum institution is the product of the federation and not only the Federal Government.

    “And, we have suggested that the one body that belongs to both the Federal, State, and Local Governments is the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority in which we (the states) are all shareholders.

    “And, if it is held in trust by the Authority, then we are a lot more comfortable in seeing that as a federation company rather than a Federal Government company.

    “The second concern that we have expressed relates to the depletion of the federation account by the various percentages that have been earmarked for frontier states and host communities of the petroleum product. Without prejudice to what the host communities deserve,” he said.

    On the 2023 general elections, Fayemi predicted victory for the APC.

    He said: “contentions are always going to happen. APC is a big Party with different tendencies and there will be contentions for and against.

    “We are very confident that this Party will produce the next government in this country in 2023, but before we get there, we are more focused on the country now.

    “The Party is more interested in the stability and security of Nigeria. What is happening internally is something we will resolve internally,” he said.

  • SIRA holds 2021 Annual Public lecture on Saturday

    SIRA holds 2021 Annual Public lecture on Saturday

    The Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA), a leading International Relations Think Tank in Africa will hold its 2021 Annual Public Lecture on Saturday, 21 August 2021, in Abuja FCT.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the event, supported by the Fredrich Erbert Stiftung, (FES) Nigeria is titled “Continuity and Change in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under President Muhammadu Buhari”.

    The 2021 edition of the SIRA’s public lecture will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Business District, Abuja, starting at 11 am.

    The Public Lecture will be delivered by H.E. Prof. Ibrahim A. Gambari, CFR, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to a statement by Oseloka Obaze, Chairperson, SIRA Public Affairs Committee, it is envisaged that the lecture would among other issues, interrogate how Nigeria’s challenging domestic environment is impacting on the conduct of her international relations.

    The Public Lecture, which is expected to attract members of the Diplomatic Corps in Nigeria, Members of Nigeria’s attentive public, international relations experts and students and the Media, will be chaired by H.E. Ambassador Joe Keshi, a former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    Other invited and confirmed high-level participants are H.E. Dr. Geoffrey Onycama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who is the Special Guest of Honour and H.E. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Distinguished Guest of Honour, and the presenter of SIRA’s 2021 Book, titled, “Multilateralism in the Contemporary World.”

    Discussants at the event are: Rear Admiral Anthony Isa, former Commandant of the National Defence College, and Julie G. Sanda, Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, National Defence College, Abuja.

    TNG reports SIRA plans to live stream the public lecture across media platforms.

  • Perpetrators of Ekiti election killings to face murder charges Monday

    Perpetrators of Ekiti election killings to face murder charges Monday

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, on Sunday declared that there is no wasting time in prosecuting those responsible for the killings during Saturday’s house of assembly bye-election, for Murder.

    He said while on a sympathy visit to Omuo Ekiti, headquarters of Ekiti East LGA where the incident occurred, that those arrested would be arraigned not later than Monday for murder.

    While in the town, the governor visited the private home of Sen. Abiodun Olujimi, a PDP Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, who was one of those who narrowly missed being hit by the bullets.

    He later held a closed-door meeting with the Senator where he reportedly told her, after the latter had narrated her ordeal, that the issue at hand was not a political issue, promising that anyone arrested in connection with the attack would be treated as a common criminal, no matter which political party such a person belonged to.

    He said, “We may not be able to bring back the dead but every perpetrator will be dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others.

    “After I spoke with Senator Olujimi on Saturday, I called the Commissioner of Police (CP) and instructed him to do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators and I’m happy to inform you that as I arrived the state (today, Sunday), the CP said all the culprits had been arrested and on Monday, they shall be charged for murder.”

    He also visited the palace of the Olomuo of Omuo Ekiti, Oba Noah Omonigbehin, as well as survivors on their hospital beds, wishing them quick recovery.

    He thanked the Oba for maintaining peace in the community by not allowing residents to take laws into their hands in reaction to the wanton killings.

    He assured the traditional ruler that the perpetrators would be made to face the full weight of the law, saying he would not politicise the incident.

    Responding, Oba Omonigbehin thanked the governor for the condolence visit, pleading that those responsible for the attack be brought to book.

    Recall that three persons were on Saturday shot dead in Omuo-Ekiti by suspected party thugs while five others sustained gunshot wounds during the House of Assembly bye-election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state constituency.

    The seat became vacant following the death in February of an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly, Juwa Adegbuyi.

  • Ekiti Govt relaxes curfew, orders schools to reopen Monday

    Ekiti Govt relaxes curfew, orders schools to reopen Monday

    Ekiti State Government on Sunday night announced that the curfew it imposed on the state from 8pm to 6am, including various other restrictions, had been relaxed.

    Consequently, curfew is now to commence at 10 pm and end at 6 am as a result of school activities and other economic factors.

    Mr Akin Omole, the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, made this known in a statement in Ado Ekiti, saying Gov. Kayode Fayemi gave approval for the development.

    He said the government had also ordered public and private schools in the state to re-open for the Second term of the 2020/21 session from Monday 18th Jan. 2021.

    Omole added that the restriction of a maximum of 20 persons in confined spaces was also removed to allow half capacity of venues for all events indoors and a social distance of two meter spacing for outdoor activities.

    The Commissioner said restrictions earlier placed on the number of religious services had also been lifted

    He, however, warned that permits must be obtained from the State COVID-19 Taskforce for funerals, weddings, birthdays and other large social gatherings at event centers, including hotels, pavilions, fields before the events can hold, .

    “All activities limited to between one and two hours maximum period are encouraged to minimize infection risk.

    “Government workers on grade Levels 12 and below are still excused from work until further notice,” the statement said.

    He explained that the decision to reopen schools in the state was taken to avoid the negative impacts on child health, education and development.

    Omole added that reopening schools would also enable students to complete their studies and continue to the next level without avoidable additional burdens on family income and the overall economy of the people.

    He stated that random testing of teachers and students would be carried out without delay, and urged school administrators and teachers to use infrared thermometers to monitor the temperature of everybody in their respective schools.

    He emphasised that the government would not hesitate to close down any private or public school with problems.

    Reiterating the commitment of the Fayemi-led administration to the general well-being of people in the State, Omole noted that the government had been proactive in its response to the pandemic and had properly positioned the state to effectively counter the spread of all communicable diseases including the pandemic.

    He stressed the need for all and sundry to abide strictly by all laid-down protocol by the state government to protect them from contracting the Coronavirus and help curtail its spread.

    According to him, it is mandatory for everybody to properly wear a nose mask in the State, adding that it was also very essential to avoid crowds, observe social distance spacing, keep rooms well ventilated, regular hand washing with soap and water or using alcohol based sanitizers.

  • Gov. Fayemi appoints Perm Sec as Judge of Ekiti High Court

    Gov. Fayemi appoints Perm Sec as Judge of Ekiti High Court

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, on Sunday appointed Mr Adeniyi Familoni, a Lawyer and current Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, as Judge of the High court of Ekiti State.

    The appointment followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, which found Familoni suitable for appointment, the government said.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olayinka Oyebode, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Ado-Ekiti.

    Oyebode said Familoni began his career as a Legal Officer in the then old Ondo State Ministry of Justice in 1996, and later, Ekiti State Ministry of Justice.

    During his service years in the Ekiti justice ministry, Familoni, at various times held offices such as the Director, Law Review, Director Citizens Rights, Director Civil Litigations and Director Public Prosecutions, he said in the statement.

    He was appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ekiti State Civil Service in April, 2019 and posted to Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, it said.

    According to the statement, Fayemi is set to formally swear in Familoni on Tuesday, at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office.

  • Ekiti sets aside N1.4bn for Amotekun in 2021 budget

    Ekiti sets aside N1.4bn for Amotekun in 2021 budget

    The Ekiti Government on Sunday said it was not taking anything to chance in 2021 addressing the growing insecurity in the state, particularly kidnapping.

    It therefore voted N1.4 billion for the State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, in its 2021 budget.

    The Commissioner for Budget, Mr Femi Ajayi made this known at a press conference in Ado Ekiti where he gave the detailed analysis of the N109.666 budget passed by the state legislative and recently assented to by Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

    Recall Fayemi had on Dec. 23, 2020, assented to the budgetary provision, christened “Budget of Recovery and Economic Restoration”, comprising N58. 4 billion for recurrent and N51.6 billion for capital expenditures .

    Ajayi said that the priority to security was in a bid to further attract investment and ensure safety of all investors and residents.

    “Following the incessant security challenges which include kidnapping, herders/farmers clashes, robberies in the country, to ensure the security of lives and properties, Governor Kayode Fayemi inaugurated the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund coined ‘Amotekun’ in collaboration with other South-Western States on 19th October, 2020.

    “A sum of N1.44 billion has been earmarked as capital allocation for Amotekun Corps. For procurement of Drones for surveillance, a sum of N550 million has been earmarked while a total of N320 million will be spent on safety city project and the Ekiti State Security Trust Fund will gulp a sum of N55 million,” the commissioner said.

    He said that government had also earmarked a total of N8 billion to critical areas of social services, to include the education sector, health, gender empowerment, social security and other pivotal sub-sectors critical to the growth of the state’s economy.

    To fund the budget, Ajayi said that a total of N29.6 billion was expected from the federation account, N8.4 billion raised from Internally Generated revenue including taxes and other fees while N4.5 billion would be generated from tertiary institutions, including other sundry sources.

    The Commissioner stated that the budget was tailored towards resetting the economy to rise to COVID-19 challenges and open a new vista in the fight against poverty, engendering of industrial growth and agribusiness.

    He said a sum of N2.4 billion had been budgeted to start off the recently approved Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology while a total of N677million was earmarked for the new school of Commercial Agriculture, Isan Ekiti.

    Ajayi said that in consideration for human capital development and equality of all genders, the state proposed to hold a Gender Summit and a N35 million had been budgeted for the project.

    The commissioner also said that N20 million would be spent on construction of a Family Court to attend to family issues,” timeously”.

    On urban renewal development , Ajayi said a sum of N250 million was to be expended on the Master Plan of Ado Ekiti and Satellite Towns while a sum of N4.5 million would be spent on ecological programme called NEWMAP.

    On sports, he said about N116 million was voted for youth and sports development, out of which N30 million has been set aside for the upgrade of the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium.

    Also, N15.2 million would be used for the construction of a multipurpose sports hall in Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, while government also allocated N79.2 million and another N15 million to the Ekiti United Football Club and Ekiti Queens FC respectively.

    He assured that the present administration would leave no stone unturned in ensuring the full implementation of the 2021 Budget.

    “This is in fulfilment of the pact signed with the good people of the State, this can only be feasible when we as good citizens perform our civic responsibilities in ensuring payment of taxes and other levies to improve the revenue accruable to the Government”, he said.

  • Ekiti Govt. warns proprietors against contravening school resumption date

    Ekiti Govt. warns proprietors against contravening school resumption date

    The Ekiti government has warned private school proprietors against contravening the Jan. 18 resumption date for the second term academic activities in the state.

    The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Bimpe Aderiye, gave the warning in a statement issued on Monday in Ado-Ekiti.

    According to Aderiye, the announcement for schools to resume for second term academic activities on Jan. 18 in the state still stands and will be enforced.

    She warned that any contrary arrangement by any private school proprietor for students to resume on Jan. 4, wearing either mufti or uniform, must be cancelled.

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi had, during the New Year broadcast, shifted the school resumption date from Jan. 4 to Jan. 18.

    The Governor had also cancelled crossover services in religious centres, among other measures, owing to the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

    He also directed civil servants on grade level 12 and below to work from home until further notice.