JUST IN: Akeredolu Sacks D-Gov’s Media Aides, Disbands Press Crew.

JUST IN: Akeredolu Sacks D-Gov’s Media Aides, Disbands Press Crew.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has sacked all media aides attached to his deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Below is a press statement announcing the developmental Unedited:

Government House Media Team Rejigged.

All media aides appointed by the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and seconded to the office of the deputy Governor, have been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect. 

The affected aides include: Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola; Special Assistant to Governor (New Media) Okunniga Oladipupo; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography) Abayomi Samson Adefolalu. 

They are to submit all government properties in their possession to the Acting Permanent Secretary, Office of the deputy Governor. 

Similarly, the Press Crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded. 

Consequently, all members of the Press Crew are to report back to their various ministries and stations. 

Equally, the ministry of Information and Orientation is directed to provide adequate coverage for the activities of the deputy’s governor office henceforth. 

Signed: 

Richard Olatunde 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor 

September 12, 2023.

Ado North LCDA Chairman, Hon. Yomi Oso, Outlines Vision and Achievements for Development.

Ado North LCDA Chairman, Hon. Yomi Oso, Outlines Vision and Achievements for Development.

In Pic: Hon. Yomi Oso, Chairman Ado North LCDA.

The Chairman, Ado North LCDA, Hon. Yomi Oso, had assured the citizens of the area that his administration will lay a solid foundation for the development of the Council area through prudent management of financial and human resources, running an open administration and adopting the bottom - top approach to governance.

The Chairman spoke during a Radio personality programme, gave a vivid description of the composition of the LCDA, saying it is one of the largest in the State as it spans, Okeyinmi- Okeila- Afao  Ekiti border; Christ School-Dallimore- Adebayo-Opoogbooro-EKSU; and Olorunsogo- Olorunda- Ikingbinsin axis, hence, the necessity for its affairs to be properly and efficiently managed.

The Council's helmsman seized the opportunity to intimate the public about the efforts being made by his administration on constructing a befitting Secretariat for the Council by acquiring thirty (30) plots of land, along Afao Road, constructing the fence, and acquiring the Certificate of Occupancy to guarantee ownership, intimating the people further that the Secretariat construction has reached an advanced stage.

In order to boost the Council's IGR, improve the economic status and add  to the aesthetics of Ado Ekiti metropolis, Hon. Yomi Oso, revealed the efforts being made by his administration, through Public Private Partnership, towards rebuilding the old Mojere market, to an ultra -modern shopping complex featuring shops, modern toilets and expansive parking space. The Chairman, reiterated that the Certificate of Occupancy of the market had been acquired in consonance with his promise to secure all assets and property of the LCDA to avoid such resources from falling into private hands.

Hon. Yomi Oso commended  the Ekiti State Governor, HE, Biodun Oyebanji, for his laudable efforts in dredging the canals and desilting the drainages in Ado Ekiti metropolis to forestall flooding which often leads to loss of lives and property. He spoke in details about the ecological work done by his administration at the Dallimore - Olobe - Okeila - Adebayo axis which has now made the notorious poor road passable and the people a sigh of relief from erosion pledging  to replicate similar work in some other areas of the LCDA.

Some residents of the area, James Olayinka (Afao Rd), Olufemi Hassan (Ileri Community) and Iyanda Mary (Dallimore), all poured encomiums on tlHon. Oso for implementing people oriented programmes, they however, advised him to intensify efforts on grading of roads, drainages construction and poverty alleviation programmes. Hon Oso replied by appreciating the people for their unflinching support for the State and Local Governments with a bold assurance that his administration will intensify efforts on bringing the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the people.

Sandwich Programme, Not Inferior To Regular Programme -EKSU VC.

Sandwich Programme, Not Inferior To  Regular Programme -EKSU VC. 

In Pic: Professor Edward Olanipekun, The Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti.

The Vice Chancellor, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Edward Olanipekun has described Sandwich Programme as a mode of learning to acquire university degrees and not in any way inferior to the regular degree programme of the university.

The Vice Chancellor made the clarification at the matriculation ceremony held for the newly admitted students into the Sandwich Degree Programme of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti for the 2023 Contact Session.

At the ceremony,

Professor Olanipekun gave a comparative analysis of  Part time/Sandwich and Regular Programmes and asserted that, the admission requirements and conditions for the award of degrees to graduates of the different programmes are the same.

He charged the matriculants to be proud of their studentship of Ekiti State University which is ranked  as the 14th best out of over 250 universities in Nigeria and the 3rd best among State Universities. 

The Vice Chancellor used the occasion to reiterate the university authority's determination to sustain its zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour as well as acts that are tantamount to breach of rules and regulations, since appropriate sanctions are always placed on anyone who flouts the matriculation oath. He, therefore, advised the fresh students to avail themselves of the University students' Hand Book in order to be more acquainted with the university regulations.

The Registrar of the University, Mr Ife Oluwole  had earlier led the students in taking the matriculation oath.

The ceremony was attended by the Principal Officers of the University, Director, Directorate of Continuing Education Programme, Deans of Faculties among many others.

President Tinubu Mourns Victims Of Boat Accidents In Niger, Adamawa States.

President Tinubu Mourns Victims Of Boat Accidents In Niger, Adamawa States.

President Bola Tinubu extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the recent boat mishaps in Mokwa Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State and Gurin village, in Fufore LGA of Adamawa State, which tragically claimed many lives, including several children.  

While expressing solidarity with the governments and people of Niger and Adamawa States as they swiftly mobilized emergency response teams and volunteers to provide immediate assistance to those affected by the incidents, the President wishes a most speedy recovery to those who were injured.

Furthermore, President Tinubu demands a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the recurring tragedy of fatal boat incidents across the nation. 

The President directs various government agencies, including law enforcement, maritime safety and transportation safety authorities to collaborate closely in identifying the root causes of these unfortunate and preventable disasters.

President Tinubu underscores his commitment to holding government agencies accountable for any regulatory or safety lapses and further instructs a comprehensive review of safety measures and a strict enforcement of existing laws on boating activities in the country.

The President assures the affected families and communities of government’s continued support and his commitment to the prevention of such tragic incidents from occurring in the future.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 12, 2023

Governor Abiodun breaks silence on Daniel’s DATKEM Demolition.

Governor Abiodun breaks silence on Daniel’s DATKEM Demolition.

The Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun says the partial demolition of a five-storey building is not politically motivated as insinuated in many quarters.

The property is believed to be that of Olufunke Daniel, the wife of a former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

While she had traded words with Abiodun, the governor during an inspection of the reconstruction of the 8km Mowe/Ofada Road in the Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of the state on Monday said the demolition became imperative as it contravened the laws.

“The owners of DATKEM in their minds must have felt they were above the law because they were actually recalcitrant. It smirks of impunity if the Ministry of Physical Planning sends you a contravention order, sends you a seal order and you continue with the construction in violation of the safety of all of us in Ogun State,” he said.

“They sent you a demolition order, but you still did not respond. You begin to sneak into the building at night. You begin to work there. You begin to attempt to grease palms so that they can overlook your contraventions. But, of course, the day of reckoning would always come.”

Governor Abiodun commended officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning for standing their ground despite immense pressure.

According to him, the state government has been demolishing illegal properties with no noise about it. Governor Abiodun wondered why issues have arisen over the recent demolition, saying the state laws must be followed to the latter irrespective of social status.

He warned owners of structures without authorised documents from the state government agencies that his government won’t tolerate illegality.

FG won’t introduce new taxes — Presidential Committee.

FG won’t introduce new taxes — Presidential Committee.

Chairman of the presidential committee on fiscal policy and tax reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said no government agency has been stopped from collecting revenue, noting his team’s been mandated to harmonise tax collection.

Oyedele, a former fiscal policy partner and Africa tax leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, PwC, also said the federal government did not intend to introduce new taxes.

The fiscal policy expert spoke on Sunday, in a post on X, addressing some frequently asked questions, FAQs, about the committee.

However, Oyedele said many of the agencies would rather focus on their primary functions, hence, the committee planned to harmonise revenue collection.

He said: “No agency has been stopped from collecting revenue as many of them are empowered to do so by law.

”However, many of the agencies would rather focus on their primary functions, hence we intend to harmonise the fragmented revenue collection functions into one agency for each government.

“This is the case in many countries, including the leading tax regimes in Africa. This reform will help improve efficiency and enable the agencies to focus on their primary mandates for the overall benefit of the economy.”

He clarified that while the committee did not intend to introduce new taxes, it also didn’t want to impose higher tax rates.

“Rather, our mandate is to reduce the number of taxes and levies while harmonising revenue collection to reduce the burden on the people and businesses.

“The objective is to avoid taxing investment, capital, production or poverty. We plan to review and re-enact the major tax laws in a holistic manner thereby limiting the necessity for frequent changes through annual finance acts,” he said.

On how the committee planned to achieve a tax-to-gross domestic product ratio of 18 per cent in three years, Oyedele said the average tax-to-GDP ratio for Africa, excluding Nigeria, was about 18 per cent.

“This is the basis for the target of 18 per cent and the estimated tax gap of N20 trillion. There is a huge opportunity to generate revenue by leveraging technology and tax intelligence to close the gap.”

Medical Workers Hail Oyebanji’s Gesture Of Better Welfare Package.

Medical Workers Hail Oyebanji’s Gesture Of Better Welfare Package.

The Medical And Health Workers Union Of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter (MHWUN) has lauded Governor Oyebanji for his resilience in making the welfare of health workers a priority which is aimed at encouraging them to improve on their services.

In an appreciation letter made available to newsmen , the Secretary of the union, Comrade Ilebaye Titus in Ado Ekiti expressed gratitude to Governor Oyebanji on behalf of the association for paying their numerous allowances which had hitherto generated a lot of controversies between  government and health workers unions.  

Ilebaye said the union would not relent in propagating the uncommon willingness of Governor Oyebanji in implementing all benefits for health workers in the state

The MHWUN described the Governor as God ordained for the people of the state as he keeps fulfilling the promises he made to workers in the state .

Ilebaye explained that the benefits ranges from implementation of 90% CONHESS and 100% allowance for health workers at the local government, Payment of one year leave bonus for state and local government and implementation of consequential adjustment for workers on Grade Level 14 and above for state and local government workers respectively. 

Others include implementation of financial benefits of 2020 & 2021 promotions for State, Local Governments and constituting a committee on implementation of salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospital Management Board (HMB). 

He prayed  that the Almighty God would continue to bestow divine wisdom and strength on the Governor to move the state to greater heights.