One-Year Coronation Anniversary: Ijan-Ekiti Agog As Events Kick Off To Honour Monarch.

One-Year Coronation Anniversary: 

Ijan-Ekiti Agog As Events Kick Off To Honour Monarch.

By: Dare Daramola.

Oba Adebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi, the Afayagbekun II, Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti. 

It's a high-pitched excitement and funfare as the people of Ijan-Ekiti in Gbonyin Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State come together to celebrate First Year Coronation Anniversary of their monarch, Oba Adebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi, the Afayagbekun II.

The much-awaited occasion kicked off today Monday October 2nd, 2023 with an inter-denominational prayer session at the palace of the Onijan at 8.00am.

Speaking on the events lined up for the programme,  the Coronation Anniversary Committee Chairman, Prof. John Olujobi, said the people are in high spirits and ready for a great celebration.

He urged the people to maintain the tempo of enthusiasm that greeted the opening ceremony, including sustaining the prevailing peaceful atmosphere and camaraderie in the town as the three-day programme kicked off.

He also urged peaceful conduct throughout the period of the celebration, even as he called on Ijan sons and daughters across the country to attend the programme.

Oba Adebanji Lawrence Aladesuyi, the Afayagbekun II, Onijan of Ijan-Ekiti. 

The obviously elated Onijan, Oba Aladesuyi, said: "I'm indeed happy that the One- Year Coronation Anniversary is here. I'm thankful to God and my people at home and across the world for their prayers and overwhelming support since the day I ascended the throne. 

"There's no doubt that God answers prayers. All that has happened in the last one year is a great pointer to that. It's God's work and through everyone's support too.

"I want to use this opportunity to once again call on all sons and daughters of our great town to eschew all forms of troubles and bickerings as we celebrate and rejoice together. I want you all to conduct yourselves peacefully and joyously during this programme."

Oba Aladesuyi, who was also full of encomiums and prayers for the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Biodun Oyebanji, on the recent fulfilment of his promise to reconnect the town to the national grid after almost 14 years of power outage, said:

"The people of Ijan both home and abroad will forever remain thankful to Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for the unforgettable gesture of restoring light to our community.

 "Indeed, it's a pointer to the fact that there's nothing difficult for any leader to do if he has the determination and will to do it. What other prayer can one wish for someone that brings you light when you are in darkness! I pray that Almighty God will continue to light up the paths of our Governor and bless his steps in Jesus name."

While acknowledging the Governor's other gestures, including the appointment of Ijan sons to government's positions, he pleaded with the governor to also consider Ijan in the area of social amenities, including water.

He assured all chieftaincy titles and awards recipients  of a hitch-free anniversary and encourage them to see Ijan as their home always.

He also wished all Ijan sons and daughters in the diaspora that are coming home to attend the ceremony a safe flight back to their fatherland.

Alongside the inter-denominational prayers are other events, such as symposium/career talks, football match, cultural activities, Jumaat service,  night-out with Kabiyesi, while the grand finale of the coronation anniversary holds on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Betta Edu Launches National Social Register Verification in Lagos Communities, Aims for Genuine Assistance to the Needy.

Betta Edu Launches National Social Register Verification in Lagos Communities, Aims for Genuine Assistance to the Needy.

 .....Says Ministry will works with States, LGAs, and Traditional Rulers, community heads For Accurate Data.

Nigeria's Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has flagged off the verification of the National Social Register (NSR) in Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Makoko, Sogunro and Apollo villages in Lagos State, South West Nigeria, with a promise to get Nigerians a social register with integrity. The National Social Register Verification will be extended to other parts of Lagos State after the Flagoff.

The exercise, which commenced simultaneously across the country in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, will last for three weeks.

Speaking shortly after she carried out door to door verification of the register at the remote Lagos suburb, the Minister, who was ferried in a canoe, said the federal government was ready to put money into the hands of Nigerians to assist them in their businesses, education of their children, livelihood, and job creation.

According to her,  the exercise is an integrity tests. President Bola Tinubu wants sincerity in who gets the conditional cash transfers. He wants to truly touch the lives of the poor and change things for the better.

She said those who were captured would be checked to know if they deserved to be on the register or not, while areas that was left out will be covered.

"Federal government is going to put money into the households in Nigerians to assist them in terms of their businesses, livelihood, education, to be able to pay fees for their children, improve access to social services, subsidize their daily transportation cost, give them spending power to provide for basic health care needs, job creation etc.

"For us to do this, we need to verify the National Social Register, the President has given approved that we should go down to the grassroots and ensure that the National Social Register is a true reflection of truly poor people.

"We need to verify that people on the list live below one dollar 95 cents a day and are affected by multi dimensional poverty and sincerely are those who need help; those who have no business being there should be removed those who need to be on the register should be included. 

Speaking further, Edu said:  "We are doing both community targeting and geographical targeting, we have seen that certain areas of Makoko have been covered by NSR, while certain areas have not been captured, we will capture them.

"The activities we will flag off here are being carried out across the country, working with states and communities. Our State Governors, will chair the steering committee at state while the Local Government Areas, and Community Leaders will be involved to get NSR with Integrity.

"We want to ensure that those who will be getting the money are those who truly need it with zero political social or personal interference,” she said. 

On his part, the new National Coordinator for the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Abdulaziz Danladi, who described Dr. Edu, as a field and community-oriented Minister, said her passion for the job will be supported by all the foot soldiers.

Danladi said that strengthening the social safety nets and social protection system in the country was a core strategy to help end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.

He explained that the core mandate of NASSCO was to lay a strong foundation for rigorous and reliable evidence of poor and vulnerable households in Nigeria which the Minister is championing.

Highpoint of the visit by the Minister, accompanied by the Honourable Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees migrants and IDPs, Mr. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed and Director General NAPTIP,  Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi as well as other top members of the Minister’s team, was the distribution of food items and expanded medical outreach to the vulnerable in Oko Agbon, Adogbo, Migbewhe, Makoko, Sogunro and Apollo villages in Lagos State.

#FMHAPA

Ekiti at 27: 92-Year-Old Fasuan Affirms We're on the Right Path.

Ekiti at 27: 92-Year-Old Fasuan Affirms We're on the Right Path.

Elder statesman and Chairman of the Committee for the Creation of Ekiti State, Chief Deji Fasuan has said the State is still on course in terms of actualising the vision of the founding fathers.

Chief Fasuan who equally turned 92 years on Sunday as Ekiti indigenes marked the 27th anniversary of the State, expressed satisfaction that despite the various challenges that had confronted the State, it is making gradual progress against all odds since it was created in 1996.

The elder statesman spoke to journalists during a visit by the state Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji to his residence in Ado- Ekiti on Sunday. Oyebanji was the secretary on state creation while Chief Fasuan was chairman in the nineties.

Reviewing the socioeconomic development the state has witnessed in the last 27 years, Chief Fasuan said that the existence of a State named after Ekiti people had justified the efforts and sacrifices made by those who worked for its creation.

He recalled the ordeals of the committee and admitted that the emergence of the Secretary of the Committee, Mr Biodun Oyebanji as the State Governor has further raised hope that the development envisioned by the founding fathers would be actualised faster.

He said he was satisfied that the people are getting the type of attention and development they clamored for, adding that the state capital, Ado-Ekiti had become more cosmopolitan just like some other major towns with successive governments investing in infrastructure upgrade.

While commending Governor Oyebanji for his progressive initiatives towards bringing more development to the state, the elder statesman called on all Ekiti indigenes to join hands with the Governor to realize his vision for Ekiti State.

Chief Fasuan asserted that the Governor understood the vision of the founding fathers and has been working tirelessly in actualizing an enviable Ekiti state.

In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, who was on a congratulatory visit to the nonagenarian, thanked him for leading notable Ekiti leaders in ensuring Ekiti got a state.

Oyebanji said the creation of Ekiti State has brought a lot of development in the last 27 years of the state’s existence, adding that the dreams and vision of the founding fathers to have a state that would be a source of pride to all are being achieved as Ekiti is now an important factor in Nigeria’s political enterprise.

He maintained that the state has assumed its proper pride of place in the comity of states across the nation by building a formidable profile of a progressive and development- oriented state that is poised for inclusive prosperity for all.

While congratulating the nonagenarian on the occasion of his 92nd birthday celebration, the Governor said history will forever be kind to Chief Fasuan for the notable role he played in the struggle for the creation of Ekiti state and the development of the state.

“I’ m just grateful to God that he is alive, just 27 years ago on a day like this we all gathered here to listening to the presidential broadcast that gave birth to Ekiti”

“it is a 27 years of development, we have not remained on the same spot, as a people we have carved an identity for ourselves and that is what is most important in the Nigeria political space” the Governor stated.

When Fasuan, the Jagunmolu of Ado-Ekiti and Asiwaju of Afao-Ekiti tuned 90 two years ago, former President Muhammadu Buhari applauded his life “devoted to the service of the country, particularly as one of the builders of the public service in the defunct Western Region, and founding General Manager of Investment Corporation, the most successful arm of the old Ondo State government.”

Chief Fasuan, who trained as an economist at the Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone in the 1950s and specialised later as an Industrial Economist at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC, the United States of America (U.S.A), as Buhari put it then , used all the endowments to serve his country creditably.

Ekiti State NYC Celebrates Members' Success in Securing Councillorship Tickets in Various Political Wards.

Ekiti State NYC Celebrates Members' Success in Securing Councillorship Tickets in Various Political Wards. 

The Ekiti State Chapter of the Nigerian Youth Congress is elated to announce the success of its dedicated members who have secured their party's nomination to contest for the position of Councillor in their respective political wards.

Adewumi Sikiru Adekunle of Igede Ward B in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government.

The heartfelt congratulations go out to Olumide Damilola of Odin/Itapa ward in Oye Local Government, Adewumi Sikiru Adekunle of Igede Ward B in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government, and Abiodun Olufemi of Ijero Ward B. This opportunity to vie for councillor positions in the upcoming local government elections is a testament to their dedication and commitment.

AMB Olumide Damilola of Odin/Itapa ward in Oye Local Government.

The Nigerian Youth Congress Ekiti State Chapter, under the leadership of Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses, stands united in urging these promising candidates to not only represent their constituents with excellence but also to uphold the integrity of the organization. Their mission is clear: to collaborate closely with their respective local government chairmen and the state government, striving to actualize the long-awaited dividends of democracy for the residents of their political wards. Placing the interests of the people above all else is the guiding principle for these aspiring councillors.

Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses, the Executive Chairman Nigerian Youth Congress, Ekiti State.

With the election day drawing near in the coming weeks, the Nigerian Youth Congress Ekiti State Chapter reaffirms its unwavering support for these candidates. Ààrẹ Adedara Temitope Moses, the youth congress' chairman, extends an open invitation to seek his guidance and assistance whenever needed.

Once again, heartfelt congratulations are in order for Olumide Damilola, Adewumi Sikiru Adekunle, and Abiodun Olufemi on their remarkable achievements.

Gombe State Governor Approves N10,000 Transport Allowance for Workers Amid Calls for New Minimum Wage.

Gombe State Governor Approves N10,000 Transport Allowance for Workers Amid Calls for New Minimum Wage.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has announced the approval of a N10,000 transport allowance for state workers as part of measures to alleviate economic challenges. This announcement was made in his 63rd Independence Day message on Sunday. Governor Yahaya also revealed that the state has initiated a food distribution program targeting 400,000 beneficiaries.

In his Independence Day message, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, who also serves as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, disclosed the state's commitment to improving the welfare of its workforce. He stated, "Our administration has already approved N10,000 transport allowance to all workers in the state pending the determination of a new minimum wage." This gesture is seen as a step towards addressing the financial needs of workers while awaiting the finalization of a new minimum wage.

However, it's worth noting that the approved transport allowance of N10,000 falls short of the N35,000 approved by the Federal Government for its workers, a decision attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Nigeria's minimum monthly wage, which was approved in 2019, stands at N30,000. Nevertheless, the country has been grappling with a challenging economic climate, marked by soaring headline inflation, which reached 25.80 percent in August 2023. The removal of fuel subsidies has added to the economic strain, intensifying calls for a new minimum wage to address the increasing cost of living.

Governor Yahaya's decision to provide financial relief to state workers through the transport allowance is seen as a response to these pressing economic challenges. As the state awaits further developments on the minimum wage issue, this allowance aims to ease the financial burdens faced by the workforce.

The move also underscores the commitment of Gombe State's government to address the needs of its citizens and workers amid economic uncertainties. As discussions on a new minimum wage continue, the governor's decision offers immediate support to workers in the state.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya's announcement of a N10,000 transport allowance for Gombe State workers reflects the state government's commitment to supporting its workforce amid calls for a new minimum wage. As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges, this decision aims to provide immediate financial relief to state employees while discussions on the minimum wage continue.

WAEC Appoints Dr Amos Josiah Dangut As New Head Of Nigeria Office.

WAEC Appoints Dr Amos Josiah Dangut As New Head Of Nigeria Office.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has appointed Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut as its new Head of the Nigeria National Office (HNO).

Dr. Dangut succeeds Patrick Ehidiamen Areghan, who it said completed an innovative revolution in the West African examination body with digital certificates ‘WAEC Verify’ and a platform for research.

In a statement signed and released by Acting Head Public Affairs, WAEC, Moyosola Adesina, the new head of national office is to pilot the affairs of the regional examination body for the next two years and consolidate on the gains of the previous administration led by Areghan.

Dr. Dangut is an astute scholar with various educational publications in international and national journals having joined WAEC in 1998 as an Assistant Registrar (AR) II and rose through the ranks to become a Deputy Registrar in April 2018.

Until his appointment as the Head of the Nigeria National Office, Dangut was the Deputy Registrar/HNO’s Office.

Dr. Amos Josiah Dangut was born on October 2, 1967, in Mbar District of Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State. He had his first degree in Animal Production in 1991 at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State. Having bagged a Bachelor’s Degree, as a man whose thirst for learning can never be quenched, he proceeded further to undertake some studies leading to the awards of Master of Science in Animal Science in April 1994 from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Doctor of Philosophy (Animal Science, 2017), from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi and finally, Master of Education (Administration and Planning) in 2020 from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

UK Govt Promises Support To Hummanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Ministry in Nigeria.

UK Govt Promises Support To Hummanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Ministry in Nigeria.

The United Kingdom has pledged to support the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in its drive to reduce humanitarian crises and end poverty in Nigeria. 

Development Director, British High Commission, Abuja, Dr Christopher Pycrof made this known Thursday when he paid a visit to the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation,  Dr Betta Edu in her office.

Pycrof assured the Minister that the British government would place at her disposal any assistance her Ministry might require to succeed in its mandate.

According to him,  "I just like to make it absolutely clear to you that the UK Government will provide you with support, we have a team which is focused both on the humanitarian side but also increasingly on the development side as well.

"So we are looking to work to provide durable solutions and we should be able to reduce that sense of separation between the need to provide lifesaving humanitarian support on the one hand, and then the need to provide development support on the other.

"We see it as a holistic approach for people to be in humanitarian need for as little time as possible, to work with them to be able to achieve sustainable livelihoods durable solutions, and then development which benefits everybody here in Nigeria. We have a lot of expertise which I would make available to support the ministry.

Describing the Minister' ,job as "one of the most complicated jobs in government",  Pycrof commended Edu for the excellent manner she has  so far piloted the affairs of the Ministry stating that her passion and commitment will make a big difference.

"I think it's probably safe to say that you've got one of the most complicated jobs in government. Not only have you got responsibility for dealing with the humanitarian situation, but then the poverty alleviation agenda means that you're also going to be involved in financial issues, in health, agriculture, education, infrastructure and employment etc. And you must coordinate from federal government with the State governments as well” Pycrof said. 

Responding,  Dr. Edu expressed immense gratitude to the UK government for the great support and partnership over the years. She was optimistic that working together,  would birth a better result for Nigeria.

"We are really very grateful to the UK for continuous support. President Bola Tinubu has carefully selected his agenda to meet the needs of Nigerians in a sustainable manner. His priorities are to eradicate poverty, ensure food security, create jobs and protect the citizens of this country. Nations and development partners must key into this agenda for better coordination and impact. We are glad that you have committed to supporting the ministry we urgently require that support to make an impact.

The Ministry will work with other line ministries and the state governments, Local Government and development partners including great nations like yours to achieve the needed results.” Said the Minister.