EKSG Settles Ayedun Community's Chieftaincy Row, Begs monarch, chiefs to respect tradition.

EKSG Settles Ayedun Community's Chieftaincy Row, Begs monarch, chiefs to respect tradition.

The Ekiti State Government, has settled the chieftaincy crisis brewing between the Owa of Odo- Ayedun, Oba Solomon Ilesanmi Ajibade and some chiefs over modalities being adopted for  the installation of traditional Chiefs in the community.

 While mediating in the crisis on Thursday, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, pleaded with the parties to handle the matter with caution and think more of how to maintain peace in the town.

The monarch and the chiefs  were embroiled in tussle over the mode of installation of Chiefs in the two quarters of Odo and Emila, with the aggrieved chiefs accusing the monarch of hijacking their powers and trying to make himself the sole authority that can perform such duty in the town. 

The Chiefs contended that each of the quarter heads are traditionally empowered to install their chiefs, saying they only need to issue notice of installation to the monarch as a mark of respect to his palace.

Resolving the matter,  Mrs Afuye, after listening to all parties, directed the monarch to convene an enlarged  peace meeting of the town over the matter, so that the issue of factional crisis can be tackled for the community to chart a new way for its development. 

Mrs Afuye told the monarch to stop installing chiefs where he has no power to do so in line with culture and tradition, adding that those already installed by the monarch must return to their quarters to perform all the necessary traditions. 

She  also warned the quarter heads against issuing emergency notice to the monarch, while planning to install a new Chief as a mark of respect for royalty. 

The Deputy Governor also ordered the monarch to immediately  release the withheld monthly stipends due to the Chiefs, who had abstained from attending palace meetings, adding that whoever refuses to attend the statutory palace meeting shouldn't be paid. 

Mrs Afuye said the the crisis should be settled among the chiefs and elites to prevent unnecessary divisions, bad blood and bloodshed that would heat up the polity and contravenes the gospel of peace being preached by  Governor Oyebanji across the state. 

In his submission, Oba Ajibade appreciated the government for intervening the matter, urging all the parties to adhere strictly to the verdict passed by the Deputy Governor for the town to be in peace.

The monarch assured the government that he would champion a peace meeting that would unite the community and bring radical development to the town. 

Oba Ajibade appealed to the aggrieved chiefs to forget the past and think more about the future of the community and propagate those things that can promote unity in the town.

EKSG To Partner UN-HABITAT On Ado Ekiti Smart City Project.

EKSG To Partner UN-HABITAT On Ado Ekiti Smart City Project.

In a bid to transform the urban landscape of Ado Ekiti, the Government of Ekiti State has disclosed plans to strategically partner with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT) for a comprehensive urbanization and development of the state capital.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday during a press briefing on UN-HABITAT Scooping Mission in Ekiti, the Special Adviser, Bureau of Housing and Mortgage Development, Mr. Gboyega Oloniyo said the partnership would focus on sustainable urban development and improvement in the quality of life in Ekiti.

Present at the press briefing were, Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Oladapo Karounwi; Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof Mobolaji Aluko; and Special Adviser, State Capital Development Authority, Hon Tade Aluko, among others.

Oloniyo explained that the scoping mission would also provide a unique platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, collaborations among expert, policymakers and stakeholders, adding that the UN expertise and experience, over the years , will undoubtedly enrich the understanding and contribute to the formulation of comprehensive strategies for sustainable development in the state.

Reiterating the commitment of the Biodun Oyebanji administration to sustainable urbanization, access to basic service and creating resilient cities for the citizens, the Oloniyo assured that the collaboration would address the problem of urbanization in the state capital such as housing, infrastructure, environment, sustainability and social inclusion.

He said the collaboration would also consider local communities by listening to their voices and learn from experience, which by so doing would ensure that actions are truly people-centered and that the strategies developed are tailored towards the unique needs and aspirations of the people.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser, State Capital Development Authority, Hon Trade Aluko said the Chairmen of Ado local government and local council areas would be adequately carried along in order to make the project a seamless exercise.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Defects to APC, Citing Irreconcilable Differences in YPP.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Defects to APC, Citing Irreconcilable Differences in YPP.

Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, who represents Anambra South Senatorial District, has made a significant political move by defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Ubah, also known as the CEO of Capital Oil, was originally elected under the Young Progressive Party (YPP) in 2019. Remarkably, he secured re-election under the YPP in the recently concluded 2023 General Election.

The decision to switch parties was explained in a letter that Senate President Godswill Akpabio read during a concise plenary session on Thursday. Senator Ubah's move to the APC stems from what he describes as "irreconcilable differences" within the YPP.

This political development marks a significant shift in the balance of power, and Senator Ubah's decision is expected to have notable implications in the Nigerian political landscape. The APC gains an influential member with this defection, and it will be interesting to observe how this change will influence future political dynamics.

As Senator Ubah embarks on this new political journey with the APC, his role in shaping the party's direction and strategies will be closely watched, as his wealth of experience and influence may contribute significantly to the party's growth and influence in Anambra and beyond.

The shifting political allegiances in Nigerian politics continue to evolve, and Senator Ubah's defection underscores the fluid nature of political affiliations in the country.

This development comes at a time when political realignments are not uncommon, and Senator Ubah's decision adds another layer of complexity to the ever-changing landscape of Nigerian politics.

The move of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to the APC, a dominant political party, may set in motion a series of events that could reshape the political landscape in Anambra and the broader Nigerian political spectrum.

As we watch how this story unfolds, it's evident that political strategies and alliances in Nigeria remain dynamic, with outcomes that are often unpredictable.

House of Representatives Screens NDDC Board and Management Nominees.

House of Representatives Screens NDDC Board and Management Nominees.

The House of Representatives conducted a thorough screening of the presidential nominees for the Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). This important session took place on Thursday as the nominees presented themselves before the House ad-hoc committee, tasked with the responsibility of conducting this significant screening.

In her opening remarks, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, called upon the nominees to, upon their anticipated confirmation, uphold the trust placed in them by H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. She emphasized the need for visionary leaders with impeccable integrity to lead the commission and ensure its mission translates into tangible improvements in the lives of Niger Delta's people and communities.

The screening process featured detailed presentations by Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, nominees for the positions of NDDC Chairman and Managing Director/CEO, respectively. They shared insights into their career backgrounds and articulated their visions for the commission.

Subsequently, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Ali Isa, made a motion for the nominees to take a bow as a sign of respect, given that the Senate had previously screened and confirmed these candidates. This motion received a second from Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims, and was unanimously approved by the committee.

Following the screening exercise, the committee will prepare and submit its report along with recommendations during a plenary session. Once confirmed by the House, the National Assembly will transmit its resolution to the Presidency, thereby satisfying the requirement of Section 2 (2) (a) of the NDDC Act, which mandates Senate and House of Representatives consultations for nominee screening and confirmation.

The screened nominees include:

• Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman (Delta)
• Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director/CEO (Bayelsa)
• Mr. Boma Iyaye, ED, Finance & Admin (Rivers)
• Mr. Victor Antai, ED, Projects (Akwa Ibom)
• Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, ED, Corporate Services (Ondo)
• Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa)
• Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom)
• Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya (Delta)
• Chief Tony Okocha State (Rivers)
• Hon. Patrick Aisowieren (Edo)
• Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu State (Imo)
• Hon. Otitio Atikase (Ondo)
• Chief Dimgba Eruba (Abia)
• Rt. Hon Orok Otu Duke (Cross River)
• Hon. Nick Wende (North Central)
• Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak (North East)
• Senator Dr. Ibrahim Gobir (North West)

Hon. Prof. Julius Inhovbere, the House leader, urged the nominees to take the responsibility of charting a new course for the critical interventionist agency seriously. He emphasized the importance of fairness and justice for all communities and reminded the nominees to uphold the fear of God and respect for the constitution in their duties, as they are expected to deliver results that all Nigerians can be proud of.

Justice for one is justice for all, and justice for all is justice for one, he concluded.

Jointly Signed:

Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu Chairperson, House Committee on NDDC

Hon. Akin Rotimi, Jr. House Spokesman / Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs

Federal Government orders road contractors back to sites.

Federal Government orders road contractors back to sites. 

The Federal Government yesterday directed contractors of abandoned projects to stop palliative work and return fully to site.

 It also said that 80 percent of road rehabilitation by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) would soon be executed through direct labour. 

Works Minister Dave Umahi, who spoke at a meeting with contractors in Abuja, also reiterated his directive to contractors handling some road projects to report to their sites within 14 days.

He warned that failure by such contractors to comply with the directive would lead to the termination of their contracts.

Umahi pointed out that the ministry would no longer tolerate palliative work on road projects the government had already paid a substantial amount on.

He added that payment to contractors would now be based on work done with verifiable proof. 

The minister also said that with about 3, 000 workers, only  20 percent of road repairs by FERMA should be done through contracts.

He added that he had secured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for work to commence on 60 projects, he warned that any contractor with up to four pending projects would not be given additional ones.

Umahi did not name the projects.

Stressing that he is dealing with inherited deficits, the former governor of Ebonyi State, noted that the size of projects does not matter but the quality of the work done. 

 He also clarified that there was no ban on the use of asphalt in road construction. The minister pointed out that any contractor using asphalt must be ready to sign an assurance document.   

Umahi also warned contractors holding clandestine meetings about the activities in the ministry to stop doing so.

President Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairman And Secretary Of The Commission.

President Tinubu Appoints New EFCC Chairman And Secretary Of The Commission.

By the powers vested in President Bola Tinubu as established in section 2 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, that “the Chairman and members of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the President," President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ola Olukoyede to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of four years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

Mr. Ola Olukoyede is a lawyer with over twenty-two (22) years of experience as a regulatory compliance consultant and specialist in fraud management and corporate intelligence. He has extensive experience in the operations of the EFCC, having previously served as Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman (2016-2018) and Secretary to the Commission (2018-2023). As such, he fulfills the statutory requirement for appointment as Chairman of the EFCC.

Mr. Olukoyede's appointment follows the resignation of the suspended Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Furthermore, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda to serve as the Secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a renewable term of five years in the first instance, pending Senate confirmation.

Mr. Muhammad Hassan Hammajoda is a public administrator with extensive experience in public finance management who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maiduguri and a Masters in Business Administration from the same university. He began his career as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi. From there, he went into banking, including successful stints at the defunct Allied Bank and Standard Trust Bank.

President Bola Tinubu tasks the new leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to justify the confidence given to them in this important national assignment as a newly invigorated war on corruption undertaken through a reformed institutional architecture in the anti-corruption sector remains a central pillar of the President's Renewed Hope agenda.

Be Focused To Be Great In Life, Oyebanji's Wife Urges Schoolgirls.

Be Focused To Be Great In Life, Oyebanji's Wife Urges Schoolgirls.

...Celebrates International Day of the Girl Child With Students.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has counseled schoolgirls to be focused on their studies and pursue their dreams with determination for them to achieve greatness in life.

Dr. Oyebanji gave the advice on Wednesday when she marked this year’s International Day of the Girl Child with the students of Mary Immaculate Grammar School, Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The First Lady urged the girls not to distract themselves with issues like having boyfriends which she identified as a factor that has negative effects on their academic performance and capable of entangling them with unwanted pregnancy.

The Governor’s wife urged the students to learn from her experience as a schoolgirl at Baptist Comprehensive High School, Ado Ekiti where she was serious with her studies and never distracted herself with premature relationship with any boyfriend.

This, she said, laid the foundation for her success in secondary and tertiary education culminating in studying up to PhD level and rising to the position of a senior academic who is now producing PhD holders.

Giving a charge to the students before reading her prepared speech, Dr. Oyebanji also admonished the girls not to be afraid of speaking up anytime they are going through harassment, intimidation, gender-based violence and inappropriate sexual behaviour from anybody towards them.

Dr. Oyebanji said: “Don’t distract yourselves with the issue of boyfriend. Face your studies very well and in your relationship with people, especially the opposite sex, there is need for you to set boundaries. You must also speak up against intimidation, harassment and gender-based violence.

“In schools, including girls schools, there are issues of lesbianism in hostels. If fellow girls are touching your bodies in inappropriate manner, speak out so that you can be helped and don’t suffer in silence.

“You must set boundaries against things can destroy your future. If I am doing this boyfriend-girlfriend thing, BAO (Governor Biodun Oyebanji) will not marry me. I grew up on the streets of Ado Ekiti here, I schooled here, I hawked here but I was focused on my education which has helped me to become what I am today.”

Reading from her speech, she said: “Girls all over the world have the power to change the course of history, break barriers, and inspire change. Their smiles are not only a testament to their innocence but also to their strength and determination! Girls ! You are the architects of change, your dreams and your actions can shape a better world for all.

“As we commemorate this day, let us commit ourselves to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to smile, dream, and thrive. Let us empower them with education, protect their rights, and create a world where their smiles shine even brighter.”

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, hailed the First Lady for always championing the cause of the girl child urging the students not to allow any vice and anybody to abort their dreams.

A lawyer, Mrs. Shirley Atane, identified poverty, rape and teenage pregnancy as enemies of progress for schoolgirls which can block their opportunities and hinder them from attaining greatness.

She added that the future of the girls must be adequately looked after and invested in identifying education and relevant legal frameworks as parts of measures being taken by the Ekiti State government to secure their future.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Adebimpe Aderiye, said this year’s theme was apt and speaks to the essence of protection of the rights of the girl child and preparing the girls for leadership roles in the future.

The 2023 International Day of the Girl Child had as its theme: Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being.” It was well attended by students, teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector.